Thank you so much to Net Galley for this ARC! I recently read the first book in the series, “The Long Game,” and while it wasn’t a major favorite, I was curious as to how the second book would go down.

After much consideration, I have decided to rate it a 3.5/5 or upgrade to a 4/5 depending on how sites let me review books. I preferred this one over the first in the series. I feel like I could relate to Josie and some of the struggles she has faced.

In regard to why I’m not ranking it any higher, I guess I just kind of hoped for something more. It was definitely a cute story, but there are still some things I feel like were left unsaid and some things I think could have been left behind. While I cannot think of everything that happened at the top of my head, I do think this book could become (I apologize if this becomes offensive) forgettable. And by that, I mean that I read over 100 books in a year, and frankly, only the best of the best really stand out. This book had quite a bit of cliches and a little too much spice (in my opinion, I’m more of a fade to black girlie). Ultimately, it’s hard to remember books like this. However, I do think a lot of people will enjoy this book. I certainly did, it just isn’t a major favorite of mine.

Thanks again Net Galley!

3.5 stars. I really wanted to absolutely love this book and there were parts that were so amazing but overall it was lacking. I needed more depth, more history it just seemed unfinished! Honestly though Matthew 1000/10 love him so much. His character was so perfect! Overall if you read the long game then you should totally read this book! Fake engagement, forced proximity, he falls first, small town romance, sister’s best friend.

This was an adorable small town romcom with an obsessed MMC. Matthew is such a dreamboat and I loved the dynamite between him and Josie. I had to suspend my disbelief a bit for the premise of the fake engagement, but all in all I really enjoyed the story.

Tbh this lives at a 3-3.5 for me but I don’t typically like fake engagement/marriage so I’m rounding up because I know that plays a huge bias.

Mostly I feel like Josie’s personality just swallowed everything. I loved her, don’t get me wrong, but her light seemed to dim Matthew’s instead of shining together. I got hints of his personality through Adalyn talking about him but that’s…it. No indirect characterization for me to see him come to life until the last few chapters when he finally found his inappropriate jokes and filthy mouth that Adalyn jokes about.

I had to go back to read to see if I missed a chapter or parts because it had me in whiplash of how they fell so fast and how Matthew just got roped into everything.

It’s a cute story and I like how it ended…that marriage shouldn’t be a box you just check off. Although kind of weird and doesn’t track since Josie is supposedly all into “magic” and things like that and yet ??

I would have LOVED this as a dual POV novel. I think that gives more depth and complexity to fake engagement tropes.

I really enjoyed it! I flew thru it. There were a few elements that seemed a little far fetched and unnecessary for the overall storyline. But I really felt the chemistry in the characters more so than some of her previous books so this one got me back on track!

Beautifully written! I really enjoy this authors writing style. Throughout the book we were inside of these characters heads and being able to read their thoughts was a nice touch.

I loved both Josie and Matthew and the chemistry was undeniable. I guess you can say this is a small town romance of two individuals who were destined to fall in love!

Josie is literally every girl who has ever doubted herself but is also the strongest person in the room even though she struggles to advocate for herself… we all know her and some of us are her ❤️

Matthew on the other hand is unfiltered, takes no BS from anyone (especially when it comes to his women), gentle, caring, understanding, and all of the things that makes a good book boyfriend.

Thank you to netgalley and Atria Books for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 stars.

Elena Armas is certainly an author I go to when I’m in the mood for a feel good rom-com. Unfortunately I was not in the mood for that when I read this, but I’m still glad I did! It was very cute. I love reading her works because they remind me exactly of the hour long movies I like to put on and binge when I want to mindless, and this is just like the rest of her works!

Was the story believable? Not really.
Was the story entertaining? Yes.
Once I get past the silliness of the plot, I enjoyed the book. I wish we had Matthews view throughout the book instead of just at the end. I found some things underdeveloped as well (such as his job, her dad’s personality/relationship in general). Not my favorite of her books but still enjoyable.

Elena Armas is a romance powerhouse! Josie and Matthew were introduced in The Long Game, but now it’s their chance for a fake dating HEA of their own.
I fell in love with Josie in TLG, and I’m thrilled she gets her own story, especially after she was fairly coy and private before.

I wanted to truly love this book, but quite frankly it wasn’t really working for me. The story had so many complex facets that felt unnecessary, which overshadowed Matthew and Josie. While their connection was hot, it didn’t have a lot of depth and meaning to it.

Pausing reading this at 32%. Not a bad book, just having trouble suspending my disbelief enough to enjoy it.

Maybe I missed it, but I cannot figure out what is so amazing about Josie that ultimately FIVE different men would agree to marry her over the years. She is nice and quirky, but four men? Holy moly! I feel like leaving them all at the altar is kind of a big red flag. I liked charming, funny Matthew, but again, couldn’t figure out why someone like him would go for her. Maybe they shed more light on their foundation for attraction/camaraderie in the previous book.

The stakes of this fake marriage situation didn’t make sense to me either - Josie not wanting to be a “bother” to her ultra rich, famous dad because her eccentric past could fan the flames of his dumpster fire reputation. So, she allows herself to be pressured into a fake engagement and huge wedding that he’d pay for? She is completely blameless in this situation (had nothing to do with his crappy reputation), yet makes this huge sacrifice (and drags a really nice guy into it) for this man she barely knows.

Might pick it back up later because I really enjoyed Spanish Love Deception. Just not for me right now.

— 2 stars ★

Thoughts Ꮺ
— Maybe I messed up by not reading The Long Game first, despite the author claiming that this book is a standalone novel. From the beginning and throughout the story, I could not find the foundation between Josie and Matthew. Genuinely, it felt like they were in love from the beginning with nothing to show for how those feelings came about.

My grievances doesn't start with that though. I was intrigued by the synopsis because I REALLY wanted to know how this was going to play out. As someone that has an absentee father, there's nothing on this green earth that could convince me to fix my father's problems when he didn't care/acknowledge me for so long. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Josie let a PR girl and her dad run all over her like it was nothing. THEN when it came to faking the engagement, Josie basically coerced Matthew into playing along. Wouldn't take no for an answer. Frankly, that rubbed me the wrong way.

Once the story started moving along, it felt like it wasn't actually moving. There weren't moments or plot points that made me believe in the main character's feelings for each other. As long as this book is, I expected some plot points that would create turning points in said relationship. But alas, nothing.

I wanted to like Matthew, but he was very bland and one-dimensional until we get into his possessive arc. Which literally came out of nowhere. If you told me he was a secret alpha-wolf and this was an omegaverse story, I'd believe you - based off the random possessiveness alone.

Then moving onto Josie - miss girl had some issues. which I understand, because like, daddy issues and all that! But the resolution to said issues was a... wait for it... revelation. LIKE? YOU REALIZE SOMETHING AND NOW ITS ALL GOOD? EVERYTHING IS FIXED? Felt so bizarre! There was no real conflict between the main characters.

Overall Ꮺ
— Anyways. I didn't have the most fun with this book and that sucks. I was really interested in the plot but was left disappointed in the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Artia Books for the ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

I adore Elena's books, but this one blew me away! Matthew is such a well-rounded character, and Josie is such a sweet soul. I loved the engagement of convenience trope and the slow-burn romance. 11/10 recommend! Run, don't walk to get this book; for hopeless romantics, you must add it to your summer reading list.

So glad I got this ARC, I loved her Spanish Love Deception novel and this had the same vibes. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes because when they finally admit they are falling it’s just soo good 😩
Matthew is fantastic, I loved everything about him 🤭

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Fiancé Dilemma" by Elena Armas. The story jumps quickly into the plot, which initially felt rushed but ultimately worked well with the book’s premise. The main characters, Josie and Matthew, are exceptionally lovable, and their chemistry makes it hard to put the book down.

Elena Armas excels at creating endearing male characters, and Matthew is no exception. His sweet and gradually revealed affection for Josie is delightful to witness. The book’s focus on the main couple keeps the romance at the forefront, allowing for a deep connection with their story.

The slow burn romance is perfectly executed, building just the right amount of tension and anticipation. This pacing cranks up the butterflies, keeping readers invested in the unfolding romance. Elena Armas never misses with her portrayal of romantic tension, and "The Fiancé Dilemma" is no exception.

It's a book that will make you smile, swoon, and perhaps even shed a tear. If you're a fan of heartfelt romance with a touch of drama, this book has all the ingredients for a perfect love story.

I thought this was great. It had all the ingredients for a perfect romance books. The characters had a good amount of development there were so many good scenes (I especially love a “they’re the only person I need right now” vibe) and of course, a grand love confession. The premise wasn’t anything new and I do wish we had some more closure on Josie’s issues but overall it wasn’t bad. It took a long time to figure out why Matthew just agreed to it, there wasn’t really anything in it for him but throughout the book it makes more sense. This book really stayed focus on the couple and there wasn’t too too much about the side characters which was good, though I don’t mind either way. I think if you’re connected to the main characters this book definitely has 5 star potential.

Book 56 of 2024.
[RomCom/ARC]
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts was it for you, if you believe in countless chances, or just need a happy ending.

I LOVED THIS! Right from that dedication, I knew that this book was gonna be special to me. Josie felt just like me and Matthew was my dream guy FR! The whole thing had a very slow burn feel that was just perfect! Elena Armas never misses, TRULY.

This is what you call a sloooow burn. It gets there eventually but there were times that I found myself reading faster to push through the slow parts. I do love Elena's writing style but this one was a tad bit slower than normal. I will say the cover is beautiful as her covers usually are.

Mathew himself caused me to add a star. I went through all the emotions while getting to know him and let me just say- yes. In every aspect, yes. He is probably my favorite 'book boyfriend' at this time. His personality and how sweet he is!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Elena Armas does an amazing job of writing men who are smitten with their women, and she has done it again with Matthew. It is so incredibly clear that he is head over heels for Josie from the very beginning, but not in a boring or predictable way. It is a delight to see him slowly revealing more and more of himself to Josie as their fake engagement progresses. I also greatly appreciated the slow burn. Sometimes a good slow burn is just what you need to crank up the butterflies in a book, and this book delivered on the butterflies!

My one complaint about the book was that I found myself getting confused with the side characters. I recognize that this might 100% be my problem rather than a writing issue.

This was a very cute and fun read! I read the long game right before it so it was fun to see all the characters again while still fresh in my mind. Felt like a continuation of the story which I enjoyed. For all of us out there with daddy issues - we’ve all been scared to love and commit so I loved seeing how Matthew continued to stick around for Josie and prove he wouldn’t leave.

Also - who doesn’t love a hot guy in glasses who binges the Bridgerton series and then says he wants to read the series?