Never Wager with a Wallflower
A Novel
by Virginia Heath
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Nov 07 2023 | Archive Date Nov 21 2023
St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin
Description
Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third and final delightful installment in Virginia Heath's Merriwell Sisters Regency rom-com series.
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is a selfless academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago.
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250787804 |
| PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Brittney Z, Reviewer
I have not read the other two books in this series but wasn’t lost in the story. I feel it can definitely stand alone. After reading Venus and Gals story I will be picking up the other two. I love the authors style of writing. It’s historical but flows easily. The banter between the characters is witty and keeps you engrossed in the story. It’s a slow burn with a few spicy scenes but nothing you can’t skim over if spicy isn’t your thing. Vee and Gal have great chemistry but both have to get over insecurities and past hurts. If you like a historical rom com I highly recommend. Now excuse me while I go download the other two books in the series!
Jennifer N, Reviewer
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC!
A fun conclusion to the Merriwell Sisters' Series. This enemies-to-lovers regency romcom has a great mix of witty banter and slow burn angsty vibes.
Maddy W, Reviewer
“What I’ve never let you see before now . . . never even dared admit properly to myself before now because it scares the hell out of me . . .” His index finger found hers and reverently grazed it as he swallowed. “. . . is that I’ve honestly always wanted you in the forever sort of way, Venus.” His reluctant smile was one of resignation. Of fear and uncertainty. Of surrender. “And it turns out I’m just not strong enough to fight that anymore.”
-book three of the Merriwell Sisters series, historical romance, neighbours and mutual pining
-Galahad is such a softy! I loved his character. Venus and Gal made a really great couple and I was rooting for them through each and every turn 🩷
-this was such a cute and easy read and a nice end to the series
-thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!
4.2⭐️
Reviewer 861108
This is the third book in the "The Merriwell Sisters" series BUT it can be read as a standalone. This is the first book that I have read in the series and I didn't feel like I couldn't follow along because I hadn't read the previous ones. This book focuses on the youngest sister and her romance trip. The characters were likable and definitely pulled me in.
4/5 stars
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Julie P, Reviewer
Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third and final book in The Merriwell Sisters trilogy, and it focuses on the youngest sister, Venus. Vee teaches at a local orphanage and does what she can to avoid Galahad, her brother-in-law’s brother. Gal has spent years working toward his dream of opening a pleasure palace, and his dreams are finally realized. However, when he learns he bought property next door to Vee’s orphanage unbeknownst to Vee, and their paths repeatedly cross, both characters must face their changing feelings for each other.
Vee and Gal have a wonderful, slow-building, enemies-to-lovers romance, and their love story was a fabulous conclusion to the series. Each chapter begins with a passage from Vee’s journal, which she’s kept for many years. It was so interesting to see how her thoughts, feelings, and desires changed from her younger teen years to adulthood. I also liked that each journal passage set the tone and offered a bit of foreshadowing for the chapter ahead.
Though they believe they are very different, Vee and Gal have a lot in common, which they learn the more they’re together. Both had difficult and tragic pasts, both have erected pretty strong walls, and they both have feelings for each other that they’re hesitant to reveal. This all makes for some great chemistry and terrific and sometimes antagonistic banter. They have some amazing conversations about books and Shakespeare that are fantastic! Vee and Gal learn that their first impressions of each other are not as accurate as they believed, and it was wonderful seeing their preconceptions change as they learn more about each other.
Vee and Gal have a slow-building love story. Both struggle with their insecurities and fears, as well as deep hurts from the past, and the story delves into these feelings and conflicts. It definitely deepens their connection, and it adds so much to their character development. I found myself so invested in their stories, and I really wanted them both to see how perfect they were for each other. However, between their misgivings, the walls they put up, and their fear (especially Gal) of opening up to others, there are a lot of obstacles in their way. Plus, Gal bought the property Vee thought was for the orphanage, and he isn’t transparent with Vee about it.
I also liked the secondary characters in the novel. The couples from the first two books are also in this one, but the stars of the secondary characters have to be the orphanage boys. I just adored them and how both Vee and Gal connected with them in different ways.
This was a delightful conclusion to the trilogy, and the epilogue was the icing on top of the cake. I loved it! Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Angela B, Librarian
Never Wager With A Wallflower is one of those books you pick up and your hooked from the start. After reading it I realized it was part of series and I am so excited to read the other two book. This is a cute book and it will grab the attention of all romance lovers.
Diane S, Reviewer
Sorry to see this trilogy end but it did indeed on a very good note.
Venus/Vee locks horns with Galahad/Gal Sinclair since the moment they met until things change when they share a kiss. Vee finds there is more to Gal than he lets on.
This is a well-written, fun romance with lots of witty banter between Vee and Gal. Makes for an entertaining read.
Jessica M, Reviewer
The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.
Ashley R, Reviewer
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read an Advanced Copy of Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath!
This was an amazing final chapter for the Merriwell sisters. Each book shined in it's own way, but they also flowed and supported each other so amazing! We finally get to see the dreamy eyed youngest Merriwell sister, Venus, find her happily ever after. I loved seeing her own personal journey about expectations and what she wanted for herself in terms of life and love. This book is a true culmination of "never judge a book by its cover". Because Gal was the lovable playboy - you have expectations for him based on preconceived notions, but then he completely surprises you with his cinnamon roll heart at every turn.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading the first two books to this series because the relationship between the three sisters is such a strong theme throughout, and it makes each story so much more meaningful.
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