I’m not rating this book on Goodreads since I didn’t finish it, which is extremely rare for me especially where historical romances are concerned so please ignore my star rating on Amazon and elsewhere because they’re forcing me to give one. Read my entire review instead. From the blurb I thought this was going to be a laugh riot with sizzling chemistry between the main characters, but unfortunately it fizzled. I read 1/3 of the book and literally nothing happened, other than Hugh hiring Minerva to pose as his fiancée and she and her sisters moved in with him. There’s not much of anything interesting or even funny that took place between them. The secondary characters, including her sisters were far more likeable and relatable. I didn’t hate the writer’s style, but the romance was plodding. Usually by the halfway point in most books there’s so much more tension and that may be so with this book, but if by 34% I wasn’t feeling it, I don’t know how a few more pages would make a difference. This might be the book for you if you are interested in a story that’s a bit more slow moving, but sadly this was a DNF for me.

* I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not obligated to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own*

I finally finished my first book of #NetgalleyNovember. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Never Fall for Your Fiancée is the hilarious tell of a Earl who hires a fake fiancée to keep his match-matching mother a bay. Minerva knows the plan is far fetched, but she is struggling to support her two younger sisters and desperate. Expect lots of ridiculous hilarity and miscommunication as this fun cast of characters tries to keep their stories straight. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Read this one if you enjoy- ⁣
- Fake romance. ⁣
- Great supporting characters. ⁣
- A fun and silly storyline. ⁣
- Minimal amount of steam, but great chemistry. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Unfortunately- I felt like the same problems kept coming up over and over and just wanted these two to talk! Miscommunication drives me crazy! Three and a half stars rounded up to four! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Y’all. I didn’t know what to expect when I went into this historical romance, but it was such a fun ride.

I love the fake dating trope (or in this case a fake fiancé trope 😂), and this one did not disappoint. The chemistry between Minerva and Hugh was 💯. The supporting cast of characters was amazing and so well fleshed out. At times Minerva’s sister, Diana, and Hugh’s best friend Giles stole the show. I’m really hoping their book is next.

I particularly loved that though Minerva and her sisters were in a desperate situation, she wouldn’t let herself be held to less than she was worth (i.e. become Hugh’s mistress instead of his wife) I also very much appreciated that these two characters talked to each other about their emotions and feelings, and it wasn’t a communication breakdown that was the conflict between them.

The best part of this book was the last 80 pages. The utter chaos that ensued as everything unraveled was laugh out loud funny. I sincerely hope this some day gets made into a TV show because this type of chaos is made for the screen.

I can’t get enough of the Meriwell sisters and can’t wait to read the next story of theirs!

This was a really cute read! I loved the time period of this historical romance and definitely think it added to the story. I really enjoyed the characters and their chemistry was great. I would definitely recommend giving this one a read!

Never Fall for Your Fiancée is not just a Historical fiction tale; it’s a Regency Rom-Com! Book 1 of the Merriwell Sisters series is a delight.

I’m quite partial to the Regency Romance genre. I can honestly say I’ve never laughed this much while reading one.

Hugh is a rakish bachelor determined to stay that way. He has that boyish charm that allows him to play the cad to hide his gentle, caring heart. He creates an elaborate ruse to thwart his mother’s matchmaking attempts without hurting her feelings.

Minerva took on the mantle of adulthood before her time when her mother passed and her worthless father abandoned the family. She assumed the responsibility of caring for her two younger sisters. The poor girl is barely managing to keep them fed and sheltered.

When fate puts Minerva in Hugh’s path, sparks fly, and hilarity ensues. The predicaments they find themselves in while attempting to maintain their faux engagement will keep you in stitches.

The pace is quick and the dialogue witty, entertaining you from cover to cover. Every character, no matter how minor, is well-developed.

Kudos to author Virginia Heath on a fabulous kickoff to the Merriwell Sisters series. I hope they all find their true love and “marry well.”

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

This was a cute historical romance with a different and clever plot line. Granted, it was a bit far-fetched, but that made it all the more entertaining.

The basis of this story is that our main character, Minerva, agrees to be Hugh's fake fiancee in order to convince her that he is truly "off the market." However, the longer the facade goes on for, the guiltier she feels.

I really enjoyed watching the two fall for one another. It was most amusing to see them battling one another with such spirit and pride. As their ruse continues, they both start to realize that they have genuine feelings for the other person. The makes each of them fear that they will only complicate the situation.

I found this book to be a breathe of fresh air. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it.

Never Fall for Your Fiancee is a perfectly delightful historical romance. It's entertaining, and it has a great cast of characters. It's well written, super cute, and I love the fake fiancee trope.

I really wanted to love it but I just didn't. The only thing I can pinpoint is there were parts that dragged a little. I did love the chaos at the end where everything unravels. This is the fourth book in a row that has had all the elements of a fantastic read that I've struggled with. It's not the books, it's me. Seriously, go read some other reviews, there are some great ones out there. If you like historical rom-coms you'll probably like this one.

Despite the incredibly long time I was reading this for, it was cute. It's a solid fake dating/forced proximity story that was on the lower spice level but is still cute. Pick this up if you're looking for a regency on the fun side (though it does have some deeper elements, particularly with the hero's fear he'll be unfaithful like his dad and grandfather) and you're okay with a mild spice level. I did like the Merriwell sisters and I would definitely pick up a future installment.
3.5 stars

As part of the large population of women who fell in love with everything “Duke” related after Bridgerton season 1 released on Netflix almost a year ago… I was extremely elated to receive an early copy of Never Fall For Your Fiancé. I can’t thank @stmartinspress enough for sending a copy of this amazing book my way. I was having serious Bridgerton withdrawals & that this book released the same week as Red (Taylor’s Version)? Serendipity!

I am seriously so in love with this book & cannot wait to hear more from this author as this stand-alone series continues in book 2. The Merriwell sisters were just what I needed this week & though they for sure made me want to slap my head at times in wonder as to their stubbornness, I beyond adored it all the same and couldn’t stop reading it for the life of me. So for all my romance loving friends..
Make sure you pick this book up!

I liked this book a lot. I saw this book mentioned so many times when they were trying to predict what books might be released as November BOTM. I received this book as a Netgalley read. I finally got around to reading it.

Hugh Standish is the Earl of Fareham. His mother is so insistent on him settling down that he created a fake fiancée for the past year and a half. However, when his mom decides to return back home, he most fins a real girl to play her part or come clean to his mother that he created a lie. When he runs into a young woman in need of some assistance who just happens to have the same name as his fake fiancée, he sees it as the perfect opportunity to continue his lie long enough to fake a breakup. However, Hugh and Minerva soon begin to have little moments together that begin to turn their fake relationship into a real one.

I gave this book a 3-star reading. I liked the story line and the characters; however, it is definitely not one of my top favorites. I have always had a bit of a hard time getting into historical romance novels.

* I received this book as an ARC in return for my honest review.

I was hoping for some crackling chemistry and razor sharp dialogue similar to Tessa Dare's style.

This book was a slow, repetitive slog.

I lost track of how many weeks this book was supposed to cover. It felt like months even when time fast forwarded a week, it was still no closer to Christmas/Valentine's/whenever this fake wedding was supposed to take place.

The only character who brings a bit of comic relief is sent off on important business early on. Even scenes with the drunken actress hired to play Minerva's mother didn't bring any comedy or even any tension that she could expose the whole ruse.

3/4 of the way through I didn't even care if they really got married. I was bored with the whole thing.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law."

What a tangled web as Hugh, Earl of Fareham, creates a false fiancèe to put off his mother's incessant matchmaking. Fortunately or unfortunately, he has been able to hold her off for two years with the letters of lies he sends to her in America. He rescues a young lady trying to get payment for her woodcut work for a business advertising. What luck her first name is Minerva, the same name he made up for his fiancèe. With his mother ireturning to England in a few weeks for Christmas, he offers Minerva money to play his fiancèe. How can she say "No," with two sisters to support. So begins a farce that goes deeper into lies with hilarious results. Hugh and Minvera's attraction throws them both into emtional turmoil, forcing Hugh to reevaluate his belief he would be an unfaithful husband and confess the lies to his mother. A drunken actress, a young lady with two left feet and afraid of horses, a sister that thinks Hugh is a murderer and another sister resistant to cooperate with the lies. A snicker, laugh out loud romance. Very entertaining!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was my first historical/regency romance novel and I honestly went into it blind. As it was my first, and isn’t my personal preference for romance tropes, I wasn’t entirely in love with it during the first half – but once I hit the halfway point, I couldn’t seem to put it down. I truly enjoyed Minerva’s character: bold, courageous, caring, and troubled. I enjoyed Hugh’s skill for verbal sparring, but found myself frustrated at his inability to just hold a conversation in order to clear up things that seemed to drive his choices in life.

Minerva’s two sisters were interesting characters – Diana being a bit of a firecracker (I really hope to see a book about her in the future), and Vee who honestly drove me a bit crazy. Labeled as a seventeen year old, I wasn’t convinced she was over twelve with how she was behaving.

Also, WOW does this book paint men negatively. Even still, I loved Jeremiah and Payne and their scenes were some of my favorites.

A story woven together on the basis of lies, attraction, and budding-yet-forbidden love, this is definitely one to add to your romcom list if you’re interested in seeing characters fall apart over one another and their own moral dilemmas.

He Thinks Love Is Spelled L-ust

The Farthest Thing From Rom-Com Possible

I admit that I didn't realize this book was a "period steamy romance," (thankfully not as steamed as it could have been). But it explains why the story began so slowly, and the sudden s ex was a surprise.

This story begins innocently enough; a young woman living in a small village in England is struggling to support herself and her sisters. Whether they are orphans is unknown, but hardly important, since their father abandoned them when she (the eldest) was 19. She is understandably tired and irate when trying to get a tradesman to pay for her work.

Along comes, who we assume is the hero of the story. He helps her collect what she is owed, and offers a strange deal. To continue his lifestyle, he has written lies to his mother for two years about a fiancé of great beauty, grace, and skill, called Minerva (the poor dear--but he loves the name).

Coincidentally, this self-sacrificing, hard-working young woman is named Minerva. (Surely the heavens smile upon them all this day!) Needing the money, and being tempted by a week or two in a fine house, she accepts the dubious position against her better judgement.

I cannot overstate how obscene this man is for overstepping his duty and decency. His proposal in the first place, as well as his growing overfamiliarity would ruin a woman in their society and time period. He knows this very well--having made a habit of only having affairs with married women. Just living at his residence as a non-relative would ruin her if she comes away unmarried. But the author treats it as no big deal.

What Minerva doesn't fully know, and we come to learn slowly, is that the man in question; this wealthy play-boy, has been no gentleman. Not only that, but he becomes obsessed with Minerva as a sex object. It is, of course, subtly presented as love despite using words like "lust." Later he admits to confusion about love, not knowing what it would feel like. He never tries for love.

Seduction:
While Lord Hugh Fareham indulges himself in fantasies and watching Minerva's "womanly hips" (eww--starting in Chapter 4) with just occasional comments, they slowly progress as his frustration increases, and Minerva believes his affections are real. Still within the first week of her arrival, and after Minerva's sister has warned him off from taking advantage of her, he seduces her in chapter 14; described in way too much detail, followed by mentions of both parties (for 4 more chapters) checking "shameless" body parts fearing they may betray "cravings" to others. Triple eww! And just skip all of chapter 29. The couple decides not to wait--despite the social danger--especially if she becomes pregnant. (If I had known this was a cheap "bodice-ripper" novel, I wouldn't have bothered.)

This isn't written as love, either. Hugh believes that he can "barely keep his hands off her" because of paternal bad blood. His grandfather and father were apparently s ex addicts and shameless scoundrels, and he considers himself a helpless genetic victim. What a carriage full of horse dung! If there is one thing that I find insufferable, it is people pretending they have no control over their actions and feelings! (The issue is mentioned later, but not enough to my satisfaction.)

Meanwhile, Minerva spends her time either wondering in hand-wringing agony what she will do without her beloved Hugh (and--by the by--the lovely luxuries), or in a fury at his shoddy treatment of her; determination to leave and return to poverty with no income except what he promised. There is the whole "only pretending to be engaged" thing to remind them he's not big on commitment, but without a sticky note on the mirror, I guess that part is easy to forget. [It is unclear how she thinks 20 pounds would give herself and her sisters a new place to live, and a much better life. Perhaps I've misunderstood the current price index.]

Minerva's delusions center on knights spending day and night in shining armor while doing absolutely everything. The most minor thing qualified Hugh for another bubble over Minerva's head to show us the silver chest and helmet gleaming brightly in the sun. Ironic given her past disappointments.

More questionable decisions are made, and some things are tied up too neatly, but the main story is fine.

I do not recommend this book. The main character has too few issues considering her background, secondary characters are flat, and Hugh seems to have been written by two people. Things became ridiculous quickly, but everyone accepted them.

I gave this book a genuine chance, and I wanted to connect with Minerva. But there was too much telling-about her and not enough "showing" what she was like. The ending was a quick wrap-up as you can imagine.

1/5 Stars
NOTE FOR BOOK SELLER: If you sell trashy books, be prepared for reviews that can only be sanitized to a certain degree.
Note for publisher:
Please warn readers that the book contains graphic s ex. I was very unhappily surprised!

I found this light-hearted romantic comedy to be really funny and charming. It was pure entertainment and a pleasure to read. This is the type of book to pick up when relaxation and fun are the goals. It is a story that would appeal to any romance lover. The characters are well created and there is convincing dialogue. It is quite a creative story, even though the premise seems predictable. A fun read that I recommend!

thank you, NetGalley for the early e-arc copy!

3.5+

sometimes you just need to read a romance that is so not realistic to fill the void of your painfully romanceless life, and this book was it for me.

''Never fall for your fiancee'' is a fun, quirky fake dating, historical romance that will have you crying and throwing up because this ain't gonna happen to you (not that I know, pfft). with the balanced doses of funny moments and an angsty relationship that will make have you reading until your eyelids close on their own, at least it was like that for me.

nevertheless, I don't think this is the best romance. I found the beginning to be cringey with dialogues that made me recoil a lil bit (especially Diana and Vee's - Minerva's sisters) - but as you continue the book it gets better and funnier.

I found the sisters' relationship very accurate even though I could not stand vee, the younger sister, but I guess you get used to that.

the romance was sweet and angsty and dreamy, so I really enjoyed it.

really looking forward for the other books despite I don't have the best relationship with vee and Diana

I finished Never Fall for Your Fiancée earlier and while I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did The Heiress and the Duke, I still loved the 1800’s love story setting! I don’t know what it is about it…maybe the men appreciating the strong women in these novels, but I just breeze happily through them.

The premise behind this one was really entertaining. I found Hugh’s lies funny and ridiculous, which led to some great shenanigans throughout the book. I really liked Minerva, but her youngest sister Vee drove me absolutely nuts. I’m not looking forward to a novel about her if that’s in the future. She would have to grow up a ton in the next book.

I really enjoyed this novel and will read Diana’s love story for sure!

Never Fall For Fiancée is a funny rom-com set in regency England. Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, creates a fake fiancée to keep his mama from match making which results in ridiculous lies and situations that had me laughing out loud. This is an open door romance and it will be published in November 2021. Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the advanced digital copy.

When an Early is tired of his mother setting him up with women, he creates a fictitious fiancé named Minerva to keep his mother off his back. But when she suddenly announces she's visiting from the continent to help plan his wedding, Hugh panics. In a chance encounter, he meets a down-on-her-luck artist named Minerva, whom he hires to play his fiancé while his mother is in town. But in slapstick fashion, disasters at every turn threaten to foil their game of deception, including the development of dreaded feelings.

This book is similar in vibes to Minverva Spencer's Infamous, and so fans of that may either like this one or find this one redundant by comparison. They're both a bit on the long side, and drag at points, though this one is undoubtedly funnier with drunken actresses, rouge horses, and other physical comedy to lighten the mood. I can't say it's my favorite historical romance, and it seems repetitive of others in the genre, but I didn't hate it, and I can see those who enjoy historical romance more than I really liking it.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 7/10

Ah! Fake dating plus regency romance equals perfection!

Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham, has a big problem. His mother is getting on his case about falling in love and getting married. And while Hugh does love women, he doesn't want to settle down anytime soon. To keep her off his case, he tells her a little lie.

And by little, I mean a big lie. He tells his mother he already has a fiancee. He figures that will get her off his case, but now she is on the way to meet his nonexistence fiancee.

Enter Minerva Merriwell. She is kind, strong, and is the caretaker of her two sisters. Hugh wants Minerva to pretend to be his finance, and when he offers her money, she can't turn him down.

Only soon enough, the line between pretending and reality is blurred. Hugh and Minerva have the best chemistry! You can help but scream at them to be together. The bickering, the stolen glances, the innocent flirting- you can't help but fall in love with them.