Never Rescue a Rogue is the 2nd novel in the Merriwell Sisters series and follows Diana - the middle sister who is fiercely independent and refuses to give up her freedom as well as her work with the newspaper in order to get married. She plans to spend life as a spinster despite societies beliefs. Giles, who is the best friend of Diana's brother in law, has recently inherited a Dukedom from his horrible father. Giles wants to right the wrongs of his father but knows that time if of the essence, as family secrets could mean his ruination and his dukedom being taken away before he can atone for the sins of his father.

I really liked this one! I have genuinely 0 memory of the first book, which was actually one of the first historical ARCs I was approved for, but that didn't take away from this book at all. I really liked Diana and Giles together - I thought the way their relationship grew was lovely to see. The family members trying to push them together at many stages throughout the book was also very funny!

I will say that this seems to be marketed as "enemies to lovers" and I would strongly argue that it's not that. They have a lot of banter and bickering, but the "enemies" part of this is short lived if it exists at all.

Overall a super solid Historical Romance that I really enjoyed! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you'd asked me two years ago 'Contemporary or Regency?' I wouldn't have hesitated -'Contemporary, of course!', but then I discovered Virginia Heath and her delightful historical romcoms and learnt that they have everything a romance reader can wish for: entertaining storylines with the best tropes, funny, memorable characters, swoonworthy heroes and sassy heroines...and lots and lots of banter.

No wonder I fell hook line and sinker for Minerva Merriwell and Hugh Standish in Never Fall for Your Fiancee, the first book in the Merriwell Sisters series, and now the wait is finally over and we have the second story where Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclaire get their happily-ever-after. If you remember these hilarious secondary characters from the first book, you already know they love nothing better than a bit of verbal sparring. Now that Giles' best friend Hugo is married to Diana's sister, these frenemies have grown even closer, although they are still long way from admitting how much they appreciate each other's company.


​Yes, there's chemistry and sizzling attraction between the main characters, but there's so much more- trust, understanding and willingness to fight for each other's well-being and happiness. I love nothing more than a strong, independent female protagonist who will push the envelope and defy other people's expectations. All of this in deliciously entertaining, easy-to-read package (I love Virginia Heath's sense of humour and her writing style) and you have me reading until the small hours., wondering why on earth I thought Regency Romance can't be fun.

Recommended? Sure! Now I can't wait for Virginia Heath to write the next story in the series.

My preference for romance will always gear more towards spicy than cute but this one is just too cute to resist. Stressed about the US election today? Rather get lost in a story than deal with reality? Look no further because this book is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

Diana and Giles (I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a Giles in a book who isn’t the butler?) make for an interesting pair to follow. Giles falls first for Diana and he falls hard and fast. Diana is a reluctant spinster, who after her father fed her and her sister to the wolves, is not interested in marriage and would rather pursue her career in journalism. When a buried family secret threatens to unravel Giles’ life, he convinces Diana to help him unravel it. As she starts to spend more time with him, she comes to realize that his playboy persona might have been a ruse all along and he’s a big ol’ cinnamon roll underneath it all.

The actual butler (not Giles!?) provides perfect comic relief and adds an air of lightness to it all. Can we get the butler’s story?!

The dialogue is flirty and snappy and so on point that I’m a little jealous of this author’s skillset. The plot deals with some serious issues but it isn’t heavy. There’s a found family on both sides of this romance and undertones of feminism written throughout.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A truly enjoyable book. Heath has a unparalleled command of the English language and her book are always full of witty and clever banter. This one was no exception. It was funny with a hint of angst that added depth to the characters. The little mystery around which the plot revolved was intriguing and the side characters such as Dalton and Vee were really a gorgeous addition. The two main characters were equally well rounded and easy to fall in love with. I’m waiting anxiously for the next book and the next Merriwell sister finding her HEA!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, full disclosure... I adored the first book in this series, and I loved this second one even more! Both books have enough twists to make them interesting, but not so many that you have to expend a lot of emotional or intellectual energy. That is to say, this book is just the perfect amount of fun, spice, and intrigue.

Diana is an independent woman with her own brain who secretly works for the newspaper digging into scandals and abuses of power. She has zero interest in marrying someone she'd have to "obey". Giles is a feckless Duke-to-be who is suddenly thrown into upheaval when he learns that everything he's known is in question. The need to find long buried answers brings the two sparring partners together, but how long will they remain "just friends"?

Looks like there's one more book in this series and I am *here* for it!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
#NeverRescueARogue

I might have missed the first book in this series but I felt perfectly poised to jump in to this rollicking ride of a tale. Diana and Giles might despise having their mutual irritation used as matchmaking fuel, but even from the start it is clear they enjoy one another's company, even if it is only to trade insults.

While the mystery of Giles' parentage twists and turns for quite a while, it is rather entertaining and stuffed full of banter and a slow-dawning attraction between two good-hearted people. They've both come out of troubled childhoods with high walls and shiny façades, so it takes them a while to realise how well they fit together.

I could've done without Giles being stubbornly overbearing in the name of Diana's safety - would've loved him to have shown he trusted her judgement - but that is a small quibble in an enjoyable read. There's plenty of characters, presumably from the first book, and their love and loyalty to each other is truly heartwarming, even as the likely next couple are reveals and the final moments of the book descend into unrelated but satisfying chaos.

It's a classic tale of rogues, journalism, and enemies to lovers. Gosh, Virginia Heath can really tell a story!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this via NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

4.5 Stars
This book consumed my weekend! I devoured it in a quick 24 hours and loved it even more than the first. Diana, the FMC was such an interesting, unique, realistic heroine. And I’m a huge sucker for when the guy falls first, and falls hard!

This 2nd installment in the Merriwell Sisters series, maintained the comedy of the first, but added a ton of twists and turns and adventures. This made for a book that was hard to put down. The ending once again seems to be setting up the next sister’s story. And I love how we get more of Minerva & Hugh’s HEA!

I even love the cover of this book and the nod to hornets! Really nothing that I would change!
Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Buckle up, guys. I’m so delighted, I want to swoon to high heavens. I am in love and his nameth Giles Sinclair. Well, lets be honest, I’m pretty much in love with Diana Meriwell too. Have no idea what I’m talking about? Well let me enlighten you. Meet the hero and heroine of Virginia Heath’s sophomore release of her Meriwell’s Sisters series, Never Rescue a Rake. There aren’t many regency era, enemies to lovers, mystery-tinged, independent bluestocking and reformed rake books I don’t like, but damn, did I love this one.
And I’m gonna say it, Virginia did it, I didn’t think she could.. but had faith…I’ll get to that later.
A Little Bit of Plot
Giles and Diana snipe and sneer constantly, to the almost vexation of everyone. Their friends and family have begun to suspect that the constant bickering and insults are hiding something more, an attraction that neither can ignore anymore. Diana wishes to never be held down by a husband, allowing herself the freedom to continue employment as a famous investigative journalist writing under a male nom de plume. Giles' ducal days are coming to end as his ‘dirty secret’ is threatened to be revealed. When her keen intellect and detective wiles are needed, can Giles trust Diana not only with his livelihood and freedom, but also his heart?
The Compliment Sandwich
The Top Bun (The Pro)
The Banter
When I say these two bicker and snipe like children, I’m not overexagerrating. I'd go as far to say it's a meet-hate when they first set eyes on each other. It’s like game meeting game. They’re so similar that they actually repel one another. Both are hiding: he, saddled with a huge secret to his parentage that could have legal ramifications, and her, writing under an assumed name as to not bring ruination on her reputation or her family. When they are together, however, the barbs tossed between the two are amazing:
“ I would have washed my hands of the chore of you last winter - but alas…you continue to linger on the periphery of my life like a bad smell”
And...
Giles like to think he was always the canniest person in any room and several paces ahead of the crowd - but shewas always hot on his heels. Or more often, he trailed on hers. “Hardly a surprise when you rarely make any sense at the best of times, either. You do know I only tolerate you on sufferance because my best friend married your sister, don’t you? Although it is still a mystery to me why he aligned himself with such a bunch of lowly commoners”
The more you get to know both characters, these interactions become even more endearing, as you can imagine them being delivered with light quippy inflection - their intention to annoy rather harm.
“If anyone needs the benefit of some beauty sleep it is you.”
“You need significantly more beauty sleep than me. Although, to be frank, even if you slept for a week you’d still look a fright.”
Sarcasm and banter is their love language. Even when declaring their love for one another, they still take jabs here and there.
I will say, we have another instance of the #fallsfirstfallshard hero. In the midst of his life completely falling apart while Diana frantically attempts to keep everything together with sellotape, Giles falls irrevocably in love. We see it building quickly for him in this novel, but he admits it to himself and out loud leagues before her.
“But if I could ask..” He had no idea why he felt compelled to be honest but couldn’t seem to stop. “If the chaotic mess of my life were miraculously gone and my ruination and scandal didn’t loom on the horizon like the Grim Reaper…if I were in a position to ask anybody to spend eternity with me, it would be you, Diana”.
Oh lord, and the nicknames.. Goddess of the Hunt and Hunter of the Truth, Nitpicking Grammarian, Fearless Kicker of Hornets ... I just can't with him.
Giles is such a good man. His true upset over possibly losing his title and inheritance is so noble and benevolent. And he's constantly hiding his true self - similar to Hugh in the first novel. Both men with rakish pasts but good hearts. Honestly, I am so happy to discover the true Giles in this book as I wasn’t overtly enamored with him in Never Fall for your Fiance, but that’s the point, isn’t it?
The Meat (The Con)
I enjoyed the underlying mystery that weaves throughout the book, however, I would have liked a bigger reveal a little sooner. The ending felt very rushed.
The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
Redemption!
I don’t know why I didn’t trust Virginia Heath to do her thang. I will admit, like a damn adult, that the youngest Meriwell sister, Vee (Venus) was the con of the last book. At one point, both Hugh and Giles want to send her packing as she’s obnoxious and snotty. You know…a teenager. In this book, we’ve got an almost adult Vee bonding with the supportive, stable, and loving family built with Minerva, Hugh, and Hugh’s parents. They’ve taken all Meriwell sisters into their lives and are raising them almost like adoptive parents. We see real growth in her character.
I was extremely worried as she plays a HUGE role the last half of the book. But we find that she’s intelligent, witty, courageous, and has come to terms with the destruction their deadbeat father left in his wake. In one rather humorous scene, Vee blindly defends both Diana and Giles by outing a trespasser
“Arms flailing and nightdress billowing like a ghostly apparition, Vee hit something slid with a thud before she plunged into some shrubbery. Giles got to the scene firstand stared, because the youngest, and usually the most sedate Merriwell had turned into a raging banshee. One who had used naught but all four of her limbs to pin a wide-eyed and petrified young man face up on the ground.
‘Who are you and what do you want!’ Spectacles askew and murder in her eyes, she bellowed in his face before Giles stepped in and unpeeled her.”
We are also introduced to who I am assuming will be her love interest in the last of this series. I’m not spoiling it, but you can see the seedling of something between these two – definitely a simmering chemistry or at least acknowledgement of interest.
I wish I could go on for about 10 more pages about Giles and both his love of Diana and his nobility to do the right thing in every situation throughout the book. An unexpected hero but a dashing one, nonetheless. Diana’s pretty amazing herself. Would definitely recommend this book wholeheartedly. Come for the banter, stay for the chemistry.

There are sparks between Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair, but they would never act on them. They prefer to exchange quips and treat each other with a bit of disdain in public. Besides, both have their reasons for not wanting to become involved with anyone and have no desire to marry. But when his father dies and Giles finds himself on the precipice of defending his dukedom, he needs Diana’s help. Did I mention that she is an investigative reporter writing under a nom du plume?

The banter in this one is DELICIOUS. The writing is clever. The sparks, tension, and buildup make it a delectable slow burn. The matchmaking and interference from their family and friends are so entertaining. Dalton, Giles’s one-eyed, one-legged butler-cum-valet, is reason enough to read this book. His actions, observations, and comedic timing are chef’s kiss. And to top it all off, Diana and Giles are solving a mystery together, so there are clues and touch of intrigue included.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

The focus of the series is on the Merriwell Sisters. Never Fall for Your Fiancée, told the story of the oldest who ends up married to an Earl. In this book Diana Merriwell is the second sister and the most independent. Her family is convinced that she writes gossip columns for the newspaper, which she does. But they don’t know that she also writes serious investigative pieces on corruption especially if it deals with the upper crust. Giles Sinclair is heir to a Duke. He is best friends with the husband of Diana’s sister and for the last year has been a frequent visitor.

When his father unexpectedly passes the family supports him especially Diana. He finally shares his big secret with her and she agrees to use all her investigative skills to help him find the answer he needs. There is just the right amount of banter and silliness between the two. Everyone else can see the devotion between the two but of course they are the last to know. Giles’ butler also bring extra levity to all of his scenes. I like that this is a romance between two people who have become friends first. I can’t wait for Virginia Heath to write the romance for the youngest sister Vee and hope it is just as fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

The Dirty Secret...

I really enjoyed this fast paced, witty banter, fun, Regency read.
Giles Sinclair has a big, fat secret. So he's lvied his life as a dichotomy. The feckless, squanderer of wealth and over all never do well, but the reality. is he's secretly wealthy by his own wits, self-aware of how precarious his existence is and makes atonement for his father's sins. He flaunts a vapid public life to displease his father, the Duke of Harpenden.

Diana Merriwell sees right through Giles. She's smarter than he and is a writer for the newspaper. Giles knows Diana has his number and admires her for her smarts. Their witty banter drives this book and its fast and funny with bullseye accuracy. Giles needs Diana's smarts to find all about the Dirty Secret. She doesn't need rescuing, but Giles sure does.
Recommend.

If you are looking for a book where you have two strong characters who have that I love you I hate you vibe this is the perfect book for you. Both characters are set in their ways. One is a philandering rouge who secretly has a heart of gold, the other is a strong-willed woman who will not allow her gender to stand in the way of her career. Together they make a super strong team. Which is needed when Giles becomes Duke knowing that a past secret means he could lose his dukedom on a moments notice. Luckily for him Diana is great a digging up the past, and while she isn’t always Giles biggest fan, she is intrigued by him. Readers are going to love the playful banter, and the love hate tension that is throughout this book. They will also love the fact that both characters except each other for who they are and don’t ask the other to change. I think that is very modern and nice to see when it really wasn’t something that truly happened during this time period. Or if it did it was not something generally spoken about.
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy of Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath!

I LOVED the first book in this series, Never Fall for Your Fiancee, so I thought I would love this just as much. I really liked both characters separately and just would've loved to have more time with them actually being together. I liked the mystery part of this but again, I wanted the romance to be the main thing here and I don't think these two plots were juggled all that well. This felt really long to me too, and maybe its because I kept waiting for there to be more romance to this.

I will still read whatever Virginia Heath writes next because I do like the humor and heart she writes with, I just wanted more from this one is all.

A woman of means living in Regency England did not have many "rights," so to speak, such as having the ability to have a job. Diana Merriwell started out with not many means, but due to the turn of fate when her sister married into a well to do family, she now believes she can live as she wishes with that job at the newspaper.

While her family believes she's the gossip columnist and she tries to lead them to believe she just corrects grammar, her notoriety as the Sentinel is unknown to all but herself and the owner of the paper. And she does not need a man. Enter Giles Sinclair, the most known rogue of the ton. Sparks fly when she gets caught up in helping Giles solve a mystery regarding his parentage after his father dies, leaving him the dukedom.

The writing is clever and witty. Many comedic moments will cause you to laugh out loud! There is plenty of sleuthing to draw the mystery out to the very end. Unputdownable! This is the second installment of the Merriwell sisters. As there is a third sister, I cannot wait to see what Virginia Heath has in store for her readers!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Scandals and secrets!

Giles Sinclair, the future Duke of Harpenden, has kicked against his father’s harshness all his life. That is until he discovered the Big Secret about his legitimacy. His father wouldn’t let him step aside however. Complicated laws about knowingly being his fathers heir stymied him. All he wanted was enough time to put the estates businesses in order before he declared himself illegitimate. But time ran out!
Miss Dianna Merriwell strolled through high society finding out gossip about the ton. But that’s just a cover for her true passion—writing! Penning investigative pieces under the name of the Sentinel about various nefarious persons. Revealing their greed and venality. Scandalous and illegal secrets have been revealed from major scams to illegal pursuits by the Sentinel. No one must know her identity, no one!
Giles turns his attentions to Diana as a worthy camouflage for his father’s perchance to try to marry him off by fair means or foul. She agrees to help him particularly as the wolf at the door, circling expectantly is his Uncle Gervais who’d been exiled for crimes that put him beyond the pale. Now he’s back and they need to find out why.
Giles has appreciated Diana’s societal exposes but he hasn’t known what’s she’s really up to until she turns her considerable talent on his problem.
A wonderful pair who have difficulty owning their love for each other, but I swooned along when the couple became just that.
Fun and illuminating all edged with a delightful tension!

A St. Martin's Press invitation ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Gird your corsets, Smuttybooks is going back in time to the 1800s for the next few reviews. Lots of new historical romances coming out this month!! Never Rescue a Rogue is book 2 of the Merriwell Sisters series by @virginiaheathwrites and is published on 11/8.

Giles is a new Duke after his good for nothing father kicks the bucket. Giles spends most of the book anxious AF because he may not be the legitimate heir, but doesn’t want his secret spilled bc the other heir is a cocknozzle who will just fuck everything up. He enlists super sleuth Diana to help him find all hidden thruths about his family and real mother. Obvi Diana and Giles fall in love while they spend many hours looking thru ledgers, bc like I always say…accounting is hella sexy. I liked Diana because she really gave zero shits about being a traditional mid 1800s lady- I always like my historical romance heroines a little slutty and a lot fiesty. Giles was a bit whiny and needed to just go smoke a joint or drink some laudanum and calm down.

Overall this one was meh for me. It was perfectly fine, but didn’t grip me quite as I wished. But if you like a historical romance with low steam (one sex scene) and a mystery to be solved, this may be up your alley.

Thanks @netgalley and @smpromance for the ARC.

Smut- 2 stars
Romance- 4.3 stars
Story- 3.9 stars
Being feisty and slutty- 17 stars

I really, really loved this book! The Merriwell Sisters have my heart to be sure. While I probably relate most to Minerva due to my eldest sibling's status, I absolutely loved Diana. I knew from the first book her spunky and feisty attitude was going to have us, readers, in for a wild ride by the time we got to her book. And boy were we not disappointed. I absolutely adore the fact that Diana is this lyrical journalist getting dirty, making her own money, and finding her independence in a world where most women aren't given the opportunities. The fact that she knows that this is a chance of a lifetime and understands that part of it is due to her sister's recent elevation in society and still manages to discuss how she doesn't care because this job is rightfully hers is incredible and so so so important to me. I love historical romances and the ones that provide this commentary on women's standing in society are so necessary because while the situations are certainly better than all those years ago we're still nowhere near where we need to be.

Then you throw in Giles, who I have to admit I loved a lot more than I expected. There is something about a cocky man who is secretly a good samaritan that truly holds my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed his storyline not only because it's unique, but also because it fits well for his character. I also can't help but love the way he loves Diana. The brief moments we as the reader get where he and Diana are apart are truly so profound. Even though they're pages for us they're months and weeks for these characters and Virginia Heath really captures that longing in such a brilliant way. And yes, he certainly had me swooning. Giles is by far one of the best heroes in a historical romance I've read as of late.

Overall, I really loved the book and the storyline. I'd probably give it 4.5/5 stars. I can't wait for Vee's book she was so much more mischievous this time around and I loved that her character is starting to take shape especially as she is getting older! Bravo for this book indeed!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Virginia Heath for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Never Rescue a Rogue coming out November 8, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair are barely tolerable to each other. Their closest friends and family believe they’re meant to be together, but they share a mutual disdain of each other. Diana won’t give up her career at the newspaper for marriage. Giles loved his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have their secrets in common.

Giles’ father, the Duke of Harpenden dies suddenly. Giles realizes the truth might come out about the circumstances of his birth. He also doesn’t know all the details himself. He realizes Diana is his best hope at finding out the truth. As they work together, they start to find common ground. Can they find out the truth in time?

First of all, I really enjoyed the first book in the series. It was a fun plot and I loved the couple. I don’t think I enjoyed this story as much. I don’t think it was as funny. It was hard to get to know Giles and Diana’s personalities for me. Enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope. There were parts of the story I enjoyed. The ending was good. I normally love British historical romances, but I didn’t feel a connection between the characters. I liked it, but it was really a miss. I will definitely read other books by this author though.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romance series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Duke of Harpenden has a 'Dirty Secret' and apparently someone has found out something about it. this has him scurrying to wed a woman half his age to beget an heir. The thing is he has an heir, Giles, Lord Bellingham.

Giles found out four years ago that the duchess wasn't his mother. He's confronted the duke and has had to face that truth. His whole life is a lie perpetuated for the good of the duchy. Now he's confronting the duke once again about an engagement announcement he's heard about thinking it's him facing a fait accompli. He's surprised and angered that the duke is remarrying he knows this man and he's cruel to everyone he doesn't consider an equal, he doesn't even socialize or have any friends that Gile's knows of. Giles on the other hand treats everyone with kindness and respect.

When his best friend Hugh, the Earl of Farnham married Minerva Merriwell, he moved her sisters into his home. Diana has reached her majority and is an independent soul, working for The Times editing. Although the family suspects she is behind much of the gossip that appears. It's Diana who gave Giles the news about the impending announcement.

When Giles shows up to speak with Hugh, he appears disheveled and lacks his usual casual flair. Although he declines the offer initially, Hugh's mother Olivia convinces him to stay for dinner. While they are finishing the first course his manservant Dalton shows up with the news the Duke of Harpender has died.

It's Dalton who suggests the only hope of finding the truth of Giles' birth is with Diana's help.

This is a fun and suspenseful tale, with plenty of twists, turns, romance and sizzle.

4.5 Stars
Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest, her sister Minerva who is married to his best friend Hugh. Everyone believes that they are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that it is animosity, not attraction, that fuels their barbed exchanges. After Giles' curmudgeonly father, the Duke of Harpenden, unexpectedly dies, it's only a matter of time before the circumstances of his only son's birth are revealed. With the threat of blackmail hanging over him, Giles must uncover the truth, or he and all those who depend on him will be ruined.
Diana is the second Merriwell sister to find love. A well written engrossing romance, which also has an intriguing mystery. Strong characters & a well paced story had me reading well into the night to finish it. I loved the biscuit eating Giles & the intelligent feisty Diana, they were like oil & water but perfect for each other. He gives the persona of a carefree nobleman but he’s an astute businessman & also very caring, she acts like a wallflower but whilst blending into the background listens & ferrets out gossip & more for her newspaper column. I loved their journey to a HEA & would have loved an epilogue to tie everything together
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read