4.5 stars rounded up. Book 1 in this series was one of my favorite reads from 2021, so I was somewhat hesitant going into this thinking it couldn't possibly live up to the same standard. However, I ended up loving it as much as -- maybe even more than -- Never Fall for Your Fiancée. The sparks of chemistry between Diana and Giles are obvious right from the beginning. Despite their claims to their friends and family that they detest one another, it's clear to everyone (even themselves) how much they care about each other. Virginia Heath does a wonderful job of capturing the small moments and gestures that demonstrate this affection and in building up the emotional, as well as the sexual, tension between the two. The end result is a very satisfying blend of twists/turns, action, light comedy and romance.

I loved both Diana and Giles as individual characters and as a couple. Diana's seeming aloofness in book 1 is put into context here as we learn how she views herself in the family dynamic among her sisters and her role in the traumatic events that led to their father abandoning them in poverty. Her quest to save others who are at the mercy of bad actors among the aristocracy through her anonymous newspaper column is portrayed in a believable way, but thankfully does not become the sole focus of the story. Giles really goes through the emotional wringer here and is a compelling lead. Despite his seeming carefree public persona, he cares deeply about those around him and will go to any lengths to protect them. His first concern upon learning of his uncle's return and the likely impending loss of his title is about improving the lives and welfare of the tenants on his property in the time he has left, rather than how the loss of title would impact him personally. The two of them together are wonderfully supportive of each other and make such a perfect match, that seeing their relationship develop into something more is so much fun.

It will be very interesting to see how Vee's story plays out. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how the author develops the potential love interest who is previewed here (no spoilers!).

Thank you to St. Martin’s and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

I really loved the first book last year, centering on Hugh and Minerva, and while I laughed out loud at Giles’s sense of humor, I first felt disappointed that this novel would be about him and Minerva’s sister. But the feeling dissolved almost instantly for I adored the bickering of these two. As with the first installment, this story is full of laugh-out-loud moments and the two main characters’ grumpiness makes the tension and alchemy all the more appealing. As with the first book, you fall for those two. Hard. I can’t wait for the third—which I assume will be about Vee and Galahad.

I want to write a really detailed review but I don't know if I can put into words how much I loved this book. This is like Beatrice and Benedick in Regency England and I LOVED IT SO MUCH

The thing I loved the most was how it was outwardly enemies to lovers, but they never actually wanted to hurt the other and knew the other wasn't taking anything they said seriously. So it wasn't like "the two main characters are jerks to each other until they fall in love" it was "the two main characters are hiding their feelings for the other so they constantly verbally spar to avoid admitting those feelings" which was so much softer and so much more fun

I wish the story had gotten into the meat of it a bit sooner, it took until 50% for Diana to start helping Giles in earnest and I wished we'd had more of them working together. But I was still really engaged and loved it a lot 💕

I did call the plot twist, but also didn't care. The book was engaging and there were enough twists and turns, it didn't really matter to me that I figured out how the main issue would resolve

I AM ALSO SO READY FOR VEE'S BOOK (and low-key have suspicions about who she might end up with 👀 It'll be happy either way though, not attached to my suspicions)

Anyway. I adored this book and can't wait for the next one. Thank you so much for NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read it ahead of time. No review was required and all thoughts are my own

I love regency romance, and I love when two main characters find each other against all of their prior judgement. Virginia Heath did not disappoint! I can't wait for the next installment to find out what is next for this family of regency women!

'Never Rescue a Rogue' engaged me completely from the very beginning. As the relationship between Diana and Giles unfolds, rife with secrets on both sides, I literally could not put this book down. There are so many layers to peel back, each one more and more delightful as two people unite together in purpose to help each other. It was a wonderful story that I highly recommend to all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was looking forward to this second book in the Merriwell Sisters series. Prickly Diana Merriwell is paired with the unrepentant rogue Giles. Both have interesting hidden depths. I thought the pairing compelling, and this second story didn’t lean too much on its predecessor. It could stand on its own, but it still had continuity of returning characters.

Diana is working for a newspaper but her specific role is a secret from even her family. Giles is dealing with the death of his father, the Duke, early on in the story, and he has deep dark secret concerning the circumstances of his birth. With the help of Diana’s investigative skills, they work together to uncover the truth and grow close in the process.

Overall, I thought this was a good story. There were times when the pacing seemed a bit off, in particular with the sexual tension. But the emotional aspects were touching, and the leads worthy.

<I>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.

I have become a big fan of historical romances over the past year or so. I was so happy to be given to receive an ARC of Never Rescue a Rogue because I absolutely LOVED Never Fall For Your Fiancée! Diana was one of my favorite characters while reading it (and I loved her banter with Giles) so I was really looking forward to their book and it went beyond my expectations! It was so good!! Diana is such an interesting and complex character and I really could relate to her and I loved the way Giles supported and respected her. I do wish that there was an epilogue but I am assuming that Vee’s book is next so I know that this will not be the last time we see them.

Giles presents a devil may care facade but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this handsome son of a Duke. Diana is sharp and outspoken. On the surface it would appear Giles and Diana have a contentious relationship with their traded barbs and insults. But there's a thin line between love and hate. When Giles shares a dark family secret with Diana after the death of his father, she vows to help him discover the truth...and keep his secrets if need be.
I enjoyed the quick dialog and the relationship between the 2 main characters.

In love with this book! Clever and fun this is a great mystery romance! I never got the chance to read her first book about the sisters, but I will after finishing this book! Can’t wait for Venus and (hopefully) Galahad’s romance next!

Such a fun read! Perfect for getting out of a book slump or needing a re-set. The banter is excellent and the dynamics between the two main characters are so engaging. Did not even realize it was part of a series, super easy to jump into this world. Excited to read more from this author,

Despite the title, I think I do in fact want to rescue a rogue.

I haven’t read the first book in this series, but definitely will after reading Diana and Giles’ story. Their tension, banter, and chemistry were wonderful in this book, giving us all the angst we could want. I’m also always a fan of men who fall first (and hard) for the heroin-especially after detesting the idea so! Adjust the romance there was also hints of character growth, found family, and building blocks for (presumably) the next couple. I definitely recommend to all historical romance fans and will be picking up the first book soon!

Brothers best friend trope with a regency twist! You’ll love Giles and Diana’s love story. The secrets, schemes and teaming up make for a thrilling and compelling story!

Never Rescue a Rogue is the second book in Virginia Heath's Merriwell sisters series. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and was excited to join the zany Merriwell clan once again. We got a taste of Giles and Diana's verbal sparring in book one so I was looking forward to their chemistry in book two. This book can be read as a standalone but you get a richer reading experience knowing the background of the sisters in book one.

Giles and Diana fight like cats and dogs. They both have secrets that are hidden from everyone in their lives. They must learn to work together to help solve Giles big secret before his world comes tumbling down around him. It's hard to hate someone when you are being thrown together by servants, family, and friends at every turn.

I loved Giles and Diana's back and forth banter. For being purported to be enemies to lovers they weren't enemies for very long. More so, they were like an old married couple who bickered. Watching the secondary characters matchmake was entertaining. Dalton was a delightful addition to the cast. He provided just the right amount of attitude and honesty to both Diana and Giles. He ended up being my favorite secondary character. I really enjoyed reading book two and am hoping that Galahad and Vee are book three.

This book is for you if you enjoy: when the hero falls first, fun nicknames, bluestocking heroines, secrets, witty verbal sparring, hornets nest analogies, matchmaking, pining, dunking biscuits, found family, and hiding in bushes and alleyways.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Virginia Heath, and St Martin's Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #neverrescuearogue #virginiaheath #stmartinspress

It's been a while since I dove into a juicy historical romance, and Never Rescue a Rogue was the perfect book to whet my appetite for more.

When Giles suddenly inherits his Dukedom under questionable circumstances he enlists the help of his friend's sister-in-law (who has a secret career as a journalist) to help him uncover the truth. Sure, that happens, but they also uncover how absolutely besotted they are with one another.

What's not to love?

This was cute! I don't usually go for historical romance but I was drawn in by the cover and I enjoyed it. I will definitely go back and read the first book.

ugh im utterly in love with the merriwell sisters. i am so upset that i now have to wait even longer for the bext book because my spidey senses are telling me its galahad and vee and i literally have never needed it more. i guess ill go read virginia heaths entire back log now LOL

Enemies to Lovers is a favorite trope in historical romance, and Never Rescue a Rogue turns it into great fun and romance.
Giles and Diana have no interest in marriage and definitely no interest in each other…but do they protest too much? As Giles gets to investigating an enemy who means to let loose all the skeletons in Giles’s ducal family, Diana and he realize that all the enmity may be covering up an attraction after all.

Clever and easily engaging, this is one to pick up and enjoy.

This was the first book I have read from Heath, and as the second in a series it worked well for a standalone.  The unlikely pairing of a ducal heir and a scoundrel's daughter who now works clandestinely for a newspaper starts off teetering on the edge of enemies to lovers, although its apparent to everyone around them (except the MCs) that their bickering really is love.

Or it could be, if Giles' family secrets would stop getting in the way.

The end was magnificently rompish, and the road there had lots of amusing twists and turns.  A bit of mystery, action, and comedy along with romance and even though some of the subject maybe lists towards forlorn and dark, generally I found it to be angst-lite.

The book races at a fast clip, and was easy to pick up after a few days off.  Would be enemies to lovers dissolves into reluctant friendship and flirtation, as the pair work together to try and solve Giles' impending problems.  When the villain makes themselves known, MCs must make some decidedly unconventional choices in order to best them at their game.

I didn't think the mystery was that hard to figure out, except for maybe the last little twist which I think might be a set up for the next book in the series.

Sex is on the page, but lightly, as is violence and mature subject matter.

I found this to be a charming read with a lot to appeal to a broad spectrum of Regency Readers, and will be definitely on the hunt for the first and next book in this series.

A fun wild ride through some hijinks, with a unique couple at the helm but a lot of run on sentences.

By the last chapter of Virginia Heath’s last book (Never Fall for Your Fiancé) I was in love with Diana and Giles. When I saw this book available to request on Netgalley I knew I needed to read it right away. And I’m so glad! They immediately fell into an abundance of adorable alliterations (sorry I couldn’t help myself).
The set of support characters from the previous book are all still here and still keeping me in stitches. We really expanded on Vee’s character; I cannot wait for her book! As far as our couple goes, Diana as a character especially felt very real to me. She had trepidations based on her past and her father, and they felt grounded. It was understandable. Giles has been eating cookies by the dozens since the first book. When that paid off it actually made me cry! I was not expecting that. To put emotion behind such a tiny character trait was a great touch.
Diana and Gile’s relationship is sweet while maintaining their bantering sarcasm. I’m not sure that I ever was fully invested in them as a couple though. Perhaps that was because it was such a slow burn, but it didn’t quite have the usual tension of one. However, I absolutely love the humor between them. At times it had me laughing out loud for several pages. The grammatical humor was exceptional.
A few things I didn’t like. The twists were a little bit predictable at first. By the third act however that fell away and I was genuinely surprised, to the point that a couple resolutions don’t completely make sense to me. Miss Heath’s writing style is at times clunky. I did read an ARC of this so with editing that might improve. Also, some aspects of the story never really panned out which disappointed me.
However overall this was a refreshing addition to this series.

Tropes: frenemies to lovers, found family, slow burn

This review and the opinions in it are all my own.

I thought this would be a straight up historical romance, but it really felt like more of a mystery than a romance. It was a good book, but I was disappointed that it was marketed as a romance and felt more like a mystery.