You knew from the first book that Giles and Diana were going to have their own installment in the Merriwell Sisters series. Theirs in an enemies to lovers trope that felt a little forced, but still was great read with some mystery (although, it was pretty obvious who was behind the blackmail but whatever). All in all, it’s a great series and I’m excited for Vee’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“Never Rescue a Rogue” by Virginia Heath is the second installment in the Merriwell Sisters historical romance series. I enjoyed the first book in the series; it was fairly lighthearted and reminded me a lot of a romantic comedy. “Never Rescue a Rogue” follows the middle sister, Diana, and Giles Sinclair, the new Duke of Harpenden as they navigate new responsibilities and a burgeoning romantic relationship. Although I was intrigued by the premise, I felt like the story fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t buy into the “enemies to lovers” trope between Diana and Giles, and Diana’s secondary storyline did not have the suspense and gravity that I felt it should have. Giles’s backstory was a bit more fleshed out and felt more realistic to me, so I did appreciate that. The wider cast of characters in this world is fun and enjoyable to read about. Even though I wasn’t a big fan of this installment, I will still likely pick up the third book when it comes out.

Never Rescue a Rogue was a fabulous dive into a historical romance. This book has so many intriguing plot points from an enemies to lovers plot, great banter, a mystery, and a few twists along the way. This is my first historical romance and I could not get enough of Giles and Diane. Even more so, the supporting characters were equally as well developed and wonderfully charming. I will certainly be on the look out for more upcoming releases from Virginia Heath!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Ever since Diana's older sister, Minerva, and Giles' best friend, Hugh, fell in love and married, the pair have been thrown together. Neither seems to really like the other, but those around them believe that it's all a front, and that they are hiding a torch for each other. Diana is struggling being a member of the upper class, or at least, by extension, and so she spends her days writing investigative pieces for the newspaper, though tells her family she's just copy editing. Giles' sees right through the facade, though even he can't picture the truth about how much danger she's placing herself into. But Giles has his own secret, and if it was ever discovered, he could lose everything, and so he can't let anyone get too close. However, soon they need to rely on each other more than ever, and as they work together to discover the truth, they realise that they'd do anything to have a life together.

When I read Never Fall for your Fiancee last year, I was just hooked by the Merriwell sisters, and especially independent Diana. She clearly had a strong tale to tell, and Virginia did not disappoint in Never Rescue a Rogue. Hearing all that Diana faced before Minerva managed to bring them out of poverty was heartbreaking, and it's completely understandable why Diana is so driven and focused on helping those who need it. She is strong, but also has a vulnerable side that she rarely lets out, but with Giles she was able to rely on someone else, who would be there for her, and do what he could to help. Giles, for his own part, I always saw as a bit of a player, and rake, when we met him before, but his history with his father, and the 'secret' about his birth, has affected him more than most people realised, but Diana always saw through the act he played for the masses. I really enjoyed the plot line here, and felt like there were twists and turns at every page, and I was properly on the edge of my seat until the end. The romance is filled with angst, and longing, and it was refreshing that Giles was aware of his feelings long before Diana was, and was willing to sacrifice his future to keep her 'safe'. A truly fantastic story, and one I can't recommend enough!

Almost exactly a year ago (3 days off) I read and reviewed “Never Fall For Your Fiancé”. In this review I said, “It was funny and sweet and I have a feeling there will be a sequel. Perhaps with Hugh’s best friend Giles and Minerva’s sister Diana? I sure hope so, because I’ll read the heck out of that.”

Well, there was a sequel, it was with Giles and Diana, and I just read the heck out of it. It was so good. Who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers story?

We met Giles and Diana in the previous book and knew from the chemistry that they would definitely get their own story. And lo and behold, here it is. The book starts off with both Giles and Diana hiding huge secrets. When Giles is in trouble they decide to trust each other with those secrets and team up to find evidence that will help Giles.

Working so close together causes them both to realize just how much they truly care for each other. Predictable? Yes. Amazingly fun? Absolutely! The banter and tension between these guys is *chef’s kiss* beautifully done. And the secondary characters were a hoot.

I find that I truly enjoy Heath’s witty writing style and I look forward to Venus’ story. Because c’mon! Vee was definitely having some serious eye connection with Giles’ newfound cousin. Calling it now: Vee and Galahad are HEA in book three. I’m sure I’ll be here reviewing it same time next year.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

Giles is Diana’s brother-in-law’s best friend. They snipe at each other. Everyone thinks they are perfect for each other. Diana is an investigative reporter. Giles is a Duke that might not a Duke. He needs Diana to help him find clues before his evil uncle Gervais ruins the dukedom. Diana and Giles are in love with each other. They act on their feelings. There are many twists and turns in their investigation.

The book was well written and fast paced. I was sorry for it to end.

3.5 stars
Set in 1826, Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. When Giles’ father, the Duke of Harpenden, dies, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes forward who knows the true circumstances of his only son's birth. As the threat of blackmail looms, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage—and Diana is his best hope at finding the truth.

Giles has a deeply troubled relationship with his father and has encouraged the idea that he had a horrible reputation purely to annoy his cruel and greedy father. It’s a marvel he’s turned out as charming and good natured as he did given his horrible parents.

Diana claims to be a copywriter but secretly writes exposés for a London paper and is struggling with her sister’s marriage that has elevated her status. She finally has her own income and has no intention of marrying and giving up her autonomy.

Diana was a clever character but I found her a little flat and cliché. Giles had more depth.

If you want an accurate late regency setting, this isn’t it. There’s some repetition and not as much soul searching as you’d think for two people who are adamant that they don’t belong together. The resolution was so predictable I got angry at them for not considering it sooner, but somehow I still kept eagerly turning the pages. It took more than half the book before Diana started to help Giles, but it was fast-paced with good chemistry that made me want to read the whole series.

I received an arc from NetGalley

This book is for you if you like a fiercely independent heroine (who may or may not be the best investigative journalist in the country) and a good-hearted, as decent as they get Duke (who may or may not be a Duke after all). In this enemies to lovers romance, both main characters have big secrets to keep, with their futures on the line.

Also, if you love both hero and heroine pining at each other, and I mean a lot of pining, this book is definitely for you!

Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain—not a hidden attraction.

What both DO share is a desire NOT to get married to anyone, ever!

Their family and friends see this totally different though and are meddling and playing matchmaker whenever possible.

Diana and Giles are thrown together to uncover a truth that could cost them both everything while trying to protect their secrets. The stakes are high and so are the emotions as both fight their attraction to each other the more time they spend with each other, using barbs and banter to keep themselves from revealing their true feelings.

Despite the content warnings below, the book does have a lighter feel to it, especially towards the end as it took on more rom-com touches. The heat level is on the low side.

While the story line is intriguing and I enjoyed both characters, I would have loved for them to have deeper development on page while they are together. And while Giles gained a lot of Diana's trust by keeping her secret, I did not care for the development towards the end of the story.

This is the second book in the Merriwell Sisters series but can totally be read as a stand-alone.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for a copy of the book ahead of its official publication date.

Content warnings: All in the past and retold by the characters - parental abuse and neglect, attempted sexual assault, kidnapping.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Never Rescue a Rogue is a sweet, fun and escapist adventure that follows Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair, two opposites who actually have more in common than they care to admit. When Giles's father dies unexpectedly, causing him to inheret his dukedom and all the secrets that come along with it, he is forced to turn to Diana and her skills as a journalist to help him uncover the truth of his family's past. What ensues is a very lovely slowburn, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story that spans from London to the borders of Wales and is filled with witty banter and familial hijinks. This isn't a book that will crush your soul, or cause you to delve deeply into the historical politics of regency England, but it is rather a story that you can escape into and enjoy for a few hours while drinking a cup of tea on a rainy day. I really enjoyed both Giles and Diana, and I loved watching them fall in love and then try to deny it to everyone and eachother. For people who like Martha Waters, or post-Bridgerton Julia Quinn, this is a good series for you!

I have to begin my thanking St Martin’s Press for inviting me to read the ARC of this ebooks. This is the second book in the series and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of them.

It is seldom you will fin so much humour in a romance from this era. They are usually all anguish and lust but this author knows how to write an absolutely delightful rom-com with an added touch of despair. The characters are such a mismatched bunch of people but they all got together as one big happy family.

I highly recommend you read both of these books. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher & author for the book in exchange for my hi eat review. This is the second book in a series and I highly recommend starting with the first, I attempted to read this book as a stand-alone and had to stop 20% in, purchase the first, read it and then finish the second, Diana and Giles backstory is too important to miss out on. I love the development of their relationship from going to denying their feelings to finally getting together (AT THE END OF THE BOOK)
I feel like Venus was the worst part of this book (and quite frankly the entire series)
I love a good enemies to lovers with a slow burn but this was almost a litttllleee too slow for me. Overall I really enjoyed the story and look forward to the third!

Diana Merriwell is determined to live on her own terms. That means working at a newspaper and never needing a man. Giles Sinclair is shocked when his father passes away suddenly and becomes a duke. But Giles may be a bastard and his cousin may step in for him. Giles asks Diana to use her research skills to help him prove that he is the rightful heir. Diana and Giles have a lot of friendly banter, but over time they realize they might like each other. Giles makes the first move, but Diana is reluctant. I enjoyed the anticipation of them getting together, which does not happen until almost the end of the book, but the book dragged at times. There is a HEA, but the book ended rather abruptly. I also found Diana’s sister Venus (aka Vee) super annoying. She was also annoying in the first book in this series. If she is the subject of the next book, I might have to skip it.

My interest in these two main characters flaired to life during book one of the series when we get to see the banter and exchange of tension between these two characters, so it was a delight to get to read their story. At the start of this book, Diana and Giles are adamantly denying that they have any attraction for one another. But as secrets are revealed from both parties and threats to their future security come into play, they are both forced to rely on one another and see if they can trust in one another when they need it most.

What I really enjoyed most about this story was the development of both of these characters, getting to know more about them and the way they think, what makes them vulnerable and how that impacts the way they see romantic relationships. This was an entertaining and enjoyable story and I appreciated the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

Read this if you love stories with:
🐝 enemies to lovers
🐝 great romantic tension
🐝 slow burn
🐝 stubbornly independent female mc
🐝 a dashing hero who falls hard for his lady love
🐝 a dash of mystery solving/detective work

Content: healing after abandonment, one open door scene (chapter 31 - easy to skip over if desired)

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all thoughts are my own. I look forward to seeing what happens in the youngest sister, Vee’s story next! 😉

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words are my own. I was so so so excited to read this novel when the first Merriwell sisters book was my absolute favorite arc of 2021. I can confirm this book was just as amazing as the first! I loved how everyone thought Diana and Giles should be together except for them-cut to me chanting in the background "now kiss"-I love when characters pretend they aren't into each other because we all know how that goes. Additionally, I loved the main plot of the book and how Diana was just the person to help Giles-Martha did a great job of keeping the story AND the romance interesting. This book was absolutely hilarious, i'll put it right up on the shelf next to the first, and I cannot wait for the third one!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, St. Martin’s Press and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The second book in the Merriwell Sisters trilogy, it was pleasant enough. I suggest reading the previous one.

Never Rescue a Rogue is the second book in The Merriwell Sisters series but worked very well as a stand-alone book for me. This is a fun book with both Diana and Giles engaging in witty repartee. They are the perfect slow burn - they bicker, have chemistry and are likeable.If you’re looking for a light, romantic escape with charming characters, definitely check out this book.

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

Diana is my favorite part of this whole book. I loved how she is a woman with a career that she loves. The whole concept of this book is like no other I’ve read.

Virginia Health knows how to write smart Regency women. Her books, and the relationships within them, feel more authentic than others in the genre.

Never Rescue a Rogue is the second book in the Merriwell Sisters trilogy. I do recommend reading them in order as Diana and Giles have a backstory in book 1 that feeds into this story. Diana is now a fully fledged investigative report (who moonlights as a gossip columnist). She is determined to be independent and make her way in the world without being forced to marry. Giles is dealing with his past and coming to terms with a future he is not ready to face. The two continually support each other and develop a believable relationship.
While not as humorous as book 1, this is another strong addition to the genre.

Thank you the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a pure delight. It was a perfect blend of romance, comedy, banter and the banger chemistry. Overall, a full five stars read for me.

✨Fly in my ointment.✨

The jury is out: I really, really like Heath’s plots! In both books of the series, the romance isn’t burning up the pages, but the story overall is fun, humorous, and heartwarming. I really liked the ending of this one (a side romance and the planted seeds for the next book (👀👀👀👀👀)) and the relationship was very cute.

🐝 Found family
✨ Meddling servants
🐝 Matchmaking family
✨ Duke about to lose everything
🐝 She’s a reporter
✨ Side romance
🐝 Great set-up for book 3
✨ Nicknames
🐝 Nose kiss
✨ He falls first
🐝 Overheard tryst in the gardens

The sex scene actually gave more than I thought??? I can def see people get disgruntled at the MAJOR slow burn if they aren’t into the plot as a whole (I did even tho I was enjoying the story)…but that seems to be Heath’s M.O. so idk what more to tell ya. I was also endeared to the family going in because I really enjoyed book one (mainly because of the side characters like say what you want but the Mozart seen was FUNNY). So if you’re willing, I’d say give that one a shot before reading book two.

The majority of the book was probably 3.75⭐️ but the ending was very enjoyable and I’m super happy with what is being teased as book three!!! I thought I was going off the rails a bit when I was playing match maker but !!!!!!! my hopeless romantic heart wins again 🥹 All in all, it wasn’t an emotionally taxing read, I enjoyed my time, the ending was great, and I loved the characters. I’ll definitely be back for book three.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶.5*/5

*We got some relatively good foreplay and I liked seeing them in the bedroom together. It solidified my support of them as a couple and it was just pretty adorable.