Dnf. Couldn’t get through it. Rating will not be posted to goodreads or retailers as I only share ratings there for books I complete.

Thank you netgalley and St Martin's press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am not one to read regency romances but this book might get me back into reading them again!
So I’m a fan of enemies /friends to lovers and a good slow burn and this definitely had both. A bit of spice but it was perfect, fitting to the story and not cheesy. Also the banter between Giles and Diana was so good!
The mystery of Giles’ family brought in a great plot that showcased how Diana wasn’t your typical female at that time and her strong will and sharp mind was encouraged by Giles throughout . He knows not to try and change her and loves her even more for it even when he tried his best to protect her from harm. She was a fantastic character!
Again, great slow burn that pays off with a swoony ending that is true to the story and characters. I really loved their love story!

Always love a good historical romance. Now that I have read the story of Diana and Giles, I need to go back and read the story of Minerva and Hugh. Love the typical romance where it is so obvious to the reader and everyone else that the hero and heroine of the story love each other, but they just can not see it till the end. Giles has his dirty secret to hide and Diana has her secrets too. Together they help each other to find the truth about eachof their secets while falling in love. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

This is the second book in the Merriwell Sisters.

Although I enjoyed the first book, I liked the second book even more. I thought that the writing was witty and well done. I enjoyed both the female and male leads. They have strong personalities, are funny and they have great chemistry together. There were a couple of other story lines going on besides the romance. I thought that the story lines weaved themselves well and laid down some of the ground work for the third installment.

When it comes to the spicy scene, I think the author does a great job with it. The scene is not corny, but it is also not super explicit. This is a slow burn, so it only comes at the end of the book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance and I will be picking up the third book, Never Wager With a Wallflower, which comes out November 7th.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves to read a good romance novel.

Thank you netgalley and St Martin's press for a copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

While Diana claims to be a "nitpicking grammarian" at a major newspaper, she is actually the country's top reporter, the Sentinel, who exposes crimes and aides women in the process.

While Giles claims to be a duke's son, he was actually told by the ducchess he is his father's bastard, raised as their legitimate child.

When Giles's father dies and he ascends to the dukedom, he trusts his banter-partner, best friend's sister-in-law, the woman he has been drawn to since they met, his Goddess of the Hunt and Hunter of the Truth, Diana, to find the evidence his uncle claims to possess of his illegitimacy.

I enjoyed how the book set up Giles and Diana's relationship and it progresses from years of banter, to supporting each other, before he requests her help. He acknowledges from the beginning her intelligence, independence, and how hot he thinks all of her is (witty insults def do it for him).

They felt like an equal pairing and treated each other as such. Any moments of overprotectiveness are quickly resolved and not some big dramatic issue.

But the overall drama and mystery, of Giles's birth and legitamacy, was a well-done mystery that had me absorbed in the story, with twists I didn't expect. As a forger's daughter, Diana would prefer Giles as an average man, so throughout I wasn't sure if he would be a peer or not! It could go either way and they would have their happy ending.

Overall, I really liked Giles who has always worked to help others through his position and caring for others was his greatest concern. He always tried to be positive even when he wished for a family, then for Diana to be his family even when he felt he could never be with her. He was such a happy hero, especially when others in his position would be more the grumpy or silent type, which Diana is more like. While they share many values, and some fatherly trauma, she is the distrustful-of-the-world journalist Giles adores completely.

I'm really excited to read Virginia's third book in the series! The setup in this book has me so intrigued on how Venus's story will come together!

Feat: he falls first, pining, witty banter, "enemies" to lovers (they just want an excuse to talk to each other), reverse grumpy sunshine, mystery, protective hero but recognizes she can take care of herself, independent heroine, bonding over sucky dads, she takes charge (oh la la), slow burn

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars
1 spice

Read if you like: enemies to lovers.
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Giles and Diana are enemies who have nothing in common. But when they each learn a big secret about each other, they begin to help one another. The more time they spend together, the more they consider what they mean to each other.
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I loved Giles and Diana. Giles the noble Duke, who wants to do right by his tenants who depend on him, and Diana, who is smart and cunning, is willing to do anything to protect those she loves.
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This is a slow burn, but worth the wait in the end in my opinion.

As much as I’ve tried, I just can’t get into this one. It wasn’t for me, but the idea was cute. Right from the start I felt underwhelmed and uninspired.

Thank you for the arc.

3.75 stars

I really enjoyed the first instalment in the Merriwell Sisters series, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the banter between the Diana and Giles, there relationship felt well established and I was really rooting for them! The plot was well balanced between being high-stakes while having a lighthearted feel.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for the arc!

I have read a lot of historical romance novels and what really sells the chemistry in them is the feeling of forbidden. The characters' urge to do what is "proper" but to also act on their feelings of attraction to each other. This book just failed to amplify that chemistry between the main characters, and it really upset me because the cover just radiates sparks.

Rating : 3 out of 5
Blurbs : Virginia Heath’s Never Rescue a Rogue, the next book in the Merriwell Sisters series, is filled with whip-smart banter, swoony romance, hilarious mishaps, and twisty reveals that will make you gasp and laugh in delight.

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. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common—the secrets they can’t risk escaping.

When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son's birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined—and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…

Thoughts : I don't know that this book is the second book in a series. I don't read the first book but I can enjoy this book just fine. This is a pretty steamy historical regency romance book. So if you like Bridgerton and some Evie Dunmore's books, you're going to really like the book. Thank you Netgalley for the early copy.

Fun, slow burn, historical romance!

I loved the story of Diana and Giles! They were so cute and I was rooting for them the entire time! I did find that the ending was really fast! I wanted to know what happened to Gervais! But all in all a good historical romance!

Never Rescue a Rogue is a great enemies to lovers story! The book starts off with an attraction between Diana and Giles and it grows from there. Giles has a secret that could destroy his standing and Diana has the investigative skills to help him out. This book was more action packed and serious than the previous in the series and I enjoyed it very much.

Never Rescue a Rogue was a fun read and I’m really enjoying the Merriwell Sisters series. The protagonists were both insufferable with their stubborn quirks and at the same time, funny and seemed to gel together. The banter was quick witted and hilarious and there was a bedroom fiasco that had me giggling and the forced proximity aided in the mishaps the two protagonists, Diana and Giles found themselves in, while slowly building up their feelings for one another. Also, the narrator did a great job. I’m looking forward to reading the youngest Merriwell’s story!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc. Thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I didn’t love the first book and this one was no better for me.

It’s not that there is something glaringly wrong about this series, but it’s just painfully boring and not the kind of historical romance I gravitate towards. It feels very much like it is written in 2022 and the characters have the thought process and dialogue of 2022. Obviously it’s set in 1826, but it doesn’t have the same vibe of the majority of historical romances I read and it’s very obvious and takes me out of the reading experience.

I think what is trying to be achieved is lighthearted fun, adventure, and whimsy, but it just reads like an imitation HR to me and is way too bland and boring for me to be invested. The main conflict didn’t appeal to me and the romance takes a big back seat to the plot.

I would recommend this to someone who doesn’t read much historical romance and is just wanting to dip a toe in.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

(4.5 stars)

This book was delightful! After Minerva's story in the first book, I had been eagerly awaiting Diana's book, and it did not disappoint! The chemistry between her and Giles was off the charts - despite them trying to ignore it for so long. The entire cast of characters made for a great story full of laughs, triumphs, plenty of sneaking around, and an easy-to-hate villain. I really enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters better, especially Dalton!

Diana is such an awesome main character who was very easy to like with her spunk, independence, and secret care for others. She found her match in flirtatious, (supposedly) carefree, witty Giles. It was so fun to watch their initial banter & disdain for each other morph into deeper emotions - but still with plenty of banter! They slowly broke down each other's walls and learned how to lean on the other for support against the demons they were facing, both past and present. Their romance was so lovely and definitely swoon-worthy!

I'm definitely a fangirl of her writing, and a member of her Facebook group (if you haven't checked it out, you simply must!), but trust me, my love of her past novels never colors the experience of the next, or in this case, the current one. Yes, I go in with preconceived notions of impending enjoyment, laughter, smirks, and heart flutters, but if they don't happen, they don't happen.... but really, they always do! This book was no exception...

The follow-up to Never Fall for Your Fiancé, we get to explore a story with another Merriwell sister. This time around, it's Diana's turn, and can I just say that I so identify with her? I mean not so much in the family history side of things, or the potential love interest that annoys the snot out of you at every turn, but the suspicious of intentions, the curious mind, the need to know, the need to rescue, help, and aid justice when able, but with facts not conjecture...THAT'S where I identify...as well as her stubborn streak, her love of her independence, and close family ties. Yes, Diana is a diamond of the first water, even though we aren't debuting a debutante. But I digress, she's a firecracker that you don't want to cross because she'll out you if it's the right thing to do. That's why when her ever present annoyance that goes by the name of Giles gets into trouble, he knows he can count on her no matter what skeletons rattle loose in his closet. She's get to the bottom of things and protect those she...loathes? Well, I'll let you be the judge, but that ever famous phrase of protesting too much, yeah...TOTALLY APPLIES!

It was wonderful catching up with this family once again, and getting to know this potential couple-to-be was absolutely joyous! The snark, the whit, the mad scrambles in the dark of night to uncover juicy bits of insight, only to get caught exactly where they shouldn't be...listening to things they were never intending (LOL!). The whole lot of it from secrets from the past to secrets of the heart, I was enthralled, enticed, and entertained! (Inside joke for those that read it!) But seriously, I'd say it was my favorite, but I'll go with my favorite to date because pretty much every time a new title is released, I'm adding a new favorite to the list! Do yourself a favor...if you enjoy Historical Romance, YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS AUTHOR OUT!

I adored the Merriwell Sisters series because of the uniqueness of the sisters and the lives they are creating for themselves. I love Giles and his charming banter and then there is Diana who is temperamental and for good reason

Giles and Diana have feelings - she doesn't trust a man and doesn't want to fall in love. He has a secret and doesn't want t subject a moment to his secret

so clearly they need to be together. Diane steps in and helps Giles out of a sticky situation after his father dies. These two are meant to be and I loved every second of it

I forgot how much I enjoyed the previous book so I shouldn't be surprised. I can't wait for more because I am hoping and praying Vi is the next book.

I had a hard time getting into this book, it took me until around 50% for me to be invested in Diana and Giles. Not sure why since they're both dynamic characters, and the story was original, but it took until they actually started searching for the truth for me to get invested.

Once that happened, I was super invested and I read the second half of the book fast since I had to know what happened. I understand that the front end of the story had to happen, I just wish it was more condensed so we could get on with the investigation. I did enjoy all the characters, and I cannot wait for Vee's book. I did love Olivia's attempts at matchmaking, I did laugh at the mistletoe.

All in all, the book was good, just wish it was a little faster.

I tried several times to get into this one. I just found myself unable to move through it. I’m sure there’s an audience for this one, but sadly I am not it.

I adore this series and had been anxiously awaiting this book ever since I read Never Fall for Your Fiancé! Just like the first in this series, this book is so much fun— the witty banter and premise make for such an entertaining read. I found myself looking forward to returning to the story at the end of the day, and now I will be waiting impatiently for the next book. Never Rescue a Rogue is now officially on my list of favorite historical romances— Giles and Diana forever!

*Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.