Do not let the cartoon cover fool you - this book is superb. It follows in the same vein as "Never Rescue a Rogue" and lets just say it does not disappoint!

Never Wager with a Wallflower is a fun and swoony Regency romance.

I have to say this has been a solid and fantastic series. Virginia has done an excellent job at creating engaging and delightful characters and stories that are fun and unique. Now, for those new to the series, this book does read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the other books first because they are fabulous. I've been looking forward to Vee's story right from the moment I first met her. Probably because I just loved the fact that she was a bookworm, and her love for the written is just so contagious and relatable. I am happy to report that Vee's story did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped it would be. For those bookworms who want to read a historical Christmas story, you will be happy to know that this book takes place in the months leading up to Christmas, which was a delightful surprise for me. I just loved how the holiday season was woven into the story.

One of the great things about Virginia's storytelling abilities is that she knows how to create a story that is fun, light, and romantic while also having a great deal of depth. I found myself laughing multiple times while reading this book. Some of the situations that Vee and Gal find themselves in is hilarious, especially when the twins set their sights on Gal and make it their mission to make his life miserable. There is so much wit and delicious banter in this book, especially between Vee and Gal. I had to keep on reading because I wanted to see what their next exchange would look like. The secondary characters all bring something to the table in this book. They take this story to the next level. They added humour, heart, and conflict at just the right moments in the story. I loved getting to spend time with Minerva and Diana (Vee's sisters) once again. It's always a treat to see what characters have been up to since you last saw them.

There is a lot packed into this story. You have Gal, who is trying to open up a new gambling business (right beside the orphanage that Vee works at). You have Vee, who is trying to figure out a way to help this struggling orphanage survive. Then you have all these wonderful side stories, some that revolve around some of the orphans, Vee's sisters, or Vee's love life. Virginia does an amazing job at balancing all that is going on in this book to create this cohesive story that is just a real page-turner.

Getting to spend some one-on-one time with Vee was fabulous. She is so clever and kind and also vulnerable when it comes to matters of the heart. Vee has had a string of bad luck when picking a suitable husband. It seems to her that all men want from her is to sleep with her because of her looks. This shatters Vee's confidence when it comes to men. She no longer trusts her judgement, and this mindset really dictates how she interacts with Gal. She doesn't know if she can trust him or his intentions. Gal's personality is this wonderful mix of broody and cinnamon roll. He can be a cocky, mysterious son of a bitch at times, but then he switches to this kind and understanding man that will do anything to help those around him. I loved those dualling personalities that he had. There was this mystery around his past that Vee was determined to uncover, and it was so enjoyable peeling back those layers and seeing what was beneath Gal's exterior.

The romance in this book is perfection. It's this fabulous blend of enemies to lovers, slow burn, and forced proximity with plenty of miscommunication. At the beginning of the book, Vee and Gal aren't on the friendliest of terms. They try and tolerate each other for their families, but it's a struggle. When Gal realizes that his new club is going to be neighbours with the orphanage that Vee works at, he knows that being on friendlier terms with Vee would be beneficial to his business. The thing with these two is that even though they say they hate each other, it's evident to everyone around them that they are really attracted to each other. There are a lot of ups and downs, and will they won't they with the growing relationship between Vee and Gal. They fight those romantic feelings hard. It was great watching their internal struggles when it came to coming to terms with what they were actually feeling.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is the perfect conclusion to a delightful romance series.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Merriwell Sisters series never misses, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the final installment. In her sisters’ novels, Vee was at turns idealistic and romantic and stubborn, but she was always interesting, and it was lovely to see her get a starring turn. After a few terrible decisions with men, Vee is determined to marry someone practical and continue to work in the orphanage she loves. She has no interest in spending time with her brother-in-law’s cousin Galahad, who owns a gaming hell and therefore must be like her wastrel, estranged father. But Vee and Gal are both in for a surprise, learning their first impressions of each other might not be correct.

Heath creates such realistic, entertaining family relationships, whether that’s biological family or found. Her supporting characters shine, but never so much that we forget Vee and Gal are the stars here. They’re both clever, with big dreams and bigger hearts, even if Gal tries to hide his. They’re fun when they’re bantering, or arguing, or especially when they’re challenging each other at cards. I loved the obvious chemistry they tried so hard to ignore, and the way they slowly unearthed secrets about each other. It was such a naturally paced love story.

The conflict is set up from early on – Gal doesn’t tell Vee he’s bought the buildings next to her orphanage for his new club. And I was practically screaming at the pages for him to just be honest and avoid the obvious fall out. But that would be a terrible book, wouldn’t it? How they come to terms with their very different life goals is just as fundamental a part of this story as how they fall in love. And the whole thing was as brilliant as Vee, as charming as Gal, and as hilarious as their meddling family and friends. A worthy ending for a great series!

I have loved every book in this series and this final Merriwell happily ever after is no different. I was utterly charmed and couldn't put it down. "Never Wager" is the story of youngest Merriwell sister Venus finally finding her match in her brother-in-law Gile's cousin, Galahad. This being the final book in the series, Ms. Heath included extra scenes with the whole meddling family and made sure to revisit the other sister's HEAs and growing families.

After years of avoiding each other at family functions, a waltz finally brings Gal & Vee together and then a real estate dispute breaks them apart. This is an enemies-to-lovers trope with a fun cast of secondary characters (orphan hijinks galore!), plenty of high stakes card games, and one very hot strip match game scene.

Before they can give their hearts to each other Gal has to get over his childhood and open up while Vee has to risk her heart again after it was broken and give Gal the benefit of the doubt that he's truly a good guy. I was a Gal fan from the beginning. I love a hero with a good heart AND good business sense. What a catch! Plus, a heroine with spectacles! That's my Achilles heel. I think I will have to draw some spectacles on the heroine on the cover.

I highly recommend this series especially if you love a little humor and a fun family dynamic with your steamy historical romance. It's that little something extra that gives Heath's books a lot of heart and makes them memorable. Fans of Martha Waters, Suzanne Enoch and Tessa Dare will also love Heath's Merriwell Sisters series.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this fun, historical romance!

The characters were so fun, I liked getting to see more of couple from earlier in the series. There were some serious moments, but it was overall a light, fun read.

Thank you to SMP Romance and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Venus is the youngest of the three Merriwell sisters. We have seen her grow through her sisters' stories, so I was delighted to read her book at the conclusion of this trilogy.

I love smart heroes and heroines, and both Gal and Venus were after my heart. I loved their banter about Much Ado About Nothing and the subtle references to Benedick and Beatrice in their own relationship. Both have overcome their childhoods and look for ways to do good. They are such fabulous characters. They come together with a mix of angst and rivals-to-lovers while also having history together.

I really enjoyed Venus's diary entries from her youth that started each chapter. But they also include mini spoilers for the previous books, so I do recommend reading the trilogy in order.

The audiobook featured excellent dual narration by Sebastian Brown and Sasha Higgins. They switched off at appropriate points even within chapters and highlighted the third person POV writing well. I especially enjoyed his many varied accents for Galahad depending on his audience, though some of his female voices weren't as strong.

This book was an excellent epilogue to the whole series.

4.25 stars

After having her heart broken, Venus “Vee” Merriwell has found a new suitor, Lord Dorchester, a man who poses no risk to her heart and has thrown herself into her work at the Covent Garden Asylum for Orphans. And now after being away for a week due to a snowstorm, Vee, the housekeeper, and the Reverend are currently trying to figure out the orphanage’s most current worry, money - as usual – but with the roof leaking and no contractor willing to patch it again, they must figure out how to pay for the replacement. Still pondering, Vee leaves to return home and runs into her nemesis – Galahad Sinclair – cousin to her brother-in-law Giles and the bane of her existence. She has no idea why he is in Covent Garden this early in the day but is sure he is up to no good. He is annoying and arrogant and insists on calling her Venus when he knows she prefers to be called Vee, and if all that is not bad enough, he is much too handsome for her peace of mind!

Galahad “Gal” Sinclair is a man full of secrets and dreams, and thanks to being in the right place at the right time, he is now the soon-to-be-owner of three connecting buildings in Covent Garden, the perfect location for his gaming club! He is admiring his acquisition when he spies HER – Venus Merriwell, the woman who hates and annoys him like none other and the woman he can’t seem to get out of his head. But when he helps her with her suitor and later joins the family for dinner and beats the unbeatable Venus at cards, everything changes between them and soon he is longing for more from her and it seems like she might be agreeable. But when she learns that he has bought the property that she thought was to be given to the orphanage, hell hath no fury like a thwarted Venus! Gal tries to reason with her, to no avail, and knows without a doubt that the only way to win Venus is by giving up his club – an impossible choice – his lifelong dream or the woman he loves.

I liked this book, it was well-written and flowed nicely, with witty banter and a wonderful hero. I wanted to love this story, and for the most part, I did, I loved Galahad, I loved catching up with Vee’s family, I loved the Claypole twins and their sabotage efforts, I loved the quibbling between Olivia and Jerehmah as well as the bickering between the Reverend and his wife, I loved the humor and I loved the ending, but what I didn’t love was Miss Venus Merriwell. I thought she was petty, manipulative, self-centered, self-righteous, and quite simply acted like a spoiled brat. I couldn’t believe that she actually thought she was right or that Gal felt the need to apologize – repeatedly, for something that I think she was just being overly dramatic about and used as an excuse to protect her feelings. Overall, I am glad I read the book and did get some closure (I agree with my blog partner – I would have liked to know what happened to their father) and the epilogue was very satisfying. So aside from my dislike of Vee, I enjoyed the book and would recommend the series to my fellow HR fans. This is the third and final book in the series and I would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

This final story in the Merriwell sisters series has been great fun. Venus is stubborn and determined to find the perfect husband just like her sisters did. She wants someone who loves her for her mind and not her glorious body. Galahad is an American living in London. He is a tenacious businessman. The story is filled with often witty and hilarious dialogue as Gal and Vee trade barbs. The children in the story add delightful character to the plot. Readers will thoroughly enjoy getting to know what drives the characters as they turn the pages. This is a wonderful way to conclude the series.

Venus Merriwell has been dreaming of true love her whole life. Even through a multitude of trials, she has counted on future love and happiness, especially after watching her two older sisters find their matches. However, her luck with love hasn't prospered, so she has focused her energies on the needy orphanage in Covent Gardens. Galahad Sinclair has been working his entire life for a secure income to call his own, and he has finally purchased property to house his new gambling business. The only drawback of the new residence is the orphanage next door, or rather, the woman who runs it, and her inevitable reaction when she learns of the enterprise about to move in. Gal and Venus are distant relations by marriage and have only ever butted heads. But Gal is certain that if he can win over Vee, his business will have a chance at success.

I have really enjoyed the two prior books in this series, and I have been looking forward to Vee's story! Yet, I found her determination to hate Gal a little repetitive, and the blame placed upon him for situations out of his control a little unfair. I enjoyed Gal's character, and certainly was rooting for him (and their relationship) throughout the story. While I read the two previous stories I couldn't exactly remember his role in the second book without a refresher, and though it can be read as a standalone, the second book in the series does provide some background on Galahad's history. I loved the setting and focus on the orphanage, and would have been fine with even more gambling in this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Audio, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Never Wager with a Wallflower is book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone novel. If you are curious about the various family members in the book, reading books 1 and 2 will satisfy that curiosity.

Venus Merriwell and Galahad Sinclair met in the first book of The Merriwell Sisters Series. Since that meeting, they have maintained a tolerated but avoid if all possible relationship that is complicated by their family's connections resulting in regular family dinners and attendance at Society events.

Galahad, Gal, is an attractive, affable but secretive owner of The Den, a place for drinking and gambling. He is a Yank and is always attempting to meet the expectations of the English world. He is a self-made man with a head for making money. I like my heroes with brains, brawn and a good heart and Gal has it all plus more. I was rooting for him the entire book even when he stuck his foot in his mouth!

Venus or Vee, as she prefers, is still a sanctimonious, dramatic, fairy tale dreamer. She is not the easiest of the sisters to like but at least Vee's character has remained consistent throughout the books. I do like her intelligence or big brain as Gal calls it, and her dedication to the orphanage and the many children. The terrible trio of tween boys and their hijinks provide Vee with deeper glimpses of the man beneath Gal’s social face. I did enjoy the diary entries as they gave the reader a better understanding of why she held on to anger and revealed some of the reasons for her reactions.

This is a slow burn romance with witty barbs, misunderstandings, frustrations and finally self-discoveries that lead to Gal and Vee finally uncovering their denied feelings towards each other. I was delighted with the ending but said that I have to say goodbye to the many characters I have come to know in The Merriwell Sisters. I will continue to look forward to more books from Virginia Heath

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of Never Wager with a Wallflower and voluntary and based on my own reading experience.

4.5 stars. This third book in the series puts Venus up against Galahad. This is an enemies to lovers Regency romcom.

I love it when authors take female characters of this time frame and make them smart and spunky. Virginia Heath does it perfectly! Venus is willing to go up against Gal in anything from card games to buying property to romance and love. Their banter is so fun and really brought me into the story. I'm so sad that the series is over.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

An enemies to lovers story. Galahad is my favorite hero of this series; dynamic, flawed yet likable. The scene where Galahad and Venus are found out is one of the funniest I've ever read.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is Virginia Heath‘s final story in her Merriwell Sisters Regency rom-com series. It’s an enemies-to-lovers historical romance that’s not historically accurate. It features characters from previous stories but can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

23-year-old Venus Merriwell had a rough childhood because her gambler father left her and her older sisters destitute. She is currently on her fourth season but she considers herself a wallflower after her last romantic partner cheated on her. Currently she is pursuing a pretentious intellectual windbag that doesn’t even notice her physical beauty; he just wants someone to listen to him pontificate. Venus spends her days teaching at the Covent Garden Orphanage, trying to wrangle rowdy children and raise funds to continue their mission. She also does her best to avoid her brother-in-law’s scoundrel half-American cousin, Galahad.

Galahad Sinclair was raised by his grandfather in his New York tavern, The Four-Leaf Clover. Then five years ago he came to London and created a successful gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Now he’s ready to build the gaming hall of his dreams in a nicer area, Covent Garden, to attract an upscale clientele. He buys the perfect building only to learn that it’s located next door to the orphanage where Venus teaches. He’s still avoiding her since she flattened him five years earlier when he was doing some undercover work.

Venus and Galahad disagree over everything, but their friends and family can feel their chemistry and encourage their romance. Galahad does give her good advice for managing the incorrigible twins at the orphanage, but the kids still do their best to destroy his building. They wager each other in card games and eventually fall in love.

While not historically accurate in terms of speech and women’s freedom, the Merriwell Sisters series is fun to read. The characters are engaging and have interesting jobs and the reader can’t help but root for them to find their happily-ever-after. The plot in Never Wager with a Wallflower is well-paced and I had a hard time putting it down. My favorite part was young Venus’ diary entries at the beginning of each chapter. The side characters, particularly the twins, added extra humor to the story. I’m sorry for this series to end!

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story took me forever to get into. I read one of the others in this series and liked it, but I didn't enjoy this one as much.
The one I read before seemed a lot more comical and silly, and the characters had a ton of chemistry and tension with each other. This one didn’t feel as good. They felt more like friends than love interests. This one just wasn't for me this time around.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Spicy Regency Romance
Spice Level: High (bawdy language and full sex scenes but not until about the last 10%)
Readability: It's the 3rd in the series but stands on its own so long as you don't mind spoilers for the other characters from previous books.

Miss Venus is a voluptuous beauty with a sharp mind—appropriate since she's also a card sharp. She's sassy and devoted to her orphans. And she's tired of men who only see her as a sex object.

Gal—Galahad Sinclair—is also jaded from getting used by others. He's a taciturn American bloke who now lives in England and is on the edge of fulfilling his financial dreams.

But then the two collide in a new way and see each other with fresh eyes.

It's super fun. The language is coarse and there are bawdy comments. So if you thought this was a sweet and funny romance, that's not this. I thought it was enjoyable, though I had to ignore the crude portions.

Happy reading!

2.5 stars.

The vibes:
- historical
- Enemies to lovers
- 3rd book in a series/can be standalone

My thoughts:

For starters- the first two books in this series were some of my favorites. I loved Minerva and Diana. I’ve always felt a bit put off with Venus in the first two books but did see her growing up and coming around in book 2. Coming into book 3- I had high hopes that I’d see a whole new side of Venus now that she is all grown up.
Unfortunately- I struggled to support (or like) Venus for most of the book. She was just difficult to like in a lot of moments.

The first two books in this series have a different tone to them. The first two feel humorous and silly (in the best way possible) with so much chemistry and tension. This one didn’t feel the same way for me - which I largely place on Venus during the conflict.

While I didn’t love this third book like I did the first two in the series, this author remains a favorite for me because I know the writing style is overall great for my tastes.

Releases November 7, 2023.

Thank you so much to Virginia Heath, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



*note- posted on bookbub, Instagram, goodreads, and barnes and noble. Links provided. Will be posted on Amazon after release date when Amazon allows me to.

What a wonderful slow burn, historical romance! Gal and Venus have a great tumultuous relationship full of miscommunications, prejudices, and a whole lot of feelings that keeps their relationship hooking.

Gal keeps a decent amount of secrets with reason from Venus and she has to work out whether or not those are dealbreakers or if she should protect her feelings with someone safer. I loved how this all played out, specifically the games between Gal and Venus, they made this whole book!

Never Wager with a Wallflower is book 3 in The Merriwell Sisters series by Virginia Heath and y’all if you haven’t read this Regency rom-com series you’re seriously missing out!
Heath writes the absolute best historical romance strand this one was an absolute blast!
This was super cute and quite hilarious.
I love Venus and Galahad together. Their chemistry was just amazing.
I even adored the side characters!
They were fun, witty and the banter was spot on.
The plot, writing, pacing, setting, and characters made for a really great story.
Never Wager with a Wallflower was such a fun romantic comedy with a refreshing historical setting.
Reading Virginia Heath’s novels always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. I loved the series.
Rom-Com readers and Historical Fiction lovers will find this read delectable and simply irresistible.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

I love, love, love Never Wager with a Wallflower! This book is the third in the Merriwell Sisters series, and I have loved each one. To be honest, I was not really excited for Venus, or Vee to her loved ones' story. I didn't like her in the first book, but I love Virginia Heath's writing so I was still excited for another Virginia Heath book.
Vee is several years older, and over her annoying whiny phase from book's past. She's grown up, educated, knows a little more of the world-- and over her feckless father. Vee has found her love, and that is an orphanage. She wants to grow the orphanage, and she thinks she's found the perfect property.
Galahad, our hero, is the cousin of Vee's brother-in-law Giles. Vee and Galahad met years ago, but she was not impressed. Galahad is also looking for a building--to build a gaming hell. Guess where he has found the perfect building?
Virginia Heath's writing is some of my favorite, and her dialogue between characters is my absolute favorite. It is snappy, witty, hilarious, and her use of adjectives is absolutely fabulous. Virginia Heath's characters are also simply out-of-this-world funny. Whether it be irascible butlers or cheeky orphans, the characters are the best! I love getting to see Giles and Diana and Hugh and Minerva again-- as well as their adopted mother figure, Hugh's mother! The banter between all the characters is fantastic. I just loved this book, and the whole series is one of my favorites and I highly recommend Never Wager with a Wallflower!!!

It took me a while to get into this story.

I like the promise of what this story could have given, but in the end, it kind of fell flat (for me).

I liked the entensity with which Vee disliked Gal, I liked the way they came around to kinda sorta being friend.

But for all the potential the story had, nothing really happened. And (for me) that was a real let down.

But others are going to absolutely love it.