Although it's not absolutely necessary to have read the previous book in the series, you will probably want to so that you fully understand the history between Gal and Venus. It's clear from early in this book that they are pretty much perfect for one another. Their conversations (even when they are insulting one another) are filled with wit and show how they will not only challenge one another but also be intellectual equals. My only complaint about their dynamic is that I felt like it's all about him "winning". He beats her at cards, he tells her how to best handle the boys at the orphanage, he gives her the idea for moving the orphanage out of the city, he shows that she is in the wrong about everything she thought of him, etc. And then there were times when I felt like Venus was cutting off her nose to spite her face in the way she handled her feelings and the overall situation with Gal. I can completely understand why she reacted the way she did to the news that Gal had bought up the building she had wanted - even he had to admit that in hindsight in made his behavior kind of sketchy - but she refused to change her thoughts on the matter even as everyone around her did.

Ms. Heath has once again created a story I just loved to come back to. The characters are believable and entertaining, and the story is heartwarming and fun to follow. Gal and Venus’ love story isn’t anything astounding but the characters themselves make it the beautiful, sometimes hilarious, ride that it is. I loved the book just as much, if not more, than the first two in the trilogy.

With this being the final book in the Merriwell sisters trilogy, I expected Vee’s story to be the best of the three. I did love her and Gal’s banter, but I felt the story fall a bit flat for me. There really didn’t seem to be a lot of dialogue in the book, which I thought was odd. Overall, it was a fine ending for the trilogy.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the banter between the two romantic leads. Their courtship was enjoyable to watch grow. However, the book felt about 25% too long. The inner monologues of the characters were repetitive and I feel like things could have been edited to make a swifter, more enjoyable read. However, it is a great conclusion to the series.

A delightful historical romance and the last in the series. I loved that Venus was so passionate about her orphanage and there was some humor too.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath is a delightful foray into the world of Regency-era romance. While it may not reinvent the wheel in the genre, it certainly knows how to deliver a satisfying, comforting read.

Virginia Heath brings to life a charming setting, complete with lavish descriptions of the Regency era. The attention to historical detail is evident and adds authenticity to the story. You can practically feel yourself transported to a bygone era of lavish ballrooms and societal expectations.

Lizzie and Hugo, our main characters, bring a good dose of wit and chemistry to the story. Their banter is engaging, and their romance, though somewhat predictable, is sweet and endearing. You'll find yourself rooting for this spirited wallflower and her dashing rogue.

While the plot may not be the most groundbreaking, it still manages to entertain. It's a comfortable, easy read with just the right mix of humor, drama, and romance. It won't challenge your expectations, but it will certainly provide a pleasant escape.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is a solid choice for those who enjoy classic Regency-era romances. It might not break new ground, but it delivers a dose of nostalgia and warmth that fans of the genre will appreciate. So, if you're looking for a cozy read to curl up with, this book is worth considering.

Heath’s Merriwell Sisters series has been fantastic! She shared with us Vee/Venus’ thoughts on events from previous books as an intro into each chapter to help remind the reader of the life Vee had lived with her family/sisters. This is definitely a stand-alone book, but I have had the pleasure of enjoying the series in succession.

Vee was so young with the series began that we were able to see her grow and mature. She has always been outspoken, but this book unfolds more of her personality. Vee and her sweet sisters have been through so much as they tried to grow from their circumstances. Yet, due to all that happened in the past, she was a bit reticent about opening up to Gal/Galahad. Once each decided to move past their previous meetings, they finally realized they have more in common of which they were unaware.

And, Gal is the perfect protagonist to Vee’s sweet little lady persona. He has layers upon layers of difficulty that he hides well. Once Vee sees him for the man he truly is, they are able to move forward.

It was great to have Vee’s family as a big part of her romance. Great series that I will miss!

3.5 stars rounded up — I think I was *too* excited for the final installment of the Merriwell sisters because this one didn’t have the same sparkle for me.

I was very excited for Vee to get her moment to shine and to see her and Gal go from enemies to lovers — but the tension and emotion that was so strong in the first two books didn’t come through as much in this final book. The conflict was very predictable and their stubbornness was not overly endearing.

I’m happy to see each sister get their HEA & as always the other characters in this book were delightful. I loved the tender way Gal interacted with each of the boys in the orphanage and so many moments of this book — it just felt like the romance was the weakest part of the entire plot!

While I enjoyed this one, it was probably my least fave of the trilogy and I’m not really sure why no just didn’t seem to connect with Vee in this book and I think that was it. But, it was still a fun read.

NEVER WAGER A WALLFLOWER, out November 7, was a great read for those who love historical fiction romances with feminism, highjinx, and character growth a la Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed the book, but, to be completely honest, Vee, the FMC, was my least favorite character throughout the series and unfortunately, it stayed that way due to the narrative direction of the story.

What I enjoy about the author's writing is that it's fun. The author created an entertaining regency England which promotes women working within the confines of their society to express themselves and have meaning over their own lives. This was the same for this story. Each of the female characters were fulfilled within their own ways, which I liked reading about. Additionally, some of the situations the characters found themselves in were incredibly funny and made me laugh out loud. They were wacky and out there, but it helped with the story to balance it out more. This was a character driven novel focused on the romance of two people who have had life knock them down quite a few times. The hilarity of silly side characters and plot points helped balance what could have otherwise been a more serious romance novel. The character growth that takes place by the end between Vee and Galahad, the MMC, was also great to see. It had a very Pride and Prejudice vibe with seeing each other in a new light after actually taking the time to understand one another.

The major flaw of this book. for me, was Vee. While I always say that a female character does not have to be likable in order to be a fulfilling character, I had a hard time with her. This is a personal preference of mine in romance novels, or in characters in general, so please take this with a grain of salt. Vee was frustrating to me because she is incredibly self-righteous as a character for a large portion of the book. I knew she would be because that's how she was in the other books in this series. But I had hoped that I would come to respect her and cheer her on after understanding her events through her POV. Because the author had a lot to balance, while I understood where Vee was coming from, that journey was limited and unsatisfying. In understanding the events of previous books, even in flashbacks to important parts, would have been great organizationally and allowed for that connection to her. However, this did not happen, and so, lots of the book is devoted to Vee feeling righteous and often downright petulant. That is hard for me to get over as a reader, and, as a result, is why I rated the book the way I did.

Overall, this was a good historical romance with fun side characters, Pride and Prejudice-like characters, and some girl boss vibes mixed in. Vee might not have been my favorite character in the world, but she might be yours if you don't mind somewhat emotionally sanctimonious characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Virginia Heath has once again struck literary gold, my dear readers! This delightful tale is the third installment in 'The Merriwell Sisters' series, and while it's perfectly enjoyable as a standalone, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in the entire series for the full experience. Trust me, it's a literary treasure trove.

In this particular volume, we embark on the journey of the youngest Merriwell sister, Venus/Vee Merriwell, and Galahad/Gal Sinclair, who, interestingly enough, is the cousin of the primary male character from book 2. Their relationship takes a thrilling trajectory from mere frenemies to... well, let's just say there's more beneath the surface. Secrets, omissions, tantalizing romance, spirited arguments, witty repartee, some 'steamy' interludes, orphans, a dash of cunning deception, and, of course, the much-anticipated HEA ending – this book, and indeed the entire series, boasts a captivating cast of characters that ensnared my imagination and left me thoroughly invested in their fictional lives.

If I may indulge one small desire, it would be for a slightly lengthier epilogue, though the one provided does manage to tie things up with a charming bow. All in all, an utterly engaging page-turner that promises pure reading pleasure.

Didn't finish book the writing was hard to understand. I liked the 2nd book the best and thought the first book was okay.

Super cute final book in this series! I couldn’t wait to get to Venus’s story after knowing her from her sisters books and she was delightful as expected. Galahad was a sweetheart, it was great getting to know of his past finally. The road to their HEA was very rocky, but totally worth it.

Virginia Heath's "Never Wager with a Wallflower" is a charming and witty addition to the Regency romance genre that is sure to captivate readers with its engaging characters and lively narrative. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century England, this novel brings together a feisty heroine and a rakish hero in a delightful tale of love and unexpected alliances.

The only critique I could find is that, at times, the plot may feel somewhat predictable to a seasoned reader of the genre. However, the characters' dialogue more than make up for any predictability in the storyline.

This story has some vulnerability that makes it feel genuine and get you emotionally invested.

Overall, it is a fun Regency romance that will satisfy fans of Heath's series while winning over new readers. If you are in the mood for a lighthearted yet emotionally satisfying historical romance, this novel is worth checking out.

<i>I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I thought this was a lovely end to the Merriwell Sisters series! It did justice to all three sisters and Vee's story is full of heartbreak and hope. I wouldn't have it any other way.

First, the characters are great. We already know Vee a bit but I'm so glad the events take place several years after Diana's story. It gave her time to grow and make mistakes and form a more rounded personality. And I loved seeing more of Galahad, slowly peeling back those layers. Both characters are shaped by their traumatic pasts. The intricacies involved in telling those stories were very well done.

The secondary characters are awesome, too. Fully realized and distinct, captivating in their own ways.

This is a very character-driven story, much more than the other two. Sure, Gal is working towards his business dreams and we see a lot of Vee's work at the orphanage but the crucial events are spawned from who they are, not outside events. It made for a different read (and arguable more enjoyable).

The communication issues present are expertly done. They're not what you'd typically find in a miscommunication trope. They're more grounded in reality and personality. As readers, we're able to see that and I think that's so important.

The only reason I didn't rate this higher is the writing itself had some unnecessary repetition. There would be phrases or bits of information that were repeated several times (sometimes within the same chapter). It was annoying and didn't further the plot. I found it a little distracting.

All in all, this is a wonderful book and a delightful series. I highly recommend it to everyone!

She wants a prince nothing like her gambling father who ruined the family. He’s wants to open a gaming hell next door to the orphanage she works for.

It began as fun enemies to lovers with good banter. But their agreement over the building at the halfway point made no sense to me, and Venus came across after that as ignorant, childish, and petty.

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing Company. This book was a fantastic read and wraps up this serious nicely. The Merriwell sister Venus ia this story line about. Her views on love is borderline cynical but when. Things have happened in your past to make you think that just make it the way it is. Can anyone man change her mind to chance her heart again for love? Or will find a safe choice the best option for her. Will her sisters convince her other wise. Galahad has had enough with family. Trust is earned according to him and barely happens. And love isn't even an option when your goal in life is to be a successful business man. And never take a partner. Can either of you ice like hearts thaw for a potential love option? This story has drama, mystery and some romance. This story is for a mature audience and can be read anywhere.

Virginia Heath is great at banter and this book had lots of it. I loved the independent women and the man that encourages her to be that. She’s the youngest sister, and we can read her other 2 sisters stories in the two books before this. It’s an adorable historical romance.

This book concludes the Merriwell Sisters trilogy. Never Wager with a Wallflower focuses on the youngest sister, Venus. Vee teaches at a local orphanage. She makes every effort to stay away from Galahad, her brother-in-law's brother. Gal has been working for years on his dream of opening a palace; however, he discovers that Vee is unaware that he purchased property next to her orphanage. Their paths keep crossing and both characters are forced to confront their shifting feelings for one another.

Vee and Gal's love story was a beautiful way to wrap up the series. It was a slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers. Each chapter also starts with a passage from Vee's journal, which was a nice touch.

Unfortunately, this did not live up to my expectations. The pacing starts strong, but we almost immediately fall into repetitive internal monologues from both characters. I find Venus, instead of being more sympathetic once we're in her head, to be insufferably self-righteous and unkind, especially when she uses Galahad's affection for her to try to manipulate him.

Despite trying to tell us that he likes her for more than her body, Galahad spirals into only caring about how attractive she is. I would have enjoyed more action, like in Never Rescue a Rogue, instead of spending so much time in their heads. There are some humorous moments and there is some promise with the card game scenes, but they're overset by lackluster characters and very little plot movement. The conclusion, as well, feels extremely rushed and unsatisfactory. Sad to say the series didn't end on a high note.