Really struggled with this one and had to DNF. I couldn't get interested in any of the characters, and reading it just didn't feel as easy and smooth as I would expect from a historical romance like this. Disappointed for sure.

The final book in the Merriwell series and it was a good conclusion. In this installment, we see Vee grown up and working in an orphanage while butting heads with Galahad - her brother in law’s cousin. There was plenty of charm, humor and romance to make a good regency romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the arc.

1.75/5 stars! I do not get this book. Like there's enemies to lovers and then there's "two people have nothing in common and shouldn't be together." There were a few funny moments, so it'll get almost 2 stars from me, but nothing else was redeeming about it.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the final book in the The Merriwell Sisters trilogy and is an excellent way to conclude a wonderful series. I loved Venus and Galahad and was really rooting for the two of them to get their HEA. While I liked Vee, it was Galahad that made the book for me. He was just the perfect hero and it was so great with the heroine finally opened her eyes to who he really was. Virginia Heath is an excellent author and I've enjoyed all of her books. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this excellent book.

My most favorite thing in any book is humor and of course an HEA. This book made me laugh out loud. Taking orphans to skate is the most fun! No spoilers but if that scene doesn’t make you laugh, you don’t have brothers! Vee and Gal’s story is everything it promised to be in previous books. But if loses nothing if you haven’t read the first two books n the series. Galahad is so protective of his true self I’m not sure he evens knows exactly who he is and Venus needs to know. I love that once Vee decided he was for her, she got straight to it. I don’t like unnecessary strife in books because people don’t talk to each other. Virginia Heath wove this story with it’s conflict with perfection.

Never wager with a Wallflower
By Virginia Heath

This swoons conclusion to the Merriwell sisters trilogy was just what I’d been waiting for. I’d fallen in love with Vee and Galahad in the second book and so was thrilled to find out that I would be able to spend more time with these two well-matched love birds.

For those new to the series, Venus Merriwell is the youngest girl in the family. She’s a hopeless romantic who has been burned before by her alcoholic gambler father and then later by a sleezy Lord who makes and then breaks all sorts of promises.

Galahad ‘Gal’ Sinclair is a self-made American who shows up in London to see that his father gets his comeuppance and also to become an established businessman. He is also broken in so many ways and loathe to trust anyone, most especially Venus who he can’t seem to fully avoid as his cousin marries her older sister.

Then one day Gal, who has been avoiding Venus and his feels, bumps into her outside of the buildings he has just bought for his new club. It turns out that the orphanage where she spends so much of her time happens to be in the last building on the block that he does not own.

I loved the slow slow slow burn that these two characters had going. I felt like I was shown all the way through how they felt about one another, even when they were bickering. Virginia Heath writes steamy scenes where the characters don’t even touch and you’re absolutely aching for them to give in already and kiss. She draws it out so organically that when they finally do give in, it’s magical.

This was a perfect ending to a lovely trilogy of books. I will definitely be reading the next thing Virginia Heath writes. No questions asked.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

TLDR: this book is a delight. Pick it up for yourself on November 7th!

Venus Merriwell has dreamt of her perfect match since she was a teenager. She wants a husband who is kind, intelligent, loves books as much as her, and doesn't have the same vices as her father. After a slew of unlucky suitors, Venus begins to think that maybe her true love is the orphanage she spends all her time at. Galahad Sinclair grew up learning the gambling trade at his grandfather's knee. When fate dealt him a bad hand, Galahad finds himself setting up shop across the pond in England. He's spent years building a respectable gaming hell and looks to expand his empire. The only problem? His perfect real estate is right next to Venus's orphanage. The pair have always butted heads, but this new development pushes them to their limits, and it's only a matter of time before one folds under the pressure.

I adore this series, but this final installment wasn't it. I didn't love Venus in the previous books, so I was hoping this would endear me to her, but that wasn't the case. She came across as high and mighty and a bit unfair in her treatment of Galahad. As for him, I liked him enough. He had some cute moments, and I liked how he interacted with the mischievous set of orphans, but aside from that, I could take or leave him. Sadly, nothing about the plot or characters gripped me, but I still recommend the series as a whole.

I was initially hesitant on this one just because I had not liked Vee when we saw her in the first book. But she has aged up several years by the time we have arrived at her book and matured and I liked her much better in this one than previously.

I found Vee and Galahad's dynamic in this one to be very fun. They had a lot of chemistry and I love a good bantering couple and Virginia Heath really nailed that for my taste. I found they also just made a very good couple personality wise and watching them as they started to get to know each other behind the facade of their first impression was a delight. I also found myself rooting for Galahad and his business as well as Vee's orphange.

The surprise stand out of this book however were the trio of orphans that end up working with Galahad. I thought they were fun side characters and enjoyed our main characters relationship with them as well

I thought this was a delightful end to this series. Overall if you like historical romance and also like romances that lean a little rom-com this series is one I would recommend.

Wallflower Venus has given up on finding love when all the men she meets are more interested in her physical assets than her mental ones. American Galahad is a gambling den owner who wants to build a new place right next door to Venus’s orphanage. Sparks fly as they and they end up playing cards for very high stakes. Can they admit to their mutual attraction? I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review.

“Never Wager with a Wallflower” by Virginia Heath
What are the Odds !!
This was a fun read as Venus & Galahad fight/strive to achieve their goals. I enjoyed my time within this story, maybe especially with a gal that is so very good at cards. I liked all the characters in this story. I think the only villain in the story is just how hard life can be for some, through no fault of their own, just life circumstances. Although this is book 3 in the series it can be read as a stand alone but you just may want to read books 1 & 2 also. Just sayin’. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved this book SO MUCH! 😭 I laughed out loud while reading it and still had all the feelings about the love story.

I'm not even sure where to start with this one, but it just brought me so much joy while I was reading it!

Our heroine is the lovely Venus. She used to believe in fairytales but has had her heart broken and has decided she will never find love like her sister's have. She also has daddy issues thanks to her absent father.

Galahad is our hero. He's an American with tons of ambition and daddy issues.

This is definitely an enemies to lovers situation as they both dislike each other quite a bit.

Gal wants to open a gaming hell next door to the orphanage where Vee works. As you can imagine, this creates a situation, and drama ensues.

These two really grow to love each other, and it's so enjoyable to watch the relationship unfold. They flirt, they fight, they get stitches in their bum (okay, that was just one of them, but it was worth mentioning). There are crazy relatives, meddling orphans, killer pigeons, and a great story on top of all that.

This is the third book in a series. I have not read the previous books (although I plan to!) and had no trouble following the story. The characters from the previous books are included, so if you are familiar with the series, you will get to revisit some of the leads from previous books.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

It comes out November 7th and I absolutely recommend it!

I am so excited to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! The opinions are my own.

Okay... Book 3! Finally we are with Venus and.... Galahad! Remember when she tackled him so spectacularly in the 2nd book? You know this is gonna be good. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp... I am not sure if this is my favourite but I loved all the Merriwell sisters and the men who love them. Venus has grown up but still not quite making the right decisions on the men in her life and not trusting anyone to do so. Galahad too has grown up and while he enjoys his new extended family, he still keeps them at arm's length. What I love about this series is that you get a glimpse into all the secondary characters... And then some new ones. It's fairly low angst in a way with plotlines and the humour is so great in keeping the pacing and the mood light, thanks to Virginia Heath's writing style. As you see facets of each of the main characters, you appreciate all the different aspects to their character and how they end up learning from each other as well as their similar upbringing.

I can't wait to see what Ms. Heath has next!

Steam: 🔥 (there is no frisson emoji)
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️

Amazing story of Miss Venus Merriwell, youngest Merriwell sister and Galahad Sinclair, friend of the family. The immediate attraction and repulsion between these two is very enjoyable to read, and often found myself laughing out loud. Galahad quickly became a favourite MMC. Nice to see characters from this series, but can be read as a standalone.

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!