as someone who loves virginia heath so much that i am a member of her facebook group, it pains me to say this is the least favorite of the series! while i did adore venus' story, i just felt that the plot seemed to take too long to get to the point and then when there finally was resolution it happened almost too quickly! it felt a bit anti climactic after being pulled along the whole time! however, all that being said this book is still incredible and i will absolutely be buying a physical copy, which is a testament to heaths writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC —

Never Wager on a Wallflower is a perfect conclusion to the series. Heath continued to beautifully straddle the line between contemporary perspective and the fantastical appeal of Regency. She managed to weave in contemporary themes while maintaining the essence of the historical genre. The leads in Venus and Galahad themselves are a highlight, each meticulously fleshed out make their struggles and background stories genuinely compelling and had me on the edge of my seat to find out more. The world building in the series is another positive aspect. On her third and final book the series, Heath has only continued to introduce new characters seamlessly to enrich the Merriwell Sisters' world. Notably in this specific book, Billy, Tommy and Sydney enhance the story's emotional core. Their presence doesn't come off as unnecessary but contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

Some downsides is that there are moments where certain exchanges might feel somewhat drawn out and too cliched. Particularly a few interactions between Vee and Gal occasionally veered into predictable territory, and some instances of overdoing in their banter detracted from the pacing.

Overall, the book perfectly tied up loose ends and provided a great closure to overarching storylines with all the other family members.

"Never Wager with a Wallflower" is the third book in Virginia Heath's "The Merriwell Sisters" series. This book is centered around Venus Merriwell, whose sole focus is to help the struggling orphanage in town. Venus is delighted to discover the neighboring property is available to expand the orphanage, only to find out that noted rake and scoundrel Galahad Sinclair has claimed the property. However, upon getting to know him, she quickly realizes there is more than meets the eye. Can they actually work together, rather than being enemies?

This was a cute conclusion to Heath's series, and had her trademark romantic chemistry and humor. I look forward to the next series by Heath. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a great ending for the lovely Merriwell sisters.. Vee at times drove me crazy but just in the way that she was stubborn for good reason and you knew would come around. Galahad was super sweet and loved his background story of how he came to England. There are a few funny moments and of course with those naughty Claypole twins. The ending as well with the reverend showing the family the key… … oh goodness lol. Loved the ending and how it wrapped up the sister’s story to their past. If you are a fan of the first two, this will definitely it disappoint. Thank you to Net Galley, Virginia Heath and St. Martins Griffith for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

I have really been looking forward to this book after reading the first 2 in the series. Although I was apprehensive because Venus was not my favorite and although I struggled with her a bit in this book I was fully engaged. The author was able to take all of the traits I disliked and give them meaning and purpose. She blossomed in this book in an unexpected way, her vulnerabilities gave her more strength in the end. I really liked Galahad, he seemed so kind, compassionate, and honorable. I feel he was the perfect match for Venus, who was brilliant but strong-willed. It was so fun to re-visit all of the previous fun characters as well. This was such a good end to the series, that I know I will come back and re-read the whole thing again.

This series honestly was a suprise favorite of mine and this book was both a satisfying story for Venus and end to the series as a whole. The characters have depth and make you want to root for them. Gal and Vee just like the other couples work well together and it is easy for the audience to see their chemistry.

Finally, Vee’s day has come! I’ve really enjoyed this series, and I think this third book perfectly finished our time with the Merriwell sisters.

Vee, short for Venus, is stubborn, hard-headed, a bit of a blue stocking, and a bit of a snob. Gal, short for Galahad (these names, eek, not for me), is an American gentleman, whose goal is to open a huge Gentleman’s club in London. Our MC’s have know each other for years, and love to hate each other. Why? Well misunderstanding, of course, on the part of Vee, mostly. She has made up her mind about the type of man Gal is, and barely gives him the time of day. In true historical romance fashion, a simply honest conversation or two would have completely changed their relationship immediately. But where is the fun in that?!

I really enjoyed the banter between our MCs. As with the first two books, Virginia Heath just knows how to write great regency. Vee learns she is wrong about Gal through other characters’ accounts of the man, and actions along the way. He in turn finds himself watching her open up more and more and he’s intrigued. It’s this little spark that fuels the best romances, slow burn, of course!

I also loved the side characters, especially the orphans of course. You know right out the gate where this story is going and it doesn’t disappoint! 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for the advanced read. I've been waiting for this book since I finished books 1 and 2 on a reading binge recently. This third installment of the Merriwell sisters was the perfect ending to the trilogy! (well, I'd take more if Virginia Heath wanted to write more!)...I love these characters.

Venus Merriwell & Galahad Sinclair - met in book 1 in an unlikely way - tolerated each other - but now could there be more to the relationship? Or, will a building come between them?

This book was funny, heartwarming (Galahad - strong, attractive, and SENSITIVE!), and a super fun read. I absolutely loved the journal entries by Venus at the start of each chapter. It really brought me back to former plot lines and showed character development of Venus over the course of the years shown in snippets of her journal.

I would highly recommend this book, and the former two books in this series. Very well written.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

- I was initially quite suspicious of having Gal be the MMC in this, as he did not make the best impression in the second book. I was proved so thoroughly wrong! The character depth and development he shows throughout the book is so well done! Vee is understandably suspicious of him throughout, and I loved how much I found myself second guessing his motives (even with his POV).
- the orphanage was such a great addition to this one! It helped keep the plot from feeling too repetitive (as books one and two are much more similar in setting and theme).
- The difference in setting/vibes was balanced by the evergrowing Merriwell family, which was so seamlessly woven throughout the book.
- Sometimes I found it a little frustrating how stubborn both MCs could be (especially Vee), but I thought that Heath did a great job of developing the characters in a way that these traits did make sense.

Rounding up from 3.5

I absolutely loved the other titles in the Merriwell Sisters series, particularly book one! For some reason this title did not grab me as strongly. I really enjoy Virginia Heath's writing, so perhaps I was just not feeling the sparks between Gal and Venus. Or, I felt the conflict was a bit unsatisfying. Gal's building a gambling hall next to Venus' orphanage, and didn't tell her... when this inevitably comes out, she's hurt and feels used. I feel like I would have preferred something else to drive the conflict.

The highlights for me were the absolutely adorable first kiss, and the slapdash rom-com scene at the end of the book. I'll be vague to avoid spoilers, but I laughed. I believe Heath's writing is at its best when there's humor involved. She embodies a wonderful sense of humor that reminds me of The Importance of Being Ernest.

Never Wager with a Wallflower couldn't fill it's sisters' shoes in my mind, but it was a lovely little book and well written. Historical romance readers will enjoy this title even as a stand-alone. It is not necessary to read the other books in the series. (Although I think you should!)

Please note: my review will be posted to Instagram a week prior to publication, and I will update this review with the link once it is live.

Thank you St Martin’s Press for an eARC of the book for review!

Never Wager with a Wallflower is the final story in the Merriwell Sisters series, and I think that Virginia Heath ended this series on such a high note. Honestly, I am sad to leave this series as well, it was so enjoyable.

This installment follows the story of Venus, or Vee as she prefers, Merriwell. The quite, glasses clad, orphanage teacher, Merriwell sister has given up on love. Her history of making mistakes and choosing the wrong suitor has led to her putting the idea of finding love behind her, and she is now perfectly content finding herself an older and respectable partner. It doesn’t matter that he is boring or cares little for her. Galahad Sinclair is the foreigner upstart who runs the a gambling hell, and is everything Vee does not want in a man. But, they are family (in a way, him being her sisters husbands American cousin) and when he buys the building next to her orphanage (without Vee knowing), Galahad makes it his mission to win her over and become friends, for the good of his next endeavor. Little does either of them know, this friendship might just become more than they were expecting.

Honestly, I loved Vee and Galahad. I thought their chemistry was off the charts, and he was the perfect flirty secret gentleman to her quite schoolteacher. The character that really shone for me though was Gal. I loved seeing the levels to him, and knowing that he had a rough childhood, a significant portion of which where he was an orphan, and seeing him interact with Vee’s orphans, really got me on so many levels. I also loved seeing him get flirty with her. I liked Vee as a character as well, however I am not sure she was my favorite Merriwell sister. But, I think in the end, their relationship was up there for me.

I will note that it was not a very spicy book, but I think that the level of spice that existed was good for the plot, and there definitely was some in it. Additionally, I think that it’s important to note while this was a rom-com, there was definitely a heavy emphasis on other aspects of the plot, so it’s not solely romance. I personally really enjoy that in a book, but others who might want just a good ole historical romance might find that slightly off-putting.

Overall, I gave this 4.5 stars, and I think historical rom-com lovers would probably also enjoy this book.

Whew Galahad and Venus Aka Gal and Vee are a fitting end to the Merriwell sister saga!
These two met in a spectacular fashion and have rubbed each other the wrong way ever since!
Vee is very blessed in the bosom department and decides she would rather marry an older bookish gentleman. He is obnoxious, condescending and not even handsome! Vee is convinced it is what’s best for her with her past mistakes.
When Galahad buys the buildings next door to her orphanage the sparks truly fly! If you want to laugh out loud then this is a must read!
There are mischievous orphaned boys and non subtle attempts from Vee at figuring Galahad out! He is a very secretive person and his actions speak so much louder of his honor and integrity! What happens when they stop fighting? Well these two are in for one wild ride! Will they finally get a HEA or will an ice skating tragedy tear it all away!
Well you a get a fiesty heroine and a honorable hero and a combination of nosy relatives and needy orphans that melt your heart!! Bravo!!

Omg this was such a cute enemies to lovers regency era read! The snarky interactions and banter were so much fun to read! I liked both their povs, I loved reading their "I won't let anyone in, I've been burned enough" to "I'll let THEM alone in, they get me" arcs. The third act makeup was truly the best, I was screaming 😭

TWs - alcoholic/gambling parent, parent abandoning child, parent/grandparent death, near death because of cracks in the ice during ice skating

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third installment in the Merriwell sisters series. Venus Merriwell and Galahad Sinclair are the main characters in this enemies to lovers trope. I had high hopes for this story as Venus was my favorite sister from the beginning of book one. The story was good but it just felt a bit forced to me. It had a hard time keeping my focus. It was great getting an update on the two older sisters. Venus is very involved in her charity work which included working with an orphanage and the orphans are very interesting side characters. Overall, the series is a good one and I do recommend reading it!

A big “Thank You” to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy in return for an independent, honest review.

<b> Thank you to Virginia Heath, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an advanced copy to review. </b>

In this third and final installment of the Merriwell Sisters, Virginia Heath has rounded out her trilogy by pairing dear Venus with her perfect match Galahad. Galahad is all about protecting himself and the secrets of his past behind a wall of charm and tactical avoidance. How vexing then for him, that he fell in love with Venus at first flattening (see Never Rescue a Rouge - The Merriwell Sisters #2) - for years he has kept her at arm's length by enraging her with needling remarks and a constant battle of the wits. Shakespearian quotes, witty banter, card games, risky wagers, a near-death experience, slow burn, some real laugh-out-loud moments, and working man Pride and Prejudice vibes are just a few things to love about this book.

4/5 stars and 2/5 for spice <spoiler> (because playing strip memory...) <wink> </spoiler>

Note: GoodReads review is posted. an Instagram story linking to GoodReads will be posted tomorrow. An Instagram post with the specific review will be posted closer to the pub-date.

Finally Vee's story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be my favorite of the Merriwell Sisters books. Vee and Gal's story is an enemies to lovers trope, although I don't believe that they were ever truly enemies in the first place. Vee is portrayed as an intelligent, hard-working young woman who is finding trouble in love and hates that the men around her pounce on her for her looks hoping that she lives up to her name. Gal comes from a rough background but has made a name for himself in England and is doing well on his own. This is until he buys property for his new gaming salon and Vee is suddenly involved. I enjoyed Gal's background and story the most out of the three men in this series. Some of the tension and anger that Vee has toward Gal seemed unwarranted, but that was a minor complaint for me.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”



Absolutely amazing and gorgeous!!!!

♥️ Firstly, yes to anything & everything @virginiaheathwrites writes.
♣️ I loved this story from start to finish! It was entertaining, charming & simply everything I love to read.
♦️ I enjoy a good series & Virginia has many! I need to go back & read the second book, but this was easy to follow even though I haven't read them in order!
♠️ A must for historical romance enthusiasts. I can't recommend this & all her other books enough!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the third and final story to the Merriwell Sister's series and is Venus's story. She has grown up from the naive, romantic younger sister who had so much faith in her father. Unfortunately over the years, she has been disappointed by various men in her life, from her father, to others who either used her or failed to live up to her expectations. While she sees the loving relationships her sisters have, she appears to have resolved to aim for less for herself, after her disappointments, and encouraging the courtship of a suitor that she thinks is logically suitable, despite the fact that her family is telling her otherwise.

In the meant time, she gains a lot of satisfaction with her charity endeavours, chief of which is her engagement with an orphanage kept in Covent Gardens. She enjoys her hands on involvement with teaching and raising funds for her ad hoc children and family. Running an orphanage is a costly affair, dependent on the charity of others, and recently they have lost one of their more generous benefactresses when she passed on. They were thrilled to find out however that the orphanage will be receiving a generous bequest from her, and the Reverend remembers that she had promised in front of her heir, her nephew, that she would also be adding one of the buildings she owns beside the orphanage, so they can expand.

Galahad Sinclair is within reach of his goals, when he was able to purchase a row of dilapidated homes in Covent Garden from a wastrel peer in need of funds, who had just inherited them from his aunt. He was quite surprised to learn that at the end of the row, his new neighbour is the orphanage that Venus works with. He and Venus have had a contentious relationship for the past several years, especially considering he is an American upstart who had originally appeared in cahoots with his father earlier on, trying to cheat his cousin, Giles Sinclair out of his inheritance and title (also Venus's brother in law, in book 2 of the series).

This is an enemy to lovers story as Gal and Venus navigate changes in their relationship and awareness to each other. But Gal is hiding the fact that he has purchased the buildings beside the orphanage, even when he finds out her hopes to gain it for the orphanage, and when Venus finds out, she feels the fool for letting him charm and seduce her, thinking it was just to cheat and lie to her. Gal regrets the loss of their growing relationship and tries to break down the new barriers Venus throws up. But that means possibly revealing his own secrets, and leaving himself vulnerable to someone else, and that has been something that he has learned not to do in his own past. They both have deep hurts in their past that are barriers to their future together.

This was a bit slow going initially for me, but ultimately I quite enjoyed the dialogue and various interactions of the extended cast of characters in this story. Venus was quite the naive sister in the earlier stories, namely book 1, and has grown out of that and in the opposite direction in this story. Whereas Galahad did not appear to advantage initially, appearing to be a partner to his father in the last book until the very end, but in this one you get much more of his background and why he turned on his own father. I enjoyed his character development in this one and how the two characters complemented each other.

But one thing I think was lacking was the resolution of the relationship with the Merriwell patriarch. There was a glossing over about him in the end, and ultimately I understand that he had nothing to do with their success and happiness. But I think I would have liked a more concrete resolution - not a happy ending for him, but some kind of definitive ending of their relationship I think.

3.25 stars out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-galley of Never Wager with a Wallflower.

Heath knocked it out of the park with the final book of the Merriwell Sisters. I was so excited to read Venus's story and it did not disappoint. The push and pull between Venus and Galahad was superb and I loved every minute of their story.

Will Venus and Galahad be able to reconcile their differences and admit to the attraction burgeoning between them? Or will Galahad's reticence to let others in prohibit them from being together?