"Never Wager with a Wallflower '' serves as the captivating conclusion to the Merriwell sisters trilogy. This installment takes a refreshing turn toward an enchanting enemy-to-lovers narrative.

Set five years after the initial encounter between Venus and Galahad in "Never Rescue a Rogue," where Venus's sister married Galahad's cousin, we delve into Venus's world. A romantic at heart, Venus has experienced past heartbreaks and struggles to discover her own Prince Charming. Devoting her time and energy to the orphanage she runs, Venus finds herself in dire need of funds to expand its operations. On the other hand, Galahad has relentlessly pursued his lifelong dream of owning a gaming club. Serendipitously, he acquires the perfect location adjacent to the orphanage, unbeknownst to Venus. As neighbors, Venus and Galahad clash in their pursuits, each determined to achieve their goals.

Its distinctive atmosphere posed some challenges, particularly in sympathizing with Venus during certain moments of the story. Admittedly, Venus's character didn't particularly captivate me. Her actions often left me frustrated, leading me to align myself more with Galahad's perspective. Nevertheless, I must emphasize that my personal qualms with the character do not reflect any shortcomings in the author's writing. The book adeptly ties up loose ends and provides a satisfying conclusion, complemented by an enjoyable epilogue that beautifully concludes the series.

Fans of the Merriwell sisters trilogy will appreciate the author's skillful storytelling and the conclusive touch provided by the final installment's delightful epilogue.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third book in Virginia Heath's Merriwell Sisters trilogy. This is the first book I've read in this series, and while there was some backstory that felt like it would have added dimension, I was able to jump right in, so it can be read as a standalone.

Venus Merriwell is passionate about teaching the children at the orphanage where she spends most of her time. She has set her cap for a respectable (boring) older gentleman, who she believes will be good for her. After all, who needs passion or excitement? Certainly not Venus. And definitely not in the form of Galahad Sinclair, who is the cousin of her brother-in-law, and the owner of a rowdy den of iniquity on the London docks. Galahad, in return, is determined to succeed with his newest venture, an upscale club in the heart of Covent Garden. When it just so happens to be right next to Venus' orphanage, the two can't help but run in to each other, and sparks fly.

This was an enjoyable read, though slow at times. Both characters were a little frustrating in that they didn't want to talk or listen to each other, and the climax felt very rushed. I would read more by this author though!

The third and final book in the Merriwell Sisters trilogy. I found it to be a pretty fun and enjoyable read. The banter was witty and the overall plot of the story made it easy to get lost within the pages of the book. If you like enemies to lovers, regency/historical romances, and romantic comedies, then I think you would definitely like this one!

ARC provided by S. Martin's Press via NetGalley, and I have given my honest and voluntary review.

This one just wasn’t for me. The enemies to lovers was great but the mmc wasn’t doing it for me.. I tried really hard to get into this one and just couldn’t unfortunately. I’m sure it’s the perfect book for someone but I’m not the someone.

I really like this book. Is was swoony and cute. The characters were very well written and they had a great connection.

The first time Venus Merriwell met Galahad Sinclair, she thought that he was an intruder and laid him out, and their relationship was pretty much all downhill from there. Since meeting four years ago, the two have avoided each other and stuck with polite pleasantries when the need arose, but now that Galahad has plans to build a social club next door to Venus’s beloved orphanage, he’s trying to get in her good graces to avoid being bludgeoned or poisoned for bringing sin and debauchery to the orphans’ doorstep.

Venus has all but sworn off men after a series of failed social seasons and a bevy of gentlemen who only want her for all the sensual pursuits her name suggests. When Galahad Sinclair starts swaggering into the forefront of her life, she can’t help but be suspicious of his motives.

Venus & Galahad have incredible chemistry from the start. If the love interests don’t start out wanting to strangle each other, are they really meant to be?

I loved seeing Venus in her role as a teacher at the orphanage, especially her relationships with the Claypole twins. After seeing Venus as the little sister in the previous books, it was great to see her shine and develop outside of her family. Each chapter opens with one of her diary entries throughout the years, and we’re reminded just how far Vee has come over the course of the series. Both Venus and Galahad have a tendency to be distrusting and struggle to open up to one another, but they each see a kindred spirit in the other. They have some really beautiful conversations about what has forged them into the people they are now, but there are lots of moments of silliness and joy that make it clear why they’re so far gone for each other.

This was a really lovely conclusion to the Merriwell Sisters trilogy, especially the epilogue that had no business making me feel as many feelings as it did. I love the Merriwells and the men who love them, and I want Jeremiah and Olivia to unofficially adopt me too.

3 1/2.

I have enjoyed the other books in the series and I liked this one as well.

It was great to finally get Vee's story and also to catch up with the older sisters.

Vee and Galahad don't have the best impression of each other, especially being at complete opposites for what they work for. As they start spending more time together, their opinions shift and they're able to see past their first impressions.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Merriwell sisters are such a joy to read about. Venus is so delightfully genuine and yet also underhanded in the most delightful way. She and Galahad were perfect together from the start of their acquaintance, but it took them a while to see it. Seeing them both grow and learn in this book is so wonderful. The addition of scrappy orphans breaks down Gal’s walls so easily and makes Vee see him truly. I loved this book and this family. Can’t wait to see what’s next for Virginia Heath!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publishing: November 7, 2023
Series: The Merriwell Sisters #3
Pages: 320

This is the third installment of the Merriwell Sister’s series. Venus and Galahad are the typical enemies who brings their own points of view to the story. A trope of enemies to lovers and I thought this story can be read as a standalone.

Venus Merriwell has a flaw for falling in love with the wrong men, however none of them can compare to Galahad Sinclair, cousin to Giles, her sister’s husband. On the other hand, there is Galahad who does not trust easily and not one who shows any weakness. He has a head for business, but when he plans to open a gambling den next to the Covent Garden Orphanage where Venus works, things come to a head. There is playful banter between the main characters that sometimes got a bit boring as it dragged on a bit...but that is the angst that builds to their love relationship. The story is witty, engaging with some spiciness thrown into the mix. There are appearances by the first two sisters and loves in this read. I thought the other sisters were a bit more interesting than Vee…my opinion and I was looking for a bit steamier, my typical in historical romances. A delightful and good read and recommend the read of the first two to understand the relationship between the sisters.

Venus and Galahad have never really gotten along--not since their very first meeting, in which she attacked him outside of her family's home, (sort of correctly) thinking he was an intruder. But they're related through marriage and have to spend some time together. Normally, they ignore each other, trading the occasional barb. But Galahad has just discovered that the building attached to the three he's just bought is the orphanage where Venus works. Which may be a problem, considering he's planning on turning the other buildings into a gambling lounge/performance hall/bar. So he decides to butter Venus up. However, the previous owner of the buildings had promised one of them to the orphanage, and when Venus discovers that it has been sold, she's angry. Galahad and Venus had made some headway, but now it seems things are back to how they were before.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is a fun enemies to lovers historical romance, which I loved every bit as much as the two that came before it. I especially loved how Venus and Galahad have some of the same issues (and some adjacent ones) and how they learn to work through them. As always, this was a great read from Virginia Heath.

Liked it better than the second book but the first one was by far the best. I loved Gal very much. I would like to say I liked Vee but no I did not. She seemed a little irrational and immature. But historical heroines are typically like that.

*Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Super cute and easy romance! I have not read the other books in this series but it can certainly be read as a stand alone. It was an easy romance to read and kept me entertained throughout.

This was such a fun read! I loved reuniting with the Merriwell sisters and the entire cast of characters we have grown to know and love from the other books in the series. I so enjoyed spending time with Vee and Gal and seeing how their relationship grew and evolved. I am sad that this series has come to an end-- I love it!

*Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this historical romance. Venus and Galahad lock horns constantly and fight an ever growing attraction, They are certainly fated to be together. Wonderful cast of secondary characters keeps this one interesting.

I haven't read the previous books in this series, but this can easily be read as a standalone. Super cute book, and I will definitely be going back to read the others.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third and final book in the The Merriwell Sisters series. In this novel it focuses on the youngest Merriwell sister Venus and her brother-in-laws cousin Galahad Sinclair.

With dual points of view, for me, I was more invested in Galahad then I was in the third Merriwell sister. There was something about her character that was too self-righteous and selfish, especially when it came to Galahad’s future.

However, I did love how Heath set up the slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers trope between these two. It started as a delicious simmer and moved oh-so-slowly, like honey dripping from the honeypot, and then finally began to boil over, where these two could no longer deny each other. And once they plunge into the deep, pulled under, gripped by the all consuming heady taste of “what could be,” readers will be fully engrossed in Venus and Galahad’s love story.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

3.75/5, 4 on Goodreads
I think this was my favourite of the Merriwell sisters books. I expected Vee to be insufferable but she was possibly the most likeable of all the sisters. I LOVED Gal and my only complaint is that I would have loved more orphanage shenanigans. This was super cute!

Miss Venus Merriwell has a knack for picking the wrong men to fall in love with. The first man left her humiliated when he ran off with another after their courtship, and now she was keeping company with the dodgy and much older Lord Dorchester. None of them rile her like the impossibly handsome scoundrel Galahad Sinclair, her cousin with her sister's marriage to Galahad's cousin, Giles. Venus sincerely wants to loathe the charmer and sometimes goes out of her way to be snippy to him, but what's the real reason he vexes her so?

Galahad Sinclair had been taught a series of life lessons at an early age--don't trust easily, never show weakness, and always look for the next best business deal. Now relocated to England after helping his cousin Giles retain the dukedom, he even keeps his newly discovered family at arm's length, including the delectable Venus.

I loved all the banter between Lee and Gal, although I got a little tired of all the internal dialogue. I was losing interest about halfway through, but I truly wanted to see how the author would tie up their romance. It was definitely worth the wait. This was when the internal dialogue was absolutely necessary to understand of what each of them was thinking. After some misunderstandings and a series of unfortunate accidents, Gil and Vee finally get there happily ever after.

Thank you so so much to St. Martin's Press for this ARC of Never Wager with a Wallflower in exchange for an honest review. This is the next installment in Virginia Heath's Regency romantic comedy series and I liked it. Let's just leave it at that.

Venus is still holding out for love; she's looking for her kindred spirit and has been since she was fourteen. Nearly ten years later, though, she is still holding out hope. Galahad is setting up a gambling tavern in London and he's running into some trouble with no one other than Vee (Venus) herself. Romance ensues.

I really wanted to like this and I did at times, but overall it was just... a bit annoying. I don't know what it was but it just felt like it was lacking something. The romance just didn't seem to click and the characters were co-existing rather than existing together.

A Regency rom-com ending a series that I have very much enjoyed reading.

* engaging
* story flows and is an easy read
* enemies to lovers
* playful bantering
* wonderful tension between MC's


I look forward to reading whatever the author writes next.