This delightful laugh out loud regency romance had me from the beginning. I enjoyed the story and loved the banter between the characters. I knew going in this was the last of the series and after reading this I want to read the first two.

I quite love this romance. I wanted so bad to read this book, I really love the Merriwell sisters and I love Venus since the first book. She was almost a child there, but know she’s all grownups and she turns into a brilliant, forceful woman, who can make her own choices. I so proud of her. I quite like her romance, her fiancée is a rogue but a good one, like the husbands of her sisters. I love every appearances of Minerva and Diana and Hugh and Giles. I miss them all. I will miss Venus and Galahad too.

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

I probably should of read the first two installments of this series to give this book a fair shake. But what I did read I enjoyed.

Historical tales are not usually my thing so I had to make a few exceptions for this book.

Thank you to NetGalle, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I just reviewed Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL] I enjoyed it, and it was a rather quick read for me. I have not read the first two books in the series. It didn't seem to affect my comprehension of the book though so that was nice. Overall, I enjoyed it.

“Oh, I have a pair. The definitive pair, in fact. A pair that cannot be beaten… you… and me.”

A five star book with a one star heroine.

This was such a strange experience. There is so much to love here. I especially adored the hero, Galahad. However, I really had some major problems with the heroine, Vee. More on this later. First of all, the many good things.
It was so fun to get back into this series, and I was a little sad to see it end. I am still enamored with the whole family! The callbacks to the first two books through the journal entries was a nice touch. When Diana goes into labor I laughed out loud. And the new characters are a lot of fun- especially Muldoon, Billy, and the Claypoles.
Galahad is a deep man with a sweet heart. He has trauma that is discussed beautifully, and it was so refreshing to see a character become stronger in spite of his past. He is kind, generous, and gallant. The way he sees the potential in the orphans is really endearing. And no matter what Vee does he is devoted to her!
But then we get to Venus. I am shocked more people aren’t annoyed with her. About halfway through the book Vee asks of herself, “How on earth could a person as clever and as intuitive as she was have missed something so staggeringly obvious?” And that’s kind of how I felt about her the whole book. Her reaction to the main conflict of the book is incredibly overblown. She has absolutely no empathy or consideration for others’ feelings, including her supposed “soulmate”, who’s dream she does not give two moments thought to until the last chapter. At times she is just plain cruel to Gal, and the only resolution for that is that she thinks at one point, ‘Oh I probably shouldn’t have played with his feelings like that,’ for all of two seconds. She confides in a child that she knows is prone to pranks and then is surprised when there are consequences. She strings along her other suitor (who is pompous and annoying, but still a person with feelings that she gives literally no thought to). She’s harsh with the woman who has helped to raise her, and there is never any catharsis. Her past does not make up for any of this, especially because (unlike Galahad) she never moves past her problems to grow into a better person. And she leaves books open on the chair arms!
The writing was great, the ending was sweet, I loved the last few chapters and the declaration, but I honestly have to take 2 complete stars off for Vee and the majorly problematic things she did.

Star Rating: 3/5 (-2 stars for Vee)
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, casino owner
CW: Death, violence, poverty, toxic relationship, abusive parent

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has what I like to call the Emma Effect. Inspired by Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, I think the term helpfully explains books where families, typically in-laws, connect the characters.

In Never Wager with a Wallflower, the protagonist Venus “Vee” Merriwell, falls in love with her sister’s husband’s cousin, i.e., her brother-in-law’s cousin. This loose family connection adds to the intrigue as the Found Family of in-laws gives the male protagonist, Galahad Sinclair, a family he’s never had after being abandoned by his father and the tragic loss of his grandfather and mother.

My favorite part of the book is Vee’s journal entries. They made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. This book is a true Romantic Comedy.

You can read this as a standalone or as the trilogy's final book. However, I read it as a series and will be doing a ranking shortly!

I came into this book not knowing it was the last in a trilogy. That might have impacted it for me as I did have some trouble keeping track of the secondary characters as I was not familiar with their stories.

Venus and Galahad had a nice enemies to lovers arc but I was hoping for more tension between them and a much steamier read. It was nice light hearted read if that’s what you’re looking for

Thank you to St Martins and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

First, I will admit when I requested this ARC that I didn’t realize it was supposed to be a historically-set romance. I suppose the names, most especially Galahad’s, should’ve tipped me off, but there are so many bizarre names authors choose for their characters (and PARENTS choose for their KIDS - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, PEOPLE!?), that kind of slid by me undetected. Coupled with not having read her other books and the cover art, which I realize is not Heath’s fault, I was taken a bit by surprise.

As a lover of historical romances (I used to read them exclusively), I quickly shifted mindset for the time period indicated.

Wow, was I disappointed.

I’ve gotten accustomed to authors more thoroughly researching what they write, especially when it comes to behaviors and most especially speech. So much of the dialogue used in this book was horrifying from a historical standpoint. Firstly, Gal’s speech: New Yorkers don’t talk like that. At all. The hideous slang he uses is far more frequent in states south of the Mason-Dixon line, or west and south of Ohio/Indiana/Illinois. When he spoke or thought in such a manner, I cringed. CRINGED.

Secondly, while I realize this is the third installment of a “rags to riches” family story, Vee’s behaviors still felt flat to me, as did HER manner of speaking. The whole thing just didn’t sit right for the time period, save the implied Cockney of the mischievous orphans.

Three stars because the book didn’t disgust me enough to rate it lower, but leaves me with no desire to seek out its predecessors.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯’𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯’𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

This is a fantastic conclusion to the series!!!!

I really, really loved Vee’s character and she met her match with Galahan! The events here were very cute and stayed true to Virginia Heath’s style. Readers of the first two books will love this, and new readers will undoubtedly want to pick up the first two.

Never Wager with a Wallflower is a historical romance and the final book in the Merriwell sisters trilogy. This book has a bit of a different feel than the previous two books. It is more an enemy to lovers than a historical rom-com like the prior books. That being said, I think the book was a good ending to the series.

Never Wager with a Wallflower begins 5 years after Venus and Galahad first met in Never Rescue a Rogue where Venus's sister married Galahad's cousin. Venus is a romantic at heart but has been hurt in the past and can't seem to find her prince charming. She spends most of her time and attention on running an orphanage. The orphanage is in serious need of money and needs to expand. Galahad has worked hard his whole life to accomplish his dream of owning a gaming club. As luck would have it, he finds the perfect location and purchases buildings to turn into his gaming club. Unfortunately, the dream location is next to the orphanage and Venus is not happy that a gaming club will be next door to their orphanage. Finding themselves as neighbors, Venus and Galahad clash and they both try to accomplish their goals.

While I think this was a good book, it wasn't my favorite of the series. This one just had a different feel to it and I struggled a bit with liking or sympathizing with Venus at certain points in the book. To be honest, I didn't really enjoy Venus's character in the previous books either. In book one, she was really annoying to me but she was redeemed a bit in book two as she seemed more grown and less childlike. In this book, she just frustrated me quite a bit and I found myself siding and sympathizing with Galahad. That being said, I do think this was a good story and while I don't like the character, it has nothing to do with the author's writing. This book did a good job of tying up everything and I also enjoyed the epilogue at the end that put a finishing bow on the series.

Just FYI, I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

London - 1830

Galahad Sinclair finally seems to be realizing his dream of building and running a pleasure palace. The small gambling hall he's owned since arriving in England from New York has helped him finance this dream. The opportunity to buy a group of buildings in Covent Garden will guarantee him a spot in the middle of "sin city". There's only one tiny problem. The building next to his houses an orphanage where his cousin's sister-in-law, Venus Merriwell, volunteers. To Gal, Venus has always seemed overly pious and unapproachable, despite her lovely looks. He'll have to tread carefully.

Venus, Vee to her family and friends, has not had much luck in the love department. After being unceremoniously dumped by a previous suitor, she has decided that marriage is not in her future. Her work at the orphanage has strengthened that resolve, despite having to find ways to help finance the crumbling building, and keep the children safe. Now there is the unbelievable chance that a gambling hall will open up next door, thanks to her brother-in-law's cousin, Galahad. The two have never hit it off, and this event will not help.

Reading Vee's diary entries at the beginning of each chapter, readers will get an up close view of why she holds her heart close, and is reluctant to let that guard down. But Gal is loosening some of those guards with his attention, although they still argue about too many things. For Gal, seeing a different side of Vee has made him wonder about his own reluctance to let a woman get close.

Can Vee and Gal get over their animosity for each other? And what will come of Gal's dream business and the orphanage? Readers will need to wait for those answers as the duo spar, think about their futures, and wonder if dreams do come true.

NEVER WAGER WITH A WALLFLOWER is Book 3 of the Merriwell Sisters, and has one surprise after another. Enjoy!

What a wonderful conclusion to the series! Absolutely loved Never Wager with a Wallflower so so much!

What an amazing book! I loved everything about the story. It has an easy to read storyline that keeps your full attention. I loved how the book had a happy ending. The author did an amazing job writing this. From the descriptions of the settings, you literally feel like you’re there. If you can read any book, please choose this book.

Vee was not my favorite sister going into this, but her growth in this book definitely changed my mind. Galahad is an excellent lead, and the extensive supporting cast add so much joy to this final book in the series. Enjoy!!

I loved how much both of them grew throughout the book, I'm going to have to go back and read the rest of the series!

Virginia Heath does not disappoint! A beautiful conclusion to the Merriwell Sisters series. I have been waiting for Vee’s story since I read Never Fall For Your Fiancée. I absolutely adored Gal, and I loved seeing Vee meet her match! Never Wager With A Wallflower was a fun and easy read! Though it is not necessary to read the two books prior to this one beforehand I do think it improves the reading experience and recommend doing so, you will not be disappointed!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC of Never wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath.

The perfect conclusion to the Merriwell Sisters' Story. Venus finally gets her happily ever after with all the heartbreak and disappointment in her life. That epilogue also made me cry!

What a fantastic read to get swept away in. In this tale, readers meet Miss Venus Merriwell who is a hopeless romantic running her orphanage Convent Garden. She crosses paths with Galahad Sinclair who grew up learning the art of gambling and high hopes to run his own establishment right next door to her orphanage. Through social gatherings, mischiefs from the orphans, and chance meetings, Galahad and Venus fight against their chemistry until they can’t deny what they feel for one another. The clever writing, beautiful scenery setting, and witty banter are sure to keep you turning pages.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have really loved this series. Vee and Gal just have such a special place in my heart and was the perfect story to end this series. The epilogue was just everything I could hope for. I loved it!

This book was a really good read! It was nice and smooth I loved the story line/ plot. Mama. Health you did a great job with the characters development and I really liked how they all came together, you did a great job.