I adore this author and this book was just another amazing read. The main characters were so good and the story just brought me in and never let go. I wish I could be friends with these characters even during that time period. I just highly recommend this book.

Never Wager with a Wallflower
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Author: Virginia Heath

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.

For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…

While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?

My Thoughts: This is the third and final book in The Merriwell Sisters series. Usually I do not like to read historical or regency romance books but I like Heath’s style and have read this series. Even though this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, however, there is some crossover from the prior books to this one with characters. Venus Merriwell has had a string of disappointing suitors and still remains unmarried at 23. Venus puts her heart and soul into the orphanage in Convent Garden, but desperately needs to expand into a the building next door to be able to continue to service orphaned children. Galahad “Gal” Sinclair loves everything about gambling and has been saving to build a hall for gamblers. Galahad has his eye on the building next door to the orphanage. Galahad had crossed paths with Venus a few years ago that ended in disaster. Galahad knows that Venus (his cousin’s wife’s sister) runs the orphanage and thinks he needs to change the way to approach her. This follows the tropes of historical romance, regency romance, and enemies to lovers.

The story is narrated in dual POV by Venus and Gal. Venus was very independent, especially considering how dependent women were in this time period, she was kind, intelligent, and generous. Venus does not have a positive outlook on men in general based on her experiences. We do not know what these are until very late in the book, however, we get little snippets from her journal at the beginning of every chapter, which I loved. Venus has created this lock over her heart and thinks about marriage with her head and not her heart. Gal has had to depend on himself for a while and only shows a facade of what he is. Gal brought himself from nothing to successful. Gal tries to get the building by getting on Venus’s good side, but when an omission causes mistrust, he will have his work cut out for him. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, time appropriate, swoony, and kept me invested throughout the novel.

This was a fantastic ending to a well-written series. I would highly recommend this book and the prior two in the series. While you can read this alone, you would get better character development by reading them in order.

This book was hard to get through for one reason and one reason only: Venus Merriwell. I wanted to like this book because I am all for reading a series and having "the baby" come into her own and be a lovely woman... but this series did not do Venus well.

First of all, don't forget! She has big boobs! Massive honkers!! GINORMOUS BAZOOKAS! Not a chapter goes by where either Venus hates that she has big boobs or that Galahad thinks about her "supple busoms".

Second, Venus is mad at Galahad for... purchasing property without knowing that she worked at the orphanage next door and without knowing that the woman who had originally owned said property had verbally let the orphanage know that she would probably give them a building. And that's his fault, for some reason.

I found myself struggling to pay attention through this, as everything seemed to be rehashed over and over. The ending was quite painful as well, and did not fit the tone of the event that was happening. Overall... quite disappointed.

I'm a sucker for a cute cover and a witty title, both of which this book has! I actually have had the first two books on my TBR for a while and read this one first thanks to the digital ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. While it is the third in a series and I'd recommend reading them in order, you can also read it as a standalone. I'll definitely be reading the other two soon because I loved all of the characters and the author's writing style. This book is fun and the main characters are headstrong but lovable. Their chemistry is obvious from the start and despite the outward appearance that they are mismatched, they have a lot in common which was clear to me from the beginning. I love their names, Venus and Galahad, and that Gal's use of her full name vexes Vee. Their banter is entertaining and the supporting cast (from the first two books) are the best. I love when a romance book doesn't just focus on the romantic relationship but on the connections between family and friends and in this case Vee's passion for helping youth who have nowhere else to go and no one else to rely on. The author's use of Venus's old diary entries at the start of the chapters is a nice touch to give the reader a peek into her views on romance and a look into her past. It lets the reader feel more connected to Vee and also probably added more to her story if you'd met her in the first two books. Gal and Vee aren't perfect and while they both know they make mistakes, they also really believe they're doing the right thing at the same time which is frustrating but relatable. There's really nothing I didn't enjoy about this book; it's such a feel good read and I'd recommend it to any romance readers!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This was okay. I feel like we should have gotten more pieces of Gal throughout the book rather than right at the end. I did like the two of them together though.

The book Never Wager with a Wallflower was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Virginia Heath. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Another entertaining romance from Virginia Heath. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable and spellbinding. The readers will enjoy the journey of love the two seemingly mismatched characters go on. The unraveling of Galahad's personal history is well done and gives insight into who he has become. It also shows that Venus isn't quite right about who he truly is in the beginning. For readers who love regency romance they will fall in love with Venus and Galahad.

I just don’t think these period pieces are for me. The storyline was fine, and I really wanted to read this one since I had made it through the other two in the series but these types of books just aren’t for me.
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The writing however is great and that is how I got through it. So if you like these types of stories, I have a feeling you’re really going to love this one. Virginia Heath is definitely a talented writer.

This was my favorite of the Merriwell sisters. (I recommend reading them in order. ) I really enjoyed Gal and Venus. I am sad Virginia Heath's series has come to an end- she knows how to write a good romcom, with banter fueling attraction. The supporting characters of orphans added a lot to this story, and you can't help but love all of them.

Miss Venus Merriwell thinks of herself as a wallflower, but Galahad Sinclair does not. Cousin to her sister's husband, Gal is a man with secrets and Vee wants to know them all, especially after that kiss. Contention over the house next door to the orphanage, becomes a war of wits to be decided by a deck of cards. Funny and heartbreaking, Heath's last book in the series ends with more than a satisfying ending. Open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I enjoyed this first book in this series but somehow missed the second. That said, each book can be read as a standalone without any problems. I don’t read a lot of regency romance, but I did enjoy Venus’ story - opposites attract / enemies-to-lovers.

This was so cute!!! I struggled a bit with the male narrator, as he had this weird way of making the men in this book all sound like they were in their 60s and not late 20s/30s? So that was a bit rough?? But I love the Merriwell girls so much and being back with them to finally see Venus get her happily ever after was absolutely deligthful.

Also Gal, yes, hello, I love you sir, you absolute angel man who falls so hard and so fast and is so dumb but so smart and wonderful. I loveeeeeeee you.

Plus, the orphan boys!!! I adored them!!!! They were so silly and cute and funny and awestruck by Vee and omg I loved them!!!!!

I thought this book was cute and I loved this little series and I am excited for what comes next from Virginia Heath. I cackle and squeal and giggle and every single time without fail.

This was the third and final book in the Merriwell Sisters sisters. It was such a great ending to the series and I have to admit, I was sad when I finished because I loved all of these characters so much! But you can totally read this a stand-alone book, but the other sisters and their beaus also appear in this book.

Venus Merriwell, the youngest of the sisters, has been writing about her future husband since she was fourteen. But at 23, Venus has had her fill of disappointing suitors and has decided to helping at an orphanage in Covent Garden. Although the orphanage is providing a better living condition for the orphans, they need funding and more space. When one of their benefactors passes away, Venus is hopeful that they'll be able to take over the building next door to give them the space needed. Galahad Sinclair has been saving and waiting for the perfect building for his next gambling hall. And his found the perfect place, until he discovers that its next door to the orphanage -- the same orphanage run by his cousin's sister-in-law: a pious and unsettling siren he's avoided like the plague for five years. But Galahad's not about to let this perfect location slip through his fingers and decides to thaw the ice between them. Venus and Galahad are determined to get their ways. But what happens when Venus' orphans try to sabotage Galahad's dream. Can Venus and Galahad take the ultimate gamble and find a way to love thy neighbor?

I adored this book! It was probably my favorite one of the series. Venus and Galahad had so much great banter and chemistry. The orphans also brought so much humor and fun to the story -- I found myself laughing a lot.

If you're looking for a fun historical rom com, full of laughter, fun and heat, you'll love this one. Virginia Heath has become one of my favorite historical rom com writers and I'm looking forward to her next series.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

"Never Wager with a Wallflower" by Virginia Heath was honestly just an okay read for me. The story's your typical regency romance, but nothing really new. The characters? They were alright but didn't really stand out - kind of lacked that special something. The whole book felt a bit dry, to be honest. It's a decent read if you're into this genre, but don't expect any big surprises. I'm going with 3 stars for this one.

I just love these Merriwell sisters! This series has been such a delight to read. This is the third and final installment and it is Venus' story. The sisters did not have a good role model in their father, who only cared for his own pleasures and left them destitute. So Venus has a clear picture in her my mind of the qualities her perfect husband should possess. Galahad certainly does not fit that picture. Venus has given her heart and soul working at an orphanage in Covenant Garden which desperately needs more space. She has her eye on the empty building next door. The only problem is that Galahad, her older sister's husband's cousin, has bought the building and has a mind to turn it into a pleasure palace. He and Venus have always butted heads, and this just adds more fuel to the fire. A fire that begins to ignite a passion within that takes them both by surprise.
These enemies to lovers showcase an exciting battle of wills before finally letting their passion lead them to love. I absolutely loved the witty and cheeky banter between them, it had me smiling and laughing out loud the whole time. Absolutely loved this book and the series. Looking forward to what Ms Heath brings us next!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for this advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Round up to 4.5 out of 5 stars. Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath, the third book in the series Merriwell Sisters was really good. Yet again I didn't realize it was part of a series though when I requested the book from NetGalley. (I really wish NetGalley indicated this more clearly). I read the first two books and am glad I did. I felt like Never Wager with a Wallflower was different in that the main characters realized their feelings for each other quite early on. They definitely fought the feelings like the other couples' did but Vee was much more reflective about why she fought them. She frequently wondered whether or not she could trust her judgement of Galahad (or any man). Totally relatable. I don't normally like historical fiction but this series grew on me. All in all, I enjoyed Never Wager with a Wallflower.

4 stars = Great!

This was a fun conclusion to this great series. The earlier books clicked with me a little more than this one - Vee was a lot at times, and there are some sections of the book when the characters are in their own heads a lot. Those bits slowed me down. But I adored Galahad, and the orphanage portions of the story are terrific. There's a lot here for series fans to enjoy. I think newcomers could start with this book, too, although there are references to the earlier stories that might "spoil" the other books if they are read out of order. (Sex)

This was a cute and funny historical romance. However, this was my least favorite out of The Merriwell Sisters series. It was nice to see Venus and Galahad's story and how that played out.



Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ebook for an honest review!

The third installment of the Merriwell sisters, finally focusing on Vee! The second book left me with high hopes for this one but it unfortunately fell a flat. A fine line between hate and love and this one played up the enemies rather than the lovers and at times it felt almost mean. Yes there may have been longing glances and comments about just from each of their families, but the chemistry we would have expected to see just wasn't present.

While technically this could have been considered a standalone in a series, I think all three really needed to be read together. There are so many appearances from past characters that it took away some of the focus from Vee and Gal and it was hard to keep track since it had been so long since reading the other two books.

The last few chapters/proposal/epilogue felt so incredibly rushed and we missed getting to enjoy seeing them as a couple.

A book, and series, that definitely had potential but just wasn't for me for right now.


Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

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

I have enjoyed all of the Virginia Heath's books that I have read, but I find the banter in this series particularly enjoyable. And this book definitely lives up to the rest of the series!