Virginia Heath’s Merriwell Sisters series concludes with Never Wager with a Wallflower, which focuses on Miss Venus Merriwell and Galahad Sinclair, who have never got on since their first meeting and either avoid each other or quarrel the entire time they are in the same.
Heath’s vivid description, colorful dialogue and language use, dynamic writing style, skillful character development, and storytelling style draw readers in, making the pages fly by.

Since she was 14, Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince, a selfless academic like herself, to come along. But he cannot have her gambler father’s devices, which left his daughters nearly destitute. At 23, she still hasn’t met her prince—only romantic disappointments. So, she pours her love into London’s overcrowded Covent Garden orphanage, where she tirelessly works.

Gambling isn’t just Galahad Sinclair’s life—it’s in his blood. Growing up in a New York tavern, he learned the trade from his grandfather. After losing everything and moving to London, he spent five years making his East End gaming hall successful. While he can afford finally to buy his dream pleasure palace in the capital’s sinful heart—Covent Garden—his perfect building is unfortunately right next door to the orphanage run by Venus, his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister, whom he’s tried avoiding since an unfortunate run-in five years ago.

Venus’ mischievous orphans try to sabotage Galahad’s lifetime dream, and Venus and Galahad clash over any- and everything. Will Venus and Galahad take the ultimate gamble on love with each other?

Beautiful, cerebral, and kind, Venus has given up on romance because men are only interested in her body and misleading namesake—not her mind. Devout, saintly, and disapproving, she sees good in everyone but Galahad, viewing him as an idiot and an untrustworthy gambler. Yet he unsettles and makes her shiver. But after getting to know him, she discovers he’s perceptive, likable, and intelligent.

Attractive, cocky, and private, Gal’s a hardworking, self-reliant, transplanted American entrepreneur. He irritates Venus to keep her at bay because he’s so drawn to her—she’s a siren—he can’t afford to be distracted by her because his focus is chasing his dreams, carrying on his family legacy, and becoming a success.

I love Heath’s development of Gal and Venus’s relationship through flirty, sexy, sweet, funny, steamy, emotional interactions, and intimate scenes that further their characters’ development. Other wonderfully written scenes that explore and develop the novel’s characters and advance the plot’s progression are the bid whist games and the scenes where Gal and Venus talk about books. I love the scenes with the card games, book talk, and book love.

Funny, sweet, steamy, angsty, and sexy, Never Wager with a Wallflower is a fast-paced recency romance that explores themes of belonging, parental abandonment, heartbreak, overcoming prejudices and faulty assumptions, chasing dreams, carrying on the family legacy, becoming successful, falling in love, book love, being loved for who you are, sacrificial love.

Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin’s Griffin via Netgalley for review.

a really good three star book!! it took me a really long time to finish this story so I wasn't as invested in the plot and characters as I would have liked but overall it was a really fun read. their dynamic was so fun to read and I loved seeing their relationship develop and how they challenged each other throughout. their banter was so fun and I liked seeing the found family element throughout as well. I wish we could have seen a bit more of their backstories but I think if you've read the other two books in the series, then you would have a better understanding of this so it wasn't necessarily needed; thus, I would definitely say your reading experience will be better if you've read the complete set. ultimately, while I haven't read a historical romance in a hot minute, this was a wonderful read and I would recommend it!

I had read the other two books in the series prior to starting this one but it had been a while, so I needed to spend some time near the beginning reacquainting myself with the characters. Once I did that, I had so much fun with the banter, dynamics, plot and setting! I really enjoyed how Gal and Venus got to know each other on a deeper level than their past interactions had allowed for, and I was captivated with how their relationship progressed throughout the plot. I definitely am a fan of Virginia Heath's writing style, and will be reading whatever she publishes next!

What a way to say goodbye to the Merriwell Sisters! This third and final book perfectly capped off a fun and entertaining series.

Never Wager with a Wallflower has a wonderful cast of characters with plenty of personality. I also enjoyed the witty banter and funny situations in the book.

If you enjoy reading Regency romcoms, this book is for you!

It was very well written. The plot was well thought out, the characters well-developed, the chemistry on point, the banter flowing. The downsides for me are that it was somewhat cliche and predictable for the most part. 4/5 would recommend

I'm so sad that this series is over! I loved Venus and Galahad together. Their interactions are delightful, and their back and forth banter is wonderful! One of my favorite parts was Gal's involvement with the orphans. I loved how he showed so much patience and understanding with them.

Thank you to Griffin Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath.

What it’s about:
Venus Merriwell is the youngest of the Merriwell sisters and is in desperate search of her knight in shining armor. After having her heart broken, she is determined to find a gentleman to marry during the next social season. She has her sight set on a practical choice who does not just look at her for her appearance, but appreciates her mind as well. However, fate has continued to place Gerald Sinclair in her path instead. Sinclair is the cousin of her brother-in-law and definitely not the kind of man Venus aspires to wed. As the new owner of the buildings adjacent to the orphanage where Venus is a teacher, he has plans to open a gambling hall - something Venus cannot tolerate. However, Gerald and Venus find themselves on a collision course of constantly being in the same places at the same time, and the force pulling them together seems to be beyond their control no matter how at odds they may be. Will Venus be able to forget her long held expectations of who a "perfect" suitor should be? Will Sinclair be able to realize his dream without forsaking love in process?

What I loved:
I have so enjoyed reading about the adventures of the Merriwell sisters! Heath has written each of their personalities so distinctly. Venus's storyline is set up perfectly in the first two books in the series, so it is not hard to understand why she acts the way she does regarding relationships and her thoughts on the world. Venus Merriwell is a plucky young lady and Sinclair is a perfect match for her.

Overall, this is a great little third installment from Virginia Heath. Each of the books in the series are light, contain a little bit of mystery, and always give the reader a sweet, happy ending.

The Merriwell sister's series is wonderful. This installment does not disappoint with its engaging characters, witty banter and chemistry. Well written and evenly paced, solidly entertaining novel

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I have been hooked on The Merriwell Sisters series, since I first read Never Fall for Your Fiancée and I think I fell more in love with every book.

Now here we are at the end of the series as the last Merriwell, Venus, finds her own happily ever after. And this book was a perfect ending for our last Merriwell sister as they all find the person who brings out the best in them and let's them be themselves.

Venus Merriwell has a journey in this book, and I think she needed it to find her way to the man who would make her heart flutter. In the beginning of this book we see her trying to get the attention of a man who is a boring stick in the mud who does nothing for Venus, except offer what she believe is a safe option,. After having her heartbroken from her last suitor she hopes she can avoid the fate again, by turning away from following her heart and instead looking for love that is sensible. But then enters Galahad Sinclair and her meddling family, and she begins to second guess if looking for a sensible match and not someone who makes her heart flutter is the right thing to do.

Galahad Sinclair on the other hand is trying to reach his lifelong dream and open a gaming hall like no one has seen before. Only problem is his neighbor happens to be the orphanage where Venus volunteers at, and their relationship has been rocky from the start. Now he is encroaching on her territory and he knows it will end in a fight..unless maybe he can make her see reason if they are friends. Too bad Galahad doesn't seem to only see her as a friend and now the ongoing battle between them is stirring up desires as well that neither are prepared for.

What I loved most about this book, is it reminded me a bit of Pride and Prejudice in the way they both seem to make snap judgements of each other. And as they learn more about each other and open up to each other they learn they may have held the wrong opinions.

I have been excited for this book for quite a while, really since we first saw Venus knock Galahad on his butt as she tackled him believing he was up to something nefarious. I knew they would have a relationship that would become a favorite and I was right.

Watching their relationship develop throughout the book was a journey. And it was a fun and swoon worthy journey, filled with wooing and fighting. I absolutely adored every moment of this read and especially loved the Venus was a surprise card shark, and the way her and Galahad would bet against each other. Especially when Venus learns how best to distract him during their second game. But overall watching both willing to sacrifice and compromise for each other by the end was extremely lovely.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

I went through quite the reading slump in September (I feel like this is an annual occurrence). It’s frustrating to get frustrated with your reading choices so after finishing a book, I looked well ahead at my reading list and found just the right book to help pull me out of my slump: Never Wager with a Wallflower. This is the final book in Virginia Heath’s Merriwell Sisters series and it was just as lovely and delightful as the previous two.

Here’s the book’s description:
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?

I admit that it took some time to get over the time jump between book two and three and that Venus and Galahad had initially met when she was barely a teenager. *shudders* Once I (mostly) set that aside, I could focus on the story that was right in front of me and I was able to enjoy it.

One of the things I like about this series is the relationship between the sisters and how important they all are to each other. We don’t get a ton of scenes with the rest of the family but the scenes that were there were incredibly impactful. They also served to remind me how much I loved the found family aspect of the story. Blood family can be important but so can the people you choose to surround yourself with and I think this story illustrates that well.

This is not a series that takes itself too seriously and it was a lot of fun to read, even when it was addressing less-than-fun topics, such as the state of orphanages in London in the Regency era (yes, I’m being vague - I cannot remember exactly what year this series, and this story in particular, took place!). I always find there’s a nice balance between the frothy romance and the look at what the world was like in a different time.

One of the things I like about this series is the relationship between the sisters and how important they all are to each other. We don’t get a ton of scenes with the rest of the family but the scenes that were there were incredibly impactful. They also served to remind me how much I loved the found family aspect of the story. Blood family can be important but so can the people you choose to surround yourself with and I think this story illustrates that well.

I’m quite sad Never Wager with a Wallflower was the last in the Merriwell Sisters series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the time I’ve spent with the three sisters and their suitors and am glad Virginia Heath introduced them to the world.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I've been fortunate enough to receive ARCs for all three installations of this trilogy from the publisher and I'm sad it's come to a close. The Merriwell sisters trilogy is one of those rare instances where every book improves upon the last. Never Wager with a Wallflower was no exception. I had always had a soft spot for Venus so when the time came to read her own love story, I was beyond excited. I couldn't have imagined a better match for her than Galahad Sinclair and watching their cat and mouse game / battle of wits through their book was a very fun reading experience for me (for example: their proposal scene is my favorite of the three).

Thank you to Virginia Heath for writing such a great trilogy and to St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read these in advance. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

The third and final book in the series was a great one! I loved this series and I’m sad to see it end!
Thank you #griffin and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

10/10. Anything virgins heath writes, I shall read! The way that she writes her characters and stories makes me feel like a fly on the wall watching it all unfold.

I was really looking forward to this last installment in the Merriwell Sister trilogy because Minerva's story was okay, but then I really liked Diana's story. However, it seems like the whole trilogy was built around the second book because this last book fell flat. Even though I liked them both, I did not buy the romance between between Venus and Galahad. Also, the title of the book was not at all relevant. In no way would I describe Venus as a wallflower. However, one thing I will say is that Virginia Heath can write a dramatic and angsty plotline, which I appreciate in a regency romance.

I adored Venus and Galahad's story!! I just loved watching these two together. They were so much fun!

✨ Enemies -to- lovers
✨ Slow burn
✨ “bet me”
✨ She’s a goody two shoes, he’s a bad boy, but are they really?

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Never Wager With A Wallflower is the third and final book in Virginia Heath’s Merriwell Sisters Regency Romance series, and oh man was it ever a delicious treat?!

Venus (Vee) and Galahad (Gal) have history, but since they are kinda sorta family they can’t avoid one another so they play at civility. But when Gal buys the three townhomes next to Vee’s beloved orphanage they start to see a lot more of each other. Gal tries to bury the hatchet and things start heating up, but then Vee get’s wind of his plans and puts the whole thing on ice. The only problem is they still have to see each other, and neither of them can deny the feelings that have roared to life between them.

This final installment in this series is fantastic. It’s the perfect update on all our former main couples and our absolutely adored side characters, but introduces a new cast as well. When I tell you I feel in love with the Claypool twins and their antics, I mean, those two scalawags were the best. I loved how much Vee has grown and developed as a person over the course of the series, and finally getting her POV and HEA was a gift. Gal was the MMC with an undeserved shady reputation and a secret heart of gold we all love. The whole book was packed with some of my favorite micro-tropes too.

Never Wager With A Wallflower is out in the world TODAY, pick a copy wherever you get your books. While you could read it as a standalone, I think you’ll fall in the love with the cast and wish you’d started with book 1, Never Fall For Your Fiancée, which is also available on Kindle Unlimited currently.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Virginia Heath for the Advanced Reader Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is not a sponsored review.

I read this one some time back and forgot to leave my review. I enjoyed the tension and banter between the MCs and enjoy the way Heath fills her novels with heart and humour in a historical romance. It's sexy without being too intense, and has enough going on to keep you invested in the plot.

I have loved this series with each sister getting a book. And to be honest, I never cared for Vee too much - or at least her small moments in books have been great but I worried too much screen/page time of her would be too much. And she was self righteous a lot and it was ridiculous of her to hold it over Gal that the owner of the building didn’t follow through. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Gal always keeps his cards close to him. He’s learned that time and again and a beauty like Vee won’t set him off his dreams.

This had plenty of tension and chemistry, enemies to lovers and forced proximity. It does have an open door scene.

By the end I loved the wrap up of the series and how much growth the group had seen. Even the orphans. Still don’t love Vee but Gal is a shining knight through and through. And as always Olivia and Jeremiah are comedic gold to love and frustrate the family.

Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc. This book is available now. Can’t wait to read what Virginia Heath will write next. These are my own thoughts and opinions.