New series, opposites, regency...

A new series featuring governesses. In the first book, Georgie is a governess trying to find her place. She keeps things fun and a bit on the chaotic side. She's well-intentioned.

Henry likes neatness and order, a bit regimented (as, that's his profession). He's overwhelmed and outnumbered and needs a governess, stat.

A very slow burn, lot's of slice of life, but a light and fun regency read.
Recommend.

Virginia Heath's writing is a standout for me in historical romcoms, and All's Fair in Love and War is as delightful as her last series! Georgie and Harry are both such strong characters, and I really appreciated how they each poked at each other's childhood wounds before they looked close enough to see what was underneath. They had such great chemistry from the start, and I loved them both individually and then together! Also, the children and silly Norbert were very fun additions! I'm excited for the rest of this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was a sweet, quick read with an untraditional governess, rowdy, “Machiavellian” children, and a navy man who is “ultimately a good egg… but only when he forgets to be a hard-boiled one.”

THOUGHTS 💭
⚓️ They needed each other; Georgie needed a chance to prove herself a wonderful governess and Harry needed a governess to help corral his nieces and nephew.
⚓️ I love an intelligent, spitfire, rebellious, take no 💩 FMC, particularly in historical romances - Georgie was so fun to read and had me laughing and guffawing at her audacity. Some of my favorite moments were when her “Joan of Arc” came out.
⚓️ This book was charmingly hilarious; the characters and the situations in which they found themselves were thoughtfully crafted and wonderfully funny. 🐸
⚓️ There was a sweet slow burn here between two characters who were set on not falling for each other; I loved when they couldn’t stay away from each other anymore!

Thanks so much to Virginia Heath and SMP Romance for the ARC of this book!

All's Fair in Love and War is a delightful enemies to lovers story; when Captain Henry Kincaid finds himself unexpectedly responsible for his two nieces and nephew he must find a governess immediately which is just the opportunity Georgina needs. Found to be too outspoken at previous interviews this will be Miss Rowe's first job. Hilarity ensues thanks to the children and staff, but also connection as Captain Kincaid and Miss Rowe become Harry and Georgie. They learn that their disagreements have far more to do with skeletons in the nursery than any current differences in opinion. The banter is wonderful and the pacing of the romance is very well done, and with enough care that one is unsure whether this will be happy for now or for ever after.

Virginia Heath's "All's Fair in Love and War" is an absolute delight, brimming with charm, humour, and heartwarming moments. This enchanting historical romance is a perfect blend of mischief, mayhem, and love, guaranteed to captivate readers from start to finish.

When former naval captain Henry Kincaid is left to care for his sister's three rambunctious children and their oversized, eccentric dog, he finds a way over his head. Heath paints a vivid picture of Harry's ordered world spiralling into chaos, and his desperate need for a competent governess is hilarious and relatable. Enter Georgina Rowe, a spirited and unconventional governess who quickly becomes the heart and soul of the story.

Georgina's progressive views on child-rearing are a breath of fresh air. Her belief that children should enjoy their childhood and learn through laughter and adventure brings joy and life into the Kincaid household. The three Pendleton children, already full of bohemian energy, immediately warm to Georgina's methods, creating a series of delightful and endearing scenes. Heath's depiction of their lively escapades is heartwarming and entertaining, making it impossible not to fall in love with the characters.

The chemistry between Georgina and Harry is electric from their very first encounter. Harry's initial resistance to Georgina's unorthodox ways provides ample opportunity for witty banter and playful tension. As the story progresses, their interactions evolve from contentious to affectionate, with Heath masterfully building a slow-burn romance as tender as it is passionate. Harry's transformation from a strict, rule-bound guardian to a more open-hearted and flexible man is beautifully portrayed, adding depth to his character and making his journey all the more satisfying.

Virginia Heath's writing is engaging and evocative, quickly drawing me into 19th-century England. Her attention to detail and ability to craft vivid, lively scenes make the setting come alive. The supporting characters, from the naughty children to the loyal household staff, are well-developed and enrich the narrative.

"All's Fair in Love and War" is more than just a romance; it's a story about the transformative power of love and the importance of embracing life's unpredictability. Heath's skillful storytelling and knack for creating lovable characters and humorous situations make this novel an absolute must-read for historical romance fans.

In conclusion, "All's Fair in Love and War" is a joyous, heartwarming tale that will leave readers smiling long after they've turned the last page. Virginia Heath has crafted a gem of a story that celebrates love, laughter, and the beautiful chaos of family life. Don't miss out on this delightful adventure!

⚓️ ARC Review ⚓️

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I love a good historical romance and I have not gone wrong with Virginia Heath’s writing in this genre before and this one proves no different.

I really enjoyed this book. Georgie was a spitfire and I loved reading her perspective. I loved that she was a governess as well as the teacher in me enjoyed this aspect of the story. Harry was a wonderful character as well: rough around the edges at first but then showing his warmth little by little. Loved his relationship with his sister’s kids.

I enjoyed the dynamic between these two! They had some good banter and some delicious chemistry. I loved that it wasn’t instant attraction either, it built over the course of the story.

Lovely read!

All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath releases on May 28, 2024.

📚 All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 ~ 3.5 stars (4 on Goodreads)

What do a governess and a naval captain have in common?
1) A brood of Machiavellian children that know how to get what they want, and can be deviously rowdy, and
2) Annoyance at finding each other ridiculously attractive.
This book took my favorite parts from The Sound of Music and imagined just what if the Captain and Maria had had a little love affair? Harry is the stern, stuffy, scheduled (hello, TWO timepieces) navy officer you would envision that is unaware of his physical attractiveness and has his life interrupted when his sister runs off to Egypt, leaving her three children behind. In need of help in the form of a Governess, Georgie is exactly what no one has previously hired; she’s vocal in her expectations, terrible at interviews, and an extremely non conventional educator. So of course these two opposites would have mad chemistry right? Not exactly. Initially both Georgie and Harry are unbelievably put out that they find the other attractive and their feelings are an inconvenience that must be mitigated. I love it when the MCs try to fight their desires and go to extremes to avoid or downplay their feelings. In the same vein as rivals to lovers, the mismatch of personalities is what ultimately draws them together. This was definitely a slow burn which I didn’t mind, but the pacing slowed for awhile in the middle. I loved it when Georgie and Harry finally got together, but I felt like I wanted an epilogue or more of their “after”. The story really takes off in the last thirty percent and I think it would be nice to see how this relationship really works in the long run.
If you’re looking for a low angst, sweet and often funny historical romance with big Navy energy, rowdy dogs and children, you can’t go wrong with All’s Fair in Love and War. It was my first Virginia Heath and I know won’t be my last. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭.5
Slowburn pace: 🐌🐌
Times “Bloody Boadicea” was said: 2️⃣9️⃣!!!

All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath, book one in the Miss Prentice’s Protégées series, is an opposites attract, enemies to lovers dynamic, with Georgie and Harry being at odds from the beginning. This is an enjoyable, cute, rom-com love story, filled with childish and canine hijinx and mischief. There are manipulative, but adorable children, and an overgrown, over exuberant, undertrained canine to pile on the cuteness, and then throw in a puppy version of the misbegotten canine as well.

Captain Harry Kincaid of the Royal Naval is hardworking and a disciplined fixer for the Admiralty, which helped him rise through the ranks of the Navy quickly. He is overwhelmed, and overworked, with his responsibilities for the Navy which that necessitate strict time management and order. He is overwhelmed when his flighty, impulsive sister drops her near-feral children and their wayward dog at his home to care for while she gallivants off on an adventure with her husband to Egypt. He loves his wild, willful, manipulative nieces and nephew with all his heart, but needs to arrange for their care so he can focus on his career in the Navy. To this end, he goes to Miss Prentice and ends up hiring Georgie to be their temporary governess.

Georgina Rowe endured the lack of care, love, and militaristic discipline from the Colonel, her stepfather who raised her after the death of her mother and dragged her to various military barracks and then abandoned her to attend the run by Governess-extraordinaire, Miss Prentice. Fortunately for her, she was given a home, a chance to make friends, and a way to learn to make a living for her future. After several years at the school and becoming a protégée of Miss Prentice, Georgie is ready to proceed with being a governess, but has been unable to secure a position as she has strong feelings about how children should be raised and cared for. Georgie is determined not to allow that for her future charges, but lacks the guile and diplomacy to stay quiet about her strong views during her interviews.

Georgie works hard to navigate managing the exacting Captain and the energetic children who aren't used to traditional schooling. Her belief in cultivating joy initially clashes with Harry’s love of regime and rules, but unexpected love blossoms amidst the mayhem.

Ms. Heath wrote a humorous, clever, entertaining and amusing conclusion to this trilogy that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with escapades, clever banter, sizzling chemistry and endearing characters giving Harry and Georgie a chance to fall in love. I’m looking forward to the stories for Georgie's friends from Miss Prentice's School for Girls.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

I will post my full review once SMP address the insensitive comments of their employee.

All's Fair in Love and War is the first delightful book in Virginia Heath's Regency historical series Miss Prentice's Protégés. I really enjoyed her previous series, The Merriwell Sisters, so I was eager to sink my teeth into this one. This book made me think of The Sound of Music, except here we had a grumpy uncle as opposed to a grumpy father. Well, and no singing. I absolutely loved all of the characters. My only reason for withholding one star was the overabundance of internal dialogue. Besides that, I was charmed.

Former Royal Navy Captain Henry Kincaid is busy working for the Admiralty, trying to get their newest flagship ready to sail. One thing he doesn't have time for is his flighty sister dropping off her three - let's call them lively - children while she and her husband sail to Egypt. And let's not forget their huge nutty dog Norbert, as if the children weren't enough! Harry knows he must keep his household running in an organized manner, so he goes to hire an emergency governess from Miss Prentice’s School for Girls. He'll pay whatever it takes to ensure order.. Governess Georgina Rowe had a miserable military upbringing as a child, so she believes childhood should be filled with fun, discovery and adventure. The children are all-in for this kind of learning. Uncle Harry? Not so much.

This was a fun, character-driven romp of a story. Harry is my newest book boyfriend; I just adored him! His grandfather, a Naval man himself, was a huge influence, not necessarily a good one, on his grandson. After losing his fiancee, Harry's entire life revolved around first the Royal Navy, and then the Admiralty as a problem solver. He was a stickler for organization; the man even wore two pocket watches! Before Georgie started as governess, Harry organized the classroom for her and the children. Everything was just so (until Georgie "fixed" it). He appeared quite staid, but it was obvious he adored his nieces and nephew. He spoiled them rotten, as the little Machiavellians, as he called them, knew just how to blackmail treats and presents from him. Georgie was also a fun, endearing character. She was a highly trained governess without a post, as she was a bit too opinionated when being interviewed by potential employers. She didn't like injustice, which brought out her inner Joan of Arc. When she was "interviewed" by Harry, she was told to keep her mouth closed by Miss Prentice, who did all the talking. Georgie's mother died when she was very young, leaving her with a stern and uncaring military stepfather. Therefore, Harry's Naval bearing and being a stickler for rules just rubbed her wrong. As she saw his love for his charges, she became more attracted to the tall, dark, handsome and aggravating man. Georgie herself was "compact" with wild orange hair. When she saw Harry looking at her oddly, she assumed he found her offensive to look at; in reality, he thought she was a beautiful siren! Their attraction kept growing, though they attempted to keep things professional. Most of their physical connections were sweet; when they finally let themselves go, there were some fiery moments. I found both leads adorably sweet and funny. The children were adorable, the manipulative little darlings! They knew how to play their loving uncle, that's for sure. Felix, at 10, was the oldest. He loved insects and cricket and hated mathematics. Marianne was 9 and fancied herself a ballerina and opera singer; she could be a little drama queen. The youngest, Grace, was 5. She had boundless energy and was always bumping into furniture and running into things. They thought they could manipulate Georgie, but soon learned otherwise. Other characters were also entertaining, especially Simpkins (who worked for Harry in the Navy and then as his butler) and Ada and Tom (employees of Harry's sister) who were charming. Of course, huge hound Norbert was the star of the show...until Cuthbert, Norbert's son, came into the picture! I laughed during most of the book, but the last quarter I spent in tears. We met two friends of Georgie's who were also governesses, so I'm looking forward to reading their stories, too.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

All’s Fair in Love and War is a delightful and fun Regency romance.

I love Virginia’s books, so I was incredibly excited to learn she was writing another Regency series. This book was an absolute delight to read, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Now, I must warn those bookworms that if you don’t like your romances to have kids and animals in them, you should definitely give this book a pass. Harry’s nieces and nephews and Norbert, their troublemaker dog, play a prominent role in this story. I loved Harry’s nieces and nephews. They are mischievous, and their childlike excitement for all things is rather addictive. I adored how they had their Uncle Harry wrapped around their fingers. Norbert was the perfect comic relief, and anyone who owns a pet that has a larger-than-life personality will enjoy Norbert’s antics. There is definitely a lightness to this story. There are plenty of fun and dramatic antics taking place. Humour is woven throughout the story in such a way that one cannot help but be entertained. I loved it.

There isn’t a whole heck of a lot of high-society drama or matchmaking in this book. The story focuses on Georgia and Harry and their interactions with each other as they care for Harry’s nieces and nephews. I really like Georgia; she is outspoken, kind-hearted, and very clever. She instantly dislikes Harry because he reminds her of her awful stepfather. Georgia’s outspokenness has gotten her into trouble in the past. But she is a great governess and knows how to bring out the best in children. Harry is that typical gruff and up-tight upper-class hero. He likes his world to be orderly, so when his sister leaves her children in his care, his world becomes utter chaos. Hoping that by hiring a governess, some order will return to his world, but the universe has other plans, and Georgia is a whole different kind of chaos that Harry isn’t prepared for. Harry is also very unhappy with his life. He doesn’t like his job but doesn’t know what he should do about his unhappiness.

I loved watching these two very different characters interact with each other. Georgia is a free spirit who doesn’t mind a bit of chaos in her world. Harry doesn’t know what to make of Georgia, but he knows that he is attracted to her. You will enjoy this book if you love opposite-attract, forced proximity, and governess/nanny trope romances. Virginia knows what makes a great historical romance. There are plenty of delicious moments where the tension between these two is leaping from the page. There is also this sense of forbiddance to the romance, which just makes their growing relationship even more addictive.

All’s Fair in Love and War is a fabulous start to a new swoony series by Virginia Heath.

This was an enjoyable Regency romance. We have a Cinderella story of Georgie, the poor orphan trained to be a governess, but too opinionated to get beyond the interview stage. We have Harry, a punctilious Navy captain overwhelmed by his work for the Admiralty and then suddenly burdened by having to care for his adorable nieces and nephew and their obstreperous dog. So he hires Georgie to care for them.

All proceeds as we might expect, with the only doubtful element is how will Harry reconcile his ambitions to command a new Navy ship with the love he has begun to feel for Georgie. The scenes with the children and dog and dialogue between Georgie and Harry add a very enjoyable aspect to the novel.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I loved this book! To be completely honest this isn’t my usual genre at all, but the synopsis was cute and drew me in. I wasn’t expecting a lot, boy was I surprised! It was a delightful romp of a good time. Georgie won me over completely and Harry grew on me as the story unfolded. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was so looking forward to this book. The beginning was promising. However, the pacing of the book was off. There were sections that drug and others that went too fast. The MCS felt immature for their ages.
This one just didn’t work for me.

Chaotic children and a stern and serious guardian make for a heartwarming set up in this one. Harry is a naval captain who is regimented and serious and is very busy with his work, but his flighty sister has left her three young children and dog in his care while she and her husband go off to Egypt. He needs a governess quite desperately to control the overactive (but lovable) kids. Lucky for him, there’s one available governess to hire who can start immediately. Georgie has been up to this point unemployable due to her outspoken nature and unconventional methods of teaching, but her mentor can smell the desperation from Harry, so it seems to be a perfect situation for her to finally get a job. The kids are totally rambunctious and have no sense of structure whatsoever, so it’s all delightful chaos. Harry and Georgie obviously disagree on methods of handling the kids, and Georgie assumes that Harry is rigid and heartless like her old stepfather. Except when she catches glimpses of him being wonderful with the kids. Harry is trying his best to focus on his career and not get distracted by the siren of a governess, but he’s not terribly successful at it. It was fun to see him bumbling along the way, in total opposition to his serious nature.

As I began my first Virginia Heath book, I wondered if I would be fully able to immerse myself in this story. I did! Poor Harry with all his rules in his exceedingly structured life has no chance when it comes to Georgie's unique skill at getting her way. The three children are wonderfully written and along with the delightful secondary characters, play a huge part in moving this story along to a very satisfying HEA. Sweet, romance abounds with the right amount of angst and steam to make this an easy book to recommend. Readers get excellent writing filled with smart humor delivered by Georgie and Harry's inner dialogue. I'll be looking to read more by this author.
WHAT I LIKED:; Entertaining-Romantic-Witty-Funny-Happily Ever After-Steamy-Wonderful Characters

I received a complementary copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

When Captain Harry Kincaird’s sister drops her three children at his door and sets out with her husband for an Egyptian adventure, Harry requires a governess to help with the children’s upbringing while he continues with his busy naval career. After several failed interviews and no other prospects, Georgie is the only one available to answer Harry’s desperate call for help. With his strict adherence to time and organization will Georgie’s alternative methods of education and petulance for chaos prove too much for the two to live under the same roof?

This may be one Virginia Heath romance but this one is not for me. For this first half of the book not much happens. It takes forever to establish the plot and a relationship between the two. The plot relies too heavily on inner monologue to have the reader both learn about who the characters are. Every inner thought is explained instead of shown, particularly in Harry’s case whereas Georgie’s interactions with the children offer up a small glimpse for the reader to see what makes her tick. I wouldn’t have even known Harry likes Georgie if it were not for him explicitly sharing his thoughts.

It just left a lot to be desired and the plot feeling rather stagnant for a lot of the book.

Also, what kind of mother just up and dumps her three children with her bachelor brother without asking? Then returns home and there is literally no discussion ever had between the characters about her actions or their effect on Harry and the children? I’m not so sure I buy that, even if everything ends up working out.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable read. The main characters are likeable & despite each having a hard protective shell they're softies inside. Georgie had too much structure as a child & Harry didn't have enough. It comes between them in the beginning as they make judgements based on the exterior and have to get to know the person behind the facade. They manage to find middle ground and have a lovely HEA. The use of naval lingo and famous quotes is a nice addition. I recognized a few, some Sun Tzu from The Art of War.
The children are funny and such fiends at manipulating adults. Sweet, lovely & adored, they know it too, Uncle Harry is a sucker just waiting to be plucked. It's not ugly in any way, it's cute, the kids adore Harry too. Georgie has been trained by the best & doesn't take their drama to heart, she is kinda impressed though. You'll love the big shaggy dog, he's perfect & I want him to live with me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#VirginiaHeath #Netgalley #All'sFairinLoveandWar #St.Martin'sGriffin #Miss Prentice's Protegees Book 1 #historicalromance #romance

After an unhappy and strict upbringing by her stepfather, Georgina “Georgie” Rowe does not agree that children should be seen and not heard. As a graduate of Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, a school known for turning out the best governesses, companions and secretaries, Georgie assumes she will have her pick of jobs as her three best friends and classmates did, but unfortunately her rather unconventional views on teaching and discipline do not endear her to potential employers. In fact, Georgie has had over thirty interviews and been rejected by every one of them – a school record, to the utter dismay of Miss Prentice. So when a very desperate Captain Henry “Harry” Kincaid comes to the school looking for a temporary governess to his nieces and nephew, Miss Prentice takes charge and before she knew what was happening, Georgie was hired! Too bad the captain is exactly like her stepfather, much too rigid, too organized, too regimented and too arrogant to be likable. Almost immediately upon meeting her new charges, Georgie wonders if she is out of her league. But as time passes, she finds her groove and to her dismay has to acknowledge that she was wrong about the captain. Very wrong, which can only lead to a broken heart since Harry has just been given a huge promotion and a flagship to command.

Henry “Harry” Kincaid’s upbringing was the complete opposite of Georgie’s, his parents were free spirits, disinclined to follow rules or worry about paying bills, taking care of their home or providing a stable environment for the children. His sister Flora thrived in this atmosphere and still lives her life that way, which is how Harry ended up being left with her three young children and one very large dog, while she and her husband took off for Egypt. Harry was taken under his grandfather, the Admiral’s wing early in life, and thanks to the Admiral’s training and guidance, Harry has a promising career in the Navy. He had a minor setback a few years ago, involving a woman, but thankfully that is all behind him now and he is back on track to make a name for himself. He has worked hard to get where he is and it is beginning to pay off, exactly as he planned. So why is he starting to doubt his choices? And why can’t he seem to ignore his new governess? She is everything he claims to abhor, but he can’t seem to stay away, which is a problem, since he is due to take command of his new ship in a few months and Georgie is definitely not the kind of girl who would be happy with an absentee husband. Maybe HEA isn’t meant for everyone…

I liked this story, but I am going to have to agree with other reviewers who have said that the story dragged. I was never really pulled into this story and found it very easy to put down, that doesn’t make it bad, but it wasn’t the quick, easy read I was expecting. Aside from the slow pace, I found Georgie hard to like at the beginning, but eventually she grew on me. Harry on the other hand won me over immediately and was the shining star of this book. This is the first book in a new series and if you are a fan of the opposites attract trope, like children and animals in a story, or enjoy a slow burn/low steam romance, this book is for you.

3.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

This was a sweet, opposites attract, Regency rom-com. Our main character is the young Georgie who, after studying to be a governess, is struggling to find her first position because she has unconventional ideas about how to educate children. Enter, Harry who suddenly is in charge of his nieces and nephew and doesn’t enjoy his routine being disrupted. What ensues is a lovely tale with humor, heart and a dose of hijinks. I found the characters to be charming, especially the precocious children. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to the next book. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.