I adored Henry and Georgina's story!! It was so much fun watching these two interact with one another and wondering who was going to win the "battle" of the day. Such a fun read!

A MISS.

I’ve never read any books by this author so I figured why not give it a go? And unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be picking up another.

The bones of this book were fine. I liked the idea of the story and the characters, it just let me wanting in the execution. The writing style is extremely wordy and it made each scene feel wildly drawn out. I think this book could have been 50 pages shorter and much more charming.

For a romance, it didn’t bring the swoon. There’s a lot of focus on the main storyline vs. the romantic storyline (until the second half at least). Some of the banter is fun, but the spice was kind of odd too. This was a mishmash bag of things. While I liked small aspects, the over arching issues stood out way too much.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: low
Romance: 2-3 open door

I received this ARC from NetGalley and these are my own opinions.

This was a cute, fairly mild regency tale about an unorthodox governess who lands a job with a desperate, seemingly uptight naval captain, who needs someone to watch his nieces & nephew unexpectedly. It was a little dense and hard to get through. Too slow in some parts and then too rushed in others. I'm all for a good slow burn, but it needs to be worth it once we get there. And with very little angst or other drama, I had to force myself to slog through it at some points. It picked up toward the end and I wish it had that pace throughout. I felt like there was an opportunity for more conflict in several parts of the book, and that would have helped this not feel so heavy and dull sometimes. I think if you like light, only mildly spicy regency stories, you would find this entertaining. It was not my preferred cup of tea.

<i>I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

The summary has so much potential! It isn't often that I come across a historical romance where neither character is part of the <i>ton</i>, as it were. I was so excited for a fresh take and these two seemed perfect for the enemies to lovers storyline.

Unfortunately, there isn't anything special about it.

Georgie and Harry are fully realized characters but they come off as young and immature. They're both annoying for a good portion of the story. The children are much more interesting! And I wish we had seen more of Flora. She seems delightful. Even Norbert is easier to like than Georgie and Harry are 60% of the time.

The story moves very slowly. I think the biggest hindrance is their internal monologues. They're so long and repetitive. I was fed up with them before I was 1/3 of the way through. And then it just kept happening. The repetition read both as lazy storytelling AND as the characters harping ad nauseum.

There are better historical romances out there (by this author, even) so I can't see myself recommending this one.

4.5/5⭐️

I loved this sweet story and its lovable characters.

Georgie Rowe is an outspoken and opinionated young governess who believes that children should enjoy a childhood that is everything hers was not…namely filled with fun, laughter and adventure. Her first long-overdue posting (see outspoken and opinionated…) is to the household of former naval captain Harry Kincaid whose flighty sister leaves her three children with him for an extended stay before leaving for Egypt. Harry, as an organized and meticulous perfectionist, is ambitious and aiming for the title of Admiral while working all hours of the day in the process.

Obviously, Georgie and Harry’s styles clash. But as they begin to appreciate certain aspects of the other’s ways, and as Harry’s star begins rising and he is offered his own ship (the largest and newest in the fleet), he must decide if a naval career taking him offshore for extended periods is really what he wants when a part of his heart (namely Georgie) is left onshore.

Very well written and Harry and Georgie are just such wonderful characters, both separately and as a couple. Throw in three mischievous, unruly children, and you’ve got the recipe for hijinks and heartwarming.

Happy to see that this is the start of a new series as I will definitely be checking into the future stories of Georgie’s governess friends.

Recommended.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing the free early arc of All’s Fair in Love and War for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath is an adorable Regency Romance novel. A naval captain needing a nanny gets more than he expects when he hires Georgie to take care of his sister's high spirited children. An enemies to lovers trope that works well in this romance novel. Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

A governess finds herself in over her head on her first job assigned to teaching three rowdy children and possibly falling for their strict captain uncle. Georgie Rowe is a fledgling governess, she's the only one of her friends who hasn't managed to get a job despite graduating from a reputable school. She wants to finally get the chance to teach kids so when a job lands in her lap, she can't refuse. Harry Kincaid is a former naval captain who's heart and career were ruined when his fiancee cheated on him 2 years ago. Now he is determined to get back his naval career and pursue a career at the Admiralty. He doesn't have time for anything other than his career and to his shock, when he comes home he finds his sister has left her three children for him to look after while she goes on an adventure with her husband... without telling him. Harry needs help desperately and needs someone to take care of the rowdy children. What he never expected when he hired a governess was to fall for the siren. He vowed never to fall in love again, he just wanted to pursue his career, yet the more time he spends with Georgie the less he can resist her siren call. Everything about her bewitches him, yet with his career on the line, will he finally go after what his heart wants or will he be too afraid to finally chase the one person who could break his heart all over again? This was a fairly cute overall read, it's grumpy x sunshine, employer x employee, rich x poor, sailor x siren, vibes and it was an overall easy and fast read for me. Did I wish there was more in depth exploration of the romance between Georgie and Harry? Yes. Did I want there to be more groveling from Harry after the third act breakup? Yes. I found Georgie charming with the kids and I kind of wish Harry had more depth to him. The book and story overall are a cute read and great for anyone looking for a easy read!

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

All's Fair in Love and War is an absolute delight! It might be my favorite rom-com of the year! Georgie is opinionated and strong willed. She's resolved herself to life as a governess even though she longs for a steady family of her own. She butts heads with Harry, who needs a temporary governess to watch over his nieces and nephews. Harry is a military man and doesn't like Georgie's teaching style but he is thoroughly bewitched by her. Harry is crushing so hard! The kids are adorable. Harry is swoony. There's some fun hijinks too! Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What an absolutely sweet book. The kids really stole my heart, but I loved Georgie and Harry as well. Their awkward bits and Harry's "ums" made me giggly. Great backstories, great chemistry, and a third act that wasn't painful to get through.

I'll definitely be looking forward to the other books in the series, as I'm already sold on Lottie, Portia, and Kitty!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy!

When his whimsical sister abandons him with her three unruly children and a giant dog, naval captain Harry desperately seeks a governess. Enter Georgina, a spirited novice determined to give the children the joyful childhood she never had. Sparks fly as Georgina’s unconventional approach clashes with Harry’s strict nature. Can her infectious spirit melt his heart?

This fun and heartwarming novel has everything I’m looking for in a romance. It’s funny and emotional with endearing characters, a well-paced plot, and strong obstacles. Harry and Georgina clash at first but gradually find a sense of belonging together.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Delightful! This adorable romance perfectly uses the enemies-to-lovers trope with a smart and sassy governess and a put-upon, precise uncle who must undertake the care of his nieces and nephew unexpectedly. I loved following their twisting path, and I appreciated Heath's believable, flawed, but still lovable heroes. I also found the children wholly realistic, charming, and fun to read about. The addition of a mad dog adds the perfect level of hijink. Overall, this is an excellent regency romance, and I really enjoyed it!

Despite its slow start and incredibly slow burn for about 60% of this book, I ended up really enjoying it by the end! I just think the pacing wasn’t done the best, but the character development was amazing with Harry discovering what mattered to him and Georgie reimagining her predictable life after the children (and dogs) got under her skin. I really enjoyed the sailor/siren trope and the whole idea of a captain of an important ship and governess of some chaotic children. I also adored how smart and beautiful Georgie was described, and I loved that she and Harry could quote famous war generals and leaders and he respected her for her knowledge. This was a cute and eventually spicy Bridgerton-era romance!

3.25/5 Stars

All's Fair in Love in War is a slow-burn historical romance between a governess and a Navy Captain uncle who is unexpectedly saddled with his sister's children.

What I loved: I loved the warring ideologies of the main characters--it was a refreshing take on internal conflict in a couple. The situations of a single-dad romance, without it being a single dad sad story. How Georgie got to watch Harry's nieces and nephews love him, and found herself seeing him through their eyes as well. The dogs.

What I didn't love: The burn was so slow, it was really only in the last hour or so. We didn't get to see much of their actual relationship. We also spent much of the book with both characters mentally cataloging the reasons why their relationship wouldn't/couldn't/shouldn't work. It ended up being more tell than show. Also, Georgie's note seemed VERY out of character for her and that has burrowed it's way under my skin.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This book was a cute new take on the regency sub-genre, but it ultimately was just very fluffy for me. The pacing felt off, leading to the book never truly pulling me in. Overall, a fine light read but not one I would highly recommend.

All’s Fair in Love and War 🐶🕰️⚓️

In All’s Fair in Love and War, we meet Georgie, an unsuccessful, somewhat radical (like, she doesn’t believe in physical discipline or the patriarchy which is radical for the time period) governess who yearns for family of her own. Enter, Captain Henry (Harry) Kincaid. Harry’s flighty sister has left the country and left her three unruly children with their dear uncle who desperately despises mess, tardiness, flights of fancy, and plenty of other things that describe his sister and her brood. Harry hires Georgie to be his temporary governess and just the sight of her stray tendrils of red hair, her short stature, and voluptuous curves nearly does him in! As such, he becomes extremely strict with his expectations of school room behavior, not that Georgie lets that get in her way! 🏏📚🐸🐶

Oh, Harry. I love a starchy, no nonsense hero!! And one who is practically undone by just the thought of the heroine?! Swoon. 🥰😮‍💨 However, the same cannot be said for Georgie who pretty much despised Harry for the first third of the book because she has a turbulent history with military men. I’ll be honest, I struggled to like Georgie at first due to her not liking Harry, and in my opinion, not even giving him a chance to show who he was, but I came around. The third act conflict may have some feeling frustrated, but to me, it made sense and helped with character growth, specifically Harry. I wish we’d gotten a bit more of Harry and Georgie together, but as this is first in a new series, I expect they’ll pop up as side characters in future books!

🐶 Unexpected guardian
🕰️Starchy hero-Secret softie
⚓️Governess heroine
🐶Wild pups
🕰️Spirited children
⚓️Nosy servants (this is like, one of my top three fave histrom micro tropes!)

Thanks to net and the publisher for the complimentary arc. All opinions are my own.

Am I a sucker for a he falls first and pines/yearns for her? Yes, yes I am. Did Harry have a hard time looking at Georgie because he worried she would see all the yearning? 🥹🥹 yes he did.

I am not always a fan of children as a driving force plot wise but this is a governess romance so the kids are a given and I instantly fell for the three Pendleton children. And how easily they blackmailed their beloved uncle. And I fell head over heels in fictional love with Harry for how much he adored his nieces and nephew. I would have been sandwiched up against Lottie & Portia to ogle against the window at Gunther’s shamelessly objectifying Harry as he spoiled/rewarded the kiddos.

Oh I loved Georgie! The way she wanted to teach according to how best the children would learn and not based on what Harry believed was the best regimented way. How it put her in a tough place, yet she strove to balance both. Even if it meant going slightly head to head with Harry. How his interaction with her and the interactions she witnessed of him with the children battled the preconceived notion of who he was in her head. And how the more she got to know him, she understood and fell for the man beneath the regimented rules & regulations he used to guard a chaotic childhood of his own and a broken heart.

I cannot forget to give an honourable mention to the ill fitting dress breeches that finally gave out at the most inopportune time but made me actually cackle with glee at the following scenes. They truly were a character unto themselves. As well as for Norbert and Cuthbert who also were the perfect furry paw plot devices that caused the best kind of havoc.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and St. Martin's Griffith"p for this advanced copy. You can pick up All's Fair in Love and War on May 28, 2024.

This was a fun read! Lots of shenanigans, and I love a good governess/guardian romance. The children were adorable, and I loved Georgie's relationship with them (as well as Harry's). The main romance was a bit stilted, however. The circumstances didn't feel too difficult to overcome, and his outright lust for her was a bit offputting. I also didn't expect so much talk of the Admiracly/Navy, and I wish we had spent more time with the main couple spending time together.

If you're a Regency romance lover, you'll likely enjoy this one! It's like Bridgerton meets the Sound of Music, but with lower stakes.

the most bog standard of bog standard regency romances. not great, not terrible, tragically not interesting. i think if you're looking for free-spirited governess and buttoned up military man, with a side of precocious children you could do worse? my major issue with it is virginia heath's adjective-heavy prose, which i do not care for. bottom line: it's neither good nor bad, you won't be mad reading it but you probably won't remember reading it either.

This was a great start to a new series by Virginia Heath. This Regency romp follows Georgie, who is a governess with her own ideas of how to educate children that include laughter, discovery, and adventure. She gets a position helping the uncle of 3 children, Harry Kincaid, in his desperate need of help.

Here’s all the reasons why you need to read this book:
*A spirited, intelligent, vivacious FMC. It was impossible not to root for Georgie.
* An adorable MMC that even though frustrating at times, you knew there was a good heart in there.
*The children! I found myself laughing out loud numerous times with the things that came out if their mouths.
*The premise of this book. I have read many historical/Regency novels and this was a unique plotline. I was so invested!
*The slow burn of it all!

All and all, a great start to a new series. I will definitely be reading the next novel of the Governness women!

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I have really liked other Virginia Heath books but this one really didn't work for me! It's a slowwwww burn and I ultimately just didn't buy the connection between Georgie and Harry. I think Harry was supposed to come off as starchy and I usually love a starchy hero but instead he just came across as kind of aloof and rigid. Even when he changed his behavior (sort of), I still couldn't separate him from that rigidness he had shown earlier. This book took me a week to read which could partially be due to my mood but I also think was because I just was not connecting with this book no matter what I did. The pacing was so slow in addition to the slow burn that it just felt like a slog to get through unfortunately.

I liked the writing itself fine and I actually didn't hate the kids, which is saying something because I'm very picky about kids in my romance books. I think that the humor that Virginia writes with is lovely and her books are true Regency RomComs along the lines of Martha Waters' books.