I thought this book was funny from the get go. Georgie, is strong willed and does not like things to be so regimented. She also is too outspoken and during interviews she cannot keep her thoughts to herself about how she thinks her potential employers are wrong on how to educate children, thus she cannot find a job. Harry, desperate to find someone to take care of his niece and nephew, who have been left for him to take care of when his sister off and leaves with her husband out of country, hires Georgie.
I found it very witty and fun. I did not nor do I ever like it when the MMC always goes out and finds someone to sexually fulfill them just because they’re not getting what they want. That’s so gross to me. I wish authors wouldn’t write that in so often. It makes the character sleazy. And of course the female is always the virgin. Why can’t they both be? Blah! That’s why the 4 star rating.
The children were written well, and Norbert the dog a true menace!

When I started this book, I quickly realized I disliked excessive navel-gazing in stories. I prefer dialogue and action over lengthy descriptions of a character’s thoughts and reactions. That said, the last 20% of the book was much better than the first 80%, and the ending pulled everything together beautifully. The story revolves around Georgina Rowe, a governess who instills duty, diligence, discretion, and decorum in her students. Georgie is teaching at Miss Prentice's School for Girls when Captain Henry Kincaid, who desperately needs help, enters the picture. He’s struggling with his sister’s three children and needs a governess, which brings him to Georgie. The way Georgie’s unconventional teaching methods collide with Harry’s rigid, law-and-order lifestyle makes for an interesting dynamic. Georgie is on her 34th attempt at finding a position after several failed interviews, and Captain Kincaid is in a bind trying to manage his household. While the premise is a match made in heaven, I struggled with the characters. They often felt like caricatures of themselves, and the writing was overly dramatic and overexplained. The characters are tiny, redheaded, freckled, and beautiful, and Georgie spends much of the book convinced that Captain Kincaid is always watching her because he hates her. The writing felt unnecessarily lengthy, and I had trouble getting through the dialogue because it lacked a natural flow. I’m also not a fan of the “uncommonly relaxed household” trope in period pieces—it feels like lazy writing to me. Despite these issues, I plan to check out more of Heath’s work.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy for an honest review.

I received an advanced reader's copy of All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. Henry is a rule follower and likes order while Georgie rebels against rules. This leads to them having conflicts as she starts her governess position in his household. Henry struggles with his developing feelings for Georgie and I thought the scene where he stops struggling and admits his feelings was well done.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath follows Georgie, an orphaned young woman who, after her mother's death, is enrolled in a prestigious school for governesses by her stepfather. There, she is assigned to care for the Capitans' nieces and nephews and lighten up their lives, including the Capitans. This was a fun, quirky, witty read, as it tends to be with Virginia Heath's novels.

This is a fun, silly historical romance in which a not-that-great governess takes on the care of the wild children in the temporary care of a duke. The kids drag them along on wild adventures and the man learns how to love and how to parent. There was nothing particularly memorable or original about this book, but I enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for this ARC!

- Parts of this book were 5 stars and parts were 3 stars, so I’ve gone with 4 stars but that doesn’t feel like a great representation of how I felt about this book.
- I loved a historical set without the Peerage, and this one does such a fantastic job of keeping the feel of a hissy rono while also having less constraints since it’s not dealing with the strict rules of the ton.
- Kids in romance have to be done well, and these children were extremely well written! They all had distinct and entertaining personalities and really felt like children.
- I love troublesome pets in romances, and Norbert was a fantastic example of how much fun they can add to a story.
- Henry and Georgie were so incredibly fun together! I loved the tension, and the conflict was so well supported by the character’s backgrounds that it made so much sense. I struggled with some of the way that conflict was brought to a head and then resolved. It felt too quick and a little jarring. Luckily, the characters were so well written and I loved them so much that I could ignore it.

This book didn't really offer anything new in the way of plot, and I found the characters to be two-dimensional and flat. I have enjoyed other books by Heath in the past, but this one needed more editing and some depth.

this was a fun regency romance, i enjoyed to back story of both of the main characters, the interactions with the kids and dogs and house workers. overall, quick, fun read.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of All's Fair in Love and War! All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved Virginia Heath's previous series and I am happy to say that the first book in her new series does not disappoint! All's Fair in Love and War is the first in the Miss Prentice's Protegee's series about a group of friends who have graduated from a school for governesses. Georgie is the last one without a position but when Harry arrives desperate for a governesses for his nieces and nephew, Georgie steps in. Although Georgie and Harry are not together that often in the beginning of the book, the moments that they are interacting are of full of energy. Harry likes things to be very regimented but Georgie believes children learn best when they are moving. There are quite a few times that don't always work in Georgie's favor but they make for some good laughs.

While the first book focuses on Georgie, the introduction to her friends prove that there will be some fantastic stories still to come from this series!

Oh my gosh I freaking love this story, but I’m upset with it too. Georgina, the FMC age range is twenty one. If her age could have been say twenty four or older, the romance scenes or steamy scene as they call it would have more enjoyable for me to read. It’s like reading about to college kids getting it on. Blah!
Anyway I love reading about the story background and the MMC, Harry and his sister past history. Now their story was hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing. Then when Harry met the do, Norbert I knew that it was not going to happen as the kids anticipated. And I also knew at that point you will need to grab your blanket. Get your favorite drink. Take your favorite snack…
Mine is Hostesses Chocolate Cupcakes by the way. Hop into your favorite snuggle chair and prepare to enjoy a book that’s positively encouraging. Not only that, but so exhilarating. It was a great way for me to release all my energy.
Norbert said so too. I give this book two snaps and a— Ohhh I almost forgot about the romance! The romance was a beautiful mixed in with the children and Georgie.
The romance took Harry by surprise, but I think that Harry had to wait for that right picturesque moment to come along to open his eyes and clear the cobwebs out of his head. Until next time my fellow readers.
Read on!

I absolutely loved this book!!!!
It was the mash-up of Nanny McPhee, The Mummy, Persuasion and Sound of Music I didn't know I needed in my life.
Ten out of ten would recommend!

I didn't really care for this book, especially after finishing the Bridgerton series and loving most of those (though those were not without their faults). Our main male character calls our FMC a siren in his internal monologue more times than he uses her name, which is why I can't remember anyone's names or titles in this book (I think she's Georgina that goes by Georgie??). His brain basically says how she's wooing him and she can't be trusted for that reason and it's all her fault for seducing him and distracting him from the work at hand which made me hate him.

Georgie (that's her name, right??) is fine, though a bit annoying as well. You're telling me she can't crush an interview because she HAS to say what's on her mind at all times even when it's to her detriment?? It was so annoying that she'd complain about not being able to get a job, but she had a way to change that and she refused to. I was getting very frustrated with the lot of them, and all the kids and dogs, so this was another hard one to get through for me.

Overall, not the worst regency romance book I've ever read, but I definitely think you can find better.

I don't think this title fits this book at all. I did enjoy the story but spent the whole time waiting for a war to start. The cover does tell you exactly what kind of story this is, and the kids were very cute.

I requested this book before realizing I had read another one by the author I didn’t really care for (Never Fall For Your Fiancé). I also was having a hard time keeping with reading at the time (ADHD) and ended up waiting until I could check out the audiobook from the library. I wish I didn’t wait so long to read it. It was one of my favorite books this summer. 5/5 I loved Georgie, and I thought that she was a well fleshed-out character. I think the pairing of her and Harry was done very well. The pacing of the books was great. And there were some cute laugh out loud moments. I understand that his might be the first book of a series, and will look out for the sequels that will follow. Thank you #NetGalley for the #ARC

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. This was cute but thought a different title would work better for this since no one is at war in the book. Seeing the romance slowly evolve was well done and I did like the characters. Sold read, 3 stars.

This was a super cute in-need-of-a-nanny romance. I enjoyed the chemistry between the nanny and uncle as well as all the shenanigans between them as they learned to work and live together. Also, the kiddos in the story were super loveable and heart-catching with all their adventures and mishaps.

I loved Georgie and Harry, the three adorable children and the dogs. You can really tell the true characters of people just by how they treat and interact with children and pets. This was a feel good book and I was rooting for their HEA. One minor quibble about the plot, I wish the kids would have been Harry's kids instead of his nieces and nephew. Excellent book.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This was my first regency book and it did not disappoint! As a lover of all things period drama, this was such a fun read, and I felt immediately transported into Georgie’s world.

Will definitely be picking up the rest of this series once released!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The cover really should have a boat on it.

Hell would have to freeze over before Georgie liked a military man, but the high-strung Naval Captain Harry Kincaid will change that.

When left with his nieces and nephew suddenly until his sister returns, Harry seeks out a governess to look after and educate them. While it is clear he adores the children, he must work constantly to overcome a youthful mistake (that shows he might not be the strict, controlled, structured man he tries to be after a difficult childhood). He finds his governess, Georgie, all too appealing but is the only woman available even though neither are excited about it.

Quickly it's clear they should be worried as Georgie doesn't intend to teach the children in the regimented way he assumed, and they find themselves drawn to each other without control over their bodies. As they get to know each other and learn why they act and believe as they do, they need to self-reflect then fight for their future.

I enjoyed that this was a historical romance not between aristocrats so there was a slightly different side of society to see.

And we love when one exaggerates (says what they really want to be) to defend their love and make an ex jealous hehe.

Overall, I really liked Harry and how he personally develops and grows to be the person worthy of being with Georgie. They brought out the best in each other, especially when they finally came together and you could see how perfect they were for each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Read for: opposites attract, he falls first, pining, boss/employee, governess FMC, nautical puns, fake engagement

4 stars
2 spice

3.5 ⭐

“All's Fair in Love and War” by Virginia Heath is a delightful historical romance that effortlessly combines humor, passion, and a touch of adventure. Set against a backdrop of societal expectations and the constraints of the Regency era, the story follows Georgie, an outspoken governess, and Harry, a naval captain who unexpectedly needs a governess to care for his nieces and nephews. Heath's witty dialogue and charming prose make for an engaging read that keeps you turning the pages. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, bringing both tension and tenderness to their interactions.

Heath masterfully balances the romantic elements with moments of levity, often invoking laughter as the characters navigate their complicated feelings and the challenges of their world. The children and their personalities adds depth and richness to the narrative with Georgie becoming part of their family, making it a well-rounded experience. “All's Fair in Love and War” is perfect for fans of historical romance who appreciate a blend of sweetness and sass, leaving readers with a warm feeling and a smile long after the last page is turned.