All’s fair in love and war was a fun read, and thanks to NetGalley for the arc! The characters were delightful (I love Henry and Georgie so much), and we love a historical romance! Would recommend for a fun read!

After reading the Merriwell Sisters trilogy last year, I so excited to see a new Virginia Heath book coming. All's Fair in Love and War was just as fun. The FMC is a governess who is hired quickly by a punctual, particular Naval officer who has unexpectedly taken over guardianship of his nieces and nephew (and their big, frog-catching dog!) while his sister travels abroad. They both come into the relationship with military-associated baggage from their upbringing to work through. Highly recommend this book if you like rom-com style Regency romances with lovable side characters, witty banter, and (intentionally!) misattributed military proverbs.

I really enjoyed this terrific Regency romance, the first in a new series from Virginia Heath. I have read other books by the author, but this would stand alone as well. The author manages to bring fun and freshness to the “governess/guardian” trope through deft, believable characterization and a plot that moves quickly enough to keep it interesting but also allows space for character development. Recommend for fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James or Martha Waters.Thank you to St Martin’s and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a new series from Virginia Heath and starts with the story of orphaned Georgie Rowe, abandoned at 16 years of age by her uncaring stepfather, the Colonel. Luckily a new opportunity opened up for her, and he jumped at the chance of shedding the responsibility of Georgie after her mother died from smallpox. Georgie somehow was accepted into a school run by Governess-extraodinaire, Miss Prentice. After being dragged around to various military barracks and then abandoned, at least now, 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 protegee of Miss Prentice, Georgie is ready to proceed with being a governess, but is unable to secure a position as she has strong feelings about how children should be raised and cared for. She has suffered the lack of care, love, and militaristic discipline of the Colonel and 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. Over 30 failed interviews... she has set a record.

Captain Henry Kincaid is in quite a conundrum. He is a hardworking, disciplined fixer for the Admiralty; procuring supplies for their various naval ships and voyages, and on a rapid path for advancement. He had screwed things up years prior and not only had his heart broken by a fairweather fiancee, but lost a promotion and a ship in the process, and is determined not to lose his opportunities again. However, a massive wrench... or 4.. was thrust into his plans 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.

This starts an opposites attract, enemies to lovers dynamic, with Georgie and Harry being at loggerheads from the beginning. She is convinced he is a younger, more handsome version of her hated stepfather. An uncaring, career fixated man, who believes too much in discipline, time, schedules, conformity... She had enough of that growing up and when faced with his expectations of her position and her role with the children, she rebels and they clash. But she wants to provide the children comfort, creativity, stability, and loving care, as well as education. Initially, Harry meets her low expectations, and Georgie angers, flusters, and distracts Harry, making him yearn for things that distract him from his planned course in life. But as they grow to know each other and see each other around the family they both care for, Georgie sees the caring, loving man beneath the uniform, and Harry starts to wonder if having his own ship and getting promoted is what his heart desires.

This is a very cute, comedic love story, with a lot of childish and canine hijinks and mischief. There are manipulative, but adorable children, and an overgrown, overexuberant, undertrained canine to pile on the cuteness, and then throw in a puppy version of the misbegotten canine as well. This story is chock full of pithy and cute dialogue, self deprecation, and humorous situations. It is definitely falling into the family friendly Rom-Com spectrum of romances, and I have to admit that I enjoyed it in that context. It makes for a nice change from the steamy, edging more towards erotica romances I have been reading.

I also connected with Harry especially after reading "Harry would have to arrive at least two hours early. Probably six, just to be certain, as time had a habit of filling itself and his was always accounted for." As I have a chronic hatred for being late, and would rather be an hour early than a minute late, I felt sympatico with him. Also with the dogs...

"It made no scientific sense, defying all the laws of gravity, but for some reason, a floppy Norbert was now quadruple the weight of a stiffened Norbert, and no matter what the five of them tried, the lax muscles had rendered him immovable. Almost as if he were now part of the very fabric of the floor itself and there forever." That was my Toby whenever he sensed a bath coming his way, to a "T".

4 stars out of 5 - and my heart was absolutely, shamelessly taken by the two dogs, and how their humans were with them.

All's Fair in Love and War is another fun, sweet Regency romance by Virginia Heath. Our protagonist, Georgie, is a fiery, young, new governess sent to help Harry with the unexpected arrival of his unruly, but charming, nephew and nieces. It definitely has some of The Sound of Music vibes to it, but I am all for it. I am excited by this new series and look forward to more to come! If you like sweet, Regency rom-coms, then you will enjoy this book.

I am a huge fan of Virginia Heath, and especially the ones with these fun bright covers and clever catchy book titles! I was really excited to read All's Fair in Love and War, the first in a new series!! All's Fair in Love and War is a great read-- I absolutely loved it. I love the snappy, sassy and clever dialogue. I love the story, the setting-- and I love, love, love the characters in the book!
Henry, our MMC, is a naval officer, who thrives with the rigidity and order of the Royal Navy. Early in life, his grandfather took care of raising him and gave him order in a family of flighty Georgian era bohemians. He has a sister, who is the exact opposite and just like Henry and her parents. Imagine his surprise when Henry's flighty, adventurous sister drops her kids off at Henry's, for an extended visit.
Georgina is a governess who can't quite find the right position, educated in the most sought-after, exclusive girls schools. She abhors too much order and rigid men, who remind her of her loveless stepfather, a navy man himself. She's had dozens of interviews, but even with a fabulous resume, her unwillingness to take a spare the rod, spoil the child attitude towards children makes it hard for her to find a job. Enter Henry, who is desperate for a governess for his sisters children!
A lot of chaos, humor and hijinks ensue! Like I said before, Virginia Heath's writing is fantastic and this is a funny, poignant, and fun book full of vivid descriptors, emotion and just everything that you want in a romantic comedy set in the Regency period. I just adored All's Fair in Love and War and can't recommend it enough to any HR, RomCom or romance fan!

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing Company. This story has romance, mystery, drama. This story will have laughing one minute, angry the next, and back to laughing. This is a great read for a mature audience. Harry likes his life to be planned out, he doesn't have time for distractions or anything else. But when his sister drops the kids off to sail on an adventure with her husband. What is he going to do? Well hire someone to help. Thats where Georgie comes into this story. And life is not dull when someone brings in energy and a different dynamic in life. How will everyone get along and what happens when duty is called to play? This book can be read anywhere!

Virginia Heath's latest is a gem, the first in her new series about governesses! 📚😍 It features an opposites attract romance, hilarious supporting characters, and a household that's more informal chaos than proper regency. The slow-blossoming romance had me hooked as the main characters navigated their prejudices; his against chaos and flexibility and hers against naval men. 🌹💑 Can't wait for the next one!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was SO FRICKIN GOOD, I'm actually tearing up in the airport now over the ending?? 😭

It was gripping and entertaining right from the start, and the banter between the MCs (and with all the secondary characters, especially the very adorable kids and dog(s)) was so so funny and wholesome.

Virginia Heath has definitely become an auto-buy author for me <3

A fun rom-com, I enjoyed Virginia Heath’s All is Fair in Love and War. It was cool to see a regency book about more middle class people and see how precariously women, and young girls, depended on their husbands and fathers. To counter balance this heavy stuff, Miss P’s school and its characters were sparkling, even if unfortunately underutilized in the novel.

I rate the book a solid 3.5 which could have been bumped up to a four if some editorial changes had been made. The story is as really good, the dialogue was witty and fun, and the side characters were great too. Sadly the storytelling was a bit off. Everytime there was dialogue between the main characters the narration would go too far inside their heads with pages of background. While I was left to skim pages until I could get to replies, there was too much info dumping. The side characters could have been better utilised to tease this background out more appropriately. The story kept me going to the end, but the writing style frustrated me until I got there!

I look forward to seeing if the author can improve this in future novels, she definitely has the potential!

Holy cuteness. This was an entertaining book and I loved it.

Hero: Henry Kincaid aka Captain, aka Uncle Harry. A person who gets twitchy if things are not structured pr regimented. Gaining some weight. Loves his rambunctious neices and nephew and dogs and lusts after and falls in love with one wild red haired governess. About 30 years and one of the youngest rising stars in the navy. Jilted by his fiance leaving him a little wary of love

Heroine: Georgie, 28, governess who cannot interview. Has very strong opinions. Orphaned but has 2 very good friends. On her first job taking care of heros nephew and nieces. Has an unconventional method of teaching.

The whole storyline is very focused on the 2 main characters and how they merge their very real emotions and feelings. Their attraction is strong, and initially Georgie does not see Harry as anything but a prig with 2 watches. But as time goes by she is taken in by his love for his family, his staff and how steadfast he is and his gorgeousness. The kids are hilarious and delightful and very precocious but she gently wields her wand over them.

Harry has the hots for Georgie right off the bat, but knows he cannot take it anywhere, but then she starts to chip way his wall and he is taken in by her, her openess and her passion. He has to make some tough choices between his goals and his love and his penitence in the end is very endearing.

Overall a light, funny read, but with depth of character and emotions.

Heath continues to knock it out of the park. This was sweet and the little kids were sweet, and Henry the mmc was great. His precision and befuddlement were genuinely hilarious and there was a real journey btn the two lovers which made me happy. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

When Harry’s sister left on a vacation with her husband, she left her three children, 10, 9, and 5 with him. Harry’s life is the navy, and he has a ship to ready so is desperate for a governess. Georgie finished her training as a governess 2 years ago, but she still doesn’t’ have a job. She is too outspoken. Harry employs her anyway and off she goes to his house. Harry has everything planned out including the classroom. Georgie prefers to teach the way that will work with the children and that is not Harry’s plan. The contrast in the way Harry and Georgie see life makes for a lot of disagreements even though they are attracted to each other. The dogs in the story add a lot of humor. The children are not used to schedules and Georgie is very clever in getting them to do what is needed. This story is full of humor, family, and love. Great book and characters.

I've gotta say, after reading Heath's last series and only truly falling in love with 1 out of 3, I was hesitant to pick up another one. BUT, I'm so glad that I did! ALL"S FAIR was a delightful new take on a regency romance, and I was here for it.

Then again - I'm basically a sucker for any novel with amusing or ridiculous children at the forefront - so maybe take my word with a grain of salt. Or don't - totally your call.

rating: 4 STARS
genre: historical romance
format: ebook
release date: 5/28/2024

This romance was really fun for me because it didn't take place between the Lords and Ladies of the ton as they prepared for another season trying to lock down a marriage. This focused on both a FMC and an MMC who were not looking to (or could not) get married, but found themselves in forced proximity anyway. And that was so much fun!

Read if you like:
- Forced Proximity mixed with Fake Dating
- Forbidden Romance
- Quirky heroines
- Hilarious children working behind the scenes

This was my first book by this author, and I found it absolutely delightful. Georgie and Harry were great characters and a great couple. I loved their banter and the way their relationship developed. The nieces, nephew, and the dogs were all lovable and cute, adding humor to the story, and the adult side characters were also fun. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author. Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley.

Just finished the delightful ARC for “All’s Fair in Love and War” - an outspoken (red-headed!) new governess is looking for her first posting, and an uptight naval captain has just been unexpectedly saddled with his three niblings for a few months.

Sparks fly, of course, as they both need to navigate the divide between the expectations of duty to their employers and what, it seems, their hearts actually yearn for.

Each character is distinct and well-rounded, the dialogue is funny - I can’t get over the Captain mis-quoting military geniuses the whole time - and the plot is wholly satisfying.

Definitely recommended for fans of historic romance!

5/5 stars

I promised myself I was taking a short break from ARCs for a bit because my bookshelf is becoming a bit overwhelming. However, I was invited (me?! Invited?) to read this Virginia Heath book and I couldn’t stop myself because I swoon over her books.

Georgie is an orphan and a would-be governess who is too strong-willed to land a job. Harry is an admiral who is dumped with his sister’s children while she adventures for several months. He hires her to teach them in her absence. You can, of course, imagine what happens.

Read this if you love a strong female lead, enemies to lovers (kind of? They aren’t QUITE enemies but definitely aren’t friends at the beginning…), and a “he falls first” trope.

This is a wonderful story of found family, growing with others. The side characters are so fun and the children are just the cutest! Harry and Georgie are so clearly perfect for each other - this book made me smile the entire time. Overall, a really easy, happy read!

Slow going story with a lot of repetitive dialog. Sound of Music theme of governess bringing joy and the dour man (in this case uncle) not amused.

It was okay. I don't like large age gaps so I wouldn't have downloaded it if I knew that.

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. And whole would have thought Regency Rom coms were a thing.