I fell in love with Virginia Heath's writing through The Merriwell Sisters series and I am SO excited that All's Fair in Love and War kicks off another series with witty, sharp, and funny women at the lead. This book was a breath of fresh air - light when it needed to be with just enough drama to keep the story intriguing. I really enjoyed this book, start to finish, and loved getting to know the characters, especially the multi-layered Harry.

“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱…𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘯.”

Georgie is such a fun character whose tenacity and tendency to speak her mind was one of the highlights of the book. she’s such a fantastic teacher for Harry's nieces & nephew and I loved reading about them playing at the creek or doing math lessons outside in the garden. I would have thrived as a kid if my teacher had let us learn outside!

then we get mister rigidity himself, captain harry. his tough exterior while melting for all the animals and his family was hot. but the way he cherished and looked at Georgie?! 🥵

I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a heartwarming, yet spicy!!, historical romance!

I love Virginia heaths never rescue a rogue so I was excited to jump into this new historical romance from her but something was just lacking and it wasn't able to keep my attention. I wanted to like it but it didn’t work for me!

A sweet governess romance! There’s a lot of yearning and internal monologues, which did slow down my reading of book in the middle. That said, I adored all of Georgie’s teaching moments with the kids. The romance wraps up nicely despite the Captain being indecisive about everything. He finally gets a reality check and became the hero I felt Georgie deserved.

I enjoyed this fun regency romance; it's a sweet slow burn with rambunctious kids and cute dogs. I like that the MCs are pretty much complete opposites. Georgie is a governess who can't get a job as one and Harry is a former naval captain who works for the Admiralty and is exceedingly good at his job. She's an unconventional free spirit and he is very much a rule follower that does what is expected of him. I love the role the children play in bringing the MCs together and that Harry shows his care for them in every action while seemingly annoyed that his sister just dropped them on his doorstep and fled on her next adventure. The kids have big roles in the story which keeps it light and entertaining but further develops each MC's personality and reasons for being the way they are. The romance aspect takes a long time to develop since both Georgie and Harry don't think it could ever work out, but there's definitely some good tension. The writing is fantastic and while focusing entirely on this couple's story, the author still manages to introduce readers to Georgie's friends in a completely natural way that will lead you to want to know more about them and see what will happen in the next book of the series. It's a fun/humorous story but both MCs have some trauma from their pasts that provides context for their current situations. There's a little bit of miscommunication but nothing overwhelming! Overall, it's an easy, light, romantic read with lots of humor and a great start to a new regency romance series. I look forward to the next book!

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one was fun! An unlikely pair - one a straight-laced, ruthlessly organized Naval officer, the other a newly minted governess who has good reason to try to avoid any form of military life and all of that structure - can they find a way to work together for the good of his sister's three children, who've been unexpectedly thrust upon him for a few months? Well it's a romance, so you can guess. But the journey to where we know they'll end up is delightful, with introductions to other characters that will show up in future books in this new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this Regency romance - it had heart and humor and left me happy to know there's a series about other protegees of Miss Prentice to look forward to. And since this is my first read from Virginia Heath, I'm happy to know I have quite a few of her books to catch up on while waiting!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

All's Fair in Love and War is the first book in a new series by Virginia Heath. This one is called Miss Prentice's Protegees and it was a solid book one. To be fair, when I see a new Virginia Heath title, I pretty much add it to my TBR immediately as I know I will enjoy it.

Georgina Rowe is our fmc. Having a strict upbringing, she does not believe in the ethos that children should be seen and not heard. This has created a bit of a challenge for her as a fledgling governess as when she interviews for positions, she can't help to share her true feelings about how she believes childhood should be. When a position lands in her lap, Georgina has the opportunity to follow her heart and give these children the freedom they need to learn and grow...if only she can get their uncle to leave them all alone.

Henry Kincaid has a slight problem. When his older sister decides to go on an expedition with her husband and leave her three children in his care (along with their unruly dog), he needs to figure out how to manage it all. With a career at the Admiralty that requires all of his attention, he decides to hire a governess to make sure that everything runs smoothly. When Henry shows up at Miss Prentice's School for Girls willing to pay whatever it take to get a governess, this becomes an opportunity for Georgina to get placed in a house where she can make a difference.

I loved these two characters. They were such opposites and seeing Henry loosen up along the way was great. I enjoyed how Heath developed their relationship too. It truly was an opposites attract situation as Georgina had zero patience for Henry and his overbearing ways and Henry couldn't believe how disorganized Georgina was...at least from his perspective. When truly she just had a different approach to meeting the children's needs. I loved every second of this story.

If you're looking for a new historical romance, I recommend picking this one up. It's a quick and easy read with a good story and likable characters. This is the start of what I expect to be a great new series by Heath and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Read if you like: enemies to lovers, the nanny/governess
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Georgie is hired by Harry as a governess to his nieces and nephew when his sister leaves them with Harry to go off adventuring with her husband. Harry has an important job with the admiralty, so he can't look after them all day. When Georgie starts working for him, the two clash and seem to be total opposites, but the more they get to know each other, the more they learn that they actually balance each other well.
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I really liked this book. The tension as well done, the conflict made sense, and I really loved Harry and Georgie as their own characters. They were super cute!

I think it is fair to say that Virginia Heath can truly do no wrong in my book. I adored this governess/military man romance with mischievous children and loyal dog Norbert. The children were delightful and hilarious! Harry was swoon worthy and Georgie was a perfect heroin. Not to mention the welcome side characters of Tom and Ada and the great villainy of the conniving, greedy Elizabeth. I can't wait for Portia, Kitty, and Lottie's stories!

By Jove, I daresay I’m back in my historical romance era. Tallyho!

This was a fun little romp through regency England. I loved the opposites attract vibe between the two main characters. Fiery Georgie vs. strict Harry was a great dynamic, and I had a ton of fun watching them go head to head over the children’s schooling and other odds and ends. Harry’s nieces and nephews were delightful, and their loyal hound provided tons of comic relief. The scenes with the kids and their dog were some of my favorites! I really enjoyed spending time with all of these characters.

I did feel that there was a little too much inner dialogue that slowed the pacing a bit, and a lot of it felt repetitive. Otherwise this was a fun, slow burn, historical romance!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
👩‍❤️‍👨 Dual POV
⏳ Historical Romance
🔥Slow burn
❤️ Opposites attract
🐕 Rambunctious canines
🌶️🌶️

All's Fair in Love and War is book #1 in a new Regency series called "Miss Prentice's Protegees"

The series is about three friends who meet at a school for governesses - a fun premise for this time period of romances.

This story is about Georgina Rowe who has grown up under a strict military stepfather - no love and lots of rules and moving around a lot. Her stay at Miss Prentice's school is where she finds stability and friendship.

Her first job is with the nieces and nephews of Henry Kincaid's flighty sister who takes off in the spur of the moment for a trip with her husband - leaving Henry to care for her kids. Henry hires a governess (Georgina) and so you know - it's like oil and water with Georgina clashing with Henry's rules - especially in terms of how to raise and teach children.

This was an easy and delightful read. The clashing of their approaches to life (that leads to attraction and love) and cute kids made this an enjoyable read to kick off summer.

I look forward to Book #2!

Thank you Uplit Reads and SMPRomance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I really enjoyed myself with this one. After being on a Bridgerton high, this scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed. This was a solid beginning to a series and I cannot wait for the next one.

I giggled, I swooned, I even got misty-eyed and that’s a highly praised response to this glorious book.

All’s Fair in Love and in War is the first book in a new series called Miss Prentice’s Protegees by Virginia Heath. This is the first book I have read by this author and I must admit, I found it interesting and at times humorous. Miss Prentice has created a program for young women who have few prospects. She takes them in and teaches/trains them to be governesses in the homes of the rich and tonnish. It is clear that Miss Prentice was the fairy godmother for the students that were selected for her program.

Georgina Rowe was brought up in difficult circumstances where she felt that she was being crushed and left by her step father (which she was). She was left on the doorstep of Miss Prentice as one of “her girls.”Georgina learned the four D’s - however she tended to speak her mind which led her to being “let go”. When Henry Kincaid came to Miss Prentice, Georgina was given another chance.

Henry’s nieces and nephew were kids who were very active and wanted to be outside with their dog. Henry wanted them to sit at desks and learn properly. Georgina was put into a difficult position. It didn’t help that the dog (who was unmanageable at times) destroyed the school room and was an unhappy howler.

Georgina and Henry were not meant to fall in love. They didn’t even get along and they certainly disagreed often. All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath is a fun book to read!

Holding back my review due to the SMP boycott. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

All’s Fair in Love and War
Virginia Heath

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thank you @uplitreads and @smpromance for the #gifted copy.

This novel follows Georgie. A governess who can’t find work because she doesn’t know how to hold her tongue. Until a hard pressed uncle comes to seek her services when he is left to take care of his nieces and nephew. Neither were looking for love but

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light fun read. This is the first in a regency romance series.

I loved the dynamic between Georgie and Harry. Total opposites but somehow they fall for each other. Georgie was always ready and willing to speak her mind and I adored that about her character. I did feel that it was a bit slow in the middle however the ending made it worth the wait.

Regency romances are always fun. This one does have a few open door scenes but not overly explicit.

Read if you like:
✨Regency Romance
✨Slow Burn
✨Opposites Attract

Thank you St Martins Press for the gifted book!

💛 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💛
This was such a fun, lighthearted regency era read! It has a slow burn romance, adorable children, hilarious moments, and a fun storyline. Georgie is a governess in from the well respected school of Miss Prentice’s School for Girls. She is a fiery red-head who too often speaks her mind and has an unconventional way of teaching.

Captain Harry Kincaid is an uncle who has been left with his three adorable, unruly nephew and nieces and needs a temporary governess. This is Georgie’s chance to prove herself and her methods in her first job.

Harry and Georgie could not be more opposite. Harry is a strict rule follower and Georgie wants children to experience the world more freely than she was brought up. The two clash and experience hilarious moments together.

When push comes to shove, these two opposites find love in one another, despite it seeming they cannot belong together. I loved seeing how their story played out and found it sweet and adorable.

I can’t wait for the next book in this fun Regency series!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🩷 Regency Era Romance
💛 Governess/Naval Captain
🩷 Uncle Turned Temporary Guardian
💛 Wild, Unruly Children
🩷 Outspoken FMC
💛 Opposites Attract
🩷 Forced Proximity

This is an adorable novel to start out a new series, Miss Prentice's Protegees. Georgina and Henry were adorable and their natural chemistry flowed well off the page. The writing is sweet and I felt like I was in the world with them.

Thanks to SMP via NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful book! I love a historical romance and with so many set amongst the aristocracy, it was a nice change to have a different part of Regency England society represented, including a governess.

I had a lot of laughs at the antics of the three kids that Georgina Rowe is tasked with educating and being responsible for. I enjoyed how the relationship between Georgina and Henry grew over the book.

I think readers who enjoyed Martha Waters' Regency Vows series, or Manda Collins series will enjoy this one.

As the first in a new series from the author, I look forward to reading the rest as they are published.

When Harry is left with his nieces and nephew for an undetermined amount of time, he has to hire a governess to help out while he still works. He is "duped" into hiring Georgie and he is sure he made a mistake. But as time goes by, Georgie is more of a help than the hinderance he once thought. And much prettier than she has a right to be.

I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and light and sweet and spicy. It was fun to get lost in!

Regency romance is a favorite of mine- looking at you Julia Quinn with your Bridgerton series! Definitely a cute read if you’re looking for something along those lines! I thought this was a cute read, interesting concept.