⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars for The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

This is my first Elena Armas book but it won’t be my last! I was a little worried reading this without first reading The Long Game but I didn’t feel too out of the loop by reading them out of order. The Fiancé Dilemma follows Josie and Matthew and their whirlwind romance. Josie has a lot going on between finding out who her dad is, discovering a sister turned bff, taking care of her quaint small town as Mayor, caring for grandpa Moe (which I wish we got a little bit more of cuz his character seemed so cute and wholesome) , fending off the gossipers after her 4 failed engagements and now a brand new fake engagement brought on in an attempt to calm down the PR nightmare stewing in the midst of it all. Matthew has just lost his job and is new in town thanks to his bff who also happens to be Josie’s newly found sister. I loved Matthew so much. He was like a sexy golden retriever. He was loyal to a tee to Josie but also a perfect balance of protective and patient which was oh so sexy. He helps heal her insecurities and she falls for him in the process. The story was swoon worthy and sweet like a hallmark movie with some spice. I can’t wait to read more of Elena’s books soon!

Josie runs a one woman show around Green Oak. She’s part time mayor, multiple business owner, and more. When she finds out she has a sister and a famous father, though, her life gets thrown up in shambles. Josie’s never been good with relationships (5 fiancés no weddings anyone?) but when PR shows up on her porch one night, she doesn’t have a choice but pretend to date Matthew.
I, firstly, am obsessed with Elena Armas. I swear, every book she writes is better than the last. I binged this entire book in one night, I never wanted it to end. Can I just live in Green Oak?? I was obsessed with the main characters, the side characters, the plot, the setting, literally everything about this book. I literally don’t have criticisms about it, which is kind of bizarre.
Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC of this book!

I really enjoyed The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas. It had all the elements of the Spanish Love Deception, but with new fresh characters who I immediately connected with. Josie was maybe a little bit goofy, but she was endearing, and I loved the different facets of Matthew. Admittedly I didn’t totally realize it was part of a series, so there were some confusing moments on my part early on, but it worked out. Overall really great, and I continue to love this author’s writing style and sense of humor.

Elena Armas absolutely nailed this book. There was so much chemistry between the characters and I loved the overall story line so much!

4.25 ⭐️s!!

I was so incredibly excited when this ARC landed in my inbox via NetGalley & Atria Books, so thank you 🤩

Josie is such a girls girl. We’ve got daddy issues, four men left at the altar, her own local business, and she’s the MAYOR? Sign me up to follow along with her girlboss adventures!!

Enter Matthew, the fake-iancé. Jobless, homeless, hopelessly in love, and quite frankly, one of the horniest men I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about.

These two make it their mission to fake their engagement & wedding to resolve some ~media issues~ for Josie’s newfound dad. There’s hiccups and hijinks, and the sweeeetest slow burn 😍 literally the only thing I could’ve wanted more of is MATTHEWS POV 😭

Do yourself a favour and pick this up on release day, especially if you enjoyed the long game!

✨ARC Review✨

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

It's no secret that I love Elena Armas's novels, but I think this might be my new favorite. Matthew is everything! The absolute best, sweetest cinnamon roll of a man but possessive in the bedroom...HOT.

This story had me laughing out loud, giggling, kicking my feet and swooning it was so good! Matthew just *gets* Josie in a way no other man has before, or in a way no other man has put in the effort before to know her; he literally RUNS to her because he thinks one of her texts is an emergency. He falls first, hard, and these two together are magic. The spice was just the right amount (and HOT, I mean the bathtub scene?! Damnnnn) and mixed perfectly into the story.

Josie's insecurities were so relatable, and I loved her relationship with Grandpa Moe; speaking of Grandpa Moe, I ADORED his grumpy self! He's hilarious and had me laughing so much. While told from Josie's POV, the last chapter is from Matthew's and I found it tied everything together really well; I also loved the glimpses we get from characters from The Long Game!

Thank you so much to Atria books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Elena Armas does it again! 😭😭😭😭 the level of complexity and depth that Josie had? The love and horniness of Mathew? Ah! This love story will live rent free in my mind for the foreseeable future. I cannot stress how perfectly this book came together and how entertaining this was. I HIGHLY recommend picking this up when it comes out.

ELENA ARMAS ES UNA MARAVILLOSA AUTORA! I freakin' loved this book! Can someone give me a Matthew? All enthusiasm aside, I truly resonated with this book. Weird family dynamics are a prominent theme in this book. I definitely know what's that like and I really loved how Armas reconciled that with Josie's love life. Also, I just loved seeing a little of the Armas' world outside our couple. TRULY WORTH THE READ!

This book was so cute and I absolutely adore the characters in this series and Elena never misses when it comes to fake dating. The slow burn and tension between Josie and Matthew is so good, I was giddy the whole time and couldn’t put this down.

Josie is such a people pleaser (same bestie) and I immediately related to her character and beamed with joy when she started to put her foot down and stand up for herself. And it was definitely a bonus to have Matthew, the loving and supportive “fiancé”, right by her side no matter what obstacle came their way. I understood Josie’s fear of abandonment and the idea of someone not truly loving you, but Matthew is there as her anchor and isn’t backing out. I love him so so much and I have no one but Elena to blame for making me fall in love with another blonde man.

The story is very fast paced which is nice at times, but I do wish there were a bit more details with the characters and the story. I think if it was set as dual pov like it was in The Long Game, it would have given us more understanding of the relationship between Josie and Matthew. I still really enjoyed the story, but just wanted that extra oomph, ya know?

And y’all, Elena wasn’t messing around with the chemistry and spice. The few scenes we have are literally so hot. Matthew has a MOUTH on him and respectfully, I’m on my knees. And there’s a horny wine tasting scene which I didn’t know I needed until now.

Thank you Atria Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Some tropes:
-fake engagement of convenience
-small town
-horny wine tasting (she’s blindfolded)
-he gives her ✨instructions✨ over the phone while she’s in a bath
-blonde mmc with glasses (trust me on this one)

There were certain parts of this book I really enjoyed and other parts I really disliked.

I liked that it was funny and original. I love the small town feel and I thought the characters were well developed and entertaining to read. I think the family drama added a lot to the story, but I felt like some of the back story was kind of missing there. Also, I really loved the animals in this book - they were a lot of fun!

I disliked some of the spicy scenes in this book. To be honest, I found them really cringy. The whole ‘be a good girl’ phrasing and submissive sexual interactions were so off putting to me that I almost stopped reading. I think Josie is a strong character and this seemed like these scenes didn’t match up with her personality or what we know about her.

Overall, a quick decent read but not a favorite for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Fiancé Dilemma was a great modern romance with a lot of comedy. Josie is town mayor and helper to all but she very suddenly need a lot of help herself when it’s revealed who her father is (he has only been a presence in her mother’s and newly discovered sister’s life) leading to Josie getting caught up in rehabilitating his image in the press. Her sister’s best friend, Matthew comes into town at the exact wrong time and gets caught up as Josie’s most recent fiancé, after a string of four previous fails for her. Naturally, Josie and Matthew are meant to be but thanks to all the complications leading to their romance - and a lot of press - it’s a big mystery if everything will work out for them and for Josie specifically with her father.

I can’t really describe this book accurately because while the plot wasn’t all over the place there were a lot of different things afoot! I loved the characters, with those supporting being as strong the mains. It seems like this is one of a series, with Adalyn, Josie’s recently discovered sister preceding her story, and while you don’t need to read the previous book to get into this one fully I found myself wanting to. A great light romance with a lot of comedy, I recommend this for readers. My favorite parts were learning about Josie’s previous relationships/attempted weddings, which was a great callback to runaway bride. If you enjoyed movies like that consider it a sign you’ll also love this book.

I’ve read and loved all the other Elena Armas books, so it was not at all surprising to find that this one was a wild and wonderful ride. Josie and Matthew (THOSE GLASSES THOUGH) are my favorite of her couples. Josie is a repeat runaway bride, and Matthew is her sister’s best friend who is so down bad for her from day 1 that he agrees to a fake engagement almost immediately to save her from a PR nightmare. Their attraction is immediate and palpable, and they eventually give in to a friends with benefits situation, though it’s obvious to everyone but the two of them that they are completely head over heels in love. This is so good and so steamy.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria, and Elena Armas for this eARC. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas✨

ℹ️Synopsis: This book brings us back into Green Oaks, North Carolina, with the same endearing small-town folks we first met in The Long Game. In this story, we follow Josie, the 29-year-old mayor of Green Oaks and Adalyn’s half-sister. Josie has a history of broken engagements and is known (lovingly) as a runaway bride in her town. However, her past becomes a significant issue when she is revealed to media outlets to be the mystery daughter of billionaire businessman Andrew Underwood, who had been absent from her life until now. Underwood’s publicity team deems Josie’s fractured relationship with her father and her broken engagements a PR nightmare as he announces his retirement and begins to write a tell-all memoir.

After a misunderstanding with Underwood’s PR strategist regarding a ring on her finger, Josie panics and claims that Matthew, Adalyn’s best friend who recently returned to NC, is her fiancé. He goes along with it in the moment, and soon enough, the lie has taken on a life of its own, spreading across the town and the internet.

💭My thoughts: Elena Armas is known for her quirky and endearing characters, who often find themselves in improbable situations. While some readers may find it hard to get into her books at first because of this, the quality of her writing and the charm of her characters will win you over and get you hooked. This absolutely delightful rom-com includes a fake engagement, second chances, and the slowest of slow burns that will have you cheering when Josie and Matthew finally (FINALLY) get together. And let me just say, Matthew is wholesome + hot AF - a total swoon-worthy dreamboat 😍

I wish we had more context around why Josie’s previous relationships fizzled + more depth to her feelings about her father. At the start, I was a bit frustrated by her antics, but as the story progressed + we gained insight into her thoughts and history, I became a huge fan + was fully rooting for her by the end.

Overall, this is a funny, tender, hot, feel-good read!! Perfect for the beach or poolside ☀️🫶🏼

Check it out on July 30th!! Thanks @netgalley for the e-arc 🥰

I sadly had to DNF this book in the first chapter. The main character just seemed whiny or needy or something and the PR rep Bobbi was like some Hallmark movie version of a big city girl in a small town. The gasping over not having Starbucks and same day delivery was annoying. I also didn't really understand what was occurring because too many characters were introduced all at once. I enjoyed others by this author. I guess this one just didn't work for me.

A delightful story, this romance novel is a heartwarming tale of love, laughter, and second chances. "The Fiancé Dilemma" by Elena Armas is a captivating blend of humour, heart, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

Meet Josie Moore, a woman who has had her fair share of failed engagements. When her absentee father suddenly announces his retirement, Josie realizes that her romantic history is a complicated PR issue. Enter Matthew Flanagan, who stumbles into her life when his car gets stuck in the mud. What starts as a big misunderstanding quickly turns into an arrangement: Matthew becomes Josie's fake fiancé.

Armas masterfully crafts the chemistry between Josie and Matthew. Their banter is witty, their interactions sizzle with tension, and their journey from strangers to partners is both heartwarming and hilarious. As they navigate the complexities of their fake engagement, readers will find themselves rooting for this unlikely couple.

The small town of Green Oak, North Carolina, provides a charming backdrop for the story. Armas vividly paints the picturesque setting, making it feel like a character in itself. From cozy coffee shops to quirky townsfolk, every detail adds to the book's charm.

But "The Fiancé Dilemma" isn't just about romance. It's also about family secrets, newfound connections, and the courage to take second chances. Josie's relationship with her father evolves throughout the book, and the emotional depth adds layers to the narrative.

Armas' writing style is engaging and fluid. Her prose flows effortlessly, pulling readers into the story. The pacing keeps you turning the pages, eager to uncover the next twist or heartfelt moment.

Now let's talk about the swoon-worthy moments! Whether it's stolen kisses, late-night confessions, or unexpected acts of kindness, Armas knows how to make your heart flutter. The chemistry between Josie and Matthew leaps off the page, leaving you grinning like a love-struck teenager.

"The Fiancé Dilemma" is a delightful blend of romance, humour, and family dynamics. Armas has once again delivered a swoon-worthy read that will leave you believing in love, even when faced with dilemmas. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Fiancé Dilemma is the second story in The Long Game series by Elena Armas. While it is helpful to have some backstory on the characters in this quaint town, it’s not an absolute necessity to have read the first book (The Long Game).

Small town mayor, Josie, deserves her HEA after 4 (yes, that’s right - FOUR!) failed engagements. She may just be the real runaway bride of Green Oak, NC! This is a PR problem for famous, millionaire father. To save face, she ropes her brother’s best friend into faking a (fifth!) engagement. But faking a relationship becomes complicated when real feelings develop.

If you’re looking for a slow burn, heartwarming story with a cast of quirky characters, this is definitely the book for you! Such a fun and cute read. 💕

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I typically really enjoy Elena Armas books but this one just did not really hit the spot for me. The beginning was odd- I dont know why Josie feels she needs to handle the PR issue by pretending to be engaged. It felt like a forced plot in my opinion. I also had a hard time connecting to Josie's character. I also like a bit more of a slow burn. Overall, it was good, just not my favorite.

josie has major fucking issues and the plot makes 0 sense why do i keep reading books by this author???

Many thanks to Atria books via Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest, spoiler free review. All opinions are my own.

This book was utter non-stop chaos from page one right up to the end.

Josie is one of those people who try to get stubborn jewelry off using sheer manifestation and strawberry jam. She also is the voluntary mayor, and coffee shop owner in a small town in North Carolina.

Matthew is the travel-worn, rain soaked, hero who appears on Josie's doorstep and finds himself becoming Josie's accidental fiancé in a very public engagement.

The Netflix rom com writes itself.

Confusion and anarchy ensues. Tea cup pigs get involved. A grumpy grandpa (who's actually no one's real grandpa) named Maurice tries to keep nosy neighbors under control by hurling colorful insults.
The residents of Green Oak love Josie but no one can resist spilling tea and talking smack.

As entertaining and enjoyable as it was to read about Josie and Matthew, the real reason for this entire charade, Josie's estranged father Andrew, was the most lackluster character of life. For someone who is so charismatic and dynamic that Time magazine follows him around with a recorder and notepad, he barely participated in his own story.
He more than made up for it with his obnoxious PR manager Bobbi Shark, and I kind of wish they switched roles.

All in all though, if you're looking for a delightful summer slow burn, TFD has you covered!

This book had some of my fave tropes:
✅ Slowest burn
✅ Fake engagement
✅ Goat yoga
✅ A MMC who wears glasses
✅ Nosy small-towners
✅ A Runaway Bride FMC
✅ Tea cup pigs
✅ Grandpa Moe

The Fiancé Dilemma release date: July 30, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5

I now like blondes...I also might like him more than Lucas?! Gave me all the feels and and smiles. Elena and her damn slow burns will be the glorious death of me.