I was a big fan of The Spanish Love Deception and The American Roommate Experiment. The last two books fell a little flat for me. I did enjoy this one more then The Long Game but the story was all over the place. Josie and Matthew could have been great if there was a little more depth there. Honestly if it was dual pov and we could understand Matthew’s perspective earlier I might of loved it more. It was still an enjoyable read.

Where do I even start?? First of all, I LOVED the Spanish Love Deception, but was wary after reading The American Roommate Experiment because I didn't love it quite as much. But man oh man, did Elena pull out ALL the stops for this one!

Matthew Flanagan may be on of my favorite MMCs of all time. Give me a broody but emotionally intelligent simp all day every day. And while I had a harder time connecting with Josie, the storyline needed a little bit of *emotional damage* to really move it along. But the thing about it is, I love a plot that is going to give the "help me help myself" moment that ACTUALLY gives the healing that is needed to help the character grow. And lord help me, the spice. Sir, please come running to my rescue ANY day of the week.

This is what I call a "jalapeño margarita" book - the best balance of sweet and spicy, easily drinkable, something you're going to want to keep coming back to and will get you absolutely smashed if you're hoping for that!

This author cannot write a bad book!! I absolutely adored following the side characters from The Long Game in their own novel. It has to be in my top 3 favourite books written by Elena to date. Everything about this book was incredible, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these characters grow into these beautifully written and authentic people.

Thank you for this arc! It was a fun read. It was a little cheesy for ME but 3 stars. I would definitely recommend this to a friend though I do wish I read the first book before this one. I think it would of changed a bit for me

Elena Armas is a fantastic romantic comedy author, and this book is no exception! "The Fiance Dilemma" is the second book in her "The Long Game" series. It's been a while since I read that book, so it took me a minute to catch up on these characters again. However, I quickly fell in love with these characters and was rooting for them. The main female character, Josie, has become a national laughingstock as a result of leaving her grooms at the altar several times now. However, throw in her issues with a long-absent father and a fake engagement with her sister's best friend, and just maybe her luck is starting to change. Matthew, the main male character, is the perfect sarcastic yet sweet counterpart to Josie's disfunction, and he is exactly what she needs. Will this fake engagement end in a real trip down the aisle? Check out this book to find out!

I couldn't help but want the best for these characters and hope they got their happy ending. This was a fun read, and will be a delight for rom-com fans everywhere. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a cute romance with more than a passing nod to the old Julia Roberts/Richard Gere romcom, Runaway Bride.

Josie, mayor of a small town in North Carolina and owner of a coffee shop was raised by a single mother who died much too young. She never knew who her father was until after her mother died. It turns out, he is a household name and very wealthy. Once the press finds out, her past, including her bolting from 4 engagements, reflect poorly on the father she never knew.

Watching the fake relationship turn into something real and her relationship with her father become warmer is part of the book’s appeal. I did have problems with understanding Josie’s behavior. However, the romance is sweet and sexy and the small town where she lives is filled with amusing characters, so this novel is a diverting escape.

Let me first begin by saying that Elena’s book The Spanish Love Deception was one of the very first romance books I read and played a part in me becoming obsessed with the genre, which I will forever be grateful for. Unfortunately I have not connected to the books she has released following her debut, and The Fiancé Dilemma is just another one to add to that list. I think there was potential, but the story line seemed weak and for a book so long, not much happened in the long run. I was not blown away by either character but I did enjoy Matthew more than Josie. I wish Josie’s daddy issues were explored more rather than just painting her has the runaway bride 4 times over. The way the fake engagement came about was odd and didn’t get much better. I despised Bobbi to the point where I had to skim through every scene she was in (which was a lot). Andrew was no better. It seemed like Cam and Adalyn were barely in it which was disappointing because I did enjoy The Long Game.

Some random other random tidbits- the heroine in her follow up to TSLD was named Rosie, while this novel (follow up to TLG) was named Josie? I am not sure if we were supposed to be pronouncing it ‘Joe-C’, but where I am from Rosie and Josie rhyme. It seemed odd to have a characters name be SO close to another’s, both being second in a series. Also- as someone from Boston, I kind of cringed whenever Matthew’s “boston-ness” was played up. Additionally the title of this book should have been The Fiancé Farce and I will die on that hill. What dilemma even was there?

I do think there will be people out there who will love this! I would recommend to anyone if I think they may vibe with it.

ARC was provided by Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Atria, Netgalley, and Elena!

ARC provided by NetGalley 💚

If you were a big fan of the Spanish Love Deception, then I think you’ll really enjoy this! If you read the Long Game, you’ve already met the FMC of this one! Josie is a 4 time runaway bride. After finding out her father is a big name, a PR manager comes to do damage control. When Josie decides to pretend to be engaged again, Matthew and the whole small town gets roped in.

Matthew is a great hero! He’s obsessed with her but in the quietest ways. I really liked not having his POV for the majority of the book. It was another slow burner but Matthew made the story!

The Fiancée Dilemma might just be Elena De Armas best book yet. This fake fiancée best friend’s sister had me kicking my feet and giggling.

Matthew and Josie just make sense together and I found myself wanting a Matthew of my own. Glass and doesn’t take himself seriously? I’ll take one.

Returning to the Long Game universe was a treat, particularly as supporting characters Josie—Adalyn’s stepsister—and Matthew—Adalyn’s writer bestie—were given the spotlight in their own book, offering a deeper exploration of their romance.

Admittedly, this sequel isn't flawless. We're left wanting more insight into Josie's past and her tendency to flee commitments, and I wished for a glimpse into Matthew's perspective earlier in the story. Matthew, who charmed us in Long Game, remains supportive and endearing, with his quirky crush on Cameron reminiscent of a lovable Roy Kent. It would have been enriching to delve into his thoughts, understanding what makes him such an enchanting book boyfriend. Nevertheless, his caring nature and unwavering charm are evident from the start, never failing to captivate readers.

Josie, the sweet girl-next-door with her small-town allure, already had us smitten with her kindness and resilience. She may be a touch naive, but her strength shines through as she navigates life's challenges.

Both main characters captured my heart, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the appearances of Grandpa Mo/Maurice, a standout supporting character whose presence added depth to the story.

Another highlight was the undeniable chemistry between Josie and Matthew, igniting each page with passion and intensity.

Recalling the events of the first book, Josie's world is turned upside down upon discovering the identity of her father, Andrew, a wealthy sports mogul secretly supporting their small North Carolina town for years. The story kicks off with Josie struggling to remove her old engagement ring, resulting in a comical mishap involving strawberry jam and a visit from Bobbi Shark, a PR executive aiming to salvage her father's reputation by arranging Josie's fifth engagement.

Enter Matthew, covered in mud after getting his car stuck in her garden. Unaware of Josie's identity, he finds himself unwittingly thrust into the role of her fiancé. Despite having only interacted through Zoom calls and messages, Matthew agrees to play along, propelled by his innate kindness and shock from his car ordeal.

As Bobbi pushes for a rushed wedding to quell the PR storm, Josie and Matthew find themselves entangled in a web of lies, with the entire town rooting for their happiness. Amidst the chaos, two nosy podcasters delve into Josie's past relationships, while Andrew's unexpected involvement further complicates matters.

Caught in the whirlwind, Josie and Matthew's chemistry deepens, blurring the line between pretense and reality. Josie grapples with her growing feelings, fearing rejection or abandonment, while Matthew faces the looming deadline of his departure from town. Will they succumb to their feelings, or will Josie's fear of commitment drive her to flee once more?

Despite my minor qualms, I'm inclined to round up my rating to a solid 5 stars. The undeniable chemistry between Josie and Matthew, coupled with Armas' captivating storytelling, makes this a standout romance novel. Plus, the dynamic between Josie and Matthew surpasses that of Adalyn and Cameron, in my opinion.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with the opportunity to review this highly anticipated romance novel.

The Fiancé Dilemma explores the story of Josie, a beloved figure in Green Oak, North Carolina, facing the fallout of her multiple broken engagements. When her father's high-profile identity sparks unwanted attention, Josie orchestrates a fake engagement to her sister's best friend, Matthew, hoping to quell the ensuing public relations disaster.

As Josie and Matthew navigate their faux relationship, they confront her personal insecurities and moments of both humor and tenderness. While the characters could benefit from further depth, the book offers an engaging portrayal of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of authenticity.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for granting me early access to this anticipated book.

I have not read The Long Game, which is the first book in this series. I have read Elena Armas’s other books but somehow missed the publication of that one! The Fiancé Dilemma can definitely be read as a standalone, but it was obvious to me from the first chapter or two that there was another book about someone named Adalyn that introduced this book’s main characters and setting. I read romances out of order pretty often so this didn’t bother me, but others may want to read The Long Game first. I’ll be adding it to my TBR because this book piqued my interest.

Personally, “fake engagement” is a pretty blah trope for me. I generally won’t pick up a fake engagement book unless it’s by an author I already know I enjoy and/or if the book is part of a series with other books I’m interested in. A trope I’m lukewarm about can still be turned into a great book in the right author’s hands. Since I’ve liked Ms. Armas’s other books I decided to give this one a try. I think this book would have made a lot more sense as a marriage of convenience. The premise is that the heroine has broken 4 engagements and it’s causing bad PR for her family. She gets fake engaged and repeatedly insists they don’t actually have to go through with the wedding and can break up once the gossip dies down. It just made no sense to me that a fifth broken engagement would solve anyone’s problems. It felt like this trope was chosen because it’s a fan favorite and not because it actually made sense with the story.

I also struggle with heroines who have what I’d call “nervous energy” and are prone to saying every thought that pops into their head. It makes for a great rom-com but I get way too much secondhand embarrassment. I did not like the heroine at all at the beginning and frankly sympathized with the hero for having to put up with her. I liked the heroine more by the end of the book and the relationship became more believable as things progressed. I liked hero Matthew from the start. As he began to show his feelings for Josie, her character improved.

I have enjoyed Ms. Armas’s other books and despite not checking my boxes for preferred trope and character traits, I was entertained by this one too.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC so I could write this review.

After reading <i>The Long Game</i>, I was really excited for Josie and Matthew's book. This book did not disappoint and was even better than I expected. I loved returning to the small town of Green Oak, North Carolina and get this twist on <i>Runaway Bride</i>, featuring Adalyn's sister, Josie, and Adalyn's best friend, Matthew. I also really love a good fake dating or fake engagement book and I think Elena Armas did so well with this trope. In the first several chapters, I sorely wished for Matthew's POV along with Josie's, but I'm glad I trusted the author because it was so worth it. Matthew is seriously a top tier book boyfriend; he's incredibly sweet, supportive, and sexy. The way he gets that SOS text from Josie because she needs him, and he literally runs across town half naked to be there for her? Oh, my goodness. Also, the wedding dress shopping scene? I'm not lying when I say I don't think any scene in any other book could top this one for me. I'm STILL thinking about this and I know I will be for a really long time. I also loved the small town and all of its side characters and you really feel immersed in the setting. I loved Josie's journey of self-realization and how Matthew supported her every step of the way. It was so clear just how connected they were, despite being very different people. I also think that this was Elena's most hot and horny book and I truly appreciated that. She kept us fed and happy with this one! I'm so obesessed with this book and I cannot wait for others to read it because it's just so good!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Elena Armas for an eARC of this amazing book.

So around Ch 9, I felt myself hoping we would get Matthew’s POV soon. I was wondering why he’s agreed to this. Then as we kept going, I found myself wanting it more and more. “What is Matthew thinking?” “What’s happening?” I felt like we were only getting Josie’s experience and the girl was all over the place. It was very chaotic.

That being said.. I’m kicking myself for not trusting Elena.

What we have in this book is a fake engagement between Josie and her sister’s best friend Matthew. But what starts out as fake, with rules and boundaries and the like very quickly starts to feel not so fake. There is a very slow burn (which is Elena’s style) but it only makes for delicious, simmering, toe curling tension. By the time we get Matthew’s POV, the reader feels breathless with anticipation. And it was WORTH. THE. WAIT. Matthew ended up being completely swoonworthy. The story was full of twists and turns, interesting side characters. I really enjoyed getting a lot of background information through the podcast format.

Elena has definitely become an auto-buy author for me. Job well done. 5 stars.

WOW! I absolutely loved this book! I am convinced that Elena Armas just keeps getting better and better and I truly cannot wait for her next book (whenever that is - no pressure!)

This series has been my favorite one of hers, and this book did not disappoint! The world she has built is amazing and I feel like we get relatable, fleshed-out characters who show growth while also staying true to themselves.

I will say, at first I was disappointed we weren't getting a dual POV book like the Long Game, but then at the end, the pay off was INCREDIBLE and I can't wait to purchase this when it is released!

If you're a fan of Elena Armas's other books, you are sure to like The Fiance Dilemma, which is a cute, chaotic fake engagement romp.

Wow! Might be by favorite Elena Armas to date. Matthew is honestly my favorite book boyfriend I’ve ever read, I loved reading about Josie and Matthew in the Long Game and was so excited when I learned they were getting their own love story. I loved this book so much and the slow burn and the chemistry between Matthew and Josie was impeccable. Also, I loved how much we saw Cam and Adalyn throughout this book, A top read of 2024 for me.

₊ ⊹”because i only ever wanted you, josie.”₊ ⊹

*:･ﾟmy thoughts┊well, i was a little distracted with this one. it wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t for me, sadly.

i thought the writing in the previous book had been a good improvement, and i was excited to see it (hopefully) progress with this one. however, this one felt like a backslide writing wise. very reminiscent of ‘the american roommate experience’ which wasn’t a favorite of mine, either. it just felt really underdeveloped and filled with questionable humor.

i sort of liked josie’s character in the first book, but i honestly didn’t see her as being worthy of her own book. and then i found out matthew was her love interest, and it just felt like a really weird pairing to me, ngl. they did have a lot of cute moments, but i didn’t really buy into the romance i guess.

i’m personally not a fan of the fake engagement trope, i think. fake dating is fine, but i feel like a whole ass engagement and wedding planning is a little too far. it’s hard for me to imagine a scenario in which that’s not an insane thing to fake, and this book definitely didn’t hit that. there was really no reason for that, especially when you could just tell it wasn’t going to actually happen? like it was kind of crazy to me that they made it all the way to the rehearsal dinner before stopping it lmao i feel like at the very least they should have told adalyn.

i just wasn’t a fan of how josie presented it to matthew, and thought it was weird that matthew agreed. we didn’t get his perspective in this book, which i think could’ve helped, but it was just odd to me how quickly he seemed to love josie. then he claims he’s felt that way since they first started “talking,” which i use lightly because josie mentions in the beginning how they never texted outside of a groupchat. so that just felt… really unbelievable to me

overall, i was pretty sad with this book. i really enjoyed ‘the long game’ and was hoping this would follow in its footsteps. unfortunately, it was a bit of a miss for me, but i do think this book encompasses a lot that other people will really enjoy. ultimately it just wasn’t for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, this book made me so happy. I adored Josie, Matthew and their journey. Yes, this was a fake dating romance. Yes, sister’s best friend to lovers. Yes, runaway bride. Yes, absentee father. But … it was so much more. It was about love, growth, acceptance, and hope. This book really is something special.

Josie is the mayor of Green Oak and Adalyn’s sister (who we met in The Long Game. No need to read that one first, but I highly recommend doing so.) She has been engaged four times, and now her rich father has caused some … drama. People know about Josie and her past now. So, enter fake dating scheme.

Matthew is Adalyn’s best friend and needed a change in his life. After some shenanigans, he is now Josie’s fifth fiancé.

These two were such an amazing couple to get to know, root for, and hope for a happily ever after. Josie is kind, thoughtful, and outstanding member of her community, but is lonely. Matthew is dealing with <stuff I won’t mention but is hinted at in The Long Game>. The more Matthew is on the page, the more I liked him. Green flag energy. He is smart, caring, and puts Josie and her feelings first.

The secondary characters in this one were a laugh riot. Grandpa Moe was ridiculous and fun. Bobbi … literal shark. Plus, we got to catch up with characters we already know. And … Maria has a new pet. Super adorable.

If you want a book that will leave you feeling hopeful, this is the one for you. Solid five stars.

Elena Armas never misses! The Fiance Dilemma is further proof of that! She has written hit after hit after hit.