✨I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review✨

I found The Fiance Dilemma to be cute and charming, and it served as a nice follow-up to The Long Game, but it didn’t really work for me. Josie’s character, who has walked down the aisle four times but never actually married, had promise, but the story felt as chaotic and disorganized as she was. There were sweet and funny moments that I liked, but despite all the great tropes, it didn’t live up to its potential. I often felt like I was reading a few different stories because the story often jumped around mid chapter. Sometimes it felt like pages were missing with how often I felt lost. While Matthew was a charming guy, he couldn’t save this for me. I almost DNF’d a few times but still wanted to see how it all ended. While there were a lot of aspects I didn’t like; I still found some redeeming qualities and moments throughout the story. Seeing Cam and Adalyn and their BIG ANNOUNCEMENT was cute (even if predictable). The story was wrapped up in a sweet way with Josie and Matthew which was a nice ending.

I was a huge fan of Elena Armas' book, The Spanish Love Deception, so I was thrilled when I got the chance to advance read her newest release, The Fiancé Dilemma. I wanted to love it as much as I loved her previous books, but it just didn't land with me. I struggled to connect with the main character, Josie. I felt like she was a little over the top and some of her reactions and behaviors didn't sit right with me. I decided to DNF this book after struggling through the beginning. I would like to give it another try in the future, but right now it wasn't for me.

I do think someone looking to read a really silly main character who puts herself in some not so ideal (and funny) situations including fake dating could really love this book. Hopefully, Josie will have some major character growth before the end.

📚 Book: ⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Elena Armas and Atria Books for this gifted ARC.

Josie Moore has given love four chances chances. Four failed engagements.., When her father decides to announce his retirement with a splashy magazine piece and Josie learns that her romantic history isn’t great PR for the family, she jumps at the chance to offer a solution. Matthew Flanagan has he been fired from his job, but after taking a wrong turn on his way to Green Oak, North Carolina, his car is stuck. So, he grabs a duffel bag with his essentials and goes in search of a place to crash until he gets his life (and vehicle) back on track. But instead, he stumbles upon his best friend’s sister, Josie, greeting him as her fiancé. What starts as a big misunderstanding quickly turns into a fake engagement, with Matthew playing the role of the doting fiancé as he and Josie are swept into a PR whirlwind. Could her be "the One?"

I thought this book was really cute! Although I didn’t really care for The Long Game, this book completely made up for it and then some!

I loved all the tropes: fake engagement, he falls first, small town, slow burn. It was very nicely done in my opinion. EVEN IF THE MMC IS BLONDE!

My only gripe with this book is that the ending felt way too rushed. I would’ve liked to have read more.

After reading and loving "The Long Game" by Elena Armas, I was excited to read the second book in the series. I love a good fake dating / fake engagement story, whoever it has to be believable. And the reason for this fake dating did not feel realistic at all to me. If you are able to overlook that, the romance story was amazing, the slow burn was great, and Matthew was an amazing MMC.

This book is by my favorite of Elena Armas’ books. It was funny, sad and I felt the love and appreciation that each character had for each other all throughout. Not once did I cringe, that’s an amazing development. A little about this book itself, Josie is Adalyn’s (from the Long Game) half-sister and ever since discovering that little bit of info, her life has kind of changed. Especially since every media is coming for her father, she’s forced to drag Matthew into this fake engagement as a PR stunt. And my man my man my MAN agrees, as the story unfolded I just knew he was ALREADY obsessed with her and that is just the cherry on top!

This was such a cute book! I’m always excited for a fake relationship! Plus, we got to visit the small town that the first book took place. I love how Armas writes characters and how they grow throughout the book. This was a solid read and great addition to the series.

I have seen mixed reviews when it comes to Elena Armas books. I think it truly depends on how you’re reading them (audio versus text). I read this one via eBook download from the publisher/Netgalley and thoroughly enjoyed it!

This was a spicy slow burn. Runaway Bridge meets 27 Dresses meets The Proposal. A lot of overlapping tropes into its own mold, in the Armas fashion! This slow burn was like a single kindling holding on for dear life turned into a flaming forest fire near the end. Lots of intimacy, but it was great to see a fake engagement grew into love in a more natural way. I kept thinking, “they’re getting married. hands down.” I won’t give anything away but I thoroughly enjoyed how the ending unfolded.

Josie was a character I enjoyed in The Long Game, so it was nice to see her get her moment. I loved the primary couple from that book playing a big part in The Fiance Dilemma too!

Matthew was also referenced a bit in The Long Game, so I was glad to but a name to the face (as much as a reader can). A glasses-wearing blondie finds himself stuck in the mud one moment and engaged the next. He has a very go-with-the-flow attitude, which I liked a lot. He actually narrated the last chapters of the book. I would have liked the book more if it had split 50/50 POV between Josie and Matt.


Few little things I enjoyed in this book:
- The Claddogh ring! I had one of these when i was growing up and used to love its significance and how each position means something.
- Matthew not knowing who Josie was in the beginning. I thought maybe he had facial blindness/rosopagnosia. Just a funny thing.
- Matt’s nickname for Josie: “Baby Blue.” Swoon!

This small town with cute farm animals should be enough to keep me reading, but then you add in the seasonal fall “ber” months vibes… I am here for it!


I’ve read everything in Elena Armas’ canon. I can’t wait to see what she creates next. Spanish Love Deception #3 or Long Game #3 …?

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review :)

My first Elena Armas and it did not disappoint! I loved the premise and thought the cast of characters was so much fun. A solid romance, sort of fake dating with lots of laughs. Josie and Matthew were fun to watch as they went from pretty much strangers except for a group text they were both in, to two people learning to love. I will definitely be picking up more of Armas' books!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria for the gifted e-book. ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, fake engagement

I loved it. I think this is my favorite one by her so far. The couple is so good. It was sweet, funny, and I flew through it. Usually I like her books but they drag a bit. This is great!

I found myself not caring about any of the characters until well over halfway through the book. I struggled with everyone’s resistance to just telling the truth!

This is Elena’s best book so far! The Fiancé Dilemma had all the angst and chemistry I look for in a fake relationship romance. I adored Matthew’s and Josie’s characters. They both felt so lifelike and multifaceted- especially once I got closer to the end and learned more about them. When I say they had chemistry, I mean it!! I literally couldn’t handle all the tension between Josie and Matthew. I was kicking my legs and giggling at so many points. I would’ve liked a bit more backstory on Josie’s previous engagements, but I understand why previous love interests weren’t a focus. Overall, I loved The Fiancé Dilemma and think it’s a great choice for longstanding or brand new romance readers.

Thank you to Atria, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

Thank you so much to Atria and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

Book 1 in this series was a shocking favorite of last year. So I was excited to get more from this author and world! Sadly this sequel didn't hit the way the previous book did...

The beginning of this romance was ROUGH. I even considered DNF-ing multiple times because I was struggling to get on board with this heroine and romance.

My biggest issue was the way the heroine practically forced the hero into a situation he didn't want anything to do with, and then tried to play it off like he could have walked away at any point...

The lack of consent until he finally caved just left me feeling very uncomfortable. She pushes when he says no, she lies to get him to show up to public situations that essentially strong arm him into her plot, and overall just doesn't seem to respect his boundaries or reluctance...

And it's all brushed aside because the hero has been secretly pining for her...

My other issue is that in contrast to her "never take no for an answer" attitude for the hero, she was a complete and utter pushover with everyone else. To the point it got frustrating watching the MCs deal with the most ridiculous PR plots.

I love a pining hero, and this definitely delivered on that. But overall I just wasn't left loving this story or the romance.

3.5/5 The Spanish Love Deception has been and still is Elena Armas' best book...

This book had its ups and downs. To start with what I loved: the cinnamon roll MMC was easy to fall in love with, "The Runaway Bride" movie feels, great slow burn, really well written spice (as always with Elena Armas), good representation of a panic attack, Bobbi Sharks growth, the nickname the MMC gave the FMC, and my personal favorite thing about this book: no second act break up!! It was refreshing having a different issue then a break up due to bad communication in a romcom book.

Some things that could have used a little more developing: the FMC could have used a little more personality than quirky and abandonment issues - she fell a little flat sometimes. I was hoping for a little bit more of the town characters to be in the book (like doesn't she have friends other than her sister around), but thats personal nit picky things. And a little less of a cliche father, I get he had to be the big bad and he had massive flaws, but I hoped for a little more creativity with him than the common bad father who only cares about his own reputation.

Overall, this book was a good, fluffy read with cute pets, an easy to root for romance, and heart warming vibes, it just wont be in my personal favorites list.

Tropes: Fake Dating, Small Town, Slow Burn, Runaway Bride
Spice: 3/5 - has an open door scene written well in the end and a lot of slow burn teases leading up to it.
Trigger Warnings: Panic Attack, Death of a Parent, Abandonment, Grief

Thank you NetGalley, Elena Armas, and Atria Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Talk about cuteness overload.

"The Fiance Dilemma" is everything you'd expect from an Elena Armas book.

With swoon-worthy characters, small town vibes, unrequited love, he falls first, and fake dating, there is something for everyone. The book was at times humorous as well. I think a lot of people will relate to Josie and add Matthew to their book boyfriend list for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this gifted ARC. I enjoyed it.

I hated how her dad was and tried to control everything. I hated how wishy washy she was. Like girl come on it’s definitely a you problem and you had 4 engagements to figure out that you didn’t wanna be married. 🙄 and then of course the guy you want you don’t even wanna marry him! 😤

This was a super cute love story. I enjoyed it immensely! The characters were both witty and quirky and the way their story unfolded was both perfection and hilarious.

This book was so cute and wholesome!! I loved being back in Green Oak! This time with the essence of one of my favorite tropes (marriage of convenience) except this was an engagement! Matthew Flanagan! The sweet, caring and considerate man he is I absolutely loved how he loved Josie! Speaking of Josie… the main plot focusing on her not one, not two, not three but four failed engagements and the fifth time being the charm with Matthew was so fun to read and seeing her shine after so many losses! I laughed and I swooned and really enjoyed this one!

I love a small-town cozy romance, especially if it has fake dating! The Fiance Dilemma was a cute, fun time that I really enjoyed, and if you like Elena Armas's other book, you will enjoy it. I will say it wasn't my favorite of hers, but till a delightful time

This was a fun, cozy romance that we have come to expect from Elena Armas, but not my favorite book she has written. I feel the story dragged a bit in the second half, and that the MC's kept going back and forth about their feelings for each other, when a single conversation would have resolved the issues without detracting from the story. I also found the flip-flop from the dad and his assistant being the bad guys to be a bit shallow. Like, I'm not sure of any parent who would think it was okay to behave the way the FMCs dad behaved at his daughter's wedding, whether he thought it was a real engagement or not.