Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this digital advanced copy!

I didn’t love or hate this book. I found it pretty predictable and easy to read, much like the first in the series.

The FMC Josie was quirky but the “I’m not like other girls” personality felt a little forced at times. The main guy Matthew felt a little under developed. I felt we got the most personally from him at the very end of the book and wish we would’ve gotten more insights into what Josie saw in him.

I did appreciate the small town charms that came with the book and the call backs to the first book. I probably liked this one even more than The Long Game just because the characters were a little more likable.

I will most likely continue to read Elena’s books but they aren’t stand outs for me, though I know they are for other readers so take that with a grain of salt!

Josie Moore’s quiet small town life is upended when her estranged father announces her existence in a magazine. And then her four failed engagements are uncovered by social media. Josie needs to make this all go away. So when Matthew Flanagan, best friend to Josie’s sister, arrives in town, Josie has an idea - a fake fiancé.

Pros:
- Matthew (the MMC) is pretty much the perfect book boyfriend.
- Lots of chemistry between the MMC and the FMC
- The small town and side characters (especially Grandpa Moe) are so cute
- Pedro Pigscal is amazing (teacup pig)!
- We get to see the MMC and the FMC from the first book getting their happy ever after!
- The ending is nicely wrapped up.

Cons:
- The miscommunication running throughout the book really kicked me out of the story. I struggled through the first 60% but loved the last 40%.
- The set up of the story is a little flimsy and we never really learn why Josie got engaged to / left the first four guys (or much about them at all).

Overall - I hate that I don’t love this. I love Elena Armas’ other books. But this one wasn’t it for me. There was a lot of miscommunication that drove me insane in the first 60% of the book. The last 40% is rather good though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Elena Armas is back with this one! I loved Matthew Flannigan. The small town setting was just as cute and charming as it was in The Long Game, but Matthew really set this one apart from TLG. Josie was lovable and I truly, deeply appreciated the ending. Definitely one of my favorites of Ms Armas's!!

This was about 3.75 rounded up to 4.

I have to start by saying I am not a huge fan of fake dating. I can get behind it if the reason for it is valid. For me, this was a tough reason to get behind. So, it took my about 140pgs to get into this book, to the extent that I actually set it aside for a few weeks.

I’ve really enjoyed other Elena Armas books, so I knew I wanted to come back and finish this one and I’m so glad I did.

The connection between Matthew and Josie is so sweet. I think what could have bumped this up in rating for me would be if we had Matthew’s perspective throughout. While we did get it at the end, it was hard to understand why he was so immediately loyal to someone he didn’t really know. This was explained later, but I think having his perspective early on would have been really helpful for the reader.

Armas is still the queen of slow burn, swoon worthy romance and I will be back for more.

This book presents a blend of familiar romance tropes—fake engagement, second chances, and family drama—yet fails to leave a lasting impression. Despite the premise I did not feel much connection to story or to Josie or Matthew.

While the small-town setting and the close-knit community was charming, Despite the backdrop, Josie and Matthew’s relationship seems to lack the necessary spark, making their journey from a fake engagement to potential real love less engaging than anticipated. The narrative relies heavily on misunderstandings, which added some silliness but not quite romance.

In summary, the book is good but I did not continue to thinks about the book or characters after I finished. It offers a light read that checks the boxes of a typical romance. It’s enjoyable for those seeking a brief escape

This is the third book by Elena that I read and it was not my favorite. The characters were well developed and the plot of the story was great. I just personally did not enjoy the premise of the story. I felt like it did drag at some points and I did not like the “public” relationship of the story with the magazine.

I did enjoy the small town feel of the story and the pining that Matthew. I also loved how her reassured her that he cared about her.

Over all I would recommend this if you like the fake fiancé trope and where the man pines for the women. Otherwise I personally would pass.

A great romance for small town, fake engagement, sisters best friend and no 3rd act breakup! Her writing style is so unique and captures a beautiful romance

4 ⭐ || 2.5 🌶️
First and foremost, I was SO excited to be able to obtain an ARC of this book! This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was glad to be able to dive back into the town of Green Oak.

Josie Moore has a reputation for being the quirky town mayor, runaway bride, and recently discovered love child of famous soccer club owner, Andrew. When he announces his retirement, Josie's small-town life is suddenly thrown into the spotlight--along with her 4 previously failed weddings. When her sister's best friend shows up on her doorstep unannounced, they land themselves in a sticky PR stunt that leads to a fifth (fake) engagement.

I love the way that Elena Arms writes her men. I don't know what kind of magic she puts into her writing, but they are also so perfectly gruff, attentive, and utterly selfish (iykyk) 😏

Thank you, Net Galley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So I must start this review by prefacing that somehow Elena snuck the long game past me and I did not realize this book was in the same universe as that book. Had I known that, I wouldn’t have spent the first 20% confused about the familiarity with which the author spoke about other characters like Adalyn and Cam. That being said, once I realized my misstep (heh get it?), this book became utterly delightful!

Maybe I’m biased because I’m married to a Matthew, but I found the main male character SWOON WORTHY. We love a guy who is in tune with his emotions and doesn’t play games. I often find in fake dating tropes that the main characters act duplicitous with their real feelings but Matthew made sure Josie knew how he felt every step of the way.

Every bit of their love story felt pure and fated and lovely. Josie’s quirkiness was delicate and not overdone and Matthew’s protectiveness - and spiciness🔥 !!! - were the perfect foil.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character arcs were well done and I got the warm and fuzzies from start to finish.

*thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions herein are my own.*

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The Fiance Dilemma” by Elena Armas is her fourth book and the first one by her I’ve actually finished! I thought Elena Armas just wasn’t for me but the Fiance Dilemma changed my mind.

The slow burn is excellent and the characters are interesting enough to keep you enthralled throughout the long book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The FIANCE DILEMMA by Elena Armas.
The slow burn romance between Mathew and Josie is so good.
Mathew fell for Josie first and so hard. I love how supportive he is to Josie.
Josie's deserves all the love.

Unfortunately, I could not get through this. I had to DNF at 50%. I really wanted to enjoy this especially since I loved the Long Game. I did love seeing cameos from Cameron and Adalyn.

Matthew and Josie were compelling, and I loved returning to Green Oak. Josie’s story had heart, but I felt the end was a little rushed.

I donʻt think I'll ever get over Elena's writing! This was just so cute and fluffy. It really gave me the butterflies feeling that I felt reading The Spanish Love Deception!

This one didn't wow me, but to be fair I don't love the fake dating trope to begin with, not to mention I didn't realize this was the second book in a series. It had some funny rom-com moments, but I just didn't connect with any of the characters unfortunately.

first of all, THAT DEDICATION! i just knew i was going to love this one.
this book felt like a rom com, i’m so happy there wasn’t any third act breakup.
it definitely exceeded my expectations for this one, it had the vibe of 27 dresses but bridal style and i loved it! this slow burn was slow burning! and oh myyyy god with the spice!
he falls first and harder? amazing give me 14!

“Go on, Baby Blue. It’s me you’re running to”

our mmc… Matthew the freaking man that you are! he really is perfection! so honest and vulnerable, happy to help others, such a big hearted man. i do believe in love at first sight because from the moment i met him i fell in love. he’s a mix of a golden retriever and a husky! i totally didn’t expect that someone who looked so innocent could be so filthy mouthed, it caught me off guard but i love that for our Josie.

everyone should get someone who can name your smiles, iykyk.

“And Josie had always been Technicolor in my head. Not white.”

our fmc Josie is a resilient, independent and strong woman, who loves love and believes in magic, manifestations, fate, gut feelings and soulmates. she’s caring and loving to all people. she a hopeless romantic wants to be loved and i totally get that.

“beautiful things shouldn’t be boxed. It eventually dims their light.”

overall i loved the plot, the characters and the ending, i know it’s a slow burn but sometimes it did felt slow in some parts and i wished we got to see Josie with Matthew’s parents.
i was left indeed needing more.


Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity of receiving this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was hilarious! It may be controversial but i actually liked Bobbie, i think she could have a redemption. Matthew and Josie are such a sweet and cute couple. The side characters of this book/small town are so well developed and add a great amount of comedy to the book. I was pleased they didnt get married, happy endings dont need to include a marriage and baby, sometimes its finding your person and looking forward to the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

Elena Armas is one of my comfort authors and I've loved all of her previous books, so I was elated to get an advance copy of The Fiance DIlemma! This one had some of my favorite tropes- fake dating/engagement, small town romance, and slow burn. So why wasn't I obsessed with it??

One year ago, Josie Moore discovered who her biological father was after being raised by only her mother her whole life. The man (I would call him her Dad but she's in her 30's and he has been where...??) is a mega-famous public figure and is now trying to become a part of her life. She has a bit of baggage that's causing him some PR issues - she's been engaged four times but never married. It's giving Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride, right? People are saying she's never said the "I Do" part because of her daddy/abandonment issues. And maybe they're onto something??? Josie lives in a small town in North Carolina, runs a coffee shop, and acts as the town's mayor. Her life is very small compared to her father's, and the last thing she expects is his nightmare PR woman showing up on her doorstep trying to fix this whole mess.

SO here comes Matthew Flanagan, Josie's sister's best friend who happens to be in town for the summer after leaving his job in the big city. The day he gets into town also happens to be the day Josie meets this PR woman who is trying to take control of her life. What's Josie's quick fix to this situation? She tells the bad lady that she is happily engaged (for the fifth time) to Matthew and everyone can bugger off now. She doesn't expect this woman to try and spin this whole story into a dream wedding paid for by her loving Dad. And so what comes next is a few weeks of absolute chaos trying to plan a wedding with a man she doesn't really know, and fool everyone into thinking their relationship is real. What could go wrong??

---

Okay so my first red flag was when she and Matthew were discussing the fake engagement. He says no to the agreement not once but TWICE and he's not getting anything out of the agreement. That's not how the trope works!! They both have to be invested to make the fake dating work. And it just made Josie seem really desperate and I hated that! Like please just save yourself from your deadbeat dad honey and don't entrap this golden retriever of a man into helping you??!!!!

We also only heard from Josie's POV throughout the book. We desperately needed to hear from him to make this storyline more believable. All I am seeing is him rejecting her multiple times. It's just not giving the romcom vibes. I want this man obsessed and feral over her. Lastly, the reveal at the end with Matthew having loved her the whole time was just so out of the blue. It felt very insta-lovey to me and a bit cringey if I'm honest.

The worst thing in this book though was the weird relationship with her dad. He was awful and she was such a door mat people pleaser. Come on BABE this man hasn't been in your life for 3 decades and suddenly you're bending over backwards to meet his every need?? Blink twice if you need help!!!

Needless to say, this wasn't the book for me. Will I still read her next book? Absolutely. I love her and love her writing, but this one didn't hit the mark for me.

The Fiancé Dilema is book two of The Long Game series and I am in love! This story is fake dating with a twist of engagement of convenience. We follow Josie and Mathew this time as they entangle their lies and misinformation, with a sprinkle of a micro pig. For me, I loved this one far more than book one and that is saying a lot.

Not only did he fall first, but this book did not have a third act breakup which was so refreshing! I truly hope there will be a book three.

Elena Armas and fake relationship will always be the best combo
This was such a fun and lovely small town romance read. The characters were delighftul and easy to root for. The chemistry between our main characters was off the charts and really everything was great.