This is a blend of fake engagement, second chances, and the complications of newfound family. Josie Moore, after four failed engagements, finds herself faking a romance with Matthew Flanagan, her sister's best friend, to save her family's reputation. Matthew, recently fired and down on his luck, agrees to play along. The setup is charming, with Josie and Matthew navigating their small-town lives while pretending to be in love. As expected, the lines between reality and pretense blur, leading to unexpected emotions. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the humor and warmth make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. A perfect mix of heart and humor.

Josie finds herself in a difficult situation when her estranged father decides to include her in a PR campaign. . She has been engaged 4 times but doesn’t want that to be the focus of any publicity. Instead, she decides that it is better to be engaged again. . This time she talks her sisters best friend, Matthew into pretending to be her fiancé. The wedding plans start to get away from her as when her father’s assistant takes over the wedding planning and sets a date—-within a few weeks. Matthew doesn’t seem to mind but as the date gets closer and the two become closer, feelings start to blossom. Are Josie and Matthew ready to walk away from each other after this charade has ended?

Matthew and Josie had great chemistry and the story was really sweet. This is a perfect summer read —small town romance, fake dating and a dreamy love interest. I liked this a lot more than The Long Game, the first in the series. My favorite character from that book was Josie though so I am probably a little biased.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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I'll admit I was iffy going into this book. It took me a while to get hooked but I ended up really enjoying it. I loved Matthew's commitment to Josie and his continued small acts of love. I did think it was a bit long.

Overall, I enjoyed my reading experience with this book. There were a number of giggles and face palms throughout. Once I got over the initial shock of the absolutely ridiculous scenario that the entire plot is based on, I was able to sit back and enjoy the characters. That’s what this book was really about, the fake-dating turning into head-over-heals in love, where he most definitely falls first.
Josie and Matthew have previously met through messaging and video chat since he is her sister’s best friend. This is what makes things a wee bit more believable and they end up forming such a nice relationship. The development is natural and quite fun for the reader as the dialogue is rather witty at times. I adored both of the main characters and Bobbi added an interesting element to the story. I actually want to see her come back to town and maybe some romance for her??? When you read it you’ll know what I mean.
I recommend this book to anyone that has enjoyed any of the author’s previous books or anyone looking for a fun easy read with the tropes mentioned above.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

I was kindly given an ARC of this book by NetGalley. I DNF’d this book a few chapters in. I haven’t enjoyed a book of Armas’ since her debut. They feel rushed, her characters are annoying, and they’re just plain boring. I really tried to enjoy this but I couldn’t get behind it and have so many other books I know I would enjoy to waste my time on this book.

I’m a fan of Elena Armas’ books. “The Spanish Love Deception” is one of my favorites. I also enjoyed “The American Roommate Experiment” and “The Long Game”. That said, I really had a hard time with “The Fiance Dilemma”. The beginning, at least the first 30% is basically one side character, Bobbi, dictating everyone else’s actions and thoughts. The lack of Cameron and Adalyn in the first half of the book is hard as well. Matthew and Josie (the main couple) are both really likable characters so I stuck with it and the last 20% of the book was really good. I enjoyed the ending. Josie finally became her own person, and Matthew got to shine as an unrelenting, unwavering MMC. Even Adalyn and Cameron were present for that last part. Overall it is a cute book and a fun premise even though it falls flat at times.

This book includes:
Small town
Fake fiance
Slow burn

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced digital copy of this book.

2.5 Stars

I found this to be a bit confusing. The meet cute was not interesting to me and the chemistry was not there. I had trouble remembering everyone's names and how they related to each other. It all took me out of the story.

Oh this was so much fun!

Such a cute, fun, and light hearted rom-com. It was super entertaining from the big inning and I just loved the MMC so much. Talk about a Golden Retriver boyfriend / fake fiancé 🤭. It was adorable and I loved the small town vibes it had. Just so wholesome and fun.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC. I enjoyed it a lot & would definitely r recommend!

"The Fiancé Dilemma," Elena Armas's follow-up to "The Spanish Love Deception," is a delightful foray into the world of romantic comedy, blending humor, emotion, and a touch of drama.

The story follows Josie Moore, a spirited woman who finds herself in a precarious situation when she needs a fake fiancé to save face during a PR whirlwind caused by her famous father announcing his retirement. Josie has been engaged several times in the past and has earned a reputation as "the runner" (think Runaway Bride starring Julia Roberts). Enter Matthew Flanagan, a charming stranger who agrees to play the part. Their pretend engagement, filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry, gradually evolves into something more complicated and real, captivating readers with its blend of romantic tension and genuine warmth.

Armas excels in character development, making Josie and Matthew's journey both relatable and engaging. Josie’s vulnerability and strength shine through as she navigates familial expectations and her own desires, while Matthew's growing affection for Rosie add depth to his character. Their dynamic is electric, with every interaction brimming with unspoken feelings and subtle shifts in their relationship. Supporting characters, from quirky family members to loyal friends, enrich the narrative, providing both comic relief and poignant moments that enhance the central love story.

"The Fiancé Dilemma" is more than just a romance; it’s a story about self-discovery, facing fears, and the complexities of human relationships. Armas weaves a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, ensuring readers are invested from start to finish. With its perfect blend of humor, heartache, and hope, "The Fiancé Dilemma" stands out as a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

This is a cute small town romance. I love Josie and I was looking forward to her story after listening to The Long Game. When Josie’s sister’s best friend, Matthew, shows up in town, they are quickly thrown into a fake engagement. The banter between them was super cute, and I loved the way everything in their relationship came together. They are both funny characters and I found my self smiling throughout.
When I saw that Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber were narrating, I knew I had to pair my reading with the audiobook. Brittany narrates the majority of it. They’re both two of my faves and I loved listening!
Read/Listen if you like ⇣
💜Sister’s best friend
🌸Small town
💜Slow burn
🌸Fake engagement
💜Single POV (mostly)
🌸Spice

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and Elena Armas for this ARC! This book pleasantly surprised me! I liked The Long Game, but I liked this book so much more! Series just always get me. You have time to build your love for the small town and all the characters in it. It was wonderful! I was afraid the story would drag a bit because it is a longer romance book, but the second half went by so fast!

Both of the characters were so sweet and just genuinely cared about each other from the start. They both had tough things they were dealing with but had great character development through the story. I think that Matthew was such a sweetie pie and you could just tell he was down bad for most of the book. I love it when the guy falls first! Hahahaa. I was obsessed with how he would just be 100% honest and just say what was on his mind and how he felt. It was up to Josie what she wanted to do with that information. Thank God there was no miscommunication.

Also, I was really craving a slow burn romance and this was just what I needed. I wanted to read something with some tension and build-up. This was perfect for that! This was definitely a hit for me and I will be sat waiting for Elena Armas’ next book 💗

I love the town of Green Oak and I loved Josie and Matthew’s romance!!

Josie is Green Oak’s town mayor and she has quite the history of being a runaway bride (4 times). In a wild turn of events, Josie’s famous father (who just recently announced himself to Josie) announces his retirement and Josie’s image as a runner doesn’t look so good. A PR agent is brought in and fake engagement is fabricated between Josie and Matthew, our MMC who is so dreamy (glasses, muscles and a belief in true love)!

The small town of Green Oak and its residents had me laughing out loud, baby pigs, roosters, town gossipers and all.

Fake engagement
Small town
He falls first

well yes i fear i did eat this right up! after loving the long game, i was SO excited for the fiancé dilemma, and girrrrrrl elena armas did not disappoint. this was such a cute fake dating, he falls first, small town romance and i loved everything about it. matthew flanagan is everything actually! i thought i was down bad for cam but matthew just took the gold medal. seriously. and i loved that we saw josie face a lot of anxiety and worries and push through the labels placed on her in order to find peace and happiness. she deserves it. i really enjoyed getting little glimpses of the vasquez family again (especially my baby maría) and just the town of green oak in general. i literally don’t care what anyone says, this book was 🌟😊🧚‍♀️🩷🌞

4 ⭐️

Advanced reading copy courtesy of NetGalley 🥰

I truly did love this book, I practically devoured it. It checked a lot of my boxes; heart, wit, banter and a slowburn.

Runaway Bride part 2 anyone? Josie finds herself in a PR disaster when her estranged father’s assistant shows up while she’s in her robe, face mask and an engagement ring covered in jam. The kicker? She’s not engaged anymore. Josie has never made it down the aisle despite being engaged 4 times. When her father’s bossy assistant surveys the scene she instantly hones in on the ring, asking who the lucky man is that is going to save them from the public relations nightmares. Lucky for Josie, her sister’s best friend happens to stumble by. Josie not so suavely convinces Mathew to be her groom-to-be. Only problem? They’ve never actually met.

Synopsis aside, I haven’t been this down bad for a blonde man in a WHILE. Matthew is not only kind but fiercely protective, with a dirty mouth. The BANTER was so so good. The way this man talked about soulmates and love, I was ready to walk down the aisle.

Tropes: fake engagement, he fell first, sister’s best friend

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas truly hit all the right notes for me! Josie and Matthew had such great chemistry and I loved all their interactions. Fake engagement is a fun trope and Elena does it justice here. Josie was a bit of a quirky character so I did have a harder time warming up to her. There was nothing about Matthew to dislike. Just a great character. I loved reading his POVs. Another great job by Elena! Can’t wait for her next book.

I love Josie and Mathew so much 😭😭

I love a slow burn but this one was like a slow burn that was BURNING. I love that their relationship was so sweet to progress but still had some intimate moments. Gosh Mathew. The glasses. The touching. The number of times he called Josie his fiance with so much possession. 😭 I love it so much.

I loved the bits of Cam and Adaline too.

The whole time I really wanted to yell through the book at Bobbi🙄 god that woman angered me.

Overall could not have loved this story more.

🫶🏼🫶🏼

I adored The Spanish Love Inquisition by Elena Armas. So I was very excited to get this ARC! Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.

I struggled to get into it. I don't love books that have a lot of dialogue, which was the case here.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

If you are a fan of the Julia Robert’s movie ‘Runway Bride’ then you’ll enjoy this story. It follows Josie who is the mayor of her small-town, has an estranged father, recently discovered she had a long lost half sister and has had multiple failed engagements.

As she tries to start an odd relationship with her father, things turn to the worse when she tells his PR that she’s engaged again with lucky number 5. Queue in her sister’s best friend Matthew, who was in the right place at the most awkward time.

Matthew is probably the star of the book, definitely your next book boyfriend. He will do anything to help Josie out of the mess she’s gotten herself into. Josie is just a hot mess through out most of the book, she does have moment where you want to tell her to chill the heck out.

Overall, it was definitely a cute rom-com to add to your read list if you love a slow burn/faking dating trope. However, I recommend to read the first book in the series to get the whole picture of all characters in this story.

- Small-town
- Slow Burn
- Runaway Bride
- Fake Fiance
- Sister’s Best Friend
- He Falls First
- Golden Retriever MMC
- Slow Burn
- Adorable Nicknames
- Swoony
- Family Drama
- Single POV

I loved the first book in this series so I was really excited for Matthew and Josie's book.

THE FIANCÉE DILEMMA is a very slow burn, sister's best friend, small town, fake relationship book. I loved Matthew's character, but Josie was hard for me. She is very much a doormat who stays a doormat the entire book.

Matthew's character is directly responsible for everything good in this read. All of the other characters are a bit one dimensional, including the 2 characters I adored from the previous book.

And while I understand that books can be inspired by other well-known media, THE FIANCÉE DILEMMA was way too close to the film Runaway Bride. Just replace eggs with wedding venues. IYKYK.

Having said that, the chemistry between these characters was as hot as the eventual steamy scenes and Matthew is a book boyfriend you will absolutely adore.

SPICE LEVEL: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: past parent affair, death of parent
FEELS: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.

A very cute book, quick read and definitely a book that made me want to cheer for a happy ending. Love, fake love and family drama pull you in from the beginning.