I usually love any book that Elena Armas writes, but this one put me into a bit of a reading slump. The beginning was super slow and the book only starts to pick up around halfway through the book. I ended up skim reading a lot of it and didn't feel like I missed much. The only part of the book that had me giggling and kicking my feet was whenever Matthew would call Josie "baby blues". It was so cute and heart-warming. I wish the rest of the book would have made me feel that way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

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

This book was a letdown. I had high hopes since being a fan of other Elena Armas books but this one fell so flat for me.

It started off so chaotic with so much going on with little explanation or depth. I wanted to like Josie but despite trying to play her off as this strong, independent woman, she didn't show much backbone with her dad and his whole related PR disaster. Matthew and his feelings also seemed to go from 0 to 100 with little to no explanation. That was hard for me to buy into as well. Also, four prior failed engagements felt like way too many and unrealistic. Overall, Josie just felt very unrelatable and the story felt rushed, a bit too unorganized, and not fully thought out. This book definitely will make me hesitant to read more Elana Armas books in the future.

”This girl runs on men. On grooms. Her fiancés. She gets engaged and abandons the dudes AT THE ALTAR. On their wedding day.”

Josie has been engaged four times. And she’s left one man after another at the altar, four times. People call her a “serial runner,” and the number of people gossiping about her has grown exponentially, thanks to her newly-discovered celebrity father and the paparazzi surrounding him. Josie decides that the only way to get the tabloids off her back is to get engaged again—and to actually follow through on the wedding this time. Enter Matthew, her sister’s best friend, who is too nice to say no, and agrees to become Josie’s groom of convenience. What could go wrong?

”Perhaps to love was to leave a mark. And perhaps I no longer wanted to run from that.”

I loved the chemistry between Josie and Matthew, and the small town vibes of this story, but the plot itself and the book’s pacing didn’t really work for me. There was a lot that didn’t make sense or that felt rushed; I really had to suspend disbelief to accept everything that was happening. I think if I was reading this immediately after finishing The Long Game, back to back, I would have appreciated it more, because so much of Josie & Matthew’s character development and backstories happen in that book instead. I was playing catch-up for a while, trying to remember their personalities, because the author doesn’t really delve into that in this book.

I love Elena Armas and have really enjoyed past books of hers, so this feels like an it’s-not-you-it’s-me issue. Rounding up to 3 stars because of how much I wanted to like this.

——

A huge thank you to Elena Armas, Atria, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I don't know; I just don't think this one was for me. I genuinely enjoyed the chemistry between the leads in The Long Game, and rooted for them. But I had very little connection to these characters.
This book had a slow start -- so slow that I struggled to get through the first 1/3 or so, but then enjoyed it a bit once things started picking up. And before you say, "slow burn," it was more than that -- the plot conflict just wasn't there?
As a person who is fairly neurotic, I don't usually mind a character's inner monologue. But I just didn't feel like I liked Josie. The character did not feel fully formed; compared to the MMC, Matthew, I wanted more. The chemistry also just wasn't there in any other areas except the spicy scenes.
But there were certain parts of the book I did truly enjoy, including the side characters. I love Grandpa Moe. And the reveal of WHY Matthew was so connected to her was lovely.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As a follow up to The Long Game (I recommend reading it first to better understand the family dynamics that are central to this story), we get to see Josie and her sister’s best friend Matthew enter into a fake engagement. It’s funny and heartfelt. I enjoyed this book very much. I was a bit let down by the end as it felt rushed, but I definitely recommend it for fans of Elena Armas’s other books!

The Fiance Dilemma is the second book in the Long Game series by Elena Armas. It follows Josie who is Madeline's sister from the first book and her best friend Matthew. Josie had no idea who her famous father, and all of a sudden all of her past has been brought up in the media. Including being engaged not once, but 4 times. When Matthew arrives at her house asking for help, Josie introduces him as her fake fiance.
While you don't need to read The Long Game to understand this book, I feel like you would be missing out if you didn't. I loved the movie Runaway Bride and this is definitely on the same lines (it's even mentioned in the book). Elena Armas never fails to deliver an enjoyable rom com so give this one a read!
Thank you to Atria, Elena Armas and NetGalley for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book publishes July 30, 2024

I’ll be honest Elena Armas is an author I like but have never loved, but I thought what the heck who doesn’t love a fake engagement, sisters best friend story? I was so right because I flew through this book and Matthew might have just entered the top book boyfriends group. All the pet names he gives (especially baby blue😍), he knows the difference between all her smiles, runs with the idea of her love of wildflowers and that catering taste test scene now lives rent free in my head thanks to him! She also needs someone that makes her happy, takes care of her, has that soulmate compatibility and just gets her and they are just that for each other. To make it all better the small town vibes, Adalyn being back in the picture and being such a big role in their love story and no third act break up! This is definitely one you should put on your TBR and although it’s not necessary I suggest reading The Long Game first! Thank you to Atria books and Netgallery for the eARC of this book, it comes out this Tuesday 7/30

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
432 pages
Releasing July 30th, 2024

Josie hasn’t had just one failed engagements-she’s has 4…. She recently learns of her famous father & her life & her failed engagements become a PR nightmare. Matthew, Josie’s newfound sister’s bestfriend, arrives in Josie’s hometown & is instantly in need of help. He happens to stumble upon Josie’s house & as soon as he arrives, she’s announcing him as her fake fiancé… Oh what unfolds from here..

The Fiancé Dilemma is the second book in the Long Game series (not necessarily a prerequisite to read before, but characters from The Long Game are in this book). I love learning about Matthew & Josie who are present in The Long Game & to follow alongside their story & their fake engagement drama 🤪

Elena did an amazing job with the slow burn! The forced proximity of Matthew and Josie was AMAZING. Not too spicy compared to her other books. Overall, the romance in this book was well done. Matthew may just be one of my new fav book boyfriends! 🤪

Read if you like:
✨Small town romance
✨Fake fiancé
✨Second chance
✨Sister’s best friend
✨Slow burn


#elenaarmas #thefiancédillema #newreleases #romancetrope #smalltownromance #secondchance #sister’sbestfriend #slowburn

I LOVED the long game, so I was very excited for this one. However, I just couldn't get into it. Our FMC is letting everyone else dictate her life and just doing whatever she can to please others the whole book. Our MMC was impossible to understand because we didn't get his pov except the last chapter. I didn't understand why he was going along with the fake dating and it felt very forced.

This book was a little slow at the beginning, so it took some effort to really get into it. I ended up loving the characters, though. It was a little unbelievable at times, but it was a fun romance that made me want to finish Josie & Matthew’s story. ❤️

The Fiance Dilemma is book two in the phenomenal Long Game Series by Elena Armas.
This was the perfect romance that I needed!! I loved the characters, and the storyline was so fun and charming. Elena is one of my must-read authors!
This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty.
A humorous fake engagement, second chances romance story that was utterly delightful.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Elena Armas’ Spanish Love Deception got me back into reading rom-coms, so she is one I will always read! The Fiancé Dilemma is my least favorite of her romances, but I can see how this will be a hit for fans of the genre.

I really liked this book and its premise; I love me a fake engagement. It was super cute and fun and had some spice. Slow burn. I love the small town and the town folks.

Matthew is such a swoony MMC, and I am here for it!! Josie is a bit chaotic and hilarious. Grandpa Moe is such a fun side character!!

Thank you, NetGalley, for my eARC.

NetGalley ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would recommend the Fiancé Dilemma to anyone who loves:
- a small town full of characters 🐐
- a big-hearted and intelligent fmc 💅🏼
- a silly, sweet mmc with glasses 🤓
- great banter
- fake engagement
- navigating imperfect families
- finding a partner who knows you on a level you didn't think was possible 🥹

If you've read Elena's other work, this is similar with the mmc, Matt, being down so bad for the heroine, Josie. Matt always knew the perfect thing to say when Josie was encountering mishap after mishap 😅 He understood her in a way no one had before 🫶🏻

I loved that Josie was a local business owner, the town mayor, pseudo-granddaughter of Grandpa Moe, and hilarious to boot. Kind to a fault, Josie spends this book people pleasing until she breaks and Matt helps her find her way out of that cycle.

I could easily see this storyline being great for a romcom movie as almost all situations had a humorous element, but I also spent a lot of the story dreading the next crisis to be encountered 😅 It made the pacing feel a little slow, even given the story's tight timeline.

The tight timeline also contributed to the feeling of instant-love. I normally try not to dwell on this as it's expected (even welcomed) in romance books, but Matt was a such hard no on the fake engagement at first, and then he does the wildest 360 and he's all in on the scheme and on Josie.

I feel like we don't get insight into Matt's line of thinking until a bit too late in the story and his unwavering devotion and loyalty feels too strong after being so against the fake engagement idea.

That being said, the couple's happy ending was well worth reading for and I enjoyed the story overall 😊🫶🏻🌼 Definitely add to your TBR (and catch up with Adalyn and Cameron from The Long Game too)!

I love Elena Armas & her writing & overall, I really enjoyed this. This definitely had rom-com vibes and I loved that. I did have a little bit of a hard time getting into it in the beginning, but it did pick up & got better as I read on. Josie was super fun & quirky and Matthew was swoon worthy book boyfriend 🫶🏼

I didn’t read The Long game before reading this book and although you technically don’t need to, I wish that I had. Would’ve given me better insight on certain things in the story but that’s on me! Overall, I enjoyed this read & would definitely still recommend this!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC! This is my honest review!

Tropes:
- Small town romance
- Fake engagement
- Forced proximity
- He falls first

Final rating:
3.75 ⭐️
2 🌶️

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! The Spanish Love Deception dug its way into my heart years ago, but since, I haven't felt that same spark with Elena Armas's books. But, I'm happy to report that I became very invested in this one. Loved the main characters and their chemistry. It was top notch. Very happy with how the story progressed. It was funny and cute and made me very happy!

Josie and Matthew’s chemistry is off the charts, like fireworks on the Fourth of July! Their banter is sharp, their moments tender, and their fake engagement? Absolutely believable. Josie’s quirks and Matthew’s irresistible charm make for a dynamic duo you can’t help but root for.

Elena Armas weaves a tale that’s as heartwarming as it is laugh-out-loud funny. The small-town vibes and quirky side characters add an extra sprinkle of magic to this delightful story. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good romance that will leave you grinning from ear to ear, The Fiancé Dilemma is your perfect summer read! 📖💞

Get ready to fall in love with Josie, Matthew, and the entire town of Green Oak. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions you won’t want to miss! 🎢❤️

Being a people pleaser is a relatable trait. Making everyone happy while sacrificing your own happiness, is not the best trait to have. Those are glaring traits of Josie's. Café owner, town mayor, friend, leader, sister, and suddenly a daughter to a man she knows nothing about- selfless!
Josie is an absolute fantastic character in this book! She drives the story with her humor, drama, family relationships, and the sexual tension created with Matthew! He, too, is such a perfect fit for Josie as her friend and fake-fiancé. Their banter and his compassion are idyllic, making this such an enjoyable book!

The beginning of this book I wasn’t a fan of, but once I got more into the story I really enjoyed it. I always love the Fake dating / Fake engagement trope and once it got to those parts it was SOOO CUTE.

Matthew Flanagan (the MMC) is 100% book boyfriend material, I adored him so much! He was so freaking sweet to Josie (the FMC) and I loved the nicknames he made her throughout the book.

I also really liked Grumpy Grandpa Moe, The bathtub scene had me dying (IYKYK)

Altogether I found this to be a very cute & fun book. It was easy to read and heart warming. 💕

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the ARC 🫶

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 30, 2024

The world building is a bit lacking if you haven’t read the first book in this series. It randomly drops names and associations without clearly explaining the connections, characters, or their significance so it makes for a confusing start. Unfortunately, I found the female MC too neurotic. Her dialogue+inner dialogue was exhausting. This has all the parts—small town, fake dating, fake engagement, forced proximity—but just didn’t do it for me!