While I LOVED Elena Armas’s first series - and I mean the Spanish Love Deception and the American Roommate Experiment were 5 stars for me, this book was not my favorite. My main issue was Josie. Grandpa Moe and Matthew were amazing, no complaints!!! But Josie? Don’t get me wrong I LOVE a quirky fmc but sometimes she was a bit too much and I felt bad judging her but keeping all your old wedding dresses and rings??? I wanted to defend her but her lack of back bone and immaturity made it difficult to do so. And the whole reasoning for their “fake engagement” felt unrealistic. Why would a serial fiancée need another fiancée to help fix their image? And this book was made to be stand alone but I do not think it works as one. I had not read the long game prior so Matthew’s introduction was lacking. I didn’t really understand their prior connection.

A super cute read, great story and chemistry. This was a fun read. I really like Elena Armas' books.

I really, really wanted to love this book much more than I did. I found it very hard to connect with Josie - she was such a stereotypical overly quirky millennial girl, and it took away from what could have been a really authentic character. The book followed a really predictable formula, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I did feel as though I knew what step we were going to be taking next.

Some of the writing was really beautiful, and I wouldn't hesitate to read something else by this author in the future, but I fear this book just wasn't the one for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Fiancé Dilemma ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elena Armas has done it again. Such an enjoyable book! What is better than a fake dating, slow burn, trope?
I was so excited to get this ARC as I have been a fan of Elena’s other books. This one did not disappoint. I loved the characters and their interplay. I always enjoy clever banter and being able to feel the chemistry between the characters. I also enjoy when the support characters offer more interest and add to the story.
Blurb: Josie has had bad luck with engagements. Having struck out four times she is not keen for everyone to know this. However, when she learns that her father is a multimillionaire she realizes her life will no longer be private, so, for some reason, she decides to pretend she is engaged once again! Oh, but wait, the groom, Matthew, doesn’t know about the plan…

So much fun to read. Go get yourself a copy!

Many thanks to the author, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me at about 80% into the book. I absolutely loved Elena Armas's The Spanish Love Deception, and have liked her other contemporary romances, but The Fiance Dilemma felt very lacking in character development compared to her other books. In particular, the hero's personality felt very underdeveloped, and his willingness to go along with the fake engagement lacked enough reasoning behind it for the plot to be plausible. I really don't mind an implausible plot in a romance novel normally, but not when the characterization and chemistry are also lacking. I'll still be interested in what Elena Armas comes out with next, but this was a miss for me.

If Elena Armas writes something I am 100000% going to read it! TFD was no different and I felt privileged to dive back into this world

Thank you net galley for the advance reader of this novel. This was a contemporary romance and had all the usual themes in a fake romance story. Cute and quick read. I would try for other things by this author.

This was not my favourite of her books but I still enjoyed it.

Love seeing previous main characters but considering how much she was involved in the previous book I would have expected her sister to have more book time. Didn’t care too much for the presence of the father but the assistant was great

Loved theses two together

This was not my favorite Elena Armas book. I struggled to get into it and ended up waiting for the audiobook be to released to finish it. Disappointing, because her books are usually auto-reads for me.

Thank you to everyone for the early copy of The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas.

I read the first book in this series last year when it came out and enjoyed the small town feel of the story, and was excited to go back. Elena's writing isn't my favorite, and I find that I struggle to stay interested in the story after a bit. Unfortunately, that happened again.

I love the main characters in this book, and the fake dating storyline captivated my interest at the start. But there were parts of it that felt too rushed, to forced upon you as the reader. Like why does it all have to happen so fast? I hated that the estranged dad became a main character, yet he wasn't really involved, and that you didn't really see much of the towns people you came to love in the pervious book.

Overall I liked this story, but I found myself wishing it was over too soon.

i loved this book! elena armas is an auto buy author for me and this one did not disappoint. i loved the characters and their relationship. the slow burn is perfection 😍 i can’t wait to read more of her books!

The Fiancé Dilemma was SO cute, I adored learning more about Josie and their story was so sweet! Elena Armas doesn’t miss and as a reader who has gone through a broken engagement, I really felt for Josie!

I have tried finishing this book multiple times and sadly cannot get into it enough after about 30-40 percent to continue reading. Thank you for the advanced copy.

This was a really cute rom com with a bit of spice!
I liked main characters and the side characters as well!
It was kind of interesting that Matthew just jumped in to help Josie without really thinking about it.
I guess it does make sense though at the end,when he explains why he did it and why he was there in the first place.
I felt that there wasn't a whole lot of depth to their lives. We never really got to figure out what Josies problems were.
Matthew's family really had no depth either.
It was just a fun romance.
I do feel like it dragged just a little, though. It didn't really need that end monologue, lol.
I did like how the conclusion was that you don't have to be legally married to be happy. The person you choose is what matters most.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Charming Fake Dating Romance with Heart

"The Fiance Dilemma," the second installment in the Green Oak series (though perfectly readable as a standalone), follows Josie, whose string of failed engagements threatens to derail her father's retirement announcement. To salvage her reputation, her absentee father enlists her in a fake
engagement with Matthew, a man seeking refuge from his own personal struggles.

What begins as a calculated arrangement unexpectedly blossoms into a genuine connection. While the "misunderstanding" trope is often overused, Armas masterfully avoids it, allowing for a slow burn romance that builds palpable tension and culminates in a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion.

Josie, though fiercely independent, can occasionally be frustrating with her inner monologue. However, her resilience and strength shine through. Matthew, initially shy, emerges as a complex and intriguing character, offering unwavering support to Josie. Their chemistry is undeniable, fueled by witty banter and a genuine affection that deepens over time.

Armas's writing style is captivating, blending complex prose with moments of humor and poignant introspection. The narrative seamlessly weaves together character development, plot progression, and a simmering romance, creating a truly immersive reading experience.

"The Fiance Dilemma" is a delightful addition to the romantic comedy genre. Fans of slow-burn romances and those who appreciate well-developed characters and engaging storylines will undoubtedly enjoy this charming and heartwarming tale.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #atriabooks #thefiancedilemma #elenaarmas

I have not gotten bored with a fake relationship trope. This was cute. I enjoyed the whole book. The slow burn was written well. Thank you to Atria Books for the arc.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a charming, swoon-worthy read that captures the magic of the fake relationship trope! Elena Armas delivers a story packed with humor, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry between the main characters. The banter was sharp and laugh-out-loud funny, while the tender moments added so much heart to the story.

The protagonist was relatable and well-rounded, and I loved watching the relationship between her and the love interest evolve. The slow burn was perfectly paced, making the payoff even more satisfying. Elena Armas has a way of pulling you into her characters’ world and making you believe in their journey.

My only critique is that some parts felt a bit predictable, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This book is perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a touch of drama and a whole lot of charm. Definitely a must-read for Elena Armas fans!

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas Pages: 428
Genre: RomCom
4.5/5
3.5/5
CAWPILE: 61/70
Read Dates: 6/14/2024 through 07/18/2024
RELEASE DATE: July 30th, 2024!

Synopsis: Josie quite enjoys her quiet life in the town where she is the mayor. She's fun, she's goofy, and... she has 4 ex-fiance's? When scandals whirl through the rumor mill impacting her billionaire father's reputation, a PR agent is sent her way to "fix" the mess that is Josie. But, what she stumbles upon is Josie wearing yet another engagement ring. And in walks Matthew, Josie's sister's best friend. How perfect.

Review: Here's my starting disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All of my opinions, as always, are my own. will admit, it took me a little bit to get into this book. I absolutely adore Elena Armas and her work, but the more current lingo threw me off. I was NOT expecting a book character to use the phrase "it's giving" while talking about vibes. But, once was able to get past the fact that this book takes place in the most modern of times, it was smooth sailing.

Josie and Matt are an AMAZING couple, with real conversations, and real struggles. I truly enjoyed watching their love story unfold. All the best things to say once again for this author, the way she writes is amazing and will happily pick up her next release as soon as can! (No rush there, perfection takes time)

There's one trope that will always have me coming back for more, and that's a fake relationship/forced proximity. There's just something about two people thinking they're not cut out for each other and then finding exactly what they were looking for without meaning to. I think it stems from not having to put your best forward and just being exactly who you are and someone loving that about you. This was what I got out of this book, while there were many moments I just wanted to shake Josie I could understand where she was coming from. Matthew was such a breath of fresh air and a literal ball of sunshine. The slow burn really made it all the better and angsty. I truly loved this pair.