First of all, Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in return of my honest review.

Ever since this book was announced I was super excited to read it because,
A) It is written by Elena
B) The cover is purple
C) A small town romance
D) Fake Dating Trope with slow burn

Now, for the review, The Spanish Love Deception by Elena was one of the first books that got me back into reading. I have been obsessed with Aaron Blackford ever since and naturally I was very excited for this one.

Elena is one of the funniest writers out there. I love the humor in her books and this one was no different. And the best part is the humour is effortless and relatable.
The story is about Josephine (Josie), 29-year old Mayor of the small town Green Oak, who has recently discovered she is also the daughter of multi-millionaire Andrew Underwood, which has resulted in her being in the media eye and now suddenly the reporters are digging everything from her past life to current whereabouts. Without giving too much away, she ends up being roped into a fake engagement set up with Mathew Flannagan, the best friend of her half sister Adalyn to solve the PR problem of her millionaire father. From there on it was such a cute, heart warming, funny and engaging story.

I loved the characters as well as the small town setup. This is how you write a small town romance with slow burn. Josie was so relatable and at times it felt like I was Josie because of how she was always on fight or flight mode as she has never known better. She has always had to be on her own and be her own support system. This made me realize how much I resonate with that feeling of emptiness when all you got is Yourself at the end of the day. I was so invested in Josie life throughout because at times it felt like mine.
Matthew was an absolute delight. Did I mention yet, he wears glasses and is a gentleman only outside the bedroom. Iykyk. The side characters were awesome. They made this story come alive. Matthew was all dreamy and sunshiny. I loved the way he made her realize everything. The way he was so gentle with her and stood by side at all times. All in all, I absolutely devoured this one. Definitely check it out for a cute (hot) romance.

🌟🌟🌟🌟•✨/5

Thanks NetGalley and Atria books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Note - I have not read The Long Game. This book does function well as a standalone but I wanted to make that clear at the beginning.

Josie has a lot going on in life. She’s the mayor of her small town, she runs a coffee shop, her famous father and half sister just came into her life, and she’s been engaged four times. Matthew, on the other hand, has very little going on. He was recently laid off from his job in Chicago and left for greener pastures to gain some perspective. Unfortunately for them, the world loves drama, and when Josie panic announces Matthew is her new fiancé to her father’s PR manager, the world becomes completely obsessed with their story.

I very much enjoyed this story. Matthew falls for Josie so hard and so fast, he cares so much about her and is ready and willing to support her however she needs. Josie is a people pleaser who just wants everyone to be happy. And then there are the side characters. Grandpa Moe is a doll who deserves all the sweet drinks and tv time he wants. Bobbi is a terrifying and necessary character for the story to work. A fake fiancé plot is always going to be a little far fetched, so much as well go all in with the PR manager/wedding planner from hell.

I wish there had been more about the former fiancés though. I know they aren’t the point, and we do see one live and in person, but I really wanted Josie to think more deeply about her relationship history before the very end. I also needed some better resolution with the podcast. The final interview wasn’t what I wanted and I’m honestly not sure it would have made it to air anyway.

The spice was great, the characters felt (mostly) real, and the outer conflict resolved in a realistic way (no one is just gonna be happy with their long lost father right away, but if they're a people pleaser like
Josie they’re going to try anyway until they can’t anymore). I look forward to reading The Long Game and seeing if that changes any of my opinions, and seeing how Josie was originally introduced, I want to know more about pre-fifth fiancé Josie. 3.5 ⭐️

I love Elena Armas books! The characters are fun, the plot is engaging, and I am so glad I got to read this! Definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Elena Armas!

This book was very meh for me. Looking back, I had similar feelings for the first book in the series. I was thinking the entire time that I should really like this book, but it just felt flat. The male character was written as too perfect in my opinion and he really lacked depth. The believability factor was also very low for me. If you liked Elena's other books, specifically the first book in this series, then you will probably like this one as well. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book!

Matthew Flannagan, where did you come from???

After reading The Long Game I was so excited to dive deeper into Josie's story and learn more about her. However, I had no idea that I would fall in love with Adalyn's BFF Matthew (who in all honesty, I thought was either gay or harboring a secret unrequited crush on Adalyn). Color me pleasantly surprised because he is now one of my favorite book boyfriends but also a perfect match for Josie! Bobbi was also a fun addition to the crew because you loved to hate her! I want another book focused on her ending up with Robbie? I can't be the only one who felt that might be a thing?

This was such a cute, fun, and easy read that left me laughing and kicking my feet. I was shocked that it wasn't dual POV. I would have truly loved to have more of Matthew's perspective on the whole thing, but still really enjoyed it!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for this charming Green Oaks sequel! ⭐️ If only we could all visit Josie's Joint and get a Sharkie!

Elena Armas is becoming a stand out star in the romance genre! Her quirky but fierce female characters are only outdone by her perfect brooding but secretly in love male characters. I loved every second of this book and seeing Josie really come to life!

I wanted to love this book. I was ecstatic when I received the approval. Unfortunately, this book was not it for me. I tried hard to get into it and keep pushing through but I found so many of the characters to be so unlikable. I could just not connect with Josie and five engagements, really? like home girl, you are the problem. I did enjoy Matthews characters and his protectiveness over Josie but I just feel their "fake relationship" was just so random. The book does have potential, maybe I'm the problem? Also, Bobbi? I just disliked her from the beginning and her father? Ugh. The writing style and the plot just wasn't for me so I unfortunately had to DNF at 47%. However, all these thoughts are my own so take them with a grain a salt and read it for yourself, you may actually enjoy it!


Some things I did enjoy are the tropes: .Small town romance, Sisters best friend, fake engagement.


Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an opportunity at receiving an ARC. The thoughts above are all my own.

3.25 Stars

Can I give Matthew all the 5 stars and the book only 3.25 stars? Goodness I loved that man. His mouth. O.M.G. I never thought I’d like a blonde MMC. He was so gentle, patient, kind, protective, funny, smug, cocky (😏), supportive, encouraging and down bad for his girl.

I have to start the review out with a disclaimer. This is my 3rd book by this author and I’m wondering if her writing style just isn’t for me. Because I should have loved everything about this book.

Josie was a people pleaser to a T. I didn’t love that the majority of her personality seemed to be built off of leaving men at the altar. She was quirky. It hurt so badly sometimes to see her just fold so fast. But Matthew really helped stand up for her when she couldn’t. I really disliked Andrew’s part in this book. Honestly most of the side characters (and there was alot) I could have gone without. I loved Grandpa Moe though, he could stay.

The podcast scripts? Annoying. The way they were talking was so cringy. Like every other word was some catchy Gen Z internet phrase.

Overall, I would say maybe to this book. Because I think her writing is for a lot of people, and I’m the odd one out!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

not sure if i should give this a 4 or 3.5 star rating. i love elena’s writing (the spanish love deception is one of my all time faves) but the gen z / tiktok slang was a bit too heavy in it for my liking. and it could be very, very cringy at times. but, i love the two main characters and their relationship together. some of it even reminded me of my fiancé 🥹 definitely enjoyed reading this one. this book had me laughing, giggling and blushing. i was even tearing up at times. i loved it.

Armas’s best book yet. Matthew is frankly… hot. I’m obsessed with him and his bluntness and his ability/want/NEED to memorize and know every single thing about Josie than he can. Their dynamic was just so fun and the chemistry was chemistry-ing. There were maybe a couple too many scenes where something was just about to happen but then they suddenly get interrupted - I get this builds up the tension but after the 3rd? time I was getting annoyed I just wanted them to do SOMETHING (so maybe it indeed did work bc then I was devouring pages until something did happen). I LOVED the wedding dress scene - probably one of my favorite scenes/love declarations EVER.

Again, Matthew just gets her in such a special way even Josie can’t believe it (and can’t believe he isn’t running the opposite direction). I would have liked Josie’s character to have had a little more depth - I feel like I didn’t really get her/or an explanation to her other engagements until the end (and even at the end it was only partially so) and same goes for Matthew but at the end of the day I really really liked it.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for a honest review!

I enjoyed, although it had a couple drawbacks for me. I will say it was spicier than my usual romance book. Also, I found the main character not to be relatable. Who gets engaged 5 times?! And I do love the trope of a forced engagement but this seemed like too silly and trivial of a reason for the engagement. Overall though, if you suspend disbelief in some situations, I liked it!

This is my first Elena Armas book and definitely won't be my last! I did struggle a little bit through the first half but it picked up in the second half. Josie was super cute and made me LOL a few times. Matthew is a literal gem and I love him so much! The things he was saying had me swoooooning! I will say the reason they started fake dating was a little out there. They didn't know each other at all and then poof, they're engaged. Maybe it's my fault for not reading the first book in the series. But I will be reading that one soon! Overall, it was a really good book and I can't wait to read more from Elena Armas!

Honestly I did not like the character of Josie very much at the beginning, it seemed unbelievable that a woman would have her hand stuck in a jar of jam to try to remove a ring and she came across as kind of crazy. I cringed through most of the first few chapters. And she is the town's Mayor?

But once the fake engagement started I was hooked! This story was a good blend of funny and serious. Matthew Flanagan is her sister's best friend and he has just moved to town following the loss of his job. Josie has been a bride several times, but has never followed through, and she defintely has a damaged psyche. However, she is totally willing to pretend to be engaged yet again to make her new found father's PR nightmare go away. She cannot stand the thought of being the center of attention for her past failings.

It doesn't take much to get Matthew to go along with the idea. He has a soft spot for Josie and he is more than willing to pretend to be her fiance. He is both sweet and strong -- and just what Josie needs. Of course before they know it, they have fallen in love. The question is will Josie be willing to go through with the engagement this time for true love? Or is she broken beyond repair?

I LOVED their blossoming relationship and they both fell hard for each other. I was smitten with Matthew's protective instincts. But Josie has more difficulty believing that this is real. There is definite, palpable attraction and the open door scenes were hot, which Author Armas has proven herself very capable. I thought the ending was quite believable and not cliche. I read The Spanish Love Deception by the same author and I was not impressed, but this one was delightful, sweet, and charming (and hot). I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review**

♾️⭐️

💜 Sister's best friend
💜 Engagement of convenience
💜 Small town

I'm obsessed with this book? 1000%

Believe me when I say I smiled the whole time I was reading it. Josie and Matthew had me hooked from the beginning, and seriously, these two together are everything.

Matthew, my man... I have to admit I'm not usually into blond book boyfriends, but this guy changed my mind. Elena Armas, whatever you put in here, this man kept making me smile and blush!

The slow burn was so well done; I loved every scene with them together. It was a mix of tension and fun at the same time. One of my favorite things is how Matthew understands and appreciates her; he's totally smitten.

This book became one of my favorites of the year. I've lost count of how many highlights I made while reading it.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Atria Books, for sending me this ARC!

<i><b>"To my readers(yes you. Hi, babe) Your expectations are not impossibly high. Never let anyone make you belive you're asking for too much."</i></b> I knew by reading this dedication I was going to love this book🥹🥹

Before I get into this review I want to say I did not love The Long Game and thought the American Roomate Experiment was just okayyyy. However, this book was a masterpiece and I believe it is Armas's best work.

<b><i>Tropes& What to Expect</b></i>
💜sister's best friend
💜sloowwww burn
💜small town romace
💜golden retriever MMC with a filthy mouth
💜he falls first and HARDER
💜where's my fiance
💜runaway bride
💜cute nicknames
💜HEA

<i><b><blockparagraph>"You're not running, Josie. I'm not them, I'm not anyone. I'm not fucking letting you go."</i></b></blockparagraph>

Josie is such an extremely likeable heroine. Shes funny, caring, quirky and just wants to be loved.. She has daddy issues which I could relate to and she deserved the world. She's the mayor of her small town and is always making sure the people are taken care of her grandfather Mo who is hilarious!!!

Matthew the MMC was such a sweetheart I loved how he stood up for Josie at all times and put her first. He was patient with her and never once rushed her. He gave major golden retriever energy and was such a sweetheart. I loved the nicknames and his playfulness. But don't let this sweet man fool you he is possessive and did not play at all when it comes to our girl.

<i><b><blockparagraph>"I can't decide how I want to have you." His voice strained. "Eat you. Fuck you against this wall. Have you ride my face. Take you on the bed. Fill that tub up and beg you to let me come all over your back."</i></b></blockparagraph>

The spice was SPICING. It was written so perfectly. The dirty talking, the buildup everything was perfection!!!

The ending...omggg!!!!!! I was curious how it would end but it was the perfect ending. I'm so happy I got the chance to read this early as an arc. I would definitely be buying a copy.

Elena Armas does it again with her newest book in one of my favorite series. My only complaint is that there were a lot of storylines to follow, but overall, another knockout from one of my favorite authors!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I have read all of Elena Armas's books, and I'm sure I still will in the future, but I am bummed to say that I like them less and less as I go. I didn't love the Long Game and wasn't really excited to see a return of Andrew Underwood, and especially with the story starting right off the bat with Josie contorting her otherwise pretty happy life to please her newly found dad - who was seemingly uninterested in knowing the real her. Seeing a woman subordinate and conform for a patriarchal man's image's needs was less than satisfying, and I would love to see books rely on these tropes less and less. I wanted Josie to just say no from the get go and tell the press and her dad to shove it.

I found the slow burn to be sooooo long, but the spice sure delivered! That's one of the things I always go back to Elena Armas for lol!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of The Fiancé Dilemma, in exchange for an honest review.

Elena Armas's 'The Fiancé Dilemma' is the second installment in her charming 'The Long Game' series but can be read as a standalone.

The book follows Josie, the mayor of Green Oak, NC, who has had the unfortunate experience of four failed engagements. To save her reputation and her father's political career, Josie reluctantly agrees to fake an engagement with her brother's best friend, Ethan.

Ethan, a successful millionaire, finds himself in a similar predicament and agrees to the charade. As they navigate the obstacles of public scrutiny and their own evolving emotions, they discover that their fake engagement might just be the real deal.

Armas's writing is both engaging and humorous, creating a delightful and heartwarming atmosphere. The characters are relatable and well-developed, with their own unique quirks and motivations. The slow-burn romance between Josie and Ethan is both believable and satisfying.

The small-town setting adds a charming and nostalgic element to the story. The cast of quirky characters, including Josie's eccentric mother and Ethan's loyal assistant, further enhances the book's appeal.

Overall, 'The Fiancé Dilemma' is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read. It's perfect for fans of slow-burn romances, heartwarming stories, and quirky characters. If you're looking for a fun and cute escape, this book will definitely deliver.

The Fiancé Dilemma was a great follow-up to The Long Game. I loved The Long Game, but I did feel like The Fiancé Dilemma fell short on captivating my attention. I don't regret reading it whatsoever, but mainly because we get to see Adalyn and Cam again.

With that said, I was so very confused why Matthew was SO crazy about Josie right away, but Armas made that come full circle at the end, and it did make the book so much better. If you loved The Long Game, then The Fiancé Dilemma is a must. Cam and Adalyn were hard to top!

I enjoyed this book a lot. Grandpa Moe was the star of the show and cracked me up. All the characters did actually, and I liked the push and pull between Josie and Matthew. They had crazy chemistry that leapt off the page. And I adored that ending. These two were made for each other. I'd love to see how Josie's relationship with her father pans out, but overall this was a satisfying, funny, swoony read.