3.5⭐, 2.5🌶️

The romance was cutesy, the story was cutesy, the characters were cutesy. A whole lot of cute, but nothing WOW for me (if that makes sense?) Like I was hella excited when our first spicy scene was a phone call/ bathtub scene, but it was sooo mellow that it wasn't exciting? (see above, it just felt cutesy, not saucy). But that may also be because I listened to the audiobook and Brittany Pressley has such a calming voice.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unpaid review!

My Elena Armas obsession started with The Spanish Love deception back when it was a I die book on Kindle Unlimited, and has only continued to grow from there! And let me tell you my love for her only continues to grow with The Fiance Dilemma!

Matthew needs to write a book on how to be the perfect man. I'll buy that for my husband.

I want to be Josie. I need to be Josie! I aspire to exude her calm, perfect, quirky demeanor. That's what I want. That's my new goal!

The whole way their relationship developed is just my favorite kind of book! It had a little of my favorite “its always been you” vibe going on, we get Cam and Adalyn cameos which we love, and of course, our favorite rooster, Sebastian Stan is back!

This book is just never not on my brain! 😍

This book was an enjoyable time! I liked the premise but struggled a bit with the connection between the two main characters. I found it unbelievable at times and wanted more romance but overall it was a good time!

I thought this was such a cute book, and I was rooting for Josie and Matthew the whole time. Their relationship felt believable even though the premise was a fake fiancé. Josie was a sympathetic character, and Matthew was the best thing for her! I would recommend this book to any fan of romance, even if they hadn’t read the first book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Matthew and Josie were everything I wanted them to be in this follow-up to The Long Game. I really enjoyed being back in Green Oaks again as it's such a charming town filled with all the chaotic side characters (and Maria Vasquez who deserves a book in like ten years) and Josie's cafe. This book is centered on Josie and Matthew pretending to be engaged to help her father's perception as he nears retirement. But Josie is a chronic run away bride and Matthew is all in, so reading as the days got closer to the wedding date felt like a bomb was just waiting to be dropped. ANother really well done well wrapped up and spicy book from Elena Armas. Can't wait for her next one!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

dnf at 22%

I put this down so many times and just could not convince myself to pick it back up. The main character was extremely childish and I could not get over her behaviour. I was hoping to love it as much as I did TSLD, but I could just not get past the main characters personality.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, I wished this one would have gone better for me.

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas is a charming romantic comedy that navigates the complexities of love and commitment with wit and warmth. The story follows a young woman who, faced with family pressures, decides to fake a relationship with a handsome stranger, leading to unexpected chemistry and heartfelt revelations. Armas’ engaging writing style and relatable characters create a delightful backdrop for exploring themes of trust and the true meaning of love. With its blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth, this novel is a perfect escape for readers seeking a feel-good love story.

This was my first Elena Armas book, but it will definitely not be my last! I loved it from the beginning! It was charming, funny, and who doesn't love a grumpy old grandpa in the mix?! Matthew is pretty much my dream guy! A spontaneous blonde with glasses and a dirty mouth... yes please! I was so invested in Josie's story too, and really loved how everything wrapped up! This book was a dream, and I definitely recommend!
Thank you so much to @netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

A lovely story, that really sells you on the friendship and care between the two main characters. I loved how he was so ready to protect her from the start, no question asked. A man really with a clear mind. Josie was a sweet and strong in her own way protagonist, that really moved me to deep understanding and compassion.

This book was okay. Not good, not bad. Just okay.

I felt like I could figure this story out after the first few chapter so it seemed to just dragged on for me. To be honest, I don’t even remember half of this book now that I’ve finished it 🙈

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Elena Armas, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Fiance Dilemma.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I loved The Spanish Love Deception so I thought this book would be more of the same - a laugh out loud but sweet love story. While it had it's moments, this story truly missed the mark.

I felt that Josie and Matthew lacked chemistry. Josie was honestly a bit annoying to me. She was absolutely not a character I could relate to. Her entire personality was a juxtaposition - She was super committed to her town but couldn't commit to a person. She wouldn't stand up to her dad, but she's supposed to be the mayor of the town. It didn't make sense to me.

Since I couldn't relate to the characters this story just dragged. It felt drawn out and I found myself completely uninterested in picking the book up. What did keep me coming back were some cute laugh-out-loud moments.

While this book missed the mark for me, I do want to read more Elena Armas.

This pains me, but 2/5 stars.

This was super cute. The characters were very likable I loveeee a small town book. Favorite kind of book. This kept me entertained but didn’t wow me. Which I think makes a perfect rom com.

3.75 stars rounded up

I enjoyed this one more than The Long Game, but there are some details and backstory from that one that are helpful to read first. Little explanation is given for the supporting characters, almost as if the author assumed no one would read this as a stand-alone. The fake engagement storyline was very sweet, not as ridiculous as it sometimes is. The main characters are both very likeable, but a little more development in their relationship, and growth in the female lead, would have been nice.

If you are looking for a new book boyfriend, Matthew is perfect! I loved Josie and Matthew's story so much. Josie owns her own cafe in her small town Green Oak, NC. Her mom passed way several years back and she has been living with Grandpa Moe. He is absolutely hilarious and fiercely loves Josie. He is her found family.

A woman shows up on their door step claiming to be working for Josie's father. Bobbi claims Josie's 4 failed marriage attempts are making her father look bad and she needed to do some PR work. Josie juat recently even learned who her dad was and that she had a sister. There's a man walking down the road and Josie yells to her "fiance" that she's happy he is home.

Matthew is confused but goes along with it. It's then that he realizes it's Josie from the group chat he has with his besties Cameron and Adelyn. Adelyn is actually Josie's sister. Matthew was moving to Green Oak so he decided to go along with it. Bobbi springs it on them that the wedding is going to 2 months away.

Josie and Matthew go through a whirlwind of emotions and have the weight of Josie's dad's reputation along with Josie being smeared publicly. Will fiance number 5 get her down the aisle finally?

The connection that Josie and Matthew have instantly is heart warming. I loved seeing how their relationship unfolded and you will learn how Matthew originally knew of Josie. Someone even said their signs made them soulmates. Family complicates many things in life and when you find your person, you have to hold on is the best way I can describe Josie and Matthew.

Thank you very much to @netgalley , @atriabooks , and @thebibliotheque for my copy to read in exchange for my honest review!

What a wonderful fake engagement story. Josie & Matthew make up a story on the fly and then sparks slowly start to fly. Armas proves that even with a track record like Josie's, everyone can find their ONE! Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

I love a small town fake relationship trope! Matthew is so sweet, understanding and protective in this chaotic situation he’s gotten himself into. And his mouth… 🫣 The author did a wonderful job creating some lovable, yet believable characters… “Grandpa” I also love how it tied in the characters from the first book, but this could also be a stand alone read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE FIANCE DILEMMA is a book in typical Elena Armas fashion, combining steamy rocket romance with a dash of humor. Elena always finds a way to make me feel *something* significant ... every time.

This was incredibly long. It really could have been shorten. The MFC Josie was a bit insufferable. I just couldn’t not care about her problems.

Elena knows how you draw you into a book! This was a fun love story that kept me turning the page when I should have been going to bed. I will definitely read more from her!

5 stars, as always. Elena never disappoints! I love the way she weaved this family and the small town.