Elena Armas has done it again--this book went straight to the top of my favorite books of this year. It has all the classic rom com traits you could want: fake dating, sister's best friend, flirty banter, cute nicknames, and a love interest to salivate over.

In this sequel to "The Long Game," "The Fiance Dilemma" follows Josie and Matthew as they fake an engagement in response to a press scandal about her four failed engagements (yes, runaway bride style). Obviously, this is a rom com so it's a sexy love story, but it's also a story about self-love, friendship, and realizing what you deserve.

Honestly run, don't walk to get this book. The characters are lovable, the small-town vibes are cozy, and there's a teacup pig named Pedro Pigscal who is definitely an OG "Mosie" shipper. Need I say more?

I really wanted to love this book. I even preordered it as soon as it came out & received the ARC in May.

I usually breeze through romance novels. I put this one down so many times. It took me 5 days to finish. Everything that is important to the plot is rushed. Everything that's not drags on.

There's no character development for Josie. She is a clutz and pushover in an unbelievable way. This is basically the theme of the whole book. We don't get any insight or real explanation on why she ran 4 times from fiancés.

There's no build-up into the fake engagement plot. They just become fake engaged on the spot. And Matthew just goes with it? They barely know each other.

It would have made more sense if we understood their minds a little better. But the book was one terrible forced action after another.

It was so hard to finish. I love Elena's other books. The only part I liked here was the ending. Even if it made no sense how they go from virtual strangers to genuine lovers in 2 months with barely ANY real deep conversations aside from Matthew stepping in and protecting her because she couldn't do it herself.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for providing me a copy for my honest opinion.

I'm a huge fan of Elena Armas's books, and I was unfortunately disappointed in this one. It took me quite a while to get into, and I wasn't left feeling as if my time spent getting there was worth it.

As much as I loved Josie (I highly identify with her quirks!), and the "Runaway Bride" vibe, I had a difficult time suspending my disbelief as to why Matthew would help Josie out the the blue. Regardless of his reasonings in the end, there was no clear, plausible reason for him wanting to go along with her plan for a good portion of the book. This made it very difficult for me to enjoy the other aspects.

I am sure other fans of Elena Armas will find this book lovely, but this was her first miss for me.

I really loved Armas’s first book and was tepid on the next two, but this one was really not for me.

The plot is..fine. I’ve seen better, I’ve seen worse.

The FMC is a frantic mess of a human who we’re expected to believe runs a town. And it takes way too long to learn anything of substance about the MMC. This book really would have benefited from dual POV as the couple’s chemistry was truly its best quality.

It could be that I just didn’t like the main character enough to understand her voice, but even the basic sentence structure was off-putting at times.

'The fiance Dilemma' follows Matthew and Josie as they navigate a pretend relationship that unexpectedly leads to genuine emotions. The story takes readers on a journey of discovering new family members and the complexities that come with it. While the plot is quite spicy, it keeps you hooked. However, the book could have been a bit shorter to maintain its pace. Overall, it's an engaging read with strong chemistry between the main characters.

“The Fiance Dilemma” by Elena Armas is an amusing and cute read that kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. With not a dull moment in sight, I breezed through this delightful story, appreciating the spice and the undeniable chemistry between the main characters.

Josie, a fun and quirky character, brought a lot of charm and humor to the narrative. Her dynamic personality made her a joy to follow, and her journey felt relatable and genuine. On the other hand, Matthew was an absolute delight, presenting green flags all around. His character was supportive, caring, and the perfect match for Josie, creating an amazing chemistry that was palpable throughout the book.

The plot centers around a fake engagement, a trope that I thoroughly enjoy. While the slow burn aspect of their relationship almost dragged at times, it ultimately made their connection feel more authentic and rewarding. The ending was particularly satisfying, creatively resolving the central conflict and bringing a smile to my face.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was the strained father-daughter relationship between Josie and her father. Josie’s realization that her father needs to work harder on their relationship was a poignant reminder that familial bonds, even those of blood, require effort and mutual respect. This theme adds depth to the story and resonates well with readers who may have similar experiences.

Additionally, the film references sprinkled throughout the book were a delightful touch, adding another layer of enjoyment for movie buffs.

Overall, “The Fiance Dilemma” is a heartwarming and engaging read, perfect for fans of romantic comedies and fake engagement stories. Elena Armas has crafted a charming tale with memorable characters and a meaningful message about family and relationships.

Elena Armas does it again! A funny, easy read. This is a great palate cleanser with a predictable plot line but still tons of fun. I did not enjoy the "quirkiness" of the VERY millennial-coded FMC.

It took a little bit of time for me to get invested in this story. Although the author’s note says you don’t need to read The Long Game first, I was a little confused in the beginning and I wonder if it would have been helpful to know the side characters and some of the drama with Josie’s father already.

Josie is adorable, and the runaway bride aspect is very fun. We don’t learn more about Matthew until the end, and I wished I knew more upfront.

Overall, this is a cute read and perfect for you if you adore the idea of soulmates.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was another great read by Elena Armas. I read The Long Game, the first book in this series last year. I had to know what happened to Josie in this book. I enjoyed the fake engagement and the characters' antics throughout this story. I liked that we saw Adalyn and Cameron's relationship in this book even though they were not in it much.

"The Fiance Dilemma" by Elena Armas presents a charming and endearing small-town story. However, the characters feel somewhat unrealistic, and the cheesiness sometimes borders on being overly saccharine, which might not appeal to those who prefer more nuanced character development and interactions. Despite some of the absurdity, the story does still have a narrative that makes you giggle and stick with it. Would recommend to the right person. Thanks for the arc!!!!

If you love the quirky chaos that is an Elena Armas book then you'll like this one! I love a fake dating trope, but I just had a tough time believing this one. It felt like all of the pivotal moments happened "off page". I think the small town setting was fun, but it was just too chaotic for my liking.

WOW - I have fall head over heels for Josie and Matthew.

The Fiancé Dilemma showcases two supporting characters from The Long Game. Quirky, sweet, and small town gal Josie and blunt, sexy, and endearing best friend Matthew find themselves in an awkward situation — pretending to be engaged and head over heels for each other in this funny, steamy and spicier-by-the-chapter story.

TFD hops right into the storyline, not giving you a moment to think twice and sucks you right in until the absolute very end. This book was told one-sided, by Josie. I would have loved to read Matthews’s POV through this story, which is why I would give this a 4.5 stars. But I digress.

Josie has a hilarious personality where she speaks before her mind has caught up, making you laugh out loud, and really putting into perspective her character in the first book of the series. Matthew brings a jaw dropping bluntness mixed with flirtatious banter that makes you want to fan yourself as you keep reading, but reading his sweetness on Josie was really the cherry on top.

Elena Armas really does it again with her writing style and enjoyable characters! This was yet another book I absolutely devoured by her!

This book can be read as a standalone, but you get so much more backstory and lead up if you read The Long Game first (which I highly recommend as well). Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read The Fiancé Dilemma!

Thank you to Atria Books and Elena Armas for a digital copy of this book via Netgalley. My thoughts are my own.

If you enjoy a love story filled with laughter and a touch of chaos, this book is a must-read! It features a fake engagement, second chances, and plenty of family drama.

The main character, Josie, has been engaged four times—yes, four times! Her rich father, who abandoned her and her mother (even when her mom passed away), suddenly reappears in her life. He's only back because his reputation is at stake due to Josie's multiple engagements.

Enter Matthew, her sister’s friend, who visits town. In an attempt to fix her father’s tarnished reputation, Josie pretends that Matthew is her fiancé. The second-hand embarrassment was real, but I loved every moment of it. It was cheesy and light-hearted, exactly what I expected and needed. This book felt like a big, warm hug.

Even though their engagement was a façade, Matthew’s genuine warmth and protectiveness towards Josie shone through. He steps up when needed, making him a truly endearing character.

I absolutely loved this book. This chick-lit kept me hooked from start to finish. Sure, it was cheesy, but that's precisely the charm!

I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy this book but it was a slog.

Could it be the inconceivable plot? Possible. I tried to suspend belief but it just fell flat for me.

The cute quirky community of the small town didn’t play nearly as big of a part in this book as it did in The Long Game and that was disappointing as well.

The story kind of got more fast paced and interesting toward the end, but this is a genre of book where I need to be drawn in early.

As a huge fan of Elena Armas's work, I dove into "The Fiancé Dilemma" with sky-high expectations. Her previous books, with their charming characters and witty banter, have been pure delight. However, this one left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
The plot should have been a recipe for hilarity and heart. But something felt off.
Josie's character was the biggest stumbling block. Her quirkiness, which in the other books in the series feels endearing, came across as forced and immature in Josie. Her reactions and decisions often made me cringe rather than laugh or empathize. It felt like Armas was trying too hard to make her unique, and it overshadowed the romance.
That said, there were still moments of Armas's signature charm. The small-town setting was cozy, and Matthew had his moments of swoon-worthy sweetness. But overall, "The Fiancé Dilemma" didn't live up to its predecessors. Still, I have faith in Armas's talent and look forward to her next book.

✨✨ Hot off the press! ✨✨

Get ready to dive into the latest must-read from the sizzling Armas universe: The Fiance Dilemma. This small-town romance is packed with all the ingredients for a perfect summer read. Picture this: a swoon-worthy main character whose charm will make your heart race, and a fake engagement plot that’s as irresistible as your favorite cup of coffee!

Set in a quaint, picturesque town, the story captures all the cute moments that make small-town life so endearing. With mild spice to keep things interesting, you won't be able to put it down. And did we mention the happy endings? Yes, dear readers, this book promises a feel-good conclusion that will leave you smiling for days.

So, grab your coffee, cozy up, and get ready to be swept off your feet by this delightful, romantic tale. Happy reading, lovelies! 💖📚

I really wanted to love this book because I really enjoyed The Long Game, but it just didn't work for me. I enjoyed Josie as a side character in Adalyn's story, so I was looking forward to reading her book, but I didn't love her as the main character. She felt really immature for her age and the quirkiness was a little forced. And Matthew was just *too* perfect and didn't feel like a real person, so the love story wasn't very compelling. I did enjoy seeing more of the small town community that was introduced in The Long Game and honestly, I would've preferred to read more of that than the family and wedding drama. And there were some funny moments as well, but overall, I wasn't a big fan of this one.

Okay to start I need to get this off my chest: Maybe it was intentionally cringey but I died a little more inside everytime a character said “it’s giving ________.” Books need to stay away from trendy slang, it dated this book before it even came out.

Okay on to the main positive: I would die for Matthew. I thought he was a total sweetheart and pretty much everything I’m looking for in a MMC. He was charming, attentive, funny, and soo unbelievably sweet and understanding. To the point that I almost didn’t get what he saw in Josie. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked Josie as a character but some parts of her were confusing and annoying. She’s supposed to be this super empath people pleaser and yet she can’t bother to ask Matthew about his family and how he’s doing with the situation, she doesn’t check in with her sister or Cameron about why they’re so stressed and doesn’t check in with her sister after she has to miss an event because she’s sick. You know who did do all those things? Matthew. I fully get what she sees in him but I didn’t always buy his complete devotion to her, especially early on.

Overall, I really liked this book as a standalone entity but its connection to the long game felt nonexistent. Josie feels like an entirely different person. I love an extended universe for the chance to dive further into characters we met in the first book and see characters we loved again. This book didn’t really deliver on either. Josie feels like an entirely different person. In the first book she came across as witty and confident, and while I think it’s natural to see more flaws and insecurities in a book dedicated to her, she felt barely recognizable to me. Even her interactions with Adalyn didn’t feel familiar at all. And speaking of Adalyn, I felt like she was barely present. I was really hoping to see more of the friendship between Adalyn and Matthew. I barely felt it in the first book and this book didn’t really give me the more I was desperate for. Similarly, after the big reveal that Josie and Adalyn are sisters, I was looking forward to seeing them develop their relationship and I didn’t get that. I would have even taken seeing more of the girls from the soccer team. It’s a compliment that Elena made me fall in love with her characters in the first book so much that I was disappointed I didn’t get to see them again.

First off I wanna thank net galley and atria for allowing me to read this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review. I have just finished this book and I just want to say that Elena never misses for me and I’m convinced that she could never write a bad book. I have loved all her characters so much and I love Josie and Matthew with my whole heart. Everything about this book was chefs kiss. The way that the actual fake engagement was done was great. It was a slow burn but I am one for a slow burn and especially in this context it just makes sense. I cannot stress how much I loved this book. I’m so happy I got to read it.

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas is a captivating romance novel that explores the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery. Protagonist Josie Moore has had her fair share of failed engagements, and when her absentee father's retirement announcement threatens to tarnish the family's image, she concocts a plan to salvage their reputation. Enter Matthew Flanagan, Josie's best friend's brother, who finds himself in a sticky situation after losing his job and getting stranded in Green Oak, North Carolina. Mistaken for Josie's fiancé, Matthew reluctantly agrees to play along, setting off a chain of events that neither of them could have anticipated.

Armas masterfully crafts a story filled with humor, heart, and palpable chemistry between Josie and Matthew. As their fake engagement takes on a life of its own, the lines between reality and pretense blur, leading to moments of genuine connection and introspection. The dynamic between the characters is richly developed, with Josie's reluctance to commit contrasting with Matthew's easygoing charm. Their journey from reluctant partners to genuine friends is both heartwarming and believable, making their eventual romantic entanglement all the more satisfying.

What sets The Fiancé Dilemma apart is its exploration of identity and authenticity amidst societal expectations. Josie grapples with her family's image and her own desire for independence, while Matthew navigates his own insecurities and aspirations. The small-town setting adds depth to the narrative, with the tight-knit community serving as both a backdrop and catalyst for the protagonists' growth. Fans of the romance genre will be drawn to the novel's engaging plot, well-developed characters, and emotionally resonant themes. Armas delivers a delightful tale of love, self-discovery, and second chances that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages until the very end.