This was a great read! I would recommend it to a friend. I loved it! Five stars. This book is a captivating exploration of human emotions and relationships. The narrative unfolds through the lives of richly developed characters, each facing unique challenges and growth. The author’s prose is both lyrical and engaging, drawing readers into the story with vivid imagery and relatable experiences.

I don’t think this book was for me. I can see how people would enjoy this though as the MMC ate! he was very intuitive of the FMC which was fun to read. Some of the things he said I was so in awe of. However, I normally love the trope in this book but this one felt “too by the book”. If you know what I mean.

I haven’t read any of the authors other works but maybe I’ll give one of her other or future books a try!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! It took me AWHILE to get through this one but I finally made it!!!

as my first book by elena armas, i was curious to see what the hype was about. the fiancé dilemma had a fun premise — fake engagement leading to real feelings — but overall, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations.

the main characters, Josie and Matthew, while likable, felt flat and underdeveloped. the chemistry between them was lukewarm at best, with most of their interactions feeling forced rather than natural. i kept waiting for that one scene or moment that would hook me emotionally, but it never came. the dialogue, which could have been snappy and fun, often felt cliché and predictable.

that said, if you’re in the mood for a light, easy read with minimal drama, the fiancé dilemma might be a pleasant distraction. it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but i can see why fans of armas might still enjoy it.

thank you for netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

I loved getting to be in cozy little Green Oak once again through this book. I really loved the wholesomeness of the main couple and it was the perfect example of the fake relationship trope done right!

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas hits all the right notes for a heartwarming, slow-burn romance. I really enjoyed this one more than her previous works, like The Spanish Love Deception. The fake engagement trope is handled with charm, blending humor and genuine emotion as the relationship between Josie and Matthew evolves.

The setup feels fresh, with Josie needing to fix her family’s PR issues while Matthew gets pulled into the situation just when his life is in chaos. Their chemistry grows as the story unfolds, and the way small-town dynamics are woven into the narrative adds a layer of warmth and familiarity. Armas's ability to mix humor with heartfelt moments really shines through here.

For those who love a feel-good, fake-fiancé plot with a slow build, this book is a lovely choice!

Very funny! I laughed out loud numerous times throughout this (and the first book). The slow burn is very slow.

Favorite quote: “beautiful things should not be boxed, it eventually dims their light.”

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for the arc copy.

Elena Armas is my go-to author!

I've lived every book by her and I m glad the cycle is continuing. I don't want to spoil anything so I m going to keep it short. I loved the whole easy going contemporary vibe this book has which is perfect when you want to just relax in your couch with a book on a weekend. Books like this reminds me why romance is my favourite genre. Pick this book and thank me later!

Elena Armas is an author that needs no introduction! Her rom coms are all over Booksta and she’s proven herself to be a fantastic romance writer.

The Long Game, her Ted Lasso-esque romance, was a really fun take on a small town, grumpy/sunshine romance, and The Fiancé Dilemma picks up the story, this time focused on Josie, resident mayor and coffee shop owner, and Matthew, her sister’s BFF.

Overall, this book was more of a like than a love, but it was still an enjoyable read. Armas is known for a slow burn in her stories, and this book is no exception. I’m personally a huge fan of a slow burn as it gives you plenty of time to get to know your MCs, and that’s definitely the case here. I felt like I had a good understanding of who Josie and Matthew were, which really made their connection believable.

In terms of what didn’t work for me, large parts of the story felt contrived. I don’t dislike the fake dating/engagement trope in romance novels, but it has to be built on a solid foundation for me to buy into it, and I hate to say it, but this didn’t pass that test. Some of the conflict felt forced, which made me feel less invested in the story. But, if you are a big fan of this particular trope, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.

The Fiancé Dilemma is out now. Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Fiance Dilemma was a cute third book from Elena Armas. As someone who has been rooting for Matthew to get his own book for two books now, it was incredibly fun. There was good banter, shenanigans, so many baby animals, and absurd situations made worse with rambling (relatable.)

I really wanted to love this book but I struggled with Matthew. He seemed nice and all in for Josie but we were given soooo little about him that it was hard to like him more than just a random stranger brought in on the plan. I also may struggle a little when the main character is a Matthew over a Matt when the fmc has a shortened name but really, it felt like it took have the book before we learned anything about the man. The meet cute backstory was great but not enough to carry the rest of the book.

✨I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review✨

I found The Fiance Dilemma to be cute and charming, and it served as a nice follow-up to The Long Game, but it didn’t really work for me. Josie’s character, who has walked down the aisle four times but never actually married, had promise, but the story felt as chaotic and disorganized as she was. There were sweet and funny moments that I liked, but despite all the great tropes, it didn’t live up to its potential. I often felt like I was reading a few different stories because the story often jumped around mid chapter. Sometimes it felt like pages were missing with how often I felt lost. While Matthew was a charming guy, he couldn’t save this for me. I almost DNF’d a few times but still wanted to see how it all ended. While there were a lot of aspects I didn’t like; I still found some redeeming qualities and moments throughout the story. Seeing Cam and Adalyn and their BIG ANNOUNCEMENT was cute (even if predictable). The story was wrapped up in a sweet way with Josie and Matthew which was a nice ending.

I was a huge fan of Elena Armas' book, The Spanish Love Deception, so I was thrilled when I got the chance to advance read her newest release, The Fiancé Dilemma. I wanted to love it as much as I loved her previous books, but it just didn't land with me. I struggled to connect with the main character, Josie. I felt like she was a little over the top and some of her reactions and behaviors didn't sit right with me. I decided to DNF this book after struggling through the beginning. I would like to give it another try in the future, but right now it wasn't for me.

I do think someone looking to read a really silly main character who puts herself in some not so ideal (and funny) situations including fake dating could really love this book. Hopefully, Josie will have some major character growth before the end.

📚 Book: ⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Elena Armas and Atria Books for this gifted ARC.

Josie Moore has given love four chances chances. Four failed engagements.., When her father decides to announce his retirement with a splashy magazine piece and Josie learns that her romantic history isn’t great PR for the family, she jumps at the chance to offer a solution. Matthew Flanagan has he been fired from his job, but after taking a wrong turn on his way to Green Oak, North Carolina, his car is stuck. So, he grabs a duffel bag with his essentials and goes in search of a place to crash until he gets his life (and vehicle) back on track. But instead, he stumbles upon his best friend’s sister, Josie, greeting him as her fiancé. What starts as a big misunderstanding quickly turns into a fake engagement, with Matthew playing the role of the doting fiancé as he and Josie are swept into a PR whirlwind. Could her be "the One?"

I thought this book was really cute! Although I didn’t really care for The Long Game, this book completely made up for it and then some!

I loved all the tropes: fake engagement, he falls first, small town, slow burn. It was very nicely done in my opinion. EVEN IF THE MMC IS BLONDE!

My only gripe with this book is that the ending felt way too rushed. I would’ve liked to have read more.

After reading and loving "The Long Game" by Elena Armas, I was excited to read the second book in the series. I love a good fake dating / fake engagement story, whoever it has to be believable. And the reason for this fake dating did not feel realistic at all to me. If you are able to overlook that, the romance story was amazing, the slow burn was great, and Matthew was an amazing MMC.

This book is by my favorite of Elena Armas’ books. It was funny, sad and I felt the love and appreciation that each character had for each other all throughout. Not once did I cringe, that’s an amazing development. A little about this book itself, Josie is Adalyn’s (from the Long Game) half-sister and ever since discovering that little bit of info, her life has kind of changed. Especially since every media is coming for her father, she’s forced to drag Matthew into this fake engagement as a PR stunt. And my man my man my MAN agrees, as the story unfolded I just knew he was ALREADY obsessed with her and that is just the cherry on top!

This was such a cute book! I’m always excited for a fake relationship! Plus, we got to visit the small town that the first book took place. I love how Armas writes characters and how they grow throughout the book. This was a solid read and great addition to the series.

I have seen mixed reviews when it comes to Elena Armas books. I think it truly depends on how you’re reading them (audio versus text). I read this one via eBook download from the publisher/Netgalley and thoroughly enjoyed it!

This was a spicy slow burn. Runaway Bridge meets 27 Dresses meets The Proposal. A lot of overlapping tropes into its own mold, in the Armas fashion! This slow burn was like a single kindling holding on for dear life turned into a flaming forest fire near the end. Lots of intimacy, but it was great to see a fake engagement grew into love in a more natural way. I kept thinking, “they’re getting married. hands down.” I won’t give anything away but I thoroughly enjoyed how the ending unfolded.

Josie was a character I enjoyed in The Long Game, so it was nice to see her get her moment. I loved the primary couple from that book playing a big part in The Fiance Dilemma too!

Matthew was also referenced a bit in The Long Game, so I was glad to but a name to the face (as much as a reader can). A glasses-wearing blondie finds himself stuck in the mud one moment and engaged the next. He has a very go-with-the-flow attitude, which I liked a lot. He actually narrated the last chapters of the book. I would have liked the book more if it had split 50/50 POV between Josie and Matt.


Few little things I enjoyed in this book:
- The Claddogh ring! I had one of these when i was growing up and used to love its significance and how each position means something.
- Matthew not knowing who Josie was in the beginning. I thought maybe he had facial blindness/rosopagnosia. Just a funny thing.
- Matt’s nickname for Josie: “Baby Blue.” Swoon!

This small town with cute farm animals should be enough to keep me reading, but then you add in the seasonal fall “ber” months vibes… I am here for it!


I’ve read everything in Elena Armas’ canon. I can’t wait to see what she creates next. Spanish Love Deception #3 or Long Game #3 …?

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review :)

My first Elena Armas and it did not disappoint! I loved the premise and thought the cast of characters was so much fun. A solid romance, sort of fake dating with lots of laughs. Josie and Matthew were fun to watch as they went from pretty much strangers except for a group text they were both in, to two people learning to love. I will definitely be picking up more of Armas' books!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria for the gifted e-book. ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, fake engagement

I loved it. I think this is my favorite one by her so far. The couple is so good. It was sweet, funny, and I flew through it. Usually I like her books but they drag a bit. This is great!