The first in a new historical rom-com series, Never Fall For Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath is an utterly heartwarming and hilarious romp through regency England—fans of Julia Quinn are going to love this!
The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one even from across the other side of the ocean. So, he decides to invent a fiancée in hopes it’ll keep her at bay. But when Hugh gets word his mother’s on a ship bound for England he realises his lies are about to catch him out.
That is, until he meets Minerva, who just might be the miracle he needs…
Minerva has had to struggle to support herself and her sisters after their father abandoned them five years ago. Yet work as a woodcut engraver is hard to come by and the Merriwell sisters are on the verge of eviction. So when Hugh asks her to pose as his fiancée whilst his mother is visiting, a ludicrous scheme for certain —the offer is too good to refuse.
But once she and her sisters’ arrive at Hugh’s estate,nothing seems to go according to plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensues with everyone trying to keep their stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement turns into a real romance. But can they trust one another when their relationship began with a lie?
This was absolutely amazing and I can honestly say I love every second of it! The fake dating trope was incredibly well done, as was the wonderfully pleasant regency setting. I loved the little historical details such as the mention of Hermits (old bearded men who were paid to live in the gardens of aristocrats’ country estates) which I found totally hilarious.
I thought the characters were all utterly charming and I found myself loving so many of them (Giles, Diana-Minerva’s sister,Olivia-Hugh’s mother and Payne the
Butler were just a few of my faves.) But, it’s the swoonyworthy romance between Hugh and Minerva that I really makes this great, not to mention how amazing the flirty conversations,witty banter and romantic tension between them was.
I also really loved that Minerva wasn’t the typical society miss but a complete outsider from a differing social class which was altogether refreshing—especially given every other Regency Romance seems to involve the headstrong daughter of a lord/earl/duke.
I definitely feel Virginia Heath’s new series is the perfect blend of humour and romance that Bridgerton fans will fall head over heels for—I’m already excited for second book in the Merriwell sisters series which is bound to be just as phenomenal—especially if involves a certain rakish lord!
Also thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the e-arc.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Never Fall For Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath is Out Now