★ 09/05/2022
A duke teams up with a journalist to protect his tenants from his scheming uncle in Heath’s infectious second Merriwell Sisters historical romance (after Never Fall for Your Fiancée). Roguish Giles Sinclair, heir to the Duke of Harpenden, learned years ago that his real mother was the duke’s mistress, making him illegitimate. When his father dies suddenly, Giles fears it’s only a matter of time before the truth gets out and the law comes calling to seize his dukedom and hand it over to his greedy, philandering uncle Gervais. Brilliant Diana Merriwell also has a secret: she’s The Sentinel, an anonymous reporter with a reputation for using her pen to uncover dangerous secrets. Though no one in Diana’s family knows her real role at the paper, Giles suspects the truth. The quarrelsome pair have been forced to tolerate each other ever since Giles’s best friend married Diana’s sister—and now Giles turns to Diana for help. As they work together to protect each other’s secrets, their witty bickering becomes more like foreplay and trust and loyalty grow. Still, the threat of Gervais and Diana’s distrust for men threaten their budding romance. It’s the perfect mix of romance and intrigue, and the formidable central couple is sure to win hearts. This is a gem. (Nov.)
One of the Best Romance Novels of the Year - Cosmopolitan
Praise for Never Rescue a Rogue:
"The perfect mix of romance and intrigue, and the formidable central couple is sure to win hearts. This is a gem."- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Heath is carving a name for herself in historical rom-coms." - Booklist (starred review)
"A sophisticated Regency gem." - BookPage
Praise for Never Fall for Your Fiancee:
"Fans of Heath’s category historicals will enjoy the first installment in her Merriwell Sisters series, an historical rom-com with refreshingly witty banter... Heath has imbued this engrossing story with her customary humor and pathos." - Booklist
"Heath's fast-paced scenes and likable characters will leave fans of Regency romps smiling." - BookPage
"For fans of historical romance, like the Bridgerton series, as well as lovers of the fake dating romance trope who like a good dose of Regency-era witty banter. This is a fun romp through the English countryside with enjoyable characters." - BookRiot
"Readers will relish this engaging, late Regency romcom’s witty duo as they navigate escalating mishaps and growing feelings. Heath (“The King’s Elite” series) has set the stage for an enjoyable new series." - Library Journal
"Historical romance and the fake dating trope prove to be a match made in book heaven in Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath." - Popsugar
"Heath launches a historical rom-com series with this fun, charming tale...This is well worth a look." - Publishers Weekly
"If you’re looking for a historical romance with fake engagement trope, look no further because Virginia Heath has you covered." - Frolic
"An enjoyable escape." - USA Today
“Exuberant, funny and romantic, Virginia Heath’s NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FIANCEE will steal your heart away.” - Anna Campbell, award-winning author
"Filled with fabulously British banter, wit, and heart, this delightful book is one of my must-read rom coms of the year." - Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Portrait of a Scotsman
“Virginia Heath’s fun characters and situations will have you laughing out loud! Don’t miss this wonderful read!” - Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times bestselling author
"Readers, prepare to grin from ear-to-ear as you fall in love with Virginia Heath's latest. For laughs, romps, and emotions galore, pick up this rich and bold romance. You can't help but root for Minerva and Hugh." - Janna MacGregor, author of Wild, Wild Rake
"NEVER FALL FOR YOU FIANCEE is a fun, page-turning Cinderella story with the twist of cheeky sisters and a slightly broken, but charming, prince who needs to offer something better than a shoe. Virginia Heath’s books are always rich in love and laughter." - Cathy Maxwell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
08/01/2022
Giles Sinclair, future Duke of Harpenden, has a secret about his parentage that is on the precipice of being exposed, and if he doesn't determine the truth, it will ruin lives. Diana Merriwell would be the ideal candidate to help, but Giles and Diana tend to do nothing but nettle each other, which has led their friends and family to assume some matchmaking is in order. Giles won't consider a relationship with anyone, however, given his uncertain future, and Diana is quite content on her own. Diana's skill in digging for information and exposing society's wrongs has led to her secret role as a journalist for the local paper. When she learns of Giles' secret, she knows she can help. As their time to solve the mystery ticks down, they will have to overcome meddling sisters, secret rendezvous, long-lost family members, and the growing suspicion their families' assumptions about their relationship may be correct. VERDICT Heath's engaging second book in the "Merriwell Sisters" series (following Never Fall for Your Fiancée) flips the script and gives readers a lovable duke in distress who needs to be rescued by a smart and witty heroine.—Kellie Tilton
2022-09-14
A lady journalist chases a story—and a duke.
Diana Merriwell has a secret. No, it’s not that she’s a journalist; everyone knows that, and she has her family’s support. It’s that her career is a front for her undercover job as the Sentinel, an anonymous writer who unearths and exposes damaging gossip about prominent and problematic noblemen. Unfortunately, that job comes with conflicts of interest, and never is that truer than now, when the hottest story in London concerns her family friend Giles Sinclair, who is suddenly the Duke of Harpenden. He learned before his father’s sudden death that he was actually a bastard and fears it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out and he’s cast from society. When he accidentally stumbles across Diana's Sentinel secret, he admits his own secret to her, and she’s pulled into his mission to repair the damage his ostensible father did before the truth comes out. She agrees to help even though it means she has to avoid the temptation of exposing him publicly—not to mention the long-simmering chemistry between them. The more they explore his family’s history, the closer they become, especially after their lives are put in danger. It’s not a shock when they finally do connect intimately and the book takes a welcome, steamy turn, balanced with their hunt for the truth about Harpenden. The second book in the Merriwell Sisters series combines romance and intrigue well and can be read as a stand-alone. Giles and Diana’s banter is charming, and while it's hard to believe they don’t understand why everyone in their families thinks they're secretly in love, they’re so sweet that it’s hard not to root for them anyway. A pleasant historical romance with a touch of mystery.
A slow burn of a Regency that will please lovers of the subgenre.
