Publishers Weekly
★ 09/11/2023
A contentious real estate deal sparks a battle of wits and seduction in Heath’s sexy third Merriwell Sisters Regency (following Never Rescue a Rogue). After years of saving, Galahad “Gal” Sinclair, who was raised by his grandfather in the States, is thrilled to purchase the perfect building for his new London gaming hall—not realizing it’s next door to an orphanage run by his longtime family frenemy, Venus Merriwell. Venus is shocked and despondent: she had a spoken agreement with the late owner that the building would go to the orphanage. When guilt and recrimination don’t move Gal to sell her the property, Venus tries seduction. Men have always been attracted to her ample bosom, which, combined with her name, has led many to see her as merely a sex object. But Gal wants her for more than just her body, and Venus’s attempt to remain emotionally aloof falters in the face of his kindness and understanding, especially after she sees him interacting with some of the orphanage’s troubled children. Gal’s confusion and delight in the face of British colloquialisms (“Cold enough to freeze your knackers off,” for instance) brings humor, and his memories of his grandfather’s life lessons add heart. Readers will be hooked. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"Readers will be hooked"
- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Blending charm, heartache and humor, Never Wager With a Wallflower is a glorious indulgence for lovers of Regency romance."
- BookPage (starred review)
"Heath brings things to a close with a sweetly sexy love story that makes the most of her flair for crafting witty banter and creating captivating characters."
- Booklist
"An enjoyable romance for fans of quick-witted Regency heroines."
- Kirkus
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)
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." - Booklist
"For fans of historical romance, like the Bridgerton series." - BookRiot
"Readers will relish this engaging, late Regency romcom’s witty duo as they navigate escalating mishaps and growing feelings." - 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
Library Journal
09/01/2023
After years of hard work and focus, Galahad Sinclair has finally found the location for his dream gaming hall. The only hitch is the building's neighbor—an orphanage, where pious Miss Venus "Vee" Merriwell teaches. Realizing that he's going to have to unthaw his uneasy truce with Vee if he wants to keep the peace and have any hope of one day buying the orphanage's building to expand, Gal figures that helping Vee with her latest suitor is a good starting place. Vee is certain that the happiest version of her future is with a man who avoids scandals, can converse openly and intelligently, supports her choices about the orphanage and, most importantly, respects her as a person. When Gal starts helping—rather than needling—her, Vee is surprised how many of his traits match her ideals. Long-simmering sparks flare between them, but Gal's ingrained secrecy runs counter to Vee's determination to avoid settling for an unworthy suitor, compelling them to reconsider their individual goals to find a shared future. VERDICT Heath brings the Regency "Merriwell Sisters" series to a fulfilling close (following Never Rescue a Rogue), with Gal and Vee's stories fleshing out the characters and relationship that readers only thought they knew.—Kellie Tilton
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-09
An English wallflower challenges an American businessman.
Venus Merriwell is done with romance. Though both of her sisters are now happily married, she’s had nothing but bad experiences with the so-called gentlemen she’s met so far, most of whom can’t see past her “larger-than-average bosom.” So she’s happy to devote the rest of her life to a possible marriage with an arrogant but respectful aristocrat and working at the Covent Garden Asylum for Orphans. When a wealthy benefactor leaves the leaky, overstuffed orphanage thousands of pounds in her will, along with the possibility of the buildings next door, Venus is excited about what the future holds—until the “cocky, golden-haired, green-eyed devil” Galahad Sinclair keeps turning up. Venus only knows Galahad as her brother-in-law's dissolute American cousin, and he’s given up on convincing her otherwise. But their sudden proximity ignites an instant and confusing chemistry and they keep finding ways to see each other, including a competitive game of whist between the two card sharps. But just as they are on the verge of admitting their feelings to each other, Venus learns more about why Galahad has been in Covent Garden so often, and it may end their acquaintance altogether. The final Merriwell sister completes their shared trilogy with her own enemies-to-lovers journey in which Heath has once again created a charming and slightly spicy story revolving around an independent-minded heroine and a man who can’t resist her despite the potential danger to his own future. The other sisters make appearances that will please fans of the earlier books, and Galahad, Venus, and even many minor characters are all well-developed. The book is nicely paced, and though it can stand alone, is primarily a satisfying conclusion to a historical series that skillfully combines the glamour of Regency society with a handful of the realities of life in 1830 London for everyone else.
An enjoyable romance for fans of quick-witted Regency heroines.
