I love that historical romances are seeing a huge resurgence in popularity. While there will always be people who will mock it, I think that there are a lot more people who are feeling comfortable reading it, and feeling comfortable saying that they read it. (I firmly believe that reading period is a good thing, not just specific genres or books.) There have been some fantastic historic romance releases in the last year, including Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath!
Never Fall for Your Fiancée, Virginia Heath
The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever 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, Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs.
Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So, when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up.
Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh’s estate, of course, nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue, while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other, when their relationship started with a lie?
Why You Should Read This…
I will be honest, I had completely forgotten that I had requested this from the library- the hold notice was a lovely surprise! While it takes place after the Regency period, it still has a very Bridgerton-esque feeling. (And with season 2 premiering shortly, the timing could not be better.)
Never Fall is heavy on the banter and comedy, and that is my preference. With the world as stressful, hectic, and dark as it is, I don’t need that on the page. This book was incredibly fun, and left me chuckling to myself many times. While I normally don’t care about side charactes a ton, I thought that the sisters, the mother, the fake mother, the friends, and more were also hilarious and only added to the story. This book is the perfect escape from life, and is a great book to read before Bridgerton airs!
Want more romance? Here is my list of Books to Read If You Love Bridgerton!
Have you read Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath?
Cheers,
The Historian
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