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The Merriwell Sisters #3
Never Wager with a Wallflower: A Novel
The third and final delightful installment in the Merriwell Sister's Regency rom-com series.
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
249 people are currently reading
14932 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Heath
132 books1,181 followersWhen Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.
Her new Regency Romcom for St Martin's Press ~ Never Fall For Your Fiancée ~ is on sale November 9, 2021
If you want to find out more check out virginiaheathromance.com or follow her on Facebook @VirginiaHeathAuthor
Her new Regency Romcom for St Martin's Press ~ Never Fall For Your Fiancée ~ is on sale November 9, 2021
If you want to find out more check out virginiaheathromance.com or follow her on Facebook @VirginiaHeathAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 782 reviews
October 16, 2023
✨I do love nothing in the world so well as you✨
I did NOT expect to be so emotional at the ending of this series but of course I am!! I love these characters and their chaotic blended/found family so much it hurts. Virginia Heath has such a special way of merging screwball comedy with deeply emotional romance. Like the rest of the series, Never Wager With A Wallflower was no exception.
There were times while reading this book where I really couldn’t contain my laughter. I was listening to the audiobook incognito with a hidden AirPod and I had to turn my laughs into a coughing fit!! I thought that only happened in romance novels! But after the laughs, at its heart, the romance was so touching. Venus and Gal were definitely a long time coming. They felt inevitable.
Gal was down so bad for Venus, poor boy. Whenever a character realizes that they’re incredibly lonely (it’s normally a surprise to them or the other MC), I lose my mind. It’s always so real and sad but also hopeful because it’s romance and they won’t always be alone!! Gal also realized he had a place in their family. That he had people to spend Christmas with. That he had people to care for him.
As for the audiobook, I’ll admit I was apprehensive about it being dual narrated. And while I think it worked pretty well, I’ll never escape a dual narrated audiobook without having a favorite narrator and mourning the loss of a whole book of their narration. Sasha Higgins was a good choice, but her American accent wasn’t my favorite. Sebastian Brown on the other hand was perfection. I wanted him to narrate the sex scene because!!!! That man has such a delicious voice, oh my.
Overall, I’ll be reading whatever Virginia Heath comes out with next. She’s such a unique voice in current histroms, and I’m really happy with how she approached each relationship in the series. While you could read this book without others in the series, I definitely recommend reading the series in order to feel the most feels.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley and PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
I did NOT expect to be so emotional at the ending of this series but of course I am!! I love these characters and their chaotic blended/found family so much it hurts. Virginia Heath has such a special way of merging screwball comedy with deeply emotional romance. Like the rest of the series, Never Wager With A Wallflower was no exception.
There were times while reading this book where I really couldn’t contain my laughter. I was listening to the audiobook incognito with a hidden AirPod and I had to turn my laughs into a coughing fit!! I thought that only happened in romance novels! But after the laughs, at its heart, the romance was so touching. Venus and Gal were definitely a long time coming. They felt inevitable.
Gal was down so bad for Venus, poor boy. Whenever a character realizes that they’re incredibly lonely (it’s normally a surprise to them or the other MC), I lose my mind. It’s always so real and sad but also hopeful because it’s romance and they won’t always be alone!! Gal also realized he had a place in their family. That he had people to spend Christmas with. That he had people to care for him.
As for the audiobook, I’ll admit I was apprehensive about it being dual narrated. And while I think it worked pretty well, I’ll never escape a dual narrated audiobook without having a favorite narrator and mourning the loss of a whole book of their narration. Sasha Higgins was a good choice, but her American accent wasn’t my favorite. Sebastian Brown on the other hand was perfection. I wanted him to narrate the sex scene because!!!! That man has such a delicious voice, oh my.
Overall, I’ll be reading whatever Virginia Heath comes out with next. She’s such a unique voice in current histroms, and I’m really happy with how she approached each relationship in the series. While you could read this book without others in the series, I definitely recommend reading the series in order to feel the most feels.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley and PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
November 9, 2023
Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virgina Heath
3rd and final book in the Merriwell Sisters series. Historical romance, romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone but couples from the prior books do appear in this book.
Venus Merriwell has been writing in her diary about her future prince since she was fourteen. By the age of 23 and after several disappointing potential suitors, she focuses her time and energy on an orphanage in Covent Garden. It’s overcrowded, the roof is leaking and badly in need of repairs and funding. She has her eye on the building next door.
Galahad Sinclair has been scrimping and saving for the perfect building where he can build the ultimate gambling hall. He’s found the perfect block with only one major downfall. The orphanage next door is run by his cousin’s wife’s younger sister and he’s been avoiding her since she flattened him five years ago. Maybe he should rethink his approach to her and see if he can buy her out of that building.
A handsome foreigner (from New York!) who is sympathetic to the rambunctious orphans? Venus doesn’t recognize this man though they’ve been forced to eat around the same table for years! Has she misjudged him or is he simply playing her for some unscrupulous purpose?
A joy to read as these two deal with their lives, dreams and learn more about each other, being secretly attracted. The dialog is fun and the addition of the rest of her family and the orphan boys and their antics ramp up the delightful storyline.
I will go back and read the prior two books in this series. They feel like I’d enjoy them as much as this.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
3rd and final book in the Merriwell Sisters series. Historical romance, romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone but couples from the prior books do appear in this book.
Venus Merriwell has been writing in her diary about her future prince since she was fourteen. By the age of 23 and after several disappointing potential suitors, she focuses her time and energy on an orphanage in Covent Garden. It’s overcrowded, the roof is leaking and badly in need of repairs and funding. She has her eye on the building next door.
Galahad Sinclair has been scrimping and saving for the perfect building where he can build the ultimate gambling hall. He’s found the perfect block with only one major downfall. The orphanage next door is run by his cousin’s wife’s younger sister and he’s been avoiding her since she flattened him five years ago. Maybe he should rethink his approach to her and see if he can buy her out of that building.
A handsome foreigner (from New York!) who is sympathetic to the rambunctious orphans? Venus doesn’t recognize this man though they’ve been forced to eat around the same table for years! Has she misjudged him or is he simply playing her for some unscrupulous purpose?
A joy to read as these two deal with their lives, dreams and learn more about each other, being secretly attracted. The dialog is fun and the addition of the rest of her family and the orphan boys and their antics ramp up the delightful storyline.
I will go back and read the prior two books in this series. They feel like I’d enjoy them as much as this.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
June 1, 2024
Venus and Galahad have never really gotten along, but when he buys the buildings next to the orphanage she works at intending to turn them into a gambling hall, their sparring begins to look a lot more like attraction and respect.
This is the third book in the Merriwell Sisters, which follows a trio of sisters who must make their own way in the world after being abandoned by their ne'er-do-well father. I haven't read the first two books, but this worked well as a standalone.
Venus and Galahad are constantly wrong-footed around each other, saying and seeing the wrong things. It's fun to see how they slowly recognize their misconceptions and begin to realize that they actually like the person they're getting to know. There's plenty of humor and tension over the course of this slow burn romance, and the dramatic climax on the ice had me on the edge of my seat.
I also loved how we really got a sense of how much Venus and Galahad care for their occupations and how hard they've worked for them, which only heightens the conflict over the buildings. Too often in Regency romances characters' passions seem more like window dressing than an integral part of their lives, but that's certainly not the case here!
However, I did think the pacing was a little awkward, as Venus and Galahad spend the majority of the book at odds in some respect or another. Considering how long it takes Venus to understand where Galahad's coming from - and especially considering it feels like she was won over by Galahad's hard luck story than anything else - it made for frustrating reading at times.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is the third book in the Merriwell Sisters, which follows a trio of sisters who must make their own way in the world after being abandoned by their ne'er-do-well father. I haven't read the first two books, but this worked well as a standalone.
Venus and Galahad are constantly wrong-footed around each other, saying and seeing the wrong things. It's fun to see how they slowly recognize their misconceptions and begin to realize that they actually like the person they're getting to know. There's plenty of humor and tension over the course of this slow burn romance, and the dramatic climax on the ice had me on the edge of my seat.
I also loved how we really got a sense of how much Venus and Galahad care for their occupations and how hard they've worked for them, which only heightens the conflict over the buildings. Too often in Regency romances characters' passions seem more like window dressing than an integral part of their lives, but that's certainly not the case here!
However, I did think the pacing was a little awkward, as Venus and Galahad spend the majority of the book at odds in some respect or another. Considering how long it takes Venus to understand where Galahad's coming from - and especially considering it feels like she was won over by Galahad's hard luck story than anything else - it made for frustrating reading at times.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 22, 2023
This review contains spoilers. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC — all thoughts & opinions are my own.
✨✨✨
This story had so much potential and honestly, not much happened.
Funnily enough, the first book in this series has the lowest reviews, but it was my favourite one out of all of them. It focused on the couple, lots of internal pining, and even though it was illustrated-cover-sex-level-amount, it still delivered fairly well in those areas. Book 2 was meh (mainly because I didn't care about the main characters in it), but I was very excited for this book because Venus seemed so adorable and Galahad's name is Galahad so, I mean 🥰 From the ending of the last book, I thought this book was going to be BIG Cat Marks & Leo Hathaway vibes from Married by Morning by the icon, Ms. Lisa Kleypas. But this book didn't really have much of that energy at all. The pacing was weird, the romance was put on the back burner and then the one sex scene was so freaking LAME even for an illustrated-cover.
Some parts were tender and sweet, so I'm giving this 3 stars for now.
I'm still not over that proposal scene at the end. Absolutely hated how that was done. Then again, I hate the mere idea of proposals (for fiction or real life) because I'm sorry, but that shit is cringe, so don't take my word for it.
✨✨✨
This story had so much potential and honestly, not much happened.
Funnily enough, the first book in this series has the lowest reviews, but it was my favourite one out of all of them. It focused on the couple, lots of internal pining, and even though it was illustrated-cover-sex-level-amount, it still delivered fairly well in those areas. Book 2 was meh (mainly because I didn't care about the main characters in it), but I was very excited for this book because Venus seemed so adorable and Galahad's name is Galahad so, I mean 🥰 From the ending of the last book, I thought this book was going to be BIG Cat Marks & Leo Hathaway vibes from Married by Morning by the icon, Ms. Lisa Kleypas. But this book didn't really have much of that energy at all. The pacing was weird, the romance was put on the back burner and then the one sex scene was so freaking LAME even for an illustrated-cover.
Some parts were tender and sweet, so I'm giving this 3 stars for now.
I'm still not over that proposal scene at the end. Absolutely hated how that was done. Then again, I hate the mere idea of proposals (for fiction or real life) because I'm sorry, but that shit is cringe, so don't take my word for it.
February 5, 2024
this one wasn’t funny like the previous book
the MCs felt unbalanced, the hero is kind and understanding, dotes on all the orphans, while the heroine is obstinate and bratty to everyone for 70% of the book which is when I finally started enjoying it
the external conflict sounded promising but didn’t play out well, literally everyone else understood where the hero was coming from except the heroine and when she couldn’t convince adults to hate him she got the orphan kids to (?!)
then we have to endure endless conversations from her family and friends trying to reason with her, this is so boring, just make your book shorter
and what is the point of including the hero’s POV if it’s just him thinking of boobs
ending was satisfying but overall I was disappointed
the MCs felt unbalanced, the hero is kind and understanding, dotes on all the orphans, while the heroine is obstinate and bratty to everyone for 70% of the book which is when I finally started enjoying it
the external conflict sounded promising but didn’t play out well, literally everyone else understood where the hero was coming from except the heroine and when she couldn’t convince adults to hate him she got the orphan kids to (?!)
then we have to endure endless conversations from her family and friends trying to reason with her, this is so boring, just make your book shorter
and what is the point of including the hero’s POV if it’s just him thinking of boobs
ending was satisfying but overall I was disappointed
November 23, 2024
the proposal at the end was so stupid which is why I gave it three stars instead of four. like why
June 6, 2023
Fast and Furious review: What a dud! Way to end a perfectly great series with an absolute boring book.
Recap: We have followed sheltered and spoiled Venus for the past two books. In book one she is a sheltered adult-child that throws tantrums when she is upset about something. She defends her good-for-nothing father until he practically laughs in her face and abandons her, AGAIN. In book two, she is on her morally high horse, however she redeems herself when she enters the adventure and helps our Diana and Giles. Book two is also where we meet Galahad and get a glimpse of their potentially rocky relationship. This book follows their relationship from annoyed acquaintances to HEA. She loves her charity, he buys the building next to it and....yup, that's the only issue.
Venus was beyond annoying and made mountains out of molehills about everything. She was entitled and demanded that Galahad give her something he worked really hard to get. UGH! Galahad was on the boring side and I just kept reading it to get glimpses of the past characters.
Thank you #NetGalley for proving me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review..
Recap: We have followed sheltered and spoiled Venus for the past two books. In book one she is a sheltered adult-child that throws tantrums when she is upset about something. She defends her good-for-nothing father until he practically laughs in her face and abandons her, AGAIN. In book two, she is on her morally high horse, however she redeems herself when she enters the adventure and helps our Diana and Giles. Book two is also where we meet Galahad and get a glimpse of their potentially rocky relationship. This book follows their relationship from annoyed acquaintances to HEA. She loves her charity, he buys the building next to it and....yup, that's the only issue.
Venus was beyond annoying and made mountains out of molehills about everything. She was entitled and demanded that Galahad give her something he worked really hard to get. UGH! Galahad was on the boring side and I just kept reading it to get glimpses of the past characters.
Thank you #NetGalley for proving me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review..
October 13, 2023
after reading some reviews that confirm my worst fears, i'm calling it on this one. Venus' character does not appear to grow AT ALL, and I don't feel like there was any chemistry between her and Galahad. Vee's self-righteousness and (dare I say) snootiness didn't sit right with me, and the pacing was all over the place. A third of the way through the book, basically nothing had happened, a far cry from the action and fun of book 2, and because I didn't like the heroine, I wasn't getting far at all. galahad wasn't much better, obsessing about her body just like all the other men. The addition of "oh, she's good at cards! maybe she's smart!" didn't make it any better. A shame, because I liked book 2 and was hopeful that this one would be just as fun. Instead, boring and meandering.
May 17, 2023
*4.5 stars ✨
This was good conclusion to this trilogy. I loved watching the Merriwell sisters fall in love. This last one with the youngest, Venus, was a fun one. Gal was a sweetheart, even if Venus didn’t think so…..at first. There were some funny moments, especially with the pigeons. I also enjoyed the orphans, they added a bit more to the story.
This was good conclusion to this trilogy. I loved watching the Merriwell sisters fall in love. This last one with the youngest, Venus, was a fun one. Gal was a sweetheart, even if Venus didn’t think so…..at first. There were some funny moments, especially with the pigeons. I also enjoyed the orphans, they added a bit more to the story.
November 11, 2023
Title: Never Wager with a Wallflower
Series: The Merriwell Sisters #3
Author: Virginia Heath
Release date: November 7, 2023
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: historical romance
“Much to my chagrin, and against all my better judgment, it appears that I am finally starting to like you.”
If you're wondering if you can read this last installment in the Merrill Sisters series without reading any of the previous books, you came to the right review. I'm guilty of starting this series backwards and it did not affect my reading comprehension or enjoyment. Of course there are spoilers about certain events from the series that you may not want to know if you are planning to read the others, but personally, I felt that just enough information was given in order to understand the other couples as well as the cause of Venus and Galahad's animosity. (Yes, you read that right...those are their names) This book has an enemies-to-lovers trope which I haven't been having the best of luck reading lately, but I feel as if the "enemies" portion of the story was not too exaggerated or used simply as a plot device without any realistic background.
Venus Merriwell was a great heroine. She's bookish, which is always a plus, bighearted, very intelligent, and quite independent for a woman of her time. She dedicates her life to taking care of children who need a helping hand at the Covent Garden Asylum for Orphans. Everyone in her family views her as nothing less than a saint for her charitable work, but she's very down-to-earth and humble about herself. All she has ever wanted out of life is a partner whom she could have intellectual conversations with. Someone who enjoys Shakespeare as much as she does, and respects her for her brain rather than her sizable bosom. Having a name like Venus is somewhat of a curse when you're exceptionally endowed like she is. She's like a magnet for men with bad intentions, and she doesn't seem to have the ability to detect these bad traits in them until it's too late and the damage is done.
She’d picked some corkers over the years—libertines, dandies, fortune-hunters, flatterers, dyed-in-the-wool fornicators, and failures—but she was really scraping the barrel this time.
Venus seems to have been hurt the most by her last suitor, Lord Argyll, but it isn't revealed what offense he committed until late in the book. The author uses short snippets of her journal entries at the beginning of the chapters to help you understand her feelings and experiences a little better. I enjoyed these little windows into what helped form her current opinions of Gal and men in general. I wouldn't call her a man hater, but she's been quite wounded by men and has decided that she no longer has it in her to trust the opposite sex. She guards her heart fiercely now, and has mostly lost hope of ever getting swept away by passion and romance as her sisters did. Now she looks at love pragmatically, and ironically, that has caused her to pick another man who is completely wrong for her. She has been warned by all of her loved ones that Lord Dorchester is an intolerable, pompous, snob, but she's determined to prove them wrong.
Dorchester was the dictionary definition of what the Brits called a prig. A puritanical, vacillating, know-it-all fuddy-duddy who acted older than his already extensive years and wiser than Socrates, and was too puffed up with his own importance to notice his own shortcomings.
Galahad "Gal" Sinclair is the cousin of Giles, Venus' brother-in-law. As they are related through marriage, they cross paths at family gatherings and other social events. After an unfortunate misunderstanding in their first meeting, Gal just can't seem to get along with Venus. The two of them vacillate between pushing each other's buttons with taunts, and avoidance whenever possible. Gal likes to keep his distance from people in general, and he is a very private person who tends to only show others what he wants them to see. From a very young age, his father's betrayal combined with the loss of his mother has forced him to depend only on himself. He has admirably raised himself up from being penniless to owning multiple businesses and being comfortable financially. However, he's always working towards his big dream of owning a gambling establishment that would be open to both men and women of any social status. When a large property opens up in a prime location, it seems his dream can finally be set into motion. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that his dream may turn into a nightmare, because the shabby building right next door is owned by none other than his formidable adversary, Venus.
Gal never lets a challenge defeat him, so he concocts a plan to get on Venus' good side, which will hopefully help him avoid any conflict in the future. Yes, he is being a bit sneaky in his plan, but in his defense, he isn't aware of information involving the property that would have influenced his decision-making process. Of course, whenever a fragile relationship is founded on misconception and secrets, it never ends well. I thought his deception would be the big conflict at the end, but surprisingly it came out a lot earlier. Because of this, Gal had to prove himself to her a second time, and it was much harder this time around because she was just starting to care for him when his lies by omission were outed. At times, I did feel she was being a bit unreasonable by not listening to his side, but I did understand where she was coming from.
Gal was really struggling with losing the woman he was falling for. He didn't want to sacrifice any part of his dreams for the building, but he did feel a responsibility to make things right with her. He is a good man who made a dumb choice, and he had to find a way to allow himself to be honest and vulnerable with someone for the first time in his life. It was sweet seeing them find their way back to each other as he proved his good intentions and open heart.
You’ve always felt significant, and I guess that’s why I’ve always kept you at a longer arm’s length than I’ve kept everyone else. I knew, somewhere deep down, that if I didn’t, you’d be my undoing.” He lifted her hand to kiss her fingers. “I was right. You are. I adore you.”
My one complaint is that when they finally professed their love for each other, I felt like he hadn't opened up to her at all about his childhood and many other personal things. He showed her that he had no bad intentions, and that he was a good man, but did she really know him at a deep enough level to be able to say that she loved him yet? All things considered, I did think they were a sweet couple once they worked out their difficulties and they had a lot in common to bond over.
I really enjoyed this first read by Virginia Heath, and I will definitely be checking out other books by her in the future.
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April 29, 2025
Venus Merriwell is the youngest of three sisters. Her sisters are happily married, and Venus is impatient to be as well. Except she has terrible taste in men, who only want her for her curvaceous body. Galahad Sinclair is Venus’ brother-in-law’s cousin, so he’s often around. He’s good looking and charming, everything that Venus has sworn off. Plus, he’s a gambler like her wretched father. She refuses to fall victim to his charm. Who cares if her heart races when he’s around.
This is the third, and final, book in the Merriwell Sisters series. It’s a standalone, but I strongly recommend you read book two before this one. The characters meet in book two, and how they meet matters. Honestly, Venus was my least favorite of the Merriwell sisters, so I didn’t go in expecting much. The character has annoyed me in the past. She was fine for the first half of the book. Then something happened that upset her and she became closed off and unreasonable. I really felt like she overreacted and jumped to some pretty hasty conclusions. In the end she was fine, but there was a short part of the book where she was judgmental, hostile, and irrational. These are not traits I like in my heroine. Good thing the love interest was interesting; otherwise, I may have stopped reading. In the end I enjoyed the story and think your average reader will as well.
This is the third, and final, book in the Merriwell Sisters series. It’s a standalone, but I strongly recommend you read book two before this one. The characters meet in book two, and how they meet matters. Honestly, Venus was my least favorite of the Merriwell sisters, so I didn’t go in expecting much. The character has annoyed me in the past. She was fine for the first half of the book. Then something happened that upset her and she became closed off and unreasonable. I really felt like she overreacted and jumped to some pretty hasty conclusions. In the end she was fine, but there was a short part of the book where she was judgmental, hostile, and irrational. These are not traits I like in my heroine. Good thing the love interest was interesting; otherwise, I may have stopped reading. In the end I enjoyed the story and think your average reader will as well.
November 23, 2023
This is book four of the Merriwell Sisters series, and this time, Venus falls in love. Never Wager with a Wallflower is filled with wit and charm.
I loved Venus and Galahad together. Their interactions are delightful, and their back and forth banter is wonderful! One of my favorite parts was Gal's involvement with the orphans. I loved how he showed so much patience and understanding with them.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to what's next for Virginia Heath now that this series is completed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I loved Venus and Galahad together. Their interactions are delightful, and their back and forth banter is wonderful! One of my favorite parts was Gal's involvement with the orphans. I loved how he showed so much patience and understanding with them.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to what's next for Virginia Heath now that this series is completed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 31, 2024
"You’ve always felt significant, and I guess that’s why I’ve always kept you at a longer arm’s length than I’ve kept everyone else. I knew, somewhere deep down, that if I didn’t, you’d be my undoing.”
This book's plot was interesting, but it felt really drawn out, and I'm not sure how I feel about the characters. Venus—I loved her growth since book one and just adored her as a character. She refused to back down and always stood up for herself which I loved and finally, a non-virgin female main character was kind of refreshing to see in historical romance. Galahad, on the other hand, really pissed me off on multiple occasions. It didn't sit right with me that the orphanage wouldn't have gotten that other building if it weren't for his love for Venus when, in my opinion, it was rightfully theirs! He kept acting like giving up one building would be giving up on his dream when it would hardly be the end of the world if you give up one of your three buildings when you didn't even anticipate buying three in the first place... victim complex for real. Never mind the fact that she lost a fairly played card game where she could've won the orphanage back by one card... because her sister went into labor that second and he took the card and cleaned up. How frustrating. He did end up confessing and apologizing about taking her last card so there's that.
During the majority of the book, it felt like his only praiseworthy qualities were that he’s an egalitarian and that he’s good with orphans. These are hardly redeeming qualities. Maybe I'm being harsh but even if I was rooting for Galahad and not Venus, I'm sure I would've disliked her the same amount instead so either option isn't more fruitful than the other. However, the romance itself wasn't that bad, but they were really lacking the chemistry that makes a romance book good. Overall, it was a decent read with a nice last few chapters and epilogue but I can't help feeling like the first two books were much better.
This book's plot was interesting, but it felt really drawn out, and I'm not sure how I feel about the characters. Venus—I loved her growth since book one and just adored her as a character. She refused to back down and always stood up for herself which I loved and finally, a non-virgin female main character was kind of refreshing to see in historical romance. Galahad, on the other hand, really pissed me off on multiple occasions. It didn't sit right with me that the orphanage wouldn't have gotten that other building if it weren't for his love for Venus when, in my opinion, it was rightfully theirs! He kept acting like giving up one building would be giving up on his dream when it would hardly be the end of the world if you give up one of your three buildings when you didn't even anticipate buying three in the first place... victim complex for real. Never mind the fact that she lost a fairly played card game where she could've won the orphanage back by one card... because her sister went into labor that second and he took the card and cleaned up. How frustrating. He did end up confessing and apologizing about taking her last card so there's that.
During the majority of the book, it felt like his only praiseworthy qualities were that he’s an egalitarian and that he’s good with orphans. These are hardly redeeming qualities. Maybe I'm being harsh but even if I was rooting for Galahad and not Venus, I'm sure I would've disliked her the same amount instead so either option isn't more fruitful than the other. However, the romance itself wasn't that bad, but they were really lacking the chemistry that makes a romance book good. Overall, it was a decent read with a nice last few chapters and epilogue but I can't help feeling like the first two books were much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
Lively Georgian romance!
The last Merriwell sisters’ story. Venus (Vee) Merriwell is a handful. A pocket Venus, a rapacious reader, intelligent, and after being let down so badly by Galahad Sinclair, a confirmed wallflower
Gal is her nemesis ever since she first met him. Very had attacked him in the grounds of their home where thinking he was an intruder.
Returned from America, Gal was looking to invest in a building to turn into a gambling establishment. He’d found one just after the owner had died. The heir needed cash. It was next to an orphanage but Gal had plans for that as well.
However, as he found out later, not just any orphanage but the one supported by Vee Merriwell.
You can imagine how Vee took that!
An enchanting bluestocking, enemy to lovers romance, with some delightful orphans thrown in to bleed us emotionally dry!
A St. Martin’s Press ARC invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
The last Merriwell sisters’ story. Venus (Vee) Merriwell is a handful. A pocket Venus, a rapacious reader, intelligent, and after being let down so badly by Galahad Sinclair, a confirmed wallflower
Gal is her nemesis ever since she first met him. Very had attacked him in the grounds of their home where thinking he was an intruder.
Returned from America, Gal was looking to invest in a building to turn into a gambling establishment. He’d found one just after the owner had died. The heir needed cash. It was next to an orphanage but Gal had plans for that as well.
However, as he found out later, not just any orphanage but the one supported by Vee Merriwell.
You can imagine how Vee took that!
An enchanting bluestocking, enemy to lovers romance, with some delightful orphans thrown in to bleed us emotionally dry!
A St. Martin’s Press ARC invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
January 1, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc I didn't manage to read in time but very much enjoyed nonetheless. This was a great conclusion to the series. Venus and Galahad's story was my favourite of the trilogy. I love a slow burn and this proved to be just that. Poor disillusioned Vee took a while to come around to Galahad but once she did it was magic. I loved seeing Galahad contribute to the orphanage and start to build relationships with the boys. This was all around lovely and I recommend it if anyone is looking for a fluffy historical romance with minimal angst. Perfect for the holiday season.
February 19, 2025
3.5 stars. Sweet romance and I enjoyed it more than the second one
November 5, 2023
Never Wager with a Wallflower is the third and final book in The Merriwell Sisters trilogy, and it focuses on the youngest sister, Venus. Vee teaches at a local orphanage and does what she can to avoid Galahad, her brother-in-law’s brother. Gal has spent years working toward his dream of opening a pleasure palace, and his dreams are finally realized. However, when he learns he bought property next door to Vee’s orphanage unbeknownst to Vee, and their paths repeatedly cross, both characters must face their changing feelings for each other.
Vee and Gal have a wonderful, slow-building, enemies-to-lovers romance, and their love story was a fabulous conclusion to the series. Each chapter begins with a passage from Vee’s journal, which she’s kept for many years. It was so interesting to see how her thoughts, feelings, and desires changed from her younger teen years to adulthood. I also liked that each journal passage set the tone and offered a bit of foreshadowing for the chapter ahead.
Though they believe they are very different, Vee and Gal have a lot in common, which they learn the more they’re together. Both had difficult and tragic pasts, both have erected pretty strong walls, and they both have feelings for each other that they’re hesitant to reveal. This all makes for some great chemistry and terrific and sometimes antagonistic banter. They have some amazing conversations about books and Shakespeare that are fantastic! Vee and Gal learn that their first impressions of each other are not as accurate as they believed, and it was wonderful seeing their preconceptions change as they learn more about each other.
Vee and Gal have a slow-building love story. Both struggle with their insecurities and fears, as well as deep hurts from the past, and the story delves into these feelings and conflicts. It definitely deepens their connection, and it adds so much to their character development. I found myself so invested in their stories, and I really wanted them both to see how perfect they were for each other. However, between their misgivings, the walls they put up, and their fear (especially Gal) of opening up to others, there are a lot of obstacles in their way. Plus, Gal bought the property Vee thought was for the orphanage, and he isn’t transparent with Vee about it.
I also liked the secondary characters in the novel. The couples from the first two books are also in this one, but the stars of the secondary characters have to be the orphanage boys. I just adored them and how both Vee and Gal connected with them in different ways.
This was a delightful conclusion to the trilogy, and the epilogue was the icing on top of the cake. I loved it! Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Vee and Gal have a wonderful, slow-building, enemies-to-lovers romance, and their love story was a fabulous conclusion to the series. Each chapter begins with a passage from Vee’s journal, which she’s kept for many years. It was so interesting to see how her thoughts, feelings, and desires changed from her younger teen years to adulthood. I also liked that each journal passage set the tone and offered a bit of foreshadowing for the chapter ahead.
Though they believe they are very different, Vee and Gal have a lot in common, which they learn the more they’re together. Both had difficult and tragic pasts, both have erected pretty strong walls, and they both have feelings for each other that they’re hesitant to reveal. This all makes for some great chemistry and terrific and sometimes antagonistic banter. They have some amazing conversations about books and Shakespeare that are fantastic! Vee and Gal learn that their first impressions of each other are not as accurate as they believed, and it was wonderful seeing their preconceptions change as they learn more about each other.
Vee and Gal have a slow-building love story. Both struggle with their insecurities and fears, as well as deep hurts from the past, and the story delves into these feelings and conflicts. It definitely deepens their connection, and it adds so much to their character development. I found myself so invested in their stories, and I really wanted them both to see how perfect they were for each other. However, between their misgivings, the walls they put up, and their fear (especially Gal) of opening up to others, there are a lot of obstacles in their way. Plus, Gal bought the property Vee thought was for the orphanage, and he isn’t transparent with Vee about it.
I also liked the secondary characters in the novel. The couples from the first two books are also in this one, but the stars of the secondary characters have to be the orphanage boys. I just adored them and how both Vee and Gal connected with them in different ways.
This was a delightful conclusion to the trilogy, and the epilogue was the icing on top of the cake. I loved it! Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
June 1, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After her sisters found love with their husbands, Miss Venus Merriwell knows that people are waiting to see her wed. But she's now 23, and though she's waiting nearly a decade for her prince, she's seen disappointment and disappointment, and knows she wants someone nothing like her gambler father. So when the only man to ever catch her eye, American Galahad Sinclair, spends most of his time at his gaming hell, she knows they can't be together. But as he's a cousin to her brother-in-law, they're in company too much for her liking, and she can't convince her heart that he's worth the risk.
I knew when we met Vee and Gal in the previous books that the chemistry between them was going to be special, and by god it was! Both of them thought the other was too stuck up or a risk taker for them to like, but that was just the outside persona that many saw. Because they were so often together, especially when the issue of ownership of the property next door to the orphanage came up, they were able to see what was under the walls they had put up, and be true with each other. I loved the heartfelt moments between them, where they really opened up about their past, and how it had affected them. They may have had bad first impressions of each other, but Vee and Gal were able to start over again, and working together proved they were worth fighting for. Both grew so much, and the inclusion of the orphan boys in particular, showed the hidden sides that they needed to see. A wonderful conclusion to the series, and I'm so happy we got to see all of the Merriwell sisters get the happy ending they deserved!
After her sisters found love with their husbands, Miss Venus Merriwell knows that people are waiting to see her wed. But she's now 23, and though she's waiting nearly a decade for her prince, she's seen disappointment and disappointment, and knows she wants someone nothing like her gambler father. So when the only man to ever catch her eye, American Galahad Sinclair, spends most of his time at his gaming hell, she knows they can't be together. But as he's a cousin to her brother-in-law, they're in company too much for her liking, and she can't convince her heart that he's worth the risk.
I knew when we met Vee and Gal in the previous books that the chemistry between them was going to be special, and by god it was! Both of them thought the other was too stuck up or a risk taker for them to like, but that was just the outside persona that many saw. Because they were so often together, especially when the issue of ownership of the property next door to the orphanage came up, they were able to see what was under the walls they had put up, and be true with each other. I loved the heartfelt moments between them, where they really opened up about their past, and how it had affected them. They may have had bad first impressions of each other, but Vee and Gal were able to start over again, and working together proved they were worth fighting for. Both grew so much, and the inclusion of the orphan boys in particular, showed the hidden sides that they needed to see. A wonderful conclusion to the series, and I'm so happy we got to see all of the Merriwell sisters get the happy ending they deserved!
November 29, 2023
Though I’ve enjoyed a Heath romance before, I tend not to read a lot of histrom, though it was my romance genre gateway. Given how fresh, funny, and touching Never Wager With a Wallflower was, I ought to read…well, more histrom if they match Heath’s. She is an adept hand at balancing banter, serious revelations, touches of physical humour, a delicious stretching-out of sexual tension leading to one lovely love scene, much healthy ogling on both her hero’s and heroine’s part, great command of her chosen trope with well-established, believable stakes and, subsequently, obstacles, internal and external, to her Galahad and Venus’s HEA. (Their names, frankly, make for many a chuckle.) To orient us, the publisher’s blurb:
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is a selfless academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago.
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
The blurb tends to the comic aspect of Heath’s romance. Its strength, however, lies in how the comic is tempered with pathos. The success of any romance lies in the author’s ability to write well by playing with trope with language and wit, yet still express the genre’s great strength, the primacy of the heart. Heath is a smooth, elegant, witty writer and she endows primary and secondary characters with similar qualities. Simply put, Galahad and Venus are lovable, soft-hearted, smart, and hilarious; their antagonistic banter is a hoot. Heath builds them with humour and wordplay, deepens them with sad, difficult backstories, and creates viable stakes blocking them from being together by making their aspirations, Venus’s for her orphans and Galahad’s for financial security, clash. Their cross-purposes make for a solid plot and, more importantly, a romance journey fraught with desire, the push-pull of liking and repelling, emerging compatibility, delightful banter, and heart-felt confession.
While the obstacles keeping Galahad and Venus apart is her orphanage and his club, this conflict goes deeper than the present. Heath connects it to their backstories and creates deeper, more compelling characterization. Venus and her sisters were, as we learn from the blurb, left destitute by their father thanks to his gambling. And so Galahad’s plans and aspirations play on Venus’s fears, even while Galahad’s entrepreneurial endeavours are bound up with his identity and vulnerabilities. As we learn, Galahad lost the two people in his life he most loved and the only two to care for him, his mother and grand-father, owner to a gambling club. Galahad has worked tirelessly, saved to make his dream come true and follow in her grand-father’s footsteps.
Early in the romance, as Galahad and Venus thaw towards each other and share a kiss, Venus learns of Galahad’s purchase. To her, it’s evidence of perfidy rather than Galahad’s need for something of his own, a roof and security. Venus too is vulnerable in her own way: having several seasons with a series of men more interested in her ample bosoms than, as Galahad amusingly says, her “big ole brain”. She has lost her confidence as woman. To make a reader laugh and yet, to endow characters with soft, vulnerable cores that truly move one, that’s one talented romance writer. My only regret in reading Never Wager With a Wallflower is that I missed reading the first two in the series. Miss Austen agrees, Heath’s third Merriwell Sisters romance is proof there is “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma.
Virginia Heath’s Never Wager With a Wallflower is published by St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin. I received an e-galley from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange for this review. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion.
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is a selfless academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago.
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
The blurb tends to the comic aspect of Heath’s romance. Its strength, however, lies in how the comic is tempered with pathos. The success of any romance lies in the author’s ability to write well by playing with trope with language and wit, yet still express the genre’s great strength, the primacy of the heart. Heath is a smooth, elegant, witty writer and she endows primary and secondary characters with similar qualities. Simply put, Galahad and Venus are lovable, soft-hearted, smart, and hilarious; their antagonistic banter is a hoot. Heath builds them with humour and wordplay, deepens them with sad, difficult backstories, and creates viable stakes blocking them from being together by making their aspirations, Venus’s for her orphans and Galahad’s for financial security, clash. Their cross-purposes make for a solid plot and, more importantly, a romance journey fraught with desire, the push-pull of liking and repelling, emerging compatibility, delightful banter, and heart-felt confession.
While the obstacles keeping Galahad and Venus apart is her orphanage and his club, this conflict goes deeper than the present. Heath connects it to their backstories and creates deeper, more compelling characterization. Venus and her sisters were, as we learn from the blurb, left destitute by their father thanks to his gambling. And so Galahad’s plans and aspirations play on Venus’s fears, even while Galahad’s entrepreneurial endeavours are bound up with his identity and vulnerabilities. As we learn, Galahad lost the two people in his life he most loved and the only two to care for him, his mother and grand-father, owner to a gambling club. Galahad has worked tirelessly, saved to make his dream come true and follow in her grand-father’s footsteps.
Early in the romance, as Galahad and Venus thaw towards each other and share a kiss, Venus learns of Galahad’s purchase. To her, it’s evidence of perfidy rather than Galahad’s need for something of his own, a roof and security. Venus too is vulnerable in her own way: having several seasons with a series of men more interested in her ample bosoms than, as Galahad amusingly says, her “big ole brain”. She has lost her confidence as woman. To make a reader laugh and yet, to endow characters with soft, vulnerable cores that truly move one, that’s one talented romance writer. My only regret in reading Never Wager With a Wallflower is that I missed reading the first two in the series. Miss Austen agrees, Heath’s third Merriwell Sisters romance is proof there is “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma.
Virginia Heath’s Never Wager With a Wallflower is published by St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin. I received an e-galley from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange for this review. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion.
November 29, 2023
What an entertaining love story this was. I certainly loved the dialogue among the characters. The dialogue with the subplot offered the book some interesting interactions with the characters. The storyline was a fun read. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2023
Out of the three Merriwell Sisters books, I do think I like this one the least. But that didn't mean I didn't like it, as it was a lot of fun.
It's a light-hearted romantic comedy set in regency times, so if that sounds fun to you I would definitely recommend it. I personally found the conflict between the main characters a bit tiring at times, it felt like they were too quick to change their minds about each other.
But overall I still really enjoyed it. A fun read.
It's a light-hearted romantic comedy set in regency times, so if that sounds fun to you I would definitely recommend it. I personally found the conflict between the main characters a bit tiring at times, it felt like they were too quick to change their minds about each other.
But overall I still really enjoyed it. A fun read.
Read
January 15, 2024DNF
Will provide more information will be provided once SMP adequately addresses the racism of their employee
Will provide more information will be provided once SMP adequately addresses the racism of their employee
Read
May 30, 2024my least favourite in the series…
November 23, 2023
I thought the dual narration would make this better. It did not. With 2 wealthy brothers-in-law, why did so much of the plot focus on having money for the orphanage? Dead parents.
September 8, 2024
This was a very enjoyable read for me, and having met the author in person, I found that I could hear her voice in the written words of the story. Considering she has a great sense of humor, hearing her voice while reading made the book that much more fun for me. This is the first book in the series that I have read, and I would comment that it can be read as a standalone. While it builds on the events of the prior two novels in The Merriwell Sisters series, I could easily fill in some of the other plot points, and really this story is about Venus Merriwell and Galahad Sinclair falling in love after what has alway been a bit of a prickly path forward for them.
Both Vee and Gal are likable characters; Gal is endearing and honorable, with a good heart - truly a knight in shining armor who comes to Vee's emotional rescue. I also loved that Gal was able to serve up a dose of humility to the undefeated Vee in their first whist match, then struggle in the rematch. I was charmed by Galahad's interactions with the Claypole twins and Billy Tubbs from the orphanage in Covent Garden as well as touched by his regard for children living on the streets and his protectiveness of them. In contrast, at times, Vee's cynicism and distrust of Gal's motives - given her past heartbreaks - felt a little overplayed, but I was rooting for these two to sort things out and get past their own walls of defense to allow love into their hearts. Their supporting cast, both in terms of their family members and the children of the orphanage, are hilarious, and there are so many laugh-out-loud moments in this story that I spent much of my time smiling and having a giggle while I read. The writing was snappy, with witty banter between Gal and Vee and clever turns in the plot to showcase their strengths as well as draw them closer. As a romcom, the focus was more on the comedic aspects of their romance, but there was a little bit of steam (that came in the last 10% of the novel) to seal up their happy ending.
It was such a fun read for me. Now I want to go back and read the other books in the series as well!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
I received an ARC of this story from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Both Vee and Gal are likable characters; Gal is endearing and honorable, with a good heart - truly a knight in shining armor who comes to Vee's emotional rescue. I also loved that Gal was able to serve up a dose of humility to the undefeated Vee in their first whist match, then struggle in the rematch. I was charmed by Galahad's interactions with the Claypole twins and Billy Tubbs from the orphanage in Covent Garden as well as touched by his regard for children living on the streets and his protectiveness of them. In contrast, at times, Vee's cynicism and distrust of Gal's motives - given her past heartbreaks - felt a little overplayed, but I was rooting for these two to sort things out and get past their own walls of defense to allow love into their hearts. Their supporting cast, both in terms of their family members and the children of the orphanage, are hilarious, and there are so many laugh-out-loud moments in this story that I spent much of my time smiling and having a giggle while I read. The writing was snappy, with witty banter between Gal and Vee and clever turns in the plot to showcase their strengths as well as draw them closer. As a romcom, the focus was more on the comedic aspects of their romance, but there was a little bit of steam (that came in the last 10% of the novel) to seal up their happy ending.
It was such a fun read for me. Now I want to go back and read the other books in the series as well!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
I received an ARC of this story from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2023
This was so cute!!! I struggled a bit with the male narrator, as he had this weird way of making the men in this book all sound like they were in their 60s and not late 20s/30s? So that was a bit rough?? But I love the Merriwell girls so much and being back with them to finally see Venus get her happily ever after was absolutely deligthful.
Also Gal, yes, hello, I love you sir, you absolute angel man who falls so hard and so fast and is so dumb but so smart and wonderful. I loveeeeeeee you.
Plus, the orphan boys!!! I adored them!!!! They were so silly and cute and funny and awestruck by Vee and omg I loved them!!!!!
I thought this book was cute and I loved this little series and I am excited for what comes next from Virginia Heath. I cackle and squeal and giggle and every single time without fail.
Also Gal, yes, hello, I love you sir, you absolute angel man who falls so hard and so fast and is so dumb but so smart and wonderful. I loveeeeeeee you.
Plus, the orphan boys!!! I adored them!!!! They were so silly and cute and funny and awestruck by Vee and omg I loved them!!!!!
I thought this book was cute and I loved this little series and I am excited for what comes next from Virginia Heath. I cackle and squeal and giggle and every single time without fail.
January 22, 2024
this was fine. tbh kinda couldn't stand the fmc
Read
December 26, 2024an american love interest in a british historical romance is always patriotic asf like RAHH USA USA USA 🦅🦅🦅
January 28, 2024
Never Wager With a Wallflower is the third and final book in The Merriwell Sisters series. Each book was about a different sister and this one was Venus Merriwell's story. Venus is the youngest sister and has no desire to be married. She is the social activist and works with the local vicar running an orphanage. They have survived with the the generosity of their benefactress, who has recently died. She promised them the building next to the house they presently use, but never put it in writing. Upon her death, her nephew who needed money sold it to Galahad Sinclair, who wants to open a Gaming Establishment. This throws Venus into a tizzy, and she vows to do whatever she can to get him to sell them the building. Meanwhile, Galahad finds that he has feelings for the incorrigible Venus. Can these two find their way to each other?
I enjoyed this story, although it was my least favourite of the three. The humor seemed to be lacking a bit. Venus is a bit too righteous and frustrated me at times. Galahad was great. He was honorable, smart, had a great sense of humor and when I learned more about his past, I respected his character a lot more. There were secrets, omissions/lies by omission, romance, arguing, witty banter, orphans, sneakiness, family times and eventually, a Happy Ever After. There are a couple of steamy scenes near the end, but that was it. This book ties together all the sister's stories and there is an epilogue to finish it all. I definitely recommend this series, but also recommend you read it in order. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Sasha Higgins & Sebastian Brown. I enjoyed the dual narration as it gave great voices to both Venus and Galahad. The expression added to the story, and my enjoyment of it.
I enjoyed this story, although it was my least favourite of the three. The humor seemed to be lacking a bit. Venus is a bit too righteous and frustrated me at times. Galahad was great. He was honorable, smart, had a great sense of humor and when I learned more about his past, I respected his character a lot more. There were secrets, omissions/lies by omission, romance, arguing, witty banter, orphans, sneakiness, family times and eventually, a Happy Ever After. There are a couple of steamy scenes near the end, but that was it. This book ties together all the sister's stories and there is an epilogue to finish it all. I definitely recommend this series, but also recommend you read it in order. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Sasha Higgins & Sebastian Brown. I enjoyed the dual narration as it gave great voices to both Venus and Galahad. The expression added to the story, and my enjoyment of it.
January 14, 2024
4.5 ✨
Love, love, love—the final edition of the Merriwell sisters. I listened to the audiobook, and I praise the Lord for the dual narration. The narrators of this novel, in my opinion, brought life to the characters of Galahad and Venus and had me swooning over their distrust and love for each other.
I absolutely adored Galahad and felt so much for him as we learned about his past and for the both of them to finally put their past behind them, be able to move forward, and finally trust each other enough to love each other.
I also fell more in love with characters from previous books, especially the news ones, such as the orphan boys, who would do anything for their motherly teacher figure. I was not expecting the scenario that leads to our big I love you revelation, but it was everything and more.
I think the only thing I was saddened by was the fact that the two never officially adopted any orphans for their own, but I'm happy to finally have finished the series and cannot wait to see where Virginia Heath takes me next.
Love, love, love—the final edition of the Merriwell sisters. I listened to the audiobook, and I praise the Lord for the dual narration. The narrators of this novel, in my opinion, brought life to the characters of Galahad and Venus and had me swooning over their distrust and love for each other.
I absolutely adored Galahad and felt so much for him as we learned about his past and for the both of them to finally put their past behind them, be able to move forward, and finally trust each other enough to love each other.
I also fell more in love with characters from previous books, especially the news ones, such as the orphan boys, who would do anything for their motherly teacher figure. I was not expecting the scenario that leads to our big I love you revelation, but it was everything and more.
I think the only thing I was saddened by was the fact that the two never officially adopted any orphans for their own, but I'm happy to finally have finished the series and cannot wait to see where Virginia Heath takes me next.
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