Miss Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair are not friends and most certainly are not infatuated with each other, but since her brother-in-law is his best friend, they must spend time in each other’s company and pretend to tolerate each other for the sake of familial harmony – yep – that’s their story and they are sticking to it.

Diana has trust issues thanks to her vile father and has no desire to marry and be “owned” by a man. She has worked hard and has earned her position at The London Tribune, a job she hopes will ultimately support her dream to live independently as a spinster. But for now, she resides with her sister and brother in law, her family knows she works at the paper, and despite her insistence that she is just a copy editor, they all think they know her secret – that she writes for the gossip column - which she does and is happy to let them believe that is her secret, but the truth is she also writes serious, investigative exposes under the nom de plume of the Sentinel.

Since the death of his mother, Giles has known the family’s “Dirty Secret”, but his father never expressed any concern about it, until recently when out of the blue he decides to remarry. But when he dies just days before his wedding, Giles learns why his father was in such a rush to wed when someone threatens to expose the secret and destroy everything Giles has worked for as the new Duke of Harpenden. He isn’t sure how to thwart the villain, that is until he figures out Diana’s secret and wonders if she would be willing to put aside their animosity and help him find out the truth, without revealing his growing regard and desire for her.

This was a well-written, nicely-paced romance story that happened to have a really great mystery. This book is supposed to be a “enemies to lovers” trope, but I don’t feel like that is accurate, I never believed that they disliked each other. Distrusted? Yes. Hated? No. I also found Diana’s constant denial of her true feelings to be a bit too much – to quote the Bard “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” and she doesn’t stop until almost the very end of the book. I understood the reason for her mistrust, but Giles proved himself time and again, and yet, she still refused to let it go, Sigh – I love strong heroines, but Diana’s refusal to even consider any future other than being alone got tiresome. For me, the best part of the story was when they began to investigate Giles’ “Dirty Secret”, it was really well done, very touching, and stuck it to the villain. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. Bottom line; This book was a fun read that is light on the romance, and heavy on the mystery story that ends with a HEA.

3.5 stars - rounded up

Ahhh I loved this so muchhhh. This was a perfect Regency romance, there was an actual plot, so much back story and omg the banter! I had a few issues with the first book, but this one literally smashed it out of the park. It literally had me laughing out loud, gasping and swooning in public. If that's not enough reason to go and read this book immediately, I don't know what will convince you.
On a serious note, I loved the mental health rep, the sister relationship and the family setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This was a cute, fluffy read with very little plot. Diana and Giles are banter buddies (I'm not saying enemies because they aren't but that is clearly the attempted vibe) to lovers, and I enjoyed their interactions and moments of verbal sparring. Diana's family makes a lovely background cast of characters, especially Jeremiah whose Americanism amused me.

However, Diana and Giles seem to fall for each other for little to no reason. They just one day discover that they think the other is hot, but there isn't really a catalyst for this. They're sweet together but seem to change their feelings based on plot needs. For instance, <spoiler> Diana is so against losing her independence through marriage, but then after one conversation with her mom, just turns around and does a complete 180, declaring her love and how Giles will never try to control her? It just seems really out of the blue. </spoiler>

Overall, if you are looking for an easy, cute, historical read, this is great, but be warned there's not a ton of sense happening here. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.

Thank you so much Virginia Heath and Rachel’s random resources for gifting me a digital copy of ‘Never rescue a rogue’ in exchange for an honest review. Having read the first book in the Merriwell sister’s series I was really happy to read book two as I really enjoyed following the family and the connection between the 3 sisters. This time round we follow Diana who is so fiercely independent woman who is more than capable of handling herself as well as discovering the secrets of Regency Britain. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Diana and Giles throughout the book and the way that they teased each other was fun to read and the way in which we followed the family secrets hidden in Giles family tree and how Diana worked her way through it all. I can’t wait for book three to find out who Vee will entangle with and how her sisters will react to them.

I'm a sucker for a historial romance, it has similar vibes to Bridgerton, of course.
I liked it but didn't love it. Wish I had read the first one though.

As ever Virginia Heath treated me to a story filled with wit, romance and characters that captured my attention from the very first page. I loved spending time and getting to know both Diana and Giles. The way they sparked off each other was written so well. This showed in their interactions and in their strong, chemistry filled moments. I couldn’t help but smile and root for them. Even with their bickering and the trading of insults it all combined to create an engaging and entertaining story.

The story moved at a lovely pace and I really enjoyed the moments of drama, the romance and the scrapes that the characters found themselves in. It’s safe to say there were a few secrets that needed to be unravelled and some that would be safer hidden. I also have to give a special mention to Dalton, he brought such a fun element to this story.

Never Rescue a Rogue is the second book in The Merriwell Sisters series but I found it did work really well as a standalone. However to get a better feel for the family dynamic I would suggest picking up book one especially as it is a brilliant book too. Never Rescue a Rogue was a fun, enemies to lovers historical romance and a real joy to read!

Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath is the second in the Merriwell sisters series, the first one, Never Fall for your Fiancée was published last year. This could be read as a standalone, although it’s such a wonderful series you should read them both!

In this book, Diana is an intelligent woman working as a journalist, but disguised as a proof reader because it was unheard of for women to work as journalists. She was an avowed spinster, determined to live her life relying only on herself. What she didn’t count on was the feelings she could not deny that she had for her infuriating challenger and best friend of her brother in law. Giles finds himself at odds with his own feelings for Diana given his complicated accession to the dukedom following his father’s death.

I loved the way they sparked off one another, this was the perfect slow-burn romance that I absolutely live for! They were both modern in a regency world, she loved her job, and had an understanding boss who was not phased by having a woman working as an investigative journalist, and Giles was in admiration of Diana’s drive and intelligence. When he had a mystery to solve, Diana volunteered to help and although he was worried about the risks to her in doing so, he accepted that he genuinely needed her help.

Never Rescue a Rogue was a delightful romantic comedy with many funny moments and a feisty connection that made me smile constantly while I was reading the story. I cannot wait for Vee’s story next.

This delightful, engrossing, entertaining enemies to friends to lovers is one I immensely loved reading.

Characters!! Mind-blowing, amazing, easy to like and fall in love with. Diana was fiesty with a past building her up for how she is. In my opinion she rocks. Giles, my heart! Why he has to be so good and be the one receiving all things bad. He was perfect. Dalton and Vee tops for side characters in all the books I read this year. I won't say more for the plot as you can read the blurb but I would ask you to read this book definitely.

The writing, way with the words it is mesmerizing. I love how easily it flowed and hits the mark. This book is plot and character driven and it works wonder. I read it in one sitting, definitely was a page turner.

A simple story written with brilliant sarcasm, banter, mystery, adventure and engaging characters I couldn't help but enjoy every single page. The Merriwell sisters are a force to reckon with.

Found family and slow burn done at its best, I highly recommend this book.

What a delight
5 stars

Other than a quick freebie from Mills & Boon, I’ve never read anything from Virginia Heath before this book. That’s also worth knowing as this happens to be the second in the Merriwell Sisters series. While Hugh and Minerva from the first book, Never Fall For Your Fiancee, are ever present in this story, along with other relations, at no point was I confused so can confirm that this book stands completely alone with an HEA. That doesn’t mean I’m not now determined to go back and read the first book, having enjoyed this one as much as I did.

Giles and Diana are enemies of a sort when we first meet them. They banter and snip at each other but even at the beginning there is definitely a familiarity and bond between them. It makes their interactions even more entertaining as they trade barbs and pretend to be utterly infuriated by the other.

It’s always difficult for an author to sell me a heroine who is dismissive of high society, marriage, love and men in general. I mean, that’s what I’m here for when I pick up a historical romance so too realistic and I would never relate to such a heroine. While Diana is dismissive of all those things, she’s sharp, witty, sensible and knows herself. She’s not stuck in her mindset and I felt a kinship with her from the first. She truly is irritated by Giles but you can see the fondness there. She’s also loyal and kind - and has a tongue as sharp as a traitor’s spike. She was pretty much perfectly written as she was.

She was definitely the perfect heroine and foil for our hero, Giles. Giles is portrayed as a bit of a jokester and smooth charmer - at times silly in his character. But all that hides a lonely man with deep, dark secrets that doesn’t believe himself worthy of love and happiness. That, in my book, is the perfect candidate for a hero that falls hard and fast for the last person he would ever expect. Who just happens to be his perfect match in every way.

I loved the writing in the book and felt fully immersed in the historical world that Ms Heath created. I love a book that I don’t actually remember reading. I just lived in a story for a short while and felt fully satisfied at the other end. There’s so many twists, turns, subterfuge and shenanigans contained within our story that I at times worried I would lose track. I didn’t - and that’s despite every bloody member of the Harpenden family from time immemorial having a name that began with ‘G’. Why would someone do that to me, I ask you?!

In terms of heat - I would say that this book is more on the mild side. There is one short sex scene towards the end of the book which was intimate but still tasteful. While I always prefer a bit of naughtiness in my stories - if a book is well written, I don’t usually need it. This book had the perfect amount for the feel of it although, if I’m honest, I could have done with some more kissing between Giles and Diana. But they got there in the end without my constant screams to kiss already, dammit!

As I mentioned, this book was a sheer delight. Intrigue and love woven into a tale rich in banter and detail. I’m away to find myself a copy of the first book in the series, Never Fall For Your Fiancee, and will await with bated breath Vee’s story which I hope will have Galahad (no, really) as her hero! All in all a great pick and a book I’m very happy to recommend. 5 stars.

Thank you @headlineeternal for sending me an eARC. I loved Never Fall for Your Fiancée (book 1) and have been looking forward to reading Diana and Giles’s story from a while.

Never Rescue a Rogue was a whirlwind of joyous chaos! The verbal sparring between Diana and Giles had me smiling while their slow burn had me rooting for them just like their meddling family members.

Giles is facing a very serious problem and needs Diana’s help. The element of mystery and sense of urgency this brought had me absolutely hooked.

Giles isn’t the only one with secrets though. Diana’s job was shrouded in secrecy and for good reason. She’s come from a tough background and it made sense for her to stand firm in her independence fighting for a career she’s passionate about while also looking out for other vulnerable women.

As much as I loved Hugh’s butler in NFFYF Giles’s butler Dalton is my new favourite. The ‘pirate’ with his cheeky attitude and low tolerance for nonsense provided both blunt advice and comic relief.

Diana’s sisters and Hugh’s family still feature prominently in this instalment. Set a year after NFFYF it was interesting to see how they’d all settled in together and bonded. Venus (Vee) in particular has matured since book 1 and we get to know her a little better. We’re also introduced to a new character who I think will probably be Vee’s love interest in book 3.

Read For:
• Enemies to lovers, slow burn ❤️
• Secrets & mystery 🧐
• Meddling family members 💕
• A butler who speaks his mind
• Comedy 😂
• Society gossip and newspaper exposes 📝

Rating: 5/5🌟
Steam Level: 3/5🔥 (lots of tension, some kissing, one open door scene)

Historical romances are either a hit or miss for me. Never Rescue a Rogue was definitely a hit ~ a huge one at that! Banter can take well-written romances to a whole new level, and this book basically followed that same aspect. 😂 The plot was engaging from the very beginning tbh. But the chemistry and witty banter made me squeal with joy so many times throughout the book! I highlighted a lot (times infinity) of passages on my kindle too, haha! Reading about Giles and Diana's relationship was so much fun. ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL. I miss them already!

I love it when romances have a bit of mystery element to the plot too. We all know how fluffy romances end, with happily ever afters, I mean ~ but having an unique theme, especially one with a mystery; makes me enjoy romances so much more! I was really invested in the story because of all the suspicions surrounding Giles' birth! The way Giles and Diana's relationship developed after they teamed up :'))) The comedic moments they shared made me laugh my heart out more than once!

I haven't read the first book in the series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. 💙 With that being said, I cannot wait to read Never Fall For Your Fiancé!

Giles is married to a bachelor lifestyle, but when secrets may be revealed to be damning, Giles must now pair up with his rival, Diana, to delve into his family history.

I found this a really entertaining novel with great banter between the two main characters. Heath also writes a great character development; the attitude between Giles and Diana later changes in the novel. This had my face hurting as I was smiling so much.

For a romance, I found this a little slow but it was well worth the wait, but this is probably me just showing impatience as I really wanted the characters to get together.

I hadn’t realised, but this is the second novel in a series. This novel does work as a stand-alone, however, if the previous characters are as good as this one I look forward to going back and reading it.

Diana is the Merriwell sister featured in the series' second book, and her love-hate relationship with the rakish Giles is a heartwarming, humorous and ultimately passionate relationship. The romance is gentle, and given that Diana and Giles insist they dislike each other slow to kindle. A dark secret in Giles' past draws the couple together to solve a family mystery, and Diana, a Regency-style investigative journalist, is the perfect person to solve it.

I like this historical romantic tale's characters, dialogue and family dynamics.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Never Rescue A Rogue is incredible, I was charmed by Giles, the Rogue, and Diana, the Harridan since the first page.

I can only sing the praises of this story and this author.
The atmosphere of the book is totally different from the previous book in the series, it was engaging, intriguing and humorous.
Virginia Heath wonderfully wrote a suspensful, slow burning romance.

The book starts with Giles and Diana banters, they enjoy to tease and to prick each other. Diana thinks that Giles is insufferable, and Giles thinks that Diana is a willful woman, but when hard times come they know they can trust each other.

They make a great team and a beatiful couple, I couldn't not root for them and their happiness.

I highly recommend to read and to enjoy this novel. It's the second in the series but it could be read as a standalone.

Never Rescue A Rogue is the second book in the Merriwell Sisters series, and can totally be read as a standalone. I did not read the first book, and did not feel like I was missing out on anything.
That being said, I felt that the beginning of the book dragged a little. And the background story was a bit repetitive. A good chunk of the content felt like filler with no new information. And the romance was lacking in the first 50% book at least. I skimmed through a bit until things got more interesting, which was (to me) after the 50% mark.
And then, prepare yourself to melt. Because Giles when he realises he has feelings for Diana? Swoon.
Overall a pleasant read!
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

EXCERPT:

Throughout it all, Diana remained rigid with mortification. Her entire head, and as much of her body as she could squeeze under it, were now covered by her shawl in the forlorn hope it might, miraculously, render her invisible if she wished for it hard enough.

It didn't work.

"So..." Giles nudged her with his elbow, the same second the coast was clear. "If we ignore the glaring fact that we would have been spared the abhorrent ordeal if you had listened to me in the first place, and that I told you so at least three times and was ignore, the obvious question that now begs to be asked, Diana, is - did you at least manage to hear anything useful?"

In the absence of the prayed-for thunderbolt, she whacked him over his irritating head with her reticule.

"Insufferable, incorrigible, and irritating in the extreme!"

"But right!" he said, still laughing at her. "You have to concede that."

She snarled, wanting to strangle him until his smug, amused, annoyingly handsome face turned purple but settling for another thwack with her flimsy embroidered silk reticule instead.

"Be in no doubt, Giles Sinclair, as you congratulate yourself for being right for the first time in your entire useless life, that I haven't missed you at all!"

As his hysterical laughter finally let rip, and with as much dignity as she could muster despite her face being on fire and her bodily urges all over the place, she stormed off down the lawn.


MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, what a delight NEVER RESCUE A ROGUE is! I simply HAD to include that excerpt above as it had me peeing myself laughing when read in context with what the two of them had just witnessed. Bearing in mind that women didn't know of such things until after they were married whilst men were privy to all sorts, this truly was one of the most funniest scenes in the entire book! As a rule, rom-coms are not my thing but I do love a good regency romance and with the hilarity thrown in makes for some delightful, as well as amusing, reading. I read the first in the Merriwell Sisters series "Never Fall For Your Fiancee" and was utterly delighted by the hilarity and contretemps that were highly entertaining. At that time, I didn't know it was a series but I'm so glad it is.

While the first book followed the eldest of the Merriwell sisters, Minerva, and her escapades with the equally delightful Hugh, Lord Fareham, NEVER RESCUE A ROGUE tells the tales of the next in line, Diana, and her crusading capers with the charming and terribly scandalous Giles Sinclair, the next Duke of Harpenden.

However, Diana and Giles only tolerate each other for the sake of others, never missing a chance to snipe and spar with one another with alliteration and all types of grammatical words. Diana has sworn off ever being tied to a man, valuing her independence and freedom, whilst Giles is a scoundrel who lives to rile up his father, the Duke of Harpenden, particularly with what he affectionately calls his "Reprobates Ball" in which everyone but everyone gets entirely sloshed and lets their inhibitions go and somehow finds themselves the subject of the gossip columns in the following days.

When Diana discloses some information she thought Giles ought to know, he is beside himself with anger that his father would go to such lengths as to see him wed when he prefers his bachelor lifestyle. But when Giles storms into his sire's house the following morning, it seems his father has a further surprise for him. And who should Giles wish to confide this new-found information in as soon as it is revealed to him? None other than his sparring partner, Diana.

But it seems his father has yet another surprise in store for Giles by suddenly dying in his sleep, leaving the hapless Giles as his heir, the next Duke of Harpenden. But it seems the circumstances surrounding Giles' birth are in question and the threat of him losing everything hanging over his head, turns the once upon a time scoundrel to pull up his bootstraps and undo every arduous aspect of his father's reign of terror over the Shropshire estate and his tenants. But can he straighten the mess his father left behind before it's too late?

Confiding in Diana, the pair of them team up to dive into Giles' family's past and expose every skeleton rattling around in Harpenden Hall and beyond to uncover the truth before he and all those who depend upon him are ruined. And all the while, Diana and Giles foolishly try to deny their attraction to one another. It seems everyone else knows that they belong together...except them!

I simply adored this fun and entertaining journey into the regency era under the guise of Heath's pen. It is filled with amusing anecdotes, alliteration and barbed exchanges that would make your toes curl. But oh, what a pure delightful read it is! I loved the first one but this one had me laughing out loud at times.

I have to say, without a doubt, Dalton was my favourite character...even if he is a hapless servant, he is nobody's fool. The exchanges between him and Giles, which dripped with sarcasm, were amusing to say the least as he was the one who knew his master best, after all. Second only to those between Giles and Diana...though I have to say, I think even Dalton could come out on top on occasion. And I knew what he was up to with that Gretna Green suggestion...and no one saw it coming! Good one, Dalton! Vee is also a delight and I look forward to her being in the spotlight in the next book because she can give as good as she gets.

You don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one but it helps. Hugh's family are still front and centre in this tale but not so much as they featured in the first book, because that was Minerva's and his story to tell. However, his mother and stepfather have "adopted" Diana and Vee so try their best to look out for the younger two Merriwell sisters.

Quite honestly, this is a genre I never thought I would venture into but Heath expertly weaves an amusing tale wrought with hilarity and a little bit of romance as well as some scintillating scandal, turning NEVER RESCUE A ROGUE into a delightfully easy and entertaining read from start to finish. And had it not been for real life getting in the way, I would have devoured it much quicker.

And absolute belter of a read. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, particularly the regency era.

I would like to thank #VirginiaHeath, #Netgalley, #EternalBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #NeverRescueARogue in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I love love love historical romance!! Throw in a bit of mystery in there as well, and I'm well and truly hooked. This was such a fun and light read, with banter and snipes between Diana and Giles, that were just amusing to behold. Watching the couple realise their friendship was more than that, was wonderful, along with solving a life-long mystery.

Diana is a young woman with a questionable background on the verge of spinsterhood. Giles is the heir to a Dukedom with a questionable background of his own. When the two team up to solve a mystery, sparks begin to fly between these supposed enemies...

This is a light and easy regency romance, with all the usual components. There were some genuinely funny moments and a little bit of drama - everything you need in a good book!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I have a soft spot for historical romance so I requested this as soon as I saw it.

It has strong Bridgerton vibes, which I loved because I’m a huge fan. It felt very similar to Kate and Anthony’s relationship as it was a stereotypical haters to lovers storyline.

I really liked the characters, they had strong personalities and you automatically on their side.

I hasn’t realise this was part two in a series but it was an easy stand alone read.

I found the language quite hard to understand in some parts, as of course being a historical fiction book, it was written in that style.

Overall a nice read. Thank you NetGalley and headline books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was lively and ended up with a very funny (not) house-party – all the guests arriving were not expected and were self-invited, and there were not enough bedrooms in the house for them, let alone food. Xmas you know…
Here we have a wicked Uncle and unusually he belongs to the hero – and the Uncle has a son – both of whom could, so our Hero believes, challenge his right to be a Duke. Not that he really wanted to be one (a Duke’s Heir) in the first place, but as he had been acknowledged as one, before his rather nasty father died and just before the father re-married too, he didn’t have much choice.
I loved the idea of all the male sons having names beginning with a G; and that Giles spent a lot of his time trying to make his father explode with anger over his exploits and spendthrift ways. He was determined to be labelled a Rogue, especially by Diana – our intrepid heroine, who had a secret life as a journalist – and not just of gossip columns it turns out – a rather dangerous secret life it would seem and Giles didn’t like it, even if his rather unusual butler did (when he found out). And please don’t forget Dahlia when you read the story – she turns out to have a secret life too… and not to be quite such a ninny as she appears.
Virginia Heath is a new author to me, and if this book is a good example of her writing style and content, then I will want to read more of her books. Although I must say, if anyone reads any mystery stories, the Wales clue is obvious.