Set in 1825 England, NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FIANCÉE is a light and breezy romantic comedy. Hugh Standish, the rakish Earl of Fareham, has concocted an enormous web of lies to keep his intrusive mother out of his personal life. Even though she lives in America, her desire to see him wed has caused him to create an imaginary fiancée named Minerva.

Two years and many lies later, Hugh’s mother decides to visit and meet Minerva. He is completely at a loss when fate takes a hand. A beautiful young woman is in need of assistance, and Hugh finds out that her name is none other than Minerva Merriwell. Bewitched by her beauty and overwhelmed by the unlikely coincidence of first names, he decides that she will be his fake fiancée just long enough to see his mother get back on the boat to America. What can go wrong?

"Heath’s writing style is fluid and effortless, and readers will find themselves totally immersed in time and space rooting for Minerva’s happiness and Hugh’s salvation."

The tension in the story pulls from two different directions. Hugh is a rich aristocrat, and Minerva is a poor commoner, although it is believed that she might be the daughter of a gentleman. In 19th-century England, that is enough to keep them apart. Add to that Hugh’s fixation on his inability to be a faithful husband and father because his family blood dictates it, and you have two enormous reasons why they should not end up together. Of course, there is no greater force than love, and if Hugh and Minerva can stay out of their own way long enough, there is a chance for them. But that’s a big “if.”

Seemingly every meeting between Hugh and Minerva showcases their mutual attraction, followed by a well-reasoned hesitancy that stops them in their tracks. Then a touch or glance leads them back into temptation before they regain their senses and retreat, only to drift about in the afterglow of the lost moment. These passages are well written and certainly apropos for the genre, but they are too numerous and wearisome by the end of the book

Still, the pace is enjoyable and the pages turn easily. Author Virginia Heath seamlessly splices dialogue and inner thoughts together to create a locomotion that keeps the story moving nicely. Additionally, she has gifted us several animated and provocative subplots to keep us wanting more. There are at least six other wonderful characters, not the least of whom is Hugh’s mother. One can hear her tone, smell her perfume, and experience the dread associated with running afoul of this formidable woman.

Although the resolution is too clean to be believable in a story based on so much emotional torment, NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FIANCÉE is a pleasure to read. Heath’s writing style is fluid and effortless, and readers will find themselves totally immersed in time and space rooting for Minerva’s happiness and Hugh’s salvation.