So you say you love Bridgerton but you want something a little more snarky? Then this is the book for you!

I truly enjoyed the addition of overindulgence, naughty behavior, and crude language to the Regency era vibe. Whatever that says about me, I'm fine with it. This book is the perfect combination of trendy historical fun and modern-day feminism and sensibilities. I loved the friendships and the love interests. The witty banter was on point. I highly recommend this book. It was a great time!

This book wasn't for me. I liked the idea of it but I didn't love the story line. I felt a touch bored.

Reputation is a mash up of means Girls meets Bridgerton meets Anna K. I actually enjoyed way more than I anticipated.

This was delightful! A queer regency mean girls is the perfect description for this novel. In the age of the Bridgerton show, I feel like there should be more alternative historical romances and novels. We need more authors willing to give voices to people in history that were not able to have their voices heard.

This is definitely a historical gossip girl/mean girls and I think it works really well. Georgiana is my favorite kind of heroine, she quirky and sweet and dives head first into this decadent regency world. There’s characters of various sexualities and ethnicities and I want more of this in my regency romances please and thank you!

I recommended this for fans of Bridgerton and authors like Alexis Hall, people who like witty banter and pretty people acting naughty. So excite to see what this author does next!

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

REPUTATION
By Lex Croucher

I enjoyed Reputation, the debut historical fiction romance novel by Lex Croucher about high society, belonging, and friendships.

Reputation is a hilarious Regency Era Romance that deals with teams so timely to modern times, I guess not much has changed with the way Mean Girls can be. Haha!
I enjoyed reading the novel through the eyes of our main character, Georgina Ellers whose life suddenly takes a turn and moving to a new town and making new friends, getting exposed to the new and unfamiliar - the introverted voracious reader and experiencing first loves and interests. It is really about Georgina’s journey in her young adult life navigating traditions, rules, and the society that just may not be quite ready for her. I loved the witty and easy writing of this book - I really enjoyed it.

I have mixed feelings on this book. While I didn’t love it, i didnt hate it. I just struggled trying to connect with the story and characters itself

I didn’t finish this book. It could not hold my attention. It was impossible to follow all the characters and I couldn’t stay invented in it. I DNFed at 40%.

It is difficult to review this book without being biased because while I love the thought of a period piece with a speck of Mean Girls, the subject matter is not one I'm comfortable discussing - even if it is "true to the time period."

I enjoyed the writing and characters but the plot was dense in an unsettling manner.

I do not know how historically accurate it is, but nothing seemed to jump at the eyes.

I did not think the author brought anything new to the table, however, it was rather entertaining.

Reputation by Lex Croucher

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were many, built fun. It was a down-to-earth book.
Well-written.

Okay, I knew I was going to like this one, but I ended up truly loving it! This book was funny and fast-paced and full of (relative) debauchery and then the inevitable consequences… the main character was relatable and interesting. The “fast crowd” that she becomes friends were all individual characters with their own motivations. The relationships with her family members were also so well written, conveying the messiness that occurs in families no matter the time or station. I was very invested in Georgiana’s fate and found myself cheering her on as she made her stand in the end… I look forward to whatever Croucher writes next!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an e-ARC of "Reputation" by Lex Croucher!

Have you been on a Bridgerton/period drama binge lately? Have you wanted historical romance that is culturally accurate while maintaining some modern-day ideals (feminism? queerness being widely accepted? yes please)? Then you will want to read "Reputation" by Lex Croucher - this Victorian take on Mean Girls is fun, flirty, and yet surprisingly thoughtful with the discussions had by characters on the duality of sexual reputation between men and women in those times.

I DNF’d around 30%. I loved the Jane Austen feel at first but I’m not down with catty, nasty women. This is a case of me not reading the description thoroughly enough to really grasp the Mean Girls comparison.

This is literally Mean Girls meets Gossip Girl set in the Regency era. It was full of messy characters and entertaining. It won't be a book for everyone and I wouldn't recommend it for Bridgerton fans because it doesn't have the same vibes and it can be dark at times, but it was also humorous at times.

I didn't know I needed a debaucherous Regency-era coming-of-age story, but I did and I loved it and I can't wait for book two

Reputation is such a fun, witty read perfect for fans of Gossip Girl. Think GG with a regency twist like Bridgerton! Readers who enjoy rom-coms will be thrilled to get their hands on Reputation for a delightfully magical time.

This book is a must read for any fans of the Bridgerton series. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and I enjoyed the "Mean Girl" aspect of the book. This book also had humor which I appreciated.

Okay, I knew I was going to like this one, but I ended up truly loving it! This book was funny and fast-paced and full of (relative) debauchery and then the inevitable consequences… the main character was relatable and interesting. The “fast crowd” that she becomes friends were all individual characters with their own motivations. The relationships with her family members were also so well written, conveying the messiness that occurs in families no matter the time or station. I was very invested in Georgiana’s fate and found myself cheering her on as she made her stand in the end… I look forward to whatever Alex Croucher writes next!

Mean Girls meets Bridgerton and Jane Austen in this Regency Rom-Com.

Abandoned by her parents, Georgiana Ellers is forced to spend the season with her aunt and uncle. At a particularly dull party, she meets Frances Campbell, a socialite living a life of excess with her small group of friends. Intrigued by bookish and sheltered Georgiana, Frances brings her along in the group’s escapades, showing her another side of life. Faced with a new world of drunken debauchery, mysterious young men, and the upper crust of society, Georgiana might soon realize the price of such freedom is more than she is willing to pay.

This was not at all what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The characters were interesting and very flawed. Georgiana is naïve and impressionable, easily swayed by her new group of friends. Frances is vindictive and strives to always be the center of attention. These two opposing forces create an interesting dichotomy and creates a lot of the conflict in the story.

The writing was easy to read and captured the style of the regency era, while still feeling fresh. There are definitely darker themes than I was expecting, namely drug/alcohol abuse, and sexual assault (both on page and off). So definitely be prepared for that.

Overall, I think this was a solid debut.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lex Croucher, and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc of Reputation in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of Bridgerton and Gossip Girl will love this book! The characters and drama are addictive and the story left me craving more. Can’t wait to see other books from this author