Going into this read I really thought that I was going to get a fun, sapphic, friends to lovers, regency romance but that’s not quite what I got.

It’s really clear at the beginning of the book that Eddie and Rose have a crush on each other. I mean come on, platonic kissing lessons and a vow to never marry? Yeah they had feelings but as they get older those feelings seem to disappear and they live very separate lives. With Eddie going off to live with her favorite writer, who is a terrible human, and Rose following a more traditional path.

I wish we had more scenes of these two together throughout the book, because honestly they're barely together. I just wanted more.

Thank you to NetGalley and st martins for providing me with an eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Lex Croucher has done it again. INFAMOUS is charming, heartfelt, and so much fun. You can always look forward to the best cast of characters full of personality and their own voices - that is what I love so much about Croucher's writing.

What a superb book!

I could see why many would be a fan of this one, especially if you like Bridgerton, but I was very bored at times when I was reading it. I didn't really like the characters either.

Again...I think many will enjoy it, but there are other novels out there that I would prefer.

I loved this book! It was Little Women meets Bridgerton but make it sapphic. There was so much humor and I found myself actually laughing out loud at parts. Other moments were so so sweet and I loved the characters growth and watching her discover her identity. I can't wait to read more books by Lex Croucher! And thank you to NetGalley for both the audiobook and the ebook version. True review: 4.5/5 stars only because I wish the Mr. Nicholson/Nash/Henry/Henry's Mom storyline was either omitted or better fleshed out. Overall a great friends to lovers romance with comedy, betrayal, and plenty of shenanigans.

I found this to be an interesting twist on the Regency romance novel. This one has a female character that is more bold & wants to pursue writing which wouldn't have been a popular choice at this time. Also, the relationship between the main characters would have also been frowned upon, hence the reason they were trying to pursue more conventional relationships for society's sake. I thought this was a fun story with interesting characters.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I had so much fun with this author’s debut that I immediately went to request their next book after finishing it. When I was approved for this one, I read it as soon as I could and am so glad I did. With a heartwarming childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, Infamous follows an aspiring novelist as she falls into the world of a charming poet.

Eddie and her best friend Rose have always done everything together, including vowing not to get married. When Rose tells Eddie of her impending engagement, she feels like their relationship has been irreparably broken. She meets Nash Nicholson, her favorite poet—through Rose’s fiancé, no less—and jumps at his invitation to vacation at his estate with Rose and her fiancé tagging along, both because she’s in awe of him and because he’s offered her his help in publishing her manuscript. While there, Eddie soon becomes enamored with the life Nash and his circle live, although it’s not without its faults and secrets.

I should probably preface this review with the fact that I very rarely read historical romance; it’s simply not my genre. Even when I do find a book that I can get through, it’s more of a passive enjoyment than really liking what I’m reading. That I fell so hard for this book hopefully tells you all you have to know about how good this book was.

The romance was truly so good! Eddie and Rose have been best friends since the moment they met. They spend almost every waking moment together, even going so far as “practicing” kissing. Although they spend much of the book at odds because Eddie basically thinks Rose is selling out by getting married, it’s clear that both care for each other so much. Rose despises spending time with Nash and his circle, yet she agrees to go with Eddie if only to protect her from what she refuses to see.

I really enjoyed how Eddie goes from “I love her so much (platonically)” to “wait, is this how you love someone platonically” to “oh my god, I love her romantically” in the span of like, three chapters (obviously with more gradual moments, but truly loved this journey for her). It’s so obvious to the reader that they both like each other in both of their actions, and yet she remains so oblivious.

The side characters were also so great! I particularly cracked up at all the scenes with Eddie’s family. Her younger siblings are just so chaotic, and I honestly wanted to see more of them by the end of the book. And don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like Nash and his friends as people, as it’s obvious to everyone but Eddie that being “unconventional” by society’s standards doesn’t mean that they’re good people, but they do prove to be very interesting characters.

Full of wit and heart, Infamous was truly so much fun, and I can’t wait to read more from Lex Croucher! I loved the characters in this book, and the romance had me grinning. If you’re intrigued by a sapphic childhood-friends-to-lovers historical romance, I definitely think you should add Infamous to your TBR lists!

I really enjoy Lex Croucher's irreverent, unstuffy Regency novels. Infamous is another winner. Eddie is my favorite type of headstrong heroine who chafes at the restrictions of London society and longs to join the salons of the poets and intellectuals she idolizes. If you ever wished Jo March were more explicitly queer-coded, then you will adore her. The slow, tender development of her lifelong friendship with Rose Li into something more is an absolute treat. Throw in Eddie's extended misadventure with a roguish Byron-esque poet, her longtime literary crush, Nash Nicholson, and I am sold.

I love the characters' lived-in humor, especially the charming chaos of Eddie's family. I frequently laughed out loud in the first third of the book. I was surprised by how emotionally invested I became in Eddie's ill-advised relationship with Nash, both as a literary mentor and as a heady attraction. I empathized with her nearly compulsive attraction to someone who can validate her dreams and artistic ability, despite the various warning signs about Nash that are blatantly obvious to everyone else around Eddie. The autumn of pure hedonism on Nash's lakeside estate serves as the perfect backdrop to play out the tensions of this affair, while also allowing Eddie to make sense of her grouchiness about Rose's love of society and her devastation over Rose's pending engagement. Eddie's obliviousness is so charming, leading to some truly sweet realizations.

While this novel tackles many threads and subplots, it balances them pretty well. It only felt a little unwieldy and rushed as the final act wound down. In all, it is overall a fulfilling read.

Regency romance with a twist!

If you’re expecting dark romantic lordly heroes and striding Heyer type heroines, this is not that.
This was, welcome to the world of bohemian, Byronic type artistes. We get there by our hero Eddie ( Edith Miller) haring off to spend time sitting at the feet of her adored poet Nash, in a ruined house, on an island that’s hard to get to. (Supposed artistic retreat for a summer house party. Parents are told his wife will chaperon the party, but therein lies another story). Nash is to help her hone her writing and introduce her to his publisher.
The house is atmospheric (cold) possibly haunted (holes in roof causing moaning winds), with a silent staff (that is, few staff scurrying around trying to do all that can for their lord and master, a bigger pustule on the underside of the bottom I’ve ever seen). Nash is all daring do, given to outre gestures, childlike tantrums and deceitful escapades, including arguing, occasional dashes of charm, and tantrums.
Eddie of course, takes it as part of his poetic wonderfulness, even as he tries to drug and wine his way into her arms. He does violate her intellect. I suspected what he might have been up to halfway through.
Her lifelong friend Rose, whose decided to marry Albert Rednock accompanies Eddie, despite Rose being wary of the group. That all comes to a head when the mysterious death of a past maid is brought into the open (a somewhat confusing and sketchy confrontation with her son Henry left me wondering why include that? Did I miss the point. Was there a point? except to show that Nash has just too many secrets and dodgy characteristics.) I feel for his wife Liza who storms off at some stage, but returns because their marriage is one of compromises.
Eventually Eddie gets her HEA just not in the way she’d envisaged.
A very different, action filled Regency, sapphic romantic comedy.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Eddie and Rose have been friends for most of their lives. While Eddie shuns the societal expectations for women, Rose enjoys the dances, dinners and fashions.

When Rose begins catching the eyes of potential suitors, Eddie is perturbed in a way she doesn’t quite understand.

Then Eddie meets a poet she has long admired, Nash. She soon falls in with his crowd and is enamored at the freedoms enjoyed by the group in their pursuit of art.

An invitation to visit Nash’s lake house lead this group, along with Eddie, Rose, and Rose’s fiancé, on a bizarre adventure than includes all manner of betrayal, the exposure of family secrets, drugs, elicit parties and creation.

This adventure also forces Eddie to examine her feelings toward Rose and what they mean.

When Nash turns out to be less that what he seems, Eddie’s world is rocked, but Rose is there.

You can see some of the twists and turns coming a mile away, but that doesn’t make the ride any less fun. I particularly loved the ending and all the little stories I can imagine in it.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Eddie and Rose have been best friends since they were kids and now at 22 they are facing the realities of life. Rose has found her way in society, but Eddie doesn’t want to embrace what is expected. Eddie wants to write. While away on trip to work on her book Eddie learns more about her new friends and realizes maybe there is more to her relationship with Rose.

This book was so much fun. My favorite thing about this book is seeing Eddie’s personal growth. At 22 she is sort of in this in-between stage of not a child and yet still figuring out the whole being an adult thing. It takes an Eddie a bit but she learns some hard truths about people. In this book it is done in a way that really makes you feel for Eddie and what she learns. Eddie’s story is such a nice change of pace from the typical growth stories too. At least one I have read recently. Sometimes in books where the character goes through a growth period, they are written to be childish and petty in the beginning, especially if the are the MFC. Then once they meet someone, typically a guy, that has their life together, they magically become a functioning adult. However with Eddie’s story we see someone who is trying to find her way in the world and who they are. You get to see Eddie’s journey, it is just a few glossed over moments. It is an actual journey. Eddie’s falling in love is also a part of her journey not what makes her grow.

I really enjoyed how this book was set in the regency era as well. I haven’t read many historical romance so I really enjoyed this one and the time period that was picked.

There were a few things that I do wish we got from the book. The relationship between Eddie and Rose in the beginning doesn’t feel as strong as what I think you have with two people who are best friends. In the beginning their interactions with one another are limited or there is some tension. I really wished we could have seen the strong bond I believe they have.
I also have a few questions about the end of the book. Without spoiling the book, the ending is clear, I am just nosy and have questions about other past events.

The book is closed door implied.

Over all this book was a joy to read and I would absolutely recommend this. I would recommend this for anyone who loves regency romance. Anyone who is curious about historical romance but not sure. Anyone who is looking for sapphic romance.

This book is trying way too hard to be like a very specific scene in Bridgerton, the show, and it’s just not succeeding. Feels way too unoriginal to me.

Ahh!! A queer historical romance?!? YES, please! I loved this novel. Friends-to-lovers is such an underrated trope. Also, I'm normally not a fan of love triangles, but this one feels very authentic. The conflict in the romance was realistic, and I definitely think that that Lex Croucher did an excellent job with this story!

I really don't know what to say to get you to read this book other than Regency era friends-to-lovers women, and one of them is an author. But, if you are still not convinced, I have read quite a few Regency era novels, and this one would probably be considered my favorite. Although there are quite a few anachrononisms, they make the book easier to read and do not distract from the setting. Also it is actually funny, which is rarer than one would expect for Regency-era romcoms.

I wanted to love this book.

The story follows Eddie (Edith) Miller and her best friend Rose. Eddie wants to be a published author - and is constantly regaling Rose with her writing. All is well in Eddie's life until Rose announces that she is ready to get married. Not only that - but she's decided who she will marry. Albert.

Albert who breeds rabbits. Who is considerably older than the girls, and who seems stuffy and all wrong (according to Eddie).

But Albert is also friends with Nash Nicholson, a young, charming, FAMOUS poet - and someone who Eddie idolizes. Thanks to Albert, Eddie is introduced to Nash at a dinner party and is then invited to Nash's country estate. Eddie joins a group of eccentric artists - and Rose and Albert join the party to ensure that nothing untoward happens.

The first 20% of the book read like an episode of Bridgerton - with a lot of Shonda Rhimes' influence thrown in. It felt like a modern twist on historical romance - the setting, 19 century London - but everyone acted very 21st century. I could hear the orchestra playing Justin Bieber in the background.

I will admit it was fun and well paced.

Then I hit the 20% to 80% portion of the book - and that felt like filler. Necessary filler (for the ending to make sense) - but honestly, it felt like it could have been cut down.

The last 20% read like an episode of Sandal - mayhem, violence, lies, uncovering dirty secrets.

Basically - this book felt like it was written for television - and I think it could work on tv. It could be fun, and the sense of mixing the old with the new would work really well. I also think this book could have been improved by including alternating POV - having the different guests give their perspective of what was happening. I still would have had Eddie as our protagonist (and main POV); but I would have included mini chapters told from alternating characters to move the story along and possibly cut down some of the middle that felt like it lagged.

Overall -- I give this 2.8 stars. It was fine. Does it make me want to read "Reputation" - not really. It just felt like it wanted to be one thing - and it didn't live up to it.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in return for an honest review (and I am so sorry I didn't love it!).

Infamous is a bright queer romance set in the Regency era.

Best friends since their childhood, Edith “Eddie” and Rose promised each other that they would never marry. Eddie took that as a solemn vow, but Rose assumed it wasn’t that serious.

A rift forms between the two when Rose begins seeing someone and soon talks about marriage.

At a dinner party, Eddie meets her favourite poet, the charming and talented Nash Nicholson. An aspiring writer herself, Eddie accepts Nash’s offer to finish her book at his crumbling estate. With Rose and Nash’s entourage in tow, Eddie gets caught up in this chaotic and free lifestyle but eventually learns some hard truths.

This queer romance follows Eddie’s perspective.

I really enjoyed the author’s romcom debut Reputation, so I thought I would like this one just as much. But I could never get fully invested in the story. The writing wasn’t as engaging this time around.

It took Eddie quite a while to understand everyone’s motivations. I get that she’s young, but even so, it took too long to get there.

I did like that this novel discussed negative racial stereotypes. It didn’t go that deep, but it briefly touched on it.

Still, I will definitely try the author’s next release, which is their YA rom-com debut.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

This book was a joy to read! This story follows Eddie, an aspiring writer and Rose, her best friend, as they navigate their coming of age in early 19th century England. They were inseparable until Eddie is drawn into the world of writing and poetry by the poet Nash Nicholson.

This story explores the themes of evolving friendships and relationships as the characters enter adulthood. I would recommend this book to fans of LGBTQIA+ stories and for those who are interested in Romanticism and Gothic writing.

This book took me a little bit to get into, but once I did I absolutely loved it! If you are looking for a modern queer Jane Austen novel you will love this!

Infamous follows Eddie, a two and twenty year old aspiring author. She runs wild with her non-traditional family, and spends her time with her best friend Rose, when Rose is not being the star of the Ton. Everything changes though when Rose announces that she is to be married and Eddie meets the famous poet Nash Nicholson. A group of eight then escape to the country to Nash’s haunted family home. How much more will Eddie’s life change? And will her and Rose’s relationship survive?

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a digital ARC.

Infamous by Lex Croucher is a smart and funny queer historical rom-com. Eddie (Edith) has always wanted to be a writer. Raised in a unconventional home she has never felt marriage was a priority. Eddie is a little self centered. She goes about her life without looking too closely or deeply. Believing that motives and feelings are just what we see on the surface. I found her endearing in her naivety. Rose is Eddie's best friend. They have grown up together and Rose is always there to support her friend. Rose knows that she needs marry and has set out to find a man that will be right for her. Eddie gets a chance to write at her hero, Nash Nicholson's artist colony, she jumps at the chance.

The story is humorous with an almost wink to the audience at times. The characters a emphasized in their characteristics making their idiosyncrasies stand out at times. I think one of the stories strengths is the characters. Eddie's family is amazing and the group that gathers at Nash's home are all well developed and enjoyable. While this is a romance it is also a story of Eddie going from innocence to understanding of the world. The author has given us a satisfying ending while staying true to what would happen in the time period of the story. I think I enjoyed this one even more than her first Reputation.

I enjoyed the narration of Ellie Kendrick. She did a wonderful job of bringing all the characters to life with their various personalities.

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St Martin's Press for the advanced copies.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! I think I liked it more than I liked Croucher's first, though it was also very good.

In this one we have Edith (Eddie) Miller, who is an aspiring novelist. She meets one of her idols, Nash Nicholson, who seemingly takes Eddie under his wing. What at first seems like a bit of a chaotic literary scene may end up not being quite that.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kept me guessing the whole time, but in a good way. It certainly wasn't a mystery by any sense, but it kept me reading because I had to know what was going to happen next.

While it is a story of Eddie, it's also about her relationship with her best friend Rose, whom she has been best friends with since they were 8 years old (they are both now 22). There were certainly things here that I didn't pick up on, but looking back through the book it is so obvious. Although some things are intentionally, I don't know if obscured is the right word, but we certainly don't see things quite as they are, as we only get Eddie's POV throughout the book.

Definitely enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading Croucher's next book!

The main character was kind of annoying, but the romance was good enough for me to keep going. This is my first Lex Croucher book and it was so cute! It's a more of a modern take on regency romance and also is diverse in it's characters unlike a lot of popular regency romance. It was fun, it was gay, this is all you need to know!