This was a delightful, delicious romp. NPR called this a "historical romance with the energy of a Parks & Recreation episode." I couldn't agree more. I loved the plot of this book, I felt so invested (60+ highlights) and it's a credit to Vasti's writing. This book was enjoyable, funny, and heartwarming. The story had emotional and historical depth. The characters supported and healthily communicated with each other. The book is perfect for fans of Sophie Irwin, Liana De la Rosa, and Tessa Dare.

This was an extremely wonderful, unique, and original love story. It included so much drama, humor, intrigue, mystery, wit, so much excitement, emotional issues, and unpredictable outcomes, some in which I'd want to cry and other times laugh out loud. I really enjoyed the characters and their beautiful romance with such passion and heat. I was very happy with how everything worked out for all in the end. I highly recommend reading!

4.5⭐️

On the surface is a fun romance.
I loved all the characters. I love how brave and caring Selina is. I love how accepting and caring Peter is.
I really appreciate books where the drama occurs due to external circumstances rather than internal (like miscommunication)

And underneath it all is the simple fact of how far women’s rights have come. The books in the Venus catalog are happily read and written in the open now. It’s a small thing, but it’s also not.

This was the first book I read by Alexandra Vasti. I enjoyed this open door romance about an unexpected romance. It was told through dual prospectives. It was pleasant to have female main character that was knowledge for a story during this time period (early 1800s England).

I've been following Alexandra Vasti on Instagram for a while so I was so excited to see that she was being traditionally published. The premise sounded promising too so I couldn't wait to read it.

Ne'er Duke Well delivers on its promise. It's fun, steamy and has loveable characters. Peter and Selina are a delightful pairing. He's always in a scandal and she's his Olivia Pope. They were a lot of fun to read about and I enjoyed their dynamic. I also thought their romance was well developed. It's romantic and incredibly sexy. I truly loved this couple.

The plot was fun and interesting. The children here are but and never overshadowed the romance which I appreciated.

I was expecting this to be steamy based on the author's self-published novellas and this book did not disappoint! Peter and Selina were hot!

Overall, would recommend!!

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti tells the story of Lady Selina Ravenscroft and Peter Kent, the ninth Duke of Stanhope.

Selina, the sister of a Duke herself, is well liked and respected. She’s popular, kind, and devoted to her friends and family. Selina, in true Vasti fashion, is much more than her reputation. Years ago she discovered a suitor’s less than honorable intentions and later helped a friend in a compromising situation. Inspired by her experiences, she founded and manages (secretly) a circulating library, with a section devoted to educating women about sex.

Peter is a bit of a rogue and (gasp) American, from New Orleans specifically. He’s wealthy, handsome, and fun. He, like Selina, is more than meets the eye. Peter has been through traumatic familial losses and is determined to become the guardian of his much younger brother and sister, his father’s unacknowledged natural born children. Both children are an absolute delight, but young Lucinda, Lu, really steals the show, repeatedly. 🤺Peter is also an outspoken abolitionist.

When Selina learns of Peter’s upcoming guardianship hearing she applies herself to finding him the perfect aristocratic wife. (Selina has major eldest daughter vibes, must protect everyone at all costs, sometimes a little too much. Your honor, I LOVE HER!)

As Selina “helps” Peter find a wife she finds herself imagining it was she and not one of the three women* she selected, but is terrified her secret would destroy his chances in the guardianship hearing. The attraction is mutual and things get physical. They are caught and Peter immediately does the right thing, what he’s always wanted to do really.

*All three candidates are five star characters and I am very much looking forward to seeing what Vasti does with their stories.

Before they are wed, Selina goes to Peter and tells him everything. He is surprised, supportive, kind, and enthusiastic. Eventually the secret becomes a significant burden and decisions must be made. As Peter and Selina navigate their new life together, the rumors, the children, villains, family, and the courts, they fall for each other. It’s angsty and sexy (there’s a scene in Selina’s office that whew, 😮‍💨), funny and romantic, and adventurous.

What I loved best about this story is Peter’s obvious respect for Selina’s life choices. From motherhood to career, he makes sure he knows what she wants and how to help her get it. Women’s choices being respected and nurtured by the men in their lives is evergreenly poignant but feels especially appropriate at the moment.

Ne'er Duke Well is a delightful Regency romance centered on Peter Kent, who recently became the Duke of Stanhope after living most of his life in New Orleans, and his friend, Lady Selina Ravenscroft. Kent is desperate to gain legal guardianship over his two siblings but attracts scandal like a magnet so Selina sets out to help him by trying to find him a respectful wife. This wife most definitely cannot be her because she secretly runs an erotic circulation library for women.

I adored this so much! I loved Selina’s motivations for running the library to educate women and how proud Peter was of her at every turn. The chemistry between the pair was so well done. Both MCs cared so deeply for their families and for each other. This is such an incredibly funny but also deeply heartfelt read.

I am so looking forward to reading about Selina’s best friend, Lydia in Earl Crush and am hoping we will get many more set in this world with glimpses of these characters.

Thank you to SMP & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

DNF -- I found the rhythm of the writing difficult to wade through. It felt like there was an introductory chapter missing because so many things were mentioned that I didn't understand yet. There were lots of extra details that bogged things down after the first two chapters, and frankly there was entirely too much swearing.

Loved this book and all of its characters!! Except you, Lord Alverthorpe, you can rot.
The little sister, Lu, is a gremlin and I love her. Peter is a mischievous golden retriever and I love him. Selina just wants to fight the patriarchy and let women read smut and I love her. Lots of love.

Our MMC, Peter, is from New Orleans but inherits a dukedom in England so he moves there. Finds out he has two half siblings (they’re little) and he wants to take care of them but needs to apply for guardianship. The person who grants that doesn’t like him because he thinks he has too many scandals. So the FMC Selina says he should marry to give a more family front. So she lists for him eligible women in the ton, but something happens and she ends up being the one he marries. She never put herself as an option because, SURPRISE, she runs a secret erotic library and it would ruin his reputation if he was associated, and he might lose his guardianship case. Peter really doesn’t care about that though.

I really loved the courtship phase of the book. Our first interaction with Georgiana had me rolling on the floor laughing and I ended up adoring her and her character arc. Lydia was like I’m going to be as anti-social as possible, and Iris was just like… if I must— but please don’t.

This book was found family, marriage of convenience, feminism, and just so much good. I loved it. This author is local to me and part of the community at my local indie and she is just the sweetest human and deserves all of the high praise this book has and will receive.

Thank you St. Martin’s for the e-galley arc, though I picked up a physical ASAP at Blue Cypress because I needed my hands on it.

This debut historical romance romp is my read of the summer.

I first discovered Alexandra Vasti on Instagram. An author recommended her and she had a free novella trilogy to download on her website. Reader, I devoured them. The Halifax Hellions stole my heart and I became obsessed with Alexandra’s writing. Ne’er Duke Well is her first full-length published novel, and with it she has now become an autobuy for me. If you, like me are missing the release of a Sarah MacLean novel this summer then you need to pick up Ne’er Duke Well.

Alexandra’s writing is sharp, swoony and crystal clear. She’s a strong writer who balances the historical with the modern and builds a fascinating plot with engaging and delightful characters. It should be no surprise that Alexandra has a PhD in British Literature. If you follow her on social media she’ll often share interesting insight behind the history of words, romance stories and how we ended up with some interesting words to describe…. Body parts.

Peter and Selina are a delightful power couple. I loved watching them learn to be vulnerable with each other. Both are used to being in charge and both have their own traumas. Together they explode (in so many ways, smirk smirk) and are stronger from their pairing. He falls first, which I absolutely love. Peter is patient with waiting for Selina to open up to him and wants nothing more than to see her bloom. Selina is a smart, savvy and vulnerable woman. She’s used to fixing everyone else’s problems, and is darn good at it. She’s not used to having people help her. She’s really a classic eldest daughter. When trouble finds her, however, she is shown just how much everyone cares for her and that they don’t just look for her to fix their problems. There were a couple of scenes that really made my heart melt. Alexandra builds the most delightful cast of characters who are funny, kind, devious and flawed. I loved spending time with the characters and thought about them and what they’d be up to long after I finished the book. These are characters I can see myself revisiting again and again.

This is the first in a series, and I already can’t wait for the next one, which focuses on Selina’s delightful BFF Lydia.

A fun, fresh voice....

I rather liked Peter Kent, the new duke of Stanhope. His half siblings are awful, hideous beasts, yet for some reason, he wants to be granted guardianship of those brats (and brats, Lu and Freddie are, especially Lu). He's an American, relatively new to England (a couple of years) and newer still to the title of duke. He's in over his head, but since he's a people pleaser, he keeps trying.

Selina is proper, not so proper (she runs an erotic circulating library on the DL). She gossips, is vain, gossips, and plans to find Peter the "right" bride to smooth his rough edges with good society.
Not her, though. Nope. Its her.

I thought it was fun, way too much of the kids, and fresh.
Recommend.

Ne'er Duke Well is a modern take on a historical romance. Peter Kent, an American, is a charismatic southerner in the land of the Ton. He's simply a nice guy, supportive and wildly sexy is his admiration of Selina. Slowly, these two fall in love even though she's been tasks with finding him a wife. Peter and Selina's swoon worthy interactions build tension and chemistry. Oh boy, these two together bring the steam!

Here's hoping we see more the Ravenscroft family!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin

This is hands down the funniest, sexiest, well-written book I've read in a long while. With a cast of colorful characters and a plot filled with adventurous laugh out loud escapades of the Hero, Peter the Duke of Stanhope and the heroine, Lady Selina Ravenscroft and their families. Peter, the newly minted Duke has a bad reputation amongst the Ton and Selina a proper debutante with a scandalous secret is trying to help him clean up his act so that he can become the guardian of his brother and sister. She tries setting him up with ladies of sterling character to fix his problem. Of course things go awry. Selina realizes that shes's the best thing for him. This is a deliciously sensual and hilarious story with a wonderful and surprising storyline and side characters with their own stories to tell, that tie this book together. The children are hilarious and add a spirit of adventure to this novel. This is my first time reading Alexandra Vasti but it won't be the last! I look forward to the next one. I loved this book and will be placing it in my top 5. I know you will love it too.

TG

I received an ARC of this book and I am Leaving this review voluntarily.

A Duke in need of a wife but the only one he wants is the very same Lady who is trying to set him up with other women. Peter Kent is the newly appointed Duke of Stanhope and he has a problem: he wants guardianship over his half siblings but he'll have to receive a Lord's approval and he hasn't been able to get it yet. Cue, Lady Selina Ravenscroft, a beautiful and clever lady who is hiding her own secrets and loves fixing things. Selina is the sister of a duke and runs an erotic circulating library for women. When Peter asks for her help she offers him a plan: marriage to a lady with a respectable reputation to help convince the Lord that he'd make a great guardian for his half siblings, yet the only problem is that Peter only wants to marry Selina. Despite being set up with various ladies, Peter has his eyes only on Selina... but she's afraid of telling him her secret and involving him in her scandal. If she does marry Peter and the secret gets out, it could completely destroy Peter's reputation as well as the reputation of his half siblings. Yet Peter is determined to prove to Selina that none of that matters when all he cares about is winning her heart and getting to be a family with his half siblings. This was a really sweet historical romance read. I loved Peter so much, he's such a sweet heart who adores Selina and his siblings, he'd do anything to make them happy and to support them. It's a cute read and I loved the happy ending for them all. The spice was really great too and honestly, it's definitely such a fun book.

Release Date: July 23,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I said this in a preliminary review when I was about halfway through this book, but now that I've finished it, I can say it again with full confidence - in a world full of historical romance media pieces that are being torn down by experts for their inaccurate portrayal of the past, Alexandra Vasti and her PhD are a breath of fresh air. I am reticent to say that anyone is above reproach, but one of the most fascinating aspects of Ne'er Duke Well (to me) is the Author's Note in which Vasti outlines the plot points of the novel that are based in actual events. Although Vasti writes in Regency-era England, she manages to imbue her characters with struggles that are enduring, universal human experiences: feeling out-of-place in society, trying to shield your family from the harms of the world, wanting to make a difference in someone's life, and more. Throw in lots of 1800s British slang and an affable, dynamic supporting cast and you've got a winner. Ne'er Duke Well and Alexandra Vasti truly shine...one might even compare them to a Diamond.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a lighthearted Regency romp with two delightful MCs and a strong found family theme.

Peter Kent the newly minted Duke of Stanhope, was born and raised in New Orleans with no thought of ever inheriting the title. Lady Selina Ravenscourt, is the sister of a duke who is one of Peter's political allies as he tries to convince the House of Lords to abolish slavery.

The plot is driven by Peter's desperate desire to obtain custody of his 12 and 10 YO illegitimate siblings, who were ignored and not acknowledged by their wastrel father, and are currently in the care of an elderly aunt. Because they are unacknowledged, Peter is not considered a relative and needs a strong case. Unfortunately, he's American, has a tendency to get into scrapes, and is politically radical, so it's been tough going with the stodgy, conservative Lord who will hear the case.

Selina is known for her ability to manage people, for matchmaking, and for her generous and kind heart, so when Peter asks for her help, she immediately comes up with a scheme to have him woo and wed an eligible debutante in the 6 weeks before the custody hearing to make him appear more stable and sympathetic as a father.

This delightful scheme has one fatal flaw, Selina and Peter are already falling for each other, and really aren't interested in marrying anyone else. However, standing in the way of that is Selina's big secret, she owns and manages a circulating library that not only contains regular books, but also erotic books only loaned out to women, to educate them about sex. In her own eyes, this makes her absolutely unsuitable to be Peter's bride, no matter how very attracted they are to each other.

The found family scenes were lovely, Lu, the 12 year old is fierce and protective of Freddie, her younger, sensitive brother. Peter loves them both as soon as he meets them and wants nothing more than to provide them with the love and stability they've never had. Selina also falls hard for them when she meets them, and much of the plot is driven by their shared desire to do the right thing for the kids. As well, Selina's family was lovely, kind, and ready to welcome the children into their fold. There was plenty of humor and the plot raced along. Also, no third act breakup! All in all, a charming historical romance read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I absolutely love everything I've read from Alexandra Vasti so far and this book is no exception.

Peter is a duke who is trying to get custody of his two step-siblings. He has known Selina for a while and goes to her and her family for help. She suggests that he get married to have a stronger case for custody. She helps him by giving him a list of potential matches while also wishing she could marry him. However, she runs a bookshop that sells explicit books and doesn't want that to ruin Peter's chances if it gets out.

I loved the pining in this book. It was funny, sweet, and spicy. I also really enjoyed seeing the other ladies who I'm hoping get books in the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

What a fun read. I know those who enjoy traditional Regency romances might quibble with the attitude, dialogue and other things but this this is one that made me smile. The adventures of Peter and Selina make for a delightful read that doesn't take itself seriously. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good one.

Ne'er Duke Well- a standalone

By Alexander Vasti- new to me author

Publication 7-23-24, Read 7-20-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Dreamscape Media for the e-ARC & ALC💙 ! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Historical Romance, Rom-Com, Women's Fic

Tropes: marriage, contains children, erotica, matchmaker

⚠️TW: death of sibling, slavery mentioned, child illness, h is a virgin, wealthy H/h

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 12:03

🗣️Narration: Mhairi Morrison reads all the characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Peter and Selina. Peter had a southern, Louisiana accent while Selina had a British accent. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story that was over too quickly. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

Summary: Lady Selina Ravenscroft plays the matchmaker for the ton and corresponds with her twin brother William in the army. In the shadows Selina runs Belvoir- a circulating library with erotic novels for women. Duke of Stanhope Peter Kent left New Orleans two years ago for England to take his new position. He discovers he has two half siblings Freddie and Lu, and he wants to become their guardian. He's already been labeled scandalous because of his abolitionist beliefs, so he needs a wife to make him respectable. Selina agrees to help him find someone, but they fall for each other.

🤔My Thoughts: This was a great Regency matchmaker romance where Selina helped Peter court potential wives Lydia, Georgina, and Iris. Peter already knew he wanted Selina but when she refused him, he needed to know why. Selina's secret life was to educate women about sex and help them enjoy themselves. It was necessary as women were told nothing about being a wife and having children. I thought about The Bridgertons series where Daphne, Eloise, and Penelope weren't told anything about marital relations. I loved Peter and Selina's interactions with the children. Lu was the MVP!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommendation: I loved the audiobook and would recommend it because you can adjust the speed and skip (when desired).

Peter Kent, the new Duke of Stanhope never expected to be a duke, his father was a younger son who married and then abandoned Peter and his mother in Louisiana when he returned to England, never to be heard from again. Years later, the Earl of Clermont tracked him down and brought him to England to assume his role of heir presumptive to the duke. Now the duke, Peter wants two things, one to use his position in the House of Lords to abolish slavery and to gain custody of his father’s two young (illegitimate), half-siblings he never knew about until he arrived in London two years ago. He is unsure how to proceed, but lucky for him one of the first people he met in England was Lady Selina Ravenscroft who knows exactly what needs to be done – he must marry and marry well! And while she is everything he could want; she has made it clear that she is not for him.

Lady Selina Ravenscroft is the sister of Nicholas Ravenscroft, the Duke of Rowland, matchmaker extraordinaire, and owner of a Lending Library with a scandalous secret, which is why she is sure she could not be a candidate for Peter’s duchess. But she knows plenty of ladies who would be perfect for him, all of whom he is not interested in. Truth be told, she wants him as much as he wants her, but some things just can’t be, right?

I was super excited for this new-to-me author and while I liked her writing style and smiled quite a bit while reading this story, this book dragged a bit and felt incomplete, as it is clear that these two have a past that readers of the book are never privy to – I think I read in a review that the author shared that backstory in her newsletter, but since I had never heard of her prior to getting this ARC, I knew nothing about it and had I purchased this book, would have felt ripped off – ANYWAY – I felt like I had missed something major between them, only to realize the author never actually disclosed their backstory on page. Other than that, it is a cute story, with a bit of an unbelievable plot (regarding his desire to gain custody of his father’s illegitimate, orphaned children – he is a DUKE – so that makes a bit hard to believe) and the author does take some creative liberties with 19th century strictures and etiquette, especially concerning women, but such is the world of Historical Romance these days – everything has to have some 21st century moral/social issue included, so of course some lines will have to be crossed or this case blurred. And while I don’t think I would read this book again; I would definitely read another book by this author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

3, maybe 3.5 stars