I love Alex Vasti and her writing. This book was pure magic and I loved every second I spent reading it. It’s hard to follow up after something as good as the Halifax Hellions series, but Ne’er Duke Well was immaculate.

Wow! Great book!

I've been in a funk lately and a Lil historic fiction was the perfect choice. I m so glad I chose this book.
Peter was adorable and gave me all the fuzzies and I liked the fmc too. They were amazing together and all in all it was an entertaining read! Totally recommend this!

Banging. I love a historical romance and this one was witty, charming, and funny. I cannot wait to continue with this series. I love regency and this book featured all its best parts

I received an advanced reader's copy of Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti.

Lady Selina Ravenscroft is a planner, likes to help others, and solve problems. Selina and Peter complemented each other. While Selina would come up with sometimes drastic solutions to problems, Peter came up with different ideas which led to some slight twists in the story. The ending of the story was cute.

Thanks to Ne'er Duke Well (and Courtney Milan's Wedgeford Trials series) I have concluded that while I don't like contemporary romcoms, I sure do love a historical romcom.

This book was an absolute delight. Fresh, fun, frothy. Excellent characters and enough unexpected plot beats to keep the adventure rolling. I really enjoyed how Vasti played on and with familiar, beloved tropes - my favorite was the only one bed available in the decidedly unfurnished Kent family home. I was particularly pleased that Vasti avoided the low-hanging conflict fruit of having Selina keep her identity as the owner of Belvoir's secret from Peter until the end; it allowed Peter and Selina to work together on solving the major conflict.

My favorite character? Lucinda, hands down, with her rapier as a close second. I dang near cried when she (and Freddy) burst into the courtroom to make their stand. If Lu doesn't get her own book in the future, I may have to riot.

Major, major thanks to the Netgalley and SMP for an advance copy of this title!

A wonderful debut novel for Alexandra Vasti! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It had wonderful characters you wanted to root for and such heart. I fell in love with Selina and her bold spirit and Peter is such a devoted partner and sibling that you can't not love him. The passion between these two was palpable and by the time they finally give into it you are ready for it and it does not disappoint! I loved the idea of Belvoir's and the Venus catalogue and how that all came to be. I was a bit surprised about how it all resolved in the end as I'm not sure how realistic that would be for the time but I was happy for the happily ever after and decided to let it be. I will definitely be looking for Vasti's next book as I enjoyed this one so much and can't wait to see what comes next. I'm hoping for more stories in this world she has created. I mean Georgiana needs more time in the spotlight!!

I received a digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Alex's work is both full of feelings while also being educational. Having stumbled across her work with the Hellions, I was thrilled to have a full length novel of her work.

Alex has a lyrical way about her writing, I'm here for all of it!

Thank you!

The pacing was not it for me at all. I felt like there was such a lack of tension for a good portion of the book and then they got together and gave us nothing the last parts of the book.

Looking to be entertained and enjoy regency romance? This book would be my recommendation for you!

Selina (FMC) reminds me of Jane Austen's Emma with her intent of matchmaking Peter (MMC). Because every single, rich man in want of his half siblings custody rights must be in want of a wife.

Selina hilariously (though much color commentary) hand selects the three women to which he is focus his attentions on but begins to fail miserably when erotic dreams awaken her desire to be the singular focus of his attentions.

The banter and "inside thoughts" of both Selina and Peter made me laugh out loud. Truth be told, I am not a "spicy" reader so there was much of this book I had to skip past.

After reading the entire Halifax Hellions novella series, I was super excited to read this full-length novel. I really liked the couple and how much they both exasperated and supported each other. Peter is such a sweetheart. I really appreciated how much he wanted to be the one to take care of his siblings because he knows what it's like to be without parents. However, Peter is also a Duke who is from America and consistently is involved in English cultural faux pas. The main plot in this book is that he is trying to get custody of his siblings and his reputation and outspoken nature might be a barrier to that. Enter Selina, sister of another Duke and society miss, who has a secret of her own--she runs an underground lending library for ladies full of scandalous books and other literature. Selina is also known as the fixer around the ton. She has smoothed paths and pushed together certain people for their own benefit. Her plan for Peter's situation? He needs to marry a lady above reproach...and soon. I really enjoyed the different gaffs that happened as she was setting him up with ladies she knows and I felt like they had decent tension between each other. I do wish that they didn't get together quite so soon. But I did also enjoy the sort of second half of the plot where things go wrong. I think I just could have used a few more scenes of tension between the couple before we got to the coupling. However, it was a really sweet and spicy romance. I also loved Selina's interactions with Peter's younger siblings. Hopefully we get to see a little bit of them in book 2 of the series?
ALSO, the little Halifax easter egg was very fun. I love when histrom authors create a little universe.
4.5 stars rounded to 5! I had a great time reading it, just wished there were a few more scenes of tension between the couple.

So much fun! Vasti creates such depth of character so quickly in the story that you are immediately invested in their lives. The guardianship plot here really moves along the story well and keeps you interested throughout, but the Venus catalog is the real star here. I loved the concept, the way I could clearly see the books and how much depth it provided to the women in the story. Vasti has masterfully balanced romance, spice, humor, and women's empowerment. I read this in one sitting!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review. If you are a fan of Bridgerton, you will enjoy this read! Selina is a strong, smart, independent woman. She owns her own secret collection in a library where women can educate themselves regarding female and male anatomy and erotica. Peter, named the new Duke of Stanhope is clever and charismatic around town. Peter however has a dilemma where he needs to get married in order to have his siblings be under his care. The two work together originally to help him find a wife among the ton, but end up falling for eachother!

I usually don't gravitate towards historical romances anymore, but Ne'er Duke Well was picked for my virtual book club. This was a little bit harder for me to get into and I'm not sure why. I really liked the author's voice, but I don't think the story quite worked for me. And the pacing felt a bit disconnected. I'd definitely read from this author again though despite this one not quite working for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

In this book we are following Selina and Peter. Peter is the new Duke of Stanhope and is trying to get custody of his half brother and sister that he didn't know about until he came to England for his inheritance. Selina is the sister of another duke and Selina decides to help Peter by making a list of women who could be a wife and has good social standing since the man who decides custody doesn't like Peter. Selina brings three girls to him and he tries to court them and then admits to Selina that he likes her and wants to marry her. Selina tells him no because she runs a publication in secret that's erotica and has educational books for the women of the ton so that they are not as in the dark as she was during her first season. Then during a dinner at Selina's family home they get stuck in the library and give in to passion and are caught and Selina announces they are getting married. Then after they are married Peter's siblings so up because their present guardian had died. Selina and Peter make them feel at home and they go out to get furniture. Then someone finds out Selina's association to her scandalous publication so she and Peter out the news before others can and use information about who uses the publication to their advantage in order to secure guardianship. The judge gives guardianship to the Duke and Duchess of Stanhope after Fred and Lu tell the judge that they want to live with their brother and his wife. This book is so cute and I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book .

✨ Publication date: July 33, 2024✨

Ne’er Duke Well is a spicy Regency rom-com by Alexandra Vasti. This is the authors first nov but there is ton of potential in her writing style and I’m eagerly awaiting her next book!

Lady Selina Ravenscroft is the sister of a Duke and quite well known in the “ton” for her cleverness and matchmaking ability’s so when the newest Duke of Kent Peter Stanhope shows up at her door seeking guidance, she can’t help but get involved.

The newly anointed Duke is petitioning the courts for guardianship of his younger sister and brother whom he never knew existed until the Dukedom fell in his lap. After meeting them and seeing their lacklustre upbringing with an elderly distant relative he can’t help but to raise them himself.

Peter definitely has the means to support and raise them but unfortunately after a series of mishaps when he first landed in England’s high society, he doesn’t have the greatest reputation. He needs to figure out how to prove he is capable of giving his siblings the life they deserve.

Lady Selina is bound and determined to help Peter find an appropriate wife that will help prove his worthiness as a guardian. The only problem is, everyone she tries to set him up with is completely wrong for him. Soon it’s obvious that Selina is quite likely the best choice and her and Peter have off the charts chemistry. Selina has a secret that may just ruin it for both of them.

This was a great read! Loved the chemistry between the main characters and really enjoyed the writing. This is a 4 star read for me!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #alexandravasti #ne’erdukewell

Thank you to Netgalley, SMP Romance, and Dremscape for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

i would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-friends to lovers
-single parent vibes
-marraige of convenience
-matchmaking
-a custody battle
-denial
-an erotic library

I had a lot of fun listening to this audio. Alexandra is an incredible historical romance author, effortless transporting you in time with these characters. I really appreciated Peter's struggle as he tried to get custody of his siblings, the importance of family and how varied it can look. His chemistry with Selina, both of them in denail and trying to fight their attraction. Add in an erotic bookstore, I had the best time and can't wait to read whatever Alexandra writes next.

This was a very sweet, and STEAMY, historical romance with a cinnamon roll hero and a strong, smart, heroine.

Selena is such a likable heroine with her naughty library that seeks to empower women. I loved her kindness and bravery. And Peter is such a sweet and sexy hero. His relationship with his half siblings is a great part of the story.

These characters had great chemistry, steamy scenes, and a wonderful HEA.

At times NE'ER DUKE WELL felt really slowed down by unnecessary details and events in the story. I think the pace really lagged at parts. But otherwise it was a really good book I happily recommend.

SPICE LEVEL: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: past death of parent, past death of sibling
FEELS: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.

I'm new to Alexendra Vasti's writing, but after reading this, am definitely a fan. I have her Hallifax Hellions novellas, but hadn't gotten to them yet and now need to push them up my TBR.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and spicy. Just an overall fun read. I thought it was going in one direction and went another. I just really loved how everything played out. I can’t wait for Lydia’s book next.

If you're branching into historical romance, this would be a great start.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

This was a great full length debut. I love the authors voice, but the custody battle was too much and the angst wasn’t from the romance which didn’t work for me in this case. I’d still recommend and have read her newer work

I'm so puzzled by this book. It's incredibly charming and I loved the idea of the Venus catalog, but it was also so easy to set aside!

The characters were a lot of fun; I especially appreciated having such a strong female lead. I also enjoyed Selina's collection development work on creating a library for women. But the plot may have been a little too silly and without depth to live up to the characters.

I was slow to read the first half and tried twice after that to finish the book and just didn't have enough interest. It felt like the overwhelming plot conflict was resolved too soon and there wasn't a believable risk for the rest of the issues to be resolved.

Vasti seems like a fun writer, this one just didn't hold me.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.