I love the author’s wit and talent for crafting really charming scenes, making the story interesting and engaging throughout. I did find the custody premise a bit ill- conceived. It didn’t seem plausible for the time period and in that way kind of lowered the stakes a bit.

But overall it was a fun story with engaging characters and I look forward to more from the author.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for making this ARC available. I was elated to receive it in exchange for an honest review.

This historical romance was a pure DELIGHT to read! Alexandra Vasti shines in her debut full length novel. This love story was fresh and fun and had all my favorites: a witty heroine, a dashing and supportive hero, mischievous children, endearing friends and family, a blend of tender and sexy, a secret library and even a kitten! Truly, be still my heart. Lady Selina and the Duke of Stanhope have sizzling chemistry and I loved their banter as well as the character growth they experienced over the course of the novel. Brimming with heart, swoon and steam- you don't want to miss out on this novel! Thank you SMP and Netgalley for my copy.

Hello Book friends!

Today I’m reviewing Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti. In this regency romance we a newly minted Duke, Duke of Stanhope aka Peter Kent, who is desperate to adopt his siblings and Lady Selina Ravenscroft who is willing to help him.

And Regency readers you will want to get your hands on this one.

Now, let’s chat about the book itself.

Vasti has created a story about two people who selfishly want something that will make them incredibly happy, which is to say the Duke wants his siblings safely living with him, government reforms, and Selina Ravenscroft. Though Selina Ravenscroft isn’t aware of the latter, she is equally determined to help Kent to get what he wants. And through a series of unfortunate events… I should stop there so you can find out what happens.

What I absolutely loved about this one was the real time nail biting selfless tunnel vision of Selina Ravenscroft. She would go on a warpath in order to help someone, big or small. And towards the end, as she’s trying to map out her way out of a predicament of her own making, you as the reader will experience a multitude of feelings. One is desperate hope that she will listen to reason.

Oh, and the side characters!!!! 👩‍🍳😘👨‍🍳

And Vasti has confirmed that there will be at least three more books! Which is why I am so excited to see where Vasti takes these characters next.

Be ready to get swept up in the characters, the story, and the romance. It’s all deliciously wrapped together like a perfect dessert with a delectable bow.

Pre-order this one.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

Lovely historical romance featuring a strong heroine, sweet hero and heart warming family dynamic. Selina is a problem solver who wants the best for those she loves. Peter is an outspoken American with an unexpected title who is earnest and endearing. It's no surprise that these two lovers of freedom and choice are a perfect match for each other.
Vasti is skilled at incorporating modern topics into the historical setting and emphasizing points about the liberation of marginalized people and each of our duty to one another. Peter and Selina are both interesting characters on their own but their chemistry completes the book. The side characters are also quite compelling and set up anticipation for future stories. I also loved the reference the the Halifax novellas, who were quite charming characters in their own right. I will note, Peter is not really a rake in need of reform as is often the case in historical romance though I don't think that took away from his character.
I think there could have been a bit more romance and anticipation of romance to sweeten the payoff of Selina and Peter being together. I feel like it was a bit abrupt. But in all I very much enjoyed the story, the characters and the romance. I am excited for future books and would recommend to anyone who enjoys an airy, light and loving historical romance.

Overall, this was a well written story with humor and developed characters. The one area that I found unrealistic was the premise that the hero (a Duke) would actually face any opposition to obtaining guardianship of his two illegitimate 1/2 siblings. He is a wealthy duke! They were 2 orphans and it there wasn’t even anyone else fighting for guardianship? Maybe if there had been another evil but powerful relative fighting for them the conflict would have been more believable. The author tries to somewhat address this unbelievable premise by saying the hero had made an enemy of a powerful member of the court, but it still fell short of believable. I wouldn’t have minded any of this had it not been such a huge part of the conflict and premise of the story. The entire story was built around this issue and it just seemed unrealistic. I also felt at times like this was a book in a series as surrounding characters backgrounds are mentioned almost as if we know them and their backstory. However, I have read this authors other stories and they do not appear. It was a bit strange. That all being said-I don’t expect historical perfection out of my escapism. Just a warning to those that do-this may not be the book for you. Now for the good. The steam was high. The hero was a dream-passionate and supportive of the heroine. He was extremely modern in his treatment and respect of her (kind of a Mary Sue of a hero if that is a thing!) He never wavered in his support of her and he is the kind of hero every girl would want to marry. The author writes with humor and has a lot of potential. I would say she is in the league of Tessa Dare (a historical romance powerhouse.) This author has so much potential. I did enjoy this novel for that alone. I am looking forward to seeing if she plans to develop this book into a series and hopefully the next storyline will be a little more solid.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and or the author for giving me the chance to read and review Ne'er Duke Well.

It was interesting especially since it isn't my cup of tea.

The characters were unique.

4.2 🌟

A clever and swoon-worthy romance with the sweetest duo, Peter and Selina. The unwavering care and support they gave to one another before their getting together and after was so compelling. I could feel their love for each other through the pages.

— Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun book! I immediately loved Peter and Selina, and Lu and Freddie were absolutely charming. If you’re looking for a sweet regency romance, with the best side characters, look no further! I enjoyed this story so much! Five stars!

This was my first read of a time piece romance and I enjoyed every second of it. I enjoyed the characters interactions with each other and their family member. This read has definitely sparked an interest in these types of books and to read books by their author more.

Listen, I pre-ordered this book before the cover image was even uploaded to the website because I love every word I’ve ever read written by Alexandra Vasti. Hence, I IMMEDIATELY signed up for NetGalley when I saw that anyone could request it for a brief time.
This book absolutely did not disappoint. You get a perfect cinnamon roll in the hero, and a heroine who so strongly supports women’s education and pleasure that she CREATED A WHOLE DANG LIBRARY DEVOTED TO SEX ED AND SMUT. You get a circle of incredibly supportive family, and a bunch of women supporting other women using one of the most powerful tools at their disposal, their social networks.
There’s no third act break up, which is honestly one of my favorite things to not happen in any romance novel.
Like every other Vasti piece I’ve read, the spice is superb. Give me Peter unable to form full sentences and only able to utter curse words and abbreviated praise for 200 more pages, please.
Fantastic. No notes.

(Okay, one note: I want books for Lydia, Iris, and Georgiana stat please!)

Having read The Halifax Hellions novella series, it really pains me to say this: I was so bored with this book.

I think one of the issues I had right away is that this book started out as if it, too, were a short story. There isn't much of an intro to Peter, his siblings, or Selina, they're all smooshed together in the very first chapter and away we go on a long, tension-free romance, where there's too much inane chatter and the (many) sex scenes are by far the best written sections.

This one didn't work for me.

I fell in love with Peter and Selina! I love a good Regency Era novel, and this book is a masterpiece. It will have you laughing out loud one minute, smitten by the love stories (both romantic love and platonic), and fanning yourself over the spicier scenes. I’m so glad I was able to read this ARC and I can’t wait for everyone else to have the chance to read it. I’ll definitely be recommending it to alllll of my bookish friends! I am not a fan of the title but that’s so inconsequential.

Even though the plot of the story was great, I struggled with reading this book. I felt like so much information was thrown at me in the first few chapters all at once that I could not be fully immersed in the story.

Peter, a Duke, needs a respectable wife so that he can gain custody of his half siblings. Lady Selina is happy to help him find one quick, even though they share an attraction. Selina has a secret that keeps her from putting herself up as a candidate.

This is similar to other stories with the same tropes but I enjoyed the twist of the feminist library and the supporting characters.

HEA marriage of convenience with no third act breakup or pregnancy epilogue

What a fun book! I loved a good Regency romance. Throw in forced proximity and some spice and it’s the perfect read! I have never read this author before, but will be from now on! Loved Ne’er Do Well Duke!

Thanks SMP and NetGalley for the ARC.

ALEXANDRA VASTI YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS!!!!!

Wow.... adore doesn't cut it! I loved this book!

I was SO amped to read this - I read Vasti's Halifax Hellions series & so thoroughly enjoyed them all. Ne'er Duke Well (her first full-length novel) more than delivered!

I absolutely adored the FMC, Selina. Peter, the MMC, is a capital M-A-N man. Ugh, what a wonderful couple and sweet family. I may or may not have teared up during the last 10% (I'll never tell).

HUUUUGE thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for this UTTER delight of an ARC!

This is a sweet, light-hearted historical rom-com with a sunshine hero and a pragmatic heroine. It’s refreshing to not have the current standard grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The heroine, Selina, has all the characteristics of Emma (or Cher).

The story is heartwarming with some laugh-out-loud lines, and it extols the virtues of family. There is no third-act breakup, for those who fear them, and that is a twist in itself. While it’s a nice change of pace, there is limited angst, and angst is my preference.

Guys… I was invited again! I’m so excited that someone thought I’d love this book and provided me with the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Selina is a well-to-do woman of the ton who has not yet wed. She has good friends, a supportive family, and a secret job. No reason to rush. Peter Kent has very recently inherited a Dukedom and also found out he has two orphaned half-siblings who he badly wants to gain guardianship of. However, he must impress Lord Eldon, which is no easy feat.

What follows is hilarious and steamy as Selina tries to set Peter up with her friends. However, they ultimately fall for each other.

Read this if you love a strong female lead, friends to lovers, a Regency romance, and forced proximity.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC 💙

this was a beautiful story! The Bridgeton vibes are there. The angst of the scandal. This well beautifully written. i would have liked to see their wedding take place though. although i love how they came together and how they both knew from the beginning they just wanted each other even if it took them awhile to admit it. i feel the couple fits perfectly together and this was the perfect fast paced love story. These two characters compliment each other so well! The ending was perfect. i’m a sucker for a good happy ending and seeing everything come together. i love how the characters stuck by each other through the whole book. There was no breakup or argument in the middle of their story which is a major plus in my books. The family aspect in this book is perfect. and i just say Lu is my favorite character of all

I absolutely adored this book! Peter and Selina have my heart. Alexandra Vasti is such a refreshing voice in the historical fiction genre, and has such a gift for writing tender and funny romances, and her debut novel is no exception. I devoured as quick as I could, and absolutely recommend!