This book. Ah, this book, it lived up to everyone one of my expectations and then exceeded them.

My first introduction to Alexandra Vasti was her Halifax Hellions series, which I loved. So to say I was excited for Ne’Er Duke Well (side note: this is an excellent title, it would’ve drawn my interest even I didn’t already know about the author) would be an understatement.
So when this ARC was made available, I was over the moon. I downloaded it, sat down, and read it one sitting. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to read it again. Cannot wait for more Alexandra Vasti books!

First, the chemistry between Selina and Peter is off the charts. This was one of those books that made me want to skip ahead and read the end to make sure they end up together. I didn’t skip ahead, but it was so hard not to.

This couple is beautifully written, reading about them falling in love was so much fun. The general premise—historical romance where the woman is trying to matchmake for the male character but they fall in love with each other instead—is one I’ve encountered once or twice before and felt rather meh about. But this one was so well done. If you’re into steam in your historical romances, this one has you covered (that tub scene….phew!)

Something I found very original in this one was the idea of an essentially American Duke. I hadn’t encountered this before in any of the historical romances I’ve read and I thought it was a clever detail.

In addition to the love story, which was compelling enough to keep me reading, I also thoroughly enjoyed the aspects of the story about Selina’s career and Peter’s developing relationship with, and love for, his young siblings.

This book is a definite 5/5 for me!

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I never thought I would read and actually enjoy a HistRom, but if anyone could do it for me, it's Alexandra Vasti. This book was such a joy and I finished it within a day! AV writes characters that read modern. They have modern sensibilities and their personalities aren't dreary or stuffy. Her characters stand on their own but her plot is just as good. And her dialogue - my GOD. She's absolutely hilarious. I have so much of this book highlighted because the characters (especially the side characters) had me in absolute stitches.

This book releases in July but I highly encourage everyone to pick it up. If you're new to HistRom like me, this is a great book to start with and it will definitely get you in the mood to read more!

Alexandra Vasti is such a special author, and I absolutely adored her Halifax Hellions series, so I was so excited to read the ARC of her first full length novel. That’s why I was so disappointed to see that this draft didn’t live up to the high expectations I had for this novel. Right off in the story, we have a problem: the characters are extremely flat. I like the idea of Peter being an abolitionist as well as the duke, and I liked the idea of Selina trying to find him a wife just to find out that he actually loves her. However there’s basically no chemistry between them throughout the entire first half of the book. Then suddenly, he decides he wants to propose to her. Even after she says no, they randomly decide to start getting semi steamy with each other, then boom they get caught, he realizes he has to marry her to save from scandal, and so on. The second half is even worse: just sex and more sex. I must say the most interesting part in the entire book is when Freddie gets sick (I loved Freddie and Lu, so adorable). The other thing that bothers me is the frequent use of “er” while someone’s talking. I don’t know if that’s just me, but I found that to be a massive pet peeve. In short, I think this book has so much potential, just needs more depth in the characters and the romance.

I’ve made no secret of my adoration for the incredibly talented Alexandra Vasti, whose Halifax Hellions series is literally the most delightful series of historical novellas I have ever read in my life, EVER. Ne'er Duke Well is all the delight and even more pages. Truly, this is the delicious madcap Regency adventure we all deserve.

If anyone knew Lady Selina Ravenscroft was the woman behind the green-covered books of London’s most subversive secret circulating library, the gossip would destroy her reputation. She’s hardly wife material for the new Duke of Stanhope, who needs an unimpeachable lady to counteract his Louisiana upbringing and his regrettable series of social scrapes since arriving in London. However, she’s the perfect matchmaker to scout candidates for the job of Duchess…if she can keep from falling in love with him herself.

Vasti is growing a reputation as one of the most dazzling new voices in historical romance, and for good reason. Her characters absolutely burst to life, their feelings and foibles beautifully drawn with tiniest brushstrokes of internal monologue. If you’ve read her novellas, you know she has a genius for picking hooky, addictive premises paved with wild twists and turns, and her debut novel absolutely lives up to the hype. Sensual, thrilling, emotional and hilarious; sure to be one of your favorite reads of 2024.

This is a new to me author and can I just say I am going to have to go find all of her old books to read. I simply adored this book. It was fun, with well-developed characters, steamy scenes, and snappy dialog. My only quibble was at the beginning I felt like I was supposed to know everyone and didn't, but that could be just because I had not read a book from this author before. It was short lived and I was soon engrossed in the story. Although this book is historical in setting it felt very contemporary, but not in a way that took away from the historical background. Peter and Selina were perfect for one another, with great communication (the snappy dialog) and their chemistry was off the charts. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed most of this but by 60 percent I lost interest because things just kind of fizzled out and it seemed all about sex from there on. I was really interested in these two and how they would create a relationships but it was all lust and the characters and story line took a back seat to the sex scenes.

Really enjoyed this book and long awaited a full novel from this author. I’ve read all her novellas and this didn’t disappoint. She truly excels at developing lovable and unique characters and unexpected historical romance plots. I will definitely read the next in the series, I can’t pick which character I want next. Probably Will. Or the backstory of Nicholas and his wife. I wish there was more of the children - maybe a sequel for Lu? She was great. All in all great read, plot and perfect pace.

Absolutely delightful. What an incredible debut! Alexandra Vasti is part of the future of historical romance. One full of characters who embrace women’s rights and consent. Ne’er Duke Well was sexy, sweet, and funny. It's a perfect comfort read.

Peter Kent, the ninth Duke of Stanhope—never set foot in England until two years ago, when he’d become heir presumptive to the dukedom and the Earl of Clermont had dragged him unceremoniously away from his home in Louisiana. He lived with his mother until she died them with his half brother Morgan and his mother, Josephine de Marigny. He watched his brother slow die of consumption. After arriving in England his grandfather falls ill and he finds he has another half sister and brother that his grandfather had been supporting. When their mother dies they get passed around to family on her side but Peter wants custody of them to become a family that he never had and to give them security. However, he is unable to get things right and winds up in the gossip columns with his antics.

Nicholas Ravenscroft, the Duke of Rowland,and his wife Daphne, befriend him. Nicholas sister Lady Selina finds him frustrating. She decides to help him get custody. She has a secret that only three people know and if it got out would cause a major scandal.

As Peter tries to find a way to get into Lord Eldon, John Scott, Court of Chancery. Who is the one to rule on the case. Lady Selina suggests he marry and gives three ladies names. Peter being easy going agrees when in reality he wants Lady Selina.

Miss Lucinda Nash Or Lu as she perfers, Is Leary of the guardianship and being passed around or left with no one. While Master Frederick Nash is just scared.

Come join the court battle to see what antics the kids get into, what trouble Peter causes, and how Selina tries to help. Find out what secret she has and how she has been keeping it from everyone. Join in on Peter's dates to see how they go awry.

Such wonder flawed characters that will have you laughing so much. Great flow of the plot makes for easy reading, you'll have it finished before you know it. Oh, I almost forgot the demon kitten name Peter!

Well Alexandra Vasti just put herself on my auto read list!

First of all whoever did her cover is fabulous! I adore everything about it and it truly represents the vibe of this story.

There are some historical romance authors out there who are blending feminism and the genre so beautifully and seamlessly. Vasti has cemented herself up there with them and is on par with Sarah Maclean for me!

We have a delightful FMC out there ensuring women have the education and tools they need to make it through a world run by men. Then you have a MMC who is an activist in his own right and just an absolute cinnamon roll of a man. Seriously Peter is devine!! Their chemistry is so good, the pacing of the story was so good for me. I was worried about 55% in wondering if there was going to be some dreaded 3rd act issues (which okay of course there was), but I was so happy with how it all played out. Not just how it ended up, but how it all unfolded was perfect and unexpected considering the genre!

To top it off all of the books she mentions in this story are actually real historical books and I’ve literally been taking notes so I can dig them up and read them!!

I absolutely hope that this becomes a series because there are so many side characters that need stories for! Georgie, Lydia, etc. and oh and I want Thomasin and Judith’s story ASAP!! Also the kids Lu and Freddie need more pages!! I need to know how they grow up and how Lu gets on with her fencing lessons and if she ever gets boxing lessons!!

Anyways read this book you won’t regret it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy.

I absolutely loved Ne'er Duke Well, but I was so unprepared for just how phenomenal this book would be.The banter, the romance, the characters, I adored absolutely everything about it.I think I must have highlighted over 3/4 of the book. This book had a ridiculous smile on my face the entire time I was reading. I just loved every single page of it and cannot recommend it enough!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my giddy aunt! I have discovered a new fav hist-rom author in Alexandra Vasti, whose humorous intelligent style now places her books atop my teetering TBR.

And what phenomenal characters in her latest (out 7/23/24): Lady Selina, a highly ranked member of society who has a secret erotic circulating library for women; and the Duke of Stanhope, originally from NOLA but already firmly ensconced in Parliament as a radical voice for England. Plus he wants to have his two illegitimate siblings under his care, but needs a respectable wife to raise them with him.

When the sparks fly between the Lady and Duke as she helps him search for said wife, will they ever be able to leap daunting hurdles to true love?

Ah hist-rom fans, you MUST read this intriguing spicy tale. I promise you will thank me!

This was a fun story with interesting characters. Heavy on the sex scenes, if that's is or isn't your thing, but a good romance with great chemistry and a unique storyline.

A fun and witty regency romance! I really enjoyed the main characters and the romance between them! The supporting characters were great and added to the story! I recommend this book to those who enjoy regency romance! X

This was an addictive regency romance that I devoured in a day - reminded me of other smart, well-written regencies I love by Julia Quinn, Evie Dunmore, Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean.

Lady Selina, a duke’s sister, decides to matchmake for Peter Kent, Duke of Stanhope, who was raised in New Orleans by his mother after his father left them, in hopes of turning the Duke into a well liked and honorable member of society so that he could become guardian for his illegitimate siblings. In the meantime, we find that she’s the proprietress of a scandalous library which lends ladies of the ton erotic literature. Can their scandalous selves work together?

I liked how there were body positive messages in this one, a lifelong relationship between Selina’s aunt and her female friend, and certain minority representations.

Spice levels were a 5/5.

I assume this will be a series and we’ll see stories from Georgiana, Lydia and Iris, too - which I am definitely looking forward to!

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Alexandra Vasti for the ARC.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, so when I got a chance to read it in 2023, I dropped literally everything else on my TBR and jumped in. I will admit a few things up front: I was nervous about this American duke from Louisiana. A lot of historical romance handwaves away the source of their nobleman characters' fabulous wealth; adding in an American origin story from a Southern state doesn't exactly solve the issue. I shouldn't have been nervous: Peter is a radical, and his first speech in Parliament was all about abolition and how the movement hadn't gone far enough. And Selina! She's all Society Darling on the outside, Feminist Sex Educator on the inside. Yes, I would like a library card for your sexy library, Selina, thx! So yeah, basically Peter is one of the best romance heroes I've read in a long time, and Selina is a great addition to the list of historical romance heroines who both like to read and who use their influence to further a feminist cause.

Peter asks Selina for help in getting custody of his two younger siblings. (He's not the automatic guardian because they're illegitimate and were never acknowledged by his father.) Selina's solution? Find Peter a respectable wife to show that he would provide a stable home for them. (Also, she's done research on the judge who will rule in the case, and she knows that a love match will make him more sympathetic to Peter's cause.) The problem with the solution? Selina wants to be Peter's perfect match ... but because of the potential scandal of her lending library, a union with her might cause more issues than it would resolve.

The book is super sexy, includes a pair of cute kids who never overshadow the main relationship, and ends with one of my favorite mini-tropes: the courtroom drama finale. If you like historical romance, you really have to pick this one up.

Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher. Alexandra Vasti and I are social media mutuals. This did not affect my review of the book.

I’ve been hooked on Alexandra Vasti’s work since I read her first Halifax Hellions novella. As well-written as her novellas are, I was incredibly excited to get my hands on her first full-length novel. I was not disappointed. In fact, I loved everything about this book. I adored Peter and Selina and their love story. The way they loved each other tore me apart and then put me back together again. Her secondary characters were absolutely delightful as well, and I so hope some of them will be getting their own stories. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.