I adored this. I don't read hetero romances often but I couldn't pass this one up - pining, historical romance, reckless heiress (and queer!) - what's not to like. Plus it was only around 3.5 hours so what a delightful way to spend a morning. I'm so glad I happened to have that time on hand when I began the book because once the steam began rising it didn't stop and I wouldn't have wanted to put this down. Mhairi Morrison is always an excellent narrator so I was very pleased to hear her. She did a wonderful job of balancing the humor and steam and the pacing was perfect. In a short time I fell completely for these characters and I will absolutely check out any further books in the series. Plus the spice was on point. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

audiobook ARC - thank you netgalley, Alexandra Vasti, and dreamscape media

120 pages/3.5 hr audiobook - This short and sweet gem of a book is like the BEST 100 pages of a slow burn romance.

Set in 1820s London, Margo, who has an intentionally scandalous reputation for high society, enlists her brother’s best friend, Henry, to help her track down her twin before she elopes. Dreamy Henry has been secretly pining for Margo for years. What do we think might happen in one carriage, one bed, and on one horse? Expect delicious tension, banter and spice. Yes to it all!

Morrison delivered for this narration. She was absolutely perfect. 10/10 all round perfect.

Official plot: In this Regency-era romance novella, a socialite asks a gentlemen to escort her to Gretna Green to prevent her twin sister from a disastrous elopement. The twist is that SHE is the rake (by reputation), and he the innocent. The socialite is prone to scandalous behavior and the young man, her brother's best friend, is a humble and reserved and has only admired the young woman from afar.

Actual plot: little bit of pining, then lots about a very horny carriage ride to Scotland, then little sweet romance.

Both characters are likable. This is not meant to be realistic historical fiction. It's a fun romp with some laughs and very open door sex scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the early chance to review.

The book's premise sounded quite interesting, and I didn't realize it was a novella. I was hoping for a grander adventure and slightly more world-building. For what it was, it was an easy listen. I wasn't very invested in the characters, but I liked Margo enough. I feel like this could have been something amazing, but it just didn't live up to it's potential.

Thank you to NetGalley, DreamScape Media, & Alexandra Vasti for this audiobook.

A stellar listen. Alexandra Vasti effortlessly meshes humor, heartfelt emotions, and steamy scenes into this gem of a novella. Both protagonists are utterly endearing: sweet, serious, pining Henry and bold, chaotic Margo. They balance one another so well, with Margo pulling Henry into more adventure, while he provides the stability she doesn't find elsewhere. Mhairi Morrison does a brilliant job with the narration, really capturing the personalities of these two characters in their voices. The contrast between Margo and her twin Matilda, is likewise excellent, giving a taste of their differences in a very short span. Highly recommended for historical romance audiobook fans.

Sweet, sweet book. Henry and Margo are just made for each other. Too bad Margo took so long to realize that Henry is just her soul mate.

Mhairi Morrison does a nice job of narration.

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation by Alexandra Vasti was a delightful listen.

This audiobook is a terrific listen that is perfect for when you have a free afternoon. The audiobook is about 3.5 hours and perfect for one straight listen. The narrator has a pleasant voice, got the voices for the characters perfectly and put great care in her narration - she had great inflection on the dialogue and seemed to know exactly how to differentiate between the characters.

Margo and her sister Matilda are known as the Halifax Hellions and when Matilda runs off to Gretna Green, Margo follows her and then Henry follows Margo - whom he is hopelessly in love with. Their race after Matilda is the catalyst for them realizing their true feelings for each other and this is their story.

I loved it and am going to go back and find more from this author - and both read/listen to her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in lieu of an honest review.

This is my favorite of the Halifax Hellions novellas. I love Henry & Margo so much. It's friends to lovers and close proximity with only one carriage, only one bed, only one horse and lots of rain. The narrator is amazing. She captures Margo's sassiness perfectly and Henry's steady, sexy tone of voice. If you're a fan of historical regency romance with a bit of steam and pining, you'll love this one.

– Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media –

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I got this novella from Vasti's newsletter and loved it so much. Vasti is a great writer. It feels both historic and modern at the same time which is not easy to achieve. I was instantly hooked.

Margo is a queer woman who is the Rogue in the story. She loves to have fun and has a reputation for being impulsive and wild, but she has the hots for her brother's friend Henry, who has been in love with her his whole life, and who is also a virgin! Roles reversed! Of course they team up to chase her twin Matilda across the countryside in a carriage, as one does. It's a delicious and perfect Regency story with all the tropes: forced proximity, only one bed, must share a horse, soaked from the rain and so much pining and longing. And it's steamy! You can feel the chemistry and sparks fly off the page. Oh, and there's a freckles obsession. Who doesn't love those? ;-)

A fun, short, spicy novella.
Brother’s best friend. Friends to lovers. He falls first. Only one carriage and only one horse.

I love a spicy historical romance, and enjoyed how much I was rooting for these characters in such a short time. However, I wanted more background & buildup for the story. But all in all, it was enjoyable!

Thank you to netgalley for the ALC. Outstanding narration by Mhairi Morrison.

Holy cow I adored this book!! I think I've found a new favorite author y'all! This book very much had Jane Austen's Emma vibes. We have an older friend of the family/brother's best friend who has been pining for our MC for 7 years while also being one of her most steadfast friends. I am always down for some hardcore pining and let me tell you this book didn't disappoint. Both of them are adorably hung up on the other and I found myself cracking up at Henry's constant pain at how much he cares for her and wants to look out for her. He was so adorably anxious whenever she was in distress and knocking himself out to help her. It gave me so many feelings (and was also very funny). I think I'm kind of obsessed with Alexandra Vasti because both historials I've read by her have been delightfully sex-positive which is a breath of fresh air. Also our main character is just casually bi which made me very happy as a bi person who loves to see bi people existing in fiction (ESPECIALLY when it's a romance with someone of the opposite sex). Romance novellas run the risk of feeling underdeveloped since they are shorter but this book had such a satisfying development both for Margo personally and in her relationship with Henry. We got to see a glorious journey with many mishaps, laughter and feelings.
As for the audiobook itself, the narrator was fantastic! They really brought out the author's already humorous prose and took it to another level of hilarity. This was a delightful romp of a book with a sweet emotional center and I will 100% be rereading it at some point in the future cause it was that good.

After completing the audiobook of Margo Halifax all I can say is WOW! Ok, who am I kidding? I have lots more to say but it may come out in random verbal musings cuz I am a basket case of emotions. First, Mhari Morrison may be my new fav HR narrator. Her soft British tone reads a blissfully delightful, relaxing story. I find a female british voice in HR narration either hits one side and can sound staid or hit the other side of the bar with a perfect pairing. Mhari’s read definitely shattered the bar! Her enunciation and emphasis on every scene was read exactly as I read it in my mind and far exceeded my imagination. Vasti’s Hellions hold a very special place in my heart and listening to this gave me such impeccable visions to go along with the story I love. It was an absolute delight and I am giddy with glee at the vivid pictures scrolling through my mind. If you are not familiar with this story, you need the Halifax Hellions in your life and I am beyond eager to listen to Matilda & Spencer’s stories.

This novella has a very simple plot that primarily serves as a platform for a spicy (lots of sex) tale of class barriers.

This was soooo enjoyable. Pining and some really effing strong ‘it’s always been you’ energy. Throw in some just one bed energy and some nice spice and I adored this one - I’m definitely looking forward to the other titles in the series 🙂

An ideal quick read or short listen!



Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC

The heroine, Margo, and her sister, Matilda, are indeed “hellions.” They have purposefully flouted society’s rules for ladies of the ton. And they’ve enjoyed doing so. They are well liked, wealthy, young, and have family connections to keep them out of too much trouble. That fun runs out when Matilda runs away to marry someone Margo does not trust. Their older brother is out of town so instead she rushes to Henry, her brother’s good friend, and a stable source of comfort.

Little does Margo know, Henry, our hero, has been in love with Margo for years. After initially refusing (you’ll understand why) to help, Henry rushes to Margo’s side and they begin the journey to Scotland together.

This is a steamy, funny, and empowering story. I love the fresh take on young women’s reputations, and the secrets revealed when the two finally respond to their lust and love for each other.

I first read Margo's story in early 2023 via Vasti's website and loved it. The narration by Mhairi Morrison makes it even better.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I found this author on Netgalley previously and because this was an audiobook, a short one at that, I decided to request it!

The book is told from two point-of-views and they come from Margo and Henry. These two have known each other for quite some time since he is her brother’s best friend. Since this is a novella I was worried that I would have a hard time caring about their romance, but to my surprise I was looking forward to their moments together! They cared about one another even if they had a hard time showing it, or even confessing their feelings for one another. At least on their way to Scotland they had a lot of alone time to figure it all out!

I will say that even though I liked their romance it is very lusty from the beginning on both of their parts. It became to be too much for my taste, but I like everything else that was going on. Margo cared for her sister a lot and she learned that sometimes you have to go on your own way even if it’s hard to say goodbye to someone that has always been around.

Overall, this was a nice short read!

MORE Please! I Must listen to/ Read/ Flipping well DEVOUR more! (On TBR with double red underline AND highlight, in yellow!) Although a short audiobook, absolutely no complaints because it was such a fantastic caper!


Margaret (Margo) and Matilda Halifax are the richest heiresses in old London Town and known as the "Halifax Hellions" In fact, the twins know full well that their extensive wealth means that their behaviour will not get them ostracised in the same way as other ladies, and such, they push every boundary (Dressing like lady Godiva in a skin coloured dress for example, let alone the "cherry stalk" incident")

Henry is a solicitor, and a long standing (suffering) friend of the twins and as such, the man Margo runs to when Matilda "elopes" with the dastardly Ashford to Gretna Green. Left with no choice but to follow Margo' in Matilda's "rescue", Henry drops everything and follows hot on her heels into the night (One key note, Henry is ridiculously, madly and mindbogglingly in love with Margo, not that she would know it... )

But oho what is this? All is not as it seems in this escapade.

The pace is wonderful and the story at once risque, hilarious and charming. This is no flowers and roses escapade. This is ladies behaving badlly and ruling the roost in a time where most ladies were cowed into subservience

Alexandra Vasti is a fantastic writer, great fun, historically accurate and complete and utter mischief! I am absolutely here for it!!

Mhairi Morrison does an amazing job at narrating this audiobook and I really hope she will continue on with this series. Her emotes are perfection and she is almost lyrical in her vocalsation, cadence and emphases.


Thank you very much to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and Alexandra Vasti for this delicious ALC! My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are may own

I was looking for a palette cleanser romance and this did the trick! Except now I need the other 2 books asap! Short and to the point. All I can say is I want mooooore!!

Loved the narrator. Loved the story! Margot and virgin, but expert Henry 😍.

Thank you netgalley for the alc of this lovely novella! I adored this novella as an ebook, and I adored it equally as an audiobook! Definitely check this out when it releases in Feb 27!

I read this from Alexandra Vasti’s newsletter sometime last year and was excited to revisit the Halifax Hellions via audio. The narrator did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I love that Margo is an unconventional heroine for a historical romance and I love how gone for her Henry is. Such a fun read, especially if you are just beginning the historical fiction genre.

I adore this novella. Alexandra Vasti manages to balance effective plotting, storytelling, and character development with more satisfying spicy scenes than should possibly fit in such a short book. I loved it. I love Henry and Margo.

The narrator did a really good job of communicating Henry's reserve and longing and Margo's exuberance and playfulness. This is the perfect book to accompany you while journeying to a beach vacation as long as you can handle explicit sexual content with your travel companions.

I recommend this novella for fans of Alexandra Vasti, spicy historical romance, and playful, romcom style love stories.