Both the narration and performance of this audiobook were perfection! Mhairi Morrison’s voice matched the character’s and was enchanting to listen to. I was invested in Margo’s and Henry’s journey together to save her sister from ruin. Not to mention some scenes were pretty steamy! I will definitely be listening to the next book as I enjoyed this one so much!

In the delightful novella entitled “In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation” the listeners are introduced to Margo Halifax, a spirited young woman in London who, along with her scandalous sister Matilda, lives a life defying societal norms. When Matilda plans to elope in Scotland, Margo sets out to stop her, accompanied by her friend Henry Mortimer, a lovelorn solicitor. Their journey is filled with humor, romance, and unexpected twists as they race against time to “save” Matilda from marriage.

The audiobook is a charming and quick listen that will appeal to fans of historical romance, particularly those who enjoy the Bridgerton series. The narrator, Mhairi Morrison, brings the story to life with her engaging performance, although some listeners may find it necessary to adjust the playback speed to fully understand her delivery. One of the novella's strengths lies in its well-crafted characters and believable character development, despite its brevity. Margo Halifax is a refreshingly unconventional heroine, fearless and endearing, while Henry Mortimer is portrayed as a perfectly imperfect love interest. Their dynamic and chemistry drive the plot forward, leading to satisfying and swoon-worthy moments that avoid popular clichés and cheese.

Author Alexandra Vasti succeeds in delivering a straight-through purposeful plot with humor and romance woven seamlessly throughout. The story strikes a balance between light-heartedness and depth, offering readers a brief yet fulfilling escape into Regency-era England. The introduction of the Halifax twins sets the stage for future installments, leaving readers eager to explore more of Vasti's world and characters.

Overall, the audiobook version of "In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation" excels in delivering a delightful historical romcom experience, with its engaging narration and entertaining storyline, it's a must-listen for fans of the genre. I eagerly await the audio adaptation of Vasti’s next stories!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #InWhichMargoHalifaxEarnsHerShockingReputation #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Alexandra Vasti for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

This novella tells the story of Margo Halifax, a spirited young woman in London. She and her sister have lived a scandalous life, not following the rules of the society around her. Margo goes to Scotland to chase after her sister who is planning to elope. With her she brings her friend Henry, a virgin solicitor who has been in love with her for years. Margo is a wonderful character with no fears and the story is so quick and cute. A short quick read for any Bridgerton fans! I’ll be reading the next book soon, her sisters story.

I enjoyed the narrator’s voice, though I had to listen at slower speeds than I usually do to understand fully. Overall though lots of a fun in a short story!

4.5 ⭐ rounded up!

This achieves what romance novellas should aim to do: give us believable character development in brief and steamy, well-earned moments without cheesy tendencies, a purposeful plot with actual reason and rhyme, and high-quality writing. I'm not personally a big historical romance reader but this one absolutely did it right. Magro is slightly flighty, but super lovable, doesn't take life so seriously (v relatable), overall a refreshing female lead. And Henry... file him under "perfectly imperfect book men."

I have been an avid follower of Alexandra Vasti since Margo Halifax was a novella available through her newsletter and truly would follow her to the ends of the earth and read anything she writes! I was so excited to hear that the novellas got picked up for traditional publishing AND that we would get the audios!

The narration by Mhairi Morrison was absolute perfection and I am so thrilled I got the chance to listen to an early copy of this to shout about it from the rooftops!

Mhairi Morrison did an incredible job of performing Alexandra Vasti's laugh-out-loud historical romcom. I'd read this road trip romp where a woman teams up with the starched lawyer whose loved her for years to go save her twin from marriage in e-book originally and thought it was hilarious and delightful. The audiobook was somehow even better. Morrison's acting, especially as Henry is warring with his feelings, made the laugh lines pop and the swoony parts so romantic. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series! Thank you for the chance to listen early.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the alc. My opinions are my own. I loved this spicy historical romance. I loves the narration, rhe story the steam. It's a perfect introduction to the author whose full length novel I am absolutely excited for.

Can't wait to listen to the other 2 novellas.

Highly recommend for fans of steamy historical romances

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC.

Mhairi Morrison did a superb job narrating this story.

I enjoyed this charming Halifax Hellion story. I look forward to more!

It's amazing that a full story with developed characters can be packed into such a fun, neat package! Alexandra Vasti could teach a master class on novellas. Oh wait, she just might!

The introduction to the Halifax twins is like a jump into the deep end. Margo is desperate to "save" her sister and knows she can't do it alone. Poor Henry has been pining for Margo for a long time and can't resist going with her on her quest to fine her sister. His attraction is palpable at times, but Margo is oblivious. Of course they will get together in a very satisfying way.

Excellent 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 I have become a very fast stan of Vasti’s work. She is a master at putting angst, love, steam, and character development into a short little novella. It is impressive! Often I feel as though novellas lack satisfaction because the “love” feels too quick and not believable but her books are the exception. I am so excited to read the rest of her work! Narrator was great too.

Margo Halifax indeed earns her shocking reputation in this quick little novella. For such a short story, this really packs a punch. There is enough plot to keep the reader interested. The spicy scenes were done well and very sexy. Looking forward to reading the next installment of this story.

I listened to the audio version of this novella and the narrator, Mhairi Morrison does a wonderful job.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Alexandra Vasti for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

When Matilda Halifax absconds to Gretna Green to elope with her much older beau, her twin, Margo, is determined to stop her. With their brother out of town, this Halifax Hellion turns to his best friend, solicitor Henry Mortimer, to accompany her on the carriage ride to Scotland. Armed only with cash and cheese in her reticule, Margo’s plans seem haphazard and hasty, but with Henry by her side, perhaps they can reach Matilda before any vows are made.

This novella is absolutely delicious! Alexandra Vasti captures a complete story arc and fully developed characters in not so many pages. It’s opposites-attract, longterm-pining, brother’s best friend, experienced heroine, different social classes, roadtrip, historical romance goodness, and I cannot recommend it enough.

I fell in love with Henry and want Margo to be the best friend that pulls me out of my shell.

Mhairi Morrison’s narration is excellent. I had a goofy grin on my face while listening to this audiobook, and I loved her voices for all of the characters.

At 3 hours and 33 minutes, the audiobook In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation is a delightful diversion. I am so excited to read what Vasti writes next.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I first read this novella almost a year ago, but I was so excited to be approved to listen to the audio version that I listened to it within hours of downloading. Alexandra Vasti is the undisputed queen of novellas. The amount of plot and character development she packs in is astounding, and she includes a generous amount of steam as well!

Margo and Henry are perfect for each other. Henry is a buttoned up and starchy solicitor who is responsible and honorable to a fault but who has been hopelessly in love with Margo for years. Margo is…well, Margo is complete chaos in the best possible way. Watching Henry’s self control start to unravel gradually and then come completely undone is incredibly satisfying, but the way he loves Margo unconditionally, because of everything she is rather than in spite of it is everything.

I found that listening to the novella offered me a chance to read this novella with fresh perspective and it provided a richer and more complex reading experience. Mhairi Morrison did a brilliant job narrating this story that I love so much.

What a great short, steamy and swoon worthy novella! I listened to this in just an hour or two after being approved. I loved the narration and it quickly held and kept my attention.

I enjoyed Margo and Henry’s adventures (or misadventures) as they searched for her sister who is eloping to Gretna Green: Henry was everything! Brother’s best friend who’s always been in love with Margo. Seriously swoon worthy/new book boyfriend level!. I didn’t expect as much steam for a novella, but I’m here for it! I’m excited to read the other two novellas in the series (and more books from Vasti!)

I first read this series last year and you bet I squealed with delight getting approved for this audio masterpiece early. I relish any opportunity to revisit the Halifax Hellions series! Vasti has perfected writing novellas that thrill, delight, and capture all the feels. I didn’t think I could love Margo and Henry more, but this audiobook had me falling head over heels for them all over again. Mhairi Morrison’s narration was absolutely magnificent and the entire reading experience was bloody brilliant!

Margo and Henry are such darling dears and never have two characters been so perfectly made for each other. Margo, always prepared for every situation with money and cheese in her reticule, is effervescent, fiercely protective, and full of so much love. And then there’s Henry… THIS MAN loves Margo SO DAMN MUCH and feels privileged just to be in her presence. He can’t help but be drawn into her orbit and only has eyes for her. Margo and Henry together are all goodness, tender-hearted, generous, and fully besotted with each other. They are sweet, silly, soft fools in love and the moment they bare their souls to each other is nothing short of magic.

I’m always touched by the understanding within Margo and Matilda’s relationship, how they live life on their own terms and are brave together in fighting for their hearts and a happily ever afters of their own making. While society may deem their behavior shocking or reckless, they don’t take joy and pleasure for granted and love without restraint… they are remarkable. This line of Henry’s about the sisters gets me all teary:

“For all there are people who’d look at you two and think you’ve done wrong,” Henry continued, “there are ten times more who look at you from the corners of the ballroom, and admire you. Who think you’re brave and—splendid—”

I am firmly convinced that Alexandra Vasti is a sorceress because the depth of emotion and character development she layers with delicious spice and ample swoon worthy moments all within in a novella (!!!) is pure magic. She is truly a master of her craft and gosh, what a gift it is to get lost in her storytelling.

Vasti’s ability to write a compelling novella never ceases to amaze me! Margo and Henry’s journey is so sweet and rewarding to watch, especially as she realizes just how much she loves him (of course, he’s loved her for AGES).

Each character has a well-developed story and personality, which can feel like a tall order in many novellas, with authors rushing through character development to get to the plot. Not so here! Vasti writes fallible characters with heart and hope.

Narration is sublime, as well! As any audiobook listener knows, a narrator can make or break a story, and Mhairi Morrison does a stellar job bringing Margo and Henry to our ears. It felt like reading the novella all over again, and what more can we really ask for?!

I had heard nothing but amazing things about this one so my expectations were high. I already knew Alexandra Vasti could write but I was still completely blown away. I cannot describe how perfect every minute of this book is.

Margo is wonderfully reckless while also being sweet and caring and kind. Henry is so the opposite and is so spellbound by her. I loved them together. I would read a whole series of books about them!

At the same time, this story is hilarious! Just ask my husband who I woke up by laughing so hard while he was sleeping. It was the purse cheese that got me. Also when the hero is so flustered he talks to inanimate objects in the first few chapters I know I am going to adore it.

Finally, this book is one of the sexiest things I have ever read. I have read a lot of books with steam in them and I have read a lot of books with longing but there was something about how Alexandra captures the combination of the two that is amazing.

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 - The audio narration is amazing! I was blown away by how Mhairi Morrison gave each character a different voice that was perfect for their characters. This audio is single narrator for a dual pov book, but I actually think it's better that way. The voices are so perfect I wouldn't have wanted someone else reading Henry's POV. Mhairi made Alexandra Vasti's already wonderful novella even better and I can't recommend it enough.

🌶️🌶️🌶️ - This novella has three spicy scenes and a fair amount of sexual tension. That might sound like a lot for a novella, but this book in no way lacks emotional depth or plot.

Narrated by Mhairi Morrison

Genre: Historical romance
England, regency era

Margo Halifax knows how to shock people. She and her twin sister Matilda have been doing it their whole lives, in fact, seeing how far they can throw convention to the wind. But when she finds a note from Matilda saying that she’s eloped with *gasp* the scandalous Lord Ashford (with some sort of rumors about a riding crop being involved), Margo takes it upon herself to rescue Matilda from certain ruin with the help of her brother’s best friend Henry Mortimer. Henry has been in love with Margo for seven years, since he first watched her tie a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue as a party trick, and her brazen ways have been a light in his world. Of course he can never tell her this. But the forced proximity of a road trip and a broken carriage throw all of his carefully buttoned up feelings amiss.

This is a reread for me, but I will always give more love to the Halifax siblings. Margo is bold and brash, often making decisions before thinking through them. Henry is the epitome of the starchy hero: quiet, unassuming, and buttoned all the way up, but also a deeply caring and passionate man who would in fact drop everything to assist his unrequited love to find her sister.

One of the delights of this being a novella is that we are never bogged down by extraneous road trip stops or mishaps. It’s quite literally the perfectly balanced arc of plot and character development and extremely passionate sex. A year and a half after first reading Alexandra Vasti, I’m still in awe of how she crafts these outstanding novellas with such care.

Mhairi Morrison is a favorite audiobook narrator of mine - I first found her when listening to Marsha Canham’s books - and her narration only adds to the Halifax Experience ™. She adds joy and mischievousness to Margo’s antics and brings this story to life in a way that makes me excited to listen to it again and again. (You do realize that these will become comfort audiobook rereads for me, yes?)