Lydia Hope-Wallace was one of the best characters in Ne'er Duke Well - a stalwart friend and staunch feminist. So it was incredibly exciting to see Lydia as the hero of Earl Crush. Lydia comes to Strathrannoch, determined to propose marriage to the Earl...only to realise that he hasn't actually been her correspondent.

I loved getting to spend time with such a fun heroine. Though incredibly anxious in social situations, Lydia is political and smart and determined to make a difference in the world around her. It was wonderful to watch her believe in herself and find love. I hope that Vasti will continue this series - I would love to see author Georgiana have her own romance!

Another five star read from Alexandra Vashti! I can’t read them fast enough, please write more! In this latest romantic adventure rom-com, the FMC is nervous and anxious yet braves new places and people to try to improve her life, not any easy thing for a regency-era woman. You’ve got mistaken identity, a curmudgeonly earl, and a stage set for spicy romps. The characters as usual are smart and sassy and funny. The sex is spicy with characters that are respectful and passionate to one another.

🐎💌 Earl Crush
✒️ Alexandra Vasti
⭐️ 5/5

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔.”

Ever since I read Ne’er Duke Well, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Lydia Hope-Wallace’s turn at a charming love story, and Earl Crush absolutely delivered! From the very beginning, all the characters were incredibly likable. I loved watching Lydia grow and blossom from a shy wallflower into a confident, headstrong woman, with the help of her friends and Arthur. She’s exactly the kind of person I’d want as a friend; passionate and unapologetic about her beliefs

Arthur, on the other hand, is the perfect partner for Lydia. A grumpy Scotsman who helplessly pines and yearns? Say no more! It’s impossible not to fall for him. I especially adored how he saw past Lydia’s anxieties and shyness, appreciating the ways she was growing into her confidence throughout the story.

This was such a vibrant, colorful tale, filled with interesting subplots inspired by true events—a delightful bonus for a history geek like me. If you’re a fan of Regency-era romances, fake marriages, love letters (yes, plenty of them!), one-bed situations, and political espionage, prepare to giggle, swoon, and kick your feet. Earl Crush is a phenomenal mix of humor and spice that’s sure to win you over!

Alexandra Vasti is the closest author to Tessa Dare I can find! Fun, elaborate hijinks with eminently loveable flawed characters, and bucketloads of humour alongside the swoonworthy romance. Earl Crush is huge fun and so sweet - highly recommended!

Vasti’s second novel is a delicious romp through Scotland with two wonderful main characters. I enjoyed getting to know Lydia in Ne’er Duke Well, and was happy to follow along as she grew bolder and more sure of herself. And she finds quite the Earl to fall in love with! I think Vasti is very skilled at writing dramatic chases across countries, it was something I enjoyed in her novellas, and I had a grand time following Lydia and Arthur’s journey here. The notes at the start of each chapter, and in the epilogue, were a wonderful touch. I’m looking forward to Georgiana’s tumble into love, next! Thank you for the review copy, I look forward to telling our romance readers all about this one.

Something about me? I LOVE a regency romance as a little palate cleanser between other romance genres. The ONLY thing I’d sometimes they can feel a bit unimaginative. It feels like one of those sub-genres where there can be a limited number of tropes.

Lately that has been changing a bit and this book is definite proof of that. The trope was so unique; showing up and expecting to make a husband is it of your pen pal? Discovering he’s not who he seems? Going on a wild goose chase to find him and maybe feel some feelings along the way? Literally yes! please!

This book was so fun start to finish. The trope itself was so interesting and then more than that, the characters were so interesting and fun to watch grow with each other. I especially loved a little scheming done by some side characters towards the end🫢. I really enjoyed this book; the self doubt + slow burn combination is going to do it for me every time.

So fun so fast so furious :) highlyyy recommend

Copy provided by Net Galley for review:)

4.5⭐️

After loving Ne'er Duke Well by the same author, I knew I had to request this one, and it did not disappoint! Earl Crush delivered the found family, the romance, and even more characters to fall in love with.

Once again, I teared up at some points! Arthur and Lydia had me smiling and blushing, I loved them and their romance. They both had their fears and doubts, but overcame them throughout the novel, making the romance even sweeter. Honourable mention to Georgina, Bertie and Huw, I adored them all and wish they had more scenes! Mrs. Hope-Wallace and Lydia's family were also hilarious.

While the characters are great, the plot also kept me intrigued. I thought I had things all figured out, and there were multiple twists that had me hooked. The timing did seem a little too perfect at some points, but it still made for an enjoyable read.

While I'm relatively new to the genre, Alexandra Vasti remains one of my favourite historical romance authors! Will be on the lookout for new releases, and thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review:)

This was an adorbale read simply for the rescue animals that Earl of Strathrannoch allows to call home on his estate. As an animal lover myself - there's nothing better than fuzzy animals loving you back and amidst a Victorian0-era romance?! Adorable!

I'm really loving this regency romance series from Alexandra Vasti. While both books could be standalone it's definitely more fun to read them in order. This was such a fun read with likable characters and a good amount of spice. I look forward to reading more in this series and more from Alexandra Vasti in general. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The thing I love about Alexandra Vasti's books is that they definitely non-traditional and original. I love how she can weave a story so clearly that you feel like you are there. She dives the reader deeply into the characters and locations and I really appreciate the emotion she is able to portray. This book in particular has a mystery to it so add that to the romantic aspects, it was the perfect balance. I loved how the two main characters, Arthur & Lydia, learned to trust and love each other and they really were so raw and honest about their vulnerabilities and pushed through them to get to their happily ever after. Wonderful!

This was a really great read! it kept me hooked and I flew through it in a day! The plot twist was absolutely great! I also love the strength the characters show

I loved this book. This has only further solidified this author as one of my new favorites and all of her books as must reads.

This book had the perfect amount of romance and suspense.

Ahh, Ms. Vasti. I heard you describe this book as if "Dickens and Lisa Frank had taken ecstasy" and it FITS. Trust me, in the best way possible. It was super-fun from the very first chapter, with spicy scenes, LOL moments, and swoon-worthy guys.

Firstly, I absolutely fell head-over-heels for our hero, Arthur. When he falls, he falls HARD. I love that in a hero. I love when the guy is like "Ugh she's the worst, who would ever fall for her?" then he does. *chef's kiss* He was supportive of Lydia from the beginning. And that Scottish brogue?!? YESSSS. I also love that he rehabilitates animals (even though he pretends to gripe about it) and that he's so determined to help out the tenants that he's responsible for. I love a competent member of the aristocracy.

And Lydia? What an awesome heroine. Super introverted and panicky, she's such a relatable woman. (I, too, would probably throw up after the events of that first day.) She's fiercely determined, and although she knows how smart she is, I love when Arthur makes her feel smart and special. The exotic animals were also adorable. And I loved the road-trip aspects and the spicy scenes were top notch. Ms. Vasti can write a spicy scene like nobody's business.

If you're looking for a fun, kinda zany, HOT historical romance, this one is perfection.

First book I have not finished. Got around 10% in and the book is just not for me. The writing style is okay, but I do not think Regency rom-coms are the story type for me.

Alexandra Vasti is quickly becoming a historical romance favorite of mine.

Lydia is a bookish suffragette with social anxiety who happens to have a fortune. Arthur is a penniless earl who could really use a wealthy wife. It seems like a no brainer, but how they come together is the fun part. I love how the characters are so three dimensional and you really root for them to get past their anxieties and stay with each other.

There’s definitely intrigue and subplots that keep the story going, which I appreciate - it’s not all just romance, and lots of intelligence.

Definitely one of the smartest historical romances I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and I can’t wait for the next one!

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

Wit, humor, heart, spice...and a third act reveal that I was absolutely dying to get to! Vasti is immediately joining my permanent re-read collection, and is one to watch in the Romance Book Community.

As a fan of Alexandra Vasti's self-published novellas, I was excited to be given an ARC of "Earl Crush", her latest Regency-era romance novel. The book revisits some characters from her last full-length novel and it was fun to follow their storylines.

"Earl Crush" centers on Lydsia, a rich heiress with extreme social anxiety but secretly writes political pamphlets, and Arthur, a penniless Scottish earl who is an inventor and blacksmith. Arthur and Lydia have great chemistry and their growing relationship is the star of the book. There were a lot of side characters and Vasti tied in some political events happening at the time in England, but I was distracted by these and felt the pacing was off. It could be because I am so used to Vasti's novellas and her tighter, fast-paced plots.

Fans of Vasti will enjoy this and I look forward to her next novel about Georgiana.

This was a review for NetGalley.

The Vibes:

—epistolary romance to fake engagement pipeline

—golden retriever och aye hero

—batty but intellectual heroine

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

After corresponding with the eccentric and cash-poor Earl of Stratrannoch, writer of seditious pamphlets Lydia sets out to offer her hand in a marriage of convenience. Except she wasn't writing the Earl, but his mess of a brother. The actual Earl, Arthur, is thrown off... but isn't upset with the idea of being with Lydia. Unfortunately, there's the matter of his missing brother, espionage, and her radical views to contend with—can he turn this sham engagement into a real one?

The Review:

I really, really wanted to love this one.

I loved Alexandra Vasti's Halifax Hellions novellas. I liked Ne'er Duke Well, though I'll admit it doesn't stick out in my mind these days. This... I'd describe this book as a "me, not you" problem, or like... The only parallel I can really think of is that it's a nice guy. And not a Nice Guy, but a genuinely nice guy, and I have some friends who would LOVE him, but for me he's just a bit bland.

Which is probably how I could describe our hero Arthur, too.

To me, what made Vasti's novellas so great was that they had this sparkling tone and briskness I really couldn't resist, coupled with a really fun approach to characterization that somehow made the leads feel so tangible, despite existing in a short book. So why do I not feel that way about Arthur and Lydia?

In truth, I think there's more of a care for likability in these trad published books, so Lydia has the right politics (and it's not that I disagree with her politics at all, or that I want politics out of romance—the opposite. I just feel that there's a way to do it organically, and this honestly doesn't feel very organic to me) and Arthur is very harmless and like... Aggressive in the bedroom (to an extent) but not at all truly aggressive outside of it, because we wouldn't want him to seem like an Alpha.

Whereas... In my favorite Vasti work (In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint) she definitely wrote an alpha. A soft alpha, and alpha we could all like, but an alpha nonetheless.

And that's okay.

I think that Vasti's novellas also allowed her and encouraged her to snap straight to the point. Here, the pacing felt kinda too fast and kinda too slow for me. Arthur and Lydia have sparks way too quickly, and then I was like "But her novellas also had sparks early, you like early sparks". And I think the issue is that I do like early sparks, but there has to be more conflict. In In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation, the leads have known each other a long time, we feel it, and the hero just can't spit it out (and he's lowkey a freak, but that's another thing). In Matilda, the hero and heroine genuinely clash and he's truly baffled by her. Here, they get along, and I don't super get why they aren't together fairly early on.

However, there are gems here. Vasti writes a great sex scene, it must be said; there are a lot of fun side characters (and in fact, I kept thinking, "Damn, the messy brother is probably more my type of hero even though he totally isn't one"); I really liked the letter writing elements, which I don't usually; and I loved the epilogue. Loved it.

So while this was too much sugar for me, and not enough of the snap I want from a Vasti book, it's not bad. It's a nice guy.

The Sex:

I mean, like I said. She writes a damn good sex scene. They're hot, they're sweet, there's a bit of fun you don't necessarily get in every historical... I was happy.

Overall, I can't say this thrilled me, but I also am looking forward to Vasti's next book (it sounds super promising). I do think she might benefit from trimming these a little more. Here's the thing: I find writing a great novella super impressive... Possibly more impressive than writing a great novel. She's so good at using a short pagecount to pack a punch. Whether her next work is longer or shorter, I just want to see more of that punch.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars.

Lydia Hope-Wallace has been corresponding anonymously with the Earl of Strathrannoch for a few years. When his latest letter reveals his dire financial straits, Lydia does what any sensible woman would do. She sets off for Scotland to offer Arthur her hand in marriage.

Upon arrival, it is clear the the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is.

Lydia has been corresponding with Arthur’s brother under false pretenses. The Earl is desperate to track his traitorous brother down, and can’t seem to do so without Lydia’s assistance.

As the two team up to find Davis, they embark on an adventure of espionage, deception, and an unlikely case of romance.

Read if you like:
- regency romance
- fake marriage
- one bed

I loved this so much. Alexandra Vasti has solidified herself as a must read author.

Lydia was so relatable to me - she suffers from social anxiety which manifests itself both physically and mentally. I appreciated her character and her vulnerability. I also loved seeing her character growth and her bravery as the story progressed.

Arthur and Lydia’s relationship from strangers, to friends, to more than friends was lovely and very well done. They balance each other so well and their relationship is incredibly sweet.

This was such a fun book. I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Lydia and Arthur. This book is nothing short of swoon-worthy, hilarious, and heartfelt. I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the regency romance genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: January 21, 2025.

Alexandra Vasti once again delivers a fun, charming historical romance with plenty of heat and heart. I adore her writing and really enjoyed the progression of Arthur and Lydia’s relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.