I haven't read or consumed much historical romance, but this was so charming! For me, this has all the things I like about Bridgerton and the Veronica Speedwell series: steam, drama, and good banter. There's actually a fair bit of mystery and politics involved in the plot, and it's based on actual events, which is neat. I liked Arthur, but I really enjoyed Lydia as a character. I liked seeing her struggle with being more on the shy side, but she was still outspoken and brave when it counted. I would definitely read from Alexandra Vasti again!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc!

If the rating system allowed it, this would be a 4.75 star review for me. As in everything I have read by Alexandra Vasti, I sat and read this book in one sitting. Not only is Vasti's writing a pleasure to read, but once I start reading about her characters, I can not stop until they get their happily ever after.
Things that I loved about this book:
- It was, at certain parts, laugh-out-loud funny. There were certain lines that not only had me laughing, but had me elbowing my husband (who was next to me in bed) and reading the line aloud because I just had to share it.
- A giant, brooding, scotsman who happens to be an earl and an inventor (what's not to love there?)
- Vasti has a talent for writing very steamy books without having them feel crude. I really appreciate that.
- I love that for Lydia, our heroine, this is a story about finding her voice and able learning to have confidence in herself as she is, not as she might have wished she could be. Lydia has always felt her emotions strongly and physically -- her anxiety has caused her to faint or vomit, and she has viewed this as a negative part of herself. Learning to love and realizing the joy that feeling her emotions can bring her is a satisfying journey that we get to see as we read.
- I also love the inclusion of a wholesome, loving family in the Hope-Wallace's, Lydia's family. Those who enjoy the Bridgerton family dynamic will resonate with the Hope Wallaces.
- I appreciate the author's note at the end that provides some information about the historical inspirations for the book.

Why is it 4.75 stars for me instead of 5?
- The catalyst for a lot of the action in the book comes from the hero's invention of a rifle scope, but his motivation for inventing it in the first place feel flat to me. He isn't a hunter, and he gives what I felt was a half hearted explanation about trying to keep people from getting hurt in rifle accidents. For something that undergirded so much of the action, I wanted to that part to make more sense to me.
- For Arthur, the hero, a lot of this book is about the difficult relationship between brothers. While I enjoyed that, I wish we had gotten to see more of the resolution between the two of them on-page, instead of just referenced. This is more personal preference, I just like everything to end 100% happy and wanted a little more of a resolution between the brothers.
- This book has an espionage subplot, and the part where that came to a head and then got resolve felt a little muddy to me. There were a couple parts where I had some confusion about what was happening versus what the characters thought was happening. It was a lot of lies and misdirection that came unraveled very quickly and for me was slightly confusing to follow. However, I do want to mention this is a criticism I have of a lot of historicals that have espionage plots, so the fault may lie with me and not the author.

I definitely recommend this book, and Vasti remains one of the authors on my I'll-read-anything-she-puts-out list.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this complimentary eARC. My review is 100% honest and left voluntarily.

This was a really cute read! I loved the relationship between Arthur and Lydia, as well as their relationships with their friends/family. Everything felt very well rounded. Their relationship did seem to progress very fast, and I wish that we would’ve gotten a little bit of a slower burn. I wish we had seen more about the letters and more between them at the castle. I definitely think this was an improvement from Vasti’s previous book- which I also liked. I think this is an easy yes for anyone who likes historical romance.

A brooding Scottish Earl and a brilliant firebrand authoress go I search of the Earls brother who fooled her into thinking ,marriage was he answer to her problems.

The characters were interesting and fully developed but the story just did not keep my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is my first novel I've read from this author and I throughly enjoyed it! Just off the bat let me say, oh my goodness zebras!

Lydia, a heiress who is plagued by social anxiety, has for a number of years been secretly writing and publishing political pamphlets. During this time she has been corresponded with Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch. After revealing his dire financial state, Lydia comes to the realization that she might have exactly what Arthur needs. She arrives unannounced and suggests they join together in a marriage of convenience. Arthur, in response is stunned. Who is this woman standing on his doorstep proposing to him??? They quickly discover Arthur’s brother, Davis, has been the one writing Lydia, posing as the Earl the entire time. Next thing you know, Lydia and Arthur have joined together to find Davis and get to the bottom of what is really going on.

What a wild ride!! I highly recommend buckling up and preparing yourself for a journey! This novel is fast paced adventure with good chemistry and fun surprises throughout. I really enjoyed the elements of mystery and historical fiction as well, they added nice depth to the overall plot.

I am definitely going to be keeping my eyes peeled for this authors next release!

Earl Crush is such a gosh darn delight, y’all!

I mean, there were so many laughs, so many swoons, and much mystery and action to behold!
One moment I’m wholly attentive to the beautiful love story developing, the next I’m making like Nancy Drew trying to figure out what the heck was happening! There’s fantastic charm to the book, and it hooked me right in.

I adored the rapport between Lydia and Arthur— their first meeting is one of the most memorable meet-cutes, albeit maybe not so much on the cute. I loved the natural-feeling development in their relationship. Strangers to friends to lovers. It’s all paced quite well.
I love how begrudgingly smitten Arthur becomes of Lydia, and how he eventually goes full man obsessed while having all these internal crises.

Their romance is beautiful— it’s also quite spicy! I wouldn’t have minded a bit less spice, surprisingly, but at the same time I ate up every scene, haha! And the epilogue! My goodness, I shan’t spoil it— but it’s one of the most lovingly crafted epilogues I have ever read.

And the notes and letter excerpts at the start of every chapter were so brilliant— from laughs to swoons to clues! I loved each one!

On a personal note, I appreciated seeing a character with social anxiety represented on the pages. Lydia suffers greatly from social anxiety, with it manifesting internally and physically— and it made me feel so incredibly seen. Sure at times it’s played for laughs, but that vulnerability was massively relatable. I felt such pride in Lydia as she navigated that anxiety as best as should could, doing all she could to take the reins of control back. Lydia’s struggle allows for a connection between reader and protagonist. It is a reminder of their humanity and relatable struggles, allowing the reader to become all the more engaged and immersed in the storyline. As well as allowing deeper care towards the protagonists. It certainly did for me anyways!

Lastly, let me exclaim how clever and thrilling I found the plot to be! It’s one that really makes the wheels turn as you try to outrace the leads in figuring out the mystery at hand. I felt very involved as a reader, which is honestly quite rare treat for me. That type of immersion makes the ride all the more enjoyable.

So, if you love historical romances that bring charm, laughs, swoons, spice, and a clever touch of mystery— be sure to check out Earl Crush!

I feel I’m returning to my historical romance era, and I am so here for it, let’s go!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

This was such a fun read! Lydia believed she was corresponding with an earl (Arthur) from Scotland. When she shows up at his doorstep in an attempt to help him financially, he has no idea who she is. The story then dives deeper into the earl's brother's motives, espionage, and then some other fun quirks like zebras, and oh the castle. Finally, there is romance, and lots of it. The characters were all enjoyable, and I felt Lydia and Arthur had a lot of chemistry. There is a lot to unpack in the book, and I for one enjoyed it all!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When a marriage of convenience proposal turns into a manhunt what could possibly go wrong?

Earl Crush is a fun and thoroughly entertaining read! It has stolen identity, best friends, adventure, espionage, romance, and plenty of zebras.

I can’t wait to see what Alexandra does either the next book!

i loved this so much!! the perfect short and sweet romcom that will leave you swooning. i loved the characters and their chemistry. the pacing and writing were also fantastic. i would read more from this author

Alexandra Vasti has done it again!!

This has to be one of the most romantic books I have ever read. Arthur is just absolutely obsessed with Lydia and I can’t get enough of them. There’s so much pining, the perfect amount of suspense and also it’s just super sexy. Give me a hulking Scotsman with curly hair any day!! This book also has one of the sweetest epilogues I’ve ever read, I will never get tired of love letters written in regency romance books.

The pub date cannot come fast enough, everyone go preorder this book right NOW!!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an eARC and thank you Alexandra Vasti for another masterpiece 💕

There's something about Alexandra Vasti's writing that just does it for me. I discovered her Halifax Hellion series about a month before her debut novel Ne'er Duke Well Came out, and I absolutely devoured them.

Her talent for creating characters that seem real and fleshed out is, in my personal opinion, some of the best in contemporary romance. I see this especially with the male characters, who can often feel cut and paste to me from one book to the next. She gives here characters real flaws and allows them to make mistakes, but that doesn't get in the way of the plot (or get reduced down to the often used third-act breakup, which I can take or leave, but most of the time leave).

The background plot of Earl Crush had me hooked the whole way through - I don't want to give any potential spoilers, but it almost felt like a mystery romance novel, and I was trying to figure it out alongside of the characters. It was also interested to have a FMC that might be viewed as "weaker" - she faints, gets nervous around people, is tongue tied, etc - but still has her own agency, and comes into her own by the end of the book. I love a plucky heroine as much as the next person, but this was also a nice change.

Vasti is also immensely talented at writing the romantic scenes. I will say this book felt slightly tamer than her other ones, but still beautifully written (and hot!) sex scenes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait to see what she writes next!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is what a regency romance should be! Lydia and Arthur are top tier characters. Lydia is so smart and Arthur is *obsessed* with her brain and how clever she is - every bookish girl's dream. And he is a gentle giant with a huge heart.

Featuring:
*mistaken identities
*a Scottish zebra stampede
*anxiety
*one bed at the inn
*spies and intrigue
*several crises (iykyk)

Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's press for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Earl Crush.

I loved this book! Lydia and Arthur were such great main characters. I loved watching their love story play out. I also loved Georgiana as the side kick.

I couldn’t put this book down. It pulled me in and kept my attention the whole time. I recommend this to all!

Once again a wonderful and loving story from Alexandra Vasti. She's an auto buy for me and this second installment in her Belvoir's Library series is no exception. You have the curmudgeonly lord who's secretly a softie, the spunky spinster who's timid but grows to love herself through the story, the supportive and loving friends and family, smarmy villains, seriously every character is well fleshed out and adds to the story. The twists were a bit predictable, but honestly it's a fluffy romance so I wasn't expecting (nor did I want) stressful revelations. Loved everything about this and can't wait for the next in the series!

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti - 5/5 star read for me!

This story begins with our FMC Lydia practicing her proposal for a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, who she has been exchanging letters with anonymously. Once she arrives at the Earl's castle she is shocked to discover that the Earl, Arthur, has no clue who she is and is not the one who she has been corresponding with! Our cast of characters uncover that it was actually Arthur's brother writing the letters (in the Earl's name) and said brother has gone missing with something very important from Arthur. Lydia agrees to help Arthur find his brother and hilarity (and love, obvs) ensue!

This is the first book I have read from this author but I guarantee you it will not be the last. I have not chuckled out loud this much in a book in so long. As a fan of the historical romance genre, this book is everything you could want with some lovely quirks thrown in for wonderful entertainment. Lydia is so idealistic but not naively so. She starts so anxious and shy but you really see her blossom as the story goes. Arthur is just a cinnamon roll of a Scot! He is an Earl but all he wants is to make sure those he loves are taken care of and provided for. He is just as insecure as Lydia in the beginning but they both find their way to bravery and the outcome is delicious! I was pleasantly surprised at how steamy this was, as well. Well written with good tension and build up.

A five star read for me is one I know I would return to again and again, and this book fits the bill.

I loved this! It was so much more of an adventure than I expected and also way steamier. I had a great time start to finish and will certainly read Alexandra Vasti again!

4 1/2 Stars! Adult historical romance at its best! Lydia and Arthur's story was a fun read. It kept my interest to the end, and I can't wait for more stories from Alexandra Vasti.

Alexandra Vasti absolutely knocks it out of the park yet again!! Just like everything else she’s written, this book is nothing short of magnificent. Arthur is to die for, the absolute sweetest man. And Lydia is an anxious mess (same) who is brave and brilliant and hilarious. The plot contained just the right amount of intrigue. The romance developed at the exact right speed. It stayed consistently captivating and I could not put it down. I wish we’d gotten to see more of Davis, but hopefully his story will merit its own book!

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by this author & I really enjoyed it!

I am someone who loves when a book jumps right in, which this one does with an amazing meet cute & immediate drama. I loved Lydia & Arthur individually & especially loved them together. Arthur was deliciously protective almost instantly of Lydia while Lydia had to work somewhat on finding her inner strength, but we get to see that progression in the book & I absolutely loved her journey. The side characters were also all amazing, which has me excited for future books!

I will say that the 3rd act mishap had me wanting to toss my kindle. I wasn't a big fan of it, but I did like that Arthur immediately saw his mistake.

This book is a mix of romance, humor, and intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love historical romance, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Rating ♾️/5

Alexandra Vasti has done it again, delivering excellent character development and sharp banter. The mix of romance, humor, and intrigue kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love historical romance, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!