This was such a lovely historical romance with a bit of suspense thrown in making you want to keep reading to find out what the mystery of all the things are.

Lydia Hope-Wallace has been penning letters to the Earl of Strathrannoch for years. She makes the bold decision to go visit him and ask for his hand in marriage because she thinks they could be a decent match. The sunrise comes when Arthur Baird, the Earl of Strathrannoch, tells her he has no clue who she is. Turns out that his brother has been writing her for years pretending to be him.

In an attempt to find his brother, Arthur asks Lydia to help him by continuing to write to him. The journey doesn't stop there. Lydia with her amazing intelligence helps to find a lead and the two are off chasing after Arthur's brother. In some quick thinking, Lydia lies and says her and Arthur are married in order to dig deeper into the mystery of where Arthur's brother is.

I loved the depiction of these two more quite characters who find themselves wrapped up in suspenseful chase. Lydia suffers from social anxiety, but Arthur never once judges her. He sees her for the strong, intelligent, bold woman she is, and he gives her the care and space she needs to be able to put herself out there.

The way each sees the other as such an amazing catch is so sweet because neither of them think the other would want them. They are forced together into so many situations, but they also give one another the respect and trust they deserve so they begin to see how they count on one another.

I listened to this one and thought the narrator did a great job in keeping the audience engaged with her narrations. It was sweet, fun, and adventurous ride that I truly enjoyed!

Thank to Dreamscape Media for the ALC and SMP for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC and St. Martins Press for the eARC.

I had such a fun time listening to this one. Lydia is so relatable. She has social anxiety and hates talking in front of people, but give her a pen and she’s in her element.

With a mix of humorous antics, witty banter, a mysterious plot, and plenty of chemistry, Earl Crush is my favorite kind of historical romance. Arthur was a wonderful MMC, and he was down bad for Lydia. The protectiveness and devotion he showed was exceptionally swoony.

While this is a single narrator, I honestly didn’t notice. Mhairi Morrison did such a great job on Arthur’s Scottish accent and I had to force myself to take a break and stop listening.

My first from Alexandra Vasti but not my last.

A lot of angst for Arthur Baird, Fifth Earl of Strathrannoch when his own invention, a rifle scope, disappears with his brother, Davis. Then there's the mad English woman who shows up at his door, faints and falls into his arms. Lydia Hope-Wallace is in Scotland to offer marriage to Arthur. Corresponding letters between them gave Lydia hope for a marriage of convenience, eventhough they have never met. Hmmmm..letters Davis wrote and signed with Arthur's name. How embarrassing! Arthur can't stop thinking about Lydia, She is very attracted to Arthur. Those passionate kisses! French spies and a stolen rifle scope, have Arthur, Lydia and their friends on a mad dash from Scotland to London.
Humor (zebras?) and very hot descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti is an absolute delight! Lydia, a socially anxious wallflower and secret political pamphleteer, travels to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, only to discover she’s been corresponding with his brother instead. What follows is a captivating mix of romance, humor, and mystery as Lydia and Arthur team up to track down his wayward sibling.

The romance between Lydia and Arthur is swoon-worthy, with fantastic chemistry, witty banter, and a slow-burn connection that had me hooked. Lydia’s growth from shy wallflower to brave, confident woman is beautifully written, and Arthur is the perfect grumpy yet supportive match for her.

The secondary characters, intriguing plot, and epistolary elements added depth and charm to the story. With humor, heart, and a touch of espionage, this is a must-read for fans of historical romance. I couldn’t put it down and adored every page!

Love, love, love this book! The second in the Belvoir’s Library series, the boy-shy Lydia finally gets her HEA, but not without a ton of shenanigans. At 26, Lydia Hope-Wallace is considered “on the shelf” due to her failed previous 7 seasons (she’s painfully shy and even vomits into potted plants due to nerves). But behind the scenes, she has been writing political (feminist) pamphlets for the last 3 years distributed through Belvoir’s Library. Through her writings, she had struck up a pen-pal relationship with the Earl of Strathrannoch and decides to travel to Scotland to basically propose since she is a lady of means, but she knows his earldom is cash-strapped due to what the previous earl had allowed to happen before his death. When she shows up on the Strathrannoch doorstep, the earl, Arthur Baird, has no clue who she is. They soon realize that his brother Davis had been using his name to correspond with Lydia. I won’t spoil for you all of the hijinx that ensue, but Lydia and Arthur have to work together (and pretend to be married) to find Davis and figure out what kind of trouble he is in. Arthur is an amazing character—full of heart, soft but still has that “touch her and 💀” energy, and has always wanted a loving family. Lydia is stronger than she realizes, and so smart and loyal and a champion for women. The side characters are great and diverse. I loved this all the way to the last page of the epilogue and cried because it was so touching. If you’ve never really been into historical romance but want to try it, start with Ne’er Duke Well and then continue with Earl Crush! You won’t be disappointed.

Ohhhh I’m so obsessed with them

A man who is instantly besotted with her eyelashes?? Hell yes!! Lydia is so me in this book - faints during awkward situations ✅ anxious when speaking to new people ✅ runs away during dinner to her room ✅ I loved her internal monologue and her character growth in the book so much!!! Arthur was always in awe of her and I think that all me should be like that. The romance and the high stakes spy plot blended really well together and I needed to know what was going to happen - in their love story and the main plot as well!

Things I also loved:
-the herd of zebras
-Arthur telling her that’s she brave
-that scene in the woods 😏
-the epilogue letters!!!!! I’m still kicking my feet over them!!

Can’t wait for Georgiana’s book next!!

Pub date: 1/21

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this earc in exchange for my honest review

This book has mistaken identities and all the crazy that regular historical romance readers love. Author is the perfect grumpy recluse and Lydia is great shy wallflower blue stocking. All the side characters helped bring everything together and were very lovable.

I’m not a huge reader of historical romance - actually this is the only series I’ve read recently, and I love it!

📖 Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
📚 book 2 • Belvoir's Library series
🎙 Mhairi Morrison

⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: open door, a few scenes

💭 overall thoughts:
Alexandra Vasti’s writing is so fun 😍
This story was captivating from the first pages.

Lydia & Arthur don’t expect to want one another, and spend a lot of time fighting it, but ultimately, they’re a perfect match.
I love how neither wants to change the other, and they accept & love one another for who they truly are.

I adored the little bits of letter writing we got at the start of each chapter, showing a bit more depth of each character.

I also love the strong women & their partners who support them, and I can’t wait for Georgiana’s sapphic love story up next!

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Mhairi Morrison has such a lovely voice, and I love her accents!

read if you love:
💜 historical romance
💍 fake marriage
🛏 only one bed
🥹 mutual pining
🔗 forced proximity
🔎 mystery + adventure
🫶🏼 family + found family
💞 dual 3rd person pov

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Dreamscape Media, Libro.fm & NetGalley for advanced copies. All opinions are my own.

This is Alexandra Vasti’s sophomore novel, and it's as fantastic as the first! It’s funny and romantic with a unique mystery and a swoon-worthy MMC and love story.

Lydia, a socially anxious wallflower and secret political writer, travels to Scotland to meet and propose a marriage of convenience to the man she's corresponded with for years, she learns that she's been duped. She hasn't been writing to the Earl of Strathrannoch. Instead, his brother has been writing to Lydia using Arthur’s name. Arthur is furious that his brother pretended to be him, and though he prefers to live a solitary life, he needs Lydia to help locate his wayward brother, who has disappeared with one of Arthur’s inventions.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are super likable and the mystery is intriguing. I thought Ludia was an amazing protagonist. She's sharp and strong and a great match for Arthur. Lydia also has social anxiety. I love that the author shows us this brave, bold, and capable woman who sometimes struggles in different settings. As an anxiety sufferer, I understood her feelings, and I thought the author captured the complexities of anxiety well.

Arthur, our grumpy MMC is also wonderful. An intelligent, honorable man, Arthur is endearing from the start. His declarations are gorgeous and romantic, and you can tell that he really sees and understands Lydia. All he wants is to support her, and I love that he gets her to see just how amazing she is. The man is smitten, and rightfully so! Lol Both characters are complex and imperfect, and they are perfect for each other.

The romance between Lydia and Arthur is positively swoon-worthy with some sweet and charming scenes, tons of pining, great banter, and a few steamy times that made me stop to get a fan! From their first meet-cute, you can feel the tension between them, and I loved every minute of it.

The secondary characters are great too, as are the setting and the mystery surrounding Arthur’s brother. The found family trope is one of my faces, and it's done so well in this story. I also love the inclusion of letters and writings from the main characters at the start of each chapter. You learn so much about them through these little snippets, especially regarding their feelings about each other.

This is such a great read, and I'm excited to read Vasti's next book. If it's anything like this one., I know I'll adore it. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This is yet another fun, captivating, and energetic read from Alexandra Vasti. She has a knack for writing characters who you want to invest in from the first page. I love her ability to write strong, independent deme characters, and Lydia is no different. The story moved quickly and was an easy read, and the plot twists were timed well. A good pick!

Earl Crush is a funny/madcap historical romance and mystery. . Lydia has been writing political pamphlets (anonymously) and a man has been corresponding with her for a few years. She knows his name and where his Scottish estate is, and when our story starts she and a close friend are arriving there, to surprise him with a marriage proposal (she’s got money and he doesn’t; they have a good relationship on paper). But it turns out that she hasn’t been corresponding with whom she thinks she has. Things get wild from there, as in runaway zebras wild. Resolving the stolen identity and disappearance of important documents is occasionally difficult to follow, but the slow burn growth of feelings between Lydia and the true Earl is lovely and joy to read. Second in a series, but can be read as a standalone.

I love historical romance and this one did not disappoint. We gave a quirky female main character making crazy decisions, and then we have a grumpy cinnamon roll male lead. Lydia is up to hijinxs when it comes to meeting her penpal. However, she quickly realizes she’s been catfisbed. Now to solve problems, maybe fall in love, and be silly.

This delightful sophomore novel from Vasti enchanted me from start to finish. I adored Arthur and Lydia! The espionage plot also added a delightful drama to the romance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti was such a fun and fabulous read! I too have an “Earl Crush” on Arthur Baird, Earl of Strathrannoch…My Lord indeed! There were so many little things about this book to love – the pining, the espionage, fake marriage – it kept me hooked until the very end. After reading Ne’er Duke Well I was very excited to read Lydia’s story – and this did not disappoint. It was everything to see her blossom from the wallflower she was into such a brave and fierce woman. The slowwww burn of this book was also exquisite. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout a majority of the book because there were just so many perfect and funny moments. I absolutely LOVED the epilogue – I’m a sucker all day every day for some epistolary parts of a story and could read ALL the letters Arthur and Lydia write to each other.

Highly recommend you add this to your TBR or just read it immediately.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Alexadra Vasti and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

This was so freaking good. I cannot wait for others to read it and to text me at the point that I had to reach out to TWO of my friends that had read the book. I will truly never be over that way she had me GASPING!

Here is what you need to know: Lydia has been writing political pamphlets through Belvoir's library ran by her bestie (see Ne'er Duke Well) and has become pen pals with a Scottish earl. She sets out on a journey to take control of her life as a woman to propose marriage to said earl and it just gets better and better from there! *cue the zebras*

Alexandra Vasti (or should I say professor?) is a gem and her writing is truly such a good time. The historical care she takes to weave true events into her writing is magnificent- this is a plug to read/listen to the authors note! Her writing feels like if a Tessa Dare book and a Beverly Jenkins book had a baby!

Arthur is DOWN BAD, Lydia is fierce, demure, and all around a badass, and together, my goodness, they are precious. I am probably more of an extrovert than Lydia, but I found myself relating to her need to reassurance. Arthur MUST BE PROTECTED.

If you are a fan of spicy historical romance you need to add this to your ever growing pile of books to be read! 3-4 open door scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Vasti has reignited my love and enjoyment of historical romances. There is such a good vibe to everything she writes. I’d love how her stories have a action plot with a commitment to romance! She does a great job of adding modernity to the historical stories. We all love the historical romances from the 80s and 90s, but they can be sometimes out of touch with reality today. Vasti does a great job of giving all of her books are really modern vibe while remain true to the historical times. Once again, a very enjoyable love story with a strong focus on female friendships.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Vasti has done it again! The Belvoir series is only 2 books in so far, and yet it is already one of my favorite historical romance series. You get the nice cozy feels of a good regency romance, but also a modern touch and some action.
In Earl Crush, we get to watch two adorable and intelligent humans with very poor self esteem come together and raise each other up. I ADORE Arthur and the fact that he does his best to protect Lydia without actually sheltering her. He appreciates her mind and ability to know what she can and cannot handle. I also love the he falls first trope and Arthur fell HARD 🫠 Lydia herself is fun to watch develop from an anxious wallflower into someone who finds a way to do what needs to be done, even if it isn’t spectacular. That in itself makes this book feel so realistic.
We also get some espionage and conspiracy action in this book, which was super exciting. Lastly, Huw and his menagerie of abused animals stole my heart. I love it. I cannot wait to see where we go next and I hope we get a story for Georgiana at some point. I also wouldn’t mind more Hope-Wallace brother appearances.

This is a raunchy regency era romcom where the reader gets to follow a strong female lead as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. She travels to Scotland to marry the Earl of Strathannoch whom she has exchanged many letters with only to find out she’d been deceived. Arthur and Lydia decides to work together in order to find his brother and stop his scheme before it’s too late.

I’m happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mysterious letters and missing invention adds a fun element and sets this book apart from your typical historical romance. Along with Lydia being a very capable woman who’s not afraid to take risks.

That said Lydia and Arthur’s chemistry is palpable and their relationship was definitely the highlight of the story for me. The one thing I wish would be different is the third act breakup. I don’t think it’s needed.

I think most people would enjoy this book, even those who don’t generally read historical romance.

Read this if you like
💜Historical romance
🫶🏼Strong female characters
🔥Spice
💫Mysteries

This was a super fun, quick read!

I loved how both characters were so accepting and loving of each other. There was never any judgement about each other's flaws, and instead they made the other feel seen and acknowledged.

The plot and mystery were engaging and intriguing. I felt like there was a good balance between the relationship and the plot development. However, once the intimate scenes started, they were quite frequent and it felt a little overdone.

Overall, a great read and a super fun time!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an eARC of this book!

Lydia Hope-Wallace has been writing to Arthur Baird, the Scottish Earl of Strathrannoch for three years. She rushes to Scotland after receiving a letter about being in financial straits with hopes they might marry. But to her surprise Arthur doesn’t know her. They quickly figure out she’s been writing to his younger brother who has taken off while stealing Arthur’s designs for a new rifle scope. The two join together for a goofy and fun-filled cross country trek to find the brother and stop whatever espionage plot he is involved in.

Lydia and Arthur are delightful together. Vasti’s characters are a bit modernized. Arthur can year and pine and the love scenes can be steamy and fun. This is a sequel to Ne’er Duke Well (July 2024) although it isn’t listed that way. Lydia was introduced as the friend to Selina who becomes a Duchess. And Selina appears in this book as they continue their friendship. There is a lot of humor in the story. And of course if they find the brother, which one will she choose? I love that the epilogue is written as letters between the couple. This is light escapism reading.