Thank you to @stmartinspress @alexandravasti and @netgalley for this ARC. It really was just the book that I wanted.

Lydia Hope-Wallace has endured seven seasons with no husband in sight. Her crippling social anxiety causes some rather unfortunate side effects, sweating and vomiting and whatnot. However, she has a big secret - she’s been writing seditious political statements that are scandalously published under a pen name. AND she’s got a pen pal, the Earl of Strathrannoch, a Scottish gent with a crumbling castle. He’s as salacious as she is, politically, so she figures she’ll solve her wee husband problem and his wee finance problem by offering herself up for matrimony. After all of these letters, she figures there’s enough of a connection to build on after the wedding.

So she goes, and lo and behold, the big Asa Makepeace of a man, Arthur (the Earl of Strathrannoch) is NOT who she’s been writing to at all. Arthur’s brother Davis is the one writing Lydia, pretending to be Arthur, and now he’s done a bunk! Arthur begs Lydia to stay and help him lure Davis back to Strathrannoch, because you see, Arthur is an inventor (in addition to being big and dirty mouthed). Davis has stolen Arthur’s sniper gun thingy, and this is verra verra bad.

Lydia does NOT agree, even though there are charming gay men as surrogate fathers, but then there is a herd of zebra so she changes her mind. She WILL help solve the mystery of a missing Davis. There is one issue though… she and Arthur pretend to be married to do so. And repeatedly, there’s only one bed. Dinna fash, readers, they bang.

BUT DO THEY FALL IN LOVE? Obvs yes. Of course they do. It’s romance novel, but also a romp!

I had a great time with this book. It spoke to me with its plausible wackiness, and the gay surrogate dads, and the siblings issues, the circus animals, the busted castle, Georgiana’s disguise, and Lydia’s brigade of big bossy brothers. You should read it too! It’s a great distraction from the things!

Read if you like: fake dating, historical romance, historical mysteries
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Lydia travels to Scotland to meet the man she has been anonymously writing to for the past few years in the hopes she can convince him to marry her. But when she arrives, she meets the real Earl, and learns that his brother has been impersonating him. Lydia agrees to help Arthur find his brother, who has gone missing.
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This book was so fun and I am so glad I read it. I loved the build up of tension and the development of Lydia and Arthur's relationship. I also liked reading from both of their perspectives. The mystery was also fun and this is a perfect example of the balance between romance and a fast paced plot. Definitely recommend if you like historical romances.

I actually read this first before the first in the series and I knew I had to go read the first one ASAP because of how much I loved the story. It did contain minor spoilers for book one but didn't ruin either story by any means.

Lydia and Arthur's romance was so fun to read and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved seeing how their relationship developed and how they worked on their communication and trust between one another.

I highly recommend everyone checks out this series!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Vasti is such a gem! I love everything about this book, from the punny title to the mystery elements of the plot. Vasti does a great job balancing lighthearted interactions with real stakes. This author's books are a joy to read and I'm always looking forward to what she comes up with next.

Thank you, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley, for my eARC of Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This was such a fun regency romance! I loved that our FMC is such a strong badass, and loved the chemistry between her and our FMC. Earl Crush was such a fun mix of mystery, spice, and adventure.

The fake engagement trope is hit or miss for me, but it was well done in this book and really worked for me. The book started out with Lydia proposing a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, Arthur, whom she's been corresponding with through letters for almost 3 years, only to find out it wasn't *actually* Arthur but his brother. Mayhem ensues as they attempt to find Arthur's brother, and I was rooting for the couple throughout the book.

It's written in a dual POV which helps us see the pining the MCs are going through for each other, and helps understands with miscommunication throughout the book.

I recommend this one if you're into historical fiction, regency era books, or regency romances.
Thanks, St. Martin's Griffin!

The chemistry between these two characters made this book even more amazing, especially for someone like myself who loves the romance genre. I will say this historical romances were the only type of romance that I used to read when I was younger, so this is where it started for me, and this book did not disappoint. It reminded me so much of those times where I used to get excited and falling more in love with the characters.

Lady Lydia has been corresponding with an Earl who shares familiar taste in politics, and also he has a struggling estate, and he confides in her, so little by little they are falling in love pretty much but through letters only. She decides to go all the way to Scotland to ask for his hand in marriage. but instead, she ends up bumping into his brother Arthur, who is actually Earl of the estate, so if he isn’t the man she’s been writing to then who is it? Well it’s Arthur’s brother, and he’s gone missing, with something that belongs to Arthur. So they decide to work together to try to find this man.

Now, these two go on an adventure that was too good!!! The chemistry is felt throughout this book these two have the hots for each other and it’s fun to read, but then when they actually ACT on that????? 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 spicy spicy spicy! I love a marriage of convenience, with a twist, romance.

This opening rescue mission might be one of my very favourite meet-cutes! It perfectly set the tone for a story full of adventure, with a headstrong heroine and a disgruntled hero who clash in the best way. Lydia, in particular, was a wonderful character! As the second-richest unmarried heiress in London, she spends her time anonymously writing political pamphlets filled with radical ideas. I absolutely loved her bravery, wit, and determination!

When Lydia arrives at the Earl of Strathrannoch’s door expecting to meet the intellectual kindred spirit she’s been corresponding with, she’s shocked to discover it wasn’t the Earl she’d been writing to, but his brother! The twist deepens when it’s revealed that this traitorous brother is missing, along with a very important invention—a reveal that sends Lydia and the Earl, Arthur, on a thrilling mission to find him!

The mystery surrounding Arthur’s brother was a lot of fun! There was plenty of intrigue and clue unraveling, all of which led to some unexpected relationship developments. That said, I wish I had enjoyed the romance more. While I liked these characters a lot, it focused heavily on their physical attraction. Much of their interactions were driven by lust and their constant need to jump into bed together. Sigh. Still, they were undoubtedly a fiery pairing I know others will enjoy!

A modern take on old-school historicals.

There was a lot here that reminded me of historical romances from, I'd say, the '90s: a wallflower heroine, a hero whose mom died when he was a child and an emotionally abusive father who died when the hero was just becoming an adult, carriage rides to Scotland and back, villains, and danger. But, it does feel more modern--the hero is more vulnerable (and not a jerk), there's two side characters in a long-term gay relationship, there's progressive (radical for the time) politics, and something about how the main characters' sexual relationship progresses strikes me as more modern than a 1990s romance. Anyway, the important thing is that this is a fun, rompy romance.
(This is an open-door romance and very sexy, but not as sex-forward as I remember her novellas being. (and first novel? but I don't really remember off the top of my head.))

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with an advanced reader's copy for my honest review.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

Earl Cush, the second full length novel from Alexandra Vasti, is a delight! We are reintroduced to Lydia Hope-Wallace and taken on an ad venture to Scotland where she hopes to enter a marriage of convenience with her Earl correspondent. But she finds that the man she has been writing is not who she thought he was. What ensues is adventure, hilarity, political intrigue, and a little miscommunication.

I loved this book! It started a touch slow for me, but once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down. By the end, I was absolutely smitten with the main characters and fully invested in their story. Vasti writes yearning beautifully and the spice (multiple open door scenes) was so well done!

As soon as I finished, I wanted to go back and start again. This will definitely be a reread in the future!

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, Ladies in Hating, September 23rd!

A wealthy spinstress who spends her time writing political pamphlets is getting ready to propose to her long time pen pal, the elusive Earl of Strathrannoch... the only issue is that when she arrives it turns out her pen pal is actually the financially broken second son who was using his brother's name and has stolen from him... and now the real Earl needs her help to get his brother and stop him from selling important political secrets and his brother's invention to the enemy. Lydia Hope-Wallace is a wealthy wallflower, she's happy to be a spinstress as long as she has her freedom. she spends her time writing political pamphlets under a anonymous name... until she begins a pen pal relationship with the Earl of Strathrannoch. Lydia and Arthur begin writing to one another and becoming friends and something more, and when she discovers Arthur's financial situation the perfect idea comes to her: she'll propose to him and it'll be the perfect way to maintain her writing and also be in a marriage with a partner who sees and understands her. She decides to go to Arthur's home to propose to him... only when she opens the door and finds the real Earl who says he's never written to her or heard her... they both realize that the real Arthur's brother has been using Arthur's name to write to Lydia to trick her into marrying him so he can steal her money. Arthur has been searching for his brother since his brother stole his invention and who better to help him then Lydia? Lydia begins spending more time with the real Arthur and discovers that she is in fact falling for him. Yet with a ticking clock and the fact that they are getting close and closer to Arthur's brother, Lydia will have to decide which brother she's going to pick. This was such a fun historical romance with a touch of comedy. Lydia and Arthur have such good chemistry and i adore the way that Alexandra Vasti writes her romances so much. The story just sucks you in and has you rooting for the couple so much. I just adored this book and can't wait to see what the author writes next. Both her books have become some of my favorite historical romances that are lighthearted and fun with a touch of spice!

Release Date: January 21,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I loved this fake marriage of convenience Regency romance between Lydia, a socially anxious wallflower and secret feminist and Arthur, the Scottish Earl she thought she'd been writing to for the last three years. A wealthy widow, Lydia, proposes marriage to Arthur so her money can help his crumbling estate and he can help revive her social life. There was excellent mental health (anxiety + panic attack rep), lots of action, mistaken identity, forced proximity, hilarious hijinks, exotic animals, and spicy open door scenes to keep readers enthralled from start to finish. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Evie Dunmore! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I am SUPER excited for Vasti's upcoming Sapphic Regency romance!

I’ve really enjoyed Vasti’s work so far, so I hope this review does not come off as overly negative.

She writes strong and unique heroines with a lot of resourcefulness and strength of character. However, so far I think her heroes are just not quite my taste. Or maybe more accurately, the way they fall in love is not quite to my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, I love some male yearning and some regency smut. However this book felt a little too much like insta-lust for me. I appreciate a bit more of the journey explored, and so much seemed immediate here.

That said, I am sure Vasti has a promising career in front of her and I plan to keep reading her historical romances!

Thank you Alexandra Vasti, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for an ARC of Earl Crush! All opinions are my own.

Earl Crush was an absolute delight of a historical romance from Alexandra Vasti!! Both characters were clearly so well thought out and carefully developed, as was the plot and subsequent mystery. Arthur is truly the lovable and poetic Scottish man of my dreams - I was honest to god breathless over the snippets from his letters describing his love for Lydia in the chapter headings, as well as the entire epilogue 🥹 Lydia was also a perfectly executed example of paralyzing social anxiety, going as far as to make her have spontaneous moments of bravery when the situation gets rough and calls for it.

I’m so excited I got to read an ARC of this after reading Ne’er Duke Well, and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!!

POV: dual third person

You can expect: brother’s pen pal/pen pal’s brother, Scottish Earl MMC, forced proximity, inventor MMC, opposites attract, regency, only one bed, fake married, he falls first and HARD, found family, intrigue.

Rep: social anxiety, queer side characters, Scottish MMC.

Spice: 3/5

CW: verbally abusive parent (past), assassination attempt, hostage situation, past homophobia (not by MCs)

In this delightful Regency romance - by turns steamy and sweet, with a substantial espionage thriller element that seems feels apropros - socially awkward Lydia travels to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to her penpal, the Earl of a falling-down castle. But her penpal isn't actually the Earl, and he's missing, and he might be a French spy, so Lydia and the real Earl - a sad, gentle giant who helps his tenants to farm stuff and also makes important engineering advances - embark on a never-enough-beds road trip to find him.

That might sound confusing and it is, a little bit, but I never really cared. Despite the madcap elements of the story, the emotional focus remains tight on the central couple, their emotional wounds, and their developing feelings. The result is a charming, highly readable romp with plenty of action and a gooey emotional core.

Second in a series, but reads well as a standalone. 5+ stars.

Really enjoyed this one!

This was fun and sweet and silly and I was here for all of it. I really enjoy Vasti’s writing style and found myself reaching for this. I love a fake engagement trope, and the characters had really great chemistry.

A fun and suspenseful historical romance, with a great central couple, a fun setting and lots of action and steamy moments.

After years of correspondence with the Earl of Strathrannoch, political activist and author Miss Lydia Hope-Wallace has decided to make a bold move and has traveled to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl. Too bad the Earl has no idea who she is! Mortified Lydia tries to leave, but a zebra stampede and an Earl who needs her help, change her plans. And so, begins a wild road trip and the chance for a once in a lifetime type of love, as long as her own self-doubts don’t prevent her from risking her heart.

Arthur Baird, the Earl of Strathrannoch is stunned when a lovely young woman comes to his door and proposes marriage. Too bad she thinks he is his younger brother Davis, but maybe he could ask for her to find him, as he is worried that his brother has stolen his latest invention for nefarious reasons. Arthur can’t help but to fall for Lydia, she is everything he could have ever wanted in a woman, but he believes that she is in love with his brother and tries to keep his distance. But the more time they spend together, the harder it gets. And when they are following a lead and are caught in a compromising position, Lydia says they are newlyweds, Arthur begins to have hope that maybe her feelings for Davis aren’t as serious as he thought. But just when he thinks they are headed for happily ever after, his own feelings of inadequacy may cost him the love of a lifetime.

I will be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book and almost passed on this ARC, but thankfully, I decided to give the book a chance and I am so happy I did! This book is a delightful read, filled with imperfect characters, dear friends, a protective family, spies, secrets, zebras, steamy love scenes, insecurities, a beautiful soulmate-type love, and finally a happily ever after with the sweetest epilogue I have read in quite some time. I did feel like the book dragged in places, but OMG – Arthur – he more than makes up for that and is now on my top five favorite heroes of all time and has been elevated to book-boyfriend status. This is the second book in the series (it doesn’t seem to have an official series title, but I am calling it Belvoir’s) and could be read as a standalone title without any problems. Needless to say, I would happily recommend this book to my fellow HR readers and am looking forward to the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

I made this my first read of 2025 for a reason. Alexandra Vasti has done it again, and this book is absolute perfection. The pining, the shenanigans, just everything.

I will read anything and everything that Vasti writes and I cannot wait for Georgiana's book later this year!

ARC Review: Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Earl Crush is a Regency Era rom-com that follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, a 26 year old heiress with a quick wit and an interest in politics. For months, Lydia has been exchanging politically motivated letters with the Earl of Strathrannoch, and arrives uninvited at his doorstep in Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience. She is shocked to learn however that she has not been corresponding with the real Earl of Strathrannoch, Arthur Baird. In fact, it’s Arthur’s brother Davis whom Lydia had been conversing with, though he deceived her into thinking he was the real Earl. Arthur convinces Lydia to help him track down his brother, who appears to be involved in a possibly dangerous political espionage plot.

Earl Crush was 10x hotter than I anticipated. Lydia and Arthur did so much pining and lusting for one another and it was to die for! It was a bit of a slow start, I found it hard to get invested initially. The first meeting between Lydia and Arthur and the introduction of some of the secondary characters didn’t give me that initial spark of excitement to keep reading. For me, plot picked up around page 80 and then got swept along on their journey! I couldn’t stop reading! Vasti’s ability to put classic romantic comedy elements into the historical setting was refreshing and brilliantly done. I can’t wait to read more of her work!

Earl Crush will be published January 21st 2025!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC! I haven't read a regency romance and this one was the perfect introduction back into the genre! It was so fun and so sweet and I just loved every second of it! This book is part romance, and part mystery in my opinion and I think that made it infinitely more interesting. The two main characters were an unlikely match and that made me love their relationship even more. I also had an ALC of this one via Libro FM and the audio was super well done. If you like regency romance, this one is definitely for you! If you have never read a regency book, this one would be a great one to dip you toe in to see if you like it! See below for a brief synopsis!

Lydia has been corresponding with an Earl who lives in Scotland via the political pamphlets that she publishes. They have made a connection over the last 3 years and she decides to pay him a visit unexpectedly. What happens from there is an unexpected, because he seemingly has no idea who she is. That doesn't stop them from forging a connection while they try and track down his brother who. has become involved in British espionage. It has lots of surprises at every turn with the signature regency romance spice. What a fun book!