Alexandra Vasti always crushes it. The second Belvoir’s Library book is tender, sexy, and action packed. Absolutely delightful.

When Lydia works up the courage to meet the Earl she's been writing letters to quite some time, she's shocked to find out that he has no idea who she is - in fact, his own brother was personifying him in his communication to Lydia. Embarrassed beyond belief after proposing a marriage of convenience to this (handsome and kind) stranger, Lydia ultimately decides to stay in Scotland and help Arthur find his brother and figure out what's going on. The two embark on a bit of an adventure, fake a marriage, and get entangled in a British espionage plot. They find that they're quite a team - and their feelings for each other grow, rather inconveniently.

💭 I read and loved Ne'er Duke Well and met Lydia as a side character. She is definitely relatable - a wallflower, struggles with social anxiety, but fights for justice and women's rights by righting political pamphlets. I love how Arthur, the slightly curmudgeonly Earl, notices and praises Lydia's braveness and cleverness. So many funny moments, and all the swoony scenes you love about a regency era. I loved the added element of suspense! Definitely some little twists I didn't see coming! I was impressed by the historical information added throughout as well - I always appreciate that in book like this! I think it adds to the authenticity. Check this one out in January!

The plot wasn't very strong until the end, but I found I didn't mind at all. I absolutely adored this book with every fibre of my being. Sometimes regency romances are hard for me to get into, but I ate this up so quickly. Arthur and Lydia were such a beautifully written pair, and I loved how headfast and strong Lydia was, rather than a regency leading lady who was weak minded. I loved how she took control of every situation possible to do what she knew was right, and I loved that Arthur wanted to protect her, but didn't overstep and keep her locked away like a prized doll. I loved the sweet side characters, and the relationship between Bertie and Huw, and the epilogue which made me weep a little bit that they had their happy ending and then some. I'm excited to see what's next from Vasti.

this was hysterical!! Lydia had me laughing like a freaking hyena. I haven't read a historical romance in awhile, and I can't for the life of me remember why. Some of the quotes had me grinning like an idiot. My roomie was like, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and to Alexandra for the opportunity to read this. I can't wait to shout it from the rooftops on 1/21.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

"Your smile is my light," he murmured. "Your laugh is my shelter. If you'll"--he hesitated, then steeled himself, looking for all the world like a man facing the gallows--"if you'll allow it, Lydia Hope-Wallace, I will spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you. I will never leave you again. I will stand at your side when you need a partner and I will shield you when you need a place to rest."

Alexandra Vasti is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and I've only read to books of hers so far. I love the characters she writes and the emotional depths they have. I also enjoy the way she develops her characters relationships. They're not instalove relationships, though there is usually immediate attraction, but that never gets in the way of the storyline.

It seems that AV's MMCs usually ending up falling faster and first, and it's always with a great amount of reluctance, but I find that makes for a much more entertaining read.

Lydia was a great FMC, very shy and introverted, but very smart and compassionate. I never really found myself rolling my eyes with her, which I think can happen with a lot of FMC's who aren't your typical badass heroine but want to find ways to be useful. Lydia was very aware of her strengths and never pushed to do something dumb just to be useful. Big plus was her brothers, all 4 of which were hysterical in their own ways. Maybe we'll get to see those guys pair up in the future 👀

And I enjoyed Arthur as the MMC. He's one of those quite, stoic types who seemed to get annoyed easily but also gets very protective of those he cares about. And with respect to Lydia, it didn't take long for that transition to come considering how quickly she proved to him how intelligent she was and how good a person she was.

And the storyline was very interesting. A very mysterious, investigative story that I found myself just itching to know more about and finding out what was happening.

Highly recommend for any romance readers, especially those who enjoy regency era romances. AV's stories have a way of feeling very contemporary even though they're taking place in the 1800s ❤️

Earl Crush was everything I was looking for from Alexandra Vashti. The dynamic between Lydia and Arthur was so well-crafted that I found myself grinning and kicking my feet as their romance blossomed. Vashti does a fantastic job of making their connection feel genuine and captivating. I enjoyed that Lydia had to recognize her quiet strength throughout the story and realize that while she struggled with social situations it didn't make her weak. Watching them develop together and independently made their bond even more satisfying. The epilogue was the cherry on top.

Overall, Earl Crush is a heartwarming and thoughtful romance. This book is a must-read if you're a fan of slow-burn romances with richly developed characters who learn and grow throughout the narrative.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🌶️🌶️.5

I love a good historical romcom romp and this checked all the boxes! It’s trope-y and fun and also way spicier than you would expect!

Not for nothing, I love how Alexandra Vasti is able to create fully-realized and feminist women in a regency setting. She did it in Ne’er Duke Well and does it again here! Lydia is clever and fiery and principled— so fun to root for. And Arthur is a giant cinnamon roll who just wants to be loved.

I really liked how the relationship grew between these two! They became a team— in more ways than one!

Read if you like:
- Grumpy Scottish Men
- A FMC that’s a mix of Eloise Bridgerton & Penelope Featheringtion
- Mistaken Identity
- Regency Romance
- Pining
- Love Letters
- Fake Marriage
- Mystery & Intrigue

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

EARL CRUSH is an entertaining and adorable read with such a fun premise! Lydia Hope-Wallace travels to Scotland with the intention of proposing to the Earl of Strathrannoch to assist in his financial situation, which he told her about through their correspondence which has been ongoing for a good while. Come to find on the earl's very doorstep that it wasn't himself writing the letters but his brother David pretending to be him. On a quest to find his brother, Lydia insists on going with him, but then they somehow quickly find themselves in a predicament in which they have to pretend to also be married. But they realize it comes very natural to them acting as a couple. The earl is blunt, awkward and a recluse and Lydia is feisty, independent and a force to be reckoned with. It was so enjoyable to see how both their personalities (and physical proximity) affect each other.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely LOVED this book, and it is easily one of my favorite books I read this year! Arthur is a rugged and sexy Scottish Earl and Lydia is a curvy, brilliant heroine who always leads with her heart and more bravery than she gives herself credit for. Their story is fun and lovely, and I couldn’t help but root for them the entire time!

If you are a fan of regency romances or Bridgerton, I would absolutely recommend this book!

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