Alexandra Vasti proves yet again that she's one of the best in the romance game. Her characters are vivid, developed, and act like real people. The hero and heroine of this novel are delightful, people you actually can root for and spend time with happily. Side characters, while not deeply sketched, are instantly recognizable and charismatic. There are so many intriguing moments--you can't decide who you want to have a book next! The longing in this book is unmatched--truly, this author knows what readers want and she serves it up!! It's a book that you will read, re-read, and then re-read again. A winner.

Although the characters and plot were a bit archetypical (excepting the assassination plot towards the end, which I found a bit sudden and disarming -- no pun intended), I very much enjoyed reading this book. Well-written and vivid.

THOUGHTS ON A BOOK | EARL CRUSH by Alexandra Vasti

Earl Crush follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, a smart, rich, English spinster, and Arthur Baird, Earl of Stratrannoch in Scotland. Over the last 3 years, Lydia has been writing political pamphlets. For nearly as long she has been corresponding with the Earl of Stratrannoch. When his last letter mentions his poor financial situation, Lydia decides that they get on well enough and travels up to Scotland to propose marriage. However, when she introduces herself by her pen name, Arthur has no idea who she is. They both soon realize that Arthur’s brother, Davis, has been writing to Lydia under Arthur’s name. And he stole something dangerous from his brother the last time he came home to visit. Together, Lydia and Arthur embark on an adventure to find out what Davis is up to and to retrieve the item he stole, before it’s too late.

My goodness!!! What an absolute ride!!! This was my first time reading anything by Alexandra Vasti and it definitely won’t be my last! There were so many hilarious moments! I don’t usually annotate, but I had to highlight every time I laughed out loud.

This is also my first time reviewing an ARC and I’m glad it was a good one! Can’t wait for the final copy to be released on January 21, 2025. If you’re a fan of historical romance and hijinks, this book is for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

62/?

4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alexandra Vasti has such a fantastic talent for writing regency romance. I just absolutely love our female lead. Lydia is quite relatable- quiet, not quite so confident in social situations, and easily embarrassed (me too). When it's time to stand tall and do her thing, though, she does it. If she needs help, her sweet loving Arthur is there in a flash.

The relationship between Arthur and Davis, as well as the suspenseful part of the plot, were very interesting to me. I loved how Vasti weaved everything together and managed to surprise me! Romantic suspense is just the best, and it was served well here with an array of dynamic, lovable characters.

Once again, I loved reading about the historical references in the Author's Note. Thank you for including this! I am extremely pumped for Georgiana's book, and cannot wait to read more. Crossing my fingers for Jasper Hope-Wallace..

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy!

Earl Crush starts out as a fast-paced road trip story, with the MFC fainting, vomiting and driving a runaway coach in an attempt to outrun a herd of stampeding zebras – all within the first few chapters. This comedy of errors begins when Lydia Hope-Wallace, a painfully introverted wall flower who secretly pens radical pamphlets, travels to Scotland. She plans to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, with whom she believes she has been corresponding under her pen name for three years. Lydia comes from a wealthy family so has a large dowry which she thinks will make her appealing to the earl who inherited an estate in very poor condition.

When Lydia and her friend, Georgiana, arrive at the earl’s estate, they discover that his younger brother, Davis Baird, has been the one writing to Lydia, using his older brother’s identity. This means that the earl, Arthur, has no idea who Lydia is or what letters she is talking about.

Arthur, a reclusive, responsible, creative landowner, also has no idea where his brother is. Davis is missing, along with a rifle scope that Arthur invented in an effort to help his tenants improve their hunting. Arthur is concerned that Davis may be involved with espionage and may sell the scope to the highest bidder, enabling its usage to kill people.

Once Arthur accepts Lydia’s help to track down Davis, the two of them with Georgiana, take off in an outdated, creaking coach on a road trip across Scotland and England, eventually dropping off Georgiana along the way.

The story is over the top at times, however, the author’s dry sense of humor saves it from descending into farce. The narrative is also anchored by the relationship blooming between Arthur and Lydia, neither of whom is certain they are deserving of love. Despite their individual insecurities, each of them is willing to sacrifice and protect the other person. They are a well-matched pair: intelligent, thoughtful, generous and honorable.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC.

I could not put this book down. I devoured this book in under a day. I kept sneaking chapters at work because I was dying to know what happened next. I was not expecting the twists and turns. I’ve enjoyed other works by this author but I LOVED this one. I will be purchasing a physical version in January as a trophy for my bookcase. I’m hoping the audiobook has a Scottish narrator. I need it.

Lydia is so shy that she can't speak to any man. Her closest male friend is Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch, who she speaks to only through letters. She wants to help him by marrying him when she finds out that he needs money.

The first book in this series was terrific and I was looking forward to Lydia's story. Love how political savvy she is yet shy at the same time. The humour is subtle and truly funny. Really enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Genres, settings, categories, themes: historical romance (M/F), politics, feminism, found family, Regency England

💗 Tropes: 💗
> Danger
> Forced Proximity (Cohabitation & Only One Bed sub-tropes)
> He Falls First
> Lords & Ladies
> Marriage Tropes (Marriage of Convenience proposed early on, doesn't unfold this way)
> Mistaken Identity (corrected early on)

POV: 3rd person, with open window into their thoughts all along

Series/Sequencing Style: standalone (so far - hoping for an anthology of other characters from this world)

Format: ebook (ARC)

🔽🔽🔽

Overall ratings

🌋 Heat level: 4/5 light red hot 🌋
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic) - link on Goodreads review

~ Heroine (Lydia) ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 A character focused around bravery and overcoming her fears, she is a fiercely loyal, strong feminist, who quietly affects change behind the scenes. The H describes her perfectly in his thoughts as clever, open hearted, sympathetic, organized, & brave.

~ Hero (Arthur) ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 He’s a marshmallow and I love him. A quieter type, smart & hardworking, devoted to his people, with a soft spot for animals & his tenants. He’s drawn to her in a way that gives *all the feels* and I appreciate that his devotion that doesn’t waver with any fuckery like many romance novels that thrive on angst. He’s supportive of her (in everything including her feminism & own ideas), and he actively accepts and loves people who would otherwise be ostracized by society (including gay employees who are more like family).

~ Side characters ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

~ Pacing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 devoured it

~ Plot ~ 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 not the most interesting or complex plot, but it worked for what this was

~ Romantic connection ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 They just work really well together and the sparks are hot 🔥🔥 They bring out each others' best and operate as an equal functioning partnership.

~ Writing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

~ Depth & tone (light & fun --> more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 2/5 politics
~ Diversity & representation: an MC with social anxiety; M/M side couple (part of a found family)
~ Angst level: low
~ Sadness level: none

🔽🔽🔽

📝 Review/Notes 📝

Just a really solid historical romance with great characters, vivid chemistry, and a HEA. Not super complex or convoluted, not dark or angsty. The letters in the epilogue are pretty sappy, but whatevs. A lovely read-in-all-one-sitting romantic romp to recommend to any spicy romance lovers. Loved it.

I feel like it’s being set up to be an anthology series? Here for it, I wanna see these other characters we’ve glimpsed in their own stories!

Earl Crush is basically what would happen if Jane Austen and Shonda Rhimes had a love child. we’re talking Regency era scandal with a side of modern sass, and trust me, i am here for it. Lydia and Arthur captured my heart from their first interaction. this book has drama, espionage, the sweetest love letters and ZEBRAS!!! it’s basically my dream historical romance checklist all wrapped up in a package with a nice little bow on top.

This book was SO delightful. A romp, if you will. The characters were beautifully human and charming and the bit of mystery in the plot (I won’t spoil it) was just fun. I’m extremely excited to read more books in this series, and will be reading everything Vasti writes. Read this if you like Erica Ridley or Lisa Kleypas!

4.25 stars. A fun romp of a book, with two great MCs and some fantastic spicy scenes. Lydia was a great FMC — she is strong in her values, but has social anxiety, so she is truly herself with her friends, family, and, eventually, Arthur. She writes political pamphlets under a pseudonym to argue for the causes she supports! Arthur is just very into supporting Lydia, which was adorable. He also helps rescue exotic animals! They were a great couple, and most of the conflict was external (a spy plot!). I do think the plottiness of the caper overshadowed their relationship development at times, especially for early-on in the relationship, when they were in forced proximity together at Arthur’s castle. However, overall the book was very enjoyable, well-researched (duh, the author excels at this) and a great addition to Vasti’s œuvre 😊

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the ARC!!

I really enjoyed the book. I thought the two main characters had a lot of growth. It was just a really quick book. I love the ups and downs that the plot had which made the book enjoyable for being a quick read. I wish that there was more to the book. There were a lot of adult themes to the book which was fine. I would not really change anything about the book other than there wasn’t a lot of bridging between chapters so there were some details missing in the book.

I just finished reading Ne'er Duke Well when I was approved for this so it was excellent timing. I don't remember what made me sign up for Vasti's newsletter but the novellas in it (sign up now if you haven't yet) locked me in as a fan of hers and both of these full length works didn't disappoint.

Earl Crush has everything. Road trips, Espionage, Zebras (no I will not elaborate), and is led by a capable heroine with tremendous anxiety issues and reclusive hero who is the definition of he fell first and harder. While connected to her first novel, it also stands on its own.

Vasti delivers a comical, thrilling, and romantic novel that should be on every most anticipated list.

Alexandra Vasti might be my new fave regency writer. Her heroines are clever and enticing, easy to root for. Can’t wait to read more!

thanks so much for the ARC! Vasti is quickly becoming one of my favorite hist rom authors and i was so excited to see this book up on netgalley! this book certainly did not disappoint. i loved the plot i loved the characters i loved the pacing it was all so good. cannot wait for vasti's next!

I love a good historical romance and this is a great one! The setting felt fresh and new because of author writing style. The characters and romance were so entertaining ans sweet. I'm looking forward to reading more Alexandra Vasti books!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An enchanting book with engaging dialogue and a steady-paced plot that made it hard to put down. Would recommend it to others.

Oh my, I am swooning over here! What a fanastic regency romance from Alexandra Vasti set to hit bookshelves in January. I devoured this and want more of Lydia and Arthur now! Is it possible to get a sequel? Can I request that now?!

***“Do you know when it started for me, love of mine? It was that first moment. The very first instant that I saw you on the doorstep…..”. ***.

The storyline, our main characters, the side players, the Regency of it all? Perfection. Alexandra’s writing style is beautiful and flows so well; I could feel the love and devotion come through the page.

And the steam? Wooooweeee!! Arthur, you’re making me blush! These scenes were written perfectly.

Can’t recommend this one enough!

Thank you to Alexandra Vasti and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Another delightful regency romance from Alexandra Vasti. I loved Ne’er Duke Well and was so pleased to be invited to read the ARC of Earl Crush as well. This adventure follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, a character we meet in Ne’er Duke Well, as she seeks to established a marriage of mutual respect with a Scottish Earl. Of course, shenanigans ensure and we are taking along for the ride of solving a mystery. I’m already looking forward to Vasti’s next installment in this Belvoir’s series.

Having received an arc of this book through netgalley, I found myself immediately intrigued by the synopsis having not read any of the authors previous books.

The story quickly took off with likable protagonist whose romance quickly had my attention and I found myself reading til the end craving the happy ending for them. Lydia, the female protagonist was able to stand on her own two feet with an adventurous spirit with an partner whom matched her with wit and spirit.

The history seemed well researched but also written enough for it not to take away from the novel, I would definitely recommend this book to other historical romance readers and look forward to reading other works by this author