Lydia, a politically minded heiress, travels to Scotland to meet and propose to the man she has corresponded with for almost three years. When she arrives at his home, Arthur Baird, Earl of Strathrannoch, denies knowledge of the letters that have brought here to his crumbling castle. When Arthur realizes it is his brother who wrote the letters, he is determined to find him. The search for Davis leads to a possibly traitorous plot. This is a well-written adventure and mystery that provide the opportunity for a lovely romance. The characters, for the most part, are likeable (not the villains, of course). I like Arthur and Lydia. Their attraction is obvious, but comes with a bit of hesitation. Arthur truly needs the fortune Lydia offers, but he wants her to know that is not the reason he wants her to be his countess.
I received a special copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Heat Factor: Restraint for the first half. Much less restraint for the second half.

Character Chemistry: Mutual admiration society (with a hint of self-loathing).

Plot: Part 1: I show up to your house to propose marriage, except, oops, your brother was pretending to be you in the letters he wrote. Awkward. Part 2: Road trip! Part 3: Fake married at a house party. Part 4: Spy shenanigans. Part 5: Really up in our feels.

Overall: There’s a lot of heart underneath that ridiculous plot.

Back in 2023, Erin read one of Vasti’s novellas for the TBR Challenge; it didn’t work for her, but her closing line was that she thought it might work for me. I never did pick up that novella, but I did enjoy this book—and think that it wouldn’t work well for Erin.

As you may have gleaned from my above plot summary…there’s a lot of plot. The purpose of these many different scenarios seems to be to hit as many romance tropes as possible—it certainly succeeds in that regard. The wide-ranging plot also allows Lydia and Arthur to continue to spend time together in a variety of situations, after they initially would have separated after their first very embarrassing meeting. You know, normal things like zebra stampedes. It’s a great deal of fun to read and never boring.

Anyways, throughout all of these different situations—zebra stampedes, road trips, house parties, an intrigue plot—Lydia and Arthur remain consistent in their characterization, which I appreciated. So yes, the plot is bonkers, but I felt like the romance was remarkably character-driven. Sure, Lydia and Arthur are flung together by the situation, but what ties them together is the mutual admiration they feel as they each slowly uncover each other’s kindness and courage and intelligence. As Lydia thinks, while trying to fight her attraction:

"She wished she did not keep learning more of this man, who coddled his horse and took in strangers when they had no other place to go. Who loved things more when they were hard to love."

In addition, their conflict is very internal. Both Lydia and Arthur are fairly smitten—but are also convinced that the other wouldn’t choose them if they weren’t forced to. It’s the classic: “S/he is too good for me! Obviously s/he would want someone better!” In this case, Arthur thinking this isn’t even general, but rather specific; after all, Lydia proposes marriage based on letters his (much more charming) brother wrote to her. After a lifetime of comparison and finding himself wanting (Bad Dad of Romance Alert!), it absolutely follows that Arthur thinks that Lydia would prefer his brother. Lydia, for her part, is worried that Arthur feels trapped or manipulated into being with her, especially after the whole oops-we-ended-up-fake-married-at-a-house-party situation. She did show up at his house uninvited, after all! Plus, Arthur’s an awkward recluse and Lydia’s an awkward wallflower.

While the conflict is certainly believable and baked in to the characters, I did find it a bit wearying to read about. It started to get repetitive to hear about the same insecurities over and over again.

Even with that small niggle, I found this book to be a delightful read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

I cannot even begin to explain how much I loved this book. Arthur was a brilliant mix of vulnerable and fierce especially when it came to Lydia. She also had her own demons to overcome and the way she was determined to become the best version of herself was amazing. This is the second book in a series but I honestly didn’t know until I read it in the authors notes so definitely read this book whether you’ve read the first one or not. Their adventures kept them together to work out all the doubts and the reader is always right there with them. Their adventures kept the reader right there with throughout the whole lovely ride. The epilogue is also such a treat.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book was a fun and cute historical romance, it’s about Lydia who is a bit shy, but she can like no one else with her radical political pamphlets until a different name of course. Starts to write a Scottish Earl who has been corresponding with her about different topics for years now. Being forced to marry due to her age, she finds that it might be easier to marry the Earl that she has been speaking with and making it a marriage of convenience. The book opens up to Lydia going to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, but when she gets there, he has not one clue what she is talking about until he sees who’s handwriting it is….

I thought this was a cute, historical romance. It has a lot of banter; it has a bit of mystery in it as well. I liked the fact that it was fast-paced, and easy to read. I did find out after reading this that she did have another one written before and did have Lydia in it but even knowing that I still felt as though I didn’t need to read the first book to understand what was going on. So, you can read this book as a standalone but if you’re like me you will be going back and reading the first one. I found this book had a lot of romance in it, as well as action, drama, and characters that felt as though you know them because you will see that they’re flawed. I liked that it is told in a dual POV from both of the characters as well. I thought the characters were well developed and easy to connect with, I really liked Lydia's character and to be honest I didn’t know how I felt about Arthur at the start but the more I read, the more that I understood him and the reason why he acted the way he does. I do have to say that I think Lydia forgave Arthur way too fast in one part, I wanted him to have to really grovel at her feet more lol but that is just me. As well as Davis… that gentleman needed to explain what he was thinking more lol. The epilogue was just what I needed for their HEA, and I couldn’t be happier for them.

I did receive the audio of this book as well and I found the narrator Mhairi Morrison to have done a wonderful job. I found Mhairi did wonderfully with switching back and forth from an English accent to a Scottish accent. I liked the fact that the characters were brought to life by them as well.

If you need a book with great banter, that is historical romance with only one bed, fake marriage, and a gentle giant trope you need to read this book.

I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s and Dreamscape for the opportunity to review this book.

Alexandra Vasti does it again! Ne'er Duke Well was a hit in my book, but I think I loved Earl Crush even more.

Vasti does such an amazing job bringing her regency romps to life on the page. The dialogue is full of wit, the prose are sharp, and the spice is oh so delicious. (Particularly the scene on the stairs and the scene by the door!)

Her debut made me a life-long fan, but I am forever a Vasti stan after Earl Crush.

Though I prefer my little round-ups, I’ll be obligated, once in a while, to offer a “DRC” review (which, in effect, is no longer an “ARC” as it’s in the world for your reading choice). I no longer request review copies, but goodness knows, like most romance review bloggers, I have QUITE a backlog, so you’ll be seeing a few of these in the coming months.

Vasti is a new-to-me-author, but I’d heard good stuff about her Ne’er Duke Well and wanted to give her a try. I wasn’t disappointed. I’m not damning with faint praise: Earl Crush is a good romance read, the reasons for which I’ll offer after the publisher’s orienting blurb:

For three years, wallflower heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has anonymously penned seditious pamphlets—and for almost as long, she’s corresponded with the reclusive Earl of Strathrannoch. When Arthur’s latest letter reveals his dire financial straits, Lydia sets out for Scotland to offer him the only salvation she can think of: a marriage of convenience. To, um, herself.

But the real earl has no idea who she is. When a bewitching stranger offers him her hand in marriage, Arthur Baird is stunned. And when he learns that his traitorous brother has been writing to her under Arthur’s name, he’s bloody furious. He’s content to live alone in his moldering castle, and he has no desire for a radical wife. (Or at least, he shouldn’t.)

But Arthur is desperate to track down his brother, who’s become dangerously entangled in British espionage, and he needs Lydia’s help. What he doesn’t need? The attraction that burns hotter each moment they spend together. As Lydia slips past his defenses and his brother’s mysterious past becomes a very present threat, Arthur will have to risk everything to keep her safe—even his heart.


First and foremost, though Vasti’s Regency romance doesn’t break any genre ground, she is an able writer, penning with verve, energy, and humour. She has created two loveable protagonists, though Lydia is developped in more interesting ways than Arthur. Vasti can paint a scene and she does equally well with banter, dialogue, and inner monologue as she does with action (the marauding zebras scene was a hoot and she can easily try her hand at romance suspense as I was breathless in the romance’s final scenes).

Vasti’s romance is conventional and familiar and can be a comfort read. The writing stands out as better than most Regency romances. Readers will enjoy Earl Crush. (If they’re not sitting around expecting to be blown away as we were with Grant’s A Lady Awakened. Vasti also doesn’t play with ideas and turn conventions on their head, as Grant did, as does the more recent still-thinking-about-it Felicia Grossman romance, Wake Me Most Wickedly, or the elegant Joanna Bourne who, like Grant, isn’t writing romance anymore. Alas, the genre is generic. *shrugs*)

If I have a critique, it’s the hero’s characterization: why can’t romance writers manage to write edgy heroes who aren’t alpha-holes? Arthur is lovely and loving, but he’s not terribly interesting, just blah blah blah adoring. We’re back to romance as heroine wish fulfillment instead of a hero who stands as a compelling character on his own. As for Lydia, she suffers from social anxiety (another recent romance trend) and emerges from it in compelling ways, without insta-cure. (IMHO, Earl Crush also suffers from one too many repetitive love scenes. But it does have a magnificent epilogue.) Aside from these quibbles, Vasti’s Earl Crush comes recommended with Miss Austen’s stamp of “real comfort,” Emma.

Alexandra Vasti’s Earl Crush is published by St. Martin’s Press and released on Jan. 21. I received a DRC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press, via Netgalley. The above is my honest, AI-free opinion.

Boy was this fun!

This was my first Alexandra Vasti read, and I cannot wait to get into her backlist. Earl Crush was masterfully written, fun, sexy, engaging, historically accurate, and even very feminist-forward. While I did not really care for the love story aspect of this book, I overall found this a fun read that was not difficult to get into and stick with.

Lydia is the perfect FMC for women like me who both love and adore heroines in historical fiction/historical romance and need them to be more of a modern woman on certain topics. Arthur and Lydia had perfectly fine chemistry, but when they came together as a couple it just didn't click into place like I'd hoped it would. I also am trying—and failing—to become the type of person who is okay with fake dating/marriage but it only contributed to this not exactly working for me here. I did feel they were very true to life and dynamic, often facing feelings and emotions that aren't really explored in historical romances I've read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

3 ⭐️s
2 🌶️

This book was one of my most anticipated releases this year. I LOVED the first book in this series and the author’s other series - The Halifax Hellions. Her take on the regency romance genre is so refreshing. It’s very modern while also still feeling like a regency romance. This book fell flat for me. I can’t say why I wasn’t a huge fan without spoiling major plot points, but I will say I just did not buy the love story. Even though this one wasn’t for me, I still plan to read the next book in the series and anything the author writes going forward.

This was so delightful! I am a huge fan of historical romances, but sometimes a lot of the newer books try to force in 21st-century characters and plotlines that don't fit or take me out of the story. I am so pleased that Earl Crush delivered everything I love about historical romances and more. Lydia is a character that should please most audiences both those who love historicals and those who have a more "modern" sensibility. When we meet Lydia she is on her way to propose marriage to her pen pal, a man who can use her funds while also understanding that she has a certain liberal sensibility that manifests in pamphlets that she writes under a pseudonym. When she gets to Scotland and realizes that the man she is meeting has no idea who she is well...hijinks ensue.

I adored both Lydia and Arthur. Their chemistry is apparent from page one and I love how they get closer and closer in the story while also getting wrapped up in increasingly dangerous plots. The story never feels silly but fun and sexy and romantic and all the pieces fit together so nicely. I was invested in the political story happening as well as what was happening between Lydia and Arthur while also nervous how it would all end up! I loved Lydia's brothers and her friend Georgiana (who it seems we will be seeing more of soon???) and when all the pieces fell into place I wasn't sure how it was all going to resolve. Vasti clearly knows the genre so well and I loved her attention to detail as well as the author's note where she talks about her inspirations for the book and I loved how well researched this was. Also did I mention how hot this book was??? Because OMG!

Please pick this up if you are at all interested in historical romance or if you just enjoy great plots with even better romances.

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Romance and mystery! What more could I ask for from a book? I truly loved the dynamic of both leads. The fake dating/marriage was done in kind of a funny way that really worked for these characters. It was different from other historical romances but in the best way possible. I love seeing a free-thinking woman find someone who loves her for her brilliance. The mystery woven in with the Earl's brother was fun to follow and when they finally pieced together his plan... *gasp* Just enough drama, and PLENTY of romance. I absolutely loved this book!

I love Alexandra Vasti's writing and after reading my second book, Earl Crush, I can confirm how much I enjoy reading her work! Her mix of just this side of outlandish balanced with depth of human emotion wrapped up in a mystery is my favorite type of story. I also thought the way she begins each chapter with a few sentences from a letter, journal entry, quote was very clever as it was a careful placed clue for the reader and our own added mystery to sort out.
The main characters, Lydia and Arthur, come to the story weighed down with personal worries, social awkwardness, and sometimes crippling self- doubt. The story begins with Lydia searching for far-fetched solution in her future at the home of a man she has been exchanging letters with for three years. She is surprised by what she finds, and it sets her on a most expected adventure that may cost her everything or give her what her heart desires. This story examines the effect of childhood experiences, not fitting into the expected standards of a social situation and the power of putting aside one’s fears to help another! Alexandra has given us as easy to read romp that is fun to read but also gives readers pause. I will confess that I had tears during quite a few scenes.
The world of friendship and family as well as the supporting characters were as much of the story without being taken away from Lydia and Arthur. The danger they all encounter is explained in the author's note, and I wasn't surprised to find the circumstances of the story were interlaced with fact!
Earl Crush is an entertaining regency romance with a perfect combination of couple chemistry, twist and turns, emotions and a hold your breath last few chapters. A winning combination in my opinion.
I received an ARC through Net Galley and am leaving my voluntary opinion based solely on my reading experience.

This was so much fun and so steamy. I loved the mistaken identity, force proximity to fake marriage romance SO MUCH! And the intrigue, spy and revolutionary plot that brings the MCs closer together was intriguing, but not too intense. I love love love the Duke and Lydia together, and seeing the Duke's softer side and how smart and savvy Lydia is. I need to read more by this author!

This was my first book by this author, and it was good.

A light enjoyable read, with lots of spice. I enjoyed it overall but thought that 1) It was a tad predictable at times 2) the spicy scenes could use a bit of variation. I enjoy spicy scenes, but felt that the author could have varied them somewhat to make them sizzle. They were all very similar.

Overall, a cute spicy read but not earth shattering.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an eARC of this book to review.

You know what I love? Smart, rebellious Victorian/Regency women and nobility love interests who are total puppy dogs around them and support their every endeavor. Earl Crush gives me that and more! In it, Lydia has been corresponding with an earl about politics, and when she learns he could use some money (of which she has plenty) she heads out to propose marriage to him. When she gets to his estate though, the earl she finds isn't the one she expects.

Lydia is so relatable-ezceedingly shy and nervous, and then when she gets the gall to finally do something bold and brash and it goes sideways, she barfs. But then she stands firm for herself and becomes more confident and sure. Arthur, the earl-but-not-who-she-was-expecting, is supportive and sees nothing but her best qualities. There's a fun mystery that keeps the two together (with fake dating) and it's based on things that actually happened during that time!

Vasti is going to cement herself in the historical romance hall of fame if she keeps this up! Her stories are full of heart, varied characters, and joy.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the e-ARC!

Oh, I adore Alexandra Vasti's writing, and I swooned over the burgeoning romance between Lydia Hope-Wallace and the Earl of Strathrannoch. It's got intrigue, and charm, and wit, and chemistry. What more could we want?

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

If you’ve been craving a Regency romcom with equal parts wit, heart, and wild adventures (plus zebras), let me introduce you to Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti. This book had me grinning, swooning, and clutching my heart as Lydia and Arthur’s story unfolded.
Lydia, a socially anxious heiress and secret political pamphleteer, and Arthur, a gruff but soft-hearted Scottish earl, have a meet-not-so-cute for the ages. Lydia arrives at Arthur’s estate ready to propose a marriage of convenience, only to discover the letters she’s been exchanging for three years weren’t written by him at all—but by his missing brother. What follows is a road trip adventure filled with spies, mistaken identities, fake marriage shenanigans, and plenty of sizzling chemistry.
The banter between Lydia and Arthur is chef’s kiss. Arthur falls for her hard, and watching their mutual pining evolve into deep, soul-stirring love was everything I didn’t know I needed. Lydia’s quiet strength and Arthur’s fierce devotion make them a perfect pair. Add in a delightful cast of side characters (and the occasional exotic animal), and you’ve got a story that feels both hilarious and heartfelt.
Vasti balances humor, spice, and emotional depth so seamlessly. The plot is fast-paced and full of surprises, and while the third-act breakup pulled at my heartstrings, the epilogue’s tender letters between Lydia and Arthur made everything worth it.
If you’re looking for a historical romance that’s sexy, adventurous, and laugh-out-loud funny, Earl Crush is the perfect choice. Alexandra Vasti continues to prove why she’s one of my go-to authors for romance with depth and joy.

Alexandra Vasti is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors, and “Earl Crush” is another winner. Packed with mistaken identity, forced proximity, and a fake relationship, it’s swoony, spicy, hilarious, and even throws in a bit of mystery. What’s not to love?

The story follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, an introverted heiress and secret political pamphlet writer, who heads to Scotland to propose to her pen pal, the Earl of Strathrannoch. Except... the earl isn’t who she’s been writing to—it’s actually his brother. Cue chaos, a pack of zebras, fake marriage shenanigans, and a thrilling espionage plot as Lydia and Arthur Baird team up and find their chemistry impossible to ignore.

Arthur is the perfect blend of stoic and swoon-worthy, and Lydia is a heroine worth rooting for. Their adventure is laugh-out-loud funny, romantic, and impossible to put down. If you’re not reading Alexandra Vasti yet, you’re seriously missing out. I can’t wait for the next HEA in this world!

🎧🎧🎧
Mhairi Morrison made this audiobook so much fun to listen to. Her English and Scottish accents were flawless, and she nailed Arthur’s voice perfectly. She brought Lydia and Arthur to life with so much personality, making every moment even better. If you’re into historical romance, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen.

Thank you @alexandravasti, @smpromance, @stmartinspress, @dreamscapemedia and @netgalley for the gifted ARC and ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Witty, romantic, and utterly charming!

Lydia's hilarious mishaps had me in stitches from the start, while her strength and sharp wit kept me hooked. Though I was unsure about Arthur at first, he quickly won me over. Their adventure as faux newlyweds, tracking down their endangered siblings, was thrilling and heartwarming at the same time.

This delightful story perfectly filled the Bridgerton-shaped hole in my heart, especially since Lydia feels like a perfect blend of Penelope and Eloise! I was left with a smile on my face and I'm immediately going back to read the first book in the series now.

This book was fantastic i actually finished it about a week ago and I loved the way that it wasn't a normal historical romance and had a bit of a mystery twist to it as well! I will definitely recommend this to people.

5⭐️
3🔥

Quick Breakdown

Historical Romance
Meet Disaster
Wallflower x Scottish Earl
Forced Proximity
Mystery & Espionage
Only One Bed
Mutual Pining
Love Letters
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate

Lydia has been a shy & socially awkward wallflower with a secret. She anonymously pens radical political pamphlets & ends up in a 3 year long correspondence with a like minded Scottish Earl. Tired of failing on the marriage mart and in search of more freedoms, she travels to Scotland to literally propose. A marriage of convenience with someone she considers a friend feels like her best option. But when she arrives, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is..

My first book of the year & it was a 5⭐️ banger!

After one of the most brilliant meet-disasters that sets the tone for the rest of the book, I was helpless to fall in love. Lydia & Arthur were perfectly crafted MCs. I adored Lydia & her quiet strength that she shared with those who matter most. The way she willingly & selflessly acted out of her comfort zone to help Arthur. He never stood a chance.

The mutual pining was absolutely delicious. The build up of tension it brought made the spice that much more intense. Pair this with the added bonus of mystery, espionage & silly hijinks it’s no wonder this worked so well for me.

I primarily listened to Earl Crush. It’s narrated by Mhairi Morrison who has quickly turned into one of my favorite narrators for historical romances. It was an absolute delight & I recommend you listen to too if given the chance!