I adored this book. Lydia's strong moral compass and tenacity, while also being shy. Arthur's supression of his need for love and family, while being the most loyal stand-up guy. I just love them.

I was cracking up at the shaved beard scene and Lydias crisis! And how Arthur thinks a small explosion is the best diversion.

The romance was wonderful, the perfect amount of angst before the spice hit. And man did it hit!

All the stars!

Any historical romance with a spy subplot immediately has my attention. Add in a heroine stepping outside her comfort zone and a bit of an adventure and I'm sold!

Lydia is so incredibly charming - she clearly has severe social anxiety, but is a prolific author of political pamphlets published by Belvoirs, which author Alexandra Vasti introduced to us in her previous book. She's had a three-year correspondence with an impoverished, but passionate Scottish aristocrat, the Earl of Strathrannoch. She travels to his estate to propose a marriage of convenience - her dowry will help his estate and marriage will save her from the London social scene. The Earl isn't who she thought he was and they wind up tracking down his brother together and getting caught up with French spies along the way.

The pace is fast and locations change a few times. Some characters from the previous book make an appearance, but this book stands alone. The relationship is sweet and the third act breakup isn't what you'd expect...and is quickly resolved, thank goodness!

I love the world Alexandra Vasti has created and look forward to visiting it again!

Vasti did an excellent job with the next in the series. Lydia was a fun character to get to know. The chemistry with the Earl was chef’s kiss. I appreciate the growth in the MMC during this story. Lydia found a good match and it was fun to see her relationship with her brothers. I hope we get more of them in the future.

I loved this book. It was everything I love about the modern regency romance genre. The characters were fun and the plot was enjoyable. I was so into this book and it was a very quick read for me! It was an absolute romp.

Oh wow I really loved this one! I knew I loved Scottish men but this was reaffirmed that for me lol. Lydia was such a compelling character and the plot really kept me on my toes! I definitely recommend!!

Yet another fun, genuinely humorous romp from this author. The opening is pure, romance novel nonsense that I wanted to shoot straight into my veins. Lydia Hope-Wallace is whip-smart, accomplished, and ambitious, but suffers from serious social anxiety. She embarks on a journey to propose a marriage of convenience to an earl with whom she's been corresponding about politics. She figures she can help his financially troubled estate and she can gain the relative freedom that a marriage affords a woman in this day and age. What she doesn't expect is that the man she meets, the true earl, is not the person she has been corresponding with... but his brother.

To say she is thrown off by this change of course, and state of the estate she arrives at, is an understatement. There is fainting. There is vomit. There are zebras.

Arthur Baird, Earl of Strathrannoch, is flummoxed but also... of course... enchanted by Lydia Hope-Wallace, and his protective instincts immediately kick into gear as he protects her from a stampede of said zebras.

The mutual pining that ensues was delicious. He assumes she's in love with his brother, she is not used to trusting her instincts when it comes to those outside of her family, and they both want to jump each others' bones.

I love the way this author marries romance, comedy, and mystery (what is the earl's brother up to and why) that drives the plot forward at an excellent pace. And if you don't think Arthur Baird drops a "my wife"... you are sorely mistaken. Highly recommend and can't' wait for more!

This was cute! Unfortunately, it felt pretty insta-love to me and I didn't really feel their emotions building for each other. The plot also got a bit ridiculous. But cute!

Alexandra Vasti has done it once again! Earl Crush is sweet, spicy, funny, and has so much heart. I love the way she writes characters and relationships; her books were my first introduction to modern Regency Romance, and I truly believe she is the queen of the genre. If you want to read a book that feels like a warm hug, this is it. If you're already a fan of her work, you will love it; and if you haven't read any of her books yet, stop reading this & go pick up one of her books immediately!

I devoured Alexandra Vasti's Halifax Hellions series in less than 24 hours. I've read everything she's published and will read everything she ever writes!! There's something about her writing that is so earnest and sweet, hilarious, and steamy to boot.

I was so excited for Ne'er Duke Well and was so intrigued by Lydia Hope-Wallace. After finding out she was the lead in the next book in the Belvoir's Library Trilogy, I knew there was no way I could wait until January 21, 2025 to read her story! When Alexandra posted it was available for a limited time through NetGalley, I jumped at the chance.

Lydia Hope-Wallace is socially awkward to the point of puking! She's also smart and despite her own insecurities so capable and brave! Her intelligence and moral compass urge her to anonymously writing seditious pamphlets that catch the attention of who she believes to be the Earl of Strathrannoch. They strike up a correspondence that leads her to travel to his home to offer her hand for a marriage of convenience. The only problem is, she hasn't been corresponding with the Earl afterall but his brother. When she arrives at Castle Strathrannoch, she finds the real earl, Arthur and her confidence crumbles a little because...

"Truly, not even the bravest, boldest, most fantastical version of herself would have ridden up to Perthshire and offered her hand if she'd known the man looked like that."

Despite the misunderstanding and case of stolen identity, Lydia is impressed and intrigued at the actual earl's appearance and manner. Lydia and Arthur work together to find Arthur's brother and the hijinks that ensue!! Like the screwball comedies of Old Hollywood which I adore.


*Stefon voice* This book has everything: the FMC of all-time, burly blonde-haired blacksmith earl, zebras, found family, achingly tender love letters, espionage, and ohhh so much pining.


"For Christ's sake," he muttered. His fingers stroked her hair, the back of her head. Trailed down the nape of her neck and then wrapped around her waist. "Daft woman. Don't ever do that again."

"Do what, precisely? Watch as you are accidentally abducted?"

"Go away from me."


Arthur Baird falls so hard as evidenced by: "My body and my heart were formed for the loving of you." The longing and yearning he does here is seriously unmatched. The look inside his mind and feelings through the excerpts from his letters at the beginning of some chapters tugged at my heart so bad. This man has never felt good enough or up to the challenge of being the earl. He has felt inferior to his brother even though Arthur is older. He loves Lydia so much he's willing to leave her to his brother because he feels like he's who she fell in love with and what an idiot.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti has her signature madcap adventures between two people who could not be more perfect for each other. And the epistolary epilogue that takes the reader many years into the future of their life together will leave you clutching your chest and wiping happy tears from your face.

I'm a Vasti-fan for life.

Alexandra Vasti has a beautiful way with words, but this book dragged a bit for me. Without specific spoilers, a big thing happens way too early in the book for how much book was left. After that it dragged on a bit and then fellow readers, I got mad. Arthur is *such an idiot* and Lydia forgave him in way fewer pages than I would have.

Overall this was an enjoyable read with some top notch steamy scenes. Lydia was a very brave queen. Arthur had some significant daddy issues that led him to do and say some very dumb things very late in the story. I would have loved it more with like fifty less pages.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Earl Crush is a delightful new read by Alexandra Vasti. Lydia has a nauseating fear of social interaction but through her secret identity as a political writer, is able to get her intelligent and staunch thoughts out into the public. Through this avenue, she starts a secret correspondence with an Earl who shares her political preferences. She gears up her bravery to go meet him in person and propose a marriage of convenience, but finds out that the man she thought she was communicating with wasn’t who he seems.

Enter Arthur, the real Earl and the brother of the man she’s been corresponding with. The two eventually join forces to track down his brother and the valuable item he stole from Arthur and fall in love along the way.

Lydia and Arthur are so well-written, I feel like they could spring out of the page. Both are well-developed characters, with strong backstories and motivations. Lydia and Arthur both feel a little bit lost, a little bit unlovable but immediately strike a friendship laced with a blazing attraction. Arthur’s quiet support of Lydia for who she is and Lydia’s unending belief in Arthur sell the romance. Add in tropes of electricity when they touch, a fake engagement, found family and loving friends, Earl Crush is truly a historical masterpiece.

I can’t wait to read more from Alexandra Vasti and I highly recommend you preorder it now. Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really loved Alexandria Vasti's Halifax Hellions novellas but I find myself a bit disappointed with her novel-length work even if it’s still enjoyable.

The thing about Earl Crush is that there isn’t anything especially wrong with it but I just had to struggle to get through it because it simply wasn’t that engaging compared to her previous work. What really made her novellas charming and unique is that there was a real lightness to them even if they were also like, smart and sexy.

In theory, Lydia and Arthur’s story should have hit the marks given the tropes they both fall into and their dynamic, but I just found it somewhat lacking, almost superficial in nature. Relatedly, while the sex scenes were fine, they felt a bit formulaic and I found myself going “okay I do not believe these people are sexually obsessed with each other” which is never a great sentiment while reading a romance novel.

That said, the book had its funny moments and I’m hoping that Vasti returns to novellas since it seems like her skill truly shines through in that shorter and pithier format.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!

This book made me wish I didn’t have two small humans, two dogs, a husband and a job because once I started reading I got very grumpy at having to stop!

One of the best historical romances I’ve ever read. Loveable characters I immediately rooted for. Great pace. Longing. Pining. Sexiness. Gah! I loved this book.

5/5 Stars | Two little cinnamon roll shy loves who are v shy + various hijinks


What I loved: The relationship build-up in this was chef's kiss. I have bumped this up to a 4.5 just while thinking about it. It's that good. I've never read anything by Vasti before, but you better believe this is the first of many. This is one of the best historical romances I've ever read, full of pining and longing and "I love them, but I won't trap them" and IT'S SO GOOD. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS PLEASE. Also, the plot in here was actually interesting and well paced??? The hijinks weren't ridiculous??? LOVE IT.

What I didn't like: Give me a minute and I know there was something, but I couldn't even tell you. Maybe this is a 5 star. I think this is a 5 star. Nothing was bad. This was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book!

Overall a good read with interesting plot. Could feel sympathy for the hero and heroine with their insecurities. I am always a fan of hero falling fast, particularly with a bluestocking. Loved the epistolary headers at the begging of each chapter. Plenty of steam for those who like it, yet not gratuitous..

Despite not reading the first book in the series, I had no trouble understanding the connection between characters.

Would like a novella featuring Davis to flesh out his character.

Only found one glaring typo where a French couple was introduced as “Mrs. and Mrs.”

I started this right before bed,intending to read a chapter…and promptly read 30%. It had me hooked and I found it easy to pick up each time!

Lydia is wonderful! She’s very relatable with her social anxiety and strong opinions. Arthur is her perfect balance, supporting her in such gentle and open ways. There is quite a strong mystery plot behind this romance, as well as many lovely side characters and animals!

The banter and internal monologues were top notch! I have so many highlights and quotes and will definitely go in for a reread of this. This is my first Alexandra Vasti but I’ve already got her previous books loaded and ready to read!

Thanks to Netgalley and SMP for a digital copy to review!

💓I’m swooning. A captivating regency romance that shines brightly! From the very first page, I was completely drawn in by the characters and their journey. Lydia is witty and clever, making it impossible not to be curious about her thoughts and feelings. Meanwhile, Arthur is introduced as enigmatic and distant, adding an intriguing layer to the story. Their romance unfolds slowly, keeping me giggling and swooning throughout. I love when the MMC falls first. 😌 I couldn't help but blush and sigh over some of the earl's perspectives. This book is filled with romance, history, and mystery—everything you need for the perfect comfort read! This was my first time reading Alexandra Vasti and I look forward to reading more of her work.

This book has got assassination plots, zebras, gay butlers, frantic forest hook ups, quiet FMC’s that are secretly tearing down the patriarchy and aristocracy one word at a time, and a man that is an absolute simp for her and all her quiet fierceness. I absolutely adored all of the characters and I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens with our chameleon Georgiana in the next book.

4.5 stars. Lydia Hope-Wallace is a secret political writer from an honorable home who writes pamphlets that could potentially get her arrested. (Suffrage for women, dishonorable politicians, etc...) She begins "pen-palling" with a person intrigued by her writing and identifies himself as an Earl from Scotland. She decides that marrying him would be a great idea as they have compatible ideals. She can give him money as he is broke and she no longer has to deal with the marriage mart. She secretly escapes her home and visits him in Scotland to boldly propose marriage only to find zebras, various other wild rescued animals, a crumbling castle, and that the very large burly man at the door is not the one who has been writing to her. It was his brother! Adventure ensues. There are runaway horses, espionage, theft, a one-bed trope (yay!), found family, romantic letters, disguises, protective older brothers, a small dog named Francis Bacon, and the sweetest main male character ever. Arthur Baird seems so gruff on the outside but he is just golden goo and deep valleys of emotion.

<i>"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" </i>

READ THIS and don't lie to me that you didn't squeal a little inside. I did an imaginary swoon.

I didn't know what to expect when reading this as I haven't read a Regency Era novel since I finished Bridgerton. I am disappointed with myself that I have not returned sooner. This was delicious, fun, and a delightful escape. It was paced well and kept me sitting upright in bed yelling at my children to leave me alone as "Mommy must finish this!" I want to now read everything by Alexandra Vasti.

I was able to read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publishers. Put this on your "Want to Read" list and get your hands on it on January 21, 2025. You will love it.

This one doesn’t come out until January 2025, but I want to review it while the good feels are still fresh! For lovers of Bridgerton, the League of Extraordinary Women, or any fans of regency romance, don’t miss out on this series. I loved the MC’s in this one and found the historical piece very interesting. Also, everytime I saw the title, I sang this song in my head, so I had to include it on the post. Add this one to your TBR now!