I liked this one in the beginning but then there was a lot of details in the plot and I lost interest.

Solid 4 stars. It took me a bit to get into the book but once I got going. oh man did I ENJOY THE RIDE! It's a "potato" chip book you can't really stop until you finish the book. Would highly recommend it to all my friends especially if they enjoy romance and/or historical-ish romance.

3.5 stars

After carrying on a correspondence with fellow politically inclined pen-mate Arthur Strathrannoch, Lydia Hope-Wallace sets out to offer a marriage of convenience. Except - she later learns- it wasn't really him she was writing to, a news she received by casting up her accounts on her shoes.

<i>Earl Crush<i> is trademark Vasti - riotous hijinks and scintillating chemistry - until the very end. The explosive chemistry was the bit I enjoyed the most - the sheer longing amidst the love triangle dilemma. Mid-stairway necking sessions coz "someone's coming" (my favorite kind!) and "Hands on the door!" ftw!

As voraciously as I lapped up her novellas, Alexandra Vasti's traditionally published works have been a bit of a struggle for me. The plot goes sideways in last quarter of the book - there's some attempt at half baked espionage plots, and some underdeveloped parental trauma -that take away from the real pressing obstacles in the happily ever after. I'd pay good money to see a heart to heart talk between the trio - Lydia, Davis, Arthur. But alas, the author's preference for riotous plotlines over real emotional beats stops this book from being one of the all time greats of HR.

Received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NG.

Something I absolutely love about Alexandra's books is how much research goes into them! She adds in real details from real books, events, and people to her stories and it's astonishing how much thought goes into these!

This was a fun one. Lydia is a painfully shy heiress and see her gain her confidence and work through her insecurities was beautiful.

Arthur is like a big ole teddy bear. He's a little scruffy in the outside but has the biggest heart. I loved seeing how vulnerable each of them were as they pretended to be married.

There was an overarching storyline of suspense/action/mystery as well that really made this one interesting. And the authors note at the end describing the details she pulled from history to intertwine in this storyline was great!

Following Ne’er Duke Well last summer, Alexandra Vasti is back with the second book in her Belvoir’s Library trilogy, Earl Crush. Wallflower and heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has been secretly writing radical political pamphlets for years, and has been corresponding with a like-minded Scottish earl. She’s now shown up at his estate in Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience… only to find that the man she’s been writing to is NOT the earl, but his missing brother. Arthur (the true earl) is as surprised as she is, and soon, Lydia is roped into tracking down his brother—and finding a new flame of love along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
I loved Ne’er Duke Well, and I’ve been excited to continue the Belvoir’s Library trilogy ever since. Lydia is socially awkward and politically progressive, two qualities I think we have in common. And her romance with a Scottish earl—with themes of stolen identity, preventing mayhem, and a marriage of convenience (or fake marriage!)—was equally captivating. Earl Crush looked like it would be a riot!

What I Liked:
- Lydia is shy and socially anxious… but brave in the face of real danger
- Arthur is also an introvert who keeps to himself
- Zebras!
- Tracking down the missing brother who posed as Arthur, Earl of Strathrannoch
- Sibling relationships
- Marriage of convenience?
- Fake marriage?
- Progressive politics of the Regency era
- The epilogue! Swoon!

Final Thoughts
Earl Crush is a lot of fun, with mystery and mayhem abounding from start to finish. I liked getting to see two shy characters find love despite the chaotic situation they’ve been thrust into. It was also a joy to read about their relationships with their respective brothers, tumultuous as they may be. The Belvoir’s Library trilogy has been wonderful so far, and I’m excited to read the final book, Ladies in Hating, later this year.

Lydia is determined to marry a man of her choice and she thinks she has found the perfect candidate! The only major issue is that he has no idea that she is on her way to Scotland to ask him to marry her. Strathrannoch wants to be left alone as he struggles to find a way to save his ancestral home. When a tiny, opinionated English woman shows up on his front step, he realizes he has a big issue. She thinks Strathrannoch has been her pen pal for the last three years. He has no idea who she is and he is too busy trying to find his lying, scheming brother to take the time to help her. Can two people who have been lied to find true love?

Lydia is smart and informed about current issues. She is politically active even if she has to hide her activities from everyone. She is the richest heiress in London but it hasn’t led to any man marrying her. She has social anxiety that causes her family to be very protective. It is cute that she believes her pen pal would be her perfect match because her social anxiety shouldn’t be an issue. She grows a lot during the story and shows that she has a spine of steel.

Strathrannoch first appears to be a hulking madman and savage. He never had the chance to get an education but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his passion for invention. I thought that was a nice addition to his character. He loves his ancestral home but he can’t figure out a reasonable way to protect it. I like that he is a lord and has the right to attend the house of lords but he is not politically driven so he doesn’t bother. There is a cute side story that Strathrannoch allows the men that maintain his estate to keep zebras and other rescued exotic animals. There is a mention of the fact that the men are also in a MM relationship but it’s not critical to the story except that it show Strathrannoch to be open minded. He is a man of honor throughout the story. He has to grow in order to help Lydia as danger approaches. Strathrannoch’s brother did something horrible before the start of the story. It is a major factor that causes many things to happen in the story.

There is a bad guy. It is not totally clear at first who the bad guy is or what the bad guy intends to do but the characters have plenty of reason to know something is going to happen. I really like this aspect of the story. It was woven into the story and was very organic and believable.

This story takes place in Scotland and London. This story takes place after the war between England and France has concluded. Tensions were high at this time and that plays a part in the story. If you are looking for a nice historical romance with good characters and is a fast read, give this a try. I will read more from this author in the future.

Alexandra Vasti has written another hot best seller. And by hot, I also mean spicy. This sexy regency rom com is a swoon worthy historical romance that I couldn't put down. Ne're Duke Well won me as a fan, and this new book is just as funny and racy as the first. In this book a politically savvy, but socially inept spinster ( who is all of 26), travels to Scotland to propose to a marriage of convenience to her likeminded penpal. Only to find that he has never written to her. The tagline for this book is "Right Girl, Wrong Earl". One can also say same world, different couple. This book is a completely stand alone story. Vasti weaves a variety of historical facts into this lust at first sight regency romance. The characters are endearing and I can't wait to see what she has in mind for her next romance novel.

Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Vasti is such a fun writer and it was so much fun to come back to this series. Lydia and Arthur are ridiculous in how much they like each other. Despite a case of mistaken identity (she thinks they are penpals, he has no idea who she is), they quickly become travel companions as they search for Arthur's brother and get involved in a wee bit of espionage. This is a fun road trip romance, with a little bit of Scotland and a little bit of England and a lot of fun. Whether being chased by zebras, french spies, or just trying to keep their hands off each other Lydia and Arthur are a delight and I can't wait for the third book later this year. This was fun, sexy, and a book I could easily have read in a day.

This book was pure delight from the first chaotic encounter between Arthur and Lydia, all the way through their amusing escapades, to that heart-wrenching ending.

A misunderstanding about letters brought her to his doorstep and what ensued was a madcap race all over the country to find Arthur's brother and get to the bottom of Davis' actions. Arthur and Lydia were both so endearing and a little bit lost and I just wanted to hug them all the time. They were so good for each other, on top of all the superb banter and electric chemistry. Lydia discovered her adventurous side and Arthur had a heck of a time keeping up.

The clever and witty writing drew me in and I thoroughly enjoyed this glorious adventure. I can highly recommend this if you like steamy historical romance with comedy and weighty feelings in equal measure. This book is part of a series but stands well on its own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It has been a moment since I’ve reviewed an ARC. This is the second book of @alexandravasti’s I’ve gotten before release and I will keep reading and reviewing them as long as @stmartinspress keeps giving them to me (don’t make me beg for Ladies in Hating SMP please).

As always, since the first time I read the Margot Halifax, Alex’s writing DELIGHTS me. Earl Crush is so funny and sharp. Historical romances aren’t a genre I read a ton of, but I always read these because I know I’ll have a great time. Alex’s characters never fail to charm the shit out of me. I feel such a deep kinship with Lydia Hope-Wallace and Arthur Baird and I really loved reading about them

Thank you so so so much to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! Earl Crush is out January 21st!

This was so cute! The FMC is definitely Penelope-coded. The YEARNING. So good! Definitely recommend if you’re a fan of regency romances with a modern twist.

I received a free copy of the #EarlCrush by #AlexandraVasti from #NetGalley in exchange for a review. I gobbled this historical romance book in one sitting. I found it romantic and light hearted with the way the Earl took Lydia's extreme social anxiety into account and supported her and not smothered her like her family. It starts with a mistaken identity of the letter writer and they decide to go after the Earl's brother. As a course of their pursuit, there is a fake marriage and one bed scenarios. There are open bedroom sex scenes between the main characters. There are also spies and counterspies. I started it and finished it in one sitting. The only thing I realize is the cover does not truly reflect their travel.

Thank you to SMP Romance for the free book and to Dreamscape Media and LibroFM for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This was such a fun historical romance. I started laughing on the very first page, and my enjoyment never dimmed.

Lydia thinks she has been corresponding with Arthur for years. So she heads to Scotland to propose to him. He'll get her dowry, and she'll get a husband. There's just one problem: he's never heard of her. Who knew I would get such a kick out of historical catfishing?

This is the second book in the Belvoir's Library series. It stands alone, but I love the whole series. I'm here for women with scandalous ideas who publish them. And I absolutely adored the way that Lydia spoke about politics as caring for others.

I read this immersively, with both the ebook and audiobook. Mhairi Morrison was an excellent narrator. And I loved that the authors notes and letters were included in the audiobook. They were spectacular for this book and are such an essential part I always look for in historical romances.

4.25 stars

Lydia was a hilarious and interesting FMC that had layers of depth, I enjoyed the whole plot of this book as well as the romance. The conflict to me felt somewhat reasonable, but I liked the way it played out. Overall I had a good time reading this!

Earl Crush is a charmer of a read, cementing Vasti as a master of humorous historical romance. Lydia and Arthur are two people who are longing—longing for companionship, longing for security, and barely even hoping for love. And Lydia is convinced, after years of writing to Arthur, that she can persuade him into a marriage of convenience. After all, they agree on so many things. It’s shocking to discover—after she’s journeyed to his Scottish estate—that he wasn’t the one writing to her.

Lydia and Arthur are both similar. Each feels the weight of responsibility, Lydia for her social causes that she writes persuasive pamphlets on, Arthur for the debt-ridden estate and its tenants that he inherited. And each is surpassingly insecure. Neither Lydia nor Arthur believe in their ability to interact with people—and yet each makes the other feel more capable. And when that happens, the result is all sorts of mayhem.

Their story is interwoven with family mysteries and hurtful heritages, meddlesome servants and friends, conspiracies and plots, and a wayward herd of zebras. Throughout, Lydia and Arthur grow in confidence and stability, each realizing that to gain what they want, they must break from the shells they’ve built around themselves. The result is a whimsical yet deeply felt love story that will bring a smile to your face and warm your heart all at once.

I got swept right up into Lydia’s adventures in Scotland. Lydia is a strong FMC. Enjoyed her marriage of convenience with a twist! And bonus points for Scotland tidbits including lovely Dunkeld. Will go back and read #1 in this series!

Alexandra Vasti’s Earl Crush delivers a delightful mix of wit, romance, and intrigue, cementing its place as a must-read Regency romp. With a strong-willed heroine and a brooding hero, this novel strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt emotion.

Lydia Hope-Wallace is a refreshing protagonist—a wallflower heiress turned radical pamphleteer who isn’t afraid to take bold risks. Her decision to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch sets the stage for a series of delightful and unexpected twists. Arthur Baird, the reclusive earl, is equally compelling, with his gruff exterior hiding a deeply caring and honorable heart. Their chemistry crackles from the moment they meet, and their witty banter adds a layer of charm to the story.

The plot is both engaging and layered, with Arthur’s search for his estranged, espionage-entangled brother adding a suspenseful edge. The contrast between Lydia’s spirited determination and Arthur’s reluctance to embrace change creates a dynamic relationship that evolves beautifully over the course of the book. The Scottish setting—complete with a crumbling castle—provides a rich, atmospheric backdrop that enhances the story’s romantic and adventurous elements.

While the pacing is generally strong, the resolution of certain plot threads, particularly those involving Arthur’s brother, feels a bit rushed. Additionally, some readers may find the political undertones—though relevant and well-integrated—to be slightly heavy-handed at times.

Despite these minor quibbles, Earl Crush is an absolute delight. Vasti’s sharp writing and keen eye for historical detail make the novel both entertaining and immersive. Fans of Regency romance will find themselves thoroughly charmed by Lydia and Arthur’s journey.

This is the second book that I've read from this author. Alexandra Vasti is definitely talented and her books are mostly enjoyable. Unfortunately, her books have some modern concepts that I don't want to see in HR. The FMC is a political radical. She is secretly fighting for women's suffrage and the abolishment of the aristocracy. I don't like reading about political issues in my leisure time. Also, if there was no aristocracy, my beloved genre would not be able to exist as I know it!
Early on in the story, some male side characters were introduced as a couple. I decided to ignore it because the author did mention something about this in her content notes. When I later reread the notes, I saw that the author was actually warning of homophobia! To me, it stands to reason that people living non-traditional lifestyles in the 1800s, would absolutely have raised some eyebrows! I don't think that I would have given this content warning. Perhaps I would have presented the content a bit differently, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions about the nature of the relationship.
In closing, I think that more progressively minded readers will really like this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't my cup of tea, but I gave it a good rating in recognition of the author's talent and hard work. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

If you take a look at my reviews, you’ll know I am not a romance reader. But after reading Ne’er Duke Well, I knew I was a Alexandra Vasti reader. Her writing is so easy to read and everything flows so nicely in the story. The characters fall for each other pretty quickly, which I don’t usually like, but it seems to work well with the plot, making the rest of the story much more entertaining - especially as they are pretending to be married.

I love the tension at the end and how much of a himbo Arthur ends up being. There is also a good message about learning to love yourself throughout this book which was perfect.

Earl Crush is Alexandra Vasti's follow-up to Ne'er Duke Well, and the book has a very similar vibe to its predecessor. The heroine is initially a wallflower who blossoms through the story, and the hero is initially surly but also emerges from his shell as the romance grows. The plot was okay but felt meandering at times. This may be the story for you if you enjoy mystery, intrigue, humor, and character progression in a modernized Regency setting. I'm usually into those things, too, but this just wasn't the book for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.