I don’t want this series to end, but if it has to I’m glad it went out with a bang. Georgiana and Cat were perfect.

5/5

Oh no we’re two gothic novelists writing stories inspired by our childhoods together as we subconsciously yearn for the past…what happens if we kiss in a decaying manor that may or may not be haunted? If there’s one thing I am, it is a gothic romance lover to my core and Alexandra Vasti’s Ladies in Hating is a delectable feast for anyone who loves the gothic or sapphic historical romance. In the final book in the Belvoir’s Library trilogy, Alexandra Vasti pens a tender love letter to women gothic novelists, the gothic genre, and the queer people who found love and livelihood in the Regency period. Ladies in Hating is a model representation of gothic literature, in its themes and motifs, and a stunning example of what the historical romance genre can afford our greater understanding of love and connection. The persistent Lady Georgiana Cleeves meets her match in Catriona Rose Lacey, her rival and worse, the woman who could change her closely guarded principles and make her believe in love again. A wondrous rivals to lovers story submerged in fervent wanting and agonizing romance, Ladies in Hating made me feel every emotion and left me aching for more historical romance from its ridiculously talented author.

My full review is up on my blog!

I really wanted to love this as the premise is fantastic, but unfortunately I was not entirely convinced that Cat and Lady Georgiana had feelings for each other. Thank you for the opportunity to red an early copy!

This might be my favorite of Vasti’s yet, which is saying something because I love and adore everything she has written.

I am still teary thinking about this absolutely stunning story. The tenderness, the caretaking, the delicious banter that Vasti always delivers, the stunning prose, the TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, and the YEARNING… my heart was bursting and I had tears streaming down my face for most of the second half. Never have I read so many precious and beautiful iterations of “it’s always been you” because Georgiana’s heart forever and always has belonged to Cat.

This book is not only a breathtakingly gorgeous love story that slowly unfurls, but as Vasti points out in her author’s note (which is not to be missed!), this love story is one that has existed throughout history. Queer people have lived and loved through history and as Vasti mentions, the historical records of queer existence, joy, and love are vast, despite the efforts of some to erase or deny their existence.

As with her previous books, I so love how Vasti writes about bravery. Her FMCs don’t fall into the conventional mold of “bravery” as they aren’t necessarily on the front lines or raising the loudest voice. These women are incredibly brave as they are living and loving as their true selves, embracing joy, building community, and taking up their pens to inform and educate others. Yes, they might be anxious or have some fear as they push against boundaries, but Arthur Baird would agree that that probably makes them the most brave.

I love this book with every fiber of my being and what a true honor it was to have shared in and celebrated Cat and Georgiana’s love.

In Ladies in Hating, two Gothic novelists find themselves in a forced proximity situation in their own Gothic setting.

Lady Georgiana Cleeve is especially vexed when she discovers that another popular Gothic novelist’s books bear a striking resemblance to her own. She hatches a plan to unmask the author hiding behind the nom de plume Lady Darling, only to discover that her rival is, in fact, her teenage crush.

A bit of string-pulling finds them both together at a decrepit manor, where they may be in danger of more than just falling in love.

As with Vasti’s other novels in this series, there are some higher stakes moments. You’re in for a bit of adventure, some intrigue, sooooo much longing, character growth, heat, reunions, and, of course, an HEA.

I received an advance copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press. All review opinions are my own.

This was a cute sapphic historical romance! I loved that the dog played a role in this one! This is the third historical romance I've read by this author and it's my favorite so far

I’m going to make a bold statement: Ladies in Hating is the best sapphic historical romance I have ever read.

I had no doubts going in that I would love whatever love story Alexandra Vasti had created for Lady Georgiana Cleeve, as I fell for Georgie upon first meeting her as a side character in Ne’er Duke Well. But I could not have prepared my heart for the love I would feel for Miss Catriona Rose Lacey. She is the perfect match for Georgiana. The two of them together? Be still my heart. Their rivalry, playful banter, and the tender YEARNING—the way they see each other for who they truly are, the way Cat helps Georgiana believe she is deserving of love—truly remarkable. I spent at least 50% of this book in tears (all complimentary).

Not to mention the beautiful cast of side characters. This story is not just a delightful romance at its core; it’s also a powerful study in self-worth, bravery, and what it means to have courage. It’s a celebration of queer love, acceptance, and unconditional love. And with an author’s note you won’t want to miss!

I continue to be amazed by Vasti’s writing. With each new story, I say it’s her best yet, and yet she continues to raise the bar. These ladies have my whole heart. It’s bittersweet that this is the end of the Belvoir’s Library series, but I can’t wait for Vasti’s next historical series!

Every time I pick up a new Alexandra Vasti book, I get nervous that it won't be as good as her previous novels, and every time she proves me wrong. I absolutely loved this sapphic historical romance between two rival gothic authors. Georgiana, established author, is convinced that "Lady Darling," an up-and-coming writer on the scene, is stealing literary elements. When Georgiana confronts Catriona, badass Cat is all "I didn't even have time to read your book, weirdo, I would never steal a character name from you."

OK also, they have a little bit of history (again, much more impactful for Georgiana, whose first ever crush was on Cat, and who will never forgot how beautiful, smart, amazing, confident, etc. etc. Cat is OMG she's the best). Also also they get locked in a haunted gothic mansion together and it was both funny and sexy. Hilariously sexy?

The book is funny, emotional, horny, and has a great grounding in historical facts. Basically it's everything you want in a historical romance.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Did you think I wasn't going to drop my TBR and pick up Ladies in Hating as soon as the widget hit my inbox? In THIS economy?!!

Georgiana Cleeve is an author of gothic novels who gave up every comfort of a privileged life as the daughter of an earl to live free from the constraints of her father. For the last several years, she and her mother have been living cut off from the family, supported by Georgiana's writing. Catriona Lacey's father used to work as a servant on Georgiana's father's estate. Now Cat, too, is also a popular novelist herself...but with some eerie overlaps in content from Georgiana's writing. They find themselves researching at the same abandoned haunted manor, and getting under one another's skin even more than usual.

Alexandra Vasti delivers her signature charm, complex characters, and tactile intimate scenes in this delightful sapphic romance. Since she announced it, it was perhaps my most highly anticipated historical romance, and I was not disappointed. Competing gothic novelists sets us up for rivals to lovers, but it’s clear from very early on that for Georgiana, it's always been Cat.

In a departure from Earl Crush, which had a lot of fun plot, Ladies in Hating is a little lighter on plot antics and heavier on character interaction (don't get me wrong, there is a lot of plot, it just involves fewer zebras and more ghosts). But the quieter plot allows for more mystery to build up in the setting of Renwick House, and the weight of the history of sapphic romances in the 18th and 19th century. I adore that neither Cat or Georgiana has need to question their attraction to women, only their attraction to *one another* and finding their place in society. Queer historicals are most successful when, like Ladies in Hating, they give us a completely believable HEA for the era. Don't miss the author's note either, where Vasti shares her research on sapphic literature!