I continue to be totally into the Bridgerton/Gossip Girl vibes of the books Lex Croucher writes! I loved that this one was a queer romance, and touched on (a little bit) racial srereotyping. Ultimately I got a little frustrated with our MC, but this might just be me passing adult judgement on YA characters. I’ll keep reading whatever she writes!

📖Book: Infamous
⭐️Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏼Author: Lex Croucher
📚Genre: Historical Romance 
🗏 Pages: 336
💕Tropes: Best Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, 
⚠️Warnings: Drugs, Toxic Relationship 
🔖Readability: 4.5/5 italic font is used
🥇First Line: When the bell rang for supper up at the house, Eddie and Rose were practicing kissing.

What to expect:
⭐️Sapphic Romance
⭐️Friends to Lovers
⭐️Regency Era 
⭐️Writers

I love Lex Croucher. However, this one just missed the mark for me. I feel like this time around, the characters weren't as spunky and had the wit to them. Both main characters fell flat for me and didn't keep me engaged. This reminded me of my least favorite Bridgerton sister Eloise, probably why I wouldn't say I liked this one. Lex is such a fantastic writer, and the story is there, this one however just wasn't for m.e 

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin Press for the advance reader copy.

Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with this book. The first half was cute and funny. I loved Eddie's siblings and their antics so much. I really would have loved if more of the book had featured them.
Eddie was very difficult to like, and I honestly don't understand why Rose gave her so many chances.
After they left for the house party everything just went in such a strange direction. For much of the second half, Eddie was completely insufferable, and her infatuation with Nash was annoying.
I was obvious where the story with Nash was headed from the beginning, and I would have much preferred more of Eddie and Rose together.
Also, seriously, what happened to Henry?

I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 mainly because I liked Eddie's siblings, and there were some tender moments between Eddie and Rose that I enjoyed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the second book I’ve read by the author, and I have to say that I really enjoy their writing style and the humor always lands. The setting was so fun and probably a highlight of the novel. We get to see a side of the Regency Era that a lot of novels gloss over. It’s also super refreshing to see an imperfect queer character as a leading lady. The novel does suffer from some pacing issues and I wish we got more time with Eddie and Rose together throughout the story (similar issue that I had with their other novel, Gwen and Art are not in love), but overall I think the story is definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :)

I am going to start this review by being explicit- if you are upset by inaccurate historical romances, these are not the books for you. However, if it’s neither here nor there for you, read on…

Infamous follows Croucher’s Reputation from 2022, and it is a delightful continuation in this Regency world. We are now following Eddie and Rose, two entertaining young women. Eddie is a writer, and I always find it fascinating to read a writer-character in a book- it feels meta in a way. Rose is Eddie’s friend and partner in many ways, and their relationship of author and quasi-editor is one of my favourites.

I appreciate that both their queer relationship and Rose’s “otherness” as an Asian was given space to breathe in the novel. Is that accurate to the Regency period in Britain? Probably not, but this isn’t a textbook. (I actually want more on Rose’s father helping Chinese immigrants to set up their new lives in Britain, that would also be a great novel.)

This book was just as much fun as Reputation and it is the perfect book to read while we wait for the new season of Bridgerton to get a release date!

A fun, quick read!

When I heard that there was a new sapphic regency romp I knew I had to pick it up. It was a lot more on the cutesy side than the steamy side which is absolutely what I'm in the mood for sometimes.

While I overall enjoyed the story, an element that did frustrate me throughout was being able to see through the deception of other characters far quicker than the main character, who fumbles through this discovery at a terribly slow pace.

If you're looking for a cute, quick, and queer romance, this book will safisfy

This was a friends-turned-lovers story about Eddie (Edith) and Rose. Eddie and Rose are best friends who grew up doing everything together, that is, until Rose declares that she is looking to get married even after they had made a pact never to marry. Eddie fashions herself to be a writer. When Rose is courting a gentleman who happens to be acquainted with Nash Nicholson, a rival of Byron's and Eddie's literary idol, they are thrust into an intriguing literary scene where Eddie expects that her dreams of being a published author might finally be accomplished, though not everything is as it seems. This is a story of learning lessons that appearances can be deceiving and that sometimes there is more than meets the eye.

Infamous by Lex Croucher was just ok. I gave it a valiant effort but it didn't do anything for me. I didn't find any of the characters likeable or interesting. I thought Eddie was selfish and childish and Rose boring. I thought the historical aspect of a current day situation of coming out would have been interesting. Overall, the premise good, but the follow through was not my cup of tea.

A wonderful queer romance. Edith “Eddie” Miller and Rose Li have been best friends since the age of 8. When they came out into society at age 16, Eddie makes Rose vow that neither of them would marry. Of course six years later and Rose loves society and as the daughter of Chinese immigrants she feels duty bound to marry, but also wants a comfortable companionable marriage and independence. She finds Albert, a middle-aged man who breeds rabbits and who she likes, but does not love.

Eddie of course hates him immediately, but he proves useful as an escort when he introduces Eddie and Rose to his old friend, the poet Nash Nicholson, who leads a very bohemian lifestyle. Eddie, whose goal is to become a published author is captivated by a life without the strictures of society.

Nash is so charming it’s an affront and I commend the author for the characterization. A wonderful read with LOTS of pining.

"Twenty-two-year-old aspiring writer Edith (“Eddie”) Miller and her best friend Rose have always done everything together―from climbing trees and sneaking bottles of wine, to extensive kissing practice. But Rose has started talking about marriage, and Eddie is horrified. Why can’t they continue as they always have?"
Eddie was in love with Rose except that couldn't be right.
Eddie (Edith)was in trouble. She didn't see it coming.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

What a hilarious read!! I loved the friendship between Edith (Eddie) and Rose, Funny enough, my real name is Edith but I go by Ellie, and my mom's name is Rose.. I was so happy to read a novel with our names intertwined like this. It was humorous, binge worthy, and I cannot wait to read what's next from author Lex Croucher!

Advertised as Book Smart meets Reputation, Infamous had me hooked from the very beginning.

Interesting characters, fun dialogue, and various shenanigans made this an extremely enjoyable read. It was very hard for me to put this book down as it was simply excellent.

Our main characters, Eddie and Rose, were fully fleshed out and were quite complex. Eddie, the POV character, was raised unconventionally in Regency London alongside her siblings and wants to one day become a published author and never marry. Rose, on the other hand, comes from a less well-to-do family originally from China and seems to want a much more conventional life than Eddie at the beginning. When meeting her literary hero and confronted with Rose about to become engaged, Eddie is blinded by hero worship and the chance to have her dreams realized. This is a big cause for many of the issues in the book for our heroines. Regardless, Eddie and Rose’s relationship and the tension between their friendship as they seemingly want quite different things is truly the focus of the novel and I loved it.

I do have to say the naivety and sheer stupidity Eddie acted with at times were extremely frustrating. I understand why she acted in this way when confronted with her hero and her dream potentially coming true, but she seemed so shocked when some people had underhanded motives or were more than they appeared. She also had to be outright told things that were fairly obvious to a reader. While I was frustrated, it did make her a more fleshed out character with flaws which I appreciated.

I also felt that even side characters with little effect on the plot were at least fleshed out enough to get some laughs from me. I personally quite liked Eddie’s little sister Beatrice and wish her the best of luck on her adventures to try and single-handedly make her way to China at the age of 8.

I mentioned the writing previously, but I truly did love it. It felt fun without being satirical or going too far from being focused on the main plot of the book. Croucher filled the book with some hilarious lines that had me giggling. A personal favorite was, “I am stupid and I am happy and I am soup.” Are these lines deep and meaningful? No, but they provide humor and shows some of each characters’ personality that books that focus on having every line being the most profound thing you've ever heard really miss out on.

Needless to say, this was a great read and I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance, especially if they love a queer one.

I am OBSESSED with this queer regency-era love story! Lex Croucher did it again! I loved this book so so much and the friends to lovers trope was done really well!

DNF @ 30%

I'm so sad that I just couldn't push myself through this book. I absolutely adored Reputation and this gave off the same vibes, or so I thought, but it just missed the mark entirely. The characters were very one dimensional and I found myself not being able to keep them separated in my mind. The plot was....there, I guess.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, but I do think there is an audience for it!

Infamous, much like Lex Croucher's Reputation, sets up a story of finding yourself and learning who you truly are, while somehow falling under the impression of a terrible person.

Eddie is determined to be a writer. Her best friend Rose absolutely supports her. But as they grow up, Rose is ready for society, and Eddie wants their relationship to stay the same, and to stay spinsters together. Everything really comes to a head when Eddie meets Nash Nicholson, a poet whom Eddie greatly admires, and he says that he'll help her get published. Eddie begins down a path of not knowing what she really wants, and having to learn for herself that a good poet does not a good person make.

Though I found the story entertaining, it didn't have the same level of drama as I had hoped for. This one is a somewhat more character-driven book, and even though Eddie is a naive, needs-to-figure-out-her-life, interesting character, I was far more interested in side characters like Rose, Dayo, and even Albert. And mainly Nash gave me the ick immediately and I wanted Eddie to get with the program.

3.5 stars!

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

Oh gosh, I really wanted to like this book as much as I loved <i>Reputation</i>. Lex Croucher is such a funny and vivacious writer and they deftly create scenes of truly raucous, over the top, madcap energy that their writing can take on a frenetic and almost slapstick like quality to it. Unlike many adult writers who write YA and new adult novels, Croucher is also extremely talented at writing characters who feel, sound, and act young which is so refreshing, and skilled at capturing the particular angst and emotion that come along with friendship and love in our teens and early 20s. However, in this novel those talents felt like a double edged sword. Eddie's unwillingness to see what was right in front of her grew increasingly annoying as the novel went on, as did the antics of Nash who I found unbearable from the jump. By 2/3 of the way through I was ready to be done with the relentless shenanigans and bad behavior. Had these characters been teens, I would have been fine with their immaturity but everyone is in their 20s and 30s and I was over it. The saving grace of this novel was undoubtedly Rose (a queen, we stan forever) and the excellent queer representation, which was dealt with in a period appropriate way that I find is often lacking in historical romance and is sensitive, smart, and moving. Its so good it is bumping up my entire rating of this book by one star. In fact, probably my single biggest complaint about this book is that we don't get enough of Rose and Eddie together--their romance took second stage to Eddie's insecurities and Nash's nonsense and I wanted it to be the central narrative. I could have read about just the two of them all day.

Many thanks to the good people at NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. I really wish this one had landed better for me. Croucher's comedy will keep me coming back though--I already have her next novel in my sights!

I loved Lex Croucher’s first book, so I was excited to read this one. Regency queer drama that are like reading Clueless are my new jam.

Eddie is determined to make her own way in the world, damned with what the social norms say. Rose is more cautious and always considers her family. So Eddie is angry when Rose decides to get engaged.. and not to her but a MAN! This forces into action them coming to terms with feelings and deciding if one’s true self is more important than standards.

I love the queer historical story Lex weaves. It’s funny and grasping and unlike anything I’ve read before.

I love this author and this one did no disappoint. I really have been enjoying books that are a mix of genres and this one was just that. This book was laugh-out-loud funny and I didn't want to stop reading it.

"I like kissing Rose...more than I like kissing Nash!"

In the second book (Reputation is book one) of this representation romance series, Infamous by creative author Lex Croucher, it takes Edith "Eddie" Miller a long time to admit kissing, just for practice of course, her lifelong best friend Rose Li is much more enjoyable than kissing the famous poet Nash.

At 22 years old Eddie wants to be a writer and when she's invited with Rose and her boring fiance to Nash's mansion she can't wait to get his help not just in reading her manuscript but maybe introducing her to his publisher.

It is soon apparent, at least to us readers that Nash is a charming jerk, I pictured him being played by a young Hugh Grant, and his interest in Eddie is definitely self serving and at times a bit cruel.

There are some very funny moments with the cast of quirky characters at the mansion and their British humor, including a very cheeky rabbit. But there are also some reveals about hypocrisy from the so called elite of society.

I read and listened to this besties to lovers sapphic Regency romance. The ability of narrator Ellie Kendrick to go from uproarious hijinks to coming to terms with your love for someone society says you shouldn't love is inspiring and beautifully written.

Eddie is fighting her feelings but Rose is the revelation knowing how precarious her position in the world is as the daughter of a privileged Chinese man helping other immigrants. She just wants a quiet married life but as Eddie finally realizes she will lose more than her friend if Rose marries they just might become Infamous in this regency era of polite society.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Infamous is Lex Croucher's second young adult regency set historical romance novel. Croucher highlights diversity in this novel, not just through character's race, but also there sexuality and identification in a really lovely and inclusive way that makes her novel easily approachable and would have definitely been something I would have gravitated to in my youth and devoured whole-heartedly. Croucher's writing weaves together lightness, humor, and exploration with moments of discovery, unawareness, and growth. Croucher's style will definitely appeal to anyone who loves a teenage romantic comedy and coming of age story.

Infamous at its heart is about discovery and growth, in the center we have two friends who are both coming of age, and learning what they want out of life and love. We then have the layer of secondary characters that push and pull these two in various directions as they learn important lessons. I think that Croucher highlights and shows the ever changing minds of people who are growing and discovering new things about themselves. So while motivations are not always clear and while somethings seem to just scrap the first layer, these reflect the way problems and obstacles can be approached when uncertainty plays a large part into the character's understanding of themselves.

I enjoyed this novel and could definitely see recommending this to middle school and young high schoolers who are interested in reading historical romance-light fiction. If you are a historical romance reader you might find some of this delightful, but ultimately it is much more geared to a younger audience.