This definitely felt like Mean Girls for the Regency era. I wasn’t sure if there would be more to the story that caught my attention, until the social dinner where Georgiana had her first conversation of substance with Thomas. From that point, the story picked up speed and conflict presented itself. I liked the second half much more than the first and Georgiana was for more interesting and nuanced. We all need more Betty’s and Thomas’ in our life.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the arc.

This book reminded me of Bridgerton and Mean Girls mixed together. Georgiana, our main character, becomes friends with Frances and her group of wealthy, wild, and improper friends, all of whom are rich enough that rarely anyone blinks an eye at their actions. Georgiana must navigate this world, trying to fit in, while also navigating her interest for the quiet, mysterious Thomas Hawksley who is unimpressed with her new friends and lifestyle.

I enjoyed the ending of this book. They way that things wrapped up and different characters grew (and others that realistically didn't) felt very satisfying. I also enjoyed the regency period parties that were the background for this story.

I will admit, I found the first half of the book difficult to get through. I had a hard time connecting with the main character. I appreciated that she was flawed, but found there were too many flaws along the way for me to feel as much sympathy for her. These are the two main reasons for my three star review.

I think that this is a good book for those who love the regency period and who love Jane Austen, Bridgerton, and Mean Girls.

This book comes out in April 2022. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for the digital review copy!

The idea of Mean Girls meets Regency romance sounds so fun, but this was just a bit too much. It was a little over the top for me and my reading preferences these days. Thanks for letting me give it a shot!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins, and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy of this book. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was good and easy to listen to.
I really just immediately assumed that I was going to love this book. After finishing it, I’m just kinda neutral. I haven’t read a ton of regency books so I’m not very well versed in the genre. Despite all the drama that goes down in this, I was still just kinda bored. The description that I’ve seen of this is Mean Girls meets Bridgerton and that’s a far comparison.
The release date is 4/5/22. It wasn’t for me but I think that people who are bigger fans of regency than I am. If you do decide to read it, look up tw there are a handful of sensitive topics that might upset some.

Oh this was fun! Mean girls of the regency era.

There were even call outs to the movie ‘get in we’re going shopping’ and ‘the limit does not exist’. Love it.

Georgiana is bored and feeling abandoned by her parents at her aunt and uncle’s home in the countryside until she makes the acquaintance of Frances.

Frances and her friends are wild, wealthy and exciting for Georgiana who is delighted to become a part of their circle.

However this group has an ugly side that Georgiana soon meets and must decide if she wants to be that nasty too.

i feel like the synopsis does not accurately portray the book—the writing is neither bridgerton or gossip girl, and seems to be figuring itself out at the plot goes on. i was never fully grasped by it unfortunately.

This historical novel flowed so well. I enjoyed the telling of the promiscuous story telling from high society. It entertained and was a unique twist on other historical novels. I didn’t find this novel funny or comical. Instead I found it as a drama with interspersed additions of levity to the story.


The name for this novel related to the novel about 2/3rds of the way through the story. The first 2/3 of the story was a telling of a girl from a lower class befriending a girl from higher society and learning their ways. These ways are not normally what is acceptable as proper etiquette of the days. I’m sure this must have happened as not everyone was willing to be a Nancy be Good but I do not see someone if higher class falling victim to scandals during that time period. A fun read nonetheless.

I received this arc from netgalley for my honest review

This one was not my favorite. I found it hard to follow and hard to read. I had high expectations and this just didn't capture my attention.

This was such a fun and quick read! This book is pitched as Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl, and those comps could not be more accurate (I think I might have caught a few sneaky Mean Girls references, too).

I loved the author's voice, and I couldn't get enough of the banter between the protagonist Georgiana Ellers and her romantic interest Thomas Hawksley. I would have actually loved to see a lot more of their interactions, but this book is surprisingly light on the romcom elements.

There were a few characters I absolutely adored: Georgiana's aunt and uncle, as well as her sweet and loyal friend Betty Walters. And then there were some characters I didn't like so much (including Georgiana at times), but these aren't people you're really supposed to like, and reading about all their debauchery and hijinks is still enjoyable in a scandalous sort of way.

While this is a fun book, it does also get surprisingly heavy at times. I can't speak for historical accuracy, but I did like how the author drew back the curtain on all the things that are usually just hinted at in Regency-era literature.

If you enjoyed Bridgerton, check this one out. I know that If Lex Croucher ever writes another book set in this world, I'll definitely read it.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I really loved the idea of this book, a mix of Austen and Mean Girls sounded like such an interesting concept! In this book we follow Georgianna, sent to her Uncle and Aunts for the summer after her parents sold their house and moved out to the sea for a change of pace. Georgianna is immediately thrust into the socialites world of parties and meets Frances, a wild party-goer who adopts her under her wing. As Georgiana finds herself getting more and more involved with Frances, and her relationships, friends and reputation are jeapordized. Georgianna must navigate her new life in this coming of age story.

I was excited for this book because it was advertised as a rom-com. After reading, I would not describe this as a rom com really at all. It’s definitely a story following our protagonists as she navigates her life during the summer and all the changes.

That being said, it did take a bit for me to get into this book. I found Georgianna to be a pretty basic character and then once she got involved with Frances, she became quite insufferable and mean. All she started doing was drinking and doing drugs and every party became the same. I didn’t feel any chemistry between her and the love interest either. For the most part the biggest thing was I just wasn’t too invested in any of the characters.

The plot definitely did keep me intrigued. After getting through Georgianna getting accustomed to life and meeting everyone, the plot really started to pick up. I did like the modern twist on the coming of age novel and by halfway through the novel I was very invested in her story. Adding a dash of mean girls really added to the drama of the plot.

Definitely a quick read and one I will recommend to friends who want a mix of classic lit and classic mean girls

I couldn’t put it down and absolutely enjoyed every moment of this book. I loved how the main character evolved, changed and learned how to stand up for herself.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin press for a e-copy of the book for and honest opinion.

I honestly didn’t enjoy. I dnf this book. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I really thought I was going to like this based on the synopsis. I just had no interest in the characters or story line.

"Reputation" by Lex Croucher was such a surprising take on the Victorian Romance. She pushed the boundaries on propriety (I was properly scandalized) while also alluding to all the things we KNOW happened behind the scenes. Each character was properly flawed and I enjoyed hating the villains and cads. Sure Jane Austen would have been appalled, but this is a truly gripping work of romantic fiction that I will be recommending to many of my Victorian Romance lovers.

I really wanted to like this book- for some reason it just didn't gel for me. I found some of the situations just too implausible, and it made it hard for me to keep reading.

Review

This is a story about a girl named Georgiana who lives with her Aunt and Uncle and desperately wants to be friends with Frances. As she becomes friends with Frances, she starts making bad decisions and Frances is a very troubled women. Georgiana eventually falls in love with one of the men in the group who hangs around the “cool kids” but doesn’t approve of their behavior. Some pretty heavy topics are dealt with in this book.

It’s like a Regency Mean Girls mixed with Bridgerton, if you will. I’m not a huge Mean Girls fan. Being a girl mom, I cringe about stories of mean girls and misguided girls trying to desperately fit in. (I do einjoy Bridgerton though).

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is like "Bridgerton" meets "Gossip Girl" while set in a Jane Austen-era regency period, which instantly intrigued me. From the start, something about Croucher's language and character's agency feels so contemporary in style despite its historical setting which created something totally now. While this book was, unfortunately, a bit slow to get into at the start, it soon won me over as I was drawn into Georgiana's new world as she discovers life's pleasures for the first time as well as her enemies-to-lovers situations with a very Fitzwilliam Darcy-esque leading man, Thomas Hawksley. It's such a fun, regency romp of a read, that's for sure!

As a historical fiction fan, I jumped right on this! It’s described as Mean Girls meets Jane Austen and I can see the inspiration from both. The book delves into some pretty dark subject matter so please be aware of content/trigger warnings for drug use, alcohol abuse, and physical/sexual abuse.

While this is an enjoyable read and I liked the representation of POC and LGBTQ+ in the book, there were times when I felt the writing, content, and/or dialogue didn’t quite fit the historical fiction genre very well. IMO, parts felt contrived and just didn’t flow.

I did like the characters-well, some I loved to hate-and adored Thomas and Georgiana. Don’t go into this expecting a “true” historical romance or you will be disappointed. Be prepared for frenemies, debauchery, and a good time with a heavy dose of Regency Mean Girls thrown in!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy.

*A detailed review will be posted on my blog (onceuponabookbabe.com) release week. An Instagram post will be up on release day.*

I loved this book so much. The witty-ness of characters, and the banter. I just loved this book. As a huge Jane Austen fan, this was my book. Only thing I don’t like. I have to wait until April 2022. I can’t wait to recommend this book!

What good reader wouldn’t love a good Jane Austin book. While this book reads with some similarities to the legendary writer. This book reads very fast I think. I found some of the wording a little to
Exacerbated, I had some idea of what the meaning pertained to the sentence. The reads with dry and light humor which helps ease the book along.

I started this book with absolutely 0 background of the author or the potential plot. And wow was I INCREDIBLY impressed and pleased with this! From the very beginning the author paints a life and friendship reminiscent of Jane Austen's Emma, the quirky young fun energy of Anne of Green Gables, and the drama of Bridgerton. The romance is an endearing slowburn, but the real standout of this book is the friendships. I fell in love with Georgiana and her complicated relationship with Frances. The group dynamics of peer pressure and wanting to fit in were so relatable and incredibly well-written this book became an instant-recommend for me. Croucher also touches upon topics such as queerness, eating disorders, and sexual assault in a way that is relatable and caring in its craft.

*Trigger warnings for rape and sexual assault.