This book was a delightful romp. Mean Girls meets Regency England. I assumed that was just a descriptor, but finding actual quotes from the movie made me laugh out loud! I really enjoyed this book, and usually I am very strict about needing my Regency books to be well-written and was unsure about the modern-ish twist to this story but I really thought it was a breath of fresh air. I also know the author purposely showed Regency England as it was, without whitewashing, which I heartily appreciated.

I got 32% of the way through "Reputation" by Lex Croucher before I just had to stop. I love regency. I loved the Bridgerton books. I also love Jane Austen. For the description of this to claim that it’s part bridgerton, part Jane Austen, part gossip girl… it’s insulting to the first two. The author writes with no understanding of the regency time period (devastating to a regency lover). It feels like was just a convenient time to set the novel in. The heroine is incredibly unlikeable. I kept trying to give it a chance but once we got into rampant drug use I just had to stop. Not for me, and honestly, not likely to be for any regency fan.

All the reviews stated this was Mean Girls crossed with Bridgerton. I love both of those, so I was really looking forward to this book!

I tried to like it - I really did. But - should I have to TRY?

I did not care for Georgiana - she just annoyed me. There was no reason that I could put my finger on - or maybe there was just nothing to actually like. I also thought the other characters were too superficial, but not in a funny way like Mean Girls. I also didn't think any of them were well rounded. I know I am in the minority, and most people really loved this book. But it did nothing for me.

I hate writing bad reviews. An author puts so much time and effort, and puts so much of themselves into it. But I truly did not enjoy this book. It wasn't bad - I was just bored.

In a strange way, this actually reminded me of The Great Gatsby - again, I am in the minority, but I did not appreciate the appeal. Superficial people doing superficial things, with an underlying deeper theme, which passed me by. But if you enjoyed that (and most people did), you might really like this book.

.I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

This is a 3.5 rounded to a 4 because the ending was much stronger than the beginning. It took me a bit to get invested in this story, but after getting through what seems to be excessive details and fluff, I really enjoyed how this one played out. There's definitely a Mean Girls but in the Regency era feel but then some nods to more modern takes on relationships and lingo. Overall, it's a quick, mostly light, read with well developed characters and a rom-com ending that leaves the reader with the desired closure.

Mean Girls really said to Jane Austen, "Hold my sherry, b*tch."

When her parents abscond to the coast for her mother's health, Georgiana Ellers is shipped off to her tedious aunt and uncle. They have very different ideas of what constitutes as fun and good company, so when Georgiana meets the vibrant and confident Frances Campbell, she becomes enamoured by her and her rich life. To her great surprise and happiness, Frances takes an interest in her and invites her to raucous, unchaperoned and wine-drenched parties and outings with her equally as vivacious friends. But being hip with the in-crowd isn't all fun and games, and Georgiana has to decide what kind of person she wants to be in the presence of such social goddesses.

To say this was amusing is an understatement. This was an incredibly witty and entertaining novel with some of the most colourful and cruel characters ever to be portrayed in Regency England. A true historical romp of shocking proportions. The line "Get in, Georgiana. We're going shopping" alone had me in stitches. I really must commend the author for taking such a risk with this book but still absolutely nailing the historical context and language. Reading a few lines out loud, I felt like Keira Knightly as Lizzie Bennett. I realize that makes me seem unhinged, but it's a compliment. Perfect tone and delivery and enough to have me reading whatever Lex Croucher wants to publish in future.

The characters are what really make the Mean Girls comp sing, and I'll admit I did struggle a little to jive with them. If you're expecting the demure society ladies from Bridgerton, best you not. These young ladies and gentlemen are cruel, selfish, and believe themselves above it all. They have reputations to uphold, after all, and your little opinion does not matter when mother can send a letter and have you sent off to a convent. Frances is the most vicious of them all; the true queen bee of this group of friends Georgiana finds herself desperate to fit into. Part of what made me struggle with this in the beginning was how Georgiana acted in said desperation. She became someone she really wasn't, and there's a lot of collateral damage along the way to figuring out how she wants to behave. The character development is truly worth talking about though, and I am so, so satisfied by the ending. Think Jane Austen's Emma with an excellent stance on feminism. Regardless of what anyone thinks, Frances truly is a wretch of a young woman and I wish her nothing but the worst.

I feel like such a cad saying this, but I've read enough of both age groups to confidently say that this would be better shelved as upper YA rather than Adult, strictly because of the content and characters. They're all around the age of twenty, but they do seem more teenaged with first loves and heartbreaks, the desire to fit in and be liked, raucous parties filled with alcohol and drugs where they try to find themselves, catty bullying to feel better about one's self. It's all very reminiscent of high school instead of college. Does that conclusion minimize how great this book was to read? Absolutely not!

At one point I was going to give this three stars, but this book won me over in the end hard. The character development is top-notch, so my rating is four point five rounded up.

this was such a fun read! i really enjoyed this one. the characters were flawless and it was just such an amazing book to read during this time. thank you so much netgalley!!!!!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Reputation by Lex Croucher is a historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Bridgerton! The story is a Regency-era romance revolving around, Georgiana Ellers, who would rather spend her time reading than socializing at parties. After meeting wealthy party girl Frances Campbell, Georgiana is taken on a whirlwind ride of money, gossip, and debauchery. She even meets a handsome man who considers going on a date with. But is all of this excess too good to be true? What dangers lie behind the shiny veneer?

Here is a hilarious excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Georgiana did not think the Burtons particularly monstrous, and due to her current and miserable lack of connections she had absolutely nowhere better to be, but it seemed rude to bring that up at the minute, so she clinked her glass against the flask and drank deeply. Frances sighed wearily, wilting against the pillar as if there were truly no agony in this world greater than enduring a below-par social occasion.
“The only consolation in all of this is that the lady of the house is truly a character. Have you seen her dress? It’s all pink satin and questionable corseting. She looks like a strawberry blancmange that somebody’s grabbed hold of and squeezed. I imagine Mr. Gadforth will have to rub her down with goose fat to slide her out of it later.”"

Overall, Reputation is an amazing historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austen! The book is fun, light-hearted, and has plenty of laughs and romance. I was particularly impressed by the author's note in the back of the book, where the author says that she included black and Indian characters in this book, because Regency-era England was actually a multicultural society. I am so happy that the author included diverse characters in her book, which is something many Regency-era romances lack. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of historical romances, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!

Reputation is a historical fiction about a young girl, Georgiana, who is sent by her uninvolved parents to live with her Aunt and Uncle and her attempts to form friendships and have a social life. Reputation is categorized as a romance by the publishers, but really the bigger stories here are Georgiana's relationships with her new peers, her own self-discovery, and her realization of where her limitations lie.

Georgiana is so desperate to have a circle of friends that she goes along with whatever shenanigans her new clique, led by Francis, get into. These new friends are wealthy and unsupervised, and Georgiana finds herself repeatedly in circumstances that facilitate debauchery and bad decision-making. Eventually, she has to make a choice between doing the right thing and risking friendships and reputations. I have seen this frequently compared to Mean Girls, but I got more of a Heathers vibe (could be the Gen X in me). It wasn't terribly historically accurate, but sometimes these Regency-era stories can get bogged down following all of the rules of the era, so I actually found it refreshing to do away with many of the societal requirements of the day and take some liberties with character activities.

I really enjoyed this story and would definitely read more by this author.

4.5/5 Stars

Reputation is mean girls b it set in the Regency-era. If want you want out of this books is historical accuracy, you will probably be disappointed. But, if you just a funny, entertaining romcom, this might be one to check out.

I binged this book in one afternoon and really enjoyed. It was a ton of fun- though it does deal with some heavier topics in the later half of the book, remember to check the TWs!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a eARC in exchange for a honest review!

TW: excessive drinking and SA

Reputation is the result you get when you put Mean Girls in a Regency era setting. Georgiana's parents have left her to her aunt and uncle while they retire to the countryside. Unfortunately, Georgiana's aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Burton, are not the most exciting people. Georgiana seeks fun and eventually finds Frances. Frances is everything Georgiana wishes she could be and is quick to do whatever it takes to please her. All the while, Georgiana is trying to catch the eye of Mr. Thomas Hawksley, a Mysterious man who's just Different.

I think the author has done a great job illustrating what it is like to be desperate to fit in. Georgiana continues to step over her boundaries because she idolizes Frances. Over time, we can see Frances pushing that boundary farther and farther. Georgiana loses her sense of individuality among Frances and her friends, and for that reason I didn't see much of Georgiana's personality. There were times she could have spoken up, know she should have, but didn't because she was afraid of losing her place.

The romance was kind of on the backburner for a good portion of the story, but it has some shining moments. I believe the main focus of the book is the dynamic between Frances and Georgiana, so if you go into it hoping it's a romance, you may be disappointed.

My main gripe with this book is how out of character it is for Regency era events. Certainly there were events in this book that took place during this time, but it was treated like these were ordinary. The scandal of their actions did not have the stakes that a real Regency story would have. The rules of society were extremely strict and they seemed to be almost completely disregarded. I feel like this book could've done the same thing in a different setting, maybe the early 1900s.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I liked the humor and the pacing. It's a good length and I would recommend this book to new adult readers.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review

Going into this book, I found it very difficult to capture my attention. I have been very into watching period dramas recently so I was very excited to start this book. Getting into it though was very difficult to me. George was very hard for me to like at first. No matter, my heart grew fonder and by the end I was enamored but her.

This book was just a whirlwind for me when it came to the characters. I completely understand George’s actions and how she wanted to feel apart of the group, she did not want to be looked at as an outsider so she stepped out of her comfort zone and became someone that she did not necessarily want to be. Until that realization she had, it was difficult for me to fully enjoy her story because it was so difficult for me to see someone who is self aware of what she is doing, continue to hurt someone who is in the same position as she once was.

I started to like George the more she was around Thomas, not only because I liked reading about Thomas, but simply because she was her best self. Thomas brought out the best in her, he helped her understand her actions, he didn’t let her use Francis as her scapegoat, and she became a much better person because of it. Even though she was betrayed by Francis she continued to look out for her because she realized she was a bad friend and didn’t want Francis to have to go through everything alone. What she did at the end by facing her attacker to save Francis really showed her true character.

No matter, while it was hard for me to get into, I am glad I stuck through with this story. I think George became the best version of herself even with all the trauma and loss she endured.

3.5

I've always marked the measure of a good by how it makes one as a reader feel. The fact that one can be embarrassed, giddy, sorrowful or joyed by the antics of the character in its pages. This book had all of it!

I love Mean Girls. I love historical romance. I love feminist takes on classics.

But Reputation just...didn't come together for me. I wanted to like it so badly, but I didn't. A large part of it was the narrator: Georgiana rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get past my dislike of her voice and perspective. I'm know it worked for a lot of readers, judging by the glowing Goodreads reviews, but...it didn't for me. I also was frustrated by the rather two-dimensional characters. Not every character needs to be rounded and dynamic, but so many of them felt like shallow caricatures.

I will say I appreciated the theme of privilege and the ways in which Croucher used the historical setting to comment on modern issues. The historical anachronism I thought was used nicely in service of the themes and characterization.

I recieved my ebook ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are mine alone.

Actual rating: 4.5

The best way I can describe Reputation is Bridgerton meets Mean Girls and it really worked for me!

This story follows Georgiana, George for short, as she moves in with her aunt and uncle for a few months while her parents get settled in a new place. Really George knows that her parents just want her away.

In her new home, George meets a young woman from a high class society and George is amazed when Francis takes her under her wing. George is swept up in an entirely new world of parties, drinks, and learning all about men and the things couples do behind closed doors.

Of course, soon her new and fast life style catches up with her and she not only has to put up with her parents, but save her reputation as well.

I devoured this book! I have never read anything like this and now I'm hooked! The writing was amazing and the dialogue was so witty! I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but it surpassed anything I could ever dream up!

This is one that I will be purchasing as soon as it releases.

A great new title -- maybe not just the thing for the very traditional Regency romance reader, but just perfect for the more sophisticated reader who is looking for something with sparkle and humor. It's a lot of fun, and at the end of the day, a very satisfying romance.

I hated this book.

I'm sorry. I'm trying to be generous, but I had such an awful time reading this book. This is not a romance novel. I'm not trying to gatekeep, but for many reasons this is not a romance novel and one central reason is that there is no romance. I made it through the first 60% of this book without having any idea who the love interest was and it ends, at the very most, with what could graciously be called an implied HFN.

This felt like a dark teen movie, with not only flawed and morally gray characters but absolutely unforgivable ones. Every single person in this book is mean and petty and selfish and vapid. The friendships are awful, the romance (when present) is entirely unfounded. There is absolutely nothing good, likeable, or noble about heroine.

One of the most essential aspects of a romance novel in my opinion is optimism. It can be set on a battlefield amidst a world war, it can be set on a planet with sex trafficking and slavery. It can be set within a Russian crime family with rape and torture and murder. But at the very core of every romance novel is hope, a belief in love and humanity and each other. A belief in something, anything. And this book had nothing. No hope, no optimism, no belief.

And the historical setting didn't make a lick of sense either. I'm not screaming "historical accuracy!" at this book because it prominently features BIPOC and queer (though nowhere near as much as advertised) folks in Regency society. I love that. I love all of it. I want every single Regency romance to have queers and BIPOCs living their absolute best, lavish lives. But I will scream about how this book seems to so drastically miss the point of a historical romance, that is the societal constraints on women and other marginalized genders and the suffocating pressures beneath which they must learn to love and thrive. In this book, I'm not sure what the point of the Regency setting was. It felt like Mean Girls in frilly dresses, with the politics and values of today. Everyone speaks, moves, and operates not only as though they live in the 21st century but as though everyone else does as well. I want strong, wayward, bluestocking, bombshell heroines. I want kind, generous, noble heroes. I want feminism and progressiveness and queerness. But the point of a historical romance is to negotiate these all of these things, everything about modern society with its issues and values, within the constraints and particularities of another time and place.

And to top it all off, there were some fun moments of light ableism sprinkled throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

CW: sexual violence, excessive drug and alcohol use

Thank you @netgalley @lexcanroar and @stmartinspress for this gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.

This exceeded my expectations! It’s Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl and I loved it.

Georgiana Ellers is abandoned by her parents and sent to live at her aunts house. She’s a quirky bookworm who has lived such a lonely life up until now, without a family or friends who truly care about her. She meets Frances Campbell, a wealthy socialite, at the first party she attends of the season. She is immediately enraptured by her and her wild and improper lifestyle. As she begins to tag along to various social engagements, she continuously runs into the quiet Thomas Hawksley at her most embarrassing moments. She is smitten by this mysterious man, though she can’t quite get a read on his impression of her.

Georgiana soon begins to think this lifestyle comes with a higher price than it’s worth, and finds herself wondering if this is truly where she wants to belong.

I seriously can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s funny and full of predicaments that a young woman can find herself in during a journey of self-discovery.

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. In some respects, the story bears some aspects of resemblance to Jane Austin's Emma. But make no mistake! This is not like Miss Austin's Regency romances. The author also said did a great job making real the sordid underbelly of Regency England. I thought the author did a fanatic job forming real characters that captured the reader’s attention. My problem with the book was that the first half of the book dragged as the Bacchanalian partying of the characters continued on and on.

Georgiana, a young woman who just moved into the area and now living with her aunt and uncle, is desperate to find friends. She meets and forma a relationship with the local Duke’s daughter, Frances. Frances encourages Georgiana to join her group of friends and join them at a series of parties. Typical Regency era social norms are not followed, and the young people engage in drug and alcohol infused bashes. What Georgiana doesn’t know is that Frances is the queen of the local young adult opium eaters of the area. Opium pipes and laudanum are used in excess.

If you are looking for a typical historical romance leading to a “happy ever after” ending, then this is probably not for you. Oh there is a very satisfying ending, but the relationship between Georgiana and Thomas languishes until the book’s halfway mark.

As I said, I had mixed feelings about the book and almost quit reading when the Bacchanalian bashes grew tedious. I enjoyed the second half of the book far more, and am glad I hung with it. I am glad the NetGalley game me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I started the book twice and just couldn’t get into it. I was never the curious child looking from trouble, so I didn’t relate to Georgiana and didn’t find myself interested in her story. The book is set up to be Georgiana and her obsession with Frances, which a lot of young women will likely find appealing. It’s written well and would likely keep young adults interested.

I found the characters to be annoying and did not feel invested in the story. I liked the idea of the plot, but the execution fell short. I knew I would struggle through the book when I was not too fond of the first chapter.