I love Alexis Hall. They could write a book every day all year and I'd read each one as it was written and I'd still feel sad at the end because it wouldn't be enough. I haven't emotionally recovered from the ending of this book yet so I have no hope this review with be coherent. Alexis Hall you know what you did

Something Spectacular is the sequel to Something Fabulous and is another Regency romp in the series! It follows family friend Peggy from the first book and Orfeo, a talented castrati opera singer. I had a fun time reading the first one and was really excited to get to read this one!

And I had another fun time! I liked Peggy and Orfeo a lot and the way that the book treated gender and sexuality throughout the plot. There is a general light hearted tone throughout the book that was very much in line with Something Fabulous and Alexis Hall's books in general. This book could probably be read stand alone if you don't mind being a little lost, but it's probably best if you read the first one. It was nice to see Valentine, Bonny, and Belle again!

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and recommend it to anyone who wants a fun Regency romance! 4.5 stars from me rounded down to 4. Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I was delighted by this book! It had so many tough convos but also so much love, and I was laughing out loud a LOT! I found Arabella to be the worst part of Something Fabulous and I knew she was playing a large role in this book and that kept me away for far too long! I love Peggy!!!!! I love her small town dreams and her not small town lovers, and I listened to opera for this book ok I loved it!

BUT and this is a huge but (maybe as big and beautiful as Bonny’s) the second half was soooo rushed. There was so much delightful yearning and longing in the first half and the second half skipped over large chunks of time in service to the story, or maybe just in service to the foursome that Alexis was clearly dying to write! Not that I didn’t want the ultimate spicy moment there but it felt so convoluted like if you wanted to write it just write it, don’t spend so long jumping around to justify it.

Overall, I did really like this one, I find the way Alexis Hall writes historical romance with so much modern flair is just right for me, and the way every name is more ridiculous than the last is a delight, I hope there will be more from this friend group in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Montlake, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for this honest review!!

Really loved this book more that the first. Peggy and Orfeo have a wonderful love. I hope a third book for Belle comes out next.

Delightful! Alexis Hall is so skilled at writing across genres, and I think that really shines here in Something Spectacular.

Despite an author's note about the more modern language, I found the regency setting difficult for me.

That being said, I loved so many aspects of this book and do love Alexis Hall so much.

I loved:
two non-binary main characters
so much queer joy
supportive family and friends
realizing who you are is pretty darn amazing

This is the second book in the series and I would recommend reading book 1 first (which I did not) because it would provide more backstory for many of the characters.

Recommend for all those romance lovers out there, especially those who love regency romance.

I have never had an author be so hit or miss for me, but I think what this reading experience has shown me is that I should avoid Alexis Hall sequels. I’ve tried Husband Material and Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble and now this, and all three have been major letdowns compared to the previous book.

I should also caveat that I don’t think this is a bad book. For me 2 stars is a middle of the road book- an adequate enough reading experience that I’m compelled to finish the book despite some complaints but mostly forgettable in the long term. I also seem to be in the minority for this book.

My biggest complaints center around the humor. I find that in some of Hall’s books, certain jokes get overplayed and they become grating to me. As in the first book, I found Belle tiresome and could not see what Peggy saw in her. I also found it hard to buy into the insta-love between Peggy and Orfeo, which was especially disappointing because I was so excited to read a NB/NB relationship. I do love that Hall creates such unique characters that fall all across the LGBTQ spectrum, and as much as I didn’t get on with Belle’s personality I loved the aromantic representation. I also loved the take on queer community building Hall gave with the resolution of this plot so much.

All in all, while this particular book is a miss for me, I can see why others have loved it and I’d recommend if you’re in the mood for a fun romp of a historical romance. I’m not sure if Hall intends on writing more in this world, but I would be interested to see Horley’s story.

Peggy has been reluctantly enlisted to help her former lover Belle seduce the mysterious and flamboyant Orfeo. Despite hating opera, Peggy finds herself drawn in by the enigmatic and beautiful opera singer and feels an immediate closeness with the castrato who know what it is to be neither man nor woman. Orfeo also feels the immediate attraction, and soon these two people who have always believed they will be alone because of who they are navigate what it will mean to be something even more spectacular together. // This is only my second Alexis Hall novel, but between this and his incredible A Lady for a Duke, he’s fast becoming one of my go to author’s for gender expansive and joyful queer love stories. We need these stories more than ever given the way queer existence is being criminalized and pathologized in the United States right now. Hall wastes no time, we dive right into upending gender norms and social expectations from the very first page and never lose sight of those themes. I appreciated that while this novel is uproariously funny–I think I laughed on every page–it doesn’t shy away from the complicated feelings and unique challenges that Peggy and Orfeo face as genderqueer people in a historical setting (Peggy uses she/her pronouns and read to me as gender fluid, while Orfeo is nonbinary), both as individuals and together. Hall writes an introductory essay about why he made some of the choices around these topics, which I appreciated as well. Where this novel lost a star for me is just that the absolute hijinx and silly vibes do sometimes detract from the emotional resonance. While it didn't impact my enjoyment, that fact does slightly dampen my enthusiasm for this otherwise spectacular novel. Highly recommended!

hank you SO MUCH to Montlake and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions ares till my own.

This was FUCKING DELIGHTFUL!! Definitely a favorite of the year.

Every time I go into an Alexis Hall book I know I'm in for something great. But this one absolutely blew me away.

The first book in this series was such a fun time. It was light hearted and quirky and absolutely hilarious. This second book, maintained all those things but had so much heart and impact to it.

The way this handled gender and love was stunning. And I was left head over heels in love with these characters. Neither character follows gender norms, and I don't think anyone handles those topics as expertly as Alexis Hall.

I loved all of the discussions about love, expectations, and society surrounding their romance not only amongst themselves, but with their friends and loved ones as well.

There are so many obstacles that these 2 had to overcome, not only in the way society would see them, but with their own biases and expectations as well.

And finally -- that epilogue. Did not see that coming and hats off to Alexis Hall for getting my jaw to drop on the floor.

I listened to this on audio, which was fantastically done, and I loved getting to hear all the Italian and accents as they were meant to be read. I highly recommend!

I loved the first in the series and was glad to spend time again with all the chracters from the first and meet some new ones. It was hard for me to connect with the romance becuase I thought Peggy deserved to be treated better, even while understanding what orpeho was going through. I look forward to the next ones.

Though I have not read the first book in this series, it is clear that Hall has created a unique alternate version of the regency era for readers to occupy, in which LGBTQIA+ individuals are the norm and not a rarity. The concept, both in execution and theory, reminds me of the Bridgerton TV series and its approach to race. Though, unlike Bridgerton, Hall addresses these changes in historical narrative more openly. While the book has an overall very humorous tone (to an extent that I didn't expect, but did appreciate), Hall also knows how to pull an emotional punch with deep discussions and internal dialogue regarding sexuality, identity, societal expectations, and the intersection of all three. This book will make you laugh one second and then stop dead in your tracks as you absorb a character's deep truth in the next.

It's hard for me to pass up an Alexis Hall book. I find his writing and storylines so unique and witty--the wordplay, the settings and the DRAMA always keep me coming back.

With Something Spectacular, we're back in the Regency era with his LGBTQ+ historical romance. Following Something Fabulous, this book centers on Peggy and an opera singer, who like Peggy, doesn't neatly fit any of society's boxes.

While this is very much Peggy's book, this book does lean a bit on the colorful backstory and fantastic characters from the first in this series. It is worth reading Something Fabulous to understand the Tarleton's a bit better (and at least one setting/scene that was such a fun walk down memory lane!)

I found myself struggling a bit with this middle third of this novel. Peggy and Orfeo just can't seem to figure things out, there's a lot of angsty build up and this lacked a lot of the humor I expect from Alexis. It does come together in the end though! It also had some quotes that will stick with me. One simple one was that you can't "write your own story in the margins of someone else's." AMEN.

It makes me wonder if Bella is up next--I do look forward to that!

Thank you to Net Galley and Montlake for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Alexis Hall once again delights with their sophomore novel in the "Something Fabulous" series.

Peggy Delancey does not want to go ahead in life without her ex lover, Arabella, close by her side. Belle has her own wants for love and Peggy is needed to make these happen. Thus, a wild ride ensures as Arabella wants to be tied to famous lively opera singer Orfeo. Matches are made that are not according to plan and instant connections are made.

This was a very fun read. I hadn't read Something Fabulous, but I still enjoyed this book. It's a very spicy, regency reimaging full of fantastic LGBTQ+ characters. Peggy literally faints the first time she sees Orfeo perform, but they both have to figure out how to live their own lives and be together.

This is a refreshing take on gender identity and uprooting societal norms. Both Peggy and Orfeo are nonconformists. They are kindred spirits who must find a way to "something better."I didn't read Something Fabulous, but I will definitely go back and read it. I want to get the full enjoyment of Belle, Bonny, and Peggy. This book isn't for everyone, but keep an open mind and be ready for some great quips and humor.

Alexis Hall's Regency romps are amongst my favorite read in these times: heartwarming, funny, and well plotted.
The style of writing is tongue-in-cheek and I love the well plotted characters.
This is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Alexis Hall has become a new favorite on my bookshelf due to his gender-expansive historical romances, and SOMETHING SPECIAL is no different.

This is an incredibly earnest, and well-written tale that is both hilarious and heartwarming. While I am not familiar with the previous novel, that did not affect my enjoyment of this narrative.

Overall, I highly enjoyed it!

Alexis Hall is one of my favorite writers and I love his book! I truly enjoyed Something Fabulous, so I have been eagerly awaiting Something Spectacular. This book did not disappoint! I rate this book five stars!

Alexis Hall has a brilliant way of writing which gives very descriptive settings and fully rounded and well-written characters. This book certainly maintained this standard! The representation in the LGBTQIA+ romance was wonderful and something that is certainly needed!

Peggy and Orfeo were magical together, and I completely got swept up in their story. Even though they were originally on two different paths, I was supporting and cheering on their romance from the start! They drew me in, made me laugh, made me cry, and overall just made me a huge fan! I was so happy to see more of Valentine and Bonny as well. I hope Sir Horley and Arabella do eventually find happiness in their lives.

I enjoyed the liberties with history and just enjoyed the fun of this historical romance. So much fun and joy to be had in this book along with the dramatic journey we're taken on. I highly recommend this book!

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Peggy Delancy is in love with her best friend, Arabella Tarleton, but Belle does not share her feelings. Belle wants to fall in love and hopes Peggy will help her fall in love with a beautiful opera singer named Orfeo. But when Peggy hears their beautiful soprano voice, and sees their face, she begins to realize that she's falling for the person Belle was going to find love with, and she has to find a way to get past it, or risk her friendship with Belle.

It's a Regency Romance. There is... so much to unpack here. Okay, quick character breakdown. Peggy is a cross-dressing woman, kind of proto-trans because she doesn't FEEL like one or the other gender, and doesn't want to just act like a woman because she's got the parts. Orfeo is her love interest, and they are a person who was an Italian castrated boy forced into operatic life who lives their life in servitude to others. Belle turns out to be ace. Belle's brother Bonny is married to the local Duke, Valentine. There are a bunch of background characters as well. I think there MAY be one straight lady, but her husband is definitely bi, as is his side piece, and she is thankful that her husband realized who he truly was because then she doesn't have to constantly have to go to bed with him. And I'm fairly certain the rest of the characters were all somewhere in the rainbow of the LGBTQ+ existence.

I think my cis white straight married-lady brain just couldn't get aligned here. I liked the writing, because I really enjoy the work of Alexis Hall. He is wonderful. And his usual sharp-tongued characters shone through again. But I had such a hard time connecting with anyone in this cast.

I still love Alexis Hall, for sure, but I think the combo of regency plus the very explicit LGBTQ+ romance scenes threw this into a not-easy-to- read space for me. It was definitely not written for me. However, this book was not written for someone like me. It was written for a totally different audience. I'm quite sure that those it was written for will definitely enjoy it.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

Alexis Hall has done it again.

"Something Spectacular" is every bit as deliciously indecent as "Something Fabulous," and introduces yet another unforgettable character in Orfeo, a virtuoso opera singer and castrato who acts as a love interest for Peggy.

Hall elevates the inclusivity from his first Regency Romp by adding yet another bold non-binary character, and continues to develop his his poly-sexual and aromantic story lines skillfully.

Scintillating and scandalous. You'll have a blast with this one, I guarantee.