*Review copied from my Instagram review*

✨𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖✨

Happy Pub Day @lexcanroar 🎉

I'm back with another historical romance recommendation! But this one is queer! 🌈 Also, if you get a chance, check out Alexis Hall's beautiful review of Infamous on Goodreads! His reviews are just as enjoyable as his books. ☺️

Thank you #partners @stmartinspress @smpromance and @macmillan.audio for gifted copies.

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘅 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 (𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆/𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺)
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗨𝗦 𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟯/𝟮𝟭/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
*Out in 2022 in the UK

🎧𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
𝟭𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟱𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸

📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: Edith "Eddie" Miller and her best friend Rose have been inseparable their whole lives, and they've promised one another that they'd never marry. That is, until Rose meets an older man and decides she wants a more traditional (and socially acceptable) life. Feeling put out, Eddie accepts an invitation to join renowned writer Nash Nicholson on his estate to work on her own writing. While there, Eddie learns more than a thing or two about life and love.

•Regency era
•Historical romantic comedy
•Sapphic MCs
•Queer side characters
•BIPOC characters
•Fabulous audio narration
•Forbidden love
•Friends-to-lovers

💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This was an absolute delight! It's the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny, with the exploration of some deeper themes as well. I love the character growth and the romance (even if it took ages to actualize). Infamous is the perfect example of a book that is elevated by the audio narration. Ellie Kendrick nails it. Outstanding performance from start to finish!

I will note that there has been some minor criticisms about the creative liberties Lex has taken in their last two books, with regard to historical accuracy. And while everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, I am not a purist, and am fairly neutral. I think there are times when accuracy is important, but other times when it's more than OK to have fun with it and create a work of fiction that doesn't necessarily align with the reality of the era -- especially when it allows for more diversity and representation. 💕
.
.
.
.

I had a really fun time ready this as this was on the lighter side of historical romance. I genuinely laughed a couple of times and I enjoyed Eddie’s journey to her happily ever after (even if it wasn’t one she envisioned). I would read from this author again. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted copy.

I really, really enjoyed Reputation by this author and was hoping for the same experience with this book, but it wasn’t to be. One other reviewer mentioned that it might have been better told from a dual point of view and they might be on to something; perhaps Rose’s input would have made it a more engaging read for me.

I thought the character development in Reputation was a bit better, but I did appreciate watching Eddie grow (at least a little).

I’m a sucker for a good epilogue, so really enjoyed that. I also enjoy a good British narrator, so this was quite a good listen for me, as well.

Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook arc and happy publishing day!

This book is utterly delightful. It's like a warm hug in a book. If you're looking for a romantic Jane Austenesque but make it Sapphic, this is for you.

This book was so much fun to read. The characters were well developed and very likable. The setting was great; I love a good regency romance novel. If you are a fan of the Bridgerton series but want queer characters, read this book. Also, the narrator was great. Very easy to listen to and understand her.

I quickly listened to Reputation right before getting into the ALC of Infamous, thinking the two stories might be connected and I might need to get some character background, but they are completely separate. These are my first two reads from the author, though it doesn’t seem like she has many releases.

I’d seen a few posts and reviews that this was an historical LGBTQ romance, which is a sub genre just starting to make itself known, so I was intrigued simply from that aspect. It took quite a while to get into the story, but the second half was very interesting. Stick with it and you won’t be sorry! The beginning is very slow with a lot that feels extra (could be left out), but by the end it’s understood exactly why it was all necessary.

The relationships between every single character are critical, but most especially between Edith and Rose, from when they are young girls and “practicing” kissing until Rose is engaged but still sharing a bed with Eddie and feelings are a lot different, but also the relationship between Rose and her new fiancé, and Eddie and the shiny, interesting poet Nash, who has a whole crew out to his country estate for an extended visit (and the estate could be a character in itself). Fascinating things keep happening, relationships constantly fluid, and just a whole lot of crazy goings on at the estate - and is Eddie’s book ever going to see the light of day?!

Narrated by Ellie Kendrick, new to me with Lex Croucher’s books, but a very suited and enjoyable voice. She did a great job.

I received an advance listen copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and this is my honest feedback.

Things I liked:
✒️The characters quick witting remarks
✒️I laughed often
✒️The characters were easy to root for
✒️Eddie’s perseverance
✒️Rose’s love
✒️Acceptance
✒️Narrator - Ellie Kendrick (audiobook)

Things I didn’t like:
✒️Eddie’s naïveté - I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her until the light bulb finally clicked
✒️Characters through the book supported this naïveté
✒️So much happening with the plot - it’s like there were two
✒️Most of the engaging scenes took place in the second half of the book

I am not fond of third person writing and am aware that this is likely to have hindered my experience with this book. If you like third person, it’s likely you could have a better reading experience.

eddie and rose have done everything together their whole lives. but suddenly, rose is talking about marriage, which makes eddie feel really weird. when the opportunity arises to work on her novel and forget her complications with rose through staying with her favorite poet, eddie is quick to take it. however, she soon realizes that meeting your idol isn’t always as great as it seems.

i’ve read lex croucher’s ya book, gwen & art are not in love, so i went into this expecting a couple things: a slowburn sapphic novel with some comedy. luckily, i got that and so much more! with the comedic parts, though, there were serious parts, as well. there was actually a quote about this in the book that i really wish i had written down, but basically eddie was saying that stories can be both funny and important, which i loved because it’s how i feel about croucher’s books. i loved the exploration of eddie’s sexuality and her relationship development with rose. this is a book i can definitely see myself rereading in the future.

I really enjoyed this book! The first half was a little slow and I wasn’t sure where it was taking us, but things soon took shape and was really fun to write.
The main character is flawed but in a relatable way for someone her age, and her relationship with her best friend is a great coming of age example of how we change.

As much as I liked Reputation, I had a bit of trouble connecting with this novel. From the cover and the synopsis, you can kind of guess how this story goes. Edith (Eddie) Miller is a writer with a who does not like to adhere to rules and social niceties.. Her best friend, Rose Lee, is the complete opposite and seems perfectly at home amongst parties and the upper crust of society. At one such party, Eddie is taken w/ famous poet, Nash Nicholson, but Rose isn't fooled. Nash is married and pretty much washed up, but Eddie doesn't see that. She just sees the chance at getting published. When Eddie and Rose (& her fiance, Albert) get invited to Nash's house party on a remote island, things really go sideways. Rose worries for Eddie, who seems too taken with Nash to realize he's a debauched fool, And Eddie is too worried about Rose marrying and being without her forever.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

More of a 3.75, but rounded up. I really enjoyed Reputation and was excited to jump right into this. I think I liked the writing better on Reputation, but loved the characters in Infamous much more. I liked the beginning and end of this book a lot, but got a little bored in the middle. Also lost a star because Nash didn’t get punched in the face at all and there are still some questions I have like what the heck happened when they were all on shrooms???? Did Nash actually shoot Henry???? I have no idea what to believe from that whole chapter and I’m super irritated about it! I have so many questions and literally no answers!!! Anyway, other than that, I had a really fun time with this book and I loved the chemistry between Eddie and Rose and I loved Albert. Eddie was a dumb hot mess, but I respect that and I love her for it.

This is a sweet story but I didn't not enjoy it near as much as I enjoyed Croucher's Reputation last year. This one lacked the wit and sharp characters. It's a sweet sapphic love story with some modern ideas integrated into the Regency era.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Surprisingly underwhelming. This was one of my most anticipated books for March since I love regency era and I love a good queer romance but this just wasn’t it for me. I felt so bored reading this most of the time and not really caring about what was happening or who anyone was. The ending was predictable and just meh. The narrator was great though

I was lucky enough to read the ARC of Gwen & Art are Not in Love and now having just finished the ALC of Infamous, if there's one thing that I enjoy most about both of the books is how Lex weaves the art of subtle longing.

Mix in a little intrigue, an estate crumbling around our cast of characters, and you've got yourself a really fun read.

I'll be (internally) raging about Nash for another week or so. Maybe longer.

Thank you to @netgalley & @macmillan.audio for the opportunity to listen to Infamous.

Narrator Ellie Kendrick did a fantastic job on this audiobook. There are a lot of characters in the book and she was able to portray them all distinctively and uniquely to the character. Great job with the audio for sure

This storyline was just okay for me. This story follows Eddy and Rose's best friend since childhood. Eddy has no interest in marriage and such things. However Rose is now of age and the expectations are now set for her to get married regardless of how she feels.

It's clear that Rose and Eddy have to feel for each other but I had a hard time with Eddy's response to Rose's lot in life. she can't see Rose's side at all- she is so wrapped up in her feeling that she seems insensitive at some points.

Although I feel for Eddy because she is going to be losing a lot she couldn't see beyond herself for a long time

This is a great regency romance but I just couldn't get it into it - the concept spoke to a time when I read the description but something about Eddy's lack of care for anyone but herself was hard

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I started listening to this audiobook at a particularly busy few weeks of my life, but had it been any other time I would’ve inhaled this in a sitting or two it was absolutely binge-able! Loved the experience of this book as an audiobook it has an amazing narrator.

The main character (Eddie) was giving Jo March and I loved her every second! She’s an aspiring author and absolutely has no time for doing what’s proper by society standards. Such a charming cast of characters, even the ones that are less relevant to the overall plot they still felt fleshed out and provided their own pockets of humor (looking at you siblings).

Great book for if you love the classics like Jane Austen, but have been wanting something a little less heteronormative. There’s so many cute scenes, there’s a few mysteries along the way and a good old fashion Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein trapped in a house with fellow writers type atmosphere. It’s a story that can make you laugh, but also make you fall in love. This book was witty and whimsical, daring and delicate, and dare I say just really really cute!

4.25+ stars

I really love the choices this writer frequently makes to highlight queer characters and relationships in realistic (ish) historical settings; they do a great job of putting a much-needed twist on the traditions of this type of romance novel.

For the most part, I liked the protagonist, and even though some of her choices were a bit frustrating, naive, and short-sighted, it wasn’t hard to imagine why she acted the way she did. I also liked the range of characters included in the story. As with the last novel I read by this author, there were definitely some examples of blatantly anachronistic language, but for the most part, they were enjoyable and didn’t take away from the story. I do still have some big questions about the fate of one of the characters…I’ll have to reread part of the ending, I think, in case I somehow missed finding out whether or not he was safe.

Previously, I really enjoyed Reputation quite a bit, and I actually think I liked Infamous even more. I’m looking forward to what this writer creates next, and I can’t wait to read my ARC of their upcoming YA novel as well.

2.5⭐️

I thought the narrator did a good job (nothing special) but I did find it occasionally hard to track some of the side characters while listening and would have to reference my eARC to make sure I understoof who was who in the supporting cast.

On the whole, I appreciated the representation of a bisexual awakening for the main character and a lesbian love interest, as well as a diverse set of supporting characters, but outside of that, there wasn’t much that held my interest in the story. I was not at all invested in where the story was going until about 60%, and even then I was still kind of indifferent and could have stopped reading at any time and would not have minded not knowing how the story ends. I found Eddie relatively unlikeable and a lot of times was annoyed how she chose to handle a situation, especially given she's 22 for the majority of the book but seemed as though she was acting younger than her age. I also thought the book was a bit too long and just tried to include a bit too much. It's definitely more historical fiction than romance so I hope it doesn’t get marketed too hard as a historical romance because I think that will mislead readers!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a fun, historical take on queer romance. Eddie was super feisty, and I loved getting to know sweet Rose more. It was funny - a mix of Bridgerton and Little Women. It was YA, so not overly spicy, but very much a feel-good read.

I couldn’t put it down! Excellent narration as well!