I've loved Vasti's novellas so much, so I was excited to see what she did with a full length novel. It was just as funny, as spicy, and as endearing.
However, some personal preferences of mine led me to not enjoy it QUITE as much, but I think others will love the book a ton.
I learned I have a personal ick for Southern accents in audiobooks. (I'm so sorry, I'm from Alabama and I just have a hard time listening to the accent). I also don't LOVE books with children/guardianship as a plot point. I know tons of people love that, and again, it's just a personal thing.

Definitely 4+ stars and I think this will be super popular and well-loved.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Secret erotic library. Matchmaker falls for her “client.” Rambunctious children. Alexandra Vasti packed it all in and it’s amazing. I read this book awhile ago and am just getting to write the review, but I remember the comedy and hijinks in this book, as well as the strong female characters. 4.25 stars.

I was excited to read this book, based on the premise and the author, but I found that the pacing was distracting. Some parts of the book read well and others lagged or were mired in conversation without much plot development. It felt like, after the initial set up, the novel dragged. I enjoyed the novel, but it wasn't my favorite by this author.

I thought this was a super cute historical romance book. I loved the main characters and their romance together!

This was the start of a fun filled series, and I am here for it!

The banter, the chemistry, the secondary characters! All of it had me hooked from the beginning, and I cannot wait to see what these characters get up to in the interconnected books! There is so much going for Peter and Selina, and I couldn't help but cheer for them. Both of them have a lot going on separately, but I loved how they were there for one another along the way.

I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a historical romance 💕

I enjoyed this book so much! I wish there had been more exploration/explanation of the relationship between the two prior to the on-page interactions, but I found that detail easy to ignore because of their interactions. I loved the representation of the two half-siblings and the naughty library. I'm excited to follow this series!

Alexandra Vasti could write anything and I would read it :")

I first came across Alexandra Vasti’s writing when I found out about her Hallifax Hellions novellas. And god, did I fall in love with my chaotic and lovely Hallifax siblings :”) Since then, Mrs Vasti has been one of my auto-pick authors. So needless to say, my expectations and excitement for her debut novel have been high. And honestly, she did not disappoint!

Ne’er Duke Well follows our feisty and badass(and secretly a softie who takes care of everyone with everything she has) Selina, and our kind and charming(and a secretly determined brother and newly appointed duke stumbling through his responsibilities) Peter. When Peter is in need of a Bride, our Lady Selina comes forward to help him find the proper young lady. Which can’t be Selina herself, despite what the flutterings in her heart make her feel. Peter needs a a proper and scandal-free wife who will help Peter’s cause to attain guardianship for his young siblings. Not Selina, who is a breath away from causing the biggest scandal in town, if the secret of her owning “womens’ only” circulating library comes out to society.

I went into this book hoping for a good romance, and it surprised me with not only that,but also one of my favourite tropes "found family" done soooo wonderfully. Every single characters,including side characters our shy bestie Lydia and lovingly chaotic Lu, were incredibly lovable. And honestly, Peter is the most cinnamon roll male protagonist that have ever cinnamon rolled :') And how can we forget our Lady Selina, who I found soooo relatable with her soft heart and big ambitions :')

With her signature witty and addictive writing, and incredibly adorable cast of character, Alexandra Vasti gives you a warm, funny and charming historical romance. If you are looking for a read that'll make you smile and make your stomach flutter the whole time, this is the one!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C69A6Gzys6g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This is a solid debut romance. Some of the steamy sciences fell short for me but over all a very enjoyable novel

📚 Book Review: Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti 💘
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Looking for your next swoon-worthy Regency romance? Ne’er Duke Well has it all: a scandalous library, sizzling chemistry, and a Louisiana-born abolitionist who inherits a British dukedom 👀💫
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Lady Selina Ravenscroft is prim, proper—and secretly running a radical underground library for women. When Peter Kent asks her to help him find a wife so he can keep custody of his siblings, sparks fly… and propriety goes out the window.
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🔥 Steamy
💬 Witty
📖 Smart
👑 Unconventional
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Vasti’s debut is a fresh, feminist take on historical romance—and we’re obsessed.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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#BookReview #NeerDukeWell #AlexandraVasti #RegencyRomance #HistoricalRomance #Bookstagram #RomanceReads #SmartRomance #BookLovers

Ne’er Duke Well is a super fun Regency romance with a refreshing twist. The heroine isn’t your typical swooning debutante—she’s independent, not looking for love, and focused on her own goals. Then there's the Duke—charming, a bit distant, and not looking for trouble, but trouble finds him. Their slow-burn romance is filled with sharp dialogue, great chemistry, and a lot of unexpected moments.

Vasti does an awesome job of making both characters feel real. The heroine’s growth is so relatable, and the Duke, though a bit of a typical aloof aristocrat at first, turns out to be way more than that. The push and pull between them is just so good.

What really makes this stand out is the emotional depth. It’s not just about the romance—it’s about these characters figuring themselves out along the way. The secondary characters bring some great humor, too. If you like your Regency romance with a bit of bite, this one's definitely worth picking up.

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti is a charming and delightful historical romance that expertly combines sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and an unlikely love story that is both heartwarming and full of surprises.

The novel follows our heroine, the quick-witted and independent Lady Isabella, who has a reputation for speaking her mind—something that doesn’t sit well with society’s expectations of young women in Regency England. Enter the infamous Duke of Wexley, a man known for his brooding demeanor, scandalous past, and a reputation that matches Lady Isabella’s in terms of defying propriety. Their initial meeting is filled with tension, misunderstandings, and playful jabs—setting the stage for a romance that promises to be anything but conventional.

Vasti’s writing shines with its balance of humor and deeper emotional exploration. Lady Isabella’s feistiness and determination make her an unforgettable heroine who refuses to be boxed into societal norms. The Duke of Wexley, though an undeniably flawed and brooding figure, is unexpectedly endearing, and the dynamic between the two is wonderfully electric. Their slow-burn romance is a masterclass in developing tension, and the witty repartee between them is as engaging as it is entertaining.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its exploration of identity and transformation. Both Isabella and Wexley must confront their pasts and the facades they’ve built in order to find true happiness. As they navigate their feelings for one another, they also embark on personal journeys of growth, proving that love, in its truest form, is about embracing vulnerability and accepting one another for who they truly are.

Ne’er Duke Well is a refreshing take on the Regency romance genre. With its strong, smart heroine, a dashing yet vulnerable hero, and plenty of twists and turns, it’s a delightful read that will have readers laughing, sighing, and rooting for this unlikely couple until the very end.

Alexandra Vasti has done it again! I've been following her the Halifax Hellions series and was so happy to see this new book. Funny, romantic, and incredibly spicy. Highly recommend!

This was so swoony and fun! The steam and spice were unexpected and too tier. Chef’s kiss all around!

I don't usually read regency romance so this book was a little outside of the norm for me and I'm happy to report that I really enjoyed it! Llight and fun with charm for days, this entertaining read managed to somehow feel contemporary.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Fun and funny and absolutely charming.
Perfect for Bridgerton fans, thought personally I enjoyed this book and author way more. Immediately bought the physical copy once it was available and reread it.
Selina and Peter have such great chemistry and more importantly the banter was immaculate.
The fact that this is a debut for the author is staggering, can’t wait to see what else Alexandra Vasti has in store.

I love Alexandra Vasti’s books! This was no exception. I liked the refreshing spin on the idea of becoming respectable and this is absolutely a book I would buy and reread.

A regency romance that didn’t feel old-timey at all, it was a lighthearted, refreshing read! I appreciated the moderness of the intimate scenes that were spicy and steamy— all the while keeping with the authentic regency era. I loved the freshness and humor from the writing style too. Selina helps Peter, the newly minted Duke of Stanhope, on his quest to find a wife, but instead tries to not fall for him herself. The romantic plot was fast paced and enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to coming back to this world in future books.

Woah, this was my first Alexandra Vasti but I immediately need more of her work and I need it ASAP.

Peter Kent yearns to have guardianship of his half siblings. The only issue is that society looks down on him because a) his views on politics are things the ton would have to fan themselves over and b) sheep.. Luckily, an acquaintance he hasn't heard or seen from in two years has a solution: he needs to marry. He thinks Selina is bright to have this idea and agrees to date some matches she's set up. But as time goes on, he can't help the thoughts swirling in his head about the matchmaker herself.

Selina is someone everyone in society wants to be seen with. Yet, she's carrying a heavy secret: she's the secret leader of putting out erotic literature. She agrees to help Peter with getting guardianship of his siblings through matchmaking. But what happens when the matchmaker herself gets stuck in "wet" situations that make her admit her feelings for the man himself?

Ne'er Duke Well is a book that had me laughing, blushing and flipping the pages as I was IMMEDIATELY in love with both Peter and Selina's storylines. Those who love Bridgerton, especially Lady Whistledown, will ADORE this book and root for these two friends to kiss in the carriage. It's spicy, it's delightful, it's the first of what I'm sure will be a delightful series.

This was such a fun historical romp! I loved the Belvoir's Library part of the storyline - of course the FMC is fun and feisty with a strong compass toward doing right and trying to make life better for women in general during the time period in which the story is set.

I love a storyline when the FMC is trying to match the MMC with other women and ends up realizing that she's perfect for him herself. I don't know exactly what trope that is - but it works really well in this story. There's some fun banter and lots of activity to keep the story engaging and moving forward.

The cast of characters is great - I love the way this sets up the interconnected series with the three women and how unique each woman is to give them the opportunity to have their own story. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book!

Ugh, I honestly am really enjoying my romance era. It's just a good time, every time. This was a fantastic debut novel! It was very well written, the characters were fantastic, and I actually LOLed a few times. This was a pretty perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and witty. The plot was enjoyable, but there's a lot going on. (I'm pretty sure there were at least three subplots happening simultaneously). Also, I don't like how long it took them to finally realize the other was also interested in them and get together (that's a me problem though). Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.