Another lovely read by Alexandra Vasti! Her books always have charming characters and immersive storytelling! Ne’er Duke Well hits all the right notes and adds on the heartwarming trope of a found family.

4.5⭐️
3🔥

Quick Breakdown

Historical Romance
Matchmaking
Single Guardian-ish
Idiots to Lovers
He Falls First
No 3rd Act Breakup
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate Detail

Thank you to @smpromance for the eARC & @librofm for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Peter Kent, the current Duke of Stanhope is in a pickle. He wants to take custody of his father’s illegitimate children / his half siblings after their mother died, but there’s hoops to jump through. Despite being half English, he was raised in America & has been very vocal politically. He seeks out the help of his friend / acquaintance Lady Selina, who is know for problem solving, to help him convince Lord Eldon, the man in charge of his case, to see him in a good light.

Selina recommends he marry in good standing to appeal to Lord Eldon’s romantic side. Even though she is attracted to Stanhope, she can’t suggest herself. No one knows she runs a library with a secret catalog just for women. One that attempts to further women’s sexual education. If anyone found out, in her mind she could be a risk to Stanhope’s guardianship case. She seeks to match him with three other respectable Ladies.

I really quite adored this. The premise of Lady Selina matchmaking Stanhope to other women while coming to terms with her attraction to him had me addicted. Add in the smart & fantastically ridiculous humor, a hero looking to protect & care for his illegitimate siblings & an entrepreneurial heroine & I couldn’t put this down.

It’s paced a little different than your typical romance, which I appreciated. The coupling of our MC wrapped up earlier than usual, allowing the third act crisis to be something outside of their relationship that Selina & Stanhope could work through together, letting them wrap up their character arcs & giving us more time with them together in their HEA.

I fell head over heels for this cast of characters, and I can’t wait to see where Alexandra takes us next.

This was my very first historical romance. An avid romance reader but I had never felt inclined to check out a historical until this one… and I picked such a good one for my first! I loved the characters in this story, both main characters (and their adorable and sweet love story) but also the cast of side characters too. Most notably Peter’s 12-year-old sister Lu was a delight and definitely stole any scenes she appeared in. I loved the way the love story developed alongside additional plot lines I was invested in. I will definitely read more from Alexandra Vasti.

4.5 stars!

I don't read much Regency romance, but if they are all as good as Alexandra Vasti's "Ne'er Duke Well," consider me a fan! I loved every second of this book. I had such an amazing time reading it! It has been a long time since I laughed as hard as I did while reading something. This story has some of the best banter I have read all year. I absolutely adored the main characters, Peter and Selina, both separately and together. They are wholly endearing individuals, and their dynamic made me want more, more, more of them! Selina is such a strong, amazing female character. I admired her resilience, her strength, and her spunkiness. I loved her from the second she was introduced on the page. I appreciated her covert job and why she does what she does (in an effort to educate women at a time when they were not allowed to be enlightened!). Peter is a pure soul who loves his siblings more than anything and is willing to go to the ends of the earth for them. His charm and adoration are palpable, and I found myself smitten with him just like Selina was. And he's a dirty talker! Alexandra Vasti has such a terrific, seamless, swoony writing style. This book sparked so much joy. I cannot wait to read her next novel!! I also totally loved Mhairi Morrison's absolutely stunning, perfect narration for both characters. She helped me enjoy this book even more than I already did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Vasti, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

LOVED THIS ONE! Ne'er Duke Well is a hilarious and spicy romantic comedy about Lady Selina who is determined to find the Duke of Stanhope the perfect match so he'll have the best chances of adopting his half-siblings and becoming their guardian. Of course Lady Selina doesn't believe she's the best match for Peter when she's secretly running a library and curating her own collection of erotic books with the purpose of educating women. But plans don't go as planned when there's so much chemistry and sexual tension between these two that they're accidentally found losing their shoes and balance in the library! Definitely recommend for anyone who is looking for an enjoyable time with characters full of humor, moments filled with electrical tension, and a lot of heartwarming moments.

I absolutely loved this historical romance by Alexandra Vasti! This was such a fun novel and I loved Peter and Selina so much!

Peter has just inherited the title of Duke after living in America for a majority of his life. With that comes two younger siblings that he didn't know existed. The only problem is he is having a hard time getting guardianship of them. Enter Selina, who has become quite the matchmaker of the Tons most eligible people. She is determined to find Peter a wife in order to help keep his siblings with him. She just didn't think she would end up being that wife!

This book was filled with humor and banter that had me laughing out loud. I also loved that Selina owned the women's library that helped women understand how their bodies work (and men) in order to become more educated in that area. You could tell that this was something she was passionate about and that was something that really should have been discussed more during that time. I love that Vasti made this such a big part of her character. AND that Peter supported her in this endeavor wholeheartedly. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone! Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy if this book in exchange for an honest review!

Loved this!!! So charming and sweet! Wonderful characters, lots of romance and fun. I enjoyed the found family aspect and all the banter between Peter and Selina. You will love watching these two fall in love.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!💫

Woohoo! This book was a delicious treat after binging some Bridgerton. I genuinely love when a historical fiction romance takes the standard format and does something interesting with it. I know for the purists out there, this can be a controversial topic. However, for me, I wanted my historical romance to be lighthearted, and fun, and I feel like this book delivered exactly that.

This author is a new to me author, but I will be singing her praises to everyone, because she DELIVERED with everything I normally crave when I pick up a Tessa Dare book. So for me, if you love Tessa Dare, you will love this.

We have a feminist hero AND heroine, we have a case of sunshine heroine mixed with starchy hero, and we have a case of "I'm secretly in love with him, but have to find his perfect match'." This book was chefs kiss.

I dnf'd this book. I have two issues with it. Well main issues. 1. their posh language got on my nerves so so so bad. 2. where is the banter or imperfections. I just can't do it. I think maybe I dont like dukeish things.

I really enjoyed the story. it was unique, with a southern gentleman in England. They were just so cute and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story!

4.5⭐️

Loved this!!! Ne’er Duke Well has to be one of my favourite historical romances. So charming and sweet!

I loved all the characters, loved the romance, and loved the found family vibes. This book had me laughing and crying!

Peter and Selina brought out the best parts of each other, and I adored the realizations of them falling for each other. They care for their families, societal issues and each other so deeply, that it was impossible not to love them.

The scenery and descriptions were also great, and there were a few 🌶️ scenes that were definitely the icing on the cake.

I wish I had gotten to this earlier! Pick it up if it is on your TBR:) Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!💫

The simple fact that this is a debut novel is mind-boggling. This will be the historical romance of 2024. This had me smiling ear to ear and laughing out loud. Delightful. What an incredible comfort, steamy Regency romp. I highly suggest this to all historical romance lovers.

I'm generally not a historical romance girlie, but I will gladly make an exception for Alexandra Vasti. Her characters are empowered and intelligent, and that's an integral part of their story. I knew from the minute I read the summary of Ne'er Duke Well that I'd enjoy it -- Selina runs and maintains a secret erotic library! -- and I wasn't wrong. And it wasn't just Selina who did exactly what she wanted even though it wasn't "proper" (or what would typically be in a regency romance). Peter loudly advocates for abolition, Peter's siblings are chaos demons and 12-year-old Lu desperately wants to learn to fence (so she can wield a rapier), and many of Selina's friends are engaged in political or academic endeavors that are not quite proper for a lady.

Ne'er Duke Well has plenty of twists and turns and excitement (and smut), but one thing it doesn't have? A third act break-up! There's plenty of other drama, and the lack of third act break-up actually highlights the other drama and keeps the focus on the other drama in the story, including Peter's siblings and Belvoir's library. This book is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.

The main reason this worked for me was because I totally understood why the characters had a mutual interest in each other's success. responsible Peter and selfless Selina.

It's true, I’ll admit, those characteristics could be a recipe for disaster, a one sided- insta love type of situation, but that was avoided since these characters compliment each other so damn well. They both wanted the best for the other person, and it came across in a way that was realistic, despite the tropeish situation. Both the main characters fundamentally underestimate themselves, and pride themselves on what they can do for other people– but in totally different ways! This makes them both desperately want to save the other person but in turn– this is cheesy get ready– they help each other save themselves.

There was also a hint of a miscommunication trope, but I appreciate that the book didn’t drag it out and instead relied on more intricate plot points and nuances to explain why the couple couldn’t be together. It was a little drawn out but not so much that it made the reading unpleasant.

The side characters were fun, Lu and Freddie were cute, but I would have loved to see more of them. Totally loved the found family trope in this, it felt cute and fuzzy, which is exactly what I want to feel when I read my escapist regency romance books.

The main thing that made this book enjoyable was just the damn pining. There was a totally fun, mutual respect and admiration thing going that made the relationship not insta- lovey, and instead a slow burn that made this a one- sitting read for me. Of course I think it could have been a little bit of a slower burn, but that's just me and my crazy!

I wanted to try a different vein of historical fiction and this was really fun! I love clever dialogue and witty banter and would definitely recommend this if you do too. There were some aspects of the plot that were predictable, but I think that just comes with reading a lot of romance. I think it was a great pick for a historical lighthearted romance! Plus the Duke had some really endearing flaws.

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti was an absolute treat!! This one is definitely for fans of what I affectionately call a “less than proper” Regency romance, the regency romances that blend humor, steam, and a refreshing feminist twist!

The story follows Peter Kent, the newly minted Duke of Stanhope, whose scandalous reputation threatens his goal of becoming the guardian of his half-siblings. To clean up his image, Peter seeks help from Lady Selina Ravenscroft, society’s most proper debutante—except for her secret life as the proprietor of an erotic circulating library for women. (We love to see it! 🎉)

The dynamic between Peter and Selina is electric. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, and it’s a joy to watch their relationship evolve from a strategic partnership to something much deeper. Selina shines as a heroine; she’s independent, sexy, and confident, breaking the mold of the typical Regency debutante. Peter, with his radical politics and past scandals, is equally compelling, especially as he navigates the chaos that ensues when his siblings and Selina’s plans collide!!

For me though, I need more than steam- I need FEELINGS!! Thankfully, this book delivers on both and has the most wonderful balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth! The story isn’t just about steamy encounters—though those are definitely a highlight—but also about healing from trauma and building a strong, genuine connection, it’s so swoony! This depth adds a layer of substance to the romance, making it more than just a fun read.

The audiobook narration deserves special mention. Huge shout out to Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook, you’re my favorite!
Mhairi Morrison’s performance was done really well, bringing the characters to life in a way that enhances the overall experience. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, this one is a must-listen.

For anyone who found themselves wanting more from Season 3 of Bridgerton, Ne’er Duke Well is the perfect remedy, trust me! 🔥

I dnf'd this ARC at about 25%. I really enjoyed the author's Halifax Hellions novellas but Ne'er Duke Well wasn't grabbing me. I kept reading until I figured out what the issue was - Peter and Selina have no character flaws and therefore are completely uninteresting to me. I've seen some reviews that said the pacing of the book was a bit slow and the book dragged in places. I was inclined to agree until I was able to put my finger on the character issue. The story (at least the part I read) actually moves quite quickly. The problem is that it's all plot and no internal struggle, which kept me from feeling anything for either of the main characters. It's obvious the author knows the regency romance subgenre well and she's a skilled writer on the line level. But it's characters that make a book and characters need flaws to feel real and compelling.

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti made me feel butterflies.

There is always something about a good historical romance that makes me giddy and has my face flushing at the first gentle hand graze and Ne’er Duke Well did just that. I absolutely adored every part of this book and the relationship between Selina and Peter. And of course we thrived off the potential scandal waiting in the wings.

What I absolutely adored about Vasti’s writing in this book, is that at times it felt like I was a member of the ton reading the most recent scandal sheet. I still can’t pinpoint where exactly this feeling came from but was loving it. I was so engrossed in the story and felt like I was a peer getting their daily dose of societal news and it made it so much more fun. I loved learning little details of Selina and Peter’s story and the gossip/insight we got on the other members of the ton.

More importantly though I adored that Vasti gave us a strong heroine who was also supporting the next generation. Seeing Selina thrive in her business pursuits while also assisting women in understanding the world of desire that was shut off from them was empowering. I loved that Selina’s mission was to help make information about sex and desire available to women in a society who kept it from them to keep them sheltered. Especially when it started as a way to keep other women being blindsided like another women whose naivety lead to heartbreak. And in creating Belvoir’s to help fellow women she also created a thriving business and showed she was capable of supporting her self and being a successful business woman.

To top it off Selina was important in encouraging Lu to be herself, even when it may not be the most acceptable behavior. Selina wanted Lu to follow her own dreams and made sure to help secure her a fencing tutor, as she saw her younger self in the girl and wanted to support her. This was especially touching when looking at how she had support of her family in following her own pursuits and she got to give that to Lu and make it all come full circle.

The relationship between Selina and Peter was endearing. I loved seeing the push and pull of them slowly realizing their feelings for each other. And watching Peter fall first was splendid (who doesn’t love a man who falls first?). It was also the beauty of seeing both of them put the other first. Selina pushed Peter away for fear of scandal if her identity of the owner of Belvoir’s was revealed. But while she feared this could ruin Peter’s chances at getting custody of his siblings, Peter loved her and supported her career. He wanted her to know he supported her and didn’t care about any scandals and as hard as she planned for the scandal he made sure to let her know he wanted her to stay because without her the family wouldn’t be complete. It was just such a beautiful dynamic to see them both looking out for each other (even if I did get at Selina for planning to run away at one point).

Overall Vasti gave me the perfect historical romance that I needed in my life. She championed strong females while still giving them a lovely romance. Reminding us all you can have both a successful career and a healthy relationship even if society keeps trying to tell you otherwise.

I hate to do this because I’m a fan of Alexandra Vasti’s novellas and the woman herself, but it’s a DNF at 21% (on my second attempt).

I just wasn’t getting much tension and lost interest. It was clear from the get-go that Selina and Peter were perfect for each other, the other “candidates” for his wife were completely unsuitable, and the erotic library Selina runs wasn’t enough of a presence to feel like a true obstacle to their being together. I don’t know how Vasti would have spun out the remaining 80% and there are too many books on my TBR for me to want to stick it out.

It’s well written but the stakes were too low for me.

Heart heart heart, this book has so much heart that I was misting up in my eyes for basically the entire second half. Selina is a self-thought scandal of a woman, except her scandal is secret and also pretty hardcore. Peter Kent has recently learned that he has two much younger siblings that his father sired after he abandoned Peter, and now that the father is dead, Peter wants to become their official guardian. But Peter is a mess of a sweetheart who has muddled up enough scandal that the higher-ups in the legal system might deny him that chance. Selina embarks on a task to get him married to a respectable lady to make him look like a sympathetic and good father figure. But lol, Selina realizes she's kinda got the hots for him. Oops!

The characters in this book are so much fun and so well fleshed out. At first I was like, these are a lot of names to remember, but by like, halfway through, I wanted a full book dedicated to each character. To put that much goodness into just 300 pages is impressive. I can't wait for more from Vasti!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forver Publishing for the e-ARC!