I loved Vasti's novellas so I knew I would love her novel debut, and I wasn't disappointed! She is so good at crafting characters and including the juiciest historical details, like Selina's erotic library for women—all the books mentioned are real! Highly recommend if you want a fun (and very steamy!) historical romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was so sweet! I don't read very many period romances and this was definitely a great one for me to jump in with. I loved both of the main characters and how they were fully their own people while also being incredibly great together. The family dynamic was *chef's kiss* and the side characters were well-developed.

There was perhaps a little too much fit into the book? But that's really my only quibble. 4.5/5.

I loved this fresh historical romance, where the women are feminists even within the framework of the time. Vasti creates nuanced and layered characters--even supporting characters. Peter and Selina are fabulous and reading Selina's failed attempts to matchmake Peter was a delight.

Audio specific🎧: I had the ALC and the narrator did a really great job! I sometimes have a hard time with single narration, but Mhairi Morrison nearly made me forget it wasn’t dual narration with her voice work for New Orleans Duke Peter Kent. I’ll definitely look for more audiobooks with her as the narrator!

Review📖: I haven’t read many historicals and this was a breath of fresh air. I loved the highjinks Selina and Peter got into on their journey to marry Peter off. Both of them were people with great intentions and yet things went awry so often. Peter won me over with how he responded to the conflicts they came across, and that he didn’t really care what society thought of him, aside from it effecting his attempt to gain custody of his siblings. Selina was never afraid to risk her reputation to educate the women around her with her secret venture, until she knew it could put Peter at risk too. This was a spicy read and you could definitely feel the chemistry between Selina and Peter. The side characters we met were charming and I quite enjoyed their personalities and dialogue.

This opened the historical romance genre up for me and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future!

*Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Dreamscape Media and Alexandra Vasti for the advanced copy to review! All opinions are my own*

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti is Vasti’s debut novel which is a historical romance about a woman playing matchmaker for her friend who is in need of an improved reputation.

Peter Kent is the new Duke of Stanhope who spent his life in Louisiana. He has returned to England to take his place as duke and found out he has two half-siblings, who seem less than pleased about him. He wishes to take custody of them, but because of his reputation, he would most likely lose the case. Peter enlists the help of Lady Selina Ravenscroft, a friend who recommends he find a wife who will smooth over his reputation. Selina would not consider herself though, as she secretly runs an erotic circulating library. Sparks fly between them as they find a way for Peter to gain custody of the children.

This was such a fun read! It was funny, sweet, and a page turner! It reminded me of Emma very much except Peter is nicer and better humored than Mr. Knightley. I loved the chemistry between Selina and Peter. I also thought it was hilarious that everyone else could see their sparks flying except themselves. Selina’s secretive publishing was also fun to read about, especially with how careful she had to be to make sure no one found out about her identity. I can’t wait for the next one, which is about Selina’s best friend, Lydia.

If you like historical romance, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, or forced marriage, then this book is for you! Thank you Alexandra Vasti and NetGalley for the ARC!

I wanted to love this, and while it was fine, it felt a bit lacking in the romance department. The focus seemed to be too much on the side plots involving the heroine’s business ventures and the hero’s trying to obtain guardianship of his half siblings. While I understand both were important facets of the story, in that they were a big part in why they got married, it just seemed to be too much. The balance should’ve been a bit more on the romance. Otherwise, what was the point really in this being a romance?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Peter Kent is new to London. He inherited his late father’s home and title, and now he’s the Duke of Stanhope and needing to become a respected member of society. Born and raised in New Orleans, he doesn’t stand on propriety much. But he has a younger half-brother and half-sister, and he is hoping to become their legal guardian. He needs the family court in England to allow him to take the kids in, so he can keep them safe and raise them with love and good humor.

Lady Selina Ravenscroft has a soft spot for the new duke. She thinks highly of how he’s passionately against slavery and willing to speak up about that, and she likes that he wants to take in his siblings and raise them himself. She understands it would easier for him to get custody if he had a wife. And while she is find of him, she cannot be the one to marry him. Because Lady Selina has a secret that could ruin them all if she were.

Selina puts together a short list of distinguished women who would all help ease Peter’s way into London society. He meets with them all, and after not only getting to know them all but heling to rescue a small dog that was stuck in the water, he has made his choice. The Duke of Stanhope wishes to marry . . . Lady Selina Ravenscroft.

She refuses because she has been running a library of scandalous books geared towards women. Lady Selina knew of a woman who had gotten pregnant without knowing how it had happened, and she realized that women were woefully unprepared for relationships and wanted to do something about that. Her patrons are discreet about the books they borrow from the library, but no secret is safe forever. Selina knows that at some point, some of the more self-righteous in society could come after her for her library, and she will be forced to leave London in shame. She has a contingency plan already in place.

But what she doesn’t have a plan for is how to deal with the fact that she is falling quite hard for the Duke of Stanhope. Peter is turning out to be intelligent, funny, charming, and very attractive. Selina finds herself jealous of the women she tried to set him up with. Although she needn’t be. The Duke only has eyes for her.

How will they resolve their feelings for each other, while trying to make the duke more respectable and keeping Lady Selina from being the center of a huge scandal, all while keeping the duke’s half-siblings safe? Is there a world where a London Lady and an American Duke can find love, or will everything collapse around them?

Ne’er Duke Well is a steamy Regency romance where love and logic compete. Both Peter and Selina are strong characters and devoted to their purpose in life, but those purposes seem to keep them apart. As their attraction grows, so does the heat, and the scenes in this book could put any of those titles in Selina’s secret library to shame. But there is also a lot of heart and humor as these lovers try to make the world a better place.

I listened to the audio book of Ne’er Duke Well, and I thought narrator Mhairi Morrison added a lot of texture to these character’s insights. She brought the voices of Peter and Selina to life through their arguments and bed sports, and made this a very enjoyable listen. I did think that her narration was a touch slow, which fits with the duke’s New Orleans background, but I did speed up the narration just a little so it wasn’t quite so languid to listen to. But I think that’s a personal choice, and it was lovely at normal speed also. I was really happy with Ne’er Duke Well. I thought it balanced important subjects with humor and brought the heat to this charming summer read.

A copy of the audio book for Ne’er Duke Well was provided by Dreamscape Media, and egalleys were provided by St. Martin’s Griffin, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

What a joy of a book! I want to be adopted by the Ravenscroft family and live in the world that Vasti created. I absolutely loved the sweet, chaotic mess that was Peter. And really, he isn't that messy. All he does is with the best of intentions and pure heart. He was gone for Selina from the beginning and did a very bad job hiding it--except from Selina. She was oblivious to it all--including her own feelings for Peter. She just assumed that she felt annoyance for Peter and that was why she couldn't stop thinking about him. HA! And while Selina isn't a true grump, she is definitely less of a sunshine than Peter. She also means well when trying to set him up with various ladies to help him get custody of his half siblings but is not a fan of plans going sideways. They were a perfect match.

And while it felt like the relationship between Peter and Selina was settled early on, the happy ending was still far in the distance. Vasti would wrap up a plot point and I thought, but now what? And she would show me exactly what! I loved it. Because while they were together, they still hadn't confessed their feelings for one another. And once they do that, there is still the matter of Peter's siblings. The HEA cannot be achieved until all storylines are settled. I found myself very emotional at the end and often more emotional at the scenes with Peter and his siblings because they felt so real and raw.

If you like:
Found family
Endearing sunshine and Type A, Please stay in your lane
How did this American become the duke?!?!
Matchmaking
Matchmaking gone wrong
Secret naughty bookseller
Sexy times

And yes, this is a historical romance but that is the time in which the book is set. Fans of contemporary romance and rom coms will also enjoy this book immensely. TRUST ME!

One of my favorite books of the year.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, sweet, kept me reading and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

A sweet, spicy, easy to read historical romance.

Selina is considerate and thoughtful. Peter is impulsive and passionate. Together they’re a perfect match.

They initially try to deny their attraction, each believing they’re not fit for the other. But eventually those feelings boil over and leave them little choice but to give in.

I enjoyed their chemistry and flirtations. It was definitely the highlight of the book for me. The spice was also decent.

While Peter’s siblings guardianship was the catalyst of the book but, unlike the characters, I really had no doubt he’d win his petition for custody of them. So admittedly I was just in this for the romance.

Overall, I had fun. It isn’t something I imagine myself re-reading but I have zero regrets about reading it.

Who doesn’t love the charm of a Southern gentleman? Lady Selena, that’s who! At least that’s what she tells herself that she tries to not fall in love with Peter, the exceedingly chivalrous and well-being, American Duke from Louisiana.

Peter is a need of a ducal overhaul to help him gain custody of his younger half siblings and can’t think of anyone better to help him achieve his goal than the very respectable lady Selena.

Finding herself not only smitten with the Duke, but his siblings as well. Selena makes it her mission to put this family back together. And she has a great solution- find Peter a respectable wife!

As they try out her matchmaking scheme, it starts looking more and more like Peter’s perfect match is Selena… Selena is hesitant to fall for the Duke because she has secrets of her own!

This was such a fun and delightful romance. Both of these characters were so easy to root for. I fell in love with the southern charm from peters Louisiana roots the moment he stepped onto the page! Selena’s industrious attitude, determination to fix the wrongs done to her and help others made her heroin that you could easily support and side with.

Overall, this is a historical romance that needs to be on your reading list for 2024! Why haven’t you started reading it yet?!?!

There’s a lot of good in this book, especially Peter Kent. The duke was likable, sweet, brash yet caring - all good things. Selina had much depth written about her, but I didn’t feel it as much as read it on the page of that makes sense. I think the romance would have benefited from some flash backs to their initial meeting years prior or more details of the relationship. That would have added to the tension. I enjoyed the plot but there was a lot going on. If you enjoy punchy female main characters and a stand up good guy, with plenty of hijinks you may enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I loves this book! The author is very talented and there were plenty of steamy moments. I look forward to the next title!

I like to start by thanking the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book. To be completely honest, it was not my favorite book that I’ve read this year. Not bad, but not one I would highly recommend to others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: July 23, 2024
Pages: 304

Ne’er Duke Well is a first time ready by Alexandra Vasti, new author to this reader. What I can say about this book is that is was such a wonderful historical romance novel. This was a well-written, and well-developed story and has scandal and social awareness in this delightful and steamy regency romp. I was never disappointed chapter by chapter until the very end. The characters a loveable and engaging…Peter is charming, and Selina is brazen but somehow the two clicked together. I found myself smiling throughout the story…leaving me thinking more of this being a rom-com type of read. There is tension, banter and plenty of steamy attraction that I like in my historical reads. I really enjoyed this book and recommend the read. Kudos to Ms. Vasti on a job well done.

3.5 stars rounded up
I really liked this story. I was surprised by how much substance there was to it. The author’s note at the end described how a lot of the characters were based on real people and real opinions of the time, but the author added touches of romantic whimsy that were very charming.

While this is a romance, there are several clear problems in the plot. There is a lot of pieces to this plot and they are separate from the romance. It felt like the romance was secondary, which was nice. The characters developed together and felt three dimensional because they had backstory and problems to solve before the end of the story. It was very satisfying how intertwined all the pieces were. In addition, the problems and the story is resolved well in a way that felt complete but also realistic, or at least as realistic as a historically based romance will get. This was an easy read with many elements to keep you interested.

There’s lots of scandal to keep the characters busy and to keep you guessing. The romance is sweet. It’s not insta-love, which I am not a fan of reading. The characters fell in love gradually and naturally. It’s an almost, but not quite enemies-to-lovers plot. The story was paced well too. The action starts right away but I didn’t feel like I was racing along.

There is some on page spice and some discussion of 19th century erotica. It’s light and not really central to the plot.

I highly recommend this novel. It’s kind of like the first season of the Bridgerton tv show with more substance and more of a plot; I didn’t read those novels, so I have no idea how it compares. If you like romance, mystery and easy reads, this is probably for you.

“Ne’er Duke Well” 5/5⭐️

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book and its audiobook!)

I’ve been on a historical romance kick since I finished Bridgerton season 3 😌 Naturally, I had to read this book.

“Ne’er Duke Well” follows Selina Ravenscroft as she attempts to find the perfect wife for Peter Kent, the Duke of Stanhope. Peter is desperate to obtain guardianship of his younger siblings, so the New Orleans native must become respectable in the eyes of London society. However, Selina has secrets of her own that may prove disastrous when attraction grows between the two of them.

Let me tell you, I am OBSESSED with this book. Peter and Selina are so perfect to me. I adore female characters like Selina who are clever and subvert expectations. I also cannot get over how much Peter admires her 🥹 Their mutual respect and care for one another was to die for. Furthermore, witnessing two characters COMMUNICATE so well was a breath of fresh air. (Unnecessary miscommunication is my biggest pet peeve in romance books.)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves witty female characters and historical romances.

I believe this is the first time I read a regency steamy romance novel and let me tell you it was so entertaining!
The novel follows Lady Selina Ravenscroft, who is an accomplished clever young lady and is also always plotting something. What would be her new plot? Securing the new Duke of Stanhope the guardianship of this two half siblings. How will she do it? Getting him a wife to make him look more respectable to the society and less of a radical politician.
Of course she herself is out of the list of wife proposals, not because of lack of attraction which is evident, but because she is the secret owner of a library with a special section only for women, this in order to have a sex education and not being in the dark.
This was a well written, fast paced read and very much enjoyable, definitely would recommend.
My rating: 4 stars.

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

This was my first time reading this author. This book had good character development, well rounded secondary characters, loads of chemistry between the hero and heroine and scorching love scenes. Peter was not raised to become the Duke of Stanhope, but inherits the title anyway. Along the way, he discovers he has a half sister and half brother who have been orphaned and are left to the guardianship of people who don’t really care for them. Having had a tough childhood himself, Peter wants, guardianship of the children and will do anything.he needs to do to get it. Peter seeks advice from Selena on how to obtain guardianship of his siblings. Selena concocts a plan to make Peter more worthy of guardianship by marrying him to someone who is highly respected in the ton. From the beginning, Peter and Selena are attracted to each other, but Selena does not put herself in the running to marry Peter because she knows that she has a secret that she fears will destroy her reputation and if she were married to Peter, it might destroy his reputation and his chance to get guardianship of his siblings. Although Peter tries courting the women, Selena outlines as most likely to benefit his quest for guardianship, Peter only has eyes for Selena. Eventually, Peter and Selena can’t resist their attraction to one another and they end up married. After they are married, they are forced to face Selena‘s secret. Selena is prepared to leave Peter to save him and help him get custody of the children. For Peter, this is simply not acceptable. Peter does all he can to fight for Selena and for his fledgling family. The end result just might be a happily ever after!

Ne’er Duke Well is a delightful historical rom-com, and I loved that Vasti doesn’t shy away from the comedy part of rom-com. I found myself laughing out loud at all the hilarious antics.

Peter Kent, the new Duke of Stanhope, is a transplant from New Orleans, and he has quickly developed a reputation as a radical. He’s fighting for guardianship of his two half-siblings, and he needs to find a respectable duchess to improve his standing—and that’s where Lady Selina Ravenscroft comes in.

She offers to help him find his perfect match. She never considers herself as an option because she has a scandalous secret of her own: she owns and operates an erotic library specifically for women. What neither of the expects is the attraction that blossoms between the two of them. Will her secret jeopardize both his guardianship and their love? Or will love conquer all?

If you are obsessed with historical romance like me or even if you’ve never read a single historical and are wondering if you might like the genre—Ne’er Duke Well would be a great one to pick up!

And then once you read this one, circle back and read her trilogy of historical novellas. They, too, are perfection. Thank you to SMP Romance for my advance review copy.