-Friends To Lovers 💕
-Regency Romance 🏰
-Spice 🌶️


"Ne'er Duke Well" was a fast-paced, enjoyable read. The storyline felt like a mashup of a Historical Romance and modern Rom-Com, seemingly opposites but it worked.
I really enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect of Peter and Selina's relationship. While the plot touches on some deep and emotional topics I think their love story felt low-stakes and cozy. If you enjoy a cinnamon roll MMC I think you're really going to enjoy Peter.

I love forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you Alexandra Vasti, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

What a delightful book! Selena is kind of a societal fixer and convener, and also secretly runs a lending library, and even more secretly has a subset of that library that provides MUCH needed sex ed information to its female members. Peter is a new Duke, not fitting in and trying to win custody of his two half siblings. He turns to Selina to try to solve his problem, and her solution is to find him someone to marry. She's can't marry him herself because of the secret (scandalous) library issue, and just as well, because "Not that she cared...Not that she thought about Peter Kent like that. Or at all. Ever." Sure Jan.

The first part of this book is a rompy romcom of Peter test driving potential brides, and pining after Selena, and Selena wrestling with the weird feeling in her chest that surely isn't jealousy when she thinks of Peter marrying someone else. The second part is basically them being so down bad for each other hoping to be enough, hoping for love, worried they aren't enough, worried the other sees them as an obligation. Vasti captures their emotions so well, and the stakes could not be higher (and as a reader I could not have been more engaged).

In the end Vasti brings everything together with all the pieces slotting into place. The children appear maybe one too many times for me, but Lu roasts Peter every time she sees him, and it is always hilarious. The side characters are well developed, and any number of them could have very satisfying books in this series.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

To be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC. There were a few little side storylines that weren’t totally necessary IMO but Lady Selina and Peter worked so well together! I loved their story and I loved the Regency setting.

And THE GREEN BOOKS?! I die Miss Selina I DIE ☠️ 👏👏👏

If you’re looking for Bridgerton era vibes with some scandal and sexiness sprinkled (or dumped) in, this book is for you!

Witty, charming, and refreshing! While the plot line - the Duke must improve his reputation to adopt his half siblings, and the quickest way to do that is find a respectable wife- isn't exactly unique, Vasti's characters are a breath of fresh air in the historical romance genre. Peter, the American Duke, was lovely, kind, and determined to care for his siblings. He's even an abolitionist! He's a swoonworthy male lead, and the female lead, Selina, is a delight. She's one of society's most proper ladies, but instead of spending her time on needlework or French, she runs a secret circulating library for the other ladies - one filled with erotic literature!

Peter and Selina's relationship is filled with plenty of chemistry and amusing banter. The friends-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites and Peter and Selina check all the boxes. Their relationship, and Peter's with his siblings, are definitely what carried the book for me.

There were some places where the story seemed a little slow, and I definitely wouldn't call this book plot heavy, but it doesn't need to be. It's a lighthearted historical romance and it fits that description perfectly. Even better, it's a historical romance published in 2024, free of any racist, homophobic, or antisemitic undertones that sometimes turn me off of older historical romance "classics".

Peter es el nuevo duque de Stanhope, justo cuando recibió el nombramiento se enteró que tenía dos medios hermanos (Lu y Freddie) y quiere tener la tutela, pero no es la mejor opción.

Selina es la encargada de una biblioteca en donde intenta educar a la mujeres sobre temas sexuales, es hermana del duque de Rowland, sabe que es privilegiada y que no necesita casarse por dinero, entonces ignora a todos sus pretendientes que la quieren por su ducado.

Ellos se conocen desde hace dos años, no son cercanos, pero él ve en ella a alguien que le puede ayudar a resolver lo de la tutela.

El plan de ella es que debe casarse y le hace una lista de las mejores candidatas, pero ella tiene sentimientos por él, sin embargo, es imposible que ella sea una candidata porque no puede permitirse dañar la reputación de Peter ya que una vez que se sepa lo de los libros será señalada y repudiada.


Es un romance de época sin mucho drama entre la relación de los protagonistas con HEA asegurado.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a fan of regency romance. It’s just not a time period I really connect with. I thought this book was just okay. Kind of predictable. But still a nice read.

I’ve read one of the author’s novellas and was so excited for her full length debut but it didn’t quite hold up as well for me.

It started off great, both leads are very charming and fun and I loved the premise. The new Duke is trying to get custody of his half-siblings, but he’s a single man with a bad reputation, so Selina offers to help get his reputation in order, most importantly helping him find a bride to show his home could be a stable place. They are immediately drawn to each other but Selina is a woman with a secret who doesn’t want to maybe make the Duke’s reputation worse if her secret comes to light so she tries to hook him up with her friends. This obviously doesn’t work as he’s very into her, and then the story ran out of steam.

The romantic plot is settled pretty early on then it just meanders from there. There’s a lot of things that are mentioned briefly that if they were expounded on could have made the plot more interesting but instead are glossed over. What’s the sheep story from the blurb? Where’s their disastrous meet cute?

I think maybe this was trying to hit too many typical historical romance plots and got lost somewhere along the way.

Overall it was cute, I did enjoy the beginning quite a lot but lost all interest by the middle and struggled to get through the end. I still look forward to more from the author as her writing grows.

Peter Kent, newest Duke of Stanhope, must become respectable in order to become guardian of his two half siblings. Between what some deem to be a radical political stance, and an unfortunate wedding mishap involving sheep, he has developed quite a scandalous reputation. In order right his wrongs, he asks Lady Selina Ravenscroft for her assistance.

Selina is society’s most proper debutante, one with a tiny secret - she runs an erotic library for women of the ton. When Peter asks for her help, she creates a short list of marriagable ladies for him to woo and wed. When matchmaking doesn’t go to plan, and the undeniable attractive between them reaches a slow boiling point, Selina discovers that she might be Peter’s perfect match.

Read if you like:
- friends to lovers
- regency period
- secret library collections

This was a cute, quick read. Selina and Peter are perfect for each other. I found myself giggling and kicking my feet while reading this book. If you’re looking for something that’s fun and sweet - this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: July 23, 2024.

Thank you so much to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I sometimes have a hard time with historical romances because the time period just bores me. This one was a bit boring for me. I also didn't feel the connection between the main characters. I don't feel like the chemistry was built up for them and I wish it was.

I think the idea was cute and I love the cover but this one was not for me. I hope others love it!

I personally loved our heroic and fearless girls’ girl of a FMC. Everything about her was witty, daring, kind, and you could just see the Duchess of Stanhope leading the ton with a more feminine role and attitude.

But it took me a while to believe she really loved Peter. I mean the spice in their relationship was there but half the book she’s trying to get him to marry others and then boom he is her husband.

Once I got over that I really enjoyed this book.

Bridgerton meets Instant Family.

Ugh. A friends-to-lover arc is a bit of a risk to take as a debut (traditional!) author, and this ultimately didn’t pay off for me. We’re dropped in with the understanding these two love each other, but we’re hardly shown why. Instead, the subplots really overtake the story and bring it away from the romance at the center. It’s frustrating, as I love the author’s novellas, but it just took me a month (!!!) to finish this one.

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti A proper society lady who secretly running a circulating library with a special collection of femenist novels and sex education for the naive and unedcated ladies of the ton?? Selina is my queen. I cannot imagine how frightened and woe-prepared ladies were before marriages (typically releuntant or forced) when they are taught to never even touch a man's hand ungloved. :ady Selina Ravenscroft - you desere the world....or at the very least, a supportive hot duke.

“Good Lord, Selina. How did you even have time?”
“Honestly? I dislike French, watercolors, and needlework. Once I mastered dancing, there seemed to be plenty of hours to fill.” Lydia’s eyebrows rose. And then she started to laugh. Selina stared at her in horror.

“Oh God”— Lydia pressed her palms to her eyes, half bent over her lap—“ I am so sorry. I know this isn’t funny. But only you would turn up your nose at embroidery and resolve to overturn society in its stead.”

*The Duke, Peter, is an American, out of place in England
*Lady Selina secretly runs an erotica lending library
*Matchmaking gone awry
*Charming much younger half siblings the Duke is trying to gain custody of
*No third act breakup

Full of charm and steam, I adored Ne’er Duke Well; it’s the second book I’ve read by the author and I can’t wait to read more of her work.




Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC

Ne'er Do Well is a fun and sexy historical romance that took me completely by surprise in the best of ways. I've never read anything by Vasti before, and I fell in love with her writing style. It's clever and funny at just the right moments and so swoon-worthy it swept me off my feet.

The story follows friends Lady Selina Ravenscroft and Peter Kent, the new Duke of Stanhope. Peter wants to legally adopt his half-siblings even though they were never officially acknowledged by their father. If he marries, Peter will have a better case, and he turns to his friend Selina for help. Selina is a matchmaker, and she readily agrees to find Peter a wife. But as she looks for the right woman, she starts to think she might be the perfect fit.

Though she presents herself as a respectable innocent, in secret Selina runs a library that lends out erotic and sexual literature to women. She knows if her secret is found out, it would ruin not only her reputation but the reputation of those around her. She's a woman ahead of her time, and her secret job highlights the lack of information women had access to, especially when it came to their bodies and sexual health.

Peter is fabulous too, and I especially love how determined he is to do right by his siblings and the people who depend on him. He's an honorable man who never expected to inherit the title but does everything he can to make things work, even of it means marrying a woman he doesn't know well or love. Unfortunately, Selina wants to marry for love.

Selina and Peter have such a swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers romance. I loved their banter! It's fun and witty and sexy, and the spicy times are pretty steamy! Their relationship had so much chemistry, and the pining... loved it!! They are also super supportive of each other and work together as a team. Peter is as unconventional as Selina in his views, and I loved him even more for it.

I thought this was a great read. It's sexy and romantic, and it has a lot of humor and funny moments. The dialogue and banter are done so well, the secondary characters were as fun as the protagonists, and the kids! Peter's siblings are the best! I can't wait to read more by the author, and I'm grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

4/5 ⭐️
This was fun and what I wanted right now. I think it is perfect for any fan of Bridgerton. The story’s plot followed a similar pattern to the early Bridgeton books. But also I think it’s similar to Polin’s story where the female is secretly in publishing, but done potentially better. At least the characters were better and more supportive. I think this could’ve done more. Like the plot felt a little superficial and I didn’t feel like I really got to see these two characters get to know each other and fall in love. But it was fine. It was an enjoyable quick read. I would recommend it to anyone needed something like Bridgerton.
Thank you to NetGalley and St
Martin’s Publishing for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

I absolutely loved Alexandra Vasti's novella series and couldn't wait to pick up her first full length novel. Ne'er Duke Well is such a fun romp with interesting characters and a great storyline. Vasti really excels in world building and I liked the casual mentions of the characters from the novellas. I wasn't sure how it would work with a Louisiana Duke but it was done well.

Peter is a newly minted Duke who finds out he has a brother and sister that were not claimed by his father. He asks Selina for help in obtaining guardianship. She suggests finding him a wife in order to make himself more marketable to the guardianship board. Selina has a secret of her own. She is the owner of a secret library where women can get materials explaining all sort of forbidden topics all while being a society darling to the ton. Peter finds himself having a hard time focusing on the women Selina is recommending because he only has eyes for her.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I immediately added it to my TBR before this one was even finished. This was is an easy read. I would have bumped it to 5 stars if there wasn't a little annoying hiccup in the end. I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Vasti, and St Martin's Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #alexandravasti #neerdukewell #stmartinspress

Ne'er Duke Well was a highly anticipated historical romance that I unfortunately struggled to get into.

A great portion of the book is spent with Selina trying to find Peter a marriage match, which is not my favorite trope.

Selina and Peter already liked each other at the beginning of the book; therefore, we didn't really get to see them fall in love and the reasons for not admitting their feelings were a bit frustrating.

I did find Peter's siblings cute, and the ending was sweet, but Ne'er Duke Well simply did not live up to my (possibly unreasonably high) expectations.

This book was high on my reading list for 2024, so I eagerly started it as soon as I got my hands on the ARC (Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley). Peter is a refreshing character who champions abolition passionately.
Selina is equally compelling outwardly a high-society figure but inwardly dedicated to feminist education. Their chemistry is palpable. When Peter seeks Selina's assistance to gain custody of his siblings, she devises a plan to find him a reputable wife, despite secretly wanting to be that person herself.
The narrative is steamy, heartwarming, and features charming children who enhance the story. The courtroom climax is particularly satisfying. This is a must-read for anyone who loves historical romance with substance.

I've been a fan of Alexandra Vasti's work since reading the Halifax Hellions novellas, so I was excited to see what she could do with a novel length story. I was not disappointed.
Ne'er Duke Well is such a joy to read. The writing is light and fun, but the story has very serious and poignant moments. The characters are complex and interesting while also being very funny and entertaining to read about. I loved the relationships between characters, particularly the friendships that Selina has. The smut is also excellent and never takes over the story despite there being quite a good amount of it.
I fell in love with the characters in Ne'er Duke Well and can't wait to read more about them in future books. And I can't wait to make my friends read this one.

I am typically not a historical romance fan. HOWEVER, this book has absolutely wormed its way into my heart and i am obsessed with it! Alexandra Vasti did such a fantastic job writing this book that I am absolutely going to be needing to read every book she has written and will come out with.
Selina and Peter was such a fun couple to get to know, and I could sense where the plot was going in a good way! I was able to enjoy it while also feeling giddy about where I thought it would end up. It was fun, easy to read, and had my attention from the start.
This was a very easy 5 star rating that left me satisfied but wanting more!