I really enjoyed this book!

Both Peter and Selina were engaging and likable, and I genuinely rooted for them to get together.

The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I personally prefer more angst and unlikability in my romance novels, and I feel like there just wasn't that much ~bite so to speak in this book.

That said, I really love Alexandra Vasti's writing, her novellas about the Halifax twins were impeccable, and I'm really looking forward to what she puts out next!

(Review will be posted at instagram.com/molliwrites closer to publication date.)

Alexandra Vasti is a new, exciting voice in historical fiction and I think NE'ER DUKE WELL is going to leave readers happily swooning! Peter and Selena's story was one I couldn't wait to get back to any time I had to step away from it. I was a little nervous upon seeing that Peter was from America and had recently inherited a dukedom and reluctantly assumed the title, but I shouldn't have been. Everything from pacing to the steam level to inclusivity was done so very well.

Peter needs to assume guardianship of his two illegitimate siblings and he isn't sure how to do that. He ends up working alongside Selena who is Lady Selena Ravenscroft by day and the proprietor of an illicit library by night. Not only is a woman not favorably looked upon to run a business in this time frame, but Selena's library publishes erotic romances and manuals and it would be a huge scandal if she were found out. BUT. She is determined to help the ill-fitting Peter find a wife to secure his guardianship--even if she's the LAST person she would ever consider for him, until they're caught in the middle of a tryst neither of them can resist.

Everything about this book was FUN. From watching Peter's interactions with his siblings--who were well fleshed-out characters--to seeing his budding chemistry with Selena, to watching the Ravenscroft family's interactions, I enjoyed every moment. NE'ER DUKE WELL is a very progressive book in many ways: Selena wants the women of the ton to have sexual education, Peter speaks out in Parliament against slavery, and there are two queer-coded characters in Judith and Thomasin. I applaud Vasti for all of this and how natural it felt.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the chemistry and absolute swoon-worthy relationship between Peter and Selena. As fun as it was to watch them fight against their draw to one another, it was even better once they gave in. Despite their unorthodox beginning, I loved how dedicated they were to one another. Whether it was their steamy, intimate scenes (which were beautifully done) or them supporting one another, I was SUCH a total fan of this couple and cheered for their happily ever after.

I was so surprised to see myself loving a historical romance and I do hope we get to see more of these characters at some point.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ .5 /5
This book was so much fun to read! I have never read a Regency era romance before and this book made me fall in love with the genre! It was such a quick read and entertaining from start to finish! Alexandra Vasti does a great job using terms and language from the time to bring the story to life without making the novel hard to read! Selina and Peter have great chemistry together! Peter is so supportive of Selina and so caring for his siblings! I love how strong Selina is and her drive to help others! The supporting cast of Peter’s siblings and Selina’s family were also great additions to the story!

Selina is especially clear as an enterprising, clever, self-appointed spinster in waiting who excels at taking advantage of people's expectations so she can do what she wants. Peter is a friendly half-American accidental Duke with surprise siblings to take care of. Peter needs to look respectable to get custody of said kids, so Selina sets him up to court her smart friends even though she thinks he's hot. She has a scandalous business venture, so in this story it's the heroine worrying about being a liability to her romantic interest.

There was a little bit more telling than showing with the main characters at times, which I think dulled the emotional impact, but the low drama worked well for this story and couple; once they're together, they're very solid and there are no tedious miscommunications dragging out the story. The external conflict was pretty good too, and didn't take up too much space, but sets up lots of possibilities for the future.

This is a great one if you like close-knit families, carefully deployed children, and a quirky friend group. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about them all.

Very appreciative to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this novel.

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti has heart, steam, and a whole lot of hilarity. Our MMC Peter has recently become the Duke of Stanhope, but despite his new station he must petition to be granted guardianship of his precocious half siblings. Our FMC Selina believes the best way to help Peter attain this goal is to arrange his marriage, granting him the air of respectability he needs to win his case. As his courtship of other ladies progresses, Peter and Selina find themselves falling for each other, but shocking secrets may come to light and doom them all.

If this book does one thing well, it's managing a wide cast of characters. Reading it felt like watching an episode of Bridgerton, where countless families all have their own dramas, desires, and secrets. And at the heart of it all is Selina, a puppet master of the ton. Peter is a cinnamon role of a MMC, but we get a shocking amount of depth from his backstory and his ability to connect with all of the women he courts. While I generally wish some of the subplots had been better tidied up, I ~hope~ they've been left hanging for future novels!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I must admit, I am not always the biggest fan of historical romances; however, this was so much fun! I loved the playfulness of the characters and the spice. I like that there is potential for another book with these characters and I would definitely pick it up to continue their story,

I love Alexandra Vasti's novellas and was so excited to have the opportunity to get both the e-ARC and a travelling ARC to read this.
All opinions are my own. Alexandra Vasti's first full length novel is everything you'd expect from her novellas and then some. It has a slight twist on the usual plot of recent Duke who inherited and needs some Ton guidance and respectability, along with some new siblings/ wards thrown in, and a feminist twist involving a circulating library (because knowledge is power!). Selina is indeed a Paragon of society who has kept herself away from the Marriage Mart after a broken engagement but there is so much more that meets the eye. Peter Kent is from Louisiana and just inherited the Dukedom and is trying to gain custody of his half siblings who have been moved around from family member to family member, but of course it's never easy. What ensues is a tender, hilarious and sexy story involving Selina, Peter, and their families. There is a lot of witty banter between Selina and Peter and the first half flies by with her trying to find him a good match. The second half takes a slightly serious tone as the custody hearing comes closer and Selina's secret starts to impact all their lives. I can't even tell you how many times my heart squeezed when I was reading the pages, which is always a good sign of the couple's yearning and interactions. Not to be outdone, all the secondary characters are either well rounded or provide you enough mystery to warrant their own book. I greatly enjoyed Selina's relationship with her family and how they care for each other, even with a Duke for a brother. It's not often you see this kind of fondness anymore with siblings. I can't wait for the next book in the series or anything else Ms.Vasti writes.

Steam: 🔥🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️❤️

✨💐 ARC Review! 🛶✨

This was a fun and entertaining romp through the regency era! My husband and I are from two very different worlds, so I loved the aspect of an English lady and the unsuspecting new Duke from Louisiana (my husband is also from LA…love me a southern gentleman!)

I also LOVED the aspect of adoption in this story- as you may know by now that’s close to my heart. The main premise is finding The Duke a wife so he’ll be more favored to get guardianship of his two young siblings. As a foster mama, I appreciated the struggle of having your loved one’s future in the hands of others and ultimately what one will do to protect vulnerable children 🩷 with the that, I loved that although this is a love story, it’s not only a romance (although yes it is that!!), but it’s also highlighting a great familial love.

4⭐️/5 for me! Definitely add this to your TBR if you like regency stories and get ready for its release July 23!! Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

NE’ER DUKE WELL is full of pining that fills my tender heart. Once the pining turns into mutual affection— I swooned! The palm kiss?! This was a great read that felt different from a lot of the regency romances I’ve read. Thank you for the arc NetGalley!

Sweet and beautiful story from start to finish. I LOVED both leads. It was a story filled with passion and love on every page.

I absolutely enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book! The MCs, Peter and Selina, were a delight. The banter was so good- not only between the MCs, but amongst all the characters. I laughed out loud multiple times - looking at you Georgiana!😂

I loved ALL the relationships in thjs book. Selina’s relationship with her family was wonderful. The fact her brothers supported her at a time when other women were stifled was amazing. I loved her friendship with Lydia, and that in the end, she had friendships form
with Georgiana and Iris. The way her family and friends rallied to her side in her time of need was heartwarming. (All these women- Lydia, Georgiana, and Iris need books. Just sayin’)

Peter. PETER- I loved him. Not just for his witty, laugh out loud banter. But for his deep desire to DO RIGHT- by his siblings, but also with his voice in Parliament. The way he came to love Selina was a joy to read, and the way he loved Lu and Freddie, his half siblings was beautiful. I’m glad he has a family now. One that is going to be better than the way his own father treated him.

The threat of his not getting guardianship of Lu and Freddie being the tension driver in this story, and the way the “scandal” of Selina running a lending library (that also secretly provides books for the erotic education of females) unfolds and resolves kept me turning pages to see how Peter would get to keep his family.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I will absolutely spend my own cash money on the book when it releases.

Alexandra Vasti's debut novel, "Ne'er Duke Well," is a delightful and witty Regency romance that takes readers on a whirlwind adventure through the drawing rooms and ballrooms of high society. Peter Kent, the newly inherited Duke of Stanhope, is a man with a scandalous reputation and a heart of gold. Determined to become a respectable guardian to his half-siblings, he turns to the cleverest and most managing woman of his acquaintance, Lady Selina Ravenscroft, for help. Selina is the epitome of propriety, but she harbors a secret: she runs an erotic circulating library for women. When Peter asks for her assistance, she proposes a marriage of convenience to a lady of unimpeachable reputation. However, fate has other plans, and matchmaking takes a hilarious and unexpected turn, leaving Peter and Selina entangled in a web of deceit, passion, and laughter. Vasti's writing is sharp and witty, her characters are unforgettable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep readers entertained until the very last page. "Ne'er Duke Well" is a charming and romantic tale that celebrates the power of love to conquer all obstacles, even the most scandalous of reputations.

This was a good 19th century romance. Unlike so many of the genre it addressed slavery and the impact of colonialism, it wasn't central to the story but it was referenced (and of course, the main character was an abolitionist -- I could get into the history of abolition here but I won't because that's not the point of this review).

I did at times think this was a sequel but as far as I can tell it's the first in a coming series. It read fine there were just some references to off-page characters that felt like call-backs to earlier books (if I'm wrong about this -- someone tell me!).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the plot, and the pacing -- and there wasn't a third act breakup!

This was such a fun read. A balance of political intrigue, savvy regency social interactions, romance, and the power of clever women. I love Selina as a character and how she was so authentically herself in a time not built to support strong women. It is refreshing to see women of the regency era portrayed as real, intelligent, well-rounded individuals and the strength of the political movements and social standings of the time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I was first introduced to Alexandra’s work when I read her Halifax Hellions trilogy. I absolutely loved it so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one! I’m thrilled to say that I absolutely ADORED this book and I would give it a million stars if I could!

This is a spicy regency romance that was poignant, emotional, and downright hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times, immediately fell in love with every single character, and could not put it down. Think Bridgerton, but better.

I highly recommend this one if you love regency romance, spice and found family. This is a must read!

Lately I started reading many books and then at some point I kind of forgot about them and never continued. But that didn't happen with this one. It took me three days and I loved it. At this point I just know that Alexandra Vasti won’t let me down. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The main two were super cute together and by themselves. I loved the whole cast and the (several) plots, except the biggest plot is the custody situation and Peter's two siblings play a very small role in this book. There are a few chapters at the beginning where the readers/Selina get to know them, but the children mostly disappear for the rest of the book.

Because most of the book hinges on them, I would have liked more of Peter and Selina connecting with each kid. Peter starts trying to win his sister over but that part of the plotline vanishes quickly, and his brother is there just for comedy, I think. It would have really upped the stakes of the custody situation had we had more of a connection and bond between the characters. (I also wanted to see Selina's twin??? And his letters are meant to be received all at once but as the story progresses it seems like she's getting a letter about the current situation as we see it, instead of a postmarked letter about a past situation. Idk, if Vasti was going to include the letters I would have also liked to see Will at least once.)

It's also mentioned Peter and Selina met three or so years ago, but there's no follow-up. No mention that they know each other, besides a throwaway thought, no remembrance of something the other character once did or said, just nothing. It felt like they didn't know each other at all prior to the events in this book, and honestly, Vasti could have just scrapped that idea entirely without affecting anything.

Other than that, I enjoyed the main characters and the plotline. Sure, there were quite a few plots, but they all tied in quite nicely. And Peter was such a cinnamon roll.

thank you Netgalley for the free arc

Ne’er Duke Well is a terrific full length debut from Alexandra Vasti! It tells the story of Peter Kent—New Orleans raised and newly named Duke of Stanhope—and Lady Selina Ravenscroft in their quest to make him respectable enough to become guardian for his much younger half-brother and half-sister. Selina’s suggestion is to find Peter a wife to help elevate his standing in Society and, given her secret ownership of a scandalous lending library, Selina is convinced that can never be her. But neither she nor Peter count on their undeniable chemistry—or on their ability to get into trouble together.

I loved the unusual set up of pairing a scandalous American-raised duke with the politically savvy FMC who is trying to find him a wife in order to get custody of his half-siblings. Vasti excels with all of the little/supporting details. There were so many amazing side characters and I particularly loved Lu and Lady Georgina (and was thrilled to hear Lady G will be getting her own story at some point. I hope the same can be said for Will—I would love to see his/Selena’s sibling dynamic on page and for him to get a happy ending after such a tragic past!) I was tickled by the little things – a throwaway line about Selina’s nephew showing up to a family meeting holding a cup but not wearing any trousers was fun and funny and made the world that much brighter. My one quibble—it felt at times like I was coming in to the story halfway through or that I missed a previous book in the series that set some of the events up a bit more. For example, I think the story might have been richer with a prologue showing Peter and Selina’s first meet disaster. And I didn’t really understand what Belvoir’s was or it’s significance to Selina’s backstory until about halfway through the book. I think getting the inciting incident for her earlier would have been more effective. Overall, a great great book. I can’t wait to read what Vasti writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC; all opinions are my own.

Its not iften that a romance is both educational and steamy, but the Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti does both.

Set in the 1800s, the book gives a strong sense of the abolitionist movement and the struggles of peers to create laws to end slavery.

That said, this book is also funny and engaging. Peter, is in over his head with his rambunctious and hilarious siblings. They run him ragged. Enter Lady Selina. She seems perfect for as a chaperone and substitute mother for the hooligans except she has a secret. She runs an exotic romance library for ladies and writes steamy Gothic romance, and she suggests he find someone more acceptable.

However, Peter is undeterred, and he and Selina form alliances and find love despite the prejudice and bigotry that surrounds them.

While the writing in this book is sometimes a touch dry in places, the humor, banter, and steam level is shine through. The characters, while ahead of their time, are engaging. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how love can change the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Ne'er Duke Well" by Alexandra Vasti was a charming, funny, and heartfelt story that I really enjoyed reading. It has a great cast of characters, including our wonderful leads Selina and Peter, and a unique set of overlapping plot lines. Although the initial matchmaking set-up is silly and comedic, by the halfway point of this fast-moving story, the plot gains a lot of emotional depth. I really enjoyed this book and will likely read it again; highly recommend to any fan of the historical romance genre! 4.25/5