👑💕 Book Review: Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti 💕👑

If you love royals with a modern twist and a dash of steamy romance, Earl Crush is your next must-read! Alexandra Vasti delivers a fun, flirty, and heartfelt story about unexpected connections and finding love when you least expect it.

When independent artist Lola meets a charming, down-to-earth earl, sparks fly—despite their wildly different worlds. As they navigate secrets, family expectations, and undeniable attraction, they discover that love doesn’t always play by the rules.

Tropes You’ll Love:
👑 Royalty/commoner romance
🔥 Opposites attract
💞 Slow burn with heat
🎨 Artistic heroine
🌟 Secret identity/mystery

Perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a regal twist and plenty of heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#EarlCrush #AlexandraVasti #RoyalRomance #SlowBurnRomance #Bookstagram #ContemporaryRomance #OppositesAttract #BookReview #FlirtyReads

I read this book based on my appreciation of the author's other works and also the premise. I really liked the idea behind this novel: a romance between a seditious pamphleteer and a reclusive Scottish nobleman/inventor and a forced road trip that brings them together. In practice, however, the chemistry between the two characters was hard to develop because plot events kept being thrown at them. While this was entertaining minute-by-minute, ultimately it fell flat for me as a romance.

I’m sure that it will surprise no one that I loved this book. The characters were charming and emotionally compelling, intelligent and witty. The writing was sweet yet charged with compassion and intrigue. We would love to study this with the romantic classics.

I will never not love and adore Alexandra's books. They are sexy, they are historically informative, and most importantly they're funny. I never in 1 million years would have pictured a Scottish earl with a pet zebra let alone that clearly inspired the runaway zebra last week in the Midwest lol I will hype Alexa Alexandra up to anyone who listens anyone who loves a spicy good time

This book was such a treat - this series just keeps getting better and better. This was a joyful romp from start to finish, and definitely satisfied my rom-com mood. I am amazed at how Alexandra is such a masterful writer - it feels like there is a lot going on in this book, but never in an overwhelming way, and the romance remains the focus (but there is intrigue if that's your thing!). Watching Lydia come into her own over the course of the book made me so happy. Arthur is officially one of my top book boyfriends, and I swooned watching him fall in love with Lydia. I would do unholy things to guarantee we get books for all of Lydia's brothers.

This was actual non-stop fun. I loved the whole plot of mistaken-earl-identity, and watching Lydia come into her own, and how down bad Arthur was for her. Vasti is a delight.

This was my first Alexandra Vasti and my first true historical romance like this, and I was floored. It had so much more plot than I expected! The romance was delightful, but I was so pleased it was more than just their relationship! I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

3.5⭐️-rounded up. Ne’er Duke Well was my first historical romance and it was a home run for me. Because of that- perhaps I had too high of expectations for Earl Crush. After meeting Lydia in Ne’er Duke Well, I expected to love her in this one. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her.. but I was never fully drawn in by her or the romance in this one. The second half did get better for me than the first. This is a good one- but it was not great for me.

In "Earl Crush" by Alexandra Vasti, we are introduced to Lydia, a vibrant, kind and endearing person who experiences social anxiety that felt so real and relatable. There were so many times that I could empathize with her, and I felt an emotional bond right away. The story beautifully unfolds Lydia’s transformation as she learns to confront her anxieties. This depth of character development aligns seamlessly with the narrative, making every small victory feel like a triumph that readers can celebrate alongside her.

Arthur, on the other hand, serves as a breath of fresh air in Lydia's life. He is portrayed as adorable and supportive, providing the perfect contrast to Lydia's insecurities. His unwavering love for Lydia, despite her flaws, is truly heartwarming. Arthur does not want her to change; instead, he accepts and embraces her for who she is. This kind of unconditional love not only adds a sweet element to the story but also highlights the beauty of self-acceptance. Their relationship showcases how love can flourish in the face of challenges, and it adds layers to both characters, ensuring readers are invested in their romance.

While the mystery in the book didn’t hold my attention as much, the overall experience was still enjoyable. The chemistry between Lydia and Arthur is well-crafted, making their interactions filled with delightful banter and genuine affection. The details were wonderfully described, painting a vivid picture in my mind. I loved how the characters grew, and the happily ever after felt believable and satisfying. I recommend this book for its charm and delightful moments, especially if you enjoy sweet and adventurous stories with great character development and a sprinkle of romance.

I received an early copy from NetGalley (Thank you!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was similar to Tessa Dare in the best way. I loved the banter and the setting. I was giggling and swoony the whole way through. Loved!

This is the second book in the Belvoir’s Lending Library series. I love the women that are part of Belvoirs. They are smart, loyal, capable, interesting, and a breath of fresh air. Lydia’s story was satisfying. She and Arthur were a solid match, balancing each other out. There’s a little bit of everything here- mystery, mistaken/hidden identity, anxiety representation, forced proximity, only one bed, great female friends, some family drama, scenes that made me laugh- I never knew what was going to happen next. The book started with the romance storyline, and then it shifted into more mystery which created the forced proximity to allow the romance to continue. I liked the dialogue and romance best, but understand how the mystery/history plot was important to the storyline and maybe setting us up for future books. I did appreciate the side characters and look forward to seeing who gets the next story.

3.75 stars.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy. All opinions are my own.

I love a feminist historical romance! This book had strong Evie Dunmore energy and I really enjoyed all the twists and turns that took place

I loved Alexandra Vasti’s Ne’er Duke Well, and somehow Earl Crush is even better!

Earl Crush follows the romantic adventure of Lydia Hope-Wallace, first introduced in Ne’er Duke Well as Lady Selina’s brilliant, but socially anxious friend. After exchanging letters with a man who shares her radical political beliefs, Lydia decides he is the perfect candidate for a marriage of convenience. She would be able to maintain her independence and political writing, while he would receive the funds from her wealthy family to renovate his crumbling estate.

Only there’s one problem. The letters are signed by the Earl of Strathrannoch. But when she shows up on his doorstep with her marriage proposition, he has no clue who she is and insists he hasn’t written any letters!

And so, Lydia’s adventure begins. She joins the Earl in a hunt for his missing brother who wrote the letters. As they follow the clues, the mystery becomes more complex and more dangerous.

I love when a book combines different genres, which I think is why Earl Crush managed to surpass Ne’er Duke Well. The addition of a significant mystery to this historical romance really drew me into the story. And it was such a joy to see Lydia, the shy wallflower, on a grand adventure. Investigating the mystery puts her out of her comfort zone in so many ways, but she excels marvelously, showing both her intelligence and ability to adapt quickly.

I strongly recommend the first two books in the Belvoir’s Library series on audiobook. They both have the same narrator, Mhairii Morrison. Morrison voiced Lydia’s quietness and hesitation, as well as her determination, beautifully. She truly brought her personality to life. I’m hoping Morrison continues to narrate the series. Although I love these books so much, I’ll probably read my eARC of Ladies in Hating before the audiobook becomes available.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti is a fun, flirty Regency romance with a modern edge. It follows Lydia, a shy heiress secretly writing radical political pamphlets, who ends up in a fake marriage with a grumpy Scottish earl after a case of mistaken identity. She thinks she’s been writing to him—turns out, it was his brother.

The romance is a slow burn with great chemistry, witty banter, and just the right amount of steam. Lydia is smart, anxious, and brave in her own way, and Arthur is gruff but surprisingly sweet. The Scottish castle setting (with zebras!) adds a whimsical touch, and there’s a light espionage subplot that keeps things moving.

It’s heartfelt, funny, and perfect for fans of character-driven love stories. Think: fake marriage, grumpy/sunshine, secret pen pals, and lots of charm.

Heads up for: gun violence, vomiting, mentions of homophobia, and the death of a parent.

I missed the window on giving feedback but I loved this book and bought a copy. The plot was so fun and the characters so well written. I was giggling the entire time. Alexandra Vasti is an insta-buy author for me now.

I've enjoyed Alexandra Vasti's other books, and was excited to see her newest book, "Earl Crush." This particular book is the second in Vasti's "Belvoir's Library" series, and it centers around Lydia, who is very shy but has been having a long-distance relationship (through letters only) with the Earl of Strathannoch. When she realizes that he's in financial trouble, she decides to offer that they get married so she can help him economically. However, when she shows up on his doorstep and discovers his brother instead, she realizes that this could actually be a blessing in disguise. And as Lydia and Arthur get to know each other, they are shocked to learn just how well-suited they are.

This was a fun and enjoyable book, and I look forward to the next one in this series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A delightful Regency romance that blends political intrigue, mistaken identity, and sizzling chemistry. There is humor, tension, and plenty of heart.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Earl Crush
By Alexandra Vasti

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

𝑯𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒅 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑. 𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒛𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂.

Do you like regency romance, fake marriage, espionage, & zebras? Then Earl Crush is the book for you!

Lydia is introduced in Ne'er Duke Well as a wallflower who writes political pamphlets that are distributed through Belvoir's Library. In doing that, she ends up as a pen pal to an Earl. Well what's a girl to do when she's been on the marriage mart for several seasons and has no prospects? Travel to Scotland and propose to her pen pal of course!

Lydia is so fun in this book. She is pushing herself out of her comfort zone and taking control of her life even though it's hard. I love seeing her really embrace her fiery spirit and go after what she wants, even when it makes her uncomfortable.

Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch, has all the qualities we like to see in a man— tall, reserved, & pathetically down bad. He takes one look at this "mad English ginger" on his doorstep and he starts to fall. Unfortunately, he's not the person Lydia's been writing to for years— it was his brother who is now missing.

These two introverts are never going to get together without some help. Throw in a road trip to solve the mystery of the missing brother, and we get all the delicious tension and forced proximity we need to really get things going. And boy do they get going 🥵🥵🥵 the spice in this is a delicious good time!

I had a fantastic time listening to this book. The narration is terrific and it brings all the hijinks and shenanigans to life. I highly recommend this book in any format, and then you should go read the Halifax Helions as well because everything Vasti writes is fantastic.

𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑪𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

Read April 23-24, 2025

Phenomenal second book in the series. It had the same powerhouse female characters with witty dialogue and love struck make characters. Looking forward to book 3!

Oh my god, where do I begin? With every book Alexandra Vasti writes, she somehow takes my breath away more and more. EARL CRUSH completely consumed me in the best way, and I devoured every page.
Lydia comes to Scotland with a marriage of convenience proposal to an Earl she's been sending letters to. Except, he tells her that he's never written a single one of those. It was his brother instead. So they team up to find him, lots of shenanigans ensue - including pretending to be married, and yes of course there's a lot of "my wife" and "my husband" moments.
Their romance is utterly perfect, the tension, the chemistry, and their emotional connection. They're absolutely meant for each other, and watching them fall in love is a delight. And the yearning? *dreamy sigh* Not to mention Alexandra Vasti's writing is romantic, funny, and deeply entertaining. So if you want to read a historical romance that you'll fly through and swoon over, you need to get this right now.