“ Don’t worry,” Georgiana said. “Everyone else is invisible to Strathrannoch when Lydia is in the room. One becomes accustomed to it.”

No one has to convince Arthur Baird, Earl of Strathrannoch, that Lydia Hope-Wallace is worthy of his love and admiration. He is heart-eyes over her not long after she proposes marriage and then faints on his doorstep. As he carts her to his dusty chaise lounge (titled, but poor), he notices the lushness of Lydia’s figure and the color of her eyelashes. In historical romance, that means he’s already 3/4 in love with her. The biggest obstacle is the inferiority complex his father drummed into him and Lydia’s certainty that she is too awkward to be loved. Fortunately for us, they are both wrong.

Lydia is a writer of radical political pamphlets on subjects such as legal rights for women and the evils of the Clearances. It turns out that Arthur’s brother, Davis, borrowed his identity and was the one corresponding with Lydia. Davis has also made off with one of Arthur’s inventions and Arthur is concerned about his intentions. Lydia and Arthur, with occasional assists from her friend Georgiana (look for her sapphic rom-com, Ladies in Hating, in September), and his estate managers, Huw and Bertie, travel through Scotland and England trying to find his brother. There is a zebra stampede, a multitude of shenanigans, acts of bravery, and sexy times in places that seem uncomfortable.

Arthur is such a sweetheart and I really enjoyed the way he was in constant awe of Lydia and the way he helped her see her strength and bravery. The sexual tension and aforementioned sexy times are very good. As much as I enjoyed Arthur as a besotted fool in love, I do wish there had been a bit more of Arthur as the confounded grump. He was very good at it. Lydia has a nice balance between anxious and brave, as befits a woman with a clandestine career in radical politics. She starts the book rushing into a somewhat inadvisable situation and keeps on that path. But she always has good reasons, whether they be based in emotion or logic.

I’m looking forward to Vasti’s next few books. In addition to Ladies in Hating, Vasti has been contracted for three more romcoms. I’m excited to see where she goes over the next few years.

I received this as an advance reader copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Loved!
This was funny, witty, adventurous. There are zebras and adorable scheming employees and found family and maybe spies.
The pacing is great and every chapter leaves you wanting more; more pining, more radical pamphlets, more vomiting.

Waiting on pins and needles for the next book from Vasti!

This was amazing! I loved the characters and enjoyed all of the hijinks they got into. Surprisingly, my favorite parts were the letters sprinkled throughout the book and at the very end. Vasti is an insta buy author for me and I can't wait to read the next installment in this delightful series.

Hot, steamy regency romance! Earl Crush is now one of my new favorite historical romance books! I found Lydia and Arthur’s story to be so juicy and unputdownable! It has refreshed my enjoyment for this specific genre. I of course loved the moments such as “my wife” and the fighting between Arthur and her brothers.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Alexandra Vasti for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ne'er Duke Well and Earl Crush build wonderfully on each other- but I do think you could read them as a standalone. However, I don't think you'd appreciate Lydia's bravery as much.

And Arthur? Our MMC is a sweet little grumpy cinnamon roll- he's down bad and very unsure what do with it.

This story is full of enjoyable tropes (ACCIDENTAL & FAKE marriage of convenience.. yes!), consent/sex positive scenes and historical information.

I LOVED Ne'er Duke Well. And I LOVE Earl Crush. Wow. The consistency in the two books of banter, chemistry, intrigue, and historical information... ugh- I just love it! No s ophomore slump here. Ladies in Hating (and Sir Francis Bacon) - I'm coming for you next!

I'm always one to sign up for some regency romance! It is probably best to tamper expectations and suspend belief a bit with Vasti's latest release. The plot was a bit over the top but it was a quick read and I became enthralled with the characters enough to finish. Our FMC offers a marriage of convenience to help out her penpal but shocker, he isn't who he says he is... thus ensues some fun drama, spice, and comedic side characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, thoughts are my own.

This was a really sweet book. I have only read two of Ms Vasti's books, but enjoyed them both immensely. I loved the grumpy Scottish earl, who has no idea who Lydia is, even though they have been corresponding for three years. And Lydia was a great character, overcoming her social anxiety. In all it was a really great feel-good book that I will highly recommend to my library patrons, especially the ones who enjoy Bridgeton.

Alexandra Vasti is an official INSTA BUY author for me.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The pining, the spying, the smut, the love letters!! I just loved it all. I can’t wait to read Georgina’s book. I also would love to read books about Lydia’s 4 brothers!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
3.5 rounded up
The beginning was slow for me, but by the end I was really invested in their story! I love a historical romance and this was a fun one. I really loved our FMC and MMC and the side characters added a lot to the plot.

This was such a fun and adventurous story and I loved every page of it. The storyline that takes Lydia and Arthur on their roadtrip through the Scottish Lowlands and to London was more urgent and serious than I’d expected but I enjoyed the humor the author was able to work in to lighten the tone.

My favorite part of this book though, was the vulnerabilities of both the MC and how they proved to themselves that they’re more than that. Lydia is a wallflower that failed in her seven seasons due to her social anxiety. But has found herself in writing political pamphlets. I found her brave and the courage she finds in the moment of adversity was admirable. Arthur was raised to be the Earl but still brought up to think that he’s not suited for the role and that it should’ve gone to his younger brother. He has a hard time asking for help and that people wouldn’t choose him for himself. The internal thoughts Arthur and Lydia have are relatable and I highlighted so many quotes throughout. While Arthur struggles the longest, I wasn’t frustrated and found it fitting to his character.

All this blends so well into their romance. Arthur falls hard for Lydia but still struggles with his insecurities whereas, Lydia has always struggled in new situations and people but with Arthur and during their adventures she really shines. I loved this in how this was told, that we are not defined by our perceived weaknesses.

The road trip storyline balanced well with the romance and I liked that they worked together throughout and they didn’t fight their feelings for most of the book.

There are three encounters plus scenes of grinding and a fade to black. I found these scenes to be higher heat. Lydia and Arthur also took full advantage of the walls provided.

Earl Crush is the second book in the Belvoir’s Library trilogy. This could be read as a standalone. It takes place three years after book one.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Vasti's newest historical romance is a joy to read. Well-paced and featuring characters that bring rich depth of thought to the page, it wouldn't surprise me if readers were so absorbed into Earl Crush that the epilogue appears as a surprise. (I know it certainly did for me!)

Lydia was my favorite character in the previous book, so I loved seeing her story come to life in this installment. Though I didn't agree with every choice he made in the third act, Arthur was a kindhearted love interest who made for a doting partner for Lydia. Earl Crush was much spicier than I was expecting given it's a historical, and I was loving their chemistry and banter throughout.

Alexandra Vasti has become my favorite new historical romance, author. And this one is at the top. Lydia is a spinster, a wallflower, a mess of anxiety, but also brilliant in politics and strong in her own way. On the outside looking and everyone sees her just as the embarrassing spinster that can’t talk in public but her friends see and know so much more is behind the mask. After years of corresponding with the Lord in Scotland, she decides to take control of her life with lady Georgiana by her side she runs off to Scotland to propose marriage of convenience to the Lord. She’s been sending letters to. With an absolutely hilarious meet cute - do we find out that the Lord that she thought she was sharing all of her political brilliance with is not the same Lord she proposed to. Craziness ensues, fake marriage ensues and all the fantastic tropes you can hope for. Grab this book and keep historical romance coming.

Literally five stars! I had very high expectations for this because Ne’er Duke Well was one of my absolute favorite books last year and Earl Crush did not disappoint. I love Vasti’s writing style and how funny but moving her writing is. She made me a huge fan of historical romance and I love the authenticity in her stories (even reading the note at the end about what certain scenes were based on). Lydia is such a mess but endearing at the same time. I often argue that female main characters are insufferable, but Lydia is able to be such a beautiful main character while having her quirks. I love that this romance was also about coming to terms with self identity and personal growth. It was funny, witty, and so entertaining. I was so sad when I finished this book, I wanted it to go on forever.

I enjoyed this one. I always love a good historical romance on audiobook, so I decided to listen to it that way. Admittedly, I was distracted at times listening due to the fires that happened in Los Angeles the week I was reading it. I live in LA, and (I hope understandably so) was distracted.

So I did miss the part about Arthur's brother and what exactly they thought he was up to. Thankfully, it came together in the end and I was able to follow along.

I liked the two main characters – Lydia and Arthur. Their rapport was great and I liked how they opened up and trusted each other. The fake marriage aspect was fun too ◡̈

Overall, a fun read. I'll definitely read more by Vasti. I liked the narrator's performance too.

Oh the pining! These two characters – Lydia and Arthur – were made for each other, if only they would let themselves be open to the possibility. Lydia is our lovely, intelligent, socially anxious heroine who has been secretly writing politically radical pamphlets for years under a pen name AND corresponding with a like-minded Earl of Strathrannoch. When the Earl writes of financial worries, this heiress does what any woman would do and takes off for Scotland to propose marriage! One small problem, the Earl has no idea who she is, AND he (Arthur) quickly figures out his brother has been impersonating him and writing to Lydia the whole time. What happens next is a road trip of epic proportions where Lydia and Arthur realize that love, respect, being seen for who you are and being loved for it is possible. Reasons why I loved this novel – 1) brilliant, emotive writing that makes these characters feel real 2) each chapter opens with a note written by Lydia or Arthur to the other, and the pining is next level 3) this story is sexy in a sly, understated way and you feel their attraction to each other. Earl Crush is why my love for historical romance is never-ending! Alexandra’s writing brings a contemporary sensibility to a historical setting and characters, and I am huge fan! Earl Crush is out on January 21, and it will be available as e-book, paperback and audiobook. This is an ARC review – thank you to NetGalley.

📖: Earl Crush, The Belvoir's Library Trilogy Book #2

✍🏾 Author: Alexandra Vasti-I read Ne'er Duke Well and gave it 4⭐

📅Publication date: 1-21-25 | Read 1-14-25

📃 # of pages: 352 e-book

Genre:
*Historical Fic/Romance
*Regency Rom-Com
*Women's Fic

Tropes:
*fake marriage
*secret identity
*marriage of convenience
*mutual pining
*journey companions/a quest
*same bedroom
*close proximity
*family drama
*pen pals

👆🏾POV:3rd person dual

⚠️TW: death of parents, virgin h

🌎 Setting: London

Summary: After corresponding via letters Lydia decides to visit Arthur and propose marriage to help him financially. He has no idea who she is but needs her help to find his brother Davis.


👩🏾 Heroine: Lydia Hope-Wallace- 26, wallflower heiress w/ social anxiety. Has 4 brothers (Theo, Jasper, Gabe, and Ned) +her mother/father deceased, writes feminist radical pamphlets about abolition of England's aristocracy and universal suffrage

👨🏾 Hero: Arthur Baird- 33, Earl of Strathrannoch, a Scottish recluse. Both parents deceased and inventor of rifle telescope among other things.

🎭 Other Characters:
* Georgiana Cleeve-A gothic novelist, Lydia's BFF
* Davis Baird-Arthur's younger brother
* Lady Selina Kent/Duchess of Stanhope-runs the Belvoir's Library (features erotic novels for women)
*Jasper-Lydia's brother pretending to be Mr. Joseph Eagermont

🤔 My Thoughts: Lydia was a great heroine with progressive beliefs to change the world. Arthur was instantly attracted to Lydia and became very protective as they looked for his brother. Lady Georgiana was a great wingwoman doing "research" for her next book.


Rating: 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level 4/5🔥🔥🔥🔥

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Alexandra Vasti for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Another fantastic historical from Alexandra Vasti! I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and loved the continuation we got with Lydia's story in this one. Can't WAIT for Georgiana's story next!

I saw Earl Crush described as beauty and the beast without the stockholm syndrome and I think that is the perfect description for it. Arthur is a grumpy but kind earl just trying to keep his family estate afloat and Lydia is a bluestocking who just wants to make her own decisions in life.

I loved Lydia’s family especially her brothers and how they interacted with Arthur and the house staff who were devoted to Arthur as his employees and found family. I can’t wait for Vasti’s next book in this series, which is sapphic, to come out! READ THIS BOOK WHEN IT COMES OUT JANUARY 21ST!

Beauty and the Beast but not in a "stockholm syndrome" way but in an "all of the servants ship them together and he's a grump but has a sweet spot for her and she stays in his dilapidated mansion" way. It's perfect. I loved it.

The romance was swoonyyyyy. The tensionnnn. The steammm. The spiceeee. All of it was 10/10 so so good.

There was also a great spy and intrigue and mystery element to this story that had me invested in more than just the romance (although the romance was, of course, the focus).

I loved this and am excited for more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

There is nothing I love more than breaking up my fantasy books with a good bodice ripper and Earl Crush by Vashti Hardy absolutely fit the bill this month.

I am always down for a Scottish MMC and throw in some exotic animals and a plot to kill the Duke of Wellington and I am hooked.

I read this in one sitting and was laughing and even crying at some of the moments. One horse and one bed tropes abound and the hijinks involved in tracking down a rogue brother led to some truly iconic moments.

I do feel like I wanted a bit more emotional development from the characters. With the plot-heavy storyline in this book, I felt that some of the emotional beats of the character development didn't land as well as I wanted.

Overall though, this was a tremendously fun read and I will continue to devour whatever Hardy comes out with next!