Delightful, had me giggling and kicking my feet! I really enjoyed Vasti’s novellas and this did not disappoint.

I loved every minute of this book and couldn't put it down! So glad I didn't have to work today, so I was able to read it in one sitting 🙂

Lydia is the author of progressive pamphlets that are being distributed throughout London, which are obviously being published under a fake name. She has been corresponding with the Earl for several years and decides to go meet him for the first time. And propose to him right after introducing herself. I guess that's one way to do it. 🤷‍♀️ Turns out, Arthur has absolutely no idea who she is and definitely isn't the person who has been writing her.

There is tons of smut, for those who want to know the smut level before reading it.

I have a million books on my to read list right now, but I will definitely be looking up more books by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are freely given.

The perfect blend of In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint and Ne'er Duke Well with all of it's own story line for Lydia and Arthur. I love it, like I love all of Alexandra Vasti's books and I can't wait to own my physical copy in a few months!

Another amazing book by Alexandra Vasti! I could not put this book down, I read it within one sitting. The mystery and suspense throughout the book had me on edge! Also, the chemistry between Lydia and Arthur! I loved how their relationship flourished and grew to be so sweet. Lydia has traveled all the way to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to Arthur because of letters they had been exchanging. However, it turns out that it was Arthur’s younger brother who had been impersonating him! Now they both need to find out why he has done this and Arthur needs Lydia’s help to find him before something bad happens.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own!

Earl Vasti's life is changed when someone shows up at his door with a connection that will change his future.

Lydia is an anxious but determined mess. Arthur is Country Strong™ and throws her brothers around like hay bales. Will these two self-sacrificing idiots find love, or will they be trampled by zebras? (It’s more likely than you’d think.)

If every book as its target audience, I think Alexandra Vasti wrote this one for me. Earl Crush is stuffed with so many of my favorite tropes and strung together by a truly balls-to-the-walls storyline. Vasti grounds this wild ride with sweet, swoon-worthy dialogue — and I don’t think I went a single page without highlighting or bookmarking something.

Miscellaneous Thoughts:
- I did not realize how many details relate back to real historical events until I read the author’s note, which made me appreciate it even more. I know the author is a professor of British Lit, and that author’s note made me want to take a whole seminar with her. Okay, Dr. Vasti~!
- This is a steamy one! It’s not so excessive it takes away from the plot, but the author definitely delivers on the spice.
- I love the presence of meddlesome elder gays — they were very much giving Cogsworth and Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, and I found their dynamic with Arthur so endearing.
- I need a regency detective series from this author. Vasti incorporates mystery elements into her plots already, but it would be cool to see her lean into the mystery and action even more.

Anyways, this is my #1 romance of the year.

I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. It was a bit unbearable when it started. Who was I to root for the typical smart girl who was too smart for her own good? If you go into this read as you should -- suspending belief that Lydia needs to conform to convention for the time -- maybe, just maybe Lydia can have it all.

The mystery plot was really so much fun, and I found myself enjoying this read for what is, a romantic comedy with a bit of mystery. I could turn my brain off and just cruise right through it. I had so much! This was my first Alexandra Vasti read, and I will be recommending this in the future.

If you're looking for something light and delightful; if you want a read that will transport you for a slight thrill and some romantic lust, this will be it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Just finished this and nothing like a good grovel!
I really loved Earl Crush! I will be sure to rate it on GoodReads. I have the first in the series already on hold at my library and a excited for the next installment with Georgina and Cat.
Perfect mix of historical setting, plot, character development, and spice.

This is my first read by Alexandra Vasti, but it will for sure not be my last.

The main characters are sweet, yet flawed. But so likeable. The sexual chemistry is on fire.

There were times when the plot moved so fast I would get confused what was happening. Any downtime between the H and h, small conversations, small innocent moments were glossed over--I wanted more of those moments, those moments when they connect on a deeper level. That's my only complaint, the only reason to take 1 star away.

The language and flow of the book was fantastic, and the humor made me chuckle out loud a few times. If you want a sweet yet adventurous historical romance, this is for you.

This book was so cute! I was absolutely in love with Lydia and Arthur. I loved how they worked together. I also loved the tension and relationship slowly building between the two. Their relationship was sweet and spicy all at once. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to find and catch Davis.

Alexandra Vasti has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance writers…and this is just her second novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both the romance and the mystery, and especially when those paths wound together. I especially enjoyed the author’s note and finding out that a lot of the historical facts were lifted straight from the history books.

I’d highly recommend this book and am already looking forward to the next one!

Romantic, funny, adventurous--in a word, delightful. I was in a reading slump and this was absolutely the book to reinvigorate my joy and love of reading.

Socially anxious Lydia shows up at the Earl of Strathrannoch's Scottish castle determined to propose a marriage of convenience. After all, they have been corresponding for three years, and while he doesn't know her name or that she's an heiress, they have found much in common when it comes to social and political beliefs. When she meets the gorgeous, somewhat gruff Scottish earl, though, he has no idea who she is--turns out, she's been corresponding with his brother, who has recently stolen one of his inventions and can't be found. It would be disastrous for the invention to get into the wrong hands, so Lydia agrees to help Arthur (the earl) hunt down his brother. Cue the madcap road trip adventure, complete with fake marriages, only-one-bed temptations, French spies, and misunderstandings. Add in a bit of epistolary courtship and *chef's kiss*.

The plot alone makes this a fun read, but the character development is what makes this special. Neither Lydia nor Arthur are social butterflies, and they each lack complete confidence in themselves. But wonderfully, not only do they trust each other because of the steadfastness and honesty they perceive, but they become more brave and assertive through their time together. I liked them each from the first page, and they only grew on me as the story went on.

If you are looking for a captivating historical romance, you can't go wrong here. Since it's the second book in the series, I'm going back to read the first and looking forward to the next.

This gave me Candace Camp vibes in the best way. A historical romance set in the early 1800s travelling between London and Scotland with mystery, espionage, intelligent characters, love and personal growth.

This is a past-tense, dual POV. It's tastefully spicy and very respectful. The author notes point out the connections to actual history for reference, which I found extra entertaining.

Thanks NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Alexandra Vasti for this eARC.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Stars
I had a lot of fun reading the book! I was not expecting so much action for a book set in the regency period, and I loved it!

I loved Lydia’s character in book 1, and I was excited to read her story and see her grow in confidence.

•Fake Marriage
•"My wife"/"my husband"
•One Bed
•Action packed mystery solving
•Open Door Spice
•Dual POV (third person)

Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just discovered Alexandra Vasti and the only thing I don't like about her writing is that there isn't more of it for me to binge read. I just loved Earl Crush so much, starting with the random zebras that show up right at the start. This is a marriage of convenience historical romance with a twist - the female main character - Lydia - is a wealthy heiress who has been communicating in secret with the Earl of Strathrannoch in Scotland for some time - ever since he contacted her after she published one of her very spicy and radical political pamphlets. His estate is in dire financial trouble, and Lydia decides to offer herself up for a marriage of convenience. This is particularly impressive because Lydia basically can't talk to men (or even most women she doesn't know well) without literally throwing up, but she lies to her family and brings her close friend with her on a secret trip to Scotland to offer her hand. The only issue is that, well, the Earl of Strathrannoch, Arthur, is not actually the person with whom she has been corresponding for years. That was his brother, posing as the earl, and apparently gathering intelligence, though neither Lydia nor Arthur can be sure what for. As Arthur and Lydia try to find his brother - and figure out what he's up to - they get closer as they get more involved in a potentially dangerous political plot. This is everything I love in a historical romance - humor, a mystery/adventure subplot, and unexpected animals. I can't wait to read more from Vasti.

Ah! So fun! It doesn’t quite have the spark of the first book, and there’s maybe one too many steamy scenes (shocking, I know). But it was so engaging that it became a very quick read! I’m really enjoying this series. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I got an early copy because I was signed in Vasti's newsletter.

Like always I will be using the Elyse Myers rating System to be organised about rating this book.
Alright here we go:

Earl Crush: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

plot: 0.5/0.5
I loved the plot of this book, it was unpredictable and I especially loved the intrigue espionage part of it. It's not done frequently in the romance genre and it's rarely done well, so that was a great change.
I did feel though that sometimes things didn't make sense, I don't know how to explain it, but at moments I felt like woah what just happened (not in a oh-this-is-unexpected kind of way but more of a how-did-we-even-get-here kind of way) , Why did that happen, you know?

‌characters: 0.5/0.5
The characters of this book were adorable and I loved them very much, from my awkward, socially anxious, badass FMC to my also awkward, introvert, cinnamon roll MMC. The side characters were fabulous as well; I loved Lydia's chaotic brothers, Huw and Albert and even Davis. I feel Georgie didn't get to shine though. I know this is a trilogy, so there's one more book, I don't know who it will be, but I will be happy whoever it will be (I'm hoping for Georgie or one of Lydia's brothers or maybe both*🤞🤞*).

‌setting: 0.5/0.5
This is set in Scotland and while I wish we spent more time in nature, it still felt autumn-vibes cozy and I loved how that tone felt.

‌pacing: 0.25/0.5
The pace on this was alright, but it felt too slow in some occasions.

‌writing style: 0.5/0.5
This is written in third person double POV as is common in historical romance and I have nothing to comment on it. It was witty and easy to read and I had a lovely time.

‌themes: 0.25/0.5
The themes in this one were not as complicated as other things I've read and while that accounted for an easy enjoyable read, it also reduced the potential of the book. One theme specifically I really missed was the politics of the nobelity and the struggles of the working class under said policies and don't get me wrong, I don't want this book to be a detailed study on the subject matter or anything, it's just that since the FMC was a political writer I thought there would more focus on it, so the lack of that was disappointing.

‌originality:0.5/0.5
I don't think I have ever read a book similar to this one and I don't think there are many books like this one. Like I have mentioned in "themes" I think this could have been even better and more flushed out, but it does remain special and original.

‌emotional provoking: 0/0.5
This isn't a very emotional book and that's OK, I didn't want or need it to be.

‌overall enjoyment: 0.25/0.5
I did enjoy this book while it lasted, however it dragged on for a long time and honestly I don't think I will reread it anytime soon.

‌ending: 0.25/0.5
The ending was weird. I really don't know what else to say about it other than that. I felt like a lot of things that were really uncalled for happened and I don't understand it. It was very bizarre to me.
(view spoiler)

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5 to

I have loved everything I've read by Alexandra Vasti and Earl Crush is no different. Vasti has created a story that balances humor and heart with lots of horny thoughts (and moments) and a nice touch of intrigue. Lydia is brave and relatable and exactly what Arthur needs. He's a goner from the first moment and I love that in a male main character. I can't wait for the next book.

Truly one of the freshest regency romances I’ve read, and actually better than the first book in the series. The main characters are loveable and comfortably predictable while also feeling so powerfully different than other regency leading ladies. Thoroughly enjoying this series!

Another fun, clever, sexy Annalise Vasti regency romp complete with a strong and clever FMC and unproblematic, willing-to-learn, charming earl. It was fun to be back in the world of Belvoir's Library (though I did miss Selina in the beginning). This one took me a little bit longer to get into then sped off! I liked the exchange of balls and society for some spying and Scotland. Vasti remains laugh out loud funny, incredibly clever, and perfectly sexy.