✨𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡
𝐁𝐲: Alexandra Vasti

“𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 - 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩, 𝙇𝙮𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚-𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 3rd person
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Single
𝐊𝐔: Yes

This one didn’t quite work for me. Personally, I preferred Book 1. I just couldn’t get into the plot, which really affected my overall enjoyment. I also found myself mixing up the characters, likely because the storyline didn’t hold my interest enough to keep the details straight.
Maybe regency romances just aren’t my thing. If you enjoy that genre, this book might work better for you, it has a solid story and the. Unfortunately, it just didn’t capture my attention, and I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series.

That being said, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed this narrator! Since I didn't really connect with the story, listening to the audiobook that was narrated by someone I enjoy definitely helped to improve my overall reading experience!

Lydia Hope-Wallace has a secret life as the writer of controversial political pamphlets, which has led her to a long-term correspondence with the Earl of Strathrannoch. She's also an unmarried woman who might as well be a spinster, so when the Earl admits to financial difficulties, she sees a perfect opportunity. She's got the money, he's got a title, and they can build a life around their shared views. Not the most romantic situation, but better than anything else she's been offered. There's only one problem: when she arrives in Scotland to propose to the Earl, he has no idea who she is. Now she and the Earl are off to find his brother, Lydia's actual pen pal, who has stolen something of value from Earl. But what happens when you're thrown together with an Earl? Lydia's about to have the adventure of a lifetime!

The narrator does an excellent job with multiple accents and her pacing is just right for the shenanigans, both humorous and sexy.

This follow up to Ne'er Duke Well was perfection. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

ALC Review: Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
Pub Date: January 21, 2025
Narrator: Mhairi Morrison

Alexandra Vasti just always knocks it out of the park, and Earl Crush is no exception! I refuse to rank her books because I love them all so much and YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CHOOSE. I love them, your honor!

Lydia was such a wonderful FMC. She suffers from debilitating social anxiety but also pens radical pamphlets. She has been unsuccessful on the marriage market so decides to travel to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to her penpal the Earl. However when she arrives at his home, the Earl has no idea who she is. They embark on a journey together to find his brother who had been impersonating him and the forced proximity sends sparks flying.

Listen, this book was destined to be a hit for me - I love nothing more than a Scottish setting/main character and Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch and his absolute devotion to Lydia is just...absolute perfection. He is so gone for her so fast - the romance made me kick my feet it was so swoony and sweet. I giggled, swooned, and fell in love with this book unequivocally. I highlighted so many lines and already can't wait to reread! And of course, as any book by Alex is, this book is H.O.T.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

Charming and witty, Earl Crush is Alexandra Vasti's second book in the Belvoir's Lending Library companion series.
An entertaining and fun read, I loved guessing the character's motives, which were increasingly confounding with the changing dynamics of their relationships. There was a great balance to plot and romance, which is essential for a good historical romance, and the perfect amount of societal rule breaking for the rigid expectations of the time.
I was delighted by Ne'er Duke Well in 2024 but Vasti has definitely stepped it up in her latest historical romance!
And I can hardly wait to get my hands, or headphones, on Ladies in Hating.

A delight! Beautifully realized characters, sublime, steamy romance, and a lighthearted and humorous plot. I can't wait for Vasti's next book!

Historical Romance Readers: If I could give more than five stars, I would. Both the story and the audiobook production.

I have so much to say about this book and have been shouting about it since I first read an eARC in Fall 2024. But, as a self-proclaimed audiobook girlie, the ALC is simply perfection.

My first endorsement for anyone on the fence: I purchased both the audiobook and physical copy immediately (despite having access to complimentary copies – it’s just THAT GOOD).

Secondly, Earl Crush is one of the Top Two ARCs I’ve EVER read and listened to since I started reviewing here on NetGalley – and the other book is Vasti’s first (Ne’er Duke Well- also performed by the incomparable Mhairi Morrison).

Alexandra Vasti is an incredible storyteller whose novels have so much rich detail and emotion, and whose characters are so easy to fall in love with. To that end, Earl Crush has everything (and more!) that readers want from a historical romance novel. And, for a book I already thought had everything, I was delighted to discover that the audiobook production and performance brings to life even more amazing detail.
Earl Crush tells the story of Lydia and Author’s unexpected love and their adventure on the open roads of Scotland.

Here’s what you’ll find in this book:
- He falls first
- Marriage of convenience
- Adventure (and romance) on the road
- Mistaken identity and family secrets
- Epistolary elements
- Golden retriever MMC
- Anxiety rep
- Stunning writing and storytelling

Ultimately, this felt to me like a love-letter to the historical romance. If this is your go-to genre like it is mine – prepare to be WOW’ed. If you are just starting your Hist Rom journey – WELCOME and know that that this—both the book and this audio format—is the PERFECT place to start.

Thank you to Dreamscape and NetGalley for an advance audiobook copy of this incredible book.

I loved this book the first time around - It's Alexandra Vasti, who wouldn't love it? But listening to the story through the performance of this narrator made the experience even better. I love the use of accents to distinguish between characters, the way she incorporates Lydia's sense of logic and humor, the breathlessness during the spicy scenes. It's perfect.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti is a fun Regency rom-com featuring a road trip with a dash of accidental espionage.

Wealthy heiress Lydia is typically a wallflower due to her struggles with social anxiety, but she's also been writing seditious pamphlets for years under a pseudonym. Also for years, she has been writing to the man she thinks is the reclusive Earl of Strathrannoch in Scotland. Unfortunately, when she arrives at his doorstep to propose a marriage of convenance, he has no idea who she is.

I had such a fun time reading this book! I absolutely inhaled it within one day, when I was convalescing at home the day after staying up Way Too Late For My Age for the Critical Role Campaign 3 finale. As soon as I finished the book, I got up from my blanket nest on the couch in my office and promptly went to bed. But I'm proud of myself for staying up long enough to read it (sort-of) one sitting!

I didn't like this one quite as much as I enjoyed Ne'er Duke Well this year, but I did listen to the audiobook for both and Mhairi Morrison does a bang-up job both times. For real, if you haven't listened to one of Morrison's audiobooks yet, do not pass go, get thee too your library or audiobook vendor of choice and pick one up. She's absolutely worth a listen; I really love her different character voices.

It's worth noting that while this book does have cameos from characters from Ne'er Duke Well, it is fully standalone and you do not need to read anything prior to starting this book. I still recommend you read it, though, because it's fun and steamy.

I love a good bluestocking character, and Lydia was a perfect example. I love when historical romances explore modern feminist ideals, but head's up if that's not your thing. I also really identified with her as I too struggle with social anxiety.

Arthur is trying to rebuild his estate, which is pretty destitute at this point, having sold anything they could not part with. I really loved that he was also a bit of a tinkerer, an engineer if you will. That was a fun way to explore some actual history of the time (which the author notes in an Author's Note at the back of the book).

I had fun with their smoldering chemistry. This book has a good deal of steam, so keep that in mind going in if that's not really your jam.

I loved this audiobook!!!! the narration and production was perfect, amazing, wonderful! it let me fully encapsulate myself in this story!!!

this is the first I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last!!! I loved Lydia’s character sooo much! she just wants to love and help and be appreciated and accepted. I love the way she’s so authentically herself. and our Earl Arthur is such a grumpy honorable character! I love how he always treats Lydia kindly, even when he doesn’t know or trust her. and the way he makes her feel so loved and respected and cared for was soooo swoony!!!

I have only read a few regency romances, and have loved them all sooo much, I need to read more by Vasti, she writes such a lovely story!!!

thank you for the alc!

I had a hard time getting into this book. It might be the mood I am currently experiencing. As I have written with other reviews, I am a major mood reader.. I may give this book another shot when I am in the mood for a regency romance

Alexandra Vasti does it again! Ne'er Duke Well was a hit in my book, but I think I loved Earl Crush even more.

Vasti does such an amazing job bringing her regency romps to life on the page. The dialogue is full of wit, the prose are sharp, and the spice is oh so delicious. (Particularly the scene on the stairs and the scene by the door!)

The audiobook narration is top notch. It's such a pleasure to listen to. Mhairi Morrison makes the reading experience so very fun and enjoyable.

Her debut made me a life-long fan, but I am forever a Vasti stan after Earl Crush.

Earl Crush is a fun continuation of the Belvoir's library series.

Lydia has been in secret correspondence with the Earl of Strathrannoch, but when she ends up at his front door he has never heard of her. Arthur quickly realizes she had actually been writing with his brother who was pretending to be him. Lydia and Arthur join forces to find Arthur's brother and the journey begins.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Lydia's anxiety was very relateable and her pairing with Arthur is super fun. I loved the adventure and espionage of this story and it kept me on my toes. The banter and spice were also fun.

Tropes:
* Pen Pals
* Regency Romance
* Road Trip
* Fake Marriage
* Scottish MMC + English FMC
* Espionage
* Spies
* Anxiety Rep

4 stars

Alexandra Vasti is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors, and “Earl Crush” is another winner. Packed with mistaken identity, forced proximity, and a fake relationship, it’s swoony, spicy, hilarious, and even throws in a bit of mystery. What’s not to love?

The story follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, an introverted heiress and secret political pamphlet writer, who heads to Scotland to propose to her pen pal, the Earl of Strathrannoch. Except... the earl isn’t who she’s been writing to—it’s actually his brother. Cue chaos, a pack of zebras, fake marriage shenanigans, and a thrilling espionage plot as Lydia and Arthur Baird team up and find their chemistry impossible to ignore.

Arthur is the perfect blend of stoic and swoon-worthy, and Lydia is a heroine worth rooting for. Their adventure is laugh-out-loud funny, romantic, and impossible to put down. If you’re not reading Alexandra Vasti yet, you’re seriously missing out. I can’t wait for the next HEA in this world!

🎧🎧🎧
Mhairi Morrison made this audiobook so much fun to listen to. Her English and Scottish accents were flawless, and she nailed Arthur’s voice perfectly. She brought Lydia and Arthur to life with so much personality, making every moment even better. If you’re into historical romance, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen.

Thank you @alexandravasti, @smpromance, @stmartinspress, @dreamscapemedia and @netgalley for the gifted ARC and ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.

5⭐️
3🔥

Quick Breakdown

Historical Romance
Meet Disaster
Wallflower x Scottish Earl
Forced Proximity
Mystery & Espionage
Only One Bed
Mutual Pining
Love Letters
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate

Lydia has been a shy & socially awkward wallflower with a secret. She anonymously pens radical political pamphlets & ends up in a 3 year long correspondence with a like minded Scottish Earl. Tired of failing on the marriage mart and in search of more freedoms, she travels to Scotland to literally propose. A marriage of convenience with someone she considers a friend feels like her best option. But when she arrives, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is..

My first book of the year & it was a 5⭐️ banger!

After one of the most brilliant meet-disasters that sets the tone for the rest of the book, I was helpless to fall in love. Lydia & Arthur were perfectly crafted MCs. I adored Lydia & her quiet strength that she shared with those who matter most. The way she willingly & selflessly acted out of her comfort zone to help Arthur. He never stood a chance.

The mutual pining was absolutely delicious. The build up of tension it brought made the spice that much more intense. Pair this with the added bonus of mystery, espionage & silly hijinks it’s no wonder this worked so well for me.

I primarily listened to Earl Crush. It’s narrated by Mhairi Morrison who has quickly turned into one of my favorite narrators for historical romances. It was an absolute delight & I recommend you listen to too if given the chance!

I loved Earl Crush, and I am ashamed that it is the first book I have read by this talented author. One of the challenges to enjoying historical romance is being able to put oneself in the main characters' perspectives and find identification with? sympathy for? their choices. I found that not to be a problem with this novel. All of Lydia's decisions, intentions, and plans were based on solid reasoning. That everything she believed and concluded turned out, over and over again, to be arse-backwards, was beyond her control, and the same can be said for Arthur, that most mouth-watering earl. Being a life-long fan of both Jane Austen and "I Love Lucy," I found this brilliant, funny, and ultimately most romantic book to be a happy meeting of those two mindsets, and I loved every moment of it.

Following Ne’er Duke Well last summer, Alexandra Vasti is back with the second book in her Belvoir’s Library trilogy, Earl Crush. Wallflower and heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has been secretly writing radical political pamphlets for years, and has been corresponding with a like-minded Scottish earl. She’s now shown up at his estate in Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience… only to find that the man she’s been writing to is NOT the earl, but his missing brother. Arthur (the true earl) is as surprised as she is, and soon, Lydia is roped into tracking down his brother—and finding a new flame of love along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
I loved Ne’er Duke Well, and I’ve been excited to continue the Belvoir’s Library trilogy ever since. Lydia is socially awkward and politically progressive, two qualities I think we have in common. And her romance with a Scottish earl—with themes of stolen identity, preventing mayhem, and a marriage of convenience (or fake marriage!)—was equally captivating. Earl Crush looked like it would be a riot!

What I Liked:
- Lydia is shy and socially anxious… but brave in the face of real danger
- Arthur is also an introvert who keeps to himself
- Zebras!
- Tracking down the missing brother who posed as Arthur, Earl of Strathrannoch
- Sibling relationships
- Marriage of convenience?
- Fake marriage?
- Progressive politics of the Regency era
- The epilogue! Swoon!

Audiobook
Mhairi Morrison narrates all of Earl Crush, and she does a great job of capturing the book’s lighthearted tone. She transmits the wit and humor as well as the inner thoughts of our shy characters. Her narration is rather slow: Though I often listen to audiobooks at 1.5-2x speed, for this one, I bumped it up to 2.5x speed for it to feel right. Depending on the reader, an increase in speed may make for a smoother listen.

Final Thoughts
Earl Crush is a lot of fun, with mystery and mayhem abounding from start to finish. I liked getting to see two shy characters find love despite the chaotic situation they’ve been thrust into. It was also a joy to read about their relationships with their respective brothers, tumultuous as they may be. The Belvoir’s Library trilogy has been wonderful so far, and I’m excited to read the final book, Ladies in Hating, later this year.

Oh how I enjoyed this one!!

* historical romance
* wallflower / scottish earl
* disaster meet-cute
* forced proximity
* mutual pining
* mystery / espionage sub-plot
* dual POV
* open door

Ohhh Lydia and Arthur... you love sick fools just couldn't stop from falling in love!! Lydia appears on Arthur's door, proposing a marriage of convenience after they had been been wiring to each other for years... only to find out it was actually Arthur's brother who had been writing to Lydia all along! Lydia and Arther team up to find his brother, who hasn't been home in some time, and get to the bottom of what's going on. What follows is a fun, mysterious, and swoon-worthy story of falling love with a side of espionage and thrills! The mutual pining between these two was delicious and the character development was great!

**I received an advanced listening copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Strong female characters play a central role in this second of the Bevloir's Library trilogy. Lydia Hope-Wallace, who writes political pamphlets under an assumed name, is parts shy and introverted but also brave and relentless. When she decides to propose to her correspondent the Earl of Strathrannoch, she disturbingly discovers that the real earl has no clue who she is. Thus begins a tale of adventure, spies, secrets, and lots of spicy romance. Both Lydia and Arthur have strong opinions, devout loyalty to family and beliefs, and a growing sense of desire for each other. The frequent indecisiveness and cataloging each other's desirable traits and physical attributes weighs a bit on the narrative, but the strands of humor woven into the narrative help to continue the reader through the passages. There are several instances of danger in the novel that counterbalances the very spicy romantic scenes. Overall, the story and characters are very pleasing and enjoyable, and the title works well as a standalone novel; if the reader is not familiar with the first title in the series, they will not be lost in this book's storyline.

As for the voice narration, the performed voices lend well to each character. Mhairi Morrison, the voice actress, performs both British and Scottish characters entertainingly. The overall storyline was a good listen.

Great listen, and a perfect way to escape from reality into the Regency era for a bit of time.

#EarlCrush #NetGalley

Love, love, loooove!! This was such a fun audiobook. The narration was incredible and only matched by the exciting, sexy, fast paced story. Lydia is the type of FMC I can't get enough of - intelligent, loyal, and doesn't realize how sexy/badass she is. Her chemistry with Arthur is off the charts and I loved watching their relationship progress. This book is funny, adventurous, steamy, and such a good read.