This book was so good. I honestly loved all of the characters. The banter between everyone was great. I loved the mystery that was going on besides the love story, too! Looking forward to reading more from Alexandra Vasti!

An absolute delight—sweet, witty, and completely addictive. Alexandra Vasti has such an effortlessly engaging writing style, balancing humor, romance, and depth in a way that makes her books compulsively readable. This 3rd book in her interconnected standalone series, is a sapphic rivals-to-lovers romance. Georgiana and Cat’s dynamic was so fun to read. There’s tension, banter, and romance. I also loved the focus on family relationships for both of them—it added an extra layer of warmth and depth to the story. There were a few moments where I wished for just a bit more emotional development in certain scenes. But overall, this was such a fun, heartwarming read, and I can’t wait to pick up whatever Alexandra Vasti writes next!

This is the first book I’ve read from this author. I was lucky enough to have snagged an eARC copy of this book from NetGalley.
This was a delightful 1800s sapphic gothic novel.
I enjoyed every moment, from the tiny purse puppy, to the haunted decrepit mansion, it was all a fun time.
Both the FMCs are authors, which is another love for me.
This was a great time, from beginning to end. I loved so many of the characters and I definitely want some of their stories moving forward.

DNF 40%
The first 30% felt like unnecessary fluff just waiting for the story to get started. I was bored just hearing about the weird coincidences and overlap in their writing. I had a hard time differentiating the POVs perhaps could've helped to label the chapters. I think I would've liked it more in first person rather than third I didn't feel that connected to either. I realized I just simply did not care about either of them in the slightest or the possible mystery plot. I was expecting a slow burn enemies to lovers and this just wasn't that.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled with this book, I only made it 20% through before I had to give up. I can't pinpoint why I was struggling, I just know I wasn't involved/caring about it. I think it was really well written from a grammatical standpoint and I like the idea of it.

I laughed. I cried. How lucky am I (are we the readers) that Alexandra Vasti has written the final installment of this delightful trilogy as a sapphic romance. The sweetest, most tender, love story. And just beautiful (historically accurate !!) depictions of queer love in the regency era. I can’t wait to reread. Also includes one of my favorite terms of endearment I’ve read: “Georgie mine." Swoon.

I’ve loved everything Vasti has published, and Ladies in Hating takes the cake.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Vasti is a gifted historical romance writer - this is no exception! A queer romance that still delves into class differences and all it means to be a writer in regency era, with lovely cameos from our favorite characters from the series, Selina and her library!

⭐️: 4.25
🌶️: 2.5

Favorite Quote:

"You saw the future you wanted…and you brought it into being. Despite your fear. Despite the risk. I only followed your light."

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley & St Martin’s Press. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts!

A sapphic love story between two rival authors in the regency era with a dash of haunting and a hint of missing heir mystery folded into one deliciously entertaining tome!

I haven’t read many historical fictions lately after my rather frustrated attempts with the original Bridgerton source materials. But I’ve been craving a reason to dive back into this genre and this book was the perfect escape.

Georgie is such a strong, intelligent, independent woman who holds all the sins of her father on her shoulders, convincing herself she doesn’t need anyone other than her mother and her dog, Bacon. The layers to her character broke my heart especially as we see them pulled back through Cat’s eyes. At first I found her self sabotaging mantra’s a little repetitive but if you had constantly been told you were a poison to anyone you touched…it would be on repeat to you too, wouldn’t it? Seeing her icy demeanor thaw through the book was lovely especially when she finally is able to find joy in herself.

Cat is such a light one that balances carefree and responsibility in an almost effortless way. The sharp contrast in the two types of families shown in the book really brings home how important it is to be loved and supported by your family (either by blood or by choice). And how having that support allows you to blossom into the person you’re meant to be. I do wish we could have seen a little more of her recklessness or her “too much-ness” other than the few snippets in the attic. But that’s just me being greedy.

The story did start slow for me, but that very well could have just been my headspace at the time I started it. So I won’t hold that against it. I loved the supporting charters especially Martin and Iris and of course Bacon the dog. The different side quests all wove so beautifully into one story and I absolutely loved how complete it felt at the end.

As a point of interest, the author includes a note at the end of how she based her characters off real people during that time period. She clearly did extensive research and I loved learning pieces of queer history along with this story. Because of this, I immediately went and bought the first two books in this series and will impatiently wait for this one to be released to re-read it

Rival gothic novelists (who are secretly obsessed with each other) get locked in a haunted mansion while conducting research for their next books. Can they battle castle ghosts, demons from their pasts, and more importantly their growing feelings for each other? Vasti made this adventure with Lady Georgiana and Cat not only so fun but emotional and heartwarming. And what I always love is the research applied to all of her stories. The author’s notes are so fascinating and I’m always blown away by what details are inspired by true people/places/events in history that I’ve never heard of.

I have recently become addicted to Alexandra Vasti’s historic romances so I was delighted to be gifted an e-ARC from St. Martin’s Press. The pacing felt a bit funny on this one, but the characters are rich and dynamic. The intrigue was a fun twist, and I am hoping we see more of Oliver Fawkes 👀

I loved this book! The premise is not one that you usually see in historical fiction and stayed interesting through the end. The found family aspect of the entire series continues through this book in a satisfying way. I loved Cat’s brother especially.

I’m going to say big yes on this one 💖🧡
Like, I know don’t judge a book by its cover but…. This one actually freaking delivers!! I got this as an eARC but I applied after seeing the cover. It did not freaking dissappoint.
I Can see some of the criticism but here’s where I’m at… I don’t think we have enough historical sapphic books. And I legitemely enjoyed this one. Sure, some stuff with the characters and how they go about things can be a bit too much but like, I’m so extra so I was there for it.
Can’t wait to add this one to my physical library!!

honestly, if I ever leave a negative review about one of Alexandra's books, no I didn't. I would rather cut off my arm than ever say anything bad about something she has written because I have loved every single character and every single Trope she has used.

This one was filled with probably more passion and fire than some of her other books. Which is saying something, because they're all pretty spicy. and I was glad the slow burn wasn't that slow, but it was just right. words cannot even adequately explain how much I love this book, but once again i'm unable to shut up about it to everyone I know! lol

"Georgie, Mine" indeed

I have been sitting on this review of Ladies In Hating by Alexandra Vasti for a few weeks now. Partially because I needed time to process.

I liked Ne’er Duke Well, I loved Earl Crush, and I was excited to see this next one containing so many of my favorite words ending in “ic” —gothic, romantic, sapphic, charismatic, but it didn’t land for me the way I was hoping. Biggest problem, I think we didn’t spend enough time in the mysterious haunted ruins, needs more mysterious haunted ruins that’s what I always say.

In the first two books Georgie is funny and bold and cunning, so I was really looking forward to seeing more of her charm and wiles but she comes off as just overwhelmed by her feelings. Shame and guilt and jealousy and suspicion and crushes are all valid feelings but it’s hard to read a POV of someone who is drowning in them. I think this leads to the other big problem which is the tone— is it mysterious, is it action, is it rom com, is it therapy? Finally, the ending was far too convenient for my liking; I think it was intended to be a deliberate play on the soap opera type twists in gothic novels of the time.

Honestly, I still think the book is good overall, I maybe went into it with higher expectations than usual because I liked Earl Crush so much. I am happy for Bacon the Dog that he got to be on every cover in the trilogy.

Alexandra Vasti has done it again and this time she's brought the sapphics.

Georgiana has been a quiet stand-out side character among the Belvoir Library trilogy and here she gets the chance to shine in her own book. She's grown a lot since her first appearance and I loved seeing that. Especially her coming to terms with her own trauma from the first book as well as her fierce desire to remain independent. Her relationship with her mother really hit hard and there were plenty of family moments--not just between Georgiana and her family, but also Cat and her family as well--that really stood out alongside the romance.

Speaking of, it's a little silly and full of longing and heat. And I especially loved the acknowledgment that queer people have existed throughout time and queer JOY in particular has persisted despite everything. Vasti's author's note at the end really hit home, particularly given the current political climate.

I do think that the larger plot elements, while they did all come together, felt a little convenient in some parts and convoluted in others. It wasn't enough to dampen my enjoyment while reading, but it was something that I recognized after the fact. However, if you liked Vasti's other works in this series, I'd highly recommend picking this up.

I really enjoyed this! I love the representation of a sapphic romance in a historical setting! I am actually not a person that likes historical books in general but I didn’t mind it too much in this novel. I enjoyed the mystery element to this book and wished it had lasted longer. I think there was too much going on at the end and it felt like a ping pong ball bouncing around.

Cat was such a fun character! I loved how strong and independent she was. She loved ferociously and was always doing what was best for her family. She was sassy and confident which just added to her charm.

Georgie was not my favorite. I swear this woman was a Leo because she constantly made everything about her. She blamed herself for everyone’s problems even though nothing was her fault. I hated that she never gave those around her a choice in whether or not they wanted to be in her life but instead forced herself out “for their benefit”. While I think her intentions were good, she was always causing problems for herself.

I think alot of the conflict could have been avoided if the characters (specifically Georgiana) would have just talked about their feelings/fears.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A story about two women gothic novelists whose books have very strange similarities. After discovering each other years after being separated, these two women go on an adventure together that reveals many hidden truths. It's a good story with the meaning of family, some humor, and a small amount of spice.

This is definitely a mood-based read. I wish the plot was more refined. It couldn't decide if it wanted to be a regency romance, Gothic read, a mystery, a drama, or about authors. And the plot (s?) that seemed so thickly laid on got lost in the romance. I wish it stuck to one theme and do it well instead of bouncing around. The characters were endearing, at least. But it was a tough read to get through.

4.5 stars! This is my second book from Alexandra Vasti and it has cemented a place on my auto-buy author list! As a longtime fan of the historical romance genre I am thrilled that newer authors are still writing in this genre.

The banter (with all the characters not just the main ones) is once again fantastic. I feel that dialogue is a strength of Vasti’s. In this story between two rival authors there’s lots of chances for some great back-and-forth to fuel the tension between the two FMCs.

I enjoyed the romance between Georgiana and Cat! They both kind of misunderstand each other at the beginning (Cat thinks Georgiana is an entitled aristocrat and Georgiana is accusing Cat of stealing her plots and details for her novels). They both start to learn more about each other and really come to care for each other.

The addition of a bit of a gothic mystery on top of the romance was a fun element! We get a spooky setting with lots of unexplained happenings and creepy noises to add fuel to the gothic fire.

The only thing that was a little confusing for me was the unveiling of the full backstory for Georgiana. At the beginning of the book I felt like I had missed information from a previous book (as this is part of an interconnected series) but all was eventually revealed. (I had also mistakenly thought Georgiana was a sibling to a main character from the previous book but that was my misunderstanding. The things that really connect the books in this series is the library, Belvoir’s.)

Obsessed. I normally do not go for period pieces, but you bring in sapphic enemies to lovers? Sold. The romance was so sweet, and the plot was fun enough to keep me engaged. Overall, I loved it. Can’t wait to read more!