This was a cute sapphic historical romance! I loved that the dog played a role in this one! This is the third historical romance I've read by this author and it's my favorite so far

I’m going to make a bold statement: Ladies in Hating is the best sapphic historical romance I have ever read.

I had no doubts going in that I would love whatever love story Alexandra Vasti had created for Lady Georgiana Cleeve, as I fell for Georgie upon first meeting her as a side character in Ne’er Duke Well. But I could not have prepared my heart for the love I would feel for Miss Catriona Rose Lacey. She is the perfect match for Georgiana. The two of them together? Be still my heart. Their rivalry, playful banter, and the tender YEARNING—the way they see each other for who they truly are, the way Cat helps Georgiana believe she is deserving of love—truly remarkable. I spent at least 50% of this book in tears (all complimentary).

Not to mention the beautiful cast of side characters. This story is not just a delightful romance at its core; it’s also a powerful study in self-worth, bravery, and what it means to have courage. It’s a celebration of queer love, acceptance, and unconditional love. And with an author’s note you won’t want to miss!

I continue to be amazed by Vasti’s writing. With each new story, I say it’s her best yet, and yet she continues to raise the bar. These ladies have my whole heart. It’s bittersweet that this is the end of the Belvoir’s Library series, but I can’t wait for Vasti’s next historical series!

Every time I pick up a new Alexandra Vasti book, I get nervous that it won't be as good as her previous novels, and every time she proves me wrong. I absolutely loved this sapphic historical romance between two rival gothic authors. Georgiana, established author, is convinced that "Lady Darling," an up-and-coming writer on the scene, is stealing literary elements. When Georgiana confronts Catriona, badass Cat is all "I didn't even have time to read your book, weirdo, I would never steal a character name from you."

OK also, they have a little bit of history (again, much more impactful for Georgiana, whose first ever crush was on Cat, and who will never forgot how beautiful, smart, amazing, confident, etc. etc. Cat is OMG she's the best). Also also they get locked in a haunted gothic mansion together and it was both funny and sexy. Hilariously sexy?

The book is funny, emotional, horny, and has a great grounding in historical facts. Basically it's everything you want in a historical romance.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Did you think I wasn't going to drop my TBR and pick up Ladies in Hating as soon as the widget hit my inbox? In THIS economy?!!

Georgiana Cleeve is an author of gothic novels who gave up every comfort of a privileged life as the daughter of an earl to live free from the constraints of her father. For the last several years, she and her mother have been living cut off from the family, supported by Georgiana's writing. Catriona Lacey's father used to work as a servant on Georgiana's father's estate. Now Cat, too, is also a popular novelist herself...but with some eerie overlaps in content from Georgiana's writing. They find themselves researching at the same abandoned haunted manor, and getting under one another's skin even more than usual.

Alexandra Vasti delivers her signature charm, complex characters, and tactile intimate scenes in this delightful sapphic romance. Since she announced it, it was perhaps my most highly anticipated historical romance, and I was not disappointed. Competing gothic novelists sets us up for rivals to lovers, but it’s clear from very early on that for Georgiana, it's always been Cat.

In a departure from Earl Crush, which had a lot of fun plot, Ladies in Hating is a little lighter on plot antics and heavier on character interaction (don't get me wrong, there is a lot of plot, it just involves fewer zebras and more ghosts). But the quieter plot allows for more mystery to build up in the setting of Renwick House, and the weight of the history of sapphic romances in the 18th and 19th century. I adore that neither Cat or Georgiana has need to question their attraction to women, only their attraction to *one another* and finding their place in society. Queer historicals are most successful when, like Ladies in Hating, they give us a completely believable HEA for the era. Don't miss the author's note either, where Vasti shares her research on sapphic literature!