Rivals to lovers? Writers? Sapphic romance? Sign me up. The rivalry between Georgina and Katherine was caused due to similarities in their books, gothic novels written under pseudonyms. After it was revealed that they knew each other from the past, the story picked up pretty quickly. This review won’t contain a bunch of spoilers but I will say this: the ending was everything!

Sapphic rival gothic novelists trapped in a haunted manor? Say less. This is a witty, romantic, and emotionally rich Regency romp that had me giggling, swooning, and kicking my feet the whole way through.

I loved Georgiana and Cat’s dynamic—full of snark, longing, and genuine care. The haunted setting, literary epigraphs, and cozy gothic vibes make this a standout. And yes, the spice is chef’s kiss—plot-driven and full of pining.

A perfect conclusion to the Belvoir trilogy. I adored every page and will be recommending this to absolutely everyone.

DNF at 36%

Alexandra Vasti is a hit or miss author for me (I loved ‘Earl’s Crush’ but DNFed ‘Ne’er Duke Well’), so my chances of liking this were 50/50 and I was hoping they would lean positive. But over a third through this book, I just did not care.

The premise of this book is fantastic - two rival authors researching at the same abandoned manor that might be haunted while also catching feelings for the other - but the actual plot was…not that.

First of all, Cat and Georgiana are not rivals - to be rivals, both have to be aware of the other and try to one-up them. Cat had no idea her books and Georgiana’s were similar.

Cat and Georgiana also have a complicated past with Cat’s family being forced out of service of Georgiana’s, but this tension seems to blow over as quickly as the two women agree they can research the same building without coming to blows. With this past, Georgiana seems to have lingering feelings for Cat that are never delved into. They just appear on page when convenient to move the romance along at a snail’s pace.

Third, Vasti seemed to be much more interested in describing this abandoned manor than anything else in the story to the point that it took me about 20% of the book to keep the characters straight. I also found that instead of the plot moving at a normal pace, those details bogged it down so that by the time I gave up Cat and Georgiana had shared one heated look that seemed to come out of nowhere and Georgiana’s unexplained lust for Cat was starting to take over her inner monologue.

I was going to push through and finish the book, but I was dreading picking it up again and it put me to sleep twice when I was reading it! I hope other readers will enjoy the setting and find the slow-burn between the MCs more interesting than I did.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the Arc!

I love everything Alexandra Vasti writes and this was such fun, a totally delightful celebration of the gothic novel and the women who have written and read them.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the advanced reader copy!

This book tried a little too hard to be different, rather than just using the same formula that has made Vasti's previous books a delight to read.

Georgie and Cat are both writers and Georgie thinks Cat has been stealing her ideas. This book started out great, with Georgie hiding out in the dark to find the identity of the other author. It got a bit bogged down with too many plot points. It was hard to follow. The romance was very beautiful and hot.
Thank you to Alexandra Vasti and St Martin's Press for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Gotta love a regency era sapphic romance about two charismatic female authors! Loved all the characters and the twists and turns! Def recommend!

Top tier yearning and a rollicking plot, a crumbling gothic mansion, a little light haunting, and DEEPLY emotional character work makes this maybe my favorite of the Belvoir's Library trilogy? I cried so many times at the end of this book for the acceptance, family dynamics and hard-earned happy endings for these characters. I could not love Lady Georgiana and Cat more.

4.25/5 (come on Netgalley, give the people what they want!) Belvoir’s Library book 3 did not disappoint! This is an interconnected standalone, so don’t be afraid if you haven’t read books one and two first (although they do provide good context). Georgiana and Cat are very well-developed characters despite the book being a very quick read. I do wish it had been longer to elaborate on some of the most interesting story developments (for example, I’d have loved more time at Renwick House, and more time for their relationship to deepen), but that wish for more is due to how high quality the writing is. I think this book could easily have been twice as long and just as good! Alexandra Vasti does an amazing job writing characters you root for, with a lot of depth and heart. And her spice is absolutely some of the best I’ve read across any genre! I will absolutely be picking up any books this author writes. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

This book wasn't really for me. The premise was promising, and I thought the writing was descriptive and immersive. However, I wasn't particularly invested in the characters as individuals or their relationship. With Georgina especially, the narrative of why she is so worried about hurting people who get close to her was unclear for most of the book, and ultimately didn't really make sense to me. While I enjoyed some aspects of the mystery subplot, it didn't really start until halfway through the book and it wasn't particularly consequential to the primary plot or development of the characters. I'm also not much of a historical fiction/romance person, so those aspects of the book may make this a perfectly fun read for someone who is more into that.

When I hear rivals to lovers you already have my attention, and if authors/books/academia is in ANY way related I'm sold, plus sapphic and gothic, this was just a need immediately.

Two gothic novelists accidentally end up as rivals, but not for the reason you'd expect. I never knew where the story was going to go next, it has great mystery elements and family "drama" outside of the romance too! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and was also sweet and funny. The dog Bacon was definitely my favorite character, but I also really liked both FMCs!

This was a very cute read. Bridgerton mystery but make it sapphic.

I enjoyed the banter and rivalry between the two women and it was pretty slow burn… until it wasn’t 🔥

I liked the mystery aspect and the language and setting. The whole ghost theme didn’t make too much sense, I got lost in their romance instead. But the ending with all the reveals, was really good!

It’s tough to think of this time, when this type of romance would not be accepted. It makes me sad. Even between Cat’s father and Hugh… why can’t love just be love?

I am so glad that Georgie’s family situation worked out. I was sad for her, but also proud that her and Edith stood up to Jerk Earl 😂 it sucks that she had so much doubt because of her father.

Very nice story! Sir Francis Bacon was the star!! I picture him as a little white Frenchie, even tho he is described. It seems fitting 🐶

Lesbians, ghosts, Sir Francis Bacon, Ladies in Hating has all that and more. I’d never read Alexandra Vasti’s work before, but given how beautiful, charming, and joyful this book was, I’m going to have to check them out. The novel centers around Georgiana Cleeve and Catriona Lacey are two rival Gothic novelists with remarkably similar books that always seem to come out around the same time. This leads Georgiana to investigate and uncover the real identity of Lady Darling, the novelists whose work is remarkably similar to her own. What she discovers, of course, is Cat Lacey.

Regency is not usually my historical period of choice but this book makes the period easy to read and very intriguing. You don’t have to know a ton about the time period to get invested in the book, and while it approaches some of the historical realities that made life hard in the time (the scandal of being a gothic novelist for one) it never gets too bogged down and maintains a hopeful perspective. I had a lot of fun reading this novel, and was tickled pink the whole time. It’s cute and wholesome and so freaking funny. The scene with the cart had me literally laughing out loud.

One thing I really loved was the juxtaposition of the way the characters thought of themselves vs how they were seen by their love interest. Georgiana feels a little too familiar to me at times, and while I could see myself getting irritated with her in a lesser novel, here we also got to see Georgie through Cat’s eyes, and I couldn’t help but love her. The author really captures how in love these two are just through the way that they describe their partners. You really do see Catriona differently through Georgie’s eyes, and vice versa, and that makes both of them so lovable. Georgie is excellent at navigating social situations while Cat is clever and practical. They make a great duo, not because the plot demands it, but because it makes sense. They play on each other’s strengths, offer exactly what the other needs, and are honestly just so stinkin’ cute.

The supporting cast is full of wonderful characters. Georgie’s mom is awesome and has the patience of a saint. Jem is wonderful and I love him. Bacon is the best boy in the whole world and deserves more pets than he is currently getting. In addition to the romance, there is a spooky mystery surrounding ghosts, missing jewels, and a creepy old estate. It’s not so intrusive of a side-plot that it gets in the way of the developing relationship between Cat and Georgie, and it doesn’t get forgotten either. It felt appropriately balanced. It also has a very satisfying resolution that I personally got a chuckle out of but I won’t spoil it. If you know, you know.

I really, really loved this novel. It’s a delightful read. The only real criticism I have is that I’d love for the sex scenes to go on just a little longer, but they’re still very steamy and I’m glad we got them. Honestly, it’s a nitpick. I highly recommend Ladies in Hating. It’s a really heartwarming little story about lesbian writers who love their families and also the most petable dog I’ve ever read about. Go read it.

while i would fully say this book is marketed absolutely perfectly and the concept sucked me in right away, it fell a bit flat for me.
i didn’t find the characters and their chemistry to be particularly well fleshed out, especially within the first 25% of the novel. i wasn’t buying a mutual romantic attraction, and to me it felt forced until much later.
the prose — especially the way renwick house is described — is stunning and descriptive, but sort of lost on these dull characters. bacon is an absolute exception of course, and graves was a delight, but our two protagonist didn’t do it for me.
this is just a personal preference thing i feel, but it did make it difficult for me to finish the story.

Stopped at 30% because the book couldn't decide whether it wants to be a silly campy romance or pretentious Austin novel if she wrote lesbians. I feel like I would've enjoyed it a lot more if it read like lesbian version of Bridgertons, and didn't attempt to present itself as historically accurate at random moments while the language, characters' behaviour and some concepts mentioned remained modern. I love gothic stories but this one just wasn't for me, unfortunately.

Georgiana and Catriona are childhood acquaintances turned unknowingly feuding novelists. They stumble upon mysteries and ghosts while locked in a derelict mansion but ultimately find love and acceptance (and family!).

This is the third and last (unfortunately) installment in Alexandra Vasti’s Belvoirs Library series. I have loved every book and this one is no exception! Georgiana was introduced in the first book and I was so excited when she got her own book! Shes such an interesting character who sacrifices so much for those she loves even at her own expense. Cat was also great! She was so strong and self assured and the perfect companion for Georgiana.

The story and characters, like every book in this series, have historical connections which are explained in the back of the book. I really appreciate learning about them and it shows that the author really respects history and does her research.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Alexandra Vasti is one of my favourite historical romance authors writing right now. I was so excited to read the 3rd installment of this series, and Georgiana's story did not disappoint. The angst and tenderness between the two protagonists was so vulnerable and lovely to read. I also love reading a queer historical romance, since it's important to remember that queer people have always existed. Highly recommend this book!

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti is a Regency-era queer romance that follows two rival romance novelists with a complicated history—and even more complicated feelings. As they cross paths once again, old tensions ignite into sizzling passion, forcing them to confront lingering traumas from their past and the truth about their undeniable connection. With sweet romantic moments and a satisfying dose of steam (about 3 out of 5 chili peppers), the novel balances emotional depth with sensual tension. Though the plot can feel a bit tangled and leans into instalove territory, Ladies in Hating remains an enjoyable read. While not Vasti’s strongest work, fans of slow-burn rivalries and historical sapphic romance will still find plenty to love.

Once again, Alexandra Vasti has knocked it out of the park with this new edition to the Belvoir’s library series. This time, Lady Georgiana Cleave, gothic novelist, is the subject of the romance. Georgiana begins to notice strange coincidences between her novels and the novels of another gothic author. When she tries stalking the author to give her a piece of her mind, she discovers that it is none other than the daughter of her father’s old butler, Catriona. Who also happens to be Geogriana’s first crush and the object of her deepest girlhood desires.

Georgiana and Catriona become entangled in a mystery at a crumbling estate that seems pulled straight from one of their novels. Of course there is a lot of sparing that ends up leading to a lot of romance.

Every second of this novel was a pure delight which seems standard for Vasti. I can’t get enough of her books and I BEG that she finishes off this series with Iris!!

what if we kiss in the rose garden of a decaying haunted house while reading each other’s books

a beautiful and delightful historical queer romance novel.
it had everything you could ask for: regency era lesbians, rivaling gothic novelists, a beautiful and decaying manor home that may or may not be haunted, warm and accepting friends and family.
i was a bit disappointed in the beginning when we ended up moving so quickly away from the manor house because i was really enjoying that plot point but we eventually found our way back to it. and i loved the ending of this book so i forgive it for its lack of paranormal investigation that i was low key hoping for

i really appreciated the authors note at the end discussing the queer history that helped inspire parts of this book. queer people have always and will always continue to exist.

(and thank you for naming the abbey that inspired renwick house because i love having visuals and i spent too long picturing the house from bly manor lol)

thank you to netgalley and st martin’s for the arc!