Not my favorite of Vasti's writing but the banter was classic Vasti and I loved the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers of it all. I also thought Vasti's exploration of a romance across different classes was well done.

A romantic and deliciously gothic story of two rival authors falling in love—and averting disaster. Lady Georgiana Cleeve writes wildly popular gothic novels under a pseudonym, although she revealed her identity rather dramatically earlier in the series. But she’s noticed strange similarities between her novels and those by another author, Lady Darling, and as the similarities grow she gets increasingly anxious about discovering who keeps stealing her ideas and putting a stop to it. But when she discovers the true identity of Lady Darling, she’s shocked to discover it’s a woman she’d longed for in her past.

I loved their confrontations and bickering, and their obvious growing attraction to one another. Once they both find themselves staying at a decrepit but formerly glorious gothic mansion for inspiration, they discover even more how much they do actually care for one another. There are some excellent surprises and twists as you read, making this a delightful and mysterious romance that I’ll recommend widely.

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti said if you're a woman author in regency England, hold my beer; I'm going to have a better love story than you. Vasti's writing is really fantastic. She focuses on painting the picture, with the reminders of queer history being all around even if it's closeted. She uses words that prior till reading, I didn't know. This not only helped me to learn more words but were detailed strokes on the painting. A solid sapphic romance set in the realities of queerness being unacceptable in society. I'm just kidding, but seriously I enjoyed the growth and development between the two main characters, Cat & Georgie.

Georgie was disowned by her father because she was a writer. They both knew each other back in the day but neither knew that the other wrote. So when Georgie began to be annoyed by another author stealing her work she begins to track down who on this world it could be. Figuring out who it is, Georgie is upset. However, her solicitor suggest that she goes back near her home estate to an abandoned estate for inspiration for her next book.

Cat has worked her entire adult life writing to provide for her brother after her father passed. Cat is running out of steam. She has plenty of cash to quit her part time job to focus on her writing, when her solicitor suggests that she goes to an abandoned estate for her next book. She jumps at the opportunity growing up in the area the estate was always a mystery.

The Estate has been rumored to be haunted for years. So when a bump in the night scares the writers, they go seeking answers. While they don't find the answers to the bump in the night, they do find many many more questions while researching for their books, bringing both Cat and Georgie closer together.

Thank you to Alexandra Vasti and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to an ARC copy from Netgalley.

If you’re interested in Gentleman Jack and Bridgerton, I believe this book is for you! Overall, I rate this book a 3.5. When scrolling through the site, I was intrigued by the cover, description, and the title (all fantastic!). The premise sounded awesome, but the plot and the writing style lost me. The synopsis had advertised it as a rivalry, but I felt like it was false; the story had begun as such, but upon the first encounter, they were smitten. I felt that the rivalry was non-existent. Similarly, upon realizing their adoration for each other, the relationship went insanely fast. I would like to highlight that there are major aspects of previous yearning, but I thought it was lackluster. I want to preface that the disinterest is less because of the book, but more from me. I hadn’t realized it was part of a series. Additionally, I thought the historical vocabulary was weak, which others may completely disagree with me. I recommend giving it a try, no harm in it! The books build up an interesting story and multiple characters and storylines. Not only that, who doesn’t love sapphic representation and happiness :)

Georgiana Cleeve spent her first Seasons out deterring suitors by feigning feathers between her ears, an entertaining ruse she aptly sold to hide her clandestine gig as a gothic novelist. Her books have been well-received over the years, but success is not without consequence, as it seems there’s a copycat on her heels. Seeking new inspiration, Georgiana and her loyal pooch, Sir Francis Bacon, journey to a haunted mansion, only to find her literary rival (and childhood crush) already in residence.

When Catriona Lacey isn’t baking pies or nagging her little brother, she’s penning gothic novels under the nom de plume ‘Lady Darling.’ As it turns out, her father once served as the butler to Georgiana’s family, so the rivals have shared history from which to pluck that also explains the similarities in their prose.

Our ladies in hating table their feud as they’re swept up in paranormal activity, bird-infestations, Bacon’s debauchery, and unrequited desire. They admirably banter around temptation, but sapphic lust wins out with a rose garden canoodle that evolves into some steamy bathtub lingus. There’s a robbery and a corpse that may or may not be linked, a matchmaking solicitor, and a hot Duke who hates being rich. We’re spared a dramatic third act break-up, which was a welcome reprieve, and allowed the personal and romantic journeys to shine.

This is the 3rd and last of the Belvoir’s series, which I wholeheartedly loved for myriad reasons, not least of which is the absurd knowledge I came away with from each book. Did you know that pigs scream? How fun!

Ladies in Hating was an absolutely amazing read filled with so much beautiful writing. It was giving sapphic gothic writers with the same childhood. it was just a really wonderful almost bridgerton-esque vibe. Loved.

ARC Review
This is a 2.75 rounded up to 3⭐️

A Sapphic rivals to lovers regency romance between two gothic novelists.

This is my first novel by this author.
I was drawn in by the title, cover and summary.
and while it turned out to be an ok novel, it didn’t blow me away.
I felt that the rivals to lovers took place way too quickly and the issue of their novels being really similar was never resolved once the romance started.
While this was cute I didn’t find it complete satisfying due to pacing as well as a very mild plot.
All in all while it was a fine read it was not for me.

I'm just obsessed with this book! Cat and Georgie were such entertaining characters, and the entire plot was so much fun that it consumed all my thoughts even when I had to stop reading to attend to real-life things. Despite it being the third book in a series, it was a standalone, which was great for me since I didn't realize it was part of a series when I started reading. I'll be going back and reading the first two Belvoir's Library books ASAP now because of how much I enjoyed immersing myself in this world!

I loved the slight mystery and the fact that any communication problems were sorted out relatively quickly throughout this book. I loved the family dynamics and the clear character growth and development. I loved that the story went to places I didn't expect, although, admittedly, I love to go into a story not trying to predict where it might take me. I'd recommend Ladies in Hating to anyone who enjoys sapphic romances in historical settings, particularly those involving rival Gothic novelists.

DNF'd at 44%

For a book title "Ladies in Hating", there was a severe lack of hatred. The romance happened way too fast and it made me lose interest since my favorite parts of romance books are the yearning and tension. I was really disappointed in this book.

This book strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted romance and actual character depth; it’s an easy read without the characters or plot becoming boring or predictable. Exactly the kind of sapphic fiction we need in the world right now!!

Alexandra Vasti never misses! She's done it again with LADIES IN HATING. A sapphic historical romance about rival gothic novelists with soo much yearning and banter and spice that are the trademarks of Vasti's writing. I loved the gothic mansion setting and mystery alongside the romance, as well as the exploration of queer love in historical times. Highly recommend!

Two authors whose books keep ending up with the same dark plotlines are forced to spend time together in a haunted house. A spicy enemies to lovers story ensues. Underneath all the animosity lies a romantic tension they may not be able to resist. An interesting read for sure. Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“It’s difficult. To believe that you deserve happiness when the world would tell you that you do not.”

this was a super cute sapphic historical romance.

i enjoyed the rivalry and banter in the beginning, and the dilapidated, gothic mansion with spooky vibes. i enjoyed cat and georgiana both as protagonists and they felt v interesting w their respective backstories.

i was a little sad that we're lead away from the mansion quite quickly from a mystery, but the absolute simping on both their behalfs helped make up for it.

“You cannot possibly imagine how long and how desperately I have wanted you.”

i also enjoyed the historical note at the end from author about real life influences, esp from queer figures in regency history.

overall, it was a fun read and i would read more by vasti! (i have my eye on iris for a next book 👀)

Vulnerability was not so fearsome a thing when one knew oneself to be loved.

an honest arc review ♡

MY FAVORITE of the Belvoir’s Library series, LADIES IN HATING features a decadently rich setting, delicious tension between our leading ladies, and made me cry a few times.

Alexandra Vasti always does a remarkable job with her characters—they leap off the page and feel so genuinely real to me, and Georgie and Cat were no exception. This book had everything I want to read in a romance and more.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins for an advanced copy of this lovely book! Opinions are my own.

A Sapphic historical romance is not usually my thing but I got sucked in.

The wit and banter. The puppy! The rival to lovers.
The book started off slow and then I couldn't put it down.
Not one for historical fiction, but wanting to branch out- I loved it.

It was like being absorbed into a different time.
I didn't expect the spooky bits.

Okay what in the world did they put in this book that it made me laugh, cry, and get scared?! I dont usually read thrillers or mysteries or horror because they give me nightmares, but romance books with spooky elements dont usually scare me. BUT OMG I had to only read this book in the mornings because I was getting so scared HAHAHAHA. But I am more sensitive to that so I think in general most people would think its the right amount of spooky.
The spice in this book was *chef's kiss* perfection! These ladies had the enemies to horny lovers vibes perfected. It was also romantic and sweet. Although the book did have a bit of miscommunication between the main characters, it wasn't too much or too dramatic since they had the mystery/ haunting/ murder situation as the main plot line.
I will definitely recommend this book to ANYONE who likes rom coms, historicals, & queer stories. It was so well done! 5 STARS <3

My new favorite historical sapphic romance by one of my new favorite historical romance authors. Alexandra Vasti combines sapphic yearning with queer chaos with found and real family with steam with genuinely laugh out loud humor in this book and I delighted in every second of it.

Her books have all the charm that make her a perfect successor to Georgette Heyer (if Heyer weren’t a horrible person) and I cannot wait to read more from her. I was so sad to read in the author’s note that this was the last book in the Belvoir’s series. It seemed like Vasti was setting up Iris and Selina’s brother, though I’m holding out hope that’ll just be the start to the next series 🤞🏻

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a review for an ARC copy of Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti from NetGalley.

The story follows two gothic authors in London. This novel started off slow, however, about 50% through the pace really picked up with turns left and right. I really enjoyed the story as it progressed! A little paranormal, a little mystery, a little romance, and a little history, all tied together with a nice stocking bow.

3.5 rounded up

A sapphic historical romance about two gothic authors? Sign me up! The banter, especially in the first half, was a great time and I only wish it extended more into the second half. I was rooting for them throughout and while there was a lot going on, I had a fun time.

A perfect pick for a sweet fun read that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Thank you to NetGalley to St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was SO up my alley. It’s got that meta gothic murder mystery energy that just feels deliciously self-aware in the best way. The prose is elevated and still super readable, something I love as reader.

Trope city in the best way: enemies to lovers, secret identities, and yes, everyone is gay. I ate it up.

Even though it’s technically part of a trilogy, it stands perfectly well on its own. I didn’t feel like I missed anything, but I still immediately wanted to pick up the other books because I’m clearly a new fan of this author.

The historical setting is really approachable for readers who aren’t deep into historical romance. There’s a manor, there are carriages, but it read more contemporary than others I’m used to as an avid fan of this period.

This was a solid 4 stars from the start but a good author’s note on historical accuracy will always bump a book up in my ratings. For fans of the gothic genre, Anne Lister, and other historical queer figures.