Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti is the third book of the Belvoir’s Library trilogy. This book gives you everything you expect from a Vasti novel including memorable settings and situations, banter during sexy time, collaboration between the couple, imperfect, but non-toxic main characters, and your face soaked by tears. In addition, this book offers even more, creating a unique treat of a historical romance. If you like eerie haunted mansions, self-imposed forced proximity, eldest daughter energy, and sapphic romance full of tension and wholesomeness, then this is your book.

Finally, we get Georgiana’s story. She has captivated me from her appearance in the first book of the series when I knew there was something more behind her air-headed act. I admire her transformation into the lead of this novel and I love that she was matched with an equally strong woman, Cat. They compliment each other well and it’s extra fun because the seduction is not one sided. There is give and take from each side. While Cat does more to fill Georgiana’s bucket, it is time for Georgie to do something for herself.

The main plot of two rival Gothic novels was a unique concept that will separate this book from other historical romances in my memory. I was pleased by the pacing of the romance, which gave them time to work through conflicts together. It allowed me to really believe the longevity and depth of their romance.

It is refreshing when the main conflict of a queer romance is not the nature of their relationship. Both of their families offered quiet, but honest acceptance. At the same time, it was not anachronistic and described the life that could exists for a lesbian couple in Regency England. Of course, with a bit of the historical romance Happily Ever After magic.

While their relationship was romance writing at its finest, I was fondest of the story behind the Renwick house and the mysteries it held. The most enjoyable scenes for me were when Georgie and Cat were investigating the house with all of its eerie details. I wish this part of the plot had lasted for many more chapters. I would have soaked it up. It was so fun to see the manor come to life in my mind.

On a side note, I thought they were setting up Iris’s book and MMC. I was so disappointed when I read the author’s acknowledgement that called this a trilogy. Maybe there’s plans for a novella?! This is me begging for Iris’s story.


Get your hands on this book as soon as you can!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

This is my first Alexandra Vasti book, I know, shame on me. But! This book has been an absolute delight! Sometimes I find it hard to find sapphic books that aren’t just all spice. But this novel has thee perfect amount of spice. This book has a classic rivals to lovers trope and such an adventure between the two main characters paths. The banter between the main characters was so real and entertaining, had me giggling and smirking the whole way through. I love the end dedication to the queer historians and the love and thought that went into writing this novel. Bravo! Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader!

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. This book follows to writing rivals, Ladies Georgiana and Darling (aka "Cat") - they both have had success within the Gothic writing realm. Although, Georgiana feels there are parallels to her writing, and aims to find this Lady Darling. It is then she learns that Lady Darling is actually Cat Lacey, once Georgiana's crush and her butler's daughter. Cat, meanwhile, uses her success to help her family get out of poverty, and doesn't appreciate the distraction of Georgiana. They ultimately both get stuck at the same manor where they intended to set their next books.

At this point, I love all of Alexandra Vasti's books. She has a way of writing clever, fun, and interesting stories, mixing in great steamy scenes with a backdrop of the Regency era. You cannot go wrong with any of her books, and this one may be her best yet (hard to say, I love them all!). Side note, I loved the manor in this book - what fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A really enjoyable read. Definitely recommend. This is the first book I’ve read from the author (did not know it was part of a series– my bad) and I’m pretty sure I’ll go back and read her other projects. The protagonists were really likable, although their attitudes could sometimes be frustrating, that made them well rounded characters. Truly enjoyed the romance, the progress of their relationship, etc. The familial relations of both characters were another element that I enjoyed, especially Cat and her brother’s bond.

There were a few sweet moments that pulled at my heartstrings, particularly the reveals about the house and its previous owners. That love story was maybe the sweetest /saddest part of the book.

Some plot points were left kind of in the air. While it’s not a paranormal it does have some supernatural elements, but they are not the main focus, since it’s more of a character driven story than a plot driven one. Even though multiple people had sort of witnessed those inexplicable events and such, they were mostly brushed off, except for Car, whose last sentences in the book were my favorite, although bittersweet. There was the initial conflict of the similarities between the protagonists’ books, and its resolution could have been further explored, because the reasons given for it were kind of too far fetched. I do appreciate that it wasn’t dragged on throughout the story but it could have been resolved with a more profound explanation, in my eyes.

There were a few instances where the internal conflict of the characters seemed a bit repetitive to me, but based on the backstory it is understandable why it would be a recurrent issue, but for the sake of the book, there was a point near the end of the book where it seemed like an unnecessary last hurdle for the couple, when it had already been discussed and settled between the fmcs.

A lovely, cute, quick book. I didn't realize that htis was a part of an interconnected series, so at the start I was a bit confused with the Georgie's lore and friends, but once we began the story I was having so much fun! I loved the backdrop of Renwicke and the rivalry between Georgie and Cat at the start. The mystery of how their novels were similar and then the follow up to the understanding was great. It was a pretty low stress plot, but intriguiging enough to keep me reading. I will say that once their romance began it felt a bit quick and we lost sight of some of the mystery aspects, but also this is a romance book primarily so thats not the craziest. Overall, I really enjoyed! The writing was lovely and the characters were so lovable. Georgie - you are so cute!

Another fun Regency romp from Alexandra Vasti! This book features dueling Gothic novelists and is therefore full of amazing bookish details that had me chuckling — Georgiana’s mother talking about all the special gilt-edged editions was especially delightful. I loved that the B-plot was straight from a Gothic novel as well, with a falling-down mansion, creepy servants (Graves and Mort — see what she did there??), a secret inheritance, coded letters, and buried treasure all playing important roles in the plot. The romance was super swoony, too, with buttoned-up Georgiana and cheeky Catriona making the perfect foe-mance pair. Although I must know if we will eventually get a romance featuring Iris and Selina’s brother Will?

Thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book!

Love Georgiana from the first book in the series when she pretended to be dumb to discourage suitors. The rival writer plot/enemies to lovers trope is done wonderfully. Kept me laughing and entertained. A fun sappheric rom-com .

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The story flows well and the love interests play off each other well. It was a good twist on historical fiction and I enjoyed the journey the book takes you on.

Nothing jumped out at me and it’s not a book I would return to but it was good for a first read.

Thanks for NetGallery and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was literally everything I want in a historical romance. The plot kept me turning the pages, the chemistry made me blush, Alexandra Vasti knocks it out of the park every single time! Can’t wait to read more from her in the future.

This was a very cute and solid read! I loved the dynamic between our main characters and loved the sapphic representation in a historical romance. There was forced proximity, which I loved, and was set in a haunted mansion which gave it a really cool gothic vibe. The cover is also a really pretty pink that you'd for sure want on your shelves! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

So happy I was approved for this arc,
sapphic romance, forced proximity, gothic setting about ghosts and a estate, I love books about estates so I would of got this in a heartbeat. especially about a gothic setting. This is a queer romance and it was so good. I just wish it was easier to read on my kobo I had to read it on the netgalley shelf through my phone which hurt my eyes.
This cover is gorgeous bright, pink perfect for valentines day that just passed. I loved reading about these two characters. Both gothic romance writers. It was perfect.

Falling in love with your writing rival/childhood crush in a dilapidated countryside manor? Oh yeah I’m so aggressively in.
Georgiana has been a favorite side character in Selina and Lydia’s story and her story delivered. Heavy on the yearning and internal strife, light on homophobia (yay!) Cat and Georgiana are both such compelling characters who have worn so much responsibility and watching them let each other in was so fun. Alexandra Vasti is an auto-read for me at this point and this was a very enjoyable read.

Pride and Prejudice meets Bridgerton with a hint of mystery in a sapphic romance for the ages. This book was heart breakingly tender and moving and full of an all consuming love. Ladies in hating was so eloquently written, and I find this story will stick with me for years to come. I only wish Cat and Georgie could see the world as it is now, know that they can love and be loved as they are, and they can write freely about whatever they want.

A new day, a new bookish obsession!!!
From the first moment I saw the cover of this book two months ago I knew without a doubt that I wanted to read it, so when I found out it was on Netgalley I ran faster than I had ever run to read it in my entire life!

Ladies in Hating is a historical romance novel between two rival gothic writers where one of them suspects that the other is copying her stories due to all the similarities that exist between their novels, between their research for new books and the uncertainty of whether one is really copying the other or not, an exquisite tension is unleashed between both authors, where despite their "hate" that they both profess for each other they can't stop thinking about each other.

Ladies in Hating is the typical story that has made its way into me with incredible ease, the story, the characters and the setting have captivated and entertained me more than I imagined they would at first, the circumstances that both girls experience are the trigger for the delicious attraction and romance that begins to develop between them.

Lady Georgiana is a character that I imagine being taken from a comedy for some strange reason, I can't stop thinking of her as a fun high society girl who stalks her rival and has had a strong crush on her for years, but also being a woman writer of Gothic novels in the 1800s, she is criticized by society and throughout history we see how she even keeps away from her family so that they do not get involved in the same criticisms since for society she is a problematic woman for being a writer of that genre in that time.

On the other hand, Cat Lacey, aka Lady Darling is a girl who since her father passed away finds herself in a rather complicated situation, but meeting Georgian is a big shock to her reality and she begins to get involved in very interesting thoughts about the woman who is her rival! Her character seemed so relatable to me, in my head Cat is a Virgo girl, who tries to take care of everything and everyone, sacrificing herself.

In conclusion, Ladies in Hating is a prime example of gothic literature, both in its themes and motifs, where we see Georgiana find her equal, a woman capable of challenging everything she believes in, this story will undoubtedly become my new personality and has opened the doors for me to feel more attracted to reading more historical romances.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Alexandra Vasti for this arc! I had the moment of my life reading this book

Alexandra Vasti never misses with tension, longing, shenanigans, and steam. LADIES IN HATING is a delightful, slightly supernatural romp with a sapphic missed connection that feels delightfully satisfying when the characters finally get together.

I got this yesterday and breezed right through it was that good! Cat and Georgiana's chemistry was top tier, I loved it!

Alexandra Vasti has done it again! I wouldn't have guessed it was possible to exceed the other two in the series, but somehow I think this one does. It has some of the madcap fun and intrigue of Earl Crush, mixed with the deeper character development and world-building of Ne'er Duke Well. There's ample yearning and pining as Georgiana and Cat's relationship evolves, but balanced out by kindness and love. The family members and other side characters add to the plot beautifully, and the story dives into some deeper questions about family, legacy, and identity. It was a really sensitive portrayal of queer love, balancing the reality of the time with the expectation of a HEA.

My only regret is that per the author's note (which is a must-read) this is the last book in the Belvoir's Library series. A hint was dropped about Iris Duggelby and Selina's brother William, and I was hoping the next book would be about them. I'm slightly glum for Iris to not get a book, as I've enjoyed her appearances throughout the trilogy. Regardless, whatever Vasti writes next, I'll be devouring it.

A delightfully witty rivals-to-lovers romance that perfectly blends Gothic elements with Regency charm.
Lady Georgiana Cleeve, a successful but prideful writer, and Cat Lacey, the determined daughter of a butler with literary ambitions of her own have so much overlap in their recent books, it's curious.
The novel shines in its exploration of class differences, creative rivalry, and suppressed attraction. When these feuding authors find themselves trapped in a supposedly haunted manor, their long-simmering tension finally boils over into passionate romance. The chemistry between Georgiana and Cat is palpable, making their eventual union both satisfying and earned.
The spicier scenes are masterfully written, with the encounter in Belvoir's library standing out as a particularly memorable moment where passion and literary symbolism intertwine beautifully. Fans of the series will appreciate appearances by beloved characters from previous books, whose presence enriches the story while providing continuity to Vasti's expanding Regency world.
A perfect read for fans of sapphic romance, literary rivalries, and Gothic tropes cleverly reimagined.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I loved this! it was a gripping book that started from page 1 and I couldn't put it down. A must read IMO