I went into this book a little blind and unfortunately that didn’t work well for me. I knew this book was part of a series but saw it could be read as a stand alone and was excited to give it a try, but I just could not connect to the characters at all. Maybe if I had read the other books in the series I would’ve felt more invested. I think the story felt a tad rushed and would’ve loved a bit more tension. Overall this was a fun spicy read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book!

I absolutely loved this sapphic regency romance! The idea of both our FMC’s being gothic novelists, but unaware of who the other was initially, was absolutely delightful to read. I loved the aspect of forced proximity to help our MC’s let their guard down long enough to become enamoured, and the way they very intentionally chose to be together afterwards.

This was sweet, emotional, and so much fun to read! Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys regency romances with a hint of the paranormal ✨

Ladies in Hating follows two rival gothic novelists—Lady Georgiana Cleeve and Cat Lacey—who get stuck together in a crumbling manor and end up confronting their shared past (and growing feelings).

I liked the setup and the way their history added some weight to the romance. The pacing kept me interested the whole way through, and the relationship felt believable. My only gripe is that some of the dialogue felt a bit too modern for the Regency setting, which pulled me out of it a few times.

Overall, it’s a fun, engaging sapphic romance that I think historical romance readers will enjoy.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

An adorable love story! The premise is a strong one, two gothic novelists believe they are rivals only to realize they are second-chance romance childhood lovers. The first half of the novel is great fun, indulging in the push-pull of their attraction. The second half is less effective, in part because this book becomes an indecisive mystery. At first, the mystery appears to be: who conspired to send them together to the same research project and to what end? Then, it becomes: is the manor really haunted? Yet again, it pivots: who or what is trying to kill them and for what reason? How does it relate to the mysterious origins of one of their siblings (a third-act problem that ends up dominating the rest of the story). All is conspiring to give them a historically plausible way for them to live together in comfort and security while pursuing their artistic dreams. It's a worthy endeavor, but I'd rather they remain scrappy, starving artists and instead have focused on the passionate collaboration creating a new gothic novel together instead of competing (a 'we are better together than apart' arc). Still, it's fun, sweet, and my heart melted every time Cat said "Georgie, mine."

"I don't want the world, I only want you."
Ohhh my gosh please go read this. Expeditiously. Like right now. A regency historical romance with lesbians and mystery? With a touch of gothic qualities? What more do I have to say. The level of YEARNING in this novel had me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely adored seeing Georgiana put down her walls with Cat, though it was no easy feat. And the development of each other's relationships with their families was beautiful. But can I just say how I was absolutely GOBSMACKED by the level of spice. Steamy indeed... Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book is so fun and the characters are so lovable and charming but this book really lost me in the middle. I wish there has been a bit more focus on the mystery to keep the tension of that plot going.

i loved this a lot! georgiana and cat had my heart from the very beginning but I especially loved georgiana’s characterization and her anxieties felt very real (even when frustrating) so i didn’t mind that the story was mostly focused on their relationship, that being said I almost wish the last 30% was more of the middle of the story!! I loved the side characters a lot but the main plot felt so low-conflict even with a MURDER and GHOSTS that I wasn’t as gripped as I usually am.

that being said, I would probably read Alexandra Vasti writing actual nonsense on a paperbag and this was queer + relatable in a way that I personally loved so enjoy its a solid 3 🌟 for me!

thank you so much to netgalley and st. martin’s press for this arc to review!

Ladies in Hating centers around two Gothic novelist, Catriona and Georgiana. While Georgiana publishes under her name, Catriona's true identity is disguised by her pen name, Lady Darling. After finding an unbelievable amount of similarities between her novels and Lady Darling's, Georgiana is determined to discover who Lady Darling truly is, and put an end to the suspected plagiarism. Unmasking Lady Darling was surprisingly simple, but came with a consequence she never imagined. Lady Darling is Catriona, her secret, shameful, childhood crush who she hadn't seen for seven years. Catriona is steadfast in her refusal of plagiarizing Georgiana's work, and offended at the accusation. Once childhood friends, with the possibly of being more, now these ladies are rivals competing to publish their next manuscript--preferably before the other. When unexpected inspiration strikes, they both find themselves at an eerie manor, intending it to be the setting of their next book. Coming to a fragile truce, they agree they can both stay at the manor for a fortnight. Given their forced proximity, and the eerie nature of the manor, with Catriona and Georgiana be able to avoid each other? Or, will their simmering feelings force them to acknowledge that maybe they were never rivals after all?

I enjoyed this book! Catriona and Georgiana's romance was delightful, sweet and felt real. I thought it was powerful that these characters openly acknowledged the prejudices/homophobia of the Regency era, and had real conversations about their wants and fears in the setting of this. I also loved getting to know each of our characters as individuals, but then see them in the privacy of their relationship. Georgiana being cunning and confident in public, but then soft and shy with Catriona was a parallel that added depth and realness to their romance. I also enjoyed seeing each of their insecurities/vulnerabilities, and how they each showed each other strength and love despite these things. And while I did enjoy their romance, I do wish the story would have leaned into the rivals aspect more. Once arriving at the manor (or after the first night), all concept of rivals seemed to melt away, and I just wanted more of that. I also found the ending to be a little rushed, and wish we could have had more time exploring the mysteries behind linages and inheritance, as well as the emotion behind family reconciliation, more. Overall, this was a fun, cozy read that I recommend to lovers of Regency romance and/or sapphic romance. Given the vibes of this book, it would be a perfect fall read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! Expected publication is September 23, 2025.

This book was delightfully written and engaging. It keeps you on your toes with surprises around each corner. It contains moments of intrigue, humor, and passion in equal measures. I genuinely loved every moment of reading it.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

This was so adorable!!!! After reading a romantasy series and a few thrillers, this was the palate cleanser I needed. Our two leading ladies, Lady Georgiana Cleeve and Cay Lacey, had the spark a lot of romance books lack. Their banter and passion had me laughing and feeling hot!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

I definitely judged this book by its cover and was not disappointed! Overall I loved the gothic aesthetic of this novel and the enemies/friends to lovers trope. I was not expecting there to be a haunted house involved, but that made it even better for me since I typically read thrillers. I wasn’t really following the last 80% of the novel. I thought the new plot focused on Jem was a little odd over halfway through the novel.

Overall, I enjoyed Cat and Georgiana’s love story and I do recommend this novel! I rate this book 4 stars!

Absolutely magnificient.

Quite stunning how Alexandra Vasti has written a historically accurate novel featuring lesbians, since according to fans of Bridgerton, lesbianism hadn't been invented yet in the regency era.

Of course Sappho of Lesbo is merely a cautionary tale told to young girls to dissuade them from the perils of sharing hair products, wardrobes and monthly cycles with other grown women in the same house. As we all know that Sappho poetry was actually written by William Shakespeare, indeed one of his greatest satires. And of course the isle of lesbos, and in fact ancient Greece are merely metaphors, like atlantis. Or the moon. **

Anyway 5 stars because Ladies in Hating is both cosy and comforting *and* contains a thrilling plotline, several twists that I didn't see coming. The primary story is that of Cat and Georgiana, the secondary one, that you'll forget to care about after the second spice scene, is one of family, mystery and lesbian ghosts?
The characters are multi-dimensional, this isn't just a vehicle for smut (thought it does certainly deliver on that front) and there is a dog named Sir Francis Bacon, delightful.

I am unsure what booktok has decreed the official levels of spicy are, so I'm just going to say that this compares to the spice level of your average chicken vindaloo and that if you gift it to your local they/them lesbian for christmas they will probably appreciate it.

If you like romance books, historical fiction or Bridgerton but aren't one of the aforementioned inaccurate historically accurate brigade, then you will love this book. It is absolutely joyful, soul soothing and full of queer love. To be honest with you, I am not a romance fan at all, I am a horror girlie and weird fic afficienado and I *loved* this book. And although this is part 3 of a series, it is a standalone story and you'll be fine without having read the previous two books.

**read the authors note at the end!

Now if you'll excuse me I am off to buy Alexandra Vasti's entire back catalogue...

Adult historical romance with enemies to lovers and forced proximity. I loved this book! The main characters, Georgiana and Cat, were so witty, smart, loving, and sweet together. Then, the forced proximity and electric slow burn chemistry was chef’s kiss! Two rival gothic novelists turned lovers, staying together in a potentially haunted mansion. How could you not pick this book up? If you love, mysteries, dogs in books, spooky stuff, and sapphic romance, you should definitely read this!

A cute romance about two rival authors. I didn’t love it but I think that was more about me not being in the right place

I am loving the influx of sapphic historical romances coming out this year, and Ladies in Hasting did not disappoint. Such a fun read and the banter kept making me read on. If you can get your hands on an ARC add it to the top of your TBR, if not make sure you get your hands on this in September!

This was a cute and fun sapphic historical romance. This book explores more than love though, it touches on guilt, grief and acceptance. There was a lot of surprising emotions, mostly coming from Georgiana. It has good banter and an adorable dog called Bacon.

The amount of rivalry was good, it wasn't too much. Once things were explained, it was resolved and the main characters moved on.

As much as. enjoy Belvoir's Library's world, this book felt a little rushed. Too many things happened in the last 20% of the book. I wished we had more of a Cleeves family reunion.

I love how much research the author, Alexandra Vasti, puts into her books. It adds a realistic feel to it (minus the ghost of Renwick House).

I hope we get a book 4, with Willam and Iris. Fingers crossed.

I can't believe this is the end of Belvoir's! I thought we'd get a series, not a trilogy.

It seems hard to believe, but this story reads like a romcom with gothic undertones. Both heroines are gothic novelists and they spend part of the book at a decrepit, possibly-haunted manor. Lady Georgina has left an abusive home with her mother and is writing to support them. Cat also writes to support her family, publishing under the name Lady Darling. Their works have similarities that are eventually chalked up to them living in the same place. Cat's father was the butler in Georgina's abusive home. The father and his family were thrown out by Georgina's abusive father.

There are some subplots that don't get developed as much as the primary one, which made this a little less satisfying. Belvoir's doesn't feature as prominently here, but that might have been a strategic move to lessen the disappointment with readers who expected more installments of the series.

Historical romance with sapphic pining, a gothic manor, and a mystery plot?! Had my name written all over it and it absolutely delivered!

LADIES IN HATING follows rival gothic novelists Georgiana and Catriona who realize that the reason they have similar elements in their novels is they knew each other as children. While doing research for their next novels, the two face long-buried feelings when they become inexplicably trapped in a more-than-slightly-haunted gothic manor.

The gothic mystery element in this worked for me because it was well-balanced and never overshadowed the romance plot. The family storyline was also excellent and so heartwarming. (There’s a scene between Georgiana and her mother that had me bawling!)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the sheer number of quality steamy scenes. Alexandra, my girl, my cup runneth over!!! This was actually my first Alexandra Vasti novel and it’s definitely convinced me to read more from her.

Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for my review!

This was an excellent read with many twists that I wasn't expecting. I enjoyed the premise and the cozy vibes. The relationships both between the main characters and with their family and friends is exceptionally well done. I think Georgiana might be just a little too real and relatable.

"Ladies in Hating" was such an absolute delight! I inhaled this book and finished it in one sitting because of how well it was written and how compelling the story was.

"Ladies in Hating" is a sapphic gothic Regency romance that features an enemies-to-lovers arc. Cat and Georgiana are both rival romance writers who find themselves with a mystery to solve. The chemistry between the two leads explodes off the page from the start.

I usually don't read historical romance and even I was 100% charmed by this book. It's funny, smart, spicy, and the mystery is compelling and unexpected. I don't have anything to compare this to as I haven't encountered anything like this before! It's beautifully diverse in its representation of queerness in Regency England and I loved it.

No notes. This book was excellent. Strong recommend for anyone who enjoys romance!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this book in exchange for a review.