This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed getting to know Georgiana in the first two installments of the Belvoir's Library Series, and was thrilled that it was time for her story. I loved the spooky gothic mystery elements complete with a mysterious and run down estate, secret passages, and possibly ghosts? Georgiana and Cat are rival gothic novelists writing under pen names. The obvious similarity in their novels initially sets off a rivalry but it's clear those two could have earned a degree in YEARNING. Vasti had me giggling and kicking my feet as their relationship blossomed. I had a great time with this one, and I can't wait to read more of Vasti's work! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Another beautiful, funny, suspenseful story from Alexandra Vasti! I loved the character growth in this book, especially from Georgiana. I really appreciated the authors approach to conflict and communication - it felt real, and painful, and so satisfyingly beautiful to watch the characters fall in love and work through their traumas alongside each other.

This book also felt like a love letter to queer joy, found families, and forgiveness. I really appreciated the authors note, referencing her really-life inspirations for the characters and story lines.

As always, the author made me laugh, cry, swoon, and blush with this masterpiece!

I was excited to read this as it was the first arc I was approved for this year, and it did not disappoint! I loved the connections to actual historical sapphic authors and women that the plots/characters in this book were inspired by, and reading the author's note at the end made me a little emotional. I loved getting to know Cat and Georgiana so much! I want more!

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, SMP and Netgalley!

I've been waiting for Georgiana's story ever since she was first introduced in Ne'er Duke Well, and now it's finally here! Ladies in Hating was one of my most anticipated books of 2025, and it absolutely delivered!

Georgiana outed herself as a popular Gothic novelist in order to save her friend's reputation, and now she is the disgraced one. She lives with her mother and dog, Bacon, while still writing novels. A rival writer keeps publishing novels with similar themes and plots to hers, so she sets out to discover their identity, only to discover that her rival is her childhood crush, Cat. They are displeased to find each other both researching their next novels at the crumbling Renwick House. They decide to coexist while they do their individual research, but then someone locks them in the potentially haunted manor...

Georgiana and Cat's romance is developed perfectly. Their forced proximity is delicious and makes for an excellent slow burn. The supernatural mystery elements really added to their individual stories. Also, the banter between these two was just...*chef's kiss*

While this is a romance, the novel is inevitably about discovering that you deserve love, no matter what you have done or who has hurt you. It's about reconnecting with your family and not being afraid to reach out when you are struggling.

Five stars for this wonderfully steamy and sweet sapphic regency romance! Alexandra Vasti does not miss!!

Ladies in Hating was an absolute delight from beginning to end. Alexandra Vasti blends the perfect mix of gothic atmosphere, sharp humor, and slow-burn romance into a story that felt both fresh and timeless. As a fan of rivals-to-lovers stories, this one hit every note I hoped for and then some.

The dynamic between Lady Georgiana and Cat was electric, filled with clever banter and emotional depth that had me fully invested in their story. The haunted house setting added a layer of tension and whimsy that made the entire novel feel like a love letter to classic gothic fiction, but with a modern sensibility.

What stood out most to me was the way the book managed to be so much fun while still offering rich character development. It felt like every emotional moment was earned and grounded in real stakes. I didn’t want it to end and will absolutely be rereading it. Vasti has outdone herself with this one.

Ladies in Hating is a delightful final installment in the Ne’er Duke Well trilogy that wonderfully balances romance and gothic/supernatural hijinks. Vasti’s sense of humor shines as always but Ladies in Hating is also a very tender exploration of self-worth and allowing yourself to love and be loved.

What a fun book! I absolutely LOVED the gothic atmosphere and the fact that both main characters were gothic novelists. The first few chapters were a bit slow for me, but the story really picked up once they were both at the manor together. I think the characters were well-developed and had great chemistry together. I was also very invested in the mystery of the manor and what they'd uncover there.

it took some time to get going but once it did i was in
thank you netgalley and st martin’s press for the arc

Very endearing characters (including Bacon!) and well written story. I enjoyed the hint of a supernatural element too. And I loved Cat's witty, sweet teasing. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A delightfully steamy and witty sapphic Regency romp! I devoured Ladies in Hating in just 24 hour. It was that addictive. The premise of two feuding gothic authors turned reluctant collaborators is pure brilliance, and the enemies-to-lovers tension crackles with every page. The subtle supernatural elements add an extra layer of intrigue without overshadowing the central plot. Vasti masterfully balances humor, heat, and heart, making this a standout in the historical romance genre.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and especially Alexandra Vasti for this enchanting read. I’m eagerly anticipating more from this talented author!

*Ladies in Hating* is a lush, steamy sapphic Regency romance that beautifully blends gothic intrigue with simmering romantic tension. Alexandra Vasti crafts a captivating story about Lady Georgiana Cleeve, a famed Gothic novelist, and her mysterious rival Lady Darling—who turns out to be Cat Lacey, the butler’s daughter and Georgiana’s secret crush from youth. Their literary rivalry quickly evolves into something far more complex and passionate, especially when they find themselves trapped together in a creepy manor with ghostly happenings. The novel is full of witty banter, slow-burning desire, and atmospheric suspense, making it perfect for readers who love swoony historical romances with a gothic twist and deeply emotional connections.

I love Alexandra Vasti’s writing. It’s so funny and cozy. This was a super cute and a little spooky kind of sapphic love story, and I really enjoyed both characters.

This was such a charming read! Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I know what girls want. And girls want a sapphic, regency era romance with rival novelists and forced proximity!!!

Immediately I was intrigued by the premise of one of the FMCs being accused of plagiarizing the other for a bit of conflict. But as we learn what’s REALLY going on my heart just swoons. Speaking of swoon, the romance in this book was so sexy??? It felt so forbidden and sexy. And it wasn’t over the top smutty either. Truly a delight. Love seeing love.

About halfway through I was a little concerned because I felt like the story was very romance driven, but by the end we get some plot twists and an evolving storyline that kept me super engaged.

You could imagine my utter DELIGHT when I logged this book on Goodreads and realized that it is part of a series! I must be off right now to catch up. TTYL xoxo

This was an amazing read. I absolutely love regency story’s with representation especially when they are well written stories.

Alexandra Vasti has done it again! I adored Earl Crush, so I was thrilled to be selected for a traveling ARC of the final book in the Belvoir’s Library series.

Ladies in Hating centers on Georgiana and Cat, two gothic novelists. When Georgiana notices striking similarities between her own work and that of another author, she confronts the writer—only to discover it’s none other than her teenage crush hiding behind a pseudonym. Cue some forced proximity in a delightfully eerie old manor, a couple of mysteries to unravel, and, of course, a slow-burning romance.

I especially loved the early awkwardness between Georgiana and Cat, and how that tension gradually softened as they began to open up. Both characters carry emotional weight from their pasts, and watching them grow vulnerable with each other was such a treat.

Also, Bacon the dog completely stole the show. His antics were absolutely adorable!

Thank you so much to Alexandra Vasti and NetGalley for the ARC and eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, rounded to 4
🌶️

Incredibly cute story of two rival gothic novelists in 19th century England who solve mysteries and fall in love. Georgie is the disgraced daughter of an earl who supports herself and her mother writing Gothic thrillers. Her rival, Lady Darling aka Cat Lacey, writes stories with suspiciously similar details. Cat is also her childhood crush, the daughter of her family’s former butler.

This was both heartwarming and funny, and even the spicy scenes are written with an eye to showcasing the power of love and trust. I loved that it was a true Gotchic - spooky decrepit manor, mild supernatural happenings, a long lost heir of noble blood - written with modern sensibilities.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I loved this novel! I was so excited for a sapphic historical novel and this was incredible! I loved their hidden identities, the tension, the banter, the miscommunication, and finally the maybe-haunted house and the history in it. This was so layered and I adored the characters and their very fully fleshed out lives. And I can’t forget to mention how much I also loved Bacon. Another fabulous novel by Vasti!

I really enjoyed this book, it was the first of the author’s that I’ve read. I thought the fears of both characters felt realistic and I love it when characters have big feels and talk them out on page. I loved the gothic writers in a gothic setting too.

This book to me was an example of how anything regency era is done right. The description of clothing was right, time period slang and metaphors, EVERYTHING. And I love how a sapphic relationship was worked into it. This is one of my favorite regency era sapphic romances. The banter, the jokes, the spice. Everything was *chef’s kiss* good and I will be reading more books from Vasti from now on. This was exceptional. And I am a sucker for a HEA. The family reunion? A niece? Stop, I was emotional. I want a physical copy of this to own forever. Also, a Bacon fan forever. He should never cease his impertinence.

I am thankful to publisher and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read book three of the Belvoir’s Library. Our main character is Lady Georgiana Cleeve and we have met her previously.

I think the romance plot line and the fun of rivalry writers made this delightful. The only reason I am giving it four stars instead of 5 is that Lady Georgiana seems to be a different person than we previously got to know in the other book. However, this book will have you rooting for her just as hard as you would root for any other romance.