In my eyes, Alexandra Vasti can do no wrong. I have loved every single HR that she's ever written, and Ladies in Hating is no exception. Sapphic pining AND a decrepit, Gothic manor?!? Get in my veins.

So this story centers around Lady Georgiana and Cat, who rival gothic writers who just happen to end up staying at an old, ramshackle manor while they research their respective books. The problem is that neither of them can stop thinking of the other one (there's a lot of baggage there) and that makes things difficult. (Btw, there's a little dog named Bacon and he's is (affectionately) a menace.)

I think the thing that Vasti does so well is pining. She excels at it, actually. It's my fave part of her other books as well, and she nails the yearning so well. If you're looking for a solid historical romance with heat and heart, you'll adore this book. :)

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti which releases September 23, 2025.

I am an avid reader of historical romance as well as queer literature but I have never read a combination of the two and now I’m wondering how I went so long without discovering this genre exists!

Ladies in Hating is a delightful, thrilling, and (dare I say) spicy novel set in England in the early 19th century. Our two main female characters are both gothic romance novelists, their identities kept secret with the use of pseudonyms. The story opens with Lady Georgiana incensed at the fact that this other author has once again put out a book that is strikingly similar to her own! With her means of income and her reputation on the line, Lady Georgiana is determined to discover the identity of this other novelist and confront them!

When she discovers that the author is none other than Cat Lacey, the very enchanting woman who she was infatuated with as a teenager, she abandons all thought of demanding they stop “stealing from her”.

The two rival authors are set upon the same path unbeknownst to them and what follows is an exciting tale of family, love, mystery, and hilarity. This is a story for anyone who enjoys enemies to lovers, chosen family, sapphic romance, witty banter, and intrigue.

This novel is classically written in the style of regency romance novels with a side of sophistication and a mix of sweet and spicy romantic encounters. This is such a beautifully unique story with a touch of whimsy and mystique and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I love a historical romance, and I love a queer romance, so it comes as no surprise that I loved Ladies in Hating! The dynamic between Georgiana and Cat was wicked funny, especially early on once their hidden author identities are revealed to one another. I loved seeing them fight the attraction between them before it finally won out!

Georgiana and Cat serve as such foils to each other, and their banter is undeniably one of the best parts of this book. Their chemistry is clearly sizzling, but watching them grow to realize that instead of competition, they could be allies was absolutely amazing. Plus, I loved the dog character of Bacon and his scheming to get these characters together!

Queer historical romances are so important, because they’re a true depiction of a real aspect of life at the time. Queer romances have always existed- and we have documentation of this!- but they aren’t the primary stories that were told. Ladies in Hating was a beautiful love story all on its own, but the historical accuracies added a whole other level for me!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating -4.5 Stars

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Ladies in Hating follows two female Gothic novelists in the Regency Era. Georgiana becomes convinced that Catriona -who hides behind a pen name- has been stealing ideas from her. When Georgie sets out to investigate the mysterious authoress, Catriona, she discovers that she knows her after all and their lives are far more entangled than she thought. For Catriona was her teenage crush...and the daughter of her father's butler! Both women are consumed by their perceived rivalry... and their passion! Cat and Georgie both travel to a haunted manor, near their childhood home, to inspire their next novels.

I really enjoyed this! Regency era, gothic novelists, and queer love? Sign me up immediately!

I adored the characters in this novel. Georgiana and Cat both felt so painfully real and full and lively! I felt every moment of angst, tension, hate, and love! I laughed out loud, gasped, and even exclaimed while reading.

The romance was poignant, sweet, and endearing. It also felt very real. I sometimes worry with queer historical novels that the author might brush over the troubles queer people faced in historical times. Vasti did not do this at all. In fact, she confronted prejudices head on and had her characters discuss them openly, which I appreciated!

My one (incredibly small) gripe was that I wanted more gothic vibes! I wanted more ghosts and spookiness!

Overall, I adored this book. I will be buying a copy upon release! Fans of Mimi Matthews, Emma Alban, and Evie Dunmore may enjoy this! Also check out Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney if you'd like to learn more about Regency Era female novelists!

Georgiana and Catriona, rival gothic authoresses, are racing to publish their next novel. Their subject? A crumbling, probably haunted manor full of secrets. Also, there’s a dog. I cannot overstate the importance of Sir Francis Bacon, who proves once and for all that every story is better with a dog.

The dynamic between these two women just works. Georgiana Cleeve, the disgraced daughter of an Earl, would rather push people away than risk hurting or being hurt by them. That restraint makes her wonderfully repressed and sympathetic. Catriona Lacey, by contrast, has clawed her way out of the poverty brought on by Georgiana’s family and come out the other side fiercely loyal to those she loves.

Their journey, spicy and spooktacular, is one of healing with cozy heart-to-hearts and quiet reconciliation.

I did wish the spooky elements had been more evenly baked throughout. The time they spent at the manor balanced romance and haunting beautifully, but after that, the tone leaned more romance-heavy than I expected.

Also, props to the author for sending me to my dictionary with words like prevaricate, prophylactics, and palimpsest. The prose is intelligent and precise. I had no idea this was part of a series until after I finished, and now I’m thrilled there’s more!

Thanks, NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this arc!

As all of these books have been, Ladies in Hating was delightful! Plot-wise it wasn't necessarily my favorite cup of tea, but I appreciated how much plot there was! Both main characters are wonderful, but Bacon stole the show! I'm looking forward to whatever Alexandra Vasti gives us next!

Ladies in Hating

“It’s enough,” Cat said. “This. Us, together this way. You are enough.”

Oh my heart, what a gem. The humor in this one is just impeccable. I adored Georgiana and Cat. The cast of supporting characters were HILARIOUS. I adored all the antics.

Competing gothic novelists with a few curious similarities in their recent novels. They unexpectedly end up at a mildly haunted old mansion for inspiration together.

Check this one out for:
- Grumpy x sunshine ☀️
- Competing gothic novelists
- A mild haunting
- Sapphic historical romance

Thank you to SMP Romance for this ARC! My opinions are my own. Ladies in Hating is on shelves September 23, 2025!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I will start by saying that I love this author and have thoroughly enjoyed the Belvoir’s Library trilogy! This book was no exception- beautifully, intelligently and confidently written; each character had a defined voice. There were times when it seemed to branch off only to expertly be brought all together in the end in the most endearing, heartwarming way. While the story itself was wonderful, my favorite part was the end! The Author’s Note brought tears to my eyes and was essential to the well rounded presentation of the whole story!

It is obvious why Vasti is a bestseller. Her style, her originality, her characters, are all so compelling! I loved this novel from the very start.

This book was perfect. The mix of regency charm and intriguing plot was incredibly done and I felt connected to the characters right from the start. The sapphic love story was beautiful, and I loved the way it was depicted even though the story took place in regency England. It was amazing overall.

I've loved this entire series by Alexandra Vasti and Ladies in Hating was no exception. This was a great sapphic romance between rival Gothic novelists who initially hate each other. I'm not typically a Regency romance person but the writing and storyline in all of these has been superb! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

Two rival authors. One haunted manor. And a passion that refuses to stay on the page.

Lady Georgiana Cleeve has earned her literary acclaim the hard way—through wit, willpower, and words sharp enough to draw blood. But someone’s been stealing her best twists: the mysterious Lady Darling, a rival Gothic novelist whose chilling tales bear a suspicious resemblance to Georgiana’s own work. Determined to unmask her plagiarist, Georgiana sets a trap.

What she finds is not a criminal, but a ghost from her past—Cat Lacey, the butler’s daughter turned bestselling author, and the girl Georgiana once adored from afar.

Cat has clawed her way into high society with ink-stained fingers and a spine of steel. She has no patience for aristocratic pretensions, especially not from the maddeningly gorgeous Lady Cleeve. But when the two are invited to an eerie countryside manor—each hoping to find inspiration for their next novel—the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.

Ghost stories come alive. Secrets unravel. And as the manor’s haunting grows more intense, so does the tension between two women who were always destined to write their own love story—whether they planned to or not.

A lush, romantic, and delightfully wicked tale of rivalry, longing, and the fine art of falling for your nemesis. Perfect for fans of sapphic yearning, Gothic glamour, and heroines who'd rather perish than admit they’re in love.

A perfect sapphic historical romance with female gothic authors. Literally anything you could need in a book! This was such a fun read and I loved Bacon 🤣🥰

Thank you St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this eARC! 🥰

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. I found myself struggling to dive into the narrative and quickly lost interest in the characters. Hopefully, I will pick it back up to try again in the future!!

While I’ve never read anything from this author including the first to installments of this series, the synopsis of this book drew me in. I love a well-written period piece with lots of drama and historical romance, and this one certainly fit the bill!

The co-protagonists of this book - Cat and Georgina- were rival authors whose writing resulted in similar content and they soon determined why. Both characters are fun, but when they get together, it’s sheer whimsical and entertaining to unpack and they figure it all out.

This book is a well-penned sapphic romance that I initially didn’t see coming. It’s full of British satire which I love) with an added mystery element that brought the book together at the end. I loved the authors writing and how her words so beautifully and eloquently sprang from the pages. It kept me engaged throughout.

There was a lot going on for most of this book, but it’s worth sticking it out until the end. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC. I’d definitely recommend it!

📣 I love that Alexandra Vasti is writing historical romance!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Ladies in Hating is another book by Alexandra Vasti that sublimely sucks you in & gives you the kind of nuance, hopefulness, & love you’re looking for.

In this release, Georgiana realizes that she & another famous gothic novelist have some of the same plot & character aspects. Determining that this other secret writer must be plagiarizing her, she sets a trap & discovers the mystery writer is actually Cat, the person she once crushed hard on & that her father treated so cruelly.

Both women end up in the same gothic house, seeking inspiration for their upcoming stories & I’m sure you can guess some of what will happen next.

From the perfect opening lines, this book is a real stand-out. I love Alexandra Vasti’s witty way with words & that these stories featuring beautiful characters now make their way to my hands.

5 ⭐️, out 09/23.

[ID: Jess holds an ebook over pink & white flowers.]

Mystery, murder - these things are not new for Georgiana Cleeve, who pens Gothic novels under the pseudonym Geneva Desrosiers. Yet when she takes a small writing trip to the haunted Renwick Estate, she is confronted with both of those things and unfortunately, much to her pleasant chagrin, the enigmatic Lady Darling. Lady Darling, the author who she suspects has somehow been able to copy her books before they're eve published, and also the pen name of the girl she was in love with over a decade ago. Will she survive this trip, and even more importantly, will she survive these... affections?

There are no words to truly encapsulate how I feel about what I just read.

I'm a huge fan of the regency novel, have been since I picked up my first Jane Austen book at 15. Reading this book felt like coming home, diving into a world that was both familiar and yet held notes of something I'd never explored before. Staring with Georgiana, who has made a living as a Gothic novelist after being disowned by her father, is someone I can relate to hard. She's a hard-worker, she's ambitious, she does what she needs to get done. On top of being goal-oriented, however, she is caring and considerate, almost to a fault. Her fear about being a plague on everyone and everything she loves rings so close to home that it made my heart turn. And Cat, who is just as determined to support her family, who is unapologetic in who she is but at the same time aware of how that might not be the case for some people, is another side of that same coin. Both of these characters are fully fleshed-out, written in a way where it feels like you know them personally, and when they come together? It feels like you're sitting a table, just watching them happen naturally.

The plot of this book is so beautifully written, and every twist and turn is so carefully thought out. To tie the haunting and murder at Renwick to another character, and parlay that twist into what Georgiana (and her mother) have wanted the most? I fear this book has ruined me for the rest of the year. Thank you for writing this.

3 stars.


This book has an interesting premises, with the rivals to lovers and the banter that goes along with that. I just don't think regency romances are for me. The plot, spice and relationship between Cat and Georgina were all wonderful but something just didn't hit home for me.

This book had several good ideas but unfortunately lacked the space to explore them. The "b-plot" was much more interesting than the actual romance, but because it wasn't the focus of the book, it lacked depth and wasn't fleshed out in a satisfying way. There were many pieces of a ghosty gothic story, but it ended up being hinted at more than actually given proper form.

The characters lacked enough personality for me to really care for them, and that made the romance bland with no real chemistry. I was told a lot of things about the characters, but I didnt get to experience their personalities.

The regency setting of the book, much like the gothic elements, ended up being a lackluster backdrop more than an actual regency romance.

All that being said, this wasn't a completely bad reading experience. The hints of a bigger story that shone through bumped it up to a 3, and the writing itself was pleasant enough. I finished this book quickly and enjoyed picking it up, it was mostly finishing the book and looking back that was disappointing as I realized how many elements were left to hang or resolved with a hand wave.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc of this novel.

The third and final book in the Belvoir’s Library series, which I’m a tad bit sad about because I could easily read more! I love this world and everyone in it. Ladies in Hating is a sapphic Regency romance about one of Selina’s besties Georgiana, her dog Francis Bacon and her former teen crush Catriona, who used to work for her family (we meet Selina in Ne’er Duke Well and Georgiana in Earl Crush). Georgie & Cat are rival Gothic novelists who discover their books have similar storylines and character names and they start off hating eachother and it’s such a funny idea! I really liked how charming and clever this story was.

Some trope highlights are enemies-to-lovers, only-one-castle, a matchmaking lesbian Ghost and there’s also a class difference, but the fact that it’s inspired by actual historical events makes it that much more fun! Vasti’s knowledge of British Literature really comes through in highlighting historical queer romances and how these women lived. Don’t forget to read the Author’s Note when you finish so you can learn where her inspirations came from.

Belvoir’s is a Library I would most definitely be a member of, especially its Venus Catalog of erotic novels and self-help books. I adore this setting so much and loved the creativity and depth of feeling Vasti has brought to this series. I will continue to read anything she writes.

If you like Regency romance or Sapphic romance I can’t recommend this book enough.

••Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC••