I loved this book! The premise is not one that you usually see in historical fiction and stayed interesting through the end. The found family aspect of the entire series continues through this book in a satisfying way. I loved Cat’s brother especially.

I’m going to say big yes on this one 💖🧡
Like, I know don’t judge a book by its cover but…. This one actually freaking delivers!! I got this as an eARC but I applied after seeing the cover. It did not freaking dissappoint.
I Can see some of the criticism but here’s where I’m at… I don’t think we have enough historical sapphic books. And I legitemely enjoyed this one. Sure, some stuff with the characters and how they go about things can be a bit too much but like, I’m so extra so I was there for it.
Can’t wait to add this one to my physical library!!

honestly, if I ever leave a negative review about one of Alexandra's books, no I didn't. I would rather cut off my arm than ever say anything bad about something she has written because I have loved every single character and every single Trope she has used.

This one was filled with probably more passion and fire than some of her other books. Which is saying something, because they're all pretty spicy. and I was glad the slow burn wasn't that slow, but it was just right. words cannot even adequately explain how much I love this book, but once again i'm unable to shut up about it to everyone I know! lol

"Georgie, Mine" indeed

I have been sitting on this review of Ladies In Hating by Alexandra Vasti for a few weeks now. Partially because I needed time to process.

I liked Ne’er Duke Well, I loved Earl Crush, and I was excited to see this next one containing so many of my favorite words ending in “ic” —gothic, romantic, sapphic, charismatic, but it didn’t land for me the way I was hoping. Biggest problem, I think we didn’t spend enough time in the mysterious haunted ruins, needs more mysterious haunted ruins that’s what I always say.

In the first two books Georgie is funny and bold and cunning, so I was really looking forward to seeing more of her charm and wiles but she comes off as just overwhelmed by her feelings. Shame and guilt and jealousy and suspicion and crushes are all valid feelings but it’s hard to read a POV of someone who is drowning in them. I think this leads to the other big problem which is the tone— is it mysterious, is it action, is it rom com, is it therapy? Finally, the ending was far too convenient for my liking; I think it was intended to be a deliberate play on the soap opera type twists in gothic novels of the time.

Honestly, I still think the book is good overall, I maybe went into it with higher expectations than usual because I liked Earl Crush so much. I am happy for Bacon the Dog that he got to be on every cover in the trilogy.

Alexandra Vasti has done it again and this time she's brought the sapphics.

Georgiana has been a quiet stand-out side character among the Belvoir Library trilogy and here she gets the chance to shine in her own book. She's grown a lot since her first appearance and I loved seeing that. Especially her coming to terms with her own trauma from the first book as well as her fierce desire to remain independent. Her relationship with her mother really hit hard and there were plenty of family moments--not just between Georgiana and her family, but also Cat and her family as well--that really stood out alongside the romance.

Speaking of, it's a little silly and full of longing and heat. And I especially loved the acknowledgment that queer people have existed throughout time and queer JOY in particular has persisted despite everything. Vasti's author's note at the end really hit home, particularly given the current political climate.

I do think that the larger plot elements, while they did all come together, felt a little convenient in some parts and convoluted in others. It wasn't enough to dampen my enjoyment while reading, but it was something that I recognized after the fact. However, if you liked Vasti's other works in this series, I'd highly recommend picking this up.

I really enjoyed this! I love the representation of a sapphic romance in a historical setting! I am actually not a person that likes historical books in general but I didn’t mind it too much in this novel. I enjoyed the mystery element to this book and wished it had lasted longer. I think there was too much going on at the end and it felt like a ping pong ball bouncing around.

Cat was such a fun character! I loved how strong and independent she was. She loved ferociously and was always doing what was best for her family. She was sassy and confident which just added to her charm.

Georgie was not my favorite. I swear this woman was a Leo because she constantly made everything about her. She blamed herself for everyone’s problems even though nothing was her fault. I hated that she never gave those around her a choice in whether or not they wanted to be in her life but instead forced herself out “for their benefit”. While I think her intentions were good, she was always causing problems for herself.

I think alot of the conflict could have been avoided if the characters (specifically Georgiana) would have just talked about their feelings/fears.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A story about two women gothic novelists whose books have very strange similarities. After discovering each other years after being separated, these two women go on an adventure together that reveals many hidden truths. It's a good story with the meaning of family, some humor, and a small amount of spice.

This is definitely a mood-based read. I wish the plot was more refined. It couldn't decide if it wanted to be a regency romance, Gothic read, a mystery, a drama, or about authors. And the plot (s?) that seemed so thickly laid on got lost in the romance. I wish it stuck to one theme and do it well instead of bouncing around. The characters were endearing, at least. But it was a tough read to get through.

4.5 stars! This is my second book from Alexandra Vasti and it has cemented a place on my auto-buy author list! As a longtime fan of the historical romance genre I am thrilled that newer authors are still writing in this genre.

The banter (with all the characters not just the main ones) is once again fantastic. I feel that dialogue is a strength of Vasti’s. In this story between two rival authors there’s lots of chances for some great back-and-forth to fuel the tension between the two FMCs.

I enjoyed the romance between Georgiana and Cat! They both kind of misunderstand each other at the beginning (Cat thinks Georgiana is an entitled aristocrat and Georgiana is accusing Cat of stealing her plots and details for her novels). They both start to learn more about each other and really come to care for each other.

The addition of a bit of a gothic mystery on top of the romance was a fun element! We get a spooky setting with lots of unexplained happenings and creepy noises to add fuel to the gothic fire.

The only thing that was a little confusing for me was the unveiling of the full backstory for Georgiana. At the beginning of the book I felt like I had missed information from a previous book (as this is part of an interconnected series) but all was eventually revealed. (I had also mistakenly thought Georgiana was a sibling to a main character from the previous book but that was my misunderstanding. The things that really connect the books in this series is the library, Belvoir’s.)

Obsessed. I normally do not go for period pieces, but you bring in sapphic enemies to lovers? Sold. The romance was so sweet, and the plot was fun enough to keep me engaged. Overall, I loved it. Can’t wait to read more!

I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend to friends/family. It was a love story that could relate to modern times as well as the past setting. The whimsical characters and their experiences were well thought out and personable. The story was never too intense and was a well written easy read. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this and give my unbiased opinion.

Every one of the Belvoir’s Library books has been fantastic, but for the mix of sensuality, character development, pining, and Gothic vibes, this third installment is my favorite.

Eight years ago, Georgiana Cleeve stood in Belvoir’s and told her father, the earl, that she was an author of Gothic novels. Cue disinheritance, her mother and Georgiana withdrawing to live in a London apartment, and Georgiana cutting all contact with her brothers so her reputation can’t destroy their prospects. Several successful novels later, Georgiana’s new quest is to figure out why Lady Darling, her rival sensationalist, keeps stealing details from Georgiana’s books. Some skulking about in the shrubbery leads to a startling reveal: Lady Darling is Catriona Lacey, daughter to the butler that Georgiana’s father turned off their estate a decade earlier. Never mind that Cat claims she’s not stolen a thing of Georgiana’s. More pressing, now, is the way Georgiana’s old crush roars back to life, achingly strong and undeniable.

Which is the perfect time to throw the two rival lady novelists together exploring a Gothic monstrosity of a house, complete with skull decorations and a housekeeper named Graves. Because what could be more erotic than midnight kisses in half-ruined libraries, or being trapped together in a hidden rose garden with a corpse?

Vasti’s prose is a delightful blend of dry humor, warm joy, and occasional wry turns of phrase that, if not Heyer-esque, add a rich vintage flavor to the goings-on. Her character arcs resonate with modern sensibilities but are persuasively rooted in pockets of real history, while her characters themselves are full of conviction, passion, humor, and endearing self-deprecation. Best of all, she rewards her leads with the joy they deserve, creating a book that celebrates love in all its forms: passionate, familial, parental, and for pets. It would take away from the point to say I am impatiently waiting for a book with Will, the soldier, and Iris, the scholar, both of whom I fell in love with back in Book 1. Adventuring with Georgiana and Cat toward their own happy ending made me feel I was caught up in a Gothic-themed caper, and the prize they were after was my heart.

5 ★

Two Regency Gothic writers, turned rivals, turned lovers? And it's sapphic?

Uh, yeah. I'm there.

I sped through this thing. I can't remember the last time I cried during a historical romance. And multiple times at that. The prose was beautiful, and Cat and Georgianna's relationship was tender and passionate. They both were so mature and understanding, and I'm eternally grateful that this translated to no true third-act breakup. We love that. I also appreciated how this book was rooted in actual queer history, which is discussed in the author's note.

Usually, the characters are the highlight of historicals for me, so even if the plot is eh, I can still find merit in the characters' arcs as individuals and as a couple. But this? Plot and characters were both 10/10. Truly no notes. It kept that classic Gothic atmosphere with eerie settings, dark secrets, and dramatic twists while still allowing ample room for an adorable HEA with its witty tone.

Don't ask me what the overarching series is about because I don't know, and at this point, I can't find it in me to care. As far as I know, this is the first, second, and last book of the series. You don't really need to read the others before this one to understand what's going on here.

But I need more, like, immediately.

This is an exquisite Regency romp! Lady Georgiana is a successful novelist who has succeeded in supporting herself and her mother with her work. Frustrated by an rival who is publishing novels that Georgiana is convinced are plagiarized from her own work, she sets off to unveil the villain. The truth is much more interesting, and complicated, than she ever imagined. Her rival is no villain at all, but Cat Lacey, Georgiana's teenage crush. The gradual, believable growth of trust and understanding between them pairs with their natural chemistry for a compelling romance. I adored this Sapphic romance. Although it ties into a larger series, it is successful on its own. I loved how Vasti combined obvious affection for Regency tropes and Gothic thrillers into a fresh, compelling romance. Highly recommend.

Having read her previous novels, I was absolutely ecstatic to get the chance to review Ladies in Hating.
Holy moly. What a book that gave me ALL the feels. Georgiana and Catriona are both such well written characters, the plot was excellent and I’m super duper sad I binged it because now it’s over.

I loved the first two books in this series, and the third installment did not disappoint! While I was hooked with the initial premise (rival gothic novelists who fall for each other—what more could you want!?), the real selling point for me was seeing Georgianna finally fall in love. She is such an intriguing side character in the first two books, and I was excited to watch her arc fully play out in this one. While Cat does have a smaller story arc, the book is Georgianna’s journey to self-acceptance more than anything else, and if you have been watching her evolution for three books, that is deeply rewarding.

The book is clearly playing with all the gothic tropes—with plot points like crumbling, haunted mansions, mysterious happenings, and potentially murderous ghosts—but the emotional, introspective romance between Cat and Georgianna makes it feel fresh and modern. All Vasti’s books have a tenderness to them that makes for a really compelling romance, and this was no exception. Plus, it doesn’t shy away from difficulties of a queer relationship in the period, but resolves them in a way that feels realistic and satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Alexandra Vasti for an arc!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC! The characters are well fleshed out and this book was a refreshing change of pace. I loved the sapphic story. People who like rivals to lovers will enjoy this!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of Ladies in Hating.

I enjoyed the first section of this book much more than I did the last. There were so many “surprises” revealed in the last few chapters that it was hard to keep up, and I wondered why all of them were necessary.

Honestly, I would have preferred the book and the two MCs be the central focus throughout rather than adding all of this extraneous information and character upon character that served to wrap up the story yet left me feeling somewhat confused and frustrated with the end result.

What worked for me here was the push and pull between the two MCs, Cat and Georgiana. I enjoyed reading about their past together and how that was informing their present. And I thought having them share time in a “haunted” inn that was also falling apart was a good way to bring them together.

I would have enjoyed the book more had the two MCs remained rivals a bit longer than what occurs in this story. Their banter was intriguing, and I would have liked more development of their romantic interest in one another before they finally give in to it. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as an insta-love story because of the MCs history with one another, but their relationship in the current time did need more development.

The rivalry between Cat and Georgiana would have also made more sense if they were simply competing to sell more books rather than having this odd potential plagiarism sub-plot, which was never fully rectified to be honest. Some of the similarities within each author’s books were explained and some weren’t. This is kind of the whole premise of the book – some things are explained away and some things are not (or the explanation just left me wanting more information).

Overall, I would say that Vasti’s writing style is engaging enough to get me intrigued in the book and the two MCs from the beginning, but it wanes as the book goes on. And I wished the ending was written differently.

I expected to enjoy this book but I didn’t expect to genuinely adore it! Rivals to lovers will always be one of my favorite tropes! I enjoyed how layered and intricate the plot and characters were. I appreciate the subjects/topics is touched on as well. Will definitely be revisiting this one soon for a comfort reread!

A sapphic romance centered on two rival gothic novelists with a decade of yearning and a one bed scene. Need I say more?

I love the world Alexandra Vasti created in this series. Each of the novels had so much depth and was more than just a romance. I also enjoy reading the author’s note in every book and learning about the true events the stories were based on. I don’t know if there will be another book in this series but if there is I hope it’s about Iris!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Alexandra Vasti for an e-arc of this book!