Series was good fun and happy to have an advance look at the next (last?) story before publication. Builds on prior characters to expand the friend and family group, and great to build a world where diverse couples existed in normality.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!!

⭐️=5 | 😘=5 | 🤬= 4 | 😭= 1 | 18+

summary: so like they’re rival gothic novelists living in this decrepit castle together for research and there’s class conflict and chemistry and girls kissing and maybe a ghost??

thoughts: five stars! what the hell, sure! this is so delightful, and alongside being a fantastic romance it also crafted this really deliberate interpretation of Georgian England, especially as far as engaging with contemporary literature, which I love love love. the chemistry was intense, the character development was giving, and the side plot was ridiculous but I’ve come to notice that this is a feature of Vasti’s work and grown rather fond of it tbh. ten out of ten, jolly good time, girls need to kiss more girls, and there’s also a brief support of the sapphic Emma Woodhouse agenda!! yay! also I cried bc I cry at happy books sometimes no we don’t need to examine that anyways happy Pride besties go read this pls <3

Georgiana Cleeve is tired of her rival Gothic novelist releasing books so eerily similar to hers that she takes matters into her own hands: she sets out to uncover Lady Darling’s identity. But uncovering her childhood crush, and daughter of the butler her father cruelly threw out of the house years ago, is not what she expected.

Catriona Lacey has spent years writing Gothic novels in an effort to keep her remaining family out of poverty. But when she travels to Renwick Hall, a reportedly haunted manor and the hopeful inspiration for her next novel, she never expects to be trapped there with Georgiana—the pretentious lady she once worked for.

As the two attempt civility in the name of research, they also must attempt to keep their feelings for the other a secret. But as they uncover weird happenings in the manor, they must reckon with their growing attachments and what they might mean for their futures.




Can I just say that I love a sapphic romance? And a regency era one at that! This was an absolute masterpiece. The yearning, the tension, the queer joy. The love and the heartbreak and the acceptance.

Georgiana’s growth is incredible. So well done. It hurt my heart that she was full of so much fear at the hands of her father, and to see where she ends up, surrounded by those she loves is such an impactful ending.

And Cat. Sweet, earnest Cat! For her to end up with someone she loves and who loves her boldly and proudly in return! Her brother’s security and work ethic, her family and her home. The pay off is so good.


I love these two so much and I can’t believe I finally have this story in my hands. It’s been such a treat to read the novels in the Belvoir’s universe and I am greatly looking forward to what she writes next!!

It gets five stars just for perfectly encapsulating the experience of two sapphic goobers completely
obsessed with each other and 99% in love and assuming the other wants to just be friends. Hate this for us. Great book, though!

We love a witty rom com that is just as raunchy as it is historically precise. Every book in this series is a winner, and I love how complicated and emotional the stakes are as these characters wrestle with their feelings for each other. Obviously I will read any book set in the world of this secret library, but this one had the added allure of a gothic mystery. An abandoned house! A secret annex! Servants who may or may not be ghosts! Honestly, it’s English professor catnip.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

Ladies in Hating follows protagonists Georgiana Cleeve and Cat Lacey, a pair of Gothic novelists that are childhood friends turned rivals. However, Cat holds the pen name of Lady Darling to hide her identity. Georgiana becomes adamant to figure out Lady Darling’s real identity when her various plots and/or plot devices in her novels seem to be pulled straight from Georgiana’s own. But when Georgiana succeeds in her endeavor and unmasks Lady Darling as Cat Lacey, her childhood friend and object of intense teenage infatuation, things get far more frustrating than Georgiana would like. Even more so when Cat and Georgiana find themselves trapped in the very manor they seek to research for their upcoming novels.

I really liked this book! I’m a huge fan of Gothic fiction, and this felt like a love letter to the genre. It had all the best elements of Gothic fiction without taking itself too seriously: mystery and suspense, old and dark settings, and apparent supernatural occurrences. What I loved most was the manor. I thought the manor was described beautifully and perfectly for a Gothic novel, and it was so easy to picture. It really added to the atmosphere of the novel.

I also thought Georgiana and Cat’s chemistry felt natural and believable. I really liked how their history was built over the course of the narrative, and it wasn’t just dumped on you in one go. It made their attraction to each other all the more believable, and I think it really added to the intensity and magnetic nature of their chemistry. They felt like characters that fit so well together romantically, and it was delightful to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for this ARC!

I have enjoyed the author’s previous work but sadly this one didn’t hit quite the same. I love the title and the fact that it’s sapphic but Georgina’s sustained outrage got old rather quickly.

Rating: 3.5

Alexandra Vasti's work never disappoints. There is such a level of fun in her books that I can't put them down. After the first two fantastic books in the Belvoir's series, Ladies in Hating is a beautiful conclusion.
Georgiana quickly became my favorite character in Ne'er Duke Well, so I was over the moon to hear she was getting her own book. Her journey to love is feet-kicking cute, but also extremely tender. Her relationship with Cat was wonderful to watch develop because these are two characters who are just so good for each other. Add a little Gothic romp to the romance, and it's the recipe for a perfect novel. There was mystery, intrigue, humor, and a dash of the supernatural. But above all, there was heart. The ending gave me a very good happy cry.
I'm sad to see this series end, but it couldn't have had a better ending.

Thanks to SMP and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.25-4.5 stars

So sad to be closing out this trilogy, but it was a great way to go! Ladies in Hating is a delightful sapphic and gothic romp. Cat and Genevieve had amazing tension with a delicious sloooooow burn that really ignited.

Vasti is also so good at the emotional character development. Genevieve is so repressed and hurt by the past actions of her father, and she takes entirely too much guilt upon herself for him. Her healing journey, and allowing herself to find happiness was lovely. Cat was super easy to love too, and their HEA was well-earned.

I was hoping for a little bit more gothic hijinks, but the explanation for some of the mysterious happenings was so funny! I had to alternate the laughter with fanning myself as usual.

Highly recommend this whole series! I can’t wait to see what Vasti writes next!

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press qhe St. Martin's Griffin

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

What happens when two gothics romance novelist become rivals game of love? Mayhew will ren as they learn that love s never is easy. Things are not what t seems as secrets will be unraveled. A quant story that will he surprise you in the end.

The DEFINITION of sapphic yearning.

The way these two women were OBSESSED with one another but somehow didn't realize their feelings were shared... it made for some great banter, spice, and character development. I genuinely enjoyed reading from both Cat and Georgiana's perspectives; they were both strong-willed, independent, and loyal in a setting that was not necessarily kind to women who made their own way. Further, I loved getting to know their families and friends as well. While I am a romance girly, I also really enjoyed the added mystery that followed our characters throughout the novel. I am definitely looking forward to picking up the rest of the books in the Belvoir's Library universe.

Ladies in Hating is a beautifully crafted sapphic Regency romance that blends emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and a deliciously gothic atmosphere. Alexandra Vasti’s prose is elegant and sharp, balancing witty dialogue with rich emotional undercurrents. The dynamic between the two leads crackles with unresolved history and simmering chemistry, making every scene between them feel intimate and charged.

Set against the backdrop of a creaky manor full of secrets, the story weaves together themes of identity, ambition, and desire without ever losing sight of its romantic core. Vasti doesn’t shy away from the constraints of the era, but still manages to deliver a love story filled with warmth, yearning, and hard-won connection.

Whether you’re here for the historical intrigue, the enemies-to-lovers tension, or the queer joy, this book delivers. A smart and deeply satisfying read and a fantastic finale to the Belvoir’s Library trilogy.

4.25 ⭐️

Sapphic pining, spooky vibes, and one very good dog. Honestly, what more do you need?

This book was such a ride. It’s a sapphic historical romance with gothic charm, a haunted mansion, and a literary rivals-to-lovers setup that had me grinning, swooning, and maybe tearing up once or twice.

Lady Georgiana Cleeve is a gothic novelist with a not-so-secret pen name and a problem: someone is publishing suspiciously similar stories. That someone turns out to be Catriona Lacey—baker, big sister, fellow author, and oh yeah, Georgiana’s childhood crush. Naturally, they both end up at the same crumbling mansion for “research.” Tension? Check. Banter? Check. Only one bath? You bet.

Their chemistry is electric. The banter is sharp, the pining is intense, and the rose garden makeout? Chef’s kiss. Toss in a bath scene, a matchmaking solicitor, a hot duke who’s allergic to wealth, and a handful of spooky happenings, and you’ve got a whole vibe. But it’s not just fluff. There’s also a thoughtful thread about guilt, grief, and what it means to be worthy of love.

Georgiana and Cat are both carrying a lot, and watching them work through it—while also making heart eyes at each other—is deeply satisfying. And then there’s Bacon, the dog. A true icon. An absolute legend. The real MVP of the story.

This is technically the third book in a series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the others. I hadn’t, and I never felt lost. That said, I’m definitely going back for more now because I’m officially obsessed with Vasti’s writing.

One last thing—the historical note at the end about real queer figures in Regency history? Loved it. It added so much richness and grounded the romance in something even more meaningful.

If you’re into gothic settings, slow-burn sapphic tension, ghostly drama, and a dash of literary chaos, do yourself a favor and bump this up your TBR.

This was a lovely addition (and slight pivot) to Vasti's ongoing series. The banter was great as was the atmosphere. The pivot to a sapphic romance (following two heterosexual romances previously in the series) was unexpected but excellently done. I would absolutely read another book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I didn’t realize Ladies in Hating was the third book in Alexandra Vasti’s Belvoir’s Library series until I was already halfway through the book. I’m happy to report that it works perfectly as a standalone! If you haven’t read the first two, don’t let that stop you from diving into this novel.

Vasti masterfully blends gothic vibes with a compelling mystery subplot that kept me turning pages late into the night. The setting is moody and immersive in the best way and this story is full of angst, secrets, candlelight, and spooky vibes.

I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this novel. I’ve read many historical romance novels that primarily focus on the main characters and only provide depth to secondary characters who will have their own interconnected story in the series. Ladies in Hating doesn’t shy away from the emotional undercurrents and complexities of relationships and how these relationships impact the way the characters navigate the world. Add in a slow-burn historical sapphic romance, and I was fully sold.

If you love historical romance with clever plotting, yearning glances, and a touch of eerie intrigue, Ladies in Hating is a must-read. After finishing this book, I immediately added the author’s entire backlist to my tbr!

You can pick up Ladies in Hating on September 23, 2025 wherever books are sold. This gives you plenty of time to read the rest of the books in the series. (-:

I've loved this whole series by Alexandra Vasti, who has proven herself to be one of the brightest lights in historical romance. As with all her books, Ladies in Hating is funny and charming and banter-y. I do feel like Cat was underdeveloped, especially compared to Georgiana, and I didn't really understand where her fascination with Georgiana came from by the time the romance actually ramped up. And Georgiana's constant retreating because she felt like she was ruining everything for everyone was consistent but got old, especially for things that could only very indirectly be attributed to her actions. But the whole story is such a fun romp that it's easy to look past these things and enjoy.

A cutie lil Sapphic story for Pride Month!

I loved the premise of this book, but the execution...that did let me down a bit. I don't know why, but Sapphic books always kind of fall flat for me, I don't know why. I was hoping this would be the exception because it sounded so fun and cute and up my alley.

I mean, this is a Sapphic regency romance between two rival authors! Come on! That is the perfect premise! I am an absolute sucker for any sort of rivals to lovers situation!

Oh, and they are also in a haunted house. So we've got some spooky forced proximity as well.

This book definitely starts quite slowly, taking a while to get the main event (so to speak).

These characters were fun on their own, but they got over their rivalry so fast. Like maybe 30% into the book they were completely over it and like it was never a thing. No! I need your rivalry to be a bit longer and to be referenced back to in some circumstances.

This just wasn't for me and I wish it was. I am sure a lot of people will enjoy this book, it is cute and quick and does have some good qualities and things that will attract readers. And the cover is so cute!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

LADIES IN HATING (out Sept. 23rd) is the third and final book in Alexandra Vashti’s Belvoir’s Library trilogy and firmly cemented my conviction that academics in the humanities should ALWAYS write fiction.

Lady Georgiana Cleeve, celebrated Gothic novelist in her own right, has a problem. The problem is that a fellow mysterious Gothic novelist known as Lady Darling appears to be stealing her material. A plan to confront Lady Darling reveals that the two already know each other, as Lady Darling is none other than Cat Lacey, who was the butler’s daughter when Georgiana was growing up under the oppressive roof of her father. Efforts to avoid each other go spectacularly south when the two are both lodged at the newly reopened Renwick House, a dilapidated neo-Gothic country house, and slowly the two give into the temptation to collaborate…in more ways than one.

Like most excellent romance books, both Georgiana and Cat have things to learn from each other. Georgiana struggles with the fear and guilt that her identity as an outed Gothic novelist hurts the reputation of those closest to her. And Cat, so used to taking care of everyone else in her life, must learn it’s okay to be cherished. Ultimately, the emotional payoff comes equally from their growth as characters as from the tender romance (and exquisite sex scenes). If you haven’t read NE’ER DUKE WELL or EARL CRUSH, know that this novel stands alone quite well, taking place years after the first book in the trilogy.

This would be the perfect read for any month, but it was particularly poignant to read in June. As Vasti writes in the backmatter, “queer people—like Georgiana and Cat, and like [the real historical figure that inspired Renwick House] William Thomas Beckford—lived and loved in Regency England. Extensive historical record supports the joyful existence of queer people across spectrums of class, gender, and sexuality.”

4.5 stars, rounded down

Georgiana and Cat are rival Gothic novelists, both writing to support their families in a culture that frequently derides women authors. They also used to have feelings for each other, when Cat's father was the butler in Georgiana's household, before Georgiana's father threw them out. They keep on seemingly coincidentally having similarities between their novels, and Georgiana believes Cat is stealing her plots. Their rivalry comes to a head when they both take up temporary residence at Redwick Manor to work on their writing, which might also have ghosts in residence.

I loved the characters of Georgiana and Cat in this book, as well as the other characters. They all felt so vivid, and I felt deeply for Georgiana's complex that she hurts everyone she loves and Cat's fear of being shut out by those she loves. Some of the plot elements were very cliché, such as having to share a bed in an inn, but it was written well.

I found the conclusion to the mystery of the house and the death there to be a little overly convoluted and confusing, and wondered why the supernatural element wasn't incorporated more. The light supernatural elements feel like they didn't come to a satisfying conclusion, and the epilogue had so many time skips within the same chapter, which was also confusing. Overall, though, I very much enjoyed this novel. I got emotional and cried a little a few times at the emotional statements the characters made. I did not expect to cry from a rivals-to-lovers comedy mystery, but it was surprisingly emotionally poignant.

This is a sweet slow burn set in a historical setting between two rival authors.
Georgie was so misunderstood by Cat and I think had to prove herself a lot because she was so worried about being misconstrued.
Cat was headstrong, loved her family, and gave 100% to everything!
I loved Georgie’s relationship with her mom, and eventually her relationship with her brothers and Cats family. And Georgie felt like she had to prove herself to everyone and also felt responsible for the actions of others. Her growth in understanding things weren’t her fault and loving herself again was a nice progression too.
This was a more fluffy read with a semi mystery plot, it was more focused on Georgie and Cat but the plot was still really good!
Overall I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a slow burn, some spice, found family, regency vibes, and a little bit of a mystery.
Thank you St Martins Press for the arc!