I genuinely really enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get into it but once I did I couldn’t put it down. I was so invested in all the characters and the budding romance between Georgiana and Thomas. I also really enjoyed how much tension was built by the end of the novel so that I didn’t know how it was going to end. A definite must read for any historical fiction fan!

I really enjoyed this book. I am new to Regency-era, Jane Austen and Brontë-type fiction, having only seen the 2019 version of Emma. last year and one episode of Bridgerton so far. So I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I know enough to be aware of the strict formalities of aristocratic life in these times, where a bare ankle could shock but opium and snuff usage was fine. The novel is being marketed as Bridgerton x Gossip Girl x Mean Girls, and indeed there is an almost direct quote from the latter film in the novel, preceding a trip into town to shop which I enjoyed.

I did see parallels with some Emma characters - again, my only literary reference for the period. Frances put me in mind of Jane Fairfax, and Betty Walters of Harriet Smith, and of course Georgiana would be Reputation’s Emma. In my head - and I realise this now as I type - when reading, I pictured Thomas Hawksley with the face of Johnny Flynn. These may be entirely innocent similarities, or perhaps Lex is parodying the genre and structure of Emma et al; I wouldn’t know. All I would say is that I don’t think it’s a bad thing, and in essence the two sets of characters do differ a lot, in the same way that crude oil can be made into both plastic and petroleum. Both are basically dinosaurs at the end of the day, right?

I laughed a lot reading Reputation. I would’ve liked to have known a little more about the area it was set in - there were moors, sure, and grand estates, which leads me to Yorkshire, but then that necessitates changing the characters’ accents in my head accordingly. Similarly I understood the characters to be in their early 20s - young enough for them to still be unmarried without it meriting scandal - but wasn’t quite sure beyond that. Others with more knowledge of the time would perhaps pick up on more clues than I did. But I suppose it doesn’t really matter; 20s as an age range is fine.

The letters between Georgiana and her suitor were funny and reminiscent of modern romance - though they are obviously written out longhand formally, being hand-delivered by messengers rather than through the postal service gives an immediacy and easy teasing and flirtation to the messages we would recognise today.

Overall I am happy I got to read this book, and I did try to stop myself racing through it but failed. The fact it isn't out yet for a while means I can't discuss it with anybody, but I want to! It's that sort of book. Sequel needed? You bet!

This book was BRILLIANT!

Funny, whipsmart, debauched and engrossing. The writing is tight and precise, the characters are well drawn and the whole thing is a joy to read. Think Jane Austen meets Louise Rennison meets Mean Girls.

Very much loved it and will very much be recommending it to friends.

Sometimes a book just hits every vibe you need it to hit.

It's the wonderful New Adult combination Pride and Prejudice and Mean Girls that we didn't know we needed. Georgiana is packed off to live with her aunt and uncle and finds that her new life is nowhere near as exciting as her books led her to believe. Soon, however, she is swept up into the scandalous world of late nights and unchaperoned parties.

I really loved this book. I laughed out loud throughout it and SQUEE'd at least twice. The characters and their development felt so frustratingly real (in a good way), and the letters, that begin with the Regency equivalent of a drunk text, are so much fun. The portrayal of getting swept up in the obsessive qualities of a new, exciting friendship with somebody who seems to command every room led to a slight existential crisis in which I realized that I have never had an original experience in my life.

I was really excited for this book and I'm so glad to say it did not disappoint.

I genuinely just had a great time reading it. I laughed, I was frustrated, angry and totally invested in Georgiana and her nonsense.

The discussions are consent, gender, sexuality and class felt very modern but were beautifully translated to fit with the time period this book is set in.

Reputation reads like Jane Austen if she had the soul of a person living in 21st century. It has all the wit, humour, tension and heart of your favourite Austen novel but with all the scandal she wouldn't have dared write about.

Brilliantly written, Reputation is an honest portrayal of moving to somewhere new as a teenager and being swept away by the cool kids, only told through a creative Regency lens.

This isn’t just a historical novel that focuses on the floaty dresses and garden parties of the Regency upper-class but takes a dive into the seedy underbelly of aristocratic society. And boy does the book have fun in this setting.

Alongside the intimacy of flirtatious letters, garden parties and beautiful piano scenes there are drinking games with Regency appropriate names and illicit substances hidden in snuff boxes.

I wish all historical fiction was as joyful as this book, and I would absolutely recommend it for anyone who is a fan of Austen and general hijinx.

Well, what can I say? It's 1am and I've stayed up because I couldn't put this down! I loved the character of Georgiana even if sometimes I wanted to shout at her haha. Getting insight into the main gang as we slowly got to know them and see they weren't just 2 dimensional rich people was really interesting. The large cast of characters were well developed and complex although the ending was slightly ambiguous with some of them. I like the discussion on how wealth and privilege protect you yet how women are still often powerless in this society. Georgiana's character development was interesting and believable. There was good queer rep even if it wasn't the main romance and I was fully invested in the main couple's relationship by the end. However, I would say this is definitely a story about friendship and learning to accept yourself and stand up for what you believe in despite the pressures from those around you. I can't wait to read it all again!

An utter delight to read. Like Pride and Prejudice meets Harlots all wrapped into one. Only better.
A gracious tale of love, sex, marriage proposals, and parties.
Very cheeky, fun but still felt fresh and modern.
Georgiana and her relationship with Betty particularly is one to watch, as is her letter writing to Mr Hawksby.
Some real heartache and tragedy within this too, this is a very well rounded book.
Absolutely loved it, couldn't put it down. One of those, I'll read one more chapter, and another, and then I got to the end in one sitting,

I think this would be a great entry point for a YA reader to dip their toes into the regency romance genre. It has all the conventions of a YA story within the regency era.

This book was the most fun I’ve had in such a long time. Lex Croucher perfectly captures both the voice and tone of an Austen novel, whilst adding a few modern touches of their own that make the story a delight to read.
A lovely coming of age story that contains dastardly men, misunderstandings, stolen glances and a protagonist with all the best qualities of Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Bennet, yet also completely distinct in her own right.
This book had me cackling in laughter and gasping in shock, and I can’t wait to see what Croucher writes next!

Mmm, a deliciously satisfying romance with a fantastic set of characters, a lot of heart and a delightful amount of regency-era melodrama. This is definitely very Pride and Prejudice/Emma meets Mean Girls (and very self aware to that respect) so if you're into that I would recommend it, and if you're a movie exec I would recommend adapting it asap please. Also astonished by how invested I was in the main m/f romance in this - truly so good and pure.

This book somehow made me want to be drinking straight gin at a party surrounded by rich assholes and I’m not even mad about it.

I adored Georgiana’s story but especially loved the nuance in all of the characters around her. There were hidden depths in everyone and it made them all feel so real.

I truly did not realise how invested I was until I was basically screaming at Georgiana when she had forgotten something important and genuinely had to put the book down because I got so frustrated with her (in a good way, like the same way I had to when I first read Emma)

Would definitely recommend for anyone that loves a bit of regency era romantic angst with way more modern relevance than you can usually find in those types of novels.