I loved this! I read Lex Croucher's Reputation when it was published and enjoyed it, but Infamous was a real step up. The relationship between Eddie and Rose is lovely - tangible and believable whilst still having a sense of frustration about it because Eddie in particular is so stubborn and frustrating at times. A quick and enjoyable read.

Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me with an eArc in return for a fair review.

I adored this book! I loved the characters of Edith ‘Eddie’ Miller and her best fried Rose. They’ve been inseparable since childhood, but since their Coming out Ball Rose has started to talk about getting married and Eddie can’t think of anythIng she’d hate more than being married, except possibly seeing Rose married! Bombarded by feelings she doesn’t understand aspiring writer Eddie is swept up in admiration for literary bad boy Nash Nicholson, despite Rose’s obvious dislike of him.

An interesting cast of characters, a Gothic mansion, love that dare not speak its name…
I did want to shake Eddie at times!

#wlw # queer-rep #lgbtq

5⭐️ // ARC provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Lex's first period romance, Reputation, I already had some idea of what I was in for - a sort of Bridgerton meets queer rom-com story full of witty banter, slightly ridiculous happenstances, and warm, likeable, relatable characters.

But I have to say, this second story was all of the above and just so, so much more. Rose and Eddie's friendship felt tangible and believable, the pining and the revelations were perfectly pitched, the conflict made sense within the story - and the whole thing carried such a sense of place and time that if I closed my eyes I felt like I was along for the ride at the writer's retreat with them all.

I didn't want to put this down, and then I didn't want it to end... I still wish it hadn't! Eagerly awaiting whatever Lex turns their hand to next, as it will immediately be on my wishlist.

While I enjoyed Lex Croucher's previous novel Reputation, I did find it a bit all over the place in terms of what it wanted to be. Part romance, part coming of age with a dash of historical thrown in and the plot sufferers as a result. Unfortunately, I found Infamous to follow the same pattern,and with the same insufferable characters. Eddie is just not likeable. In fact, she's downright awful at times, and as such I couldn't connect with her at all. I also found the use of modern language particularly jarring, as well as the obvious disregard for any kind of historical continuity.

Fun wiriitnf, but the characters left a lot to be desired.

This one took me a bit longer to get into than Reputation, but when I got into it I literally could not put it down. At times hilarious, at others so unbelievably frustrating I almost cried. 10/10 would read again.

I tried to like this novel, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t like or care for any of the characters, especially the protagonist Eddie whose redemption I hoped for until the ending, and the story really wasn’t for me. Unlike Reputation, where even though it took me a while to get into the story, I ended up enjoying it. Infamous really wasn’t for me and it took me quite a while to finish reading it (the only reason I didn’t DNF it was because I hoped for improvements along the way). Maybe because my expectations were too high or maybe because I was expecting something else, but it wasn’t the right read for me.

I did like the follow up to Reputation and thought it was highly enjoyable but it lacked a little something for me that the original had. I did like Eddie and Rose as characters and felt they were really interesting to follow. The plot was done well and i liked the themes they explored in it. The story was paced well and this helped to keep me focused and wanting to continue on it. I probably would read another book in this series as it liked this one and the prior one.

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. Sometimes I worry that comedy in romance books will come off super cringey but this had the perfect balance.

If you like Bridgerton, historical romance and are just looking for hilarious gooey escapsim this is for you.

Having read Lex Croucher's first novel, I was eagerly awaiting Infamous. While I really enjoyed the opening half, I felt by the conclusion, the novel had somewhat lost me and could have been tighter in its delivery.

I liked that this was a story about friends and creativity as much as it was about love - trying to stay true to yourself but potentially losing the person you care about most in the process. Eddie was relatable in her flaws and her relationship with Rose, in the beginning, was very sweet even as they began to pull apart unaware that they were falling for each other. Nash also had intrigue in the first half, even though it was clear any relationship with him would go horribly wrong.

What I found tiresome was the latter half at the 'summer house', and the fraught relationships it brought. The whole episode felt dragged out and tedious, even though fast moving. It was just clear where the narrative was heading and I felt myself turning pages to get to some point of conclusion where Eddie wasn't wrapped up in her fantasy anymore.

However, the resolution was worth the wait and the ending was satisfactory. Overall, I still enjoyed this read but I don't feel it had as much punch as Reputation did.

Once again Lex Croucher manages to blend the comforting familiarity of the regency era with the heightened excitement of a modern teen drama in perfect balance. It has queer representation, specifically wlw, that is done so beautifully and the way that this book deals with love and friendship and creativity is incredibly poignant. If you enjoyed Reputation then I think you will love this even more, Lex builds on the strengths from their first novel and in my opinion has only gotten better from it.

‘Booksmart Meets Bridgerton’ - cover blurb.

My thanks to Bonnier Books UK Zaffre for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Infamous’ by Lex Croucher.

Having recently read Croucher’s first Regency romance, ‘Reputation’, I was prepared for this novel to be only loosely connected to its historical setting. The lovely cover art also promises a cheeky lightheartedness.

At twenty-two aspiring writer, Edith 'Eddie' Miller, isn’t keen on leaving behind the carefree days of her youth when she and best friend Rose climbed trees, drank secretly, teased boys, and practiced kissing (research).

Now to Eddie’s dismay Rose is changing and is more interested in domestic matters and is talking seriously about marriage. She is soon being courted by the eligible, somewhat older Albert Rednock. Eddie is not happy though then is introduced to the charming, renowned poet, Nash Nicholson, who considers himself more talented than Lord Byron. As one friend comments- they are too alike in background, temperament and ambition and these ‘irreconcilable similarities’ prevents them being friends.

Nash encourages Eddie’s writing and invites her, along with Rose and Albert, for a visit to his crumbling Gothic estate in the country. The house isn’t just metaphorically crumbling, there are leaks in the roof and rooms that are clearly uninhabitable.

Certainly an unconventional destination for two unwed young women, though Nash’s wife will be in attendance to calm parental concerns about impropriety and any danger to their reputations. However, Nash has also invited an entourage of eccentric artistic types and they are planning to indulge in pure hedonism.

Eddie doesn’t mind as she feels that this is exactly the atmosphere she needs in order to finish her novel and make a name for herself. Will she regret trying to keep up with her literary heroes? What kind of name might she gain if word gets back to London of hijinks? She crafts the occasional letter back home to her parents, rather painting a misleading picture of their visit.

While there are some light moments in the beginning, there are increasingly darker themes as the story unfolds.

I found Eddie a very relatable lead. Her desire to continue to enjoy the freedom of her youth and expand her world was understandable, especially given the constraints of the society of the day. I applauded Lex Croucher concluding with future documental references to her characters’ lives.

While my preference is for historical fiction well grounded in its period, I read ‘Infamous’ fully aware of the authors’ intentions. Indeed, one of the novel’s bonus reading group questions is: “How do you feel about the modernisation of Regency setting in books, film and TV?”

Overall, I found this an engaging, entertaining novel that had plenty of wit and charm. I am planning to read her upcoming medieval romantic comedy, ‘Gwen and Art Are Not in Love’ when published.

I liked this one better than reputation! I defo liked the protagonist more which helped. All the conflicts I had about Lex's first book weren't in this one so my enjoyment increased a lot!

Eddie was such a good protagonist - she is very sheltered and innocent and this leads to many mistakes that someone more streetwise wouldn't make. I really felt for her because she was totally clueless about some things. I loved her friendship with her best friend Rose, who also becomes her lover. Some of the scenes were just perfect (the bath scene am I right?)

Anyway, Nash Nicholson can do one, why are men like this.

There should be more regency books written about the rebels of society, it really is so fun to read about. I enjoyed the differences between the society balls and the literary parties thrown by Nash immensely. I enjoyed reading about women who wore trousers and artists who went by there first names and Valentine, who was never given a gender. With this and watching Gentleman Jack on the BBC, I've definitely developed a taste for stories about the people who went against the rules of society and didn't let anyone define who they were.

Beyond this, however, I was a little bored. Despite starting out with two girls kissing ("for practice") there was no real hint of romance until after the half way point. And I never really felt the romance. Eddie was supposed to be confused about her feelings and that was fine, but it didn't really feel like she was interested in anyone.

I also got such bad vibes from one of the characters. It was probably intentional and other people may look at it as a plus, but I felt really uncomfortable about it.

Infamous follows perfectly in Reputation’s footsteps. Lex’s writing is once again funny and witty and they have really established themselves as an incredible writer.

In Infamous we meet Eddie, a young writer who can’t imagine anything worse than following what’s expected of her, and Rose, her best friend who might not have as much space to fight against expectations…

I really do just love a Regency romance, and Infamous delivered on all of my favourite elements - there are (occasionally) some glamorous parties, there is always some gossip, and the era itself was really beautifully drawn.

I didn’t love this quite as much as Reputation though, and I think there’s one reason for that. Without spoiling the plot, there’s a character introduced early on that I *knew* was going to be awful, and I was filled with dread while reading just… waiting for them to do the awful thing.

Perhaps that’s me being cynical (when the awful thing happened, no characters seemed as bothered by it as I was!), but whereas with Reputation I had a bit of an idea of what might happen and could still get swept away, with Infamous I just found myself on tenterhooks.

I think you have to give some credit for that to Croucher’s writing, but it also means I’ll definitely be rereading soon so I can just enjoy the other elements of the story that I loved. Rose is a fabulous character, and if there is a chance for a follow up told from her perspective I will be first in the queue! Eddie went on a bit of a journey, and by the end of the book I was rooting for her too!

I also loved that this is a look into a bit of a different side of the Regency era - writers and artists in falling down houses! The queer representation here was also incredibly well done and I’m glad we’re seeing more of these stories as they deserve to be told.

I recommend this one if you need a Regency fix with a bit of a twist, and I’m very excited for Croucher’s Arthurian novel out next year!

A really fantastic book, I loved Reputation and this one was even better! Put Lex Croucher to the top of your TBR lists.

Eddie and Rose are inseperable, but they're also at the age where they're out in society and marriage is expected. Eddie is more interested in writing and doesn't want anything to change, so is horrified when Rose announces plans to marry. A meeting with a well-known writer and hero to Eddie leads to an invitation to both girls to spend some time at his country retreat, with a group of writers and artists. But the country house is ramshackle and Nash Nicholson is more dangerous than the hero writer of Eddie's dreams.

It's a lot of fun to read. There is a diverse group of characters, in terms of gender, sexuality and race, much like in Lex Croucher's previous book. The way of speaking may be modern, but the constraints of society Eddie and Rose face are definitely authentic, as are the ways of escaping them. Some of the events in the house took a bit of time to come to their conclusion, but I loved the ending and would recommend the book!

I had a lot fun in reading this Regency romp as it's gripping and humourous.
Great characters, witty style of writing, a well plotted and compelling plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Eddie is an aspiring writer and infatuated with a famous poet who seems to take an interest in her much to her best friends annoyance and protests.
Eddie makes many, many, many stupid mistakes when it comes to romantic relationships, friendships and career choices.
Her best friend Rose has an incredible amount of patience for her and does not stop looking out and caring for Eddie no matter what idiotic mistakes she makes.
Prepare to get very annoyed at Eddie.

This was like Little Women meets Bridgerton.

I think our MC Eddie is the love child of Jo March and Eloise Featherington.

More interested in her books and writing then on the societal expectations of women in the regency Era, Eddie just wants to be left alone with her books and novel and of course her best friend.

She doesn't like when her and Rose start to grow up and words like Marriage and Motherhood are thrown about.

When she meets her idol Nash Nicholson, she is pulled into a world of debauchery and creativity.

This definitely had more romance in then Lex Crouchers first book but is of the same calibre of wonderfully open writing.