Literally a perfect Regency romance if I’ve ever read one.

You will immediately fall in love with Selina and Peter. They are two of the best main characters I’ve ever encountered in a romance novel. Selina is fiercely independent, wise, and brave for a woman of her time, and Peter is warm, kind, and charming despite his insecurities with his current predicament involving his newly-acquired social & political (and familial) status.

A truly well-written story from start to finish with compelling characters, an intriguing storyline, and some spicy romance. Also lots of great humorous moments and tender dialogue. Absolutely loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book, and I think it’s my favorite book I’ve read so far this year! I really enjoyed Vasti’s writing style and thought the characters in this story were so fun. Peter and Selina were both so witty and their banter had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout the entire book!
I often find that children in romance books overshadow the couple & relationship, but I didn’t think that was the case in this book at all.

There were some historical inaccuracies that I think would bother some readers (especially around women’s rights but in other areas as well) – this wasn’t an issue for me personally, but if you prefer your historical romances to be historically accurate it is something to be aware of.

I’m already planning to buy a physical copy of this book when it’s released so I can reread it because I adored it so much!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.

I knew I was a major Alexandra Vasti fan—I loved every single novella she’s written—but this debut novel is spectacular. I’m obsessed with the characters. The story was fun and emotional and I devoured it, as one does when one reads fantastic, emotionally charged prose with lovely relatable characters. All the tropes were delicious, and I loved the ending. Chef’s kiss!

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for an advanced copy of this delightfully fun love story!

This lighthearted historical romance will appeal to people who enjoy the “I'm going to set you up with someone else only we're falling for each other” trope.

I liked this book a lot. It immersed me into the story quickly. I do love characters in my historicals who buck traditions and conventions. And that was both characters: Peter, the American Duke (whose father was English), and Selina, who ran a library with a special selection of books to help women learn more about the world (specifically sex).

It was pretty obvious right from the beginning that Peter and Selina were meant for each other, even as she was trying to set him up with others. (The others weren't bad! I hope they get their own HEAs!) It's just that the two obviously complemented each other. Peter helped Selina embrace her bold, confident side. He thought what she had accomplished with her library was amazing and supported it, even when she was afraid of the scandal it would cause. For Peter, Selina is instrumental in helping him get custody of this half siblings. But she also loves him through the difficult times, and makes the house a home and generally brings comfort and love and order into his world.

One note for people who like strong time period historicals: I had no sense of what time this was set in until specific years were mentioned.

This was a delightful romp that kept me smiling the entire time. The main characters had radical politics and at first I feared it would read as if a 21st century couple was dropped into the Regency, but I think Vasti struck a good balance between historical accuracy and modern sensibilities. Also, I'm a sucker for hellion children, so Lu was an absolute delight. I also loved several of the side characters and would be interested to see future stories about several of them, so I hope this is the start to a series!

This book was so much fun!! I loved Peter and Selena’s story - it was funny and wholesome and kept me on my toes from beginning to end. One thing I really appreciate is when you are presented with an adult relationship in which both parties actually manage to act like adults. Without spoiling the plot, I will simply say that it is refreshing to see a couple working together and being honest with one another.

Also, the smut was spectacular. Very steamy.

I typically do not read period books so it took me a while to get into this one, but once I did I was pleasantly surprised!

Entertaining historical romance. Funny kids and amusing characters. Dialogue is also fun. I think I enjoyed the Duke as a hero more than Selina as a heroine.

Very cute story and a lot of favorite tropes! I enjoyed the characters, especially Selina. The book felt fairly quick paced at times and I think that seemed startling to me. But overall enjoyed!

I have a new book boyfriend, and he is a Duke and wonderful and sweet and the absolute best. The secrets were intense, especially for the time period. This was my first time reading a regency novel, and now I want more! The demure of the women and the way they decided they were more than just homemakers. Selina was such a force and the way she took control of her own life was lovely. She was Peter's match in every way. Their sense of humor was on point!

In Ne’er Duke Well, the Duke of Stanhope, trying to gain custody of his father’s “natural” children, enlists the help of Lady Selina, who decides the solution is to find him a wife. She, of course, could not be the wife, for important secret library reasons. Selina and Peter are excellent, and I really enjoyed the plot and the secondary characters, especially the possible wives and the children. Vasti is a must-read author for me.

A great read!! It was hilarious and heartwarming all at the same time! It was different than other regency rom-coms in the best way. I loved that Peter has a tie to American wealth because you don’t typically see that in a regency romance. Selina is an amazing lead and the chemistry between the too is wonderful! A great read with lots of laughs and love. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

This book was an absolute delight. We have Peter Kent, a new unconventional duke looking to have guardianship of his half siblings who have never been recognized. He asks his friend and neighbor Lady Selina for help with the fight for custody. He's seen and admired Lady Selina for being very resourceful and caring in various social situations. She agrees to help and decides he needs to marry to secure the children. She finds him suitable prospects, but the problem is she would like to be on that list but she is hiding a scandalous secret that would affect the Duke's chances if it got out.

The chemistry between Peter and Selina is off the charts. The Duke's siblings Frederick and Lu were so much fun. I love how they kept the Duke on his toes.

Thank you to St. Martin's press for the advanced reader's copy. I really enjoyed this book and hope Alexandra Vasti makes this a series, I'd love to get a book for Selina's brother Will. I highly this recommend this book it was very fun and heart warming.

What a joy to read! From the very beginning you are hooked by the witty and original writing, the story is charming and the chemistry between the characters keeps you wanting more.

In Alexandra Vista's debut full-length, she shows why she's already a rising star in historical romance. It's fun, it's fast, it's witty, and both the hero and heroine are likeable and are doing interesting things for their society. I wish that she had spent more time building up their attraction to each other because it felt a bit fast. I also really wished we could have seen more of Peter's escapades and near-scandals instead of just being told about them--told is the right way for most of them as they become increasingly ridiculous, but it would have been fun to see an example or two and the fallout from them, since reputation is such a key issue in this story.

It's a delightful historical romance and definitely one to read.

Thanks to St. Martin's and NetGalley for the ARC.

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases, and I'm so grateful I got to read it early, and that it certainly did not disappoint. I fell in love with the author's Helifax Hellions novella series - these are already out and they're incredible, so you all need to pick them up if you haven't already before this book comes out. They're entertaining, sweet, steamy, funny, and romantic. And Ne'er Duke Well is no different. I was excited to see what Alexandra Vasti could do with a full-length novel, and she killed it, of course. So, let's talk about it.

This book follows Lady Selina and Peter, the Duke of Stanhope. Peter recently inherited the dukedom along with the property and two half-siblings. So he moves to England from New Orleans, where he meets Selina. He asks her for advice on how he could make sure he gets custody of his siblings, and she suggests he find a respectable wife. She'll help him find her and secure the custody - the one problem? Peter has eyes only for her, and he barely wants to look at any other woman. He goes along with it but can never stay away from her for long. As they grow closer, it gets harder and harder for Selina as well, but she forces herself to pull back because she doesn't consider herself respectable because of one little secret. She runs an erotic library for women so she can ensure they can have access to sex education and the freedom to choose how they live their life in that way. She thinks that all will be ruined if anyone finds out, and therefore, it can never come to that.

I loved the way the two of them couldn't stay away from each other. The relationship Peter has with Lu and Freddie, his siblings, and the one Selina builds with them as well. The romance is pretty slow-burn but so worth the wait, and I adored every second. It's sweet, sexy, emotional, and filled with so much love and care. Peter never once wavered when it came to how much he wanted Selina and every messy part of her. Selina always felt the need to take care of others while dealing with all her baggage alone, and he gently helped her carry it the whole way. I adored them, and I related to so many parts of Selina's journey.

The only thing that frustrated me in this book was the first 30% that were most focus on finding the perfect bride. But I can't even say it's poorly written at all because I was mostly impatient for Selina and Peter to spend a lot of time together. I think it was also influenced by the fact that I read Alexandra Vasti's novellas first, which were obviously a lot more fast-paced.

Also, I won't say too much to avoid spoiling anything, but the conflicts and angst in this book mainly come from the outside world, which I thought was wonderful. I have been finding out that I much prefer 'us against the world' than 'us against each other' when it comes to these things. It's beautiful to see them get closer as they try to find ways to their happily ever after.

Overall, this is an incredible, swoon-worthy, funny, sweet, and emotional historical romance that I'm sure readers are going to fall in love with. It has everything a historical romance needs while feeling fresh, exciting, and fun. You all need to pre-order it and add it to your TBR! I absolutely cannot wait for Alexandra Vasti's next releases.

If you are a fan of the Halifax twins and their sister in-law, you will LOVE this book. Peter and Selina are simply the best. Selina runs a secret lending library that offers more risqué novels and Peter is a new to town Duke. The whole book was a joy from start to finish and I experienced the full spectrum of human emotions while reading. I was giddy and kicking my feet, crying and laughing. You should check TWs before reading!

This was the first historical romance I’ve ever read and I quite enjoyed it! I thought it was super swoony, sexy and all of the above. I thought a historical romance would be boring but the plot in this book was gripping and I thought the children in this book were such a lovely addition, when usually I hate that. I could absolutely believe that Peter and Selina are in love, because I fell so deep into their story. Great read!

The premise of this book sounds delightful and I have heard wonderful reviews from friends who thoroughly enjoyed the story. However, it was unfortunately not for me and I decided not to finish reading it. The introduction of characters felt too expository, as if the author was trying build the backstories very quickly by telling rather than showing whereas I prefer a slower buildup and getting to discover the characters' personalities, relationship dynamics, and motivations over time. It felt abrupt and information heavy from the beginning and while I am sure I would have grown to love the characters if I had been able to stick with it, I am sorry to say that the writing style did not appeal to me personally.

Adorable historical romance featuring a reluctant Duke and a plucky lady of the Ton. The story follows the Duke, Peter, as he tries to gain guardianship over two younger half-siblings that his no-good father abandoned and refused to recognize as his offspring. Peter relies on the help of Selina, the younger sister of another well-respected Duke and the secret owner of a library with a scandalous “ladies only” catalogue. The story presents with so much heart and is sweet without being too saccharine. It’s an uplifting read and I feel like we may be seeing more of Selina’s friends we meet in the book via adventures of their own. At least I hope we will! Can’t wait to read more from this author.