American Peter Kent has recently and unexpectedly inherited the title of Duke of Stanhope. Without intention, he's also developed a reputation for minor scandal. When his petition to become his young siblings' guardian depends on his reputation improving, he enlists the help of Lady Selina Ravenscroft. Selina is clever, efficient, and secretly holding back a significant brewing scandal of her own: she runs an erotic circulating library for women. She suggests that Peter find himself a wife with an unimpeachable reputation before the guardianship hearing and despite her feelings for Peter, she rules herself out due to her own secret. But can she stand back while Peter courts the women she has suggested, and will her own scandal come to light in the process?

I love regency romances, particularly ones with strong, female characters and spice. This one definitely didn't disappoint! I read it all in one go, only stopping to eat twice, because I was just so invested in this story. The main characters felt so real, and I loved their chemistry right from the start. There isn't an irritating third act breakup, they actually communicate with each other throughout, and they support each other without question! I really loved it, and I was completely rooting for their HEA with Freddie and Lu.

I also felt like there were aspects of regency life shown that we don't normally see much of in regency romances - such as history, politics and the impact of patriarchy and the class structure on women. But it all just made it feel more like a real and genuine representation of that time, which I really appreciated. The realism gave more impact to the supportive relationship between Peter and Selina because he genuinely believed in what she was trying to achieve.

There were some really strong side characters introduced in this book, and the author's afterword suggests that at least one of them is getting their own book. I will definitely be reading it whenever it arrives!

This regency romance feels fresh and new, and doesn't just re-tread old ground. I really loved the couple together, and loved their well-developed characters as individuals too. I just can't wait to read more by this author! I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves regency romances with a heartwarming story and realistic but very sexy scenes.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

This was such a fun regency romance. I loved the main characters. Selina was a fantastic lead- strong and spirited. I loved the banter and found family. A great escape into an old world that felt new and fresh.

Alexandra Vasti’s full-length debut novel was a sensation! I have been a major fan of hers since reading Margo Halifax last year— it was swoony, exciting and made me cry on a randomly Thursday afternoon! And Ne’er Dyke Well was truly no different.

It had the signature Vasti charm that I’ve come to know and adore. She has the perfect regency humour that makes me giggle but also it doesn’t take me out of the story either, it just enhances the characters. Vasti takes the familiar charismatic landscape of historical romances but mixes up the formula that we’re so used to. Our hero, the hilariously bumbling Peter paired with the elegant Selina just made for a new exciting read that I’m not used to in historical romances. I loved the switch up of having an American hero and an English heroine, it's actually my fave micro-trope that isn’t done often and it was very clear that Vasti knew her historical context, too. It made for an easily immersive read on top of having such a charming, contrasting couple take centre stage.

I cant wait to see what Vasti does next because she’s secured herself as an auto-buy author for me now!