Ne'er Duke Well

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.

I am a big fan of Alexandra Vasti’s writing and there is no exception needed for her first full-length novel.

Vasti’s passion and care for the historical romance genre shines through in this book set in the Regency era.

Lady Selina is determined to find the newly inherited Duke of Stanhope a wife so that he is more likely to obtain guardianship of his younger half-siblings. The problems begin when she starts to realise that she might want to marry him instead!

I really enjoyed the exploration of the importance of both found and blood family in this book. The Ravenscroft’s fierce loyalty to each other was so satisfying, and I loved how determined Peter and Selina were to rescue his chaotic yet vulnerable siblings.

Selina Ravenscroft’s character was developed and interesting - she was independent and clever but also stubborn and prone to catastrophising. I loved the proud feminist thread throughout the book and the side-plot of the Venus lending library.

I really enjoyed that the two protagonists needed the best of each other to solve their problems - there was no shining knight because it was the love and support of friends and family that saved the day.

I would say that the host of supporting characters are screaming out to be main protagonists in their own books within a series so fingers crossed there!

I will publish this review on Instagram on 1 August, as well as Amazon and Waterstones.

Definitely a fun and sexy historical romance. Loved reading this, the characters were entertaining and the storyline pulled you along.

This is an absolutely delightful rom com. Peter is trying to gain custody of his half siblings and enlists the help of Selina, who unbeknownst to society is running a library for women's enlitenment. It starts with Selina playing matchmaker for Peter with her friends only to fall for him herself. Its a great lighthearted story that is a joy to read.