Title: Earl CrushAuthor: Alexandra Vasti
Series: Belvoir's Library #2
Pages: 352
Publication Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical
Synopsis:
In Alexandra Vasti’s newest Regency rom-com, a reclusive earl’s life is turned upside down when a stranger shows up on his doorstep with an astonishing proposal—and an inconvenient connection to espionage.
For three years, wallflower heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has anonymously penned seditious pamphlets. And for almost as long, she’s corresponded with the Earl of Strathrannoch, whose political ambition is matched only by his charm. When Arthur’s latest letter reveals his dire financial straits, Lydia sets out for Scotland to offer him the only salvation she can think of—a marriage of convenience. To, um, herself.
Unfortunately, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is.
When a bewitching redheaded stranger offers him her hand in marriage, Arthur Baird is stunned—but when he learns that his traitorous brother has been writing to her under Arthur’s name, he’s bloody furious. He’s content to live alone in his moldering castle, and he has no desire for a provocative, radical wife. (Or at least, he shouldn’t.)
But Arthur is desperate to track down his brother, who’s become dangerously entangled in British espionage, and he needs Lydia’s help. What he doesn’t need? The attraction that burns hotter each moment they spend together. As Lydia slips past his defenses and his brother’s mysterious past becomes a very present threat, Arthur will have to risk everything to keep her safe—even his heart.
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This is Alexandra Vasti’s sophomore novel, and it’s as fantastic as the first! It’s funny and romantic with a unique mystery and a swoon-worthy MMC and love story.
When Lydia, a socially anxious wallflower and secret political writer, travels to Scotland to meet and propose a marriage of convenience to the man she’s corresponded with for years, she learns that she’s been duped. She hasn’t been writing to the Earl of Strathrannoch. Instead, his brother has been writing to Lydia using Arthur’s name. Arthur is furious that his brother pretended to be him, and though he prefers to live a solitary life, he needs Lydia to help locate his wayward brother, who has disappeared with one of Arthur’s inventions.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are super likable and the mystery is intriguing. I thought Ludia was an amazing protagonist. She’s sharp and strong and a great match for Arthur. Lydia also has social anxiety. I love that the author shows us this brave, bold, and capable woman who sometimes struggles in different settings. As an anxiety sufferer, I understood her feelings, and I thought the author captured the complexities of anxiety well.
Arthur, our grumpy MMC is also wonderful. An intelligent, honorable man, Arthur is endearing from the start. His declarations are gorgeous and romantic, and you can tell that he really sees and understands Lydia. All he wants is to support her, and I love that he gets her to see just how amazing she is. The man is smitten, and rightfully so! Lol Both characters are complex and imperfect, and they are perfect for each other.
The romance between Lydia and Arthur is positively swoon-worthy with some sweet and charming scenes, tons of pining, great banter, and a few steamy times that made me stop to get a fan! From their first meet-cute, you can feel the tension between them, and I loved every minute of it.
The secondary characters are great too, as are the setting and the mystery surrounding Arthur’s brother. The found family trope is one of my faces, and it’s done so well in this story. I also love the inclusion of letters and writings from the main characters at the start of each chapter. You learn so much about them through these little snippets, especially regarding their feelings about each other.
This is such a great read, and I’m excited to read Vasti’s next book. If it’s anything like this one., I know I’ll adore it. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- Marriage of convenience
- Found family
- Secret identity
You are the summer and the winter, the spring and the fall. When you change, I want to change alongside you. I want to discover you anew every morning. I want to forget what dawn looks like except in your eyes.
Alexandra Vasti is a British literature professor who has loved historical romance since age 11. After finishing her PhD at Columbia University in NYC, she moved to New Orleans, where she lives with her very large and noisy family.
Brilliant review, Julie. I’ve actually just bought this on my Kindle and now I’m even more excited to pick it up 🙂