This was delightful and a good palate cleanser. I enjoyed it way more than I expected. It had action, mystery, suspense and romance.

Earl Crush follows the story of Lydia, who has been in correspondence with Arthur. When she arrives Scotland to ‘meet’ Arthur- he has never met or written to her.

What follows this comedy of errors is a forced marriage, forced proximity, covet spying, investigation and hilarious antics.

I enjoyed the build up of the relationship between Lydia and Arthur. I also loved the unique funny chapter starters.

I loved the mental health representation and how Arthur was always attuned to Lydia and her feelings.

The epilogue was unique and tied up the bow on the story nicely.

If you love regency romance then you should read this.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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.)

My Opinion

I really enjoyed Ne’er Duke Well so I was delighted when I saw that Alexandra Vasti had a new release. I am trying to read more historical fiction and this is definitely a series I am glad that I started. Earl Crush gets off to a slow start, but the pace soon picks up. This was an enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Rating 4/5

Earl Crush was such a fun and witty read. There is a socially anxious heroine who pukes in the plants when she has to attend a ball, but who writes strong political pamphlets that seem to have drawn the interest of an earl. There is also a big strong Scottish hero, a fake marriage, and a chase around the country in search of a possibly dangerous weapon. I couldn’t put it down!

The protagonist, Lydia, is an heiress, but her shyness has made for disastrous Seasons and she is still a wallflower. Her solution is to propose a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Strathrannoch, with whom she’s been corresponding about politics for the last three years and who is in financial trouble. However, when she reaches his Scottish castle, she finds out that not only it’s overrun by zebras, but also that the man she’s been corresponding with is not the earl, but his younger brother, who’s now run off with a deadly weapon. The real Earl of Strathrannoch, Arthur, had no idea that his brother has been using his name and now asks for Lydia’s help in finding him before he does something irreparable.

Earl Crush is my second novel by Alexandra Vasti and she’s quickly becoming a favourite. I enjoy her writing style and her characters are entertaining and interesting. Lydia is very introverted, but also smart and determined, not afraid to put herself in danger for the sake of others; Arthur is grumpy and gets easily annoyed, but he can also be caring and kind. I also liked the secondary characters, especially the interfering servants. There is swoony romance and also suspense with a few twists and I loved how each chapter starts with an extract from letters. Highly recommended!

I really wanted to read the first one in the series, but wasn’t able to fit it into my review schedule at the time. But when I saw this one pop up, I immediately signed up and fit it into my schedule. And I will now have to go back and read the first one since I really enjoyed this.

Of course my Outlander obsessed self loved that this took place in Scotland for a lot of the story. I mean, yes, I definitely want my own Scottish Earl with a castle, lol. However my brain/tongue kept stumbling over how to pronounce Strathrannoch every time it came up in the story. I enjoyed both characters, Arthur’s grumpy, not shy – but not a perfect flirty smooth gentleman, and Lydia’s shyness/social awkwardness, yet wanting to be able to make her own way. I loved seeing the two of them fall in love, and how her family took him in almost straightaway. Being around her big, boisterous family was so much fun, and it was heartwarming to see how they accepted him.

There was a lot of intrigue along the way to figuring out exactly why Arthur’s brother Davis had been writing to Lydia. Was he really a bad guy, stealing Arthur’s invention for nefarious purposes? And then there was Lydia’s brother’s appearance at a gathering, but he was calling himself by a different name. What was he up to? Was he in cahoots with Arthur’s brother? And could it all be culminating in a plan to assassinate someone? I also am wondering if Lydia’s friend Georgiana snuck off to find her brother Jasper, and if that might be a future story in this series.

The story was really fun, totally what my brain pictures as a historical romance type of story, including all the very steamy scenes with our couple. A few times I was a bit irritated with both Lydia and Arthur doubting the other one for very minor things. That’s what kept it as a 4 star read for me. But still this is worth a read for anyone who enjoys a good spicy historical romance with some funny bits along the way!

So. Many. Feelings. This was my first Alexandra Vasti book and I adored it. How could I not fall in love with these characters? And not only Lydia and Arthur but the absolutely delightful supporting cast surrounding them. They drew me in and kept me happily reading from beginning to end.

There's so much depth to unpack when it comes to Arthur and Lydia and Vasti accomplishes it beautifully. Both have so many layers that make up the whole, that draw them to one another but, at the same time, keep them from handing over their hearts. Especially Arthur. My heart ached for him and his inability to believe himself worthy of love. There's a whole boatload of family betrayals to wade through but that doesn't stop him from yearning. So much yearning and I am here for it.

Don't think this book is all angst though. There's impeccably placed humor, witty banter, zebras (yes, zebras), a mystery, a bit of danger, chemistry, meddling family (bio and chosen), road romance (Yay!), and did I mention yearning?

There are also letters and random notes throughout the book that provide readers insights into the thoughts, feelings, and hopes of our reclusive hero. What he's unable to verbally express is eloquently - sometimes heart-wrenchingly - delivered through the perfectly crafted vehicle of his "papers," opening a window into the depths of his emotions and growing love for the quiet, socially awkward political activist who has turned his life upside down.

These characters had me laughing, sobbing, and holding my breath as they navigated the ups and downs of mistaken identity, meddling family, espionage, kidnapping, and falling in love. I was with them every step of the way, right up to - and through - one of the most swoon-worthy, deeply romantic, heart-tugging epilogues I've read.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

It's a historical romance with a female protagonist who defies society's conventions and an unconventional earl who is not the man she seeks but forms an instant attraction and rapport. I like the intrigue, the humour, the passion and the matching emotional depth of the couple's feelings for each other. It's an entertaining and romantic read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.