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.

Ne'er Duke Well is a fun, spicy and surprisingly feminist take on a historical Regency romance. I devoured it.

When Lady Selina tries to help her American friend Peter, the new Lord Stanhope, gain custody of his half siblings by securing a wife, she sets off a train of events which could lead to her own undoing.

I loved the intelligent, compassionate and brave heroine Selina - this is one of few romance books where I think she outshines the hero and is more memorable. Peter is a delightful, modern, supportive cinnamon roll who recognises early on that only Selina will do for him and he's willing to give up everything to make that happen. Selina's supportive family, and Peter's rascally younger half-siblings all make great side characters, as do the ladies Selina originally tries to matchmake Peter with who are a formidable (and quite hilarious) team.

I really enjoyed that Selina is not only a secret business owner but that what she does is salacious, though for really altruistic reasons. Wanting to educate and uplift women in all areas of their lives, and being prepared to put her own happiness aside for this, makes her a fascinating and very likeable heroine.

Ne'er Duke Well is more than a traditional Regency romance, it's funny, spicy and very enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Atlantic Books for providing an advance copy for consideration. This is my honest opinion.

This is a truly delightful debut novel by Alexandra Vasti. Superbly well written with truly likeable characters and a marvellous main couple.
Peter Kent – recently made Duke of Stanhope and previously of New Orleans – is determined to be named guardian of his newly discovered half brother and sister. His problem is twofold – his radical views do not make him popular, especially to the lord chancellor of the High Court, Lord Eldon, who will be deciding his case and his siblings do not particularly want to come and live with him. Unfamiliar with the ways of the Ton, Peter enlists the help of his friend Nicholas, Duke of Rowland and Nicholas’ sister, Lady Selina Ravenscroft. When Lady Selina’s solution is marriage to a respectable lady, Peter is initially delighted. But when Selina makes clear that that lady cannot be her, he finds that he really wants no other.
Lady Selina is used to managing all manner of situations for friends and family. When Peter asks for her help she knows the perfect solution – but her list of likely ladies for the position of his duchess is strangely very short. As she watches Peter conduct his awkward courtships she realises that there is nothing more she would love than the position of his wife but she has a secret which if discovered would ruin any chance of Peter gaining custody of his siblings.
Can the two overcome the potential scandal and find a way to tell each other their real feelings?
I loved Selina and Peter. Selina is a fabulous character. She is so strong, capable and loving – always looking to help everyone in her sphere. Even her secret was established for the empowerment of women – to help inform and educate them. I love her relationship with her friends and family – especially with her twin William [even though he is never actually on page].
Peter is just great. He wants to shoulder the unexpected responsibilities of the Dukedom thrust upon him and do his best for his siblings. I loved how his scandals all just came from him trying to do the right thing and when Selina revealed her secret he was so proud and supportive.
The secondary characters are all so great. Well rounded and believable. I loved Lu and Freddie, Lydia, Georgina, Nicholas and Daphne, Thomasin and Aunt Judith. The story on the surface is a light romance but there is a real depth to it. There is humour but it also tugs at your heartstrings. There are numerous laugh out loud moments and heartrending instances that are very emotional. There is also scorching chemistry between Selina and Peter.
The only thing that was slightly jarring is that there was a lot of talk about instances that had happened when Selina and Peter had first met which felt as though they would have been in another book [potentially Faiza and Claremont’s or Nicholas and Daphne’s] but since this is a debut novel I’m not sure if there is.
I know that Lydia will be getting a book [Earl Crush] but I really hope that Georgiana, Iris and Will be getting their happy ever after [especially Will].
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I love Selina and Peter, the writing is superb and I really can’t wait for Lydia’s story.

It took one novella and one full novel to put Alexandra Vasti on my favorite Regency Romance writers list!

Ne'er Duke Well is full of wonderful characters, strong leads, amazing chemistry (and spice), all wrapped up in an interesting story that surprises by escaping the traditional conflicts in the genre.

This was an absolute delight do read! Funny, light and heartwarming, but most of all, it felt like a refreshing take in the genre. I do hope Alexandra keeps writing in this world because I NEED more of it, desperately.

If you like regency romances, please make sure you give this one a try!

<i>I would like to thank Atlantic Books | Corvus and Netgalley for the for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was a truly wonderful read with the perfect amount of spice! Although we had a slow burn, the story was fast paced and our two main characters had me fully gripped and swooning. A perfect read!

I have really enjoyed reading this book.. I would describe it as a "modern", sexy, Jane Austen style of book.
Lady Selina Ravencroft is an independent woman, not so different from Lizzie Bennet herself, with a great family behind her back and a business that would've certainly made people blush at the time. She sets out to help the Duke of Stanhope find a suitable wife, so he might obtain custody of his young half siblings.. but Lady Selina's matchmaking efforts may be unnecessary, as the two seem to develop quite an interest for each other instead... It's a fun, witty Regency romance with just the right amount of spice!

This was such a fun read with quite a few laugh out loud moments especially in the first half. I liked the theme that the lead characters, though highly competent also had a reckless side to them that often led to crisis or disaster. The book makes a really 8mportant point, that women should be full6 educated, especially when it comes to knowing her own body and what can happen to it. Definitely a well worth read