Scan barcode
ladyalireadsalot's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review against another edition
4.75
Peter Kent, the new Duke of Stanhope who hails from—gasp!—New Orleans, Louisiana, needs to rapidly improve his reputation. He wants custody of his half-siblings, Freddie and Lu, and let’s just say that between his American roots and his political stance, among other things, he is not the most approved of member of the ton. When he turns to Lady Selina Ravenscroft for help, she decides the fastest way to improve his standing is to secure him a proper wife.
Selina is beloved by the ton, but her reputation would be dashed if her cohorts discovered that she is behind the circulating library that has—ahem—made some more enlightening reads available to women.
Here’s the rub, though: despite her multiple attempts at matchmaking Peter to the ladies of the ton, none of those relationships seem to take. As unfortunate as it seems, Selina discovers that she, in fact, may be Peter’s perfect match. Oh bother.
He needs his status bolstered, but allying with her, and her potentially destructive secret, may cause an even greater downfall.
I adore Alexandra Vasti’s writing; I found myself wearing an irrepressible grin while reading this one; and I just love Peter’s half-siblings, Freddie and Lu.
Peter and Selina’s banter is delicious and their chemistry is fantastic. The stories surrounding the other ladies of the ton whom Selina attempts to matchmake with Peter only enhance the humor of the story.
There is a bit of a change in tone once Peter and Selina do get together. Things become more serious as the decision regarding Freddie and Lu’s guardianship grows closer.
It all works out in the end, though, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
4.75⭐️
I received an advance copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
dog_eared_chapters's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stephgray317's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I was so eager to read because was interesting. However, I felt like the book is going so fast, I just didn’t get much invested in their romance as much I wanted to. There were many cute adorable scenes that I enjoyed tho. This might not have a lot of depth, but it was still a fun read!
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
sara_machado's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
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 would like to thank Atlantic Books | Corvus and Netgalley for the for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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 would like to thank Atlantic Books | Corvus and Netgalley for the for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
ghostsmoocher's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 ⭐️
I'm surprisingly conflicted about giving this book a formal "rating." I found myself going back and forth on my feelings throughout each chapter while reading, and it's incredibly hard to decide whether I should weigh the things I love or find tedious more heavily.
On the surface, the book is a fun romance with a warm heart for family -- both chosen and given by blood. In this novel, Alexandra Vasti has created an excellent cast of side characters (who sincerely I hope will be written about in the future; I'm looking right at you, Lydia & Iris!) and composed sex scenes that managed to make even this historical romance veteran reader blush.
However, I couldn't help but feel like several chapters of this novel were only intended to kill time between major story beats. Certain elements felt crammed in to remind readers of character insecurities that already felt well demonstrated, and it could make the intended emotional core of each of the leads feel a touch repetitive. I was also a bit disappointed in the informal conclusion of the novel's legal plot, though more romcom-focused readers may love it!
One component that particularly endeared this novel to me, though, is Vasti's ending notes, which contextualize some of the historical books, people & legal considerations referenced in her writing. The inclusion of these notes demonstrates a real consideration for the reader's understanding of the history that this book is inspired by, which I sincerely appreciate!
Ultimately, this book is an enjoyably imperfect read that hints at better things to come with further releases from its author. I'll be keeping an eye out for Vasti's work in the future!
I'm surprisingly conflicted about giving this book a formal "rating." I found myself going back and forth on my feelings throughout each chapter while reading, and it's incredibly hard to decide whether I should weigh the things I love or find tedious more heavily.
On the surface, the book is a fun romance with a warm heart for family -- both chosen and given by blood. In this novel, Alexandra Vasti has created an excellent cast of side characters (who sincerely I hope will be written about in the future; I'm looking right at you, Lydia & Iris!) and composed sex scenes that managed to make even this historical romance veteran reader blush.
However, I couldn't help but feel like several chapters of this novel were only intended to kill time between major story beats. Certain elements felt crammed in to remind readers of character insecurities that already felt well demonstrated, and it could make the intended emotional core of each of the leads feel a touch repetitive. I was also a bit disappointed in the informal conclusion of the novel's legal plot, though more romcom-focused readers may love it!
One component that particularly endeared this novel to me, though, is Vasti's ending notes, which contextualize some of the historical books, people & legal considerations referenced in her writing. The inclusion of these notes demonstrates a real consideration for the reader's understanding of the history that this book is inspired by, which I sincerely appreciate!
Ultimately, this book is an enjoyably imperfect read that hints at better things to come with further releases from its author. I'll be keeping an eye out for Vasti's work in the future!
breakdownbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ne'er Duke Well is a story of family, grief, and strong women. Peter, Duke of Stanhope, is uninterested in the specific trappings of the ton. What he is interested in is getting custody of his two half siblings. Enlisting herself to help is Lady Selina Ravenscroft, and her brilliant solution to making Peter more respectable is to get him married to a respectable woman. Due to her own secrets the woman cannot be Selina, but she will introduce him to all of her most respectable friends in hopes of making a match. Unfortunately, as she gets to know the Duke and his rowdy siblings, one thing becomes perfectly clear: she is the only woman for the job. Will she find a way to have the man and her dreams?
I have been reading Regency romance for as long as I can remember. I have very specific memories being young and hiding a bodice ripper in a cupboard so my mom wouldn't find out I'd been reading her stash. It has been probably a decade since I found a regency author I truly love.
This is the first book of Alexandra's that I've read but I will definitely be going back and reading her full catalog, and also obsessively follow her new releases. This book manages to be heartbreaking, heartwarming, and funny all in the same package. The characters are dynamic and charming, beautiful in how imperfect they are. The cast of characters is fairly large for this type of book - we have our main couple and the aforementioned half siblings but there are also three other strong female characters that serve as Selina's troupe of misfit friends (presumably we will be getting books for all? I sure as hell hope so), Selina's grandmother figures (not outright stated as lesbians, but... they're lesbians and it's adorable), and many others.
The characterization of our FMC and MMC are of particular note - we have a grumpy/sunshine duo where Peter is our sunshine, and I can't quite describe him much further than he is sunshine personified. Selina is a strong, independent woman with good intentions who reminds me some of Jane Austen's Emma in that she is a "fixer" and wants to solve peoples problems (via matchmaking in this specific case, but she also goes about life managing and fixing other peoples problems). Their chemistry and interactions are some of the most entertaining content. Peter does something goofy. Selina side eyes him for doing the wrong thing. Selina admits that she runs an erotic library. Peter immediately just tells her that he's so proud of her, that she's amazing and a goddess, and of course she does. Both characters have trauma and grief they are experiencing and they support each other in a really beautiful way.
If you love regency romance and want something that tilts towards modern sensibility without leaning too far, give this book a try. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this one and look forward to reading more from this author.
I have been reading Regency romance for as long as I can remember. I have very specific memories being young and hiding a bodice ripper in a cupboard so my mom wouldn't find out I'd been reading her stash. It has been probably a decade since I found a regency author I truly love.
This is the first book of Alexandra's that I've read but I will definitely be going back and reading her full catalog, and also obsessively follow her new releases. This book manages to be heartbreaking, heartwarming, and funny all in the same package. The characters are dynamic and charming, beautiful in how imperfect they are. The cast of characters is fairly large for this type of book - we have our main couple and the aforementioned half siblings but there are also three other strong female characters that serve as Selina's troupe of misfit friends (presumably we will be getting books for all? I sure as hell hope so), Selina's grandmother figures (not outright stated as lesbians, but... they're lesbians and it's adorable), and many others.
The characterization of our FMC and MMC are of particular note - we have a grumpy/sunshine duo where Peter is our sunshine, and I can't quite describe him much further than he is sunshine personified. Selina is a strong, independent woman with good intentions who reminds me some of Jane Austen's Emma in that she is a "fixer" and wants to solve peoples problems (via matchmaking in this specific case, but she also goes about life managing and fixing other peoples problems). Their chemistry and interactions are some of the most entertaining content. Peter does something goofy. Selina side eyes him for doing the wrong thing. Selina admits that she runs an erotic library. Peter immediately just tells her that he's so proud of her, that she's amazing and a goddess, and of course she does. Both characters have trauma and grief they are experiencing and they support each other in a really beautiful way.
If you love regency romance and want something that tilts towards modern sensibility without leaning too far, give this book a try. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this one and look forward to reading more from this author.
kaceyjoy's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I've been a huge fan of the Halifax Hellions, and was so excited to read this full length novel set in the same world!
I love a steamy regency romp! Enter Peter Kent, the newest Duke of Stanhope. A fish it off water, Peter was never meant to become the Duke. He grew up, raised by his mother, in New Orleans. After his father's passing, he inherited the dukedom, and finds out about his two half siblings! On a mission to gain guardianship of them, despite his terrible reputation (thanks in part to his radical politics) he enlists the help of Lady Selina Ravenscroft - a most proper lady of unimpeachable characters...
Or so everyone thinks! But Selina has a secret! She runs an erotic circulating library -The Venus Catalog - exclusively for women - but no one knows she's in charge.
On a mission to find the perfect bride for Peter, Selina tries her matchmaking skills with 3 of the most upstanding ladies she can think of, but can they each get past their mutual Attraction to each other?
Scandal after scandal, I really enjoyed this novel. At times it did feel a little long, but the last third of the book really picked up. I couldn't put it down! Definitely check this one out if you like a lot of steam (there's more steamy moments than I was expecting!), loveable characters who get into sticky situations, a great cast of secondary characters, and a couple twists and turns along the way!
I've been a huge fan of the Halifax Hellions, and was so excited to read this full length novel set in the same world!
I love a steamy regency romp! Enter Peter Kent, the newest Duke of Stanhope. A fish it off water, Peter was never meant to become the Duke. He grew up, raised by his mother, in New Orleans. After his father's passing, he inherited the dukedom, and finds out about his two half siblings! On a mission to gain guardianship of them, despite his terrible reputation (thanks in part to his radical politics) he enlists the help of Lady Selina Ravenscroft - a most proper lady of unimpeachable characters...
Or so everyone thinks! But Selina has a secret! She runs an erotic circulating library -The Venus Catalog - exclusively for women - but no one knows she's in charge.
On a mission to find the perfect bride for Peter, Selina tries her matchmaking skills with 3 of the most upstanding ladies she can think of, but can they each get past their mutual Attraction to each other?
Scandal after scandal, I really enjoyed this novel. At times it did feel a little long, but the last third of the book really picked up. I couldn't put it down! Definitely check this one out if you like a lot of steam (there's more steamy moments than I was expecting!), loveable characters who get into sticky situations, a great cast of secondary characters, and a couple twists and turns along the way!
emmelnie's review against another edition
5.0
If I had to describe Ne’er Duke Well in a word, it would be “charming.” Vasti has two exceptionally likable leads in Peter and Selina. He’s an unexpected duke, an American by birth, so he doesn’t know the ins and outs of Regency society. He needs all the help he can get to claim custody of his half-siblings, and he decides that Selina, the sister of a duke, is the perfect person to advise him how to succeed in his goal. Her solution? Find himself a wife to show that he’s settled and ready to raise children.
This leads to a delightful read. Peter is earnest and open, if a bit too easily politically correct, and he’s blissfully ignorant of Regency rules. Selina knows them all and follows them scrupulously due to her secret circulating library (hey, the blurb tells you about it) and her resulting need to appear utterly disassociated from it. I loved in particular Peter’s “courting” scenes, where Selina sets him up with perfectly suitable women who are perfectly unsuitable for him.
Ne’er Duke Well is light and fun and frothy. If things go a bit too swimmingly at times, I took that in the joyful spirit in which it was written. I especially liked the allusions to Harriette Wilson and her memoirs, which this book parallels nicely. And I hope Vasti makes some of Peter’s rejected prospects heroines of their own books!
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the chance to review.
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the chance to review.