Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by delaneyyyw
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Alexandra Vasti's second full-length novel is just as funny, adventurous, romantic, and sexy as her debut, Ne'er Duke Well! No sophomore slump here.
Lydia has spent the past several Seasons barely making a ripple in society, but her anonymous political pamphlets have made a splash (published by the heroine of Ne'er Duke Well, the first in the series!). After the Scottish Earl of Strathrannoch writes a letter in response to one of Lydia's writings, the two start a correspondence that gets increasingly familiar. When Lydia discovers that Strathrannoch can barely afford to keep his crumbling estate afloat, she heads to Scotland to propose marriage. Although she's incredibly shy, he has the liberal politics and personality she wants in a husband, and he needs her sizeable inheritance.
The book begins as Lydia, her friend Georgina, and Georgina's dog arrive at Strathrannoch's estate. They quickly discover that Arthur, the Earl, spends his time blacksmithing and inventing, not involving himself in politics. And certainly not writing to Lydia's political writer alter ego!
After Lydia recovers from the mortifying ordeal of proposing to a complete stranger--a notably handsome, brawny one--she and Arthur deduce that his brother, Davis, is her penpal.
Arthur throws some more wrenches into Lydia's plan. He reveals that Davis's public political views are very different from what he told Lydia in his letters. Moreover, Davis disappeared a few years ago, along with a rifle scope prototype that Arthur invented. The two realize Davis is up to something suspicious and his letters to Lydia hold the clues to finding him.
Arthur, Lydia, Georgina, and a cast of fun side characters (including Lydia's multiple brothers, Selina from the previous book, and Arthur's gay land stewards) set off on a cross-country road trip to find Davis and foil whatever he's plotting. There's a fake marriage, an unplanned stay at a house party, and all sorts of unexpected mishaps.
It sounds plot-heavy, but there's a lot of very well-done character building and internal conflict. Arthur's brother and father issues were a little more interesting to me, but I also generally have a harder time identifying with shy heroines.
Don't let the cover fool you (it's beautiful but I know some people are turned off by "cartoons"), this is definitely a very sexy book with emotional depth. Although this is only Vasti's second full-length novel, her wonderful novellas honed her skills well.
Highly recommend for fans of Sarah MacLean, Martha Waters, Julie Ann Long.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the pleasure of an early copy!!
Lydia has spent the past several Seasons barely making a ripple in society, but her anonymous political pamphlets have made a splash (published by the heroine of Ne'er Duke Well, the first in the series!). After the Scottish Earl of Strathrannoch writes a letter in response to one of Lydia's writings, the two start a correspondence that gets increasingly familiar. When Lydia discovers that Strathrannoch can barely afford to keep his crumbling estate afloat, she heads to Scotland to propose marriage. Although she's incredibly shy, he has the liberal politics and personality she wants in a husband, and he needs her sizeable inheritance.
The book begins as Lydia, her friend Georgina, and Georgina's dog arrive at Strathrannoch's estate. They quickly discover that Arthur, the Earl, spends his time blacksmithing and inventing, not involving himself in politics. And certainly not writing to Lydia's political writer alter ego!
After Lydia recovers from the mortifying ordeal of proposing to a complete stranger--a notably handsome, brawny one--she and Arthur deduce that his brother, Davis, is her penpal.
Arthur throws some more wrenches into Lydia's plan. He reveals that Davis's public political views are very different from what he told Lydia in his letters. Moreover, Davis disappeared a few years ago, along with a rifle scope prototype that Arthur invented. The two realize Davis is up to something suspicious and his letters to Lydia hold the clues to finding him.
Arthur, Lydia, Georgina, and a cast of fun side characters (including Lydia's multiple brothers, Selina from the previous book, and Arthur's gay land stewards) set off on a cross-country road trip to find Davis and foil whatever he's plotting. There's a fake marriage, an unplanned stay at a house party, and all sorts of unexpected mishaps.
It sounds plot-heavy, but there's a lot of very well-done character building and internal conflict. Arthur's brother and father issues were a little more interesting to me, but I also generally have a harder time identifying with shy heroines.
Don't let the cover fool you (it's beautiful but I know some people are turned off by "cartoons"), this is definitely a very sexy book with emotional depth. Although this is only Vasti's second full-length novel, her wonderful novellas honed her skills well.
Highly recommend for fans of Sarah MacLean, Martha Waters, Julie Ann Long.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the pleasure of an early copy!!