A review by wendeedeedee36
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing

4.75

This book was mesmerizing. I read most of it in one sitting because I was having so much fun with the story and didn’t notice time passing by. I love historical/regency romances and this one was so refreshing. It was somehow true to the genre while also feeling a little modern. Selina was a perfect FMC for this. She was bold and outgoing without being too domineering or pushy in thinking she was right about all things. I feel like that is a very fine line when developing a character like this so hats off to Vasti for accomplishing it. She also has room to grow and learn to accept help. Peter was goofy, loyal, and swoony. I absolutely adored everything about him, right down to his own struggles with his personal worth. I loved the take on feminism in this storyline and I think that it contributed so much to this book. I love the idea of women taking knowledge for themselves in a time when men wanted to keep them ignorant in the name of “innocence.” Vasti approached that topic very tactfully and poignantly. 
My only “complaint” is that I feel like some of the background references to Selina’s twin, her friend Faiza, and her initially meeting Peter sounded like there is another novel out there I’ve missed. Yet I cannot for the life of me figure out if it exists which is a bummer because I very much want to read it! All in all I loved this book and I cannot wait to read Lydia’s story next.