Ever wonder what would happen if a shy political firebrand accidentally proposed to the wrong earl—then had to help him chase down a thief, a traitor, and sixteen zebras? Alexandra Vasti’s Earl Crush turns that chaos into a Regency delight.
Author: Alexandra Vasti
Genre: Historical Romance | Regency Rom-Com
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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My Review
From the very first chapter, Earl Crush reminded me why I adore Alexandra Vasti’s storytelling. She has this wonderful way of pairing humor with heartache, letting her characters be messy and tender all at once. I laughed at the chaos (sixteen zebras in the garden—why not?) and then found myself unexpectedly touched by how gentle this romance truly is.
Lydia Hope-Wallace might be a wallflower, but she’s not fragile. She’s sharp, quietly courageous, and painfully aware of her own limits. I loved that her social anxiety was written with such care—it never defined her, it just made her human. And Arthur Baird? He’s the kind of hero who doesn’t need grand gestures to earn affection. He listens. He notices. He sees her. That quiet awe he feels toward Lydia was what won me over most.
This isn’t a perfectly polished, drawing-room romance—it’s a little wild, a little odd, and that’s what makes it memorable. The espionage subplot drifts in and out (occasionally stealing a bit too much of the spotlight), but it keeps things brisk. What really lingers are the letters, the moments of stillness, and the slow unraveling of two people who finally realize they’ve found home in each other.
By the end, I had that full-heart feeling I look for in historical romance: a sense that love can be kind and funny, brave and awkward, all at once. Earl Crush balances humor, intimacy, and emotion with such grace that I didn’t want to leave its world just yet. If you enjoy stories where a gruff hero learns softness and a shy heroine claims her space, this one deserves a spot on your nightstand.
Why You’ll Like Earl Crush
Alexandra Vasti takes all the best parts of Regency romance—gossip, longing, and scandal—and stirs in equal parts humor and heart. Earl Crush is whimsical and self-aware, full of mistaken identities, runaway zebras, and a shy heroine who finds her voice in the most unexpected place: a marriage proposal gone terribly wrong.
Readers fell hard for Arthur, the reclusive earl who’s far too gentle for the world he inhabits. He’s stoic but kind, unsure but deeply protective—the kind of hero who listens first and falls quietly in love second. Lydia, on the other hand, is a walking contradiction: brilliant, anxious, and endearingly determined to live life on her own terms. Together they prove that courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes it stammers, apologizes, and still steps forward.
Fans describe this story as “mindless fun in the best way”—a romantic romp that still manages emotional punch. The epilogue, told through a series of heartfelt letters, leaves you smiling through tears. And while the espionage subplot adds a touch of intrigue, it’s the emotional honesty between Arthur and Lydia that lingers.
You’ll love Earl Crush if you enjoy historical romances that embrace chaos with charm, feature intelligent heroines with social anxiety, and celebrate heroes who would rather hold your hand than hold court. It’s clever, a little chaotic, and completely romantic.
Favorite Quotes
“Your smile is my light. Your laugh, my shelter. If you’ll allow it, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I’m worthy of you.”
“We don’t have to be the loudest in the room to change it.” – Lydia Hope-Wallace
Character Spotlight
Lydia Hope-Wallace is not your typical Regency debutante. She’d rather sharpen her quill than her flirting skills, and public gatherings make her queasy—literally. Still, she’s brave enough to chase her convictions (and an earl) across the countryside. Her voice is witty, self-aware, and impossible not to root for.
Arthur Baird, Earl of Strathrannoch, is a blacksmith-hearted nobleman who would rather fix a hinge than attend Parliament. He’s grumpy, loyal, and endearingly baffled by feelings. Watching him learn to trust his instincts—and Lydia—is the emotional core of the book. When he finally admits his heart, it lands with the weight of a promise.
About Alexandra Vasti
Alexandra Vasti is a British literature professor by day and a USA Today bestselling author by night. After completing her PhD at Columbia University, she relocated to New Orleans with her family. Her Regency-era romances have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly.
Join the Conversation
Have you read Earl Crush yet? What did you think of Arthur and Lydia’s slow-burn connection — and those perfectly awkward moments? I’d love to hear your thoughts below or over on Goodreads! Do you enjoy Regency rom-coms that balance historical humor with heartfelt emotion? Let’s chat about it!
This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Forever Book Lover. Purchases from Bookshop support local, independent bookstores.
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