Tag: Alexandra Vasti

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

Scandal of the SummerScandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Flirty Rotten Scoundrels #1

Release Date: June 23, 2026

After yet another social debacle, Lady Ruby Ballimore knows it is time to leave London and plans to take her best friends Lady Alice Eppington and Miss Tamsin Drake with her. Ruby’s father is the Earl of Hangleton and he is the English ambassador to the small principality of Manfalcone, so when she learns that Princess Serafina of Manfalcone has cancelled her trip to her vacation home in Cornwall, Ruby decides to take advantage of the princess’s absence and spend the summer there, the three of them posing as the princess’s ladies in waiting – what could go wrong? They arrive in Cornwall and are surprised to find the castle rundown and inhabited by Malcolm Archer, a gorgeous former sea captain and his crew. It is clear that they are hiding something and don’t want the ladies to stay, but clearly Malcolm has underestimated Ruby – it is definitely going to be a summer neither will ever forget!

Malcolm Archer was once a promising Naval officer, who rose above his humble origins to captain his own ship, it seemed like his life was finally moving in a positive direction, until the unthinkable happened and he let his feelings make a decision that cost him his career. After being dishonorably discharged from the navy, his former mentor helped him get the job of steward to Princess Serafina’s Cornwall castle. As no one was living in the home and the princess had no immediate plans to visit, there was no need for a full staff, leaving Malcolm to support the crew members that followed him after his discharge. He fell back into his former ways and began smuggling to provide for everyone and the ever-growing dog population. When his latest venture is ruined by none other than Lady Ruby, he returns to Cornwall to regroup – only to had Lady Ruby to show up on the doorstep, insisting that the Princess sent her. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to recognize him from the social event that caused her to leave England, but he can’t hope for that luck to hold and does his utmost to make her leave – which involves a lot of hilarity but is ultimately unsuccessful.

This was such a fun story! It is well-written, nicely paced and had an amazing cast of characters. This story is filled with emotion, self-discovery, found family, lots of dogs, unexpected guests, abduction, steamyish love scenes, laugh out loud antics, betrayal, loyalty, a hero ready to burn the world for his love, a lot of plot twists and finally a very satisfying ending complete with an epilogue. This is the first book in a new series, and I am already looking forward to the next installment! If you are looking for a fun read that isn’t fluffy or silly – this is the book for you – it delivers an emotional story but still makes you laugh and leaves you with a smile on your face. Highly recommended!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

On By TracyIn Anthology, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary in Period Dress, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Halifax Hellions (Halifax Hellions, #1-2)The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Halifax Hellions 1 & 2

Release Date: February 17, 2026

In this novella duology, The Earl of Warren’s sisters have taken London by storm or rather they have caused a storm of gossip. Lady Margeret “Margo” and her twin sister Lady Matilda “Tillie/Mattie” have been causing scandals for years and earning themselves the moniker “The Halifax Hellions”. But there is a method to their madness and while they have been outrageous and seemingly have no regard for society at large, they are fiercely loyal to each other and despite gossip to the contrary, they truly do have hearts of gold. They have always stood together, so when Matilda runs off, of course Margo is going after her. Let the adventures begin!

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation – 4 stars: When Matilda leaves Margo a note stating that she is eloping, Margo decides to go after her, but she isn’t foolish enough to go alone. But with their brother away in Wales, Margo must turn to her brother’s best friend, Henry Mortimer for assistance. Henry has been in love with Margo for years, but he knows she is way out of his league as she is a heiress and he is a mere solicitor. After initially refusing to chase after Matilda with Margo, he changes his mind and they set off. For the first time ever, Henry has Margo’s undivided attention and maybe, just maybe, they will find more than Margo’s missing sister.

In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint – 3 stars: When Christian de Bord, the Marquess of Ashford confronts Matilda about losing his sister’s art tutor thanks to an erotic pamphlet that she illustrated that features him. Christian has been the subject of gossip for years, thanks to the death of his wife and his proclivities during his university days, but this time the gossip affected his sister and that he can’t abide. Mattie offers to tutor his sister herself and isn’t taking no for an answer. She has the best of intentions but can’t deny she is attracted to Christian and shares his “supposedly” former proclivities, and wouldn’t be opposed to exploring that attraction, too bad Christian doesn’t agree. But Mattie is not a quitter and knows she can help Christian’s sister and Christian move beyond their tragic past and find happiness.

I enjoyed both of these novellas, but I wish all three sibling’s stories had been included in this book. Overall, I think Margo’s could have been a bit longer and I wish Mattie’s had actually had scenes featuring Christian’s “proclivities” rather than skimming over the subject and that it had been a little faster paced, but I did appreciate the addition of an epilogue. This is definitely a “contemporary in period dress” type of historical, as it is clear that the protocols and etiquette of the era were not adhered to, but it was still a fun story, and I would be happy to recommend this book to my fellow HR readers. *Note – both of these novellas were previously released but have been updated to include an epilogue*

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *