I really enjoyed Infamous, and was glad to discover that not having read Reputation first didn't impact on my experience at all. My only issue was that I found Eddie to be exceedingly frustrating at times. However, there were a great blend of characters to balance her out, and I especially liked the Miller family dynamics - Beatrix filled me with joy each time she appeared. The book really gets going in its second half, and I found the crumbling gothic manor / literary salon setting really interesting. Certain plot points were visible a mile away, which at times only increased my frustration with our main character, but I adored the conclusion and found this to be overall a really enjoyable read, which I raced through. I think I'll go back and read Reputation as well now!

I really enjoyed this! Eddie is clueless but endearing, Rose is smart and brave. I loved the found family themes in the book. I also liked how the author wrote a very modern historical novel, my favourite kind! I will be recommending this title and I will be buying a physical copy too.

Being obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and a massive fan of Fleabag, I knew I would like Reputation so that was no surprise. When I saw Infamous on NetGalley I knew I had to have it and let me tell you: Lex Croucher outdid herself. Infamous is IMHO even better than her debut novel. The author cleverly tells a story about love and friendship in a contemporary way without ever feeling out of place for the regency era, the characters are bright and relatable and I so wish I could be part of their group. It is as funny as it is sweet and I highly recommend it.

A great regency romp with excellent characters with an emphasis on friendship, creativity and differing ambitions. Eddie Miller is an aspiring writer from a slightly chaotic family, and whilst her childhood best friend, Rose Li, has settled into life as a young Regency woman - parties and dancing and a future marriage - Eddie still can't understand why things have to change. My favourite part of this book was the characters. Rose was my particular favourite - sensible but with a silly side and also just a good friend - but I also loved watching Eddie grow and develop, even if she could be somewhat frustrating at times. There were a few bits where it was obvious - as a reader - that she was making a mistake, but you could understand why she as a character was making that particular mistake. Similiarly, there were a few times Rose was talking perfect sense & Eddie wasn't listening and it was just arrrggghhh! But - for all I've just ranted - I did like Eddie as a character, and the frustrating moments gave her a chance to learn and grow. I love a good friends-to-lovers storyline and this one was just *chef's kiss* I also loved the exploration of sexuality and gender in this time period, in particular, Eddie's realisation that 'oh, this is an option!'. Another element of the setting I really enjoyed was the depiction of life amongst the more creative, rebellious, 'debauched' set, as Eddie befriends a famous poet and his friends. Especially when they decamp to his country home - decrepit old houses are just interesting and atmospheric, I don't make the rules! I also really liked the ending here - a real smile as you read it ending! Overall, a great read that's perfect for someone looking for a Sapphic Regency story!

‘Booksmart Meets Bridgerton’ - cover blurb. My thanks to Bonnier Books UK Zaffre for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Infamous’ by Lex Croucher. Having recently read Croucher’s first Regency romance, ‘Reputation’, I was prepared for this novel to be only loosely connected to its historical setting. The lovely cover art also promises a cheeky lightheartedness. At twenty-two aspiring writer, Edith 'Eddie' Miller, isn’t keen on leaving behind the carefree days of her youth when she and best friend Rose climbed trees, drank secretly, teased boys, and practiced kissing (research). Now to Eddie’s dismay Rose is changing and is more interested in domestic matters and is talking seriously about marriage. She is soon being courted by the eligible, somewhat older Albert Rednock. Eddie is not happy though then is introduced to the charming, renowned poet, Nash Nicholson, who considers himself more talented than Lord Byron. As one friend comments- they are too alike in background, temperament and ambition and these ‘irreconcilable similarities’ prevents them being friends. Nash encourages Eddie’s writing and invites her, along with Rose and Albert, for a visit to his crumbling Gothic estate in the country. The house isn’t just metaphorically crumbling, there are leaks in the roof and rooms that are clearly uninhabitable. Certainly an unconventional destination for two unwed young women, though Nash’s wife will be in attendance to calm parental concerns about impropriety and any danger to their reputations. However, Nash has also invited an entourage of eccentric artistic types and they are planning to indulge in pure hedonism. Eddie doesn’t mind as she feels that this is exactly the atmosphere she needs in order to finish her novel and make a name for herself. Will she regret trying to keep up with her literary heroes? What kind of name might she gain if word gets back to London of hijinks? She crafts the occasional letter back home to her parents, rather painting a misleading picture of their visit. While there are some light moments in the beginning, there are increasingly darker themes as the story unfolds. I found Eddie a very relatable lead. Her desire to continue to enjoy the freedom of her youth and expand her world was understandable, especially given the constraints of the society of the day. I applauded Lex Croucher concluding with future documental references to her characters’ lives. While my preference is for historical fiction well grounded in its period, I read ‘Infamous’ fully aware of the authors’ intentions. Indeed, one of the novel’s bonus reading group questions is: “How do you feel about the modernisation of Regency setting in books, film and TV?” Overall, I found this an engaging, entertaining novel that had plenty of wit and charm. I am planning to read her upcoming medieval romantic comedy, ‘Gwen and Art Are Not in Love’ when published.