Scandal of the Summer

by Alexandra Vasti

A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart. After offending yet another Very Important Marquess—and imperiling her father’s diplomatic career—Ruby flees London for the holiday house of a glamorous (and better yet, absent) princess. Armed with a forged invitation and accompanied by her like-minded friends, Ruby arrives at the Cornwall estate expecting a summer of blissful freedom.

Instead, she discovers a derelict mansion and the most suspiciously charming man she’s ever met.

Former privateer and current con artist Captain Malcolm Archer has dragged his ramshackle crew into a new life. Posing as staff at a princess’s abandoned estate provides the perfect cover for Archer’s smuggling scheme (not to mention free rent). Everything’s going according to plan—until an unorthodox London heiress crashes the party.

But when Archer and his crew attempt to frighten off their uninvited guests, Ruby’s unfazed by insect invasions and sham sea monsters. Harder to ignore? The scorching heat between the rakish pirate and the debutante who can see right through him. As sparks fly, deceptions run wild—because in this Great Cornish Fake Off, the only thing riskier than telling the truth is falling in love.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Pirates, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

Alexandra Vasti is a British literature professor by day and USA Today bestselling romance writer by night. After finishing her PhD at Columbia University, she moved to New Orleans with her family. Her books have received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, BookPage, and Kirkus, and have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, People, and elsewhere.

Reviews

[Jillian]

For the love of all that is holy please bless me with an ARC of this because I cannot wait til June and will internally combust if forced to

[hailee]

was just sent the widget & my entire day has been made

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus}]

I received an arc!!!

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti is a warm, witty Regency historical romance about an unconventional London debutante and a ragtag smuggler finding love amid disguises, hijinks, and high stakes in the Cornish countryside. Lady Ruby Ballimore simply wants a break from the relentless Marriage Mart, and when she absconds with a forged invitation to a holiday estate alongside her spirited friends, she expects laughter and freedom under sunlit skies, not a crumbling mansion and a mischievous pirate posing as staff.

What follows is a delicious dance of slow-burn chemistry between Ruby and Captain Malcolm Archer, threaded through with clever banter and shared vulnerability, all set against a backdrop that feels refreshingly playful within the Regency genre.

From the moment you meet Ruby, her unfiltered joy at life and resilience in the face of expectations made me grin with delight, even before the tension with Malcolm truly ignited. This is not a story where love springs up instantly, it simmers thoughtfully, convincing you Ruth truly sees Malcolm beyond his rakish reputation and he sees her bold heart beneath her social missteps.

The secondary cast adds so much texture, making the Cornwall estate feel vibrantly inhabited and full of surprises. I was enchanted by the unpredictable twists and the chemistry that feels heartfelt rather than manufactured.

I felt buoyed by the author’s voice, which blends historical charm with a wink of modern freshness. I’d rate this 4 out of 5 stars.

[Cindy ✩☽♔]

I’ve enjoyed this authors previous works, so when I was invited to review this title naturally I hit yes on the netgalley read it widget.

I’m excited to see what this latest book brings 👀

[lucky lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, I think that it’s very clear I am like a dog with a bone when it comes to Vasti’s work: territorial and with zero impulse control. So it comes as no surprise to me that this was a perfect read and that I finished it in one sitting. Vasti’s historical romance is always very well-researched and period accurate, but she still manages to make it fun and unique, with plenty of representation. I’ve read all of her work, and each novel manages to be distinct. There is a wonderful cast of characters, even beyond our main pairing, that all exist as whole characters that each add to the story (and I cannot wait to see who the next two books feature). The plot is silly and a little over the top but it is exciting and there is nothing better than a true found family dynamic amidst the drama. Archer was a top tier yearner and I was kicking my feet at how down bad he was for Ruby, who was the perfect match for him in all her blunt honesty and loyalty.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, all opinions are my own!!

[Mia Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra Vasti always writes wonderful characters who are full of heart and guaranteed to be in situations that will make you laugh and Scandal of the Summer is no exception! Lady Ruby has never really fit in the ton so it is a delight to see her find someone (other than her wonderful best friends), who will love her because of who she is and not despite it.

In addition to Scandal in Summer being a wonderful romance I was giggling and kicking my feet watching Ruby match wills with Archer. I am always amazed by the situations Alexandra Vasti manages to get her characters into that are absolutely ridiculous and work perfectly in the context of their characters and the story.

If you are a fan of historical romance, a romcom or a book with a bit of adventure this will be right up your alley! I can't wait to read more in this series. I have some guesses about who the next book will be about and I am already excited!

Thanks to St. Martins Press for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will honestly read anything Alexandra Vasti writes at this point. She's my new go-to for fun, emotional and sexy historical romances.

I was so excited to get my hands on Scandal of the Summer after reading the summary, and it did not disappoint. I adored Lady Ruby, and I swooned over Captain Malcolm Archer and all the side characters were a blast as well.

The plot of this story was just plain fun... a derelict mansion, two bands of misfits (and some dogs), smuggling, a mysterious princess and a kidnapping - just absolutely wonderful! Filled with slow-burn chemistry and tons of witty banter and found family, this one just hit the perfect spot for me.

I assume we'll be getting books for Alice and Tamsin and can't wait!

[ChrissyKReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Romance Summer!!!!

Alexandra Vasti is always a hit. Scandal of the Summer is the perfect Summer Historical Rom Com. Expect a fun cast, steamy chemistry from the leads, and even a mystery to solve. I went in blind and had a great time. I think I would've enjoyed the audio even more.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ✨ Vasti does it again, my favorite historical romance author delivered another gem of a book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was a sweet historical romance with a lovable cast of characters and some
good spice!

Lady Ruby Ballimore has hit her limit with the marriage market and craves a summer of freedom. Armed with forged documentation, she and her two best friends pose as ladies in waiting to an Italian princess who has a summer home in the country, which has remained empty for years. When they arrive, they find the mansion in disrepair and the staff woefully unprofessional and unprepared for guests.

Captain Malcolm Archer, dishonorably discharged from the navy, has found a job as the steward of the princess’s manor house. However, he is harboring his crew of misfits and making ends meet by engaging in some light smuggling.

Ruby and Malcolm obviously hit it off and the sparks fly amidst both of their pretenses.

I found this to be very engaging. Full of yearning, a great found family, and some funny situations. I love Vasti’s ability to draw me into the story and make me root for this ragtag bunch of smugglers and outcasts from polite society. The ending felt a little rushed but it was still satisfying.

Thank you St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that I had to read this book when I saw it in the NetGalley catalog. Not just because it sounded so good, but because I have already read several books by Alexandra Vasti, so I was positive it would be amazing (it was). Even though there are multiple side characters, Vasti gives each one such unique characters, backstories and mannerisms, that you can easily tell them apart.

Really wasn’t sure how I would feel about the love interest being a con artist, but Archer (and his entire crew) won me over. It is hard to decide, but this may be my favorite book I've read by this author so far.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

[Annie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a little caught up in the hype for this one, and since I’ve been enjoying Bridgerton, I thought I might like a historical romance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right fit for me — modern romance is more my speed.

That said, the writing was excellent, and the pacing was exciting and compelling. It just wasn’t the right setting or time period for me personally.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Nancy ☾.⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal of the Summer was an adventurous and sweet love story that upheld my belief in the superiority of historical romances. The plot and characters were quirky and fun, and brought to mind author Tessa Dare's style. I would highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lo Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delighted to receive an ARC of this book! Nobody loves over-developed side characters more than me and nobody delivers on them better than Alexandra. See also found family, heroes who are *down bad*, and silly animals. Scandal of the Summer is an excellent historical romance for any season with robust characters, a gripping plot, and the perfect amount of spice. 5 stars, no notes. Beyond excited that this one’s a series!

[Alexis Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates, a dilapidated manor, and palpable tension between our leads .. who could ask for more! Vasti’s writing is overflowing with heart and enough laughs to make your stomach cramp. Such a well rounded story with an impeccable cast, I’m impatiently waiting for more Tamsin!

[Allison Agresti · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up- ARC from NetGalley

This book was SO much fun. I loved the pirate and royalty components that kept this story feeling fresh. Regency romance can at times get a bit formulaic for me but that is so not the case here. I loved seeing Ruby and her girlies create a beautiful life for themselves even when narrow societal ideals and structures had rejected them.

[Sara]

Dance with free
with many flower around
with yr sound full the place
with bold of my heart
danc to chang
many air that cold at past
many time that i want a trust
many hunger to be in love lost
dance to to run a dream
to sew sucandal of time
to lost in beloved eyes
to drew new path of day
to be me nt momea thee want
dance to spring seasson will come
with love and joy
with sweet air and dew
with fly above of sad
dance to be in love

[rose ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“astra inclinant, sed non obligant.
the stars incline us, but they do not bind us.”

a debutante who always seems to say the wrong thing at the wrong time trades the london season for a foreign princess’s empty cornwall estate and a summer of freedom with her closest friends, only to find the mansion occupied by a charming steward (who may or may not moonlight as a suspiciously familiar con man), an inept household staff, and several dogs.

this was cute, and i think readers seeking a historical romcom romp will enjoy it, but i have to admit that i don’t think alexandra vasti’s writing is for me. i really liked the concept of two parties (neither of whom are supposed to be staying at this estate) trying to fool each other, but the bloated cast bogs down the story without lending much to the plot. vasti’s stories suffer from too many flat secondary characters with too little to do (i felt the same about her christmas novella, but i gave it a pass since it was so much shorter—scandal of the summer doesn’t have that excuse). i wanted more hijinks and mischief!

i also wanted more smuggling and pirate-adjacent shenanigans 🫣 malcolm might be the most wholesome smuggler around.

i did quite enjoy ruby as a character, though. while she and her friends seem a little too capable for debutantes, her people-pleasing tendencies and need to “earn” love and approval feel very real. there are plenty of FMCs who don’t fit into society’s narrow standards (particularly in this genre), but scandal of the summer takes a very believable approach to how that failure might influence a character’s flaws and insecurities. watching her become more confident and self-assured was a satisfying character arc. malcolm wasn’t as much of a standout for me, but he’s a perfectly solid love interest (aside from his taste in pet names. “ruby-love” is an awful nickname and i will die on this hill) and i appreciated how much of a team he and ruby are.

i believe this is the first in a series, and while i probably won’t pick up the sequels, i’d say that’s more a matter of personal taste than quality—if you’re after a historical romcom with a focus on found family and a protective, supportive love interest, give scandal of the summer a try!

“we are none of us bound.”

i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

rating: 3.5/5.0 stars

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornwall, 1818.
Lady Ruby Ballimore doesn't know when to back down; ever. This includes exposing the expensive imported marbles at a ball as fakes. It's a step too far though, and Ruby convinces her friends Alice and Tamsin to retreat from London to Pomeroy House in Cornwall posing as ladies-in-waiting to Princess Serafina of Monfalcone. (Since Ruby's father is ambassador to Monfalcone, this is less of a stretch than it could be otherwise.) Their arrival at Pomeroy House is met by a cast unlikely characters, including a Captain Archer who looks suspiciously like the professor involved in the fraud of the marbles, and footmen who look suspiciously unlike footmen. Archer is in fact the legitimate steward of the house, but his, er, crew are there to help with all manner of tasks including smuggling. Archer wants the ladies out, but Ruby keeps thwarting his plans and making Pomeroy House into a home. Of course, everything is upended when the Princess arrives....

Alexandra Vasti knows how to deliver a joyous historical romance that is just plain fun. Scandal of the Summer is packed with delightful hijinks, stolen kisses, fraudulent endeavors, a kidnapping, and pirates! As the first book in a new series, Scandal of the Summer is doing a lot of work setting up new characters and enough of their backstories to make us fall for all of them. This does take away a bit from Archer and Ruby's love story, but Vasti makes up for it by giving us steamy clandestine moments between this couple perfectly suited for one another.

Like her other books, Scandal of the Summer is well researched, but Vasti gives us a little bit of imaginary kingdom fun with Monfalcone, which she calls a blend of Genovia and Monteverde, nodding to classics of the genre with Meg Cabot and Laura Kinsale. Vasti gives us the impression of post-Napoleonic War era politics, but doesn't bog us down in the details, which is a tribute to her worldbuilding. And as always, the highlight of any book from Vasti for me is the tactile nature of intimate scenes, with the emphasis on touch and lingering memory of touch.

Thank you to St Martins Press for an eARC. Scandal of the Summer is out 6/23/2026.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

Scandal of the Summer is a Regency romance built on the optimistic belief that if two people lie to each other long enough in a decaying seaside mansion, love will eventually materialize out of sheer narrative persistence.

Lady Ruby Ballimore arrives at a princess’s summer estate under false pretenses, posing as a lady in waiting. Instead of an empty house, she finds Malcolm Archer, a former ship captain who has reinvented himself as the estate’s head butler. He has already taken up residence and populated the household with his former crew, now disguised as servants. Both Ruby and Archer are trespassing, both are lying, and neither seems inclined to stop. This is presented as the foundation for a romance.

The novel spends considerable time emphasizing that Ruby and Archer do not trust each other, and for once, the characters’ instincts are correct. Their interactions are clever, cautious, and transactional. There is banter and there is attraction, but it remains largely surface-level, fueled by proximity and mutual competence rather than emotional intimacy.

The romance is framed as a slow burn, though the pacing feels uneven. Archer’s point of view occasionally hints that his feelings are deepening, but these moments are mostly internal and retrospective. We are told that something meaningful is happening, but rarely shown scenes of shared vulnerability or earned trust. When the relationship finally shifts from wary cooperation to genuine attachment, the transition feels abrupt.

Midway through, the story raises the stakes with an assassination attempt on the princess, who is forced to hide at Pomeroy House. The estate now contains a fake lady in waiting, a counterfeit household staff, a former smuggler posing as a butler, and an actual princess in danger. The plot becomes busier and more urgent, though the emotional development remains largely unchanged.

The setting is charming, the premise is clever, and the supporting cast adds humor and warmth. Alexandra Vasti clearly knows how to deliver a satisfying HEA, and I usually enjoy her light, character-driven romances. This one simply did not resonate with me in the same way. The pieces are all there, but the emotional arc never quite comes together.

Overall, Scandal of the Summer is witty, readable, and entertaining, even if the central romance feels underdeveloped. I was excited to receive this ARC, and I will continue to pick up Vasti’s future books. However, this one sits closer to the bottom of her catalog for me, earning a solid 3 to 4 stars rather than becoming a favorite.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Clare Wangard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone say thank you Alexandra Vasti for writing this book and making it available as an ARC on NetGalley

(Thank you Alexandra Vasti)

As sad as I am to say goodbye to the Belvoir’s ladies, this was SUCH a fun read. The things Vasti does best are on full display in this book. Here are some things that I specifically enjoyed:

- As a mid-size girlie, it’s harder to find stories where the heroine is beautiful without over-explaining or justifying why she’s beautiful for her size or traits that aren’t necessarily conventionally attractive in today’s society.

- Vasti is the queen of dialogue. She writes the way people talk and she builds relationships that resemble real relationships.

- I really enjoy how there’s a plot beyond the romance in Vasti’s novels. Specifically, the women in her novels have interests that continue past the romantic storyline and that aren’t pushed to the wayside to further the plot.

- In spicier parts of the books, I appreciate the Vasti (mostly) refers to parts of the body as what they are instead of finding increasingly ridiculous metaphors and alternate descriptions. Even if it isn’t “period accurate” it’s immensely refreshing and keeps me in the moment while reading.

Since picking up Ne’er Duke Well, Vasti’s books have been my go-to recommendations for anyone seeking historical romance. I LOVE her writing. Overall, this is a strong new storyline from Vasti, and I’m already looking forward to what comes next :)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the review copy and this is my honest review.

When two parties of dissemblers clash in a coastal manor house, finding themselves in all sorts of hilarious scenarios. Would you eat bone marrow jelly if it meant staying in a shabby house with all the freedom you can ever dream? I'd definitely choke it down.

Overall this was entertaining, but I had high hopes for this book and I was left wanting. There were a lot of expectations on my end as it's my first Vasti and who doesn't love a pirate. I think the writing is technically brilliant, the prose is beautiful, I've highlighted many fantastic quotes, but I didn't feel the emotional connection, the depths into the main characters, or their romance.

I did really enjoy all the saucy moments, the lovely caresses and small touches that lit up the page, this has done some great work in the spice department especially with creative use of painting mediums and literal motion of the ocean.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun regency pirate romp that made me chuckle a few times. I enjoyed the pace, and that it was more than just a romance story. The era is a fun one to read about, and the author added in some fun details that made it seem real.

There were a few sections that seemed repetitive, and the speed with which the FMC and MMC went from “acquaintances” to lovers was 0-100 in 3.7seconds…but in a way that was sort of slow?

The secrets didn’t seem all that astonishing to me either…they could’ve held more weight, but I guess what matters is the weight each character felt in carrying them.

Small gripes aside, all the characters were fun, and the story was cute and regency pirate romps are ramping up to be my new favourite genre.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

[Natalie Clark]

DNF @ 40% I tried and tried and tried to get into this story and really just struggled. Neither of the love interests were particular interesting or likable to me, and as promising as the premise was, I don’t think it quite played out as grand.

I’ll definitely be reaching for another Alexandra Vasti book in the future, I just don’t think this one was for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Romance is one of my favorite genres, and Alexandra Vasti is a breath of fresh air when it comes to new(ish) authors in this genre. This book was so fun, full of the adventure the HR genre is known for and swoon worthy characters.

If you’re a fan of the HR genre, you are definitely going to want to read this one!

Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing for the Advanced Copy! This one hits shelves in June 2026!

[Stephanie (stephreadsallthebooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @youhadmeathea for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm always low key depressed after finishing a new Alex Vasti book because that means I don't have another to read until her next release!! That does mean I'm a serial rereader of her books and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. Her books are just so incredibly good!! The chemistry and yearning she crafts in her heroes and heroines is just absolute perfection

This book had me laughing out loud with the hijinks as well and was the absolute perfect read in the middle of winter when I was yearning for summer - just like how Malcolm yearned for Ruby! There's so much humor and banter throughout the book and seriously - if you haven't read one of her books right now, what are you doing???

Pick this one up immediately! Trust me!

[maddie (thenmaddieread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

an absolute delight, as per usual from vasti

thank you smp for the arc!

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun period piece romance with some fun characters. I liked that they weren't your typical period characters but very likeable. it is a smutty book. Very easy read book.

[Chandler Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️This was cuuuuuuute cute cute!! First book by this author and would be interested in reading more! The banter and interactions between genuinely all the characters is what really did it for me, I was giggling multiple times in this book. I also hadn’t read a regency book in SO LONG and so this did all the things for me! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, the ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.