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Reputation
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The hilarious debut novel from Lex Croucher. A classic romcom with a Regency-era twist, for fans of Mean Girls and/or Jane Austen.
Abandoned by her parents, middle-class Georgiana Ellers has moved to a new town to live with her dreary aunt and uncle. At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who lives a life Geo ...more
Abandoned by her parents, middle-class Georgiana Ellers has moved to a new town to live with her dreary aunt and uncle. At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who lives a life Geo ...more
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Paperback, 336 pages
Published
April 5th 2022
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published July 8th 2021)
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Liv
The main character is not but there is a sapphic romance in the background.
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Start your review of Reputation

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation! Living in the past, it's a new generation!
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do!
I think this smart, entertaining, unputdownable book deserved a powerful start with Joan Jett and Blackhearts’ Bad Reputation song’s opening lyrics!
Can you imagine what kind of intriguing concept the author presented to its readers:
Bridgerton with more Gossip Girl meets Mean Girls with Austen novel vibes is dreamy concept for a bookworm like me who ...more
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do!
I think this smart, entertaining, unputdownable book deserved a powerful start with Joan Jett and Blackhearts’ Bad Reputation song’s opening lyrics!
Can you imagine what kind of intriguing concept the author presented to its readers:
Bridgerton with more Gossip Girl meets Mean Girls with Austen novel vibes is dreamy concept for a bookworm like me who ...more

there were certain darker themes and inclusions that i felt were a bit unnecessary given the overall tone and vibe of the story buuuuut
i still enjoyed the hell out of this. i'm not the type to get hung up on historical accuracy as i enjoy a historical romance and they are very rarely accurate. i mention this because that seems to be the recurring complaint about this book, that and the rampant alcoholism and generally bitchiness of the main character. the latter is certainly a fair complaint. i ...more
i still enjoyed the hell out of this. i'm not the type to get hung up on historical accuracy as i enjoy a historical romance and they are very rarely accurate. i mention this because that seems to be the recurring complaint about this book, that and the rampant alcoholism and generally bitchiness of the main character. the latter is certainly a fair complaint. i ...more

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that this book fucking slaps.
This will be one of the best books you read in 2021! Funny, witty and so heart wrenching in its relatability, Lex has managed to capture the delight of regency novels while telling a story that rings far too true for today’s society. REPUTATION has the wit of Emma and the aesthetic of a Sofia Coppola movie
This will be one of the best books you read in 2021! Funny, witty and so heart wrenching in its relatability, Lex has managed to capture the delight of regency novels while telling a story that rings far too true for today’s society. REPUTATION has the wit of Emma and the aesthetic of a Sofia Coppola movie

Oct 12, 2021
Alexis Hall
added it
Source of book: NetGalley (thank you!)
Relevant disclaimers: none
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author
Trigger warnings for drug and alcoholic use and misuse, death of family members, domestic violence, emotionally abusive families, rape, sexual assault, slut-shaming, toxic friendships, racism, violence.
This book is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. It’s basically Regency Mean Girls and I adored it beyond measure. I will say ...more
Relevant disclaimers: none
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author
Trigger warnings for drug and alcoholic use and misuse, death of family members, domestic violence, emotionally abusive families, rape, sexual assault, slut-shaming, toxic friendships, racism, violence.
This book is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. It’s basically Regency Mean Girls and I adored it beyond measure. I will say ...more

If Mean Girls and Emma had a baby, it would be Reputation by Lex Croucher.
After having little choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle, Georgiana Ellers is desperate to get out of the house, to do anything like the heroines in her favourite books. At a dreadfully dull dinner party, Georgiana meets the breathtaking Frances Campbell, daughter of Lord and Lady Campbell.
Georgiana gets swept up in the extravagant and debauched lifestyle of Frances and her wealthy friends. And, of course, there ...more
After having little choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle, Georgiana Ellers is desperate to get out of the house, to do anything like the heroines in her favourite books. At a dreadfully dull dinner party, Georgiana meets the breathtaking Frances Campbell, daughter of Lord and Lady Campbell.
Georgiana gets swept up in the extravagant and debauched lifestyle of Frances and her wealthy friends. And, of course, there ...more

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Described as a 'coming of age romcom', I'd actually say this is a lot darker than the fluffy historical romance many will be expecting. Georgiana Ellers has been sent to stay with her aunt and uncle while her inattentive parents take to the coast. Friendless and without any clear direction in life, Georgiana's fortunes change when she meets the the effervescent and irresistable Frances Campbell. The ultimate party girl, Frances is filthy rich and fa ...more
Described as a 'coming of age romcom', I'd actually say this is a lot darker than the fluffy historical romance many will be expecting. Georgiana Ellers has been sent to stay with her aunt and uncle while her inattentive parents take to the coast. Friendless and without any clear direction in life, Georgiana's fortunes change when she meets the the effervescent and irresistable Frances Campbell. The ultimate party girl, Frances is filthy rich and fa ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

The Rebellion of (Jane Austen) Maidens
What the Heck is Happening Here?
Smoking, Drinking, Wild Parties…
It’s the 19th century, for god’s sake!
Girls weren’t supposed to do that!…
No wonder the author kicks off the novel with an apology to our beloved Jane Austen! 😜
Reputation has been labeled as historical fiction.
Well… in its own peculiar way it’s a portrait of an era, but… it also makes fun of an epoch where women started as daughters to end up wives, mothers and…period!…
What would happen if 19th ...more
What the Heck is Happening Here?
Smoking, Drinking, Wild Parties…
It’s the 19th century, for god’s sake!
Girls weren’t supposed to do that!…
No wonder the author kicks off the novel with an apology to our beloved Jane Austen! 😜
Reputation has been labeled as historical fiction.
Well… in its own peculiar way it’s a portrait of an era, but… it also makes fun of an epoch where women started as daughters to end up wives, mothers and…period!…
What would happen if 19th ...more

Hello Life, Farewell Reputation
Get out of my way Reputation, I want a Life with the Real Me…
How manny 19th century maidens you know with that sort of guts?
Jane Austen heroines?! Seriously?!
It’s true those maidens were slightly rebels, but… did they really misbehave? You know… drink alcohol, smoke, take drugs?… Stuff like that?!… 😜
I don’t think so, do you?!..
Well… now you know why the author starts this book with an apology to Jane Austen 😜
Reputation can be irreverent and deliciously witty whils ...more
Get out of my way Reputation, I want a Life with the Real Me…
How manny 19th century maidens you know with that sort of guts?
Jane Austen heroines?! Seriously?!
It’s true those maidens were slightly rebels, but… did they really misbehave? You know… drink alcohol, smoke, take drugs?… Stuff like that?!… 😜
I don’t think so, do you?!..
Well… now you know why the author starts this book with an apology to Jane Austen 😜
Reputation can be irreverent and deliciously witty whils ...more

Friends! Now that Reputation is available to review I've provided a list of content warnings here: https://www.lexcroucher.co.uk/reputat...
...more

A fun and engaging novel that asks what if Mean Girls had petticoats?
Reputation follows our main character Georginia who moves to a small town with her aunt and uncle after her parents ditch. Georginia finds her quiet life a little upended when she meets Frances Campbell, a wealthy and wild girl with friends who are the most elite and most unafraid of consequences.
The book is based around Mean Girls and has plenty of references to prove it, even with the main character's name. If you grew up w ...more
Reputation follows our main character Georginia who moves to a small town with her aunt and uncle after her parents ditch. Georginia finds her quiet life a little upended when she meets Frances Campbell, a wealthy and wild girl with friends who are the most elite and most unafraid of consequences.
The book is based around Mean Girls and has plenty of references to prove it, even with the main character's name. If you grew up w ...more

probably was gonna go 4 stars but then it made me almost cry so
Rep: sapphic(?) mc, biracial Black sapphic character, lesbian character, gay character, biracial Indian li, side character with depression
CWs: sexual assault, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, implied rape, attempted rape
Rep: sapphic(?) mc, biracial Black sapphic character, lesbian character, gay character, biracial Indian li, side character with depression
CWs: sexual assault, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, implied rape, attempted rape

✨The limit exists and we have found it✨
Okayyyy not as bad as I was expecting! Overall I think I liked the story but I also think I didn’t for a good portion of the book. If that makes any sense (we all know it doesn’t).
I liked Georgiana for the most part and really loved Thomas! The romance of their relationship definitely bumped this up a bit in my ratings because it was very sweet.
I liked the Mean Girls references and I like the time period, but man it just did not feel like the feels that M ...more
Okayyyy not as bad as I was expecting! Overall I think I liked the story but I also think I didn’t for a good portion of the book. If that makes any sense (we all know it doesn’t).
I liked Georgiana for the most part and really loved Thomas! The romance of their relationship definitely bumped this up a bit in my ratings because it was very sweet.
I liked the Mean Girls references and I like the time period, but man it just did not feel like the feels that M ...more
![laurel [the suspected bibliophile]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1645808644p2/7494844.jpg)
While I wouldn't call it hilarious, as it was billed as, it was definitely a fairly good mash-up of Mean Girls meets Bridgerton but add in more queer and BIPOC characters.
I had hoped it was sapphic, based on what I had thought the blurb meant, but after reading a few other reviews was prepared to be disappointed. I think Georginia *might* be bisexual, but it's not explored.
Anywho, it's basically Mean Girls in the Regency Era, with sexual assault that was handled much better than I had anticipate ...more
I had hoped it was sapphic, based on what I had thought the blurb meant, but after reading a few other reviews was prepared to be disappointed. I think Georginia *might* be bisexual, but it's not explored.
Anywho, it's basically Mean Girls in the Regency Era, with sexual assault that was handled much better than I had anticipate ...more

so, right, this author can write a whole bunch of nothing and get away with 3.94 of average rating? wtf are wrong with you ppl? im VERY pissed. this book is a fucking mess. the characters has no personality traits and all of them are awful ppl. im not even gonna start with the WRITING.
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
i wonder if people who gave this a 5 star review read the same mess as i did. this what this “book” should be called: A MESS.
i ...more

I'd give this book 10 stars if I could, it was delicious and perfect and hard to put down. I loved the humor (actually laughed out loud at several spots) and I loved the characters. It's modeled after Pride & Prejudice but had enough twists and excitement that it didn't feel like an exact copy. Big fan, highly recommend, and I look forward to other books by this author.
...more

A satisfied 3.5 stars.
What Bridgerton could have been had it been written by someone with actual talent and sense of humor (and also, incidentally but not unimportantly, by someone who is not an apologist for rape).
Definitely not a fluffy rom-com, but still a solid romance novel. Nothing sweeps me of my feet lately so I can’t penalize it too much for not pulling me in that much, but the Mean Girls references made me chuckle more than once.
What Bridgerton could have been had it been written by someone with actual talent and sense of humor (and also, incidentally but not unimportantly, by someone who is not an apologist for rape).
Definitely not a fluffy rom-com, but still a solid romance novel. Nothing sweeps me of my feet lately so I can’t penalize it too much for not pulling me in that much, but the Mean Girls references made me chuckle more than once.

3.75 stars rounded up

(if i have to have this earworm then you do too)
i liked so much of what reputation did that i ended up glomming it until the wee hours of the morning on a school night. if a book set during regency times uses a quote from mean girls in cold blood then it will have my eternal admiration. (seriously, the quote was so good i had to put my kindle down for like 5 minutes because i was cackling like a witch.) but for all its positives i’m not sure i actually enjoyed reading this? ...more

(if i have to have this earworm then you do too)
i liked so much of what reputation did that i ended up glomming it until the wee hours of the morning on a school night. if a book set during regency times uses a quote from mean girls in cold blood then it will have my eternal admiration. (seriously, the quote was so good i had to put my kindle down for like 5 minutes because i was cackling like a witch.) but for all its positives i’m not sure i actually enjoyed reading this? ...more

Apr 18, 2022
~ prapti
marked it as to-read
is this a Jane Austen X Taylor Swift? it sure does sound very tempting

This book was atrocious, I don't want to talk about it. 0/10 on all fronts, the end
...more

I received a copy of Reputation from NetGalley for review.
Content warnings can be found here: https://www.lexcroucher.co.uk/reputat...
Reputation is debut with flavours of both Mean Girls and Gossip Girl set in a regency setting. Our protagonist Georgiana Ellers has been sent to live with her aunt after her parents relocate due to her mother’s ill health. Everything about her new life is dreary and dull until she meets Frances Campbell - the life and soul of the parties Georgiana longs to attend ...more

3.5 ⭐️
to preface my review, i should mention that this book is not what i expected. from the cover, tag line, blurb, and even the first 100 pages, i expected a lesbian bridgerton on drugs. that is not what i got, and the main romance in this book is very much heterosexual.
whilst disappointing (misleading at best, queer-baiting at worst), i still enjoyed this story for the most part. it was a fun and scandalous take on the regency period, and i found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasion ...more
to preface my review, i should mention that this book is not what i expected. from the cover, tag line, blurb, and even the first 100 pages, i expected a lesbian bridgerton on drugs. that is not what i got, and the main romance in this book is very much heterosexual.
whilst disappointing (misleading at best, queer-baiting at worst), i still enjoyed this story for the most part. it was a fun and scandalous take on the regency period, and i found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasion ...more

REPUTATION
by Lex Croucher
St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin.
Pub Date: Apr 5
What a wild Regency romance! And such fun!
Georgiana Ellers lives with her staid aunt and uncle after her parents abandon her. Once quiet and bookish herself, she finds life changes radically when she meets free-spirited Frances Campbell, a member of a rich clique who abhors polite society.
Frances' world includes drunken parties with handsome men -- activities that certainly sully reputations valued most highly in r ...more
by Lex Croucher
St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin.
Pub Date: Apr 5
What a wild Regency romance! And such fun!
Georgiana Ellers lives with her staid aunt and uncle after her parents abandon her. Once quiet and bookish herself, she finds life changes radically when she meets free-spirited Frances Campbell, a member of a rich clique who abhors polite society.
Frances' world includes drunken parties with handsome men -- activities that certainly sully reputations valued most highly in r ...more

“𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐩 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧” oh have I never been so intrigued! Sign me up!
I really enjoyed this historical romantic comedy plot and was excited to read it leading up to today’s release of the Bridgerton season two!
I found this one to be such a fun and modern day take on your typical regency romances and I absolutely relished in how witty and entertaining it was!
I got total Mean Girl vibes from this one and ultimately just found it such a breathe if fresh air!
I really enjoyed this historical romantic comedy plot and was excited to read it leading up to today’s release of the Bridgerton season two!
I found this one to be such a fun and modern day take on your typical regency romances and I absolutely relished in how witty and entertaining it was!
I got total Mean Girl vibes from this one and ultimately just found it such a breathe if fresh air!
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Lex Croucher grew up in Surrey, reading a lot of books and making friends with strangers on the internet, and now lives in London with an elderly cat. REPUTATION is Lex's first novel, with YA debut GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE coming in 2023.
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“It seemed unwise to her that he had chosen to insult her when she was still holding a weapon in her hand, especially a weapon she had just proven she was far more adept than him at using – but with regret, she had not shot him.”
—
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