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Scandal of the Summer
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A 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.
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.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
1 person is currently reading
9374 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Vasti
10 books1,267 followersAlexandra 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.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Want to read
August 13, 2025For 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
November 25, 2025
an absolute delight, as per usual from vasti
thank you smp for the arc!
thank you smp for the arc!
November 25, 2025
📖 Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti
“I have made enough mistakes to fill an ocean,” he said. “But I’m going to keep trying. I’m not going to fail you. I could be a week-dead corpse, Ruby-love, and I’d climb out of the ground to keep you safe.”
This book was an absolute delight to read! From sneaky hot pirates to strong, spicy ladies this book was one heck of a rollercoaster and I loved the ride!
“Love, she had learned, wasn’t a cage. It was a key.”
I seriously could not guess half of the things that happened in this book. Alexandra Vasti delivered on a story that kept me throughly entertained.
This slow burn sizzled with palpable tension and plenty of banter before these two leads literally just collided! ❤️🔥
“You are a god****ed strike of lightning, Ruby Ballimore, and you scare me witless. Wordless. Out of my mind.”
Ruby and Malcolm’s antics were an absolute riot that had me full body chuckling. I loved all the side characters as well!
I loved how caring Malcolm was for his crew. He would do anything for them and the feeling was very mutual. These are not your stereotypical pirates by any means!
“I’m yours now,” he said quietly. “Body and soul.”
Ruby truly stepped into her confidence and power by the end of this story and it was all because Malcolm showed her how perfect she truly was!
This story was just so fun and I can’t wait to devour it on audio one day.
Tropes:
🔪 Enemies to Lovers?
🪲 Pranks & Schemes
🎭 Hidden Identities All Around
💖 Powerful Leading Ladies
🏴☠️ Sexy Pirates
❤️🔥 An MMC With a HUGE Heart
💋 Slow Burn + Spice
“I have made enough mistakes to fill an ocean,” he said. “But I’m going to keep trying. I’m not going to fail you. I could be a week-dead corpse, Ruby-love, and I’d climb out of the ground to keep you safe.”
This book was an absolute delight to read! From sneaky hot pirates to strong, spicy ladies this book was one heck of a rollercoaster and I loved the ride!
“Love, she had learned, wasn’t a cage. It was a key.”
I seriously could not guess half of the things that happened in this book. Alexandra Vasti delivered on a story that kept me throughly entertained.
This slow burn sizzled with palpable tension and plenty of banter before these two leads literally just collided! ❤️🔥
“You are a god****ed strike of lightning, Ruby Ballimore, and you scare me witless. Wordless. Out of my mind.”
Ruby and Malcolm’s antics were an absolute riot that had me full body chuckling. I loved all the side characters as well!
I loved how caring Malcolm was for his crew. He would do anything for them and the feeling was very mutual. These are not your stereotypical pirates by any means!
“I’m yours now,” he said quietly. “Body and soul.”
Ruby truly stepped into her confidence and power by the end of this story and it was all because Malcolm showed her how perfect she truly was!
This story was just so fun and I can’t wait to devour it on audio one day.
Tropes:
🔪 Enemies to Lovers?
🪲 Pranks & Schemes
🎭 Hidden Identities All Around
💖 Powerful Leading Ladies
🏴☠️ Sexy Pirates
❤️🔥 An MMC With a HUGE Heart
💋 Slow Burn + Spice
October 13, 2025
One of the better compliments I can give this romance was that it was unpredictable. When you read as many historical romances as I do, you begin to predict what will happen next and Alexandra Vasti keeps the surprises coming with fresh characters and unexpected plot turns.
First of a series and I am very interested to see where the author takes the characters next, which I assume are her friends, Alice and Tamsin.
Action, adventure, espionage, kidnapping, escape, and great banter. Ruby sees right through Malcolm and all he’s ever relied on is his charm and lies.
A very enjoyable romance.
Thank you Edelweiss+ and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of a series and I am very interested to see where the author takes the characters next, which I assume are her friends, Alice and Tamsin.
Action, adventure, espionage, kidnapping, escape, and great banter. Ruby sees right through Malcolm and all he’s ever relied on is his charm and lies.
A very enjoyable romance.
Thank you Edelweiss+ and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
Frothy and delicious. I particularly like that the main characters are not so attached to the formal society norms; that they are rapscallions and have dubious relationships with the truth, when a good plan appeals instead; that they are loyal and true, and seeking a life of contentment. Very pleasing.
Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by edelweiss.
Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by edelweiss.
October 17, 2025
Another gem from Alexandra Vasti.
November 10, 2025
alexandra vasti knows the way to my heart is through a healthy amount of hijinks and also pirates
Want to read
November 26, 2025Ohhh I want this NOW.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews