Honestly at this point, this novella should be called “In Which Sam Yet Again Procrastinates A Solid Fiver”. Alexandra Vasti’s debut novella, In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation, is a historical romance charmer and I cannot believe it took me this long to finally get acquainted with the Halifax sisters.
Check out my previous read 
When Gracie Met The Grump by Mariana Zapata
Genres: Historical RomancePublisher: St. Martin’s Press (Formally Self Published)
Publication Date: September 19, 2022
Source: Own / ARC
Format: e-book / audiobook arc
The Halifax Hellions are the most scandalous, outrageous, ungovernable ladies in London. From the day of their debut—in which Matilda smoked a cheroot and Margo tied a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue—they’ve turned the ton upside down. But when Matilda elopes with a dangerous aristocrat, Margo must stop her twin before this new misadventure becomes a permanent marriage. For help, Margo turns to her brother’s best friend—because if anyone can get them to Scotland in time, it’s starchy solicitor Henry Mortimer.
Henry Mortimer has precisely one secret in his otherwise buttoned-up life: he’s been in love with Margo for seven wonderful, agonizing years. When she turns up at his doorstep, soaked to the skin and desperate for his help, he cannot turn her down. A week alone in a carriage with the object of his desires an arm’s length away? Surely he can survive that. He hopes.
But the road to Scotland is paved with disasters—caves and crashes and the bloody rain that keeps forcing Henry to hold a damp, shivering, dreadfully tempting Margo in his arms. Only an unstoppable force could drag the truth of Henry’s affection from his lips. Unfortunately for him, Margo Halifax has yet to be stopped.
“…for all that he was nearly insensible with desire, he found he wanted to laugh. But it was Margo, so that only seemed right.”
Margo Halifax lives life on her terms and not society’s. Deemed a hellion by the Ton and to those of England, the Halifax sisters take everything in stride and scandal. But when Margo’s twin sister Matilda runs off to Scotland with a man she barely knows; Margo will stop at nothing to save her sister; even if it means chasing across England for her with her brother’s best friend, Henry Mortimer.
The way that this novella has become the staple to which I will use to introduce people to the historical romance genre. A beautiful stepping stone, Vasti creates dynamic characters in such a short amount of time and really creates this well rounded story that literally sucks you in from the jump. I am a big audiobook girlie when it comes to historical romances, so I got crazy stupid excited when this series got picked up and was being turned into Audiobooks for their re-release. Mhairi Morrison absolutely nails the narration in this one, and really brings a whole other dimension to the story, especially if you read and listen to the story like I did myself.
Margo and Henry’s relationship and journey (both literally and figuratively) in this novella was absolutely adorable and so relatable. THE PINING! THE BLUSHES! AND DID I MENTION HE’S A VIRGIN HERO!?! Ya’ll when I tell you the gasp I gusped. I ate this entire story up and my ear holes couldn’t get enough of it. 10/10 would recommend this absolute fiver of a story. Don’t be like me and procrastinate–go be blessed now! The entire Halifax Hellions series is out (again!) on ebook now, and the audiobooks release tomorrow (2/27/24)!!
Huge thank you to Netgalley, SMP Romance, and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
um i am ashamed to say that i removed this from my tbr a few days ago but i’m on my way to add it right back 😂