I really loved this romance by Long. I hadn't read a book by Long in a while. It reminded me what a great writer she is and that I should add her to my rotation.

Of the two Julie Anne Long books that came out in 2024, this was my least favorite but it was still wonderful. Going back to the Palace on the Thames and seeing everyone again is always fun but the romance, once again, managed to be unique and wonderfully done.

I just love this series!! It’s so sweet and fun! I adore the author as well!! I can’t wait to continue to read more from this series! Highly recommend!

Julie Anne Long has done it again with My Season of Scandal. This latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series brings us back to the Grand Palace on the Thames, where we meet Catherine Keating, a country girl stepping into London's high society, and Lord Dominic Kirke, a seasoned politician with a reputation.

The chemistry between Catherine and Dominic is palpable from their first encounter. Their witty banter and evolving relationship are a testament to Long's skill in character development. The slow-burn romance is both tender and passionate, making their journey to love deeply satisfying.

Long's writing shines with vivid descriptions and emotional depth. The Grand Palace on the Thames serves as more than just a backdrop; it's a character in its own right, adding warmth and charm to the story.

If you're a fan of historical romance with well-drawn characters and engaging plots, My Season of Scandal is a must-read. It's a delightful addition to the series that will leave you eager for more.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the advance review copy!! All opinions are my own.

Who's surprised I loved this? Not me! JAL never misses, and gosh darn, did she get me good with that ending (the clover speech? cue sobs). This one was more of a slow-burn than some of the other books in this series have been, but boy did it work for me and it felt so right for their relationship's pacing and growth arc. Love spending time with this series' ever-expanding ensemble cast as well as the core motley crew and can't wait for the next Pale of Rogues installment!!

A historical romance that delves into themes of love, redemption, and personal growth. I loved the engaging characters and the chemistry between Catherine and Dominic. The vivid imagery of the London season and the Grand Palace added charm to the story. An excellent read.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars…I loved the chemistry between these characters! It was truly palpable. This was such an entertaining read that I read it almost entirely on a 5 hour flight. I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole!!

This might just match my previous absolute favorite Julie Anne Long - What I Did For a Duke.

I loved Kirke and Keating. Their intellect and wit was matched and sizzling. Smart banter is my favorite romance microtrope. And the tiny inside jokes they collected along the way was perfect. They both were so smart and well-adjusted and only brought out the best in the other. I felt smarter reading these two characters falling in love.

The third-act gesture: omg. Clover.

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #MySeasonofScandal by Julie Anne Long in exchange for an honest review.

This series is so much fun full of forced proximity and some great steam. This age gap was very well done. Julie Anne Long has a way with age gap romances - those always end up being my favorites of her books and I don't usually like age gap with other authors. I also really enjoyed being back in this world of The Grand Palace on the Thames. When are we getting Dot's story or Mr. Delacort's?

Julie Anne Long is brilliant. Palace of Rogues remains as fresh and engaging as it was in Lady Derring-- but the world keeps getting wider and deeper. Delight from beginning to end.

I adore Julie Anne Long's series set at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Every single book has been a delight, and My Season of Scandal is no exception. Catherine Keating has come to London to find a husband because her country doctor father's health is failing, and he wants to see her happily married. She's staying at the Grand Palace while she finds her place and makes connections within society. Lord Dominic Kirke, a passionate orator and member of the House of Commons is well known for his affairs--and after a mishap at his townhouse which results in a bit of a fire, he finds himself also in residence at the Grand Palace. They both have a tendency to want to escape the suffocating ballrooms and thus keep accidentally bumping into each other in secluded corners and by potted plans. He feels protective of the sheltered girl, and she is fascinated by him. Their friendship grows into more, but will love be enough?

This is historical romance at its very best. I adored every minute of it, and the cameos from all the other residents of the Grand Palace were so much fun. If you haven't read any Julie Anne Long, you're missing out. She's right up there with Sarah Maclean, Tessa Dare, and Lisa Kleypas. Her books are *chefs kiss.*

I like Long's introspective style and the way she zooms out of a scene and reflects on it. This slows the pace down a bit, but usually works for me.

There's a point of conflict about a dress the hero gives the heroine, and I loved this. It really reminded me of an old-school historical romance, where a smaller, but dramatic motif becomes a symbol of a greater theme.

The politics of the book were not it for me; it's so hard not to be clinical of Kirke's work and political ambitions. I need way more evidence that he's moral than just a few throw away lines here and there. Just felt too good to be true that he's so moral of a politician.

My Season of Scandal is book 7 in the Palace of Rogues series and just like the others it does not disappoint. Lord Dominic Kirke is well known, handsome and powerful, any lady would consider themselves lucky to catch his eye and Catherine Keating who is nothing, but a country girl is just the breath of fresh air that this rogue needs. Once you throw in the colorful cast of characters from the Grand Palace you end up with funny and deeply emotional read that leaves you waiting impatiently for the next installment in this wonderful series. As with all the other books in this series, this is a standalone book, but this reader highly recommends reading them all to have the characters and their personally help the story line flow. I wrote this review from the ARC copy I received from the Publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

What a pleasant surprise this book ended up being! Ngl, I found myself getting bored at times while reading this because the pacing felt pretty slow around the 40-60% mark.

Then the last 25% or so GOT ME. Wow. Julie Anne Long really amped up the romance and I found myself getting emotional/tearing up during the grand gesture & makeup scenes. This author tends to be hit or miss for me, but when she hits she HITS.

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

"I think I fell in love with you the moment you handed your handkerchief to me. I love your wit, your kindness, your gentleness, your wisdom, your optimism, your eyes, your hair, your resilience, your mouth, and oh God, the way your body fits against mine. I could forsee no happiness for me unless you were happy, and yet I didn't think I could ever be what you wanted, or offer you the kind of life you wanted to live. And I tried--God how I tried--but I could not imagine the rest of my life without you in it. It was quite a predicament, Catherine. I have been wretched. I am confessing my wretchedness. How cruel of you to look so radiantly happy about it." Her face was, in fact, blindingly beautiful, a tiny sun. "And now you're smiling. All those white teeth. You monster."
Lord Dominic Kirke, ladies and gentlemen. This man is a notorious rake, known for his cynicism and the fiery speeches he makes on the floor of the House of Commons.

He's been brought down by a country doctor's daughter and I AM HERE FOR IT.

Catherine and Dominic's story had me laughing out loud (so much!), sighing with sheer happiness, and even--more than once, darn it--near sobbing out loud. I was dying to get to their HEA, but at the same time didn't want this book to end because it's that good. Add this one to the very short, very select list of books I'm going to turn to when I need a book to leave me feeling incandescently happy.

I swear, I don't know how this series can just keep getting even better, but it does--and I am NOT complaining! <3

Rating: 5 stars / A+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Sexy and fun! I loved the characters and the storyline, as well as the stunning cover. Its a bit slow at first then really takes off, and it feels like you are reading a historical romance sitcom with the fun characters! I found myself chuckling often! A great add to this series.
Thank you to the author and publishing house for this arc.

The Palace of Rogues has become a cozy, warm, inviting place to come and spend a while every year. This book was no exception, with the return of beloved characters who have spanned the series and bring humor and warmth to the story. Julie Anne Long writes the emotional connection and feeling so well, she really makes you believe in the power of the connection of these characters. That being said, she did write another age-gap romance which she really seems to like. And while ultimately this was a pleasant, warm, and sweet story, it wasn't my favorite of the series. But that didn't mean it wasn't a nice place to while some time away. The Grand Palace of Rogues feels almost as cozy as visiting Grandma's house in some ways!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-arc in excahnge for my honest opinion.

This book has stuck with me weeks after reading it. I loved Kirke, this gregarious but gruff rake who is introverted and doesn't get close to anyone, but rakes around with mistresses who he doesn’t let into his heart. I also liked the fact that he was commoner who was exalted into the aristocracy for his public works. Usually I’m not a huge fan of the older/younger trope, but their dynamic worked really well. Furthermore his huge romantic overture is not one I have read before and it was original and memorable. I love this author and this series but I enjoyed this book, would reread again as it definitely left me with a smile on my face.

I know other readers are getting sick of the Grand Palace on the Thames but I am happy to say I am not!!

Lord Dominic Kirke is definitely one of my favorite heroes of the series. He is such a sweet man to Catherine even as he holds everyone else at bay. It is easy to see why he would love someone like Catherine because she is kind and gentle with just a touch of sass.

I love the wordplay between characters in this series. Part of the reason I love historical romance is the banter between characters that is often absent from more contemporary romances, and Long is excellent at writing witty banter.

I would say I’m looking forward to the next title, but since I’ve already read it and love it too I won’t!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

2 Stars! Liked the ending but this book dragged on from start to finish. It was too wordy & I just didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it, but it just didn’t work for me which is weird considering all the 4 & 5 star reviews! Is it just me?! Am I losing my love of the romance genre?! I found the main characters, Catherine & Dominic, boring & incompatible for most of the book. A lot of the book felt unnecessary to the love story, like the book went on and on so the author could hit her word count. I skimmed through most of the book after trying to get into it and not being able to.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*