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.*

I think this book is my favorite of the series! Long’s female characters are always likeable and strong in their own way. The hero’s are flawed but so darn memorable and in love with their women. I especially liked Lord Kirk, for all his outstanding characteristics he was also so easy to love. A visit with all the wonderful characters at the Grand Palace on the Thames was just what I needed.

I am going to be blunt and honest, because that is the only way I know how to be: This is not my favorite in the Palace of Rogues series.

I really, really genuinely enjoyed, How to Tame a Wild Rogue and I think one of the things that drew me into that book was the cover. I want that cover framed on my wall. This cover, on the other hand, has something about it that really turns me off. I’m not sure if it is the man staring into the reader’s eyes, or his arrogant eyebrow lift, or what, but the more I process my thoughts on paper, the more I realize that it totally fits into his characterization. So maybe it is the heroine. Why are her eyes closed? Why is she in la la land? She is being portrayed that she is so unaware of what is going on.

But, if she is a clover, shouldn’t she seem more down to earth and less comfortable with intimacy?

There was so much that I enjoyed about this series, especially how the forced proximity makes each couple spend time together and fall in love. Even here, Dominic and Catherine find “serendipity” as Delilah says in the Epilogue, and the comfort in the Grand Palace on the Thames helps each couple to feel comfortable enough that they let themselves fall in love.

It is so special how each couple has their unique thing that they can bond over, and Catherine and Dominic bonding over hiding away at large parties is so romantic and intimate and endearing, that Dominic begins to respect their “thing” that he begins seeking her out at the balls.

But what stands out to me so much, and is something that I will remember about this book is the grand gesture! Dominic mentions to Catherine that if she were a flower, she would be a clover, and she is completely offended by this. The readers, at least, are left wondering if there is more to the story. And boy is there more to this story!

***Spoiler alert*** He gives a speech at Parliament about how much the clover fields near his home mean to him, and I thought this was just so perfectly entwined in both of their characterizations that it was brilliant! The man who is known for his moving speeches in parliament, gives a speech about how much he loves the woman who he compared to clovers, knowing that this said woman always reads his speeches in the newspaper with her father. I can only think of one other GRAND GESTURE this big which is in Day of the Duchess that so completely recognized and acknowledged the characterization of both of the characters. And because of this, I learned so much about the craft of writing, and what is important in my own book that I am writing. I am looking forward to rereading this book very soon, to enjoy it all over again.

This is book 7 in The Palace of Rogues series, and these books just keep getting better and better! My Season of Scandal is quite possibly my new favorite of the series.

I'm not normally a huge fan of an age gap romance, but Dominic and Catherine are absolutely amazing together! Their relationship is filled with tons of chemistry, witty banter, and so much emotion.

The Grand Palace on the Thames, as usual, was a highlight of the story! The parlor antics, especially from Dot and Mr. Delacourt are hilariously funny and truly make you wish to be a part of their group.

I highly recommend reading this entire series. They are well worth the read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Been waiting for Catherine’s and Dominic’s story. Love the Palace of Rogues series and this book did not disappoint. Lead you on a romantic adventure filled with wit and charm. Great read!

Julie Anne Long is one of my favorite authors in romance and this story did not disappoint. I only disappointed myself because I didn't have time to read the earlier books in this series before jumping into this one, but I didn't get the sense that I was lost without the other books, the setting of the grand palace on the thames is the overarching theme in this series. Like most of her books, this story was a slow burn with a lot of character growth.

I think this series may have run its course for me- I didn't like the story, or the characters, and I only finished it because I wanted to know how it ended. I found it to be utterly charmless and frankly annoying at times. Sigh.

Did I like anything? Dot's potential romance with the new footman. Other than that, I guess I liked Catherine as a person? She is a thoughtful, kind girl with a good head on her shoulders. I just don't like her with Dominic! I think I liked him too as a character, but not with Catherine.

Dominic is so much older than her, which is one thing, and his traumatic, somewhat scandalous past is also a factor. But the thing that annoyed me most was that he knew he was interested in her from the beginning, and he was selfish enough to get involved with her, knowing that he didn't want to offer her marriage or anything honorable. Have some self control, man! I just might be tired of the youthful debutante and the thirty something guy who is world-weary. Dominic would have been great paired with a slightly older heroine! Or even in a story with a woman not pursuing marriage but they fall in love anyway. Dominic's grand gesture to her is sweet, and I like both of their stories, but I don't like them together.

We also have no sense that Catherine would have a happy life as Dominic's political hostess? I just thought the elements here don't really work. I found it to be very discordant.

Kirke + Keats 4 Eva! A sweet romance that slowly builds, both main character slow share part of themselves during unintentional meetups as Keats hides behind plants at balls. The cover doesn't do this book justice because he's thoughtful and considerate (and not slimy). The age gaps is taken seriously by the MMC. We're brought back to the usual cast of characters at The Grand Palace on the Thames.

As much as I enjoy Julie Anne Long's works, this particular story was very hard for me to get into. Though Catherine and Dominic were solid characters they to me missed that extra spark that normally draws me in. Perhaps this was due in part to the plot, which seemed to be a bit lacking in excitement.

Still, I would say the book is well written and Perhaps worth a revisit down the road.

CW: Death of a parent (off-page); bullying; references to child abuse, pregnancy, abandonment, fire

I’ve been trying to figure out how to put my feelings into words for over a week now, as this book was so magical. It’s been living rent-free in my head since I finished it, and I think it might be one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a long time. And just when you think The Palace of Rogues series can’t get any better, Julie Anne Long knocks it out of the park again.

I always say that returning to the Grand Palace on the Thames (TGPOTT) feels like coming home, and that’s so true with this book. Even though it felt like we spent less time here than usual, as this book features a lot of balls and activities of the Season, TGPOTT continues to play a central role in Catherine and Lord Dominic Kirke’s love story. The fact that there is just a floor separating the two of them lends itself to a great first meeting and adds a delicious tension to the story that left me swooning at points.

Dominic is not your traditional lord. First, he’s Welsh and earned his title through his years of dedicated service in the House of Commons, where he fights for those who are voiceless. He’s known as a great orator, and boy, does he prove that in the end! He’s scandalous, incredibly direct, and a bit cold, but he is also passionate about what matters to him. He will move mountains to make things right but also shows that he cares in small ways. He’s a complex character that I couldn’t help but be drawn to as he’s got this air to him that draws people in, yet it also feels like he’s keeping people at an arm’s distance. I couldn’t wait to uncover all the layers of him.

With Catherine, there is an innocence to her, but she also feels like an old soul, so much so that I kept forgetting she’s only 22. Having lost her mother at a young age and having helped her physician father over the years as an assistant, she also understands that life isn’t always kind and the importance of living for the now. She’s not good at all the mind games that come with being a part of the Season – she just wants to find a husband, security, and hopefully, happiness so that she won’t be alone once her father passes.

These two don’t seem like a match on paper, but my god, the chemistry between them! The romance is a slowburn, but it’s the best kind of slow burn with all the feelings that are just simmering under the surface. And all those little moments – a touch of the hands, a caress of the cheeks, a whisper of a name – really build the tension, as well as the intimacy between them. They truly get to know each other on a deeper level, which makes the whole story feel romantic and tender. They cannot help but be drawn to each other and I love how they keep unconsciously seeking each other out at Society events. As they get to know each other, the feelings just build and build and I just wanted them together so badly.

Seriously, I loved this romance so much, but it was also killing me. It’s so tender, emotional, and romantic. But it’s also tinged with sadness and a bit of pain. I feel I’m doing a terrible job describing this, but just know this romance hit me right in the FEELS. They both feel so deeply for each other, but he has an incredibly high wall up that he doesn’t want her to climb until he’s ready to let her see the truth of him. And he’s so scared she’ll push him away, but the way she understands him and empathizes with him is beautiful. Ugh, my heart! I also kept forgetting that this is a bit of an age gap (he’s about 13 years older than her), which is not my favorite trope, but somehow, Julie Anne Long can always make it work.

The conflict towards the end really added to the tension in this story. I was so heartbroken for both of them! But all this leads to one of the most beautiful, epic declarations of love I’ve read in a long time. It’s a declaration of love for the history books (literally!) and one that brings a tear to my eye just thinking of it. It also fits these characters so well, making it all the more special in the end. It’s the perfect culmination of all the feelings and emotions, and literally so incredibly beautiful – I love it so much!

I feel like I’ve truly done a terrible job capturing all the emotions this book gave me while reading it. Every beat of the story just hit the right note for me every time, leading to an utterly captivating historical romance. There is the perfect amount of angst in this that gave me all the feelings. I fell deeply in love with Catherine and Dominic and their love story. Words really cannot do justice to the feelings this book gave me and how beautifully crafted the story is.

I literally cannot recommend this book enough! Do yourself a favor and pick it up, even if you haven’t read the other books in the series. You don’t have to read the previous books in The Palace of Rogues to enjoy this gem, but I swear there isn’t a single bad book out of the bunch. So, if you haven’t read this series yet, now is the time to dive in so you can treat yourself to this delicious historical romance series.

Thank you to Avon/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas. and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Julie Anne Long is at the top of her historical romance writing game. I adore this series, each book is so swoony and romantic, while also continuing to feel like the best and most cozy version of a brothel turned hotel found family complete with an epithet jar and ghost stories told every night that I have ever read.

If you're looking for a romantic, cozy escape with characters that feel like best friends you must read this series.