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.

Catherine's father, a country physician, is ailing so he wanted her to go to London for a Season to find a husband before he dies to know she'll be taken care of in the future. The village vicar tells her about The Grand Palace on the Thames, a boardinghouse he once visited. That's where she meets Lord Dominic Kirke, 13 years her senior; notorious, arrogant, ruthless, formidable, he's at the Grand Palace because his mistress threw a lamp at his head and burned down his house. He's a brilliant orator in the House of Lords, fighting for those who don't have a voice and to stop child labor. When Catherine's chaperone would rather gamble than introduce her to prospective husbands, Dominic steps in to give her the backgrounds of her potential husbands. When he dances with Catherine, he sets off talk and raises her popularity. It's a delight to revisit the residents of the Grand Palace, Dot and Mr. Delacorte are my favorites. Catherine has to forgive a numskull move on Dominic's part and they both have to come to terms with his past. A long epilogue takes a look at their future together. Overall an entertaining entry in the series.

Julie Anne Long is an author who keeps on giving and giving and giving and this was another wonderful book by her. I love her dialogue, how thoughtful and careful her characters are, and obviously how sexy and in love :). This series keeps hitting and I can't wait to read what's next.

I have loved this series from the start and I always know what I'm going to get with each book.

I looooooooooved Catherine and Kirke. She's sweet and sunshine, he's crunchy and stoic. Together they have loads of banter, button pushing for days, and an undeniable about of chemistry. I loved the scenes of these two sitting by plants, trading barbs.

Plot wise, it's good. There is a good amount of inner monologue, but the dialogue makes for the long passages. Of course, the scenes with everyone in the drawing room are some of the best and I could have done with a million more pages.

Overall, each book is like coming back inside from the cold to find a warm fire: it's comforting and cozy. I will forever read these books.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

I am a huge JAL fan. I love Pennyroyal Green, but I think I may love the Palace of Rogues series even more. I just adore the cast of characters and the way she's giving us such consistently excellent love stories along with growth for our main cast. Age gap is hit or miss for me but it was done so well here, and the banter was top notch. Can't recommend this series and this book enough!

THANK YOU NETGALLEY!!

The moment I checked my email and discovered this book sitting on my shelf, "approved" by the powers that be to be read, from Netgalley, I devoured it right away.

I have always been a Julie Anne Long fan, always always. Esp. her historical romances. I will say, however, that some of her books didn't work for me, and I lamented that my fave HR author had lost her spark.

That's NOT the case here!

I read this book in ONE SITTING, in exactly 4.5 hours. And I cried! Lots of tissues used! And I LOVE a great love story that makes me cry happy tears!!

(But I still hate the cover)

Dominic is not exactly a rake and a cad, he's simply a determined man who doesn't like complexity in his life, esp. anything related to emotions because he'd suffered tragedies in his life at an early age. A typical tortured hero background. The author didn't shy from his dalliances, and how they hurt the heroine even tho he'd had them before he met her, but they weren't egregious. They were simply a man with needs arranging for those needs to be taken care of. His heart had never been touched (except the once before).

Catherine is a lovely heroine. Her innocence, intelligence, optimism and astuteness were perfect to balance and also counter-balance Dominic. They were so perfect for each other.

Very likable separately and together. She's very brave for daring to love someone so hard to love like him. Not hard to love because he's unlovable, but because he doesn't let you. He's so protective of himself and he has such a hard shell. But she peels back his layers so methodically. I love how she does it. I love she totally conquers him, metaphorically beats him into submission.

But it's actually the best thing for him. He needs it.

And of course the Grand Gesture at the end. Very well done. The epilogue was wonderful too.

Wholeheartedly 5 star read.

1000 stars I did not want to put it down. Julie Anne Long is one of my absolute favorite authors. This story is definitely top shelf level. You have Catherine who is a young, somewhat simple country gal finding her way in the Season. Lord Dominic who is older and known as a rake. This is the only place that these two may ever meet and interact. You will love this story. It has all that cozy, romantic romance you love feeling but add in all the extra spice and intrigue. Perfect combination. The wit and banter and the wonderful skill that Long has for creating those thought out conversations you want to be apart of make you want to keep reading. Top it off with chemistry and real connection with the characters and you get the perfect story. This was my first from this series and I can’t wait to read them all. I just love how reading this story makes me feel. You will enjoy this adventure.

A fun and emotional story. I really liked Dominic and Catherine. He is such a cynic and thinks he is way too old for Catherine. She just wants to have her season and get settled. But Dominic derails everything. He has been fighting his whole life about everything and he loves to win. He really wants Catherine, but he is too old and jaded for someone so young and fresh. So, he sets out to help her find someone to marry. Is there a way for them to have a life together?

I finished this book on a train ride surrounded by people and cried my eyes out. I sobbed. Once again, JAL proves why we christened her Goddess Divine. She has the most unique way with words and describing the human spirit. Each of these characters tries so hard to resist the other but as Kirke himself is described as "an absolutely unstoppable force" so is the attraction he and Catherine have for one another. Watching them slowly reveal their true selves to one another (as well as to themselves) was so beautiful. And I'll always remember "clover."

As with all of the Palace of Rogues books, the secondary characters are present and accounted for with all the humor and wit we've grown to expect. How I look forward to each book even more now that the footman, Pike, is there to tangle Dot's life and feelings.

5 stars as Goddess Divine does it again.

A great addition to the series. I loved the main characters and of course the setting. This book like the ones before it is very cozy to me. If you know the characters you get sucked in and discover more as you go.

The latest tale from The Grand Palace on the Thames s does not disappoint. This series has grown to be one of my favorites of this genre, and My Season of Scandal may be my favorite of the series. Catherine Keating has come to London to experience the Season, but an inattentive chaperone and snide companion threaten to ruin her experience. The only bright spots are her evenings at the Grand Palace on the Thames and the presence of Lord Dominic Kirke, a passionate and brilliant MP whose quick wit is both startling and appealing to Cat, the daughter of a country physician. What I enjoyed most about this novel was how much the hero and heroine please each other. They genuinely LIKE one another, attraction and romance aside, which was really fun to read. Highly recommend this trip to the Palace.

I have read some but not all of Julie Anne Long's "Palace of Rogues" series and I really do need to go back and catch up. "My Season of Scandal" is a lovely story of two isolated people finding the perfect company in each other. Catherine and Dominic are, on the surface, little alike. Their ages, social positions, attitudes, childhoods - all mark them as different people. Yet they somehow have an innate understanding of each other. They have a friendship first, with banter and attraction that develops into something more. Dominic is far from perfect and makes choices that he should have known would backfire, but Catherine is able to focus on the intent and forgive the impact. Long's writing style is also lovely and the recurring characters of The Grand Palace on the Thames provide an entertaining backdrop as they also help move the main love story along. I loved the recurring clover theme and its reminder that so many of the good things in life come down to the luck of being in the right place at the right time - such as being a guest at TGPOTT when your other half happens to need a room there, as well.

4 solid stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

My Season of Scandal is the story of Catherine and Dominic. Catherine is the twenty-two year old daughter of a doctor from Northumberland. She has been invited to London for a season her family can’t really afford but she has a lovely room at the Grand Palace on the Thames and lots of pretty dresses from a couple years ago. Catherine can’t wait for parties, new friends, and hopes to fall in love with a friendly gentleman (possibly one with a title). Dominic is a scandalous, self-made success story, the child of a poor Welsh mining family, a talented and dedicated Whig politician, and a peer (gifted by the monarchy for his service). He takes a room at the Palace after his mistress burns down his lodgings during an argument.

They meet when Dominic knocks on her door asking her to (hilariously meanly) be quiet. They meet again at a ball in a moment of privacy and strike up a sort of friendship.

As they continue to run into each other at balls and the Palace, their friendship changes. Dominic, initially dismissive of her youth, realizes Catherine is sharp, funny, and deeply kind; he sets out to protect and support her season, almost from the start. Catherine is almost instantly swept up in her imaginations about him, while remaining wary. Secrets he’s kept for almost two decades come to light and despite his fears otherwise, Catherine is gracious and supportive.

Eventually, Catherine becomes quite a sensation but when the attention she gets becomes too much for some, she learns the truth about the crocodiles of the ton.

Dominic makes an egregious error with a gift for Catherine and when she confronts him he bungles it spectacularly. She returns to Northumberland heartbroken and furious. Knowing he’s f*cked up royally, Dominic makes a public grand gesture and grovel (clovers are romantic flowers you guys) that’s at the same time private, leaves all of the power in Catherine’s hands, and makes zero spectacle of her. It’s perfect, and we’ve already reread the ending several times.

At its core this is a romance about two lonely and isolated people who find friendship and love where they weren’t looking and through their time at the Palace begin to understand “home.” If you’ve read a Long book you know she’s a skilled banter writer and she shows that to perfection with this book but also gives the readers a look into the real intellectual and spiritual connection, over a number of very serious conversations, between the MCs.

This book gives you age gap, class differences, forced proximity, secret friendship, grumpy sunshine, a slow burn, and a top 5 grand gesture/grovel moment.

This is book 7 in the series and can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend them all.

I think Julie Anne Long is so underrated in the historical romance space! I've been following this series since the beginning and this one might be my favorite so far. I loved the slow burn and the banter.

This book took me by surprise (even though it really shouldn’t because JAL is a master). Somehow these two completely opposite main characters attracted and were perfectly meant for each other.

Our politician hero and heroine from the country take lodgings in the Grand Palace on the Thames. They see each other through events through the season and are inexorably drawn together again and again. Our hero ends up being her secret chaperone to guide her through the season but feelings develop that are more than friendly.

Our hero is fiery, opinionated and a talker, our heroine is a country miss and somehow they compliment each other beautifully with a foundation of friendship that leads to more. Once again the compliment of secondary characters not only makes this book charming but witty as well. I honestly can’t wait to see what adventures follow next in this series.

Catherine Keating daughter of a doctor in Northumberland, goes to London for a season to make her father happy, to have new experiences, and find a husband. She lost her mother a few years ago and her father's health is failing. He wants to make sure is is provided for.

Cat’s Aunt Keating, who was to be her chaperone injured herself right before the trip. Aunt Keating's friend, Lady Wisterberg, is her sponsor. They met at a party and Lucy Morrow, Lady Wisterberg’s goddaughter, became a friend for Cat.

Cat/Catherine is staying at The Grand Palace on the Thames.. She feels at home here and loves all the residents, even Mr Delacorte,.


Lord Dominic Kirke, arrives at The Grand Palace late one night after his mistress In a pique fit throws a lit lamp and burns his house down, well partially. He is an MP and striving to better the lives of children and orphans forced to work long hard hours for little to no pay, poor housing and rancid food. His speeches are stirring, eloquent, and heartfelt.

Come join the parlor, play chess with Delacorte,, listen to Mrs Pariseau starts a new book which Dot, the maid, is excited and nervous about. Catch up with Captain and Mrs Hardy, Lord Bolt and his wife Mrs Durand. Enjoy a new season from a country girl's eyes.

Find out how the two meet, real funny, and what mischief Cat gets into. As the season progresses, not the way Cat hoped, join in as she dances with hopeful outcome, but longs for something. SCANDAL gets attached to her, but the out coming is what makes this story so endearing and poignant, oh and have a tissue handy.

Great read to relive childhood memories that brighten our lives!

In London’s glittering yet cruel social season, smalltown-girl Catherine’s search for a husband falters. She’s rescued by Lord Kirke, a man famed for his fiery passion and roguish charm. Kirke’s cynicism crumbles before Catherine’s guileless wit and captivating charm. Will he sacrifice his own desires to save her reputation, or find the strength to trust in their love?

This book touched my heart. Lord Kirke is broken by the lack of love in his life, but he doesn’t recognize it. Catherine helps put him back together again. There are heart-wrenching moments of insight that took my breath away. If you’re looking for a historical romance with all the feels, don’t miss this one.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.