Julie Ann Long does it again! This time with a country debutante and a notorious rake with the power of persuasion.

I love The Palace of Rogues series, and if you haven’t been reading it, this is my moment to ask, why not? Besides a memorable cast of side characters that show up book after book, Long continues to show her depth in developing characters from all different types of backgrounds that make you care for them and also rope you into wanting them to find the person who will make them complete.

We have debutante Catherine Keating, new to London and for her first season. Without her Aunt guiding her way, her only chaperone is a woman with more interest in gambling, though she’s doing her best to make the most of this trip. Including getting the pleasure of staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Disaster would strike there because that’s where Catherine meets the fiery leader of the House of Commons, Lord Dominic Kirke, who’s only staying while his house is repaired from a fire. Let’s not mention he’s a rake or that he’s never been known to give any young woman singular attention… until now.

Watching Dominic fall for Catherine is glorious. Of course, she’s attracted to his mind, his kind manner (which he doesn’t have for just anyone), and his persuasive way of talking. He makes the simplest things sound seductive or romantic. Dominic sees Catherine as a young woman who will easily be eaten alive by the wolves of the Ton. Naturally, he finds her witty mind and pretty smiles so undeserving of such a fate and tries to help her avoid catastrophe. These two, as they fall head over heels, are equal parts maddening and can’t-stop-turning-the-pages.

April is definitely the month for slow burns because this one was another creeping, crawling path for two people coming together (with very good reason). Still, I was glued to keep going just to see if Dominic would ever kiss Catherine and then to see if he had the sense to stay away. Hehe… he did not. Thank goodness. Watching the fall is almost as sweet as the happily ever after.

I know you’re going to laugh at all my reviews this month and how they are all high, but the authors are bringing some fantastic stories to the table, and this one is no exception. P.S. You have to read it if you want to see how Dot continues to evolve because one day, she’s going to get her HEA.

~ Landra

I think this is the best of the Palace of Rogues series that I have read and reviewed. The romance brewing between Catherine Keating and Lord Kirke, Dominic was sweltering. I liked how he was able to use memories of his past growing up in Wales as a way of communicating to Catherine his love for her. I also like how Catherine, though a debutante and an innocent was able to read through all of the defenses Dominic put up to see the real man he had hidden beneath the layers. Looking forward to more from Julie Ann Long.

When your dreams lie shattered and you learn that sky blue dresses and shillings are a confession…
When her losses have made her wise and brave, and yours have left you brittle and petrified.

It starts with too much sherry, potted ferns, a handkerchief and glances caught and held.
It ends with the desperate need to assure yourself that the reason your lungs have seized is because someone else has stolen your breath. It ends with evisceration and a true dark night of the soul full of painful recriminations.

Dominic Kirke is a man of the world. Jaded and selfish by his own admission.
He is not the sort of man Catharine should be daydreaming about.
But Dominic Kirke goes through life with a veneer and she’s the only one who sees through it to the man beneath.

She’s in London because she’s known loss, and will soon know it again. She doesn’t want to live alone and unknown when that chapter comes.
He is a creature of London who’s clawed his way to the top of a political heap. He’s driven and charismatic. The walls he’s erected are so high and impenetrable, he thought they’d protect him forever.

But a girl who knows the line between grief and joy is precarious, can’t help but fall for the fiery tenderness when he looks at her.
And a man who thought he was invincible finds himself wrecked by the shrewd insight of this girl who sees straight to the core of him and subtly, methodically lays waste to his defenses.

This book is something to be savored and cherished. Like a refuge of bees and clover where you can languish in solitude and find shapes in the clouds.

Five screaming unhinged stars.

Some of my favorite excerpts:

Bloom and decay, birth and death—nothing instilled pragmatism and awareness of the rhythms of life more than growing up in a small town in Northumberland as the only child of the only doctor for miles and miles. She’d learned that everything beautiful and beloved was merely on loan. The gift in knowing this was that every moment now seemed as precious as currency, and every rare pleasure pierced.

“Ah, indeed I am Welsh, Keating,” he replied indulgently. “All the way from Satan’s Arse Crack, a little town near Cardiff.” Not even in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she’d hear the words “Satan’s arse crack” so exquisitely enunciated. She began to wonder if he was a lot drunker than he seemed. “It sounds lovely,” she decided to say. “And explains a good deal.”

Only he knew the truth: before the age of twenty he’d felt nearly everything a man could feel, in gruesome proportions. Soaring love and searing shame. Passion and joy, terror and struggle. Gutting loss. The whole bloody lot had dug such brutally deep channels through him that little he felt in the aftermath was capable of shaking him or leaving a mark. Nearly every emotion he’d felt since had seemed a mere echo by comparison.

She began to understand how difficult men could become an acquired taste, enjoyable in limited quantities, like espresso, or violent thunderstorms.

Kirke never dreamed he’d be so entertained by hearing Bolt and Hardy defend their masculine honor against a fictional genie.

Change is also the thing that makes things more precious, isn’t it? Knowing that anything in life can end in a heartbeat, at any time for any reason, and that things may not always be the same? And if you know that you’re going to live forever, and if someone you love lived forever, would you not then take them for granted? Do we love things and people because we know they’re temporary? I . . . I just wondered.

His chin brushed her temple. He closed his eyes because her hair against his cheek was silky and he wanted, for one mad moment, to feel only this ever again. Every muscle in his body locked against a furious onslaught of longing.

She didn’t know that one person could make the rest of the world seem flat and false by comparison, like so much stage dressing.

FINAL DECISION: A captivating and emotionally charged tale of an unlikely love between a world-weary man and an innocent country girl. Long's signature wit, lyrical prose, and masterful relationship-building are on full display in this seventh installment of the Palace of Rogues series.

THE STORY: Catherine Keating arrives in London for her first season, determined to find a suitable husband. However, the glittering ballrooms and societal expectations prove more daunting than she anticipated. When a chance encounter leads her to the Grand Palace on the Thames, Catherine finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Lord Dominic Kirke, a man known for his fiery speeches in Parliament and his ability to captivate any woman he chooses. As they navigate the season together, attending balls and sharing secret moments, Catherine and Dominic discover a connection that goes beyond mere attraction. But with Dominic's tragic past and Catherine's innocence, their love seems doomed from the start. Dominic must decide whether to protect his battered heart or risk everything for the woman who has captured it so completely.

OPINION: Once again, Julie Anne Long has crafted a delightful romance in returning to the Grand Palace on the Thames. The pairing of an older, cynical man and a young, optimistic woman is an unlikely combination that surprises even the characters themselves. Long's incredible use of language elevates the story, while cameos from beloved characters add depth and continuity to the series.

The emotional journey between Catherine and Dominic is the heart of this book. Their conversations are emotionally resonant, allowing them to understand each other on a profound level. The love they share brings out the best in both of them, a testament to Long's skill in building relationships. The "tragic past" trope is handled with a fresh perspective, making Dominic's story compelling and relatable.

The yearning and angst between Catherine and Dominic is palpable, creating a delicious tension that keeps the pages turning. Their secret meetings and desperate attempts to resist their feelings only heighten the slow-burn romance. Watching them navigate their big, scary feelings and put each other's hearts back together is a beautiful and rewarding experience.

Dominic, usually so eloquent in Parliament, finds himself tongue-tied and baffled by Catherine, who slips under his defenses like water through a leak. Catherine, in turn, refuses to let Dominic hide away from his pain and hurt. The result is a love story that is both tender and passionate, with a satisfying ending that will leave readers sighing with contentment.

WORTH MENTIONING: The secret alcove run-ins and rendezvous add a delightful touch of forbidden romance to the story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is the seventh book in the Palace of Rogues series. While the romance stands alone, reading the series in order provides a richer experience and allows readers to fully appreciate the cameos and connections to previous characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

Love creeps up unawares!

Another sparkling episode set in London’s exclusive yet lively boardinghouse, The Grand Palace on the Thames. Once a brothel, now a place of superior accommodation with a non negotiable set of rules and a lively cast of permanent residents.
Catherine Keating is a doctor’s daughter. She’s been persuaded to come to London for a season and is ensconced in the Grand Palace. She will chaperoned by her new friend Lucy Morrow’s godmother Lady Wisterberg, who’s also a close friend of her aunt. Lady W is rather interesting, and unfortunately irresponsible from time to time, particularly when she’s swept away by the feverish call of the card tables. It’s the challenge you see! Any pretence of chaperoning tends to go out of the window when she’s ensnared in a card game, and there’s always a card room set aside at the balls they attend.
Lord Dominic Kirk is a Member of Parliament who champions laws to improve the lot of child workers.
He’s a rousing orator, splendid in his conviction. Originally from Wales, he’s come from nothing.(Shared a bed with six, as he describes it, semi feral siblings).
He ends up at the Grand Palace because his mistress, in a rage at him dismissing her, threw a lamp and burned down his town house.
Dominic finds he rather enjoys the Grand Palace . He is amused and challenged by Catherine. He calls her Keating. He also ensures Lady Wisterberg is recalled from the card room to get Keating home before the Grand Palace’s doors are irrevocably closed for the night. (I love him just for that action alone).
Of course they’re attracted to each other. However that is never voiced. Even though their stolen kisses sizzle and consume them both.
Before he walks away, Dominic dances one waltz with Catherine, determined her season would go well. Shocking! Why? Because he hasn’t danced in ten years, and society is agog. Catherine fast becomes a ton favorite until that’s dashed by cruel rumor and gossip forcing her to flee home.
Catherine returns to Little Bramble. Dominic? Well, he pines. Then he makes the speech of a lifetime!
Just brilliant, and wretchedly lovely!

An Avon and Harper Voyager ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

As usual, Julie Anne Long gives us the story of two perfectly-matched characters, even though they might seem mismatched on the surface. Kirke is a fiery politician; Catherine is a fresh-faced country beauty. They meet because they both happen to be staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames.

JAL writes books that are simultaneously hilarious (her touch with humor is incredible) and touching. This series in particular showcases her comedic skills: the ensemble cast of secondary characters, including former couples and longterm TGPOTT lodgers, works on so many levels! What's more, the central romantic relationship is just angsty enough to please everyone who likes a fraught emotional relationship. Final note: do we love an age gap relationship? Usually not. Here it works well, but we think that if you love an age gap, you'll be pleased!

All in all a great addition to the series!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I adored Catherine and Dominic's story! It was so much fun watching these two find their way to their HEA!!

*inhale*
*exhale*

I do not have the words to adequately convey how much I LOVED this novel. It made me giggle, smile until my cheeks hurt & bawl my eyes out. It gave me all the feels. ALL of them. Lord Dominic Kirke is my newest book husband. (Go Directly to Book Husband Estate, Bypass the Book Boyfriend Territory. Collect my heart on your way!)

The Grand Palace on the Thames brings together another soon to be destined couple,(Honestly, Julie I need my own TGPOTT to stay at!) when country doctor's daughter Miss Catherine Keating finds herself with an opportunity to grace the Ton for her first season & finds herself an unlikely behind the scenes (can be also found in hidden alcoves & behind potted plants) chaperone in one Lord Dominic Kirke. Thrown together in the drawing room (for the requisite 4 nights a week) of the mythical boarding house we all know & love it is here where these two very different characters meet & discover not only themselves but a passion neither can deny.

This may be the most time we spend away from The Grand Palace on the Thames and yet we still get that it has a 'life of it's own' feeling the setting of this series provides. From the familial camaraderie of the drawing room stories (and debates on which book to read next) to the insightful conversations & glimpses of the characters as they not only discover themselves within the walls but discover a new found family. I may have giggled in pure joy that Kirke accompanied Delacorte to the donkey races! And how the political landscape around the epithet jar has shifted with a member of parliament in residence. A jar word is still a jar word...

I don't know where to start with my undeniable love for Dominic Kirke. This fiery man who stood up for the justice of others & who guarded his own shattered heart. It was everything about him that drew me in. His actions towards making sure Catherine got back before curfew to the undeniable chemistry laced banter between them. Oh and how he saw her, truly saw her in her moments of quiet distress or in the flicker of yearning for a new dress. Which then led to him action, albeit behind the scenes. What's the Austen quote? "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." It is exactly how I feel not only about Dominic's beautifully flawed character but about this entire novel.

Oh Catherine Keating! How I loved your joyful (initial) view of getting your first London season. Your strength of character in the midst of the crocodiles of the ballroom & how you did not always know what you were feeling, but did not back down from trying to discover it all. And how you viewed kindness as in no way a weakness. There were so many things about Katherine that made me wish to view the world in the way that she did.

I honestly mourn having finished reading and feel like I might need to go back and reread the entire series.

Well, since I've read all these wonderful books in the series, this one is a a hit. I love how Ms Long puts a twist to all her writing and gets to the heart of it all. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. It's nice to catch up with previous books but can be read as a stand alone.
Miss Catherine Keating is in London to have a season and offered a chaperone of Lady Westerling. They are staying a the Grand Palace and she loves the atmosphere and company of other guests.
She meets Lord Dominic Kirke, a scandalous MP, who is older and than her 22 years. He's a MP who has a notorious reputation with the ladies. But Cat thinks he's the most interesting man and feels an attraction to him. He is living at the Palace since his house went up in smoke from a fire. They begin a relationship based on friendship which turns to a hot hot romance. Cat and Dominic are two people who were meant to be and their happy ever after is love.

My Season of Scandal is the seventh book in The Palace of Rogues series and can be read as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this book and was glad we got to experience the London Season for a bit change of scenery. I liked getting the interactions between the MC at both the boardinghouse and at ton events and that the witty banter showed off the intelligence of both MC. It’s a slow burn with a lot of angst and tension that is released in small but passionate bursts. The back and forth had me wondering at times though when one would finally give in.

I liked the FMC and while she was from the country, innocent in many ways and didn’t know how to navigate the ton she was also mature, intelligent, and perceptive that you couldn’t help but root for her. The MMC was also likable although greatly more complex. A self-made man that had earned his title and position as a MP who had closed himself emotionally after past hurt.

One of the things I loved is the little details that aren’t forgotten but tied in later when the reader has almost forgotten about them. From the big grand gesture (that I loved) to little things in the ending and epilogue that all put a smile on your face.

If you’ve read the others in this series, most of the epilogues are mainly setting up the next book. While that’s case here too, I felt there was more of the after the HEA that was icing on the cake to me.

There are two encounters and some grinding that leads to mutual satisfaction.

An advance ebook was provided by Avon via NetGalley. All options are my own.

My Season of Scandal is a novel in the Palace of Rogues (book 7) series by Julie Anne Long. The Palace of Rogues is a boarding house that is carefully curated by the owners. There are very specific rules and expectations for those who live there including family style dinners and nights in the parlor. The rules do include - or at least expect proper behavior.

Catherine Keating has come to London for a season. She hopes to find someone who meets her fancy. She has no allusions of grandeur knowing she has a small dowry and a wardrobe that is considered old by the high fashion tonne. Luckily, despite the fact that her chaperone seems to leave her every night to play games at the ball, Catherine finds a couple of people to dance with and eventually captures the attention of Lord Dominic Kirke. Not that he is interested in her, but he is willing to help her out here and there.

Lord Dominic Kirke is a firebrand orator in the House of Commons. He is also a boarder at the Palace of Rogues as his house sustained damage in a fire. He recognizes Catherine and wants to help her out, but not get into a relationship with her. Eventually he helps her (without her knowledge) and her season becomes more robust, except for those who are looking for victims.

The story does drag a bit in the middle, but overall it is a nice addition to the series. My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long is a good read.

Every time Julie Anne Long invites us back to The Grand Palace on the Themes it is an emotional delight!

Two new guests have come to the Palace on their own… but they won’t be that way for a long!

Catherine Keaton is excited to experience the glittering lights of London ballroom scenes compared to her small town existence as a Vicar’s daughter. her clothes may be a little outdated and her manners are not as polished, but her heart is as big as they come!

Lord Dominic Kirke is surprised to find himself at The Grand Palace on the Themes After our fire breaks out in his home… not needing the distraction of all the rules and communal activity while he works on his next big speech for the House of Commons. Also the surprising distraction of a young country miss is filling his thoughts.

Such a change from the rest of the Palace of Rogues series- where this May-December romance plays out not so much at the hotel, but in the ballrooms and other spaces the ton gathers for the season. I’m not saying we don’t get plenty of time at the Palace, along with the fun and high jinx of our favourite characters, but this book definitely brings a new and fresh feel well keeping the tradition and vibe of the series.

Catherine and Lord Kirke play out their romance in the dark corners of the ballroom and behind the ferns as a surprisingly witty, young miss and chance the disenchanted rake!

This is another successful match made at The Grand Palace on the Themes end I loved how Delilah and Angelique are actually discussing their matchmaking capabilities in the power of love and romance at The Palace! A little tongue in cheek notice to all the couples made at this one location.

Another couldn’t put it down, five star installment in the Palace of Rogues series! No one writes a slow burn like Julie Anne Long, and I always find myself completely wrapped up in the angst and depth of feelings that Julie writes so well.

All of her heroines are amazing, but there’s nothing particularly 'special’ about Catherine Keating, and that’s what makes her so compelling. She’s just a smart, witty country girl excited to dance at balls and maybe find a husband. So excited that she unintentionally attracts the notice of her upstairs neighbor while spinning in her room.

Enter Lord Dominic Kirke — a much older rake and a cynic who finds himself unexpectedly out of a house. He’s an MP in the House of Commons and worried about a big speech to garner support to help the less fortunate. The last thing he needs is a distracting sprite downstairs.

But where else would a country doctor’s daughter and a scandalous politician ever have the completely acceptable opportunity to meet? I truly love what Julie has created with the Grand Palace on the Thames. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

I also enjoyed being back in the ballroom! Most of this books takes place during the Season, and our main couple always seem to be in the same quiet balconies or alcoves. It’s here where their relationship truly develops.

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the evenings at the boarding house. I saw someone call this the coziest steamy romance novel ever, and it’s true. Although My Season of Scandal can be read as a stand alone, you will be utterly charmed by the full ensemble cast of characters whom we’ve met in the past six books. I highly recommend them all!

What a great story! This is my first time with this author and while I have not read any of the prior series books, I fully intend to do so. Catherine is new to London, while Dominic is and older Lord very familiar with the area and the rules. I must say it took me a bit in the beginning to get into the story as I really enjoy conversations over lots of details. That said once I got into it, the banter, wit and connect between the two, even with the age difference, held me captive till the very end. Wonderfully crafted and fully entertaining!

When Catherine Keating arrives at the Grand Palace on the Thames for her first London season, she is immediately and veritably accosted by her fellow boarding house guest, the politically powerful, devastatingly handsome, and wickedly intelligent rake, Lord Dominic Kirke. Her quiet, genteel life in rural Northumberland hasn’t prepared the innocent Catherine to navigate the ton, or to realize how dangerous even the slightest association with Dominic can be to a gently bred debutante’s reputation.

For the longest time, my review was one word: SCREAMING!!! Because for the love of Delacorte’s donkey races, how can I possibly articulate how much I loved this one?

I make no secret of the fact that I am a huge fan of Julie's writing, and she continues to get better and better. There are only a few authors who have honed their craft in the historical romance space to the level of Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh, and Julie is one of them.

My Season of Scandal made me an emotional wreck in all the best ways, especially because of how soft and vulnerable Dominic really is beneath his mask of impeccably correct high society manners. Dominic is a good man, and his earnest, tender gentleness with Catherine from the outset made me feel that I was in on a sweet, precious secret.

This is a 5-star read in all matters of execution, to include ideal pacing, meaningful plot and character development, sensual romance, and rich, metaphorical prose. Julie's dialogue shines brighter than ever here, as does her witty sense of humor. One aspect of her books that I personally find to be one of the most satisfying is the MCs’ declarations of love to each other. True to form, Dominic’s heartrending admissions of his feelings for Catherine hit me so hard right in the feels, I got teary-eyed.

Additional highlights for me are the evenings spent in the cozy sitting room as chess is played, stories are read, and pence are lost to the epithet jar; and the ongoing battle between Dot and the solid, no nonsense footman Ben Pike about whose job it is to open the front door.

Tropes: age gap, slow burn, friends to lovers, mutual pining, rake and wallflower

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

I completely adore the Palace of Rogues series. This one was delightful. I wasn't sure I was going to like these two (Lord Kirke and Catherine Keating) getting together, but they actually may be my favorite couple. I still very much adore the supporting characters, and truly hope that Dot, Ben Pike, Mr. Delacourte, and Mrs. Pariseau get their HEA, too. The Grand Palace on the Thames is certainly magical.

This egalley has quite a few typos and misspellings.

The jaded MP, Dominic Kirke, Baron Kirke takes a room at the Grand Palace on the Thames hotel when his house is nearly burned down by his now ex-mistress. Dominic just wants peace and quiet to do his work, but his first night is disturbed by his downstairs “neighbor”. He is surprised to find the neighbor is a lovely young woman, fresh from the country and set to spend her first season in London. Innocents are not his thing and he plans to steer clear of her, but thanks to the rules of the hotel and social engagements, their paths keep crossing and soon Dominic finds himself enchanted with Catherine Keating, but he still keeps her at an arm’s length by calling her Keating and but still feels protective of her and warns her of the dangers of the ton. Dominic knows he is wrong for her, he has loved before and has secrets, but the chemistry between them is strong. He knows letting her go is the right thing to do and tries to distance himself. But when a well-intentioned act goes horribly wrong, her season is ruined, he offers to make things right, only to be rejected. Can he make it right or is he doomed to living with a broken heart forever?

Catherine Keating comes to London with high hopes of finding a husband, but nothing is going right, first her aunt is injured, leaving her alone at the Grand Palace on the Thames, then her chaperone is more interested in gambling than making introductions, her wardrobe is outdated and makes her the subject of cruel jabs, and the only man that makes her heart beat faster is grumpy Lord Kirke, who has made it abundantly clear that there cannot and will not be anything beyond friendship between them. To make matters worse the more time she spends with him, the deeper she falls for him, but once he shares his past with her, she knows that she cannot be his future and tries to move on. But when viscous gossip ruins her season, she confronts Lord Kirke and is horrified by his martyr-like proposal. She had hoped for love and was crushed, leaving her no choice but to return home in disgrace. But separation only increases her heartache and Kirke makes no attempt to contact her. Will she find her HEA or is she too doomed to live with a broken heart?

This was another great, well-written installment of the Palace of Rogues series and might be the most emotional one yet! Catherine and Dominic are such wonderful characters and I was rooting for them right from the start, but their journey to happily ever after is not an easy one, but what a ride it is!!! The book has witty banter, lots of emotion, secrets, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, heartbreaking revelations, slow burn romance, uncertainty, heartache, tears, a healthy dose of angst and finally an amazing ending complete with an epilogue. I just loved this book so much and highly recommend it – it is the seventh book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

4.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I am DEVASTATED by this book. Utterly ruined. How can you simultaneously find joy and plucked heart strings at the same time? I am saying this now, My Season of Scandal will go down as one of the most romantic, most iconic romance novels in historical romance. And no, you cannot refute this. My endorphins are flying, my head is swimming with love for Catherine and Dominic and I just want to sit and rest in this book.
I am ashamed to say that I have not read any of the other Palace of Rogues books and did a little research so that I could have a bit of back history (a few of the characters in The Grand Palace on the Thames are from prior books). It’s safe to say that this can still be read as a standalone, of which I will quickly remedy. Never have I felt so much sympathy and sorrow and love for a rake like I have for Lord Kirke. Gah, back story is everything! Dominic’s encounters with Catherine take place most often behind potted ferns or oversized plants in ballrooms and their conversations were everything. The two of them are matched on intellect, wit, and their verbal sparring and inside jokes had me snickering constantly. SLEEVES! FACE-LICKING! PHALLIC BLOOMING PLANTS! (IYKYK) I loved that they got to know each other when they were both seeking refuge and they paid attention to what the other said. Listening as a love language, who knew?!
The way Kirke and Keating behave around one another exudes love, from simple words and acts to the most romantic of all romantic grand gestures. Julie Anne Long is the Mistress of Metaphors and writes her characters so lovingly and so beautifully that you can’t help but fall in love with each and every one of them (Mr, Delacourte, Mrs. Pariseau, Dot…). I felt all of the feels, swooned, sighed, laughed, and cried and I just beg of you to go pick up this book. Then immediately message me so we can DISCUSS! I graciously received an advanced copy from Avon. All opinions are my own.

Star rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟x10
Steam: 🪭🪭

It was nice to revisit the gang at The Grand Palace on the Thames once again. This made up for the fact that the age-gap romance between Miss Keating and Lord Kirke was a slow-burn. I could not help but be amazed at the skill of the author because this story was so emotionally complex. There was plenty of humor as well.
Lord Kirke, an outspoken member of parliament, had been guarding his heart for many years. He never imagined that a lady 10+ years his junior, could be his undoing. Or rather, his salvation. Catherine, a simple country girl, was very bold despite her naivety. She was incredibly perceptive when it came to seeing Kirke for who he really was.
When Kirke finally poured his heart out, I was in tears. I probably cried my way through the last third of the book. Luckily, my tears turned into happy ones as I reached the ending. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper-Voyager/Avon, and Ms. Long for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Frankly the "Grand Palace on the Thames" (GPOTT, if you're using a hotel handkerchief) is a dumb name in my opinion. And that sums up my only complaint about this book. *Chef's kiss* perfection.
We have humor (Delacorte, full stop). We have chemistry for days. We have warmth, we have meaningful discussion, we have intrigue, we have joy. (Catherine) Keating and (Dominic) Kirke are a joy together, dancing around each other at arm's length but clearly two halves of a perfectly fitted whole. Kirke, the fiery, controversy-embracing orator who has grown a thicket of thorns to protect his heart, and Keating, the naive, kind country girl who wears hers on her sleeve. Every minute of this book was effervescent and incandescent and resonant. Julie Anne Long is a master. I recommend her books a lot to romance readers who haven't discovered her yet and this one will join its fellows on the list. You know a relationship is sublime when you skip past the spice to get back to the talking.

And. The CLOVER. The bench. That epilogue. *heart twinges*
GAH.