Safe to say, no one writes characters the way that Julie Anne Long manages to: with heart and with a certain uniqueness that it never feels like you've quite read this character before. She always manages to elevate tropes that you would think would be familiar by really honing in on the specific characters that she's writing and this one was no different. I absolutely loved Keating and Kirke, their bond was so well done and just a perfectly executed slow-burn. What I adored about it most was that when they said that they had become each other's best friends, you really saw how that journey came about. How many romances can you point to where you get to fully see the inches that lead the two characters into becoming absolutely bowled over by each other?

This one also boasts a top tier love confession that genuinely made my heart ache and at just a few chapters later, made me burst out laughing at the final line of the book. I will happily read anything that Julie Anne Long decides to write and I hope that she stays writing in the Palace of Rogues for as long as possible!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"My Season of Scandal" (The Palace of Rogues #7) is the second book in this series that I have read and truly loved by Julie Anne Long. The heroine, Catherine is very much the adventurer, but she is sweet and fun coming from a background of being a country doctor’s daughter. She is offered a chaperone of Lady Westerling for her London season while staying at the Grand Palace. The hero, Lord Dominic Kirke is known for his oratorial at the House of Commons finds himself in need of a place to stay…Grand Palace, when his home was damaged due to a fire. During his stay, he is captivated by Catherine’s honesty, intelligence, and lack of fear when conversating with him on topics not commonly spoken by ladies of the ton.

Both characters appear quite the opposites for me…Catherine a charming and spirited but relatable individual against Dominic who is very complex with underlying layers. There is chemistry between the two at their first meeting that eventually evolves into much more. Through the limelight of the season filled with balls and unexpected meetings, both characters are true to their feelings and most of all true to who they are as individuals. The story was a bit confusing for me early on as it did not capture my attention. However, after further reading, it became a page turner for me and had me glued to find out what the end would be like for the main characters. A wonderfully written and somewhat loveable story that had its complications. It is well paced likeable main characters and sub-characters that bring additional humor to the story. The plan is to finish this series and hope the others are just as good as this one. Highly recommend the read of this fun book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Avon and Harper. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: April 23, 2024
Series: The Place of Rogues #7
Pages: 384

I am a huge fan of Julie Anne Long. Everything she writes, including The Palace of Rogues series, is well done. Wonderful characters, accurate settings and suspense filled plots make reading her stories a joy.

My Season of Scandal had everything I expect from the author and the series. I always love revisiting our proprietors, the staff and guests.

Catherine is fun. She's fresh, upbeat, sweet, curious, adventurous and brave. She's bold about enjoying events while her sponsor is completely stepped away from her chaperone duties. Most of her encounters with Dominic are questionable by the standards of English society though completely innocent. - well initially. He's not chasing her but he's good enough to watch out for her because he's noticed she's basically left alone at event after event. He's at the galas strictly for business, definitely not looking for a wife. Expect Catherine if beguiling.

It's fun watching these two dance around each other and dance with each other, ha. They are both likable and though their path to each other is tortured I was routing for them all along. There is enough suspense, outside stressors and differences between our couple to add lots of interest to the story. Readers will enjoy this book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a cute read. A little too slow at the beginning but it picks up the pace later. Although it was sweet, I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between Lord Kirk and Catherine. I also couldn’t figure out how Catherine or everyone else for that matter knew the love letter was about her—I didn’t see the correlation. The epilogue was a nice touch though a bit confusing.

Another great story from the residents of the Grand Palce. This is easily a stand alone but all the more interesting to revisit old characters. Catherine Keating has come to London for a season. She is the daughter of a country doctor. Lady Westerling has offered to chaperone her but Catherine is stating at the Palace. Dominick, Lord Kirke is staying at the Palace after his mistress began a fire in his home. This is a very sweet story of two people who find their HEA.

I have enjoyed Julie Anne Long's other works before, however for some reason I could not get into the groove of the story. As I get older the age gap of 22 and 36 becomes extremely uncomfortable for me so perhaps that stopped me from being able to enjoy the couple completely.

I really loved this book! I mean, I love the series as a whole anyway, but this was definitely one of my favorites so far to the point where I've been putting off leaving a review because I want to have something substantive to say other than that Julie Anne Long continues to be at the top of her game, and if you've been putting off checking out The Palace of Rogues you should stop sleeping on it. More specifically I'll add that I especially adored the hero here! And as she did in What I Did for a Duke, Long once again demonstrates how good she is at writing the kind of age difference romance where despite being younger and less experienced than the hero, the heroine is never naive or boring, and--leaving aside the inherent imbalance in power dynamics of the historical setting--shows you how the two end up being perfect for each other.

This is number seven in the Palace of Rogues historical romance series of which I’ve been privileged to read its six predecessors.

Catherine Keating is a young woman, the daughter of a country doctor, who is encouraged to journey to London for a season by her father, whose health has begun to fail and is anxious that she be wed and settled soon. She is spellbound by the city, and as she is chaperoned by a lady who is enamored of the card table, she is left mostly to her own devices. So unfortunately, as a newcomer to the city she could use some steering to navigate the ins and outs of the elite society.

Enter the enigmatic and renowned House of Commons speech-giver, Lord Dominic Kirke, a man who is temporarily staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames in a room just above Catherine's own. Kirke is arrested by her sharp wit, honesty and intelligence and is drawn in by her fearlessness to converse with him on any topic as others are often intimidated by him by his sly intelligence. As he secretly becomes her "chaperone" in the absence of other guidance, they become friends and seek each other out to spend time with at society events. As Catherine develops a crush on the man she has discovered has a whole other side from his public persona, Kirke endeavors to distance himself from her to spare her heart as he is guarding his own heart and harboring a secret that endlessly torments him.

While this one started a little more slowly for me than some of her others, it quickly picked up as the mains came alive and displayed their unique and vibrant personalities. This is a romance that is usually not one of my favorite tropes (older man, 35 and younger woman, 22), but in the hands of Long, I found myself not overly concerned with this...I felt this was more of a cerebral romance than I usually find and found that both refreshing and intriguing. Catherine, who is a wonderful and endearing revelation, is a young woman wise beyond her years, who meets the cynical, brutal honest and sometimes a bit arrogant Kirke on her own terms, bravely and unflinchingly. And Kirke, for his part, is often taken off guard and captivated by her spirit, her simple honesty and her refreshing originality. These two souls shine together as they slowly grow closer. And Long draws out the tension and expectation of intimacy in just the right way…this is not your typical "heavy on bed sport" romance (the physical intimacy is less prolific) but rather a sweet meeting of minds and understanding.

I’m never disappointed with a Long romance, and this one is particularly singular in its concept and characters. Very well done.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the free early arc of My Season of Scandal for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

A slow burn historical romance novel that will have you pining for more! I don't know if this is part of an interconnected series of standalone romances or not, but if it was, I didn't feel like I missed any external context. I was able to confidently follow the love story, and I had a great time. I highly recommend!

James' rating: 5 out of 5 deeply penetrating stars! ✨

One of my favorite ever books of 2024! 💛

This was a complete emotional storm with a whole package of complex characters, humor, romance, friendship and family. Julie's writing is one of my favorites to read and I love her style and the words she uses. I ended this book with a chuckle and smile...but wait I'm getting ahead. Let's start from the beginning.

Catherine was a breath of fresh air with a spirited and realistic character. Dominic was a bold, intense person with a lot of layers and complexity. Both of them had a spark of chemistry at their first meeting and I loved their interactions henceforth. I was able to relate to both of them so much.

We had a very lighthearted yet realistic portrayal of the ton, as well as intense humane emotions and moments balanced out with humor. It was so nostalgic to meet our TGPOT characters. The ending or climax, I should say was absolutely epic. It was like a summer thunderstorm. There were so many special moments and so much to take away from this book.

Catherine's reactions to each new experience, be it a positive or negative one, was so riveting and refreshing. Dominic had a brilliant mind, a heart of gold and a magnetism which just drew me in. I loved him and just wanted to give him a hug. 🥺 He has become one of my favorite book boyfriends. I loved the journey to their HEA so much.

Definitely a book you oughtn't miss!

Thank you Julie and Avon Books for an amazing ARC!

Happy Reading!

I wanted to like this one. However, I struggled to get into it. The story was just not capturing my attention in the way I had hope it would based on the blurb. I actually really love different class stories between the main characters. Somehow I did not buy into their chemistry. I felt more so their friendship, and I couldn't see much a spark in terms of a romantic nature between the pair. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one.

📣 my fave historical romance series!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what would your season be? Use autofill to see! My Season of Love is coming 🤣.

I feel like I keep saying the same things about Julie Anne Long’s Palace of Rogues series & that’s because each book is freaking amazing.

JAL writes yearning like NO OTHER. The amount of feeling is extraordinary & yet it doesn’t feel like too much—it feels like how people feel when they’re falling in love & can’t immediately or (won’t) act on those feelings.

There’s so much emotion but there’s so much physicality too. These people are falling in love with each other’s hearts & insides & bodies too, people.

My Season of Scandal features MP Lord Dominic Kirke, who is basically a cat if a cat loved to stir up trouble with his words & also fight for very important social causes. The heroine, Catherine Keating, is visiting from the country, & she is lovely & divine but also astute & in Dominic’s words, a fighter, & the two go together like peanut butter & jelly, thunderous rain & spring flowers.

I loved this book & I adore this series! The way that JAL writes romance is exquisite & if you haven’t read this series, you really, really should.

5 ⭐️. Out 04/23.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the ebook in front of greenery.]

As usual, romance author Julie Anne Long’s MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is a virtuoso performance. A historical romance set in London, Long’s MY SEASON OF SCANDAL provides all the angst, complexity, and romance one could wish for, wrapped up in scintillating dialogue and shimmering prose. I adore JAL writing, and MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is one of her better novels. Dive in, and you’ll be richly rewarded.

This is book 7 in the <i>The Palace of Rogues,/i> series set in the boarding house The Grand Palace on the Thames. There are many beloved secondary characters which ripely round out the story, but by far, the stars of this book are our delightful hero and heroine Dominic and Catherine. Lord Dominic Kirke is a famously fiery orator in the House of Commons, fighting for the right of the downtrodden. He’s ever so swoony, but a tragic event in his teens has led him to be closed off to those around him. Bereft of friends of close family ties, the cynical Dominic ties his energies up in battles to protect children abused in England’s factories. JAL writes amazing heroes with feet of clay and hidden stalwart hearts, and I adore Dominic.

Catherine Keating is a sensible and charming miss from the countryside who is in London to make her come-out in society and hopefully catch a husband before her physician father passes away. I love how Catherine is able to see into the heart of Dominic, uncovering the motivations that are even hidden to Dominic himself. The heat between Catherine and Dominic is incendiary! Even better to me, though is the trust and devotion that grows between them. This story gave me all the feels, with a rollercoaster of emotions experiences by our stalwart heroine and wily hero.

Set during the glittering high season of the ton, Dominic and Catherine must navigate balls and society’s scheming while staying true to themselves. This page turner kept me glued to the story, which I gulped down in utter delight. I could not put this book down, leaving chores unfinished so I could revel in this tale. Julie Anne Long’s MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is brimming with witty dialogue and a compelling romance, and is definitely one for the Keeper Shelf.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for providing a DRC of this title.

Beautifully-written, charming, and deeply romantic, My Season of Scandal shows Julie Anne Long at her very finest. I can already tell this will go down as one of my favorites for the year, and I can't wait to recommend the book (and the entire Palace of Rogues series) to our historical romance-loving patrons. A total triumph, and I've already begun a countdown for The Beast Takes a Bride. 5 stars/5.

Usually, I really love historical fiction, and I haven't given a low review of one in a while - but the first couple chapters of this felt a little choppy, so I had to DNF and move on after favor 10%.

A country girl goes to London and is falling for the one man who won't commit. This book has all the things I look for. It's entertaining and full of twists. Really enjoyed returning to friends from previous books in series. I don't know how Julie Ann Long does it. I truly hope we will see more in this series. Wonderful fun book!

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️

This is the first book I have read in The Palace of Rogues series and it was a good one. Lord Kirke and Catherine are both very likable and I was rooting for them. The side characters brought a lot of charm and humor to the story. The only thing that kept the book from being five stars was the internal dialogue. I am really intrigued by Lord Vaughn and would love to read his story. If you are looking for a HR that is well paced, witty, with great characters then give this one a try.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

Julie Anne Long has done it again! While Palace of Rogues is not my favorite series, I have been delighted by several outings and this is one of the finest. If some authors paint in acrylics with bright colors and sharp lines, Long paints with watercolor. She slowly layers things together and works with what is unsaid, until gradually a story appears that is realistic, heartbreaking and evocative. It doesn't open with an immediate conflict or even a clear escalation (which I usually like, by the way. Give me a prologue heartbreak any day), but by the time things unravel, the stakes are clear without being overt. No one says "WE CAN'T BE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF xyz," you just know they can't. To wrap up, it was beautiful and I loved the MCs and I love Julie Anne Long and that is all. Also very good steam, this must be pointed out!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and this is my honest review.

I picked this one because I have heard great things about Julie Anne Long and who doesn't have a soft spot for a reformed rake?

I knew I was jumping into the middle of a series which isn't my favorite, but I did understand the story. I'm sure I would have appreciated some of the side characters more if I had read their stories, however. If you don't want to start at the beginning though, this one can be read as a standalone.

I really enjoyed Catherine and Dominic's dynamic. It was sweet to watch him care for her and I liked how protective he was. I really appreciated Dominic's passion for making the world better. I also really liked his speeches.

🌶️🌶️ - This one has a few steamy scenes but is pretty slow burn for a historical.

Another excellent entry in this long-running series. The conflict is believable and well-written in a way that allows the audience to see what's coming before the characters but doesn't resort to forcing them to be stupid to work. As always the found family elements of the Palace of Rogues delight.