Every time I read one of Julie Anne Long's books, I am blown away by her writing. Each sentence holds a universe inside it, and the wit is as strong as the emotion. I loved Catherine's growth as she learned how to navigate the crocodile-infested waters of the ton, and Dominic's grovel is one for the ages. The whole Palace of Rogues series is wonderful, but this works as a standalone as well (but why would you want to skip such beautifully written books?)

What a beautiful book. Dominic is clever and intimidating and completely in love with Catherine from the very beginning. Catherine is witty and knows who she is and what she deserves. Add them to the delightful residents of The Grand Palace on the Thames and you have a fun, interesting and emotionally satisfying story.

Ahh, Julie Anne Long. You did it to me again. How do you keep writing heroes and heroines that I love so much?!? I'm in love with both Kirke AND Catherine. And the CLOVER! My heart can't take it. :)

Summary: (The 7th book in The Palace of Rogues series)
Thirty-five year old Dominic Kirke is a famous MP noted for his fiery speeches. Catherine is a girl from the country who finally has her chance to have a London season (she's 22). Both of them end up at The Grand Palace on the Thames under odd circumstances, and then sparks fly. They spend the London season in a sort of revolution around each other, going to the same parties and balls. When they finally realize how much they mean to each other, it's a beautiful thing to watch.

I love every book in this series, but the fourth one (After Dark with the Duke) is my absolute favorite. And this book comes in a close second, which is a big deal for me. Not just any Hero is up there with my stuffy duke, James, but Kirke is thisclose to it. Kirke is the historical hero of my dreams: clever, stuffy, funny, sexy, etc. I could go on and on. I absolutely loved the "fiery MP" angle (and trust me--it plays an important part in the book).

Ok, so normally it's rare for me to relate to a historical heroine. They have to really impress me (because some of them are so generically written). And Long managed to do that with Catherine. The hero calls her Keating (her last name) and that sets the tone for much of their relationship. They become friends, and it's a weird pairing at first. She's a country miss, and he's a jaded, older politician. However, they both bond over their feelings of inadequacy and their difficult lives. One of my favorite things that Long does in her romances in how she shows common ground between the two MCs. Both of them--despite their circumstances--find similar things about each other that intrigues the other person. Even their differences in class help them bond with each other. Kirke is a jaded and cynical politician who struggles about the world around him, and that's why he wants to help children in labor mills. Catherine is a relatively naive woman, even though her father is a country doctor and she's made of sterner stuff than Kirke believes at first. I love when MCs are pleasantly surprised by the other one. It shows such a depth of character.

Another interesting thing about this novel is its chapters from the POVs of the others in the story (at the Grand Palace). It takes a bit to get used to, but once you do, it's such a swoony ride towards an HEA. Personally, I love hearing from the other characters, mostly because The Grand Palace is such a wonderful place to be, and feels a lot like home.

The latest additions to this series have been less sexual, more emotional, in my opinion. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. The spicy bits don't happen until about 60% of the book, and it's a slow burn, but what a DELICIOUS one. The sexual tension in this story is HOTTT.

If you've liked the series, you'll love this one (especially if you liked After Dark with the Duke--same hero vibes). I can't recommend this series enough, and if you love funny, swoony, sexy stories, this book is 100% for you.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of "My Season of Scandal" by Julie Anne Long.

Prepare yourself, readers, for another gushing review of Ms. Long's work. Because she is an absolute gall darn master of her craft and "My Season of Scandal" is another sterling installment in the Palace of Rogues series.

Catherine Keating is a country girl, in the city to find a husband. But when her chaperone proves to be absolutely useless and Catherine is exposed to the Ton's nastier side, she's cast adrift. Her fellow boarding house resident, Lord Dominic Kirke quietly steps in to protect her and in doing so, ends up head over heels for her.

If you want the angst, yearning, and sexual tension that characterize Ms. Long's stories, you will not be disappointed with this age-gap romance. As always, she balances tension and humor perfectly. As many other reviewers have observed, the big finale is incredible. You will never think of the word "clover" the same way again.

As always, it's a pleasure to return to the Grand Palace on the Thames and myriad of souls who reside there.

Vibes: age gap, rake/virgin, plucky heroine, and "I'm not good enough for you"

Heat Index: 5/10.

Inexperienced but determined Catherine Keating is in town to find a husband--and she's staying in the same boarding house as the famous rake and politician, Lord Dominic Kirke. Catherine and Dominic strike up an immediate camaraderie, and he knows everything she needs to know about high society. The catch: the more time Dominic spends helping Catherine as she looks for a partner, the more they want each other. But Dominic knows his scandalous reputation and secrets mean he's not right man for her. Right?

I love Julie Anne Long's Palace of Rogues series, which basically mashes a bunch of great characters together in this kinda kooky boarding house (a boarding house that has an incredible knack for helping residents find love). You always get the newbies, and the recurring cast of characters--including the heroes and heroines of the first two books. This was a sweet, fun addition that really doesn't have a lot of plot, but showcases solid character development and a lovely "jaded man meets sunshiney girl who makes him feel young again but is also Too Pure For His Wretched Hands" dynamic.

I do think that other installments are a bit more plot-heavy, and the degree to which this was really kind of just two people really liking each other slowed the story down at points. However, if you're looking for a low-conflict, cute romance, this will absolutely do the trick.

Quick Takes:

--Julie Anne Long loves an age gap, and while this was definitely on the softer side for her--Catherine is twenty-two and Dominic is pushing thirty-six, which is really not much to blink at compared to those found in What I Did for a Duke and After Dark with the Duke--but it felt like a bigger part of the story, somehow? Maybe more of THE CONFLICT versus a framing piece?

Because what Dominic struggles with most--and this is a hero-forward story, I'd say; Catherine is lovely and well-done, but Dominic is easily the one with the most conflict--is really being too corrupted and weary and Bad for Catherine. (Is he Bad, though? I would say that he's a deeply good man, if one with a past, and Catherine also knows this from the beginning.) It's pretty classic, and it's rooted in him having a lot more life experience than she does. I love that he kind of acted as her mentor--he wasn't actively trying to help her make a match (it's not one of those) but he does assist her with the general rituals and ways of high society.

--You know, for all that it was light on plot, there are some things here that you don't often see in historicals. Dominic is a politician, and that's a big part of his character and what he does. This is definitely one of the more politically aware historicals I've read.

And... I don't know that I can reveal the OTHER thing this novel does that you don't often see in historicals. But let's just say... rakes don't often have to face consequences for being rakes. Dominic's problem doesn't exactly link to his active rakehood, but it is the kind of reality that, again, historicals frequently seem to avoid. (Which isn't a bad thing, by the way--but these touches of realism matter.)

--Like I said, the conflict is, overall, Dominic resisting Catherine. After a certain point, he knows he wants her. He knows she wants him. They get along. There are obstacles, but none of those obstacles are so extreme that they can't just get hitched ASAP.

The issue is that this goes on for quite a while, and after a certain point I was like "okay, it's time for y'all to make it happen". The ending did drag a little for me. That said, slow burns aren't my favorite, and this is what I would call a pretty slow burn. A lot of y'all LOVE slow burns, and again, I did like this one. So I imagine it will be a crowd pleaser on that level.

--It's always great to see the collection of side characters in this series. But I've gotta say... I'm especially interested in how Long is slowly unfolding a secondary love story between Dot, the ditzy and hilarious and territorial maid, and Christopher Pike, the footman she believes is moving in on her turf. Dot also learned about what the word "phallus" means in this installment. Long live Dot!

The Sex:

There are a few solid scenes--most of which do not involve penetrative sex, but rather some fingering, grinding, handies. You do get p in v, but it does take quite a while to get there. It's good, but it kind of felt like Long waited until the last minute.

I'll also be honest: while Long has always been on the fluffier side with her sex scenes, they are explicit and hot. However, looking back on a book like What I Did for a Duke and more recently After Dark with the Duke, I see a bit more heat... and I kind of miss that. Don't hold back!

While it is quite a slow burn and a bit light on plot, My Season of Scandal is a fun and frothy rake/virgin romance. It leaves a sweet taste in your mouth, and it's ideal for when you need something lighthearted and low stakes.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Julie Anne Long is one of my favorite historical romance authors and The Palace of Rogues one of my very favorite series. I’m always thrilled at the chance to visit the beloved residents and guests of The Grand Palace on the Thames.

My Season of Scandal is an age gap romance, introducing Catherine Keating, an innocent country bred young woman who has come to London for the season, and Lord Dominic Kirke, an older, jaded member of the House of Commons. They both end up at The Grand Palace on The Thames, one floor apart, but get to know each other as Catherine and he attend balls throughout the season.

The actual premise of this story is pretty simple, there are no mystery subplots or villains around every corner to upstage the romance. Keating and Kirke repeatedly encounter each other at every event, further getting to know each other while residing at the boarding house, until they begin to seek each other out. Constantly looking for the other even while surrounded by crowds of people. Despite being from completely different backgrounds and life experiences, they connect on a base level. And it’s glorious.

Kirke is well known around town as a fiery orator in support of reform, but who chooses to live alone with no desire to wed. Keating is looking to settle down before her father passes, she is a bit naive about the politics of the ton and their machinations. She’s honest and brave, and open in a way that surprises and intrigues Kirke. His longing while trying to resist the temptation of her is *chef’s kiss*.

This is such a well-done romance, full of dancing, carriage trysts, garden trysts, small secret smiles, private conversations behind green things, and public speeches that are really love letters. So heartfelt and compelling. Let me tell you– when I realized what “clover” meant I about melted into a pile of goo. The epilogue and HEA are lovely.

Part of what makes this series so fabulous is the familiar setting of boarding house and the comfortable relationship with its residents. I adore them, each and every one. I’m more than intrigued by the hinted at beginnings of an attraction between Dot and Pike. I look forward to the evenings in the sitting room and the dialogue between the entire cast of characters. I love getting glimpses into established relationships to see how they are doing.

Make sure you add this one to your TBR. I highly recommend.

Grade- A

Another story about new guests at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Catherine is an intelligent and lively country girl who is having a season. Dominic is an intelligent and lively MP whom people are starting to notice in Parliament. When rake Dominic sees naive Catherine being picked on in society he steps in to protect her. Spending a lot of time together at the Palace, helps them to grow closer. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

Julie Anne Long is one of my favorite authors, having read most of her books except a couple of her earliest novels. I love that she mixes romance, humor and angst with the historical elements and societal norms in her stories. But I’m afraid with this book, she deviated from her usual style of writing.

This story is about a country lass, Catherine, who is in London for her season and obviously to find a husband. The hero, Lord Kirke (Dominic), is an MP famous for his speeches. He met the heroine at Delilah’s boarding house because his house was being repaired having been torched by his mistress. As in most stories with a setting at the TGPT, these 2 protagonists fell in love here. And that’s about it!! There was very little plot, very little angst and very little conversation between the MC. Most pages contain paragraph after paragraphs of monologues of either the hero or heroine and what they were thinking. Even the BIG secret held no surprised! I also disliked that the heroine is close to being a Mary Sue – always shy, always agreeable, always flustered, with no character flaws. I contend that she was only 22yo but boy! I never saw a backbone in her! The saving grace is that I did like the epilogue with a longish explanation of what their life has become. This was a 2.5* upgraded to 3* because I really like the author.

Thank you to avon/harper voyager through netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions and statements here are my own.

This is yet another tale set in the Grand Palace on the Thames, a small, homey London boutique hotel not unfamiliar with controversy.
Catherine Keating is a twenty two year old woman whose widowed father, a country doctor, wishes for her to have a London season. He knows he isn't all that well and would like to see her settle into a happy marriage sooner rather than later. Unable to take her himself, he has made arrangements with friends in the city to host Catherine and for her to stay at TGPOTT. After all, the two married women who own the property are above reproach.
While staying at the hotel with several other colorful guests and employees, a notorious Lord Dominic Kirke has come to stay as his home is being repaired. That is an entirely different story and one of the many situations to have made Kirke notorious in the first place. Kirke is an experienced thirty five year old MP in the House of Commons with a reputation as a brash but talented orator and an unrepentant rake.
It is during this stay that the cynical Kirke starts to fall in with his companions at the hotel, gets comfortable, and begins to notice the young, innocent Catherine; then the fireworks begin.
The plot has several interesting turns throughout the tale. The characters, those that are new but especially those in previous stories from the Palace, are singular and often quite funny. This reader laughed out loud more than once or twice. The heat and longing between the H and h is palpable, as is their dawning comprehension of each other's feelings and motivations.

I loved this story and read it in one sitting. The author's use of language is very well done and so entertaining.
I certainly hope, as the epilogue insinuated, that there are more stories to come, as I will definitely be looking for them. I have read several others in this series, and each is memorable.
I highly recommend this book for any reader who enjoys historical romance as this is one of the most enjoyable I have had recently.

I ripped through this book in a night.

Julie Anne Long has a special hand when it comes to age gap romances: between What I did for a Duke, After Dark with the Duke, and now My Season of Scandal. The central theme of this book is love intermingled with loss, and how major losses in our lives can shape how we love.

The banter and flirting between the main characters left me with a goofy grin. As always, it was lovely to check in on the denizens of the Grand Palace on the Thames. Although Dominic and Cat's story still works as a standalone, your experience will be so much richer if you had previously read earlier books (at least the first two) in the series.

Julie Anne Long is an auto buy and read author for me and somehow I finish reading one and automatically decide it is my new favorite of her work. How is that even possible? If you love historical romance and you aren't reading her books I do not know what you're doing. I will keep on screaming about these books from the mountaintops because she never misses!

Julie Anne Long has always been an amazing writer, but this book is a masterpiece. Everything from the small, emotionally charged moments between Catherine and Kirke to the sweeping, impassioned speech that Kirke gives (and which gave me chills) are so well done. Her social commentary and observations about human nature are incredibly profound. I ended up highlighting several passages that were so beautifully written that I will go back to again in the future. These more serious moments are, of course, mixed in with the usual humor that comes with the recurring cast of characters at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Catherine and Kirke fit in seamlessly with the crew, including Mr. Delacorte and Mrs. Pariseau (who feature more here), and despite their differences, they all bring out the best in each other.

I also especially love the level of depth and emotional truth given to each of the characters. Catherine may be naive about how to navigate the social minefields of the ton during her season, but she has a strong backbone and a quiet but snarky sense of humor that matches Kirke's jaded views. For Kirke, instead of the usual storyline of being a rake who doesn't think he's capable of love (often for poorly explained reasons), the story here gives a detailed look at the emotional trauma he suffered as a young man and how he shut himself off from the world as a result. His struggles to keep those walls up while Catherine gently tries to help him overcome it feel organic and believable, rather than an artificial conflict for the sake of conflict.

Finally, I just want to acknowledge the added difficulty level from a writing perspective of creating a character known for his famous speeches and actually having to demonstrate how persuasive and compelling the speeches are, while simultaneously using them to advance the plot. The reveal of the signficiance to his comment earlier in the book that Catherine reminded him of clover was so romantic and emotional. (Also, with Kirke's Welsh background, I couldn't get Michael Sheen's voice out of my head during the speech after watching Sheen's own rallying cry videos a few too many times).

Although this could be read as a standalone, to more fully enjoy the callbacks and references to other couples and to the journey of the Grand Palace on the Thames itself, I highly recommend reading the full series.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Such a wonderful romance. I loved Catherine and Dominic's relationship. The good girl tempted by the rakeish hero is one of my absolute favorite tropes. This series is such a gem. 5 stars.

"Julie Anne Long continues to prove her mastery of storytelling with this emotional and captivating book. The inclusion of recurring characters adds depth and richness to the narrative, while the subtle crossovers with other books in her universe create a sense of cohesion and interconnectedness that readers will appreciate.

Kirke and Keating's dynamic relationship is a highlight, with the slow burn of their connection building into something truly sensual and compelling. While there may not be a significant age gap between them, their intertwining paths and the mutual respect they share set them apart as a unique and dynamic pair. It's refreshing to see a male character who listens to and values a woman's opinion, adding an extra layer of depth to their relationship.

With a perfect score of 10/10, this book is a must-add to any TBR list for 2024. Julie Anne Long's ability to savor every aspect of her stories shines through, making this one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Readers can expect an unforgettable journey filled with emotion, passion, and a touch of magic."

Truly perfect. I love this series with all my heart and this is one of my favorites in it!

Filled to the brim with pining, longing, and beautiful, romantic prose. I am always so swept away in JAL's writing and this was no exception!

Miss Caroline Keating is a country doctor's daughter who comes to London for the season. She's eager to dance at balls and has high hopes for finding a husband, but instead, she finds herself out of place and much more of a wallflower than she expected. Lord Kirke, a somewhat scandalous rake who is staying at the same boarding house as Caroline, tends to visit the same quiet alcoves and terraces that Caroline sneaks off to. . .so the two of them get to know one another and he winds up secretly chaperoning her and looking after her during her season. ...And obviously they wind up madly, hopelessly in love!! 💕

• Regency era Found Family 👌 I think it must be the absolute *coziest* steamy romance series ever written. It takes place at a boarding house called The Grand Palace on the Thames, so some of the characters, such as the owners and employees, appear throughout the whole series. You definitely get the most out of it by starting at the beginning!

• Obsessed with, loved, absolutely cannot stop thinking about: the chemistry, the age gap, innocent vs rake, his tragic backstory, his speeches and political passion, the clover, the scandal, Mr. Delacorte and the arse song, the whole "finding the person that feels like home" thing!

• I feel like it's been a while since we've had a Julie Anne Long with lots of balls (of the ballroom variety!) And I loved it! Reminds me of How the Marquess was Won in all the best ways!

• Dot and Mr. Pike (side characters) need their own bullet point. What I want is JAL to just slow burn this situation into eternity for me... OR dedicate a whole book to them. Honestly anything will do, because she is queen and whatever she does will make me so happy, but I love their banter and the way they drive each other crazy.... and if this is a thing that isn't actually happening and I am reading everything wrong, it's fine just leave me to my delusions!

• I honestly think this series gets better with each book! (If I'm forced to choose, You Were Made to Be Mine is probably my favorite one, but this was a close second!)

• Good luck putting this one down once you start!!! 5 stars from me!!!

I love the Palace of Rogues series and I love Julie Anne Long. This was wildly entertaining and the two characters had such depth. Also, I'm VERY invested in the overall happenings at the boarding house across this series. Just a wonderfully crafted historical romance.

I loved this book. A country girl comes to London for a chance at a season stays at a boarding house, the same boarding house a rake finds himself in as his home recently burned down.

They share shy smiles, witty remarks and heated glances. She is a novice to the season and he can’t help but look out for her. In someways she can never know.

This book was adorable. I really liked it. I absolutely loved their story.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Publishing for the ARC.

Curiosity, Secrets, The Blue Dress:
This was a slow-moving story for me. I had not read any of the previous books, but I didn't feel I missed anything.
I did like the two characters Catherine and Dominic. Each had good qualities that made me want to finish the book.
The first half of the story (I would rate as a 3-star read) was very slow with a large cast of characters we needed to get to know. We were introduced to main couple, and they held the story together for me until the romance finally started to take off and get interesting.
The second half of the story (I would give a 5-star rating) because it did heat up, became very intriguing and moved at a faster pace which was wonderful.
The epilogue was one of the best conclusions I have read in a long time. Excellent finish to this story.
I did shed a tear and needed my fan for some of the later scenes.
First half of book rating of 3 and 5 rating second half gives this story a solid 4 stars.
Mature Advisory: 🌶🌶🌶+

“My Season of Scandal” is the upcoming latest addition to “The Palace of Rogues” series. As I shared before I absolutely love this series and every book in it! Seriously, every book is great! In this next chapter of the series an unbreakable bond is formed between an unlikely pair. Catherine arrives for her debut season, but while young she has much life experience. She stays positive but things simply don’t seem to go quite as she planned. Friendship comes naturally with the much older Lord Kirke, a charismatic but tortured soul, but is there more there? Scandal ensues as we follow Catherine’s brave journey to her happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t recommend the series enough!

Loooooved it for how beautiful angsty, emotional, profound so romantic with one of the best grand gestures.

My one complaint was that it was a tad slow in the middle.

4.5 stars round it to 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am so excited to gush and recommend this book in our JAL channel in our HR discord server!