I know when I pick up a Julie Anne Long novel that I am in for a treat, and My Season of Scandal does not disappoint.

Revisiting characters and the Palace of Rogues is like a visit with a dear friend - always welcome and a delight. This story brings us Cat, a country physician’s daughter, who is enjoying her first season among the ton, albeit in not the latest fashions, but she isn’t letting that hold her back. She meets Lord Dominic Kirke when he comes to the boardinghouse after his townhouse burns.

Their friendship grows at the house and Kirke uncharacteristically dances with Cat at a ball, bringing her to the attention of the men, who had overlooked her before.

Ms. Long slowly builds their romance and has such a way with words that you fall into the story and do not want it to end.

I recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a great addition to a wonderful series.

This book was given to me for an honest review by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

i am absolutely ashamed to admit that this is my first julie anne long novel but i am certain it will absolutely not be the last. the writing in this book was stunning and so eloquent that i felt as if i was being lulled along a slow moving river on a warm day. i felt the slow burn between kirke and keating so acutely that it almost hurt when the book was over. i am thrilled to have discovered Julie's books as this one will be an undoubted favorite of mine. i am entranced!!!!!

This is the seventh book in the Palace of Rogues series and it’s wonderful to be back at the hotel and see some of my favorite characters from the previous books. Catherine Keating (Cat) is a country girl who gets an opportunity to go to London for a season and stays at the Palace of Rogues. Cat meets Lord Dominic Kirke when he goes there after his townhouse catches on fire.

Cat is clever, witty and beautiful. She is being chaperoned by her friend Lucy’s godmother who spends her time at the balls at the faro tables. Kirke is famous for his passionate speeches in the House of Commons about reforming child labor laws. Some of the girls at the balls become jealous of Cat and make fun of her outdated dresses when the men begin to notice her. When Kirke realizes Cat is basically unchaperoned, he becomes worried that she has no one to protect her and so he starts to look after her. He never dances but shocks everyone when he dances with Cat and soon her dance cards are full and she is having a wonderful time dancing at the balls. Lord St. John Vaughn, from previous books in the series, makes an appearance at the balls and I look forward to when he gets his own book.

My favorite parts of the story are at the Palace of Rogues. It’s wonderful to revisit the lively cast of characters that live there and watch as Kirke and Cat get to know them as well as each other and fall in love. I thought it was sweet when Kirke said Cat reminds him of clover. I especially like Cat and how level headed and wise she is for her years, maybe a result of her father being a physician. There is a large age gap between them, Kirke is 35 and Cat is 22 and Kirke has a secret that members of the ton are beginning to whisper about. Kirke is known for his affairs and mistresses and this ends up causing trouble for him. There is a third act break up that felt a little awkward but it all worked out with a sweet ending.

I think anyone who likes historicals with wit, humor and passion, will enjoy this story as long as they don’t mind the age gap. I do think it helps to have read one or more of the books in the Palace of Rogues series first. Thank you to Julie Anne Long, NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy of this book.

Julie Anne Long crushes it once again, making me laugh and also cry within chapters of each other. I love the world that she has created and each installment is fantastic. Catherine and Dominic’s story is heart wrenching and deeply lovely.

Heat level: a very slow burn UST-y 3.5

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.

This is a sweet story between a jaded older man, Lord Kirke and Catherine, an innocent from the country trying to navigate society. I thought, considering Kirke's experience, he'd be more cautious in what caused the momentary strife between them at the end.

This was included in the ARC, hopefully it will be caught before publication! "[need a scene break here to go into his POV]"

I truly could not love this series more. I was a little weirded out by the age difference at first, but I grew to love them and believe in their suitability for one another. I noticed that in the middle of a sex scene at the end of the book there was a bracketed note about adding something to his POV.