I think that Julie Anne Long will always be in my top 3 of regency romance writers. With every book she releases my adoration grows. So there wasn't a question of if I would read and review My Season of Scandal but rather, if I could cut my pages of praise down to a respectable review length. I LOVED this book, it was one of the most romantic books I have read in a long time. This book was so emotionally moving, that more than once I had to set it down walk away so I wouldn't cry. Catherine and Dominick are so beautifully written. I suppose you can say they're an unlikely pair, but the more time you spend with them, the clearer it becomes: they were made for each other.

The happiness of having an upcoming Julie Ann Long novel to read, is transformed into joy for how much fun this was to read... swoony, contented sigh. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this and began it once I finished the two books I'd been reading.

Kirke is the ultimate book boyfriend - he's an absolutely wonderful MMC. Age difference as a trope doesn't generally work for me but fortunately, Catherine is just as great as the MFC. As the plot progresses, the chemistry between the two is intense and chock full of longing.

Ms Long is a very gifted storyteller; her writing allows you to witness two characters, despite whatever odds stand in their way, fall in love. It's a happy event indeed to read a new book by this author.

Highly recommended if you love smart, well written, swoony love stories with heart, spice, slooooooow burning longing, and sweetness that will make you smile with reading joy ❤



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC!

Oh.. my god. Thank you thank you thank you Avon/NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!!!

This book was so perfect to me. I adore both MCs & the slow buildup of their relationship. There are moments in this book that are so romantic that I genuinely thought I would swoon; like I had to put my phone down, take a deep breath, and steady myself before I continued. This book wrung out my heart like a ShamWow & I loved every delicious second.

I was also very lucky to have been given an ARC for the the prior book in the series, How to Tame a Wild Rogue, which was incredible. Both of these books are on my VIP-Hall-of-Fame-Favorite-Ever-Ever-Ever list. Both were just so emotionally appealing, in a way that feels totally unique to me. The MCs just.. see each other in a way no one else can. It's amazing.

I am now 100% convinced I need to read the entire Palace of Rogues series from the beginning; that's my next order of business.

First Impressions
My Season of Scandal is the seventh installment in the “Palace of Rogues” series and I still can’t believe how large this series has become. I hadd high hopes for this one because the previous book “How to Tame a Wild Rogue” was epic and everything I could have hoped for. I wasn’t sure how this installment would match with the previous book and I will say that even though it didn’t meet my full standards, this book was cozy and charming and the type of story to relax with on a cold night with. Although when this review comes out winter will be almost out, but as I read this book in November it was just perfection for the type of vibe that I was looking for. I think what was the struggle was the pacing. This story is super slow burn. Its probably one of the slowest slow burn’s I have seen from this author and so I definitely feel like you need to know this going into it. I really enjoyed the way that this story was implemented but the execution was slight off and read this NOT right before bed is my best advice.

Summary
Catherine Keating has a chance to find a husband and she comes to London for the season to hopefully find the husband that her father wants for her, as he wants her to find a love match like what he had with her mother. Catherine would do anything to never disappoint her father and so she comes to London to fulfill her father’s dreams for her. But when she resides in the “Palace of Rogues” she comes across the most delicious man that is almost forbidden to her….Lord Dominic Kirke. He is rumored to have mistresses and to be bold in the commons and fighting for children’s rights. Kirke is forced to find a place of refuge when his home is accidentally burnt down. He puts on armor as a matter of protection and keeping people at bay. He is more of a recluse, and doesn’t like people and only interacts out of necessity. He is intrigue and drawn to Catherine. They have a interaction that makes him come alive. But the issue now is that he has a past, a past that if trust isn’t carefully built will crumble around them.

What I Loved
So for the aspects that I really loved. The connection that Keating and Kirke have together were so intense at times. And the moments in which these two banter with each other was so endearing. Everytime these two would talk with each other, I was laughing all over the place. It just delivered all the happy feels that I was expecting for this couple. They seem like they would be too opposite from each other, but in the end they ended up just right for each other. I also was intrigued by their cute meet. It was so different but adorable in how it really added some complexity to their relationship. There were some poignant moments between this couple and I was really drawn into the quiet moments that this couple have together. Honestly, the best parts of the story were when they were “together” and I wish that we could have received a bit more of these moments. We do get some beautiful atmospheric vibes of the actual place they are staying with and I loved seeing our previous characters that we have fallen hard for within the series. All in all this was a solid win of a story that was charming and delectable.

What I Struggled With
So I want to cover the issues that I had with this story. There were a few with this one. This book could have been a bit more quicker paced. The writing is very similar to what she has been writing with the series but it was very slow. I feel like the slow burn was not quite written correctly because this book almost put me to sleep. I just had a hard time staying invested in the story when it took forever for any action to happen within the story. The chemistry between these two was so so slow and it took some time to adjust to it. And also the conflict in the story. *sigh* this one was a struggle for sure. I really had a hard time with the third act conflict. It just felt so unnecessary. Like it was placed in the story just for dramatic effect but not for a real purpose other than that and I wanted to shake the heroine. And quite frankly she should have done some groveling worthy of this hero for this one.

Overall View
MY Season of Scandal is a story that delivers a intimate slow burn that grows this relationship from friendship to lovers and in seeing a couple learning to fight for the relationship and how their dynamic flows to match up with expectations. A COZY SWEET ROMANCE!

What can I say about this book? I loved it. LOVED it. It was one of the most romantic things I’ve read in a long while, and romance is my preferred genre. Julie Anne Long has always written historical romance very well in my opinion. And while I haven’t read her entire back catalogue, I’ve dipped in and out of a few series and never been disappointed. My Season of Scandal even included some tropes I don’t always prefer (there is a bit of an age gap romance going on) but truly, the two main characters were so well matched it didn’t give me any of the feelings I normally have while reading a book with that trope. Catherine Keating, the female lead of this Palace Rogues installment, was witty, intelligent, and an absolutely pleasure to read. Her youth didn’t equal idiocy as is often the case, and I was sad to leave her at the story’s end. Lord Kirke, Catherine’s love interest was absolutely everything I love in a hero. Intellectual, fighting for the less fortunate, and so besotted with the lead it causes him to question all his deepest held ideals. While I read this in less than 24 hours, I’m determined to add it to my list of yearly re-reads. There is just something magical about The Palace on the Thames; and like all its boarders, I am loathe to leave it. I can’t wait to read Julie Anne Long’s next book in the series. Hopefully Lord Vaughn will be up next! It’s not necessary to read the entire series to pick this one up, but Long includes a great running story line of other boarders at The Palace on the Thames that is only enhanced if you decide to pick up the others.

Julie Anne Long took my heart and crushed it into a million pieces with this book.Then after my heart could take no more she carefully glued it back together. And it hurt so damn good!

This book had the humor I have come to love from this author, but still provided the angsty poignant love story that actually moved me to tears.

Lord Kirke is one of the most interesting main male characters of the series. He's a politician, he's brilliant, he's dry and he is terrified of letting people in. When he meets Miss Keating she slips right under his defenses with her quick wit and her joyful innocence.

These two love each other quite early on but neither of them realize it. They make mistakes, they say things they shouldn't, they do things they shouldn't, but as these two figure out themselves and each other you can't help rooting for them to get it right.

When they finally get on the same page, it's obvious they are an unstoppable force. Kirke's confession of his feelings was swoon-worthy.

Side characters include all of our favorites from The Grand Palace on the Thames. It's always like seeing old friends when I pick up a book in this series. As always the mandatory socializing provides tons of humor (even Lucian gets a little saucy) and antics.

Also, the relationship between Dot and the footman continues to burn slowly and I'm here for it!

Incredible- a fabulous story.

Too many times authors think for their stories to be interesting they have to add spice. Long’s stories are fabulous - then she adds the spice.

I discovered her writing with Penny Royal Green series - which I also highly recommend.

I have read every book in the Palace of Rogues series and I am thrilled to see she is prepping us for another book!

I highly recommend not only this book but that you start at the beginning of the series and her other books!

I just reviewed My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long. #MySeasonofScandal #NetGalley

I am SUCH a fan of Julie Anne Long and have been obsessed with this particular series centering around The Grand Palace on the Thames. This book in the series was definitely not an exception as it captured my interest early and she drove the plot right up until the end! I also particularly love how Julie creates little moments of joy throughout the book with the different characters that we have come to love from the previous books (Delacorte will always be a favorite of mine) and, as always, the love story between the hero and heroine is the perfect level of spice. I am so grateful to have been able to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book through NetGalley and look forward to any future books in this series (of which I hope there are many more)! Definitely worth the read.

Lord Dominic Kirke is a Mp renowned for his stirring speeches in the House of Commons. After his house catches fire, he stays at a unique boarding house near the docks. Dominic encounters a wholesome country girl with an uncanny ability to penetrate his cynical armor. Against his better judgement, he helps Catherine with her season. However, his help comes with repercussions. Will Kirke’s reputation ruin Catherine’s chances amongst the peerage? Or will she encourage him to love again?

Catherine Keating is the only daughter of a small-town physician. She travels to London to experience a Season and to possibly find a suitable husband. However, Catherine soon learns that is far more cutthroat than she imagined. At her boarding house, she meets a cynical yet closed-off gentleman. Even though Dominic may be her only ally, he is all wrong for her. Can Catherine learn to hold her own amongst the Ton? Will she be able to resist Dominic’s sardonic allure?

Dominic is the reason why I picked up this book. I could never resist a broody, standoffish, cynical hero. And he did NOT disappoint me! I love how protective Dominic became of Catherine. He wanted to keep the snobs from the peerage from dimming her inner light. Dominic liked that Catherine was not conniving or fake like others in his social sphere.

I can see many people not liking Catherine. She does come off too Mary Sue at times. However, I think she counter-balances Dominic perfectly. She is sunny and wholesome to his dark and jadedness. I like how Catherine can see the real Dominic beneath all that cynicism. Plus, she does not retreat or balk at his cutting personality or wit.

MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is the seventh book in Julie Anne Long’s historical romance series, THE PALACE OF ROGUES. This story can stand alone. Sadly, I have not read the previous six books. That did not hinder my ability to follow the plot and storyline. Fans of this series will like that Delilah and Tristan from LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, book one, and Angelique and Lucien from ANGEL IN A DEVIL’S ARMS, book two, make frequent appearances throughout the book.

The only nitpick I have is the ending. It got a little long-winded. There were parts that sounded more like the author “telling” readers the couples’ future. All-in-all, I enjoyed the plot and characters enough to pick up future books by this author.

Instead of being born into Parleament, , this book deals with a man who was born in Wales to a poor family. He studied and worked his whole life working to improve the life of the poor. He worked for years trying to pass laws against child labor and the companies that hired young children promising them thing they would not get. It was refreshing to see a romance book not just deal with romance but more complicated woes of society.

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.