Oh boy this book is fun! I had not read the previous two in the series and while I think it would have helped, I don't think it's a requirement! In this one, Alexandra is bailed out of a scandal by her giant war hero husband...who she hasn't seen or heard from in 5 years. He has a plan: use her as his intro into society and then ship her off to the US forever. They stay in a charming guest house full of wacky characters (I assume we learn more about them in the earlier books), confront the moment that has defined their relationship, and most importantly, learn just how well-suited they could be if they get out of their ways.

This is the kind of second chance I love, two people who have to relearn each other entirely and give us the part of themselves and each other that have hurt so bad for their time apart. Add that healing to some truly charming and funny moments with both them AND the other characters at the Grand Palace on the Thames and I was hooked.

This was my first Julie Ann Long book but it won't be my last!

Julie Anne Long delivers pure magic in The Beast Takes a Bride. Magnus and Alexandra’s story is steeped in heartache, longing, and a slow journey toward forgiveness. Their marriage might have been one of convenience, but the chemistry between them is undeniable—even when pride and past mistakes stand in the way.

From a dramatic reunion in Newgate to a week of forced proximity, this story is brimming with angst, sparkling wit, and emotional depth. The pining is real, and the payoff is oh-so-satisfying. Plus, the nods to secondary characters add layers of charm. It’s a beautifully crafted tale of love, redemption, and second chances. A must-read for anyone who loves historical romance with all the feels!

As usual, the dialogue between the main characters is top notch, and even the B-role characters have an interesting arch! Strong FMC, compelling MMC, def one of my fav historical romance series.

Look... any book by JAL is better than most out there.

Having said that, this wasn't my trope. I adored getting to see the gang, and I liked that we got some really lovely scenes between past couples. So many of the books in this series are favorites of mine, but this one didn't hit the 5 star feels for me.

I cannot get enough of the Palace of Rogues series, and I love how each book not only introduces us to a new couple but keeps us apprised of what's going on with the other beloved residents too. This second chance/marriage in trouble plot was interesting, and the angst was real! Another great read from one of my favorite histroms authors.

I can't get enough of this series, and this one might just be my favorite! The Beast Takes A Bride features a second chance romance between Colonel Magnus Brightwall and his wife Alexandra Bellamy. They've been separated since their wedding night five years earlier.

I love a good marriage in trouble story, and this one was so angsty and amazing! It was by far one of my top reads of this year. I eagerly await the next book in the Palace of Rogues series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Julie Anne Long writes such a funny, heartfelt book. I can't say this was my favorite romantic plotline of hers--the event that caused their rift was silly and Magnus was childish about it, though I think these characters did need that space to grow into humans capable of loving each other and being together. And I'm terribly sick of huge age gaps (partially my fault since I just finished After Dark With the Duke, but Long loves a 12+ year difference). But I love the ensemble cast so very much and the humor and the romance was perfectly sufficient if forgettable compared to the donkey race and the loud newlyweds.

If you're someone who likes to know the backstory of supporting characters even if there isn't a continuous plot throughline, I'd advise reading at least Lady Derring Takes a Lover and Angel in a Devil's Arms before this one. But you really can just read it out of order.

Finally, some people don't enjoy the side characters and the scenes with Delilah and Angelique, but I firmly believe that's the strength of these wonderful books. The sitting room scenes always have me giggling. These books are so unique in historical romance and truly shine.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

If I allowed myself to highlight every line that I wish I had written myself, I would have an ARC of nothing but underlines. Another gorgeously written book that simmers with witty banter, class consciousness, and sexual tension like only Julie Anne Long can write. Magnus and Alexandra were witty, wounded and sexy as they found their way back from an inauspicious beginning of a marriage and a five year separation following. Another winner in one of my favorite historical romance series.

The Beast Takes a Bride is an exquisite and heart-wrenching romance with Beauty and the Beast elements featuring an estranged couple whose marriage faltered before it even started. We learn about the quick courtship and marriage of Alexandra and Magnus in flashbacks. The two have an instant connection but it's still nonetheless a marriage between two strangers, and in large part is a marriage of convenience. Alexandra's family needs the funds Magnus offers. Magnus has risen from status as an abandoned orphan to the heights of respectability as a colonel with numerous military achievements. His reasons for the marriage are more complicated, and I don't want to give up too much, but it's fair to say that he pursues Alexandra quickly and decisively. It all falls apart though immediately after they wed, and he has been in Spain for 5 years while she has lived alone and lonely in London. While the estrangement arises initially from Alexandra's mistake, Magnus' pride perpetuates it and keeps him from seeing Alexandra's perspective.

I love how the book starts quickly, with Alexandra in Newgate and Magnus showing up to get her out of jail. From there the story proceeds with these two strangers navigating hurt and mistrust and pride. They really want nothing to do with each other at first, even though their connection from 5 years earlier is immediately evident again, with lots of mutual pining and longing and palpable *chemistry* layered with the anger and hurt. Even with the mistakes they both have made and their flaws (she has a temper, he's prideful, and they are both stubborn), both characters are easy to like and very relatable. My heart was aching along with both of them, and I was really invested in the relationship. Despite the longing and angst, there's also a lot of sparkling wit in this story, both in the interactions of Alexandra and Magnus and from the secondary characters. The story also explores the tensions among love, choice, pride, vulnerability, and forgiveness in a relationship between two imperfect people.

My only quibble, and it's a small one, is that the end felt a little rushed. I think there were a few things in the epilogue that could've been expanded into chapters prior to the epilogue. But that's a minor complaint, and also partly just a reflection of how much I was pulled in by the story and didn't want it to end.

There are secondary characters from prior books in the story, and I think I may have missed some context as I haven't read any of the prior books, but that did not detract from my enjoyment, and I think this can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC I received!

If you're looking for a broken heart, marriage in trouble before it even began, two lonely souls, forced to spend a week together, try Julie Anne Long's latest The Beast Takes a Bride. There is so much angst and pining that I cannot even with this book. I absolutely LOVED everything about it. JAL writes characters and emotions unlike any other author out there. I felt for each character in my soul and cried for all the time they lost because of their stubbornness and misunderstanding. There's enough blame to go around but it's just wonderful knowing that all will be well. AND AND AND the secondary characters!!! In this book they are getting their own little nods and nudges. Can't wait to see what is next.

The Grand Palace on the Thames is not a true palace, but a boarding house. Before you can stay, you must be given approval by the owners and follow the rules. Apart for five years, Alexandra Brightwell, and her husband, Colonel Magnus Brightwell are together again to put the past behind them. Magnus has made plans for them to go forward with separate lives. But first they must present themselves as a contented couple to London for the presentation of his statue and the King's designation of the hereditary title, the Earl of Montcroix. Staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames will have a lasting effect on their lives. I wasn't expecting this book to be that different from some other regency romance books, but as I progressed amid the tears and laughter, I discovered more depth to the story of this couple struggling through heartbreak and love. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I finished The Beast Takes a Bride and it was very good even though our main couple were a bit stupid in their feelings and actions for a good part of the book. It was a VERY slow romance IMHO but totally worth it by the end with a soaring romantic ending anyone would love and something I REALLY love is a long epilogue that covers all the questions you might have or at least almost all of them. I give it 4 Stars mainly because it spends an inordinate amount of time in things mildly interesting at best. It is a enemy to lovers' story in reality but the fact they start the book already married adds another level of WTF to the story but I can safely say I think anyone who enjoys historical romance that is not buried in pages of detailed sex will love this one (yes there is sex eventually and it is romantic and not reading like porn)

Rating 3,4

Ok, I was given an ARC of this book and honestly it took me AGES to finnish, I DNFed this book multiple times.
I know this has become beloved and it one of many people's new favourite in the Palace of Rogues series, but it just makes me so incredibly uncomfortable. I don't hate all bodice rippers, if something is unhinged enough, I can enjoy an unlikable protagonist. The way our hero is domineering and makes unilateral decisions and BUYS the heroine however makes me uncomfortable. Then the way he admits she would never choose him so he feels he has the right to do that, and the way he then acts cause of her "betrayal" which is honestly so minor and not something at all she deserves to be punished for in the way he did it. He was in the wrong, and I never really feel like he redeems himself, he keeps moving people around on the chessboard to get the results he wants, now I can like that in a hero like Montcrieff in "What I did for a Duke". But here, it doesn't work as well. There should eb so much groveling and there isn't. She deserves way better than him, and I know he tried to redeem himself, but honestly he didn't do enough, and she had every right to be pissed at him way more throughout the entire book.
The thing that saves this book however is the delightful cast of characters in The Grand Palace at the Thames. They show up here to great effect, and it's always lovely to see them again. There are also strong hints the next book might be about a side character from her Pennyroyal Green series, so that is really exciting.
All in all, it's only and OK book for me, but the ensemble cast saves it.

The H and the h have been married for 5 years. The H saw the h with another man and left her to fight in the war After 5 years he comes home to divorce his wife. They go to live in the boardinghouse since his house is in disarray. Their relationship changed over time.
I received an ARC from net galley

You’ll be excited and rooting for the estranged couple the whole time in the “The Beast Takes a Bride” by Julie Anne Long, eighth in the Palace of Rogues series!

I enjoy class difference stories because of the underdog aspect rising up. I enjoy the twist in this story because the underdog was very accomplished. Colonel Magnus Brightwall may be a hero however he still had his pride and internal struggles to overcome which helped pace the story well.

I did enjoy the mystery to the couple’s estrangement because it made the book a page turner. I love that Alexandra stayed loyal and appreciated her own pride when tidbits were gradually revealed.

What I love the most was the couple and their personalities as individuals and their chemistry together! Alexandra is the best friend you want. Magnus is the swoon-worthy, intelligent partner you crave. I would love to have the quirky relationship they had!

If you enjoy funny and tear-jerking stories with an underlying sadness and hopeful undertone, then I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I very much enjoyed The Beast Takes a Bride. Full of romantic tension and longing, I wanted these two main characters to hurry up and make amends already. The plot point that kept them apart was a bit of a letdown but I did like how the story told the memories from five years earlier. Overall a very enjoyable historical romance.

This was a "just okay" showing from JAL, for me. The mmc is presented as having a good head on his shoulders and being a decent man, but then he immediately lets his emotions get the best of him when the tiniest slight happens. And I do consider it tiny and that he was being extra sensitive with how he chose to react. The punishment did not fit the crime, esp in light of how his proposal and their relationship became to be in the first place. Overall I though the writing was good and the story moved along quickly.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

It's the best book in the series so far. I loved the characters, I loved their second chance and all his pinning. It is so beautiful to finally see them get together after so much misunderstanding.

I was looking forward to "The Beast Takes a Bride" and feel a little underwhelmed. The story is slow with very little information revealed and minimal dialogue. Most of the writing is Magnus & Alexandra's internal thoughts and vague regrets. Scenes bounce around between different times, thoughts, and conversations. I often found myself losing track of what had recently happened.

The tension and longing are clear, and there is so much sadness to work through, but it takes so long to get anywhere. It took only ONE honest conversation to resolve so much of their shared heartbreak. I would have loved to see Alexandra & Magnus talk and be together more instead of replaying resentment and guilt in their heads.

The brief scenes checking in on couples from earlier in the series were enjoyable. This book could be read as a standalone, but some history with the series makes it more complete.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

This book is part of The Palace of Rogues series. This follows Alexandra and Magnus; they have been married but separated for the past 5 years after a betrayal shortly after their nuptials. They are reunited because Alexandra finds herself in the middle of a scandal. Magnus gives Alexandra a directive to: confront the ton together, help their reputations, then he will banish her to another country. However, while they are carrying out the directive feelings and passion begin to arise.

I laughed out loud and swooned while reading this book. The characters have so much chemistry and tension between them. I loved how they are two flawed characters that come together. I also loved the setting of the Grand Palace on the Thames and all the side characters were so much fun and they added to the loveliness of the the
story.

Tropes: marriage in trouble, second chance

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Thank you, NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.