The Beast Takes a Bride is one of the best romance historical I've read in quite awhile! Julie Anne Long brings us back to The Grand Palace with two delightful characters with a plan. The Grand Palace is an Inn/boardinghouse on the Thames that takes guest by interview only. Though the two main characters and their plot is the main focus of the book. I've only read one other book in the series and this works as a stand alone. Though we get POV from other characters in the series which is so fun and I can't wait to read more books in the series. These are the cozy reads with depth, humor and great writing that we all need right now!

I love that this books gives a marriage a second chance but with a full feel of falling in love for the first time. Highly recommend and can't wait to read more in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the EARC. All opinions are my own.

It’s been awhile since I read a historical romance, and this one was a great first one to read to get me in the mood to read more again. Really loved the two main characters and the relationship between them..gave me warm fuzzies which is rare for me lately.
The only negative for me was the fact that all the angst/conflict came as a result of one measly kiss…just made me roll my eyes every time either one of the characters talked about it. But I get that in those times, sure that MAY have been a bigger deal 😂

Overall loved the story and would definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for a well-written historical romance 💕

Rating: 3.5
I enjoyed The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long—especially because, if I’m being honest, I was absolutely living for Dot and Mr. Pike. They stole every scene they were in, and I’m crossing my fingers their story is next!
Of course, Alexandra and Magnus were compelling in their own right. Set against the familiar and beloved backdrop of The Grand Palace on the Thames, with its lively, ever-entertaining cast of characters, their story picks up after five years of estrangement. Their marriage, broken before it ever really began, is thrust back into the spotlight after a scandal and the bestowment of a title bring them back into proximity.
I liked both Alexandra and Magnus. Alexandra, in particular, stood out to me as a strong, complex woman. Even when her choices seemed unwise, it was clear they came from a place of desperation and frustration with her lack of agency, which made her all the more sympathetic.
That said, I struggled to fully invest in the plot. The pacing felt uneven, and Magnus’s motivations—arguably one of the most intriguing aspects of the story—weren’t explored as deeply as I hoped. It felt like a missed opportunity to peel back more layers of his character.
Still, there’s something undeniably unique about this series. Julie Anne Long masterfully balances romantic drama with the cozy, almost sitcom-like charm of the Palace and its quirky residents. It’s a world I love returning to, even when the main romance doesn’t completely win me over.
Ultimately, while Alexandra and Magnus's story didn’t entirely sweep me off my feet, the vibrant setting and unforgettable side characters kept me hooked. I’ll definitely be back for the next installment—hopefully with Dot and Mr. Pike taking center stage!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for a honest review!

As an avid reader of Julie Anne Long and a huge fan of the Palace of Rogue series this was once again another great addition to the series. I love seeing the same characters again and meeting new ones and I am so impressed that JAL manages to make all of her romances so unique from one another.

A second chance love with compelling characters, this was a great read.

The Beast Takes a Bride is the eighth book in The Palace of Rogues series. This is a stand-alone read.

One single mistake sets the stage for this angst filled love story.

Magnus life begins as an infant in a potato sack. Taken in by a wealthy family but raised as a servant, he is teased and called an ugly beast. Never knowing love for feeling as if he belonged, he grew up and bought himself a commission in the military where he becomes a respected colonel and hero for saving the life of a general.

He returns home and meets Alexandra who he loves at first sight. On their wedding day, he sees her kiss a man and is devastated. He leaves her on their wedding night only to return after five years.

Alexandra is shocked to see her husband has returned to rescue her from jail after "borrowing" a carriage. Once they are alone, he tells her he is sending her to live in America while he remains in England.

Eighty percent of the story takes its time building towards the love they each come to realize they have for the other. It is slow and drawn out. At times I wished it would get there sooner, but the bullseye is the letter Magnus write to Alexandra. It is heartfelt and resonates all of his feelings towards his wife. It truly made the slow-moving story worthwhile as we were rewarded for sticking with the story.

The Beast Takes a Bride is another classic installment from Julie Anne Long in her Palace of Rogues series. A historical romance, it kicks off with the heroine in jail and using her best skill--charm--to survive her less than desirable circumstances. The tension appears in the form of her estranged husband, Colonel Magnus Brightwall, who arrives to retrieve her, and they land at Grand Palace on the Thames, and a deal is struck. Marcus is on track to enter the aristocracy. and Alexander now owes him: They will pretend to be a happy couple, though they've never even truly been a couple. In the process, they unpack all the things they never took the opportunity to say to each other, and truly learn who they both are and ultimately what they mean to each other. Long, with her wit and deft way with words has crafted another winner in the series. though sometimes the level of romantic chemistry in the installments has waxed and waned. The warmth and humor of the constant cast of characters, however, always means an excellent read.

Five stars.

An ARC was provided to me from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

I always forget how much I love Julie Anne Long until I pick up another of her books. "The Beast Takes a Bride" is a lovely, albeit somewhat frustrating, second chance love story wherein the couple at issue have to work through some deep emotional trauma in order to reach a place of forgiveness and acceptance of the other. Long manages to convey this fraught journey in a way that is both witty and caring, though I do think it took them both (but especially Magnus) a little too long to reach the right place. Once he got there, however, he got there all the way and wasn't afraid to show it in a rather touching way.

I have read some, but not all, of the Palace of Rogues series and do not think one has to have read the prior books to enjoy later books in the series. I do enjoy the continued presence of the side characters/permanent residents of the Palace - I am always rooting for Dot!

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

Julie Anne Long does it again! The Beast Takes a Bride is a beautifully angsty, second-chance romance with all the emotional tension and wit I love from this series. Magnus and Alexandra’s story had me hooked from the start—forced proximity, a marriage in trouble, and two stubborn people trying (and failing) to ignore their feelings? Yes, please!

Magnus, our brooding war hero, made some serious missteps in the beginning, and Alexandra had her own moment of poor judgment, but watching them navigate past mistakes and rediscover each other was both heartbreaking and deeply satisfying. There’s plenty of longing, pining, and slow-burn romance that made their eventual reunion all the sweeter.

I will say I wanted just a bit more time with them as a couple—the Grand Palace residents are always fun, but they did take up quite a bit of page time. Still, this was a fantastic addition to the series, full of sharp banter, deep emotions, and that signature warmth that makes this world so special.

A must-read for fans of historical romance, second-chance love stories, and Julie Anne Long’s irresistible storytelling!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful book with exactly the amount of angst that I like (and can bear) and some humor. I usually don’t like the second chance trope, but this was particularly well done.
Both main characters made serious mistakes at the beginning of their relationship, Magnus in particular because he didn’t know how to love and to be loved and so he tried to secure the object of his affections by “buying” her instead of declaring his attraction and courting her properly. He had to leave and rushed things, but this is no excuse. Alexandra made a serious mistake as well, but I can’t find in my heart to judge her, because she was caught up in the moment and didn’t love Magnus at the time.
I liked seeing the other characters of the Grand Palace, but I think they featured too much in this installment and they took away some precious time together of our main characters. I would have liked to see more of the development of Magnus and Alexandra’s relationship and this is the only reason why I took one star away from the rating of this magnificent book.

I love everything Julie Anne Long writes, and while this wasn't my favorite book of her's I really enjoyed it.

This whole series is absolutely great! It's fun, charming, and filled with so many lovable characters and heart pumping romances that you can't not enjoy any of these books.

This one is a marriage in trouble between Alexandra and Colonel Magnus. The character development and work these two did to overcome the trauma and mistakes they made was deeply emotional and while I was sorta annoyed at them in the beginning for not being able to get out of their own way, found myself really loving how they overcame everything and fell in love.

4🌟s

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I don't usually read a series out of order, but I love Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series. So when I had the opportunity to read book #8 in her Palace of Rogues series I decided to just dive right in, despite not having read any of the other books. And I think I'm happy that I did - I say that because in all honestly I don't need another series added to my very long list of series I'm in the midst of reading. But what the heck - what's one more when it's this good? I really enjoyed everything about this - the auxilliary "permanent" characters, the setting, and the relationship between the two main characters here. Alexandra and Magnus are a married couple that have been living separately for years, for reasons that aren't clear in the beginning. Their story is told in a series of flashbacks, and it's one that makes you pull for their happy ending. And it's one that makes me anxious to get to book 1 of the series and get all the back story on those permanent characters and the Rogue’s Palace.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

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!