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.

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.

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.

5/5 stars
3/5 spice

Tropes:
Marriage in trouble
Forced proximity
Mutual pining
Betrayal
Found family
Multiple POV

Oh my heart... this one had me in my feelings. I couldn't put this down. I was hurting for these two so much, and I'm realizing it's so much harder to see a marriage in trouble when they had love or hope and are just floundering. My heart was just hurting the whole time.

I liked how the author tackled the gender roles of those times, especially with the main conflict of betrayals by both MCs. You see how difficult it is for a woman to have autonomy in a marriage, not of her choosing, but obviously with the right partner can still find a balance in equality. Magnus and Alexandra were both hurting but didn't want to hurt the other anymore... it was just so heart-wrenching to see but also necessary for their growth.

Overall, a great emotional read with some great character development. Highly recommend for fans of arranged marriage and emotional reads.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

The Beast Takes a Bride had all the elements that I like in historical romance, especially the beauty and the beast vibe. Magnus is a grumpy, strong hero, and Alexandra is the beautiful heroine. The writing is humorous and there are plenty of steamy scenes.

I didn’t enjoy this installment as much as others in the series because the characters spent too much time immersed in their internal thoughts.

I think the series is best read in order to get the full story of the hotel and its quirky inhabitants.

FINAL DECISION: The emotional depth, beautiful prose, masterful character development, and perfect balance of angst and humor make this one of my favorite books of the year. Long never disappoints. This is a second chance story of an estranged couple finding their way back to one another.

THE STORY: Colonel Magnus Brightwall, an orphan who rose to become a war hero, arranges a marriage with Alexandra Bellamy by offering to save her family's fortunes. A misunderstanding on their wedding night drives them apart, sending Magnus to Spain for five years. Upon his return to England, scandal forces them to share quarters at the Grand Palace on the Thames while seeking a courtesy title from the king. Though Magnus plans to exile Alexandra to his American estate afterward, their forced proximity begins to change both their hearts and their futures.

OPINION: I loved this book. There is some angst, but this book, as so many of Long's books are -- is a meditation on love, giving and sacrifice.

I loved Magnus. He appears at first the stern war hero, but we quickly discover his soft, gooey heart beneath the stern exterior. His journey from an unwanted orphan to respected colonel shapes him deeply, but Long reveals his vulnerable heart with expert care. Every scene peels back another layer of this complex man who yearns for love but fears it simultaneously.

Alexandra is his perfect match—strong, intelligent, and willing to face their shared past honestly. What I particularly appreciated was how the story avoided unnecessary drama. Magnus and Alexandra made mistakes in their past, and the story doesn't shy away from showing how they each contributed to their failed marriage. Yet perhaps only now, with years of growth between them, can they truly see and understand each other.

The story's strength lies in its intimate focus. Long doesn't waste time on unnecessary plot devices, instead crafting a beautifully claustrophobic narrative in which Magnus and Alexandra spend time together, learning about each other through shared meals, conversations, and adventures at the Palace. Their gradual rediscovery of each other through these quiet moments and delightful escapades feels genuine and weighty.

The emotional intimacy between them is breathtaking—Long writes the scenes where they are together with such beauty and raw emotion.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book has some great humor -- donkey races and ghosts.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE BEAST TAKES A BRIDE is the 8th book in the Palace of Rogues series. While it stands alone perfectly, familiarity with previous books enhances appreciation of the boarding house setting and its delightfully eccentric residents.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in order to assist in writing this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Julie Anne Long is singular in the world of modern day historical romances in her ability to write a story with such detailed character development, deep pearls of life wisdom, comic relief, and an interesting plot. I am thankful she is still producing new works in 2024. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance trope and this novel delivered, with such palpable tension between Magnus and Alexandra even though much of it was pregnant silences. Both the audiobook with Justine Eyre and the physical book are equally delightful. I hope we see more couples in the Palace of Rogues until the end, when I assume Dot and Pike will eventually get a go. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

We are back at the Grand Palace on the Thames, this time with Captain Brightwall and his estranged wife, Alexandra. After a disastrous wedding day, the spouses have lived countries apart for five years. However, that is all set to change after a scandal involving Alexandra and a carriage brings her husband back to London. With the two of them together again, the passion they share is simmering to the surface. But is passion enough to sustain a marriage? Both Alexandra and Captain Brightwall have to figure that out.

A quick and fun read, I enjoyed the characters and also going back to the Grand Palace on the Thames. However, it wasn't as engaging as others in the series

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title!

I really loved how the author managed to make the characters feel current while still staying true to the time. Period the themes of being vulnerable, feeling betrayed, and offering forgiveness are not ones. You would usually find in this type of book. It made the relationship, feel very authentic. Also, the secondary characters and their relationships added a lot to the mood of the book, adding a lightheartedness and a variety of depictions of love.

So fun and so sweet. I swear no one writes them like Julie Anne Long.

We open in a jail cell, and that’s where we meet our heroine. The wife of a famed war hero… who possible stole a carriage but manages to charm her cell mates. That’s also where we meet our hero, when he comes to rescue her. But the rescue isn’t necessary all happiness and rainbows, because they are married but have been estranged for years. Then they go to stay at the Grand Palace on the Thames, and finally get to know one another, and also fall in love.

This was such a great story. Magnus seems so hard but he just wants to be LOVED. And Alexandra made mistakes but she’s a good person. I loved seeing them grow into a couple and fall for one another. They both had quite a bit of pain and disappointment to work through but you could tell early on they went together perfectly.

As always, the side characters at the Grand Palace are so fun. I love checking in on our past couples. The donkey races with Mr. Delacorte were such a fun addition! And y’all, I am still waiting on Dot to get her story!

I absolutely loved this book, it broke a really bad reading slump for me. I am a sucker for a good estranged spouses story and this one did not disappoint. Magnus is magnificent and I absolutely love his dry sense of humor. Alexandra is delightful too, young but not dumb and their misunderstanding is actually believable.
The whole cast of characters from the Palace on The Tames was great to revisit and the steamy scenes were very satisfying

I enjoyed this story very much. Despite having read other books in this series, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the "betrayal" plot. Would the mystery of the details of the betrayal drag on too long? How would the author balance the betrayal plot so that both characters remained sympathetic? The answers are not too long and deftly. This book was emotional and also funny thanks to the found family that inhabits the Grand Palace on the Thames. This book can be read as part of the series or as a stand alone. Highly recommend.