Rating: 5/5 stars
Steam level: Open-door scenes

Thoughts:
I love this book for many reasons. The characters are complex, the pacing is great, and the angst is riveting. Magnus and Alexandra's story is entirely special because it presents a delicate combination of personal growth, marriage conflicts, and the absolute agony in making a mistake due to fears and insecurities.

Magnus and Alexandra have complex individual and shared histories that contribute to their unique relationship dynamic. Alexandra is loving and kind. She grew up as a mediator and often sacrificed her own needs to placate those around her. Magnus is a persistent and strategic self-made man. His upbringing was rough, and he relied on himself to forge his own honorable path.

What happens when the cold, ruthless Magnus, who is soft and hopeful on the inside, struggles with communicating? What happens, then, when he wants to marry Alexandra, who needs to be handled with care? They both make hurtful mistakes and wrong each other in ways beyond ugly words and blatantly cruel actions; they hurt each other in ways that trigger their deepest insecurities.

Given that Magnus and Alexandra's marriage has many layers of bitterness, they are put through seemingly insurmountable emotional trials to untangle their past and truly earn their happily ever after. The gorgeously rendered complexities of their history made their eventual reconciliation deeply romantic and satisfying.

Finally, this book is personally special because it addresses realistic concerns related to control, resentment, and how their combined interactions can impact a marriage. It relates to other couples in the book, which paves the way for poignant discussions of genuine fears regarding marital closeness and strife. The delicate, hopeful, and ever-changing nature of a long-term commitment is depicted well and without an ounce of shame, which made this a very human and validating reading experience. It's easy for me to find characters in a book to love, but to fully relate to entire discussions and themes is a priceless experience.

I would recommend this book to all fans of historical romance and the marriage-in-trouble trope.

A solid entry in the series and well worth reading. I do think this series is getting to the point where the amount of time spent explaining the past characters and their foibles is taking up a little too much space in the book, but I liked Alexandra and Brightwell and their fun times at the boardinghouse.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I always look forward to another visit to The Grand Palace on the Thames and this one did not disappoint. In an unusual opening, Alexandra is in jail and her estranged husband shows up to get her out. They strike a deal (or rather he commands it). He's selling her house, they'll stay at the boardinghouse while she acts the doting wife to repair their reputation. He's a war hero with the chance to become an Earl and can't have a scandal. After that, she'll leave for America and they'll continue living separate lives. They've never lived together as man and wife since an incident drove them apart on their wedding day 5 years ago. Sometimes funny and other times poignant. Alexandra is a people pleaser willing to sacrifice herself for her family while Magnus is a damaged orphan always told he was worthless and a "Beast." The other residents of the Grand Palace are entertaining as usual. You can read this book as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the series because you are really missing out if you don't!

A marriage-in-trouble romance which is my favorite trope. Julie Anne Long skillfully gives both parties the nuance and depth to feel betrayed by the other. Neither of them were wrong in their refusal to forgive the other, which is rare in a second chance. I like the equal weight of the blame was attributed to both Magnus and Alexandra, and it was a justified anger / betrayal. Y

I will say most of the tension is hinged on them not sitting down and talking after 5 years. Because if they did, they’d know the depth of the other’s feelings.

3.5

***ARC given in exchange for honest review.

Bought and Paid For:
A most unusual and intriguing beginning to this incredibly emotional love story with a huge secondary storyline.
I did enjoy Magnus and Alexandra plight which was like a twisting road that made this an unpredictable as to how it was going to turn out.
There is a large cast of characters that revolve around the Grand Palace of the Thames boarding house. These characters add much to the story along with some humor.
I considered this story too long with a lot of events that were unnecessary. I found myself skimming quite a bit.
The last several chapters brought this story to most thrilling and enjoyable happy conclusion.
📖Rating 3.6 rounded up to 4 stars
💋Mature rating🔥+

When Julie Anne Long is at her best, she gives her characters such rich emotional inner lives that most of the “action” in the story comes from self discovery. Watching two wounded main characters come to grips with the ways they’d hurt each other was so rewarding and heartwarming. This series almost never misses, and this was an excellent entry.

Every book in this series is so much fun and I find myself absolutely devouring them. This one was full of so much angst and pining that it had me squealing and kicking my feet over Magnus and Alexandra.

The opening scene was laughable out loud funny when Alexandra finds herself sharing a jail cell with some real characters only to be bailed out by the husband she hasn’t seen in five years. While they’re selling their house, Magnus and Alexandra check into The Grand Palace on the Thames where they are quickly integrated into the livelihood of the place. They make a deal that they will act the part of a happily married couple to facilitate Magnus’ reentry into society before he sends Alexandra to America for good. Of course during that time they fall in love, again, and it is so delicious. I loved spending time with the cast of characters at the boardinghouse.

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.5/ one of my favorite historical romance authors I was super excited to get a chance to read her upcoming novel! After a misunderstanding, Alexandra finds herself in prison… only to be released by her husband, whom she hasn’t seen in five years, who left her in England while serving in Spain, the morning after the wed. Magnus comes home to receive a title, something he never expected as he was an abandoned infant taken in my a lord, and protected him from death during war, leaving him a well known war hero. Now he must make his marriage look perfect as he takes center stage. The problem is he’s deeply in love with his wife and knows she doesn’t want him… there’s a lot of mixed feelings and misunderstandings to be solved with his sweet quirky wife.
Alexandra goes along with the plan to act like a wife in love, in order to win her freedom. But secrets are revealed and emotions catch up with her as she rediscovers her husband. Is freedom really what she wants? This is a delicious romance, with low scale spice and lots of swoony moments that make me forever love this genre.

Genre: fiction, historical romance
Spice level: 2/5
Angst level: 4/5
Swoon level: 3.5/5
Pace: medium
Triggers/tropes: marriage in trouble, multiple pov, war hero, second chances, he falls first, she falls harder, beauty and the beast retelling, high angst.

from my Goodreads & Instagram @paperbacksandroses

I wasn’t expecting this one to be quite as angsty as it was, but The Beast Takes a Bride might be my new favorite! Though this is the 8th book in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previous characters do appear however and it would be most appreciated if read in order.

Second chance/marriage in crisis are tricky tropes for me. So much hinges on the cause of the separation/issue and normally one MC is more to blame. This was a rare case where both/neither were equally at fault. I could understand the situation from both perspectives and it left my heart hurting. Julie Anne Long makes readers work for this one and the slow burn romance was so well done. The pining was also next level and that pink ribbon almost did me in. I loved watching Magnus and Alexandra finally get a chance to know each other and choose (in a roundabout way) to fall in love.

As always, catching up with the residents at The Grand Palace on the Thames is absolutely wonderful and hilarious. It’s so great to be able to see their happily ever afters continue. We also seem to be getting closer to a Dot and Pike pairing (finally!) I can’t wait for the next book!

CW: death of parent (past), grief, parental abandonment/orphan (past), poverty, war/death, financial problems, war injury

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Another captivating novel from Julie Anne’s series the Palace of Rogues. This time it’s the story of estranged couple Magnus and Alexandra Brightwall who needed to stay together at TGPT as their townhouse is being readied for sale and at the same time to put into rest any malicious gossip about them and their 5-year separation.

There is no question that the H loves the h – since the beginning in fact but I’m not so sure about Alexandra. I mean he was practically a stranger to her, never having spent considerable time alone with him before marrying and separating. How can she profess to be in love with Magnus in mere 3 days of being together from the moment he came back? She was still thinking of him as “Colonel Brightwall”! Though I like that she is feisty, honorable and gracious but deadly firm. High marks on how she handled Mrs Scofield!

A few quibbles that prevented me from giving this book 5*: too much inner dialogues of both H & h and not enough conversation between them; OTT to have a statue erected for the Hero; a long chapter on after-dinner discussions among the guests at TGPT; lengthy side story on Dot. But I did love funny moments about the Dawsons and for sure the epilogue. Only Julie Anne Long can write such sweet epilogues.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC and to HarperCollins. As always this is my honest review.

Julie Anne Long's The Best Takes a Bride is a historical romance tale with all the familiar tropes: an arranged marriage, a grumpy hero, and a feisty heroine. While the story is entertaining, it definitely not on par with Pennyroyal Gardens series (Sorry Julie but the Everseas lives rent free in my heart).

The plot revolves around a woman who is forced into an arranged marriage with a renowned soldier, known as the "beast." Their relationship is strained by misunderstanding and resentment, leading to estrangement. When the heroine finds herself in trouble, the hero steps in to "rescue" her, but his motives are more complex than they seem.

While the plot is intriguing, the pacing is uneven. It takes too long for the characters to acknowledge their growing feelings, which felt frustrating at times. As a longtime fan of historical romance, I found this to be a significant drawback.

However, Long's ability to create vibrant characters and captivating settings remains on full display. The heroine's spirit and resilience are admirable, and the hero's gruff exterior hides a softer side that gradually emerges. Additionally, the author's clever inclusion of references to her other series adds an extra layer of depth and connection for fans.

Overall, The Best Takes a Bride is a solid historical romance that will satisfy fans of the genre. While it may not be Long's best work, it offers a nice reading experience with well-developed characters and a hea.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I don't think I'll ever get tired of this series. As Magnus and Alexandra were falling in love (all over again, for him), I appreciated so many things about their story that carries through the whole series.

Honorable men whose nobility comes from action, not title or birth. Complicated heroes who balance larger-than-life reputations with all-too-human needs. Honest, brave, independent women who face their fears--especially when it comes to love.

And then, of course, is the whole Grand Palace on the Thames crew. This time, Delacorte, donkeys, Dot, and shillelaghs were the brightest spot.

Magnus and Alexandra had a mature second-chance story that's just a pleasure to read. Julie Anne Long is a really engrossing writer. She always can hook me from the first page. And boy can her heroes deliver heartwrenching declarations of love. Magnus is no exception.

If anything, I wished we'd had more time with Magnus and Alexandra and a bit less with a few of the other couples in the Palace...even those we've long known and loved. Still, it was lovely to witness them overcoming their hang-ups to take a chance on one another, even if it means getting hurt.

Can't wait for the next installment.

I am always happy to return to The Grand Palace on the Thames, especially for such a lovely second chance romance. Alexandra and Magnus were wed in a semi-arranged marriage five years before, when her father essentially sold her to a war hero. This complete removal of her agency caused Alexandra to make a mistake on the evening of their wedding, which Magnus saw as the deepest betrayal. He left for the continent the next morning. He is gone without a word until he appears to bail Alexandra out of jail and sweeps her off to TGPotT to come of with a plan to save both their reputations.
The Grand Palace works its magic once again, and they begin to see one another as people rather than as the archetypes they have inhabited for the last few years. Long is a master at writing characters who genuinely enjoy and appreciate one another, and she has done it again here. Recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for letting me read the e-ARC of The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long! I really loved this book! It is part of a series but it’s a series that I personally think can be read out of order, so new readers wouldn’t be too lost if they jumped in with this one. This book is perfect for readers looking for a he falls first, she falls harder dynamic. I was griped from the first page, it took no time for me to become invested in the conflict and the characters. Slam dunk read for me.

I absolutely adored the newest addition to the Palace of Rogues series!
Read this if you love:
- self-made heroes with hearts of gold covered in scars and insecurities;
- pragmatic yet willful heroines who seize life with gusto and don’t hesitate to ask for what they want;
- incendiary, combustible love scenes that are full of scorching sensuality and tender confessions.
Full review to come on Bookbub and Goodreads. Links will be posted.

3⭐️3🌶️
Historical Romance
Multi pov
Beauty and the beast retelling
He fell first
Troubled marriage
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
Slow burn


There are 8 books in this series. I did not read the previous before starting this one. Generally it isn’t necessarily required when it comes to historical romance. With this series I felt a little out of place because there was a lot of missing context due to me not reading the previous books in this interconnected series.

One of the tropes I consider a spoiler is one that I absolutely hate. The use of the trope made this a harder book to enjoy, with it being the main trope of this couple. It was never made clear if he was just a big hypocrite (as men of the time generally were) or justifiably upset. The slow burn timing was really well done.

Some of the transitions from POV shifts or scene changes were fairly abrupt, making the scenes not as seamless as it could have been.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Vouager for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

There was so much good yearning in this book! It's a second-chance romance with a returning war hero (Col. Magnus Brightwall) and his estranged wife of five years (Alexandra Bellamy). The come to stay at the Grand Palace on the Thames while figuring out finalizing their estrangement (although from the start you can tell neither really wants to make it permanent). I really love the way Julie Ann Long does banter, and I missed it a bit in this book, but it makes sense because it's hard to tease back and forth when the feelings are so raw. But I did love how vulnerable the characters felt in the book and watching them fall for each other (again!). Really hoping to see more of Dot + Pike in the next book!

Wow, this could be the best yet in this series. Very character focused, with Magnus and Alexandra wanting something more but do not even get a chance to start off their relationship before their breakup.

It was charged, it was well written, it was heartbreaking, it was deep emotional angst, and very abiding love.

Loved it!!

#netgalley #TheBeastTakesABride

Julie Anne Long is a powerhouse in this genre. And The Beast Takes a Bride is one of my favorites to date.

Grounded in a years-long hurt, this a powerful story of pride and forgiveness between estranged spouses. The premise was believable. The hurt each character carried was so easy to imagine and empathize with. The writing style was the punchy and smart storytelling we are used to from JAL.

Here’s what you can expect:

- Second chance romance (though you could argue these two never got their first chance)
- Betrayal + forgiveness (with a dash of miscommunication/misunderstanding)
- Part of a series, but can be read as a standalone
- A new take on found family
- Finally, if “fake dating” was a trope in the regency romance - this married couple does it. And well.

As ever, you can tell Long prioritizes character work in this book. On the one hand, what she has done with Magnus and Alexandra is incredible - they quickly became one of my favorite regency romance couples. Unlike any other duo. Even though there was a bit of miscommunication here, not once was I annoyed - and let’s be honest, this trope can inspire the feeling - but the way (and the why) each guarded their heart seemed so reasonable.

Additionally, there are several delightful side characters who board together for a time at The Grand Palace on the Thames. I adored this setting and how unique it was to read of a couple’s extended stay at an “inn” (usually in the historical romance, it’s one night on the road to somewhere else).

However, eventually these side characters get their own POVs and little vignettes throughout the story—and the shift toward the second half of the novel was a bit jarring. While I recognize there’s an editorial need to keep things concise, these stories/sections were too long to be charming and not long enough for a reader to get drawn into these side stories/perspectives.

Alexandra Bellamy marries Colonel Magnus Brightwall to help her family. Brightwall agrees to give her father £5,000 after they marry. Alexandra's mistake causes a rift in her new marriage to Brightwall. The day after their marriage, he travels to Spain to work as a diplomat. They live separate lives for five years until he returns to England as a war hero. Magnus has been in love with Alexandra since he met her, but he doesn't know how to reconcile their relationship. He decides that they just need to continue living separate lives; she can live in his home in America, and he will remain in England. She just has to convince the public that they have a normal marriage until he is granted a title from the King. While Magnus is in the process of selling his home, they stay at the Grand Palace on the Thames. After spending five years apart, Alexandra realizes that she is still attracted to Magnus. They finally have uncomfortable conversations that should have taken place five years ago and attempt to rekindle their marriage.

I keep coming back to this series even though I don't care for the Grand Palace on the Thames angle of this series. There are just too many characters to manage within the Grand Palace. This book can be read as a standalone. Long presents her take on the beauty and the beast trope by highlighting Magnus' physicality and his experience as a ruthless soldier. Fans of historical romances can take or leave this book.