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.

Wow! This book deserves more than my top 5 score. I have enjoyed every book in this series but this is my favorite so far. I hope this series continues because I'm certainly invested in all the side characters at this charming boarding house, especially Dot and Mr Pete.

Alexandra and Magnus are the latest residents and Ms Long develops their characters to the extent that we know each of them intimately. I found it difficult to stop reading even when I could hardly keep my eyes open. This is a slow burn romance with a fireworks pay-off.

This book has more than one couples sexy scene. In fact there seems to be an aphrodisiac in the air at the Grand Palace.

I highly recommend that you curl up with this delightful romance.

Julie Anne Long can write! Obviously she can write, she’s a bestselling author. But her exquisite, gorgeous writing is next-level and keeps me riveted every time. Plus, her characters, stories, dialogue, and feelings she portrays make her one of my favorite authors.

The Beast Takes a Bride is yet another example. Right after witty and beautiful Alexandra marries military hero Magnus five years earlier, hurt and betrayal take him to Spain. Alone. Now, when scandal hits Alexandra, Magnus suddenly returns with a grudge and new orders for her—they’ll pretend to be happily married and rebuild their standing in the ton’s eyes. And then Alexandra must go to New York. Alone.

Circumstances bring them to the Grand Palace on the Thames, a quirky yet lovely boardinghouse filled with unique characters that made me laugh out loud—a lot! Alexandra and Magnus carry so much hurt and damage, and both are terrified to put their hearts on the line. But the close quarters, the accidental touches, the tension brewing, the underlying love…you know where this is going. And when they get together—fire!

The flashbacks to five years ago weave seamlessly into the story, where something triggers a memory and details come. And the characters—you KNOW these people, you see into their hearts and souls, you get what makes them tick, and the story stays so true to them. You see beyond Magnus’ gruff exterior and Alexandra’s charm. And another Julie Anne Long HEA that is absolute perfection.

Fun quote: “ ‘And I wanted you in my bed more than I wanted my next breath,’ he concluded simply. And as she sucked in a short, sharp breath, he touched his hat to her and firmly closed the carriage door. The driver snapped the ribbons and the carriage lurched away.” This one simple quote encapsulates the tension, the wanting, the longing, and Magnus’ one-liners that take over Alexandra’s thoughts.

I hope this series goes on forever, and really hope Dot and Pike get their story sometime soon!

Thank you to Avon Books, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

I’ve read every book in The Palace of the Rogues series *twice* now and was sooo excited to be given a chance to read an ARC of the 8th in the series, The Beast Takes a Bride! I’ve recommended the series to my mom and book friends who have recently gotten into regency romance and I’ll keep recommending Julie’s books to anyone who listen because they are just that good. Her story plotting is adventurous, the characters are memorable and, in this particular series case, very funny and I cannot get enough of the banter.

In the eighth book of the series we are introduced to the “beast” and his “bride” as they reunite after 5 long years apart. Without spoiling the story I will say this, the spicy tension is off the charts and I absolutely LOVE the *audacity* that Julie has in writing Female Characters who take what they deserve and don’t apologize for it. Along with the proprietresses at the Grand Palace on the Thames, the FMC in this book is so likable and, quite frankly, a badass. Standing up for herself and making the most of every situation - i just want to be her friend!

The only reason i gave it 4 rather than 5 stars this time around is because I wasn’t as big of a fan of the jumping around with the other characters - not sure if this is the wrap up of the series but it felt a little disjointed at times and took me out of the main romance where I felt like I wanted more time with the main couple. But otherwise, highly recommend and will probably be rereading the series again soon. Thank you NetGalley and and Avon for the ARC!

4.5/5. Releases 10/22/2024.

The Vibes:

—Beauty and the Beast (most obvi)

—weapon-grade pining

—big stern man meets lowkey bratty woman (his wife)

—covert boning (like... everyone is covertly boning in this book)

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Alexandra Brightwall should be relieved when her husband, war hero Magnus, bails her out of prison. The problem? They haven't seen each other for five years. Not since the day after their wedding, actually. Stern and cool, Magnus knows their marriage was a huge mistake, so he has a proposal. He's on the verge of being created an earl; he just needs to present a good face until that happens. As long as Alexandra helps him put on the facade of a harmonious relationship, he's happy to give her a life of luxury... far from him. Needless to say, this is a lot easier said than done.

The Review:

Julie Anne Long is always funny; but the best kind of Julie Anne Long also punches you in the gut. This? Does just that. In fact, I think it's my third-favorite JAL, after What I Did for a Duke and After Dark with the Duke. It kind of gave me everything!

The thing I've struggled with when reading a lot of recent historical romances is that everyone is very... nice. Sedate, even. They don't act out, they're fundamentally good people who don't fuck up, and so on. This is not that kind of book. It's not that Magnus or Alexandra are so horrible. They're clearly good people with good hearts and good intentions.

They're just also... delightfully flawed. She's a bit bratty and flighty and tends to act on impulse. He's stern and struggles with forgiveness, and has a tendency to want to win at all costs. Neither of them are by any means monsters (though Magnus is referred to as a "beast" by the gossips, and in one of my favorite microtropes, IT KINDA HURTS BIG GROWLY MAN'S FEELINGS WHEN PEOPLE CALL HIM BEAST). But they have their issues, and they haven't dealt with them, and that's why their marriage combusts before it can really even start.

Also, they're both pretty bad at talking about their feelings, and make judgments about each other that aren't really fair. Here's the thing, though: All of this makes sense, because they were kind of strangers marrying. You get the most glorious pining thoughts from Magnus, and it's clear that he was besotted with Alexandra from the start... But he really didn't get to know her as a person. He didn't let her be a flawed person.

And it's a surprisingly complex thing, the way Long both lets us luxuriate in the swoony romanticism of Magnus's initial feelings for Alexandra (and my God, is it romantic... this is just an achingly romantic novel, in general) while never condemning Alexandra for her resistance. Because Magnus's feelings can be genuine, and he can be right about this inexorable chemistry between him and Alexandra; and he can also push Alexandra too far too soon and go about making their relationship a reality in a bad way. And then act affronted when she doesn't respond well to being pushed.

They're both messy people who nevertheless have, as Magnus, one of those guys with a Good Sense About Things (hence him being good at war) amazing chemistry. The kind of tension that just has to be fulfilled. It's delicious, and it's part of what makes this one of the hottest books I've read by Long. I mean. Holy shit.

It's also just like... so sweet? I felt as if I really got to know both Magnus and Alexandra, despite the narrative being brisk and also, like every book in this series, offering time to supporting characters. Few people can pull this off. Long is one of the best romance writers I can think of in terms of noticing the small details that have a big impact. The little notes about Magnus's past that tell you so much about why he is the way he is. The beats for Alexandra that remind you of a depth he doesn't necessarily want to see in her, five years after she broke his heart.

(And: I LOVE what drove them apart initially. Handled with such humanity! A thing I think a lot of authors wouldn't have done!)

Also—for Jane Austen fans. Imagine Colonel Brandon local pushing the marriage with Marianne, and then having it blow up in his face. With public sex. This is the look!

Of course, I have to note those supporting characters. I always love catching up with the regulars. When will Dot and Mr. Pike figure it out? How loud is Dot going to be when they finally do it? A small subplot in the book is basically a lot of supporting characters being pushed into horniness because of the awkward situations that arise when a honeymooning couple rooms at the Palace. It is glorious. It leads to some super funny yet sexy moments between our two mainstay couples, Delilah and Tristan (Lady Derring Takes a Lover) and Angelique and Lucien (Angel in a Devil's Arms). The way these books keep giving me Lustful Married Couples is. Everything!

The Sex:

Again... this is one of the horniest JAL books I've read! You do genuinely get more sex on the page than a few of the previous installments in this series (four scenes between our main couple, including one particularly exciting moment), plus a lot of hardcore flirting/implied sex between two other couples... and then the "it's funny, but now everyone is talking about loud sex and it's getting hot in the room" loud newlyweds.

I really loved how Alexandra and Magnus had sex, though. The impetuousness of it all. The way he just SNAPPED around her. And honestly? When he's right, he's right. He knew they'd be great in bed together, and, like... yes. I also super appreciated how he used Alexandra's Lust for His Body against her. So great.

Basically: It's funny! It's emotionally devastating at points! It's sexy! This is what we want from Julie Anne Long, and it's a damn good marriage in trouble/second chance book. So excited for everyone else to read this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I just finished reading the ARC yesterday and I can't wait for everyone else to read it too. If it wasn't already obvious, I'm a huge fan of The Palace of Rogues series and I would read anything that JAL writes 😆 But this one was soo good - I think it's my newest fave in the series! I can't get enough of the Grand Palace on the Thames, the different characters in these books - and Dot and Pike of course!

The Beast Takes A Bride features a second chance romance between Colonel Magnus Brightwall and Alexandra Bellamy - a married couple who've been separated for five years right after their wedding night. I love a good marriage-in-trouble story(okay tbh the angst usually scares me😂) but I think it was handled really well here because they never really knew each other completely to begin with!
Magnus pretty much purchases Alexandra's hand in marriage as her family had a lot of debts but an unexpected betrayal ends with him leaving for Spain on their wedding night - and after 5 years of no contact he ends up rescuing her from prison(okay that was just a misunderstanding😂). He's going to be named as an earl and doesn't need any blemishes on his reputation, so he basically asks her to present a united front when facing the ton before he sends her off to New York🤦‍♀️

This was such a slow burn romance and it suited Alexandra and Magnus so well - though there was a spark between them at first, there were a lot of hurt feelings and wounded pride in the way too. The yearning between them was off the charts 📈🥰 They were both amazing and strong but also flawed in many ways - and I loved seeing it from both of their perspectives as neither of their actions could be classified as right or wrong - just human. I loved the way JAL handles the conversations between them and the buildup to the final scene was amazing!
Anyway, maybe I should stop gushing but if you haven't already read this series - what are you waiting for?