I'll start off by giving an huge thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eARC. Secondly, Julie Anne Long does it again. I can't put into words how incredibly beautiful and heart wrenching I found this story. I've been a huge fan of Ms. Long since I devoured her Penny Green Royal Series, and I was beyond excited when she began releasing the installments of "The Palace of Rogues". While I'll be the first to admit that this recent series has been a bit of a hit or miss for me, all is forgiven and forgotten with this latest book.

There's nothing more captivating than two complex, imperfect, but otherwise inherently good people navigating life, love, and their desires. I loved the slow build up to what exactly happened five years ago that led to the present day estrangement between the main couple. Like most JAL books, the perfectly sprinkled comedy relief and secondary characters magnified my enjoyment of this story. This is a must read for all HR fans.

5/5 stars.

The Beast Takes a Bride is the most recent book in the series The Palace of Rogues by Julie Anne Long. I have not read any of the previous books in the series, but I did not feel lost when reading this book.
Magnus Brightwell is a returning war hero/diplomat, having spent the last 5 years in Spain, separated from his wife, Alexandra. The marriage started off on the wrong note, and Magnus and Alexandra have never spent more than a couple hours at a time together prior to their marriage. Upon his return to England, Magnus requires Alexandra to convince polite society that theirs is a happy marriage in order to receive an Earldom from the King, taking a suite of rooms in the boarding house known as the Palace of Rogues.
The book alternates between Alexandra and Magnus, but also tied in interstitials about the owners of the boarding house, Delilah and Angelique, which I'm sure would delight readers of the previous books. As the book progresses, we learn about what went wrong between Alexandra and Magnus while also seeing them work through their issues and hopefully find a happily ever after that won't require one of them to move away to a new country, which is the solution that Magnus proposes at the opening of the book. The love scenes were sufficiently spicy, with the buildup and tension between the couple was very satisfying. The ending, while being semi predictable, was enjoyable as well. I would definitely be interested in backtracking and reading the previous books in this series.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long is an absolute masterpiece, and as her #1 fan, I may sound a bit biased, but she truly never disappoints. Long writes with such raw emotion that this book had me crying out—it resonated with such powerful feelings. The way she captures the haunting aftermath of war, showing how someone may seem emotionless while breaking apart inside, is nothing short of brilliant. Yes, it's a romance book, but the strength of the love here is transformative, helping the characters become the best versions of themselves.

This is probably one of her best novels yet! And if you’re like me, you’ll absolutely adore Dot—her beauty, her blossoming character, and the love that’s blossoming around her like a blessing in the air. Julie Anne Long knows how to craft stories that touch the deepest parts of your soul.

4.25 stars. This was a little slow to start, but it did have a great payoff by the end. The plot set up took until 40%, but the rest of the story didn’t seem rushed, and I appreciate that JAL didn’t wait to make us see what tore this relationship apart the first time. Both MCs are approaching this broken relationship from a place of valid hurt, so they are deservedly tentative. Alexandra is absolutely fantastic and knows just how to kill people with kindness to get what she wants. Magnus is sweet and stern and oh so honorable. When the flame between them finally struck, it became an inferno quickly. Also, there’s a love letter!!

I do still love the cast of recurring characters at The Grand Palace, and I am dying for more of Dot and Pike’s romance. As a found family lover, this series always delivers on that respect.

Thanks so much to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
I am always astounded at how poignantly I feel the emotions of the characters in Julie Anne Long’s books. I got actual stomach flutters reading this one, which is exceedingly rare for me.
I am obsessed with this series and I hope it never ends.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NG.

I absolutely devoured The Beast Takes a Bride! The Palace of Rogues series is a favorite and when there is a new book available, I clear the decks to read it!

This book was a slow burn second chance romance with plenty of sly, brilliant humor. From the get-go you understand the magnetic pull of Alexandra Brightwall. Even in a Newgate cell, you can see that she is smart, kind and able to build a quick rapport with her cellmates. Her estranged husband Magnus is reminded of it as well when he shows up after a 5 year absence to spring her from that cell.

The reasons behind Alexandra and Magnus’ estrangement become clear in flashback. While it may seem that their divide cannot be healed, it’s under the roof of The Grand Palace on the Thames where fellowship, kindness, the most life changing apple tarts live where all things are possible.

I loved The Beast Takes a Bride for a hundred different reasons, but first and foremost was how Alexandra and Magnus were each other’s champions. Those five years didn’t dull what was deep in their hearts and it spoke to their characters that they would defend the other no matter the circumstances.

While Alexandra and Magnus are the main characters, it’s The Grand Palace on the Thames along with its proprietresses, the staff (I see you Dot & Benjamin!) and the residents who are the anchors. I love this series for the ebb and flow of the characters and the mystery of who Dot (or Benjamin) might open the door to next. I can’t wait to see who the next guest will be.

Julie Anne Long is an auto request and auto-buy author for me - I love her books and The Palace of Rogues has been a perfect and enjoyable series, with each book full of longing, wit, character evolution, emotion, and a swoon worthy love story that slowly unfolds during reading.

Avon made my dreams come true and approved my request for The Beast Takes a Bride, and, able to revisit the world of The Palace of Rogues and the terrific cast of regular characters in each (Dot and Mr Pike need to happen). I ignored my other books and read this over two and a half days with a happy smile on my face.


Estranged since the night of their wedding, Magnus and Alexandra have been apart for five years, when her actions prompt an in-person response by her husband.

*troubled marriage
*forced proximity
*yearning and longing
*second chance romance

I loved Magnus and Alexandra and their second chance while staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames. It was a very very enjoyable installment of this wonderful series and I’m specifically thankful for this eARC, as this is one of my favorite series.

The author’s writing just gets better and better - the characters are fleshed out, the stories flow easily, with the plots such that the reader is defintely invested in the outcome.

If you enjoy historical romance and haven’t read Julie Anne Long’s books yet, please allow me to strongly recommend them 😍



Thank you to Avon ❤️ and NetGalley for the DRC

I love, love love Julie Anne Long! Her writing is so rich and beautiful and she truly excels at writing damaged, strong, silent heroes. This is another instance of that. Magnus fell for Alexandra the moment he saw her but carrying all the man angst and trauma of his past he didn't know how to articulate it so instead he bought her as his bride in exchange for paying off her father's debts. But at the first sign of trouble, Magnus leaves Alexandra and it's now 5 years later and he's come back to banish her for good.
Personally, I think the reason for Magnus being upset with Alexandra all these years is silly. I just kept wanting to shout "get over it, dude!" for making this woman suffer for so long for something so trivial. But I also get where Magnus's insecurities stemmed from so it didn't seem out of character that he would carry this slight around for so long, Like I said, Long is a master of writing damaged heroes.
This is probably my favorite book in this series but I believe the ending of this one set up a very intriguing new arrival at the Grand Palace (tbh I wish they;d stop calling it "the grand palace on the thames" like what a mouthful and no one ever calls things like that in real life. We call it the Ritz, not the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, etc) and I am endlessly intrigued by Dot and Mr. Pike's ongoing sweet little love story. Hope they get a novella one day!

It was such a pleasure to read the latest book from Julie Anne Long! The story focuses on Alexandra and Colonel Magnus Brightwall. Married five years ago, they have lived apart ever since. Magnus, a war hero and self-made man, has worked his way up to become successful and respected, not an easy thing to do for a man who was left on a doorstep as a child.

He is enchanted by Alexandra when he meets her at a house party at her family’s estate. Aware of her father’s financial difficulties, he offers to take care of the outstanding debts and other family issues, in exchange for Alexandra’s hand in marriage. Since Alexandra’s role in her family is to smooth things over and make everyone happy, she accepts her father’s decision, despite the fact that she secretly has feelings for Paul, her brother’s former tutor. Paul and Alexandra both understand there is no future for them, given the class difference, and the fact that Paul is due to leave for Africa.

On the evening of Magnus and Alexandra’s wedding, Paul unexpectedly appears in the garden where Alexandra has escaped for a few minutes of solitude. He and Alexandra kiss briefly, a scene that Magnus witnesses and considers a terrible betrayal. As a man who came from nothing, he is especially concerned about his reputation, and is horrified at his new bride’s behavior. And as a soldier, he is used to issuing and following commands. Unable to forgive or discuss the situation, he leaves Alexandra in England while he spends the next five years in Spain on diplomatic business.

He returns from Spain to find Alexandra in Newgate, arrested for stealing a carriage, after an ill-conceived prank by one of her cousins goes awry. After Magnus gets her released from jail, he tells her that he is on the verge of being named an earl. To ensure that nothing happens to mar his reputation before this is finalized, he wants Alexandra to appear with him at several ton functions in his honor to convince society that they are a happy couple. After that he will send her to his estate in New York, where she will remain.

This is a beautifully written second-chance romance with two admirable lead characters, who both want to believe there is hope for forgiveness, even if they are afraid to let down their defenses and be vulnerable to be hurt again. Humorous incidents and dialogue are sprinkled throughout the story, including numerous amusing conversations among the regular boarders of the Grand Palace.

Heartwarming and funny, #TheBeastTakesaBride is another exceptional addition to the Palace of Rogues series! Can’t wait to see who checks in next.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ReadAvon for the ARC.

THE BEAST TAKES A BRIDE is a delightful historical romance by one of my very favorite authors, Julie Anne Long. This is the eighth in Long’s <i>The Palace of Roges</i> series, set in the backdrop of the female-owned boardinghouse Grand Palace on the Thames. Long writes such witty books with riveting turns of phrase. As usual, I highlighted the heck out of this book as I gobbled it up, and I can’t wait to go back and savor the story again. Long’s books make my Keeper shelf of books that I choose to re-read when I’m in need of cheering up.

Alexandra (Alexa) Bellamy is a beautiful blue blood sacrificed to marriage to save her crappy family’s fortunes. Shockingly, she appears to betray her new husband Magnus on their wedding day five year ago. I love how this backstory comes out in drips and drabs- I was on tenterhooks to learn what had happened to cause Magnus to walk out on his bride! I love the feminist leanings of Alexandra- she is the perfect historical heroine for today.

Colonel Magnus Brightwall is described as “a taciturn brute of a war hero,” and he banished Alexa to an icy separation and left for Spain after her wedding day betrayal. He’s come back now and is being awarded an earldom for his service. Magnus issues an edict that he and Alexa will rehabilitate their reputations in the ton, appearing as a united couple, before he banishes her to life out the reminder of her life in America and he takes his place in the British aristocracy.

Magnus and Alexa move into a suite at the Grand Palace on the Thames, where they begin to wage their war on society. But acting as erstwhile compatriots begins to thaw Magnus’ heart toward Alexa, and Alexa begins to see under the gruff exterior of the man who bought her. Long’s books have sprightly dialogue and a beloved cast of highly engaging characters. THE BEAST TAKES A BRIDE definitely showcases Long’s glorious storytelling

This is a Beauty and the Beast trope romance and also a second chance romance. Both are done with inimitable panache. I laughed often, and even cried in a few spots. THE BEAST TAKES A BRIDE is Julie Anne Long at her best, with plenty of angst and oodles of witty repartee. <i>The Palace of Roges</i> series is still going strong, and I can’t wait to see what Long brings us next.

THE BEAST TAKES A BRIDE is the next installment of the Palace of Rogues series by Julie Anne Long. It's a second chance romance between an estranged couple that hasn't seen each other in five years--since their wedding day.

After an escapade and misunderstanding surrounding a stolen carriage in the present day, Alexandra is thrown into Newgate prison, and who should be the person to rescue her than her husband, Magnus, just arrived after five years in Spain. We very quickly learn some of the events that happened five years ago, how they initially met and some of the circumstances of their marriage...but other details emerge slowly.

One thing I loved about this book was how human the characters are. You understand exactly why each acted the way they did, but you also know that in various ways they were both in the wrong. This second chance romance illustrates that if Alexandra and Magnus's marriage had occurred without the inciting incident, it may have gone wrong anyway because they were both starting out with baggage. It takes honesty and truth to build a good foundation, and this time around, they finally get it right. I honestly just wanted the book to be longer!! I love the emotion that JAL infuses the story with, as well as the laughs.

As always, being back with the Palace of Rogues cast of hilarious characters is always a treat, and I am READY for this Dot/Pike secondary romance to bloom.

4.5 Stars.
Heat level: 4

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager & NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!

I love and adore JAL & the 'Palace of Rogues' series. 2 books in this series (that I was able to read via NetGalley <3) are on my all-time-favorite-vip-hall-of-fame list, so I was amped up to read this!

This book perfectly captures the bone-deep yearning that I've come to adore in this series! I do think the MCs "suit well" (hehe), and I did enjoy watching them both grow throughout the book. Magnus Brightwall is just *chef's kiss*. As always, I LOVED revisiting my favorite fictional hotel, the proprietresses & their husbands, and, of course, Dot & Mr. Pike (WHEN IS THEIR BOOK!).

When I first read the description of this book, I was really hoping the event that causes their separation was anything BUT the 1 thing I was dreading, but alas, that was exactly it. I couldn't help but feel a bit icky over it for the whole book (and I would've been a LOT more vengeful than Magnus, personally), so that is really the only thing that brought this down to 4 stars for me. This is actually my only non 5-star read of the series. Alexandra's reasoning for it was immature & made me roll my eyes more than once.

Anywho, I ADORE this series, and cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for a DRC of this title.

Julie Ann Long is such a master of historical romance, and this series is her at some of her best. Loved this one and can’t wait to recommend it to my patrons!

Loved this second chance romance. Only JAL can make me love a second chance romance. I loved that both protagonists made mistakes and needed growth. And we saw that growth. It was so much longing. So painful but then the pain was worth it and made the resolution so much sweeter.

I really love this series, but I have to say as soon as I heard this installment was a second chance, marriage in trouble romance I was all in and excited to read. The Beast Takes a Bride is the eighth installment of The Palace of Rogues series and follows a different couple in each book, but the two main couples, who own the establishment, remain an integral part of the story. There are also several characters who make appearances throughout.

This is the story of Alexandra Bellamy Brightwall and Colonel Magnus Brightwall, who have been married for five years, yet spent the entirety of their marriage separated after a betrayal. When the book opens Alexandria is in jail after a misunderstanding involving a stolen carriage. Just when she thinks she may be stuck in Newgate for a while, she hears a voice demanding her release and realizes it’s her estranged husband. And where else would they take refuge? The Grand Palace on the Thames.

I’m a sucker for the second chance romance trope. There is a lot of pain between the stoic war hero Magnus and the lonely, deeply regretful Alexandria. Their past is told in flashbacks scenes in the first several chapters, which gives insight to both Magnus’s and Alexandria’s states of mind when they meet, marry, and ultimately part ways. As they come back together, Magnus has a plan to separate forever with her following her family to America, and he happily accepting an Earldom and remaining in England. The only problem is he doesn’t ask for her feedback to the situation and she, realizing she has very little options, accepts despite her reluctance. The only problem? Magnus needs her help in cleaning up their images in the wake of her jail stint and their long marital separation.

As the estranged couple navigate social functions necessary to his promotion to Earl, their chemistry works its magic, and they begin to grow closer. Still accepting of their eventual separation, but finally learning of each other’s backgrounds, accomplishments, and personalities. There is still the matter of Alexandria’s betrayal, but to be honest, once her explanations are aired, I completely understood her feelings and motivations, while still feeling sympathy for Magnus. It does take time for them to overcome their past and the pain felt by both parties. The sex scenes are steamy, and perfectly timed with their relationship growth.

As with every book in this series, I was deeply invested in both the main couple and their love story, as well as the ongoing lives of the residents of The Grand Palace on the Thames. I love checking in with the residents and seeing how they are faring in their lives and relationships. The scenes where all get together in the evenings are always full of humor and mischievousness. I am so excited by these ongoing hints of a Dot and Pike romance. Gimme, gimme. gimme.

All in all, another fabulous installment in this series. I look forward to whatever comes next.

This was more of a hit for me that some of the previous books in this series. I like a marriage in trouble book, and I like an older heroine (though older is obviously relative, I just like that she's not eighteen!)

I liked the obvious issues between the couple, and the difficulties they face together and separately. I liked the high stakes, and the ending worked for me. I do think the titular beast might have been a bit harsh, but his growth makes it work enough for me that I didn't mind it.

James' rating: 5 out of 5 stars of 'fullness'! ✨

There's this feeling of complete satisfaction and satiety. I teared up near the end, one actually slipped free. It's so rare that happens (I can count the number of times) but this book was completely and distinctively unparalleled.

It was an emotionally turbulent journey so unexpected and pushing some of my boundaries, that Julie seems to know to push just enough to evoke the most fervid emotions.

I feel like Alexandra and I would be best friends. Alexandra was altruistic, kind and with a stunning wit. She wanted to take care of others, help and connect with them. Magnus (I love the name) had a solid presence and stalwart exterior but also was empathetic and thoughtful. At his core, he had all the qualities that make a leader.

Both of our characters had excellent chemistry but they were hurt by their past. Julie's writing, as it usually does, was gripping and flowed so beautifully. This combination brought out so many intense emotions as Alexandra and Magnus, find themselves and each other, confront their past, their pain and resentment and reach for the love they had hidden completely even from each other.

I loved reconnecting with our characters from 'The Grand Palace of Thames'. I loved the starting embers of Dot's relationship with Mr. Pike. Dike (yes that's their shipping name I came up with 😂), all the way! The magic of the boardinghouse and it's inhabitants was just the push needed for our beast to finally have his bride...

Thank you Julie and Avon Books for an emotionally enriching ARC!

I enjoy reading Julie Ann Long's books, I have admitted when I started reading The Beast Takes a Bride. That I would not care to much about the book, but when I Started reading, I could not put the book down. When you start reading Julie Ann Long books, you feel like you are there at the
The Grand Palace on the Thames. Readers out there that likes her books . You have to read The Beast Takes a Bride. You will enjoy reading it.

A little about the book. Magnus and Alexandra. (For the first time in 5 years Alexandra see her husband Magnus. When he gets her out of Newgate prison .

Overall I love this series. The Grand Palace on the Thames is essentially a character in the books. The series is about a widow/lady whose husband dies leaving she and his former mistress destitute. They create a rooming house on the docks, in a former bordello. In their rooming house, which they dub, The Grand Palace on the Thames, they try to create a little community and have a regular cast of characters along with a new couple each book that either meet or get together at the GPOTT.

In this book. Magnus Brightwall and his erstwhile wife Alexandra stay at the GPOTT for a bit after she has been put in jail for a scheme of her cousin's and he is back in the country after fighting in Spain. Magnus and Alexandra married 5 years prior and on their wedding day he spied her kissing a (former) beau and went off alone to Spain. 5 years later he's decided to make a change and send Alexandra to her family who have moved to New York, while he is made an Earl in London because of his service and having saved the life of a peer.

They start off their relationship estranged, and having to make some forays into society because of his homecoming and also upcoming promotion to Earl. Magnus was an orphan who worked his way up through the military and met Alexandra's father when she was about 22. He got to know her over a house party and then offered to essentially set up her family if she married him. She was planning on having a standard upper class marriage, but he was hurt by the kiss and she was essentially alone for 5 years.

Over the few weeks they are going into society they learn a bit more about each other, including Magnus telling Alexandra that he essentially married her because he fell in love with her at first sight and would do anything to be with her. They have a one night stand essentially and Alexandra starts to realize that she really does enjoy spending time with Magnus.

I loved their story and felt so much for Magnus. And of course the GPOTT and the community atmosphere helped their relationship along. His letter to Alexandra at the end made me more sad than relieved for Alexandra and I didn't enjoy the epilogue. The book was a solid 5 for me for most of the book until the last few pages and the epilogue, so I'd perhaps give it a 4.75 and a cursory round up to 5 just because I love the series.

I hope there are more adventures (including the romance Long hinted to between Dot and Mr. Pike) at the GPOTT.

I received an advanced promotional copy and am giving an honest review.

As always, these are delightful. I do admit that the hero was a little thinly drawn here - the heroine's internality was great but his, eh, a little undercooked. Still nice to spend time with friends but I wonder if these are getting just a bit formulaic?