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The Palace of Rogues #2
Angel in a Devil's Arms
From USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long comes the second book in an exciting new historical romance series, the first since her beloved Pennyroyal Green series.
He has devil's blood in his veins. At least, that's always been the legend. How else could the Duke of Brexford's notorious bastard son return from the dead? The brutal decade since Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, allegedly drowned in the Thames forged him into a man who always gets what—and who—he wants. And what he wants is vengeance for his stolen birthright...and one wild night in Angelique Breedlove's bed.
Angelique recognizes heartbreak when the enigmatic Lord Bolt walks into The Grand Palace on the Thames, and not even his devastating charm can tempt her to risk her own ever again. One scorching kiss drives home the danger.
But in the space between them springs a trust that feels anything but safe. And the passion—explosive, consuming—drives Lucien to his knees. Now his whole life depends on proving his love to a woman who doesn't believe in it...because his true birthright, he now knows, is guardian of Angelique Breedlove's heart.
He has devil's blood in his veins. At least, that's always been the legend. How else could the Duke of Brexford's notorious bastard son return from the dead? The brutal decade since Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, allegedly drowned in the Thames forged him into a man who always gets what—and who—he wants. And what he wants is vengeance for his stolen birthright...and one wild night in Angelique Breedlove's bed.
Angelique recognizes heartbreak when the enigmatic Lord Bolt walks into The Grand Palace on the Thames, and not even his devastating charm can tempt her to risk her own ever again. One scorching kiss drives home the danger.
But in the space between them springs a trust that feels anything but safe. And the passion—explosive, consuming—drives Lucien to his knees. Now his whole life depends on proving his love to a woman who doesn't believe in it...because his true birthright, he now knows, is guardian of Angelique Breedlove's heart.
368 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2019
534 people are currently reading
2572 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Long
38 books2,960 followersWell, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
January 31, 2020
This was so tediously boring. If I read one more mention of "The Grand Palace on the Thames" I was going to scream. How was this book written by the same author who wrote What I Did For a Duke and How the Marquess Was Won (both of which I highly recommend)?
This book was just needlessly drawn out even though the characters barely interact with each other before they fall madly in lust. Definitely worth skipping.
This book was just needlessly drawn out even though the characters barely interact with each other before they fall madly in lust. Definitely worth skipping.
October 29, 2019
TITLE: Angel in a Devil's Arms
AUTHOR: Julie Anne Long
SERIES: The Palace of Rogues
RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2019
GENRE: Historical Romance
RATING: All of the stars!
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
You think you've read about perfect heroes? Then get ready for Lucien. He will have you swoon and laugh and maybe even your eyes water a tiny bit. He is just wonderful, charming, funny, self-deprecating with a twinkle in his eyes and intuitive, caring and thoughtful. Lucien has a tenderness for Angelique that he expresses in his mind that is achingly beautiful. For this alone, for his thoughts about this strong, proud woman, I would give this a five star rating. He was the ideal partner for Angelique, who had been hurt and disappointed and discarded by men and disowned by her family. She is wary of Lucien but fascinated and drawn to him all the same. Because of Angelique's previous painful experiences her pulling away from Lucien was relatable, even when she hurt him.
“Is it something about me? Or do you feel as though you can treat all men as though what we feel is of no consequence?"
Lucien's vulnerability was incredibly endearing.
I admired him for how he handled the conflict with his father. Angelique could be pretty badass, especially when she fought for the man she'd fallen in love with.
I loved that there wasn't a sudden realization that they had fallen for one another because it was so obvious to see from the outside what was happening. It was a gradual growth and there was no need stating the obvious - that's how good JAL is transferring the words from the pages into the reader's heart. Their interactions and teasing natures were just...*blissful sigh*...
Being in a room that contained her was better than being in a room that did not contain her.
I also adored reconnecting with Delilah and Captain Hardy - like Delilah and Angelique I thought Lucien and Tristan would butt heads but nope, they got along just fine which is why I was so touched when Captain Hardy pled Lucien's case.
I think everyone should read Julie Anne Long's books. Seriously, though - her writing is poetic and full of wit and clever dialogues, her stories are riveting, delighful, and so, SO romantic. I knew this when I went into ANGEL IN A DEVIL'S ARMS. I've known this for years but every time I finish a book by this author I think I have an expression of awe and utter bliss on my face. The highest compliment I can pay a HR author is comparing them to Lisa Kleypas. If you love LK's stories you'll definitely adore Miss Long's books. The teaser about the next couple in the epilogue of this installment has me excited for the next book. I hope we don't have to wait too long!
“I should like it if we could be friends, Lord Bolt.”
She sounded appallingly sincere. A silence spread like a stain.
“Friends?” he managed finally, on something like a croak, as though she’d extended a silver platter upon which rested his own testicles.
August 7, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What mattered was she was standing, and that was very much in spite of the men who had populated her life.
Readers first met Angelique in Lady Derring Takes a Lover, first in The Palace of the Rogues series. A mysterious man had just arrived when we left the series and Angel in a Devil's Arms picks right up from that. It wouldn't be hard to start the series here, you'd miss emotional foundations between Angelique and Delilah (Angelique was Delilah's husband's mistress) but the author does a good job of revisiting Angelique's background and the romance between our leads starts here.
“I’ve had all manner of experiences and known all manner of people . . . I believe I can say with some authority that people become who they are more because of the pain they experience than the pleasure. And you, my friend, I do believe you carry about your pain the way you might carry eggs in your apron.”
Angelique popped off the pages for me in the first book and I was highly anticipating her story. Almost all of the story takes place in the inn she runs with Delilah and except for a slight revenge plot, this story is focused on character driven and the relationship between Angelique and Lucien. If you're a reader of Long, you'll know how beautifully she can turn a phrase and describe emotion, for example: He paused. She would not be surprised if it was because he heard her heart beating. He’d toyed with the rhythm of its since they met. He ought to know it the way a violinist knows his own instrument. Gorgeous writing. The story has many sentences like this, but I still ending up feeling a lack of connection between our couple.
Imagine a woman who could shorten his breath and blank his mind with just one curve of her lips.
Our hero Lucien was born a bastard but his Duke father started off very loving until he married and then he shunned Lucien and his mother. Lucien started to act out for attention which caused his step-mother to be embarrassed about him and possibly is behind assailants pushing him into the Thames. He gets rescued by a passing ship and ends up sailing the seas for ten years. We're told this and I think I needed some flashbacks of his time surviving, fighting, and building himself up to feel closer to his character. A developing relationship between Lucien and his half brother helped to add layers to Lucien's character and I can't help but already wish for the half brother's book. However, there wasn't anything that really stood out for me with his character and Lucien ended up feeling pretty benign.
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one. The seemingly wrong turns had led her precisely to where she wished to be.
When Angelique and Lucien are together, they do have some good byplay but the sparks just weren't there enough for me. The bedroom scenes were there but felt strangely short and rushed for what Long usually writes. A revenge plot ends up sputtering out and I just don't think the characters and their relationship was strong enough to carry the character driven focus. Angelique and Delilah have screen time together, more towards the end and I missed feeling their connection like I did in the first. The inn's guest are all here again and provide some comedic relief but secondary characters couldn't make up for the lack of punch I was missing between our leads.
Living one’s truth, it seemed, was more liberating than the false safety of no emotion or no risk. It was just so much easier to do when you knew you were loved.
Long has talent and skill for writing and describing human emotions and complexities beautifully and truthfully, but the breadth of the romantic relationship between Angelique and Lucien was missing for me. The epilogue sweetly sets up the next couple in the series and I'll definitely be reading it and hoping the setting can leave the inn more and our main couple will have more scope to their relationship.
What mattered was she was standing, and that was very much in spite of the men who had populated her life.
Readers first met Angelique in Lady Derring Takes a Lover, first in The Palace of the Rogues series. A mysterious man had just arrived when we left the series and Angel in a Devil's Arms picks right up from that. It wouldn't be hard to start the series here, you'd miss emotional foundations between Angelique and Delilah (Angelique was Delilah's husband's mistress) but the author does a good job of revisiting Angelique's background and the romance between our leads starts here.
“I’ve had all manner of experiences and known all manner of people . . . I believe I can say with some authority that people become who they are more because of the pain they experience than the pleasure. And you, my friend, I do believe you carry about your pain the way you might carry eggs in your apron.”
Angelique popped off the pages for me in the first book and I was highly anticipating her story. Almost all of the story takes place in the inn she runs with Delilah and except for a slight revenge plot, this story is focused on character driven and the relationship between Angelique and Lucien. If you're a reader of Long, you'll know how beautifully she can turn a phrase and describe emotion, for example: He paused. She would not be surprised if it was because he heard her heart beating. He’d toyed with the rhythm of its since they met. He ought to know it the way a violinist knows his own instrument. Gorgeous writing. The story has many sentences like this, but I still ending up feeling a lack of connection between our couple.
Imagine a woman who could shorten his breath and blank his mind with just one curve of her lips.
Our hero Lucien was born a bastard but his Duke father started off very loving until he married and then he shunned Lucien and his mother. Lucien started to act out for attention which caused his step-mother to be embarrassed about him and possibly is behind assailants pushing him into the Thames. He gets rescued by a passing ship and ends up sailing the seas for ten years. We're told this and I think I needed some flashbacks of his time surviving, fighting, and building himself up to feel closer to his character. A developing relationship between Lucien and his half brother helped to add layers to Lucien's character and I can't help but already wish for the half brother's book. However, there wasn't anything that really stood out for me with his character and Lucien ended up feeling pretty benign.
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one. The seemingly wrong turns had led her precisely to where she wished to be.
When Angelique and Lucien are together, they do have some good byplay but the sparks just weren't there enough for me. The bedroom scenes were there but felt strangely short and rushed for what Long usually writes. A revenge plot ends up sputtering out and I just don't think the characters and their relationship was strong enough to carry the character driven focus. Angelique and Delilah have screen time together, more towards the end and I missed feeling their connection like I did in the first. The inn's guest are all here again and provide some comedic relief but secondary characters couldn't make up for the lack of punch I was missing between our leads.
Living one’s truth, it seemed, was more liberating than the false safety of no emotion or no risk. It was just so much easier to do when you knew you were loved.
Long has talent and skill for writing and describing human emotions and complexities beautifully and truthfully, but the breadth of the romantic relationship between Angelique and Lucien was missing for me. The epilogue sweetly sets up the next couple in the series and I'll definitely be reading it and hoping the setting can leave the inn more and our main couple will have more scope to their relationship.
November 1, 2019
(4.5 stars) Lately I've been on a losing streak with my HR reads, even new HRs written by my favorite authors. Most of them start out well but don't hold up all the way to the end. And the romance aspect of most has been bland or a bit tepid, not giving me the swoony "feels" a good romantic relationship should.
I've been a fan of Julie Anne Long's style of writing and way to get love and attraction onto paper since her first books from 2004/2005. Those books were flawed and not as good as her Pennyroyal Green series but even they showed the promise of her abilities as a writer of romance. She has not always lived up to the word "historical" in the acronym HR nor has she done enough research into titles and forms of address in the peerage but she has always excelled in that "love" thing. This second in the Palace of Rogues series is no exception.
We met the heroine here, Angelique Breedlove, in the first book, LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, when she, mistress of the late Lord Derring, and Delilah Swanpoole, Derring's widow, develop a friendship and together convert the old, no longer in use, disreputable Palace of Rogues (the only thing Derring left to Delilah in his will) into a reputable boardinghouse, The Palace on the Thames.
Although you can enjoy this new story as a standalone, the background in the first and the friendships and comradery which develop there among all those struggling to make a success of the boardinghouse adds to the pleasure of this second book, which builds on that backstory.
Angelique is a "fallen" woman. She came from a respectable family but, when young, she was used and discarded in turn by two men she had thought loved her. Disowned by her family and in desperate straits she saw herself forced to become Lord Derring's mistress. But now she's in a happier situation, with friends and a respectable position as co-owner of the above-mentioned boardinghouse. She's content, but she's not open to ever again being vulnerable to men and love.
And we have our hero, Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, illegitimate son of the Duke of Brexford. Lucien had been recognized as Brexford's son, even awarded a viscountcy, given an aristocrat's education, and a membership in White's. Yet when it was time for the duke to marry and produce his legitimate heir, his new duchess insisted on Brexford disavowing Lucien and Lucien's mother.
Then ten years ago Lucien was believed to have drowned in the Thames after one of his usual nights of revelry and notorious behavior at the Palace of Rogues (yes, the place that is now Delilah's and Angelique's boardinghouse). But he's now back in London and he's out for revenge on whoever it was that set upon him on the waterfront and dumped him into the river to drown.
What better place to camp out while planning his revenge than the site of his "murder"? And so begins our romance. Lucien starts out as a man only intent on revenge. Angelique as a woman who refuses to allow any man, however attractive he may be, to have power over her via her heart. Long does a beautiful job of showing us how their love develops as they open themselves up to each other and to the possibilities life offers.
Watching Lucien evolve from a man only living for revenge to a man ready to forgive those who betrayed him and to live instead for a relationship with Angelique is heartwarming. And Angelique also needs to learn to forgive, but to forgive herself, and not only to forgive but to admire her younger self and her ability to survive and even thrive.
This is a lovely story. Not just because of the plot and the romance, but also because of Long's writing talents. Her humor, descriptive abilities, clever dialogue, and insight into the human condition make for just the kind of romance I like, full of feels and warmth. Yep, I was like a pig in mud with this one. When Lucien says things like "...only two imperfect people could create such a perfect love. I am yours and you are mine," I turn all gooey inside. Yes, I admit it. Sometimes I'm a hopeless romantic and lover of schmaltz.
As long as JAL continues to produce romances like this one, I'll be reading them.
I've been a fan of Julie Anne Long's style of writing and way to get love and attraction onto paper since her first books from 2004/2005. Those books were flawed and not as good as her Pennyroyal Green series but even they showed the promise of her abilities as a writer of romance. She has not always lived up to the word "historical" in the acronym HR nor has she done enough research into titles and forms of address in the peerage but she has always excelled in that "love" thing. This second in the Palace of Rogues series is no exception.
We met the heroine here, Angelique Breedlove, in the first book, LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, when she, mistress of the late Lord Derring, and Delilah Swanpoole, Derring's widow, develop a friendship and together convert the old, no longer in use, disreputable Palace of Rogues (the only thing Derring left to Delilah in his will) into a reputable boardinghouse, The Palace on the Thames.
Although you can enjoy this new story as a standalone, the background in the first and the friendships and comradery which develop there among all those struggling to make a success of the boardinghouse adds to the pleasure of this second book, which builds on that backstory.
Angelique is a "fallen" woman. She came from a respectable family but, when young, she was used and discarded in turn by two men she had thought loved her. Disowned by her family and in desperate straits she saw herself forced to become Lord Derring's mistress. But now she's in a happier situation, with friends and a respectable position as co-owner of the above-mentioned boardinghouse. She's content, but she's not open to ever again being vulnerable to men and love.
And we have our hero, Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, illegitimate son of the Duke of Brexford. Lucien had been recognized as Brexford's son, even awarded a viscountcy, given an aristocrat's education, and a membership in White's. Yet when it was time for the duke to marry and produce his legitimate heir, his new duchess insisted on Brexford disavowing Lucien and Lucien's mother.
Then ten years ago Lucien was believed to have drowned in the Thames after one of his usual nights of revelry and notorious behavior at the Palace of Rogues (yes, the place that is now Delilah's and Angelique's boardinghouse). But he's now back in London and he's out for revenge on whoever it was that set upon him on the waterfront and dumped him into the river to drown.
What better place to camp out while planning his revenge than the site of his "murder"? And so begins our romance. Lucien starts out as a man only intent on revenge. Angelique as a woman who refuses to allow any man, however attractive he may be, to have power over her via her heart. Long does a beautiful job of showing us how their love develops as they open themselves up to each other and to the possibilities life offers.
Watching Lucien evolve from a man only living for revenge to a man ready to forgive those who betrayed him and to live instead for a relationship with Angelique is heartwarming. And Angelique also needs to learn to forgive, but to forgive herself, and not only to forgive but to admire her younger self and her ability to survive and even thrive.
This is a lovely story. Not just because of the plot and the romance, but also because of Long's writing talents. Her humor, descriptive abilities, clever dialogue, and insight into the human condition make for just the kind of romance I like, full of feels and warmth. Yep, I was like a pig in mud with this one. When Lucien says things like "...only two imperfect people could create such a perfect love. I am yours and you are mine," I turn all gooey inside. Yes, I admit it. Sometimes I'm a hopeless romantic and lover of schmaltz.
As long as JAL continues to produce romances like this one, I'll be reading them.
May 17, 2022
I must be reading too many enemies-to-lovers HRs... it wasn’t until I read this book that I realized how wonderful it is when there is no acrimony between the H and h. They liked each other from the start, were wildly attracted to each other, but went S L O W L Y and became friends first. And Lucien, oh my. He was so damn besotted with Angelique, knew it, didn’t fight it one bit, not ever. Wore his heart on his sleeve and didn’t care who saw it. It was sexy as hell. There was no internal conflict for him where she was concerned. And I loved it. I also loved all the unexpected laugh out loud moments. This book had me smiling and yearning all the way through.
This was what men were bound to get up to when they were segregated from women. Talk inevitably veered to stabbing, hitting, shooting, and masturbation, all followed by a greasy meal.
“I think the fact that The Grand Palace on the Thames is thriving is proof enough that miracles happen, Lord Bolt.” “I think,” he mused, “your bottom lip is a miracle.”
Clever woman that she was, no doubt she knew no encounter of the naked kind between the two of them would be entirely peaceful. But neither were oceans or skies. And they were spectacularly beautiful.
His mood was transcendent. Making love to this woman was clearly why he’d been born. He was a little drunk on both brandy and sex, but it didn’t strike him as an unreasonable reason for living.
“I do not know how to stop wanting you, Angelique,” he murmured. Half wonder, half amused agony. “Never stop,” she whispered.
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one.
This was all he wanted. To wake every morning with his arms around her, her breath falling softly on his chin. His body her pillow; his heartbeat her lullaby.
This was what men were bound to get up to when they were segregated from women. Talk inevitably veered to stabbing, hitting, shooting, and masturbation, all followed by a greasy meal.
“I think the fact that The Grand Palace on the Thames is thriving is proof enough that miracles happen, Lord Bolt.” “I think,” he mused, “your bottom lip is a miracle.”
Clever woman that she was, no doubt she knew no encounter of the naked kind between the two of them would be entirely peaceful. But neither were oceans or skies. And they were spectacularly beautiful.
His mood was transcendent. Making love to this woman was clearly why he’d been born. He was a little drunk on both brandy and sex, but it didn’t strike him as an unreasonable reason for living.
“I do not know how to stop wanting you, Angelique,” he murmured. Half wonder, half amused agony. “Never stop,” she whispered.
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one.
This was all he wanted. To wake every morning with his arms around her, her breath falling softly on his chin. His body her pillow; his heartbeat her lullaby.
March 20, 2020
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Unstarched (him & her)
This was another strong delivery from JAL.
I love everything about the series so far; the location away from the ton, the strong women, their eclectic mix of guests and staff, and their drop dead gorgeous men.
Angelique came off as quite prickly in the first book, but by the end I could not wait to read her story. She’s complex, not always likable, but there are a lot of reasons for that.
The agonistic and funny interactions between her and Lord Bolt quickly spills into passion, and while quite sexy, there was a lot more to this story.
Both carry heavy luggage and are reluctant to share and expose themselves, but as time pass open, evolve and grow in a way I quite enjoyed.
4 stars.
*****
“I think we shall be able to abide peaceably beneath this roof for the duration of his stay.”
*****
- Good God. It was Newgate with blue-and-white quilted counterpanes. Obviously he could not be expected to tolerate this. “Curfew?” he expostulated without preamble, smacking the rules with the back of his hand. “Courtesy? Camaraderie? You can’t possibly expect me to adhere to this nonsense.”
“Well, that is devastating news, Lord Bolt,” she said brightly. “We’ll miss you.”
- He eyed the glass she held critically. “What sort of brandy?”
The cheek of him. “The wet, brownish kind.”
“Oh, well, in that case. ”
She placed it in front of him.
He eyed it a moment, pensively.
- “Whilst I am capable of assisting in shoving a fallen mast upward again, getting men to do the mast shoving for you is the difference between strength and power. Guess which one I find more appealing.”
“The one that makes you feel superior would be my guess.”
He did not reply. Unless eyebrows diving a little could be considered a reply.
- “You have acquired wealth and, I suppose after a fashion, power. You don’t normally do a thing you don’t wish to do. You don’t accommodate anyone you don’t wish to tolerate for more than a second. And now and again you can’t even be bothered with manners, and yours, I’ve noticed, when deployed, are exquisite. So as an ironic result of your resilience, you’re more rigid now than ever you were. And much like the proverbial ship’s mast in a storm, rigid men are a trifle prone to, well . . .” She held out her two fists together and flicked them down sharply. Snap.
- “I was once a governess.”
His smile was disarming and utterly charming. “Shocking.”
- “Good morning, Lord Bolt. I expect you have a busy day of unnerving people ahead of you.”
- “I think the fact that The Grand Palace on the Thames is thriving is proof enough that miracles happen, Lord Bolt.”
“I think,” he mused, “your bottom lip is a miracle.”
She went still. Her breath left her in a little shocked sound.
- He looked forward to hearing the words that came out of her mouth. He enjoyed being surprised by her reactions to things. Her opinion mattered to him. Being in a room that contained her was better than being in a room that did not contain her.
- “I’ve had all manner of experiences and known all manner of people . . . I believe I can say with some authority that people become who they are more because of the pain they experience than the pleasure. And you, my friend, I do believe you carry about your pain the way you might carry eggs in your apron.”
- “Have you considered, Mrs. Breedlove,” he began, “that I may, in fact, be in need of some comfort?” She blinked, astonished.
- The pleasure of kissing him—it seemed in the moment inconceivable she had ever denied herself the pleasure of this man.
- “I won’t ask if it was any good for you. I literally saw stars, and you bit me. Given those two things, it seems rather evident that it was very, very good.”
She was silent. Then: “Stars?” she whispered.
“I nearly lost consciousness,” he confirmed tersely. Almost accusingly.
- He could see her in ways that others could not. And on the one hand, it was a luxury that made her want to surrender to him utterly, everything in her mind and heart. And on the other hand, it left her raw and exposed; it was so much easier, safer, more comfortable, to go on as she’d been.
- “I cannot think of a woman . . . I have . . . I have liked more.”
He’d gone quite pale. The words seemed to cost him.
- Angelique felt Delilah’s hand settle gently on her arm. “Angelique. Do you want to tell me what is troubling you?”
Angelique took a long breath. And then her mouth opened. To her horror, what emerged was: “I do not want to feel feelings.”
*****
- Without his knowing, without his permission, his life—thoughts and feelings and all that rot—had reshaped itself around her.
Others in the series:
Book One
This was another strong delivery from JAL.
I love everything about the series so far; the location away from the ton, the strong women, their eclectic mix of guests and staff, and their drop dead gorgeous men.
Angelique came off as quite prickly in the first book, but by the end I could not wait to read her story. She’s complex, not always likable, but there are a lot of reasons for that.
The agonistic and funny interactions between her and Lord Bolt quickly spills into passion, and while quite sexy, there was a lot more to this story.
Both carry heavy luggage and are reluctant to share and expose themselves, but as time pass open, evolve and grow in a way I quite enjoyed.
4 stars.
*****
“I think we shall be able to abide peaceably beneath this roof for the duration of his stay.”
*****
- Good God. It was Newgate with blue-and-white quilted counterpanes. Obviously he could not be expected to tolerate this. “Curfew?” he expostulated without preamble, smacking the rules with the back of his hand. “Courtesy? Camaraderie? You can’t possibly expect me to adhere to this nonsense.”
“Well, that is devastating news, Lord Bolt,” she said brightly. “We’ll miss you.”
- He eyed the glass she held critically. “What sort of brandy?”
The cheek of him. “The wet, brownish kind.”
“Oh, well, in that case. ”
She placed it in front of him.
He eyed it a moment, pensively.
- “Whilst I am capable of assisting in shoving a fallen mast upward again, getting men to do the mast shoving for you is the difference between strength and power. Guess which one I find more appealing.”
“The one that makes you feel superior would be my guess.”
He did not reply. Unless eyebrows diving a little could be considered a reply.
- “You have acquired wealth and, I suppose after a fashion, power. You don’t normally do a thing you don’t wish to do. You don’t accommodate anyone you don’t wish to tolerate for more than a second. And now and again you can’t even be bothered with manners, and yours, I’ve noticed, when deployed, are exquisite. So as an ironic result of your resilience, you’re more rigid now than ever you were. And much like the proverbial ship’s mast in a storm, rigid men are a trifle prone to, well . . .” She held out her two fists together and flicked them down sharply. Snap.
- “I was once a governess.”
His smile was disarming and utterly charming. “Shocking.”
- “Good morning, Lord Bolt. I expect you have a busy day of unnerving people ahead of you.”
- “I think the fact that The Grand Palace on the Thames is thriving is proof enough that miracles happen, Lord Bolt.”
“I think,” he mused, “your bottom lip is a miracle.”
She went still. Her breath left her in a little shocked sound.
- He looked forward to hearing the words that came out of her mouth. He enjoyed being surprised by her reactions to things. Her opinion mattered to him. Being in a room that contained her was better than being in a room that did not contain her.
- “I’ve had all manner of experiences and known all manner of people . . . I believe I can say with some authority that people become who they are more because of the pain they experience than the pleasure. And you, my friend, I do believe you carry about your pain the way you might carry eggs in your apron.”
- “Have you considered, Mrs. Breedlove,” he began, “that I may, in fact, be in need of some comfort?” She blinked, astonished.
- The pleasure of kissing him—it seemed in the moment inconceivable she had ever denied herself the pleasure of this man.
- “I won’t ask if it was any good for you. I literally saw stars, and you bit me. Given those two things, it seems rather evident that it was very, very good.”
She was silent. Then: “Stars?” she whispered.
“I nearly lost consciousness,” he confirmed tersely. Almost accusingly.
- He could see her in ways that others could not. And on the one hand, it was a luxury that made her want to surrender to him utterly, everything in her mind and heart. And on the other hand, it left her raw and exposed; it was so much easier, safer, more comfortable, to go on as she’d been.
- “I cannot think of a woman . . . I have . . . I have liked more.”
He’d gone quite pale. The words seemed to cost him.
- Angelique felt Delilah’s hand settle gently on her arm. “Angelique. Do you want to tell me what is troubling you?”
Angelique took a long breath. And then her mouth opened. To her horror, what emerged was: “I do not want to feel feelings.”
*****
- Without his knowing, without his permission, his life—thoughts and feelings and all that rot—had reshaped itself around her.
Others in the series:
Book One
July 21, 2023
First of all, what is up with the covers for historical roms lately?? First Tessa Dare and now JAL! HATE these covers!
Anyway...
I wish I could give this a 5. But I can't.
This installment is reminiscent of the old JAL books (Pennyroyal Green series). Focused on the MCs' developing relationship using banter and wit and interesting use of vocabulary and expressions, which I have always enjoyed. I love the way JAL writes. No other authors have her style.
HOWEVER.
Beautiful writing doesn't eclipse the lack of a plot and BOREDOM that sometimes the overly contrived words induce. Just as an overly contrived plot would drive me to roll my eyes, I sometimes feel like the author is writing to congratulate herself on a particularly witty turn of phrase or brilliant use of a SAT vocabulary word. In which case, I just yawn and skip.
I HATE skipping even one word of writing that one of my fave authors writes. But I did gloss over 40% of the book bc it was getting TEDIOUS!
So here's a brief summary of what went on:
Guy (who has a devilish reputation and is presumed dead after being thrown off a ship 10 years ago) is staying at the girl's hotel. Mystery and intrigue surrounds him. (Only to be essentially "much ado about nothing" throughout the novel, not much drama there at all.)
Sparks between these two gorgeous creatures fly. Friendship develops too, which is the focus of the relationship. The guy's much touted and anticipated REVENGE doesn't happen much at all. He's grown out of it.
Inevitably, the 2 MCs hurt each other (the girl hurts the guy more) and they do "grand gestures of love" to win each other back... yada yada...
I was bored by 60%. Nothing much happened! I love character and relationship development as much as the next person but... I need a STORY! I need a PLOT. I need SOMETHING more!
The sex scenes were very VAGUE. They just somehow didn't have the spark and intensity JAL used to write with. Maybe that can be said for all of the book.
Maybe my tastes have changed.
It pained me to not shelf this as "favorite author" because she used to be perhaps my very fave HR author!
But...
I don't think she's a fave any more.
Still a good book. Just... sigh...I'm disappointed.
Anyway...
I wish I could give this a 5. But I can't.
This installment is reminiscent of the old JAL books (Pennyroyal Green series). Focused on the MCs' developing relationship using banter and wit and interesting use of vocabulary and expressions, which I have always enjoyed. I love the way JAL writes. No other authors have her style.
HOWEVER.
Beautiful writing doesn't eclipse the lack of a plot and BOREDOM that sometimes the overly contrived words induce. Just as an overly contrived plot would drive me to roll my eyes, I sometimes feel like the author is writing to congratulate herself on a particularly witty turn of phrase or brilliant use of a SAT vocabulary word. In which case, I just yawn and skip.
I HATE skipping even one word of writing that one of my fave authors writes. But I did gloss over 40% of the book bc it was getting TEDIOUS!
So here's a brief summary of what went on:
Guy (who has a devilish reputation and is presumed dead after being thrown off a ship 10 years ago) is staying at the girl's hotel. Mystery and intrigue surrounds him. (Only to be essentially "much ado about nothing" throughout the novel, not much drama there at all.)
Sparks between these two gorgeous creatures fly. Friendship develops too, which is the focus of the relationship. The guy's much touted and anticipated REVENGE doesn't happen much at all. He's grown out of it.
Inevitably, the 2 MCs hurt each other (the girl hurts the guy more) and they do "grand gestures of love" to win each other back... yada yada...
I was bored by 60%. Nothing much happened! I love character and relationship development as much as the next person but... I need a STORY! I need a PLOT. I need SOMETHING more!
The sex scenes were very VAGUE. They just somehow didn't have the spark and intensity JAL used to write with. Maybe that can be said for all of the book.
Maybe my tastes have changed.
It pained me to not shelf this as "favorite author" because she used to be perhaps my very fave HR author!
But...
I don't think she's a fave any more.
Still a good book. Just... sigh...I'm disappointed.
December 12, 2021
Sigh. This was a sneaky sucker-punch to the heart. Wow, did it have me in my feels. There's something so deeply human about Angelique's confession: that she's scared to feel, that a life of safety and satisfaction promises a security she's spent her whole adult life longing for, after being hurt and scorned and cast off simply by being a woman of limited circumstances who took recourse in one of the few ways outside of marriage that a woman could: being a mistress.
Pairing her pain hidden beneath that sharp, no-nonsense facade with Lucien, a man who's recovering from his own wounds, as a bastard son whose stepmother basically tried to kill him off now returned (definite "Count of Monte Cristo hunger for revenge" vibes) finding his path toward healing, and this was a truly poignant romance. Yet for all its power, it had a delicate quality, a quietness to it, that I adored. The beauty and wonder of their romance, of Julie Anne Long's storytelling, were in the tiniest moments; a glance, a touch, a few brief lines of dialogue that left me breathless.
Finally, I love how both Angelique and Lucien (holy hell we love a reformed rake who falls first for the love interest!!) grow into their healthier selves as they give each other and themselves compassion, as they encourage each other to live beyond the shadows of their pasts, and in doing so give themselves permission to live without shame, with hope, embracing full-hearted, bravely passionate love.
Pairing her pain hidden beneath that sharp, no-nonsense facade with Lucien, a man who's recovering from his own wounds, as a bastard son whose stepmother basically tried to kill him off now returned (definite "Count of Monte Cristo hunger for revenge" vibes) finding his path toward healing, and this was a truly poignant romance. Yet for all its power, it had a delicate quality, a quietness to it, that I adored. The beauty and wonder of their romance, of Julie Anne Long's storytelling, were in the tiniest moments; a glance, a touch, a few brief lines of dialogue that left me breathless.
Finally, I love how both Angelique and Lucien (holy hell we love a reformed rake who falls first for the love interest!!) grow into their healthier selves as they give each other and themselves compassion, as they encourage each other to live beyond the shadows of their pasts, and in doing so give themselves permission to live without shame, with hope, embracing full-hearted, bravely passionate love.
January 6, 2022
This was pretty good! The hero is this lost lord who is the bastard of a duke. Someone wanted to get rid of him ten years ago and now he's back and staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Lucien and Angelique have an instant connection and grow really close. I enjoyed their romance a lot, but I wanted a little more from the plot. Lucien is trying to uncover who wanted him killed and it felt a little lackluster. There was almost a MURDER and there just wasn't a lot of urgency to the plot or Lucien getting revenge. Like with the first book, though, I loved the funny moments at the Grand Palace on the Thames and the cast of characters living there. The romance was cute and fun and I'm excited to continue on in this series!
June 5, 2024
4.5 stars
As usual, Long’s writing shines.
This was what men were bound to get up to when they were segregated from women. Talk inevitably veered to stabbing, hitting, shooting, and masturbation, all followed by a greasy meal.
I snort-laughed.
I’m not sure I’ve run across a woman more determined to self-sabotage than the FMC, Angelique. She’s lucky Lucien is a saint. That poor man endured blow after blow after blow and still managed to cling to his humanity. The emotions were all there, in heart-melting language.
So why round down to four stars instead of rounding up to five? Maybe Lucien was a little too wonderful and Angelique a little too recalcitrant. Maybe the bad guys got off too easy. Maybe I was disappointed Lucien showed so much reluctance to accept his younger half-brother into his acquaintance. Maybe the epilogue wandered around a little too much, although the last few pages came into lovingly sharp focus. Although I can’t quite put my finger on it, a smidgeon of something unrealized plagued me after I was finished.
Still, after reading several disappointing contemporary and historical romances in a row, this brought the joy of reading back.
As usual, Long’s writing shines.
This was what men were bound to get up to when they were segregated from women. Talk inevitably veered to stabbing, hitting, shooting, and masturbation, all followed by a greasy meal.
I snort-laughed.
I’m not sure I’ve run across a woman more determined to self-sabotage than the FMC, Angelique. She’s lucky Lucien is a saint. That poor man endured blow after blow after blow and still managed to cling to his humanity. The emotions were all there, in heart-melting language.
So why round down to four stars instead of rounding up to five? Maybe Lucien was a little too wonderful and Angelique a little too recalcitrant. Maybe the bad guys got off too easy. Maybe I was disappointed Lucien showed so much reluctance to accept his younger half-brother into his acquaintance. Maybe the epilogue wandered around a little too much, although the last few pages came into lovingly sharp focus. Although I can’t quite put my finger on it, a smidgeon of something unrealized plagued me after I was finished.
Still, after reading several disappointing contemporary and historical romances in a row, this brought the joy of reading back.
December 12, 2019
This is second in a series and I think it benefits from having read the other first. Lots of character and situation establishment isn't reiterated here. They aren't really necessary, but I think it helps if you know those details.
First off, ignore that atrocious cover. Seriously, it isn't at all an indicator of what you'll find inside. So that's a shame. Second, having read the first, you know more or less what you'll find in this story. And it delivers on those expectations very well.
And I'm doing something I almost never do which is leave a story after only two-thirds or so but with a high rating. I loved these two together. I love how well they fit. And I love how they became friends first and the understanding they have for one another. And that includes how the company of the boarding house at the heart of the story adapts and grows with this new addition.
But I'm ending early because the part I truly care about, the relationship between Angelique and Lucien has culminated. They aren't saying how in love they are, but it has happened and I feel good about their commitment to each other (even though they haven't actually made any commitment to each other). So all that is left is some hand wringing and the adventure plot with Lucien's enemies and family. And I honestly didn't care about that stuff terribly.
So given how little I cared for half the plot, I should probably give it three stars. But I'm not going to. Four stars for how very much I liked these two coming together. They fit so well and I just loved it and while I have better things to do than finish that last third, I'm very glad I had this story for as long as I stuck with it.
A note about Steamy: I have no idea how much steam this will have, but it's at least some. So I'm tagging it but without the specificity I have when I finish a book.
First off, ignore that atrocious cover. Seriously, it isn't at all an indicator of what you'll find inside. So that's a shame. Second, having read the first, you know more or less what you'll find in this story. And it delivers on those expectations very well.
And I'm doing something I almost never do which is leave a story after only two-thirds or so but with a high rating. I loved these two together. I love how well they fit. And I love how they became friends first and the understanding they have for one another. And that includes how the company of the boarding house at the heart of the story adapts and grows with this new addition.
But I'm ending early because the part I truly care about, the relationship between Angelique and Lucien has culminated. They aren't saying how in love they are, but it has happened and I feel good about their commitment to each other (even though they haven't actually made any commitment to each other). So all that is left is some hand wringing and the adventure plot with Lucien's enemies and family. And I honestly didn't care about that stuff terribly.
So given how little I cared for half the plot, I should probably give it three stars. But I'm not going to. Four stars for how very much I liked these two coming together. They fit so well and I just loved it and while I have better things to do than finish that last third, I'm very glad I had this story for as long as I stuck with it.
A note about Steamy: I have no idea how much steam this will have, but it's at least some. So I'm tagging it but without the specificity I have when I finish a book.
June 3, 2022
After the way Lady Derring Takes a Lover ended, I couldn't wait to jump into Angelique's book. The story picks up pretty much right where book 1 ended, so I would strongly urge readers to enjoy the books in order to get the most fulfilling experience.
Things to look forward to:
- Opposites attract, enemies to friends to lovers, forced proximity
- I loved how well matched Lucien and Angelique ended up being. They get off to a rocky start, but that slow burn from friends to more was so good. Both have such terrible hurts in their pasts and seeing them share those vulnerabilities and overcome their fears was beautiful. I also appreciated that each took responsibility for their role in the drama at the end and made amends in the most thoughtful ways.
- spicy, spicy goodness! Untold ways to give pleasure indeed ;)
- Significant cameos from Tristan and Delilah. I loved the scene between Angelique and Tristan at the end. It was heartfelt and sweet, but also hilarious because Tristan is so Tristan and has no idea what to do with a crying woman LOL.
- Hilarious cast of secondary characters that work and stay at The Grand Palace on the Thames. I'm crossing my fingers that there's a book for Dot planned in the future. Also, special shout out to Mr. Delacorte for that poem ("jingle bang!" LOL)
I both read and listened to this one and Justine Eyre is such an amazing narrator. She switches between characters and accents so easily and makes the audiobook such a wonderful experience. The epilogue was very sweet (the bromance!) and gave a little sneak peek of the next couple. I'm excited to continue on with the series!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars
Things to look forward to:
- Opposites attract, enemies to friends to lovers, forced proximity
- I loved how well matched Lucien and Angelique ended up being. They get off to a rocky start, but that slow burn from friends to more was so good. Both have such terrible hurts in their pasts and seeing them share those vulnerabilities and overcome their fears was beautiful. I also appreciated that each took responsibility for their role in the drama at the end and made amends in the most thoughtful ways.
- spicy, spicy goodness! Untold ways to give pleasure indeed ;)
- Significant cameos from Tristan and Delilah. I loved the scene between Angelique and Tristan at the end. It was heartfelt and sweet, but also hilarious because Tristan is so Tristan and has no idea what to do with a crying woman LOL.
- Hilarious cast of secondary characters that work and stay at The Grand Palace on the Thames. I'm crossing my fingers that there's a book for Dot planned in the future. Also, special shout out to Mr. Delacorte for that poem ("jingle bang!" LOL)
I both read and listened to this one and Justine Eyre is such an amazing narrator. She switches between characters and accents so easily and makes the audiobook such a wonderful experience. The epilogue was very sweet (the bromance!) and gave a little sneak peek of the next couple. I'm excited to continue on with the series!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars
November 29, 2025
This book made me both laugh and cry. I don't know if I can do it justice in this analysis. This is a really good story about two main characters whose naivety at a young age turned their then pleasant lives upside down. They didn't always make the best decisions afterwards, but they did discover what needed to be done to survive. And eventually earn some respectability.
If a reader has finished the first book in the series, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, then they are aware that Delilah formed a partnership with her deceased husband's mistress, FMC Angelique Breedlove, when they opened a boarding house called The Grand Palace on the Thames.
All Angelique wants is to have their inn be successful, keep herself out of the spotlight, and live a happy life even if it's a solitary one. Every relationship with a man she's had in the past has ended in disaster. Then MMC Lord Bolt, a/k/a Lucien Durand appears with the matching half of a coin he presents to Angelique allowing him admittance to the best room in their boarding house. He's handsome, wealthy, arrogant, and used to women falling all over him. But Angelique does not. Based on her experience, her plans are to keep a respectable distance and not fall into a trap she's already been through twice before.
Lucien is not a man this reader liked at the beginning of the book. His character seems to turn his nose up at the rules Delilah and Angelique set forth for all of their tenants. On the night he meets the other guests, his rudeness is marked but also admonished. Angelique pulls no punches. She wants Lord Bolt to respect the rules she and Mrs. Hardy established for their boarding house and lets him know the consequences if he doesn't. Lord Bolt comes away from the conversation knowing that he's met his match. Angelique intrigues him. He finds her stunningly beautiful, sharper than a tack, extremely witty, and completely immune to his charms. She's a true challenge for him. Angelique knows what he wants, but she's not giving it to him. Instead, she suggests they be "friends."
Lord Bolt's main mission on returning to London is to not only expand his shipping enterprise, but to exact revenge. Ten years prior, he was pushed into the Thames while inebriated and left for dead. He survived and spent the next decade working his backside off and gained enormous wealth while living abroad. He's back with a vengeance against those persons he knows were responsible for trying to kill him.
It's through their newfound friendship that Angelique learns about how Lucien and his mother were turned out of their country home by the Duke of Brexford following his marriage to the Duchess. Before this happens though, Lucien and his mother are treated well by the Duke and he believes the Duke loved them. The Duke pays for his schooling, gives him a signet ring, title, and gold watch, but does not make him his heir. That title will go to his legitimate son by the Duchess - a cold hearted woman who didn't want Lucien around - at all. Lucien still believes his father loves him and Lucien is determined to see the Duke again. When he does finally meet with the Duke, he discovers how wrong he was about everything. It's a turning point for both Lucien and Angelique when he later talks to her:
"It's a lens," he said.
"What is a lens, pray tell?"
"Love is. You see everything through it, and then you learn it is false, you are forced to recast everything in your life in a new light. Everything."
"Angelique, my friend. I am going to say the word again, because I've had just enough brandy for it. Do you know what it is to love someone... and to believe that they love you, too... but then learn that this love never existed?"
Her breath left her. Of all the things he could have said. It was a bit like taking a scythe to the knees. And her response was, "Yes."
Lucien understands Angelique has erected walls around her that are nearly impenetrable. He's determined to find out why and who hurt her so badly. She eventually opens up to him about a few things - but not everything. Lucien's transformation is well worth the reading journey. It's a good book that this reader could not put down. The author created two flawed yet wonderful fictitious characters and paired them together for a great story.
Overall, a 4.5 star rating.
If a reader has finished the first book in the series, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, then they are aware that Delilah formed a partnership with her deceased husband's mistress, FMC Angelique Breedlove, when they opened a boarding house called The Grand Palace on the Thames.
All Angelique wants is to have their inn be successful, keep herself out of the spotlight, and live a happy life even if it's a solitary one. Every relationship with a man she's had in the past has ended in disaster. Then MMC Lord Bolt, a/k/a Lucien Durand appears with the matching half of a coin he presents to Angelique allowing him admittance to the best room in their boarding house. He's handsome, wealthy, arrogant, and used to women falling all over him. But Angelique does not. Based on her experience, her plans are to keep a respectable distance and not fall into a trap she's already been through twice before.
Lucien is not a man this reader liked at the beginning of the book. His character seems to turn his nose up at the rules Delilah and Angelique set forth for all of their tenants. On the night he meets the other guests, his rudeness is marked but also admonished. Angelique pulls no punches. She wants Lord Bolt to respect the rules she and Mrs. Hardy established for their boarding house and lets him know the consequences if he doesn't. Lord Bolt comes away from the conversation knowing that he's met his match. Angelique intrigues him. He finds her stunningly beautiful, sharper than a tack, extremely witty, and completely immune to his charms. She's a true challenge for him. Angelique knows what he wants, but she's not giving it to him. Instead, she suggests they be "friends."
Lord Bolt's main mission on returning to London is to not only expand his shipping enterprise, but to exact revenge. Ten years prior, he was pushed into the Thames while inebriated and left for dead. He survived and spent the next decade working his backside off and gained enormous wealth while living abroad. He's back with a vengeance against those persons he knows were responsible for trying to kill him.
It's through their newfound friendship that Angelique learns about how Lucien and his mother were turned out of their country home by the Duke of Brexford following his marriage to the Duchess. Before this happens though, Lucien and his mother are treated well by the Duke and he believes the Duke loved them. The Duke pays for his schooling, gives him a signet ring, title, and gold watch, but does not make him his heir. That title will go to his legitimate son by the Duchess - a cold hearted woman who didn't want Lucien around - at all. Lucien still believes his father loves him and Lucien is determined to see the Duke again. When he does finally meet with the Duke, he discovers how wrong he was about everything. It's a turning point for both Lucien and Angelique when he later talks to her:
"It's a lens," he said.
"What is a lens, pray tell?"
"Love is. You see everything through it, and then you learn it is false, you are forced to recast everything in your life in a new light. Everything."
"Angelique, my friend. I am going to say the word again, because I've had just enough brandy for it. Do you know what it is to love someone... and to believe that they love you, too... but then learn that this love never existed?"
Her breath left her. Of all the things he could have said. It was a bit like taking a scythe to the knees. And her response was, "Yes."
Lucien understands Angelique has erected walls around her that are nearly impenetrable. He's determined to find out why and who hurt her so badly. She eventually opens up to him about a few things - but not everything. Lucien's transformation is well worth the reading journey. It's a good book that this reader could not put down. The author created two flawed yet wonderful fictitious characters and paired them together for a great story.
Overall, a 4.5 star rating.
January 25, 2020
4.5 stars
Lucien was a dreamy hero, sigh.
Loved the romance.
Not sure of the epilogue.
Lucien was a dreamy hero, sigh.
Loved the romance.
Not sure of the epilogue.
July 17, 2023
Loved this one. Just charming, clever, romantic. And a big part of why I love this series is definitely the found family aspect of the Grand Palace on the Thames.
October 29, 2019
Title: Angel in Devil's Arms
Series: The Palace of Rogues #2
Author: Julie Anne Long
Release date: October 29, 2019
Cliffhanger: No
Genre:historical romance
If you don't have this series on your radar, stop what you're doing right now. Add these to your TBR, one-click, and prepare for historical romance bliss. Book one, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, was laugh out loud funny and gorgeously written all at the same time. I was so impressed with Julie Anne Long's writing style and her skill in storytelling. Sometimes book two in a series doesn't live up to the genius of the first, but in this case, it was EVEN BETTER.
There just aren't enough words to describe how ecstatic I was to revisit the ever entertaining Grand Palace on the Thames. Delilah and Angelique have carved out an unlikely living with their respectable boarding house down by the docks. They've seen a number of colorful characters step through their doors, but I don't think anything could have prepared them for the mysterious Lucian Duran. He sweeps into the parlor with an enigmatic, calculating gaze and an unquenchable thirst for revenge. The gossip mill in London has declared Lucian dead and gone, and in fact he even had a funeral, paid for by his self-centered father, the Duke of Brexford. It seemed this was an undisputed reality. Until Lucian starts silently appearing in public places, scaring his betrayers silly and giving the Ton a lot to talk about. He's like a predator gleefully playing with his prey's emotions.
It seems impossible to imagine a man like him obeying the laughably ludicrous rules Angelique and Delilah require for their guests. But when Angelique throws down the challenge expecting him to pack his bags and remove his unsettling presence, he smoothly accepts without batting an eye. Not only is he attracted to her from the start, he relishes the opportunity to verbally spar with this worthy opponent. Angelique is like him in many ways, both are reserved, cool, and private, but able to turn on the charm when the need arises. She's also observant and intuitive about people, as he is, and they're able to pick each other apart more than is comfortable at first.
Angelique has a painful history and is trying to reinvent herself in a shiny new image. She's been taken advantage of, used, and eventually walked a path she's ashamed of. She buries the shame under a tough exterior and protects her heart and body fiercely. Lucian shows his interest in enjoying each other while he's there, but unfortunately he (and his bruised ego) are put firmly in the friend zone. She wants no part of a messy entanglement, temporary or not, because the risk is no longer worth the potential passionate reward. She's suffered the consequences enough for one lifetime, and the only thing she wants now is safety and peace.
Things that are bound together make terrible ripping noises when torn asunder. She wanted no more pain, and no more sundering.
Some things are beyond your control however, like the uncomfortable emotions he stirs, and how her heart pounds when he gets near. Neither of them had the time or desire to fall in love. They tried hard to keep things platonic, but the more time he spent getting to know her and all of her closely guarded truths, the more he wanted to be the one she could confide in. I'll admit, it took me a little while to warm up to her. Not because she was unlikable, but just as she doesn't let Lucian in for some time, she keeps her distance from the reader as well. She's like a fortress. Strong and capable of keeping out invaders who try to scale her walls and conquer. When she loses the safety of her carefully constructed new image, she's forced to face her unresolved feelings from her past. She realizes that she was never really at peace all along, not until she accepts her own truths and grows from them. She's human, she makes mistakes along the way, but in a completely relatable and genuine way. It actually made me empathize better and root for her more.
Who would have guessed that the secret of safety was surrender to this man?
I may have to repeat myself with every review for a Julie Anne Long book, but it must be said: her writing is exquisite. So many times I have to stop and reread passages to take in the beauty. The way she's able to blend her dry wit and enchanting, romantic prose gives you the perfect package. You get sharp, entertaining dialogue and banter, and an abundance of angst and emotion to make your heart flutter. I'm seriously kicking myself for not reading her books sooner, I feel like I've been living under a rock for missing out for so long. The Palace of Rogues series has everything you could possibly want in historical romance. Look no further because they are a veritable goldmine just waiting to be discovered.
He paused. She would not be surprised if it was because he heard her heart beating. He’d toyed with the rhythm of it since they met. He ought to know it the way a violinist knows his own instrument.
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November 23, 2019
3.5 stars, I guess. It was better than the first book in this series (Lady Derring Takes a Lover). In fact for most of this book, it was quite a bit better. More like the 'old' Julie Anne Long. Nice banter, interesting characters, nice love story. It was going to be 4 stars.
But about 70-80% through, it slumped badly for me. I just kinda lost interest for some reason, and had to force myself to finish it. Boo.
Maybe it was . That didn't work that well for me.
The ending of the book also dragged on a bit. Clearly, the American (oops can't remember his name) is being set up for a subsequent book. That's OK. But there was a longish epilogue which didn't add a lot to Angelique and Bolt's story, and partly seemed to be there just to introduce the American's possible future love interest. Hmmm. Save that for the next book, please.
Oh well. There were some nice moments. I did like it when It wasn't horrible. Better than #1, but not Ms Long's best ever.
But about 70-80% through, it slumped badly for me. I just kinda lost interest for some reason, and had to force myself to finish it. Boo.
Maybe it was . That didn't work that well for me.
The ending of the book also dragged on a bit. Clearly, the American (oops can't remember his name) is being set up for a subsequent book. That's OK. But there was a longish epilogue which didn't add a lot to Angelique and Bolt's story, and partly seemed to be there just to introduce the American's possible future love interest. Hmmm. Save that for the next book, please.
Oh well. There were some nice moments. I did like it when It wasn't horrible. Better than #1, but not Ms Long's best ever.
January 8, 2021
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Angel In A Devil's Arms is the second book in the "Palace of Rogues" series, and after the ending of book one " Lady Derring Takes A Lover" I was highly intrigued to read this one, since she gave us a teaser on the beginning meeting between our two protaganists: Lucien and Angelique. I will admit that in the first book I didn't know quite what to make of Angelique. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding her in many respects, and it was this mysterious cloud that is hinted at that makes you want to know more of her. I am not sure why exactly it took me so long to pick up this book but I had completely forgotten of this release, it really just slipped my mind but when I saw the audio available at my local library, I just grabbed it instantly, knowing it was time to grab it up. I will say I am relieved that I did so, because it had the balance of what I was looking for.
Angel In A Devil's Arms places the reader back into the setting of the Palace of Rogues and this beautiful and elegant boarding house in the docks of London. We get to see the fun interactions between all of the guests but most especially we get drawn into the drama that is building between Lucien and Angelique. At first, our two protaganists don't care for each other, its more of a toleration mixed a bit with intrigue. But as they grow to unveil that mystery that surrounds each other, there seems to be a sense of intimacy that builds between Lucien and Angelique. Angelique is determined not to grow fond of Lucien, his charm is dangerous to her, because she has secrets and he could harm her and what they have built here with the boarding house. But she soon realizes that love is worth the risk, but will Lucien be her champion and partner?
I have to say I had such a blast with this book, and I laughed my socks off. I had forgotten how witty this author's writing can be, and all that dry wit just had me smiling all the way through and it definitely was the book I needed to help lighten my heart. I found the romance between these two to be quite endearing. It has a sense of "enemies to lovers" but that light angst that exists between them isn't consistent all the way through. I really liked how the author implemented the healthy boundaries for a relationship by both the man and the woman, it showed a sense of equal fairness I was drawn to. I was also fascinated by the story behind the hero and trying to figure out who was behind the attempt on his life and a budding relationship with his younger half brother (who was adorbs)
I did find that overall this story offered the comfort and distraction that was desperately needed and it gave a lighthearted tone to a story that will leave the reader with a smile and aching for more!
Angel In A Devil's Arms is the second book in the "Palace of Rogues" series, and after the ending of book one " Lady Derring Takes A Lover" I was highly intrigued to read this one, since she gave us a teaser on the beginning meeting between our two protaganists: Lucien and Angelique. I will admit that in the first book I didn't know quite what to make of Angelique. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding her in many respects, and it was this mysterious cloud that is hinted at that makes you want to know more of her. I am not sure why exactly it took me so long to pick up this book but I had completely forgotten of this release, it really just slipped my mind but when I saw the audio available at my local library, I just grabbed it instantly, knowing it was time to grab it up. I will say I am relieved that I did so, because it had the balance of what I was looking for.
Angel In A Devil's Arms places the reader back into the setting of the Palace of Rogues and this beautiful and elegant boarding house in the docks of London. We get to see the fun interactions between all of the guests but most especially we get drawn into the drama that is building between Lucien and Angelique. At first, our two protaganists don't care for each other, its more of a toleration mixed a bit with intrigue. But as they grow to unveil that mystery that surrounds each other, there seems to be a sense of intimacy that builds between Lucien and Angelique. Angelique is determined not to grow fond of Lucien, his charm is dangerous to her, because she has secrets and he could harm her and what they have built here with the boarding house. But she soon realizes that love is worth the risk, but will Lucien be her champion and partner?
“Is it something about me? Or do you feel as though you can treat all men as though what we feel is of no consequence?"
I have to say I had such a blast with this book, and I laughed my socks off. I had forgotten how witty this author's writing can be, and all that dry wit just had me smiling all the way through and it definitely was the book I needed to help lighten my heart. I found the romance between these two to be quite endearing. It has a sense of "enemies to lovers" but that light angst that exists between them isn't consistent all the way through. I really liked how the author implemented the healthy boundaries for a relationship by both the man and the woman, it showed a sense of equal fairness I was drawn to. I was also fascinated by the story behind the hero and trying to figure out who was behind the attempt on his life and a budding relationship with his younger half brother (who was adorbs)
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one. The seemingly wrong turns had led her precisely to where she wished to be.
I did find that overall this story offered the comfort and distraction that was desperately needed and it gave a lighthearted tone to a story that will leave the reader with a smile and aching for more!
January 3, 2020
Angelique Breedlove is shocked when Lucien Durand, Viscount Bolt, arrives to claim his reserved room as he's allegedly dead but obviously HOT AF. After emotional make outs, Angelique throws the gauntlet of friendship at Lucien's feet. This works until additional emotional make outs result in BONERS which results in SEX which overlaps nicely with these FEELINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
1. I loved that Lucien's silly little revenge plot was so nicely derailed and left smoldering in the margins. He changes and that change is littered with set backs and back slides: what he wants changes because of Angelique and because of his feelings for her and that carries through to the resolution. THANK FUCKING GOD. It's NICE and I APPRECIATE IT.
2. I was slightly less onboard with the handling of the separation and Angelique's emotional growth: it felt a little rushed and sudden, but it's a minor complaint in the face of the overreaching emotional excellence that permeates this book. I liked Lucien and Angelique together and believed their friendship and their relationship. Good stuff.
3. Angelique has family who falls out of nowhere to reconcile with her. I yawned.
4. Petty complaint, but this needed a 30,000-foot-view edit: someone to read the whole thing and then flag overused phrases and metaphors. Long has some fucking gorgeous prose, but it's distinctive enough that repetitions are obvious and frustrating. A big one was the "contracting" / "tightening" of stomachs and widening of eyes.
5. I ENJOYED IT SO THERE.
1. I loved that Lucien's silly little revenge plot was so nicely derailed and left smoldering in the margins. He changes and that change is littered with set backs and back slides: what he wants changes because of Angelique and because of his feelings for her and that carries through to the resolution. THANK FUCKING GOD. It's NICE and I APPRECIATE IT.
2. I was slightly less onboard with the handling of the separation and Angelique's emotional growth: it felt a little rushed and sudden, but it's a minor complaint in the face of the overreaching emotional excellence that permeates this book. I liked Lucien and Angelique together and believed their friendship and their relationship. Good stuff.
3. Angelique has family who falls out of nowhere to reconcile with her. I yawned.
4. Petty complaint, but this needed a 30,000-foot-view edit: someone to read the whole thing and then flag overused phrases and metaphors. Long has some fucking gorgeous prose, but it's distinctive enough that repetitions are obvious and frustrating. A big one was the "contracting" / "tightening" of stomachs and widening of eyes.
5. I ENJOYED IT SO THERE.
May 8, 2020
This is a well written book. The H is sexy hot but his appeal is his emotional intelligence and how he reconciles the wrongs done to him in his past to a future that holds promises of love, respect and a level of tranquility. He drives the plot more than the h. The best scenes in the book are between him and his father and between him and his brother. We know our h fairly well from book 1 of the series. She is once bitten and thousand times shy and rightly so. JAI does such good work to demonstrate why Angelique, given her circumstances made the choices she did and finally when she has found security and comfort, love comes knocking and her struggle to accept it for what it is.
December 22, 2019
A delightful continuation of The Palace of Rogues series. The love story between these two complicated people is deep and touching. I particularly enjoy the denizens of the Palace; they bring not only a continuity to the series but also are quite interesting in their own right.
I'm delighted that Julie Anne Long has returned to historicals and look forward to the next chapter in this wonderful series.
I'm delighted that Julie Anne Long has returned to historicals and look forward to the next chapter in this wonderful series.
May 25, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! So many funny parts
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes, some months later
Format: mix between e-book checked out through hoopla and audiobook checked out through hoopla
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Maybe, yes? Book 1 is Lady Derring Takes a Lover and I did find myself wondering if I would have a bit more knowledge of the The Grand Palace on the Thames and the characters if I had started there. It’s definitely readable alone though!
Basic plot:
Lucien needs a place to stay and he finds a room at The Grand Palace on the Thames is perfect, almost as perfect as it’s proprietor...
Give this a try if you want:
- London setting
- Regency (my assumption)
- widow heroine with a mysterious past
- working women – heroine owns a boarding house
- prodigal hero returns (from the dead)
- medium steam – 2 full scenes (one flame I combined together with 2 acts)
- lovely banter and dialogue
- hilarious scenes and lovable side characters
- angsty!
Ages:
- Hero is 33, heroine is 29 (nearly 30)
My thoughts:
This book was a really pleasant read. I haven’t read much by Long, but I really loved her writing style in this one. There were quite a few lines I found swoony and poetic, and the humor in this one was really great!
I did get a touch bored in the middle of the book, and I did wish for a bit more tension – there was a bit of instalust at play here and I didn’t feel much when they got into their first kiss or bedroom scene together. The first kiss kind of felt like it was out of nowhere to me.
The ending though, I really loved. I thought the whole thing was gripping – So many sweet parts from the agonizing all is lost moment, to the way Angelique makes it up to Lucien. Definitely made me more eager to try more by Long – and definitely go back and read the first book in the series. 😆
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts: (I wrote these from audio so any grammar mistakes are my own)
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! So many funny parts
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes, some months later
Format: mix between e-book checked out through hoopla and audiobook checked out through hoopla
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Maybe, yes? Book 1 is Lady Derring Takes a Lover and I did find myself wondering if I would have a bit more knowledge of the The Grand Palace on the Thames and the characters if I had started there. It’s definitely readable alone though!
Basic plot:
Lucien needs a place to stay and he finds a room at The Grand Palace on the Thames is perfect, almost as perfect as it’s proprietor...
Give this a try if you want:
- London setting
- Regency (my assumption)
- widow heroine with a mysterious past
- working women – heroine owns a boarding house
- prodigal hero returns (from the dead)
- medium steam – 2 full scenes (one flame I combined together with 2 acts)
- lovely banter and dialogue
- hilarious scenes and lovable side characters
- angsty!
Ages:
- Hero is 33, heroine is 29 (nearly 30)
My thoughts:
This book was a really pleasant read. I haven’t read much by Long, but I really loved her writing style in this one. There were quite a few lines I found swoony and poetic, and the humor in this one was really great!
I did get a touch bored in the middle of the book, and I did wish for a bit more tension – there was a bit of instalust at play here and I didn’t feel much when they got into their first kiss or bedroom scene together. The first kiss kind of felt like it was out of nowhere to me.
The ending though, I really loved. I thought the whole thing was gripping – So many sweet parts from the agonizing all is lost moment, to the way Angelique makes it up to Lucien. Definitely made me more eager to try more by Long – and definitely go back and read the first book in the series. 😆
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts: (I wrote these from audio so any grammar mistakes are my own)
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
August 22, 2023
2020 rating: 4 stars
2021 rating: 4.5 stars
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It had many things i love in a book.
Firstly, it was the amazing chemistry between Lucien and Angelique. Their constant bantering/verbal sparring and conversations always made me amused. They both have a way with words, by being sarcastic and yet their words are not hurting each other. Maybe dry humor, while being a bit sarcastic? I’m not sure how to describe it but i could really see and feel the chemistry between them. It was nice to see them starting off as friends and slowly bonding, building their relationship from there. Because of their huge screen time together, i could definitely believe in their falling in love and their romance.
Secondly, i personally loved Lucien and Angelique. They were both very strong people, shaped by their birth and experiences to become what they are today. And despite those bad circumstances, they still try their best to survive even as they try to put the past behind them which is not easy for them.
I absolutely loved Lucien though. He has lots of dry humor, and yet despite his impatience to go to bed with Angelique, he agrees to be her friend first and found himself enjoying the friendship between them. He has a sad backstory and i like that he managed to build himself up to what he is today, a rich person and owner of businesses. He’s a romantic and a kind soul, despite his devil may care attitude he shows to others. How he treated his half brother and his father shows how kind he is.
Thirdly, it is the character development. Both Lucien and Angelique grew a lot in this book. For Lucien, he started to throw away his revenge and to become a better person & man than he was, by trying to forgive his father/apologizing for his mistakes at the clubs etc, for Angelique’s sake. For Angelique, she stopped feeling ashamed of her choices in her life and decided to live her life with her head up high. For each other, they both accepted some things and sacrificed some things.
I liked that both of them knew what was important to each other and set out to accomplish it. Lucien bought the building for Angelique, and Angelique got back the musical box for Lucien before sending the duchess overseas.
Fourthly, i enjoyed the sex scenes. Wished we could have seen more though.
Lastly, i laughed out loud during some scenes. Eg delacorte’s singing of a bawdy song and some of Lucien’s words.
As much as i loved the book, I would have loved it more if we saw Lucien courting Angelique. Some flowers, some poetry, some sweet kisses would be romantic and sweet.
2021 rating: 4.5 stars
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It had many things i love in a book.
Firstly, it was the amazing chemistry between Lucien and Angelique. Their constant bantering/verbal sparring and conversations always made me amused. They both have a way with words, by being sarcastic and yet their words are not hurting each other. Maybe dry humor, while being a bit sarcastic? I’m not sure how to describe it but i could really see and feel the chemistry between them. It was nice to see them starting off as friends and slowly bonding, building their relationship from there. Because of their huge screen time together, i could definitely believe in their falling in love and their romance.
Secondly, i personally loved Lucien and Angelique. They were both very strong people, shaped by their birth and experiences to become what they are today. And despite those bad circumstances, they still try their best to survive even as they try to put the past behind them which is not easy for them.
I absolutely loved Lucien though. He has lots of dry humor, and yet despite his impatience to go to bed with Angelique, he agrees to be her friend first and found himself enjoying the friendship between them. He has a sad backstory and i like that he managed to build himself up to what he is today, a rich person and owner of businesses. He’s a romantic and a kind soul, despite his devil may care attitude he shows to others. How he treated his half brother and his father shows how kind he is.
Thirdly, it is the character development. Both Lucien and Angelique grew a lot in this book. For Lucien, he started to throw away his revenge and to become a better person & man than he was, by trying to forgive his father/apologizing for his mistakes at the clubs etc, for Angelique’s sake. For Angelique, she stopped feeling ashamed of her choices in her life and decided to live her life with her head up high. For each other, they both accepted some things and sacrificed some things.
I liked that both of them knew what was important to each other and set out to accomplish it. Lucien bought the building for Angelique, and Angelique got back the musical box for Lucien before sending the duchess overseas.
Fourthly, i enjoyed the sex scenes. Wished we could have seen more though.
Lastly, i laughed out loud during some scenes. Eg delacorte’s singing of a bawdy song and some of Lucien’s words.
As much as i loved the book, I would have loved it more if we saw Lucien courting Angelique. Some flowers, some poetry, some sweet kisses would be romantic and sweet.
March 28, 2022
I liked this book more than the first book in the series. I still find all the characters and things going on at the Grand Palace on the Thames funny and too much at times. 😅 so much of the story takes place there and so I am constantly hearing it said over and over again in the text (or audio for my case since I’m listening to this series). There was a lot of family dynamics for Lucien to work through in this and a bit of a mystery element in the story. I just really liked the couple more in this than the first book so I was wanting more of their romance.
July 4, 2024
I Liked It
4 Stars.
TPAM BR July 2024
ALL MONTH LONG
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I enjoyed this one but liked the first one a lot more.
This started like there would be some very exciting intrigue but alas, there wasn't.
It was pretty much historical romance all the way through.
The spicy sex scenes were decent. One really hot one.
The humor was good.
It's definitely well written and the flow is good. Though in my opinion the pace was better in the first one.
Maybe because I enjoyed the first one so much my expectations were a bit high or just in a different track.
The side characters were great and I enjoyed Lord Bolt and Angelique very much.
There were areas I felt dragged just a little.
If it had a bit of the suspense/intrigue that the first book had I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
4 Stars.
TPAM BR July 2024
ALL MONTH LONG
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I enjoyed this one but liked the first one a lot more.
This started like there would be some very exciting intrigue but alas, there wasn't.
It was pretty much historical romance all the way through.
The spicy sex scenes were decent. One really hot one.
The humor was good.
It's definitely well written and the flow is good. Though in my opinion the pace was better in the first one.
Maybe because I enjoyed the first one so much my expectations were a bit high or just in a different track.
The side characters were great and I enjoyed Lord Bolt and Angelique very much.
There were areas I felt dragged just a little.
If it had a bit of the suspense/intrigue that the first book had I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
August 11, 2021
The second in the Palace of Rogues series picks up immediately where Lady Derring Takes a Lover left us, and we were pumped to meet Lord Bolt, hottest illegitimate son of a duke EVER. Turns out he and Angelique have a lot in common.
Look we're loving this series because of the “homey” atmosphere Angelique and Delilah have tried to form at the Grand Palace on the Thames. It’s so ridiculous and so sweet and ugh our teeth hurt in the best way. And if you think that sounds a bit WHOLESOME you'd be kinda right? Julie Anne Long walks the line between wholesome, sexy, and funny, and walks it well.
38-Word Summaries:
Laine: Viscount left for dead creates a shipping empire that leads him right back to England. He keeps getting distracted from his revenge by a sexy widow and increasing revelations that people are complicated. The best grand gestures ever.
Meg: Angelique and Lucien reacted the same way to their difficult young adulthoods: outward shells of cutting irony and utter cynicism protect ooey gooey lovey dovey hearts. So you know what it means when they playact pirate fights together...
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
Look we're loving this series because of the “homey” atmosphere Angelique and Delilah have tried to form at the Grand Palace on the Thames. It’s so ridiculous and so sweet and ugh our teeth hurt in the best way. And if you think that sounds a bit WHOLESOME you'd be kinda right? Julie Anne Long walks the line between wholesome, sexy, and funny, and walks it well.
38-Word Summaries:
Laine: Viscount left for dead creates a shipping empire that leads him right back to England. He keeps getting distracted from his revenge by a sexy widow and increasing revelations that people are complicated. The best grand gestures ever.
Meg: Angelique and Lucien reacted the same way to their difficult young adulthoods: outward shells of cutting irony and utter cynicism protect ooey gooey lovey dovey hearts. So you know what it means when they playact pirate fights together...
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
September 12, 2021
‘Are you going to cry, sir?’
In many ways, this story reminded me of Stuart’s Heartless and Brandon/Emma. Both the H and h here are in the landscape of aristocracy as ‘less thans’ - the H is a bastard but as male still gets a level of respect, the h is labeled various titles which ultimately mean whore. Neither has experience with love and fumble a bit as their magic unfolds.
The difference in Long’s telling is the H is in some ways, the girl - falling first, declaring first, softening first while the h is at times cold, cruel, clinging to ‘love, nope, not for me’. And then she man’s up and this reader, if not the H, sobs.
It’s hard to catch magic in stories like this where upon first sight the H/h hair on back of neck aquivers, but here it worked. The unfortunate inclusion of the later chapter and introducing the next couple in the Series deflated the balloon of joy found here, I wish writers would not do that ‘let me sell you the next book, sneak-peak’ device.
In many ways, this story reminded me of Stuart’s Heartless and Brandon/Emma. Both the H and h here are in the landscape of aristocracy as ‘less thans’ - the H is a bastard but as male still gets a level of respect, the h is labeled various titles which ultimately mean whore. Neither has experience with love and fumble a bit as their magic unfolds.
The difference in Long’s telling is the H is in some ways, the girl - falling first, declaring first, softening first while the h is at times cold, cruel, clinging to ‘love, nope, not for me’. And then she man’s up and this reader, if not the H, sobs.
It’s hard to catch magic in stories like this where upon first sight the H/h hair on back of neck aquivers, but here it worked. The unfortunate inclusion of the later chapter and introducing the next couple in the Series deflated the balloon of joy found here, I wish writers would not do that ‘let me sell you the next book, sneak-peak’ device.
November 29, 2019
3.5 Stars🌟
I freaking love Julie Anne Long. This read has everything I love about her writing. Funny characters, witty bantering, sexy scenes. But that special something was missing for me and I was getting bored with the setting. I’m excited to read about the next couple but I hope they leave the Palace and we read about a different setting. Overall it’s a lovely read but I’m just not over the moon about it.
I freaking love Julie Anne Long. This read has everything I love about her writing. Funny characters, witty bantering, sexy scenes. But that special something was missing for me and I was getting bored with the setting. I’m excited to read about the next couple but I hope they leave the Palace and we read about a different setting. Overall it’s a lovely read but I’m just not over the moon about it.
May 19, 2024
This, the second in the Palace of Rogues series, felt flat to me compared with the effervescent Lady Derring Takes a Lover.
It started out so strong, with Lucien, Lord Bolt, coming seemingly back from the dead and scaring people left, right and center. It was one of the greatest character intros I’ve read, made all the better by the delightful Dot’s saucer-eyed reactions.
Lucien is back to seek revenge for a plot years ago that saw someone try to kill him by throwing him in the Thames while he was drunk. In the ensuing years, he has earned his battle stripes, made his fortune, and come back lean, mean and looking for the people who wronged him. I love that trope.
Sadly, we don’t get much of it. There are a couple of great scenes where he scares the living bejeezus out of people, but I wanted more of that. Instead, he falls in love with Angelique Breedlove almost immediately and decides that all he wants is to make her happy. And this is at like 68%.
I don’t always need books to be super plot-heavy and actually love a character-driven romance. But there wasn’t enough character development for either of them to make it work.
Also, the epilogue is really long and consists of an introduction to the next couple, which felt like an odd choice. And the cover — ugh.
Still, 3.25 stars because Julie Anne Long’s writing is so beautiful and there were some lovely moments.
It started out so strong, with Lucien, Lord Bolt, coming seemingly back from the dead and scaring people left, right and center. It was one of the greatest character intros I’ve read, made all the better by the delightful Dot’s saucer-eyed reactions.
Lucien is back to seek revenge for a plot years ago that saw someone try to kill him by throwing him in the Thames while he was drunk. In the ensuing years, he has earned his battle stripes, made his fortune, and come back lean, mean and looking for the people who wronged him. I love that trope.
Sadly, we don’t get much of it. There are a couple of great scenes where he scares the living bejeezus out of people, but I wanted more of that. Instead, he falls in love with Angelique Breedlove almost immediately and decides that all he wants is to make her happy. And this is at like 68%.
I don’t always need books to be super plot-heavy and actually love a character-driven romance. But there wasn’t enough character development for either of them to make it work.
Also, the epilogue is really long and consists of an introduction to the next couple, which felt like an odd choice. And the cover — ugh.
Still, 3.25 stars because Julie Anne Long’s writing is so beautiful and there were some lovely moments.
November 8, 2025
This book picks up where Lady Derring Takes a Lover ends, with Lucien, Lord Bolt showing up at the Grand Palace to claim his reserved rooms (honestly there were zero reasons for all that mystery). He and Angelique are immediately attracted, but you know she's shut that aspect of herself down, having only been disappointed or compensated for relationships. She has her life there at the GP, and that's enough! "And this was a good life, a fine life, and she was happy knowing it could go on as always."
Meanwhile, Lucien is back in London 10 years after his father's wife tried to have him killed, fortune made and revenge top of mind. He and his mother, a Duke's mistress, were cast aside when the father married his duchess. I really liked how Long doesn't euphemism at all the mother's role with the Duke. "His father had gone up the stairs with his mother while a kind housekeeper had given Lucien a biscuit." The duke may have provided them with a house on the estate (for him to visit) and paid for Lucien's education and arranged his title, but it was just as easy to cast them aside and cut them out when the time came.
I found his storyline a little unrealized. He came into the situation laser focused on revenge for the Duchess wanting him killed (she had him pushed into the filthy Thames, he ended up getting fished out and impressed/joining the crew of a merchant sailing ship). He also wanted to confront his father with his actions, and get the sole reminder of his mother back (talisman alert!). "He would get justice, and if it was the last damned thing he did, he would get his mother's music box back." So he engineers a confrontation with the duke and just...realizes that yeah the duke could carelessly destroy their lives because ultimately they didn't mean to him what he meant to them. And no he can't have the box back.
As Angelique says, "Men often blithely do terrible things to women without realizing it at all. Because they, like your father, don't need to care." Of course this applies to her, reputation and livelihood evaporated because of men taking advantage of her, and then taking the professional role with Lord Derring, who didn't make provisions for her at all. It also applies to her with Lucien at one point, he does something that has potentially catastrophic repercussions on her and her newly built life, because he reacts and does what feels right for him at the time.
Anyway, Lucien has a paradigm shift after meeting with his father, a new lens or light in which to reevaluate his past, and see the path moving forward. He starts building that life, with an atonement and repair tour among his peers, offering apologies for past behavior and assurances of change. It's like what he's doing with the symbolic yarn with Angelique, he's sticking close to her, sharing stories and confidences about the past "He asked idly. He'd found another place to begin untangling the yarn" and straightening out their histories to make a tidy way forward.
Speaking of tidy! One villain meets her comeuppance in a way that seemed so simple I'm not sure why it wasn't deployed before, another doesn't face repercussions at all, which seems right given the patriarchy, and grand gestures are exchanged. Ultimately I felt this story was more about Angelique facing her past and "realizing her past was, indeed, ballast" before she could move on to be a partner with someone else, and Lucien was just in support of that, since his non-relationship storylines just disappeared at the halfway point. As usual, the side characters and found family are a delight. Angelique has love and support from the Grand Palace family like she never did with her actual one. They "did not care a whit. [Their] loyalty was as fixed as the stars."
Meanwhile, Lucien is back in London 10 years after his father's wife tried to have him killed, fortune made and revenge top of mind. He and his mother, a Duke's mistress, were cast aside when the father married his duchess. I really liked how Long doesn't euphemism at all the mother's role with the Duke. "His father had gone up the stairs with his mother while a kind housekeeper had given Lucien a biscuit." The duke may have provided them with a house on the estate (for him to visit) and paid for Lucien's education and arranged his title, but it was just as easy to cast them aside and cut them out when the time came.
I found his storyline a little unrealized. He came into the situation laser focused on revenge for the Duchess wanting him killed (she had him pushed into the filthy Thames, he ended up getting fished out and impressed/joining the crew of a merchant sailing ship). He also wanted to confront his father with his actions, and get the sole reminder of his mother back (talisman alert!). "He would get justice, and if it was the last damned thing he did, he would get his mother's music box back." So he engineers a confrontation with the duke and just...realizes that yeah the duke could carelessly destroy their lives because ultimately they didn't mean to him what he meant to them. And no he can't have the box back.
As Angelique says, "Men often blithely do terrible things to women without realizing it at all. Because they, like your father, don't need to care." Of course this applies to her, reputation and livelihood evaporated because of men taking advantage of her, and then taking the professional role with Lord Derring, who didn't make provisions for her at all. It also applies to her with Lucien at one point, he does something that has potentially catastrophic repercussions on her and her newly built life, because he reacts and does what feels right for him at the time.
Anyway, Lucien has a paradigm shift after meeting with his father, a new lens or light in which to reevaluate his past, and see the path moving forward. He starts building that life, with an atonement and repair tour among his peers, offering apologies for past behavior and assurances of change. It's like what he's doing with the symbolic yarn with Angelique, he's sticking close to her, sharing stories and confidences about the past "He asked idly. He'd found another place to begin untangling the yarn" and straightening out their histories to make a tidy way forward.
Speaking of tidy! One villain meets her comeuppance in a way that seemed so simple I'm not sure why it wasn't deployed before, another doesn't face repercussions at all, which seems right given the patriarchy, and grand gestures are exchanged. Ultimately I felt this story was more about Angelique facing her past and "realizing her past was, indeed, ballast" before she could move on to be a partner with someone else, and Lucien was just in support of that, since his non-relationship storylines just disappeared at the halfway point. As usual, the side characters and found family are a delight. Angelique has love and support from the Grand Palace family like she never did with her actual one. They "did not care a whit. [Their] loyalty was as fixed as the stars."
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