I’ve read and enjoyed each of the books in this series, and this was no different. Starting (and picking up) at the Inn, we meet the “toast of the town” Lillias – at the inn as their family house is being repaired and the search for a snake (of all things) continues. We’ve got a chance to catch up with others from earlier stories and reacquaint ourselves with the “swear jar” and other lovely (if slightly eccentric additions) to the story. But Lillias is not the typical heroine with a set of ‘demure’ traits. She’s rather stand-offish and colder, a bit harder to know – and the slow-moving plot doesn’t instantly endear her to the reader. Not an entirely bad thing for there is plenty of time to get to revisit old favorites, and we are introduced to Hugh, an American, former soldier, and in England for his own, yet undisclosed, purposes.

It’s an inglorious beginning, as Hugh catches Lillias smoking and tattles to her father about the misbehavior and being of the time when Papa’s word was law, Lillias is confined to the inn – with all chances of outside entertainments denied to her. Being a particularly bright and rather opinionated young woman – this doesn’t bode well for Haugh's chances, for there is an attraction between the two – even as Lillias is determined (and still a bit miffed) to ignore the fact.

It is a bit of back and forth as their physical attraction grows – and being caught “in compromise” doesn’t help – as both are of the belief that another is their soul mate – even as they are pushed into an engagement as penance for being caught. It takes far more time for the actual ‘feeling’ of a connection and suitability (to the reader) to develop – and the two, as time is spent in engagement and some seriously steamy moments, the characters come around to see the truth of what is before them.

Highlighting the differences between living a life – and living a full life was paramount here – and while it took quite some time to get there – we do and can imagine Lillias and Hugh in years to come – happy, content and above all, together.

I received an eArc copy of the title from Avon via the Avon Addicts program for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review posted and created and posted to Goodreads on this date. Link to <a href=” http://iam-indeed.com/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a> showcase more reviews.

Big thanks to Avon Publishing for the e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. This review is being given voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's honestly kind of funny that Julie Anne Long has been on my radar for almost 2 years and I'm only just reading her books. It's also kind of funny that I'm reading her, Palace of Rogues series backwards. I won an e-ARC of Duke After Dark (book 4) and read it right away because it sounded great and then realized I had been approved for this e-ARC earlier this year (sorry about that btw). I absolutely loved everything about Duke After Dark and had to immediately read I'm Only Wicked With You, where I also loved everything about it. Now it is time for me to read Angel in a Devil's Arms which I randomly bought at an airport bookstore, almost 2 years ago and thoroughly enjoy.

Julie Anne Long has the ability to create whirlwind romances as well as deeply thought out characters to draw a reader in and keep them hooked for the entire book. So far I've been unable to put this series down because I'm in love with the way she writes romances as well as how developed her side characters are. Everything about this was 5 star and I can't wait for book 5 of this series.

Such a different but parallel type of book for Julie Anne Long - I enjoyed the deeper internal view from these characters and the way this Palace comes to life as an extra character in this story. And while reading the other novels prior to this one(it's the 3rd in the Palace of Rogues) would have been helpful for a bit more backstory - and I plan on reading them next, I found I could read this as a standalone as well.

Hugh is a long time resident of The Grand Palace on the Thames, he was there building his empire and looking for a friend's missing daughter with plans to marry her. Lillias and her family are also staying at the boarding inn, and the two butt heads at every turn, that is... until their attraction over comes them. They're eventually found out by most people in the Inn - of course they were with this group of boundary pushing boarders! Once found, they work through a plan to be free of each other but do they really want that?

This felt very much like a summer day, relaxing story with a meandering yet enticing narrative. It was fun to watch this group and couple come together. Definitely an inspiring read, and I can't wait for the next one to come out!

My opinion is my own and freely given.

This is the third book in the Palace of Rogues series. I found that the series is more enjoyable if read in order, as there are characters who appear in every book, and it is helpful to know their background and the history of the hotel. I re-read the first two books before reading this one and enjoyed them both all over again.

One thing I love most about this series is that it isn't predictable. For example, in the first book, the widow of an earl meets his mistress ... and they decide to go into business together. Guests at the Grand Palace on the Thames tend to also be unexpected, from the titled to working class to genuine rogues. Two of my favorite characters are Dot, the easily distractable maid, and Mr. Delacorte, who sells a variety of interesting cures.

Among the longtime guests is Hugh Cassidy, an American from New York, who is on a mission to locate the daughter of one of his business associates, after she ran away to England. His plan is to find her, possibly marry her, and take her back to American where he will create an empire and go into politics.

In this book, the titled, wealthy Vaughn family - the earl, his wife, and their two children - has come to stay at the Grand Palace on the Thames since their manor is undergoing some emergency repairs. Why at a secondhand hotel in a seedy neighborhood by the Thames River? The reader is left to ponder that.

Lady Lilias Vaughn, the earl's daughter, is expected (possibly) to marry her next-door neighbor's son - a young man who will one day be a duke. She appears downcast for the first part of the book and that is one of the mysteries that is only cleared up in the last part of the book. Why would a beautiful, titled young woman who can be a duchess be depressed?

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

I've only read a few books by Julie Anne Long so far but I have enjoyed every one that I've read so far. This one is no exception but I have to admit, the cover was a little odd to me.

The characters are well developed and the story made it so that I didn't want to put it down without finishing. I really enjoyed the back and forth between Lillias and Hugh. Admittedly, I have not read books one and two in the series but I don't think it hurt. With that said, I'll be going back to read the first books.

Wow! Just Wow! I loved this book and the author's way of writing. Julie Anne Long is a "new to me" author and it will not be the last of her books I read. Very relatable and well-written characters - people I would like to have as friends! I laughed and cried (in a good way) through this book, very heartwarming!

Thank you for my ARC copy, it was much appreciated! #julieannelong

Every time I read a Julie Anne Long book it's like discovering the magic of reading again after being trapped on a bookless desert island for decades. I honestly forget in between just how much her books make me feel. I am not exaggerating when I say that I sobbed while reading this one--the last 12% or so was one long sob fest (at least they were happy sobs at the very end--and she somehow made me laugh through my tears during the last bit of it, too!) I can't even begin to tell you how glad I was I was reading that entire portion from the solitude of my room, because I was not fit for public places at that point.

The dog may have been mildly concerned, but he bounced back nicely once I managed to collect myself.

I'm Only Wicked with You is a lovely (mild) antagonists-to-lovers, close proximity story featuring a hero and heroine who are fairly certain they know what they want their futures to be, though one of them has already (beautifully, as befits a heroine) despaired of ever achieving hers. Either way, they're both 100 percent certain that those futures are headed in opposite trajectories no matter how maddeningly drawn they may be to each other. Surely it's only a passing...infatuation?

Ha. We know better, don't we? As will they...eventually. ;)

Though the sparks between Lillias and Hugh positively light up the book, it's really all of the relationships here, romantic and otherwise, that make the story brilliant. Lillias's relationship with her family feels delightful and true, as does Hugh's love for his. Once again the motley little family of the Grand Palace on the Thames proved to be one of my favorite found families in existence--yes, even Mr. Delacorte with his bag of dodgy potions and potent backside.

I love that even when the characters are doing the exact opposite of what any reasonable reader would want them to, Ms Long is able to make us believe that *they* believe they're doing the only thing that they possibly can...and eventually she also manages to get them to do exactly what they need to in a way that feels just as genuine. Even if it makes me cry.

Especially when it makes me cry.

I'm Only Wicked with You is the third book in Ms Long's The Palace of Rogues series, and though technically it *could* be read as a standalone, why would you do that to yourself? The entire series--dare I say all of Ms Long's books?--should be read and savored.

Rating: 5 stars / A+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

American born Hugh Cassidy has seen a lot in his short life, having seen battle and fought for his family and his own survival. Lady Lillias is the daughter of an earl and the belle of her season. Though the two inhabit different worlds, they meet at the Grand Palace on the Thames and sparks fly almost immediately.

Hugh is driven to rise up and make something of himself and he's not about to let a pompous, spoiled, far too beautiful for his peace of mind. She's equally fascinated by Hugh and their attraction sees them coming together more frequently in the close quarters of the boarding house. Their inability to stay away from each other leads to scandal for them both, until Hugh comes up with a plan that could salvage both of their dreams for the future.

These events lead Hugh and Lillias to learn more about themselves and each other, causing them to rethink everything they thought they knew about what they want for their futures.

This book was such a slow burn and it took me quite a while to get into it and to finish it. I have to say, it was a bit too slow for me and I had a hard time staying interested, but at about the last third/quarter, I finally got invested and was utterly charmed by Hugh. I wasn't much of a fan of Lillias but I did eventually like her once she started giving Hugh a chance and really getting to know him. Hugh had such substance and such a unique backstory for a HR hero and I loved that. These two had a dramatic relationship, yet it never stressed me because I never got even the slightest feeling that they wouldn't wind up together. Despite this taking so long to draw me in, Lillias and Hugh wound up being a very charming couple for me, especially unconventional Hugh.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Julie Anne Long delivers another winner as she takes us back to the Grand Palace on the Thames for the romance between the mysterious American, Hugh Cassidy, and Lady Lillias, the beautiful daughter of an earl. It's an enemies-to-lovers story and chock-full of pointed barbs and multi-level conversations.

It's fantastic.

If you're not familiar with the series, it centers around the small inn where the couples live or work or meet. I've read a couple of reviews that bemoaned the close setting, but I rather liked it. In the first half, it provides forced proximity and an intimacy between these two mismatched protagonists. Because, let's be real, without it, there would be no way they would be in each other's orbit, blazing sexual tension or not.

Lillias isn't always the easiest to like. She is who she is... blue-blooded, sheltered, beautiful. And pining for the one guy in the ton who isn't obsessed with her. The big conflict is How Hard It Is To Be Beautiful. OK, maybe I am over simplifying, but that's not far off. Hugh, on the other hand, is delicious in his American DGAF attitude and barely-leashed sexuality.

There's great banter, steamy encounters, and a solid plot. Everything I expect from JAL, and she delivers on all cylinders. Lillias does evolve and comes to recognize why Hugh is The One and he is willing to put his happiness aside for hers.

An engaging romance with a satisfying conclusion. As always, JAL shows why she is an auto-buy for me.

I thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. However, I was unable to finish this book. It just didn't capture or maintain my interest.

I saw a review saying most of the book was lust and I guess there is some truth to that but it was more than that but our bumbling couple spend most of the book saying they did not even like each other much less love. So it was a touch of enemies to lovers but it was a battle of wits with emotional bursts that overwhelmed our couple with a relationship that was really not a relationship until deep into the book but it was a realization worth waiting for IMHO. I am a great lover of historical romance that is interwoven with an adventure but this one was more of a true romance and written so well I was tempted to give it 5 Stars but held back since many readers might find the first 40-45% of the book to slow for their likes but I found it wonderful once it got going and the banter was more of a battle with words and I found it entertaining so for those who really like a good love story that is filled with a couple who at first will deny their feelings then try to "free" the other for "their own good" this was a great book with a great ending

I'm Only Wicked With You is the third book in Julie Anne Long's The Palace of Rogues series. I adored her clever Pennyroyal Green series, so I was excited to sink my teeth into this book. Unfortunately, I started this series on book three. Though the romance stood alone, I feel like I missed a lot by not reading about the women who started the Palace and their relationships with their men and employees. Still, my time was well spent reading this story.

American Hugh Cassidy is a current resident of The Grand Palace on the Thames, a friendly and warm boarding inn on the London docks. He is a businessman working on building his American empire; he is also in England searching for a dear friend's missing daughter. Also at The Grand Palace is Lady Lillias Vaughn and her titled family. They are at the boarding inn while their residence is being repaired for the bullet holes Lillias's Papa made while attempting to kill a snake loose in the house. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Hugh and Lillias mix like water and oil, especially after Hugh tattles on her for smoking a cheroot. However, Hugh and Lillias cannot help but be wildly attracted to each other. They give in to passion, only to be discovered by just about everyone at the boarding inn. Hugh agrees to marry Lillias; they, however, believe they have a plan that can set them both honorably free for what they really want. Except, what if their hearts are totally wrong about what they truly desire?

I admit it took me a while to really get into the story. There was much internal dialogue, and though the dialogue between the characters was entertaining, there was an awful lot of it without much action. But I'm pleased I stuck with it. Hugh I adored from the start! He was a big, handsome American who was a hard worker and had great ambition to both build an empire and become mayor of his New York town. When he spoke of his home in the Hudson River Valley, his words were like works of art. It did take me longer to warm up to Lillias. She was suffering inside from a personal heartache, but her outward behavior came across as arrogance and ennui. She and Hugh were immediately drawn to each other, and when they came together it was explosive, and steaminess abounded. I was wondering if they were ever going to realize what they meant to each other; I was thrilled that they didn't disappoint! I really enjoyed many of the supporting characters herein. Claire, younger sister to Lillias, was sweet and adorable. ("What if the missing snake had snake kittens?" LMAO!) However, my favorite character in the book was Delacorte, Hugh's friend and a fellow boarder. That man was a hoot and the story shined every time he appeared! I definitely need to go back and read what I missed in the previous two books!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

But when Lady Lillias Vaughn had emerged into view from the dusty twilight of an unfinished part of the Annex at The Grand Palace on the Thames, he’d been struck dumb.

Picking right up where readers of the The Palace of the Rogues series left off in Angel in a Devil's Arms, this third installment gives us the continuation of all that tension between two guests at The Grand Palace on the Thames inn. Lady Lillias is the daughter of an Earl staying at the inn with her family while her home is being searched for a snake her older brother brought home after winning in a poker game and a hole in the wall from her father who shot at said snake is being repaired. She's been the toast of the season but oddly seems cold and aloof and dreading a ball coming up in two weeks. Hugh Cassidy is an American who can't even trace his lineage beyond his grandfather and seems to being holding his true reason for being in England close to his vest. He finds Lillias smoking and tattles to her father, which has her punishment being grounded to the inn. There the more time Lillias and Hugh spend with each other the brighter the tension burns between them and speaking glances start to say a lot.

Never had a silent conversation been louder than the one he was conducting with Lady Lillias Vaughn.

This is the third book in the series and after the first two, I was hoping we could move outside of the inn's walls, that doesn't happen here. The first half is solidly at the inn and the first 30% is fairly slow moving and we spend ample time with, albeit, old favorites like the heroines from the first two books and a handful of scenes with their counterparts, the ever contributing to the swear jar Mr. Delacourte, and sweet Dot. All characters that bring charm to the story but I found myself straining to break the leash to the inn and venture into new territory. Around 40% is when there is significant movement on the beginning's slow bringing together of Lillias and Hugh. I much appreciated how Long kept the historical feel in their tension; shielded conversations that are pointed and looks that burn in crowded parlors. This added to the tension and gave that sense of building snapping restraint to the two, which is the feeling I'm looking for when reading a historical.

He met her eyes. It was warning, an apology . . . and, after a fashion . . . a promise.

Fifty percent is where I thought the story picked up more and we get our forced into engagement because of caught in flagrante delicto. At this point, the reader does feel the attraction between the two and while I wouldn't say the depth is incredible, these two don't know each other enough yet, it definitely feels hot to the touch; their chemistry isn't in question but it falls more on the lust side. Long has an incredible ability to deliver lines between characters that make you feel and this couple stood out from the world because they did snap and pop. But, I fear that at times they stood out so much was because the world wasn't as much there this time, the over-trodden ground of The Grand Palace on the Thames with it's many conversations in the beginning really had me chomping at the bit to be free. I found myself daydreaming about how cool it would have been to have the story moved to Hugh's home in America, the Hudson Valley.

It was difficult to align the complicated things he felt with the proper words. So he said the truest thing he could, slowly and softly. “I should hate for any harm to ever come to you.”

Even though our couple is engaged at 50%, they still think they might be in love with other people into the second half of the story. Hugh is in England to find the daughter of his mentor and who he thinks he is going to marry and Lillias is devastated that her childhood friend might not love her the way she loves him. A plan gets developed by Hugh to help Lillias' friend realize his love for her and there is some nice emotional cracking by Hugh but Lillias spends too much time in her head with this. I wanted Lillias to stand-up and choose Hugh to take that control but their final coming together ended up feeling more flat because Lillias didn't make the move I wanted from her.

Together they turned that kiss into something furious and desperate, a clash fueled by futility and the forbidden.

As always, Long gave me lines and emotions that hit hard, and a surprising one that hit me almost the hardest was Lillias' father saying this after Hugh is forced to offer for Lillias: “You could do much worse than young Mr. Cassidy. I rather wish he was my own son.”. It hit hard because Hugh doesn't have much family, lost his mother younger and his father and brother died in the war, and this English Earl saw the good man he was, made my eyes water a bit for Hugh. Other secondary characters like Lillias' sister and brother added some filler to the story and the standbys at the inn probably took up too much time in the beginning. Like I said, I think a different setting, especially if the Hudson Valley had been utilized could have really brought a sense of freshness and adventure to this story. The epilogue was longer and had a wrap-up feel enough that I do wonder if we are finally going to leave the main setting of the Grand Palace on the Thames, we also get a glance at Lillias and Hugh's happily ever after in America. As it was, the beginning was pretty slow but Lillias and Hugh's burning tension saved the second half for me. Their story was one of the difference between living a fine life and full life and I hope someday we can visit their children in the Hudson.

I’ve enjoyed the previous two books in this series and I wasn’t going to skip another one.

I loved Lillias and Hugh. They’re both really good people who are looking for something for themselves. The banter and chemistry are instant and I really enjoyed reading them exchange barbs back and forth.

Plot wise, it was good. The entire thread of Hugh helping Lillias make someone jealous to compete was delightful and while I would have liked more regular conversation between them, the pair of them were easy to root for.

Overall, this is a great addition to the series and the epilogue is perfection. I can’t wait to get to the next one in the series.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

In the latest installment of The Palace of Rogues series, my fledgling love of the series came to an abrupt standstill. While I appreciated the look at the soul-crushing consequences of being the objectified belle of the ton, it was far outweighed by my displeasure at the rest.

First, the romance. Hugh & Lillias' story had a weird paternalistic dynamic starting with him calling her "little girl" in the not-so-meet-cute at the end of the previous book. Hugh feels himself to be much more worldly than Lillias at almost 10 years older and is frequently condescending to her about it, possibly as a defensive mechanism given her higher class status. His life has indeed been more harrowing than hers, but I didn't like how that became something he used to demean her. Even once they got past their initial antagonism, the undertone lingered. He impresses everyone while she follows in his wake, he makes the decisions about their plans and has the vision for their future, and he's the one who sets the moral high ground by both of their estimations.

Next, some social critique. I liked that the discussion of class was present, and I was amused by jokes about the gentry's lack of skills and common sense. What I disliked was the way the American Dream™ is presented as the honorable alternative rather than its own fiction, built on the deliberate harm of many for the privileges of a few. The story itself displays that ugly truth even as it spurns it. Hugh's goal is to build an "empire," and this is meant to be admirable since it's "self-made." However, the robber barons Hugh aspires to join were a historically oppressive and exploitative group.

Finally, Hugh has these running jokes where he plays into the sheltered aristocratic concepts of what the US is like, and he'll play up the dangerous, rugged, uncouthness to shock and mess with his audience. What I didn't like was the role of Indigenous peoples in his jokes. I didn't care for the way he used "Indians" as props in his one-liners on a few occasions, especially as his amusement came at the cost of perpetuating stereotypes to an unaware audience. I was frustrated to see the author try to pardon him with a story about how he has an Algonquin friend, seemingly to indicate that Hugh's jokes shouldn't be taken seriously, whereas I think they should always be taken so regardless of who you know. Later, Lillias reads a book about Native Americans, a plot device to impress Hugh with her interest in the topic.

I refuse to accept that just because the genre is historical that it requires us to accept oppressive systems of the past, especially as they still linger on and harm us in the present.

I know that Julie Anne Long is an author with at least one long-running historical romance series under her belt, but I still think she is massively underrated and overlooked. Simply stated, she rocks my socks off, and every single time I open one of her new releases I can’t help but wonder why I don’t see people singing her praises all over blogs and social media.

I’m Only Wicked with You is the third book in The Palace of Rogues series and brings readers back to that quirky, wonderful hotel The Grand Palace on the Thames. This time readers are introduced to an enemies to lovers romance featuring the American Hugh Cassidy, who is in London to track down a runaway young woman for a friend, and Lady Lillias Vaughn, who along with her family is staying at The Palace while their estate is being desnaked. (Yes, you read that right.)

These two butt heads continuously and have this back and forth verbal sparring that I live for. BUT THEY ALSO CAN’T KEEP THEIR MOUTHS OFF EACH OTHER. Which eventually ends up in an engagement, which neither thinks they want and a plan to get Lillias the man she thinks she really desires.

There is just something about his author’s writing that sucks me in every single time. I just love the way her characters fall into this kind of desperate passion without realizing it. This couple is spitting mad at each other one minute and then embracing each other in fierce need the next. It made their journey to a HEA such a thrilling ride.

If you haven’t yet read this series I highly, HIGHLY recommend.

I love historical romances and this one did not disappoint! It’s third in the series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Hugh is in England looking for a friends’ daughter when he meets the First Lady Lillias Vaughn. They’re staying at the same boarding house and the chemistry between the two is wicked!

They get caught in a compromising position and end up engaged. Of course, there’s some bumps in the road that force them to admit their true feelings. There’s plenty of steam and I enjoyed seeing Hugh and Lillias together.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a long-time fan of Julie Anne Long. In fact, I've been reading her since her debut novel was published almost 20 years ago. She never fails to delight me with her beautiful language, vividly depicted characters, charming storylines, and happy endings. Book one in this series, Lady Derring Takes a Lover was a 5-star read for me while Book two, Angel in a Devil's Arms was a Top Dish. Book three, I'm Only Wicked With You, takes readers back to The Grand Palace on the Thames and another unexpected romance brewing within its confines.

The first part of this book sets a very leisurely pace with a slow-burn romance that doesn't begin to smoke until close to halfway through the book. It's centered mostly around the entire ensemble of boardinghouse characters and while there are rich humor and sparking embers of chemistry in many of those scenes, I found that the slow pace of the romance in that first half made it too easy to set the book aside. I enjoyed Long's wit and the interactions among the boarders (Mr. Delacorte continues to entertain and Lillias's family are a surprising delight) and staff (Helga and Dot are gems!) at the boardinghouse but it was difficult for me to develop the investment I hope for in the hero and heroine's potential relationship until well into the book. Eventually, Long began to reveal the layers beneath the surface that enabled me to connect with both Lillias and Hugh. There's so much more to both of them than what people would guess. I enjoyed how they each began to open their feelings and allow the other a glimpse into their pain, vulnerability, hopes, and dreams. It led me to embrace the feelings that seemed to be deepening between them. But then the author tossed in a twist that had me wondering if these two should be together. I felt a bit like a rowboat in a storm-tossed ocean the way my feelings kept going back and forth.

Where the first half of the book was too easy to put down, the last quarter or so kept me eagerly flipping pages to discover what would happen next because, to be honest, I had no clue how this was going to end. The final three chapters were one surprise after another, with some of those surprises coming from unexpected corners of the character landscape. I do love it when that happens. And while I may have still been a bit skeptical of this couple's lasting power at the end of the book (for reasons), the Epilogue (one year later) convinced me of the strength, depth, and durability of the love they both feel for the other. Yes, there were sighs, laughter, and happy tears shed.

If you enjoy a cross-class, American-English, slow-burn romance with a lively and disparate ensemble of characters, give this one a try.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

The third book in the Palaces of the Rogues series started out a bit slow for me, but rapidly picked up pace!

I’ll admit I wasn’t ready for Hugh Cassidy, brash American hunting for a missing American socialite in London. Nor was I prepared for the haughty debutante of hidden depths, Lady Lillias Vaughn. Both characters, their highly flammable attraction and subsequent falling, roped me in, but not fast. No, this was another start-and-stop for me. I picked up the book and set it down a couple times.

The first couple chapters were a little slow, but like most of Long’s books, she wove her spell over me and soon I was locked in to finding out how this dance between Hugh and Lillias would play out. Of the two characters, Lillias is the hardest to enjoy. At first, I didn’t like her, though I soon empathized with her in her quiet desperation.

Both Lillias and Hugh face a problem in the fact they find themselves attracted to each other, a true opposites attract and at the worst time as both of them have plans to marry someone else. You can imagine how well those plans work out. The best part is having the story against the backdrop of Grand Palace on the Thames. From the swear jar to Delacorte’s charming personality, the setting allows for an unlikely romance to unfold.

I’ll admit I didn’t want to like this story as much as I did, but Lillias even charmed me eventually and I loved watching her own horror at falling for Hugh become something she couldn’t live without. There are plenty of emotional moments as well and this book did tug on the heart strings a bit, more than I expected.

Overall, if you love a romance where you can sink into slowly and fall under the spell of an attraction that can’t be denied this is the book for you. For readers who enjoy Laura Lee Guhrke or Lorraine Heath.

~ Landra

Lillias is an earl's daughter. Hugh is a self-made American. They've got nothing in common—except both are haunted by a yearning that won't let them be still. In the quiet hours when everyone else in the boarding house is asleep, they encounter each other night after night. Challenging conversations lead to an irresistible attraction. But what they're feeling isn't love, and a future together is impossible. If they're discovered, they could both lose everything.

This novel is shockingly good, perhaps the best I've read all year. The plot is fresh and original and wholly unexpected. The characters are complex and deeply explored. The romance is passionate and emotional, the banter witty and fun. The world building and recurring themes make this book resonate with the reader, pulling them into the story and never letting go until the very end.

This is the third novel in the series, and I recommend reading the books in order. While this book can stand alone, you can't fully appreciate the recurring characters and the world of the boarding house otherwise.

If you listen to audiobooks, I highly recommend this one. Justine Eyre is one of my favorite narrators, and she does a great job with the American accents.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.