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A review by searchingforhappilyeverafter
Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne Long
5.0
I had such a fabulous stay at The Grand Palace on the Thames! Delilah and Angelique are the best hostesses. They, along with Dot and all of the other guests, especially the charming Captain Tristan Hardy, made my stay so fun and interesting.
Lady Derring Takes a Lover, is the first book in Julie Anne Long’s Palace of Rogues series. This is such an entertaining and unique story. Upon her husband’s death, Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns her husband led a secret life. She inherits an abandoned building and decides to live life her way and never again be at the mercy of a man. Captain Tristan Hardy is on a mission to track down a smuggler. His mission leads him to the newly opened boardinghouse, The Grand Palace on the Thames, run by Countess Derring and Mrs. Angelique Breedlove.
This is such an entertaining and unique story. The heroine, Delilah, is strong and courageous, and I love her optimism. Her husband died and left her penniless except for an old building, and Delilah found out he had a mistress. However, Delilah is still so optimistic about everything, even after meeting said mistress, Angelique Breedlove. She develops an unlikely friendship with Angelique, and together, they get to work fixing up the derelict palace. Even in such extreme circumstances, Delilah doesn’t give up hope! She is a remarkable heroine, who genuinely enjoys making people feel welcome and happy. Along with being incredibly kind and friendly, she is also really clever and witty.
The hero, Captain Tristan Hardy, is absolutely dreamy! He’s strong and ruthless and is a perfect match for Delilah. Tristan doesn’t open up to people very easily, but he can’t resist being drawn to Delilah. The two of them set off sparks right from their hilarious first meeting. Tristan mostly keeps himself under control, but when he lets go and allows Delilah to see his fun and teasing side creates some of the most memorable scenes in this book.
While this may be a romance, it’s also a story about friendship and found family, focusing on the relationship between Delilah and Angelique. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like Angelique’s character, but as she’s telling Delilah her story, I just really wanted to give her a hug. My heart really broke for her. Delilah and Angelique naturally start off a little uncertain about each other, but over time their bond grows stronger. The friendship that develops between the two of them is just so beautifully written.
The smuggling ring investigation, the history of the Palace of Rogues, and the mysterious man with the token offer some intrigue and excitement. The epilogue was fantastic! And I’m so glad I already have the next book so I can find out more about Mr. E!
Also, I enjoyed the variety of secondary characters and the setting! The Grand Palace seems like its own character and really comes to life in the descriptions.
Lady Derring Takes a Lover, is the first book in Julie Anne Long’s Palace of Rogues series. This is such an entertaining and unique story. Upon her husband’s death, Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns her husband led a secret life. She inherits an abandoned building and decides to live life her way and never again be at the mercy of a man. Captain Tristan Hardy is on a mission to track down a smuggler. His mission leads him to the newly opened boardinghouse, The Grand Palace on the Thames, run by Countess Derring and Mrs. Angelique Breedlove.
This is such an entertaining and unique story. The heroine, Delilah, is strong and courageous, and I love her optimism. Her husband died and left her penniless except for an old building, and Delilah found out he had a mistress. However, Delilah is still so optimistic about everything, even after meeting said mistress, Angelique Breedlove. She develops an unlikely friendship with Angelique, and together, they get to work fixing up the derelict palace. Even in such extreme circumstances, Delilah doesn’t give up hope! She is a remarkable heroine, who genuinely enjoys making people feel welcome and happy. Along with being incredibly kind and friendly, she is also really clever and witty.
The hero, Captain Tristan Hardy, is absolutely dreamy! He’s strong and ruthless and is a perfect match for Delilah. Tristan doesn’t open up to people very easily, but he can’t resist being drawn to Delilah. The two of them set off sparks right from their hilarious first meeting. Tristan mostly keeps himself under control, but when he lets go and allows Delilah to see his fun and teasing side creates some of the most memorable scenes in this book.
While this may be a romance, it’s also a story about friendship and found family, focusing on the relationship between Delilah and Angelique. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like Angelique’s character, but as she’s telling Delilah her story, I just really wanted to give her a hug. My heart really broke for her. Delilah and Angelique naturally start off a little uncertain about each other, but over time their bond grows stronger. The friendship that develops between the two of them is just so beautifully written.
The smuggling ring investigation, the history of the Palace of Rogues, and the mysterious man with the token offer some intrigue and excitement. The epilogue was fantastic! And I’m so glad I already have the next book so I can find out more about Mr. E!
Also, I enjoyed the variety of secondary characters and the setting! The Grand Palace seems like its own character and really comes to life in the descriptions.