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

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

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

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

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

I hope The Palace of Rogues goes on forever, and really hope Dot and Pike get their story sometime soon!

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

Rating: 5
Themes and Tropes: Second Chance, Slow Burn, Close Proximity, Fun Banter, Side Characters, Fake Relationship
Steam: Medium
Pair With: Your favorite Washington wine

For more reviews, please check out our Reviews page and follow us on Instagram and Goodreads!