Lady Derring Takes a Lover
Series: The Palace of Rogues #1
Author: Julie Anne Long
Published February 26th 2019 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
A mistress. A mountain of debt. A mysterious wreck of a building.

Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns the hard way that her husband, “Dear Dull Derring,” is a lot more interesting—and perfidious—dead than alive. It’s a devil of an inheritance, but in the grand ruins of the one building Derring left her, are the seeds of her liberation. And she vows never again to place herself at the mercy of a man.

But battle-hardened Captain Tristan Hardy is nothing if not merciless. When the charismatic naval hero tracks a notorious smuggler to a London boarding house known as the Rogue’s Palace, seducing the beautiful, blue-blooded proprietress to get his man seems like a small sacrifice.

They both believe love is a myth. But a desire beyond reason threatens to destroy the armor around their hearts. Now a shattering decision looms: Will Tristan betray his own code of honor...or choose a love that might be the truest thing he’s ever known
Goodreads

Review
When Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, discovers that her husband's death has left her destitute, she's not surprised. Derring never looked after her, so why would he in death? With only days left to find somewhere to live, she is shocked to find that Derring did have one property, down on the riverfront. Selling the jewels she has left, and that of Derring's former mistress and current ally, Angelique Breedlove, they have just enough in order to turn that property into The Grand Palace on the Thames. Creating rules for their guests, when the handsome Captain Tristan Hardy arrives, and wants to stay, Delilah is conflicted. Surely someone as handsome and headstrong as he would not fit in well with their rag tag bunch? But Tristan is hiding exactly who he is, and he has Delilah in his sights.

I've always heard great things about Julie Anne Long's books, but never got around to buying any of them. Well, at Christmas I decided now was the time, and ordered the entire Palace of Rogues series so I could get right to it. Well, Lady Derring Takes a Lover definitely lived up to the hype! Delilah was dealt a bad hand, but she stayed positive and found a good situation for herself. The fact that she and Angelique sparked up an unlikely friendship and partnership was perfect, and I'm really looking forward to reading Angelique's book, because there's still so many questions there. For Delilah though, Tristan was the right person to allow her to embrace her goals and dreams. Yes, he lied about his intentions at first, and was at the Palace to discover if she had had any part in her husband's smuggling ring, but he fell for her, and fell hard. I never expected who the actual villain was going to be, and it was a hoot how it was all revealed. This was the best way to start a series, and to read a new author - roll on Angel in a Devil's Arms!

Dates Read:
January 8-10, 2023

Rating
4 Stars