Series: The Palace of Rogues, #5
Traits & Tropes: spies; forced proximity; sick/comfort; damaged heroine; heroine on the run; slow burn; age gap
Publication Date: 06.28.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Paris, France/London, England, 1820
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 5 stars!
Former British spymaster Christian Hawkes has just been released from a dreadful French prison after three years. Now to rebuild the fortune that was taken from him, he has little choice but to accept an assignment from the Earl of Brundage: to locate his runaway fiancée. Unfortunately, Hawkes knows without a doubt that Brundage is a traitor to his country and that it was his machinations that saw Hawkes imprisoned. Nonetheless, Hawkes has no money, and the earl is desperate for his own reasons, so they make a deal.
Lady Aurelie Capet sees no option other than to flee after her every dream is destroyed. She finds safety and kindness at the Grand Palace on the Thames, until a beautiful, mysterious man topples through their door and upends the peaceful routine.
An inexplicable but equally undeniable attraction crops up between the sweet beauty and the hardened spy. They grow closer and learn more and more of each other’s secrets as Hawkes also begins collecting secrets the earl wants to keep hidden. If he wants a future with Aurelie, Hawkes knows he must settle past scores, and avenge her. Though it gives her trepidation, Aurelie knows she must allow this action, even if it costs her even more of her peace.
It still amazes me that, after writing so many novels, Julie Anne Long still manages to write something that feels new each time. This story is slow burn perfection without ever feeling frustrating or boring, in my opinion. Hawkes and Aurelie had an immediate and palpable connection and I loved that they both recognized and embraced this. There was no game playing and despite circumstances very much not being on their side, Hawkes immediately conferred his loyalties on Aurelie and started quietly working to fix things for both of them. Aurelie’s story was incredibly emotional and painful, and I really appreciated the fact that Hawkes recognized this almost immediately, but pushed her to reveal her truths only gradually, and in such a way as to help her come to terms with everything and move forward. It was also adorable that anything that caused her the least distress obviously destroyed him as no physical pain to his person could. This is like the ultimate in manly, strong, protective hero for me, but I don’t want to say any more and risk spoilers.
I think this book is a must read and now I even want to reread it, which is pretty rare for me. I just loved that there was never any doubt that Hawkes and Aurelie would be together, and he was such a pro when it came to making that happen. These two were perfect together, their relationship a beautiful sort of healing and peace for them both, in which two souls recognized their mates and sought to be together with as little fuss as possible. If that’s not what romance, what life even, is all about then I don’t know what is. If you’re looking for some warm fuzzies, this one definitely produced them for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4692325862
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/894907849
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