Lady Derring Takes a Lover

The Palace of Rogues

By: Julie Anne Long

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2019 Julie Anne Long (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Absolutely wonderful

This is a not-to-be-missed series. You must start from book one and work through all the books in order to get the greatest enjoyment. The characters are so real that they feel like old friends now. These are wonderful stories full of the characters’ joys and problems but also full of great humor. How I wish that I could stay at the Grand Palace on the Thames and know these people!

I love the way that Julie Anne Long writes, and Justine Eyre’s narration is perfect and brings the stories to life. I can’t wait for the next book and wish this series would never end. Highest recommendation.

A Good Start

Lady Derringer Takes a Lover is a good has such an interesting story line, and is a good start. I enjoyed the romance and the intrigue of the smugglers plot.

Romantic read!

Another great book from Julie Anne Long. Perfect story concept. Romantic and funny! Can't wait to start book 2.

Rock bottom beginning.

When you start a heroine at rock bottom, there is no way to go but up. Such is the journey of Lady Derring. Justine Eyre’s performance is exceptional. The set up of the story and time until the hero and heroine meet is a bit long but overall the story is enjoyable.

Slightly off beat, 💕

A little different, but in such a good way. I read/listen to keep my mind busy while I do other things, and for this I like the feels that always end good, might offer a tear, a little suspense and some heat. I’ve been disappointed lately when I find things too dark, TOO complicated, too too bloody even. This book hit all the right notes for me yet was not a typical formula. It was enjoyable and I look forward to the series.

As usual Justine Eyre was in her element and truly delivered!

Certainly Enjoyed it!

I thought this was a great story. One that takes a bit of a different view of the time period where we read so much of Dukes and Duchesses and the like. Don't get me wrong, I love reading those but every once in a while, I do like the outlier. This was pretty much just a fun little story. Nothing intense, nothing deep, nothing passionate (for me at least) but definitely a fun read.

I don't really need to carry on about the plot as I know many reviewers have already done so, however I will say that I was a little annoyed at the end when something we'd been waiting the entire book to learn the answer to, will only be answered in the next novel. I'm certainly not enchanted enough to pay a whole credit for a 7 hour book (which is the next in the series) however, if it were on a 2/1 sale I would probably get it.

Narration was fine. JE is someone I listen to often. She's not my favorite, but nor do I shy away when I see she's narrating.

I did get this one in a 2/1 sale and I feel it was totally worth it. I wouldn't have paid a whole credit for it but that's because I'm extremely particular about what I spend a single credit on.

Funny and no Dukes!

Such an enjoyable change from spunky virgins and rakish dukes. A widow and her husband’s former mistress pool their resources to open a genteel boarding house after they are both left without support. An amusing and somewhat eccentric group of boarders end up living at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Of course there is a dashing hero with a secret motive for moving in, a pair of villains, a pair of silly young lovers, a clumsy maid, and more, all making their way to a satisfying conclusion. Justine Eyre does her usual excellent job. Looking forward to more books by Julie Anne Long becoming available in audio.

not really a race but definitely a fun adventure

It did have a small romance but the book mainly focused around several woman striving for independence during a time that women were reliant on men. The story had some really funny subplots and scenes. I can't say enough how thoroughly I enjoy the author's vocabulary, though I did feel like it was a drinking game any time they said The Grand Palace on the  Thames.

Loved it!

Funny, witty, heartwarming. I loved the relationships between the ladies. What a wonderful start to a new historical romance series by my favorite romance author. And Justine Eyre was the perfect compliment. Yay Harper Collins for getting this 100% right.

Excellent listen - great story

I'm so excited to find a new author who is talented at telling a great story and creating interesting characters. The story was so creative and one that pulls the listener/reader in and keeps us there...enthralled. The characters were great...and funny. Justine did a great job.