After Dark with the Duke: Palace of Rogues

A starchy duke meets his match in this opera singer... I quite rather enjoyed the crafty Mariana. She's theatrical, loves sparkly things and has a flair for the dramatic. She knows her weaknesses but also knows her worth. At 25, she has a voice of an angel and an angry mob hot on her heels. With nothing but a pound to her name, she is already plotting her survival. That's at the Grand Palace on the Thames. James is the older, starchy duke with a tactical mind and icy reserve. He just needs everything in his life to be ruffled by the vastly interesting Mariana. He definitely needs her to spice up his orderly life. Recommend.

the ending felt a bit rushed, or rather I would have preferred it we went into more detail before wrapping up, it felt like key points were just kinda glossed over and wrapped up in a too tidy little bow. that said, the rest of the book was perfection, so 4.5 rounding up to 5*

Fleeing an angry mob incited by scandalous headlines, opera diva Mariana takes shelter at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Penniless and unable to find work in London, she has little choice but to sing for her supper until she can secure a new role on the Continent. Ennobled as a duke for his heroic service during the Napoleonic Wars, James is shocked to find himself sharing quarters with a fallen woman. She meets his veiled insults with barbs of her own. He can't help developing a fascination for the one person who doesn't regard him as the most honorable man in England. The more time he spends with her, the more he realizes she's a victim, not a temptress. Yet the gulf between their stations is vast, and her reputation could ruin him. No one does character-driven Regency romance better than Julie Anne Long. This book left me in awe. It's deeply emotional, delving into the richly detailed pasts of the hero and heroine, and presenting them with impossible choices. The dialogue sparkles, and the banter between the main characters is delightful. The secondary characters add humor and heart. Don't miss it! Tropes: opposites attract, enemies to lovers, age gap, forbidden love, forced proximity Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.