What do you think?
Rate this book
The Palace of Rogues #9
Game of Rogues: A Novel
In this sexy regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long, a lady on the edge of ruin must plead with the king of London’s underworld to save her family, only to find herself instead caught in his web...and unable to resist him.
One disastrous night. One devastating man. One diabolical proposition.
Gabriel Marchand ruthlessly fought his way up from the gutters of St. Giles to preside over London’s most exclusive gaming hell. Few dare cross him. But when a young earl gambles away his inheritance, Marchand makes an a woman with wit like a dagger and the softest eyes he’s ever seen.
Spend a night in his bed, and he’ll call off the debt. This is the offer he makes Guinevere Woodville, the earl’s sister, when she blames him for her brother’s disaster. She’d rather die, of course. But when their seething enmity gives way to sizzling attraction at The Grand Palace on the Thames, his offer haunts them. Soon it seems a matter of not if, but when.
It's not long before Ginny is facing two stark the so-called worst man in London is the best man she’s ever known....and keeping him would mean losing everything and everyone else she loves. But Marchand has one final card to play…and losing everything is a risk he’s willing to take if it means a chance to love her forever.
A sexy, witty, and heartwarming tale, Game of Rogues has everything readers love about Julie Anne Long.
enemies to loversforced proximityage gapclass differencepartners in crime
One disastrous night. One devastating man. One diabolical proposition.
Gabriel Marchand ruthlessly fought his way up from the gutters of St. Giles to preside over London’s most exclusive gaming hell. Few dare cross him. But when a young earl gambles away his inheritance, Marchand makes an a woman with wit like a dagger and the softest eyes he’s ever seen.
Spend a night in his bed, and he’ll call off the debt. This is the offer he makes Guinevere Woodville, the earl’s sister, when she blames him for her brother’s disaster. She’d rather die, of course. But when their seething enmity gives way to sizzling attraction at The Grand Palace on the Thames, his offer haunts them. Soon it seems a matter of not if, but when.
It's not long before Ginny is facing two stark the so-called worst man in London is the best man she’s ever known....and keeping him would mean losing everything and everyone else she loves. But Marchand has one final card to play…and losing everything is a risk he’s willing to take if it means a chance to love her forever.
A sexy, witty, and heartwarming tale, Game of Rogues has everything readers love about Julie Anne Long.
enemies to loversforced proximityage gapclass differencepartners in crime
Audible Audio
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Julie Anne Long
38 books3,034 followersWell, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
arc-netgelley
March 4, 2026I'm overwhelming myself with so many ARCs but I cant stop requesting them, every book just sounds so good, and I just finished bridgerton and I wanna remain in that atmosphere still sooooo I cant wait to read this!!!!
TBR
TBR
June 4, 2026
“I am who I am, and you are who you are. I will give you the whole goddamn world. But I can’t change who I am.”
This is another awesome book in the Palace of Rogues series, further proving that JAL is one of the best HR authors of this time. Once again, great main characters fall in love in a heartwarming class-difference story, set (mostly) in the Grand Palace on the Thames. Love story and boarding house scenes are well balanced this time. The banter is outstandingly hilarious and witty, and the book has many beautiful moments.
Yet somehow something was amiss.
I can’t pinpoint why, but this book didn’t move and captivate me as much as most of the previous ones did. I just didn’t feel it. Maybe it lacks a little tension because their relationship develops so smoothly. Ginny sees right through Gabriel, and Gabriel falls for her too quickly and opens up too easily, which doesn’t align with his character or past life. And then there’s also the unnecessary third-act “breakup” (if you can call it that), when they are both certain of their mutual love and know that their separation is only temporary.
Still, it was a very good, entertaining, and well-written book.
But now it was as though the kaleidoscope of her life had been given a twist. All the pieces were the same, but everything looked different.
Since I bought the book and audiobook, I switched between them at first but then I stopped listening altogether. I couldn’t stand the narrator (Justine Eyre) and didn’t like her voice or her intonation. Even though it’s a matter of taste, be warned and listen to a sample before buying
This is another awesome book in the Palace of Rogues series, further proving that JAL is one of the best HR authors of this time. Once again, great main characters fall in love in a heartwarming class-difference story, set (mostly) in the Grand Palace on the Thames. Love story and boarding house scenes are well balanced this time. The banter is outstandingly hilarious and witty, and the book has many beautiful moments.
Yet somehow something was amiss.
I can’t pinpoint why, but this book didn’t move and captivate me as much as most of the previous ones did. I just didn’t feel it. Maybe it lacks a little tension because their relationship develops so smoothly. Ginny sees right through Gabriel, and Gabriel falls for her too quickly and opens up too easily, which doesn’t align with his character or past life. And then there’s also the unnecessary third-act “breakup” (if you can call it that), when they are both certain of their mutual love and know that their separation is only temporary.
Still, it was a very good, entertaining, and well-written book.
But now it was as though the kaleidoscope of her life had been given a twist. All the pieces were the same, but everything looked different.
Since I bought the book and audiobook, I switched between them at first but then I stopped listening altogether. I couldn’t stand the narrator (Justine Eyre) and didn’t like her voice or her intonation. Even though it’s a matter of taste, be warned and listen to a sample before buying
Did Not Finish
February 12, 2026got this as an arc but unfortunately couldn’t finish cause the mmc had a son with a opera dancer he had a “liason” with for about a year, though she disappears when he’s a few weeks old and the kid ends up dying when he’s like five due to fever. kids with OW (dead or alive) are one of my biggest pet peeves and i didn’t see any warnings about this, idk what it is with authors and stupid ass jumpscares like this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
4.25⭐️ Gorgeous! How JAL can tell unique love stories within the limited framework of an English HR set in a boardinghouse is nothing short of amazing.
Ginny’s father had once received a rifle from his friend and rival, the Earl of Sydenham. It had a lustrous walnut stock, a filigreed trigger guard, and a silver thumb plate engraved with her father’s initials. It was a work of art that could blow a man’s head off at two hundred paces. Mr. Marchand was like meeting that rifle in the flesh.
And so it begins!
Heartwarming and heartbreaking. I highlighted the cr*p out of this book, but JAL’s prose is so well conceived, I feel limited as to what should be quoted. Every line may be a spoiler and best savored for the first time by the reader.
While the story is short on plot, it makes up for it as a character study. The slow burn between Ginny and Gabriel was heavenly. And when I say slow burn, the kindling was fashioned from love. 😍
While I’ll never get over the incongruous setting, I was delighted with every scene which focused on the inhabitants of the Grand Palace on the Thames. Every chapter that featured them was like slipping into a cozy tea room after a bout of whirlwind shopping.
Why not five stars? While the first scene with Gabriel and Ginny made my heart race, too much dead air, idle introspection, followed, especially in the first half of the book.
Ginny’s father had once received a rifle from his friend and rival, the Earl of Sydenham. It had a lustrous walnut stock, a filigreed trigger guard, and a silver thumb plate engraved with her father’s initials. It was a work of art that could blow a man’s head off at two hundred paces. Mr. Marchand was like meeting that rifle in the flesh.
And so it begins!
Heartwarming and heartbreaking. I highlighted the cr*p out of this book, but JAL’s prose is so well conceived, I feel limited as to what should be quoted. Every line may be a spoiler and best savored for the first time by the reader.
While the story is short on plot, it makes up for it as a character study. The slow burn between Ginny and Gabriel was heavenly. And when I say slow burn, the kindling was fashioned from love. 😍
While I’ll never get over the incongruous setting, I was delighted with every scene which focused on the inhabitants of the Grand Palace on the Thames. Every chapter that featured them was like slipping into a cozy tea room after a bout of whirlwind shopping.
Why not five stars? While the first scene with Gabriel and Ginny made my heart race, too much dead air, idle introspection, followed, especially in the first half of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
THIS is what has been missing from historical romance for the past few years. This felt like a true historical romance in every sense of the word. It stayed authentic to the era—no modern messaging woven in, no out-of-place attitudes—just characters behaving in ways that felt appropriate to their time. And most importantly, it centered the romance. That, right there, is what I’ve been longing for.
I absolutely adored these two characters. Ginny was a standout heroine—truly unforgettable. She was strong and determined without ever losing her softness. Her love for her family, her quiet resilience, and her natural grace made her such a joy to read. She spoke her mind, but always with dignity and class, which made her strength feel even more authentic and admirable. And how I loved how she loved her family and sacrificed for them. Family theme is strong in this romance.
And Gabriel… oh, Gabriel. He has officially earned a place in my top ten heroes. He struck that perfect balance that so many authors attempt but don’t quite achieve—strong, commanding, and protective, yet deeply tender and emotionally present. He never lost that alpha edge, but it was complemented beautifully by his capacity to love deeply and sincerely. It’s not an easy balance to write, but it was executed flawlessly here. You feel the depth of his love in every interaction.
I’ve truly missed historical romances written like this. In my opinion, this is exactly what the genre has been lacking in recent years. The writing itself was elegant and, at times, almost poetic. There was so much heart woven into the story, so much emotional depth, that I found myself genuinely moved—yes, even to tears in a few places, which doesn’t happen often for me.
The ending was everything I could have hoped for. It was beautifully executed and deeply satisfying. Julie Anne Long truly delivered—she wrapped up their story in a way that felt earned, emotional, and complete. Their happily ever after was not only deserved, it was absolutely beautiful to witness unfold.
From the character development to the progression of the romance, everything was handled with care and intention. Nothing felt rushed or shallow; it all built in a way that pulled me in deeper with every page.
This is, without question, a must-read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance and has been searching for a story that captures the heart of what the genre is meant to be.
THIS is what has been missing from historical romance for the past few years. This felt like a true historical romance in every sense of the word. It stayed authentic to the era—no modern messaging woven in, no out-of-place attitudes—just characters behaving in ways that felt appropriate to their time. And most importantly, it centered the romance. That, right there, is what I’ve been longing for.
I absolutely adored these two characters. Ginny was a standout heroine—truly unforgettable. She was strong and determined without ever losing her softness. Her love for her family, her quiet resilience, and her natural grace made her such a joy to read. She spoke her mind, but always with dignity and class, which made her strength feel even more authentic and admirable. And how I loved how she loved her family and sacrificed for them. Family theme is strong in this romance.
And Gabriel… oh, Gabriel. He has officially earned a place in my top ten heroes. He struck that perfect balance that so many authors attempt but don’t quite achieve—strong, commanding, and protective, yet deeply tender and emotionally present. He never lost that alpha edge, but it was complemented beautifully by his capacity to love deeply and sincerely. It’s not an easy balance to write, but it was executed flawlessly here. You feel the depth of his love in every interaction.
I’ve truly missed historical romances written like this. In my opinion, this is exactly what the genre has been lacking in recent years. The writing itself was elegant and, at times, almost poetic. There was so much heart woven into the story, so much emotional depth, that I found myself genuinely moved—yes, even to tears in a few places, which doesn’t happen often for me.
The ending was everything I could have hoped for. It was beautifully executed and deeply satisfying. Julie Anne Long truly delivered—she wrapped up their story in a way that felt earned, emotional, and complete. Their happily ever after was not only deserved, it was absolutely beautiful to witness unfold.
From the character development to the progression of the romance, everything was handled with care and intention. Nothing felt rushed or shallow; it all built in a way that pulled me in deeper with every page.
This is, without question, a must-read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance and has been searching for a story that captures the heart of what the genre is meant to be.
June 4, 2026
Julie Anne Long is a new-to-me author, but as someone who adores historical romances and is picking them up more and more, I quickly learned that she is an author whose work I need to seek out because, wow, did I have fun with this. Game of Rogues is 9th(!) in the Palace of Rogues series, and while I haven’t read any of the others, I could follow along with the MMC (Gabriel) and FMC (Ginny) just fine. That being said, some of the humor related to the inn guests could’ve probably landed harder had I read the previous books. Nevertheless, that didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of this particular story.
Things I Loved:
🎩 Gabriel Marchand - Don’t let that little sin palace and those broad shoulders fool you, this man is a softie at heart. Okay, maybe only a softie for certain people BUT he does contain multitudes. His life hasn’t been easy and learning about some of that definitely hurt, but it also made him such a complex and beautiful character to follow.
🪨 Ginny Woodville - She’s got some rogue in her and is not afraid to speak her mind, so she won me over fairly easily. I empathized with her need to be the caretaker and how her identity has been shaped around that. She deserves a break, and she finds that in Gabriel while simultaneously finding herself.
💞 The Romance (and the adventures that came along with it) - The evolution of their relationship was so fun. The slow unraveling of Gabriel to Ginny’s persistence (she may be a pain in the arse, but she is HIS pain in the arse) and the unexpected connections he and Ginny find pertaining to love and loss make their relationship feel tender and real. The stones! The scavenger hunt! Leap, leapers, leap!
❤️🩹 The Depth - I did not expect to cry in this, but alas, Long got me. I so appreciated this component because it had me fully invested in, and loving on, these characters.
😂 The Humor and Quips - From the passionate spankers to blancmange, I laughed frequently.
🏠 The Inn and Supporting Characters - This made me want to go back and start this series from the beginning. If these are the people who have slowly come together from the previous books, I am in for quite a treat.
I am so bummed that I cannot share direct quotes yet, but you better believe that once publication comes, I’ll be coming back to add in some of my favorite lines. They are too good not to shoutout.
** Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
Things I Loved:
🎩 Gabriel Marchand - Don’t let that little sin palace and those broad shoulders fool you, this man is a softie at heart. Okay, maybe only a softie for certain people BUT he does contain multitudes. His life hasn’t been easy and learning about some of that definitely hurt, but it also made him such a complex and beautiful character to follow.
🪨 Ginny Woodville - She’s got some rogue in her and is not afraid to speak her mind, so she won me over fairly easily. I empathized with her need to be the caretaker and how her identity has been shaped around that. She deserves a break, and she finds that in Gabriel while simultaneously finding herself.
💞 The Romance (and the adventures that came along with it) - The evolution of their relationship was so fun. The slow unraveling of Gabriel to Ginny’s persistence (she may be a pain in the arse, but she is HIS pain in the arse) and the unexpected connections he and Ginny find pertaining to love and loss make their relationship feel tender and real. The stones! The scavenger hunt! Leap, leapers, leap!
❤️🩹 The Depth - I did not expect to cry in this, but alas, Long got me. I so appreciated this component because it had me fully invested in, and loving on, these characters.
😂 The Humor and Quips - From the passionate spankers to blancmange, I laughed frequently.
🏠 The Inn and Supporting Characters - This made me want to go back and start this series from the beginning. If these are the people who have slowly come together from the previous books, I am in for quite a treat.
I am so bummed that I cannot share direct quotes yet, but you better believe that once publication comes, I’ll be coming back to add in some of my favorite lines. They are too good not to shoutout.
** Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
June 7, 2026
perfect
Read it one day. No notes. A pleasure. I will think of more words to expound upon this soon, but for now... beautiful.
Read it one day. No notes. A pleasure. I will think of more words to expound upon this soon, but for now... beautiful.
January 29, 2026
One of the very best of the series.
February 10, 2026
5 stars is too few to describe the perfection of this story. Two determined knuckleheads both determined to survive have to team up for different reasons and whoops, there’s yearning. And longing and soooo much passion.
I can’t describe how amazing and perfectly romantic this book is. It’s the best I’ve read so far this year and has earned its place in my ALL TIME favorites!
I’M OBSESSED. An instant re-read!!!!
I can’t describe how amazing and perfectly romantic this book is. It’s the best I’ve read so far this year and has earned its place in my ALL TIME favorites!
I’M OBSESSED. An instant re-read!!!!
June 4, 2026
Thank you Avon for the finished copy!
There is just something about a good Regency romance that always feels like coming home, and Game of Rogues absolutely hit the spot.
Julie Anne Long delivered everything I love about the genre: sharp wit, delicious tension, unforgettable characters, and a romance that slowly worked its way into my heart.
Gabriel Marchand was such a fascinating hero. Powerful, dangerous, and completely convinced he wasn’t worthy of love. And Ginny was the perfect match for him—clever, determined, and impossible not to admire.
The chemistry between them was incredible from the start. Their banter sparkled, their attraction simmered, and every scene they shared had me eager to turn the page. What I loved most, though, was watching them discover that there was so much more beneath their first impressions of each other.
The romance was swoony, emotional, and beautifully developed, with just the right amount of angst to keep me fully invested.
If you love Regency romances with strong heroines, complicated heroes, fantastic dialogue, and a love story that feels both tender and hard-earned, Game of Rogues is one I highly recommend.
This was exactly the kind of historical romance I was hoping for, and it reminded me why I love the genre so much.
There is just something about a good Regency romance that always feels like coming home, and Game of Rogues absolutely hit the spot.
Julie Anne Long delivered everything I love about the genre: sharp wit, delicious tension, unforgettable characters, and a romance that slowly worked its way into my heart.
Gabriel Marchand was such a fascinating hero. Powerful, dangerous, and completely convinced he wasn’t worthy of love. And Ginny was the perfect match for him—clever, determined, and impossible not to admire.
The chemistry between them was incredible from the start. Their banter sparkled, their attraction simmered, and every scene they shared had me eager to turn the page. What I loved most, though, was watching them discover that there was so much more beneath their first impressions of each other.
The romance was swoony, emotional, and beautifully developed, with just the right amount of angst to keep me fully invested.
If you love Regency romances with strong heroines, complicated heroes, fantastic dialogue, and a love story that feels both tender and hard-earned, Game of Rogues is one I highly recommend.
This was exactly the kind of historical romance I was hoping for, and it reminded me why I love the genre so much.
June 14, 2026
I was expecting it to be exquisite...and it was. Another captivating hard-won love story, with so many witty quips I could barely keep up. Absolutely sizzling, had me swooning all over the place. The Palace of Rogues series is pure gold and Julie Anne Long is a one of a kind storyteller.
June 27, 2026
Whitty with excellent banter. Really good ending.
June 21, 2026
My gods. I loved this SO MUCH. Hilarious, swoony-worthy, a little heartbreaking, and utterly perfect. Immovable objects meets unstable force when a gambling den owner (and notorious rake who likes to use ropes on his trysts) is approached by the sister of a duke who lost the family fortune at his establishment to negotiate the terms of the gambling debts. I giggled, I cried, and I kicked my feet. This was such a fun read!
February 26, 2026
JAL is unmatched. There were so many zingers in this book. I laughed out loud so many times. I also got punched in the feels without warning. This is for all the girlies who imprinted hard on What I Did for a Duke. If you are sleeping on historical romance I feel so bad for you. Imagine missing a Yearner like Gabriel.
Heat level: 3.5
Heat level: 3.5
June 3, 2026
4.5/5 Armed in a copper colored dress and a knitting needle, Ginny is in London to do what her mother asked her to do before she died eight years ago. Take care of her siblings. Which is how she ended up in front of the owner of Lucifer’s Fall, Gabriel, to ask him to forgive her brother’s gambling debt.
Gabriel is a self made man that’s worked for years to build up his wealth and reputation. So he doesn’t lay down for anyone. But before he knows it, he’s traipsing around London with her and it’s not his reputation he’s at risk of losing anymore.
This is another installment set at the most exclusive boardinghouse in London, The Grand Palace on the Thames. With a large supporting cast returning along with four year old Daniel Peck (plus mom and baby brother) that may cause a few coins to be placed in the epithet jar and a dislike of a certain dessert during his stay.
Ginny and Gabriel both end up staying at the boardinghouse which gives glimpses into the lives of those at TGPOTT and gives our characters forced proximity. The characters meet almost immediately but it takes a minute to bring them together at TGPOTT.
This story felt more Gabriel and Ginny’s story than making sure the characters at the boardinghouse received page time. I enjoyed this. I’ll always want to heart about Mr. Delacorte and Dot but am glad Ginny and Gabriel got the page they deserved.
I again got lost in JAL’s writing and ended up highlighting so many passages throughout. The humor and wit made it fun and the way the characters were emotionally intelligent added to my enjoyment.
Between a gaming hell owner and a heroine trying to absolve a gambling debt, this story could’ve gone so many different directions. Mainly that Gabriel could’ve been bitter and arrogant. While he has a certain arrogance that comes with age and getting what you’ve worked for, he was much more self possessed than I was anticipating. He knows who he is and he never apologizes or tries to be anything other than that.
Ginny is the eldest daughter and has shouldered raising her younger siblings for years. Her task in London and time with Gabriel has her questioning what she wants from life and if it’s something she’s even allowed to want.
This story was touching and endearing and I’m so glad the epilogue completely wrapped up their story. Ensuring no questions of their HEA went unanswered.
There were two separate moments that made me wonder if this was the last in the series. Each one seemed to resolve themselves and gave me hope that are more to come in this series.
Game of Rogues is the ninth book in the Palace of Rogues series. This could be read as a standalone but the side characters are recurring and their stories have built throughout the series.
There are two open door explicit encounters.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Gabriel is a self made man that’s worked for years to build up his wealth and reputation. So he doesn’t lay down for anyone. But before he knows it, he’s traipsing around London with her and it’s not his reputation he’s at risk of losing anymore.
This is another installment set at the most exclusive boardinghouse in London, The Grand Palace on the Thames. With a large supporting cast returning along with four year old Daniel Peck (plus mom and baby brother) that may cause a few coins to be placed in the epithet jar and a dislike of a certain dessert during his stay.
Ginny and Gabriel both end up staying at the boardinghouse which gives glimpses into the lives of those at TGPOTT and gives our characters forced proximity. The characters meet almost immediately but it takes a minute to bring them together at TGPOTT.
This story felt more Gabriel and Ginny’s story than making sure the characters at the boardinghouse received page time. I enjoyed this. I’ll always want to heart about Mr. Delacorte and Dot but am glad Ginny and Gabriel got the page they deserved.
I again got lost in JAL’s writing and ended up highlighting so many passages throughout. The humor and wit made it fun and the way the characters were emotionally intelligent added to my enjoyment.
Between a gaming hell owner and a heroine trying to absolve a gambling debt, this story could’ve gone so many different directions. Mainly that Gabriel could’ve been bitter and arrogant. While he has a certain arrogance that comes with age and getting what you’ve worked for, he was much more self possessed than I was anticipating. He knows who he is and he never apologizes or tries to be anything other than that.
Ginny is the eldest daughter and has shouldered raising her younger siblings for years. Her task in London and time with Gabriel has her questioning what she wants from life and if it’s something she’s even allowed to want.
This story was touching and endearing and I’m so glad the epilogue completely wrapped up their story. Ensuring no questions of their HEA went unanswered.
There were two separate moments that made me wonder if this was the last in the series. Each one seemed to resolve themselves and gave me hope that are more to come in this series.
Game of Rogues is the ninth book in the Palace of Rogues series. This could be read as a standalone but the side characters are recurring and their stories have built throughout the series.
There are two open door explicit encounters.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2026
4.5 stars
June 6, 2026
I'm not exaggerating when I say that Julie Anne Long can do no wrong in my eyes, and The Palace of Rogues one of my all-time favorite series in the historical romance genre. Every time I pick up a new release, I'm convinced that THIS ONE is my new favorite and she couldn't possibly out-do herself, and every time I'm proven wrong by the next book in the series.
Her writing is fun, and fanciful, full of spirited banter and heartwarming scenes. Her characters deeply explored and wonderfully fleshed out. I simply fall in love every time I meet a new couple. Ginny and Gabriel are no exception, and as soon as they burst onto the page, verbally sparring with each other, I knew their love story would be brilliant. And it was.
I have so many quotes highlighted. So many scenes I'll go back to when I'm in a reading slump and need a little pick me up. If you haven't read this series yet, go put them on your TBR. You'll never regret it.
Grade-A
Her writing is fun, and fanciful, full of spirited banter and heartwarming scenes. Her characters deeply explored and wonderfully fleshed out. I simply fall in love every time I meet a new couple. Ginny and Gabriel are no exception, and as soon as they burst onto the page, verbally sparring with each other, I knew their love story would be brilliant. And it was.
I have so many quotes highlighted. So many scenes I'll go back to when I'm in a reading slump and need a little pick me up. If you haven't read this series yet, go put them on your TBR. You'll never regret it.
Grade-A
June 11, 2026
Loved this one. She’s such a great writer and I so much enjoy the worlds she creates in her books.
June 12, 2026
how do i convince everyone to read julie anne long ???? the romantic relationships she builds between the characters is so deep that every romance book i've ever read seems shallow in contrast
Read
June 2, 2026Replete with longing and yearning galore, Game of Rogues is another 5 star addition to one of my absolute favorite series.
Ginny and Gabriel were perfect characters, she’s trying to single handedly save her family’s fortune after her brother gambles away and loses his younger sisters’ dowries at a gaming hell. Gabriel is referred to as The Reaper (which tells you what you need to know about his methods), the self-made man who owns the gaming hell. Their time together show each different facets of the other and Julie Anne Long writes characters and love stories so well that I adored every page of this. Getting to read more about the wonderful secondary characters is fantastic for fans of the series.
Every single title of this series is ‘one of my favorites’ and I recommend this entire series, but this one was amazingly fun.
A definite recommendation!
TW - off page death of a young child
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC
Ginny and Gabriel were perfect characters, she’s trying to single handedly save her family’s fortune after her brother gambles away and loses his younger sisters’ dowries at a gaming hell. Gabriel is referred to as The Reaper (which tells you what you need to know about his methods), the self-made man who owns the gaming hell. Their time together show each different facets of the other and Julie Anne Long writes characters and love stories so well that I adored every page of this. Getting to read more about the wonderful secondary characters is fantastic for fans of the series.
Every single title of this series is ‘one of my favorites’ and I recommend this entire series, but this one was amazingly fun.
A definite recommendation!
TW - off page death of a young child
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC
June 9, 2026
gabriel marchand made me wish men were real
ps i NEED dot and pike's book
ps i NEED dot and pike's book
February 3, 2026
This was truly fantastic, and I say that without a shred of exaggeration or embellishment.
I consider myself to be a studied historical romance snob. I've read many, and few have truly managed to impress me the way that Game of Rogues has. The ensemble cast, from the leads to the side characters, were so intensely lovable and felt real in a way that I found profoundly refreshing - it is a lost art to capture the human condition in quite the thoughtful and evocative way that Long has done here.
Let's move onto the crux of it - the romance. I was swooning. I was rapt, gripping my Kindle for dear life, eagerly turning each page to drink it all in. I was a bit apprehensive going into this as I have yet to read the 8 books leading up to this one, but Long acquaints you to the characters and quickly gets you up to speed, ensuring context is not lost. Before long, I felt right at home at the Grand Palace on the Thames, watching on as Ginny and Gabriel slowly fell in love.
And when I say "fell in love," it is much more akin to a steady, slow, and languid descent. Long takes her time drawing Gabriel and Ginny closer together - every minor action or word exchanged is a small pulse that subtly deepens their connection, their feelings swelling beneath the surface until it becomes impossible, even torturous, to ignore for a single moment longer. And the banter only fans the flames.
If a book manages to make me simultaneously cry, laugh, and squeal with excitement, it's a good book. And thus, Game of Rogues easily earned its 5 stars from me.
I consider myself to be a studied historical romance snob. I've read many, and few have truly managed to impress me the way that Game of Rogues has. The ensemble cast, from the leads to the side characters, were so intensely lovable and felt real in a way that I found profoundly refreshing - it is a lost art to capture the human condition in quite the thoughtful and evocative way that Long has done here.
Let's move onto the crux of it - the romance. I was swooning. I was rapt, gripping my Kindle for dear life, eagerly turning each page to drink it all in. I was a bit apprehensive going into this as I have yet to read the 8 books leading up to this one, but Long acquaints you to the characters and quickly gets you up to speed, ensuring context is not lost. Before long, I felt right at home at the Grand Palace on the Thames, watching on as Ginny and Gabriel slowly fell in love.
And when I say "fell in love," it is much more akin to a steady, slow, and languid descent. Long takes her time drawing Gabriel and Ginny closer together - every minor action or word exchanged is a small pulse that subtly deepens their connection, their feelings swelling beneath the surface until it becomes impossible, even torturous, to ignore for a single moment longer. And the banter only fans the flames.
If a book manages to make me simultaneously cry, laugh, and squeal with excitement, it's a good book. And thus, Game of Rogues easily earned its 5 stars from me.
June 2, 2026
Oh goodness, how I loved this book!! I will definitely be checking out the books before this one in the interconnected standalone series!
Let’s start with Ginny. I appreciate heroines who have had to fight to raise siblings and have given up their own happiness ten times over BUT then find their own HEA in a big way! Ginny was the best sister, fighting for siblings who didn’t always deserve it. She was always the strong one there for everyone else, even in a society that tried to hold her back because of her sex. With her quiet strength came a backbone and with a backbone in a woman in a society that was just waiting for her to get married and breed came a clever woman who could go toe to toe with anyone she needed to. I especially loved watching him fall for her “spikiness”. I loved that he was amused with her sass and snark, which allowed her a freedom to be herself in a society looking for her to be quiet and filtered. She ordered him around, and he let her despite being a very powerful man because she intrigued him from the beginning.
Speaking of Gabriel, I loved his backstory so much!! His was the ultimate underdog story, coming from an orphanage and rising to be one of the most powerful self-made men in their society. I loved how everyone had a healthy fear of him, but at his core he was a very good person, often giving back to those who were like him (growing up without opportunities). It was super important to me how her freely choosing to trust him and want him was so important to him. He didn’t want her swayed due to some stupid thing he said about a night in his bed, and he didn’t want her coming to him because of guilt. He wanted to be 100% irrevocably chosen by her, because she was everything to him. That’s a green flag MMC for sure!
These enemies-to-lovers had the best tension and chemistry throughout the entire story and I greedily ate up every morsel! The partners in crime aspect and the mystery was fun to follow along with and provided a nice backdrop for these reluctant allies to share more time together. Add in the forced proximity of the hotel as well, and we had a recipe for a much deserved HEA 😉
Finally, the feminist undertones were amazing!! From her balking over societal pressures and what was harder for her to accomplish as a woman to him never tearing her down and always encouraging some of her more colorful traits, the tone was fantastic.
A must read for anyone looking for a little mystery, a lot of snark, and a couple 100% made for each other.
Thank you to Avon | Harper Voyager and Julie Anne Long for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.25 stars!
Let’s start with Ginny. I appreciate heroines who have had to fight to raise siblings and have given up their own happiness ten times over BUT then find their own HEA in a big way! Ginny was the best sister, fighting for siblings who didn’t always deserve it. She was always the strong one there for everyone else, even in a society that tried to hold her back because of her sex. With her quiet strength came a backbone and with a backbone in a woman in a society that was just waiting for her to get married and breed came a clever woman who could go toe to toe with anyone she needed to. I especially loved watching him fall for her “spikiness”. I loved that he was amused with her sass and snark, which allowed her a freedom to be herself in a society looking for her to be quiet and filtered. She ordered him around, and he let her despite being a very powerful man because she intrigued him from the beginning.
Speaking of Gabriel, I loved his backstory so much!! His was the ultimate underdog story, coming from an orphanage and rising to be one of the most powerful self-made men in their society. I loved how everyone had a healthy fear of him, but at his core he was a very good person, often giving back to those who were like him (growing up without opportunities). It was super important to me how her freely choosing to trust him and want him was so important to him. He didn’t want her swayed due to some stupid thing he said about a night in his bed, and he didn’t want her coming to him because of guilt. He wanted to be 100% irrevocably chosen by her, because she was everything to him. That’s a green flag MMC for sure!
These enemies-to-lovers had the best tension and chemistry throughout the entire story and I greedily ate up every morsel! The partners in crime aspect and the mystery was fun to follow along with and provided a nice backdrop for these reluctant allies to share more time together. Add in the forced proximity of the hotel as well, and we had a recipe for a much deserved HEA 😉
Finally, the feminist undertones were amazing!! From her balking over societal pressures and what was harder for her to accomplish as a woman to him never tearing her down and always encouraging some of her more colorful traits, the tone was fantastic.
A must read for anyone looking for a little mystery, a lot of snark, and a couple 100% made for each other.
Thank you to Avon | Harper Voyager and Julie Anne Long for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.25 stars!
June 17, 2026
People talk about the perfect summer read as this form of escapism from life, a book that gives you the serotonin release that you need. It might surprise you that I would recommend, gasp!, a historical romance to fit this bill, but I definitely am. And here’s why. Historical romance IS escapism. It’s of another time and place and Julie Anne Long has written the most delightful (not perfect) London where seedy gaming hells exist in the same plane as cute cottage-like boarding houses. She revisits The Grand Palace on the Thames with this love story, and yet I think this one could be read as a standalone. Game of Rogues is smart writing; it’s funny without trying too hard, and nothing is better than laughing out loud while reading—something I did multiple times—Julie Anne Long is FUNNY! In Game of Rogues, we find our heroine Guinevere (Ginny) in a predicament where she must seek out the infamously terrifying owner of a gambling club, Mr. Gabriel Marchand, in order to release her brother, thereby her family from a tremendous gambling debt. This meet-cute is EVERYTHING I wanted. It’s the man vs the myth, it’s expectations, it’s fearlessness coupled with pride, and it’s exactly what romance readers desire; a challenge that seems insurmountable but that readers know will bring these two characters closer together than they ever expected.
Dear reader, the yearning in this is exquisite. We know they will. We know they must, but the way Marchand torments himself and holds himself back from allowing himself the pleasure of a delightful woman…well this is what bring me back to JAL’s writing time and time again. With books I really like, I’ll make little notes and so I’ll just leave you with these little teasers if you will.
-Gabriel Marchand. So lovely to meet you. Best character introduction ever.
-I literally gasped out loud at the first kiss because I was so surprised. Arms filled with goosebumps.
-JAL having her characters discuss kink was nothing I expected and everything I wanted.
-SHITE! (IYKYK)
-Gabriel’s façade breaking into a million little pieces at the sight of Ginny holding Roger Peck 🫠
-Why does no one talk about how funny JAL is? I wish I was this clever.
-Cat fights!!!
-Cravats: being used as blindfolds since 1824
So anyway, buy the book. Read the series. Then read it again because I cannot think of a more perfect afternoon than with this in my hands.
All the stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I received an early copy from Avon. All thoughts are my own.
Dear reader, the yearning in this is exquisite. We know they will. We know they must, but the way Marchand torments himself and holds himself back from allowing himself the pleasure of a delightful woman…well this is what bring me back to JAL’s writing time and time again. With books I really like, I’ll make little notes and so I’ll just leave you with these little teasers if you will.
-Gabriel Marchand. So lovely to meet you. Best character introduction ever.
-I literally gasped out loud at the first kiss because I was so surprised. Arms filled with goosebumps.
-JAL having her characters discuss kink was nothing I expected and everything I wanted.
-SHITE! (IYKYK)
-Gabriel’s façade breaking into a million little pieces at the sight of Ginny holding Roger Peck 🫠
-Why does no one talk about how funny JAL is? I wish I was this clever.
-Cat fights!!!
-Cravats: being used as blindfolds since 1824
So anyway, buy the book. Read the series. Then read it again because I cannot think of a more perfect afternoon than with this in my hands.
All the stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I received an early copy from Avon. All thoughts are my own.
June 26, 2026
My favorite trope is when the older, jaded man falls for the younger, sheltered woman and thankfully this author has a couple of books with this theme. I did enjoy this book but it still wasn't as good as my favorite book, My Season of Scandal, from this series.
July 6, 2026
3.5 rounded down. I’m excited to see new Historical Romances from the major publishers, but this one was just okay for me. I wanted more depth to each main character, and felt like there was a lot of tell not show. I feel like 2011 tumblr would love this, and I mean that as both a positive and a negative. Cute but forgettable imo
June 9, 2026
Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long (2026) is another delightful story in the Palace of Rogues series. I couldn’t wait to read it … forced myself to spread it out over two days otherwise I would have read thru the night. It’s sooo good!! It deserves to be read slowly … I savored passages, scenes, dialogue. Reread lots. As always the writing is sheer perfection! Another gem in the series that I’ll definitely be rereading. ❤️
June 7, 2026
These just get better and better each time. This one had a few tear worthy moments, but so worth it! Ginny and Gabriel were a wonderful couple and I loved the epilogue!
May 25, 2026
My Fav quotes from ARC:
Ginny’s father had once received a rifle from his friend and rival, the Earl of Sydenham. It had a lustrous walnut stock, a trigger guard etched with filigree, and a silver thumb plate engraved with her father’s initials. It was a work of art that could blow a man’s head off at two hundred paces. Mr. Marchand was like meeting that rifle in the flesh.
“Look around you, Miss Woodville.” He swept out a hand. “Does this establishment resemble hell?” “I cannot truthfully say, since I haven’t personally visited the actual underworld. I’ve only ever read third-person accounts.” Something at last flickered in his unblinking regard. She could not be certain, however, whether it was amusement, or surprise, or incredulity. Or whether she ought to be worried. “Your ferns are spectacular,” she soothed. “My—” He stopped and drew in what sounded like a patiencesiphoning breath.
“I hope you’ll forgive me if I inadvertently trod upon a sensitivity, Mr. Marchand.” “I have precisely zero sensitivities.” She would have loved to argue this point in other circumstances. “How singularly blessed you are in that regard.” Another of those minute little pauses ensued, during which she sensed she was being continually assessed, and it was impossible to know whether it was to her advantage.
“Miss Woodville, did you happen to read the sign at the front of this building?” He said this mildly. She wasn’t fooled. Nothing about him was mild. “The one that says ‘Lucifer’s Fall’? It’s a very fine sign. Discreet. Exquisite lettering,” “And are you familiar with the biblical story of Lucifer and his alleged plummet from grace?” “Oh, that Lucifer? Yes, I’ve heard of him.” “Very good. Does the name Lucifer’s Fall then strike you as the name of a nursery?” “It wouldn’t be my first choice for a nursery, granted. Kittens and Unicorns might be more appropriate.” She didn’t know how he’d gotten those faint lines around his eyes, but she was growing more certain it wasn’t from laughing. “Perhaps, then, Miss Woodville, you’ll agree that the name of this establishment implies the nature of the risk inherent in entering it.” In other words, ruination and falling from grace were built right into the name.
She softened her gaze to something she hoped approximated limpid. “I understand this is an extraordinary request. But I would be so grateful if you would please speak to the person to whom Hogarth lost and ask him to tear up Hogarth’s vowels. In light of my brother’s youth and inexperience. In light of the grave and perhaps permanent damage done to his family.” She might have attempted a few tears, but she was certain they would have evaporated in the rays of scathing incredulity now pouring off Mr. Marchand.
She took a breath. “I will be frank with you, Mr. Marchand.” “Will you? I wonder what you’ve been up until now,” he said flatly.
She wanted very much to tell him where he could leave this offer, which would require him to bend over and dexterously but roughly insert it into a narrow passage on his person.
From the very first they had vowed to never allow anyone they didn’t like to live there for any duration. This lofty ideal didn’t always stand up to the vicissitudes of commerce. Regardless, every guest was patiently cherished for the duration of their stay, whether they were someone the entire country revered (like a war-hero duke), or someone who needed to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the place by the British army (this had happened only once), or whether they were Mr. Delacorte, whom no one yet had been able to categorize, but no one ever forgot, and most people eventually loved. Though he was of a certainty an acquired taste.
It was true that combining certain guests in the sitting room could be a little risky, such as mingling a duke with a scandalous opera diva, or mingling Mr. Delacorte with . . . well, anybody . . . but that was part of the thrill of the game. So confident had they become in their skill as social alchemists, Delilah and Angelique had invited Daniel Peck and his family to stay. They had never before had a guest quite like him. They were beginning to think they never should again.
“Isn’t love sort of a punishment anyway, regardless?” Ginny said. Good heavens, that remark caused a sharp silence she hadn’t anticipated. “Forgive me! I didn’t mean it to sound so melodramatic. That is, the punishment is built into the reward. Because you don’t get love without eventual grief. And you don’t get grief without love.” That’s when she noticed Marchand’s cool social mask slip for a moment. He fleetingly looked stunned.
Ginny scowled in her heart, because she didn’t dare scowl with her face.
that’s the second time you’ve mentioned my eyes, Mr. Marchand. Careful, or you’ll be writing love poetry about them next.” This caused a beat of silence. “It’s the funniest thing,” he mused. “I started writing a poem about them just this morning, but I encountered a hurdle when I couldn’t find a rhyme for ‘pain in my arse.’” She honored this with the impressed wordless moment it deserved.
His buckskins hugged the contours of the kind of thighs that could crack a walnut, should a person risk getting close enough to tuck one between them.
Which was quite ironic, given that he had recently made her an offer that no man should ever make a gently born unmarried lady. That no gentleman should make, anyway. The word that adequately captured whatever Marchand was hadn’t yet been invented.
And then amazement, hilarity, and a fairly serious warning not to trifle with his dignity mingled in his expression. One got the sense that Mr. Marchand was seldom truly taken aback, let alone crossed. She knew the most ridiculously delicious triumph. Startling him might really be her only line of defense against his intimidating aplomb, even if it was probably unwise to test her luck and his patience.
She’d never met anyone so unafraid of not blinking. She considered it a personal challenge to hold his gaze, but it was like being handed two shillings plucked out of a fire.
She’d been the strong one; that was her assignment. Her mother, desperate and knowing she was dying, had anointed her. For so long Ginny had not been allowed to be fragile, to come apart, to surrender. In choosing this, she had reclaimed herself. You can decide the point of you, he’d said.
Ginny’s father had once received a rifle from his friend and rival, the Earl of Sydenham. It had a lustrous walnut stock, a trigger guard etched with filigree, and a silver thumb plate engraved with her father’s initials. It was a work of art that could blow a man’s head off at two hundred paces. Mr. Marchand was like meeting that rifle in the flesh.
“Look around you, Miss Woodville.” He swept out a hand. “Does this establishment resemble hell?” “I cannot truthfully say, since I haven’t personally visited the actual underworld. I’ve only ever read third-person accounts.” Something at last flickered in his unblinking regard. She could not be certain, however, whether it was amusement, or surprise, or incredulity. Or whether she ought to be worried. “Your ferns are spectacular,” she soothed. “My—” He stopped and drew in what sounded like a patiencesiphoning breath.
“I hope you’ll forgive me if I inadvertently trod upon a sensitivity, Mr. Marchand.” “I have precisely zero sensitivities.” She would have loved to argue this point in other circumstances. “How singularly blessed you are in that regard.” Another of those minute little pauses ensued, during which she sensed she was being continually assessed, and it was impossible to know whether it was to her advantage.
“Miss Woodville, did you happen to read the sign at the front of this building?” He said this mildly. She wasn’t fooled. Nothing about him was mild. “The one that says ‘Lucifer’s Fall’? It’s a very fine sign. Discreet. Exquisite lettering,” “And are you familiar with the biblical story of Lucifer and his alleged plummet from grace?” “Oh, that Lucifer? Yes, I’ve heard of him.” “Very good. Does the name Lucifer’s Fall then strike you as the name of a nursery?” “It wouldn’t be my first choice for a nursery, granted. Kittens and Unicorns might be more appropriate.” She didn’t know how he’d gotten those faint lines around his eyes, but she was growing more certain it wasn’t from laughing. “Perhaps, then, Miss Woodville, you’ll agree that the name of this establishment implies the nature of the risk inherent in entering it.” In other words, ruination and falling from grace were built right into the name.
She softened her gaze to something she hoped approximated limpid. “I understand this is an extraordinary request. But I would be so grateful if you would please speak to the person to whom Hogarth lost and ask him to tear up Hogarth’s vowels. In light of my brother’s youth and inexperience. In light of the grave and perhaps permanent damage done to his family.” She might have attempted a few tears, but she was certain they would have evaporated in the rays of scathing incredulity now pouring off Mr. Marchand.
She took a breath. “I will be frank with you, Mr. Marchand.” “Will you? I wonder what you’ve been up until now,” he said flatly.
She wanted very much to tell him where he could leave this offer, which would require him to bend over and dexterously but roughly insert it into a narrow passage on his person.
From the very first they had vowed to never allow anyone they didn’t like to live there for any duration. This lofty ideal didn’t always stand up to the vicissitudes of commerce. Regardless, every guest was patiently cherished for the duration of their stay, whether they were someone the entire country revered (like a war-hero duke), or someone who needed to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the place by the British army (this had happened only once), or whether they were Mr. Delacorte, whom no one yet had been able to categorize, but no one ever forgot, and most people eventually loved. Though he was of a certainty an acquired taste.
It was true that combining certain guests in the sitting room could be a little risky, such as mingling a duke with a scandalous opera diva, or mingling Mr. Delacorte with . . . well, anybody . . . but that was part of the thrill of the game. So confident had they become in their skill as social alchemists, Delilah and Angelique had invited Daniel Peck and his family to stay. They had never before had a guest quite like him. They were beginning to think they never should again.
“Isn’t love sort of a punishment anyway, regardless?” Ginny said. Good heavens, that remark caused a sharp silence she hadn’t anticipated. “Forgive me! I didn’t mean it to sound so melodramatic. That is, the punishment is built into the reward. Because you don’t get love without eventual grief. And you don’t get grief without love.” That’s when she noticed Marchand’s cool social mask slip for a moment. He fleetingly looked stunned.
Ginny scowled in her heart, because she didn’t dare scowl with her face.
that’s the second time you’ve mentioned my eyes, Mr. Marchand. Careful, or you’ll be writing love poetry about them next.” This caused a beat of silence. “It’s the funniest thing,” he mused. “I started writing a poem about them just this morning, but I encountered a hurdle when I couldn’t find a rhyme for ‘pain in my arse.’” She honored this with the impressed wordless moment it deserved.
His buckskins hugged the contours of the kind of thighs that could crack a walnut, should a person risk getting close enough to tuck one between them.
Which was quite ironic, given that he had recently made her an offer that no man should ever make a gently born unmarried lady. That no gentleman should make, anyway. The word that adequately captured whatever Marchand was hadn’t yet been invented.
And then amazement, hilarity, and a fairly serious warning not to trifle with his dignity mingled in his expression. One got the sense that Mr. Marchand was seldom truly taken aback, let alone crossed. She knew the most ridiculously delicious triumph. Startling him might really be her only line of defense against his intimidating aplomb, even if it was probably unwise to test her luck and his patience.
She’d never met anyone so unafraid of not blinking. She considered it a personal challenge to hold his gaze, but it was like being handed two shillings plucked out of a fire.
She’d been the strong one; that was her assignment. Her mother, desperate and knowing she was dying, had anointed her. For so long Ginny had not been allowed to be fragile, to come apart, to surrender. In choosing this, she had reclaimed herself. You can decide the point of you, he’d said.
February 25, 2026
This was my first dive into historical romance—a genre I’ve been interested in for quite some time—and I am happy to have started with this book! I will now be adding Julie Anne Long to my list of authors to seek out for future reads.
Game of Rogues is the ninth installment of the Palace of Rogues series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. It seems that some of the characters mentioned in the story likely were featured in previous installments, but there was never a point where I felt any confusion that impacted my enjoyment of the book.
This book features what I would call “bickering-to-lovers.” The FMC and MMC do not like each other at first, but they ultimately find themselves reluctantly working together to save Ginny’s family and future. This book was fun to read and featured some stunningly beautiful lines. The romance in this was very well-paced; while attraction between the main characters existed, it took its time to come to fruition.
I really enjoyed how this book reflected on the pressures of being a woman, in the context of the regency era and with the added pressure of being an eldest daughter. I feel that this book explored this topic well, with Marchand helping Ginny to realize that the expectations that both society and her family had thrust upon her did not need to define who she is.
Finally, my issues with the book: I hate when books repeatedly hint that a character has a secret or a tragic past, but don’t tell you until later in the book. It feels like I’m being told to feel intrigued and curious, but I actually just feel annoyed. Characters can have secrets and tragic backstories, that’s fine! Suspense just needs to be built properly.
My other issue relates to this secret. To avoid spoilers, it just felt so random to have this secret even exist. When it got revealed I wasn’t shocked, but I was just a bit confused on why it was even included as a plot point. It felt like it just helped the main characters connect in a way that did not fit the gravity of the secret.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I look friends to diving into more books from the author in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Game of Rogues is the ninth installment of the Palace of Rogues series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. It seems that some of the characters mentioned in the story likely were featured in previous installments, but there was never a point where I felt any confusion that impacted my enjoyment of the book.
This book features what I would call “bickering-to-lovers.” The FMC and MMC do not like each other at first, but they ultimately find themselves reluctantly working together to save Ginny’s family and future. This book was fun to read and featured some stunningly beautiful lines. The romance in this was very well-paced; while attraction between the main characters existed, it took its time to come to fruition.
I really enjoyed how this book reflected on the pressures of being a woman, in the context of the regency era and with the added pressure of being an eldest daughter. I feel that this book explored this topic well, with Marchand helping Ginny to realize that the expectations that both society and her family had thrust upon her did not need to define who she is.
Finally, my issues with the book: I hate when books repeatedly hint that a character has a secret or a tragic past, but don’t tell you until later in the book. It feels like I’m being told to feel intrigued and curious, but I actually just feel annoyed. Characters can have secrets and tragic backstories, that’s fine! Suspense just needs to be built properly.
My other issue relates to this secret. To avoid spoilers, it just felt so random to have this secret even exist. When it got revealed I wasn’t shocked, but I was just a bit confused on why it was even included as a plot point. It felt like it just helped the main characters connect in a way that did not fit the gravity of the secret.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I look friends to diving into more books from the author in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews