I love Julie Anne Long’s writing so much and her quirky side characters are amazing. But this is the second Palace of Rogues book in a row where the MCs are rando guests and semi-typical romance archetypes, and they just aren’t working for me. I hate the Duke. Hate him. And Mariana is great in her interactions with our faves, but then she’s wondering why she’s so drawn to the Duke and SO AM I. Not even wondering why, just firmly in the camp of she shouldn’t be. He’s judgy and awful and doesn’t deserve for her to give him the time of day, let alone an explanation of this horrible trying period in her life. Screw that guy. I really want JAL to write a story without an alpha male hero or a beautiful intriguing heroine. I think she could do a quirky atypical romance amazingly. I was listening to this one in the car with my kid, but he seems like he’s over it too now, so for that reason, I’m out.