The verbal banter back and forth between the two of them is fantastic. But beneath the surface, it’s very much an “I dislike you, but I also really like you” situation going on. From that first encounter on, they both need to needle each other in whatever way they can – it becomes a bit of a competition to see who can one-up the other. Lillias and Hugh start with a bit of a contentious relationship – he catches her smoking a cheroot and has to tell her parents, who punish her by not letting her leave the Grand Palace on the Thames for a fortnight. Despite being from vastly different walks of life, they cannot help but find the other attractive, even if they’re off-limits for the long run. The sexual attraction was immediately apparent between Lillias and Hugh. It was the type of romance that tugs at your heartstrings and hits all the right notes, from the highs and lows of falling in love. The romance was the perfect blend of electric chemistry, cutting flirty banter, and some hardcore pining. When they get caught in a compromising situation, Hugh does what he needs to protect Lady Lillias’ reputation but is willing to step aside to let her get her happy ending. While Lady Lillias is nursing a broken heart, she cannot help but be attracted to Hugh. When the two of them are thrown together during their stays at the Grand Palace on the Thames, they cannot help but push each other’s buttons. Hugh Cassidy is a rough and tumble American who has built his own path in life. Lady Lillias Vaughn is the high-born daughter of an earl, destined to marry an earl, while Mr.

I swear, each book in the Palace of Rogues series gets better and better. Julie Anne Long knocked it out of the park with this one. However, this book was something extraordinary. I was a bit nervous going into I’m Only Wicked With You as it is the first book in the Palace of Rogues series that focuses on two guests at the Grand Palace of the Thames who we don’t know super well. Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads Series or Standalone:

Ways to Be Wicked by Julie Anne Long