Title: Loved by the Lyon
Author: Collette Cameron
Series: The Lyon’s Den
Publication Date: Nov. 18, 2020
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Synopsis: Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made… unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON’S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives… and loves.
It’s amazing how quickly a marriage of convenience can become so very complicated…
Kingston Barclay cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. With siblings to support and a nearly bankrupt estate, an opportune marriage is his last hope. But his best-laid plans are upended when he discovers his best friend’s lovely sister sneaking around the Lyon’s Den. His immediate attraction to her would make her a most inconvenient bride, given his circumstances. Convincing his heart of that, however, is another matter entirely…
The last thing Vanessa Becket needs is another man in her life. Between her conniving stepbrother, a parade of fortune hunters, and the investigator who failed to reclaim her stolen jewels, she’s had enough. But when she finds herself in a notorious gaming hell, she discovers something far more valuable than missing gems. A temporary arranged marriage to Kingston could solve all her problems. If she manages to not fall for him in the process, that is…
It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. But given their histories—and the secrets Kingston is keeping—the road to happily ever after will surely be anything but simple.
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My Review:
I enjoyed this quick and light historical romance. The story focuses on Vanessa and Kingston, a pair that knew each other when they were children and reconnect as adults. Vanessa and Kingston haven’t seen each other in years, ever since he left to join the military. Vanessa and Kingston, for different reasons, agree to an arranged marriage with the stipulation that they annul the marriage in six months. As their feelings grow, they both realize that theirs is more than just a convenient union. Will secrets and their eventual annulment keep them apart, or will they fight for their happily-ever-after?
Kingston is an honorable and good man who is willing to do whatever it takes to take care of his younger siblings. He carries a lot of guilt and is burdened by the past. I like how Vanessa helps him to make peace with the past and look to the future. Kingston, in turn, does the same for Vanessa. He gives her what she feels is missing in her life, a sense of belonging. They are a well-suited pair that complement each other well. Plus, their marriage of convenience turned epic love story is wonderful!
The chemistry between Vanessa and Kingston is fantastic. They have a history since Kingston was the best friend of Vanessa’s brother. Kingston has the immediate compulsion to help and protect Vanessa, and she reciprocates these feelings. Since they did not marry for love, they fight their feelings, but their feelings and history run deep. They have so many conflicted emotions and fears about the past and the future, and it was interesting to see how they tried to come to terms with it all.
If you are looking for a quick and charming historical romance, you should give this series and book a try. Also, though Loved by the Lyon is part of a series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to Netgalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance. of course! Vanessa and Kingston have great chemistry!
- The found family trope. Vanessa is lonely at the start of the story, but Kingston’s siblings quickly give her a sense of belonging.
Favorite Lines:
Pigs would quote Greek philosophy before she’d marry that fetid little man.
Better to smell of the shop than reek of arrogance, unkindness, and conceit.
Recommendations:
This is a great story for readers who like quick and light historical romance!
I just added this to my TBR. Sounds cute! And I had to share one of those quotes with my daughter’s best friend. She’s a little obsessed with the word fetid. I tutor her and she always finds a way to work it into all of her papers.
That’s hilarious!