This has an intense and dramatic storyline. The characters are all interesting, and a couple are really amusing. The ending turned a shocking twist into a satisfying conclusion for all involved.

This was very tedious to go through. I didn't see the relationship between the two of them at the beginning, or at the end. Also sad that it didn't happen at the gentleman's club.

This is such a fun set up! Clara's husband promises her off to marry another man before dying himself in a duel! It was such a fascinating way to start the relationship. I loved it!

When her rake of a husband promises her to another before he dies, Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, has no choice but to seek out matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the protection of another marriage. More so, she must trick her childhood love, Isaac, into a union, not just for her sake, but his. At one time, he had been there for her, so she’s determined to return the favor and see him free of his self-destructive ways.

Having suffered more loss than most, Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquess of Durham, frequents the Lyon’s Den to drown his grief in liquor. Or so he leads others to believe. In truth, he’s keeping tabs on his lost love, Clara. So imagine his surprise when she tricks him into a marriage contract to avoid the results of a pre-duel agreement. Naturally, he will protect her, but marrying her is another story. It might come at too high a risk to his wounded heart.

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Good, enjoyable read as per usual. It's nice to read historical romance again. The characters are also pretty decent.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

When Clara's husband dies she finds that he has promised her to another upon his death. To avoid this distasteful occurrence she contacts matchmaker, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, in order to obtain protection through another marriage. She tries to trick childhood sweetheart, Isaac, into a mutually beneficial alliance. Isaac, having had his heart broken previously as a result of his love for Clara, does not feel he can handle a marriage of convenience. His heart has still not healed from the first time. He is still willing to help her in any other way that he can. I highly recommend the purchase of this book. You'll be in for a wild ride!
Thank you Sky Purington, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Deception or Love

They loved one another once, but misunderstandings and deceit kept them apart. Could past love be rekindled? Clara tricks Isaac into marriage, and surely, no good could come from deceit. Why did Clara resort to such a trick?

When he lost his love, Isaac let bitterness into his heart. To most, he seemed to be a drunkard and a philanderer. Could there be more to him than meets the eye? Clara’s deception just might be the balm he needs to heal his broken heart. However, he must open his heart and let go of past hurts. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to lovers of Regency romance.

3.5 stars

Quite a nice story. I didn't get who was being tamed as Isaac seems most morbid. I understand that he'd lost his childhood sweetheart, our heroine Clara and he thought he was cursed but I think he was hard work. Clara still loved him and was looking for him to be a hero and rescue her from the villain. It takes a long time for Isaac to do anything useful. Luckily there is his cousing and Clara's maide/friend to lighten the atmosphere. I would have almost prefered their story. Too much angst for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a Lyon’s Den fan! I cannot imagine what the Black Widow of Whitehall will come up with next and I am never disappointed!
The Widow, Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the Author teams up to bring us down the marriage trail fraught with trials and tears!
Clara Ainsworth , a Duchess is in trouble and needs the matchmakers help. Her first marriage was no picnic, but she has a beautiful daughter from that union. However, her husband dies and one of his disgusting cronies is trying to allege that her husband promised her hand in marriage to him upon his death.
Isaac MacLaughlin now a Marquess dithered around and could possibly have been her husband before the first one. Between the Matchmaker and Clara he is tricked into marriage, but that is not to say there troubles are over!

I absolutely loved this book because of the unexpected twists and turns! I gave no spoilers, but you have to read this one for sure!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

At only 134 pages, this story line still packed quite a punch to the heart, folks. It is the romantic tale of childhood sweethearts separated but never forgotten as Clara and Isaac, the main couple, are reunited under very unconventional terms and circumstances. Ironically, it was Clara who stepped up and took matters into her own hands to ward off an impending threat to herself and her daughter. Little did she know, Fate had already been working on the sidelines for some time.

All in all, I stayed engaged with this novella as each new reveal gave more insight into their past and present situation. You'll have to be patient with Isaac for being so afraid of losing her again his knuckleheaded head tries to get in the way of his heart. I was definitely glad to see these never should have been parted, destined to be together lovebirds finally get their HEA.

Title: To Tame the Lyon, Series: The Lyon's Den (14 book series by various authors), Author: Skye Purington, Pages: 134, pub date: 3/24/21, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, childhood friends who always wanted to be together, both married OP, both widows now, past tragic loss hero, neither had a happy marriage, a couple graphic steamy scenes, single mom now, knucklehead but protective afraid to love, lose her again hero.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not paid or compensated in any form for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley or any PR firm.)

London 1815
Clara was at The Lyon's Den to obtain Mrs. Dove-Lyon's help in securing Isaac to marry her. Yes, Isaac, whom she had cared for before her father had arranged her marriage. Now widowed, with her daughter Mabel, she had been desperate to marry quickly before she was forced to marry a cousin of her deceased husband.

Isaac had loved Clara when they were younger but had not fought for her when she told him of her soon to be marriage. But here she was, back to where they had first met as children and she was even more beautiful.

Such a wonderful story of a second chance at love that warmed by heart! Sigh.

To Tame the Lyon by Sky Purington is a little different story than normally found in this world. Clara Ainsworth, the Duchess of Surrey, and Isaac MacLauchlin, the Marquess of Durham had been childhood friends and adolescent lovers, but her father had determined to marry her to the duke and Isaac didn't try hard enough to stop him. Now Clara is in another bind. Her now-dead husband had signed an agreement, as part of a bet, that she would marry his rival and she wants none of it. She comes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon in the hope that she can force Isaac to marry her and save her from this fate. She also hopes her still loves her and will make it into a real marriage, but her safety and that of her daughter is paramount. Of course, Mrs. Dove-Lyon is successful. Isaac is not happy about it despite the fact that he has been keeping track of Clara for years and trying to protect her.

He believes himself to be cursed after having lost many of those most close to him: his father, his wife, his daughter. Clara is fighting a ghost, and not of a person but of this ridiculous curse. He daughter grows to love Isaac and they enjoy doing things as a family, but then he retreats and she doesn't see him for weeks. She is a strong woman and will do what had to be done. She is admirable in that. He is a handsome, wealthy, good man who has fallen into the trap of believing nonsense. It is a good story, as most in the Lyon's Den World are. It is definitely a reluctant groom trope with touches of others. The pacing is good, with a solid plot. A most enjoyable read.

I was invited to read a free ARC of To Tame the Lyon by Dragonblade through Netgalley. #netgalley #totamethelyon

This book was lovely and easy to read.
When her husband promises her to another before he dies, Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, has no choice but to seek out matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the protection of another marriage. She must trick her childhood love, Isaac, into a union, not just for her sake, but his. At one time, he had been there for her, so she’s determined to return the favor and see him free of his self-destructive ways.
Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquess of Durham, frequents the Lyon’s Den to keep tabs on his lost love, Clara. So when she tricks him into a marriage contract, he swears to protect her and her daughter, but marrying her is another story. Will Isaac and Clara be able to find their way back to each other and deal with the madman who might be on his way?
I enjoy a lot the interaction between the main characters and the side ones. Mabel, Maude and Blake are really fun to read. I find the story a bit dull and slow in some chapters, but it’s well written and easy reading. It’s short and has some nice steamy moments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Clara’s husband, the Duke of Surrey, is dead; killed in a duel. Before the duel, he promises her to his opponent in the event of his death. To avoid this, Clara goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon at the Lyon’s Den to make a match for her with her childhood friend and sweetheart, Isaac. Using her typically unsubtle way, Mrs. Dove-Lyon makes the match.

Isaac is determined to protect Clara and her daughter Mabel, but misunderstandings and hurt from the past, along with Isaac’s belief that he is cursed make their reunion uneasy. Blake, Maude, and Mabel team up to help things along, and a visit to a special hedge sculpture in the maze provides an opportunity to talk things out. Things are beginning to look better when the enemy, Lord Kent, brings trouble to town. I like the way this second chance story unfolds, and I love the ending - for Isaac and Clara, and for Blake and Maude.
Good read. I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

An excellent story about young love re-uniting several years later. The Lyon's Den is an interesting place to get what you desire. Clara and Isaac were cheated out of what should have been their life. Clara's father married her off to someone else even though Isaac asked for her hand. But things have changed for Clara and her daughter. Circumstances come to light and Isaac must do something hasty to protect them. Loved this story. HEA

I really enjoy reading the Lyon’s Den Connected World, besides being a fan of Sky Purington. Putting both together you will have a wonderful adventure ahead of you. Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, rake of a husband died in a dual and has left her to the man that killed him. Clara wants no part of that arrangement, and heads to The Lyon’s Den in search of matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon. She must trick her childhood love Isaac MacLauchlin into marrying her and protecting her and her daughter from a cruel marriage made in a pre-dual arrangement. After consenting to the arrangement, Mrs. Dove-Lyon will help her resolve the problem. Clara is sure that this will be her answer, but little does she realize that Isaac has some problems of his own. I love the way this plot came together, and Sky did a fantastic means of unraveling the many problems that make this union not seem possible.

A captivating, second chance romance. Lost love, broken trust, and desperation leads Clara to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Isaac has lost so much, can a debt owed give him a new future or will he remain stuck in the past. This story is engrossing and the characters are genuine and caring. The side story between Blake and Maude adds so much to the book and Mabel is such a loving, affectionate sweetheart who deserves so much more than her father has given her. A lovely story.

When her rake of a husband promises her to another before he dies, Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, has no choice but to seek out matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the protection of another marriage. More so, she must trick her childhood love, Isaac, into a union, not just for her sake, but his. Having suffered more loss than most, Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquis of Durham, frequents the Lyon’s Den to drown his grief in liquor or so he leads others to believe. In truth, he’s keeping tabs on his lost love, Clara. So imagine his surprise when she tricks him into a marriage contract to avoid the results of a pre-duel agreement. Naturally, he will protect her, but marrying her is another story. It might come at too high a risk to his wounded heart.
A well written page turning read. A lovely second chance romance with strong characters. I loved both Isaac & Clara & thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA, which wasn’t easy but it was entertaining & I read it in a sitting. I loved how Isaac's plan unfolded
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

When childhood friends are torn apart by ambition and greed, it is a recipe for heartache and pain. Clara, the Duchess of Surrey had no say over marriage to the man her father chose for her, but years of insults and neglect have made her determined to choose her own future. With her delightful daughter in tow, Clara approaches The Black Widow at The Lyon's Den to finally take hold of the life she wants. Instead of the friend she knew as a young woman, Isaac has become a shell of himself, his spirit shrunken with loss and despair, but he has never forgotten Clara, as becomes evident. Even though he thinks he can keep his distance from Clara, her daughter Mabel casts her spell on him. Making promises he has no intention of keeping, Isaac discovers that he has become more invested in their lives than he had imagined. This novel is sad in parts, but also victorious as Isaac and Clara overcome the ghosts of the past and take a hold of life. I enjoyed this well-written, standalone novel and was glad that it came to a happy and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Widowed Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, is desperate to find her childhood friend to marry her so she can avoid another unwanted marriage. She resorts to contacting Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon to arrange a marriage to her childhood friend, Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquess of Durham. She’s always loved him, he promised to marry her when they were children and she hopes he honors his promise to keep her and her daughter safe. Isaac is distraught,he gambled at the Lyon’s Den and loses. He lost now he must either give up his estate or marry the one woman he’s always loved. Now his life and the life of one woman he’s always loved is on the line. He feels he’s cursed since everyone has died...his wife and his small daughter. I love a second chance romance story especially one with two such wonderful characters who were young and in love. When her father contracted her marriage to a duke Isaac and Clara were heartbroken, she wondered why Isaac never came to see her.. How come he didn’t come to declare his love,why didn’t he fight for their new found love and talk to her father? Has fate given them a second chance and are they willing to overlook the past and find the happiness they deserve at last, but only if Isaac can keep her safe from the dangerous man who is after her. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book.

I just love the Lyon's Den series and this book doesn't disappoint. Clara and Isaac have a long history since childhood; but she disappointed him when she married another. Now, he is the only one who can save her and one drunken night at the Lyon's Den means he is honor bound to help her. Isaac vows this time she will not have his heart. That doesn't last long when with just one look he can feel himself in trouble. Readers will enjoy this book.