4.5 short and good stars

This has been such a lovely read! A short story of two people who want a marriage of convenience, each with its own reason. The viscount of Kent can't make it to his wedding but he can't forget his almost bride, a really special character, full of wit and charm.

Both are wonderful characters, he so caring and she so smart and adventurous. Their story is one of fast action, stolen kisses and paintings :) and a lot of emotions.

I feel with this book Tracy Sumner succeeded to distill her wonderful writing, it's a great read for a couple of hours though I prefer her longer books where the emotions get more space and you get to know more about the characters. I loved how Tobias made and appearance, it was wonderful having journey into people of his past.

I received a copy of this in order to share my view on it.

Oh my goodness!! This book really packed a punch, it has laid me out with a terrible book hangover! Griff and Mina's story, is perfectly written, I was fully vested in their happily ever after, absolutely fantastic character building, in 100 + pages, throw in an appearance from a young Tobias Streeter, and I'm hooked, couldn't put it down!

The Lyon Who Loved Me by Tracy Sumner is a short but sweet, and a little different ,take on the Lyon’s Den. For the first time in my memory, a groom fails to show up at the appointed time to wed. Bessie Dove-Lyon is not pleased and promises to make it up to the bride, but runs into difficulty when the bride fails to approve her other efforts. Eight months have passed and both Bessie and the, bride, Wilhelmina, have put the whole thing on pause when Griffin Becket, Lord Kent shows up at the Lyon’s Den, having been beaten. Hurt and miserable, Griff asks for help. Knowing she can’t keep him there, she takes him to Willie’s bolt hole near the docks. It is a small house she uses for her nefarious meetings, knowing that her clients would not come to her real home. Willie is not happy, nor is Griff, but they slowly come to an understanding.

This was a cute story. Both were good characters: Willie was wildly independent. Tell her she couldn’t do something and she was there. She had a penchant for numbers so she functioned as a forensic accountant (today’s language), finding discrepancies in her client’s books. She was ready to branch out and become a real investigator. Griff had managed to get his family solvent again without marrying Willie, but now that he was seeing her again, he remembered why he liked her so much. He did worry, though. As much as he liked that she was independent, she sometimes got herself into fixes. The “courtship” was the real plot. Finally, a man who could see what she wanted and give it to her. It was a short read, but worth every second. Very entertaining. And, a little spicy!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lyon Who Loved Me by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #TracySumner #TheLyonWhoLovedMe

4.5 Stars
Wilhelmina Wright's unwavering determination for independence fuels her quest to find a desperate husband who has no choice but to embrace her fierce spirit. Enter the daring matchmaker, Bessie Dove-Lyon, who sees Wilhelmina as a risky yet captivating gamble. Who better to pair Wilhelmina with than her incorrigible nephew, Griffin Beckett, Viscount Kent? When Griffin is kidnapped on his wedding day. Little does he know that his path will again cross Wilhelmina’s when she’s forced to save him from himself.
Another delightful novella in the Lyon’s Den multi author connected world. I loved both Griff & Willie & their second chance romance. They were perfect for each other & the chemistry between them sizzled but it was the witty banter that raised this novella above the norm. Willie was no shrinking violet & I loved how Griff gradually embraced this. A quick but engrossing read
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Lyon Who Loved Me is novella in the series called the Lyon Den. the series is written by many different authors, but I was eager to read this one because it was by one of my favorite author's Tracy Sumner!

Her main characters. Wilhelmina Wright and Griffin Beckett are both forces in their own rights. He is fighting to save his failing estates and she wants to build her business by adding the ton to her clients. The book opens with a bride waiting in the chapel for her arranged bridegroom who never shows. This sets the tone for the rest of the book. Their relationship is bumpy, with Griffin trying to protect Willie in her business choices. Danger, and closet leads to steam! He refers to her as my almost wife admitting that the marriage might have been a good one. Griffin has familial connections to Bessie Dove-Lyon, the owner of the gambling den that unites all the books in this series. This connection gives Griffin a advisor and a supporter as he is stumbling through his relationship with Willie. He is a charming, but lonely man who thought that he should never get married. Willie is a intelligent, wealthy woman who is attracted to Griffin but tries to talk herself out of falling for him. There is plenty of steam between these two and a sweet, final grand gesture involving shelves and reveals surprise! Tracy is such a clever writer, and this surprise was just for those of us who are readers of her other series.
I really enjoyed this novella and The Lyon Who Loved Me is a worthy addition to the Lyon's Den Series.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
My first by Tracy Sumner, but not my last I hope.
Well written novella set around the Hell owned by Mrs Dove Lyon.
This is a series where if you win at the tables your prize could be a bride.
Good story and very entertaining.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Miss Wilhelmina Wright is an incredibly intelligent and wealthy young woman. She still needs help to find a husband because he needs to be a special type of man.

Griffin Beckett, Viscount Kent has ended up in big trouble thanks to his family. He thought his Aunt had found him a way out. Too late now.

This historical romance is another visit too the Lyon's Den world where our devious widow manipulates people into marriage matches. She doesn't like it when someone defies her.

A slightly short, but very entertaining story. I would have loved to know more about our characters and how they got to where we meet them. They obviously have adventurous spirits and are great fun.

Very entertaining.

I know it’s gonna be a good time when I have a new Tracy Sumner ARC to read and this one is probably her steamiest yet. Holy cats this is caliente. The Lyon Who Loved Me is Sumner’s submission in the Lyon’s Den Connected World series. We have a second chance, scorned heroine, enemies-ish to lovers, and #fallsfirstfallshard hero. This amazing pastiche clocks in at 124 pages, so you are in for a quick and light enjoyable read.

Enter Whilamena Wright, spurned bride, left at the altar by scapegrace Griffin Beckett, Viscount of Kent (and Miss Dove-Lyon’s incorrigible nephew). Little does Mina know, discovering himself quite kidnapped he laments missing the wedding he was actually anticipating. Almost 8 months later, how can he convince Mina that she’s it for him, now that he doesn’t need her money - he wants her for her? (Cue that stupid "She Likes Me for Me" song that will now be an ear worm for you for the rest of the day, you're welcome). Could this convincing include spicy times? Maybe spicy times while in disguise?

There’s so much to love about this novella; we have an independent woman of means taking her independence in her own hands, a titled but hard scrabble gent who relates more to the rabble he associates than the society he was born into, and the introduction to a very young Tobias Streeter, which was a delight in itself.

I can’t say enough about Sumner’s writing. I love her prose and dialogue but most importantly, her characterization. She writes both male and female historical characters so well. When you’re reading from Griffin’s perspective, it feels real and relatable and the same goes for Wille. I find that no matter the time period Sumner writes, she has a knack for being able to draw characters that you sympathize, empathize, and celebrate with - a new work is always a delight.

Oops, sometimes things go wrong!

He’d left her at the altar, an arrangement made via Mrs Dove Lyon, she wouldn’t be so stupid again putting her trust in him!

Griffin Beckett had been abducted on his wedding day and now twelve months later, re-introduced to Wilhelmina again, he knew he wanted her with a passion he’d never felt before. Yes he’d had lots of women, he loved women but he’d never wanted to have something meaningful with one but she’d moved on and now a Duke was interested.

What was a man to do, he couldn’t sit back and let her be taken by someone else, so agreeing to her terms he led her astray knowing that he had his work cut out for him to win her over especially after he messed things up a second time!

A hot steamy read with wonderful characters and a wonderful storyline! I loved how Wilhelmina stuck to her guns, she has a strong independent characters and it takes a strong sexy man to take her on and realized that once she was his, she would fulfilled all his dreams.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this author's first contribution to the Lyon's Den series. The fact that Griffin is Mrs. Dove-Lyon's nephew through marriage, makes this story especially interesting. Griffin's family connection gives the reader an opportunity to see a new side of the widow. Contributing to the witty dialogue is Willie, the daughter of a wealthy cit. She is justifiably wary of Griffin because he left her at the alter when Mrs. Dove-Lyon had tried to set them up.
This novella has plenty of steam and it made me laugh quite a bit. Griffin was a charming hero and I really wanted Willie to forgive him. I don't want to give away a spoiler, but I will say that fans of this author will be especially pleased when they read the happy ending of this story.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Short and crazy emotional read. Arranged marriage (that did not happen) to finding each other, falling in love and then marrying - that was a different take.

The characters, both male and female, were so enchanting. They were vulnerable, lonely but striving for the hea and they get it working through the emotions and feelings for each other.

Truly enjoyed this read

I adore everything about this romance, blissful writing and witty dialogue kept me well engaged. Second chances, class difference, facing your past, learning to trust, belonging and most of all letting fears go to grasp what your heart most desires. Griff and Willie are perfection, she's determined and he's besotted by her. I love the nuances of their characters shine through, their passion for each other sizzles. They are true soulmates, deserving of love and a love that will last a lifetime. This has to be my favourite story in the Lyon's Den Connected World.

Beautifully written, with strong creative characters. Two people who arrange a marriage but don't follow through with it are brought back together. Their interactions are funny, steamy and full of intense feelings. This is a series that never fails to provide an entertaining no matter what author is present. That says a lot about the quality of the authors selected. Don't miss out on this one, it's a bit different in a lovely way.

A nice quick novella about an almost marriage that gets a second chance! Plus some fun nicknames, Willie and Griff.

I liked the edginess and a bit of danger that the main characters tended to skirt. A little non society approving activities don't hurt as long as it's for the greater good overall. Spicy romance along the way added to the fun.

I liked the tie in to other series, especially meeting a younger Tobias Streeter. I am curious to see if these characters show up in future books.

Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

The Lyon Who Loved Me is a wonderful addition to the Lyon's Den series. The series is written by many authors and each one is uniquely different but keeps to the spirit of the series.

A marriage has been arranged by Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon for Miss Wilhelmina Wright and Griffin Alastair Beckett. Mina finds herself left at the altar, thankfully with no witnesses except Bessie. Unbeknownst to the women he has been kidnapped and forced to agree to work in order to save his brother.

Just shy of a year later Griffin is finally free and asks Bessie for her help to which she agrees but will provide the barest of help for him. It is revealed that they are family and why he turned to her.

Griffin and Mina will meet again, and the spark once ignited long ago burns brighter between them.

I found this to be a very entertaining and quick afternoon read. The characters are wonderful, and the story was steamy.

I so enjoyed Griffin and Willie's antics. They are both good people, but they've each dabbled on the criminal side of things.

The leads are brought together by the Black Widow, a rather mysterious matchmaker who is very successful. They seem like a perfect match until the bride gets left at the altar because the groom got kidnapped... and this is just the start of the trouble these two get into.

I loved Griffin's grand gesture after being careless with his words. (Definite Macauley vibes, IYKYK.) And obviously, it was great to see young Streeter.

This was just a good time all the way around.

This book comes out on September 13th. I received an ARC via Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

What Wilhelmina Wright wants is to be an independent woman that runs her own household and her mathmatical business. What she doesn't want is to run the business her father created, a husband can do that. Her search for a desperate husband leads her the Ton's notorious matchmaker, Bessie Dove-Lyon, BDL trys to make a match with her nephew, Griffin Beckett, Viscount Kent (he's desperate for cash to save his failing estate and keep his wastrel brother afloat). They meet, there's sparks and they agree to marry, but he doesn't show up. This books takes you on a journey of two lonely souls finding each other on their own with a little push from BDL. He refers to her throughout as "almost-wife," unusual but so endearing. They listen to each other and love when no one else did. A few holes, but overall I enjoyed it.

I love that Tracy shows a young Tobias Streeter from her series Duchess Society Series.

I received a gratis copy through NetGalley

Kidnapped on his wedding day, Griffin leaves Willie standing at the altar. When their lives come together again, Griffin realizes he lost the best thing he ever had and tries to reconcile with Willie. Can she trust him again? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Another home run hit for Tracey Sumner and the Lyon’s Den collection!

This was a great story. The characters had amazing chemistry together and were fun to “watch” circle each other as they figured out their relationship. I admired Willie’s strength of character and that she wasn’t an easy pushover. She actually succeeded in keeping Griff at arm’s length at times, which stoked his interest even more.
Griff was a fun hero. He is a rake truly seeking redemption so he can bear the responsibility of his family and title. Even in his fear of love, he is relentless in pursuing Willie. He doesn’t give up easily. Despite his persistence, he doesn’t come off as too arrogant, but rather playful.

Tracy Sumner is one of my favorite authors, and she did not disappoint! I love we even get a glimpse of her character Tobias Streeter in this book.
My final words - read it!

I received this ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Tracy Sumner is a real hit-or-miss author for me, this one fell more on the hit side than miss. Although it's not technically part of her Duchess Society series it was kind of fun to get a glimpse of one of those characters when they were younger. As for Mina and Griff, I loved their banter and the way the pushed one another. You know they will work as a couple in the long term because they do respect each other and support one another in their business endeavors. It was also kind of fun to see Bessie Dove-Lyon exasperated by a situation. She's usually so in control it was entertaining to see what she does when things do not go according to her plan. I did feel a little bad for the duke, he seemed to really like Mina and she could have treated him a little better. Overall, another great addition to the Lyon's Den series!