Terrific book. I liked both Laurel and Angel. The story opens as Laurel overhears her fiancé of five years telling her brother he wants to postpone their wedding for the sixth time. He admits he doesn't want to marry her but needs her dowry. Furious, Laurel dumps him on the spot. She also discovers that if she isn't married by her twenty-fifth birthday (in three months), she will have no dowry at all. Rather than start the husband hunt all over, Laurel goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help making a suitable match. She collides with a man on the way to the office but doesn't recognize him at first.

Angelico Warrington first met Laurel eight years earlier when a ship they were on foundered off the coast of Portugal. Angel saved Laurel, her father, and many others. From there, he joined the army. Angel's backstory is heartbreaking, but he doesn't let it hold him down. He has never forgotten Laurel and recognizes her right away. When he learns of her reason for being there, he becomes one of the contestants for her hand.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Angel and Laurel. As they renew their acquaintance, Laurel realizes that Angel is the man she wants. He is brave and honorable and wants her for herself, not her dowry. The twists and turns of this story were entertaining and kept me turning the pages. I loved Laurel's independence and strength of will, as well as Angel's determination. Each had obstacles to overcome, but their feelings never wavered. The ending was fantastic, with intense suspense as Angel competed for the hand of the woman he loved.

The secondary characters were great. The rejected suitors were appropriately detestable and added obstacles to our couple's hope of a future together. There were appearances by other couples brought together by Mrs. Dove-Lyon, giving Laurel support in her quest. I liked Angel's newly discovered cousin, Bertram, and the unexpected part he plays in Angel's life. I loved Laurel's brother Benjamin. His support of Laurel was unexpected, and I enjoyed seeing him back her up. I look forward to his story and wish I didn't have to wait until October to read it!

Savior, Competition, Heartfelt Romance:
A shocking eye raising revelation sets Laurel into action which will change her future starting right now.
On her way to confer with the infamous Mrs. Lady Dove Lyon Laurels runs smack dab into Angel a war veteran on crutches who is a musician that works at the Lyon's Den. Unbeknownst to Laurel she didn't recognize Angel who she had met a long time ago in a land far away. Fate has just arrived for both Angel and Laurel and let the romance begin, or does it?
I couldn't help but be highly disappointed with the way the author ended this lovely tale of two people finding love, but we really didn't get to see just how much or where their love took them. One kiss then a promise of good things to come in a future story.
😢Rating 3.5 Star rounded up to 4

Beautifully written story of Angel, a man who dedicated his life to helping and saving others to his own detriment and inability to walk without crutches. Angel saved Laurel many years ago and now that he has seen her again, he wants her. Laurel is going to get married with the assistance of Bessie Dove-Lyon. And the competition begins with a couple of trials and some unexpected news about Angel’s past.
Heartwarming and special.

Hook, Lyon, and Sinker by Jude Knight is part of the Lyon’s Den Connected World of Dragonblade. Lady Lauraline Barker has just dumped her betrothed. It seems he wants to postpone the wedding yet again. It would be the sixth time. They have had the longest betrothal in the history of the ton. The truth is, he doesn’t want her, he wants her dowry, and apparently he doesn’t want that enough to do the deed. She has also just discovered that she has no dowry if she isn’t married within three months, her twenty-fifth birthday. She decides to take care of this herself and presents herself and her situation to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the matchmaker at the Lyon’s Den. Angelico Warrington had seen her many years before, when he rescued her and many others from a sinking ship. He had been working as a musician at the Lyon’s Den, but had money and a possible family within the ton. He spoke to his friend, Titan, Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s most trusted guard, and got himself a part in the contest for Laura’s hand. The only problem is that he as damaged feet and cannot walk without crutches. Can he compete?

Laura is strong-willed, part of what made her fiance not want her. She explains to her brother what she is doing and he insists on accompanying her. After the initial interviews, Laura eliminates two of the four suitors, leaving Angel, and another perfectly acceptable man. The games begin. Angel has retrieved some of his money from his man, visited the home of the man he assumed to be his uncle, and seen a tailor, all in an effort to make himself an acceptable candidate. He is a handsome man, unassuming and loyal. He has a great many friends among the staff at the Lyon’s Den. They are all cheering for him. It is a cheerful and pleasant book. The outcome is assured and all that is left is the journey. It was fun. Thanks Jude Knight!

I was invited to read Hook, Lyon, and Sinker by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #JudeKnight #HookLyonAndSinker

Bessie Dove-Lyon comes to the rescue when Lady Laureline discovers that her reluctant groom once again tries to delay their wedding and that there is a looming deadline. Needless to say, the Black Widow discovers the connection between Laurel and Angel, who is currently entertaining her guests as a musician, a man who has been to hell and back, and struggling to find his feet both literally and figuratively. Despite his wounds, Laurel is still attracted to the man who rescued her so many years ago, but she has to first overcome the dastardly attempts of her suitors to discredit her. Angel is everything Laurel needs in a man, honorable, kind, and brave, but first, he has to win the challenges set by the Black Widow if he is to win her hand. Fortunately, the novel comes to a sweet conclusion, bringing hope for the future. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This is a fun, entertaining read. Angel and Laureline are interesting, complex, intriguing, relatable, entertaining, fun characters. I enjoyed them as individuals and as a couple. Their romance has interesting and entertaining twists and turns. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I especially love the family and friends aspect. The story is easy to get inro and read.

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

I was swept into this book immediately and it kept me captiured until the very end LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it! Main characters, Laurel&Angel meet when the ship Laurel and her father were traveling capsized off the coast of Portugal. Angel pulled them both from the waters and set them on shore. He arranges for them to be returned to England. He, however, was in the military and ran into life changing trauma. The military would blow up a bridge which fell on Angel’s feet, which left his feet mangled. He had immediately fallen in love with Laurel when he pulled her out. He hoped to one day find her....The book left me wanting more about other characters and sounds like that it is coming in October, 2024. I can hardly wait. Sincere thanks to the following for allowing me to read early and to give my own honest opinion:
#NetGalley,
#DragonbladePublishing
#JudeKnight
Publication Date: March 20, 2024
Go and get it as soon as you can!

Lady Laureline Barker has been betrothed for years but her fiancé keeps delaying, then one day she over hears him saying he only really wants her dowry – so she breaks the engagement & asks Mrs. Dove Lyons to find her a husband, she does not expect one of her choices to be the man she admired years ago, when she was still a schoolgirl & who rescued her from drowning. He is also a war hero, famed for trading his own freedom and health for the safety of others. Angelico Warrington doesn’t expect Laurel to remember him. Even if she does, why should she favour him over other suitors? She is the respected sister to an earl. Angel is a musician in the Lyon’s Den den, unable to walk without crutches, and with no place in the Society to which Laurel belongs.
Another wonderful romance by the author. Angel is one of the loveliest heroes you could find, he’s a hero, unassuming, caring & loves Laurel for herself. Laurel is intelligent & knows her own mind, she’s also attracted to Angel. I was really routing for him in the tests set by Mrs Dove Lyons & was cheering when good fortune at last went his way. The characters were brilliant, the pace never lagged & I was hooked from cover to cover. I also loved both Bertram & Benjamin & look forward to the latter’s story
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Angelico Warrington (Angel) rescued Lady Laureline Barker eight years ago from a sinking ship and lost his heart to the lady. He sustained injuries in the war from an explosion, torture from the French and lives in pain. Laureline broke the engagement to a man who cares nothing for her and only wants her dowry. She approaches the matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon to arrange a marriage. Angel takes the one chance of winning her in Mrs. Dove-Lyon's competitions. A very sweet clean
romance. One of my favorite series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.