Nathaniel is tired of playing by society's rules. He tried that and got jilted by a woman that had been chosen for him. Well, he's done with all that and is happy to live his bachelor life. However, when he and his friends bet on whether love can conquer over class, he turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help. And of course she always delivers! Louise is a seamstress and she scoffs at all the ridiculous rules of the ton. She gets caught up in Mrs. Dove-Lyon's plans and she and Nathaniel have an immediate connection. The chemistry between them was undeniable. Without society's rules hovering over them, they were able to enjoy each other's company and get to know each other. But society and its rules still exist, and they must navigate through them in their journey to their happy ending, and I enjoyed following on their journey and watching them grow even closer.
Another enchanting addition to the wonderful Lyon's Den series! I never tire of these books and always look forward to the next one. This one certainly did not disappoint!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Can Love Transcend Class?

Mrs. Dove-Lyon is about to take on a bold experiment. In this entertaining story, a marquess and a seamstress participate in this experiment. It is just supposed to be a wager, but their hearts have other plans. The commoner and the nobleman find themselves falling in love. Do they let society's rigid rules destroy what is growing between them, or do they defy convention? The wager states that no one must recognize the participants, or Nathaniel loses the wager. There are some near-misses, giving us some entertaining moments. Who will win the bet when the prize is love? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance. You might even meet the Prince Regent.

The Lyon’s Gambit. My fellow readers. I genuinely enjoy the way this love story was written. How Ms. Dove Lyon put Nathaniel and Louise together was brilliant. It did throw Louise off balance a little, but she quickly recovered. Nathaniel couldn’t helped but be captivated by Louise from the beginning, so the project that the two were working on went out the window. I loved the story. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

Louise and Nathaniel are engaged in a social experiment, provided by Mrs. Dove-Lyon. If identities are masked and you are not able to tell the social status, would you still form close relationships? Louise is a seamstress and Nathaniel is a marquess. Will they be able to start a relationship and then continue it once they know each other's identity?

"Don't let society dictate matters of the heart. Love doesn't know boundaries. My beloved Colonel and I faced problems similar to yours. And yes, we faced opposition. In the end, we found out who our real friends were." - - Mrs. Dove-Lyon
It's interesting to see how different authors write the Lyon's Den and Mrs Dove-Lyon.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Miss Hartfield is in a rut. So her boos and Mrs. Dove-Lyon come up with a plan to help her out of it. The Marquess has come to Mrs. dove-Lyon with an interesting proposition. Not only does he want to prove that the two different classes can get along they can also work together ina project of unusual circumstances.
Not the typical Lyons Den novel but still a wonderful read all the same. i enjoyed the interactions between the two and between the different classes as well. What a wonderful change for Mrs. Dove-Lyon, and as usual she given her gentle nudge.
I received a complementary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review.. the opinion I have given is my own. I am disclosing this according to the guidelines.

Good book with an unusual premise. Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, believes that people can connect honestly if they can meet without class expectations. He had a bad experience from following society's rules and is determined to do things his own way. His friends aren't convinced that a successful relationship is possible outside society's boundaries. They bet on whether it can be done.

Nathaniel is a family connection of Mrs. Dove-Lyon and asks her for help setting up the experiment. She recruits Louise, a seamstress who works with the modiste she uses. Louise also has no use for most of society's rules. Her old-fashioned mother insists that Louise marry before her younger sister, something she has no interest in doing. Louise is intrigued by the experiment and agrees to participate. Neither she nor Nathaniel know anything about the other's background.

I enjoyed the experiment's process. Nathaniel and Louise were paired for four challenges to see how they interacted with others who had no idea who they were. The situations were interesting. I especially enjoyed the gallery visit and seeing how Nathaniel and Louise interpreted the various pieces of art. They were very compatible in attitudes and personality, and feelings didn't take long to develop between them.

Though neither knows the other's social status, Louise suspects Nathaniel is well above her, so she doesn't allow herself to hope for anything more than friendship. On the other hand, Nathaniel knows how he feels about Louise and will let nothing come between them. I loved seeing confidence in their love overcome fears despite knowing the challenges that face them. Things become complicated when a woman from Nathaniel's past appears and makes her intentions known. Assistance comes from a surprising source, and that scene made me laugh out loud. The ending was terrific. I hope to see Nathaniel and Louise appear in future books.

I liked Nathaniel's cousin Richard and would love to see him get his own story. I also like Louise's sister, Christina. I think it would be fun to see a match between them.

If you read any of the Lyons den historical novels, I recommend this one. The characters are interesting and extremely likable, which makes this book a pleasure to read. I really like all of the Lyons books, this one just struck me as particularly intriguing. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Lyon’s Gambit by Ruth A Casie is a little different than most of the Lyon’s Den stories. Nathaniel is a marquess but very much a republican. He has been in discussion with his cousin and a friend over whether true connections can be made outside of one’s social strata. He proposes to Bessie Dove-Lyon that she help him to design an experiment to test his hypothesis. She readily agrees and has already selected the other participant in the experiment. Both are to use only first names, wear masks, and make no references to their place in society as the four scenarios are played out. She has drafted a seamstress who works for her modiste. Since Mrs. Pembroke was planning on taking a holiday, Bess invited Louise to stay at her house to finish some dresses she was working on and redo some others she had in her wardrobe. When approached with the experiment, Louise agreed.

This was a very entertaining book. Since it is a romance we all know the conclusion. There were some highly entertaining roadblocks along the way, however. Ones Louise never saw coming. She did not really believe in the premise of the book, but enjoyed participating, along with Nathaniel, in the four situations laid before them. They were both good characters, and although everything about their relationship was highly unlikely as is the entire premise of the Lyon’s Den, is was an entertaining way to spend the afternoon. There were several interesting road blocks thrown in their way as some compelling personalities that popped up. It was a terrific read. Thanks Ruth A Casie!

I was invited to read The Lyon’s Gambit by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #RuthACasie #TheLyonsGambit

Over the past few years, I’ve seen a number of historical romances published under the Lyon’s Den Connected World banner; they don’t seem to be quite a continuity as genre romance readers know them from the world of category romances, but more stories by multiple authors set in a shared “Wallpaper Regency” universe.

I requested the ARC mainly because the author posted about it on Mastodon, and it reminded me I’ve been intrigued by the series’ premise.

The Lyon’s Den is a gambling house, managed by the widowed Bessie Dove-Lyon; rumored to have been a courtesan before marrying her (much older) late husband, she opened the club after his death, which, natch, left her next to penniless.

When Nathaniel, an old acquaintance, comes to see her about a wager between him and his friends, to prove that people can make “meaningful connections” across classes, his aim is two-fold: one, since the club is basically a neutral space where people of different classes rub elbows without compunction, they would like her expertise in setting up the “social experiment”; and two, that at the end of a predetermined period, she be the one to judge its success.

This is, mind you, not a courtesy between equals; Bessie will be well-compensated for her trouble. It is also not a specially difficult thing for her to arrange; we are told, in tiresome detail, that the purpose of the club is, in fact, to “connect people who’ll suit”–essentially, a matchmaking service. The main difference here is that supposedly marriage is not the end goal, but ‘meaningful, lasting connnections’, which the characters are free to infer means true friendships.

Of course, this being a romance novel, the reader knows to take this as a wink and a nudge.

Bessie, for reasons of her own, decides that her modiste’s seamstress (singular, one), Louise, must be a part of the experiment. As such, she manipulates Louise into staying with her for three weeks, purportedly to work on a whole new wardrobe for Bessie while the modiste is off visiting her family elsewhere in the country.

And here comes the first real stumble for me, worldbuilding-wise.

The author takes pains to explain that Louise’s employer is the most sought-after modiste in Regency London. For such a claim to hold water, her shop would need to produce a lot of clothing; while her clients would undoutedly already own some of the innermost layers (chemise, corset, drawers, some of the petticoats), everything else would have had to be done by hand–for every gown. Handsewing, even for seasoned professionals, takes a long time. I will confidently state that it would be impossible for two people to design, drape, mockup, pattern, sew and fit “a whole wardrobe” (at least half a dozen gowns, in this case) in three weeks. I will also posit that a shop that only dresses one person every three weeks cannot be the most fashionable in any season, nor even the most exclusive. Just small.

But okay, let us pretend this makes sense, and move on.

Soon thereafter, the widow Dove-Lyon tells Louise about the “social experiment” and convinces her to participate.

“Aren’t you the least bit curious about what it would be like if the ridiculous rules of the ton were done away with? It would be liberating, everyone on an equal footing.” (Bessie, chapter 3)

The parameters of the challenge, as given to Louise and Nathaniel, are as follows: wear a mask at all times and address each other only by given names. Otherwise, “you are making the rules as you both see fit.” (Bessie to Louise and Nathaniel, chapter 4)

Both Nathaniel and Louise come across as adolescents, even though he’s supposed to be around thirty and she likely in her early twenties. Given she’s been earning a living and paying for her sister’s education (even though her parents are alive and have their own house and so forth), one would think Louise would have developed some world savvy, but no. For his part, Nathaniel had been once engaged to a woman who jilted him to marry for money and has supposedly spent the four years since determined never to open his heart to a woman again–so of course, he falls for Louise almost immediately.

“The rhythmic click of his polished leather boots echoed against the worn cobbles and created a cadence that matched his anxious heartbeat.” (Nathaniel approaching the club for the second challenge, chapter 5)

Bessie has an outsized role on the story; rather than being a behind-the-scenes manipulator, she’s on page with Louise and Nathaniel for long scenes, and her dialogue is often just exposition, such as when she describes the track and history of the horse race that is the backdrop for the fourth challenge. There are other various other characters coming and going, from Nathaniel’s friends to Prinny, all as unconvincing as the next.

There is no point trying to describe the plot, because there is really none; the two main characters fall in love after two meetings and declare their feelings at the end of the third, with a few contrivances thrown in for another few chapters, including Nathaniel’s former fiancée –who is cold, conniving and mercenary, because of course she is–showing up against to try to make trouble for him and to humiliate Louise.

In summary, the worldbuilding is perfunctory, the writing just serviceable, the characters bland, and the story as a whole entirely forgettable. In fact, this book brought to mind nothing as much as Barbara Cartland’s ouvre, both in style and execution: a frothy fantasy, no substance whatsoever.

The Lyon’s Gambit gets a 6.00 out of 10

I liked this lovely story very much. It’s well written with a nice storyline including class difference and secret identity tropes, beautiful descriptions, a few twists, sensual but not steamy scenes and very likable characters.

Nathaniel, Marquess of St John, is disappointed by the restrictive rules of society. He wants to prove that social barriers can be transcended by fostering human relationships in a neutral environment and in anonymity.

When his friends and cousin propose a wager to prove him wrong, Nathaniel agrees and asks Mrs Dove-Lyons for help as a juror. She is a friend and distant relative and agrees to orchestrate and judge four challenges in which the participants are not allowed to reveal their identity.

Mrs Dove-Lyons partners Nathaniel together with Louise Hartfield, her talented seamstress, who is herself disappointed by society's rules.

Nathaniel and Louise are immediately attracted to each other and form a strong bond from the start. But will that be enough to overcome their class difference?

If you are Lyon‘s Den fan, you will certainly enjoy this new installment.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story was a unique one- different classes, a wager and more than one villain. A Marquess, a seamstress, and the challenge to move beyond the rules that hem them in. I enjoyed Louise Hartfield, Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon and their adventures. I highly recommend!

Ruth Casie is a new writer to the Lyon;s Den series and she did a fabulous job from incorporating employees of the den to descriptions of the property and new insight into Bessie Dove-Lyon. This is the 2nd time Bessie wasn't requested in the role of matchmaker, but as a judge for Nathaniel, Marquess of St John and his social experiment. Can people make connections from all walks of life and ignore society's class rules?
Not necessarrily a love match, but form strong bonds outside of the peerage. Will you still be acceptable once the experiment is over? Louise Hartfield, a dressmaker, lives outside the Ton but her parents still have expectatins of a good match before her younger sister can "come out."

So this is what happens when people of different classes are brought together with no expectations for four invite-only, social gatherings.
Nathaniel and Louise meet initially outside the Lyon's Den when he bumps into her and sends her designs for BDL flying. Their eyes meet and "BOOM," connection. The story has a few twists involving Nathaniel's cousin Richard, and an old flame reappears to wreak some havoc. Can their inital attraction beat social convention? This is the Lyon's Den so you know there is a HEA, but getting there makes for a fun, fast read.

A new Dove-Lyon's story that doesn't fail in being entertaining, engaging and encouraging! Louise is a seamstress while Nathaniel is a Marquess. He wants to change society and goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for assistance. What ensures is a series of interesting challenges that being others from different walks of live together based not on status but on just being human. A beautiful story of enlightenedment, one that in today's world is so sorely necessary. Well written, full of beautiful detail and descriptions of rooms, scenery and more.

4 stars

It wasn't bad but often I've noticed that this author has quite complicated story lines =, some of which don't seem to go very far. I found the idea of a wager to see if people of different classes could get on a bit contrived. Of course they could but society often precludes the continuation of these romances due to its prejudices and the folk involved find that fighting against the tide is hard work.

It does highlight one issue@ with multiple authors the character and back story of Bessie is often rode over rough shod and IMO she seemed to have altered again with this tale.

Nice Cover

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

A social experiment turns into something far more compelling, especially with Bessie Dove-Lyon's influence. Wanting to prove a point, Nathaniel invites his friends to take a wager on whether or not he will be successful in his endeavors. Louise is under pressure from her parents to find a husband before they allow her younger sister to marry, but as a hardworking seamstress, albeit a very talented one, she has little chance of meeting a suitable spouse. She therefore accepts the challenge put to her by Nathaniel, and although she is completely out of her depth, they make a fine team indeed. I enjoyed the interaction between Nathaniel and Louise and although they faced some risky situations, they nevertheless found what they were both looking for. I received a copy of this warmhearted romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A ton experiment.

Nathaniel, once jilted and now a happy bachelor (with all that entails) is betting on an experiment.
Can romantic feelings transcend class? Enter Mrs. Dove-Lyon and seamstress Louise. Louise is a working girl, no, not that kind, but one who earns her money laboring sewing. Is marriage an experiment? A fun, fast paced read.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon plays a major role in Nathaniel, Marquess St.John's experiment in breaking the rules of society. With members of all classes participating, faces covered, Mrs. Dove-Lyon sets the games and rules. It's the ultimate finish to find that trust and love have no boundaries. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is still the matchmaker.
A novella with passionate kisses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Lyons Gambit! This time Mrs Dove-Lyon is helping a good friend, Nathaniel Marquess of St. John, with an experiment whether love can be overcome between class. This is the first time I read a book written by Ruth A. Cassie and it doesn't disappoint. She has a story has a writing style that I really enjoy, she's filled the story with a great cast of characters, sensual passion, a story that is well-written, with enjoyable plot and great dialogue bring this read together perfectly.

I received a ARC copy from NetGalley and this is

What a truly original storyline ! Louise is a seamstress. Nathaniel is a Marquess who wants to start a social experiment about love between social status. I found the idea to be very intriguing and enjoyed how our Mrs. Bessie put it to the test. Watching them both learn from the exercise and find each other in the process was just precious. Some of the discussions were a bit confusing and had to be re-read to get a better read on it. Louise’s waffling over what she was going to do was a bit frustrating, but after reading the whole story, I understood what the author was trying to convey. All in all, a very entertaining and original story, very different from most of the Lyon’s Den series. Loved it!

I received this story for free and these are my own opinions.

One of the reasons I loved this story was because Bessie played a large part throughout the story. She is a wonderful character and always adds so much to a story. The two main characters, Louise and Nathaniel were such opposites and yet, at the same time they had the same values and morals. It’s a wonderful story that’s worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.