A second chance romance between Josephine and her brother’s best friend, Gyles . It a sweet love story although it lacked excitement for some reason

3.5 ⭐️

4 stars

This story seemed a bit odd and I was wondering if as well as a Lyon story it was part of one of the authors series. I got the impression that she was rehabilitating a heroine that had been very mean. Josephine had always loved Gyles. Some time ago she declares herself to him but Gyles has promised her brother, Simon not to look at Jose as a potential wife. In a huff she marries the first rogue and becomes estraged from her brother when he refuses the dowry. Once widowed and on the streets she lives with another aristocrat until he gets married and Jose is very rude and unpleasant to Adrian's wife. At one point Adrian is asked to her Gyles find Josephine and Adrian says Ok but she owes my wife an apology....I was waiting for this to happen.

The writing is good but I didn't really take to Josephine. Gyles was Ok. The Cover is lovely

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

Great characters who are conventional in their titles but unconventional in their characters. Josephine is a strong independent woman who has been against all odds surviving on her own. Gyles regrets not coming to Josephine's aid years ago and now tries to help in any way he can. He loves her no matter what everyone says.

Good second chance/best friend's sister story. Several years earlier, a young Josephine was in love with her brother's best friend, Gyles. Devastated when he spurned her affection, she eloped with a man who only wanted her for her money. After his death, she compounded her mistake by becoming a nobleman's mistress, ending any hope of returning to Society.

Josephine didn't know that her brother, Simon, had made Gyles promise that he would not court her. He regrets rejecting her and, even more, not going after her when she eloped. As his father's heir, Gyles is busy helping his father, leaving him no time for the simpler life he craves. He often thinks of Josephine and wishes he knew where she was.

Josephine's friend, Cassandra, has made it her mission to find a way to restore Josephine to the life she should have. She enlists the help of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, who is known for arranging matches for unlikely pairs. She arranges a meeting between Josephine and Gyles.

It is evident from the beginning that the feelings between Josephine and Gyles are still there. I enjoyed watching the development of their relationship as they navigated Society's strict rules. I liked that Gyles freely admitted his regret and apologized to Josephine for his lack of action. I liked that both were mature enough to clear the air in a reasonable manner. They have a tough road ahead to bring Josephine back into Society's good graces, and it isn't easy.

I liked seeing Gyles initiate the attempt to repair his relationship with Simon and bring him on board to help Josephine. I was happy that Simon saw the error of his ways. Having them team up was a good start. Complications arose as the attraction between Gyles and Josephine grew stronger, potentially wrecking their goal. There was a terrific scene that could have ended badly but brought a strong ally to Josephine's side. It was amusing to see Gyles's frustration build as he had to toe the line while Josephine made her return to Society. I loved the ending and seeing them happy at last.

The epilogue was good and alludes to two more upcoming matches. I can't wait to read them.

A game of chance at Mrs. Dove-Lyon's notorious gambling den can bring total rune or a happy ever after with a turn of a card or some other game of chance. Gyle, the Marquis of Wickes, now finds himself obligated to honor his debt to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. But not all is as bad as Gyles fears as he sets about paying his debt. Sherry Ewing has written a second chance romance that comes together perfectly, with a story line that kept me interested right to the end and wanting more! Her characters come to life as you find yourself drawn into their story, the scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story. Sherry Ewing's stories always leaves you anxiously waiting for the next one in the series.

I received a ARC copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This is a second chance love for Josephine Blanchard, who after sharing her love for Lord Gyles Hawley and his not being able to return her affection, ran off with a French emigrant whom she thought had money. After her spouse dies, Josephine is penniless and forced to become the mistress for another lord. After he is preparing to marry, Josephine is rescued by another widow who looks out for other women who are down on their luck. Josephine's friend takes her to a gambling casino where the female owner assists women reenter the ton by introducing them to available men which may lead to an aristocratic marriage. Gyles and Josephine are reconnected by Mrs. Dove Lyon at the same time he has been looking for her at the behest of her estranged brother. Gyles has feelings of guilt over Josephine's past as he feels he should have gone after her when she ran off with the Frenchman after he turned her away. Turns out Gyles had an honorable reason for rebuffing her and after they met again, the feelings they both shared were rekindled. Gyles and Josephine had obstacles to overcome as they had to find a way to convince the ton to accept Josephine back into their midst after the scandal she caused by running away with someone her brother didn't approve of. Despite the odds, they perservered and was able to overcome the gossip and criticisms from the ton and even Gyles' mother's hesitance to accept Josephine as his intended.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Promises, Regrets, and Second Chances

He made a promise; it led to regrets; would he have a chance to fix his mistake? She was in love with her brother’s best friend; he rejected her, so she ran off. Then, she made decisions that ruined her reputation. He was a duke’s son, so he must marry a woman with a spotless reputation. Did their love stand a chance? Mrs. Dove-Lyon had a few tricks up her sleeve, but were they enough to restore a ruined reputation? I enjoyed this lovely story and would recommend it to those who like second-chance, Regency Romance.

In response to Gyles’s rejection, Josephine eloped with a man who thought he was going to get a large dowry. Her brother disowned her, and after a miserable marriage, she sought a protector. Two youthful mistakes that cost her much. She has been living with several other widows. Her friend Cassandra had helped two of their group to find husbands with help from Betsy Dove-Lyon. She has now turned her efforts on Josephine. Of course, Mrs. Dove-Lyon manages to bring all the players together and set the stage for romance. Will she be able to bring Gyles and Josephine together, and urge reconciliation between friends and siblings? Another enjoyable visit to the Lyon’s Den. A well-written interesting story with broken hearts that need healing, a cast of delightful characters, a surprise or two, and a happy ending.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Lyon and His Promise by Sherry Ewing
Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook. This was a great happily ever after story. It's a super easy & quick read. I do wish the storyline had more angst to the drama. This book does not have spice at all, so if you don't like spice and you like historical romance give this a read!

New-to-me author Sherry Ewing writes a story of redemption. When Josephine wishes to marry and return to the ton after a disastrous marriage and a stint as a mistress, she turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Gyles finds himself paired off with Josephine, his best friend’s disgraced sister whom he regrets not marrying in the first place. Can they find happiness? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Marquis of Wickes has regretted losing his best friend and his sister since that terrible day.
Mrs. Josephine Bouchard has wished she had not run off as she did but she thought they'd come after her. They did not.
I did enjoyed this story of redemption and (of course) love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

Wrong Decisions

A charming second chance, best friend’s sister romance novella that I liked and a good addition to the Lyon‘s Den series. The characters are very likable but I would have loved to have more emotional insight into them both. Nonetheless, it was nice to see how easily Gyles and Josephine reconnected and how they worked together to restore her reputation in society.

When she was younger, Mrs Josephine Bouchard was in love with her brother's best friend, Gyles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes, but he rejected her and she ran off with another man to provoke him. Gyles did not follow her and she married and was shunned by polite society. After her husband's death, Josephine had no choice but to become the mistress of another man, who also dumped her when he married.
Her friend Cassandra Vaughn from the Wicked Widow’s Club wants to help her become respectable again and organises a meeting with Mrs Dove-Lyon, who agrees to find Josephine a suitable husband.

For years, Gyles has regretted that he did not court Josephine because of a promise he made to his friend and that he was unable to convince her brother to follow her and prevent the elopement.
As heir to his father's dukedom, Gyles must now marry a respected lady of polite society. But then he loses a game at Lyon's Den and is set up on a blind date by the Black Widow of Whitehall ... with Josephine ...

If you like quick to read historical romance novellas and are a fan of Mrs. Dove-Lyon and her den, you will enjoy this book!

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

A quick read that I found to be entertaining and attention keeping. Decisions made in haste have to be repented in life later. Josephine learns this lesson. Gyles, her brother's friend, comes in the picture at the Lyon's Den. A read that will keep you on task.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

A beautiful story of Josephine's fall from the Ton to finding her way back into their good graces. With the help of Myles and others, she moves back from her poor decisions and finds her hea. Creative with well crafted characters and a bit of spice. Engaging and fun to read.

A Roaring Romance: The Lyon’s Den Delivers Delight!

Step into the rollicking world of Regency London's most infamous gambling hall, where love and second chances are the ultimate jackpot. Our leading pair, Gyles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes, and the scandalously charming widow, Mrs. Josephine Bouchard, stir up a romance that's as spicy as it is sweet. Gyles, poised to inherit a duchy, is the quintessential gentleman who seemingly has it all, yet pines for the one prize he vowed to forsake—Josephine's heart. Meanwhile, Josephine, with a reputation more tarnished than a second-hand silver set, wonders if a chance encounter could rekindle old flames.

Enter Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the cupid of matchmakers, who orchestrates a rendezvous that sets off more than just sparks—try a full-blown pyrotechnic display! Amidst the tumultuous tides of societal norms, our lovers must weigh if their love is worth going all-in.

Sherry Ewing deals a hand of humor and heart, reminding us that in the high-stakes game of love, the house isn't the only one with tricks up its sleeve. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

With the help of a fellow widow and Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Josephine may have another chance with Gyles, Marquis of Wickes. The problem is Josephine has a reputation frowned upon by Polite Society. It will take the help of her brother and respected members of society to elevate her status enough to marry Gyles.
A second chance romance with a couple completely in love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This book was a real treat, and a very pleasant read, I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a good regency romance.

Gyles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes made a promise to his best friend Simon not to woo the man’s sister. Mrs Josephine Bouchard understands that she must live with her bad choices. Foolishly running away, when her brother’s best friend rejected her, with a man who only desired her money, was only the first. After she became a widow, she continued to make decisions that cost her any possibility of a return to Society. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon arranges a meeting between Gyles and Josephine, the past and present collide. Only once they resolve their own mixed emotions, can they combat all that Society will try to do to stop them being together.
A well written novella with strong characters & a well paced story. I really liked both Gyles & Josephine who had fallen in love years earlier but Simon had been the spanner in the works & they’d parted only for Josephine to suffer & ended up on the streets, luckily she was saved by Cassandra. I loved their second chance romance, how Josephine gradually re-entered society & hoe Simon had to eat humble pie. A charming romance with some surprise cameo appearances
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

He choose bros before....

You know. Having made a bad choice and then sticking by a bad decision to not woo his friends' sister, Gyles sent Josephine down a path many women with little options tread frequently. That of bad decisions and forced to do what one must to survive. Thanks, men. Also, her brother is an idiot. I felt bad for Josephine, who was a victim of men's making decisions for her and her having to pay the price for that, over and over, with the ton being all judgy.
Glad Josephine finally got a decent shot, as she was the most mature person instead of all the men around her.

Thank you NetGalley. Josephine had always been in love with their neighbor Gyles but her brother got him o say he'd never marry his sister in a moment of youthful having been pledged not to do it. When he felt compelled to honor that request she ran away with another man. Now she has gone with her friend to the Lyon's Den to ask for help to find a suitable member of the Ton to marry. Gyles is still single and sees her and willing to help her. He has always loved Josephine and some day will be a Duke and she still loves him. It is not an easy road to have her past stay in the past. Gyles is fine with it but others aren't.