This was is aptly named. For the dreams the young lady is having keep her awake at night. Until she meets the man she is to marry. She is also wrongly accused of having given away her virtue. But her Lyon will step up and protect her no matter what is happening around them. She is fierce with her temper but he knows exactly how to get her to follow him and keep her safe. I really like that the hero lets her be her because she is trying to submit and make the marriage work. I really like that she has dream that can steer her where she may go. Also, the gentleman is understanding and drawn to her. The gentlemen is committed because he can see that she is committed. This is the type of book I’ve come to expect from Sookoo. Wonderful, romantic and intense.
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.

The Captain Meets His Match

Neither Simon, nor Hattie wanted Marriage. However, they were caught in the Black Widow’s web. Mrs. Dove-Lyon made it her business to make difficult matches. Her methods were often unorthodox. Would this match be a success?

The marriage is going well; however, Simon has a secret, and secrets have a way of destroying relationships. Will Simon reveal his secret before it is too late?

Then, there is Hattie's scandalous past, and it will have some unforeseen consequences. What happens when the past and present collide?

What was Simon’s secret? What trouble from Hattie's past was haunting her? Could the two find a way to overcome these obstacles? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance.

Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made... unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.

If you haven’t read any of the books in The Lyon’s Den interconnected world get ready to enjoy a unique romance set in the Regency era but TOTALLY unlike a typical Regency book. Think of these books as “the marriage-mart gone rogue” and get ready for shenanigans and happily ever afters.

“ In search of excitement… Though Captain Simon Henry Huxley lost an eye in the naval war with America in 1812, it hasn’t slowed him down the past six years. Since his contemporaries are falling into parson’s mousetrap with alarming regularity—manipulated by Mrs. Dove-Lyon no doubt—and with yearning to return to the sea thrumming through his veins, London is a bit dull. But after a spontaneous visit to the infamous Lyon’s Den gaming hell one winter night, his life will change in every conceivable way.

Dreaming of freedom… Lady Hattie Anne Russell, youngest daughter to the Earl of Stonewycke, has been intimate with scandal since the day she turned sixteen. She dislikes rules, labels, or the ton’s boring dictates for proper ladies, and through it all she’s been bedeviled by dreams of an adventurous lion. Frustrated, her mother turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help in marrying Hattie off before further disgrace follows; no stake is too high, and any Lyon will do, but Hattie won’t be tamed, and neither will she submit to marriage without a fight.

A matchmaker’s interference may provide both… After a hasty marriage of convenience, the newly wedded pair is forced to make the best of their reality. As the calendar marches toward spring, the two accidentally find common ground by bonding over the silliest of things. Secrets and dreams are shared, and emotions prompt surprising heat between them, yet an unexpected complication has the power to destroy what they’re building. It will take daring heroics and exceptional mettle to prove they are worthy of a love—and a life—for the ages.”


I found this story to be entertaining and risqué with a female MC who doesn’t care for society rules for a proper lady and she refuses to be tamed. I actually enjoyed all the characters in this story and found their different plights to be more realistic than some other Regency romances. I thought both MCs showed daring yet brave characteristics especially for the timeframe. The story moves along at a steady pace and the ending ties up all the loose ends nicely, leaving the reader satisfied. I would gladly read more books from this author.




📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, Bookbub, and blog. 🦄 #TheLyonsDen #Dragonbladepub #BookReview #ReviewbyJaime @Dragonbladepub
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I really liked this story! One of my favorite Lyon's Den stories!
Lady Hattie Russell dislikes rules, labels, and the ton's boring dictates. Hattie, at 29, feels that being scandalous is the thing to do, such as being caught kissing out in the mews with a servant. Frustrated, Hattie's mother makes arrangements with Mrs. DoveLyon to find Hattie a husband.
Captain Simon Huxley is the man Mrs. Dove Lyon arranges to marry Hattie.
Since neither Simon nor Hattie believe in love, we get to follow along on the journey as both have secrets to disclose, passion to discover together, and to understand the meaning of the scary nightmares.

I love this story first because it's a Dove-Lyon story. Next because this author is always a favorite of mine. And lastly because the chemistry between Harriett and Simon is outstanding. Simon, a navy hero who is a bit down at the mouth because all his friends are getting married, finds himself connected to Harriett. She is feisty, determined and not a rule follower. The story is full of obstacles and secrets which keeps it interesting for the reader. The creativity is amazing as well as realistic. A great read!

Mrs. Dove-Lyon succeeds again at matching two unlikely subjects for a happy marriage. Hattie has been a scandal magnet since she turned sixteen. Society's rules frustrate her, so she ignores them. Now twenty-nine, her parents are fed up with her antics and hire Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a husband who will take her off their hands. Hattie doesn't want to be married, but she's given no choice.

Simon is a retired Navy captain who lost an eye in the war with the Americans a few years earlier. He's stayed busy since then, including spending time with his friends. However, many of them have fallen prey to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's manipulations and are now married (albeit happily). He's somewhat envious of their happiness, but not enough to step into that trap himself - until the night he wins a drinking wager at the Lyon's Den. The next thing he knows, Mrs. Dove-Lyon threatens to reveal his secret unless he marries the scandal-ridden Hattie immediately.

I liked the development of Hattie and Simon's relationship. Honest communication from the get-go smoothed the way as they decided to make the best of their situation. Hattie is stubborn and impulsive but not stupid, and she quickly sees the benefits of her marriage. Simon understands her and doesn't try to push or control her. I liked watching them get to know each other and discovering that they like what they have together. And that's before they give in to the sparks of attraction that grow stronger by the day.

But there are some obstacles between them and the future they want, obstacles caused by the trust that is difficult to bestow. Simon keeps his professional singing career to himself because he wants to be appreciated for who he is, not his celebrity. Hattie knows he's keeping something from her and is hurt by the lack of trust.

Meanwhile, it takes a while for Hattie to confide in Simon about her propensity for prophetic dreams. She has been dreaming about lions, and some of those dreams terrify her. Complicating matters is a rejected suitor who refuses to give up his pursuit of Hattie. The resolution of that matter was very well done.

This historical romance takes us back to the Lyon's Den world. Our devious widow knows just how to make people do her bidding.
Our heroine has caused more than her share of scandal, and her parents have had enough.
Our hero is a retired navy captain with a secret .
We actually have a couple who, after initial resistance, are prepared to talk to each other.
Lovely characters with a good dose of mischief.
Good fun.

Patch and Hattie...

Hattie likes scandal. She embraces it, though her family isn't thrilled.
Simon, one-eyed and looking for adventure ends up coerced into marriage to Hattie.
Hattie isn't down for marriage, but she's also forced into it.
Fast paced.

Bessie Dove-Lyon once again succeeds in her match-making, bringing together Captain Simon Huxley and Lady Hattie Russell. Usually, it's the men who resist stepping into the parson's trap, but in this case, Hattie can only think about the lions encircling her in her dreams and how to make her escape. I enjoyed the plot of this novel as Simon and Hattie find common ground and then learn to lean on one another. When Hattie tells Simon about her recurring dreams, he is wise enough to take note, and rather than denigrate her, he makes certain that Hattie has a future, thereby earning her trust. The novel is a standalone and comes to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

What a very enjoyable story! Dreaming of a Lyon has Mrs. Dove-Lyon making another successful match between Captain Simon Henry Huxley and Lady Hattie, who enjoys creating scandals. Sandra Sookoo has written a romance with flawed characters who manage to grow and yet retain their personalities which captivates you from the beginning until the very end, sizzling passion, secrets shared, with a villain that causes some drama and with an enjoyable plot that brings this read together perfectly!

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

Thank you Net Galley for another good read by Sandra Sookoo. Hattie has been dreaming about a lyon but doesn't know why. Her mother makes arrangements with Mrs. Dove-Lyon because of the trouble Hattie keeps getting into. Then Simon who is a retired Naval officer, now a earl and a tenor who keeps it a secret. He is not wanting to marry but talked into it. They get to know each other and are attracted but don't know what love is. They learn to get along.

I enjoyed the story. The plot is fast-paced and well-written, with likeable protagonists, some character development, emotion, a touch of suspense and some steam. Hattie is not the typical historical romance heroine. She is disobedient and enjoys causing scandals. Simon is a cinnamon roll hero who longs for someone to stand by him. I liked how they dealt with their unexpected situation and quickly tried to make the best of and respect and support each other despite their idiosyncrasies. It was heartwarming to see how their attachment grew and they overcame a few obstacles over the course of the book.

Lady Hattie Russell doesn't think much of society rules and, since her engagement broke up years ago, she doesn't think much of love and marriage either. She prefers to enjoy her freedom and chase after scandals. But her latest one is too much for her parents, who hire Mrs Dove-Lyon to find her a husband to finally get rid of her.

Simon Huxley, a former Navy captain, lost an eye in a battle and was forced to retire from the service. Nowadays, he earns his living as a celebrated singer who keeps his true identity a secret. As his friends gradually get married one after the other, he feels lonely and longs for companionship. One evening he visits Lyon's Den and takes part in a competition, which he wins. Nevertheless, Mrs Dove-Lyon blackmails him into a marriage with an unknown, scandalous lady and he reluctantly complies. A coerced bride and a blackmailed groom, what could possibly go wrong? Nothing if the bride and groom come to respect and accept each other, overcome their fears and insecurities, are open and honest and get rid of a former persistent suitor...

Overall, an entertaining read with likable characters and a good addition to the Lyon‘s Den Connected World that I am happy to recommend!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

This was an interesting and well written love story. The drama and the action are entertaining. A game of chance changed two lives. A scorned suitor becomes a nuance. A secret is shared. A dramatic duel occurs, and so much more intense and exciting issues occur that keep me highly engaged. I enjoyed the emotional transitions that had to happen before a romance with delicious passion could begin and become a beautiful love. I highly recommend reading!

An entertaining romance with a good dose of attraction and common ground between Captain Huxley and Hattie but most of all a true love that blooms in a marriage of convenience that neither expected.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon's matchmaking skills are put to the test when she arranges a marriage between Captain Simon Huxley and Lady Hattie Russell. At twenty-nine, Hattie's parents want someone else to take responsibility for her escapades. Neither Simon nor Hattie want marriage, but they agree to make the best of it. Physically attracted to each other, it is the start of a friendship, but a secret and a threat will challenge them to trust each other. Love this Lyon series!! Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Dreaming of a Lyon by Sandra Sookoo is apart of the Lyon’s Den Connected world and features a man, Captain Simon Huxley, who had returned from the war sans an eye, only to discover there was not much of the family fortune left. He did have his award from the crown and immediately set about earning more the only way he knew how: gambling. He found himself at the Lyon’s Den where he was enticed into a drinking wager, another thing he was good at, where he won and took home a huge purse, as well as an invitation to meet Mrs. Dove-Lyon. He had no need of a wife and didn’t plan to let her trick him into taking one. Lady Hattie Anne Russell, youngest child of the Earl of Stonewyck, was a walking scandal. Her parents had decided the only way to get her married and out of their hair was Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Well, one can see where this is going, can’t one?

Very entertaining, short book by master storyteller, Sandra Sookoo. This marriage succeeded only because of the kindness of her new husband. He did not push her. He did not boss her. He liked her. And she grew to like him. Well, it didn’t take long. There were bumps along the way but this was nothing more than a happy romance which was going to lead to a happy marriage. The twists and turns were handled well and popped up when least expected. The characters were both wonderful and ready to succumb. There were several differently-abled men involved, leading perfectly normal lives, as is Sookoo’s wont. It was just fun.

I was invited to read Dreaming of a Lyon by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SandraSookoo #DreamingOfALyon

A timeless love story, well written, strong character with each have a good background story making them who they are.

I love the match making of Mrs. Dove-Lyon and now she has Hattie and Simon married. It’s a great story of two people who do not want to be married to anyone. The story is well written and very entertaining. I like that there are characters from previous stories that were matched by Mrs. Dove-Lyon make appearances throughout the story. I love that all the books in this series involved people who do not want to get married for one reason or the other and then they realize that marriage can be a wonderful thing. It’s a fun read with a lot of surprises along. I would highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

I love an injured/scarred character in a story. Secrets abound and even though they are held for a while, it was wonderful seeing how they learned trust and started communicating. A love story with fantastic characters. The surprise ending was amazing, and the epilogue was so uplifting.

Scandal, Nightmares, Secrets, Finding True Love:
This is a charming love story that involves Simon a handsome retired navy captain who was injured in the war and Hattie a sassy pleasingly plump girl who likes to make up her own rules and gets herself in enough scandalous trouble that her mother hires her old friend the very mysterious Mrs. Lady Dove Lyon to find her daughter a husband.
Neither Simon nor Hattie believes there is any such thing as love.
This story is nonstop fascinating as we follow both characters through their journey of discovery and learning.
They have many barriers to overcome in their relationship, several secrets to disclose, perplexing nightmares, the pleasures of discovering passion and love that brings this story to a very dramatically scary and rewarding conclusion.
💖Cover😜😜😜
💋Mature Level 3/5