Ok…my head is spinning after reading this very DELICIOUS story! Everything you thought would happen didn’t and visa versa. Talk about a triangle!
Christina is doing her best to help her financially strapped parents. Wolf is an egotistical man who thinks all women will fall at his feet. Richard is secretly in love. Add Mrs Dove-Lyon to the mix and you have a convoluted tale full of twists and turns that make you feel like you are on a roller-coaster! I adored how Christina was a feisty female with good common sense, even with her head in the clouds. Watching Wolf work through his issues and becoming a different man was satisfying because he was not the most likable individual in this story. The mystery of who done it has you guessing for awhile and the epilogue will have your jaw drop on to the floor. I really enjoyed this story as you are never sure if there will be an HEA and if perhaps Mrs. Dove-Lyon has lost her touch. Great story-one of the best in the Lyon’s Den series!

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

I really enjoyed this fast-paced yet slow burn romance, which is definitely not your average Lyon's Den installment. The very well-written plot is intriguing and full of lies, betrayal, rumors, false accusations, and an embezzlement investigation.
The numerous twists and turns really kept me hooked throughout the book. I also changed my mind about some of the characters several times and the ending surprised me as well.

Captain Marcus "Wolf", Viscount Wolfton, is known to be fickle, self-centered and vain. He loves to charm ladies, but detests it when they swoon to his feet expecting marriage and he becomes target of the gossip mills.
When he complains to Mrs. Dove-Lyon and asks her to accompany him to several charity events, the widow proposes a bet: she will find him an escort who is immune to his charm and the gossip. Wolf, on the other hand, is sure that Christina Hartfield, the lady in question, will fall in love with him during their meetings just like the others…

Overall, an intriguing book with unexpected twists that will keep you on your toes!

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

This was everything that I was looking for from the historical romance genre, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this. The characters felt like they belonged in this and was glad everything worked overall. Ruth A. Casie has a strong writing style and was glad I read this.

Christina Hartfield, beset by her family’s recent financial woes, finds herself caught between both Viscount Wolfton, with his mercurial charm and mysterious past, and Richard St. John, steadfast and sincere. The stakes are high, with reputations, fortunes, and hearts on the line.
Another book in the connected world of the Lyon’s Den & it was different. An engrossing romance which drew me in from the first page & left me with a satisfied smile on my face. I loved Christine who was caring with an interest in astrology. I also liked both Wolfton & Richard who were different but who would win Christina? A fun & entertaining romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This Lyons story had so many different aspects, plots, and situations going on it was fascinating, and it made such an exciting and entertaining love story. A favor turns into a wager, and from then on, this story takes off with jealousy, deceit, embezzlement, intrigue, bets, rumors, and so many other emotional and interesting plot twits and turns. Having Mrs. Dove Lyons so involved in this story gave it a unique spark for me. I enjoyed how, in the end, true feelings and romance were correctly established, allowing for true love to triumph in the end. I highly recommend reading!

What a unique storyline involving Christina and two men, Richard and Wolfton, who are both interested in her. The reader will instantly connect with Christina, whose personality is very caring, assured, and wise for her time. Her interactions with Wolfton occasionally made me laugh and at other times feel compassionate towards both of their circumstances.

As I was reading, I found that I was drawn to Viscount Wolfton throughout most of the book as he spent most of the time with Christina due to a promise and a wager with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. His bad boy personality with a tortured soul really drew me in.

It took me a while to understand Richard’s feelings towards Christina but towards the end of the book I decided he was quite a catch.

The most interesting character was Mrs. Dove-Lyon because she had so many hidden facets and was not only mysterious but lovely with her hidden talents. She is a character you want to see again in future books.

Author Ruth A. Casie delivers a fulfilling and surprising ending in this unique read. Will you read this book?

This was a pleasant read, and once I got into it, it was engaging; however it really wasn’t what I was expecting based on the description/summary. The deviation was not necessarily a bad thing, but I do feel that an updated summary might increase enjoyment, as I did find myself a bit let down by some of the twists. Since the description as well as the point-of-view chapters already primed me to expect something, I found the choice (while the better choice, honestly) uninteresting, and it led me hoping for a huge redemption arc. While I did somewhat get the redemption arc I was hoping for, I do feel like it largely happened off page. And, I do feel like a lot of things happened off page, so some of the character’s actions feel so abrupt to me. But then, I also read this as a standalone so a lot of backstory may have been in other books of the series.

All-in-all I would still rate it as a cozy, enjoyable read, and I happily spent my afternoon reading it.

As an editing note, Wolf referred to Christina’s sister as the “new viscountess” when expressing surprise she knew an acquaintance instead of “marchioness.” And the Talbot ladies were first introduced as Ladies “Fiona”, Beth, and Grace, but later, all mentions of them were of Ladies “Lily”, Beth, and Grace.

I was needing a cozy historical romance as a pallet cleanser, and when I tell you, I am more than pleasantly surprised. This was not just a quintessential, cozy historical romance (which is what I was hoping for and would have been totally happy with). IT WAS SO MUCH MORE!!! I truly didn’t guess what was going to happen and I usually always guess it from 1/4 of the way in.

The FMC is witty, strong, passionate and smart 💖
The MMC 👀 wasn’t at all what I expected 🫠

I’m being very vague because I truly don’t want to give anything away! I went in blind and am so happy I did 💕

Thank you NetGalley for this fun read. Mrs Dove-Lyon makes a wager with viscount Wolfton for some events coming up and she has to find him a young lady to accompany him but isn't completely taken by him as most of the young ladies are. She comes up with Christina and this young lady is interested in astronomy more than men. He is so use to their attention he is hurt when she doesn't fall for him. He takes a wrong move in thinking he will change her mind.