Already retired as a courtesan, Belle wants a husband and children. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is always the matchmaker, for a price. Instead of a husband, Belle ends up with a drunken Luke, an earl's heir. Her job is to dry him out and set him on the path of finding a purpose. Unexpected is the sexual attraction and deeper feelings. It's a dilemma for her to accept Mrs. Dove-Lyon's choice for a husband. The difference in age and class make a difference to her, but not for Luke.
Love this series and this book is one of the reasons why.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This book was great! I loved every second. The forced proximity was done just right and the twist was jaw-dropping! I highly recommend Lyon’s Lover!

I loved this story. It starts with the usual matchmaking for an unsuitable woman but she ends up rehabilitating from drink. When she has to spend more time with him, they become sexually intimate. When it becomes a father/son situation, the subject is tactfully handled. I highly recommend this read.

The Courtesan and the Wastrel

Belle has a challenging task ahead of her. She must get Luke to stop drinking and gambling. Can she do it? To help her find a man to marry, Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks her to undertake this challenge. Can the courtesan reform a wastrel? Will she get her wish for a family? I enjoyed this entertaining story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance.

This was a good enemies to lovers story with a lot going on. There is addiction, family conflict, class differences, and an older woman/younger man as themes that kept me turning the pages.

Isabella (Belle) is a retired courtesan looking for a change. After a successful career and intelligent investing, she has more than enough to live comfortably. But Belle wants a husband, children, and a life away from her past. She asks Mrs. Dove-Lyon to work her matchmaking magic for her. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is willing but has an unusual requirement. She knows Belle successfully helped a young woman beat an addiction and wants Belle to help a problem client overcome his vices.

Luke Lynwood is well down the road to ruin. He lost his mother at an early age and has a tense relationship with his father. Luke spends his days and nights drinking and gambling until the night he loses far too much at the Lyon's Den. Mrs. Dove-Lyon tells him he has a choice: get sober, or she writes to his father about his debts.

Though Belle is not happy with the mission, she is determined to carry it out to the best of her ability. Luke is very uncooperative at first, and he and Belle clash constantly. But after a few days, Luke begins to feel the results of her tough love approach. Neither one expects the sparks of attraction that flare up between them. Luke is an accomplished flirt who enjoys getting under Belle's skin. He also begins to appreciate her efforts on his behalf, and his confidence grows. I liked how Belle challenged him to take control of his life and future.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. From antagonists to friends to lovers, it wasn't an easy journey. Once Luke finished his "program" and was cleared by Mrs. Dove-Lyon, they were in for another shock. Mrs. Dove-Lyon reveals that her choice of husband for Belle is none other than Luke himself! Belle is horrified. She cares for Luke but fears that her reputation will cause him irreparable harm, and she resists any attempts to convince her otherwise. Luke takes to the idea quickly. But there is one other obstacle to a happy ending for them, and it shows up as a twist near the end.

The ending was terrific. I loved how Belle's past and future came together unexpectedly. It warmed my heart to see the support she received and the difference it made to her view of the future.

This story in Lyon's Den series is a unique and delightful forced proximity and an age gap love story. A desire to change one's life and begin another leads to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. A man who's lost his way and needs to find a new path. After an interesting and strange idea that has many twists, humor, and wit, that was very entertaining, including delicious passion, a beautiful love was formed. The ending was lovely. I highly recommend reading!

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Intimate Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Takes a bit – about 12% or chapter 4
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes

Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary here – this book is happening at similar time to Charlotte’s Control. This is in the same world as Sim’s Control series and School of Enlightenment (start with her newsletter freebie, Roslynn’s Rebellion, to start at the very beginning. (It is also a part of the loosely connected Lyon’s Den series, which can be read in any order)

Basic plot:
The Black Widow engages Belle in restoring Luke to his full potential while promising her matchmaking services...

Give this a try if you want:
- If I had to guess, I’d say late Regency/Georgian (this is after the events of The School of Enlightenment series, which was about 1817/1818)
- age gap – but she’s older
- hero is taller than her by several inches
- class difference – hero is an earl’s son and heroine is a retired courtesan
- lots of focus on recovery – this hero starts the story as an alcoholic and with the heroine’s help attempts to overcome
- close proximity – these two stay together at the heroine’s house for much of the book
- furry chested hero
- mid to higher steam – full scenes

Ages:
- heroine is 32, hero is 22

My thoughts:
Ok, first I have to say how much I love this cover! I mean, I am always a fool for Floyd but with the chest hair tease...mmmmmm.

Anyway, this is my first book of the Lyon’s Den world and I am loving the idea of a loosely connected plot that authors can play around with. I am really curious to see what other authors have done with this!

I have really liked Sims books in the past, especially Charlotte’s Control (which Charlotte and William are side characters in this one). And this one I also found fun – we have an older heroine that knows what she wants in some ways, but also is struggling with truly appreciating her own worth due to her past. And Luke has plenty of his own demons to overcome. These two together are really delightful – they balance each other out. I loved how Luke really took the time to let Belle figure out who she was and what she wants – she didn’t need to perform for him.

Lyon's Lover is the next book in The Lyon's Den Connected World. It always amazes me how so many different authors can write a book that fits and adds so much to the series. This one by Maggie Sims pulls us in to read the next steam story.

Isabella is looking to retire from her business of pleasing men as a courtesan. She has wisely invested all her money and now is able to leave the business behind and find a man to marry and hopefully start a family. Luke on the other hand is rebelling from his emotionless father. He has left the university and spends all his time drinking and gaming owing Mrs. Dove-Lyon a small fortune which she now expects to settle.

Belle goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon in hopes to find a man who will be willing to overlook her past and agree to marry. But she never expects that she will need to help Luke clean up his life before she can marry.

This was a fun afternoon read. Looking forward to reading more of these wonderful stories.

This book features two great and unconventional characters, Belle and Luke. She is a dominant, determined, and strong heroine, but she struggles with her past as a courtesan. He is a submissive, young, and immature hero. They seem inappropriate for one another. Belle and Luke must overcome many obstacles, such as their age difference and societal and personal prejudices, especially Belle's. He redeems himself with Belle's assistance. She overcomes her poor self-perception with Luke's assistance. The two are strongly attracted to each other and face obstacles and challenges before finding their HEA. This story is an entertaining read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love the Dove-Lyon stories and while I'm not a huge fan of age gap stories, I wasn't going to miss out on another Lyon book. I will say it took me a bit to warm up to this one with Belle's past and Luke's "oh poor me" behavior. Then I forced myself to look at his age and realized I have children that age and they have similar behaviors. Once I got past that, I enjoyed the story along with the secret and twists. I was thrilled with the end and delighted to read it.

I really enjoyed the story. I'm not usually a big fan of reverse age gap stories with dominant heroines and submissive heroes, but Luke and Belle have wonderful chemistry and are good for each other. I knew from the beginning what twist the story would have so I wasn't sure at first what outcome I would want, but am very happy with the ending. The plot is well written and interesting, with added class disparity, reformed hero and close proximity tropes, an addiction withdrawal, some steamy love scenes and very likeable main and secondary characters.

Former courtesan Isabella "Belle" Rossi seeks help from Mrs Dove-Lyon to find a husband. She longs for children and companionship and wants to leave her old life behind. The Widow of Whitehall agrees to help her, but part of her payment, however, is to help a young, profligate lordling overcome his addiction to alcohol and gambling.
Luke Lynwood is the heir to an earldom. Unlike his best friends, he has no goals or purpose in life and shuns responsibility. Brought up by his strict father and failed at university, he spends his life gambling and drinking himself into oblivion. When he loses another game at Lyon's Den, he is carted off to Isabella's house and is no longer allowed to drink. Isabella helps him overcome his addictions and slowly Luke learns to appreciate the small successes in his life. The two are strongly attracted to each other, but their past, their different social status and the age difference seem insurmountable for Belle...

If you like stories about couples who find their happy ending despite all obstacles and differences, you will enjoy this book!

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

Lyon’s Lover by Maggie Sims is another entry into the Lyon’s Den Connected World. Isabella Rossi had been a successful member of the demimonde for many years. Now she wished to marry. She wanted children. She would like to be loved, but that was not a requirement. She had saved plenty of money, so that was not an issue either. She came to Mrs. Dove-Lyon because she was the best. Mrs Dove Lyon could find her a husband, a merchant perhaps? Mrs Dove-Lyon agreed but first asked a favor. She knew Belle had successfully weaned a young woman off drugs and saw her successfully married to a country vicar. She had a young man who owed her a lot of money, primarily because he drank. She wanted Belle to wean him off his addiction. His name was Luke Lynwood and before this was over it was going to get very complicated.

Luke was a likable young man who had no self-control. He had left Oxford with out mentioning it to his father, and now he had been drunk for weeks. And losing money he didn’t have. Belle liked him but she was not going to put up with any nonsense. She needed him to get sober so Mrs. Dove-Lyon could find her a husband. She was not getting any younger. One night she awoke to the sound of something crashing: it was Luke looking in the kitchen for cooking sherry. At that point she handcuffed him to her bed and he slept on the floor for many nights. He was falling for her just as she was falling for him. What hard would one more fling do? It was a wholly entertaining story of a younger man (22) and an older woman(32) who did well together until the tables were turned. Clever plot twist.

I was invited to read Lyon’s Lover by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MaggieSims #LyonsLover

Oh mama, she's a spiiiiicy one!

I found myself giggling and kicking my feet the entire time reading this, whether it was because I found something hilarious (the bed chains, he was a like a puppy!) or downright adorable (he paid attention to her breakfast routine <3). This is my second book within the Lyon's Den world, and even though they are different authors, you get the same central vibe of writing style which is wonderful in interconnected series with multiple authors.

Belle and Luke are wonderful MCs. Each has such a detailed history, and the way their stories intertwine was equal parts fun, deep, and endearing. There's one part that I called from the very beginning and looooved how it played out at the end (not going to spoil it, so you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out what I mean!)

I'd say there's a trigger warning for alchoholism, if that is a topic that affects you.

I enjoyed this story so much! What’s not to love about a courtesan deciding to retire and looking to settle down with a husband? There were so many things in Belle’s eyes working against her and Luke and yet I found their story believable and dare I say heartwarming?

Belle seeks out the help of a matchmaker, the mysterious Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow of Whitehall, overseer of a very popular gaming hell, for finding herself a husband that will be accepting of her past career and also desire her for companionship. In exchange for helping her, Belle is asked to prevent the worst drunken gambler from frequenting the Lyon’s Den and irresponsibly gambling away his money. Luke wants as little to do with Belle as she does with an entitled man, but it seems the Black Widow knows what’s best for both of them. Please be aware of trigger warnings for alcoholism and detoxing when picking this book up. However, I thought it was so refreshing to see a forced proximity trope that didn’t follow the traditional plot lines. It would seem Belle is in a more superior position of helping Luke, but I felt that the growth and maturity Luke showed throughout the novel put him on even footing with Belle.
I loved how in the intimacy scenes, Luke made sure that Belle did not feel as if she was “performing” for him. He put her first in so many ways and took the time to listen. If you enjoy age gap, mistaken identity, and non-virginal MCs, this book will definitely be for you. Maggie Sims can definitely write a steamy book and I found the interactions between Belle and Luke to be both fun and heartfelt. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭.5

Clodpate & the Wench
I’ve been waiting for this one, and it was absolutely scrumptious!

~ Isabella & Luke ~
She’s a retired courtesan ready to settle down, marry and have kids, and he’s this university drop-out, good for nothing lordling, roaming around London’s gaming hells and brothels, drowning his daddy issues. She enlisted the Lyon’s Den’s Black Widow to find her a husband, and he’s just lost his final bet against the house... As part of her fee, the Widow demands Bella to take Luke under her wing and clean him up.

What follows is a five star course in how to train your whiny wastrel whelp and make him a man. Except... the cub comes with the most Tantalising Toothsome T and the heart of a lion, and, as it turns out, even a pro has a soft spot.

He needs to face his failures, his future and his father. She’s strict, stern and cares - a lot - and it takes him a beat to accept her tough love approach, but it works, he finds his footing. As his confidence grows, hers starts to wobble - the balance slowly shifts, and it’s so beautifully done. The setting is exquisitely intimate, there’s amazing growth for both MCs and the twist near the end was brilliant - I was so completely immersed in their story, I never saw it coming. Excellent!

This story moved me with its vulnerability and honesty. It was the perfect mix of naughty & nice, teasing & trust, sizzle & soft. It was enthralling and witty with a ton of heart and 100% pure Maggie Sims magic. A reverse age-gap, class difference, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, stand-by-you, steal-your-boots-and-tie-you-to-the-bedpost, let-me-serve-you, slow burn steamy delight, and a bl¯¯dy marvellous read!
PS: it overlaps with ‘Charlotte’s Control’ and, while not strictly necessary, I would recommend reading that book first - as an extended exquisite intro 😉
Seriously though, run, don’t walk, and grab your copy!

Another perfect addition to the Lyon's Den series. Den owner and Matchmaker, Bessie Dove-Lyon has her work cut out for her with these two: Luke Lynwood is an alcoholic, he just hasn't realized it yet. Isabella Rossi is a retired courtesan, hoping Bessie Dove-Lyon can find her a match. Bessie introduces the two at he Lyon's Den and proposes a deal: Isabella can help Luke get sober, and she'd find Isabella a good match. This is an excellent addition to the Lyon's Den Series, and Sims' "Control Series." It is stand-alone, but knowing the backstory for Luke's best friends, Nate and Will, makes the story that much more enjoyable. Sims writes steamy love scenes you don't want to get caught reading in public, and this book is no exception. The banter and chemistry between the two main characters bounces off the pages. There is always a HEA in this series, but I wasn't sure how they'd overcome one heck of a twist to get there, but they do.

The alcoholic story line was tastefully done, not sugar coated. It may be a trigger, but being part of a family with several members suffering from this disease some parts were difficult to read.

Overall I loved this book and I highly encourage you to read it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved everything about this story. It’s well written and very entertaining. The storyline is well thought out and beautifully presented. Luke and Belle are both strong characters who compliment each other. This is an excellent story and one that I would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

A beautiful well-written storyline about an ex- courtesan and an Earl’s son who has become an alcoholic!

Belle had retired and wanted a life filled with a husband, family and if possible love. Luke was running from emotions of the past and was wasting his life gambling and drinking. It was Belle’s task to reform his ways and make him a better person.

This was such a fun, witty emotional read, two different people from two different walks of life who fall in love. Belle has issues and with her past creeping up, can they both overcome these issues to find their HEA?

Another great read from Ms Sims bringing love, tenderness and entertainment together in one perfect read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having enjoyed a successful career as a courtesan, Isabella Rossi longs to walk away from her past. She wants a normal life with all it entails, a husband, a home, and children. Isabella seeks out the Black Widow, owner of the Lyon’s Den. Heir to an earldom, Luke Lynwood is addicted to drinking, gambling, and avoiding his responsibilities. But when he gambles more than he can afford, the Black Widow offers him an alternative way to repay his massive debt. Isabella will oversee his withdrawal & recovery from drink.
The first book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last. It was different, it was entertaining & it was very enjoyable. I loved Bella & Luke both had their issues & both thought they weren’t good enough. I loved how their relationship changed & how their feelings deepened. There’s a surprise to them but not so much to the reader – I loved their reactions & also what ensued. A very well written captivating romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Thank you Net Galley. This was a fun read. Belle goes to the matchmaker to find her a husband who will be able to live with her past. She is asked to help Luke overcome his drinking problems. She helps him and they are getting along well but he falls in love with her, and she loves him, but he is to inherit from an Earl, and she is afraid of hurting his reputation. He has to make up with his father who was one of her clients. The ending is rather a surprise.