Good addition to the Lyon's Den series. Melissa is a beautiful young widow who caught the Prince Regent's eye. He summoned her to be one of his mistresses, an honor she did not want. Unfortunately, she can't say no without risking the livelihood and reputation of her family. Her love for another man complicates matters. She appeals to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help in untangling her life.

John Stonebridge was the Duke of Duncan until his missing cousin, Dustin, returned to London (<i>The Lyon's Golden Touch</i>) and married Lexi, Melissa's sister. He spent years repairing the estate's finances and caring for the property. Now, he attempts to teach his cousin what he needs to know to take his place as Duke. Dustin would rather continue his work as a dentist than deal with estate matters.

Melissa flees to her sister's country home to visit Lexi and stay out of Prinny's way while Mrs. Dove-Lyon works her magic. I enjoyed watching John and Melissa's relationship develop. When Dustin and Lexi depart for London, John and Melissa step up to keep things going at the estate. Spending time together intensifies their feelings for each other, but until Melissa is free, they can't do anything about it. John and Melissa each have insecurities that make their situation more complicated. There are several deeply emotional scenes involving John's son, Herbert, that hammer home Melissa's fears. In the end, Mrs. Dove-Lyon comes up with an interesting solution. The epilogue was good, with a look at a unique future.

I enjoyed the story of John and Melissa, but I freely confess that my favorite character was Angus, the kitten. His appearance emphasized John and Dustin's challenges in handling their duties. Angus's antics were adorable and lightened some of the more intense scenes. I especially enjoyed the scene with the yarn.

This heartfelt and captivating second chance addition to The Lyons Den Connected World was full of drama, intrigue, suspense, mystery, blackmail, scandal, kidnapping, and so many emotional issues that kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the courage, determination, and strength it took to overcome all obstacles to find a deliciously passionate and true love. The mischievous little kitten was an added bonus. I highly recommend reading!

3.5 but I’m bumping it up cause the cat is not just in the story but in the cover. I like this authors stories, the characters do feel real. And compared to the other books I’ve read by this author, the main characters in this book do not have the juvenile feeling those other characters can have. I liked seeing our doctors from her other series mentioned here, the cross over was unexpected to me. I liked it. Neither MC were overly stubborn nor had anything that was really uncomfortable or aggregating about them from a story telling perspective. However, I do think that book had repetitiveness that wasn’t needed, we understood that the issue was her relations with Prinny and the main plot lion would be how they over come to make their love match. I purchased this book and I did also get it as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt second chance, forbidden love romance that is emotive with humorous moments, intrigue, a little steam and a heartwarming happy ending, and features very likable characters with great chemistry and a mischievous, matchmaking kitten that stole my heart from the start. I already knew John and Melissa from the previous book. For me, John is kind of a tragic cinnamon roll hero and I really felt for him. He lost his beloved wife, spent years believing he was the Duke of Duncan, spruced up the indebted family estate, raised his son to be heir, only to be reduced to be a steward when his cousin Dustin returns and takes the title without showing any interest in running the estate, John‘s son wants to follow in Dustin's footsteps and become a doctor and the woman he's in love with lives at court as Prinny's mistress and is therefore off-limits if he doesn't want to jeopardise the family. But despite everything, he is loyal, honorable and supportive.
Melissa is a strong, compassionate and caring heroine. For years she strived for perfection, entered into a suitable marriage, soon became a widow without a child of her own, but inherited her late husband's debts and must live with the danger of the estate reverting to the Crown. Now she is reluctantly Prinny's mistress, without having shared his bed so far and her reputation is ruined. Melissa has fallen in love with John, but the relationship would be dangerous because John, her brother-in-law Dustin, her sister Lexi and the doctors of Harley Street could lose everything because of her. Only the Black Widow of Whitehall might be able to save them all and help Melissa find happiness with John...

If you like forbidden love stories with meddling animals and happy endings against all odds, this book is for you!

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

This captivating Regency romance will transport readers to a world of opulent ballrooms, dazzling high-society events, and breathtaking estates. The story follows a strong, independent heroine who defies societal expectations and a dashing hero haunted by his past. Their paths collide amidst a whirlwind of passion, secrets, and second chances.

As they navigate the complexities of love and duty, they must confront their deepest desires and overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. With its vibrant cast of characters, witty dialogue, and richly detailed setting, this novel is a must-read for fans of historical romance who crave a story that is both passionate and empowering.

The heroine's unwavering spirit and the hero's hidden vulnerabilities will resonate with readers, leaving them breathless and yearning for more. Against the backdrop of a society where appearances can be deceiving, their love story unfolds with a touch of whimsy and a dash of intrigue.

Readers will be captivated by the simmering tension, the stolen glances, and the unspoken desires that bind the protagonists together. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, they must confront their own insecurities and make choices that will have far-reaching consequences.

Ultimately, this novel is a celebration of love's transformative power, reminding us that even in the most restrictive of times, the heart can find a way. With its blend of passion, wit, and historical detail, this book is sure to delight readers who are searching for a Regency romance that is both timeless and unforgettable.

To find a way....

I thought this book was surprisingly thought provoking for a historical novella.
Melissa is a young widow, 24, with debts and is a mistress in waiting to Priny. But he owes her a favor. She sees out Mrs. Dove-Lyon for a chance at a match with John Stonebridge, the no longer presumptive duke's heir. But merely a cousin to a duke. He's looking for his place in the world. .Melissa is looking for a chance at love before she's a prince's mistress. Plus, there's dentistry in the prologue.
Recommend.

Love does not always come easy and this story tells of the struggles and obstacles that John and Melissa have to overcome for their HEA. The story is well written, with some great characters, and very entertaining. I loved everything about this story and would. highly recommend it as a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

Thank you NetGalley. Melissa has agreed to be the mistress of the Prince Regent to be forgiven of her dead husband's debts. She goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon to help her be released from the Prince as she is in love with John. John has held the title and now his cousin has returned and he is a dentist on Harley Street who isn't that interested in running the estate but they learn to do it together.

The heroine, Melissa is in a sticky situation, the hero, John, has lost everything, his title, his wife and his sense of self. The book focuses on how Melissa can get out of being the prince's mistress with jeopardizing her sisters position as a duchess. Mrs. Lyon comes to the rescue.

This book was choppy, chaotic and just okay with contrived angst.

#netgalley #TheLyonsLegacy

I do so love this author’s way of writing. The research she puts into it, the notes she leaves at the end help you understand what life was like in Regency England. Returning to the Duke of Duncan’s house to see Melissa get her HEA was something not to be missed. I felt for John, losing everything in his life; his wife, his dukedom, the affection of his son. Yet he kept a kind and loving attitude even when faced with more loss. I cannot even imagine having been ‘chosen’ by Prinny and losing the life you always dreamed of and I understood what Melissa did to get out of it. It was a tad confusing why John was not told what was going on, but it made for some very heart wrenching moments. I absolutely adored Angus, and laughed out loud with some of his antics….especially the one in her bedroom. At times, it felt like the story dragged a bit, but overall a wonderful read!

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