Another entertaining story in the Lyon's Den Connected World. This is an engaging story with a fake engagement and undeniable attraction between Amelia and Graham that leads them into complicated and dangerous implications. True happiness can come when you least expect it.

Thank you NetGalley. This was a great read though you need a Kleenex. Amelia is so upset over her twin brother maybe dying after his accident. Graham is his best friend and though he doesn't get along with Amelia. he loves her secretly. Amelia needs his help now to keep the aunt and cousin from interfering. Her brother is unconscious. They get help from Bessie at the Den when the aunt and cousin is getting too intrusive.

I think this is the first story that I have read that Mrs. Dove-Lyon did not have a hand in arranging this marriage. It’s an excellent storyline, well thought out and executed perfectly. Tragedy brought Graham and Amelia together and was present all thru the story. This story seems to lead into a future story involving Ms. Smith and Amelia’s brother, Sam. I loved the story and hope to find the next chapter coming soon. It’s a great story worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

When Amelia's twin brother is seriously injured, she decides to keep it quiet so that her aunt and cousin don't come and take over the house and her life. Her brother's best friend, Graham, gets in on the deception even though he and Amelia have a cantankerous relationship. Pretending to be engaged and that her brother is away in Scotland, Graham becomes very protective of Amelia and comes to appreciate her impetuousness. Amelia, in turn, realizes that steady and calm might not be such a bad thing in a man. I enjoyed this book by new-to-me author Dayna Quince. I look forward to reading the next in this series since she left off in a cliff hanger. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Pretending to Love a Lyon is book one of three in The Lyon's Den Connected World. To Steal a Lyon’s Heart is book two, and The Lyon Won’t Lose is book three. I had no idea until I finished reading the first book it would be a cliffhanger. I hate to complain about cliffhangers, but it is the worst possible letdown to discover there is no ending and you must pick up the next one if you want to know what happened. What is worse is that now I am likely to have this feeling when I read book two. The problem is I would have likely requested to read the next in the series without the cliffhanger ending. It is possible to continue the story in book two to learn more about this family without the use of a cliffhanger.

Lady Amelia and Graham must carry out a devious plan to protect her twin brother Sam from being injured and most likely at death's door from the greedy relatives circling to hear of his demise. They pretend to be betrothed to the unsuspecting ton who loves gossip and to see people ruined just for the fun of it all. As they continue the masquerade, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon becomes and integral player in helping Aamelia and Graham carry out the ruse until it is rumored that a body has been found and identified as Amelia's brother. Graham and Amelia marry with the help of Mrs. Dove-Lyon. But will the relatives win in the quest to seize the title and Amelia's money before Sam can recover.

I really enjoyed this story with these wonderful characters. The plot is a different spin on the greedy relatives waiting in the wings while Mrs. Dove-Lyon helps in unusual ways than that of the matchmaker.

An exceptionally different take on the Lyon’s Den series as we find Mrs. Bess not part of the marriage situation, but as a thorn in everyone’s side. Amelia is trying to protect her twin brother, who is deathly ill and his best friend, Graham is trying to protect them both. Misunderstood feelings are at play here as well as unrequited love. I adored how Amelia stood so strong against her diabolical relatives, ready to jump in and steal her livelihood and her independence. Graham’s protectiveness of her was adorable and their banter was interesting and rather funny at times. Amelia’s maturity as the situation progresses is welcome as her “spoiled” attitude gets hard to take rather quickly. The ending was rather blunt and I am assuming it will continue with the next book in the series within a series. Not really a cliffhanger, but a real desire to know what happens next. Overall a well developed story with wonderful characters and chemistry that just won’t quit!

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

Amelia and Sam Alston are twins then Sam is seriously injured.
Graham Blakewood is his best friend and they keep a bedside vigil for Sam.
Graham has suppressed his feelings for Amelia for a long time but now they are thrown together to protect Sam and his legacy.
Keeping his injuries from the ton and vulture circling relatives is not easy.
Being thrown together brings out the worst and best in each other in their romance.
Good character development, perfect ending.

A Enjoyable Story! Pretending to Love a Lyon will grab your heartstrings in this romantic story by Dayna Quince. It's a best friend, pretend engagement with the Earl of Alston, Lady Amelia brother, seriously injured in a riding accident asking his best friend to Graham Blakewood is watch out for his sister. But there is animosity between Amelia and Graham that they have to work through. It's a story with characters who manage to grow and yet retain their personalities which captivates you from the beginning until the very end, passion, secrets shared, angst , witty banter, with villainous relatives that causes some drama.

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

Tropes: brother's best friend; pretend engagement; opposites attract
Steam level: 3
Part of a series, but meant to be a standalone

This has potential. There are some romantic/steamy scenes that work--but there is a lot of angst to wade through (just not my fave) while the plot has a tendency to meander. The writing style is generally good, but it sometimes veers toward purple prose. Everything centers around the main characters' fake betrothal, MMC's rigid beliefs about sexuality and MFC, and MFC's determination to remain a spinster. While the premise starts off as a unique one, I wish there had been more involvement with the Lyon's Den proprietress, less hot/cold behavior by the MC's, and that the baddies' behavior had been less OTT (the fact that the cousin kept harassing MFC in public after she was engaged stretched credulity).

I have to mention (and this may just be part of my current frame of mind) that the subplot involving MFC's brother's dire health was a bit too dark for me. I was hoping for something slightly lighter in tone. I appreciated the medical research that came up later in the storyline, but felt it detracted from the romance. Early on in the plot the idea of MFC dressing up as her brother is dismissed by MMC, and while that trope can be way overused in the HR genre, I actually would have welcomed it here.