Emmy and Horatio initially start a fake romance in the mist of Mrs Dove-Lyon's establishment, in order to keep the focus off themselves and not be matched up with others. Soon after, they get embroiled in a mystery. The only three characters I liked were our mmcs and Mrs Dove-Lyon. There were a lot of really unlikeable people in this story, even Emmy's sister.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

A Lyon to Die For was an enjoyable book about enemies to lovers. E.L. Johnson has written a story and filled it with likeable characters, with a manipulative seductress that will stop at nothing to get her man, it's a story that is well-written, an enjoyable plot with mystery and suspense to keep you turning the pages that bring this read together perfectly.

I received a ARC copy from NetGalley and this is my

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than most historical books that I have read. The main characters are both from middle class families and not the typical nobility. Which I enjoyed a lot.

Historical Romance with Mystery

At the Lyon’s Den, matches are made, but what happens when murder is committed? Emmeline and Horatio find themselves clashing, quite often. Will a mystery bring them closer together? This is an entertaining historical romance with murder, mischief, and mayhem. A viper is lurking at the Lyon’s Den. Can Emmeline and Horatio find the snake in their midst before it is too late?

3 stars

This is the second book I have read by this author and to be blunt she isn't for me.

I wonder if she's writing for more of an adolescent audience. The characters of the hero/heroine and other people change within a few pages. The sister-in-law was lovely at the start and then starts to treat the heroine very poorly, very b*****.. It's a mystery as well but not at all mysterious. Logan was targeted by someone pushing him under a carriage and shooting at him. His wife Lucinda was feeding him arsenic tablets. It's not going to be a huge leap as to who's at fault. The hero/heroine don't like each other and then suddenly are heavy petting in a room. IMO there's layers and layers of dramatics and theatrics. I didn't like the way Mrs Dove-Lyon was portrayed or the odd behaviour in her club.

Note to self: Avoid this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emmeline and her sister-in-law have opened a hat store. Before her brother did she was sent to London to live with them because she had supposedly ruined herself. Her father would not let her tell what really happened. Now they have met Mrs. Dove-Lyon and been invited to the Lyon's Den. She meets Mr. Whittaker and they start a fake courtship. Can this become a real courtship and the games that go on at the Lyon's Den will effect their lives very much. Thank you NetGalley for an interesting read.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Mrs. Dove-Lyon isn't the smart woman I've been accustomed to in the previous books. The woman never made mistakes matchmaking. Horatio's behavior didn't exactly make him sincere in a relationship with Emmeline. To me Emmeline was wishy washy about Horatio. I realize every author writes their own interpretation and she explains hers at the end of the book. I miss the Mrs. Dove-Lyon I know from previous books. Brief open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a good enemies-to-lovers story with some mystery mixed in. Emmy was sent to London to stay with her brother and his wife after being caught in a compromising situation back home. After her brother's death, she remained with Charlotte, and they opened a milliner's shop together. As the book opens, Emmy is confronted by her landlord, Mr. Bryant, who is unhappy to learn that two women are running the store. No shrinking violet, Emmy has no problem standing up to the obnoxious Mr. Bryant and is ticked off when another shopowner, Mr. Whittaker, intervenes.

Horatio Whittaker has a long-standing grudge against Mr. Bryant, who used to be his best friend. Betrayed by his fiancee, Horatio has given up on love and mostly keeps it to himself. He has no intention of risking his heart again, but the beautiful and feisty Emmy gets his attention.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. They rub each other the wrong way, first at the shop and later at the Lyon's Den. However, when a mystery involving the former best friend and his wife erupts, Mrs. Dove-Lyon pairs Emmy and Horatio to investigate. They discover unexpected compatibility in their efforts and a similar wish to avoid unwanted attention. They agree on a fake courtship for mutual protection.

Matters become complicated when Emmy's ex-love shows up and begins making threats, and Horatio's ex-fiancee (now Mrs. Bryant) makes advances on him. Emmy worries about what Nicholas can do to her reputation and hesitates to confide in Horatio. I liked his protectiveness as he sensed her turmoil. Emmy, who understandably has trust issues, is confused by her growing feelings for Horatio and the problems created by Mrs. Bryant's actions.

Matters come to a head when a party game at the Lyon's Den turns deadly, and both Emmy and Horatio are suspected of murder. The twists and turns in this event kept me glued to the pages as I waited to see how it would turn out. The ending was quite satisfying, though I wish there had been more consequences for some of the participants.

I liked Emmy and Horatio. Both have difficult pasts to overcome, but finding each other helps them see that their pasts don't need to define their futures. Mrs. Bryant was a schemer who was a master of manipulation. I liked that Emmy saw through her quickly despite a few rough patches. I did not like Emmy's sister-in-law, Charlotte. She was too judgmental, especially for someone who quickly fell for Mrs. Bryant's lies. I usually like Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but she didn't show well in this book, as the woman in other stories never would have fallen for Mrs. Bryant's and Nicholas's lies.

This visit to the "Lyon's Den" World is different to many of the others. Our Black Widow doesn't seem to have the same iron control over everything that happens. Maybe because our lead characters are not part of high society. They are merchant class. Our heroine is a milliner and our hero a shop owner. Both have a scandal to overcome. There are a lot of unexpected things happening and people are not always kind.
Good fun

Horatio Whittaker is a shop owner directly across from Emmeline and her sister in law's shop. The first time they met is was fireworks and not the good kind. However, with every meeting they get to know each other better. Emmeline can't seem to see Whittaker to take the blame for something he did not do.
I must say this is not the exact way that I saw the Lyons den, and I have read a majority. This take on upper middle class was refreshing and new. It took me a few chapters to get into this book but once I did I was rivated.
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.

A Lyon to Die For by EL Johnson was a bit of a disappointment. I love the Lyon’s Den Connected World and have read most, if not all, of them. This one had Mrs. Dove-Lyon making a mistake on a match and it is simply not tenable. Emmeline Harcourt runs a millinery shop with her widowed sister-in-law, Charlotte. One day, as it was raining, not unusual for this time of year, a woman entered the shop dripping wet. After some interaction, she introduced herself as Mrs. Dove-Lyon, bought several hats and an umbrella and invited them both to dinner the following evening. After some discussion, they went, only to find people they knew: Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, their landlords, and a Mr. Whittaker, another landlord on the street. It was a lovely dinner and Emmy expected that to be the end of it. But, they were invited to another evening and decided, once again, to attend. Things started getting complicated.

I have to say, the idea of Mrs. Dove-Lyon being wrong when she sets up a pair is repellent to the story line. To accept lies: no, she is too astute. It that to say no matches were made? No, it is not. And good ones. I supposed it was an acceptable read for one who is not a fan. Thankfully it was short. I have read other things by Johnson and have found them entertaining, but not this one, despite its happy ending. It would be like making Sherlock Holmes a bumbling idiot. Not for me.

I was invited to read A Lyon to Die For by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #ELJohnson #ALyonToDieFor

This novel has a slightly different take on Mrs. Dove-Lyons and although she still features strongly in this plot, she is more interactive with her clientele, especially when it would seem that there is mischief afoot. Linking Horatio Whittaker and Miss Emmeline Harcourt together to discover the root of the problem turns out to be a good thing, but allowing Emmeline to be confronted with her past, somehow diminishes the invincible lady's power. Nevertheless, Emmeline and Horatio make a good team and discover that in spite of their constant bickering, they are very compatible. It is sad that a femme fatale has as much power as she did to pull the strings and manipulate so many people into doing her will in the most spiteful way possible, that one cannot be sad when she is removed from the picture. The novel comes to a good conclusion and even Emmeline's sanctimonious sister-in-law finds happiness. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

If you like books that keep you on your toes, you will not be disappointed with this one. I really wanted to read this in one go, but had to split it between two days. All I can say is go into this one blind. Have zero expectations and let this author take you for a ride.

An enjoyable and fast-paced enemies to lovers, fake courtship story with very likable characters who still suffer from their past, witty banter, a murder mystery, some suspense and a bit of steam.

Emmeline Harcourt had to leave her home after a scandal that broke her heart. She and her widowed sister-in-law run a milliner's shop in a street of all-male shopkeepers.

Horatio Whittaker is a neighbouring shop owner who was dumped by his fiancée Lucinda on their wedding day for his best friend.

When the two meet, it's hate at first sight. Their second meeting at Lyon's Den doesn't go any better, but after meeting Lucinda and false accusations, Emmeline and Horatio agree on a fake courtship to protect each other from unwanted attention.

Things get complicated when Horatio‘s malicious ex-fiancée and Emmeline's scheming ex-love reappear in their lives and a game at the Lyon's Den leads to the death of one of the participants...

Overall, an entertaining read that I gladly recommend!

Hmmm…. Not my favorite Lyon’s Den story. I loved the mystery that was intertwined in the story and understand what the author was writing about each one grieving a lost loved one in their own way, but the story just didn’t have much depth. Charlotte’s rants at Emmy seemed out of place, especially since Emmy was 17 when she made an error and everyone blamed her? Horatio seemed very “milktoast” , not standing up to Lucinda and her antics. Lucinda seemed to be the most developed character, especially with her mean spirited ways. I have read this author before and don’t remember being this blah about her stories. Some may like it ….just not for me.

I received this book for free and these are my own opinions

A bit of a twist to the Dove-Lyon series, which made this story interesting. I like mysteries as will as this series so I was thrilled to read the combination of the two. The main characters seemed a bit choppy to me, yet I can't put my finger on exactly why. Emmeline and Horatio find their hea, yet they just don't seem to have that spark. I didn't like Charlotte at all and thought she treated Emmeline in an overly cruel/judgemental manner. I also think she took to much of the focus off the main characters. I always love Mrs. Dove-Lyon and was thrilled to see her character out and about in a more non reclusive manner. Overall, it was a nicely done story.

Another foray into The Lyon's Den, only this time it was different. Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon assisted in the matchmaking, but didn't set it up.
Emmeline (Emmy) Harcourt meets Horatio Whitaker in the shops she runs with her sister-in-law when he attempts to come to her defense against the despicable landlord.. They meet again at a dinner at The Lyon's Den. They pretend a courtship to assist both of them for different reasons, but of course they begin to fall in love for real.
Emmy's sister-in-law Charlotte is a widower of 5 years. I get she is still grieving, but she is more than mean to Emmy, she is cruel when she lashes out. She offers no grace or understanding and shows that she jumped to conclusions when Emmy was "ruined." at age 17 by the scoundrel who attempts to wreak havoc again in her life. Horatio falls first, Emmy can't believe anyone would fall for her due to her ruined status, but she has hope. Lucinda Bryant is a manipulative B and I didn't like her from sentence one. But we are supposed to and Johnson did a great job in portraying her villainy.

This was well-written, and I would have given it 5 stars however it wrapped up story lines to quickly in the last few pages. It felt rushed.

3.5 Stars
Emmeline Harcourt becomes entangled with a man & is sent to London for almost ruining her reputation, where she lives with her widowed sister in law Charlotte. They open a milliner’s shop but don’t receive the warmest of welcomes. Horatio Whittaker has given up on happiness. Abandoned at the altar for his scheming best friend, he never expected to find love again. He hardly notices women until he crosses paths with Emmeline. After a less than stellar first meeting Horatio & Emmy meet again when she accepts an invitation to the Lyon’s Den, they find themselves at the heart of a mystery, entangled with Horatio’s former fiancée and deceitful best friend.
A well written novella but I couldn’t get my head round Mrs Dove-Lyon & how the all seeing matchmaker could fall for the lies some characters spouted, plus she removed her veil!! I liked both Horatio & Emmy but it was only towards the end of the book that I felt there was chemistry between them. The mystery played a much greater part than the romance. I also felt the ending was rushed & a little pat, maybe because I felt the villain didn’t suffer enough. An enjoyable book which I did enjoy but didn’t love
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is not the usual matchmaking by Mrs. Dove-Lyon but it is a good story. I loved the two main characters, especially Emmeline and the strength that she possessed and the fact that she is a good match for Horatio. The storyline has their romance as the main plot but there is also a murder that needs solving. I did not care for the way Charlotte turned on Emmeline. Overall it is a good story worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

What kept this from being a 4-star book for me was that it was too short. I felt like there were so many threads that never had the chance to go anywhere. It's pointed out that perhaps the Bryants aren't as wealthy as the pretend to be, but that's never brought up during the investigation. What was the whole deal with Nicholas reappearing? Was that just bad luck on Emmeline's part or was it all part of a larger plan? Were the little threats toward Mr. Bryant all his wife's doing? (I'm guessing the answer is yes to that one) Was Lucinda's final power play revenge on Horatio for him rejecting her? I feel that if the book had been about 25-30 pages longer we could have had some more answers. I also wasn't a huge fan of having Mrs. Dove-Lyon so easily fooled by Lucinda and Nicholas - she's way too shrewd to have bought their little story about a second chance romance. I realize I've started out with things I didn't like (which I usually try to avoid doing), but I did really enjoy this book. I loved the character of Emmeline. She's tough and smart and there's just really nothing to not like about her. And if that's not enough, anyone who could live with Charlotte for more than five minutes is pretty much a hero - that woman's moods and behaviors change so often it was hard to know whether she was going to support Emmeline or say horribly unkind things to her (or tell Emmeline's deepest darkest secret to a practical stranger). I like Horatio, but since so little of the book is told from his point of view it's hard to really feel as strong a connection to him. I thought he was a little hypocritical when he was trying to get Emmeline to tell him about her past considering he was refusing to tell her about his. But on the other hand, he 100% has Emmeline's back when she needs him the most so I could forgive him for his early missteps. I also loved the banter between Emmeline and Horatio at the beginning and how they were able to be honest with one another in a way they couldn't with anyone else. They also make a pretty good crime solving team. It's not often I wish a book were longer, but I would have happily read more of these characters. With this author having just wrapped up her Perfect Poison Murders I was also excited to get another new book from her!