
Member Reviews

Two characters with flaws are joined together by Mrs Lyon in one of her matchmaking schemes. While they are strangers, Christopher and Whitney work together and communicate to resolve problems and to get to know each other.
Overall it was a decent read, although not with much depth given the books length.
#TheLyonsLastGamble #NetGalley

This is a quick, fun Regency romp! Brenna Ash delivers a charming tale of second chances, where a down-on-his-luck gambler and a disgraced heiress find love through one of Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s infamous games. I liked Christopher—his redemption from reckless gambler to devoted husband felt genuine, even if his turnaround was a tad swift. Whitney was equally endearing, her quiet strength and honesty making her easy to root for. Their chemistry was sweet, with just enough steam to keep things interesting.
The Lyon’s Den setting never fails to entertain, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s bizarre Fear Factor-style challenges (yes, spiders!) added a fun, unexpected twist. While I wished for a bit more confrontation with Whitney’s past and a slightly less rushed villain subplot, the story’s warmth and humor more than made up for it. Perfect for a cozy afternoon read—especially if you love reformed rakes, marriage-of-convenience tropes, and a guaranteed HEA.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book in The Lyons Den Connected World series was an interesting and delightful historical romance. I really enjoyed how it told a beautiful story of redemption, second chances, and love. I highly recommend reading!

Quick read with likable characters. Whitney has had a good life. Her family is wealthy, and her parents love her. She was the center of attention for many young men as they sought her hand in marriage. However, she fell for the wrong man, which ultimately led to a ruined reputation. Out of options, Whitney's parents pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find their daughter a suitable match.
Christopher has a gambling problem. After nearly bankrupting his family in Scotland with his catastrophic losses, he headed to London to try to recoup his losses. Unfortunately for him, Christopher is just as bad a gambler there, racking up more losses. Just as he decides to give up gambling completely, he receives an invitation from the Lyon's Den to participate in a special game that could turn his luck around.
Neither Whitney nor Christopher had any idea what they were getting into. The tension was thick as each arrived at the Lyon's Den. Whitney's nervousness was evident as she waited to see who her bridegroom would be. Christopher put on a confident show, but he, too, worried about what was ahead. Mrs. Dove-Lyon lived up to her reputation of providing unique challenges. I was glued to the pages as Christopher and his rival faced their fate. Of course, I knew who would win, but it was still fun to see the process unfold.
After recovering from the shock of discovering he had won a wife, not the money he expected, Christopher accepted his fate. I loved their first meeting. Whitney is understandably nervous, and I loved how Christopher tried to put her at ease. I especially loved that they were open and honest with each other about their pasts. Christopher won major points with his reaction to Whitney's revelations. I loved his unconditional support.
Their relationship looks like it will be smooth sailing until Christopher makes a bone-headed decision that butts up against Whitney's fears. Once again, honest communication comes to the rescue, and both come out of it changed for the better. There was a nice surprise for Christopher at the end.

I really didn't want to like Christopher because he wouldn't quite gambling. Though I understand so many things about why he did it. I didn't think he could change and be worthy of Whitney.
Whitney has a secret and her secret when Christopher found out is a turning point for me in this story showing me that these two would figure out how to work out the marriage part.
Making a poor decision and revenge add interest to the story and throw Christopher and Whitney into a situation that finally clears everything up for them and the reader.
I loved this story, there was a lot of heart in it. Mrs. Dove-Lyon once again is a critical part to this story where we see more of her personality. What I learned from this book is that it is possible to change for the right motive.

Another awesome read from the Lyon’s Den Connected World! These books are a great lunchtime read with fast paced action and of course the shenanigans of one Bessie Dove-Lyon. If you’re into less than perfect heroes and heroines who find love after heartaches you will love these books. The Lyon’s Den World is created by some of today’s best writers with a happy ever after ending and some toe curling scenes.

The Lyon’s Last Gamble by Brenna Ash is part of the Lyon’s Den Connected World. Lord Christopher Campbell was a gambler. Not a good one. He kept trying to win so he could repay his brother, the Duke of Argyll, the money he owed. Whitney Watkins had made a mistake. Now her parents wanted her married so badly that they applied to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for assistance. Of course, you can see this coming. Christopher is invited to a very special game at the Lyon’s Den. Despite the fact that he had told himself he was done gambling, he just couldn’t resist. You guessed it. They both had secrets. Could they make it work anyway?
These two are both kind of lost souls. The ideal happened and the came together and bolstered one another. Both weak, but stronger together. A simple plot. Simpler characters. But, we all know, Mrs. Dove-Lyon never makes a mistake. Good read. Short, but sweet.
I was invited to read The Lyon’s Last Gamble by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #BrennaAsh #TheLyonsLastGamble

A Mysterious Gamble
When Christopher accepted Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s unusual invitation, he never imagined just how high the stakes would be—or how much he stood to lose… or gain. Winning the gamble could change everything, but can it keep him from slipping back into old habits?
Whitney once trusted the wrong man and paid the price with her reputation. Now, Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s matchmaking service feels like her last hope. Her parents are determined, but Whitney isn’t so sure. Could anything good come from such a transaction?
Thrown together by a game of chance, Christopher and Whitney must navigate the risks of love, redemption, and trust. Can a ruined gentleman and a disgraced lady find happiness against the odds?
This Regency romance blends scandal, heart, and second chances into an entertaining read worth the wager.

With this entry into the Lyon's Den universe we get back to some of the crazy wagers and games that were common in the earlier stories, which I really enjoyed. I also liked that both Whitney and Christopher had reservations about one another - even though there was an initial physical attraction. She worries he has a gambling problem and he wonders what she had done that she had to go to such lengths to get a husband. It was also a little refreshing that Whitney wasn't ashamed of her actions with a man she thought was going to be her husband, but rather just that it was all false and he broke her heart. I had hoped there would be some sort of final resolution/closure for her with regard to that man but other than being mentioned as part of her past we never see or hear anything from him. But I was glad that Whitney did not wait too long to tell Christopher about what had happened. Do I totally believe there were men back in that time who would have taken the news so well? Not really, but that is why these books fall in the "fiction" category. My only complaint about the book is that Christopher overcomes his gambling addiction a little too easily/quickly. I am glad that he gets started on his path of recovery, but I have a feeling there will be some bumps along the way.

I read about Christopher's serious gambling addiction in a previous book, and this heartwarming romance tells how, when soulmates meet, there is redemption and healing. Both Christopher and Whitney have made mistakes, earning scorn and shame. Although they isolated themselves from society, they were fortunate that they had families that loved them. If anyone could bring them together, it was Bessie Dove-Lyon, doing so with great success. With a rather gruesome and unusual challenge, the winner takes all, and although astounded to find himself as Whitney's groom without being introduced to her, Christopher does conclude that he finally has the means to earn back his family's respect. Unexpectedly, Whitney discovers that when the truth of her past comes out, he is a compassionate and understanding man, helping her regain her confidence and face up to the people who shunned her. That does not mean that the path to love is without hurdles, as they discover to their cost. This novel comes to a happy conclusion, bringing hope for the future. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Aaah, Mrs. Dove-Lyon's is back in the forefront with her uniquely gifted challenges. I love them, they are inventive, amazing, and a true crowd pleaser. Christopher has a gambling issue. Whitney had a scandalous mistake. As they merge together, they find both redemption and peace. I would have liked to see that "hounddog" get his comeuppance but I guess you can't have everything. 🤣

3.5 stars!
I enjoyed this one. I liked both of the MCs, Whitney and Christopher, and I think that they were well-round and fleshed out characters despite the smaller amount of pages we get to know them in. The author gave me a "why" for rooting for them and for wanting them to get their happily ever after.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon...what a creative challenge she presented for Christopher's final gamble. TW for spiders...I certainly hate those, but I thought the challenge was very clever anyway.
I feel like the extra tension with his competition post winning was almost not necessary for a shorter book? I think that the ending could have been given in a very similar way without that portion occurring. It just felt over the top with not enough build up seen from him. Like, sure you lost, but where's your motive for directing it at the winner and not the establishment that put on the challenge?? Didn't feel plausible for me.
I received a copy of this to read via NetGalley.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon plays a prominent part in this book. Lord Christopher Campbell has a gambling problem. Miss Whitney Watkins is disgraced. He needs money, she has a substantial dowry. Her parents negotiate a match with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Christopher takes one last gamble to win the prize in Mrs. Dove-Lyon's game. Both Christopher and Whitney have a chance to turn their lives around. Love this series! I always look forward to reading each book.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

A nice, quick read from the Lyon series. Christopher has a gambling problem, and needs a quick win to redeem himself. Instead, he gets a different opportunity. The book is a story of second chances. I received an advance copy of this book.

The Lyon’s Den series has been so enjoyable and brought so many new authors to my attention that I’ve really enjoyed. This was my first time reading a Brenna Ash book and I like her character development and how she tells a story. Whitney and Christopher both had issues in their pasts but it made them more easily accept that in their relationship. Easy short read so you can finish it in one sitting. I look forward to more from this author.

I enjoyed this lighthearted and quick to read addition to the series. It has a a nice and well written plot, very likable characters with scandalous pasts and a little steam. I already knew Christopher's character from the author's "Rogues of Redemption" series and was happy to see him get a HEA too! I liked how he and Whitney bonded quickly and their compassion and acceptance of their flaws and pasts.
Lord Christopher Campbell has recklessly gambled away the family's livelihood in the absence of his brother, the Duke of Argyll, bringing them to the brink of ruin. After the ensuing rift with his brother, Christopher travels to London to try his luck there to pay the money back, but even here he always loses. He therefore decides to stop gambling for good, but when he receives an invitation to a mysterious game from Mrs Dove-Lyon, who promises him riches if he wins, Christopher decides to try his luck one last time. But instead of the large sum of money he was expecting, he wins a bride.
Whitney Watkins grew up sheltered and prosperous, but then she fell for a womaniser and since then her reputation has been ruined and she has been shunned by society. To give her a chance at a happy marriage, her parents ask the Black Widow of Whitehall for help. Whitney is immediately attracted to Christopher, but will he still marry her when he finds out about her scandalous past?
Overall, a sweet strangers to lovers romance with likable protagonists and a little steam that I am happy to recommend!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley. This was an easy read. Christopher couldn't give up his gambling, made things difficult for his brother. Came to London from Scotland and still made it difficult. He decided he was done when he got an invitation from Mrs. Dove-Lyon for a game there. He decided he would go but it was his last time. He had no idea what he would win. Amelia's parents decided to take her to the Lyon's Den to find a husband. The minute she saw Christopher she was attracted to him. After 3 days they were married and they were very open with each other.

3.5 Stars
Lord Christopher Campbell has a gambling problem & because of it lost some of his family’s holdings & livelihood. Now Christopher has fled the wilds of Scotland for the sophistication of London hoping to turn his luck around. The invitation from Ms. Dove-Lyon looks to be exactly what he needs to put the odds back in his favour. Miss Whitney Watkins has been blessed with a life of privilege. Her parents ensured she never wanted for anything. She was a much sought after match for many of the wealthy suitors visiting her family home and filling her dance card–until she ruined everything, including her reputation.
A quick read in this connected series & I must admit I was left wanting more. I liked Christopher & Whitney
But didn’t feel much chemistry between them. Also a bugbear of mine the villain got away scot free, so I would have liked it to be longer so that things could have been addressed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

The Lyon's Last Gamble is the next book in The Lyon's Den Connected World series. As always, this is a wonderful series written by many contributing authors. The series is well done and keeps the readers on their toes reading about the next couple that needs Mrs. dove-Lyon's help.
Lord Christopher Campbell has made many poor decisions due to him chasing the big one in the gambling dens. Each one lures him deeper into debt and no winning hand to solve his problems. He gets a mysterious invitation enticing him to come for a game of chance that could give him all the riches he might dream of. He decides to take one last chance and then he will put the gambling behind him once and for all. We all know it is not as easy as that. Will Christopher keep his vow or seek out one more and lose everything he holds most dear.
Miss Whitney Watkins has lived a pampered life but has no suitors. She made a mistake and listened to sweet words that were empty and is now vilified after believing someone she thought loved her in return. Now she has one chance to find true happiness in a game of chance.
I loved this short story. My only complaint is it was not long enough. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to read more about this couple. This had about 144 pages. I normally stay away from them if they are under 275, while preferring over 300. The story sounded interesting and requested it. I am glad I did, but I would not mind seeing another one with these characters. I believe there is more to tell.

The Lyon’s Last Gamble by Brenna Ash is a satisfying Regency romance set in the connected world of the Lyon's Den. Christopher is a disgraced gambler trying to redeem himself and restore his relationship with his brother. Whitney is a once-beloved debutante whose fall from grace has left her isolated. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers them a chance at something new, they take the opportunity to move forward. Christopher and Whitney form a believable bond, and I thought they worked through their feelings about their pasts quite well. I liked how both were given a second chance to figure out who they are individually as well as falling in love. There's a lot of hope in their story.