The Betrayal That Wasn’t
Adaline betrayed him with another man—or so Felix believed. He swore he would never forgive her. Ten years later, ready to marry and start a family, he turned to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help. But the match she arranged? None other than the woman who had once shattered his heart.
Adaline, on the other hand, never understood why Felix turned his back on her all those years ago. Now fate—and Mrs. Dove-Lyon—bring them both to the same house party. Adaline has her own task to complete: retrieving stolen items for the matchmaker in exchange for her own chance at love. But surely Mrs. Dove-Lyon wouldn’t be so cruel as to match her with the very man who broke her heart…would she?
What truly happened that fateful night? Was Adaline guilty of betrayal, or was there more to the story than either of them realized? This is a tale of redemption, wounded pride, and second chances—with secrets and schemes lurking just out of sight.

This book was so short that it glossed over the romance. However, it was still enjoyable, and I liked that the MCs were mature and got to an agreement quickly. Adeline specifically was a pretty nice character, kind, smart, and compassionate.

The ending was cute. Overall , it was a quick, enjoyable read.

A great mix of passion, history, filled with interesting writing, dialogue and setting details. You won't regret reading the entire series!

This reads very quickly. Adeline Beverly and Felix Seward, the Duke of Kempbury, were lovers separated for ten years by lies from a third party. Mrs. Dove-Lyon agrees to find a husband for Adeline if she will attend a house party and steal back two items stolen from her. Felix wants a wife and brokers with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. If he attends the house party his future wife will be there. Misunderstandings from the past must be resolved before Adeline and Felix can be together, but an unexpected villain will exert her evil to separate them.
Closed bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

5 stars

Good story. The Duke needs a wife. He certainly doesn't want Adeline because he thinks she jilted him. She desperately tried to make contact with him but he rebuffed her.

Obviously he's got it all wrong. Clean read. This author gives lots of descriptions.

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

The Lyon's Dilemma is a fast-paced and enthralling novella by Jude Knight. The story is riveting, it will grab your interest early on and keep you captivated until the very end. It's set in the world of The Lyon's Den, where Mrs. Dove-Lyon runs her successful gambling establishment and matchmaking service.

The main characters, Felix Seward, the Duke of Kempbury, and widow Adeline Beverley were engaged ten years ago until it had appeared to all that Adeline had betrayed Felix. Appearances can be deceiving though, but it didn't matter to the nasty gossipers of the Ton who delighted in tearing Adeline's reputation to shreds and embarrassing Felix. Already wary of women thanks to his manipulative step-mother, Felix allows his distrust to take over and refuses to have anything to do with Adeline. He refuses to see her, and sends back her letters unopened. Heartbroken and needing a father figure for her babe, she quietly marries someone else. Years later, they both separately seek Mrs. Dove-Lyon's assistance to find a spouse, or in Adeline's case a new spouse since she was widowed.

Thanks to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's shrewd matchmaking skills, the two are sent to the same house party where they meet again. At first it appears that there will be no reconciliation, Felix is still distrustful, even more so when he looks at Adeline's daughter Melody and realizes he is Melody's father. But when Felix realizes Adeline did not betray him he sincerely apologizes, ashamed that he allowed himself to be duped. Adeline forgives Felix and they are eager to try for a second chance and plan to marry. From there it's an engrossing tale with twists and turns, an evil half-sister who is quite insane, a delightful child, and a heart warming happily ever after.

Thank you Dragonblade publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are unsolicited and my own viewpoint on what I have read.

Our characters in this visit to the Lyon's Den have very different reasons for asking for her help. They also have a shared history that will cause more than a few problems.
The past has a nasty way of coming back to bite you, just when you think you're happy.
A very interesting complication just might finish everything.
Good fun.

Matchmaker and a second chance...

I really liked both Adaline and Felix, who were once briefly engaged ten years ago. But Felix is distrustful of women due to his stepmother and was played a fool by Adaline's half sister. He let Adaline down in the worst way when she needed him most by refusing to see her or to read her letters to him. She moved on, married, had a child and now, is widowed and supporting herself as an investigator.

Adalaine and Felix both seek matches with Mrs Dove-Lyon.
The first half deals with their relationship, the second with Adaline trying to retrieve objects she was tasked with retrieving by Mrs. Dove-Lyon.
Recommend.

Second chance romance with a secret daughter and an evil doppelgänger stepsister. The MCs are mature adults who have an honest conversation after years being apart and who continue to work together to make it to their HEA. Great short novella with twists and turns that all wrap up at the end. Clearly part of an established world but easy enough to understand as a standalone. Sweet closed door romance with a maturity in the character’s communication that I appreciate.

I received an eARC from NetGallery. This is my honest review.

The Lyon’s Dilemma by Jude Knight is a satisfying novella about second chances. Felix Seward, Duke of Kempbury, has decided it is time to marry. He is skeptical because of his previous betrothal so decided to visit the Black Widow of Whitehall to see if she can find him an appropriate bride. She sends him to a house party, which he normally avoids at all costs, where he sees his previous betrothed, Adaline. Adaline is there on a mission from Mrs. Dove-Lyon, with which Kempbury decides to assist. He also hears her story for the first time and recognizes her daughter as his own. After hearing her story, he forgives and they resume their love affair.

This is an entertaining short read. It is an evil twin trope and handled masterfully. Of course, there is the mandatory kidnapping, but all ends well. Terrific characters with an entertaining plot, this book is worth the read.

I was invited to read The Lyon’s Dilemma by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #JudeKnight #TheLyonsDilemma

The Lyons Dilema by Jude Knight was a short but excellent book.
The characters were all well thought out & "full".
Felix, the Duke, meets Adeline again after ten years while at a country house party.
There is adventure, mystery, romance to round out the story.
I read this through Netgalley with the promise of my fair & unbiased review in exchange for an Advanced Reader Copy of the book.

Thank you NetGalley. The Duke of Kempbury has gone to a house party because Mrs. Dove-Lyon has promised him the lady he wants to marry will be there. He has decided it is time for him to marry and he does not want to do it the way of most men. He did not want to attend the house party but if it would help him then he would go. He was not wanting to Marry Adaline Beverley. They decided to meet and work out their problems. She was there to retrieve some jewelry that Mrs. Dove-Lyon received from her husband when they wed. The host's father had stolen it and she wanted it back. They decided they could work together to get it.

An interesting story with lots of twists and turns. Adaline has been hurt badly, but she is very resilient. She finds ways to survive and thrive. Mrs. Dove Lyon is contacted to help her find a new husband. She is surprised and furious when she finds out who it is. As she and Felix navigate the anger and distrust, truth might begin the be shared. My only negative for this story is I wanted more as it was such a quick read.

I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of The Lyon's Dilemma, written by Jude Knight from Netgalley. Adaline Beverley,nee Fairbanks and Felix Seward, the Duke of Kempbury, were betrothed ten years ago. Unfortunately, he found her in the arms if another man, and the marriage never took place.  They meet again at a party, and old misunderstandings are cleared, and new discoveries made. Both looking to marry after such a long time find comfort in each other's arms. However, an old nemesis re-emerges threatening their love again. A sweet second chance story.

3.75 stars.

I enjoyed this Lyon's Den read. It was short and sweet, with two lovely characters getting a second chance at their happily ever after, and I loved the little twist. I saw it coming, but still thought it was fun for the story. I liked that the author included a few notes at the end about the trope she used and some historical notes. Little extra bits of info like that are always appreciated in my books because it lets you into the author's journey of writing and seeing what else they do behind the scenes of putting words to the page.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dragonblade Publishing for the chance to read this.

A short sweet romance with two reconnecting souls.
Felix the Duke had thought he had once found the life of his life but for misunderstandings and betrayal.
Adaline was heartbroken when they were torn apart but she has her daughter Melody.
He appeals to Mrs Dove Lyon to find him a wife as he wants someone to love. He goes to a house party to meet a potential wife and Adaline is also there on a separate errand from Mrs Dove Lyon.
Enjoyable and entertaining with a happy tearjerker ending.

Tropes: second chance romance
Steam level: 1
Part of a series, might be best if the previous entry by the author is read first.

3.5 stars I can't quite round up. The writing is solid, and I liked that the MFC was older and independent, but I had trouble connecting with any of the other characters, especially the MMC, whose arc was just too quick for me to believe. This is plot/drama driven and the romantic elements take a backseat. I prefer spending a bit more time getting to know MC's and feeling invested in their bond, which can be tricky in a book of this length.

Felix Seward, Duke of Kempbury, does not want to be at a house party. Any house party. But the matchmaker Mrs. Dove Lyon has promised him that his perfect match will be there, and Felix yearns for a wife. He is horrified to find that the woman who meets the matchmaker’s description is Adaline Beverley. His nemesis. His Achilles heel.
An absolutely lovely novella, very well written with strong characters & a well paced story. I loved both Felix & Adaline & loved their second chance, enemies to lovers romance. Their chemistry sizzled but they had to put the past behind them in order to move forward. There are also delightful secondary characters. An engrossing, fun & entertaining romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Felix made a mistake listening to his stepmother and ended up on Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s naughty list. Now looking for a lady to love, he reaches out to her. Reeling from a broken betrothal, he is afraid to trust. Adaline has cared for her daughter for 7 years and now finds herself sharing the same house as her once betrothed. This short story has a LOT of twists and turns to keep you entertained. I loved how they found each other, how he protected her and how sweet little Melody knitted the family together. Cinderella’s step-sisters has nothing on Emmiline and I enjoyed how Melody got her to go away. A wonderful, love-filled second chance story. Quick, easy to read and beautifully written. No crass language either-thank you Author!

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

Aaah, my much loved series is at it again! There are over 80+ books in this series and each one is unique in its own way. This one is short and well paced(hurray)! Felix is looking for a duchess after being heartbroken. Adaline is looking to remarry after being heartbroken and Mrs. Dove-Lyon works her magic again. My only wish for this would have been to see how Adaline handled the bigamist and how those ladies responded, but maybe those will become further Lyon's books?!! Here's hoping. There is a villain in this one who gets their comeuppance in spades.