Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 88)
What's dangerous, necessary, and arranged at the Lyon's
Den? A marriage of convenience between childhood friends.
Felix Canterbury, Viscount Foxton will never return to
his childhood home. Nothing but nightmares there. He's happy to gamble the
house away to win a bride at the Lyon's Den. Especially since his beloved
grandfather is demanding he marry… and soon. Felix never expects the prize
bride to be his childhood friend, the woman he deliberately enraged.
Miss Caroline Maxwell needs a house for the women's
refuge she's building. Even if it means landing a husband along with it. She
doesn't need love, after all. She already gave her heart away to Felix, who
promptly dropped it. With the Widow of Whitehall's help, she snags a husband
and a house with ease.
The house is perfect.
The husband—and arrogant and all too virile Felix—not so
much.
They agree to a marriage in name only, but when
circumstances trap them in the house he hates, desire tests their resolve.
Unless Caroline can help Felix overcome his childhood
ghosts, fear will shape their futures instead of love.
Good second-chance romance. Caroline and Felix were
friends and neighbors as teenagers until Felix cruelly stomped on her growing
feelings for him. They haven't seen each other since then. Neither has married.
Raised by a progressive father and taught to stand up for
what is right, Caroline plans to open a refuge for abused women. She needs a
house to carry out her plan, and finds that being a woman alone is an obstacle.
She went to Mrs. Dove-Lyon with her plan - find her a husband who has a house
to spare and doesn't care if they live apart.
Felix likes his life in London, where he's happiest
engaging in risky behavior. Haunted by a childhood tragedy, he never intends to
return to the house where he grew up. He doesn't want to marry, but his
grandfather insists it is time. Rather than take the traditional Marriage Mart
route, Felix joins one of the bride contests at the Lyon's Den.
This contest was one of the Black Widow's more unusual competitions.
Instead of physical prowess or gambler's luck, these contestants had to answer
riddles. The contest itself was interesting as Caroline disguised herself as a
man to run it herself. Her dismay at Felix's participation was evident, as was his
when he realized it was her. Neither is happy with the outcome, but a Lyon's
Den contract is unbreakable.
Neither expects nor welcomes the attraction that sparks
between them. After avoiding a post-wedding kiss, they part ways as agreed. Caroline
starts her shelter project while Felix continues his life in London. But
Felix's grandfather isn't satisfied, and guilt-trips Felix into checking on Caroline.
Felix is horrified to discover that she is alone at the house with just a maid
and that the building is in far worse condition than he thought.
I enjoyed watching the development of Felix and Caroline's
relationship. Felix wants to protect her, but the memories, nightmares, and
guilty feelings have such a hold on him that it is difficult for him to
function. I ached for Felix and the pain he couldn't escape. Caroline focuses
on her plan and dreams of sharing it with him. There are clashes and
confessions, and a growing respect for each other. Underneath it all, the
sparks of attraction intensify, leading to unplanned intimacy and deepening
connection. But can they overcome the obstacle of Felix's trauma and make a
happy life together?
Unexpected danger brought Felix's fears to life, but also
opened his eyes to why he pursued those risks. I liked seeing him put those
fears to rest and open his heart entirely. The epilogue was great. I especially
enjoyed seeing Caroline's exuberance over her new plan.
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