Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 53)
When Laurel jilts her fiancé will it bring her scandal?
Or everything she has ever wanted?
When Lady Laureline Barker asks Mrs. Dove Lyons to find
her a husband, she does not expect one of her choices to be the man she admired
years ago, when she was still a schoolgirl—the man who rescued her from
drowning. He is also a war hero, famed for trading his own freedom and health
for the safety of others.
Laurel is committed to a contest, with the winner taking
her and her dowry. Can she back out? And will he still want her if she does?
Angelico Warrington doesn’t expect Laurel to remember
him. Even if she does, why should she favor him over other suitors? She is the
respected sister to an earl, with only one flaw on her reputation—she refused
to marry a cad who had been putting off their wedding date for five years.
Angel is a musician in a gambling den, unable to walk
without crutches, and with no place in the Society to which Laurel belongs.
This apparently ill-assorted couple are a perfect match,
but history must repeat itself and secrets be revealed before they can win
their happy ending.
Terrific book. I liked both Laurel and Angel. The story
opens as Laurel overhears her fiancé of five years telling her brother he wants
to postpone their wedding for the sixth time. He admits he doesn't want to
marry her but needs her dowry. Furious, Laurel dumps him on the spot. She also
discovers that if she isn't married by her twenty-fifth birthday (in three
months), she will have no dowry at all. Rather than start the husband hunt all
over, Laurel goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help making a suitable match. She
collides with a man on the way to the office but doesn't recognize him at
first.
Angelico Warrington first met Laurel eight years earlier
when a ship they were on foundered off the coast of Portugal. Angel saved
Laurel, her father, and many others. From there, he joined the army. Angel's
backstory is heartbreaking, but he doesn't let it hold him down. He has never
forgotten Laurel and recognizes her right away. When he learns of her reason
for being there, he becomes one of the contestants for her hand.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Angel and Laurel. As they renew their acquaintance, Laurel realizes that Angel
is the man she wants. He is brave and honorable and wants her for herself, not
her dowry. The twists and turns of this story were entertaining and kept me
turning the pages. I loved Laurel's independence and strength of will, as well
as Angel's determination. Each had obstacles to overcome, but their feelings never
wavered. The ending was fantastic, with intense suspense as Angel competed for
the hand of the woman he loved.
The secondary characters were great. The rejected suitors
were appropriately detestable and added obstacles to our couple's hope of a
future together. There were appearances by other couples brought together by
Mrs. Dove-Lyon, giving Laurel support in her quest. I liked Angel's newly
discovered cousin, Bertram, and the unexpected part he plays in Angel's life. I
loved Laurel's brother Benjamin. His support of Laurel was unexpected, and I
enjoyed seeing him back her up. I look forward to his story and wish I didn't
have to wait until October to read it!
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