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My Lady's Potions #3
An Alluring Brew
When a Chinese woman becomes a royal gift, only a marriage of convenience can save them both.
Chinese apothecary Yihui never expected to be delivered to the Prince Regent like a bolt of silk—a living bribe from merchants desperate for English favor. Prinny can’t accept her, so he commands the Earl of Artanges to marry her instead.
Max has spent years managing the Prince's whims, but being ordered to wed a foreign stranger tests even his loyalty. Yet from the moment he sees Yihui's courage, he's captivated. Her healing knowledge may be foreign to English medicine, but her fierce spirit speaks a language his heart understands perfectly.
Trapped in a royal decree neither wanted, Max and Yihui must navigate a pretend engagement while very real enemies circle. Max’s duty transforms into a desire more potent than any brew. But when their charade ends, Yihui must claim her freedom or trust her heart to a man whose world will never fully accept her.
Some royal commands change everything. Some foreign gifts become priceless treasures.
A Regency romance where East meets West, duty battles desire, and love proves the most intoxicating remedy of all.
Perfect for readers Arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, Regency historical fiction, historical romance, cross-cultural love stories, fish-out-of-water heroines
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
My Lady’s Potions
Book 1: The Love Potion
Book 2: The Truth Serum
Book 3: An Alluring Brew
Chinese apothecary Yihui never expected to be delivered to the Prince Regent like a bolt of silk—a living bribe from merchants desperate for English favor. Prinny can’t accept her, so he commands the Earl of Artanges to marry her instead.
Max has spent years managing the Prince's whims, but being ordered to wed a foreign stranger tests even his loyalty. Yet from the moment he sees Yihui's courage, he's captivated. Her healing knowledge may be foreign to English medicine, but her fierce spirit speaks a language his heart understands perfectly.
Trapped in a royal decree neither wanted, Max and Yihui must navigate a pretend engagement while very real enemies circle. Max’s duty transforms into a desire more potent than any brew. But when their charade ends, Yihui must claim her freedom or trust her heart to a man whose world will never fully accept her.
Some royal commands change everything. Some foreign gifts become priceless treasures.
A Regency romance where East meets West, duty battles desire, and love proves the most intoxicating remedy of all.
Perfect for readers Arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, Regency historical fiction, historical romance, cross-cultural love stories, fish-out-of-water heroines
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
My Lady’s Potions
Book 1: The Love Potion
Book 2: The Truth Serum
Book 3: An Alluring Brew
- GenresHistorical Romance
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review | 1.5 🌶️
An Alluring Brew by Katherine Lyons
Series: My Lady’s Potions
Audiobook Narrated by: Persephone Lee & Christopher Tester
When Chinese apothecary Yihui is gifted to the English Prince Regent as a political offering, a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Artanges, Max, becomes the only way to protect them both. As the two navigate duty, prejudice, and a growing attraction, Yihui must decide whether to fight for her freedom or trust her heart in a country that doesn’t always welcome her.
This one left me with some very mixed feelings.
I was completely hooked from the beginning. The premise was unique, Yihui immediately won me over, and I couldn’t wait to see where the story was headed. Unfortunately, once I reached the middle, the pacing slowed down significantly. There were long stretches where I felt like the story wasn’t moving forward, and I honestly think this could have been a much shorter book. At nearly 13 hours on audio, I felt it would have been even stronger if it had been closer to seven.
My biggest struggle wasn’t the romance—it was the way Yihui was treated throughout the story. I understand the historical setting and why the prejudice exists, but it was still difficult to read. Watching her endure constant discrimination simply because she was Chinese was heartbreaking. Thankfully, Max and his sister were bright spots, treating her with the kindness and respect she deserved, but so many other characters made this an emotionally frustrating read.
That said, Yihui absolutely stole the show. She is resilient, intelligent, and incredibly courageous. Despite being taken from everything she’s ever known and thrown into an unfamiliar country with no friends or family, she refuses to let her circumstances define her. Her determination and quiet strength made her an easy heroine to root for.
The romance is definitely on the sweeter side with a slow burn, plenty of longing, and lots of pining. If you enjoy watching two characters slowly fall for one another while navigating duty and impossible circumstances, you’ll probably enjoy this relationship.
The audiobook was easily the highlight for me. Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester delivered wonderful performances that kept me engaged even during the slower sections. Honestly, if I had been reading this physically instead of listening to the audiobook, I’m not sure I would have finished it. Their narration elevated the entire experience.
An Alluring Brew by Katherine Lyons
Series: My Lady’s Potions
Audiobook Narrated by: Persephone Lee & Christopher Tester
When Chinese apothecary Yihui is gifted to the English Prince Regent as a political offering, a marriage of convenience to the Earl of Artanges, Max, becomes the only way to protect them both. As the two navigate duty, prejudice, and a growing attraction, Yihui must decide whether to fight for her freedom or trust her heart in a country that doesn’t always welcome her.
This one left me with some very mixed feelings.
I was completely hooked from the beginning. The premise was unique, Yihui immediately won me over, and I couldn’t wait to see where the story was headed. Unfortunately, once I reached the middle, the pacing slowed down significantly. There were long stretches where I felt like the story wasn’t moving forward, and I honestly think this could have been a much shorter book. At nearly 13 hours on audio, I felt it would have been even stronger if it had been closer to seven.
My biggest struggle wasn’t the romance—it was the way Yihui was treated throughout the story. I understand the historical setting and why the prejudice exists, but it was still difficult to read. Watching her endure constant discrimination simply because she was Chinese was heartbreaking. Thankfully, Max and his sister were bright spots, treating her with the kindness and respect she deserved, but so many other characters made this an emotionally frustrating read.
That said, Yihui absolutely stole the show. She is resilient, intelligent, and incredibly courageous. Despite being taken from everything she’s ever known and thrown into an unfamiliar country with no friends or family, she refuses to let her circumstances define her. Her determination and quiet strength made her an easy heroine to root for.
The romance is definitely on the sweeter side with a slow burn, plenty of longing, and lots of pining. If you enjoy watching two characters slowly fall for one another while navigating duty and impossible circumstances, you’ll probably enjoy this relationship.
The audiobook was easily the highlight for me. Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester delivered wonderful performances that kept me engaged even during the slower sections. Honestly, if I had been reading this physically instead of listening to the audiobook, I’m not sure I would have finished it. Their narration elevated the entire experience.
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January 18, 2026I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know how good the Chinese rep was in this book, but it felt a little orientalist.
I don’t know how good the Chinese rep was in this book, but it felt a little orientalist.
July 22, 2026
Another fiesty spirited butt kicking FMC! Loved the way this character faced everything that was thrown at her and still stood strong (on broken feet!) My only complaint is no real news about Lord Christopher. How can the sister get a HEA if hes just poof??
Narrators were fantastic!!
Narrators were fantastic!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is absolutely not for me. It was too historical accurate perhaps in its view and discussion of a Chinese woman in English society.
July 6, 2026
An Alluring Brew by Katherine Lyons, the third installment in the My Lady’s Potions series, offers a unique and captivating premise that hooked me from the very first page. Narrated in a stellar duet by Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester, this Regency romance elegantly navigates the complexities of East meeting West, duty battling desire, and the intoxicating power of love.
The story centers on Yihui, a Chinese apothecary who finds herself delivered to the Prince Regent as a living bribe from merchants seeking English favor. When the Prince commands the Earl of Artanges, Max, to marry her instead, the two are thrust into a marriage of convenience neither wanted. Yihui is a standout protagonist; she is remarkably strong and intelligent, using her apothecary skills to carve out a place for herself in a society that is often hostile toward her. Even in moments of profound isolation, she never feels helpless, making her incredibly easy to root for.
Max begins the story in a dutiful, "I'll just deal with this" mindset, but watching his defenses unravel as he falls for Yihui is deeply satisfying. His transition from cautious obligation to genuine respect and eventual devotion feels entirely believable. The chemistry between them sneaks up on the reader, perfectly capturing the slow-burn tension of an arranged engagement that must masquerade as a real connection while they navigate the dangerous political machinations surrounding them.
Beyond the central romance, the book is enriched by the cultural contrasts Yihui brings to the narrative. Her perspective and knowledge challenge the restrictive norms of the era, adding significant depth and a bittersweet edge to the story. The author skillfully highlights the painful reality of how "different" people are treated, which lends a poignant, grounded weight to the historical setting.
With its blend of angst, strong character development, and a fascinating "fish-out-of-water" dynamic, An Alluring Brew is a heartfelt addition to the series. Whether you are a long-time fan of the previous books or a newcomer to this world, this is a beautiful, intoxicating read that I highly recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2026
This is book three in the My Lady's Potions series, but can be read as a stand alone.
I got this ALC from High Gravity and was excited to be able to listen to the full series! Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester did a great job bringing these books to life.
Max still initially set on his plans to have Yihui break off their engagement knowing that society will never fully accept her soon comes to realize that maybe that's not what he wants at all... it did take him awhile to get there though.
Yihui tries to make plans for her future if she is not to marry what will she do? She can't return home, but how will she be able to support herself in this new world? She can work as an apothecary but even that would be hard to start up with some people not very trusting of foreigners.
My heart went out to Yihui she was so brave, intelligent, resourceful and skilled and trying to make the best of her current circumstances even though she had been treated terribly. It was hard to read about her treatment from those she traveled with to English society because she was foreign, and after she was trying to settle into a new country the discrimination Yihui faced was heartbreaking.
Max is so sweet and caring towards Yihui he's protective and even before he realizes that she means more to him than he initially realized you could see the love forming. Yihui even though she knows she shouldn't can't help but fall for Max he's been nothing but kind and supportive towards her since she arrived and when she had no one in her corner when she came to the country that meant so much to her.
I loved that Max listened to Yihui and made adjustments in the way he did things with his staff and that they were able to teach each other new things.
The book is fairly long (over 400 pages) and there were sections that dragged a bit for me.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*High Gravity ALC *Historical Romance *arranged marriage *Chinese FMC x British MMC
*Class difference *family drama *multiple POV *Spice *Trigger warnings
I got this ALC from High Gravity and was excited to be able to listen to the full series! Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester did a great job bringing these books to life.
Max still initially set on his plans to have Yihui break off their engagement knowing that society will never fully accept her soon comes to realize that maybe that's not what he wants at all... it did take him awhile to get there though.
Yihui tries to make plans for her future if she is not to marry what will she do? She can't return home, but how will she be able to support herself in this new world? She can work as an apothecary but even that would be hard to start up with some people not very trusting of foreigners.
My heart went out to Yihui she was so brave, intelligent, resourceful and skilled and trying to make the best of her current circumstances even though she had been treated terribly. It was hard to read about her treatment from those she traveled with to English society because she was foreign, and after she was trying to settle into a new country the discrimination Yihui faced was heartbreaking.
Max is so sweet and caring towards Yihui he's protective and even before he realizes that she means more to him than he initially realized you could see the love forming. Yihui even though she knows she shouldn't can't help but fall for Max he's been nothing but kind and supportive towards her since she arrived and when she had no one in her corner when she came to the country that meant so much to her.
I loved that Max listened to Yihui and made adjustments in the way he did things with his staff and that they were able to teach each other new things.
The book is fairly long (over 400 pages) and there were sections that dragged a bit for me.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*High Gravity ALC *Historical Romance *arranged marriage *Chinese FMC x British MMC
*Class difference *family drama *multiple POV *Spice *Trigger warnings
March 29, 2026
This is the third installment of My Lady's Potions series. It had such a unique premise, and honestly, I was hooked right away.
Yihui is easily the standout here. She’s strong without being over-the-top, and I really liked how her intelligence and apothecary skills set her apart in a setting that doesn’t quite know what to do with her. She never feels helpless, even when her situation absolutely sucks, and that made her so easy to root for.
Max, on the other hand, starts off very much in that duty-bound, “I’ll just deal with this” mindset—but watching him slowly unravel because of Yihui (in the best way) was chef’s kiss. His growing respect and then full-on feelings for her felt believable and satisfying.
The arranged marriage/pretend relationship trope is done really well here. There’s a nice slow build from awkward obligation to genuine connection, and the chemistry sneaks up on you. It’s not overly dramatic, but it still delivers those emotional punches when it counts.
I also appreciated the cultural contrast woven into the story. Yihui’s knowledge and perspective challenge the norms around her, which adds depth beyond just the romance. That said, there are moments where you really feel the weight of how isolated she is, and it adds a bittersweet edge to everything.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, slow-burn Regency romance with a fresh twist. If you like marriage-of-convenience stories with strong heroines and a touch of angst, this one is definitely worth picking up.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Yihui is easily the standout here. She’s strong without being over-the-top, and I really liked how her intelligence and apothecary skills set her apart in a setting that doesn’t quite know what to do with her. She never feels helpless, even when her situation absolutely sucks, and that made her so easy to root for.
Max, on the other hand, starts off very much in that duty-bound, “I’ll just deal with this” mindset—but watching him slowly unravel because of Yihui (in the best way) was chef’s kiss. His growing respect and then full-on feelings for her felt believable and satisfying.
The arranged marriage/pretend relationship trope is done really well here. There’s a nice slow build from awkward obligation to genuine connection, and the chemistry sneaks up on you. It’s not overly dramatic, but it still delivers those emotional punches when it counts.
I also appreciated the cultural contrast woven into the story. Yihui’s knowledge and perspective challenge the norms around her, which adds depth beyond just the romance. That said, there are moments where you really feel the weight of how isolated she is, and it adds a bittersweet edge to everything.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, slow-burn Regency romance with a fresh twist. If you like marriage-of-convenience stories with strong heroines and a touch of angst, this one is definitely worth picking up.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review.
You should know: Talk of LGBTQ+, ladies of the night, open door bedroom scenes (explicit)
I was expecting book #3 to be The Beauty Serum, as advertised; I'm not sure if it's a change of title or a different story altogether.
There is a lot of sadness in this book. Max's sister needs to marry ASAP to get out of her parents' clutches. The book could have been shorter; at over 425 pages, there were too many repeats such as how Max perceived Kim's physical appearance when he was a teenager, how Yihui was some kind of doctor (or not) back in China. There are a few other ones too. The blindfold scene is hard to believe, as if he would be permitted to do such a thing. No one talks about the fact that Chris SAed Emma.
I liked Max and Yiui's story but it took too long to get there. We also don't know what happens after the wedding with the ton, the father's illness, Chris - he's not dead I'm sure, etc.
Editing: Just a note that Regency uses the formal form when talking = He can't go home vs. He can not go home. They didn't talk like they did in the book.
You should know: Talk of LGBTQ+, ladies of the night, open door bedroom scenes (explicit)
I was expecting book #3 to be The Beauty Serum, as advertised; I'm not sure if it's a change of title or a different story altogether.
There is a lot of sadness in this book. Max's sister needs to marry ASAP to get out of her parents' clutches. The book could have been shorter; at over 425 pages, there were too many repeats such as how Max perceived Kim's physical appearance when he was a teenager, how Yihui was some kind of doctor (or not) back in China. There are a few other ones too. The blindfold scene is hard to believe, as if he would be permitted to do such a thing. No one talks about the fact that Chris SAed Emma.
I liked Max and Yiui's story but it took too long to get there. We also don't know what happens after the wedding with the ton, the father's illness, Chris - he's not dead I'm sure, etc.
Editing: Just a note that Regency uses the formal form when talking = He can't go home vs. He can not go home. They didn't talk like they did in the book.
July 23, 2026
This was such a refreshing take on Regency romance. I loved that it blended historical romance with Chinese culture and traditional healing, creating a story that felt different from the usual ballroom-centered romances.
Yihui is a resilient heroine who refuses to let her circumstances define her. Being treated as a political gift is heartbreaking, but her intelligence, compassion, and quiet strength make her easy to root for. Max is a gentleman through and through. What begins as a marriage of convenience slowly develops into genuine respect, trust, and a sweet romance that had me cheering for them.
I especially enjoyed the fish-out-of-water elements as Yihui navigates an unfamiliar country while staying true to herself. The cultural differences, family expectations, and court politics added depth beyond the romance, and I appreciated how both characters learned from one another.
The audiobook narration by Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester brought the characters to life and made it easy to stay immersed in the story. While I would have loved a little more emotional tension in a few scenes, the romance developed naturally and left me smiling by the end.
Yihui is a resilient heroine who refuses to let her circumstances define her. Being treated as a political gift is heartbreaking, but her intelligence, compassion, and quiet strength make her easy to root for. Max is a gentleman through and through. What begins as a marriage of convenience slowly develops into genuine respect, trust, and a sweet romance that had me cheering for them.
I especially enjoyed the fish-out-of-water elements as Yihui navigates an unfamiliar country while staying true to herself. The cultural differences, family expectations, and court politics added depth beyond the romance, and I appreciated how both characters learned from one another.
The audiobook narration by Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester brought the characters to life and made it easy to stay immersed in the story. While I would have loved a little more emotional tension in a few scenes, the romance developed naturally and left me smiling by the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a very unusual historical romance. Our heroine is Chinese. That makes her and her talent a rarity.
Our hero is heir to a Duke and makes himself useful to the Crown in an unusual way. Things are about to get extremely difficult for both of them.
It is all to easy to believe that something like this could have happened. The horrible way "different" people are treated,even today never seems to change.
Saying that, the book is fascinating and enjoyable. The lead characters are wonderful. I assume it is part of a series and I look forward to reading the next books.
Great fun.
Our hero is heir to a Duke and makes himself useful to the Crown in an unusual way. Things are about to get extremely difficult for both of them.
It is all to easy to believe that something like this could have happened. The horrible way "different" people are treated,even today never seems to change.
Saying that, the book is fascinating and enjoyable. The lead characters are wonderful. I assume it is part of a series and I look forward to reading the next books.
Great fun.
July 20, 2026
4.5 so good thing this is historical fiction, because I don't believe that this would have actually been allowed in that day. And age might have been, but I don't think so. But I do like it, I mean it does have a lot of historical facts in it, to go with the historical fiction part of the romance. But yeah, I really like the historical facts that it has in there. Can you pick them out? I only can because I like reading historical things
March 11, 2026
An unusual story.
If you are looking for the story of a Chinese girl sold to pay her father’s debts, forced to become engaged, kidnapped and chained in a whore house and so much more, then this is your book.
If you are looking for the story of a Chinese girl sold to pay her father’s debts, forced to become engaged, kidnapped and chained in a whore house and so much more, then this is your book.
May 13, 2026
After reading The Truth Serum, I knew I needed to read more Katherine Lyons. So thank you, NetGalley, for this copy! This was a lovely marriage of convenience. The characters were amazing, the story was very interesting. I loved Yihui and Max ♥
July 11, 2026
4 ⭐️ 1 🌶️ this gave me serious Bridgerton vibes and I’m not complaining. It was a slow burn for sure but I’m here for it. The middle of the book slowed things down for me but the narrators really kicked butt and brought it to life.
July 20, 2026
Audio Review: An Alluring Brew (My Lady's Potions) by Katherine Lyons
Narrated by Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester
Sensually, stunning temptation. Lyons turns emotions upside down with slow burn, big heart, romance.
Narrated by Persephone Lee and Christopher Tester
Sensually, stunning temptation. Lyons turns emotions upside down with slow burn, big heart, romance.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews