The Lyon Spy: The Lyon's Den Connected World

by Susanne Bellamy

True love doesn't need a title.

Against the background of the Napoleonic war, Lady Clementine’s fiancé, Will Ravenshoe, goes missing the night before their engagement announcement. When she agrees to a pretend engagement with his best friend, Lord Rufus Marsden, to avoid her parents' pressure to wed, what can possibly go wrong?

Tropes You'll

✔ Fake Engagement
✔ Friends to Lovers
✔ Missing Fiancé
✔ Secret Identity
✔ Spy Romance
✔ Wartime Love
✔ Best Friend’s Fiancée

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298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in Toowoomba, Susanne is an Australian author of contemporary and suspense romances set in exciting and often exotic locations, and rural romance and set in Australia. She has also written several historical stories. She adores travel with her husband, both at home and overseas, and weaves stories around the settings and people she encounters. One Night in Tuscany almost wrote itself after her travels in Italy, and her rural romances were inspired by a stint teaching in far north-west Queensland.

Her heroes have to be pretty special to live up to her real life hero. He saved her life then married her. They live on the edge of bush land on a mountain in beautiful sunny Queensland, Australia, with their dog.

Susanne is a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of Australia) and is a finalist in their 2021 RuBY award for her seasoned romance, 'Home from the Hill'. She has also been a finalist in the Emerald Award and Pan Macmillan competitions.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lyon Spy by Susanne Bellamy is just what it says it is. Will Ravenshoe is not nobility, he is a businessman, but he is in love and intends to offer for Lady Clementine Basingthwaite. He tells her as much one evening at a ball; but he never appears. She loves him and trusts him but when months go by, she becomes more and more concerned. She approaches a mam, Lord Rufus Marsden, whom she knows to be his friend. From her conversations with him it becomes apparent that Will is in France, a spy. Bonaparte will surely be beaten soon. Then he is, but shortly he escapes from Elba, where he has been exiled, and, having compiled an army, once again marches on France. He has many supporters so it is very difficult. Meanwhile, Clem keeps waiting. Her parents are forcing the marriage issue, but Lord Marsden approaches Bessie Dove-Lyon to thwart those efforts, several times. Finally there is no option but to become engaged to her himself.. Then, with no warning, Will appears. The betrothal has been made public so it will be difficult to break.

This was a fascinating look at France during this tumultuous time as well as an interesting look at Prinny, the Regent. Much of the book followed Will on his journeys. Both were good characters, but both were stuck in the situations they were in. Thankfully, Lord Marsden is a master manipulator and brings everything right. Certainly, not without much stress on the parts of Clem and Will. Good characters, good story. Bessie is always there for whatever she can do to help true love. Enticing example of historical fiction.

I was invited the read The Lyon Spy by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SusanneBellamy #TheLyonSpy

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful & Romantic Story.

This Story was  so Delightful. A hero was tasked to be a spy & sent to France after unofficially asking Clem to marry him.  A heroine who is in love with William & refuses to marry anyone but him has befriended Wlill's best friend.

Clementine (Clem) & William (Will) were wonderful characters.

I am looking forward to reading "The Lyon's Proxy Duke" by Mihwa  Lee in the next book in this series.

[Tiffany P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of most of the stories within the world of the Lyon’s Den, but this one was very different. There wasn’t any involvement or connection to the Lyon’s Den within the first third of the novel. The story had a slow start, and it was all about the separation of the main couple. I found more connection and interest in the best friend that was trying to help me. Im glad there was no backstabbing, but I think I wanted to see the best friend in love more. He used the Black Widow to help thwart potential suitors to his best friend’s love while he was away. The story seemed more centered on spy activities during the war that kept the main couple apart. While the sentiment of their love was obvious, the lack of interaction and time spent together left me bored. I was not able to finish the book. Maybe I will come back to it one day, but it just didn’t catch my interest enough to want to continue. I think the description had me expecting something totally different which may have contributed to the disinterest.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a very long tale with several trips to the Lyon’s Den with valuable input from Bessie Lyon herself!
We have Lady Clementine aka Clem and William Ravenhoe are destined to be together no matter the tremendous battle they faced!
Will has been courting Clem in secret and was just getting ready to pop the question when they are separated by the Napoleon’s war!
This counts for the the very lengthy story as it spans the war and Napoleon’s escape!
Clem is faithful and loves Will inspite of the opposition and her family’s insistence that she wed! She turned down many suitors and her heart was sure!
Will literally fights his way back to Clem! There are many times when you fear the worse and their mutual friend Earl of Marsden stands in the gap for both of them! At times it doesn’t not appear that Rufus, Earl of Marsden has the couples best interest at heart! But he makes several trips to the Lyons Den to make sure they will eventually reunite! Bravo and Well Done!
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased opinion from
Netgalley!

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spying for King and Country.
Just before he requests the hand of the woman he loves, William Ravenshoe applies to join the Army but instead finds himself recruited as a spy and torn from Lady Clementine’s side. Note: it seemed rather strange timing, to ask a woman to marry you whilst planning to go to war.
Much of the story involves William’s friend Rufus helping Clementine stay unattached whilst she pines for Will’s presence. (He does this not only because he is Will’s friend but because he is guilty of the speed of Will’s orders.)
Unfortunately Clem’s parents’ patience eventually runs out and the day before Will arrives back in London, she finds herself engaged to Rufus. Now a foolproof plan is required to swap bridegrooms.
I did like the characters but am unsure as the Ton believed Will was in America, why he and Clem couldn’t have become officially engaged.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Against the background of the Napoleonic war, Lady Clementine’s fiancé, Will Ravenshoe, goes missing the night before their engagement announcement. When she agrees to a pretend engagement with his best friend, Lord Rufus Marsden, to avoid her parents' pressure to wed
A new author to me & another book in the connected world. Bessie didn’t feature very much & her services were used for minor characters. I liked Will & Clem but though they were in love they spent very little page time with each other as he was sent as a spy to France & they were separated for much of the book. Therefore I didn’t feel that all important chemistry between them. I liked Rufus too & hope he gets his story. It was different but I did find myself wanting Will & Clem to be together again
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will and Clem are unloved they arrange to meet at there favourite spot for him tp propose but he doesn't turn up unbeknown to Clem he has been sent to France as a spy. The story then unfolds with details of his time in. France during the times of Napoleon and details of her fight not to accept any proposal that her parents try to push onto her. Wills friend Rufus promises to help and to step in if necessary with a fictional engagement . The Lyons Club appears as he enlists Mrs Dove-Lyon to help.
This is a nice story but it did not grab my attention and I found it slow going. It is the first I have read by this author but it would be nice to see follow up stories with both Rufus and Laurent later on
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley. Lady Clementine is going to be engaged to Will Ravenshoe but he is called to go the next day to France and be a spy during the Napoleon War. He cannot contact Clementine to let her know what is going on. His friend, Rufus also works for the government. Rufus tries to protect Clementine while Will is gone. Her parents are pressuring her to get married. Rufus gets Mrs Love-Lyon to find other wives for each other men who her parents are trying to get Clem married to. Poor Will keeps trying to get home and the government keeps sending him out to do work for them.

[Lynds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read that kept me on my toes throughout it. I did think some of the pacing in the middle could have been a little quicker but overall I enjoyed Will and Clem's story. And Rufus was a favorite! I was definitely second guessing what I thought was going to happen. I thought the ending was adorable.

ARC recieved via NetGallery from Dragonblade Publishing for honest review with no monetary gain.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great true love between two people who are separated. I love how they fought their way back together despite the many obstacles in their way. The book was very written with some amazing characters. I enjoyed reading it and I found it quite entertaining.

[Jean H. Kromeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book , but a little too long.