No Ordinary Lyon: The Lyon's Den Connected World

by Sherry Ewing

Genres: Regency Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2026

About the author

Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. An award-winning and bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry and her books on her website where a new adventure awaits you on every page at www.SherryEwing.com.

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memory loss and love

The Waterloo injured hero, Captain Gideon Tyler, scarred and withdrawn, with memory loss is a common enough trope.
The woman, Miss Violet Barnet, a practicing apothecary, is come to London at the behest of her cousin, Patience, a recently married countess. Violet has agreed to look for a possible husband at the Lyon’s Den gambling establishment. Perspective suitors were introduced to her by Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Patience has paid the match makers fee.
Of course there’s a wretched villain who has evil on his mind, and knows our hero Gideon from time spent together in the war.
I find it hard to get over the pet names the main characters call each other, Sir Knight and Lady Angel. Very twee.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Ordinary Lyon by Sherry Ewing is a Lyon’s Den Regency romance featuring Captain Gideon Tyler, a wounded war hero, and Miss Violet Barnet, an apothecary, whose family has decided it is time she married. Her cousin, Patience, takes her to the Lyon’s Den. When on the balcony perusing the gambling floor, she spies a handsome man with a patch over one eye. She is interested. He is, too, but would hardly admit it, even to himself. He sees himself as half a man and can’t fathom why any woman would want him. He sees her again several days later as she is escorted to the garden at the Lyon’s Den and a procession of men are invited in to visit with her. Ah, looking for a husband. There is a fight on the floor and the man guarding the garden hurries off to the fray. Gideon sees a man he knows, a bad man that he has known for years, enter the garden. He makes his way over and finds him on the brink of molesting Violet. Thus begins a romance and a harrowing time, protecting her.

Good characters. They fall out when he sees her at his brother’s house. Assuming he has been set up, he gets angry and stomps away. Only after a fair amount of brandy and a night thinking does he come to the obvious conclusion that he has misunderstood. He rushes to apologize only to discover than she has returned to her village. She is strong and independent. She never wanted to marry in the first place and now she has given her heart to a man that doesn’t know how to care for it. He is just as stubborn as she is, follows her to apologize, and spends some time trying to regain her trust. Things go wrong, not between them, but with his acquaintance who seems to have decided she was his. Good book. Relatively short. Excellent characters, including the Black Widow of Whitehall, who is at her best in this novel.

I was invited to read No Ordinary Lyon by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SherryEwing #NoOrdinaryLyon

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

We have Captain Gideon Tyler, who thinks he is too broken to wed. He is a second son and still has headaches from a head injury in the war and a long scar on his face. He wears an eye patch just to hide it! He spends a lot of time in the Lyons Den with his friends! His older brother Asher also spends time there but not so much since he met his wife in the previous story also at the Lyon’s Den.
Miss Violet Barnet considers herself forward thinking and independent. But when her cousin Patience makes a deal with the notorious Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find Violet a husband, she goes along with the plan. The first night she locks eyes on Gideon and they are both smitten.
But a nemesis of Gideon is also there that night and he has his eye on Violet! Their chemistry is instantaneous and when he rescues her he is dubbed Sir Knight!
After his altercation with his literal evil opponent he wakes to find his “Angel!” Angel is the name given to Violet!
I am not sure why Gideon is angry and says such awful things to Violet but their path to true love doesn’t run smooth at all! It is more like a roller coaster!
Can Gideon prove his love is true and had a moment of stupidity!? He is truly Sir Knight when this madman who has a vendetta against him comes after Violet! This one will keep you on your toes! Bravo
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley. Since coming home from the war Gideon goes with his friend to the Lyon's Den to gamble, he is not looking for a wife. His family is trying to get him out to find a wife. Gideon is a second son withe a bad scar on his face from the war. Violet's cousin is married to Gideon's brother and she is trying to get Violet to come for the season to London. Gideon has not met her yet. Her cousin takes her to the Lyon's Den to look for a husband. They see each other there though they do not know who the other one is. She doesn't meet anyone she is interested in but they talk to each other. He sends a man he knows from the war. They are not friends and get into a fight after she leaves. Gideon is injured. After he gets better he goes to his brother's and the first person he sees is Violet and they get into an awful fight. he thinks she is an actress trying to set him into marrying him. He will not listen so she goes home right away. The man follows her and the next day when Gideon figures out what is really going on he follows her too. There are problems from the time she gets home. Gideon is asking forgiveness and she doesn't forgive him easy.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Gideon Tyler, a second son and former soldier has returned scarred from the war. Two years of lost memory make it hard for him to rebuild his life. His mother adds to the burden, expecting him to marry. Miss Violet Barnet considers herself forward thinking and independent. But when her cousin Patience makes a deal with the notorious Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find Violet a husband, she goes along with the plan. On her first visit to the Den Violet locks eyes with Gideon & an immediate connection is made. Mrs. Dove-Lyon arranges several meetings with gentlemen, but none of them are the man she met briefly and cannot forget.
Another lovely addition to the connected world. I loved both Gideon & Violet who fell hard for each other on first sight & things are progressing well until they learn their true identities & things go pear shaped. Violet returns home & Gideon follows hoping to redeem himself but an old adversary of Gideon’s is out to make Gideon suffer through hurting Violet. I loved the couples journey to a HEA which wasn’t easy but made for an entertaining & engrossing read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of Gideon and Violet had a fairytale feel to it. They saw each other and fell in love at first sight but neither knew what they were experiencing. They got to know one another without knowing the other’s identity. He always seemed to be there to save her when she needed him. After helping him recover after he was hurt protecting her, they acknowledged their connection and decided to see where it led. However that was short lived after a misunderstanding that almost ended their connection. After realizing his error, he was determined to do whatever it took to get violet to forgive him. After several dangerous incidents, they had to trap a villain so they could have their HEA. The story was a sweet novella with a. few kisses, caring family members, an overbearing aristocratic mother, the unique help of Bessie Dove Lyon, war injuries and scars, memory loss, love at first sight, romance, witty banter, and a HEA.

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

[Cherie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Knight and His Angel;
This story took me into the Lyons Den and gave me a peak at some of the way the Black Widows den works as far as introducing the unknown couples. It was a new insight.
All and all this is a long story with a cast of interesting characters that add to the entire story. 
Both Gideon a man with some left-over emotional and physical baggage from the war.
Violet, an intelligent strong-minded gal who doesn't really want to get married, but that will change if Mrs. Dove Lyon has her way.
An interesting story filled with desire, family, a mysterious villain (or not), mistakes which leads to forgiveness and a very happy abrupt ending.
📖Book Rating. 3.5 rounded up 4
🙊Opinion: Could have been better with more passion. A slow burn that never lite a flame.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attraction at First Sight.
Violet is disappointed when she gets to speak to the man she first glimpsed from the Ladies balcony at the Lyon’s Den, to find that he is not looking for a wife. A situation that changes when she helps to nurse him after a vicious attack. But a misunderstanding leads to a rift and extensive grovelling from Gideon before he is forgiven. Their path to wedded bliss however is blocked by a villain who wants Gideon to suffer through Violet. An enjoyable read, slightly spoilt for me by the Americanisms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Gideon Taylor does not want to marry neither does Miss Violet Barnett but on first glance at the Lyons Club they find themselves attracted to each other they meet but do not introduce themselves the give each other nicknames of Angel and Mr Knight it isn't until he discovers his Angel at his brother's house that he realises that she is the cousin that his brother and his wife have been trying to set him up with help does not react very well and Violet runs away back home in guilt he recognises that he was wrong and follows. The story then carries on with lots of twists and turns I enjoyed it very much
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Mary Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Our hero is scared and wears an eye patch although his eye is intact. This is because debutantes have fainted at the sight. He also has memory loss. Our heroine isn't part of the ton but has her own business as an apthecary. Gideon is a second son. He frequents The Lyon's den occasionally. Patience, a pervious heroine, has paid for Violet to get a match. The Villian takes a shine to Violet but Gideo and Violet have already had that look across a room moment. Quite enjoyed it and obviously the villian gets his due deserts.

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

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Gideon Tyler lost his memory for two years after Waterloo before returning to his family. Though financially secure, he is scarred and suffering severe headaches. He's also a second son with no title. What does he have to offer a lady? Miss Violet Barnet is happy living in her village as an apothecary. Her cousin offers another option, to pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find Violet a husband. Brief glances and a meeting at the Lyon's Den sparks the attraction between Violet and Gideon. But an old enemy continues to sabotage their plans to destroy their happiness.
Easy to read with a few bumps in the road to get to a HEA.
A clean romance with kisses only.

[Petula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance is part of the Lyon's Den world and attached to a series by just this author, but none of that stops you from enjoying this book on its own.
Our characters are not the highest in society. Our heroine in particular works for her living in her own business. Our hero is a battle scarred second son, with a temper. However when you have well meaning and interfering relatives , the Lyon's Den and the Black Widow can help.
Emotion, fun and danger are all part of the story. It's a very entertaining tale.
Good fun.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When spinster Violet is sent to London for the Season, she never expects to be assisted in finding a husband by Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Spotting an attractive man, she hopes for an introduction. War scarred Gideon is only at the Lyon's Den to gamble; he does not need a wife. Attracted to each other, Gideon finds he must protect Violet from an enemy from his past. Will they be able to find a happily ever after? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do so love a hero to the rescue story and this one is a gem! Gideon feels like he has nothing to offer a lady. Violet is entrenched in her life as a spinster. I adored the “love at first sight” line, the argument, and the second chance. The villain is especially brutal and was shocked how that ended. Mrs. Dove-Lyon wasn’t even sure how this would end, which was a bit amusing. A delightful read, very sweet and oh so satisfying.

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

[Sue Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Enjoyed

Another really enjoyable story from the Lyon’s Den series. Violet has come to London to stay with her cousin Patience. She assumes she is going to be taking part in the season but instead Patience has paid Mrs Dove Lyon to find her a husband.
Unbeknown to her one of the men she meets at the Lyon’s Den is Patience’s brother-in-law and so begins their journey to happy ever after.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in the Lyon's Den Connected World series was an exciting slowburn historical romance. It had a well blend of action, intrigue, strong emotions, nefarious incidents, and romance. The characters were interesting, and their feelings were complex. I enjoyed their engaging love story that included wondwr family and friends. I highly recommend reading!

[Josee A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon and Violet were both strong, independent, and formidable characters. Throw in an evil villain....what a story. I loved how Gideon protected Violet and was drawn to her from the very beginning and how Violet stood her ground and made Gideon grovel for his forgiveness. They found their HEA and it indeed melted my heart.

[Shuvai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scarred soldier and an independent lady find unexpected love at the Lyon’s Den. Gideon and Violet’s tender yet perilous journey blends resilience, danger, and passion, making No Ordinary Lyon a moving Regency romance of healing hearts.

[Macaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is enjoyable. Violet and Gideon are nice characters. But the story is slow-paced and repetitive, and the characters lack depth, so it's difficult to feel any emotion for them. The villain is exaggerated and seems to exist solely to spread evil. This is not quite believable.

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

Another example of an excellent book written by one of the talented writers who authored the Lyon’s Den connected World books. I love Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon with her schemes and manipulations.

[Renee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Lyon World. The author has done a great job with this story and keep it a clean read. I would recommend this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade and leaving a review by my own choice.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the Lyon's Den! I enjoyed how Violet and Asher hoped for a connection between their relatives. Violet is a confident character who does excellent work as an apothecary. I like how she has accepted she won't marry and has made a good life for herself. Gideon is a protector. He's also impulsive and speaks before he thinks. The story has some mystery which adds to the enjoyment.