The Lyon's Lass: The Lyon's Den Connected World

by Allison B. Hanson

She needed a husband. He needed money for his castle. Can love bloom on the open sea?

Saddled with a dilapidated castle and a title he doesn’t want, Iain Douglas wishes only to be left alone so he can return to his ship and the call of the sea. However, he’ll never allow his staff and tenants to suffer for his lack of interest.

What he needs is the funds to fix the castle so he can get back to his life. The best way to gather the funds he needs is to win a challenge at the Lyon’s Den gaming house. Despite his challenges with reading, he signs an agreement with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the mysterious proprietress.

When he wins he expects a fortune, and the veiled woman doesn’t disappoint, but what he didn’t realize was that his winnings would come with a wife, and her young brother.

Maisy Bennett’s father is dying and while she’d only met the man a few times, his death comes with more than a daughter’s grief. Her older brother has promised to send her younger brother to an asylum to get him out of the house. Which means she needs to find a new home for herself and Jack, and she needs it to happen too quickly for traditional courting.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon does not let her down. Maisy finds herself married quickly, and she and Jack are safely on a ship bound for Scotland the very next day. Her new husband seems nice enough, and even if he’s not, she only has to suffer his company for the length of this voyage. For after she and Jack are settled at Kesson Castle, Iain plans to leave…never to return.

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126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2026

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iain Douglas answers to the call of the sea. On a return to London, he is notified he has inherited a title and a dilapidated castle. He needs money and to get money, he needs a wife with a hefty dowry. On the advice of his best friend, he visits Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Maisy Bennett needs a husband. She has thirty thousand pounds, but hasn't been successful in finding a husband, because she has a stipulation. She needs a promise that her husband will accept her brother when they marry. Iain wins the contest and the prize, but it wasn't exactly what he expected. A new earl who's life is the sea and a young woman who needs protection. Mrs. Dove-Lyon makes a another match. This one really touched my heart. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, quick read! The story is fast paced, but heartwarming. Maisie is determined to protect her brother and enters the Lyon's Den. She may not understand completely what she's getting herself into, but she knows more than Iain does. I loved how they complement each other. This is a feel good story!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

I liked that this book got back to some of the earlier plot points in the series - primarily the ridiculous contests that result in the match-ups. This one was obviously tailor-made for Iain and hinted again at how Mrs. Dove-Lyon knows what she is doing when it comes to giving the ladies the best chance at a good match. I really liked both Iain and Maisy. I did feel a little bad for Maisy that her friend gave her terrible advice when it came to setting up her need for Mrs. Dove-Lyon's services, but it did ultimately give her and Iain a somewhat unconventional meet-cute. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was that Maisy and Iain were given the opportunity to be partners in the relationship rather than one of them completely relying on the other. I liked the addition of Jack into the story because it provided confirmation that Iain was a good guy. I only wish we had gotten more about Maisy and Iain falling in love with one another - at first it's gratitude for what each was doing for the other through the marriage, then jumped to attraction, and the next thing you know they do not want to be apart. The story does take place over several weeks, but I felt more pages could have been devoted to developing their love story. Overall, another great addition to the Lyon's Den series. Also, I am hoping to get a book about Jack and his love story.

[Cassandra]

Ahh another trip to our Lyon Den and it was delightful. This was a pretty cute marriage of convenience. I liked both our main characters. Maisy was a loving sister who would do anything to make sure her younger brother is protected and taken care of. Iain is a captain of a ship and surprised when he is saddled with a Dukedom and needs a wife to help take care of land. Love blooms and friendship its very sweet. My favorite part was actually chapter 16. That made this story a bit different and unique to me.

6/6 stars

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lyon’s Lass by Allison B Hanson is a short romance between a sea captain turned earl and Maisy Bennet who needed to marry. She had had offers but had yet to find a man who would accept her brother, who was deaf. If her father died and her father became head of the family, it was off to an asylum for Jack. Her friend told her about Mrs. Dove-Lyon and told her that she helped ruined women. She didn’t want to be ruined but they up with a plan in which Maisy would drink to much. She did so at a ball, and ended up vomiting all over a bearded man who had appeared. It worked and Mrs. Dove-Lyon found her a husband, one who needed her thirty thousand pounds, but was will to accept Jack. She loved being on his ship but they were only going to his castle in Scotland, which he planned to use her money to repair. Then he would leave. It was to be a marriage of convenience. That didn’t last long, but they both knew there was an end date to their being together.

Ian had always been at sea and loved it, but discovered that it didn’t hold the same luster it had after meeting Maisy. Maisy was busy with the castle and with her newly discovered pregnancy. Jack had loved the sea and he loved Scotland. This was a totally predictable book but that didn’t make any any-the-less entertaining. They were a good couple who figured out a way to make it work for all concerned. Short book. Good read. Mrs. Dove-Lyon would probably have helped her without her vomiting all over the man who would become her husband. Cute!

I was invited to read The Lyon’s Lass by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AllisonBHanson#TheLyonsLass

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, Emotional, Beautiful Romance
The beginning is quite shocking for Ian who now needs to leave the ball due to an abrupt disaster by a lady that has over indulged.
Poor Iain needs to marry for money and heads to the Lyons Den to get the Black Widows help with finding him a bride quickly
He is captain of the sea's and he's in a hurry.
We now meet Maisy a sweet lass who has money but needs to find a husband that will except taking in her deaf brother.
Interesting game Mrs. Dove Lyon brings forth the winner who happens to be, Oh No the man from the ball last night.
This is a great story with wonderfully sweet characters all around.
The story is filled with love and thank goodness for Hodges saving the day by helping Iain finally seeing the love that's right in front of him.
Mature Advisory: Just the right amount of steam to make this an enjoyable romance story
Delightful side character: Jack the brother who brought a lot of insight involving a young deaf person.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iain Douglas unexpectedly inherits a near bankrupt earldom, whilst he longs to return to sea captaining his ship he won’t let his tenants down so needing a rich wife he heads to The Lyon’s Den & enters a challenge & in short order married. Maisy Bennett’s father is dying & she knows when her brother inherits he’ll send their younger brother Jack to an asylum – even though he caused Jack’s deafness. Maisy heads to The Lyon’s Den too. So Iain, Maisy & Jack find themselves sailing to Scotland to Kesson Castle.
A lovely addition to the connected world. I loved Iain & Maisy who were perfect for each other but Iain was desperate to return to sea or was he? I loved how Iain was caring, protective & intelligent, Maisy was so protective of Jack who was a delight. A short story which I read straight through & thoroughly enjoyed, my only quibble is that I wanted it to be longer
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Mrs. Dove-Lyon has made another successful match, literally on the spur of the moment. Maisy and Iain meet and are married in the same night. Romance was not a part of the deal but it quickly developed. The story is well written and entertaining. I also liked the surprise that was waiting for Iain when he finally sailed home. I enjoyed the addition of Jack. I like that it addresses how families of the ton were quick to institutionalize members of their own family who had any physical or mental imperfections. It’s a fun read, with a touch of danger, that is worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. It had an original plot with a twist of assistance from the Lyon’s Den. Iain didn’t know what he was signing up for at the gambling den, but he was an honorable man that carried out his duties. Maisy needed to get married right away to save her younger brother. This marriage of convenience was to protect her brother and for Iain to restore the castle he had just inherited. The story had compassion, witty banter, honest dialogue, caring family, family with hearing impairment, a bit of steam, and a HEA.

I received an advanced copy of this from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful & Romantic Story.

The hero is a captain of a ship & only knows is the sea. He comes to be the Earl of Kesson but figured if he married & left his wife to rake of the castle in Scotland & he can go back out to sea. The heroine wants to marry but refuses to leave her deaf brother behind to be put in an asylum. She engages the help of Bessie Dove Lyon & they marry & set off for Scotland. What can happen between the trip & the time it takes the hero to take care of the castle before he leaves?

Maisy (Madalene) & Iian were wonderful characters.

I am looking forward to reading "The Lyon's Deception" by Sara Bennett the next book in this series.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her father dying and her brother, the heir, determined to send their younger brother to an asylum because he is deaf (which is the older brother’s fault), Maisy Bennet is determined to find a husband and take Jack to safety. She goes to the Lyon’s Den to elicit the help of Bessie Dove-Lyon. Iain Douglas loves the sea and longs to return to his ship. When he discovers that he is the Earl of Kesson and has inherited a crumbling castle, he, too head to the Lyon’s den, but not necessarily, to get a wife. Maisy and Iain meet (they had an interesting first meeting at a ball earlier), agree to wed and pretty much live their own lives. The three of them are soon on their way to Scotland and Kesson Castle. While affecting repairs and learning the estate, Iain and Maisy, and Jack become familiar with each other. They mesh perfectly. Iain is now torn between his new wife and family and the sea. He is a caring person who sees to the wellbeing of those in his charge. Maisy is smart, can handle an estate, and is protective of Jack. Jack is a total delight. Will they live separate lives, or is there a way for them to compromise and have the things they want together? A great story with a happy ending.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet short read.
Captain Iain has inherited an Earldom and a castle in need of funds so attends the Lyons Den to get a wife with a dowry. Maisy needs a husband to protect both herself and her brother from her elder brother when her father dies. Captain Iain wins the competition for her hand and they marry. As they journey on his ship to Scotland they fall in love and once at the castle the love deepens.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to read another addition to this delightful series. I love to see who Mrs. Dove-Lyon has set her sights on. Ian needs a bride to fix his castle, and Maisy needs a husband to provide home for her and her brother. I found the story entertaining and fun. I love rooting for the couples in these stories to have a HEA. I enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Petula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This visit to the Lyon's Den world seems a little rushed for me.
I loved all the characters and would have liked to read a more filled out version.
The story itself was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good fun.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iain and Maisy needed a marriage of convenience for their own sake. I enjoyed the story and the happy ever after. I felt like it could’ve been a little long to expand on the reconciliation. This was a fun, quick read of love and joy.

[Brad Hellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyons lass

This book was fantastic!
The characters, the feelings, the messy (maisy!) Parts of life were dealt with, just like REAL life. I highly recommend this story!

[Kinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

3.5 ⭐️
A good historical romance. I didn't expect the spice, but it was a quick and fun mind break