Laura Landon – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

The Traitor’s Club: Caleb by Laura Landon

Series: The Traitor’s Club, #4

Release Date: January 30, 2018

Caleb Parker is the final bachelor standing in the “Traitor’s Club”. Caleb has no desire to join the ranks of the blissfully domesticated. He is happy for his “brothers”, but is perfectly content to remain single.

The story starts with a tiny thief stealing Caleb’s breakfast, he catches the child and learns that the boy is a homeless, orphan. He also learns of a woman who runs a home for orphans outside of London. Caleb takes the boy to Southern Oaks, the home run by Eleanor, the widowed Countess of Grattling.

Eleanor is being harassed by a henchman for Vince Blackboot, a crime lord in St. Giles. Blackboot has a problem with Eleanor rescuing homeless children, he wants the children, so he can sell them to workhouses and brothels. Bryant, his henchman is currently trying to claim one of the children as his own, Eleanor calls his bluff and he strikes her – he is ready to hit her again, when Caleb intervenes. After a brief misunderstanding on Eleanor’s part, she realizes that Caleb is a very decent man and offers him a job.

Caleb takes the job of guarding Eleanor and the children very seriously and saves Eleanor more than once. He is shocked by his reaction to her and tells himself that nothing can come of it – he is the son of a common laborer and she is a Countess and granddaughter of a Duke. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

Eleanor has a huge heart and an enormous capacity for love. She is equally attracted to Caleb, but has her own reasons for keeping him at arm’s length.

This is a short novella, but it packs quite a punch! There is action, angst, betrayal, steamy kisses, sweet children and a very sweet epilogue with a Traitor’s Club reunion. The only reason I didn’t give the book 5 stars is because I felt like Eleanor’s secret dragged on a little too long. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

The Traitor’s Club: Jeb by Laura Landon
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Traitor’s Club, #3

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Lieutenant Jeb Danvers is a former spy and “traitor” who has no desire to resume his work for the crown, but when Her Majesty makes him an offer that he cannot refuse, he agrees to take one last mission.

His mission is to travel to Scotland and find out who sent the Queen a jewel from a crown that was stolen years ago and assumed lost and retrieve the rest of the jewels. The package sent to the Queen was traced back to the MacFarlane clan and Jeb is expected to use his family connections to gain entrance.

Jeb’s father, the Earl of Stafford went to school with Laird MacFarlane and Jeb uses that connection to stay with him for a few days. He hopes to find the person who sent the jewels and return to England as quickly as possible.
Jeb meets Mariah MacFarlane shortly after he arrives and knows he has found the person who sent the jewel – but why? Why would Mariah turn on her own father?

Mariah MacFarlane is impressed by the Englishman sent by the Queen and out of loyalty to her English mother, she will do all she can to help him retrieve and return the jewels, but she has one condition, she goes to London with Jeb. She knows once her father learns of her deeds, there will be no going back to Scotland – – – ever.

Jeb doesn’t want Mariah to be involved, any more than she already is, but knows her life will be forfeit if she stays. Over the few days spent in her company, he has come to admire her and he cannot deny their mutual attraction, but until the jewels are safely returned to the Queen and Mariah’s father has been brought to justice, there can be no future for them.

As they travel to London, Mariah shares her reasons for turning on her father and also admits to the attraction between them, however, there is no time to explore their deeper feelings as they are being pursued by her father and his men. They narrowly escape the first attack, but are not so lucky the next time. Jeb is shot and Mariah risks her own life to save him.

They hide out at Caleb’s house and Mariah nurses Jeb back to health. They both know they are in love, but until they can find a way to keep her father away from her – there is no way they can have a real relationship. When Jeb’s father shows up at Caleb’s house, he insists that Jeb and Mariah return with him. He has a plan to draw out her father and end the standoff once and for all.
Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and Mariah is shot and in grave danger of losing her life. This is when Jeb realizes that she is the love of his life and that he cannot imagine life without her.

This was a short novella, but of the three I’ve read, this was hands down the best of the bunch. I loved this story, it is well written, flows perfectly, it has amazing depth for such a short book, it has a lot of action, some warmish love scenes, a lot of heart break, a visit from the Queen and from the other “traitors” and finally, a beautifully done HEA.

This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems at all. I highly recommend this story and can’t wait for Caleb’s book!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

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