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JL Merrow
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To Love a Traitor Kindle Edition

by JL Merrow (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 168 ratings
Wounds of the heart are the hardest to heal.

Solicitor’s clerk George Johnson has a secret goal when he moves into a London boarding house in the winter of 1920: to find out if his fellow lodger, Matthew Connaught, was the wartime traitor who cost George’s adored older brother Hugh his life.

Yet the more he gets to know his quarry, the more George loses sight of his mission -- and his heart. Blessed with boyish good looks and charm in abundance, ad man Matthew is irrepressibly cheerful despite having lost an arm in the Great War -- and soon makes plain his attraction to George.

As George’s feelings for Matthew grow, so does his desperation to know the truth about what happened that day in Ypres. Even if bringing all their secrets to light means he’ll lose the man he’s come to love.
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  1. Print length
    222 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 20, 2017
  5. File size
    1.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

2017 EPIC awards finalist Rainbow Awards Runner-up for Best Gay Book of 2016 Merrow hits the nail on the head with her latest story, To Love A Traitor...a tender romance that swept me into a long ago era where love was forced to hide in the shadows but still burned brightly - Joyfully Jay

An excellent, historical novel that has been well researched. A thrilling read of spies and treachery but this is balanced out with people caught up in circumstance and impossible situations, so even the treachery is sad, understandable and heart-rending in its nature - Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance

Matthew is one of the most charming and luminous characters this author has ever created...George and Matthew and the simple pleasures they find in spending time together elevate this story from one that might have offered us a standard-fare historical romance into a love story that speaks to the optimist in us all - The Novel Approach

To Love a Traitor is a unique and truly lovely romance that will live in your heart long after you've finished the book. I loved every minute I spent reading it and look forward to reading more historical romances by JL Merrow in the future. Highly Recommended! - Top2Bottom Reviews

It was light but at the same time very emotional, easy to read since it was so well written. I particularly enjoyed how the story solved at the end, it left me with a smile on the face... Highly recommended! - Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0731Q7X4W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ JMS Books LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 20, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1634863841
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 168 ratings

About the author

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JL Merrow

JL Merrow

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JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again.

She writes (mostly) contemporary gay romance and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy, and several of her books have been EPIC Awards finalists, including Muscling Through, Relief Valve (the Plumber’s Mate Mysteries) and To Love a Traitor.

JL Merrow is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, International Thriller Writers, Verulam Writers and the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online at: https://jlmerrow.com/, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
168 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story compelling with a strong historical background, and one notes how the suspense is maintained until late in the book. Moreover, the writing quality is good, and customers appreciate the believable characters. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its historical perspective, with one customer noting how it captures the feeling of post-WWI England perfectly.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityHistorical perspectiveLikable charactersHeartfeltPace
9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the story compelling with a strong background, and one customer notes that the suspense is maintained until late in the book.

"...The writing was good, the plot kept my interest, and I found I liked both of the heroes enormously...." Read more

"...This story has such a strong background - I hurt for George only reading about what he endured as a conscientious objector and I cannot imagine how..." Read more

"...The writing is interesting, intelligent and compelling. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading other pieces by thie author." Read more

"I bought this accidentally but went ahead and read it. Good pace and interesting and entertaining enough, although the big reveal was kind of..." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable to read.

"This was just lovely. Merrow captured the feeling of post WWI England perfectly...." Read more

"...and at the same time very sweet book. Highly recommended." Read more

"...Lovely English and well written. Great book. Recommended." Read more

"...It's because she's an excellent writer, obviously backed up by an excellent editor...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting the witty dialogues.

"...Merrow captured the feeling of post WWI England perfectly. The writing was good, the plot kept my interest, and I found I liked both of the heroes..." Read more

"...The writing is interesting, intelligent and compelling. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading other pieces by thie author." Read more

"...Lovely English and well written. Great book. Recommended." Read more

"...It's because she's an excellent writer, obviously backed up by an excellent editor...." Read more

5 customers mention "Historical perspective"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical perspective of the book, describing it as a lovely romance set in the early 20th century, with one customer noting how it provides a glimpse into the past.

"This novel gave a glimpse into the past...." Read more

"...It is set in early 20th century. The characters were likable and well suited to the story and action." Read more

"Extremely well-written. This is not just a gay romantic story. It has historical perspective and kept me engaged throughout...." Read more

"This is a historical romance set in London right after the end of WWI...." Read more

5 customers mention "Likable characters"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book very believable.

"...The characters are sympathetic and have their own personal challenges...." Read more

"...This was a fine story -- excellent plot and character development! I highly recommend it." Read more

"I really liked this story. It moved well, was interesting and had believable characters. It is set in early 20th century...." Read more

"I really enjoy this author. The characters are very believable and their circumstances realistic. The life issues are real, complex and compelling...." Read more

3 customers mention "Heartfelt"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartfelt, with one noting how it captures the feeling of post-WWI England perfectly.

"This was just lovely. Merrow captured the feeling of post WWI England perfectly...." Read more

"...I thought it was a very touching, well researched, painful to read..." Read more

"Compelling, intelligent and compassionate..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pace"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pace of the book, with one noting it suits the temperament well and keeps readers engaged throughout.

"I bought this accidentally but went ahead and read it. Good pace and interesting and entertaining enough, although the big reveal was kind of..." Read more

"...It has historical perspective and kept me engaged throughout...." Read more

"...started slowly but the dialogues were witty and the leisurely pacing suits the temperament of the story being told...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This was just lovely. Merrow captured the feeling of post WWI England perfectly. The writing was good, the plot kept my interest, and I found I liked both of the heroes enormously. There is conflict, and decpeption, but I am happy to report that both gentlemen wwre able to use their words and settled matters with a minimum of histrionics. I would definitely recommend this.
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  • Sirius
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really good book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    4.5 stars

    I really struggled with the review for this book. JL Merrow's books are hit or miss for me - but this one was definitely a hit, so the review just did not want to be written and these few sentences (instead of longer review originally) is all I could manage. Sometimes this happens even with the good books. I am really partial towards the books which talk about young veterans of WWI or WWII coming back and adjusting to living in the times of peace. This story has such a strong background - I hurt for George only reading about what he endured as a conscientious objector and I cannot imagine how hard it was for real people who had a courage of their convictions to state that they won't go to war. And George did so much for the government later during the war and he is still haunted by what guys who thought may have thought about him.

    One of the reasons why JL Merrow’s stories do not always hit home for me is because I do not always feel tension between her protagonists and I do not necessarily mean UST (although I certainly enjoy it when it is present in the story). In any event, here there was plenty of tension because the underlying stakes were so high. George is investigating whether Matthew may have betrayed his brother and the men who died with him to Germans. If Mathew is a traitor of course there is no way they could be together. Matthew indeed ends up being connected with what happened to George’s brother although not in a way you may suspect he was. I thought it was a very touching, well researched, painful to read (not because it has detailed description of violence just because what was on page felt so real) and at the same time very sweet book. Highly recommended.
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  • Kreindel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, intelligent and compassionate
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This novel gave a glimpse into the past. While I was engrossed in the story, I often thought about ways in which society has evolved and ways in which they are still evolving. The characters are sympathetic and have their own personal challenges. The time period is one in which we don't often understand in today's context. The writing is interesting, intelligent and compelling. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading other pieces by thie author.
    Helpful
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  • ususera na palaka pa
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good pace and interesting and entertaining enough
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this accidentally but went ahead and read it. Good pace and interesting and entertaining enough, although the big reveal was kind of expected. I wish she'd picked a different way for one of the reveals to happen.
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  • Maarten van Leeuwen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is like a detective. The suspense is kept until very late in the book. The story and the characters are good. It has gay characters in it, but not the entire world has turned gay, like so often happens in gay fiction. Lovely English and well written. Great book. Recommended.
    Helpful
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  • David M. Douds
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I suppose I should someday write a negative review, at least to preserve my credibility, but this will definitely not be the book for it. JL Merrow is one of my great favorites, and not just because she's English and writes in that context. It's because she's an excellent writer, obviously backed up by an excellent editor. This was a fine story -- excellent plot and character development! I highly recommend it.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Frazzled
    4.0 out of 5 stars A really enjoyable story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked this story. It moved well, was interesting and had believable characters. It is set in early 20th century. The characters were likable and well suited to the story and action.
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  • Jack Farris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely well-written. This is not just a gay romantic ...
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely well-written. This is not just a gay romantic story. It has historical perspective and kept me engaged throughout. When reading a romance, you always know they are going to get together in the end--it's hos they get there that is important. I am ready to buy another of Merrow;s books.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Rosemary
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... read the original 'Dulce et Decorum Est' but I loved this rewrite and I don't remember the old version ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I know I read the original 'Dulce et Decorum Est' but I loved this rewrite and I don't remember the old version well enough to know what was different. It works well and it's a nice story, simple but with a lot of emotional punch, and seems well grounded in the time period and place.
    Report
  • TRIMONTIUM
    4.0 out of 5 stars HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I had my doubts, given the subject matter, whether l would enjoy this book. My fears were groundless. This story captures period and public attitudes beautifully. It also works as a sort of detective story and as a romance. Well worth reading.
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  • Serin6
    5.0 out of 5 stars Early 20th century setting for romantic suspense.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Romantic suspense from a writer who's brilliant at dialogue and skilful at plots too.
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  • jane
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    good story
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it!!
    Report

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