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Willowbrook #1

A Willowbrook Miracle

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Hunter Melbourne thought when he came home from the war, he would finally be safe. But the opposite was true.

When Hunter Melbourne, heir apparent to the Duke of Willowbrook is shot on his way home from the war in Crimea, Hunter realizes someone wants him dead. Probably the same man who killed his brother. If only he can discover who is behind the attempts on his life before they kill everyone he cares for, including the woman he loves.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2023

91 people are currently reading
47 people want to read

About the author

Laura Landon

70 books367 followers
Laura Landon taught high school for ten years before leaving the classroom to open her own ice-cream shop. As much as she loved serving up sundaes and malts from behind the counter, she closed up shop after penning her first novel. Now she spends nearly every waking minute writing, guiding her heroes and heroines to find their happily ever afters.

She is the author of more than a dozen historical novels, including SILENT REVENGE, INTIMATE DECEPTION, and her newest Montlake Romance release, INTIMATE SURRENDER.

Her books are enjoyed by readers around the world and you can find out more about her by visiting her website at www.lauralandon.com

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5 stars
139 (54%)
4 stars
72 (28%)
3 stars
33 (12%)
2 stars
8 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for TJ.
3,340 reviews307 followers
January 1, 2024
This is a nice, quick read. There just isn’t enough time given to allow for any depth at all. The love is absolutely insta, the mystery is obvious, but the writing is easy if one just wants an enjoyable couple of hours away from reality.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,321 reviews66 followers
January 26, 2023
4.5 Stars
Lady Victoria Crawley is living with her grandmother The Dowager Countess of Wickham & spends time visiting their neighbour the Duke Of Willowbank to read to him & keep him company. One day whilst walking home she notices smoke from a cottage but she knows the tenant is away for Christmas. On investigating she discovers a man who’s been shot. When Hunter Melbourne, grandson & heir apparent to the Duke of Willowbrook is shot on his way home from the war in Crimea, he realises someone wants him dead. As Hunt heals at Wickham Place he & Torie grow close.
An entertaining & captivating start of a new series. The pace is good & the characters well portrayed. I loved both Hunt & Torie, who saved each other. They were attracted to each other from their first meeting & those feelings developed & deepened, making for a lovely romance. There’s also the mystery of who shot Hunt, the reasons soon become apparent & there is some drama until things are resolved. The secondary characters are also well portrayed & I hope they have their stories as some time was spent in setting the scene of the growing village of Willowbrook & some of its inhabitants. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Sophie.
1,456 reviews555 followers
August 9, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Discovering a handsome stranger with a gunshot injury in a nearby cottage, Lady Victoria Crawley can't let him struggle alone, and nurses him back to health. When it's revealed he is Hunter Melbourne, heir apparent to the Duke of Willowbrook, and the danger may not be over yet, Torie starts to fall for her patient. But Hunter can't forget that someone clearly wants him dead, and he wants to stop them, before they target those he loves.

I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but I loved all of the characters (apart from the villains, who got what they deserved). Torie was a fabulous main character, who was living with her widowed grandmother in the upcoming town of Willowbrook. In her spare time, she would spend time with the ageing Duke of Willowbrook, who is anxious for his grandson to return from war. Torie is all about helping people, which is part of the reason she's in Willowbrook to begin with, and when she came upon Hunter, she needed to help him. Hunter was really sweet with Torie, and he fell hard and fast. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her, and when she was injured, he went into protective mode quickly! I'm glad we saw how so many of the characters started to recover after events from their pasts, and I can't wait to learn more about Ethan in A Page Turner Bookshop. A lovely start to the series.
Profile Image for Rainelle.
2,250 reviews130 followers
January 30, 2023
This is a must read for the readers who love sweet clean romance novels. I simply adore Hunter and Torie. Their cute flirtatious ways are quite charming in the book. I was entertained by their hunt for the person who put a target on his back. The story background kept the pages turning, but it was the romance that slowed the pages.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,298 reviews33 followers
February 9, 2023
A few stops and starts in the flow of the plot. After the first villain is eliminated, I considered the story over, not so. When one problem was resolved, another soon took it's place, but the transitions were a little choppy. It's a good thing a doctor came to town. A nice Victorian romance with Torie and Hunter at the center, and a lovely second chance romance during Christmas.
Kissing only.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
1,201 reviews21 followers
May 21, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook; this is my freely given opinion.

This is the start of a new series by Laura Landon.

Hunter Melbourne had not been home for a number of years as he was fighting the war in Crimea. He finds himself the heir to the Duke of Willowbrook, his elderly grandfather, after the unexpected death of his older brother. When he finally manages to make it home, Hunter is shot and barely is able to make it to a nearby, empty cottage. Luckily for him, Lady Victoria Crawley was on her way home, after visiting the Duke, and knew the owners were away, so she went to investigate, finding the wounded stranger unconscious within. Victoria takes care of the situation, ensuring that he is safely transported to her home, where she lives with her grandmother, and provides for his care and healing there.

They decide to call for the aide of a friend and keep Hunter's presence a secret as it was obvious he was the target of an assassination attempt, and the most obvious suspects are other relations who are visiting Willowbrook, hoping to take his place as heir to his grandfather's title and wealth. This also throws suspicions on the cause of his brother's death, and puts them in fear for the Duke's safety.

While Hunter is under Victoria's care, he comes to admire her beauty, intelligence, and sweet character, and likewise Victoria is attracted to the handsome soldier. But Hunter becomes restless hiding out, especially as he becomes fearful for his grandfather and Victoria's safety, and if they are not confronted, and dealt with, none of them would be safe.

A quick dramatic romance rolled up with a murder conspiracy. The villains are not a mystery, but the drama was believable, with a small twist in the end. I liked the secondary romance - which sounded quite long overdue as well. But did have one quibble in that what happened with the remaining nephew after his wife and son were taken care of - it was not clear if he was part of the conspiracy, or he was just an ignorant dupe, and if he suffered any consequences.

3.75 stars over 5
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,587 reviews31 followers
October 8, 2023
When you find love

Hunt and Torie are quite the pair! Torie has been sent to live with her grandmother due to her outspoken behavior! In this day and age men frown on this behavior! Dowager Countess of Wickham is a formidable woman and they are much alike!
Torie stumbles upon Hunt shot and at deaths door!
She rescued him and their courtship is very unusual to say the least! As he heals at her grandmother's home they need to figure out who wants him dead! There are only a few suspects and Hunts on grandfather is in grave danger!
Hunt sends for his friend Ethan who served in the war with him to protect him while he heals! Connor Hunts cousin has vile friends one who attacked Torie! These two men protect their own!
As the truth unfolds another person is killed and Hunt is to blame! Torie loves this man and nearly gives her life for Hunt! Is it too late to hope that family issues can be resolved and Torie will recover to have a future? Bravo 4.7 stars
3,423 reviews37 followers
January 31, 2023
A Willowbrook Miracle by Laura Landon was a charming book, or I was in the mood. It is a part of her new Willowbrook series and features Lady Victoria Crawley as a young woman who has been sent to live with her grandmother as she has shown her independent personality once too often in London. This time by helping the abused wife of a lord escape to America. It was simply not done. After spending the afternoon with the duke and on her way back to her grandmother’s estate she noticed smoke rolling out of the chimney of a small cabin. She knew the owner was gone on a visit so she felt compelled to check. There she found a wounded man lying shivering on the floor. She covered him with what blankets she could find and rushed home for help. Thankfully he was still alive when she arrived back with several men and a horse and wagon. They got him to her grandmother’s house and sent for a doctor, who pronounced that his outcome was uncertain. Torie nursed him and stayed with him until he started to show improvement. By then her grandmother had gotten involved and they were both startled to discover that the man was the grandson of the duke, Hunt. He had been expected to return home from the war, but certainly not like this.

Torie had launched herself right into another mess, as was her wont. She was a cheerful young woman who had definite opinions and right and wrong. Hunt was a soldier and the heir to a duke. He had never expected to be but his brother had died in a riding accident. As he recovered and heard about what was going on at his grandfather’s, all his natural protective instincts rose to the fore and he set about making plans, which included calling his best friend from London to help. Ethan arrived almost immediately. He was another soldier, all brains and brawn, and clever as well. These were a group of well-written, sympathetic characters in a well-written romance/thriller plot. London wrote a lovely, very readable book. Even knowing the eventual outcome, the journey was an enjoyable one.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Willowbrook Miracle by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #LauraLandon #AWillowbrookMiracle
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,574 reviews89 followers
January 29, 2023
An intriguing novel, this plot kept me involved from start to finish. Lady Victoria, or Torie to those who love her, has been banished for breaking the rules of society, and for her own safety and her family's reputation, she is living with her grandmother. However, even stuck out in the country, adventure and intrigue still find her. The arrival of unpleasant relatives at the home of the Duke of Willowbrook sets her teeth on edge, and finding a severely injured man in a supposedly vacant cottage has her on full alert, especially as her grandmother prevents her from rushing off to let the Duke of Willowbrook know that his grandson, Hunter Melbourne, is alive. Tending the handsome young major leaves Torie unexpectedly aroused and it soon becomes apparent that when he regains consciousness, he is equally interested in her. Torie encounters further undesirable visitors at the ducal household, making Hunter even more suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his being shot and the death of his older brother, at which point he summonses his close friend and comrade at arms. The tension escalates in the novel until it is apparent that the killer is not going to give up. Although it would appear that Hunter and Torie could very well be deprived of their happily ever after, the novel does come to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
4,369 reviews25 followers
March 16, 2023
This is the first book of the new Willowbrook series and I think it is off to a great start. Hunter Melbourne is the heir apparent to the Duke of Willowbrook. As he is returning home from the war, he is shot, and realizes that someone wants him dead. Victoria lives with her grandmother who is neighbor to the Duke of Willowbrook. She often spends time visiting with the duke and keeping him company. On the way home from one of her visits, she encounters Hunter and sees that he is injured. Victoria brings him home and helps him heal from his injuries, and they grow closer as they spend more time together. As Hunter's feelings for Victoria grow stronger, he becomes more determined to find the person trying to kill him and keep everyone he cares for, including Victoria, safe.
This was a lovely romance with many intriguing parts that kept me captivated from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and likable and I enjoyed following their story. The mystery around the shooter also kept things interesting as the story played out. I enjoyed this first installment and look forward to continuing the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
765 reviews7 followers
January 11, 2024
This first entry in Laura Landon's new Willowbrook series is underwhelming, though not terrible. FMC Torie has been banished to live with her grandmother because of reasons (which are not the ones first implied). The estate belongs to the Duke of Willowbrook, who recently lost his son and expects his grandson, MMC Hunter, to be returning any day. Torie discovers Hunter bleeding on the floor of a servant's cottage and brings him to her grandmother's estate to recover while they try to determine who might have wanted him dead. Hunter immediately falls for Torie and vice versa, and they work through the murder-mystery while also finding their HEA.

The romance between Torie and Hunter is easy, if a bit bland. It does not read as super passionate, perhaps because this is a clean romance. The mystery element is also unexciting. The list of potential villains is short and the search for the villain is somewhat anti-climactic. There is a decent twist towards the end, but not enough to redeem the overall mundaneness of the book.

2 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,190 reviews13 followers
January 30, 2023
Walking home from her visit with the Duke of Willowbrook, Torie discovers an injured man in a cabin of the property. She soon discovers that the man she found is the grandson of the Duke. Who shot him and why. Hunter is convinced that someone is trying to kill him. With the help of Torie and his friend Ethan, Hunt looks for those answers. This is a great beginning to a new series. The story is interesting, well-paced, and holds the reader’s attention. There is mystery, danger, suspect relatives, and sketchy visitors. There is also a great picture of village life. Best of all, there is a lovely romance between Hunter and Torie. With the exception of the villain(s), the characters are relatable and likeable. Hunt and Torie fit together perfectly. Torie’s grandmother, Hunter’s grandfather, and Ethan are charming. There is a twist or two, but in the end, the mystery is solved and there is a happily ever after, or two. Enjoyable read.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
804 reviews8 followers
January 30, 2023
Suspense, intrigue, betrayal, and of course love are foremost in Laura Landon’s A Willowbrook Miracle. Victoria Crawley (Torie) finds a seriously injured man on her way home from her neighbors. She brings him home and nurses him back to health. Once they realize the injured man is Hunt Melbourne, the grandson of the neighbor the Duke of Willowbrook and he was shot, they know there are nefarious plans in the works. Torie and Hunt become close as he heals and they, along with his friend Ethan, plan how to overcome the plot to murder him and his grandfather.

I loved Torie, she is strong and not afraid to stand up for herself or those who need help. Hunt is a wonderful Hero, who falls for Torie immediately and is willing to do what it takes to keep her safe. I loved Hunt and Torie and the way they protected each other. This story flows smoothly and quickly, and I found myself riveted throughout the book. I enjoyed getting to know Torie’s grandmama and Hunt’s grandfather (and their relationship). The town is charming, and I’m looking forward to seeing Ethan and Dr. Edwards find their HEA. This is a fabulous start to a new series. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,030 reviews17 followers
January 22, 2023
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion*

Laura Landon is a new author for me so I really had no idea what to expect from this book and found that I really enjoyed it. Torie has a pretty interesting backstory and definitely not what I was expecting given an early reference she makes to her time in London. I'm hoping we get to see Frances in one of the future books to be sure she gets the happy ending she deserves as well. I liked that the romance between Torie and Hunter grew over time rather than announcing their feelings to one another the moment Hunter was recovered. The attempted murder mystery added some extra drama but was solved so quickly you were more just waiting to see how the guilty parties would be outed and/or taken care of. It felt like more pages were used in establishing the series and other characters we will meet along the way than in developing the making the bad guys part of the story. The writing is good and the pacing perfect which made for a quick read (but I would have happily read a little more to stay with these characters). I am really looking forward to what future books have in store!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anushka.
119 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2023
*This review is based on an ARC received from NetGalley*

3.5 STARS!!!!

'A Willowbrook Miracle' is a lovely, low-stakes but high-action novella about kind-hearted yet headstrong Torie and ex-armyman Hunter who has a target on his forehead - someone's trying to kill him!

What I liked - It has a 'who did this to my lady' moment - what more could you want. Mix that with some awesome sickbed scenes and loads of kissing - perfect!
What I didn't like - Just one issue - sometimes there were little ' modern-isms' of speech that became rather jarring!

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley!
Profile Image for Avril Hemingway.
1,012 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2023
A great start to a new series. The story is well paced and both Hunt & Torie are great character's They were attracted to each other from their first meeting & those feelings developed & deepened, making for a lovely romance which is very sweet and clean.. There’s also a hint of mystery and drama until things are resolved. The secondary characters are also well portrayed and I can't wait for Ethan's story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,690 reviews15 followers
January 28, 2023
Such a heartwarming story with fantastic main and secondary characters. Characters written with depth that you felt you knew them forever.

Story filled with suspense, violence, intrigue, twists, romance and is clean with kisses only. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA and a sweet epilogue a couple months in the future.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some other tidbits to decide to purchase. (ljb)
Profile Image for Petula.
3,131 reviews90 followers
February 4, 2023
Lady Victoria Crawley was sent to stay with her grandmother in disgrace. It's turning into the happiest time of her life. The older generation can be very good company. Excitement can also happen in the quietest places.

Hunter Melbourne didn't think he would be in more danger coming home than when he was at war.

This is historical romance filled with fabulous characters and a good mystery to solve. There is plenty of excitement while our characters are dodging bullets.  

Great fun.
240 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2023
A very good read. I really enjoyed reading it. It kept me engaged right up to the end even though I knew who the Villain was. I am looking forward to her next book. I have quiet a few of her books. In Think my favorite of hers so far is “The Silent Revenge”.
142 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2023
Good book

It was a sweet romance full of love. Also had a good mystery plot to it. Was well written and very good loved it
666 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2023
Hunter and Victoria were great characters. Victoria was strong, outspoken, and beautiful. Hunter was TDH and very wealthy. In addition to a sweet romance was a mystery regarding someone trying to murder Hunter. Always enjoy reading books by Ms. Landon and would recommend this book to a friend.
762 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2023
Hunt and Torrie

They make a wonderful couple. Each one looked after the other was shot and were dedicated. They will make lovely parents.
110 reviews
July 22, 2023
A lovely story of hope, love and pain. I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of the mid 1800’s. Happy Ending are a gift in this world of many sad ones!
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,013 reviews11 followers
January 19, 2024
The story starts out with her taking care of him and ends with him taking care of her. There is a symmetry to this love story that is heading towards an HEA if they don’t get killed in the meantime. Lots of bullets and hearts flying about in this enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews