Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Runner and the Runaway
SERIES: The Perdition Club
AUTHOR: Merry Farmer
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 128 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2022
BLURB:
Welcome to The Perdition Club, where roles are reversed and nothing is what it seems…
Theophilus Brunner is one of the toughest Bow Street Runners in London…but his life and fortunes hang by a thread. He is caught between his duty to bring down Perdition as a den of sin, and his unrequited fascination with Giles, Perdition’s most popular—and wickedest—attraction. With his financial situation in ruins, if he doesn’t follow the orders of his superiors, he could end up back in the poorhouse, where he spent his childhood, which would crush his spirit forever.
Giles might be renowned as Perdition’s most amiable angel now, but he once lived quite a different life. When he agrees to help Theo solve a blackmailing scheme so that the handsome, heartbreaking runner can keep his professional position, that past turns out to be the key to Theo’s salvation. But will exposing the truth of who he truly is condemn Giles to a life of horror? And will it be worth it if his darling runner is saved?
An MM Regency romance full of wicked teasing, a bear who takes himself too seriously, following the right people to the wrong place, three little sisters that shouldn’t be messed with, and an act of sacrifice that leads to an unexpected twist of fortune.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level – Very Super Steamy! This is an MM Romance, so don’t say you weren’t warned.
REVIEW:
Note: There are some off page triggers here that aren’t part of the blurb – past sexual abuse of a minor by a family member. Loss of home/family and death of a sibling due to gambling and poverty.
Theo, who we met in the first book in this series, is a Bow Street Runner. He’s been tasked with two cases. The first is to close down the notorious gaming hell, Perdition. The second is to find the potential blackmailer of a high ranking government official. Sadly he’s not having much luck doing either 🙁 He does spend a lot of time stalking Perdition – but that’s because he’s become enamored by the beautiful Giles, one of the prostitutes he saw when he was there on a case.
Giles is equally smitten with Theo who he has spied across the street multiple times keeping an eye on the place – or rather on him 😉 He decides to approach Theo just as Theo is desperate to make progress on one of the cases. Giles intimates that he might be able to help, but of course he cannot divulge anything he has learned in his work at Perdition 😉
The owners of Perdition are unhappy to have the biggest and most intimidating Bow Street Runner staking out their establishment as it is potentially hurting business. Giles endeavors to figure out what makes Theo tick and so he comes up with a plan. It seems however that his “plan” results in some unwelcome surprises about who Theo might ultimately be after. But ultimately, his bigger plan may solve two problems simultaneously for both himself and for Theo if they work together to bring down the villain of the piece.
Oh this was a delicious little tale! Giles has been an intriguing character since he was introduced. It was clear that Theo was interested in him from their first meeting. Theo is a real dichotomy in that he is this big grumpy bear of a man with a marshmallow heart. Giles is a sunshiny sprite of thing that really does light up a room – and Theo’s heart. Both have had really difficult pasts and they feel a lot of empathy and anger for what the other has gone through. There is trauma there for both of them. They’ve gotten on with it and are doing their best, but it would be so much better if they could possibly do that together and have that stable and trustworthy support. It’s clear that Theo would do anything for Giles, but it becomes more clear that Giles wants to help Theo too! The rest of the Perdition club staff get in on the act as well as they of course love and support Giles not just as an “employee” but as a member of their little family. I adored how they all came together to support the plan and the aftermath too! Is it tropey? Sure. Is it instalovey? Of course. Is it a great deal of fun to watch these two come together? You bet. If you’ve enjoyed this series up to now, I think you will definitely enjoy this tale of Giles and Theo getting their HEA. My only complaint? I wanted more! They are so sweet together and I just want them to be happy.
RATING: 
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