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Escape and Freedom
Summary
Two women escaping their own demons. One stuck in the past, the other a very real present.
Lucy Owens’ life was irrevocably changed in a matter of seconds. Life as she knew it was over in the blink of an eye. Moving away from all that she knew, Lucy now lives a solitary life in her cabin on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Filled with guilt and pain, she keeps herself to herself, and for years she manages to avoid immersing back into society.
Nicole Granger has three small children to worry about. Always looking over her shoulder, they arrive at the lake with very little to call their own. Haunted by years of physical abuse, she longs to belong again, to bring normality to her girls’ lives for the first time.
Both women are pulled towards one another in an attraction that could bring both of them their freedom.
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- lous
- 28-06-20
Brilliant!! didn't want it to end
Had already read the book but felt compelled to listen to it brought to life. The narrator breathed life into all the characters, my favourites being Storm and Lucy. Was so engrossed in listening to this book while driving to and from work that the 45 min journey felt like 15!!! Would love it if there was a sequel. A MUST read. Well done Claire
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sarah
- 10-03-20
Got me in the feels!
Claire Highton-Stevenson gets better with every book she publishes. I've tried to read a few of her books, but her earlier stuff just didn't grab me. This one, which I'm very fond of, is probably made even better by the reader, who has a lovely, gentle, empathetic style that fits the subject matter and my feelings towards it perfectly. Neither the prose, nor the reader are perfect; there are a few too many uses of the word 'tresses' and 'orbs' for my taste, and the reader makes a couple of emphasis errors. But, otherwise this is certainly worth a credit. It's a go to book for me right now, I've listened a few times. The subject matter hits very close to home for me, so I kind of love it for the treatment of that... The story is certainly full of emotion, honesty and bravery. Thanks Claire! ❤️
1 person found this helpful
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- Amber mahieu
- 12-02-20
Story keeps you on the edge of your seat
This well written and narrated story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every time you think all is good it takes another turn.
The title perfectly describes the story. This book is highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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- Rowan
- 30-01-20
Brilliant book
This is a lovely story of a life devastated and love saving them. I couldn’t put it down, wonderfully read and gripping right until the end. A must read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kaz B
- 14-01-20
Superb
Super story by this great author and super narration. I loved listening to this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Beni Pardy
- 15-12-19
Gritty Romantic Suspense story.
I'm not really into romance novels in a big way, but having read a couple of the author's other books I decided to give this book a try on audio. Ms Highton-Stevenson can certainly put a story together! With some romances it's all about girl meets girl, fall instantly in love, have sex, have a misunderstanding, fall out of love, then miraculously get together, more sex and a HEA. Not this book, yes there was some sex scenes and a HEA, but, most important of all, there was a gritty story that kept you listening. The characters were imperfect scarred women who came over very well and the children were endearing (perhaps I'm a bit biased being a Grandmother of 3 gorgeous little girls, the younger two being twins).
The story was about two women who'd really been through the mill in an earlier life and had come upon each other by chance. It was about them learning to trust again and little by little letting their guard down until eventually they were able to love again.
The narration suited the story and certainly was paced well for moving the story along. Though I'll never get used to the American pronunciation of the word shone. I guess it's similar to the mispronunciation of the word scone!
All in all I found the story really gripping!
1 person found this helpful
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- Mandy
- 22-08-19
Loved it
Great book we'll narrated. Had me hooked from the first page. Bloody marvelous. Why haven't you got this? I highly recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-08-19
Brilliant romance
Loved the twists and turns of this dramatic romance story full of great characters that kept me gripped beginning to end.
1 person found this helpful
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- Foxy
- 19-07-19
Couldn't Stop Listening
This book had me hooked from the start to end, I couldn't stop listening to it. The characters were well written, Lucy and Nicole have got their own past and they come together and help each other through the pain to happiness.
The narrator did a fantastic job of all the character voices.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jessica71208
- 09-06-19
I'm like anything I've read before in the best way
I play Love this book because it was like nothing else I have ever listened to before. I feel like this book can connect to so many different people because of the major issues that it covers such as abuse an issues regarding sexuality. The women in this book while both struggling with their own issues connect on a level that in a way help heal each other. I also feel that one of the women having two children both affects how they dealt with issues and how they both overcame some issues. I just can't express enough how much I really enjoyed this book I was completely hooked from the beginning and love how it came together in the end. I both enjoyed the listening aspect as much as the story itself.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bette
- 31-05-19
Awesome Story & Listen🎧 Beautiful & Heartfelt!
This is a beautiful, well written and well told story. that captivated my my heart and my mind from start to end. Claire Highton-Stevenson created interesting storylines and characters that are complex and well developed. There are heartfelt and heart wrenching moments in this story that just tug at your heartstrings. Lucy Owens lost so much after a devastating and tragic accident, her love, her friends, her happiness and will to enjoy life and live. She becomes an empty shell and moves to a new location and chooses to a reclusive life, away from her life before the accident. Her guilt and memories are just too painful. Nicole’s husband is abusive and controlling, she finds the courage to run away from him, taking her three children with her to safety. She decides to move into a cabin near a lake to hide away for awhile. Her daughter Storm befriends their quiet and mysterious neighbor, Lucy. I just loved how Storm started to bring Lucy out of her shell, also loved how her friendship developed with Nicole and the bond they had. I thought they were great for each other, each had their own demons and they were able to help each rid of them. It was awesome how Lucy stepped up and handled Nicole’s husband, I loved how protective she was of Nicole and the children. I highly recommend this heartfelt story, it is high on emotions and drama but the payoff is just awesome. Watching these characters rise above all the pain and suffering life had thrown at them and learning to live and be happy again is so worth it. Thank you Claire Highton-Stevenson for this great story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the talented Sarah Sampino. She is a wonderful and versatile voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality. I loved her British accent too, it sounded natural and well spoked. She also does an awesome job at projecting the emotions of the characters and the drama of the story in her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen🎧
9 people found this helpful
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- PRS58
- 19-05-19
Happiness comes in all life's moments.
This story of true courage with redemptive love captured my soul. Lucy and Nicole have been thru so much but there journey together restores so much more. Claire Highton Stevenson has once again created characters who capture your heart. Such a good read.
5 people found this helpful
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- Micki
- 17-06-19
Grabs you and does not let go!
This book was thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end. It was a guilty pleasure waiting to happen. Pausing this book was torture and I hated to see it end. Watching this family come together and help each other grow, my heart swelled and broke with them. The author put me right there, feeling their pain, their joy, their anticipation. The narrator pulled the right emotions out of me through the entire book. Thank you for this.
3 people found this helpful
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- Hayde
- 24-05-19
Loved it!
“A great narrator is one who's voice allows you to become immersed in the story and never think about the narrator themselves”... This is how I felt listening to this particular audiobook. Which I’m thrilled to have had that chance. I really loved the book and wasn’t sure how well the audiobook version would play out. Accents can be tricky and sometimes throws the story off if not done well...(one of the main characters has a British accent) well, needless to say, Sarah Sampino was Spot On with her Narration and I couldn’t have been more pleased. Bravo to the Author for a well written, heart felt story and for giving us a glimpse into these great characters she has brought to us in this amazing book.
3 people found this helpful
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- dreamer
- 17-05-19
Enjoyable story
Two damaged people finding their way back to happiness, with a decent build-up and just a bit too much drama for my taste. But it wasn't an unbelievable plot.
I suspect most listeners will love it, the narrator was a good fit for the story.
I listened to the whole audiobook in one day.
3 people found this helpful
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- CLo
- 22-08-19
enjoyable
I remember reading this one and liked it so I wanted to get it on Audible. I'm always weary of narrators I dont know but this one was narrated well. if you have the credits, liked the book, or want an easy listen give this one a try.
2 people found this helpful
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- Victoria Schwimley
- 08-06-19
Great example of what love should be
I absolutely loved this story. We fall in love with a person based on who that person is, and no one has the right to judge that. And when these two women meet, each is hurting because of a great loss. One is recovering emotionally from an accident that took everything she had, including her career, her lover and her looks. The other is running from a man she thought she once loved but who turned out to be an abuser. I have great respect and empathy for the LGBT community that must fight against prejudice to be together. This author did a great job in showing how two women's support of each other's pain and attraction to each other grew into a great love, creating a family three children never had. It's not just a love story though. There is plenty of action when the ex-husband shows up trying to claim what he believes is his, and lots of moments of suspense. I've become quite a fan of Sarah Sampino's reading skills. She has a great voice and produces a quality recording. Thank you Sarah, for gifting me a review copy of this book. I highly recommend this story.
2 people found this helpful
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- LH -Tygeren
- 15-01-20
Love Heals Scars!
Tragedy to a beautiful love story. Totally grabs you from the very beginning! Handled difficult subjects in a sensitive way. Loved the humor too, especially the twins! Hadn't read it prior to listening to the audiobook. So awestruck by all the voices of Sarah Sampino, fantastic narration, accents, Gale Force, and we totally loved it all, especially the ending!
1 person found this helpful
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- charity johnson
- 01-11-19
great story..
fell in love with every character! narration was excellent, and im very tough on narrators!
1 person found this helpful
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- JT
- 15-09-19
Intense and amazing
Claire Highton-Stevenson took several real up close and personal issues that folks experience and intertwined them creating an incredible novel. The personalities are well developed and totally believable. The tragedy and intensity of the story and the relationships that spring from it make for a wonderful read. The last few chapters are intense and harrowing....see for yourself. No spoiler from me.This is an engrossing read. I listened to the entire book in roughly 12 hours. Sarah Sampino's narration is spot on and brings both color and emotion to the novel. Worth noting is that there is some violence in this novel. Some folks may find it difficult. I am now adding Claire Highton-Stevenson's books to my TBR list.
1 person found this helpful