Escape and Freedom

By: Claire Highton-Stevenson

Narrated by: Sarah Sampino

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2018 Claire Stevenson (P)2019 Claire Stevenson

Excellent story and narration!

Even with the subjects of domestic violence and survivor guilt and healing from a serious accident being a partial factors in this story, it’s not too scary and it’s mostly about goodness and love triumphing! Enjoyed the love-creates-a-family aspect of this story! Highly recommended! And I’m looking forward to listening to more stories by this author and narrator!

So darn emotionally sweet

This book was so heartfelt. It was full of emotions and sooo sweet. I cried from sadness, I cried from the sweet happiness and of course I laughed as well. The only thing I could complain about was Lucy's family not given the chance to be apart of her new life.
The Narrator was so so good!

Changed my perspective

It always impresses me when an author can change directions with the storyline’s and this one was very different than the Dyer stories!!

I very much enjoyed Lucy’s journey through out and how powerful innocent minds can connect. And Lucy was an innocent as was Storm. I loved that these two individuals wove around family, Nicole and shared experiences to create the foundation for new beginnings.

Recommend this one but be prepared there may be some tissue needed.

OMG, I loved this audiobook!

I listened to this story as an audiobook. It was excellent! The narrator, Sarah Sampino, is new to me. She's good! I fell in love with all the characters, especially Storm and Lucy, and felt for all their histories. I loved seeing them all become a family. I loved all the interactions. I loved the ending. The whole book was just very heartwarming in spite of some of the circumstances. But I don't think the story is a second chance romance in the true sense of the trope, in case that matters to anyone.

I did wonder about a few things. What happened to the empty cabin? And how did they handle their identities? And I know it's hard with kids, but their names are very distinctive, so why didn't they try harder to hide them?

It's really hard to judge the author based on an audiobook. I heard a few things that I wasn't sure about, but overall I didn't really hear any errors. There were a few Britishisms, but that's to be expected with one character and the author being British.

This is totally a new favorite audiobook. I may try to read the book at some point, but I so enjoyed the audiobook that I may just go back to that.

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🎧

This is an Amazing Book!

I read Escape and Freedom when it first came out, and I loved it. Claire Highton-Stevenson can always be counted on for a great book, and this is no exception.

The book opens with the back story of one of the main characters. Lucy is a rising pop star with a girlfriend she is in love with. She suffers a major tragedy, moves to Lake Tahoe, California, and becomes a recluse.

Years later, Nicole and her children are on the run from her abusive husband. She moves into a cabin near Lucy. At first the children and Nicole avoid Lucy. Eventually, though, apprehension gives way to friendship via Nicole’s oldest daughter, Storm.

Storm and Lucy become friends first, and this causes Lucy start opening her heart to this family. I loved how the relationship between Storm and Lucy really was the catalyst for Lucy and Nicole’s healing and growth. Both these women were damaged and were ultimately able to help one another heal. It is such an exceptionally beautiful story.

The narration was good. I felt like Sara Sampino did a good job with distinguishing voices, and her narration of the kids was spot on. She did emphasize some words that made the dialogue between Lucy and Nicole a little stiff at times, but it did not take away from the story, and it was still very enjoyable to listen to.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, and in many ways the audio enhances it. It will definitely be one of the books that lives near the top of my library so I can listen to it periodically.

Loved this book

5 stars all the way. I could relate to this story so much. My wife and sister In law lived the life of Nicole. I was very similar to Lucy. This hit home in so many ways. I cried a lot during this story, happy tears and more. Ty for an amazing story.

excellent story

I truly enjoyed this book - engaging and well narrated - really worth a listen

Great Story

Great story with lots of potential. A little more character and plot development would have made this book absolutely spectacular. Narration was ok, but tone was a bit flat for my tastes. Overall, a good book.

Wishing for more

I love how the author portrays the characters and scenery. In a quiet atmosphere I can almost picture every detail she reads out. It was such a hauntingly beautiful story.