Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Dell (2014), Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Description
"After surviving the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Benedict Harper is struggling to move on, his body and spirit in need of a healing touch. Never does Ben imagine that hope will come in the form of a beautiful woman who has seen her own share of suffering. After the lingering death of her husband, Samantha McKay is at the mercy of her oppressive in-laws--until she plots an escape to distant Wales to claim a house she has inherited. Being a gentleman, Ben insists that he escort her on the fateful journey. Ben wants Samantha as much as she wants him, but he is cautious. What can a wounded soul offer any woman? Samantha is ready to go where fate takes her, to leave behind polite society and even propriety in her desire for this handsome, honorable soldier. But dare she offer her bruised heart as well as her body? The answers to both their questions may be found in an unlikely place: in each other's arms."--from cover, page [4].… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member LibStaff2
4.5 Stars
The Escape is the best one of Balogh's Survivor's Club series so far! The MCs are smart, sexy, and likeable. Samantha may be a damsel in distress but she is not weak. Ben is a wounded veteran but not handicapped nor does he become a victim. Beautiful scenery and a good rhythm to the story.
Net Galley Feedback
The Escape is the best one of Balogh's Survivor's Club series so far! The MCs are smart, sexy, and likeable. Samantha may be a damsel in distress but she is not weak. Ben is a wounded veteran but not handicapped nor does he become a victim. Beautiful scenery and a good rhythm to the story.
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This series keeps getting better. For romance fans, especially readers who love historical romance.Net Galley Feedback
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LibraryThing member Janet126
In "The Escape", the third installment in Mary Balogh’s Survivor's Club Series, two disparate yet ultimately kindred souls find each other in a tender and gripping story in which love turns mere survival into triumph. Major Sir Benedict Harper, a crippled war hero, finds himself literally and
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metaphorically on a journey with war widow Samantha McKay; they are both searching for a way to make their lives meaningful. "The Escape" is a beautiful, moving spin on the classic road trip, with an appealing hero and heroine who grow and develop as they become more confident in their love. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member JulieD2
This is a story of Ben, a soldier physically recovering after been injured in the Peninsular war and returning to life as an civilian. He has to come to terms with the fact that his career is now over, and use the aid of canes in an attempt to walk.
Samantha Kay is a young widow who has experience
After Ben and Samantha meet a very tender relationship develops and I loved how the story progresses for them both and shows how they can live again. This is a very touching story.
Samantha Kay is a young widow who has experience
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with nursing after looking after her husband for several years. Her life has been very repressed by her in-laws as they keep her financially dependant on them, she longs for freedom.After Ben and Samantha meet a very tender relationship develops and I loved how the story progresses for them both and shows how they can live again. This is a very touching story.
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
An excellent addition to Balogh's Survivor's Club series.
Sir Benedict Harper has painfully learned to walk again with the help of two canes. But he has finally, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that he will never be able to return to the army. Samantha McKay's husband recently succumbed to his
A very affecting romance.
Sir Benedict Harper has painfully learned to walk again with the help of two canes. But he has finally, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that he will never be able to return to the army. Samantha McKay's husband recently succumbed to his
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lingering wounds. Now his straitlaced sister is insisting that deep mourning requires restricting themselves to the close confines of the house, with no visitors of any kind. Ben's quest for a way to occupy himself usefully meets Samantha's need to be free, leading to unexpected answers for both of them.A very affecting romance.
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LibraryThing member katieKofemug
Ms. Balogh has seldom disappointed me and certainly not with this book! Her writing is generously paced, characters completely explored and evidence of their growth is laudable.
Samantha's re-awakening to the world and life is a delight to read, the dialog fun and secondary characters believable
Yes, yes, as the blurb implies, they had discreet sex - took a glorious break from time and allowed themselves to feel pleasure, to feel loved, to feel able to give love; but it was *not* the answer to their future, thank you O so much Ms. Balogh for living up to your work, not down to the blurb! These two people were connected by friendship and mutual understanding before they were connected by intimate relations. The descriptions of said passion were romantic and amusing and lovely.
Their declarations, the joy they both bring to their commitment to one another is what lasts in memory of this book. You do not doubt the happily ever after will be much more than they envision, for better or worse, in sickness and in health ... they will find a way to enjoy the moments together.
My only quibble is the Book Cover. With earnest apologies to Ms.Balogh and her lovely story, this would have been a five star book, except for the cover. And boy ... howdy, it makes my blood boil. The series is The Survivors Club. These men and women endured the worst of war and in Ben's case, were visibly scared and physically challenged.
The gross supposition that we can READ about scarred individuals, the hard work of recovery, and the precious gift that love is ... but cannot look at it and part with our hard earned money is an infuriating reflection of society so many writers mock for being unable to bear the site of the wounded.
Aside from my quibble. I recommend this book and encourage you to read the short novella at the end as well, it is a charming story - read it first if you prefer, I did! For myself, I will wait for the series to be completed and the reissues with covers more in keeping with the empathetic tone of the work and the dignity of survivors as well as respect for readers.
Read my complete review at Pagetraveler blogspot
I received a NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha's re-awakening to the world and life is a delight to read, the dialog fun and secondary characters believable
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and well drawn. The romance was perfect. Not rushed, not tarnished by outside conflicts or smothered by internal struggles. Ben and Samantha were true to themselves while mindful of proprieties. They skated on very thin ice in several places, but not beyond the pale, a rare pleasure in romance land these days. The plot was plausible, if a little strained toward the end. I'm not a real believer in the absence makes the heart grow fonder thing - but for these characters at that time, it worked. That they found their answers in themselves, before completely embracing each other is what I appreciated most about the book. Along with the fact they were both thoughtful regarding the other person's feelings - even when a harsh word was exchanged - was classic Ms. Balogh that keeps me re-reading her many, many books on my keeper list.Yes, yes, as the blurb implies, they had discreet sex - took a glorious break from time and allowed themselves to feel pleasure, to feel loved, to feel able to give love; but it was *not* the answer to their future, thank you O so much Ms. Balogh for living up to your work, not down to the blurb! These two people were connected by friendship and mutual understanding before they were connected by intimate relations. The descriptions of said passion were romantic and amusing and lovely.
Their declarations, the joy they both bring to their commitment to one another is what lasts in memory of this book. You do not doubt the happily ever after will be much more than they envision, for better or worse, in sickness and in health ... they will find a way to enjoy the moments together.
My only quibble is the Book Cover. With earnest apologies to Ms.Balogh and her lovely story, this would have been a five star book, except for the cover. And boy ... howdy, it makes my blood boil. The series is The Survivors Club. These men and women endured the worst of war and in Ben's case, were visibly scared and physically challenged.
The gross supposition that we can READ about scarred individuals, the hard work of recovery, and the precious gift that love is ... but cannot look at it and part with our hard earned money is an infuriating reflection of society so many writers mock for being unable to bear the site of the wounded.
Aside from my quibble. I recommend this book and encourage you to read the short novella at the end as well, it is a charming story - read it first if you prefer, I did! For myself, I will wait for the series to be completed and the reissues with covers more in keeping with the empathetic tone of the work and the dignity of survivors as well as respect for readers.
Read my complete review at Pagetraveler blogspot
I received a NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
The Peninsula Wars in the early 19th century sent soldiers home with various types of injuries and Mary Balogh has taken a group with different types of injuries and banded them together into a club. They convalesced together and so they meet for several weeks each year to see the progress each has
The ESCAPE is the story of Sir Benedict Harper whose legs were crushed when his horse fell on him in battle and though he can only walk with the help of canes, he had hoped for a full recovery. Believe that impossible now after several years, he visits his sister and meets Samantha McKay, a widow.
What follows is a classic bodice ripper but so much fun!
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made in reclaiming their lives. The ESCAPE is the story of Sir Benedict Harper whose legs were crushed when his horse fell on him in battle and though he can only walk with the help of canes, he had hoped for a full recovery. Believe that impossible now after several years, he visits his sister and meets Samantha McKay, a widow.
What follows is a classic bodice ripper but so much fun!
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LibraryThing member LissaJ
4.5 stars
I have read many historical romances this summer and this may rank as my favorite so far. This is a true love story in every sense of the word. Major Sir Benedict Harper meets Samantha when his horse almost lands on her after jumping a hedge. This contentious start sets them up for a
I have read many historical romances this summer and this may rank as my favorite so far. This is a true love story in every sense of the word. Major Sir Benedict Harper meets Samantha when his horse almost lands on her after jumping a hedge. This contentious start sets them up for a
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beautiful friendship as both attempt to find their place after surviving tragedy. Samantha is recently widowed after serving as nurse for her demanding injured husband for many years. Ben, also severely injured by war, has spent the past years recovering and coping and now must decide how to live the rest of his life. These are realistic and extremely likable characters whose relationship builds as the book progresses. Overall, this is a well written, beautifully plotted historical romance. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Show Less
LibraryThing member 4leschats
When Samantha escapes from her home for a brief walk, she is nearly run over by a jumping horse ridden by Benedict, the Survivor whose legs were crushed during the war. Benedict is so startled that he is less than a gentleman leading to the common romance friction. However, when Samantha's in-laws
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threaten to remove her to their estate, she turns to Ben to flee to her own cottage inherited from her mother's family. For genre fiction, Balogh does a nice job of creating unique characters and situations even if some of the resolutions are a bit too pat, we read these types of novels for the happy endings. Show Less
LibraryThing member keeneam
The Escape was a good book, after reading some many romances in it is once once in a while to see a couple slowly fall in love. It remind me a tiny bit of Pride and Prejudice, with just a wing of modernization. I loved Ben and Samantha together.
LibraryThing member Lisa_Wojcik49
A better story line than many I have read in the recent past when it comes to romance novels. Believable story and likeable characters. Still mostly formulaic with regards to the genre though. I am still waiting for the next great romance novel, I haven't read any that compare to some of the ones
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that came out two and three decades ago. An enjoyable, quick read. Show Less
LibraryThing member caittilynn
The next in the Survivor's Club from Mary Balogh, this novel was quite interesting. It pairs Sir Benedict Harper, a man who persevered to walk again after being gravely wounded with Samantha McKay, a recent widow who spent years talking care of her wounded husband. In order to escape the oppressive
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clutches of her in-laws, Samantha sets off to Wales in search of an inheritance with Benedict at her side to provide protection. While both are wounded in different ways, they will only be able to claim the future they both want if they can learn to trust in each other. This was a great read, with well crafted characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member sheiladh
The latest romance from Mary Balogh is as good as all the rest of Ms. Balogh’s stories. The Escape is the third book in The Survivors’ Club series. I haven’t read the first two but that didn’t impact reading the third one.
The Survivor’s Club is a support group of seven people wounded in
The story evolves slowly but surely and I was very anxious along the way that things might not turn out the way I wanted them to. At one point I even thought that there wouldn’t be a Happily Ever After! But everything does turn out happily for Samantha and Benedict. There’s a wonderful scene near the end where they realize a dream they both shared. There are some surprising plot twists along the way and some family secrets that come to light. But Ms. Balogh does this with her usual skill so it all happens naturally and believably.
I would recommend this book for Balogh fans and for those who have never read any of her books.
The Survivor’s Club is a support group of seven people wounded in
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the Napoleonic wars. At first I thought a support group was a recent concept that didn’t really fit the time period, but Ms. Balogh’s nineteenth century version makes sense in this context. The hero of this book, Benedict, is one of the Survivors. His physical wounds are healed as best as they can be but his emotional wounds are not. He is drifting through life trying to reconcile himself to the fact that the life he had planned will never be. The heroine, Samantha, is also damaged. Samantha doesn’t have physical wounds but her life so far has left scars. Their story is one of two people who are determined to not give up on life when everything, and everyone, insists that they should. One of the things I like most about Ms. Balogh’s books is that her characters are intelligent. This holds true for Samantha and Benedict. Samantha is not one to adhere to society’s rules and customs. The story evolves slowly but surely and I was very anxious along the way that things might not turn out the way I wanted them to. At one point I even thought that there wouldn’t be a Happily Ever After! But everything does turn out happily for Samantha and Benedict. There’s a wonderful scene near the end where they realize a dream they both shared. There are some surprising plot twists along the way and some family secrets that come to light. But Ms. Balogh does this with her usual skill so it all happens naturally and believably.
I would recommend this book for Balogh fans and for those who have never read any of her books.
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LibraryThing member reesa00
For me this felt like a different book than the rest of the survivors series. I as really excited for this book as the hero intrigued me a lot based on the earlier books. However, a lot of his development has happened before the story and before the series. So, while I thought this was a good story
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about Ben and Samantha, to me, it lacked some of the depth of the earlier books in the Survivors series. Its definitely important to read for the series but it was lacking something special that made up the earlier books. Show Less
LibraryThing member dwingomitc
This novel is 3 of a wonderful series. The author's vision to unite two individuals crippled physically and mentally from things out of their control. Ben was a handsome man crippled in the war and Samantha was handicapped mentally by her deceased husband and his family. They took a chance on each
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other. Ben's ability to assist Sam to escape her in-laws allowed them both a freedom. It gave Ben a chance to see his life from someone else's eyes and he was loved in spite of. Sam found true love with a man not looking for it. I really enjoyed this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member gincam
A near-miss accident by horseback leads to a collision of hearts and souls that will forever change two lives in "The Escape", Book Three in author Mary Balogh's "The Survivor's Club Series". Sir Benedict Harper's service in the Napoleonic Wars left him wounded in body and soul--his legs forever
Review Copy Gratis Library Thing
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weakened and maimed. After years of emotional drifting and feeling as though he was a ship without a sail, Ben tells his fellow members of the Survivor's Club--all greatly affected by the war--that it is time for him to move forward. Beautiful young widow Samantha McKay is also a survivor, having acted as nurse as her husband lingered for five years from his own war wounds. His death gave him final release, but Samantha remained trapped by the confines of family duty and societal restrictions. Ben and Samantha have a fateful meeting when he almost tramples her with his horse as she and her dog walk along the countryside. After an angry exchange, the two part ways, and Ben later realizes that he must apologize for his behavior. Eventually, the two form a friendship of sorts, and when Samantha makes plans to steal away to a little inherited cottage in Wales, Ben reluctantly accompanies her for her protection. But who will protect their reputations? A mutual attraction sparked by snappy banter leads to a deeply passionate affair--one that takes them both by surprise, leaving them caught in a spell of mutual pleasure in each other's company. Reality must intrude, however, and the lovers go their separate ways. The truest desires of two yearning hearts cannot go unanswered for long--is there a way for Ben and Samantha to escape the lingering confinements of the past and break free for a bright and happy future together? A lovely romance from Mary Balogh that contains the charming bonus novella "The Suitor".Review Copy Gratis Library Thing
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LibraryThing member dolphari
Crippled Ben Harper becomes cautious friends with widowed Samantha. When her controlling in-laws decree that she must return to the family estate so they can ensure she mourns properly, she plans to flee to a cottage that she inherited through her mother. Ben accompanies her, and during the journey
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they fall in love. Samantha discovers she has a grandfather, and learns of the rift in her mother's family, due to misunderstandings and unforgiveness. Samantha's grandfather offers Ben a job, and gives them each time to find their own freedom and self-confidence, before deciding to marry. Good as all her books are, but not quite as engaging. Show Less
LibraryThing member TeresaInTexas
I can't rate The Escape at this time. I've picked it up and put it down many times and I can't seem to make headway into it. The characters are well-drawn, the writing is outstanding, and the story deals with topics not usually encountered in regency era romances. I think my problem is that I have
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not read the previous books in the series. For now, I'll put it aside and come back when I'm more engaged. Show Less
LibraryThing member onyx95
After the loss of her husband, Samantha McKay was forced in to an extreme version of morning by her in-laws. Still recovering or at least getting used to his limitations from injuries he sustained in the war, Sir Benedict Harper was out doing his best to be his old self when he almost trampled
Book 3... As always, I really enjoyed the continuing story of the Survivors Club. This addition to the series was no exception. I enjoyed hearing of the other survivors and how their new relationships have continued, I also am looking forward to the next installment of this series. Thank you to LibraryThing for the Early Reviewer copy of this book. MB is quickly becoming an auto buy for me.
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Samantha and her dog. Apologies given and accepted, friendships could have formed if not for the overly strict in-laws. Realizing that she needed to be out from under their control, she escaped in the night with the help of Ben. Traveling together, they get to know each other and themselves a little better. Book 3... As always, I really enjoyed the continuing story of the Survivors Club. This addition to the series was no exception. I enjoyed hearing of the other survivors and how their new relationships have continued, I also am looking forward to the next installment of this series. Thank you to LibraryThing for the Early Reviewer copy of this book. MB is quickly becoming an auto buy for me.
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LibraryThing member sheiladh
The latest romance from Mary Balogh is as good as all the rest of Ms. Balogh’s stories. The Escape is the third book in The Survivors’ Club series. I haven’t read the first two but that didn’t impact reading the third one.
The Survivor’s Club is a support group of seven people wounded in
The story evolves slowly but surely and I was very anxious along the way that things might not turn out the way I wanted them to. At one point I even thought that there wouldn’t be a Happily Ever After! But everything does turn out happily for Samantha and Benedict. There’s a wonderful scene near the end where they realize a dream they both shared. There are some surprising plot twists along the way and some family secrets that come to light. But Ms. Balogh does this with her usual skill so it all happens naturally and believably.
I would recommend this book for Balogh fans and for those who have never read any of her books.
The Survivor’s Club is a support group of seven people wounded in
Show More
the Napoleonic wars. At first I thought a support group was a recent concept that didn’t really fit the time period, but Ms. Balogh’s nineteenth century version makes sense in this context. The hero of this book, Benedict, is one of the Survivors. His physical wounds are healed as best as they can be but his emotional wounds are not. He is drifting through life trying to reconcile himself to the fact that the life he had planned will never be. The heroine, Samantha, is also damaged. Samantha doesn’t have physical wounds but her life so far has left scars. Their story is one of two people who are determined to not give up on life when everything, and everyone, insists that they should. One of the things I like most about Ms. Balogh’s books is that her characters are intelligent. This holds true for Samantha and Benedict. Samantha is not one to adhere to society’s rules and customs. The story evolves slowly but surely and I was very anxious along the way that things might not turn out the way I wanted them to. At one point I even thought that there wouldn’t be a Happily Ever After! But everything does turn out happily for Samantha and Benedict. There’s a wonderful scene near the end where they realize a dream they both shared. There are some surprising plot twists along the way and some family secrets that come to light. But Ms. Balogh does this with her usual skill so it all happens naturally and believably.
I would recommend this book for Balogh fans and for those who have never read any of her books.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Sir Benedict Harper almost lost his legs after an accident during the Napoleonic Wars and he now walks awkwardly with two sticks, he dreams of dancing. When he almost runs over Samantha McKay, in official mourning for her husband who died by inches after another incident in the NApoleonic wars, she
I liked it, loved the characters and their attitudes and wanted more.
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is yearning for a life, but her husband's family are determined to keep her under control. Then she remembers a house, what her mother referred to as a hovel, in Wales, a place that could give her freedom. The two of them begin a road trip to another future for them both.I liked it, loved the characters and their attitudes and wanted more.
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LibraryThing member nancynova
Part of the survivors series, but the books do tend to stand alone. Samantha, a young widow from a loveless marriage, is at the mercy of her Puritan minded in-laws. And if she moves to the home estate of her father-in-law, she will never be free. She decides to escape to the "hovel" in Wales that
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her late mother inherits. Accompanied by a neighbor, Ben, who was injured in the war, they embark on a platonic escapade to Wales. Only, it doesn't stay platonic, and the hovel is anything but! Show Less
LibraryThing member Conkie
In some ways this story really excels, and in others, not so much. The beginning is vintage Balogh. Laying out the story's premise, leading up to the first meeting of the 2 main characters. Excellent. I started to question whether the author was rushing the story a bit, during the phase the H/H are
Regardless, I still am looking forward to the 4th installment to this series.
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initially in Wales. The ending came on a bit too quick and therefore seemed too tidy for a Balogh book, but it was still likeable.Regardless, I still am looking forward to the 4th installment to this series.
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LibraryThing member Dawn772
This historical romance had a good plot with an endearing handicapped hero who developed an honest friendship with the heroine except for denying their future but the telling of the story was so long, slow and sometimes boring. Recently widowed Samantha is nearly run down by a horse when war
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injured Ben tries jumping a hedge. Show Less
LibraryThing member reneebooks
While I usually adore Mary Balogh this one was too drawn out. I kept waiting for something to really happen. I like this series though because it deals with the after effects of war on the men and women who survived. PTSD, crushed legs, blindness, etc. It was all handled very well and
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realistically. I liked how Balogh did not portray them as healed or cured after they find their true love, but rather the love made their life better in other ways. But this book was just too slow going. I liked Ben and Samantha both. Very well drawn characters. I found mayself skimming so it could have used about 100 fewer pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
An excellent book. Two adults protagonists -- smart, mature, and willing to go after what they want. The plot was believable for a regency. Very few inauthentic notes. The romance was very satisfying and I couldn't put it down (much).
Awards
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — Fiction — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014-07-01
Physical description
416 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
0345536061 / 9780345536068