THE ESCAPE is Book three in Mary Balogh's Survivors/ Club series. I was able to enjoy this story without being confused, in spite of having never read the previous books in this series. Mary Balogh gives enough background information, in the opening chapters, for a reader new to the series to understand the characters and the circumstances of their lives. I loved reading THE ESCAPE, and it is exactly the type of book that has made me a Mary Balogh fan over the years.

Sir Benedict Harper and Samantha McKay have an inauspicious first meeting with a near collision. It's a little reminiscent of the classic first meeting between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. There's a horse and a dog involved and some cursing. Little do they know that meeting each other will not only turn out turn out to be one of the best things to happen in their lives, but their budding friendship will prove to be a catalyst for both of them.

Their lives were both touched by the Napoleonic Wars. He became crippled and has difficulty walking for long periods of time, and her husband was severely injured and suffered for a number of years before finally dying some months ago. I like that, as with many other books by Mary Balogh, the hero and heroine become friends and cultivate a relationship before any sexual intimacy happens. That being said, having built up a strong connection between Ben and Samantha, the romantic and passionate moments have a greater intensity for me.

I love the whole idea of Ben and Samantha making their escape together, making a secret journey to Wales and making it somewhat of an adventure with an uncertain outcome. Even though Ben goes along primarily to assist a lady in a difficult situation, I like that they very often treat each other as equals and acknowledge that they both long for freedom and some bit of happiness and fulfillment. I appreciate that in most of the Mary Balogh books I've read, including THE ESCAPE, happiness is not some happily- ever-after perfection, but rather a state of mind usually brought on after attaining self-awareness and a sense of purpose.

I enjoyed the secondary story involving Samantha's maternal family and everything she discovers when she finally gets to Wales. There is no filler in THE ESCAPE. The beginning, middle, and end kept my interest and makes for a fun reading experience. The supporting characters are just as great as the hero and heroine. I adored Samantha's faithful dog, Tramp.

THE ESCAPE is full of excitement, adventure, and enchanting romance. The main characters are so well-developed, and Mary Balogh does such a wonderful job giving the reader a window into their thoughts, that by the end of the book you feel as though you know them intimately. I can't wait for the next book in this excellent series!