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Claire Highton-Stevenson
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Escape & Freedom: A heartwarming second chance romance Kindle Edition

by Claire Highton-Stevenson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 852 ratings

International Book Awards finalist 2020



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.

*Also included in this E-book, is a preview of, To have Loved and Lost, by Eliza Andrews*
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  1. Print length
    275 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 10, 2018
  4. File size
    658 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claire Highton-Stevenson has written three books previously. The Promise and The Cam Thomas Stories, Out and Next. She lives in the UK with her wife and fur babies and is currently working on several new Stories for future publication.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07FFFRD6T
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 10, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 658 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 275 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 852 ratings

About the author

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Claire Highton-Stevenson

Claire Highton-Stevenson

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Claire Highton-Stevenson is a British Indie author. She writes heartwarming, Sapphic romance in contemporary settings. Claire's characters are bold, strong, independent women who love women.

However, she is also known to throw in a mystery or two. Claire likes to move around the tropes at will, and will often bend the rules to create exciting and often unique situations. She's not afraid to tackle darker topics either.

2019 Goldie Winner - The Promise

2019 Rainbow award Winner - The Doll Maker

2020 International Book Award Finalist - Escape and Freedom

2020 International Book award Finalist - The Promise

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
852 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance novel to be a touching story with a happy ending, featuring well-developed characters and beautiful writing. The book is heartwarming and emotional, with one customer noting how it brings hope for a future with love. They appreciate the book's content, with one review highlighting the cozy family dynamics, and its portrayal of resilience, with one describing it as "wonderful broken people." However, the violence level receives mixed reactions, with one customer mentioning disturbing depictions of domestic violence and gaslighting.

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23 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's riveting plot lines and well-crafted narrative, describing it as a great love story with a happy ending.

"...the flashback at the beginning of the book to the epilogue this book had me completely consumed...." Read more

"Loved this story one of my favorite authors, she never lets me down 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 always looking for her next great story..." Read more

"...Their relationship blossomed beautifully, and was so sweet. The girls and “Aunt Rita” were delightful...." Read more

"I truly enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job weaving the story lines of the main characters together throughout...." Read more

13 customers mention "Heartwarming"11 positive2 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and emotional, with one customer noting how it brings hope of a future with love.

"...Characters were well fleshed out. Easy to read but includes deep emotional issues (including some violent situations) for both characters...." Read more

"I could not stop reading! It was a journey from pain, hurt & lonelyness towards healing & acceptance...." Read more

"...An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines..." Read more

"...It brought home to me how love heals, and how much having a loving and supportive family means to me...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one mentioning how they feel each character's emotions and another noting their believable portrayal.

"...positivity to keep the book flowing. Characters were well fleshed out...." Read more

"...Lucy is a very kind and considered person and amazing lover. I enjoyed the journey and was sorry when it ended. I recommend the book to all readers...." Read more

"...An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines..." Read more

"...This is a well done romance that incorporates all the characters, and the ending is well written, giving us plenty of time to revel in their..." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting how the author handles sensitive topics with care, while another describes it as a beautiful read.

"...I recommend the book to all readers. The author is a very talented writer and story teller." Read more

"...I enjoyed this story and couldn't but the book down. It was very well done!" Read more

"...done romance that incorporates all the characters, and the ending is well written, giving us plenty of time to revel in their happiness!..." Read more

"...going to be difficult to read because of the abuse but the author handled it with care and it wasn't too overwhelming...." Read more

5 customers mention "Beauty"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning how finding one another is quite beautiful.

"...Watching Lucy open up and Nicole find her strength was absolutely beautiful. I loved this book." Read more

"...The HEA was lovely- heart punching adorableness fluff, the kiddos and little family are cozy, the MCs stories are tragic and the finding one another..." Read more

"...I loved both women strength, bravery and resilience. Altogether a beautiful and gripping book about two broken women, family and finding happiness..." Read more

"...and gaslighting, but the healing experienced by the characters was beautifully and believably portrayed." Read more

5 customers mention "Book content"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's content, with one mentioning the three sweet children and another noting how cozy the little family is.

"...The girls and “Aunt Rita” were delightful. I live not far from Lake Tahoe, and it truly is beautiful...." Read more

"...HEA was lovely- heart punching adorableness fluff, the kiddos and little family are cozy, the MCs stories are tragic and the finding one another is..." Read more

"...These kids are good kids, but not p perfect, and the trauma they live through does leave a mark on them, and not just their main character mother...." Read more

"...Such a great storyline involving not only the adults but also three sweet children. Will have to read it again!" Read more

5 customers mention "Resilience"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of resilience, with one customer noting how broken characters can still be beautiful.

"...These two women survived such horrors, and it was so rewarding that they found each other...." Read more

"...then Nicole was the best thing to happen to all of these wonderful broken people because they finally found in each other a safe loving home and..." Read more

"Tragedy, pain, heartbreak, survival, hope and love. There is a lot of emotions throughout the story...." Read more

"This is a incredibly touching book filled with hope, heart, strength and love...." Read more

4 customers mention "Violence level"0 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the violence level in the book, with one customer describing it as a devastating crime, while another appreciates how it portrays domestic violence and gaslighting.

"...Much crying, sadness, abuse, grief, then a vengeance twist and somehow it was Christmas...." Read more

"...There are depictions of domestic violence and gaslighting, but the healing experienced by the characters was beautifully and believably portrayed." Read more

"...Warning: Some violence due to irate husband." Read more

"Domestic Abuse is a devastating crime, but there is knight in shining amor 😉!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lydia B
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I’ve read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t even know where to begin. From the flashback at the beginning of the book to the epilogue this book had me completely consumed. Watching Lucy open up and Nicole find her strength was absolutely beautiful. I loved this book.
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  • Stacy
    5.0 out of 5 stars great
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this story one of my favorite authors, she never lets me down 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 always looking for her next great story
    Helpful
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  • Sabra Moore
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first read by this author, and I’m sure there will be more. These two women survived such horrors, and it was so rewarding that they found each other. Their relationship blossomed beautifully, and was so sweet. The girls and “Aunt Rita” were delightful. I live not far from Lake Tahoe, and it truly is beautiful.
    I was glad that karma finally caught up to Paul. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. What a colossal p**ck.
    Helpful
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  • Niko Baby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I truly enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job weaving the story lines of the main characters together throughout. Just enough angst and also. positivity to keep the book flowing. Characters were well fleshed out. Easy to read but includes deep emotional issues (including some violent situations) for both characters. Well crafted narrative with an obligatory happy ending. Well done!
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I could not stop reading
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I could not stop reading! It was a journey from pain, hurt & lonelyness towards healing & acceptance. The short yet powerfull descriptions of what happened in the past set the scene and enticed me to read further and further to see what will happen. It's a fast moving story with enough details to understand and feel each characters emotions and feelings. All characters felt very real and I could feel what they are going through. The story-line is perhaps an old concept of a hermit living in the agony of the past and when new neighbours moved in she slowly start to feel alive again. However the author managed to make the story realistic and family orientated. It's emotional, full of love and sweetness yet very heartbreaking and painful at times. Lucy is a very kind and considered person and amazing lover. I enjoyed the journey and was sorry when it ended. I recommend the book to all readers. The author is a very talented writer and story teller.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Deb from Bushville
    5.0 out of 5 stars I don't know about a review the first time around but here's one the 2nd time around
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've read this one again because I loved it the first time around and like most of us readers we will do that with a great story from time to time. I've known some women who have lived through abusive relationships and this story has a happy ending. That is what I love about books, happy endings, and this one doesn't disappoint at all. As someone who has lived with nasty looking scars and how people look at you like you're a monster, I can relate to Lucy. Claire Highton-Stevenson made Lucy's character into a fighter with a huge heart instead of an ugly monster to be locked away forever. The fact that Lucy took care of Nicole and her children, then they fell in love, was just icing on the happy ever after cake.
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  • MissAlice 2U
    3.0 out of 5 stars Up downs and all-around
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've enjoyed a few books by this author but this one was a wee bit too ... much? Much crying, sadness, abuse, grief, then a vengeance twist and somehow it was Christmas. This book was like eating your favorite dessert, but you decided to 9 too many of them. The HEA was lovely- heart punching adorableness fluff, the kiddos and little family are cozy, the MCs stories are tragic and the finding one another is quite beautiful. Just a wee bit on the muchiness side... worth a read, but buckle up buttercup- you are going for an icy rollercoaster ride.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Domestic Abuse is a devastating crime, but there is knight in shining amor 😉!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Lucy was a lead singer in a very popular band in England. They were on their way to the airport to board a plane to the US for their debut and over 100 concerts on the tour. But a huge accident changes Lucy's world.
    Lucy is living in the US. She purchased a 3 bedroom cabin in t the woods on a lake in a small town. She keeps to herself and in her 10 years there has not said more than a few words to Ruth who runs the grocery.
    One afternoon Lucy is out walking and she sees a young girl sitting near her favorite spot. Lucy finds out that they just moved in to the cabin next door. Lucy meets Nicole and her three children. They begin spending some time together taking walks. One night Lucy is taking a walk and here's screams of one of the children and then Nicole's. Nicole is reluctant to let Nicole in but knowing something was not right she pushes her way through. She sees Nicole has been hurts and the children are terrified of the man, husband and father, in the room. He begins to threaten Lucy. Lucy gets rid of this abuser and has Nicole and the children move into her cabin so she can keep them safe. Domestic abuse has both physically and mentally beat this family down. They are always in fear for their lives. They had been treated as property and have low self esteem. See how not only Lucy's life changes but so does Nicole's families. I enjoyed this story and couldn't but the book down. It was very well done!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Claire is always a certainty!!
    Reviewed in Italy on December 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    (Spoilers ahead)
    It’s the second book that I’ve read by Claire and I have to say that every one of them is even better than the first! Gosh, I love her writing and I love her stories! She makes you feel like you’re there with all of the characters. I love the three little rascals (and then 4) of this book and I loved Nicole and Lucy..Lucy reminds me so much of Lexa, even more when she said her middle name was Alexandra! Buckle up because this book is a ride you definitely want to take!
    Report
  • Nic
    5.0 out of 5 stars This has to be Claire’s best story yet
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This has to be Claire’s best story yet, I thought that of the promise but nope this one , has beaten it . Only by a margin or photo finish. The story is both heart wrenching and heart warming of overcoming trauma and loss to find yourself rising from the shadow of what you had become through no fault of your own to become a new improved you. Of fighting the fear and finding love and family. At times I found this triggering but that is down to my inability to be normal. I can really relate to the inner turmoil of the characters and their reactions. At times it was hard to read the flashbacks, but after a couple of minutes break I couldn’t wait to get back to reading it.The beautiful touching relationship of Storm and Lucy. The kids were just brilliant and loveable but especially Storm.
    The emergence of Lucy from her shell is so well written and realistic/believable the development of her character is a pleasure to witness . Reading her development and the changes in Lucy i was stuck with the Gloria Estefan song coming out of the dark in my head it just seemed fitting and appropriate. (Probably the dumbest thing anyone has said in a review lol)
    I was anticipating things going wrong when things were going so well for them as nobody lives happily ever after do they?
    At one point I put the book down and thought I wouldn’t finish it, not because it was bad but because I couldn’t read for the tears, and the fear of history repeating itself.
    Love the little mentions in this book and the promise of Shelly from Claire’s other books out and Now.
    The story is overall very very good and the ending perfect.
    I recommend this and all of Claire’s books to everyone, they are all different and not your usual romance stories, they are engaging and realistic
    Report
  • Mari Stark
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, an absolutely brilliant story.
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Claire is amazing telling stories and is always brilliant. This story isn’t the exception. This is one of the most emotional, intense, beautiful and enthralling stories I’ve ever read. It is impossible to put it down.

    The characters are very different from each other, and very well developed with a storyline that flows from the pages and right into your heart.

    It’s a very intense and enthralling read. It’s hard to express how good it is and all the feels; I laughed, I almost cried, there’s pain, heartbreak, survival, but also hope and so much love. I felt for both Lucy and Nicole, the kids and couldn’t stop reading. The girls are adorable and Storm, the eight year old girl and oldest of the three is amazing. I experienced every emotion reading this story. I really enjoyed it very much. I’m speechless. The way the story was told is perfect. Claire went through the difficulty of the subjects in a brilliant and very sensitive way.

    This is a very well written tale about courageous and realistic, strong, brave, resilient women. Undoubtedly a truly good story, that it is capable of invoking emotion well after the last chapter is finished. A tremendous amount of talent went into writing this story, which I’ll definitely put near the top of my favourites.

    This book is extraordinary in so many ways that I am sure my words can’t really do it justice.

    A must read, an absolutely brilliant story I highly recommend to everyone.
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  • Springa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner
    Reviewed in Australia on March 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    What a great story and such complex but wonderful main characters. Love all of Claire's books, she is such a talented author.
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  • Jacq
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
    Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Why does it have to be over. I want to follow it forever. This book was so good, so intense. I loved it
    Report

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