BOOK REVIEW- THE ESCAPE(#3 The Survivors' Club)

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.
AMAZON  4 STARS

I liked this story mainly because of the main characters of the book.  Unique challenges had been a part of their life. There had been some happiness but most of it had been many years ago. I will say that it started out slow for awhile but it also helped give a good indication of where the both of them stood in their individual lives.  It was incredible how much guff Samantha put up with from her late husband's family.  Her father in law had way too much power and way too little mercy in him.  He wielded his power over his family like an iron fist.  Samantha's sister in law, who was staying with her to keep her in line, was more like a female dictator. She allowed nothing of smiles or laughter or much joy of any kind to be expressed.  At first Samantha was too exhausted from caring for her ailing husband for 5 years and numbed by  his dying so young that she barely noticed.  But it was becoming alarmingly clear that she was in a prison of sorts and would wither away if it continued.  Her first meeting with Benedict was both scary, dramatic and life changing although neither one of them realized it at the time.  Ben was a totally likable man battling enormous odds to find his place in his altered life.   I did like how both of the M.C's developed a friendship over time; each being cautious of each other especially at first.
There was quite a surprise with a few twists towards the end of the book.
There are no cliffhangers and there is a HEA.