Review: The Road to Escape (Escape Reunion Series Book 1) by Patricia Kiyono

Print Length: 101 pages

Publisher: esKape Press (July 16, 2017)

From Goodreads.com: Tom Cooper left his high-pressure law practice in Indianapolis for life on an alpaca farm in the tiny northwest Indiana town of Escape. Though he continued to practice law, the farm provided a good life for him, his wife, and their five children. But when his wife died, grief consumed him. His withdrawal into himself damaged his relationship with his children, and they’ve all left. He’s resigned to taking care of the farm alone, but a disturbing medical diagnosis could change things. 

Laurie Matthews left her nursing job in shame. The town of Escape has welcomed her, and she now owns the local diner. She’s attracted to the handsome widower who comes in for coffee and a hot meal but keeps her distance. Everyone she’s ever loved has died — her grandparents, her parents, her husband, and one other — one she still can’t bear to think about. 

A romantic relationship isn’t on the agenda for either of them, but when the diner falls on hard times, Tom steps in to help, paving the way for them both to escape the loneliness in their lives. 

                                                         *******************

My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me be honest here for a minute, I don't often read "second chance romance" novels whose characters are on the older side. They always seem to either be missing some key element, or they are so caught up in the love they lost that it comes across as demeaning to the new person in their life. 

HOWEVER. 

This story was so sweet, and so well executed that I was caught up nearly from the first page. Tom and Laurie have a sweet chemistry between them, that is obvious to everyone except maybe them. I enjoyed watching the tentative way they wold flirt with one another, and being able to "get inside their heads" to see what they were thinking. And while it was easy to see the depth of Tom's love for his dead wife, I thought the author managed to incorporate it in a way that was realistic without crossing the line into depressing. I believe that Ms. Kiyono did a fantastic job of setting up the rest of the series. 

Overall, I do think this novel will still appeal to those who enjoy good, clean second chance romance. I would read more from this author! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

                                                         *******************

                                   The Road to Escape is available from Amazon.com