At the dawn of the apocalypse, a naïve, but resourceful woman must fight her way through nature, humankind, and herself to reunite with her family. Beth has cocooned herself in routine after a devastating family tragedy upended her world years ago, but a chance encounter with a Marine named Ryker sends ripples through her carefully guarded world. He is smitten. She is unsure.
The city is thrown into chaos when a missile strikes near Spokane, testing Beth's newfound optimism. As strife escalates, Beth must lead her friends on a perilous journey to her uncle’s farm in Idaho–a place she avoids.
Armed with only a vague location, Ryker embarks on a high-stakes quest, risking everything to find Beth in a world teetering on the edge of turmoil and anarchy.
Amidst the relentless pursuit of survival, Beth and Ryker each navigate landscapes fraught with unpredictability. Will their paths converge again? And will doing so bring them to safety...or closer to danger?
Join Beth on a gripping odyssey through adversity and uncertainty. In the end, will her resilience and indomitable spirit prevail against all odds?
This is the first book in the apocalyptic survival thriller series by Tracy Myhre.
Tracy is the award-winning author of Escape, a fast-paced post-apocalyptic romantic thriller that hit #1 Top New Release within hours of launching. She's spent most of her life writing and most of her childhood buried in books at the local library—basically, she's been preparing for this gig forever.
The first book in her Haven series features a massive cast of complex, relatable characters, high-stakes survival, and just enough romance to make you blush. Expect found family, sassy/timid heroines, heroic heartthrobs, and spice levels that vary depending on who’s telling the story. (Some characters are more into slow burns. Others? Not so much.)
Before diving into full-time author life, Tracy worked in the tourism industry. Now she writes in yoga pants, cruises when she can, and spends far too much time researching her twisty family history. She shares her life with her husband and two sons.
Her future writing plans include tackling romance, space opera, romantasy, and westerns—assuming she doesn't run out of time before she runs out of ideas (or lives… she’s pretty sure she’s part cat). Tracy’s TBR pile is dangerously high. Yes, she’s a cat and dog person. Please don’t make her choose.
Stay connected with Tracy by signing up on her website to receive her exclusive and engaging newsletters or discover her random thoughts on her blog at www.tracymyhre.com
I enjoyed the building relationship between Ryker and Beth. I thought Ryker was very sweet and patient with Beth, even though he didn't know why she was guarded. I did think that their relationship really moved quickly after around the halfway point.
My biggest complaint with this book is that there are SO MANY CHARACTERS. I mean a ton. I honestly could not keep track of half of them. Not only were there so many, we got side plots for almost all of them. By the end, I just grouped them all in categories of Uncles and Cousins (no, they are not all related. They are all found family through the 'uncles' serving in the Marines together.) I really couldn't care about these side plots because most of the time it was meaningless. We didn't revisit half of them later in the book.
Too many pages were dedicated to the convicts escaping and building the farm. I wish we got quick glimpses of them rather than chunks of the book.
Because we were constantly introduced to so many people and had to learn about them, we didn't get to see that much happen on page. We saw them walking and then jumped to them resting in a cabin. Most of the action was cut off and the spice was fade to black.
I was frustrated that Mal got so many pages at the end of the book, which I would have rather seen given to Ryker and Beth. We didn't get to see them together a lot during the book.
I doubt I will continue with the next in the series. I think this could have worked really well, if it remained focused on Ryker and Beth.
While all genres have the good, the bad, and the how-did-this-get-published, this is perhaps most true of the post-apocalyptic/dystopian genre. There are some truly great ones out there. “Escape,” which is the first book in the Haven Series by Tracy Myhre, recently caught my attention. Let me give you the lowdown on it.
Most post-apocalyptic novels grab our attention with “the big moment.” After all, we can’t have a post-apocalypse without an apocalypse. That moment when our mostly-civilized, convenient world tumbles into something that shakes us to the core, even though it’s been talked about, read about, and (for some) planned for to the point that no one should actually be surprised. Yet they are. Readers are expectant, waiting to discover what form of apocalypse the author will take: nukes? EMPs? Pandemic? Asteroid? Brain-eating zombies? Something completely new???
Ms. Myhre chose to begin her work with a quiet girl named Beth who’s walking down a city street being abused by her inner monologue and doing her best to avoid the fact that it’s her birthday. It doesn’t take long to realize that Beth has some issues related to a past trauma that still haunts her. Interesting. It turns out she suffers greatly because she refuses to process this trauma without blaming herself. While this makes her socially awkward, there is something truly endearing about her as well. We also begin to realize that she has an amazing support group of family and friends. I like Beth. But I am already worried about her.
During this birthday she refuses to acknowledge, a man named Ryker walks into her cousin’s diner where Beth washes dishes. He’s dressed well, but his posture indicates a man whose luck needs to change. It’s just about to. As Ryker sits down at the counter, he spots the beautifully disheveled Beth coming out to bus tables; sweaty face, hair in disarray, and wearing a rubber apron. This is not exactly beauty pageant attire. Yet there’s something about the curvy Beth that has Ryker immediately smitten. I’ll leave the rest of this worthy meet-cute for readers to enjoy on their own.
As we get to know Beth and her family in the first few chapters, we realize a few things. First, Beth is bright and funny, but she can’t get beyond that blasted trauma- she doesn’t think she’s worth it. Second, her family is HUGE and very non-traditional. It’s heavily influenced by the core group of former and current Marines that make up the bulk of the family unit. And these guys have dedicated their lives to protecting their family by preparing them for the potential apocalypse. Calling them preppers would understate their level of commitment. They have prepared into a third generation by teaching their spouses and children how to survive, navigate the land, shoot, farm, hunt, hike, and protect themselves. This is one rugged family unit.
It happens in one blinding moment, as it most likely would;, that moment the world changes. Now these people we’ve only just begun to meet and engage with are setting out in any way they can for the place the family has named Haven. This portion of the book is unsettling and confusing, no doubt intentionally so. Some readers may find this disconcerting. But once the action gets rolling, it’s pretty much a non-stop commuter train. It’s fast-paced, intense, and smart. These characters find themselves in all sorts of untenable positions, but they are extremely prepared, and it’s fascinating to read just how much has gone into preparation for a moment everyone hoped would never happen.
The readers are mostly protected from the grittiest details, which is good, because the bad stuff is truly awful. Murder, rape, and torture just seem to be starting points for the ensuing madness, so be prepared for intensely raw and gritty moments. The main antagonists in “Escape” are a group of felons who have escaped prison in the confusion. These may just be some of the nastiest, most wretched characters I’ve ever encountered. They’re rough, unbound by social constructs, or such annoying little things as a conscience. Truly, this group of humanity’s rejects bring a special brand of mayhem to this story. As if that weren’t enough, just know that the author has no problem killing her darlings, so it’s highly likely you’ll lose some characters you’ve grown attached to.
As the storyline turned from character-building to more of the “run for your lives” chaos, I became engrossed. Beth’s extended family has truly prepared everyone as much as they possibly could. The level of preparation, dedication, and intelligence here is mind-boggling. I don’t want to give any of it away—readers should experience the “wow” factor as the author intended. I’m truly impressed with many things here; the family unit (which is nearly a character in itself), the depth and breadth of this plot, and the balance of light to dark. I love the growth we see in Beth as the story progresses, and the determination of Ryker. The myriad of “uncles” were diverse and fun, with Hoss definitely falling into the position of favorite. While angst is high at times, overall there is a sense of hope. These people are strong and fierce.
Only took an apocalypse for her to agree to date him, but he’s not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
“Escape” by Tracy Myhre is a complex undertaking that allows the reader to experience the despicable lows with the occasional highs that highlight this genre. Emotions will run high throughout the story as we get to know the characters more and more. Readers who are uncomfortable with a large cast of characters may find the first portion of the book daunting as the author attempts to connect us with most of the characters. Honestly, there were times early on when I simply couldn’t keep them all straight and it was frustrating. We don’t begin to engage with the majority of characters until they’re running for their lives.
So, what’s my take on “Escape?” Where does it fall on the “great to no-way” spectrum? Readers who don’t mind a massive cast and are able to forego instant gratification as the back-story is built will find a truly amazing post-apocalyptic story that is richly detailed and brilliantly designed. But it will take some patience on the part of the reader in the first portion of the story. So truly, the answer to this question is up to you, the reader. As for me, having made it through to the other side, I can confidently confirm the mastery of this tale, and admit that I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Haven Series.
This is the first book in a new and exciting series - Haven - which is set in a post-apocolyptic world. As you know, I don't really read blurbsnbwfore I read, but I was quite excited by the genre description of romantic thriller. Two of my favourite genres woven together.
I liked the world building/scene setting. As with most series of this genre, we need a good grounding from the start to create the right atmosphere - and I think that this was done well here.
The initial chapters drew me in to the storyline and as we build to the bomb going off and seeing the devastation and the way Ryker and others go straight into survival mode, were instantly gripped and invested in the outcome for the main characters. Especially interesting to see the depth of Beth's character. The one people turned to at times of need and yet withe her own past trauma to contend with throughout!
Apart from the main characters, I did find that I got quite confused with the sheer number of other characters involved in the whole storyline. There were a lot of them and sometimes I had to stop and work out where I was at times because we'd meet a group and find out their story then move on. I think that was maybe just my level of focus which was lacking and on another week, I'd have flown through these sections.
The storyline was well plotted and developed in a way that prepared us for what would come in book 2. The romance storyline woven nicely through the survival story and neither overpowered the other, which I enjoyed.
Overall, a good read and I'm definitely keen to follow the story and characters into the next book.
Escape (Haven Series, Book One), by Tracy Myhre, is a post-apocalyptic romantic thriller set in the not-too-distant future, in 2027. The story unfolds across Washington State and Idaho, where Beth, a diner dishwasher in Spokane, meets Ryker Kensington, a recently discharged Marine looking for work. There's an immediate connection between them, but before they can explore their relationship, a series of coordinated missile strikes devastate the nation, thrusting them into a chaotic new world. As Beth embarks on a perilous journey to reach her uncle's doomsday prepper compound, Haven, in Idaho, Ryker must navigate the dangerous landscape to find her in a society on the verge of collapse.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and maintained my interest from beginning to end. The way Myhre starts the story in the midst of Beth’s ordinary life, from working at the diner to spending time with friends, adds a strong foundation before the chaos hits. The transition from everyday normality to the life-threatening aftermath of the missile strikes felt natural and intense, heightening the stakes as Beth and her friends make a desperate escape from Spokane. I appreciated that the narrative didn't simply drop readers into a post-apocalyptic world; instead, we experience the dramatic shift alongside the characters. The contrast between Beth’s life before and her fight to survive in the violent new reality was well-executed, and it gave depth to her character. Beth’s mix of strength and vulnerability made her relatable, and watching her adapt to this grim situation kept me invested throughout. One of my favorite aspects of the book is how the tension builds. There’s an urgency in the way the world unravels around Beth, yet the pacing allows space for character development. Her journey from Spokane to Haven isn’t just a race for survival but a gradual transformation as she faces increasingly dangerous situations.
Myhre strikes a good balance between the action and Beth’s emotional growth, making the story compelling beyond just its plot twists. The early chapters introduce a large number of characters, and I felt that keeping track of who was who became difficult at times. The complex web of relationships, especially in a fast-paced survival scenario, was occasionally overwhelming. I feel it would have been helpful if the family trees, which provide clarity on the character connections, had been placed at the beginning of the book rather than at the end. I feel might have made understanding the character dynamics smoother from the start.
Escape is a thrilling and emotional ride through a post-apocalyptic world that feels all too real. If you enjoy fast-paced, high-stakes survival stories with a mix of romance and suspense, this book is for you. The combination of relatable characters, a gripping plot, and the looming threat of a shattered society makes this a strong start to the Haven series. I’m already looking forward to diving into Flee (Haven Series, Book Two), which focuses on two of Beth’s friends, Sadie and Liam, as they navigate their own struggles in this fractured world.
This was a book that I really got into straight from the start and I really liked reading it plus I loved the storyline. It was a terrific read especially once the bomb had gone off and everyone was in need of help plus buildings were falling down around people, even Beth needed rescuing. Ryker was out at the time, but his thoughts flew to Beth and his sister Libby. Libby was at her flat but he didn’t know where Beth was but he went straight into survival mode and he went to find Beth as he had a vague idea where she was going. Beth was with her friends, if it weren’t for them she wouldn’t have gone anywhere, but she was going to lead them to her uncle’s farm in Idaho. They just needed a vehicle. You could tell the author had done some research for this book which was evident in the writing of some of the plot which was very good. She had put some thought into the plot as well, as it had been well planned and thought out. It was a very intriguing story and I liked it very much. It was a good thriller with lots going on and very well written. I’m looking forward to book two of the series.
Blurb :
Was it love at first sight? Fate had other plans.
At the dawn of the apocalypse, a naïve, but resourceful woman must fight her way through nature, humankind, and herself to reunite with her family. Beth has cocooned herself in routine after a devastating family tragedy upended her world years ago, but a chance encounter with a Marine named Ryker sends ripples through her carefully guarded world. He is smitten. She is unsure.
The city is thrown into chaos when a missile strikes near Spokane, testing Beth's newfound optimism. As strife escalates, Beth must lead her friends on a perilous journey to her uncle’s farm in Idaho–a place she avoids.
Armed with only a vague location, Ryker embarks on a high-stakes quest, risking everything to find Beth in a world teetering on the edge of turmoil and anarchy.
Amidst the relentless pursuit of survival, Beth and Ryker each navigate landscapes fraught with unpredictability. Will their paths converge again? And will doing so bring them to safety...or closer to danger?
Join Beth on a gripping odyssey through adversity and uncertainty. In the end, will her resilience and indomitable spirit prevail against all odds?
This is the first book in the apocalyptic survival thriller series by Tracy Myhre.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to receive and read an advance copy of Tracy Myhre’s debut novel, Escape: A Post-Apocalyptic Romantic Thriller.
This story had a lot of depth that focuses on characters, families, friendships, overcoming tragedies, and coming together to help each other in crises. The story begins with your typical American routine – man meets woman in a diner, asks her out, gets rejected, keeps trying – but turns into a survival story. Don’t be fooled, though. This isn’t your typical survival story of the man saving the damsel in distress. Oh no. Although the heroine, Beth, has some PTSD she is working through from a traumatic incident in her past, she is highly trained for whatever life brings and is the one her group of friends (all men) turn to when navigating the worst-case scenario on their quest to get to the family “farm” in Idaho.
What I loved most about the novel was the emotionally laden journey of all the characters (of which there are many). This particular story focuses on Beth and Ryker; however, it also explores other characters, who I’m sure we will see in future books of this series. I found myself sucked into the action-packed story and rooting for all the core characters to make it to the farm and be reunited with their family and friends.
It was refreshing to see how resourceful the characters were, yet not in an over-the-top way. Although many of the characters had military backgrounds, they still struggled at times and there is loss of life as well (i.e. this isn’t one of those stories where all the good guys somehow cheat death despite everyone else around them dying). This helps add depth to the story and made it feel more legitimate.
Weaved into this survival story is a romance and a teensy bit of a love triangle, which I loved as it helped keep hope in a dire situation. Plus, who doesn’t love a good love story, am I right?
Overall, I found the novel to be entertaining, romantic, and a good story about friendships, trust, survival, and loyalty. If you’re looking for an enjoyable post-apocalyptic survival / romance story with strong characters and a solid community focused bond, this is the book for you!
3.5 / 5 Heat rating: 1/5 peppers (there is 1 scene and it is more fade to black style than I thought it was going to be...)
Things that I loved: -Ryker -BAMF (hopefully I got that acronym right), they would be the support I want in an apocalypse. -Neil, I loved watching him interact with Ryker and Beth. -How badass Beth was when she wasn't having fear/anxiety/PTSD ruling her decisions. She kicked some major ass towards the end of the book. -Lots of action. I was worried when they reached Haven that the action side of the book was going to die down and get stagnant, but it didn't. -Day 1 view of the catastrophe/ripple effect of the missile strike, I love reading the fallout of when a post apocalyptic event starts.
Things that I didn't like: -Colin. Point blank, if he was removed from the story entirely I wouldn't miss him at all and it would improve my rating. This is probably because I detest love triangle vibes but if you combine that with reading from Colin's POV then I just find myself frustrated. -It was a bit slow to start for me, yes we needed to learn the characters, the setting, etc. but it took a bit to really hold my interest. And it took what felt like eons for the MC's to meet after the missile strike, which as a romance reader was a bit depressing. -The POV of the villains of the story, could have either done without those, or just a lot less of those. -To add to the previous point, having too many POV's and characters introduced too quickly. My brain may never be able to keep anyone besides the MC's straight in my mind on who they were/descriptions. -3rd person POV. I am sooooo picky when it comes to a 3rd person perspective in books because they tend to not feel as intense emotionally so I usually feel a lack of connection to the characters. Also it was giving me mild talking about yourself in 3rd person vibes when reading. Some people love 3rd person perspectives but I have found few authors who write it in a way that engages my mind correctly.
Escape by Tracy Myhre is the first book in the Haven Series.
The novel is a post-apocalyptic romance novel that follows the main character, Beth as she journeys to Haven while trying to overcome many challenges including survival in the elements, strangers who are out to survive no matter the cost, and her own inner demons.
Over the course of Beth's journey to Haven she is joined by old friends and new as each of them find their own way to survive in a new world.
The story is very well written mixing strong world-building, character building, giving the reader plenty of action and emotions from the various characters. The novel is written from a few different viewpoints which helps give the reader a good overview, not only of the journey many of the characters are on, but also how the disaster has impacted the different people from different backgrounds.
This was my first novel of this genre though I have seen many movies about a post-apocalyptic world. I really enjoyed the story and the characters mainly because the author has done an amazing job at creating a novel that feels like a real world. At times I easily imagined this could be our real future. The characters and their relationships were so engaging as a reader though for me Ryker was my favourite character who a lot of the time, holds Beth together and helps her through her emotional journey. Although this is the first book in a series, it had a clear complete story though left in a way you have an idea what the next chapter in the series is going to bring us. I look forward to book two and discovering what is next for the survivors at Haven.
Tracy Myhre’s Escape: A Post-Apocalyptic Romantic Thriller delivers a gripping and emotional journey through a world on the brink of collapse. The story balances high-stakes survival with tender, slow-burning romance, giving readers both edge of your seat tension and heartfelt character development.
Beth’s resilience and resourcefulness make her a compelling protagonist, and her dynamic with Ryker provides moments of hope and vulnerability amid chaos. Myhre’s depiction of a crumbling society, rife with danger both human and environmental, feels immersive and vividly realized. The narrative moves with brisk pacing, keeping readers engaged while allowing enough space for the emotional stakes to resonate.
This is a strong debut for anyone who enjoys apocalyptic survival stories intertwined with romance, featuring a protagonist whose courage and determination shine through every challenge.
Escape surprised me in all the best ways. At first, I found myself trying to keep track of the many characters, but once everyone clicked into place, I was completely hooked. The author does an excellent job giving each character their own voice and presence, making the world feel full and real without ever overwhelming the story. What really stood out to me was watching the main character grow and evolve as the chaos around her intensified. Her resilience, uncertainty, and determination felt authentic, and it was impossible not to root for her. The unexpected turns, the tension, and the emotional moments all kept me turning pages long after I should have been asleep. This book quickly becomes one you don’t want to put down, and now I absolutely can’t wait for the next installment in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Post apocalypse romance is my new favourite romance genre, it’s so good! Who Knew?
This book is full of characters and depth, there’s the romance of Beth & Ryker which is interesting and has real depth, but there’s also lots of other interesting characters trying to survive in this new world they’ve found themselves in. It’s high stakes and action packed.
The romance is fairly light and I found the characters journeys to be the most intriguing part of the story. It’s well written and has you hoping that everyone makes it!
I’m so happy to see that it’s a series because I can’t wait to get back to the characters and imagine some of the side characters will have larger arcs in the other books, I can’t wait!
Thank you Tracy Myhre for my introduction to apocalyptic romance, a new genre for me that was engaging in a whole new capacity. In the first book of the Haven series, readers are introduced to a rich cast of characters centered around Beth, an unassuming loner who rises as a true heroine. In a world facing demise, humankind still finds a way to emerge in the dark days. Escape is filled with characters written with such complexity of emotions that there is no way this story could be finished at the end of this book so luckily we are in for a ride with this series. Tracy Myhre showcases the strength of humanity in the face of adversity in a gripping read!
This was not a combination that I thought I would enjoy Thriller and Romance in a post-apocalyptic setting however I did. I enjoyed both the characters and the world building and when these both are put together everything clicked for me and a flew through this novel. I enjoyed the writing style and can not wait to see where this series goes from here. We had several different character plot lines which converged together to come full circle at the end. Lets see where this goes.
This book took me a little while to get into but once I did I really enjoyed it. It kept me gripped to the story and wanting to read on just to know what happened next! The book was filled with suspense in every chapter as well as sad moments sprinkled in there as well. The characters were also really good and I liked reading about them and how they all progressed in the story.
I didn't finish so should be zero stars, but it wouldn't let me leave a review without a star rating. I wanted to like this. But there are SO MANY CHARACTERS!!!! I couldn't keep track of the connections and it made my brain hurt trying. I saw in a other comment that you could refer to the authors IG for character chart or something. I don't want to have to work to read a story.
Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist. Box set, DNF, chapter 15. Prison escapees. Beth is sister. Purchased on Sep 9, 2025, from Amazon for free book 1.