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The Escape

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Like an angel, Madalyn Durand swoops into my life, rescuing my little girl while I fight for my son. And how is she thanked for her bravery? By having every damn thing she owns taken from her.

Even in her most desperate hour, she’s perfect. Majestic. Me? I’m nothing like her. I’ve failed. At my marriage, at being a dad. I made the Hottest Billionaire Bachelors list, but I can’t protect my kids.

Then I get a second chance.

When my children need me the most, I become a full-time dad, and Madalyn, like some miracle, is by my side. What I didn’t count on was how she would feel in my arms. Under me. Next to me. Maybe forever.

But someone else wants her forever too. Someone she tried to escape, but who won’t set her free.

Can I save her from this evil? Can I save my kids? Myself?

*** This is a full length novel with a happily ever after, no cliffhanger, no cheating, and plenty of steam. ***

Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2018

1599 people are currently reading
401 people want to read

About the author

Alice Ward

112 books1,318 followers
Alice Ward is the bestselling author of dozens of hot and steamy contemporary romances. She’s an amazingly prolific writer, releasing a new book almost every single month. Her books are widely read, especially by women and any other lovers of the romance genre. My Stepbrother, My Lover, was her first smash hit.

*** Get a Free VIP Exclusive Alice Ward book here: authoraliceward.com/free-book ***

Alice lives in Miami with her hunky husband. The beach is her all time favorite place to relax with her laptop and write.


Alice loves to connect with her readers:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
Profile Image for My Pink Fairytales.
682 reviews78 followers
March 22, 2018
It appears i didn’t pay attention to the blurb.
If i’ve known this was about a Princess who tries to escape the marriage her father was trying to force her in, i don’t think i would have picked this book. I love pink fairytales, but with not so much “fiction”. I love them to be more “real”.
The Princess saves the hero’s daughter and they suddenly fall in love. I believe in insta-love and insta-chemistry as a concept, but i didn’t believe their story. Sorry. :(
Profile Image for AJ.
3,244 reviews1,069 followers
May 18, 2018
3 stars!

This is a short and entertaining story with an emotional yet fairytale-like feel. With a seriously fast-paced love story, it’s one of those books where you need to suspend belief for a little while and just lose yourself in an intense and passionate romance, which was exactly what I was after, and I enjoyed this one.

Xander is billionaire businessman who is firmly focussed on his career. He is divorced with two young children, but since his ex-wife remarried, they live on the other side of the country and he doesn’t see them as much as he wants to. But when he discovers that his children need him, he swoops in to take custody and whisks them back home to NYC.

Madeleina is a European Princess who is being forced into a marriage that she doesn’t want. Her intended is a cruel and ruthless man and, desperate to escape what is sure to be a brutal life, she fakes her death and flees to America to start a new life for herself as Madalyn.

Xander and Madalyn meet when Madalyn steps in and saves Xander’s daughter from a potential kidnapping. Whisking her away with his children to his home when the paparazzi descend, Xander brings Madalyn into his home and, upon learning that she has no possessions and nowhere to stay, he insists that she stay with them so that he can take care of her. And it provides the setting for an explosive love story that is intensely passionate and immediately all-consuming for both of them.

Had we found the eternal soul mate so much was written about?
Or was this pure heat? A longing that we would temporarily fill for each other?
Did it matter?


What was happening between us held some type of magic I didn’t understand, and I wanted to savor it. Oddly, I wasn’t afraid of the connection we shared. It felt too right, too needed to fear.

Like I said, it’s fast-paced, and while it’s not insta-love, it’s pretty freaking close. Xander and Madalyn are both completely swept up in what is developing between them, but I enjoyed seeing them both let go and explore it all without any unnecessary drama.

I wasn’t so foolish to believe I was in love with her, but I knew I could be. Would be. I couldn’t already feel how enduring that love would become. How fierce. Strong.

But drama comes from outside of the relationship. Xander’s ex-wife is a vicious troll, and the life that Madalyn is running from is impossible to fully escape from. They will have trials to face they can settle into the HEA that they both so desperately want.

I enjoyed this book. I liked Xander and Madalyn as characters, and though I wasn’t completely swept up in their romance, it sucked me in. There is some drama, and some heartbreaking triggers that are explored in some detail (physical abuse and childhood sexual abuse), but the subject matter is handled sensitively, and though there probably didn’t need to be the amount of detail that there was, the emotional element added some additional depth to the story which was well done. I loved the addition of Xander’s kids to the story, and the overall message is really nicely written.

“I was just thinking of all the events that have led me to this place right here.”
I looked in those incredible eyes again. “They say that when one door closes, another opens.”
She nodded, her fingers moving back down to my beard. “It does. The challenge is being brave enough to step through it, to trust that what’s on the other side is exactly what you needed.”

I liked it - 3 stars.

Note - Don’t be put off by the size of this book. When I opened it on my kindle and saw that it was 15+ hours of reading, I almost put it straight back down again! But most of the content is bonus novellas. The actual book finishes at 17% of the kindle book, so it’s a really quick read.


Profile Image for lisa jung.
5,414 reviews44 followers
March 22, 2018
Princess escape

Maddie is a real princess that escape an arranged marriage and meets the fan of her dreams and his kids in this hot book. Additional books included with this book making for a great bargin.
Profile Image for Natalie Wrye.
Author 31 books219 followers
April 2, 2018
The Escape was a surprisingly emotional and heartfelt romance with intrigue and lots of swoony moments. LOVED the chemistry between Maddie and Xander and when you mixed his two adorable children into the mix, it created a recipe for a story that hit you in the feels and left you satisfied at the end.

Love Alice's writing and will continue to read this awesome author.
Profile Image for Sara Oxton.
3,791 reviews17 followers
March 5, 2018
The Escape by Alice Ward a five-star read that you won’t want to escape from. Alice Ward pulls it out of the bag again, Madalyn and Xander both are trying to escape from lives they don’t want, but in trying to escape they may just find that they don’t really want to run away after all. Don’t just take this as a fairy tale romance, Alice Ward has written a story that has many complex and deep storylines and that will pull you in and keep you captivated. Well done once again on a very well done read.
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews447 followers
March 8, 2018
Alice Ward has written a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking tale. This book is full of emotions, of feels. Madalyn is a princess being forced by her father to marry a Prince she doesn’t know or love and he is a pretty horrible man to her. Madalyn’s mom ends up helping her out by helping her escape to New York to start a new life and to leave the past where it is—in the past . Xander is a rich man that works all the time and does his best to take as much time off so he can to see his kids in California. He has to go see his kids to find out what is going on with his son and to find out what he is acting out. Well the son is acting out is because he is getting abused by his stepdad so Xander fights right away for custody of his kids . He gets custody so he takes them back to his place in NYC. Xander meets Maddie when she saves his daughter from a scary situation in Central Park. When she did that and was saving his daughter, her black duffel bag was stolen with her stuff in it so now Maddie only has very little money to get by on. Xander wants to repay her for rescuing his daughter so he offers her a job where she is to take care of the kids and he will make sure she has money, clothes and whatever else that she may need. Maddie agrees but as time goes on, Maddie develops intense feelings for Xander. Things get complicated between Maddie wanting a real relationship and Xander not wanting to lose her plus will her royal past and her current identity cause issues with her and Xander? Will Xander even want to pursue a relationship with Maddie when he finds out the truth? Only way to find out is to read this beautiful and intense romance read.

My Rating: 4.6 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
March 4, 2018
The beginning of this book goes to some extremely dark places in order to set up the story that is to come. The worst of the darkness doesn’t last long, but it does cling to characters for the rest of the book, so be aware that there are some intensely triggering situations in here. I loved the chemistry and connection between Maddie and Xander. And I absolutely adored Kylian and especially Kenzie. The precocious four-year-old stole my heart as my favorite character in the book. Oftentimes when the emotional load was getting really heavy in the story, Kenzie would do or say something to perfectly break the tension and keep us from going too dark.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Allyson.
494 reviews47 followers
May 8, 2018
Escape ended at 17% it was a good book. There are several other ones included with this one. I haven't finished all of them yet but everything I have read so far it good.
Profile Image for Nicky.
1,252 reviews19 followers
May 18, 2018
This story was shorter than I expected. It only went up to like 25% in the Kindle book. I was nervous about reading it because this author's books tend to be hit or miss with me. But I really liked this one.

On the run from her life, Maddie ends up running into Xander and his children. They all just happened to be in the right place at the right time to find each other. Maddie and Xander quickly end up bonding and ends up in what seems to me like a whirlwind romance. But both their pasts show up again and they have to figure a way through it.

Overall, this book was very short and very predictable, but also very sweet. There were some very dark and disturbing issues involved, but overcoming all of that made the love that much sweeter. If this were the type of book I'd always get from this author, she'd always be on my must read list. Solid story with great characters you could root for.
Profile Image for Kim F.
2,873 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2018
Wow, an amazing book! Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,247 reviews203 followers
March 5, 2018
A heart-breaking story of a life pre-determined. A young woman given a chance to be free and find her own way in the world.

Madeleina was a princess. A royal life was all she ever knew. Just before her twenty first birthday, it has been arranged for her to marry a prince from another country. She pleads with her father but he refuses. He tells her that it is her obligation.

But the prince is evil and Madeleina knows, but she has no idea how to change her fate. With help, she escapes her country and flees to NYC to begin a new life and find her happiness. She leaves with nothing of her past. The princess that she was had to die, in order for Madalyn to live. She has few clothes and enough money to get started and jewels to sell for a future.

But Maddie has no idea how to do anything on her own. She ends up in Central Park. She watches a family and ends up intercepting the kidknapping of a little girl. And so her life changes again forever.

With no where to go, no job, no money since her bag was stolen when she stopped the kidnapping, she accepts an offer to go home with the family of the little girl that she saved.

She’s running from her past and trying to find her future. Xander and his kids are trying to get through past trauma and move forward stronger as a family. Maddie is everything that they need. And Xander, Kylian and Kenzie are everything she will ever want. This is their story of facing the past and building a future.
Profile Image for Megan.
1,469 reviews29 followers
March 6, 2018
Safety is much more than just being in a safe place physically. When evil has many faces it's difficult to protect against all its guises. Madeilena is a princess with an unenviable fate. Her father has sold her to a rich prince that hides his evil behind a facade of wealth and good looks. Xander realizes his acquiescence has endangered his children. His ex-wife has invited a predator into their lives. When these two heartbroken people meet they quickly realize that to find true freedom they'll need one another. But they'll also have to find the strength inside themselves to face their struggles head-on or their very real demons will win.

This overall story was both difficult and incredibly wonderful. Xander's situation was terribly painful to watch. When evil finds your children and you feel responsibility for not saving them sooner that guilt can have the power crush you. I ached for Kylian and what he had to go through. But with a father like Xander I felt hope. Xander was so very willing to be the savior for his children and I loved his zeal in how much control he used to temper his anger and express extraordinary amounts of love. His tenderness was precious and essential for opening doors for his son. And when Maddie shows up it provides the last piece to the puzzle.

The notion that women are second-class citizens isn't all that archaic, really. It's rampant in some cultures, including parts of our own here in the Western world. Watching Madeilena realize just what her fate is to be and how little she appeared to mean to her father was difficult to swallow. Her mother is a gem, though, with the effort she put in to making sure Maddie had a way to escape. The way it was set up was interesting and I was glad that only the essential details were recounted.

The escape itself could have taken up quite a few chapters of description and would have taken the focus away from the journey to the soul's freedom rather than just escaping her marital captivity. I enjoyed seeing things through Maddie's eyes, especially the little cross-over scene from The Choice in Central Park. Her entrance into Xander and his children's lives was dramatic but a quick flash of drama that served to start their story rather than add to the overall craziness that surrounded them.

Their relationship had a series of fits and starts in the beginning but was still very quick in its progression. One of my guilty pleasures with romance novels is finding stories that are sweet and tender between the MC's right away. That no matter what goes on around them they build something intense and very, very loving right away. Lots and lots of feels combined with genuine affection-fed sexual situations. And honesty, tons of honest expressions of thoughts and feelings. The Escape had a whole bunch of that. Whether the honesty slowed their progress or sped it up, they used their words as well as their actions to show their feelings and intentions. I loved it. And the steam was definitely hot.

Xander and Maddie were an awesome pair. The way Maddie helped Kylian with his triggers was one of my favorite scenes ever. Her quiet understanding and genuine way of helping them all was truly touching. Xander's desire to do the right thing, to show his love and do his best to protect them balanced the softer side that Maddie brought. The show-down in the beach house was quite dramatic and while I thought it was a little extra, it certainly made for an exciting scene. I also think the paparazzi scene when they return is a bit unrealistic, I don't believe in their patience or sympathetic responses and would have appreciated a press conference situation instead with a more reputable reach through legit news sources rather than gossip mags leading the charge with their story. Overall, though, this story was moving, sweet, and even fun at times. Absolutely enjoyable way to spend a couple-few hours.

Read and very willingly reviewed this ARC from the author.
Profile Image for Armenia.
907 reviews17 followers
March 8, 2018
Beautiful, sweet and sexy royal romance...5+++stars!

One peek into the first chapter had me dropping my current book. The Escape hooked me from the beginning until I finished late into the night. I enjoyed how the author inserts current events into the story plot making it all the more believable. And I love the instant I recognized the infamous Central Park chase scene that happened in The Choice, where Journey and Nash chase after the purse snatcher, and Jazzy explains this to Maddie.

Maddie is really Princess Madeleina whose first day in America brings her to New York City. It’s on a bench in Central Park she ponders what her future holds for her. Just 24 hours before she was the 5th daughter of Phillipe and Jacqueline Brigitta of Aldcliff. Her father’s insistence she marry the evil Prince Vitalievich is the impetus for her escape. She discovers first hand his sadistic behavior would only lead to an unhappy and miserable existence.

So at the bench, Maddie witnesses a commotion of a man with his two kids. While protecting his son from paparazzi, his little girl is right in the midst of being lured away by a man with a puppy. Maddie’s quick instincts tell her she needs to save the girl from being kidnapped, but the press is too quick and manages to get her on video. Even in disguise, Maddie knows this bit of exposure could threaten discovery and lead the Prince to her location.

Xander Armstrong, billionaire CEO of Armstrong International, is grateful to Maddie in thwarting a kidnapping. He offers Maddie protection and shelter since her possessions are stolen during the commotion. There is something vulnerable and sad about Maddie and Xander can’t resist the young woman. As they spend time together, Xander learns that there is more to Maddie. He soon realizes she is the woman he wants and what his young family needs. Xander’s young son, Kylian, recently exposed the abuse of his stepfather and through Maddie’s own experiences helps guide him to healing. Xander and Maddie are great together. She’s beautiful and smart, and Xander is honorable and swoon-worthy. It’s so funny cute when Kenzie, Xander’s 4-year-old daughter, tries to use French. But there is a calm before the storm. Can Maddie hide the real truth of her past from Xander? Did she bring a threat to his doorstep? Will Xander’s ex-wife destroy his newfound happiness?

The Escape is equal parts sexy, humor, romance, and suspense. It has everything I look for in a romance and Alice Ward delivers it in spades. Another winner that will melt your heart and make you swoon. I highly recommend it to all fans of romance. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
10 reviews
March 6, 2018
Oh my Alice Ward has really outdone herself with this book loved it from start to finish. Plenty of emotions in this book! I love all of Alice’s Books!
Madalyn is a princess being forced by her father to marry a Prince she doesn’t know or love and he is pretty evil to her. So Madalyn’s mom helps her escape to New York to start a new life and leave the past where it is.
Xander is a wealthy man that works all the time and tries to take as much time as he can to see his kids in California. He has to go see his kids and finds out why his son is acting out is because he is getting abused by his stepdad so Xander fights right away for custody of his kids and gets so he takes them back to his place in NYC. They go to Central Park to play some before settling in. Xander is keeping the photographers away from his son he doesn’t see a man trying to lure his daughter into the bushes but Maddie does. She yells at the man and she does rescue the little girl. While she did that her black duffel bag was stolen with her stuff in it so now she only has alittle money to get by on. Xander wants to repay her for rescuing his daughter so they go back to his place wait for the police to question both of them. Xander offers Maddie a job so she will take care of the kids and he will make sure she has money, clothes and what ever else she needs. She agrees since she has nothing at all. As time goes on they both are having feelings for each other and they finally act on it. So Maddie’s doesn’t want to work for Xander anymore because it cause issues and Xander doesn’t want Maddie to go anywhere so he fires her from working for him so she will stay and become his girlfriend. The kids are happy they love Maddie. Will Maddie’s past and her identity cause issues with her and Xander? Will Xander make her see he wants to be with her? Grab this book up you will love it as much as I did! Highly recommend this one!

I received this book as an arc to read and give my honest review


Profile Image for Janine.
311 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2018
Interesting, drama-filled, sad, funny, and entertaining. Fairly well edited.

Maddie is living the life of a princess - literally. Except, it is more nightmare than fairy-tale. Engaged to a vile toad of a prince - without her consent - Maddie longs for a way out. When opportunity presents itself, she takes a leap into an unknown future. Landing in New York City, she heads to Central Park where she falls into the life of Xander. He has just rescued his son from an abusive step-father. Back home in New York, he brought both his son and daughter to Central Park in an attempt to relax. While he is protecting his son from invasive press hounds, someone is attempting to take his little girl. Fortunately, Maddie intervenes. Unfortunately, everything she owns is taken. What will she do now? Xander steps in to help the woman who saved his child. She joins the family, helping the children and discovering what it is to be really wanted - both as a person and as a woman. However, the evil surrounding Xander's son and the evil after Maddie will collide. Will Maddie be able to live free? Will Xander accept her when the truth is revealed? Will they find the fairy-tale ending?

While I agree that some of the threads in this story don't feel tied up very well at the end, it is still a good book for an afternoon of diversion. Lots of sad and disturbing themes - the abuse of Xander's son, the 'selling' of Maddie to a very nasty man, the obvious intent by the prince to abuse Maddie, and Xander's ex-wife (on so many levels) - that are dealt with more on the surface than in depth. But, this is a work of fiction, meant to give a few hours of escape from every day life. It is not as deep as some books, and not as light as others. If you just read it to see a father trying to do his best in a bad situation and a young (very sheltered) woman trying to forge a new life in totally foreign circumstances, then you will be satisfied. Enjoy.
3,054 reviews17 followers
March 8, 2018
Phenomenal, Emotional story – Once you Start You Cannot Put it Down!!!

A princess who has no control over her future – who has been raised to be the ideal wife in exchange for something beneficial to her country. When the prince she is engaged to is cruel and dangerous, it looks like she is trapped with her life on the line.

A billionaire, Xander, who lives in NY. His ex-wife remarries and takes his two kids to CA to live with her new husband. Xander keeps a home in CA to be able to visit. On his last visit he finds out why his son is “acting out” and the stepfather is sent to jail. Given custody of his children and riddled with guilt for not realizing sooner what is going on, this trio is chilling in Central Park.

Our princess, now Maddie, has been given a reprieve but must leave everything she has ever known and escape to anonymous NY. Pulled by the only “green space” on the map she is also in Central Park. She is wearing her first ever pair of jeans and has tasted her first ever coke. She watches the family unit as she decides her next step. She ends up saving Xander’s daughter and in the process her bag is stolen leaving her without the resources to survive.

An incredibly moving story of family, loyalty, survival and attraction. Bits of humor as our billionaire and princess try to figure out the basics of everyday life such as a washing machine and how to cook. A glimpse of a scene from a prior book, an amazing method to reduce the hurt of words and a brilliant story to warm your heart.

Am I gushing? Perhaps a bit, as this story hit every aspect that makes it emotional and memorable.

*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
214 reviews
March 5, 2018
Madeleina Birgitta had been born with one purpose...to marry well. Today she learned her worst fear had come true and there was nothing she could do to change her fate. Every decision had been taken from her, now she had two options... one was to obey, the other was to die.

When his father retired, Xander Armstrong stepped into the CEO position. The sixteen hour a day job altered his family life and it wasn't long until his wife and children were living in California with her new husband and Xander was commuting there on the weekends to spend time with his children Kylian and Kenzie.

During his most recent visit something surfaced which altered all of their lives and prompted an immediate return trip to New York. A visit to the park across the street from his apartment was meant to be settling, instead it turned everyone's life upside down. That's where he met a girl in the park under the oddest of circumstances and the turn of events that follow will open the reader's heart.

What can I say but this book is absolutely stunning from start to finish. The characters are engaging, recognizable, endearing and revolting... depending on who appears! It is a fresh look at something we don't want to think about but is very real.

It's also a fast paced story filled with plenty of intrigue, some serious chemistry and a wonderful introduction to family members and furry friends. Do yourself a big favor and pick this one up - you won't be sorry. I received a reader copy and was so pleased I have already told all my friends about this one...bet you will too.

Alice Ward has earned 5 gold stars for this one along with my gratitude and a really big smile.
109 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2018
Alice Ward.....WOW!

Prepare for your heart to be broken, mended, then broken again. The Escape was a fantastically emotional story. Maddie and Xander bring us on one heckuva of a roller coaster ride!

Maddie is a runaway princess. She has changed her name to Madalyn. At the age of 25, her father has betrothed her to a prince who is evil underneath all that polish. Maddie, Princess Madeilena, runs away to NYC. While at the park, she witnesses a kidnap attempt and saves the little girl. This is her introduction to Xander and his 2 children. After losing everything she owns in her bag while saving the little girl, she ends up going home with them.

Xander and his children are recovering from a recent trauma. They are trying to get stronger as a family. His son went through something horrible so Xander is trying to help him heal as well as heal from his own losses.

Maddie and Xander together begin the healing process for themselves and the children. But that evil prince is still on the hunt for Maddie. What will Xander do when he finds out who Maddie really is? So many things going on! I loved it!

Alice Ward wrote another emotional powerhouse with some healthy doses of steam!!! Maddie, Xander, and the children will bring you to tears several times. They are so broken but the healing and love are so powerful that it all ends with a wonderful HEA. But the road there is painful, healing, and oh so loving! A MUST read!

I received an ARC and I leave my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Maria.
631 reviews29 followers
March 4, 2018
Meet Madalyn and Xander. She is a princess who is definitely not living her fairy tale because her father has just arranged her wedding to a mean prince, heir to the throne. She wants to escape to live a better life, so what better way than to organize her allegedly death. Xander is a freshly divorced and handsome billionaire who is trying to gain the trust and love of his children. Their worlds collide just when Madalyn has escaped from her past and gone to New York under a new identity. Xander on the other hand, has taken his children away from his ex wife after becoming aware of his son’s sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather. Their encounter is like a sign from above because she will immediately capture his attention and love. This story is actually more intricate than it may sound. Both characters are trying to escape from something. She wants to just live a normal life and have a family; he, on the other hand, wants to escape and give his son the chance to recover from a distraught situation. Madalyn seems to him just an angel that will heal the entire family giving him a second chance in love. Xander is a loving father who has made some mistakes and wants to make up for the lost time. Plus there is the circumstance that the mean prince is on the loose trying to uncover Madalyn’s apparent death. There is really a lot to take in but the reader won’t remain deluded by this amazing story.
2,295 reviews18 followers
March 9, 2018
An amazing read that required a few tissues beside me as I was reading through the story. Xander meets Madilyn aka Maddie in Central Park when she rescues his daughter from a predator. Maddie loses everything to start her new life when her bag gets stolen when she comes to the rescue. Xander can’t let the woman go who saved his daughter and offers her a safe place with him to make sure she is OK. What happened to Maddie, Xander and his son and daughter, before they meet, while they get to know one another and their HEA, is a story not to be missed.
My heart broke many times during this read for all of them but mostly for Kylian and a warning to others there may be triggers for some but Alice Ward deals with it with sensitivity. There was one point in the book with the stones and just before with Maddie and Kylian that the pages were blurred through my tears. Not only that but the anger at his ex made me see red and sad that there were people in this world like her.
A story of two people who save each other by becoming a family, a story with steamy sensual scenes and even some funny scenes with laughter, a story that was hard to put down till I was done. Only thing missing for me was I wanted to know what happened to the ex after all of it was done, but even with that missing information for me, I could not give it less than 5 stars.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
267 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2018
This Prince Charming drives a Porsche Cayenne S...eventually

The last two books I read were ho-hum. But. Definitely. Not. This. One. This book truly was an escape from mere words scribbled on my Kindle screen; it was an emotional journey that kept me hooked from the first. I was terrified for Madeleina. To have her first sexual encounter, and her whole life, within the cruel and evil hands of that vile (vile and evil have the same letters 😝) Prince. And to think that her own father placed her there for the gifts he got. And to think that the Prince thinks it's a woman's fault when she has a daughter. Get real--a woman will only ever give an 'X' chromosome. So in order to get a boy, it must come from the male. How archaic a thought. Boys need to learn this and stop blaming the woman (enough from my soapbox). And his treatment of her as well. And then I wondered how Xander and "Madelyn" were going to meet. It was both tragic and heartwarming at the same time. Not to mention how he took care of her, and didn't want to take advantage of her, so her gave her the means to be independent. Where are men like him? This book left me feeling all good and warm and glowing inside. Please give it a try! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book, and I borrowed it through the Kindle Unlimited program too.
200 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2018
This is a story of the power of love, not just between a couple, but between mother and daughter, strangers, and friends. Ms. Ward brings a powerfully emotional story that touches on some very traumatic topics, but one that allows us to see how the good in even one person can set into motion a domino effect of happenings that will renew your faith in human kind, which is definitely something everyone could use now a days. Even though there are times when you can sense what is going to happen in the story, Ms. Ward writes in a way that has her readers perched on the edge of their seat and grasping the true meaning of love and devotion through her words and storyline. Maddie, Xander, Kenzie, and Kylian are an amazing group of characters that you can't help but fall in love with. They are at times silly, scared, enraged, devastated and overwhelmed, but through it all there is a love so strong you can almost touch it. And by writing in this way this author give us something to reach for and believe in that is truly amazing. Great Book!! - that I would highly recommend to everyone. I am leaving my honest review for a book I received as an advanced reader copy.
Profile Image for Zee Williams.
170 reviews
March 12, 2018
Better than I thought

I truly enjoyed this book. I was honestly expecting to read some of it and find out I hated it. I'm glad to say that's not true. I loved Maddie and just couldn't understand why her dad was the way he was. Thank goodness for her mom loving her so much and helping her escape. Now both Maddie and Xander were dumb to automatically move in like they did but hey its a book. Kenzie was just a bundle of laughs and joy all through this book and i loved it. Most people write books about kids but you don't get to see the child's personality so i loved that her and her brother were present if that makes sense. My heart hurt for Kylian!!! I wanted to take Danielle and sling her by the hair!! She is no mom and as bad and childish as it is when she got hurt I said that's what she gets. In my head after this story ended her and her husband are locked up and getting what they deserve. I recommend this book but if the thought or remembrance of abuse triggers you don't read this. Stuff happened to me as a child but this book didn't have too many details so it was just fine it didn't trigger me. Read it!!!
Profile Image for Lisa Smith.
1,052 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2019
Where are you Princess?

This was an excellent story and not predictable at all. Xander Armstrong owner and CEO of is own company a multi billionaire. A divorcé and a father of two beautiful kids Kylian and Kenzie. Feeling a little down that his daughter was turning four years old and he was not with her in California. So he went to California to spend a few days with his children. Only when he got there there was a lot of circumstances that lead to b
Him bringing his children home with home to New York. Princess Madeline was being forced to marry the man of her fathers choice. Only that man wasn’t so nice. So he fake her death and went to New York. Only on her first day to New York she was exposed to the paparazzi because they were harassing Xander and his son for info about incident in California. In the mean time someone tried to kidnapped his daughter and Princess Maddie stop them. Being grateful he offered help but fell in love with her as well. Princess knew she was going to have to tell him the truth one day but figured not today. Believe me there is more to story enjoy reading.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,280 reviews46 followers
March 5, 2018
Two people with pasts they'd like to forget meet when Madalyn prevents Xander's daughter from being kidnapped in Central Park. She's a princess who faked her death to escape from an arranged marriage to an evil Prince. She lands in NYC with only a few clothes, a few dollars and a bag of jewels that she planned to sell. The jewels are stolen while she is stopping the kidnapping. With no money and no where to go, grateful Xander takes her home with him and his two children. He's divorced and has recently gotten his children back after he found out his son was being abused by his stepfather. Fate brings them together and each gains something they really didn't know they needed and all is good for a while. The evil prince has been investigating her fake death and is determined to find her. Can Xander keep her safe? A great romantic read with lots of drama and suspense. I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review. Great characters that you'll fall in love with and an entertaining story line.
339 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2018
Princess Madeleina was raised as a princess by her royal parents. When she faced an arranged marriage to a prince she knew to be evil she escaped to New York to begin a new life as Madalyn aka Maddie.
While in the park one day debating what to do to support herself in her new life she sees a kidnapping about to happen and intercedes. Thus she meets Xander and his children Kylian and Kenzie. Xander has his own set of problems and has recently taken full custody of his two children.
Since all Maddie’s worldly possessions were stolen while she saved his little girl Xander invites Maddie to his home to show his gratitude; there he offers her safety and a place to stay.
There is a deep attraction between Maddie and Xander and Maddie adores his children too. A relationship develops between the two as they struggle to overcome their pasts and move forward in life.
I enjoy all Ms Wards books and this ARC was no exception I am willingly reviewing it and looking forward eagerly to her next book.
779 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2018
Maddie is a princess in hiding. She was told she would marry a prince, but he was most definitely not her idea of happily ever after, more like her worst nightmare. After a daring escape, she changes her apperance and arrives in New York without much of a plan. Her first day in her new reality she saves a little girl from being kidnapped, gets robbed of all she has and is taken into the little girl's family.
Xander is a powerful businessman. He's also a caring father who seldom sees his children, who live on the opposite coast with their mother. When he goes for a visit and discovers what has been happening, he brings them back to New York to live with him. After an exhausting day, he just wants to take his kids out to the park and relax. What happens is far from relaxing and ends with inviting a stranger into his home.
What follows is a heartwarming story of what can be.
Loved it!!! Great characters, great story, great read!!!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am leaving my honest review.
6,128 reviews17 followers
March 7, 2018
I really loved this book. The first chapter completely hooked me! I was so hooked I stayed up until midnight reading the book. I loved Madeleina (Maddie) she was an incredible person who was strong and caring. Xander was a wonderful man who had a heart of gold. Kylian and Kenzie were just super kids! I loved how Xander's parental instincts kick in when he hears what his son has gone through. I just wanted to cry for both of them. I would have problem done more to Jet than Xander did. She might have rescued his daughter but they rescued her as well. I love this quote: "They say when one door closes, another opens". It was so true in this book. Xander, Maddie, Kylian and Kenzie found a real treasure: family. It was also nice to see her dad came around. Prince Vitalievich deserved what he got. I thought this was a wonderful story that was well written and well developed. It was suspenseful, romantic and showed not only love but acceptance, growth and healing.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.*
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,260 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2018
Are you a fan of Alice Ward - if not- read this book and you will be. The woman can write! Each and every book she write I wait pat7for then stay up til I’m done as I can’t put it down. Alice has a gift. This book, I think is her best. It’s dark and forbidding and suspenseful and tense - you won’t want to put it dow. This book is about domestic violence & child pedophilia and while those topics are heavy, Alice has a way of bringing light to a topic, we feel a roller coaster of emotions but she doesn’t overwhelm her audience. This is also an amazing love story and it sheds bright white positive light on how to began the healing journey after such violence. Madalyn was running from an abusive sadistic Prince who simply found pleasure in hurting women. MadAlyn is able to fake her own death while Xander tries to provide the saftey and security his son Kylian needed after being sexually abused by his stepfather. My fav book this year as it is powerful, emotional. It leaves you feeling empty for one second then fills you up. Simply amazing!
Profile Image for Romance Between The Sheets.
1,175 reviews66 followers
April 6, 2018
The Escape was an incredibly easy and fast read, it has all the romantic moments but also has a wonderful family storyline.

Xander and his two children were my favourite parts of this story.  There were touches of humour but also some moments of sadness with a sensitive subject.  Xander definitely stepped up and became the father these two children needed.

Madalyn was an incredibly easy character to fall in love with.  From those first few chapters, I wanted her to find freedom from her family.  She had such humility and determination and was so caring for Xander's children.

Xander's Ex-Wife and Madalyn's Prince she was being forced to marry created suspense and much drama throughout the story.  Towards the end, you knew confrontation was coming and it was perfectly placed within the storyline.

The romantic and sensual moments between Xander and Madalyn had great balance and it was lovely to see their relationship develop.

The ending of The Escape was very enjoyable and neatly tied up their romantic story.
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