Ground Given

by Kassandra Montag

In 1974, a waitress in small-town Nebraska idly dreams of escaping her dead-end job and her boss, who controls every aspect of her life—until a handsome stranger comes to town and her luck begins to change. Inspired by Bonnie and Clyde mythology and Robin Hood folklore, Ground Given is a romantic crime story of a woman determined to break free.

Sinead—who is both resilient and vulnerable, insightful and insecure—spends her days supporting her ailing mother and appeasing Emerson, the man who owns her house and the diner where she works. She wants nothing more than to leave the town her own dark history is bound up in, but Emerson asserts his power over her, thwarting her progress at every turn. One day, Tobias, a mysterious rambler from the east coast, walks into the diner, and Sinead makes the impulsive decision to invite him into her life and home. As their relationship intensifies, her dreams of running away take shape as ambitious plans, but one wrong move could have life-altering consequences

Genres: Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Romance

Audiobook

Published January 14, 2021

About the author

Kassandra Montag grew up in rural Nebraska and now lives in Omaha with her husband and two sons. She holds a master’s degree in English Literature and her award-winning poetry and short fiction has appeared in journals and anthologies, including Midwestern Gothic, Nebraska Poetry, Prairie Schooner, and Mystery Weekly Magazine. After the Flood, her debut novel, will be published in over a dozen languages and has been optioned for a television series.

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Hilary Huber

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinead has recently lost her mother and now lives alone with her controlling step-father. She works at a local diner and truly wishes her life could be different. When Tobias walks into the diner one night everything begins to change. She wouldn't usually try to form a connection with anyone in the past but the need to have some comfort in her life has her opening up to Tobias.

Tobias knows how unhappy Sinead is and it turns out that he too has things he would rather leave behind in his past. They come up with a plan that will give them both the freedom they so desperately want. However, executing it will not be easy, it will be risky and dangerous. They are both willing to take a chance if it means they can break free from their reality into new beginnings.

These audible original short audio reads are perfect for me to listen to when I'm out walking or doing household chores. Ground Given had a lot happening in it and the narrator did a fantastic job conveying the situation and emotions.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another Audible shortie...It needed more, but it had good bones.

[TraceyL · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Kassandra Montag's novel After the Flood and was excited to see a new work by her. Unfortunately this just didn't do much for me. Her writing was excellent as normal, but I couldn't really get into this short story. Maybe if it was longer and had more depth to it I would've enjoyed it. There's nothing special here unfortunately.

I can't wait to read more from this author, though!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story: worth a listen. Nothing insane or profound.

[Michelle Dinkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. Loved how the author set it up for you to think things would turn out differently.

[Hilal Tunçkol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young woman is abused by her step-father figure and her desire to flee gets only stronger when her mother dies. A new guy in town, Tobias inspires her to run away and tells her he will help her, but before they can get away, the stepfather kills Tobias, so the woman kills her stepfather, believing that as long as he lives she will never be truly free.

The story was nothing new, but the writing was alright and it was pretty short, anyway.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about Sinead who wants to get away from the life she's living and what she'll do to get that chance. A story about choices we make and having to live with the results of those choices. Nice short story.

[Crystal Swafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story about a small town girl trying to break free is both novel and touches the soul with yearning. The characters and plot are fulfilling; the deep dive into some details but not others causes an unbalance in the flow a few times. Otherwise, great writing by a local author.

[Sylvie Rochon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about an abused woman in a small town looking to leave. A newcomer to town Tobias springs joy and hope to her. A good audiobook with an ok story

[im_just_vidu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well it's not the best. But I don't regret listening to this audiobook. It was fine. Not too bad.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about an abused woman trying to find a way out and the choices she makes.

[Priscilla Chau Davey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining short story of Sinead and Tobias and what transpires when they try to rob Emerson, Sinead’s mother’s ex boyfriend

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick listen by audible plus about a young woman's determination to leave her past and start new. Kept my interest. Glad it was a short listen though .

[Simi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story of Sinead and her journey to break free from her current life (even if it takes a bit of danger). I was surprised but satisfied with how her story moved along.

[Gabriela Bazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy mystery, but glad there was a twist.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was kind of blah for me as it reiterated a similar tale to Cinderella except the prince doesn’t end up taking her away and she gets out on her own. There wasn’t enough substance in the story for me to really enjoy it.

[RoosBookReviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.

[Anita Rheinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A person can only take so much pushing before they push back.

[Paris Hendershot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish that this was more in depth because like another person said “it has good bones”. I feel like this has a lot of potential as a full blow novel if not a short series.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this short story as part of Audible Originals. It was a really great story. I am very interested in now reading more from this author and will be looking into her full length novels.

[Mindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have no idea what this book was about. It didn’t keep me engaged. Had to force myself to finish because I cannot stop books mid way... drives me crazy to never finish one. 🙈😜

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, but I felt like there was a lot more to the characters than could be related in a short story.

[Deirdre Gerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short novel, but felt like it could have been so much more (underveloped plot, imo).