Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Compass Key #5

The Escape

Rate this book
Second chances do exist.

Five former sorority sisters, all in their 50's, undertake the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious invite reunites them at an exclusive resort set on a private island.


Olivia was the quiet one. Her divorce from her alcoholic husband freed her in many ways but caused a rift with her daughter that seems impossible to heal.

Amanda was the perfect one. Widowed and desperately broke but hiding it, she needs a new start more than anyone can imagine.

Leigh Ann was the cheerleader. Her ongoing divorce is completely amicable, or so she’d like everyone to believe. The truth isn’t quite as rosy.

Grace was the party girl. And she still is, much to the dismay of her husband, who’s struggling to keep their restaurant afloat. Grace hopes her time away will give them both the space she thinks they need.

Katie was the brains. Now she’s incredibly successful but hiding secrets that could change her life if they were to get out.

When their beloved house mother invites them on an all-expenses-paid vacation, then drops a huge surprise on them, the five friends face a major decision. Can they overcome their pasts in order to take advantage of the amazing future being offered?

Take the journey to Compass Key with them and find out.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2022

656 people are currently reading
267 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Miller

42 books342 followers
Time off is time best spent at the beach, don't you agree?

The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.

When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.

I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,309 (71%)
4 stars
708 (22%)
3 stars
167 (5%)
2 stars
24 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Cindy Willingham.
5 reviews
October 26, 2022
Characters feel like family!

This was a feel good, uplifting series. Simply had to read the five books straight through. The romance was great, but the friendship between the women was amazing, from the elder Iris, the five women, and the younger women incorporated in. There were many sticky, real life issues to be worked out, from alcoalism, divorce, mother-daughter issues, and generic health issues. This was all done with wisdom & even tongue in cheek comedy. I felt their pain & their joy, their struggle with coming to grips with starting over, facing their insecurities, learning to face their fifties with hope & grace. Excellent & fun reading. Glad there are still 2 more books to read.
Profile Image for January.
2,835 reviews129 followers
September 30, 2023
The Escape by Maggie Miller
Compass Key #5
7h 36m narrated by Vivienne Leheny, Laura Jennings, Allyson Voller, Cindy Kay, Nancy Wu, Sara Morsey, and Suzie Althens, 348 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance

Featuring: Quinquagenarians, Multiple POVs, Divorcees, Free Vacation Trope, Sorority Sisters, Florida Keys, Island Resort, Septuagenarian, Secrets, Drama, Cats, Sex - Off-Camera, Food, Wedding Planning, Restaurants, Cliffhangers

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content and situations

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🌊🌱🐚

My thoughts: 📱39% 2:58:30 Ch. 17 - These stories are keeping up fast enough for me. It's like they are pausing some of the storylines.

The audiobook needed some help. It was not equal, you could tell it was recorded in different places, Grace had lower quality sound than the others and Leigh Ann sounded like she was in a phone booth. Overall the story was good and it kind of had an ending. I felt things were left unsaid but I had enough information to walk away. The personal money spent to benefit others was so unnecessary and spread out, that it became annoying, I can understand one foolishly generous person, but not everyone. That and the lack of details for the investigation and wedding are why I didn't feel 5 stars. I'll get back to the last 2 books in a few months. The entire series is on KU.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This is an awesome palate cleanser.

Compass Key
1. The Island (2022)
2. The Secret (2022)
3. The Dream (2022)
4. The Promise (2022)
5. The Escape (2022)
6. Christmas on the Island (2022)
7. The Wedding (2022)
Profile Image for Kristen.
1,176 reviews
August 28, 2022
The Escape is a delightful return to Compass Key. Finally, things are coming together for the five women who’ve been gifted the opportunity to start over while taking over ownership and the operation of a private island resort. I loved catching up with all of them and have found every visit to Compass Key to be magical and engaging. Wonderful characters, idyllic setting, and a compelling story. What a wonderful escape!
31 reviews
July 5, 2024
Book 5 in the series

I like all of the compass key characters and the books. They’re very easy read go very quickly. The setting is beautiful. The people are likable however, on my fifth book I’m getting a little tired of all the goody goody. Everything is perfect and everybody’s life stuff. there’s no reality to it. But I’m still reading them all.
Profile Image for Joan Westgate.
416 reviews32 followers
July 21, 2025
I cannot believe I've read the 5 series ; after the first two, I thought the reads were a little banal,but onward I went, wanting to meet the fictional characters again. If you're looking for a simpler book, especially on the beach or at night to help you snooze :) , then you found your next reads.
Profile Image for Melinda Wise.
35 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2022
Another wonderful installment on Compass Key! Hated to see it end, I hope Maggie will continue to enchant us with the stories of all these people, there is still much to tell.
Well-written, fun to read, thanks Maggie.
363 reviews7 followers
September 15, 2022
Great book.

This is the fifth book in the Compass Key series. I can't say enough good things about these books. I fell in love with all the characters from the first book and I still can't wait for the next book to come out. I will be so sad then this series ends.
2 reviews
September 15, 2022
awesome series!!!!

Omg I loved this series. The characters, their history and the tropical vibe so perfect! These romantic series are good because the development of the relations ships are excellent. Maggie is one of my fav authors!
60 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2023
ENCOMPASSING

This series of books are captivating. One gets caught up in the story. In the lives of the characters, one finds themself in the story as well. One cannot wait for the next book. They seamlessly flow together.

A truly great read.....
20 reviews
February 6, 2023
Epic..

As the series goes on I am enjoying it more and more. It makes you feel like you are a part of each one of these ladies story. You can feel the island of Compass Key in your blood. Amazing read.
40 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2023
Excellent Escape

Through this series I know I have read enough pages to equal "War & Peace" but I enjoyed every book and every page. It was great to spend time in Paradise with characters who seemed real.
Profile Image for Janet.
986 reviews25 followers
March 30, 2023
“This island is magic. Vows made here last a lifetime.”

Where would your vows be magic and last a lifetime?

Although the title is deceiving the book is a wonderful progression of the ladies at The Palms.
Profile Image for Karen Cino.
Author 53 books507 followers
April 4, 2023
This is such an awesome series. The women are all unique and their friendship is top-notch. I totally recommend this series. But I suggest that you start with book one so you can watch the women all grew together. The perfect beach read!
2,380 reviews13 followers
June 13, 2023
The Escape

Wow! What a wonderful story. All five of the ladies played an important part in making the wedding come together. Happiness was truly found and Iris knew she had made the right decision giving each a part of the resort.
30 reviews
December 14, 2023
Fun and Attention Holding

Book 5 is just like the other four books. An easy read that is full of stories within the story. All of those stories combine to add mystery and enjoyment to the reading.
2 reviews
June 18, 2024
I like the books because they are easy to listen too. What struck me with this book was that a theme of dieting seems to be more prevalent. Always watching what they are eating and talking about dieting. This was a bit too much in this book. Even for me to put it down for a while.
3 reviews
February 22, 2025
just perfect

A great ending to the drama of embezzlement ,painting and divorce/ wedding. Amazing that these women could pull it off . They are not young ,so needed extra energy for all their tasks
38 reviews
August 30, 2022
Excellent series. I cannot put my kindle down. I cannot wait for the next book.
49 reviews
September 18, 2022
Excellent

I have been reading this series and wait patiently for the next one. I love all of her books and can't recommend her highly enough.
7 reviews
Read
September 18, 2022
Good read

I hate waiting on the next book to come out. After getting to know the characters I can't wait to see what happens when Katie's son and his family come to the island.
7 reviews
September 18, 2022
Amazing

This collection of books is just awesome. Hard to put down. Wish the stories would continue. Some of the best reads.
28 reviews
September 19, 2022
I wanted more

I love the characters...I wanted more details with the Wedding! Did they like the food? Did they love the cake? What about the music? Oh yes...let me know.....
84 reviews
September 27, 2022
The Escape

Here again is a very good read. I enjoyed it. I like the surprises that turned up just when you need it.
12 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2022
Wedding Magic

Compass Key is enchanting and Ms. Miller brings it very effectively to life. Great characters and you feel like part of the family. I need a turquoise shirt!
Profile Image for Marilyn Mccloud.
111 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2022
Best books.

I loved this book just as I loved the previous books. I loved reading this set of books. Wish I could be there as part of their lives.
41 reviews
February 7, 2023
Perfect in every way!

Loved loved this book. The twists and turns were great. The women in the book are real to me with real life challenges.
3 reviews
March 9, 2023
Wonderful!)

I like the way the stories are progressing! The ladies are each interesting in their own right! Can't wait to continue reading about them.
Profile Image for Gary W Demmer.
2 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2023
Good reads

Read all in the series and loved them all. Looking forward to reading more by Maggie Miller. Read them you won't be disappointed.
3 reviews
April 29, 2023
Escape and Enjoy

Read, relax and enjoy another feel good story. Close your eyes and picture the tropical setting, than make plans for your own Key ad venture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.