They didn’t know each other, but the events of one single day heralded a pivotal change that would alter their lives forever.
Almost two decades spent locked away in a dark, dank cell, Gray Bennet isn’t used to the sun, the sounds, the scents.
It’s overwhelming.
Each year Robin Bishop returns, and while everyone around her is solemn, she lifts her face to the sun and celebrates her … her freedom.
It’s liberating.
He sees her.
She stands out in the grieving crowd—her head thrown back, her face bright with contentment—like a beacon offering to guide him into the light.
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As with every book I’ve read by Freya Barker, I am in awe of the depth of her creativity. Whether she’s writing her romantic suspense stories or women’s fiction, Ms. Barker has her finger on the pulse of her characters and the reader’s emotions. Victim of Circumstance is a prime example of this author’s talent and the title is more than appropriate for both of the main characters.
After being released from prison, Gray returns to the only home he’s known outside of prison. Expecting to find hatred for his past actions, Gray finds acceptance and a job from his friend, Jimmy. Needing to put his guilt to rest over his sister’s passing on 9/11, Gray makes a trip to the memorial and sees a vibrant woman who appears to be celebrating for a different reason. An unexpected connection is made but quickly put aside.
Robin lost her husband in the Twin Towers on 9/11 but for her the event was not a loss but freedom from an abusive husband and the father of her daughter. Robin’s made a life for herself and her daughter but now her daughter is grown and her widowed mother is in a relationship, she’s struggling to find a new balance in her life.
Robin and Gray’s paths cross when he is sent on a tow call and they meet again. The story that follows is an intensely emotional story of redemption and self-forgiveness. Ms. Barker pulls a lot into this story: friendship, loyalty, spousal abuse, jealousy, greed, guilt, redemption, forgiveness, and love. The growth of the relationship of Gray and Robin is often full of sidetracks but Ms. Barker does an excellent job of putting them back on the right track. The story is carefully crafted and balanced so the reader roots for the couple and understands the deep-seated emotions that lead Gray into his circumstance. This story once again illustrates that Ms. Barker is the high priestess of mature romance.
Victim Of Circumstance by Freya Barker
First off I have to say I loved this book but then I love all of Ms. Barker’s books but this one is special with the upcoming 20 year anniversary of 9/11. Both Robin and Grey lost someone in the twin towers each has memories of their loved ones good and bad. Grey Bennett lost his sister but also later his mother at the hands of his father for which he spent time in prison for 18 years. Robin Bishop lost her husband who was there for a meeting but her memories are more of a relief. Both want to heal and start over Grey will find that his friends from his past are still there waiting for him to move forward. Robin will find that her daughter who couldn’t understand why she kept away from the memorial was different than just the loss of her father. Hope, understanding, and a future for Grey and Robin together.
I really this is a new series because I’d love to see how each persons story is told until their own HEA.
This is a sad story for all. Gray gets out of prison after 2 decades and doesn’t know what to do with himself. He ends up getting a bus ticket and going back to his hometown. He still hasn’t gotten over his sisters death on 9/11. Robin lost her husband there in the twin towers but she’s not feeling sad, he was an abusive husband. Gray and she meet by accident. But their paths criss cross. This story has twists and turns, sadness, whatif’s and new beginnings. HEA
He lost his sister in the 9 11 attacks She lost her husband for him he lost his only family left and because he killed his father he spent 18 years paying for it She understands why he did it He is not that kind of man anymore She may have lost her husband and father of her child but she was now free because he treated them badly she kept secret the reason she went to the memorial from her daughter but she finds out that her daughter remembers what her dad did to them and so they reconnect He and her have sizzling romance great action protecting her from a coworker’s Ex and a happy ending for them with a marriage proposal
Gray is just being released from prison and is ready to start over. Robin is a waitress and had a bad marriage. When she meets Gray they both are in New York at the 9/11 memorial and they meet again when her car breaks down back. They have an instant connection but Gray doesn’t feel that a man with his history deserves a woman like her. When they keep running into each other they end up having dinner together and things heat up between them. However Gray pulls back from Robin and she wonders if she misread the signals. It takes talking with his friends for him to see that what he did in his past wasn’t his fault and that he deserved to be happy with Robin. Will Robin give him a another chance? Can she share her past with him without it scaring him off?
This is an amazing story about two wounded people finding love and healing each other. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
FREYA BARKER never fails to pull at all of my emotions when I read her books.
VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE was a little different from Ms B’s series in that this was a standalone in a multi author series but that didn’t in any way alter from the impact this book had in any way!!
Gray Bennet broke my heart… honestly, I loved his character. Locked up for nearly twenty years I totally got why he did what he did – hell, in his position there’s a good chance I’d do the same thing myself in grief and anger….
Free after all these years, he’s got an uncertain future ahead of him and on a trip to New York to remember and honour his sister he sees a woman who catches his interest…. he never thought for a second that the trip or the woman would be anything but a moment in time, and not something that has the potential to change his life!!!
Robin Bishop made the same trip as Gray but for very different reasons and it’s those reasons that make her the strong, independent woman that she is. She’s got her own story, and secrets, and I loved that she embraced life the way she did. She was just the spirit and light that Gray needed to help him move forward and begin to really live again.
I don’t know if it’s that her characters are that bit older, with their share of life experience, heartbreak, successes and disappointment that I can relate to or if it’s her fabulous way of making these ‘people’ feel real but whatever it is Freya’s main and supporting cast are likeable, relatable and, for me, you can ‘see’ what is being played out in the story as you read through the book.
I honestly LOVED VoC and it is a definite 5* recommended read for me.
Now I just need to read the others in the series!
This is Gray and Robin’s story. Wow, be prepared for this one. What an amazing, eye opening, thoughtful journey you will be taken on with this book. I was captivated by the beginning and simply devoured the whole book. Pace yourself, I did not but sometimes, you just have to eat the whole.candy bar in five minutes. I love reading this author but this book may have tipped my favorite. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is a light here that will lead you through the darkness.
I had no idea going in to this story, exactly what the circumstance was that our MCs would be victims of, I’m glad I didn’t because this one is a little close to home for me. But as with all Freya’s stories, I closed the cover and reflected. Don’t let the chaos of life lull you into forgetting to be grateful.
It took me a little time to write a review for this book, I wasn’t even sure I would, but honestly if you’re not following this author you’re missing out. I love her brand of romance.
When Gray got out of prison after 18 years the only place he could think of to go is his hometown, the place where his life went up in smoke. But it is also the place which he knew and maybe he will be able to carve out a life there. When he arrived he found that he still had friends, and that most of the townspeople actually felt that they let him down before. But he still had something to do before he could let go of the past – went to the place his little sister died on that horrible day his own life changed forever, the place where the horror of 9/11 happened at the Twin Towers in New York. There he saw this woman, who totally out of place, looked like she is welcoming life with wide open stretched arms. And the next time he saw her was at the side of a dark road when he got called out to a breakdown and he found that she lived in the same town as him. Robin could not believe how small the world could be when she realised he is the man with the striking blue eyes she first saw in New York and then again on the plane. But despite the attraction Gray was not sure if he was ready to open up to someone, if he will ever be ready. Can he trust himself with someone? The more he got to know Robin the more he realised what a special person she is and also that she had secrets, same as him. Will they be able to heal through sharing their secrets and believing in the future? This is another great story by Freya Barker, a story of redemption and forgiveness, of unconditional love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Freya Barker never disappoints, each book, each series, seem better than the last.
I have many favorite characters of hers, but I have to say – Grey is by far my absolute favorite.
Three simple words -“I miss Robin” made my heart swell, and tears to fall.
I love a good romance, not sugar sweet, just realistic.
Freya delivers.
I love flawed characters.
Freya delivers.
I love Freya.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this one so much. Ms Barker (for ME at least) wraps her characters & plot around the reader’s heart & emotions like an ultra soft & comforting favorite afghan. What in another author’s hands might have been a story loaded with anger, castigation, hate, is instead an absolutely heartwarming story of love & acceptance.
Gray (H), just released from prison after 18 years finds himself back in his hometown of Beaverton which is also the scene of the crime which sent him to prison. And again, Ms. Barker doesn’t subject either Gray or the reader to scene after scene of bullying, insults & harassment but provides both Gray & the reader with scenes of people who have known Gray since birth & welcome him back home with open arms & support.
Robin (h), settled in Beaverton just after Gray’s incarceration & thus never knew him until a chance meeting in a far distant city & again shortly thereafter just outside of Gray’s hometown. And Robin finds herself unaccountably attracted to the tall, silver-haired, grouchy, uncommunicative man freshly returned to town.
And while Gray is also highly atracted to Robin, he has demons he needs to conquer before he dares enter into a relationship with anyone . . . .
A wonderfully warm loving romance story between two mature (mid-40’s, early 50’s) people who together work to surmount their pasts & dare envision a future, possibly together. The characters are superbly drawn & detailed & my heart ACHED for Gray: what he’d survived & wanted but was so afraid to hope for; & Robin: determined to always move forward & was drawn more & more to the emotionally scarred & wary Gray.
For the reader who wants to FEEL, wants to CARE about the characters, wants to journey WITH them: Read this one. It’s beautiful in the most heartwarming & satisfying of ways.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a great book from Freya. This author has such a talent for giving a character such a powerful voice. Such a well-written book that kept me connected all the way through.
Another incredible story by Freya Barker! Gray and Robin are wonderful characters! Could not put it down!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fantastic read! Emotional rollercoaster for this two people they lost everything except hope.
9-11 affected their life and now 18 years later they will try to start again.
The circumstances brings this two at an anniversary memorial at Ground Zero and finding they live in the same town.
What they have in common? You would think that an ex-con and the local diner waitress have nothing in common and you will be wrong.
Love the storyline, characters are great.
Definitely recommended !
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read several books written by Freya Barker; she has done an excellent job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Gray just got out of prison for murder, and comes back to the only town he knows. With her daughter settling in her own career, Robin is thinking that maybe she’s ready to get out more, even date. They see each other at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, not knowing that they live in the same small town in Michigan. Just like every other book from this author, Gray and Robin are real, flawed, older and more mature, connected instantly, and yet on a slow burn for each other. I particularly love that Robin doesn’t back away from Gray and his past, but rather sees him for who his is. He doesn’t know what her story is, but is patiently waiting until she’s ready to share. Her daughter, Paige, seems to have inherited strength from both Robin and her grandma. Jimmy – omg what a terrific friend. Gray moves home and Jimmy gives him a job and a place to live, as well as a little stash of money to get started. And he also gives Gray a swift kick in the pants when he needs it most. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an awesome story. It was a fully fleshed story of love and romance. It is definitely a keeper to be read again. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
Part of the Cell Block C series a well written story with a very good storyline. I was not putting this book down until I had finished reading. Ex-con Gray Bennet and Robin Bishop meet by accident, they are in the same place at the same time, she makes him think of “Sunshine”. I want to read more in this series. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite different from the previous Freya books I have read. It touches on a tragic event that has different significance to each of our main characters. The underlying theme of freedom is cleverly weaved throughout the story and not rammed down the reader throats. The supporting character and family of the main characters show empathy and humour without being annoying or upstaging.
The side stories of abuse and class snobbery are also introduced in a way that highlights the issues and fall out from it without seeming contrite or there just for the sake of it. Again Freya delivers another knockout
This is the second book by this author I have read. I am not disappointed. Ms. Barker has once again created real life characters and situations that are relatable, funny and heartbreaking. I laughed at Gray’s insecurities and blunt mannerisms and loved that Robin often put him in his place and called him out over them. I’ll not give spoilers but I did enjoy the twist, and hope it does not sound morbid, Ms. Barker gave to each character as to how each characters viewed 9/11. Again, characters that are not 100% perfect and usually what makes the best story and Ms. Barker has once again done that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.