Last Friday night, our family’s usual pizza-and-movie ritual got hilariously off track when Marcus insisted on using mismatched socks as oven mitts (the pizza survived, but my nerves didn’t). As Rebecca critiqued everyone’s “sock fashion sense,” Matthew tried to remember if he’d seen my mug collection multiply again. Amid the laughter and chaos, I snuck away to sink into Escaped: Shadows Landing: The Townsends #5. Sometimes, you just need an escape that doesn’t involve melted cheese emergencies or impromptu sock parades. This book delivered the perfect blend of adrenaline and heart for a night when I needed both.
Plot Summary
Escaped: Shadows Landing: The Townsends #5 by Kathleen Brooks sweeps readers deep into the Amazon Rainforest, where innovation and danger collide. Forrest Townsend, a dedicated engineer, has designed a revolutionary water filtration system. Testing it in remote jungle territory brings expected hazards—until Jordana Alves, the daughter of a politician fighting to save the rainforest, literally runs into his life with gunfire close behind. Kidnapped by a criminal group, Jordana escapes captivity and joins Forrest on a high-stakes journey through untamed wilderness. Their bond—and attraction—grows as they dodge deadly wildlife and ruthless criminals. When they reach the small town of Shadows Landing, new threats emerge, proving that the danger is far from over. This novel is the fifth in the Shadows Landing: The Townsends spin-off of the beloved romantic suspense series, but reads easily as a standalone adventure full of action and romance.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Kathleen Brooks paints both the wild beauty of the Amazon and the tightly-knit community of Shadows Landing. Forrest and Jordana feel wonderfully real—smart, determined, with relatable vulnerabilities. Their chemistry crackles without ever feeling forced, and the pacing kept me awake far past my bedtime. The suspense is intense but balanced by humor and touching moments. I appreciated how the challenges drew out the best in the characters and how even secondary players added depth. The book made me root for Forrest and Jordana equally to succeed and to find happiness. Whether jungle chases or quiet hopes, their story felt urgent and heartfelt.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy romantic suspense with action-packed escapes, small-town secrets, strong heroines, and heroes with heart, you’ll love this story. It’s perfect for fans of Nora Roberts, Janine Rosche, or anyone who likes a blend of danger, hope, and romance. If you’re looking for steamy moments, moral intrigue, slow burn tension, or stories set in atmospheric locations, add this one to your list.
⚠️ Trigger warning: kidnapping, gun violence, references to captivity and criminal activity, explicit content, emotional trauma.
Tagged As
romantic suspense, action romance, small-town romance, jungle setting, strangers-to-lovers, rescue, strong heroine, protective hero, steamy romance, morally gray villains, indie romance, HEA, Shadows Landing series, found family, new beginnings, emotional healing, explicit
Steam Level
The romance gets intense with detailed, explicit scenes that fuel character development and suspense. The physical connection is passionate and essential to the emotional narrative—no fade-to-black moments here—woven naturally into the story’s stakes and the healing of both leads.
