Publication Date: 27th July 2025
Publisher: Ingenium Books Publishing Inc.
Page Length: 412
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction
Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the notion that royalty is synonymous with privilege and ease. At its heart is Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived.
Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But before she can claim her own happiness, she must first endure the brutal realities of World War I, where she serves as a nurse on the frontlines.
As the Russian Empire teeters on the brink of collapse, the infamous Siberian mystic Rasputin tightens his grip on the imperial court, setting the stage for revolution. With the Bolsheviks seizing power and the Romanovs marked for death, Olga faces an impossible choice: risk everything to stay or flee into the unknown with her true love and their children.
Rich in historical detail and driven by an unforgettable heroine, Escape of the Grand Duchess is a sweeping riches-to-rags tale of survival, love, and the strength it takes to forge a new life in the face of unimaginable upheaval.
A Five Star Read
I really loved Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard. What surprised me most was how quickly I became emotionally invested in Olga. She never feels like some untouchable royal figure from history. Most of the time she just feels like a woman trying to get through an incredibly difficult life while everything around her slowly falls apart.
There’s a real sadness to the story, especially as the war and revolution begin creeping closer, but it never feels cold or heavy. The scenes where Olga works as a nurse were probably the parts that stayed with me most because they make the suffering feel very real and remind you that being royal didn’t protect anyone from fear or heartbreak.
I also really liked the romance because it felt quiet and genuine rather than dramatic. It gives the story warmth without taking over everything else that’s happening.
What made the book hard to put down for me was the constant feeling that disaster was coming. Even during the calmer moments, there’s this tension underneath because you know history isn’t going to be kind to the Romanovs.
* Olga felt real and easy to care about.
* The atmosphere becomes more emotional as the story goes on.
* The mix of history and personal drama worked really well for me.
My thoughts summed up in one posh sentence
A beautifully written historical novel that blends romance, tragedy, and survival into a deeply human story about one woman trying to endure the collapse of an empire.
Pick up your copy of
Escape of the Grand Duchess
Susan Appleyard
Susan was born in England, which is where she learned to love English history, and now lives in Canada in the summer. In winter she and her husband flee the cold for their second home in Mexico. Susan divides her time between writing and her hobby, oil painting, although writing will always be her first love. She was fortunate in having had two books published traditionally. Since joining the ebook crowd, she has published nine books, some of which have won various awards.
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Thank you so much for this wonderful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed my book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your fabulous review and for hosting today's tour stop! 📚✨
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