Victim of Circumstance

By: Freya Barker

Narrated by: Darcy Gray, Jack Calihan

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

They didn’t know each other, but the events of one single day heralded a pivotal change that would alter their lives forever. 

After 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 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. 

©2019 Freya Barker (P)2022 Spectrum Audiobooks

All the feels!

I know where I was that day. I remember every minute like it was yesterday. But that’s not the point. That’s not the whole story, not even close! This story was so much more than that. No spoilers. Just listen and you will see exactly what I mean! You will see why THIS story affected me like only a Freya Barker story can. Beautifully written with heart, soul, depth and fabulously, authentically narrated, I felt every emotion one could feel while listening! Characters that seem to breathe with life, that feel so real you expect to be able to reach out and touch them! Situations that are so within the realm of possibility that we all know someone who lived through something akin, yet so true to the characters that they seem their own! Dialogue so authentic that you swear you are overhearing REAL conversations! THIS is Freya Barker, THIS is Victim of Circumstance and THIS is why I am such a fan. Five fabulous stars!

This Author Is Automatic listen for me!!!!

Such a great book. 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 to the end. Loved the storyline and narration was top notch. Definitely recommend!!!!

Wonderfully Gripping & Emotional! Great Listen🎧

This wonderful romance novel not only grabbed my attention and captivated it the entire time, it tugged on my heartstrings too. Freya Barker is a gifted author with a wonderful writing style, the characters and storylines she creates are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. You could feel how much heart she puts into her stories as the emotions pour off the pages and go straight to your heart. Gray Bennet was behind bars for the past eighteen years in serving his sentence in the state penitentiary. He was not sure what he was going to do when released but wound up returning to his hometown and the first person he ran into was Jimmy Olson, and old friend who hooks him up with a job at his garage and a place to live. He kept mostly to himself while trying to acclimate to the times, and he was not really up to socializing with anyone. While in prison, he never got to say goodbye to his sister Reagan, who was killed on September 11th while in the World Trade Center. WTC, so he is going to the memorial to pay respect. Robin Bishop lost her husband that day too and she goes to the memorial every year, but her reasons for going differ from most. She ran into Gray at the memorial, a brief interaction that left her intrigued, and then she saw him again on the flight home and as much as it tempted her to she did not approach him. But fate was not done with these two, after her car breaks down he is the one who comes to tow her. Gray is not exactly a social butterfly, he has been out of the game for years plus he has hangups of what people think of him, which is significantly worse than it really is. But he warms up to Robin, but one step forward makes him take two steps back. She is not sure what to think, but when he finally opens up, she is more understanding than he imagined. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a story about learning to let go, forgive and how to live and love again. Besides their growing relationship, there is some drama going on with a couple of Robin’s coworkers and some minor drama with her daughter. The world building is fantastic, as is the character growth and development, it was great watching Gray’s confidence grow as a person as he came into his own. Freya Barker, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧 📚🎧 And for the terrific narration, Darcy Gray and Jack Calihan are talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit that character’s persona and were believable in every role they played. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the character’s emotions and projected them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen.

do you believe in fate

This author is a favorite of mine. Great adult characters and stories that draw you in. There was just something about Gray that makes you root for him from the beginning and I was hooked from the start.

Growly and Good

An enjoyable standalone from a great author. The H narration is growly goodness. The h narration was a tad high to my ears but all in all she voiced the character well.

A bit hard on the heartstrings with 9/11 themes.

I LOVED this one! A New Favorite!

I absolutely LOVED this story! I was drawn in from the first sentence! One of the many reasons why I enjoy this authors work is because her characters seem realistic and they are mature. That makes these so enjoyable! I really liked Gray and Robin! Their Meet Cute is one I have not read about before. Then fate stepped in and they meet again in their hometown,,Kismet!

This has quickly become one of my favorite stories. It is filled with action, suspense, drama and adorable characters. I did listen to this on audio. I LOVED listening to Jack Calihan as Gray. He elevated his character. Darcy Grey is a new to me narrator and she did a wonderful job as well bringing her characters to life.

Great story

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed and relatable. The only detraction was the female narrator. Her voice sounded much older than the character was meant to be and it was distracting.

Emotionally driven!

WOW! This is a tugging of the heart story. Freya Barker knows how to pull me in and invest my heart as I listen to a book. She fast became one of my favorites, and this book is fantastic. Gray is finally out of prison after serving for 18 years. Adjusting to the outside after so long is not easy, so much has changed. But his friend Jimmy has given him a place to stay and a job as he acclimates. He flies to NYC to pay his respects to his sister who died in 911 when he first spots Robin. Robin too lost a loved one, that day, but hers is bittersweet. Now back home, flying on the same plane, she breaks down and who is the tow truck driver but Gray. Our story continues as we find the two adjusting to life and healing each other. I loved both of these characters as they are not what is expected. Life is never what it seems and judgements are for the ignorant, as we find out their pasts, and see how they move to the present. It's thought provoking, romantic and heartwarming.

Darcy Gray and Jack Calihan are our narration team and together they are wonderful. Gray gives Robin a genuine feel, and made her easy to relate to. Calihan is a favorite, and I love how he took hold of Gray's character and made him incredibly real. They told a good story and made for a great listen.

Fate finds people when they need it

I really enjoyed this storyline...A lot of crazy twists, great characters, and fate.

The different characters in different parts of their lives, the second chances of life, and the wonderful town this story is placed in, wrap together to be a wonderful, older character romance.

I enjoyed the narrators, especially Jack Calihan. Darcy Gray sounded a lot older than I pictured her character, and I didn't really care for her male voices, but she did a good job.

Fate works in mysterious ways!

Freya knows how to write a story with every emotion hitting you full force. I was smiling, swooning and tearing up through out this book!
Gray had me feeling so sad for him and everything he went through. When he finally got the nerve to go to NY and visit the memorial for his sister and sees Robin smiling in the sunshine I thought it would be a possible love lost but the story gives second chances a run for its money! The small town that Gray and Robin both live in is what I call fate. The relationship that comes to life with these two makes my heart melt!
Darcy and Jack read this story with all the emotions needed to keep you hooked from start to finish! I hope one day Freya will bring this book back to life in another story! It’s that good!