All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere—she couldn’t.
He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with it. Until he met her.
Here’s the thing they quickly found out—sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Impeccable writing, an emotional journey, and two of the most amazing characters I have ever read about, Escaping Me took my breath away. An amazing story of what it’s truly like to fall in love. Especially when you can’t figure out who you really are, and who everyone expects you to be.
We first meet Whitney Vandaveer. Trying to start over in a small town, very unlike the highlife society she was used to living, and pushing any thoughts of her lying, cheating, ex-boyfriend out of her head.
I need to escape the fact that my boyfriend of four years went and slept with the first girl who flashed her tits at him in college. The majority of my teenage life was wasted on a guy I was sure was going to be my future husband. What a joke. The cold, dark organ that used to be my heart still beats strong as I eye the gravel lane that signals my homestretch, only now it beats out of rage instead of love.
Whitney is now living with her mother and younger sister, Mallory, which is a huge change for her because after her parent’s divorce many years before, Whitney chose to stay with her father. But Whitney adapts very well and actually develops a very close relationship with her long lost family.
The last thing Whitney ever expects is to, under very strange circumstances, meet an extraordinarily good looking (okay, VERY FREAKING HOT…I couldn’t help myself) guy. He literally sweeps her off her feet. No, not kidding. She decided it’s a brilliant idea to go for a run on one of the hottest days of the year.
But no worries, Cole Pritchett is there to save the day. Hmmm, Cole…*sigh*. Cole is also running from things of his past. Known as his hometown’s troublemaker and having his brother as a cop in that town, this is his last “get out of jail free” card. He left behind a life that he has no plans of returning to any time soon and he is only looking forward. He has a temper to say the least and I have to admit, I’m with Whitney…it’s kind of hot.
I imagine the wild look in his eyes and the way his body would move in the heat of an attack. Somehow, in my mind, all I can think about is how badly I want Cole to channel his obvious agitation into something a little more sexual, preferably with me on the receiving end.
Whitney and Cole decide that being friends as all either can handle at the time of things getting a little too…comfortable. There is so much flirtatious banter between these two and I found myself laughing and internally screaming at them to just give in already!
“Let me know of ever want to use my…hammer,” he chuckles as he settles into his truck and fires up the engine. As he backs out of the parking lot and drives away, I feel the fire return to my cheeks as he confirmed knowing what I hoped I’d hidden. Cole Pritchett know I am interested in his tool.
Both have issues they need to work through and pasts that haunt them but no doubt that these two can overcome them. They are both turning over new leaves if you will. But I am not blind. Oh no, I could see through these two from the get-go!! And thank God for that because all I wanted was for these two to either hash it out or get naked. I preferred the latter 😉 Friends, huh? Yeah I didn’t think so.
“I don’t you need you to do me any favors.” With a determined smirk, she wraps her hand around my neck and pulls my head down to hers. “And I sure as shit don’t want to be your friend.”
As she crashes her lips to mine, every doubt I have about us vanishes…
There was so much that I loved about this book. The developing relationship between Whitney and her sister. The denial of want and desire between Whit and Cole. The sexual tension that you felt like you could choke on! The emotions…oh GOD, the emotions!! All of it…just amazing!
But just like with everything else in life, when things start going good, well great actually, the bitch known as life comes in and puts up a big ass toad block right in your path. This road block is also called Whit’s dad!
Whitney’s dad, being the high society asshole he is, lives for one thing and one thing only. Appearances. It’s all about keeping up those damn appearances. And so of course when he finds out that Whitney and Cole are together, he will stop at nothing to insure that it comes to a halt. But thankfully, Cole Pritchett doesn’t back down to anyone. And I mean anyone. And let me just give you the one line that he said to her dad that melted my fucking heart and produced these weird salty little liquid drops to leak from the ducts of my eyeballs.
“And you’re right, I’m probably not good enough for her but I’d spend every second with her trying to prove that I am.”
See how damn perfect he is? And he doesn’t even know it. Everything Cole Pritchett does and says just makes me want to jump into this damn book with my rope and duct tape and take him home and make him my own!
Cole seriously LOVES Whitney. Like realllllly loves her. He is even willing to do questionably crazy things just to make her happy.
“You wouldn’t really shoot those poor little squirrels would you?” she pouts.
I shake my head to appease her. The truth is I love to go hunting, but if she asked me to, I’d become a member of PETA tomorrow.
And don’t for one second think that Whitney is immune to Mr. Pritchett.
When the cause of my excitement walks into the bathroom and wraps his arms around me, my body immediately reacts. He doesn’t do anything other than rest his chin on my shoulder and smile, and every drop of blood in my veins rushes between my legs as my skin start to surge like it is begging for his touch. I am officially addicted. Perfect. I am a sex junkie and Cole Pritchett is my dealer.
Well hot damn, can you blame her? He is tall, extremely good looking, has just enough bad boy in him, and he’s even a little alpha to top it off.
“Look at me,” I plead, but she gives me nothing. “Look at me goddamnit.” I raised my voice and immediately regret it until I see the way her eyes snap to mine. She takes in a heavy breath between her parted cherry-red lips as she leans in, waiting for my next command. It appears Ms. Vandaveer like being told what to do. I can definitely work with this.
Okay so time to wrap it up. Overall, amazing book. I fell in love with the words, the story, the characters, and by the time all was said and done and my emotions weren’t going in 84 didn’t directions, my happy little heart was…well, happy and content! I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did and feel free to contact me with your thoughts!
I will leave you with some more amazing words from Mr. Cole Pritchett.
“I need you to tell me how you feel, Whit. I need to know that the way I feel about you isn’t one-sided and that you don’t actually agree with what your father said. I need you to tell me that I’m not crazy for being in love with you, and that despite the way you acted in front of him, you feel the same way.”
HAPPY READING!
Elizabeth was kind enough to do a little interview with me. She is amazing, fun, and so very sweet! Check it out!
♥What are five words you would use to describe yourself?
sarcastic, hopeful, caring, dreamer, loyal
♥How about this…your favorite word, your least favorite word, and your favorite curse word?
Favorite word: Relax Least Favorite: Moist Favorite Curse Word: Ass
♥Do you have a favorite quote or saying? Maybe some pretty words, something inspirational, or even a dirty joke? We aren’t picky.
“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters” Audrey Hepburn
♥Okay so did you have a favorite scene to write? One that you just really enjoyed and had a smile on your face while you were in the writing process? And for the hell of it, how about a scene the kicked your ass? We all know that there are certain scenes that authors just cringe about or just really loathe writing. Care to share?
My favorite scene to write in Escaping Me was the epilogue. I don’t want to give too much away for those who haven’t read EM yet, but Cole & Whitney needed that epilogue. It’s always my favorite part of any book I write because I get to tie up loose ends and give the readers just one last glimpse of the characters and their story before the book ends. Scene that kicked my ass… The gym scene from Shattered was probably the hardest scene I’ve ever written. It was not only emotionally draining, but I had to put myself in Alyssa’s shoes, which pulled on some heartstrings for me.
♥Did you have any specific inspiration for Whitney and Cole? Maybe a celebrity-figure because of their looks, or a family/friend for their personalities?
I didn’t have a specific physical inspiration for them, however, my good friend Pinterest has provided me with plenty of great pics since writing. 🙂 Personality-wise, I think Whitney and Mallory’s relationship is a good representation of how my sister and I interact. The rest just came from my crazy imagination.
♥I’m sorry but I really have to ask-Are you planning on continuing Whitney and Cole’s story? I can’t speak for the masses but I can sure as hell speak for myself and tell you that I would LOVE to see more of these two. I would be really happy with a book for Mallory where you would get to see bits of pieces of Whit and Cole while getting to read about Mallory’s crazy ass.
Don’t be sorry! I’m glad you asked! I’m not planning on a sequel for Whit and Cole, but Miss Mallory is getting her own book and both of them will be back as supporting characters. Looks like great minds think alike!
I don’t have all the specifics worked out yet, because I’m still writing, but I’m hoping for a Late 2013, Early 2014 release on Mal’s book which I’ve already titled: Finding You.
♥How about some rapid fire questions, now? A little word association never killed anyone. I’ll say a word and you respond with the very first thing that comes to mind. Ready? Here we go…
- Writing – Dream Job
- Family – Everything
- Whitney – My favorite
- Cole – *sighs *
- Mallory – Wild Child
- Trees (particularly birch trees *winks*) – Convenient
- Backwoods boy – Under-appreciated
- Love – Magic
♥It’s time for some either/or questions to get to know you a little better. Don’t worry, I won’t get too personal.
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
Dancing or singing? Dancing
Sweet tea or soda? Soda
Jack Daniels or Jim Beam? Jack
Millionaire playboy or tattooed rocker? How about a millionaire, tattooed rocker who is also a playboy?
Vampires or Werewolves? Vampire, True Blood style, not Twilight. 😉
Batman or Superman? Have you scene Iron Man?
PC or Mac? PC
City or Country? Do you even have to ask? Haha! The country’s for living, but I love a good city vacation!
Books or Movies? Books
Okay I know that’s a lot but I really couldn’t help myself. Thank you SO much, Elizabeth, for participating in the interview. We really appreciate your time! Again, thank you!!!
Want to win a signed set of Elizabeth Lee’s books? Enter the giveaway by clicking here or the rafflecopter below.
When I’m not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here’s the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!
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I really want to rwad this book, I can’t wait. I wanna see what craY things could be done when you love somebody so much you can’t stand it.
After reading your interview and excerpt, i’m stoked to read “Escaping Me.” Cheating in a relationship is always a hard part of a book to read, as long as the boy gets the girl or the girl gets the boy, I’m happy. I’ve always been a happily ever after kinda girl. The only kind of books I’m really happy reading. Thank you for sharing. Nice meeting you Elizabeth Lee. 🙂
Thank Kyla! Hope you enjoy Escaping Me!
<3 E
I’ve never read a book by Elizabeth Lee, but I want to after reading this review. “Escaping Me” sounds terrific. Just the kind of book I like to read. =)
The interactions between Whitney and Cole sounds hot and interesting, as well as sweet. I’d love to see where it goes. 🙂
The chemistry between Whitney and Cole sounds terrific, and I’d like to read their story. 🙂
Thanks for having me on the blog today! 🙂 Love the review and post!
I haven’t read any books by Elizabeth Lee yet. This sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds great and has a beautiful cover! 😉
This sounds like such a good book. I love when you just know from reading that two people are meant to be, and then following the journey that takes them there. *sigh* It’s fantastic!