Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
* ARC provided for an honest review *
Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones is the first book of a four part series that has me hooked!
This story started out fast, as we are immediately introduced to our heroine who will be now known as “Amy Benson,” I say now known because her identity had to change for fear of being compromised. The book title alone screams the premise of this story, “Secret Life” and boy, oh boy, are we just starting to delve into the mystery, suspense and intrigue as to what and whom she is running from. Amy is all alone and running from a past, a past that we as reader really are not privy too as of yet. Yes, we get a very small glimpse here and there but nothing concrete enough to indicate what type of danger she has been in and what danger she continues to be in. We also as a reader, do know that there is a mystery “savior or handler as she refers to him” out there who has been secretly looking out for her over the years. Her mystery “handler” has just now sent her running again with her newest identity and this is where she meets up with a very delicious and mysterious man named Liam Stone.
Liam Stone, ahhhh, now this man exudes sexy and confidence in a way like no other, he is bossy and dominant and oh gosh, he is near “perfect” or so he seems. Liam Stone is as alpha male as you get and oh my, would I ever love having a Liam Stone in my life:)
Now, from the get-go and I mean from the start of this story, Liam and Amy both feel an instant connection. I loved their chemistry immediately but in the same breath, I felt confused as well. They were both internally and externally hot and cold with their newfound feelings. He says he doesn’t do relationships, she says she can’t with the “danger” that lurks around her but yet they acted completely different from what they said or rather what they were thinking. I felt a constant emotional roller coaster between their internal thoughts and their actions. I think maybe because whatever was transpiring between them was all happening a bit too fast for me personally. Although, I did love both characters with the exception of what I just wrote above, but for me personally, I not only need but want to see a slower build-up if you will. As much as I loved the “mystery” surrounding both of them, I also want my couple to take it just a little slower too if that makes sense. I like a bit more of a push and pull.
I found this story to be unique and refreshing and not just the usual take on a “billionaire” story. I was intrigued by the secondary characters that we were introduced to in this book. Jared, oh boy, now that guy is very mysteriously sexy and let me not forget Meg, I have a feeling she holds a few cards up her sleeve. There is also Amy’s conveniently absent “boss” in which she hasn’t met, seen, talked to etc… so that in itself has me on the edge of my seat wondering what type of role he will be playing in Amy’s life.
Personally, I thought Author Lisa Renee Jones did a great job with the writing, the storyline flowed perfectly with the exception of my own personal quirk of things happening too quickly between the H and the h but all in all I was glued to the story from the start until I finished the last page in which made for a quick paced read for me since I didn’t want to put it down. The ending especially was a nail biter. Who exactly is Liam and what exactly will he be to Amy, friend, enemy or soul mate? This was the question I was left with when I finished and now, I really need to know!
All in all, I thought this was a really good start to what seems like a promising series. Quite frankly, this book has everything and anything going on so it certainly keeps the reader’s attention between, mystery, suspense, holy hotness between Liam and Amy, intrigue with the storylines evolving and not just between the main characters but everyone that is playing a part in this story. I know that I for one cannot wait to read more and unravel this story book by book!
*Reviewed by Joselyn for Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
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