Review: Finding You by Elizabeth Lee

Finding You is the second book in Elizabeth Lee's Escaping Series, but this book can be read as a standalone. Finding You centers around Mallory, but fans of Escaping Me will get to see several familiar faces including Whitney and Cole. I really enjoyed Escaping Me and would recommend starting with that one, but it is not necessary. Mallory's story was really good, and I loved getting to know her better.

After finding out that the man she always though was her father wasn't, Mallory decides to head to South Carolina to meet the man who actually is. She agrees to stay with her sister Whitney and Whitney's boyfriend Cole, until she finds out that the apartment above her father's shop is available for rent. Not ready to tell her father the truth, Mallory rents out the apartment and figures it is a good way to start getting to know him. Mallory quickly meets her new neighbor Boone, and things don't start off the best between them. Boone has a past that he would rather not be explored, and he prefers to be left alone. But soon Boone and Mallory are unable to stay away from one another, and Boone finds himself opening up to Mallory. But with Mallory's real reason for being in town still a secret, she is hiding some very important details from not only her father but also from Boone. When the truth finally comes out, will Boone be able to get past the fact that she lied to him? Or will it hit too close to home for him after everything he has been through in the past?

Boone and Mallory were both great characters, and I enjoyed their story a lot. Having read the first book, I knew that Mallory was a fun loving girl that liked to keep things casual. She was strong and independent, and I loved her personality. But after finding out about her dad and having been pretty much abandoned by every man in her life at one point or another, it was clear that she had another side to her that most people never saw. She tried to put on a tough face, but it was clear that she had a vulnerability to her because of it all. It was great to see Boone help her out though, and I really liked how he was able to show her that it was okay to open up and take a risk. He was exactly what she needed and I really loved them together. Boone also had issues though, and he was used to others looking to get something from him because of who he was. I liked that Mallory had no clue who he was and that she was genuinely interested in him as a person. I did think that Boone made a few mistakes though, and a few times I wanted to shake him a bit. He didn't mean to hurt Mallory and I know that he was trying to handle things the only way he knew how, but I didn't agree with his actions. I thought that Boone and Mallory were a good couple though, and the chemistry was clear between them.

I will say that I wasn't a fan of how this story started. The prologue was a bit confusing at first, and I will admit that I wondered what I was missing as I was reading it. I didn't care for it giving away some pretty big information, even if it wasn't the whole story. I don't really like when the start of a book gives away any or all of the ending and then we back up to get the whole story. It just leaves me wanting to rush through the whole book to figure out what happened rather than actually enjoying the story and taking my time to get there. It is always in the back of my mind what happens, and I think it detracts from the story. I did like Boone and Mallory's story though, and I enjoyed seeing these two fall for one another and experience the ups and downs of a new relationship. I just wish that I hadn't known part of the ending of the story. It was nice to see Cole and Whitney and some of the other characters from Escaping Me though. I think that fans of Elizabeth Lee's will really like this story, especially those familiar with this series. If you haven't read anything by Elizabeth Lee, I think that you should definitely give her books a shot. They are always well written with unique characters, and I have really enjoyed everything of hers that I have read. I look forward to more from her in the future.

**Review Copy Provided by Author**

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Review: Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee

I couldn't wait to read Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee after I read her Give Me Something series. I am a huge fan of her writing style, and with each new book I read of hers, I am that much more impressed with her characters and stories. Escaping Me was a really good story, and I had such a good time reading it. I enjoyed this one a lot and I think NA fans will as well.

After finding the guy she had dated for years with another girl, Whitney decides to spend the summer living with her mother and sister. Whitney isn't used to small town life, but she knows it will be the last place that her ex would ever be. There Whitney meets Cole Pritchett and is instantly drawn to him. Despite not getting off on the right foot, Cole and Whitney end up deciding to spend the summer together. As they get to know one another better though, they are both unable to keep themselves from developing feelings for one another. But with jealous exes, different dreams and lifestyles and the impending distance between them, how can they possibly make a relationship work beyond the summer?

I really liked both Cole and Whitney. Whitney was a ton of fun to read about, and I really loved her attitude. She was feisty and protective, and I loved that she wouldn't let Cole get away with any crap. She told it like it was, and she was tired of being told how her life would be lived. I loved seeing her come into her own and really start to go after what she wanted. But most of all, I really liked how supportive and encouraging she was with Cole. She knew exactly what he needed and was determined to always be there for him. Cole was great as well, even if he did start off with a few issues. He came around pretty quickly though, and I was glad to see a guy that was not a player or complete jerk. He wanted things to be good for Whitney and he wanted to be a better man for her. He went out of his way to do nice things for her, and I really liked seeing how he brought her out of her shell. These two were very different, but their differences are what made them so perfect for one another. They were the exact balance the other needed and they really just clicked. They had great chemistry together and were really hot, but their connection was what really made these two such an amazing couple.

Overall, this was a great story. I really enjoyed seeing how they dealt with their differences and their problems. They had a few bumps along the way, but I liked that they came around pretty quickly. These two were a lot of fun to read about, but what made this story even better was the secondary characters. I really liked Cole's friend Zeke and Whitney's mom and sister. They really made this story, and had me cracking up through the majority of the story. I am really looking forward to reading Finding You next about Whitney's sister Mallory, and I can't wait to see what Elizabeth Lee has in store for her. I highly recommend this book and anything by Elizabeth Lee, and I am excited to read more from her in the future!

**Review Copy Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Where There's Smoke by Elizabeth Lee

I have become a huge fan of Elizabeth Lee's and I absolutely loved her Give Me Something series! So when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I didn't even need to read the blurb to know that I wanted to read this story. Where There's Smoke was so good, and I loved that it was completely different from not only what I have read by her but also by anyone else. Everything that I have come to love about Elizabeth's books was still there though, and this is another must read from her!

When Piper Jameson gets word from her sister that their mom is dying, she returns home after having left six years ago. She plans to get in and be out as soon as the funeral is over, while taking her sister away from her awful step-dad. She never expects to run into the only other person besides her sister that she regretted leaving behind. She knew that when she left Ryland that she was doing the right thing for him and his future, even if it meant breaking his heart as well as hers. But she never expected him to still be stuck in their small town when he had plans to attend Stanford and become an engineer. Ryland is still mad at Piper for leaving and doesn't want anything to do with her at this point, but he does want answers. But when Piper and Ryland continue to run into each other, they find out that they both had no idea of everything that had happened all those years ago. The love and connection they felt for each other is still there, but before they can explore the future that they both thought was lost they are forced to run with Piper's little sister. Can they figure things out between them and have a chance at a future together while on the run, or will their future be stolen from them once again?

I absolutely loved Ryland. He was smart and sweet, and just a genuinely good guy. He looked out for Piper's sister the entire time she was gone, even after everything that had happened. He was so caring and protective and he was willing to give up everything for Piper and her sister. He had been so hurt by Piper leaving and not ever getting into contact with him, but he still loved her anyways. Piper thought that she was doing the right thing and took the opportunity to get out when she could. She was really shocked to figure out that things were completely different than she had expected or planned, and I felt so bad for her and Ryland both because she had sacrificed a lot and he still ended up losing so much because of everything that happened. Piper might have made a bad choice to leave town even if for the right reasons, but she also was quick to return home as soon as her sister found her and that wasn't easy for her. I was glad that she had never moved on from Ryland and that she had never felt right with anyone else as Ryland also felt. It was so clear that they belonged together and that they loved each other so much. They were a great fit for each other, and they had such a strong connection even with their differences. I think that they were the perfect balance for each other and they had great chemistry!

I really loved not only Ryland and Piper, but also Piper's sister Hadley and Ryland's friend Luke. I am really excited to get to know those two better in the next book, There's Fire. These two will have a lot to overcome, and I am so anxious to see what happens for them. I love how Elizabeth Lee is able to write these beautifully flawed characters that are so real and believable, and make you become instantly invested in them. I always find myself lost in her stories, and I tend to finish them in one sitting because I just can't put them down. I love her writing style also, and her books just flow so well. I highly recommend anything by Elizabeth Lee, but Where There's Smoke is an absolute must read! I can't wait to read more from her in the future, and I will be waiting for There's Fire which is scheduled to release late this summer.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: Taking Something by Elizabeth Lee

In Taking Something by Elizabeth Lee we get Nick's story after everything that happened in Give Me Something (GMS). This story could be read as a standalone and you wouldn't have too many problems with what is going on during this book. However I highly recommend that you start with Give Me Something before reading Taking Something for a few reasons. One, because Give Me Something is a great book! I can't even tell you how much I loved it. Two, because you get to meet Nick for the first time as well as Lila and Tucker who are also in Taking Something (TS). I think reading the first book definitely gives the reader some much needed insight into Nick's character and how he ends up in the position he is in when we start TS. Like I said though it isn't necessary, but just what I would recommend. Taking Something was fantastic though! As much as I loved GMS I honestly didn't expect to love this one as much, but Elizabeth Lee proved me wrong. These books are must reads in my opinion, and if you haven't read them yet you are missing out!

After losing the only girl he has ever loved, Nick is determined to have a successful career in music. He has stopped being a con artist and has been working a legit job as a DJ. He really wants to become a music producer though, and when the opportunity presents itself Nick goes out of his way to convince the higher ups at a recording label to give him a shot. Only problem is, Nick will be working with Sadie Sinclair who has a reputation of being hard to work with. Nick knows women and music though and is determined to use that knowledge to his advantage. But when things turn from just business to business and pleasure really quickly, Nick is forced to change his plan. What he doesn't expect though is to be drawn to Sadie's personal assistant Gia. Gia is unlike anyone he has ever met before, and worse he can't stop thinking about her. Now Nick must decide if his career is worth sacrificing for a shot with Gia, or if he is willing to give up a shot of love in order to have the career that he has dreamed of.

I will be the first to admit that I loved Nick in Give Me Something. He really made me mad at the end of the book though because I had been rooting for him from the start. I knew towards the end though that he wasn't meant for Lila, and that he was capable of redeeming himself. He absolutely did, and it was so nice to see his evolution from that book to this one. I thought that we really got to see through his POV in this story that he was so much more than we had seen in GMS. He was still the confident and sexy charmer, but he was also a bit damaged and insecure from everything that he had been through. I really enjoyed seeing him fall hard in this one and really become the best person that he could be not only for himself but for others. I really didn't like Sadie. She was manipulative, selfish and just plain mean. I was waiting for her to get what was coming to her the whole book. She would have moments where you would think maybe there was something more to her, and then she would just turn around and show that she really was just as bad as you had originally thought. I loved Gia though. She was sweet and protective. I knew there was so much more to her story that what we were getting, and I have to admit that I never saw it coming. She had her reasons for doing everything she did and when it all came out, it just made me like her that much more. She had been through so much, and yet she was able to do what she needed to. She was definitely one of the most likable characters that I have read in a long time, and she seemed so real to me. I thought that Gia and Nick had amazing chemistry right from the start, and it was clear that they had a strong connection.

Overall, this book was fantastic. I thought that the characters were all deep and interesting. I couldn't put this one down, and I had to keep reading to see what would happen. I love how Elizabeth Lee always keeps you guessing, and you never know what twist or turn will happen next! I have loved both books in this series, and they never turn out exactly as I expect but they always end exactly how they should. This story was definitely one that will stick with me, and I loved seeing Nick become the man that Lila always knew he could be. It was great to see him finally figure things out, and I loved that he was still close with Lila but also was now close to Tucker as well! It was also so nice to see how things had turned out for Lila and Tucker, and I was so glad to get a bit more of them in Taking Something. I highly recommend this series, and I really can't go into all the reasons why I love these books without spoilers. But these books definitely shouldn't be missed and I think that they are ones that romance fans of all genres will really become invested in and enjoy. I can't wait to read more from Elizabeth Lee in the future and will be anxious to see what she comes up with next.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Review: Give Me Something by Elizabeth Lee

This book was completely unexpected! I thought I knew exactly who I was rooting for, and I thought I knew exactly how things would play out. I was absolutely wrong, and I couldn't be happier! Give Me Something by Elizabeth Lee is so good, that I cannot even begin to tell you everything I love about it. There are so many twists and turns with this book, that you will be guessing the entire way through. Just when you think you have everything figured out, think again. I would love to tell you everything that made this book so great, but you will just have to read it because I can't spoil this one! Trust me, this book is worth the read!

Having left home years ago, Lila Garrison lives her life as a con artist. She works with her best friend Nick. Lila wants to go legit though and have a real relationship with Nick. When Nick tells Lila that he has run up a large gambling debt, she agrees to pull one last job with him in order to get the money to bail him out. The promise of getting out after the job and giving them a real chance is more than enough motivation for Lila to make this work and to do it quickly. But this job is unlike any other that Lila has ever done before. Lila is used to working over older men looking for a hot trophy wife. She isn't used to the mark being young and good looking like Tucker. The closer she gets to Tucker, the more the lines start to blur between real and fake. Lila doesn't understand why she is so drawn to Tucker, but she knows that she needs to figure out a way to keep her distance because she can't afford to make a mistake when her future with Nick is on the line.

I liked Lila. I thought that she was a bit shallow and selfish at first. She was definitely out to have the best life she could, and was willing to leave her family behind as well as use others to get to the top. I didn't really connect with that because I am so different, but I did understand her wanting a better life. But as the story goes on, you see that she really was becoming a different person and she wanted to be better. She was so young and definitely a bit immature at first, but she really started to see things differently and that made me really begin to like her and admire her for wanting to not be that person anymore. I really liked that she transformed with the help of Tucker and I thought that he really opened her eyes to the important things in life. When it comes to Nick, I have mixed feelings. I was really rooting for him from the beginning. I am a fan of friends to lovers stories, and I really thought that because of their past and friendship that he and Lila belonged together. I couldn't have been more wrong. There were times that I though Nick did some really great things for Lila and in those moments, you could really tell how much he cared. But there were other times that he was flat out selfish and it was clear that he was always looking out for himself and really only cared about his own interests. I felt bad for him at the end of the book. Not because he didn't deserve what was coming to him, but it was hard to see someone suffer because of their own actions. He was getting what he deserved, but he was still that character that you know can redeem himself so it was hard to watch.You could tell that he really did love and care about Lila, but in his own way. Tucker on the other hand, was one of my favorite characters ever! I loved him so much. At first, I was really rooting for Nick so I was kind of blinded to the possibility of Tucker. But he grew on me rather quickly and before long, he had completely won me over. He was sweet and charming, and a bit dorky with his cheesy pick-up lines (which I absolutely loved!). Tucker was a really great match for Lila, and I thought that they really brought out the best in each other. They had amazing chemistry, and you could definitely feel the sexual tension between them from the start.

Overall, I thought that this book was fantastic. I wish I could really get into every reason that this story was so amazing, but it really would ruin how everything plays out and I just can't do that. I really loved these characters, flaws and all. They were so interesting and deep, and they kept me turning the pages while I devoured this book. I really enjoyed seeing how everything played out, and I never knew what to expect next. I loved seeing how each of the characters reacted when secrets and lies were revealed, and how they handled the truth. I think that this book is an absolute must read and would highly recommend this one. Fans of New Adult I think will especially love this one, but really this is just a great book filled with amazing characters that I think most people will be able to easily connect with. Tucker, Lila and Nick are worth the read, and if you haven't read this one, you definitely should. I really liked Elizabeth Lee's writing style, and I can tell you that I will be looking for more from her in the future. I especially can't wait to read the next book in this series, Taking Something.

**Review copy provided by Inkslinger PR**

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