Customer Reviews

Escaping Celia

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always thought 'chick-lit' was such a disparaging tag, usually meant to denote light, meaningless fluff that you'd read and forget a minute after you're done. I've found, however, that a lot of so-called chick-lit sticks with me longer than that. Those are the books that are chick-lit in a good way, meaningFUL rather than meaningLESS, and Escaping Celia is one of those.

Carly just wants to spend some long-awaited time alone, to learn about herself, away from her much-loved husband and kids. Before she even gets to enjoy one day by herself, her mom shows up...her difficult mom. And then her weird aunt and her frustrating cousin Celia. Plenty of neuroses shared, plenty of secrets revealed, plenty of...fun to be shared. You also get your typical quirky residents of the seaside town where they're staying, as well as a runaway teen girl that the women end up taking in.

By the end of the book, we get to the more-or-less expected result, of general family reconciliation and Carly realizing that her expected solo vacation was not entirely ruined. It's the journey to get there that is a delight, well-written and with enough twists and surprises to make it not typical at all.

Don't take what I said above about it being 'meaningful' too wrong -- it's not a 'heavy' book. It is light and very enjoyable; it's just not entirely airheaded fluff, either. It's a good beach read as marketed, it just might stick with you a bit longer than the usual beach read, and it's also good for settling in with during these long winter months. Honestly -- I wish I could have spent the summer with the ladies of Escaping Celia. :)

Although the premise of this book is anything but funny--Carly's plan to spend a month alone at the beach becomes a nightmare when the mother, aunt and cousin who seriously get on her nerves invite themselves along--the book had me laughing out loud many, many times. The author has a terrific sense of humor that shines through on practically every page. The book is also well and clearly written and fast paced.

Sure, the book could have had a bit more depth and heft to it, as some of the issues it raises about family are quite serious (which is why I can't quite give it 5 stars), but then it wouldn't have been so much darn fun.

I would highly recommend this book to all my girlfriends. Light, girl fun. Just the thing for a day at the beach!

Celia's long awaited solo dream vacation quickly becomes a nightmare when her mother, aunt and cousin descend upon her little seaside cottage on day one. Celia is forced to deal with her intimidating aunt, a passive-aggressive mother who knows how to pile on the guilt, and an irresponsible, overly dramatic cousin, as well as a teenage runaway and assorted other characters. Escaping Celia deals very realistically with family dynamics, family secrets and the family roles we all fall back into playing no matter our age. Plenty of drama, revelations, self-discovery, and character growth. Very well written, although it does contain a lot of profanity, and not just from the teenagers. Overall, a very enjoyable read that evoked many emotions; I laughed (a lot), I cried (some) and I really felt connected to the characters.

What an enjoyable book!! I will say this story is something that more women will enjoy than men. I would call it 'chick lit'; but it harnesses so much more energy & substance. Carly's solo vacation/retreat turns into a crowded chaotic whirlwind full of surprises, twists & turns that provide genuine laughter, empathy, sympathy, & soul searching.

The characters are well developed & flushed out. The variety of personalities is not only spicy; but just as in the real world they all seem to coexist & blend seamlessly, even when situations aren't so 'rosy'. They are what I would consider 'real' people with believable flaws, strengths, & character traits. I think there is a behavior or reaction from at least one if not more of these people that all of us can relate to.

This is the perfect lazy day or beach read. I bought it partially based on description & partially on price. Good writing, good story, easy & fun read. I could see this as a TV movie. Glad I purchased.

I was blown away by what a good writer T.C. Beacham is. She hooked me right away, and I couldn't put it down. As an indie myself, I love finding self-published writers who are as good or better than some of those who make it to the big time the traditional way. It's hard to understand why this book wasn't snatched up by a major publisher.

Fun book, easy to read. Had me laughing almost the whole time. The domineering mother and aunt brought back memories of my own. Thanks for a pleasant evening read.

This was a good book. It held your interest. I bought it because of the price.