Review: Beyond Escape by Deborah K. Jensen

After separating from her husband of twenty years, Kim is in desperate need of an escape. Retreating to her parents’ home in Texas for a month, Kim encounters ample distractions, the best being Camilo, an alluring Latino man seventeen years her junior. However, when returning to Texas unearths memories of a long-ago lover, Kim discovers her unintentional involvement in a series of dangerous escapades, bringing her deeper into her past than she ever cared to venture. Beyond Escape follows Kim as she pursues a trail of drugs, murder, and secret love affairs that were meant to stay buried.

Paperback, 1st, 336 pages 
Published October 15th 2012 by Beaver's Pond Press 

Kristine's Thoughts:

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

After receiving this book I went on Goodreads and noticed that it had a few very positive reviews so I was excited to start it. I'm almost sad to say that my opinion of the book is not the same.

I really struggled with this book. Although the story idea is interesting the book itself was all over the map. There are two many plots and I found that I could not connect fully with them. There is Kim's divorce, a much younger love interest, a mystery involving her first lover, and her father's illness. Add to this a side plot involving her best friend that really made no sense and you basically have the story. It just seemed like too many different things going on yet it was still a very slow read.

I found Kim to be very naive and uptight for a woman in her 40's and because of this, also annoying. I connected more with the wine (it is referenced a lot) than the budding relationship with Camilo. The conversations between all characters seemed forced and unnatural. Her sudden interest in Mark after 20 some years of not thinking about him was hard to believe as well. Who forgets about their first lover especially under the circumstances in this book for over 20 years?

My biggest disappointment is in how the book ends. Absolutely nothing is resolved which leads me to believe that perhaps a second book is in the works. If that is the case, I don't think I'll be reading it. It just was not my cup of tea.

 

Deborah Jensen was born and raised in Minnesota. Writing has been a lifelong passion for her although she spent most of her career in the finance world. Beyond Escape is her debut novel, inspired by real life relationships and circumstances. Deborah currently lives in Northern Minnesota with her husband. They have two grown children.

Website-http://www.deborahkjensen.com 

Twitter-deborahkjensen