By Lezlie Patterson, McClatchy-Tribune News Service –
—“The Great Escape,” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; William Morrow (418 pages, $25.99 hardcover)
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“The Great Escape” is a delightfully captivating book, a beguiling story with eccentrically charming characters and quirky humor that will simply not allow you to put the book down once you start reading.
But since Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ name is on the cover, none of this should come as a surprise, since Phillips writes captivating, beguiling, eccentrically charming and humorous stories. The author has a fascinating imagination that has, in the past, given readers an opening scene with the heroine wearing a beaver costume, a talking bunny, a genius heroine who gets even with her husband by removing the marshmallows from his beloved Lucky Charms and now, the daughter of the former president of the United States who hops on the back of a motorcycle with a stranger while wearing a choir robe after shedding her bridal dress while escaping her wedding.
With Phillips’ knack for sprinkling surprises throughout her stories, summarizing too much could spoil some. Without revealing too much, here is a quick synopsis: This story starts at the aborted wedding of Lucy and Ted, the same place “Call Me Irresistible” began. For those who haven’t read it – first of all, do so. In the meantime, it’s the story of Ted (the jilted groom) and Meg (Lucy’s best friend). The perspective of that book is what happened at the scene in the aftermath of Lucy’s escape. “The Great Escape” is set during the same time, but following Lucy.
So, while Ted and Meg are figuring out that they’re actually the ones fated to live happily ever after in blissful love, Lucy is finding her soul mate – in a rather unorthodox manner, that only Phillips’ could conjure.
She meets fun characters on her route to love, characters that add interest and humor to the story.
Her soul mate ends up being a guy named Panda. Having spent years being the perfect first daughter, Lucy is somewhat confused about life after leaving Ted at the altar. Watching her figure it out is entertaining. Panda has some things to figure out as well. And that is fun too.
If you’re looking for sweet and touching romance, you won’t find so much of that here. But with the humor and charm, you won’t miss it.
HOW IT STACKS UP
Overall rating: 5 of 5 hearts. Phillips obviously enjoys writing romance, which results in books that readers can’t help but enjoy reading. They’re fun stories with delightful twists that will at times have you laughing out loud (which is especially fun if you’re reading it on a subway or on a crowded beach), blushing (slightly embarrassing if you’re reading in front of parents, ministers or children) or wanting to yell at a man (convenient if your husband/fiancé/boyfriend or significant other is around).
Hunk appeal:10-plus. Only Susan Elizabeth Phillips can give readers a hero named Panda that will make them drool. Panda has his issues (don’t they all) and he does lack the romantic bent that give many heroes that plus. But there’s just something about him … maybe it’s how he deals with his house guests?
Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Or maybe this is it.
Happily-Ever-After: Excellent, mostly due to the epilogue. The pre-epilogue ending actually would have been better if Panda hadn’t been summoned, but otherwise he made the right moves and said the right words.
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ALSO THIS WEEK
“The Last Single Maverick,” by Christine Rimmer (paperback) 4 of 5 hearts. The last of the Traub brothers arrives in Thunder Canyon, Montana, and while dodging his family’s attempts at nagging him to find love, he …well, finds love. Jason arrives for a family reunion after quitting the family business in the wake of a broken romance. His family thinks he’s heartbroken. Actually, he just wants to be left alone to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Joss is at the Thunder Canyon Resort on an un-honeymoon. She caught what was supposed to be her bridegroom making out with a bridesmaid right before the wedding. She canceled the wedding, but decided to enjoy the honeymoon – without the bridegroom. Neither Jace nor Joss (too cute for words … literally) want to engage in romance, so they decide to be temporary best friends. That doesn’t really work out for them. But romance does. This is really a sweet story with honest and nice characters. Thunder Canyon fans will enjoy seeing some familiar names.