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Drawing Free
“What would happen if I just kept driving?”
Moms aren’t supposed to have a life of their own, at least that’s what Becca Thompson believes. Between dealing with her youngest’s never ending tantrums, her teenager’s attitude and her ailing father’s rapidly failing memory, Becca doesn’t have time to worry about who she used to be--let alone remember.
She loves her family, but deep down Becca knows she wants more than the daily chaos and the quick fixes her self-help books have to offer. It's just another day when finally the pressure proves to be too much and Becca makes a split second decision that will change everything.
Leaving her crumbling life in the rear-view mirror and fleeing to a remote mountain town may feel like the perfect way to reconnect with herself, but will her choices come at the expense of everything she left behind? Or can Becca find herself before it's too late?
Moms aren’t supposed to have a life of their own, at least that’s what Becca Thompson believes. Between dealing with her youngest’s never ending tantrums, her teenager’s attitude and her ailing father’s rapidly failing memory, Becca doesn’t have time to worry about who she used to be--let alone remember.
She loves her family, but deep down Becca knows she wants more than the daily chaos and the quick fixes her self-help books have to offer. It's just another day when finally the pressure proves to be too much and Becca makes a split second decision that will change everything.
Leaving her crumbling life in the rear-view mirror and fleeing to a remote mountain town may feel like the perfect way to reconnect with herself, but will her choices come at the expense of everything she left behind? Or can Becca find herself before it's too late?
334 pages, ebook
First published December 24, 2011
1561 people are currently reading
1432 people want to read
About the author
Elena Aitken
237 books1,000 followersElena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than forty romance and women’s fiction novels. Living a stone’s throw from the Rocky Mountains with her teenager twins, their two cats and a goofy rescue dog, Elena escapes into the mountains whenever life allows. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after with her very own mountain man.
Read a free novella — https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vxuimdz0j8
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 14, 2019
I picked this book up because I absolutely understand wanting to get away from everything and just being alone for a while, to catch my breath and figure out what's important. Becca has more than ample reason for wanting to get away, and I was intrigued to see where she went, and what she did when she got there, to find her way back (because I had absolutely no doubt that she would return to her life with her troublesome children, distant husband, and increasingly forgetful father).
The narrative magic didn't really start, for me, until Becca got to Rainbow Valley and met Sheena. I could tell immediately that this was going to be an important relationship, and I wasn't wrong, though I underestimated its full importance.
[SPOILER] Marital infidelity is a tricky subject to portray sympathetically, and I confess I lost a bit of respect for Becca when, after having turned her husband away for months, hating her post-two-children body, and having lost her nut over the gift of sexy lingerie, she so readily fell - repeatedly - into bed with almost a perfect stranger. Attraction and desire are perfectly understandable, but I was disappointed when Becca acted on them, rather than turning the emotional reawakening into a way of reconnecting with her husband. I also didn't really care for Jason, the guy she fell into bed with. I don't care for characters who sexually pursue people they know are married; it's a selfish, self-serving behaviour. Thank goodness Becca saw Jason for what he was, eventually; that redeemed her a little bit for me.
The narrative magic didn't really start, for me, until Becca got to Rainbow Valley and met Sheena. I could tell immediately that this was going to be an important relationship, and I wasn't wrong, though I underestimated its full importance.
[SPOILER] Marital infidelity is a tricky subject to portray sympathetically, and I confess I lost a bit of respect for Becca when, after having turned her husband away for months, hating her post-two-children body, and having lost her nut over the gift of sexy lingerie, she so readily fell - repeatedly - into bed with almost a perfect stranger. Attraction and desire are perfectly understandable, but I was disappointed when Becca acted on them, rather than turning the emotional reawakening into a way of reconnecting with her husband. I also didn't really care for Jason, the guy she fell into bed with. I don't care for characters who sexually pursue people they know are married; it's a selfish, self-serving behaviour. Thank goodness Becca saw Jason for what he was, eventually; that redeemed her a little bit for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2012
Whew. What a story. Drawing Free is not a book for the light of heart, this book is a serious look at an all too real life for many women. What mother and/or wife has not felt undervalued, underappreciated, and overwhelmed all at once? What woman hasn’t taken a look at an opportunity to get the heck out of dodge without the glimmer of “what if…?” Most of us don’t act on it, most of us don’t even give it more than a very quick passing thought. But there are certainly many women who sit and fantasize about turning back that clock, taking a break from life.
This was quite the emotional book. I spent a large part of it loving the story, loving the writing, but being so angry at Becca that if she had been in front of me, I’m not sure I could have been polite. But yet at the same time, I understand. Becca is a stay at home mom, which is easily more difficult than any job the rest of us who work outside the home have. Her own mother died when she was a child, she married and had children at a young age and gave up on her own dreams and aspirations to become Mrs. Thompson, mother and wife. Her dad is having Alzheimer type memory issues and often mistakes her for her late mother. Her kids are real gems, taking her for granted and playing on her love, exhaustion, and a mother’s need to see her children happy. Her best friend is radiant with news of a European adventure when she is trapped at home in a lifestyle that has suddenly caught up with her. And yes, she feels trapped.
One day Becca is stuck in traffic on the way to pick up her daughter. A quick call to her husband and a quick U-turn and she is off in another direction to disappear to Rainbow Valley where she hopes to discover who she is again.
Easy task, right? A lot of people spend their whole lives and never figure out who they are. And Becca has put her children, her husband, and her reality all on the line to figure it out. As much as I initially didn’t like Becca, as much as some of her actions downright angered me…the woman needed a change. She was clearly depressed and something needed to change. Life ran away and left her with kids, chores, and a workaholic husband. And she sought change. She knew part of her was missing in the equation of her life, and she went to change it. That takes courage. Great big, brass courage. Some people accused her of running away, and maybe part of it was.
But she made some friends in her brief journey to the cabin. Positive or negative, they helped her get to the place she needed to be to be ok with herself. And I can’t go much further than that without giving away secrets of the book. We should all be so lucky to have a break, to retune our soul and remember who we are, who we want to be. So if you read this book, take a moment and realize that while it is fiction, this can easily be about any number of women. Get over the anger you feel at Becca and enjoy the story. Maybe even live vicariously for a bit. I’ll say it again, this is definitely an emotional story. Be prepared to open your heart and your mind and go along for the ride.
This was quite the emotional book. I spent a large part of it loving the story, loving the writing, but being so angry at Becca that if she had been in front of me, I’m not sure I could have been polite. But yet at the same time, I understand. Becca is a stay at home mom, which is easily more difficult than any job the rest of us who work outside the home have. Her own mother died when she was a child, she married and had children at a young age and gave up on her own dreams and aspirations to become Mrs. Thompson, mother and wife. Her dad is having Alzheimer type memory issues and often mistakes her for her late mother. Her kids are real gems, taking her for granted and playing on her love, exhaustion, and a mother’s need to see her children happy. Her best friend is radiant with news of a European adventure when she is trapped at home in a lifestyle that has suddenly caught up with her. And yes, she feels trapped.
One day Becca is stuck in traffic on the way to pick up her daughter. A quick call to her husband and a quick U-turn and she is off in another direction to disappear to Rainbow Valley where she hopes to discover who she is again.
Easy task, right? A lot of people spend their whole lives and never figure out who they are. And Becca has put her children, her husband, and her reality all on the line to figure it out. As much as I initially didn’t like Becca, as much as some of her actions downright angered me…the woman needed a change. She was clearly depressed and something needed to change. Life ran away and left her with kids, chores, and a workaholic husband. And she sought change. She knew part of her was missing in the equation of her life, and she went to change it. That takes courage. Great big, brass courage. Some people accused her of running away, and maybe part of it was.
But she made some friends in her brief journey to the cabin. Positive or negative, they helped her get to the place she needed to be to be ok with herself. And I can’t go much further than that without giving away secrets of the book. We should all be so lucky to have a break, to retune our soul and remember who we are, who we want to be. So if you read this book, take a moment and realize that while it is fiction, this can easily be about any number of women. Get over the anger you feel at Becca and enjoy the story. Maybe even live vicariously for a bit. I’ll say it again, this is definitely an emotional story. Be prepared to open your heart and your mind and go along for the ride.
February 20, 2012
I'm not a parent, but right from the start I think everyone can relate to that desire to escape the pressures of our lives. Of course, most of us probably wouldn't do that, but experiencing it vicariously through Becca offered its own kind of satisfaction.
The story was well-written, and had some surprise twists that I did not see coming. I was disappointed with one of Becca's very unwise decisions. I prefer to read about strong moral characters because I feel inspired by them. At the same time, however, I was humbled. Real people make mistakes. Real people need compassion and forgiveness. I may not agree with her decision, but I think there's a deeper lesson we can all take away from this. And isn't that part of what makes a good story? Seeing the human condition so we can learn about and better ourselves?
The story was well-written, and had some surprise twists that I did not see coming. I was disappointed with one of Becca's very unwise decisions. I prefer to read about strong moral characters because I feel inspired by them. At the same time, however, I was humbled. Real people make mistakes. Real people need compassion and forgiveness. I may not agree with her decision, but I think there's a deeper lesson we can all take away from this. And isn't that part of what makes a good story? Seeing the human condition so we can learn about and better ourselves?
January 17, 2013
As the mother of 8 children, I certainly could identify with the feelings of being overwhelmed and wanting to runaway from it all. However, the main character was completely unsympathetic to me. She had a loving husband, a nice home, no financial worries at all apparently -- yes, her kids were difficult, but she only had two, and they were in school!
I felt the male characters in the book were very underdeveloped. There were major problems with the plot, and the main character was unlikable. The writing does draw you in, although I felt at times as though she repeated herself and changed points of view. Overall it was not a pleasant book and I cannot recommend it.
I felt the male characters in the book were very underdeveloped. There were major problems with the plot, and the main character was unlikable. The writing does draw you in, although I felt at times as though she repeated herself and changed points of view. Overall it was not a pleasant book and I cannot recommend it.
June 5, 2013
Review Copy Provided By Author
“I was so stuck on being what I thought I should be, that I couldn’t be who I needed to be. ~ Becca
This quote that appeared at the end of one of the final chapters really sums up what I thought about the book. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about it, because in all honestly, I didn’t have a lot in common with Becca, I don’t have kids, I’m not married, I’m relatively secure in where I am in my life (or at least I think I am). But it really made me think. Not just about her situation, but about life in general. How often do we make choices/decisions based on what we think we should, because of how society dictates we act, vice, how we want to act/want to do. And then there is the abundance of so-called “self-help” books that give you advice on how to make these decisions. But as it was explored in Drawing Free, sometimes they provide conflicting information, they often don’t take into account specific circumstances, and as with many things, one size (piece of advice) does not suit all.
There were a lot of life lessons that could be described as being in the story, primarily the reminder to live every day as if it were your last (or in the infamous words of Tim McGraw, live like you were dying). But also to remember that there is nothing wrong with trying to reach for your dreams, don’t fore-go them – but keep trying. I will say however, that I HATED the kids in the book – they drove me mental. I can safely say, that if I had ever behaved that way in public, or talked to my parents that way that I would have had my mouth washed out with soap and likely would have had my butt wholloped…but then, I grew up in the 1980’s when it was still kosher for kids to be spanked at times (but that is a story for another day).
However, Drawing Free did have a hot button topic for me which I kind of wish had been disclosed somewhere in the description – because there are people who find certain topics are no go’s – in this case it was . I HATED what Becca did, in fact, up to that point, I liked her journey and the cheating just ruined her character for me…I didn’t feel like she regretted her actions, or even took responsibility for them. It also seemed like there was no resolution between Becca and her husband about what happened…the ending in general, sucked!! I was disappointed with how it all turned out…
It was primarily the ending that made me give it 3 stars. It there had been more of a resolution, it probably would have gotten 4 stars from me. But that being said, I hope that EA writes more books in the future – because I am curious to see what else she comes up with.
“I was so stuck on being what I thought I should be, that I couldn’t be who I needed to be. ~ Becca
This quote that appeared at the end of one of the final chapters really sums up what I thought about the book. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about it, because in all honestly, I didn’t have a lot in common with Becca, I don’t have kids, I’m not married, I’m relatively secure in where I am in my life (or at least I think I am). But it really made me think. Not just about her situation, but about life in general. How often do we make choices/decisions based on what we think we should, because of how society dictates we act, vice, how we want to act/want to do. And then there is the abundance of so-called “self-help” books that give you advice on how to make these decisions. But as it was explored in Drawing Free, sometimes they provide conflicting information, they often don’t take into account specific circumstances, and as with many things, one size (piece of advice) does not suit all.
There were a lot of life lessons that could be described as being in the story, primarily the reminder to live every day as if it were your last (or in the infamous words of Tim McGraw, live like you were dying). But also to remember that there is nothing wrong with trying to reach for your dreams, don’t fore-go them – but keep trying. I will say however, that I HATED the kids in the book – they drove me mental. I can safely say, that if I had ever behaved that way in public, or talked to my parents that way that I would have had my mouth washed out with soap and likely would have had my butt wholloped…but then, I grew up in the 1980’s when it was still kosher for kids to be spanked at times (but that is a story for another day).
However, Drawing Free did have a hot button topic for me which I kind of wish had been disclosed somewhere in the description – because there are people who find certain topics are no go’s – in this case it was . I HATED what Becca did, in fact, up to that point, I liked her journey and the cheating just ruined her character for me…I didn’t feel like she regretted her actions, or even took responsibility for them. It also seemed like there was no resolution between Becca and her husband about what happened…the ending in general, sucked!! I was disappointed with how it all turned out…
It was primarily the ending that made me give it 3 stars. It there had been more of a resolution, it probably would have gotten 4 stars from me. But that being said, I hope that EA writes more books in the future – because I am curious to see what else she comes up with.
November 13, 2012
Goodreads Description- “What would happen if I just kept driving?”
Moms aren’t supposed to have a life of their own, at least that’s what Becca Thompson believes. Between dealing with her youngest’s never ending tantrums, her teenager’s attitude and her ailing father’s rapidly failing memory, Becca doesn’t have time to worry about who she used to be.
Deep down, Becca knows she wants more than the daily chaos and the quick fixes her self-help books have to offer, but when her husband starts demanding more, the pressure proves to be too much. On the way to pick up her daughter, she makes the split second decision to take a different exit off the freeway and drives towards the mountains leaving her crumbling life in the rear-view mirror.
Fleeing to a remote mountain town, Becca knows she must rediscover her spirit, even if reconnecting with herself comes at the expense of everything she left behind.
The minute I started reading this book, I connected with Becca and her overwhelming life of a mother and wife. I too feel the stress and often become overwhelmed simply by the huge amount of time has to be given to my kids, no matter if they are newborns to teenagers. I really think any mom can relate to those feelings. Mothers think we have to be the best moms ever and we are striving for an almost impossible goal. We have to learn instead to just do the best we can without losing our sense of self.
Sense of self is what Becca has truly lost. She became pregnant at a young age and married quickly. She suffered from post-partem depression for a long time after Jordan was born, turning into more of a major depression. Many years later, she gives birth to Kayla and falls into the same pattern. Now she has a teenager who is so angst filled she won't speak to her mother and a young daughter, who is prone to giant temper tantrums. Becca's mother died when she was young and doesn't remember anything about her. Her dad is falling fast into dementia and the decision to put him in a facility looms on the horizon. Basically Becca's life just swings out of control for her and she loses it. She needs a break and while on the way to pick up Kayla, she calls her husband and tells him to get her and the decision is made. Becca is off to take her break in Rainbow Valley, a small town in the mountains, that, for reasons unknown to her, her father has a cabin that he rents out.
When Becca arrives in Rainbow Valley she senses that this is the place for her to find herself, make some major life decisions, and unravel some serious family secrets.
The pros of this book are the fact that I connected to Becca and her plight immediately. I could feel what she was feeling. As a matter of fact, when I was reading the beginning, I myself was tense and worried right along with Becca. For an author to be able to write a character that connects to readers so well is a great accomplishment. I like the total contrast that the author created between "the city" and Rainbow Valley. The city being a busy overwhelming place and Rainbow Valley so peaceful and serene. I also liked the ending. I won't say anything else about it to ruin the story.
The cons are the how many times it is repeated that Becca hasn't painted in almost forever and that she doesn't know if she can do it again. It was said so much that it almost became a filler of sorts. I also didn't like the repeated statement of "I don't cry". We get it...Becca is emotionally closed off...to herself and to others.
All in all I liked the story and would recommend it to others. I probably would have given a 3.5 star rating but went with 4 stars to fit with Goodreads and Amazon.
Moms aren’t supposed to have a life of their own, at least that’s what Becca Thompson believes. Between dealing with her youngest’s never ending tantrums, her teenager’s attitude and her ailing father’s rapidly failing memory, Becca doesn’t have time to worry about who she used to be.
Deep down, Becca knows she wants more than the daily chaos and the quick fixes her self-help books have to offer, but when her husband starts demanding more, the pressure proves to be too much. On the way to pick up her daughter, she makes the split second decision to take a different exit off the freeway and drives towards the mountains leaving her crumbling life in the rear-view mirror.
Fleeing to a remote mountain town, Becca knows she must rediscover her spirit, even if reconnecting with herself comes at the expense of everything she left behind.
The minute I started reading this book, I connected with Becca and her overwhelming life of a mother and wife. I too feel the stress and often become overwhelmed simply by the huge amount of time has to be given to my kids, no matter if they are newborns to teenagers. I really think any mom can relate to those feelings. Mothers think we have to be the best moms ever and we are striving for an almost impossible goal. We have to learn instead to just do the best we can without losing our sense of self.
Sense of self is what Becca has truly lost. She became pregnant at a young age and married quickly. She suffered from post-partem depression for a long time after Jordan was born, turning into more of a major depression. Many years later, she gives birth to Kayla and falls into the same pattern. Now she has a teenager who is so angst filled she won't speak to her mother and a young daughter, who is prone to giant temper tantrums. Becca's mother died when she was young and doesn't remember anything about her. Her dad is falling fast into dementia and the decision to put him in a facility looms on the horizon. Basically Becca's life just swings out of control for her and she loses it. She needs a break and while on the way to pick up Kayla, she calls her husband and tells him to get her and the decision is made. Becca is off to take her break in Rainbow Valley, a small town in the mountains, that, for reasons unknown to her, her father has a cabin that he rents out.
When Becca arrives in Rainbow Valley she senses that this is the place for her to find herself, make some major life decisions, and unravel some serious family secrets.
The pros of this book are the fact that I connected to Becca and her plight immediately. I could feel what she was feeling. As a matter of fact, when I was reading the beginning, I myself was tense and worried right along with Becca. For an author to be able to write a character that connects to readers so well is a great accomplishment. I like the total contrast that the author created between "the city" and Rainbow Valley. The city being a busy overwhelming place and Rainbow Valley so peaceful and serene. I also liked the ending. I won't say anything else about it to ruin the story.
The cons are the how many times it is repeated that Becca hasn't painted in almost forever and that she doesn't know if she can do it again. It was said so much that it almost became a filler of sorts. I also didn't like the repeated statement of "I don't cry". We get it...Becca is emotionally closed off...to herself and to others.
All in all I liked the story and would recommend it to others. I probably would have given a 3.5 star rating but went with 4 stars to fit with Goodreads and Amazon.
November 6, 2013
I really have a love/hate relationship with this book. Aside from a few distracting typos the story flowed very well. I really liked the writing. My problem with the book is that I feel the characters were a bit lacking. I had a hard time connecting with them. And I never connected with the main character. She just came off as selfish and the way she handled things was in the most childish way. I get feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated, but she really didn't have it that bad. She allowed her children to treat her terribly and then whined about it instead of doing anything about it. She treated her husband terribly and felt burdoned by a sick father. I wanted to hit her with the book. I was disappointed by the ending. I was hoping for a not-so-happily-ever-after. But instead she really suffered no repercussions for abandonding her family. I find it hard to believe that any husband would just welcome her back with open arms after what she did. Or, maybe, I'm just a pessimist.
January 22, 2012
What happens when one mother decides to take off? Drawing Free explores that question with full force. An incredibly talented woman placed her creative gifts at the bottom of the pile for everyone else, inevitably risking her own sanity. She discovers the need to take a break, not just for herself, as she initially believes necessary, but for the sake of her family.
There are varying voices within the mommy spectrum and some readers may cringe at a mother's decision to take time to herself, especially in Becca's fashion. However, there are many in need to be heard. She had to protect herself first, her family second. Given the choices that Becca made, she realized how fortunate she really was. Had she not left, she wouldn't have discovered the saving grace as her answer and that same grace wouldn't have been the voice her husband needed to hear. Drawing Free gave us the chance to hear Becca's story and those who came to understand.
There are varying voices within the mommy spectrum and some readers may cringe at a mother's decision to take time to herself, especially in Becca's fashion. However, there are many in need to be heard. She had to protect herself first, her family second. Given the choices that Becca made, she realized how fortunate she really was. Had she not left, she wouldn't have discovered the saving grace as her answer and that same grace wouldn't have been the voice her husband needed to hear. Drawing Free gave us the chance to hear Becca's story and those who came to understand.
March 24, 2012
I just finished Drawing Free by Elena Aitken Awesome story - so honest in the way it portrays a mother's frustration with not only herself but the world around her. While this author could have taken the easy way out and given everyone a happy ever-after ending, she instead chose to be upfront and honest. This one of the most genuine heartfelt stories of motherhood imaginable. Not to say there is not tons of love and joy in being a mother, but honestly speaking, there are also plenty of days when we ourselves feel like Becca. 5 STARS!
January 8, 2012
What mom doesn't have that moment of wishing they could run away? What I liked about this book that it was free of prejudices. Becca reacted as her instincts led her - right or wrong. For a brief moment of time she could do whatever she wanted without the consequences looming over her, but at the same time realizing she would need to be string enough to face those consequences when reality hit.
I stayed up late to finish this book. I enjoyed it!
I stayed up late to finish this book. I enjoyed it!
February 12, 2019
Disappointing
I doubt I'll ever pick a USA recommended book again . This might have been a meaningful story if it hadn't evolved into another somewhat lurid tale of hot sex with a stranger. Any depth or insight into a frustrated housewife's escape from drudgery is lost with the shallow solutions presented here. Might be a good beach read but I'm not inclined to spend any more time with this author.
I doubt I'll ever pick a USA recommended book again . This might have been a meaningful story if it hadn't evolved into another somewhat lurid tale of hot sex with a stranger. Any depth or insight into a frustrated housewife's escape from drudgery is lost with the shallow solutions presented here. Might be a good beach read but I'm not inclined to spend any more time with this author.
November 22, 2012
This book was just okay for me. It felt rushed, jumped around awkwardly at times, etc. I never felt sorry for the heroine once. In fact, I felt disgusted by her behavior most of the time. Her friends' and families' reactions to her behavior were always short-lived and it had an air of unbelievability to it. Could not recommend.
February 7, 2013
A woman coping with motherhood and children who present challenges is something I can relate to. This book was only fair until I got midway and then it really reached me. I began to understand more about where the main character was coming from and could justify her actions. Thought the author did a nice job with this.
July 28, 2020
Drawing Free deals with a problem that many women and mothers have as they raise their children. They are first a mom and then a wife while finding no time to be themselves developing into a feeling of being completely lost. Becca Thompson feels a complete failure and doesn't know what she wants or who she is anymore and she runs.
She has just found out that her father owns a cabin in the mountains and she goes to a beautiful retreat in Rainbow Valley. She find more than she bargained for when she discovers her birth mother, herself and what she really wants. Drawing Free is full of emotional conflict, new beginnings and best of all a happy ending.
She has just found out that her father owns a cabin in the mountains and she goes to a beautiful retreat in Rainbow Valley. She find more than she bargained for when she discovers her birth mother, herself and what she really wants. Drawing Free is full of emotional conflict, new beginnings and best of all a happy ending.
July 31, 2019
I am a romantic at heart and loved this story. Rebecca is a wife and mother who just takes off one day to find herself. She goes on a journey of discovering who she really is and what she wants out of life.
September 26, 2020
I have enjoyed multiple books by Elena Aitken, but this was not your traditional romance or chick lit. It definitely gives you plenty of reason to feel, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes aggravated with the choices being made. While I might be single and childless, I think the way Becca felt in this story was something I could understand. If you are looking for an easy read, this is not it. But if you are looking for a good story about the messiness of life, then give it a try.
February 21, 2024
“Calgon Take Me Away” - I was too young to understand the commercial at the time, and being raised by a mom who was strict and firm, I didn’t get it. As a single parent, raising girls, and then raising my grandson, I got it.
Many people get caught up in the notion of how one must be to be accepted into “normal society”.
Becca has a lot against her, some things she isn’t fully aware of:
- Single and pregnant, must get married
- Smell from oil paints are bad for the baby, so cannot use any form of art as an escape
- Baby won’t breastfeed, must be something you’re doing wrong as a parent
- Baby is colicky, must be something you’re doing wrong as a parent
- Children throw temper tantrums, definitely bad parenting
- Husband only shows affection when he wants sex, must not be attractive anymore after having two kids, but he needs his needs fulfilled too, so that must be the only reason he gives compliments
I wasn’t very far into the book before realizing that Becca was depressed. I was amazed that her family (Step-mom, Husband, Best Friend), didn’t point it out, mention it in passing, or bring it up. Add in the age of the self-help book, and you find people turning to words on a page to solve problems, instead of talking to people who can physically help, even if it’s taking the kids for an hour so you can have a bath, or picking them up from school when you’re running late.
Much of the inner dialogue of Becca resonated with me. It drove me a little nuts at first, thinking, “if you know the problem, or you have a problem, say something, ask for help”, but then I remember having a lot of the same feelings and realized it isn’t easy for some (me included) to ask for help or admit defeat.
Her friend Steph, seemed to teeter on both sides. She should have known there was something wrong with her best friend. Telling Becca at the beginning of the book that she’s lost herself because she doesn’t paint anymore, then near the end of the book telling her that she is now ONLY mom and wife and not artist. Her solution of “come with me to Europe” then chastising her friend for needing time away (obviously Becca’s choice of action of running away played into that reaction). The friend that is always there for you for a phone call, but knowing something is wrong doesn’t come and sit with her to have a face to face conversation, but when Becca runs away (Becca can insist all she wants that she didn’t run away, but she did, even though she doesn’t have any intention of staying away, just a break and breather) and the husband is overwhelmed, Steph is there to pick up the kids and help out.
I’ve read a lot of the reviews on this book, and I don’t understand the people who say the husband is a workaholic. I don’t recall it being mentioned in the book that Becca thinks he’s a workaholic or that he comes home after supper, or that he works every weekend (although, being a realtor, that’s not outside the realm of possibility). In the short amount of time the book takes place at home, he is up in the morning and goes to work, then is home for supper. He makes the time to go to the in-laws for dinner. He might not know the right things to say to his wife, or be overly helpful around the house, but he sounds like a good husband and father. From what I understand of the book, he never told Becca that she was unattractive because she didn’t lose the baby weight, quite the opposite, he told her she was beautiful, he tried to show her physically (which is sometimes all men know how). It might have been wrong of him to get her a nice night gown for her birthday, but his intentions were right. “If you wear frumpy clothes, you feel frumpy.” Sometimes, putting in a little effort on your outside appearance helps with your inside appearance.
Becca has a teenage daughter who has attitude (as most teenage girls do). Add in a child who, like many children, (including my grandson) love a food one day, then tell you the next that they don’t like it, only to go back and say they love that food and not what they asked you to make instead. Throw in a father who has dementia or Alzheimer’s that keeps mistaking you for your mother that you never knew and was never talked about, but you keep hearing that you’re so much like her.
So, Becca has reached her breaking point and runs away. This is where she discovers some truths about herself and the mother she never knew.
I don’t understand the sleeping with another man, cheating has never been something I agree with. Becca feels like she isn’t attractive (even though her husband tried to show her she is), but a stranger says she’s attractive, and she believes it. Maybe it’s because he didn’t know her at 21 before having children and gaining the “mom war wounds of stretch marks”, and she didn’t seem to be too self conscious about her naked body with him. This was the part of the book that I had the most issue with. I have my own set of self image and self esteem issues and getting naked in front of a man, especially a stranger, is something I cannot do. Of course, I’ve never had a husband, so I can’t say what I would’ve done or felt in her shoes.
She keeps complaining to herself that she used to love art and painting, but gets upset when she discovers art supplies and is told that this is what she needs to help find herself again. Once she decides to draw a little, she discovers that the Hippy at the general store is right.
Finally, the big brother comes and fills her in on some of the secrets, the biggest one being that their mother didn’t die in a car accident like she’d been told her whole life. To find out that she ran away, just like Becca did. Her brother seems to be the only one brave enough or observant enough to see what the issue is and point it out to her, to show her that she needs to talk to someone (if he knew about the self help books, he would probably tell her to burn them). He points out that she is repeating the cycle of her mother, but also showing her that she can break that cycle.
She blamed her husband for her not doing her art, saying to herself that he made her stop painting, but in the end, when they finally had a chance to have the long overdue conversation, he told her that he let her stop. He was aware of her need for the outlet, but he never pushed her to stop, he also never pushed her to continue, and he recognized that. He tells her how he knew there was an issue, but he didn’t know how to fix it or help her, and he owned that.
This family has some work to do together, and it’s hard to say if they can navigate their way, but it sounds like they have a good chance.
Many people get caught up in the notion of how one must be to be accepted into “normal society”.
Becca has a lot against her, some things she isn’t fully aware of:
- Single and pregnant, must get married
- Smell from oil paints are bad for the baby, so cannot use any form of art as an escape
- Baby won’t breastfeed, must be something you’re doing wrong as a parent
- Baby is colicky, must be something you’re doing wrong as a parent
- Children throw temper tantrums, definitely bad parenting
- Husband only shows affection when he wants sex, must not be attractive anymore after having two kids, but he needs his needs fulfilled too, so that must be the only reason he gives compliments
I wasn’t very far into the book before realizing that Becca was depressed. I was amazed that her family (Step-mom, Husband, Best Friend), didn’t point it out, mention it in passing, or bring it up. Add in the age of the self-help book, and you find people turning to words on a page to solve problems, instead of talking to people who can physically help, even if it’s taking the kids for an hour so you can have a bath, or picking them up from school when you’re running late.
Much of the inner dialogue of Becca resonated with me. It drove me a little nuts at first, thinking, “if you know the problem, or you have a problem, say something, ask for help”, but then I remember having a lot of the same feelings and realized it isn’t easy for some (me included) to ask for help or admit defeat.
Her friend Steph, seemed to teeter on both sides. She should have known there was something wrong with her best friend. Telling Becca at the beginning of the book that she’s lost herself because she doesn’t paint anymore, then near the end of the book telling her that she is now ONLY mom and wife and not artist. Her solution of “come with me to Europe” then chastising her friend for needing time away (obviously Becca’s choice of action of running away played into that reaction). The friend that is always there for you for a phone call, but knowing something is wrong doesn’t come and sit with her to have a face to face conversation, but when Becca runs away (Becca can insist all she wants that she didn’t run away, but she did, even though she doesn’t have any intention of staying away, just a break and breather) and the husband is overwhelmed, Steph is there to pick up the kids and help out.
I’ve read a lot of the reviews on this book, and I don’t understand the people who say the husband is a workaholic. I don’t recall it being mentioned in the book that Becca thinks he’s a workaholic or that he comes home after supper, or that he works every weekend (although, being a realtor, that’s not outside the realm of possibility). In the short amount of time the book takes place at home, he is up in the morning and goes to work, then is home for supper. He makes the time to go to the in-laws for dinner. He might not know the right things to say to his wife, or be overly helpful around the house, but he sounds like a good husband and father. From what I understand of the book, he never told Becca that she was unattractive because she didn’t lose the baby weight, quite the opposite, he told her she was beautiful, he tried to show her physically (which is sometimes all men know how). It might have been wrong of him to get her a nice night gown for her birthday, but his intentions were right. “If you wear frumpy clothes, you feel frumpy.” Sometimes, putting in a little effort on your outside appearance helps with your inside appearance.
Becca has a teenage daughter who has attitude (as most teenage girls do). Add in a child who, like many children, (including my grandson) love a food one day, then tell you the next that they don’t like it, only to go back and say they love that food and not what they asked you to make instead. Throw in a father who has dementia or Alzheimer’s that keeps mistaking you for your mother that you never knew and was never talked about, but you keep hearing that you’re so much like her.
So, Becca has reached her breaking point and runs away. This is where she discovers some truths about herself and the mother she never knew.
I don’t understand the sleeping with another man, cheating has never been something I agree with. Becca feels like she isn’t attractive (even though her husband tried to show her she is), but a stranger says she’s attractive, and she believes it. Maybe it’s because he didn’t know her at 21 before having children and gaining the “mom war wounds of stretch marks”, and she didn’t seem to be too self conscious about her naked body with him. This was the part of the book that I had the most issue with. I have my own set of self image and self esteem issues and getting naked in front of a man, especially a stranger, is something I cannot do. Of course, I’ve never had a husband, so I can’t say what I would’ve done or felt in her shoes.
She keeps complaining to herself that she used to love art and painting, but gets upset when she discovers art supplies and is told that this is what she needs to help find herself again. Once she decides to draw a little, she discovers that the Hippy at the general store is right.
Finally, the big brother comes and fills her in on some of the secrets, the biggest one being that their mother didn’t die in a car accident like she’d been told her whole life. To find out that she ran away, just like Becca did. Her brother seems to be the only one brave enough or observant enough to see what the issue is and point it out to her, to show her that she needs to talk to someone (if he knew about the self help books, he would probably tell her to burn them). He points out that she is repeating the cycle of her mother, but also showing her that she can break that cycle.
She blamed her husband for her not doing her art, saying to herself that he made her stop painting, but in the end, when they finally had a chance to have the long overdue conversation, he told her that he let her stop. He was aware of her need for the outlet, but he never pushed her to stop, he also never pushed her to continue, and he recognized that. He tells her how he knew there was an issue, but he didn’t know how to fix it or help her, and he owned that.
This family has some work to do together, and it’s hard to say if they can navigate their way, but it sounds like they have a good chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2012
I bounced between giving this story 3 or 4 stars. I'm giving it 4 stars! I know what it's like to want to drop everything, get in the car and drive as far away as possible from everyone and everything. What woman doesn't feel that way at some point in their life?!!
In this book, that's just what Becca did. She dropped everything, got in her car and drove away. She needed to find.....well, herself. She needed to figure out who she was, who she wanted to be and also more importantly, just be.
I didn't agree with all the choices she made (I won't ruin it for other readers!), but I could understand some of the reasons behind her decisions. Life is overwhelming for all of us, especially women (sorry guys!) and sometimes it takes getting away to find the answers we need. I think we all have to find our true selves at some point.
My favorite line is this book: "Be true to you and everything else will fall into place."
Great book Elena!! I'm so glad I read this!! I also learned some things about myself while reading this book.
In this book, that's just what Becca did. She dropped everything, got in her car and drove away. She needed to find.....well, herself. She needed to figure out who she was, who she wanted to be and also more importantly, just be.
I didn't agree with all the choices she made (I won't ruin it for other readers!), but I could understand some of the reasons behind her decisions. Life is overwhelming for all of us, especially women (sorry guys!) and sometimes it takes getting away to find the answers we need. I think we all have to find our true selves at some point.
My favorite line is this book: "Be true to you and everything else will fall into place."
Great book Elena!! I'm so glad I read this!! I also learned some things about myself while reading this book.
January 7, 2016
A Best seller for sure. Elena never ceases to amaze me with her diverse writing styles and plots. In this story the author brings to life the struggles of a woman caught in the turmoil of everyday life. Despite Becca's poor moral decision you can't help but cheer for her in finding out who she is and what's important to her. One must remember that life is not all happiness and roses as some novels portray; and is sometimes very hard. Once she finds out her past she can finally realize her true self. Great character development, descriptive scenes and easy dialogue. The plot has so many twists and turns that once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down. I have read all this author's book and would recommend this thought provoking book to anyone.
May 14, 2020
Reinforcing the image of “so-hard to be a mom, can’t do anything else”. Becca read a lot of self-help books but must have missed the one “How to set some boundaries to your kids what is acceptable”. Home is a mess, dishes in the sink... Had she never heard of a dishwasher?
Then her years of problems get solved by spending a few days at a remote cabin, some sex and starting to paint. Sounds more like a miracle fairy waving her wand than real life.
The book ends abruptly, leaves so many loose ends. I could not believe that I was on the last page when I saw the lines : “I hope you have enjoyed this book”, etc.etc. whatever it was. Or, maybe there’s another episode book of Becca in the making? If yes, I will not read it.
Then her years of problems get solved by spending a few days at a remote cabin, some sex and starting to paint. Sounds more like a miracle fairy waving her wand than real life.
The book ends abruptly, leaves so many loose ends. I could not believe that I was on the last page when I saw the lines : “I hope you have enjoyed this book”, etc.etc. whatever it was. Or, maybe there’s another episode book of Becca in the making? If yes, I will not read it.
May 14, 2012
I rate this one at 3.5- good story, well developed characters and a good flow. I finished this one in two sittings and even though I didn't really like some of the choices the characters made the story is well written and kept me engaged. I would have liked to see more of Jon's side of it or maybe a little more of his character traits shown early on in the book instead of just at the end. Would have also liked if the resolution wasn't quite so all of a sudden (but that is just a personal preference).
Good book for a quick read, very realistic portrayal of stressed out motherhood at the extreme and how relationships can unravel or be rewoven.
Good book for a quick read, very realistic portrayal of stressed out motherhood at the extreme and how relationships can unravel or be rewoven.
December 19, 2017
This was one of my first d/l when I got my Kindle for Cmas last year. It was probably free or really cheap. I recently went back through and added some of my early d/l to my "Gym Reading" folder and have been trying to make my way through them.
I rather enjoyed this one. There's not a lot that's all that new here, but I thought it was done pretty well. If you're thinking about reading it at the gym, I might advise you pick something that's a little less serious and definitely skip reading the ending in public because it was all I could do to keep from tearing up. :)
I rather enjoyed this one. There's not a lot that's all that new here, but I thought it was done pretty well. If you're thinking about reading it at the gym, I might advise you pick something that's a little less serious and definitely skip reading the ending in public because it was all I could do to keep from tearing up. :)
February 1, 2013
I think that each one of us has felt the way the main character in this book has felt at one point or another. How often we look back and see that through life, somewhere along the way we have lost a little bit of ourselves. This story is about Becca and what happens as she hits this point in her life. I have to admit there have been times when I needed to just get away and I actually did it once. This book captures the real emotions that many women and mothers go through. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it to every mother out there.
February 12, 2019
This book infuriated me at parts of it. Who lets their 5 yr old rule them? Who lets their husband undermine their authority? And who keeps a secret like this from an adult?! I understand not telling a child, but she could have been told once she was 20. And sorry, while I am all for taking a break and finding yourself, cheating on your husband is not part of that and should not be brushed off as a small mistake! Very convuluted confusing story. Is she just selfish? Does she have a mental illness? Is it just stress or a mental breakdown?
January 11, 2012
I have enjoyed all of Ms.Aitken's books, but this is my favourite so far! I could not help but empathise with Becca, a busy Mum, who needs some time for herself and does the unthinkable - just takes off in her car. The story that unfolds is beautifully written, covering some delicate and difficult issues sensitively and with compassion. Beautiful descriptions of settings and Ms.Aitken's strongly formed characters make this a "must read". Highly recommended.
August 31, 2013
I loved this book. Elena does a wonderful job of developing her characters. You can empathize with Becca and what she is going through. Having two adult children and having dealt with a parent having Alzheimer's disease I know exactly how it feels to become overwhelmed with life and lose yourself in the process. Thankfully my husband was wonderfully supportive but I could draw many parallels between my life and Becca's.Couldn't put it down till I finished it.
May 17, 2012
I loved this book. I found the main character to be very relatable in spite of not being married nor having kids of my own. This book was so honest and real from beginning to end, almost to the point of discomfort due to some of the decisions made by Becca (and I mean this as a compliment to the author). To still be able to relate to a character whose choices you don't agree with is a testament to good writing. I love Elena's writing style and can't wait to read more of her books!
January 16, 2012
I really liked this book... and probably would have given it four stars. However, I feel like I had to go one/two stars on this one for one reason: Grammatical errors. There was a lot of them. At one point in the book, the story repeats itself. I was left to read the same part twice; but yet have a different outcome. I really couldn't overcome the errors and fully enjoy the great plot.
January 13, 2012
Becca is a 35 year old woman who hates her body and thinks she is a bad mother and wife. She has a workaholic husband, a 14 year old daughter with attitude problems and a 5 year old daughter who is the queen of temper tantrums. She can't take it any more so she escapes to her father's mountain cabin to find out who she really is. I couldn't put it down.
June 11, 2012
i really liked this book . i sure wish i would of had this book when i was younger. its a great book for married women going through changes. how do you go from being a mom to still feeling attractive to your spouse when you feel like a blob of nothing......this review does not do this book justice
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