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We all do it.

It’s part of what makes us human. There are names for it – jealousy, envy, and sometimes even greed. We daydream about what someone else has. We convince ourselves that things would be better if we were someone else altogether…The grass is always greener, we believe. Or is it?

For Caroline, being left alone would be everything. She’s had enough of doctors and nurses telling her how to live because of a mistake she made as a kid. The idea of another shrink makes her cringe. Yet, she doesn’t have a choice. Not if she wants to keep living on the outside.

For Nora, being seen would mean the world. It’s been years since she’s had a hot shower without sneaking around but no one notices. No one cares to ask. It’s her job to smile, pretend everything is great and ask them about their days instead.

And for Dennis, the ability not to care at all would solve his difficulties. If only he could stop worrying about what people thought of him. To live authentically would make things so much easier. He could finally close the door to his past.

Three people with entirely different problems and one thing in common: They are trapped with a need to escape. Ironic, when Escape, Colorado is exactly the place tourists expect to find their own escapes. But then, the tourists are human too…

The grass is always greener.
Or, is it?

ebook

Published July 15, 2017

4 people are currently reading
49 people want to read

About the author

Erin Lee

284 books499 followers
Erin Lee is a USA TODAY bestselling multi genre author and therapist chasing a crazy dream one crazy story at a time. She also writes under the name EL George.

She is the author of Crazy Like Me, a novel published in 2015 by Savant Books and Publications, LLC,, Wave to Papa, 2015, by Limitless Publishing, LLC and Nine Lives (2016). She’s also author of Alters, Host, and Merge of the “Lola, Party of Eight Series,” When I’m Dead, 99 Bottles and too many other titles to count.

She penned the award-winning Freak, an LGBTQ awareness novella and Losing Faith, a novella with Black Rose Writing.

Lee has published numerous magazine articles, particularly on the topic of mental illness and works tirelessly to help end stigma around psychological conditions. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and works with at-risk families and as a court appointed special advocate. She often writes about real life people and situations she encounters in this work; which can be more horrific than any horror movie or documentary.

Lee is most well known as author of the DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER SERIES with Zombie Cupcake Press and From Russia, With Love with Bella Tulip Publishing and many more.

She believes in supporting other authors and experimenting with new genres. Her passion is reaching people through their stories.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,692 reviews634 followers
July 18, 2017
*****5 Grass is NOT always greener Stars*****

This copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wow...what a fascinating and thought provoking read by Erin Lee. This is my first book I have read by this author and I'm kicking myself for not finding her sooner.

I was swept away by the story of Caroline, Nora, and Dennis.

I'm sorry...I'm still reeling from this book and this story. The way Ms. Lee touched on these lives all surrounding mental illness. Damn...I'm at a point where I want to go back and re-read this again to see if there was anything I missed.

What a great and spectacular book and I want to thank Ms. Lee for sharing this with the reading community. ♥
Profile Image for Philomena Callan Cheekypee.
4,023 reviews434 followers
July 15, 2017
Each book by this author has me craving her next read.

This is part of the Escape From Reality series but can be read as a standalone.

This is Caroline, Dennis and Nora's story. With the help of each other they find a way to find themselves and move on the best as they can.

I found this a thought provoking read. I didn't inhale this as I normally do. More like read then stopped and thought about what I read. It's rare I find a read like this and I loved it.

The grass isn't always greener.

Glad to see this author has some more books out that I can get my teeth into. Looking forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve :)
Profile Image for Samantha.
1,926 reviews41 followers
June 3, 2017
The author's note at the beginning really intrigued me and set the tone for this installment in the Escape from Reality Series. I loved the perspective it gave about never knowing what someone else is going through in their lives. That's very true and important to remember.
Caroline's thoughts were startling and really pulled me into the story. She had been through so much in her life as she battled her inner demons.
Getting to know more about Nora and her secrets was like having a bucket of cold water tossed in my face. She seemed so together, but none of her clients knew just what problems were simmering below the surface. This provided a clarity to the story and really gave me a unique perspective into the hidden things that people can be dealing with in their lives.
Dennis had secrets of his own, which would probably be shocking to both Caroline and Nora. I felt his pain as I watched him struggle with so much. All of these characters needed freedom from the secrets they were harboring.
As each one started to let go of their fears and reach for freedom, I felt thrilled for them. It was fantastic watching them confide in and support one another along the way. They each made their own realizations about things being "greener" and they showed so much growth because of it. This was a fabulous story that was both entertaining and insightful.
I am looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.
Profile Image for Ebony.
672 reviews24 followers
July 14, 2017
I LOVED this eye opening book from Erin Lee!!! Through her words, Erin Lee teaches her readers a very important lesson...The grass is not always greener on the other side. We all have our own dirt that we keep hidden...and no one has the perfect life that we are all searching for.

The intertwined story of Nora, Dennis, and Caroline is a story that I could not put down. I found a little bit of myself in each one of these characters. I was able to understand their struggles. I was able to cheer them on as they made strides to love their own lawns.

This is a very well written story and made me fall in love with the fictional town of Escape, Colorado all over again!!! I can't wait for the next installment in this amazing series and Erin Lee's next book!!!
Profile Image for Amanda Leigh.
Author 24 books206 followers
July 6, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second Erin Lee book. I actually read my first two back to back. I liked both but I like this one the best so far. Even though the characters frustrated me with thinking the grass is greener. Hey, that's the point of this book, right? We're all guilty of thinking the grass is greener at times but I do believe that some people do it more than others. Weirdly, having a serious chronic illness (a few of them) and a couple of issues with mental health have made me stop and take a minute when I do start to think someone else's grass is greener. My issues really aren't always something you can see, so what makes me think that I can see theirs?

I enjoyed the three different POVs in this book. I think my favorite was Nora. It was a short but good read. I can't say much because I don't want to give anything away. Everyone thinks everyone else's grass is greener, basically. I liked the end. Nothing was tied up in neat little bows but I feel like it fit. It seemed realistic. You'll just have to read it to see. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the Escape series plays out!!
Profile Image for Rita Delude.
Author 79 books150 followers
June 24, 2017
Nora, Caroline, Dennis--Their internal turmoil will stay with you long after you close this book, which is the third in the multi-genre, multi-author series called Escape from Reality.

Nora is a hospital psychologist with problems much more complex than some of her patients' issues. Caroline believes Nora is perfect with the perfect life. But not everything is as it seems. Dennis has a secret he ran away from home to hide, yet hasn't yet found peace in Escape, CO, where he ran to. He and Nora befriend each other, but for different reasons. The complexity of the characters and the secrets of their person lives is what kept me turning pages.

But, I also enjoyed that I again learned more about Escape, CO, the tiny village that is known for having healing vibes.

I can't wait for the 15th of each month since that is the day one new book from the Escape from Reality series comes out. I feel after only three books that I know this town and some of the quirky and complex residents.
Profile Image for Danetta Sutton.
74 reviews8 followers
July 10, 2017
Was given early arc for an honest review. All of us at one time in our lives have envied someone or something. This story revolves around three people who have come together in The Escape Hospital mental ward. First you have Nora the residing Psychologist, who behind closed doors is dealing with her own personal demons. Next you have Caroline who has been in the ward since she was a teenager who envies the life of Nora and her perfect life. Lastly you have Dennis who has ran away from his hometown and his turmoil. He is the janitor for the hospital and through his job befriends Nora. Three POV's that flow so easily in one amazingly told story. This Author touches the human side of each character and their struggles. Trying to exist and maintain a normal healthy life and discovering that the grass is not always greener.
Profile Image for Chelsi Tauscher.
Author 11 books27 followers
July 15, 2017
I think one of my favorite things about Erin's books, is they're real. SOO real. Life situations that anyone can relate to. They cause you to think, and while they may be 'fiction' you can see yourself in every character, and situation.
Greener is no exception to that. I have not read the other two in the series, but this can be read as a standalone. It is a quick and easy, but intriguing read that will cause you to question what you feel to be the 'better side of the fence.' The grass is literally never greener, and this book shows how much fact there is to that.
Profile Image for Karen Hartsfield-Voliva.
107 reviews75 followers
July 15, 2017
Erin Lee has again taken us into the lives of three characters. Nora a therapist, Caroline the woman who has spent most of her life in a psych ward and last Dennis who is a kind soul. The one thing they have in common is that they all have a secret that is life changing. The author takes you into the thoughts and emotions of the characters. The author uses the saying 'Life is always greener on the other side of the fence' as a way to show the reader that it's not true, we all have weeds and bald spots in our lawns. Caroline if after years and years in a mental hospital gets to leave and if she can make it a year can be free from the confines of the system. Caroline has to adjust to the outside world where she holds her life in her hand not the hands of others. Caroline has to learn how to deal with feelings and make decisions for herself. Dennis who's secret is just coming out of the closet for real he's gay and hides it well. Dennis has to learn the hard way that coming out is not always a bad thing, that you can find a friend in a stranger named Fred. And last, there's Nora the therapist with the biggest secret of all she lives in the storage closet at the hospital and has clients that have the same kind of illness she has herself. Nora has agoraphobia and doesn't leave her little world of the fourth floor without having a panic attack. They all have to work through their problems and take a chance with the others secrets. I do like the way the author does give the three of them happy endings. Even if a perfect stranger is the one to get the ball rolling to 'out' them all.
Profile Image for Energy Rae.
1,766 reviews55 followers
July 17, 2017
I haven't read the first two books in the series, but you didn't need to, which I think is great because a good series should be able to read that way. In Greener, we traverse the lives of three individuals, each struggling in their own way. Our main focus, Caroline, cannot seem to get past the notion that everyone in life has it better than she does. She goes through a process of personal evolution, to take the time to get to look beyond her preconceived notions of others and learn to see the good in her own life. Lee delivers another story with a punch, using her history as a therapist in her stories, to address real life issues that we all face at one time or another.
Profile Image for Gemma Price.
Author 19 books32 followers
July 28, 2017
You all may have noticed. I am an Erin Lee fan girl. And proud of it! After reading When I’m Dead. ( scroll down to read my review) I picked up greener. It has a happy cover and the blurb sounded interesting so, I loaded the kindle and entered the worlds of three very different people. All with the same problem really. They all believed that everyone else had it better.

I know I have had that thought a few times in my life. This book really cheered me up. The tree leads who each have their own narrative which I love. Nora I could really relate to. she looks okay on the outside and does her job, but behind closed doors she is far from okay. Her interactions with Caroline are really honest and they made me smile even more after you learn a bit more about the two of them.

Then there is Dennis, I love Dennis. He just wants to get on but his fear of rejection is holding him back. The trio are a real mix of imperfect people who just want to love and be loved. Just like you and I. That’s What makes this such a heart warming book. The fact that they are normal flawed people who are really trying their best to get on in life.

By the end of the book I was goofy smiling and really wished there was more book left. It is a feel good book that everyone can relate to and I think the Grass is only ever greener when you take care of it.

Awesome book.
Profile Image for Meleaha Howard.
379 reviews6 followers
June 22, 2017
This book was out of the norm for me, but it was a very refreshing read. Caroline only wanted a "normal" life. She wanted the American dream, a house, a husband, and nobody watching her every move like she had in the psych ward. She was so jealous of her doctor, Nora, because she appeared to have her life together.
Nora, on the outside, had it all. But nobody saw what went on behind closed doors, literally. Nora had one friend, Dennis, the janitor at the hospital. He knew all of her secrets and never judged her.
Dennis also had his secrets that he hid from everyone. It took taking a step for him to become happy and realize that only he could control his destiny.
Profile Image for Taylor Henderson.
Author 36 books64 followers
July 23, 2017
Erin Lee did it again! I loved this book from start to finish. This novella is based in the town of Escape, Colorado, the location for all of the novel in the Escape From Reality Series. Erin brings in her knowledge as a therapist into this novel by weaving in themes that only she can address in such a brilliant way. Greener followed the story of three different characters and how they all learned that the grass isn't greener on the other side. I loved each of these characters for different reasons. Dennis was well characterized and adorable. I found myself rooting for him the entire time! Nora was like a baby bird, learning to be courageous, and Caroline was hilarious. She was funny and so very real. The way these three character's lives intertwined was brilliant. I especially enjoyed how each of their stories ended. Erin Lee did an amazing job with this novella and I'm excited to read more from the Escape From Reality Series!
Profile Image for Sara Schoen.
Author 87 books151 followers
January 24, 2026
Greener is an Erin Lee book to read again and again. (Can be read as part of a series or as a standalone)

Remember: The grass ISNT always greener
Erin's her knowledge as a therapist bring an incredible story. It's based in the town of Escape and plays into the minds of three different people who all come together unexpectantly. I loved each of these characters, while for different reasons, they all had one thing in common: They felt REAL to me. Lee intertwined these characters brilliantly. Erin Lee once again hit it out of the park on this one, and I hear will be bringing more to the Escape From Reality Series.
Profile Image for K.M. Taylor.
Author 7 books90 followers
December 6, 2017
I've never read a book with three main characters and three POVs, but I definitely will again in the future thanks to this book! Each time the story switched POVs, it was done so seamlessly that I literally felt like I was being dropped right into the characters head. The messages within these pages are timeless and whether you read it today, tomorrow, or five years from now, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! I fell in love with these characters and the town of Escape, which is a character in its own right iMO :)
Profile Image for Shelby W.
523 reviews32 followers
July 8, 2017
Greener, a creatively written story. Really, enjoyed the cast of characters, quite an interesting group...oh the secrets we keep! What a great reminder; to always be true to oneself and to envy none because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so the best option is to be kind to everyone you meet. Thank you, Author Lee for this feel-good story!
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,684 reviews342 followers
June 23, 2017
One of the seven deadly sins is Envy, and we all have at one time, or another suffered from that green-eyed monster called Jealousy. We have also looked at people and thought I wish I had what they had as their grass looks greener and much better than my life. Of course, though we can never know what goes on behind closed doors. This book focuses on three people from different walks of life who meet in one particular place. The Escape Memorial Hospital on the fourth floor where the Mental Health ward is. The first person we meet is Caroline who has been in the ward since she was thirteen and is now in her mid-late twenties and can be rehabilitated into society. She is envious of her psychologist Nora's life and has a vision of Nora's perfect life in her head. The thing though is that Nora who is the second person we meet is not perfect at all and is good at hiding behind her psychologist professional facade as she lives in the ward. She has made the Janitor's closet her makeshift bedroom and is afraid to leave the hospital. The third is Dennis who works at the hospital as a Janitor. He is handsome, friendly and gay. Though nobody knows it and he also hasn't been back home in years as his father didn't accept him for who he was. He came to Escape to well escape from his life back home. His secret is that he isn't a bad driver, but everyone thinks he is as he keeps damaging his car. The truth is that he has a major crush on the mechanic who btw is straight- Deacon. Greener was a different book than I was expecting as I am a big fan of Erin Lee and enjoy her edginess and her way of touching mental health and looking at different psychological issues.

Profile Image for Karen.
284 reviews6 followers
August 24, 2017
Erin Lee has again taken us into the lives of three characters. Nora a therapist, Caroline the woman who has spent most of her life in a psych ward and last Dennis who is a kind soul. The one thing they have in common is that they all have a secret that is life changing. The author takes you into the thoughts and emotions of the characters. The author uses the saying 'Life is always greener on the other side of the fence' as a way to show the reader that it's not true, we all have weeds and bald spots in our lawns. Caroline if after years and years in a mental hospital gets to leave and if she can make it a year can be free from the confines of the system. Caroline has to adjust to the outside world where she holds her life in her hand not the hands of others. Caroline has to learn how to deal with feelings and make decisions for herself. Dennis who's secret is just coming out of the closet for real he's gay and hides it well. Dennis has to learn the hard way that coming out is not always a bad thing, that you can find a friend in a stranger named Fred. And last, there's Nora the therapist with the biggest secret of all she lives in the storage closet at the hospital and has clients that have the same kind of illness she has herself. Nora has agoraphobia and doesn't leave her little world of the fourth floor without having a panic attack. They all have to work through their problems and take a chance with the others secrets. I do like the way the author does give the three of them happy endings. Even if a perfect stranger is the one to get the ball rolling to 'out' them all.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
July 20, 2017
Written in alternating points of view from three seemingly very different people who have been thrown together and must interact on a regular basis, this story melds flawlessly into a lesson on how humans view life. Especially on how we seem to notice and act on the negative aspects when it would make more sense to focus on the positive advantages.

An irregular relationship triangle which both hides and exposes the secrets of each participant takes us into the minds and lives of these residents of Escape, Colorado. This book reminds us that we never know what adversity another person is facing and that making wrong choices is a human condition, not reserved for any income class, bloodline or circumstances.

As Caroline, Nora and Dennis figure out their ways in the world we see change and growth. Perhaps each does not as evidently or as quickly recognize it in themselves.
Could it be the influence of Escape, CO or do each of us have the "magic" inside.
Profile Image for Linda Buzard-Moffitt.
661 reviews18 followers
July 30, 2017
It was great to come back to Escape, Colorado. These books in the Escape From Reality Series are stand alone reads. I just love visiting there so much, that I want to read them all. I also like to visit previous characters sometimes and see what they have been up to.
I love the saying 'The Grass is NOT Always Greener!'
This was a really great book. I enjoyed the different POV's and the mental illness issues talked about in this book. Very Realistic and Attention Keeping and Thought Provoking through-out. They all work through their problems and we get some closure on everyone.
I was given an ARC copy of this book to read. I was not compensated in any way for this review. I also was not persuaded in any way to give a positive review.
Profile Image for Tabitha Hartman .
420 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2017
This is the third book from this series and I have loved them all... this book deals with mental disorders and I kinda felt like I was the characters at times. I love how Erin's books always have such a strong message to them and truly believe everyone should read her books, I get a new understanding from every one of them.
Profile Image for Maria Vickers.
Author 46 books394 followers
July 19, 2017
Greener by Erin Lee is a story about three people with their own set of problems who wish for something someone else has. They have to overcome their problems and can't help but want something more.

The story moved a little slow for me and I had a hard time getting into it, however, I do like the message and it started to pick up towards the end. 3.5 stars.
2,617 reviews25 followers
June 27, 2017
this was amazing book you wrote! its about three people who are all connected in some way. one needs to come out of the closet so to speak. one needs to find a place to live. and one needs to just get a life already! thanks for giving me a chance to read this book!
Profile Image for Becky.
280 reviews5 followers
July 13, 2017
Set around Escape Memorial Hospital, this story focuses on three characters: Dennis, Nora, and Caroline. All have their own problems, all wish for something the others have. This story focuses and brings to light mental health issues and the struggles to overcome them.
86 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2018
Wow, just read Greener! I LOVED it! What a great group of characters. I LOVED how Lee had them interact and help eachother. I don't want it to end.
Nora, Denis and Caroline all have a different situation, but in some ways are all the same.
They want to get better and be happy like we all do. They way their lives intertwine and the unlikely way they need eachother was beautifully thought out! I could have read another story just on what happens now! Great book!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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