What can I say about Inescapable? And how do I do it without spoiling anything for anyone? Lord, have mercy. I have no words to describe the myriad of emotions I went through; from as low as I remember feeling when I was in a DV relationship, to utter elation, back down again... I was on an emotional roller coaster, for sure.
Having not read a blurb for this book before diving straight into it, I wasn’t sure what lay between the pages. I’ll be honest, I was a bit taken aback at the subject matter. It’s something I have a personal experience with and it isn’t something I like revisiting often. So, in all honesty, I nearly backed out of reading this book. But also in all honesty, I am truly glad I didn’t. I would have missed an amazing story.
I slowly eased my way into this story, full of trepidation for what I would find. I empathised strongly with Izzie, I felt real fear for her after my own experience left me with physical and mental scars. She had a kind of quiet strength that I admired from the start. Something borne from being a victim for far too long. It either breaks you or it makes you stronger, somehow. It’s something I can’t quite explain.
Treated well for a short period of time in the beginning, Izzie didn’t know that a monster lurked just beneath the surface. All it would take was a little more time and it would rear its ugly head. Then, the longer she lived in fear of him, the less likely she thought it was that she’d ever get away.
Fast forward some spoilery bits because it takes away your first-hand enjoyment as a reader if I tell you more...
Pepper Island is beautiful, but it’s home to something more beautiful. Something far beyond what Alex has ever experienced in her life. He’s handsome, charming, charismatic... Tate Castle is pure bliss in the guise of a man. But Alex is rightfully frightened. She hasn’t been with a man since... well, let’s not get into that. Truth is, Castle invokes feelings in her she thought were long since dead and buried. She’s scared of exploring what that means though. And I don’t blame her one bit. Once you’ve been burned as badly as she was, you’re scared of jumping back into the flames.
With time, patience and a whole lot more besides, can Alex overcome her fears and explore the possibilities of a new relationship? Can Castle breach the impenetrable walls she’s built around her heart? And in turn, can she reach beyond his own defences, to open him up to the possibility of something more than friendship?
Individually, they think they are doing well enough not to want or need each other. But if they get under each other’s skin, bury themselves in the other one’s heart without even trying, then they could be a force to be reckoned with.
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This story was eloquently written. The subject matter was handled delicately, with a lot of care. It’s a sensitive subject for so many people across the world. Domestic violence isn’t something that only affects women, either. A lot of people think it is, but the truth is, it affects both sexes and both men and women suffer it in silence every day. It’s not pretty and it hurts like hell. Breaking away and starting life afresh is so hard.
I got away from my abuser, but it took a long time to recover from what he did to me and to stop looking over my shoulder, expecting him to turn up and exact revenge.
This story is about going from weak, defenceless victim, to survivor. Standing up and being unafraid to look your abuser in the eye and say “no more.”
From the point of view of a survivor, this story was about hope. Having hope that the future could hold more. Holding onto that hope in the darkest of times, on the hardest of days. It’s about confronting your fears and overcoming your weakness. Turning your weakness into your biggest strength.
It was a powerful story of a light in the darkness, guiding you on, showing you that you don’t have to be alone, you don’t have to be afraid. You aren’t wrong for wanting more from life than what you’re getting.
This story tugged on my heartstrings in the biggest of ways. I feared reading it, but it reminded me of finding my own strength to say enough is enough.
I cried for her. My tears came thick and fast, with wracking sobs that made my body shudder. The story felt so real, as if it were happening to someone I knew. It made me want to help make things better for her. It made me want to reach out and say from one survivor to another, she could do anything if she wanted it enough.
I haven’t wanted to say anything to spoil this story for everyone. There’s a lot more to it than what I have said. But my fear is, if people don’t know a little of the story, they’ll go in blind and it’ll take them back to a time in their life they’d rather not relive. Just because I managed to read it and love it, doesn’t mean other DV survivors will.
It’s quite a harrowing tale of how a naïve, young woman goes through hell and back, coming out the other end as a strong, capable woman.
Only you can decide if you are able to read this book or not.
For me, it was a brilliantly told story. Yes, the subject matter was delicate, but it was handled so sensitively and it was sprinkled with CJ Fallowfield’s usual humour and wit, showing that even in darkness, there is a light that never goes out.
I’m now off to read something a bit more lighthearted. All I can say is; CJ Fallowfield has created a masterpiece. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You CAN see the beauty in this story. You can see the light. All hope is not lost. Although it’s darker than any of her books I’ve read before, it is still amazing. If you like dark stories, then this is one you’ll thoroughly enjoy. I usually like lighter reads, fluffier romances. I enjoy erotica, I even enjoy suspense. But this pushed my boundaries and it still made me fall madly in love with it.
I’m giving this book 5 stars because it’s the highest I can give. But if I could give more, I would. CJ took my heart and held it hostage from the first word to the last.