This book is a gem. 81-year-old retired librarian Bernice Hart finds herself wanting to run away from her life when her daughter Sarah begins insisting she give up her independent life in Arkansas and move in with her in Atlanta. Thoughts of Bernice's first love lead her to rent a cottage at a lake town where her family used to spend summers. With her car full of books and her cat Dolly Parton in tow, Bernice sets out on an adventure and manages to both shake up her life and make peace with her past and present. There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, and Bernice is a wonderful character. Her ability to keep forging forward despite the challenges life has given her is inspiring and heartwarming. Thank you to NetGalley and One Mississippi Press for a digital review copy.

Bernice has turned 81 years old. She has lived most of her life in her own home in Arkansas. Her daughter, Sarah, lets Bernice know that it is time for Bernice to come to Atlanta to live in her carriage house. This would enable Sarah to take care of Bernice's needs as she ages further. Bernice is not having it--she loves her home in Arkansas. Bernice still has wants, needs and dreams. In order to fulfill these, she leaves her home, running away before Sarah can move her to Atlanta. I was unable to finish this book. It moved slowly and I did not find Bernices adventures amusing. Bernices adventures and feelings may have hit too close to home for me. I abandoned the book 1/2 way through. I received this DARC from One Mississippi Press and NetGalley. The review is my own.

Bernice Hart lived all of her eighty-one years in the small town of Savage Crossing, Arkansas. She had a loving marriage, two children, and lived in the same house for 60 plus years. She had buried her husband and son and was living alone. Her daughter wanted her to move to Atlanta and live in a small house being built in the
backyard for Bernice. Bernice didn't want to move to Atlanta, but she was feeling stagnant in Savage Crossing. She thought about moving to a place where she remembered being the happiest. It was in Mountain Home, AR at Lake Norfolk. Bernice decided that she was going to run away to the lake and live there instead. The lake brought back memories of a teenage summertime love as well as happy family vacations years later before Bernice's son died. A cabin close to the lake would be the perfect spot.

Bernice was a character who made me smile. She had done a lot of living and had definite opinions she was happy to share. As the years passed, she found her world becoming smaller and smaller. I could relate to that. By running away, Bernice found a part of herself that she had lost touch with and it was fun to read about her changing perspectives. She was more open to trying new activities and she found she enjoyed expanding her interests more than she had back home.

I received an e-ARC for Bernice Runs Away and want to thank Talya Tate Boerner, One Mississippi Press, LLC, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book.

3.5⭐

“She wanted to live out the remainder of her life on her own terms.”

At the beginning of the novel, we meet eighty-one-year-old Bernice Byrd Hart, a retired librarian, in her home in Savage Crossing, Arkansas. Widowed for over two decades, she lives alone and her daughter, Sarah, married and settled in Atlanta, insists on her mother moving to Atlanta to be closer to her, even building a home adjacent to her own for the same purpose. Bernice is troubled by the idea of having to move to Atlanta even though she is in the process of decluttering her home ( with a book by Marie Kondo as a guide on how–to) before her impending move. Despite her advanced age, Bernice is active and keeps busy in her community and church –group and despite her loneliness, she enjoys her independence.

“Sometimes you won’t know where you’re going until you get there.”

She packs her bags, withdraws her savings, and with her car “Miss Fiona” and her cat Dolly Parton proceeds to “run away” to a cabin on Lake Norfork, a destination that holds a special place in her heart. Over the next five weeks of Bernice’s life, we follow her adventures and misadventures, her experiences of meeting new people, deciding on what she wants her life to be like and how she exacts change to make it happen. At different points in her journey, Bernice’s memories of her youth, her first love, her marriage and the losses she has suffered are triggered and we get to know more about the ups and downs she has weathered over the years. We meet a cast of interesting characters, past and present, who play an important role in Bernice’s life. Not only does this trip turn out to be cathartic for Bernice but also enables her to gain perspective on her present and future.

“Old friends possessed the unique ability to look into the past and see each other as they had once existed, fresh and young, unstained and mostly unaffected by life.”

Bernice Runs Away by Talya Tate Boerner is a wonderful, heartwarming read. With humor, wisdom and insight, the story is told from Bernice’s perspective. Bernice comes across as real, relatable and lovable. It is easy to relate to her in her loneliness, her need for independence, and her need to deal with her past regrets and grief in her own way. The characterizations are spot-on and the author touches upon themes of loss and grief, aging, elder care, family and community with wisdom and compassion. Though the first half of the novel is a tad slow-paced, the story does pick up after the 50% mark. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I loved how the author chose to end the story on a positive and hopeful note

Many thanks to the author, One Mississippi Press LLC and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

No way does 81-year-old Bernice want to move from her house in Arkansas to live in her daughter's guest cottage in Atlanta so she "runs away". This story was so engaging and Bernice was such a charismatic character. She has lived through a lot and her spunky personality lets it show.

I was cheering Bernice on the entire time I was reading this book. I wanted her to have a good relationship with her family but I also wanted her to claim her independence and make up her own mind. Would you want to be forced to leave your home of 50+ years?

This is a character-driven novel and Bernice is a character who is a force to be reckoned with. At times heartbreakingly sad with snippets of laugh-out-loud moments, this book ticked all the boxes for me. I won't soon forget Bernice, spending time with her was pure joy.

The cover is cute, eye-catching, and compelling. And if the cover doesn’t get you, this beautiful prose-perfect narrative of Bernice will. Don’t worry about the age thing—this is an easily identifiable theme of family, relationships, and an inspirational story that is trans-generational.

Bernice’s daughter Sarah announced plans to move Bernice to the backyard bungalow in Atlanta being built for her—so she can be close.

Watched over. Managed.

Bernice, like any independent adult rebels and begins plotting her escape. What a poignant story, at times light-hearted or scary, riding with Bernice as she makes her way to Lake Norfolk. Bernice is old school and immensely empathetic. You can’t help but love her or the others in this character-driven novel.

As Bernice shares her memories and desires for tomorrow, the reader gleans that age does not change the desires of the heart and mind, but some can be resolved.

Told at a leisurely pace (not to be confused with slow—as this is always engaging), the author has a wise sense of the decade, paints a casual kaleidoscope of visions as the story unfolds to a pleasing, satisfying conclusion. A lovely tale of adventure from a storyteller I’ll revisit with enthusiastic expectations.

DNF @ 40%

In the beginning I was really enjoying this. Bernice is a doll of a character which makes not finishing this a very difficult choice but nothing is happening except Bernice reminiscing over her 81 years of life. Initially I found it charming but now I'm just bored to tears. My kindle says I still have over 4 hours to go so I've decided that I'm going to runaway from this book while I still have the chance. 🏃‍♀️


Thank you to NetGalley and One Mississippi Press LLC for my complimentary copy.

Bernice Runs Away is such a heart warming journey!
I absolutely adored every bit of this story, and was so happy with the ending.
My only problem now, is I need a sequel, I need to know what's next for Bernie, will she meet again with John?
Thank you for taking me on that adventure Talya!

What a delightful and charming tale - really enjoyed it! Feisty octogenarian Bernice runs away in her car (Miss Fiona) with her kitty (Dolly Parton) after her daughter tries to move her out of her home for care. Her road trip in the Arkansas delta area brings some surprises along the way to where she had her heart broken so very long ago. Recommend for any who are either older or caring for someone who is (or both, LOL). Quirky, humorous and heart-warming tale. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary "read now" advanced digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book so much!
This book has all the ingredients for a perfect runaway life laugh out loud!
Bernice steals the show full speed ahead as we are learning to know her quirks, life and just all around general personality. She absolutely tickled me pink!
Makes me admire Bernice all that much more!
I didn't want this book to end! It was way too good to put down!
This new to me author has me wanting more of her stories! I was sad to see this end.
I highly recommend! 5 stars for a job well done!
My thanks fir a copy of this sweet book. I was NOT required to write a positive review of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love books like this, they make you laugh, it is so charming and fun yet there is such a story to it, one that I'm sure we all think about. And this book does make you think about what you would do it similar circumstances and all I can say is I want to be like Bernice!

Bernice, at 81yo, wants to live her own life and but you know what families are like. This is her story and it is a very entertaining story that will make you laugh, cry, think, smile, and reflect. It makes you want to celebrate aging and getting older, it makes you want to get out there and enjoy life. And if that is waht this book does for all of us then it is a great book in my eyes.

Fantastic, enjoyable and life affirming. Can't stop smiling!

“ Johnny Cash, Tiger-Sam, Holly Golightly, Miss Tabby, Dolly Parton…”

Breathe in…Breathe out!

Whenever 81 year old, Bernice Hart is feeling a bit stressed, she recites the names of her beloved cats, past and present, until she finds some serenity.

But that may not be enough to do the trick if her well meaning daughter, Sarah has her way!!

You see, Sarah has given Bernice a book called “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo and suggested that Bernice begin to “death clean” in preparation for a move to Atlanta to live in the carriage house being built for her in her daughter’s backyard.

But Bernice isn’t ready to die, or to move away from her home in Savage Crossing, her community, her Church or her memories.

So, what does she do? She packs up her car, called “Miss Fiona” with the things she cannot live without, and her latest cat companion, “Dolly Parton” and sets out towards Cooper’s Bluff, to a rented lake view cabin to perhaps find a new community to live in on her own terms-and maybe some closure in a place where she once experienced both great joy and great sorrow…in addition to her first love.
(Check out the adorable book cover!!)

Perhaps she could find out whatever happened to John Marvel, who always held a tiny piece of her heart..??

Although the road trip almost ends in a CATastrophe..she makes it there safe and sound and proves to everyone that she still has a lot of life left to live!!

Some of her choices made me downright nervous, as I feared that people would take advantage of her…but this is an UPLIFTING book, and there was no reason to worry!

Although I do think that readers of a “certain age” who have experienced some of the same challenges as Bernice might relate to this more than a younger reader-readers of all ages should find the story to be both delightful and charming!

I hated to say goodbye to Bernice by the end, as I really did enjoy the time I spent with her!

AVAILABLE October 1, 2022.

Thank You to One Mississippi Press for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

DNF - The only reason I am not finishing this book is because I think that this is a story for a very, very, particular reader. I liked the way that the story was unfolding but was ultimately bored because I couldn't find it in myself to care about the history behind Bernice's coffee machine. This is on me & in no way reflects the quality of the book. I can think of a number of people in my life that would greatly adore this story. Therefore, I didn't think it right to write a full review regarding my reasons for not connecting with the character or her story. Though we can find it in ourselves to be empathetic towards another person & their experiences, I wasn't in the right space of mind to spends so much time with someone who, ultimately, I believe would be circling the same mental train of thought -- the passing of friends, loved ones, the relationship with her fully-grown adult child, end of live --

I really love the premise & the concept behind this story, it just wasn't the right fit for me at this time.

An enjoyable, good wholesome book. So many books follow a prescribed format and this one is just perfect and not following a script.

Bernice's daughter wants Bernice to move from her home in Arkansas to a carriage house they are building for her behind the daughter's house (in a different state).

I started rotating between some books and this one finished ahead of some others (so it is a plus that it carried my attention to completion).

Once again, many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to Talya Tate Boerner, an author that I had not previously read. I would definitely be interested in reading additional books from this author. Thank you to Talya Tate Boerner and her publisher One Mississippi Press LLC for approving my NetGalley request for the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Oct 1, 2022.

Absolutely fantastic! Could not put the book down. Going to recommend to everyone to check out this book!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

This was a quick, one sitting read. Full of fun and memorable moments. Bernice wants to escape, so she returns to a place with memories of deep love and pain. There she finds herself anew. An amazing book. There's a bit of Bernie in all of us, we just have to be bold and step out on faith.

I enjoyed this book so much, I didn’t want it to end! Seriously, when I was about 3/4 of the way through it, I set it down for a day or two because I couldn’t bear to finish it even though parts of me wanted to rush through to find out the ending.

From the cover, this looks like a cute little story about an elderly woman who gets in a car and goes on a fun adventure, but it was so much more than that.

Yes, Bernice a.k.a. Bernie is 81 years old and feeling her age. And yes, she packs up beloved belongings and “runs away” to the lake where she experienced love for the first time. There are whimsical people in her life, lighthearted references to popular tv shows like Ozark, and many cultural references to decluttering with Marie Kondo. Bernice even has a spunky cat named Dolly Parton!

While I found myself smiling often at the thoughts going round in Bernice’s mind, this book turned out to be much more than mere entertainment. It was and will continue to be a treasure trove of wisdom. The author invites us right beside Bernice on her journey, and along the way we learn right along with Bernice about carrying loss, speaking up for what one wants, family, true friends, and what it means to really belong to a place, to be part of a family and a community.

When this book is published, I am going to buy a paperback copy and read it again, making notes and highlighting certain passages. This is one of those books that will hold a treasured place on my shelf always.

I am 66 years old now and would like to announce to the world that when I’m 81, I hope that I am just like Bernice—-savoring life in all its wonder, heartache and glory, and continuing to let go of the past as best I can.

I loved the idea of this story - and it was an enjoyable read!

81 year old, Bernice, decides to run away and what an adventure she has! She withdraws her life savings and packs up her car, Miss Fiona, and her cat, Dolly Parton, to head to the lake she spent her teenage summers and later took her family to vacation. She meets some interesting characters along the way and has some misadventures and finds her first love all over again.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

In late October 2019, 81-year-old Bernice Hart decides she wants to live her life on her own terms partly brought on by her daughter Sarah’s insistence that she leave her home in Savage Crossing, Arkansas to live with her in Atlanta. Sarah also wants her to declutter the house she has lived in for over 50 years and has gifted her a Marie Kondo book. Yes Bernice, I’d want to run away too! Her memories lead her to the exact place she’ll run away to, Lake Norfolk, which holds a very special place in her heart. She books a cottage and packs her car, affectionately known as Miss Fiona, with things that bring her pleasure which of course includes her cat, Dolly Parton. She leaves her home with scarcely a backward glance to discover… Well, that would be telling!

This is a really charming book, you cheer Bernice on from the sidelines and revel in the experiences she has in and around Lake Norfolk. She is a fabulous character to spend time with and she’s a person you’d be proud to call a friend and share a drink or two with! It’s funny at times, the storytelling ranges from amusing, lively and joyous to on a couple of occasions the raw pain of grief. However, after a few hiccups along the way it’s a story of survival as a brand-new Bernice emerges complete with a new haircut and a capsule wardrobe. The pace isn’t fast, it meanders gently like Old Man River but as it’s a character study it perfectly suits the storyline. The ending is really good as Bernice goes in search of something which she uncovers and addresses things that need dealing with and she find the peace she craves.

I have to mention the fantastic setting in the Arkansas Delta, it’s so atmospheric and I really enjoy the journey though will pass on the pie! Lake Norfolk sounds wonderful and the author makes me feel as if I have visited it in person.

Overall, this has a bit of everything as it’s amusing, perceptive and emotional but also a happy book. I won’t forget Bernice is in a hurry.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to One Mississippi Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The cover is what drew me in! Bernice is so likeable and entertaining. This was a fun read! Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the arc, in exchange for an honest review.