This was a cute book. Was it a favorite? No, but I can completely see how some young adults would enjoy this story. Two teenagers from different backgrounds become friends. It's a roller coaster friendship, but it keeps you wondering whether they will make it work. But it was cute and a quick read. Thank you NetGalley and Bancroft Press for a digital arc of this title.

I really liked this book! At first I thought it would be too cliche and hard to wrap my head around, but this truly made me further understand how divided people are about their views. I liked the way the clashing ideas were handled and that neither of the main characters felt like they were compromising their principles, just becoming more understanding of one another. There were some parts that were a bit overly dramatized, but outside of that this was both a great romance and new perspective.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy!

This one was not for me. I loved the blurb but the execution didn't convince me. It was to esquematic, without space for grays. I do think that reflects about important topics, for instance, how teenagers live and face politics. It pretends to be a call for conciseness not only to be aware of the world we live in, but also freedom to be and express our positions, always respecting the other.

Running Mates is a twist on the YA enemies-to-lovers category, with a lot of political themes and discussions. I loved the background of the two characters and their struggle to find common ground through running. The only downside was that the copy had a lot of typos/spacing issues that made it hard for me to read.

This wasn't my favorite read but I did enjoy the cute realistic story of Running Mates by Emily Locker. In my own life I personally don't do running but it was a good young adult, light hearted opposites attract. romace.

Me personally, I don't like running. This book? Makes me want to start. How dare Emily make me dream of a running romance!! I will never forgive her for this 9/10

I really enjoyed this book! It was a very sweet and intriguing story. I think the premise is something that young adults in this political climate can relate to and find hope in! I really loved the characters and the way you see them grapple with their beliefs and grow from that.

This was a youthful, lighthearted read depicting a blossoming high school relationship between two individuals coming from very different politically driven families in a small town motivated by politics. The town (and high school) largely pits Northside (Republicans) and Eastside (Democrats) against one another.

This is an easy and fun read fueled by humorous dialogue and the adolescent nature of exploring the pitfalls and triumphs of relationships and changing perspectives as a modern age American high schooler.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bancroft Press, and Emily Locker for providing me with this free e-ARC in exchange for a review!

I hate running but I loved this book!! This was is much fun and wholesome. Emily Locker knows how to write. Keep an eye out for them .

Running Mates, by Emily Locker, is a fun opposites attract YA novel with classic The Outsiders/ Romeo and Juliet vibes. This current-day novel pits one group against another with some of the high school students willing to bridge the gap. With families opposing, will they be successful? There is also a bit of mystery thrown into the mix (what is really going on at the local bookstore?), Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook to read for this review.

4⭐️

-Opposites to friends to lovers
-Politics
-LGBTQIA+ representation
-Romeo and Juliet vibes
-Bookworm FMC
-Conservative senator’s son MMC x Liberal young activist FMC
-Language Processing Disorder rep

TW: homophobia, bullying, racism

“This whole time, liking you and then being with you, I was so afraid of losing myself and my moral edge. But really, I found it.
I finally can sit in the gray, not knowing the answers, not assuming the people around me are automatically right.
It’s so powerful to feel that. To feel like my own separate person.”

First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
“Running Mates” is a YA debut novel that deals with plenty of different topics such as workers’ rights, youth activism and homophobia.
I loved the friendships between the characters, particularly those between Anna and Sam and Anna and Del, and how the author portrayed the relationship between Anna and Gabe.
I loved how they both helped each other find their true selves.

“Shelly thinks people are far less interesting than books and dogs.”
Me too Shelly, me too.

Running Mates is perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Annabelle and Gabe are children of opposing political parties in a town split between Northside (conservative) and Eastside (liberal) who form a friendship while engaging in extra training to increase their viability for college recruitment.
They start to form a friendship and begin to challenge one another in their ideologies while becoming close to one another's family and friends. But will their differences prove to be too strong? And what happens when there are more to some of the events in the town than originally were apparent?
Running Mates does a great job of showing what it is to come to terms with your own identity and beliefs, especially in the shadows of political parentage.

While this is a YA book for sure, and I have a horrible time connecting with young MC's, this was a very cute read.
I just imagined it as a hallmark-y type book and boom, loved it.

Overall thoughts:

This whole novel reminded me a little of The Outsiders mixed with the movie The Duff. Also a little Romeo and Juliet, but with political parties instead of families. Once it got going, I really liked the dialogue and the lighthearted tone of the novel. Really well done!

Specific thoughts while reading:

Literally page 3 and I’m already kicking my feet. Love the pace and the lighthearted tone and language.
Page 8: should have a period after handsome (second to last paragraph.)
I like the lighthearted but it’s also giving childish. Kind of awkward when the content is talking about steamy reads and podcasts about the big O.
Page 28: I think post-mortem is for the dead, right? It’s kind of a weird term to use when referencing a meal.
Side note: are there only 3 people on the cross-country team? I come from the backwoods of Maine and still our cross-country team had at least a dozen people minimum. Also if you want to qualify to get into college cross country you have to be the cream of the crop, I’m not sure how someone who runs casually would be able to get into college level cross country. I did cross country for 7 years so I’m just a little confused on these parts.
Page 32: I appreciate the background. I would love more storytelling though, instead of being told things straight out. Let the dialogue and nonverbal communication speak to who likes who and why. But I like The Duff vibes.
Page 46-47: YES this is what I’m talking about!
Page 59: Need a quotation mark before You’ve been a notable MIA,” Mason states plainly.
Page 85: Love the banter.
Page 120: the ‘ needs to be closer to the “strangers.” Not “How” in the first paragraph.
Page 150: I really don’t like Mason. He KNOWS how Zoe is excluding Anna and he’s what, complicit? He’s also clearly crushing on Anna since who knows when and doesn’t want her to be with another guy (Gabe) not because of politics but because he’s jealous. Mason, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Page 156: Period after You’re doing your best to see all sides”
Page 212: Wait I thought they went for a run at 9am? Then something about lunch plans but it never said anything more? Is it evening already?
Page 215: Anna was quite literally anti-union up until this point and now she’s switching it up?? I feel like she was sniffing around for an argument. Ugh.
Page 235: I could have sworn he was blonde. When did he start having dark hair? I think I missed that.

Favorite quotes:

“I don’t get it. Isn’t this what everyone should want? For liberals and conservatives to just get along? Aren’t people desperate for harmony and civility?”
Not if civility is just complicity wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket. (p.137)

“Yeah, Dad is a total softie,” Bea confirms.
A softie? It’s hard to think that way of a man passing some of the country’s most conservative legislation, but in this moment, seeing him surrounded by his wife and teasing kids… it’s, well, confusing. (p.179)
I love how this book humanizes politics and creates humans out of what we shape to be dehumanized monsters in our heads. Politics can become clinical and sterile if all we think of is headlines instead of the people and families behind them. It’s easy to demonize someone we don’t know personally.

I really liked this book, I love the opposites attract tropes. She has a strong personality and I share some thoughts whit her. I feel like I needed this book when I was younger because you can relate with one of the characters and the situations they live.

This book was great to read! I loved the cast of characters and the message throughout that opposite viewpoints can be beneficial and work together. I think this is particularly important in today's political climate. Anna's growth throughout the book is relatable to students, especially those worrying about college and where they fit in. I can't wait to add this book to my classroom library!

An incredibly winning YA romance novel, this "opposites attract" story explores two smart, sexy protagonists that have been bred to hate each other...but have the guts to challenge their communities and shake up their deeply entrenched red/blue divide until they explode into a nuanced, vibrant shade of purple.

A cute read for fans of realistic contemporary YA romance! The plot was thoughtfully paced, with lots of well-developed sub-plot action. A few of the plot points between male/female characters felt a little bit obvious, but the author did a good job using those relationships to build tension in the storyline. And definitely some surprising plot twists along the way as well!
The author did a good job of weaving together lots of different settings and creating a huge cast of thoughtfully layered secondary characters. I enjoyed this and recommend it for YA rom-com fans. Congrats to the author on a fun debut and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While politics and romance are odd literary bedfellows this book pulls it off perfectly. Super fun read!

Running Mates

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

This is a really funny and heartwarming read that YA and romance readers alike will enjoy.

Anna, our protagonist, provided some real laugh out loud moments. Even though she’s a little annoying at the start, kind of bullish in her beliefs, we get to watch her evolve over the course of the book to become a more open and thoughtful person.

Gabe is a hottie (though I feel bad saying it considering this is a high school novel). He has an equanimity that Anna sorely needs, and meanwhile, her confidence helps him develop a strong backbone in his own life.

The side characters here are great as well. I really hope the author continues this as a series so we can see what happens to them!

The world building is also great, in that I developed a clear image of this North Carolina town, and came to love the little shops and small town feel.

Overall, if you want a light, heartfelt, and funny read, I recommend picking up Running Mates.