An accident during a run brings Lizzie's and Shan's lives together. Shan is a professional athlete who wants to go to the Olympics and is dedicating herself to this goal, she lives a solitary life in which running is her only and one thought. Lizzie is a casual runner and dedicates her life to work, friends, and the dogs she fosters until they are ready to be adopted. Overall I enjoyed the book, it's a light read and the cultural information about Australia was very interesting. However, I did have a hard time connecting with the characters. Shan is self-centered and unwilling to take responsibility for her life and her mistakes. On one hand, it was hard to like her when she kept blaming Lizzie for the accident, knowing full well that it was no one's fault, and that she had been the one running in the wrong group. On the other hand, it was hard to connect with Lizzie when she kept taking the blame, and accepting Shane's toxic behavior without standing up for herself. They both grow and become better people, but it happens toward the end of the book and feels rushed. The storyline I liked most was about the dog, Presto. I loved how they both take care of him, the love, respect, and attention they give to the dog is mostly what they lack in their interactions with each other and other humans. For the Long Run is a good book to read when you don't want to read anything too serious, but it's not a book I'd read again.

This is a relatively low stakes romance despite the elite athlete angle, where the focus is more on the interpersonal conflict than the sporting milestones themselves. There's also an adorable rescue dog called Presto, who steals the show.

It's always nice to read a book set in Australia, particularly when it covers ground that is somewhat familiar to me (I've been to a number of the places mentioned in the book). I did notice a few odd quirks in the dialogue where the author was clearly providing additional context for international readers, but there are still lots of Aussie references that remained. I also liked that the book is realistic about the challenges of being an elite athlete, particularly in an underfunded sport where there are additional pressures to work through.

On the other hand, I thought the conflict between Lizzie and Shan was never fully resolved and the book was too hasty to tie things up in a neat bow. There are are also a number of plot points such as Lizzie's relationship with her family that are simply left for a single line of resolution in the epilogue, rather than being properly addressed in the story itself. And I found both BFFs to be overbearing and unsympathetic, and would not have wanted to be friends with either of them in real life (I particularly disliked Dee from her first line of dialogue).

A mixed bag for me overall, but it definitely got me in the mood for the upcoming Olympics!

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on April 13th, 2024. Links provided.

Professional long distance runner Shan Metz has her whole life mapped out ahead of her. She’s going to make the Australian Commonwealth Games team and from there she has her sight set on the Olympics. But, when she crashes into Lizzie during a fun run and suffers a serious knee injury, all of her plans are derailed on the spot. Guilt-stricken Lizzie feels awful about her role in Shan’s injury and, to make it up to her, Lizzie offers Shan her spare bedroom to help her recovery after knee surgery. Can Shan get over the blame she places on Lizzie and open her heart to friendship, and maybe something even more?

Overall, I enjoyed this book! I appreciated the slow burn and personal growth the characters went through (especially on Shan’s end). Lizzie was just the absolute sweetest and deserves all good things in life. She was giving, compassionate, understanding, selfless, and emotionally mature. Truthfully, I really struggled to like Shan for the first third of the book. I really didn’t like that Shan put so much blame on Lizzie for her injury. It was an accident and it wouldn’t have happened at all if Shan had been more responsible getting to the race on time in the first place. I really struggle with scenarios where people do not take responsibility for their own actions and instead project the blame on someone else, and that is exactly what Shan was doing to Lizzie. Lizzie went above and beyond what an average person would do and I felt like Shan did not deserve her. I know it is supposed to be an enemies to lovers storyline, but it was hard for me understand why Lizzie even liked Shan because she was so mean and rude to her. But, once Shan finally realized that the blame couldn’t all be on Lizzie, she grew on me and definitely redeemed herself by the end of the book. I loved how in the second half of the book both characters supported each other in their own personal growths and understood the importance of being there for one another while also still working to achieve their individual dreams. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet story about the importance of opening yourself up to others and supporting others in achieving their personal life goals.

Thank you to Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of For the Long Run in return for my honest review.

Shan has aspirations of being an Olympiad long-distance runner. She’s involved in a freak accident when she trips over a woman wearing a Koala costume at a run she entered to ensure her place on the Australian Commonwealth Games’ team. Unfortunately, the fall blows out her knee and she’ll need surgery. The woman who she thinks caused the accident offers to let her live with her during Shan’s recuperation (because Shan will be unable to climb the four flights of stairs to her own apartment), she has no choice but to accept the offer.. Lizzie is only being kind and feels guilty about causing the accident. As they adjust to being housemates, they both acknowledge their attraction.

Blue has created a character (Shan) who readers will want to shake to wake her up to her own role in the accident as well as to being selfish and self-absorbed. In the Lizzie character, Blue has created a character who readers will love and want her to be their friend. And then there is Presto, a rescue dog that steals both characters’ hearts and will have readers falling in love with him, too.

The storyline has, of course, been done many, many times by other writers, but in Blue’s capable writer’s hands the story seems fresh. Both characters have enough angst between them to satisfy any reader’s love of an angsty love story.

While this is not a current book, it was written in 2022, if you love sports romances between two strong women, this is the book for you.

My thanks to Ylva and NetGalley for an eARC.

A koala ruined her life. Well, that’s how elite athlete Shan Metz sees it. When an idiot charity runner in a koala suit trips Shan during a community fun run, her knee blows out, destroying her dream of making the Australian Commonwealth Games team. Recovering from knee surgery will be bad enough, but living on her building’s fourth floor will make it a nightmare. Consultant Lizzie Carras, aka the dream-wrecking koala, does guilt like a pro. The only decent thing to do is offer Shan her spare bedroom during recovery. Their incompatible lifestyles don’t help matters. Neither does Shan’s training partner, the haughty and possessive Celia. But they’ll muddle through until Shan’s knee has healed enough to get out of Lizzie’s life.

I loved these two characters. Shan's professional focus on her dreams, Lizzie's sweet, guilty heart ❤️ 😂. It was so much fun to go on the ride with these women to discover that people can have professional goals and successful relationships, and to realize that having a partner can life you up instead of hold you back. Another great love story from Cheyenne Blue!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

when Lizzie Carras entered the fun run as a koala she never dreamed it would ruin elite athlete Shan Metz race, but she did and the least she could do was see shan to the hospital and make sure she was ok and home

and once shan was home that surely should be it but seeing the stairs up to the fourth floor and no lift was not going to be possible for shan to cope with ...it was only reasonable that she should offer her spare room to the runner

there couldnt really be an attraction between the two very different people.... one an elite athlete and the other a couch potato with grand ideas of being a runner

shan had big ideas about being in the Olympic team and nothing could come between that...nothing and nobody and her celibate lifestyle was what got her the best results for her races but lizzie and her foster dog hey presto were doing things to her and she had to move out fast before she lost that dream...

wow this author certainly can write and keep you reading right to the end.... and the added bonus of an extra chapter free from the authors web site adds to the heart warming ending that makes you feel all gooeey inside.... and thats not even about the two main characters

Cheyenne Blue has written a vibrant and resilient character study of a sports based romance.

Thank you to Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

For The Long Run is a delightful story that sees our 2 MC's from completely different lifestyles suddenly thrust together in a situation that neither of them expected. Shan, an athlete with only one goal in mind, to run at the Olympics, finds herself having to re-evaluate her life and choices. For so long she has been chasing the dream single-mindedly. A chance encounter with free spirited Lizzie, causes a series of events where their lives become intertwined and friendship grows, both learning from each other along the way.
There were times where Shan's single mindedness frustrated me, but I know it was necessary to the story, and to have her written any other way wouldn't have worked as well. In contrast, Lizzie is so open and generous that you can't resist loving her.
Strong story, and characters that weave their way into your heart makes this a very good read. Highly recommended

I saw this book on NetGalley and requested a copy. I knew I had read it before but didn't realize that I enjoyed it so much I had purchased a copy. I did read it again and still agree with my previous review. I have also enjoyed other books by the author since my first reading of this book.

(November 18, 2022) Thank you to Della B. for recommending a new author to me. In this sports romance Shan Metz is an elite runner chasing her dream to run in the Olympics for Australia. Lizzie Carras is a fun runner who gets in Shan’s way during a charity race. When Shan is injured in the crash, Lizzie offers to let Shan stay with her while she has surgery and recovers. Shan can’t manage the stairs to her apartment. Shan is grumpy and frustrated at the potential detour to her Olympic dreams. Lizzie is genuinely kind and feels a little guilty but she doesn’t want to be a pushover.

These two are lovely as they get to know each other and bond. This isn’t instant and Lizzie in particular doesn’t want intimacy if there isn’t a possible future. I love that the sports journey isn’t about Shan recovering from her injury. Instead it is encouraging Lizzie to embrace running, developing a plan, and encouraging her increasing goals. I almost wanted to see if I could run myself. (The answer is no, I will stick to walking.) Best side character is Presto, the kelpie dog Lizzie agrees to foster. I was as invested in his getting his forever home as I was in this romance.

This is just an enjoyable novel with characters that can grow and change during the length of the story. Shan’s change in thinking about her need for solitary focus training is a little abrupt but her grand gesture is realistic and perfect. (4.5 Stars)

I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.

This is a great sports related romance! Strong writing, clear characterization, and great slow burn intensity.

I really enjoy Cheyenne Blue's writing style. She keeps you engaged throughout the book. This book personally wasn't for me, so given that I really wanted to rate this 4 stars. The characterization of Shan in the beginning irritated me a little bit. She seemed like she was blaming everyone else for her problems and what happened to her knee, when really her choices got her to that place. In addition to that, she was quite a jerk at the beginning of the novel. Personally, I didn't find her likable, and that feeling carried throughout the book. I think the romance aspect was done very well. Their tension and connection was palpable throughout the plot and the fact that they ease into the relationship was really great for the slow burn effect. The sports theme was really strong, and Shan's concern with her career was well thought out and written. If it wasn't for Shan's character and her constant "woe is me" act, I think I would have enjoyed this book more.

I just reviewed For the Long Run by Cheyenne Blue. I dnf it because of the narration style. I don't like 3rd person narration.
#FortheLongRun #NetGalley

Melbourne based romance will run away with your heart
Main characters Shan and Lizzie meet thanks to a series of truly unfortunate events and it's not pretty. Despite that there is a wonderful relationship that develops between them in large part because of Lizzie's kindness and generosity. There is plenty of humor and some hot sexy moments that are also emotionally intimate; good beach reading if you're in the shade. A foster dog named Presto nearly eclipses the main characters whenever he's in a scene and has some tear inducing moments. I didn't get choked up as much about Shan and Lizzie's relationship as I did other moments in the story that caught me off guard emotionally but the characters got under my skin more than I thought they would. Have tissues handy while reading just in case.
Readers of Cheyenne Blue's The Number 94 Project will recognize the cameo appearances by characters from that book. It's a nice easter egg and if you can read '94' right before this book it'd be a good pairing but both books are standalones in terms of their stories. I hope Blue puts more of these 'character visits' into other books going forward because they're fun little bonuses for those who've read all her stories.
My only (minor) gripe is that one character has a particular belief system/attitude at the beginning of the book that appears to be central in their life which later disappears later on never to be mentioned again with no explanation even though there are many opportunities for it to come up again either to be restated or for its change/abandonment to be explained. Other than that, it's a sweet and funny story that was fun to get lost in for a few hours every day. For those on the lookout for wlw stories that feature characters with unusual professions, little to no disposable income, who rent (not own) their modest homes and have wonderful chemistry give this one a read even if running isn't your thing. Check out the author's other works as well. I look forward to seeing what Blue publishes next and will happily read it.
(Review from October 28, 2022)