Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC of Run Away with Me.

I absolutely adore this book! I loved their chemistry and the natural build from friends to a great romance.

I will be adding this book to my shelf when it comes out and I'm so happy to have been able to read this early!

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC of Run Away with Me.

It’s been a while since I read a book that grabbed me from the start and kept me engaged throughout, and J. L. Simmonds has written a debut novel that does just that. I found myself not wanting to put it down, but I had to when the desire to sleep overtook me. But I woke up the next morning immediately thinking about Jessie and Brooke. I wanted to know how their road trip played out. I wanted to know if they’d be able to be together once they were back in Seattle. I wanted to know if everything was as bad as Jessie thought it would be – although I doubted that was the case. I just wanted to know all the things.

The writing is captivating. It takes a certain type of writer to pull off first person narration, and J. L. Simmonds is that type of writer. And although the story is told in Jessie’s perspective, I was good with that because I still got healthy doses of Brooke’s perspective through their conversations. Speaking of which, the dialogue was on-point and felt real for the teenage MCs, which isn’t always the case in YA novels.

The runaway road trip itself was a useful setting for the two MCs to get to know each other. Their growing friendship was sweet, and I felt as though they were showing parts of themselves to each other that they didn't normally share with anyone else. The budding romantic relationship was endearing, and they make a really cute couple. Brooke and Jessie just gave me all the feels to be honest.

The reveal of why they were both running made sense for each of their circumstances.

I just really loved this book. And I, honestly, can’t wait to buy it when it comes out because I need this book on my favorite authors shelf.

This is a lovely queer book combined with thrill and suspense. I enjoyed following Jessie's journey as she grows into the strong and confident person she is. This is a great message for young queer girls that says be proud of who you are.