Tag: Giveaway (Page 17 of 31)

Synopsis:

Emerson Lowe and popular ice-hockey player Jake McCallister have been best friends since third grade but as their friendship starts to morph into something more a terrible event occurs that heralds the end of innocence for both of them.

Within a week, Jake’s living on the other side of the country and Emerson is left alone to pick up the pieces of her life in a small town determined to paint her as a liar.

Seven years later, Emerson is still living on the beautiful Pacific West island of Bainbridge, helping run her family’s business. The last thing she needs is Jake turning up, bringing with him old memories and opening up old wounds. But Jake—even better looking than Emerson remembers—seems determined to revive their friendship no matter how much Emerson tries to push him away.

Forced to work alongside him for the summer Emerson can’t help but fall for Jake, and soon they’re in the midst of a passionate romance that neither of them wants to end.

But both Emerson and Jake know that if they’re to have any kind of future they must first confront the past—a past that most people want to stay buried.

Review:

Mila Gray has become one of my favorite authors because her books contain emotional stories and the characters always find a way into my heart.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that each time I pick up one of her books that I’ll laugh, cry, sigh and fall in love.  And that’s exactly what happened when I read this friends to lovers romance.  Run Away With Me was a beautiful story that was filled with hope, friendship, family and love.  

I look up and meet Jake’s eyes. A hot sun rises in my chest. I quickly smother it to ash. – Em

Emerson Lowe and Jake McCallister had been best of friends since third grade.  But just when their friendship started to turn into more, something horrific happened – trigger warning for View Spoiler »sexual assault « Hide Spoiler.  It left Em’s life in shambles and Jake moved away with his family.  He left right when she needed him the most.  Yet seven years later, he came back.  And that’s where the story begins.  I loved that all of Em’s hurt, betrayal and pain was laid out on the table for us to see.  And I understood why she was cold and distant to Jake.  But Jake was beyond persistent and he wasn’t going to leave her ever again.

I’ve prayed for other things too. Lots of things. The universe never listened. My prayers were never answered.
Until now.
Jake came back. – Em

As the story unfolded, we slowly got glimpses into their past.  We got to see how they were the bestest of friends.  And we watched as their friendship started to turn into something more.  Those moments were so sweet and adorable.  But then we also got to witness the horror unfold, along with the aftermath.  And that gutted me to the core.  But having those moments from their past, interlaced throughout the story, added so much depth to who Em and Jake were.  It was beautifully and seamlessly done, and it helped me feel as though I knew the both of them inside out.

As stupid as it sounds, even when she was six years old and I was seven and we were playing Star Wars in my backyard I never wanted to play Luke. I always wanted to be Han to her Leia. – Jake

Run Away With Me was told in alternating views between Em and Jake.  And while it felt a little jarring it first, I ended up loving how it was told.  It was if I was right there with them, feeling everything that they were feeling.  And while Em felt like a bff, I loved listening and watching everything Jake did.  I fell incredibly hard for him.  He was such a kind hearted, good man who was also at times fierce and protective.  So of course I found myself rooting for everything I had for Em to accept the friendship Jake was offering to her.

“I wanted to, you know,”he says quietly.
“Wanted to what?”I ask, my voice hoarse.
“Come back.”

While there were so many moments that had me laughing and sighing out loud, this book does have a strong emotional side to it too.  I found my heart shattered again and again.  There were quite a few times that I found myself sobbing, and I just couldn’t stop.  And once I got to that point, it felt as though my emotions were always on the edge, waiting to tumble-down into an abyss.  But then something would happen that would pull me back into the light and my heart would beat with joy again.  This is definitely an emotional book, that was also filled with drama and angst, and I loved every minute of it!

“You remember you said you didn’t want to be friends?” he says.
I nod, unable to find my voice.
He licks his lips and swallows. “Well, I don’t want to be friends with you either . I want more.” He’s looking directly in my eyes as he speaks.
Slowly, I let out the breath I’m holding. Everything inside me is vibrating as if my body is a note on a piano that’s just been struck.
“And I think you do too,” he says next.
My breath becomes jagged and uneven.
“Tell me if I’m wrong.”

Run Away With Me was a touching story that I absolutely loved.  It was rounded out with fabulous friends and a home life and parents that also pulled at my heart.  So if you love a sexy friends to lovers romance, or a story that will pull at your heartstrings, then definitely give Run Away With Me or Mila Gray’s other books a try.  I hope you love them just as much as I do!

PS Each of these books can be read as a standalone.

*ARC kindly provided by Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Excerpt: