Name: Lynn Braden's review of Runaway Road by Devney Perry
Item: Runaway Road
Rating: 3.5
Author: Lynn Braden

Devney Perry

Londyn McCormack didn’t have a typical childhood. She ran away at sixteen and spent her youth searching for a place to call home. She’s built a good life for herself through hard work and a little luck, but after a devastating divorce, she’s running away again. This time, she’s not looking for shelter or a job. She’s out to find the carefree and happy woman she once was. She’s driving across the country in her convertible, except one flat tire derails her plans and her life collides with Brooks Cohen. The small-town mechanic catches her off guard. Rugged and handsome, Brooks proves to Londyn that kind, honest men do exist. But she was never meant to stay in West Virginia. Her car is fixed and her trip mapped. And as Brooks fades from her rearview mirror, she must make a choice. Turn back and risk her heart. Or stay on the runaway road.

Runaway #1

Runaway Road

Carter Bowman

Londyn McCormack didn't have a typical childhood. She ran away from home at sixteen, escaping parents more interested in drugs than their daughter. She doesn't have loving siblings or an adorable pet. Her only family is the five other runaway kids who shared her junkyard home. Life pulled them all in separate directions, taking her to Boston. For a short time, she thought she'd found something permanent. But after a devastating divorce, she's running away again, this time to find a lost friend. She's driving across the country in her convertible. As a teenager, the rusty car was her shelter. As an adult, it's her ride to freedom. Except one flat tire derails her trip. Her life collides with Brooks Cohen. They walked away from the first crash. The second might destroy them both.

Londyn has left her husband and her life in Boston to track down the five other runaways she lived with as a child in California.  The Cadillac she purchased and restored is the only connection she has to those five people who had been her family for the two years that they had lived in a junkyard together.  As luck would have it, a flat tire and a run in with a guard rail has landed her in the town of Summers, West Virgina where she meets Brooks Cohen, owner of the local garage where he takes care of more than just her car.  However, repeated vandalism to the Cadillac makes Londyn wonder if she will ever get back out on the road and find freedom.

Runaway Road is the first book in the Runaway series and introduces the backstory of the Cadillac and the six runaways, which sounds infinitely more interesting than the lives of the characters in this book.  While the romance between Brooks and Londyn is heartwarming, it isn't much more than a typical small town romance.  Since the book is so short, we don't get to know much about why Londyn's marriage failed or her desperate desire to leave Boston.  Also, we are introduced to the town of Summers, but the length of the narrative doesn't allow much time to really experience this quaint small town.  Overall, Runaway Road is a nice short story about a pleasant small town and the characters that live there.

Lynn Braden

Londyn has left her husband and her life in Boston to track down the five other runaways she lived with as a child in California.  The Cadillac she purchased and restored is the only connection she has to those five people who had been her family for the two years that they had lived in a junkyard together.  As luck would have it, a flat tire and a run in with a guard rail has landed her in the town of Summers, West Virgina where she meets Brooks Cohen, owner of the local garage where he takes care of more than just her car.  However, repeated vandalism to the Cadillac makes Londyn wonder if she will ever get back out on the road and find freedom.

Runaway Road is the first book in the Runaway series and introduces the backstory of the Cadillac and the six runaways, which sounds infinitely more interesting than the lives of the characters in this book.  While the romance between Brooks and Londyn is heartwarming, it isn't much more than a typical small town romance.  Since the book is so short, we don't get to know much about why Londyn's marriage failed or her desperate desire to leave Boston.  Also, we are introduced to the town of Summers, but the length of the narrative doesn't allow much time to really experience this quaint small town.  Overall, Runaway Road is a nice short story about a pleasant small town and the characters that live there.

Molly Morgan

"The most handsome man on earth wasn't a time square model or a Hollywood dreamboat. He was a mechanic in West Virginia and for the time being, he was mine."


If that quote perks your interest, you'll enjoy this book. Devney Perry does small town romance like no other. It was heart warming, spicy, and well communicated.

Anita

As always, Devney's books are a comfort. Summers town was so charming. I hope to see more of this town in the rest of the books! The romance was just so sweet!

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Andrea Rodriguez

3.75 stars 

Ok this was a pretty cute start to her Runaway series. I thought Londyn’s background story was tragic but compelling and I can’t wait to get the rest of the runaway group’s stories. 

I wish this had been maybe a little longer and fleshed out a bit more. Devney likes her insta-love and more often than not, she does it really well and I’m on board with it, but I was a little iffy with this one. I just wanted more.

I’m going to take my time with this series because it’s the only one I have left from her (aside from her Willa Nash stuff) and I am not ready lmao.

** spoiler alert **
           Seré honesta, pensé que Londyn se reencontraría con Karson y tendrían un final feliz juntos 🤧 (de paso el libro de Karson es el último libro de esta serie y no creo que llegue a leerlo en algún momento)

A ver, siento que este hubiera sido el LIBRO si tan solo hubiera tenido más páginas. Siento que el romance de dos semanas de Brooke y Londyn no estuvo mal, pero no me hizo sentir nada. 

Creo que lo que más me gustó del libro, fue la historia de Londyn y cómo se superó a sí misma. Creo que la historia de ella y de los demás niños del depósito vale mucho la pena, y creo que haría el intento de continuar con esta serie, a pesar del insta-love y los toques dramáticos tipo telenovela.

¿El hijo de Brooke estando detrás de los daños al carro de Londyn y casi matándola en un accidente? Absurdo. 

En fin, esta historia me dejó pensando porque creo que tengo el mismo mecanismo de defensa que Brooke y siempre huyó antes de que me “dejen” porque no pienso que sea lo suficientemente fuerte para soportar ver cómo todo se va desmoronando a mí alrededor.

krissy

samantha youngclaus

Tori Jarrett

All the feels for Brooks and Londyn 

I have not read a book in so long that genuinely made me cry. Runaway Road brought out all the feelings in me. I laughed and I cried. A time or two I even screamed internally as I waited for these two to make it. Brooks and Londyn’s story was so human and so beautiful. There hasn’t been a single Devney Perry book I haven’t absolutely loved, but something about this one just hit all of my emotions in just the right way. Cannot wait for Gemma’s story!

Candyce Kirk

Runaway Road had everything I love in romances: a small town, great characters, humor, steamy moments and a story that's pretty lighthearted. There wasn't a lot of angst and I read through this book in no time. Devney Perry made me invested in these characters and story and I was sad when it was over.

Londyn leaves Boston, because she doesn't feel like it's home and needs something new. She hasn't had an easy childhood and running seems like something that works for her. Londyn's story was a heartbreaking one and really makes her easy to understand. When she ends up in a small town, she never thought she'd end up finding home. I loved seeing her slowly open herself up to Brooks and the town. Londyn just needed the right person and place.

Brooks definitely deserves a spot on the book boyfriend list. He's a hardworker, caring, protective and a true gentleman. Brooks isn't really looking for love and is happy. I love how genuine he seemed. He's a family man and so polite. Not many people would buy a cellphone for a stranger, because he was worried what would happen. I loved that he opened up his heart even though he knew it was going to be broken when Londyn took off.

Londyn and Brooks had an instant connection, but I loved that they didn't just jump into everything. Even if they kind of did, because the book only covers a few weeks, but it doesn't feel this way. They slowly get to know each other and their connection jumps right off the page. It really seems like they were just waiting for the other one. Both characters are independent, but makes the other just a little bit better. Their romance left a smile on my face.

I definitely see myself rereading this one in the future! I love when a book just hits you in the right way. Devney Perry definitely gives us characters I won't easily forget.

Totally Addicted to Reading

This is my second time reading Devney Perry and I am quickly learning why she is a favourite among romance readers. Her writing style and her storytelling held me captive from start to finish. I devoured this book in two sittings. It would have been one if sleep didn’t prove more powerful than my need to learn how the story would unfold.

Runaway Road introduces the reader to Londyn a woman has been through a lot. Because of an unideal home situation, she ran away at age 16. She spent five years living on the streets and parenting herself. At age 22 she married into money. She thought she found what she had been searching for, but she would discover that material possessions don’t equate to love and happiness. Divorced, after being trapped for seven years in a loveless and emotionless marriage, she took to the road once again hoping to find herself and gain control of her life. While on her journey she met Brooks Cohen, a meeting which would change her life in ways she least expected.

I found Brooks to be an exceptional character. Here we have a family-oriented guy, who is also a loyal friend. He had his share of issues, but nothing compared to what Londyn had faced. I loved his willingness to sacrifice his happiness for Londyn, a true demonstration of his love her. Protective to the core, charming, kind and the perfect gentleman.

Readers can’t help but fall in love with Londyn. Having endured so much negative incidents in her life, one would expect her to be an angry and self-destructive individual. However, she proved to be the opposite. Strong, independent, determined and selfless. She wasn’t perfect by far as issues from her past would sometimes rear its ugly head and have her questioning the happiness she found with Brooks.

The author created a wonderful, heart-warming story, which allowed the reader the opportunity to follow Londyn on her journey of self-discovery. Watching her find the one thing that had been missing from her life (love), proved to be a delightful experience. I thought both she and Brooks were perfect together, despite their differences. They complemented each other. I enjoyed the flirty moments, the sweet and steamy romantic moments and the sprinkling of humour. The small-town setting enhanced the experience of watching them fall in love.

There was a hint of mystery, which when the outcome came to light came as no surprise. I thought the motive behind it was sweet despite the danger involved. I was happy to see it worked out well.

Runaway Road is a story of self-discovery and finding love at the most unexpected time in the most unexpected of places.

Conclusion/Recommendation
If you enjoy angst free romance in a small-town setting, then Runaway Road is the perfect escape.

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

This book was a lot of fun. I absolutely loved Londyn and her free spirit personality. After a messy divorce, Londyn heads out on the road in search of whatever life holds for her. She runs into Brooks and the chemistry is undeniable. I loved how hard these two tried to fight it. This was such an adorable and heartwarming story about finding yourself and all the hope, fear and new experiences that go along with it.

Carter Bowman &
Runaway Road by Devney Perry

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