What do you think?
Rate this book
Run
When Supermom joins Dad on his latest project, sixteen-year-old Morgan is left at her aunt's. Instead of dating the cute boy from the track team, she will now have to spend the summer keeping a sane distance between herself and her aunt's six boys.
Morgan plans on the summer being awful. Encountering an army of spiders and getting lost while running should not surprise her. What she never expects is to stumble across an abandoned house—her parents own an abandoned house her uncle committed suicide in. Someone ought to have mentioned that before now.
The past haunts Morgan's dreams. The more she remembers and learns, the more she realizes even her cousins are not what she thought they were. Worse, she has somehow become a reflection of her uncle and everything her parents are running from. Morgan wants to hold on to the things she loves—running, her cousins, the bits of her family still intact—but as the summer passes, she starts to wonder if she's going to lose everything instead.
Morgan plans on the summer being awful. Encountering an army of spiders and getting lost while running should not surprise her. What she never expects is to stumble across an abandoned house—her parents own an abandoned house her uncle committed suicide in. Someone ought to have mentioned that before now.
The past haunts Morgan's dreams. The more she remembers and learns, the more she realizes even her cousins are not what she thought they were. Worse, she has somehow become a reflection of her uncle and everything her parents are running from. Morgan wants to hold on to the things she loves—running, her cousins, the bits of her family still intact—but as the summer passes, she starts to wonder if she's going to lose everything instead.
- GenresContemporary
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
JoLyn Brown
9 books11 followersJoLyn Brown began seriously pursuing writing after she attended her first writing conference. She has a passion for helping new writers find their confidence and voice. She writes religious themed nonfiction and fiction and is working on her first fantasy novel. After publishing six books traditionally, she is now stepping into the world of self-publishing. Currently she is fulfilling a life goal of finishing her bachelor’s degree in English where she’s discovered a passion for many of the classic literary authors. She lives with her husband and two children. She has no pets, but has started a rather complicated relationship with houseplants. The results of that endeavor are still pending. To contact Jolyn, email her at authorjolynbrown@gmail.com or visit jolynbrown.com. To learn more about her Inspired by Faith Series and other young adult books with religious characters, visit teenfictioninspiredbyfaith.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 16, 2017
Favorite book by far!!!!! Run is such a fun book! From crying, laughing, to jumping with joy. JoLyn Brown did a great job of filling the book with emotions and it's very relatable! I couldn't put the book down for the life of me!!! Definitely recommend!!!
December 8, 2014
Morgan is a typical sixteen-year-old girl dealing with high expectations from her parents and confusion over a certain cute boy on the track team. Her frustrating life soon takes another twist for the worse when her parents send her to rural Utah for the summer to live with her Aunt and Uncle. She quickly learns the dangers and chaos of living with her six cousins (all boys!) and begins an emotional journey of discovering the secrets from her family's past.
Every girl can relate to Morgan and the stress of parents, school, and boys - and that is one of my favorite things about her in this book. She feels real!! Morgan finds herself getting emotional and unsure of her place, something that we all experience in our families and social circles. She has to restructure her former judgements and beliefs about her parents, cousins, and friends - and that change of thinking can be so hard!
Alongside Morgan are wonderful characters including her supportive Aunt and Uncle, the crazy cousins, and one of my favorites - the lovable neighbor Sammy. They all help Morgan get through the dreaded summer and you'll come to love the experiences that they share.
The author, JoLyn Brown, does a wonderful job of developing the characters, helping you understand and love them, and creating a fantastic storyline that entraps you with adventure, emotions, and love. You'll laugh and cry, cheer and boo, and thoroughly enjoy this tale of Morgan's summer journey.
A Five Star read for me!
Marci Preece
Stand & Shine Magazine
Every girl can relate to Morgan and the stress of parents, school, and boys - and that is one of my favorite things about her in this book. She feels real!! Morgan finds herself getting emotional and unsure of her place, something that we all experience in our families and social circles. She has to restructure her former judgements and beliefs about her parents, cousins, and friends - and that change of thinking can be so hard!
Alongside Morgan are wonderful characters including her supportive Aunt and Uncle, the crazy cousins, and one of my favorites - the lovable neighbor Sammy. They all help Morgan get through the dreaded summer and you'll come to love the experiences that they share.
The author, JoLyn Brown, does a wonderful job of developing the characters, helping you understand and love them, and creating a fantastic storyline that entraps you with adventure, emotions, and love. You'll laugh and cry, cheer and boo, and thoroughly enjoy this tale of Morgan's summer journey.
A Five Star read for me!
Marci Preece
Stand & Shine Magazine
December 31, 2014
JoLyn does a great job of capturing teen-age issues in this book. But, poor Morgan had quite a few. Her parents are shipping her off to the small town where her aunt, uncle and crazy cousins live. Morgan lived there too, when she was younger, but doesn't remember the sad events that took place before her parents left. At first Morgan's attitude about her circumstances make it worse for her, but as time goes on, she realizes how much she needs to be where she's at. I really, really liked this book and I found that I didn't want it to end. I appreciated where the author went with the story and I loved the relationships that develop. A tragedy occurred when Morgan was young that she has blocked out, and I loved the journey she takes to help herself and her parents heal. The characters are strong and the story reads quick and is very well written. I look forward to more from this author.
July 3, 2017
Wow! This is the best book I've read in a while. Although teens are the target audience, it is easily enjoyed by readers much older than that. People can relate to the characters and their situations and difficulties. It was real life and real emotion.
Let me just say that I didn't like about 95% of the characters at the beginning of the story. Morgan was too emotional. Her mother was too OCD. Her father was too removed physically and emotionally. Aunt Josie appeared to be a busy body. Her cousins were jerks. Someone needed to knock Jesse down a couple notches. But I couldn't blame Morgan too much because healthy relationships weren't modeled for her at all.
I kind of didn't get the rule about Morgan being under constant surveillance. I know she was a bit of a flight risk and young physically and emotionally, but by the end, I felt she had proven herself and should have been given a longer leash.
The characters (maybe except for her parents) evolve naturally and beautifully as the story does. I loved them by the end. I loved how they had each other's backs even in mostly unseen ways. I loved Sammy. I loved the references to God and His help and hand in our lives.
Just pick it up. You won't want to put it down. I felt as though I was part of the family by the end of the book. I laughed, cried (ugly crying), got angry...stayed up all night to finish it. Clean. No language. No sex. A few drug and suicide references.
My one major gripe was the ending. T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E! There wasn't enough closure for me. Is she staying with her cousins? Is she going back to Orem? Personally, I think she should stay. She experienced more love and happiness in those three months with her cousins than she did her whole lifetime before. What about Preston? When is the next one coming?????
Let me just say that I didn't like about 95% of the characters at the beginning of the story. Morgan was too emotional. Her mother was too OCD. Her father was too removed physically and emotionally. Aunt Josie appeared to be a busy body. Her cousins were jerks. Someone needed to knock Jesse down a couple notches. But I couldn't blame Morgan too much because healthy relationships weren't modeled for her at all.
I kind of didn't get the rule about Morgan being under constant surveillance. I know she was a bit of a flight risk and young physically and emotionally, but by the end, I felt she had proven herself and should have been given a longer leash.
The characters (maybe except for her parents) evolve naturally and beautifully as the story does. I loved them by the end. I loved how they had each other's backs even in mostly unseen ways. I loved Sammy. I loved the references to God and His help and hand in our lives.
Just pick it up. You won't want to put it down. I felt as though I was part of the family by the end of the book. I laughed, cried (ugly crying), got angry...stayed up all night to finish it. Clean. No language. No sex. A few drug and suicide references.
My one major gripe was the ending. T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E! There wasn't enough closure for me. Is she staying with her cousins? Is she going back to Orem? Personally, I think she should stay. She experienced more love and happiness in those three months with her cousins than she did her whole lifetime before. What about Preston? When is the next one coming?????
April 23, 2020
Morgan likes to run, but she doesn't want her mom to know that because anytime her mom sees something she likes, she pushes her too hard until she doesn't like it anymore, so she keeps her running a secret from everyone. She doesn't know why her mom acts like that, but they aren't very close. Her dad is even further away from her working away from home and rarely coming back for visits. When her parents want to go work on one of the projects together, they decide to leave Morgan with six boy cousins she doesn't know well in Southern Utah for the whole summer. As the book goes on, Morgan gets to know her cousins and remembers some of her own past that was buried that solves a little bit of the puzzle her parents have become to her.
Parts of this book were MUCH sadder than I anticipated.
Recommend for high school age and older.
Parts of this book were MUCH sadder than I anticipated.
Recommend for high school age and older.
July 20, 2017
WOW! This is an intense book. It started out in a way that was like a horror book almost. I loved the running analogy throughout. I was stunned at one part of the book because it was so unexpected. It was hard to wrap my head around. But the growth as a reader and the characters grow is truly phenomenal. Keep a box of tissue handy. Seriously good. Forgiveness and letting go to move on. A faith promoting experience.
September 2, 2017
I really liked this story! Though I didn't quite understand the parents' reasoning at leaving their daughter it was a compelling read!
December 16, 2014
Contemporary stories don't usually rank high on my recommended reads list, but there is the occasional one I truly enjoy. This book makes the list.
With an emphasis on the importance of family, honesty (with oneself and others), and navigating ones place in the world, this story takes us into the head of a young woman who feels entirely abandoned by her parents. I was outraged right along with Morgan when Mom and Dad decided to dump her for a summer, and ready to slug her jerky cousin when he began teasing her. I was hopeful for her blooming romantic relationships, and overjoyed by the release running brought her. I was taken by surprise, truly pleased by the way the story played out, and happy with how her relationships evolved.
The cast of imperfect characters is highly loveable and engaging. Each is unique and you'll find yourself thinking, "Oh yeah, I totally know someone like that."
My only gripe with the story is that I wanted it to keep going. I wanted a glimpse into the future, although the author leaves plenty of room for reader speculation. After all, the story only covers one summer of Morgan's life.
All in all, this is one I would hand off to my daughter with no hesitation. Highly recommended.
Content: Family drama. Squeaky clean.
With an emphasis on the importance of family, honesty (with oneself and others), and navigating ones place in the world, this story takes us into the head of a young woman who feels entirely abandoned by her parents. I was outraged right along with Morgan when Mom and Dad decided to dump her for a summer, and ready to slug her jerky cousin when he began teasing her. I was hopeful for her blooming romantic relationships, and overjoyed by the release running brought her. I was taken by surprise, truly pleased by the way the story played out, and happy with how her relationships evolved.
The cast of imperfect characters is highly loveable and engaging. Each is unique and you'll find yourself thinking, "Oh yeah, I totally know someone like that."
My only gripe with the story is that I wanted it to keep going. I wanted a glimpse into the future, although the author leaves plenty of room for reader speculation. After all, the story only covers one summer of Morgan's life.
All in all, this is one I would hand off to my daughter with no hesitation. Highly recommended.
Content: Family drama. Squeaky clean.
December 15, 2014
JoLyn Brown captures the angst of teenagers well in this book. Morgan is a sixteen-year-old girl who has just discovered a love of running. She has a lot of issues with her over-bearing mother and absentee father. When Morgan is left with her six boy cousins for the summer, it seems like it couldn't be worse, but it ends up changing her life.
The story weaves in an element of mystery and lots of questions which keeps the reader turning pages to find out how Morgan will deal with the answers to her questions. I found that Morgan cries a lot over everything which is semi-typical of emotional teenage girls but got a bit tiresome for my personal preference. Brown does a great job of setting up realistic scenes of various ages of kids interacting together. Terrific job on making the reader feel Morgan's need to run in an emotional and physical sense.
This novel's main character is religious and I appreciated the references to her working out her own faith through prayer and thought. For her debut novel, Brown has made an excellent first run.
The story weaves in an element of mystery and lots of questions which keeps the reader turning pages to find out how Morgan will deal with the answers to her questions. I found that Morgan cries a lot over everything which is semi-typical of emotional teenage girls but got a bit tiresome for my personal preference. Brown does a great job of setting up realistic scenes of various ages of kids interacting together. Terrific job on making the reader feel Morgan's need to run in an emotional and physical sense.
This novel's main character is religious and I appreciated the references to her working out her own faith through prayer and thought. For her debut novel, Brown has made an excellent first run.
December 24, 2014
Stunning! I have recalled parts of this book days after finishing it; the twists in the storyline were rather unexpected. In addition to all the rugged twists and turns, this story expertly explored an age-old wonder: What will my life end up like? Where does, and where will, my family relationships fit into the puzzle?
Although I am a little bit past my “young” years, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling out of my life now and reminiscing about my thoughts and feelings and connections when I was the age of Morgan, the main character. Morgan drew me in with her bold yet slightly innocent and limited point of view. Because this book is so well written however, I was able to relate quite well to the views of the other characters also. Ultimately, Morgan’s understanding as a result of partial loss of childhood innocence was encouraging and inspirational.
Although I am a little bit past my “young” years, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling out of my life now and reminiscing about my thoughts and feelings and connections when I was the age of Morgan, the main character. Morgan drew me in with her bold yet slightly innocent and limited point of view. Because this book is so well written however, I was able to relate quite well to the views of the other characters also. Ultimately, Morgan’s understanding as a result of partial loss of childhood innocence was encouraging and inspirational.
December 22, 2014
A sixteen year old runner runs for the release it provides her. She's dealing with flashbacks to the time when her uncle committed suicide, an absent father, and a control freak mother. She's sent to live with an aunt and uncle and their six boys for the summer. She endures the angst of teenage romance, disastrous discoveries about her past, and questions her relationship to God. A well written YA novel.
June 6, 2015
I wish the book was a bit longer. I wanted even more resolution with Morgan and her parents, a better break up scene. But I liked it pretty good. there were small lds references but not a religious book. I won't leave a spoiler but I cried and wondered why?!?!
April 21, 2015
This is a book had a slow start for me. I didn't really like the ending. Overall, though, I liked the book and look forward to JoLyn Brown's next book.
December 26, 2015
Amazing! Very easy to related to Morgan. :)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews