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The Bright Side Running Club
When Keira first receives her breast cancer diagnosis, she never expects to end up joining a running group with three women she’s only just met. Totally blind-sided, all she can think about is how she doesn’t want to tell her family or step back from work. Nor does she want to be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club.
And yet it’s running – hot, sweaty, lycra-clad running in the company of brilliant, funny women all going through treatment – that unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she so urgently needs. Because Keira will not be defined by the C-word. And now, with the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club cheering her on, she is going to reclaim everything: her family, her identity, and her life.
One step at a time.
And yet it’s running – hot, sweaty, lycra-clad running in the company of brilliant, funny women all going through treatment – that unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she so urgently needs. Because Keira will not be defined by the C-word. And now, with the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club cheering her on, she is going to reclaim everything: her family, her identity, and her life.
One step at a time.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,061 reviews
December 8, 2022
"The Bright Side Running Club" by Josie Lloyd is a testament to the strength and power of friendship!
Keira has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and it's rocking her world! How will she share this news with her family? What will she say to them? Will she be able to take the time away from work she'll need for her treatment?
Keira soon learns it's as simple as placing one foot in front of the other from a group of women who also have breast cancer. They're going through treatment just like her and it's joining 'The Bright Side Running Club' and running with this diverse group of women that gives Keira a spark of hope and normalcy.
Day to day life, being what it is though, does have a habit of getting in the way. Keira's family life and work life seems to ebb and flow a bit more than she would like. At times like this, she's so grateful for her friends from 'The Bright Side Running Club'!
This is a wonderful story about getting through a deep valley in your life, retaining your whole self without allowing that challenge to define you. Living life through kindness, focusing on the positive and being hopeful is what inspires me about this book. That, and the humor, mixed with sadness, mixed with reality that life throws at you!
Friendship is a key topic in this story. Coming together to help one another during low moments, cheering each other on during their runs, lending an ear, a shoulder, or a warm hug when it is so sorely needed, these beautifully drawn characters prove the strength and power of friendship during the most troubling of times.
This audiobook narrated by Danielle Cohen was a notable experience. Her voicing skills and ability to bring this story to life made this an unexpected listen for me in the best way!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it to other readers who love audiobook's as much as I do!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Josie Lloyd for a free ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Keira has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and it's rocking her world! How will she share this news with her family? What will she say to them? Will she be able to take the time away from work she'll need for her treatment?
Keira soon learns it's as simple as placing one foot in front of the other from a group of women who also have breast cancer. They're going through treatment just like her and it's joining 'The Bright Side Running Club' and running with this diverse group of women that gives Keira a spark of hope and normalcy.
Day to day life, being what it is though, does have a habit of getting in the way. Keira's family life and work life seems to ebb and flow a bit more than she would like. At times like this, she's so grateful for her friends from 'The Bright Side Running Club'!
This is a wonderful story about getting through a deep valley in your life, retaining your whole self without allowing that challenge to define you. Living life through kindness, focusing on the positive and being hopeful is what inspires me about this book. That, and the humor, mixed with sadness, mixed with reality that life throws at you!
Friendship is a key topic in this story. Coming together to help one another during low moments, cheering each other on during their runs, lending an ear, a shoulder, or a warm hug when it is so sorely needed, these beautifully drawn characters prove the strength and power of friendship during the most troubling of times.
This audiobook narrated by Danielle Cohen was a notable experience. Her voicing skills and ability to bring this story to life made this an unexpected listen for me in the best way!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it to other readers who love audiobook's as much as I do!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Josie Lloyd for a free ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
January 31, 2022
Take up running during cancer treatment? That's what Keira does in this new novel by Josie Lloyd. While killing time on a park bench between doctor appointments, Keira assists a woman who is out running. She later learns that the runner is named Tamsin and is also a patient going through breast cancer. Tamsin invites Keira to run with her and shares the secret to running -- just one foot in front of the other. Soon there is a small group and they find that the time they share improves their mental outlook as well as their physical fitness. I have personally benefited from running with a group myself, so this book piqued my interest. There are some wonderful family dynamics and a mystery element in the plot that kept me turning the pages. Even though I have not been diagnosed with cancer myself, I could relate to Keira's experience as a wife and mother. My husband went through cancer treatment here in the states a few years ago and that period of our lives was a struggle that has ultimately made us both stronger. One scene in the book was especially poignant for me:
Thank you to Alcove Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2021
My review on my website. www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
Twitter @bookpage5 and my Facebook page
Impossible not to cry. My eyes filled up, throughout reading this story.
Although this story is a work of fiction featuring Keira’s breast cancer, author Josie Lloyd based this story through her own personal experiences with breast cancer.
This novel takes readers through all the doctors and hospital appointments, with what the doctors and hospital say.
Keira tries very much to carry on working after her diagnosis.
As Keria must keep fit she joins a running club, that’s named The Cancer Ladies Running Club, it’s the kind of club everyone wants to join, where other women are going through treatment and understand each and can talk about treatments and even offer advice.
The main characters in The Cancer Ladies Running Club are Keira, Sian, Amma and Tasmin.
No doubt about The Cancer Ladies Running Club is extremely well written, that educated me through what happens during the diagnosis of breast cancer and all the treatments.
Every now and then a fiction book comes along that tugs my heart, and makes me cry.
I urge every reader to read this fictional paperback.
I one hundred percent recommend this book in fact I have never highly recommend reading such an important fiction book enough.
Twitter @bookpage5 and my Facebook page
Impossible not to cry. My eyes filled up, throughout reading this story.
Although this story is a work of fiction featuring Keira’s breast cancer, author Josie Lloyd based this story through her own personal experiences with breast cancer.
This novel takes readers through all the doctors and hospital appointments, with what the doctors and hospital say.
Keira tries very much to carry on working after her diagnosis.
As Keria must keep fit she joins a running club, that’s named The Cancer Ladies Running Club, it’s the kind of club everyone wants to join, where other women are going through treatment and understand each and can talk about treatments and even offer advice.
The main characters in The Cancer Ladies Running Club are Keira, Sian, Amma and Tasmin.
No doubt about The Cancer Ladies Running Club is extremely well written, that educated me through what happens during the diagnosis of breast cancer and all the treatments.
Every now and then a fiction book comes along that tugs my heart, and makes me cry.
I urge every reader to read this fictional paperback.
I one hundred percent recommend this book in fact I have never highly recommend reading such an important fiction book enough.
May 7, 2021
Wow, what an incredibly moving and poignant novel.
The cancer ladies’ running club follows the highs and lows of Keira’s life after she is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer. She takes up running and ends up finding a new understanding of herself.
I felt so many deep, intense emotions whilst reading this book. I actually ended up in tears. The strength of the characters in the book, and their connections to each other highlight the importance of friends and family after life-changing diagnoses. There were many aspects of this book that I related too, which made it all the more haunting and special.
I loved the beauty in the simple acts of kindness towards strangers and loved ones. It reminded me how much one small act can change someone’s day. I learnt a lot about cancer that I didn’t know before, including the specifics involved with certain treatments. But this book doesn’t dwell on the sadness and difficulties it brings. This is a story of hope and positivity despite being in the darkest of times.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone! I am so grateful to have received a review copy of this novel. This story will live with me for the rest of my life!
The cancer ladies’ running club follows the highs and lows of Keira’s life after she is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer. She takes up running and ends up finding a new understanding of herself.
I felt so many deep, intense emotions whilst reading this book. I actually ended up in tears. The strength of the characters in the book, and their connections to each other highlight the importance of friends and family after life-changing diagnoses. There were many aspects of this book that I related too, which made it all the more haunting and special.
I loved the beauty in the simple acts of kindness towards strangers and loved ones. It reminded me how much one small act can change someone’s day. I learnt a lot about cancer that I didn’t know before, including the specifics involved with certain treatments. But this book doesn’t dwell on the sadness and difficulties it brings. This is a story of hope and positivity despite being in the darkest of times.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone! I am so grateful to have received a review copy of this novel. This story will live with me for the rest of my life!
February 8, 2022
This book read like a sitcom to me. Most of the sub-plots felt unnecessary and dragging for far too long.
The fraud element was very predictable, far-fetched and took away the focus from what really mattered.
I would have enjoyed learning about the other running club ladies' different experiences with cancer rather than seeing only Kiera's perspective.
The fraud element was very predictable, far-fetched and took away the focus from what really mattered.
I would have enjoyed learning about the other running club ladies' different experiences with cancer rather than seeing only Kiera's perspective.
October 21, 2022
Keira is shattered when she receives her diagnosis for breast cancer. How will she continue to be a wife, mother and successful business woman while in the midst of surgery, chemo and radiation? The last thing she expected was to become a part of a running club with a group of other women impacted by cancer. But with these women she finds support, friendship and hope for the future. Together they champion for one another offering encouragement and love.
Poignant, uplifting and heartfelt, a wonderful tribute to friendship, family and finding inner strength on the most difficult of days.
I listened to the audiobook and the British reader truly brought Keira's journey to life.
4.5 stars.
Poignant, uplifting and heartfelt, a wonderful tribute to friendship, family and finding inner strength on the most difficult of days.
I listened to the audiobook and the British reader truly brought Keira's journey to life.
4.5 stars.
January 2, 2022
The Bright Side Running Club (formerly published as The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club) is a heart-warming English novel about a busy mother’s shock diagnosis with breast cancer and how she gets through it thanks to the love and support of her new running friends. It’s fiction, but based on the author’s own experiences, and is an honest and sometimes painful but often funny look at a disease which will affect one in eight of us. I picked it because it was about running (which I want to get back into) and saved it to start on New Year’s Day, which seemed appropriate.
Kiera is a happily married 47 year old mother of three who runs a gift shop in an unnamed Southern English town, when what she thinks is a routine callback following her mammogram delivers the frightening news that she has breast cancer. Her family and colleagues want to help but don’t understand, so when a surprise invitation from a fellow patient to try a gentle jog in the park leads to a new support system, Kiera finds the strength to endure the most challenging year of her life.
What I liked most about this was how real this felt - Kiera is flawed and very relatable - trying to do her best with her husband, kids and business, but susceptible to insecurity, mood swings and manipulation by those close to her. Her communication failures were sometimes infuriating but completely understandable. The medical details are uncensored and sometimes brutal, as we share her journey through surgery, chemo and it’s complications, radiotherapy, her fears about the change in her body and her sexuality, and the impact on her relationship with her husband and children.
“ I try to make jokes over breakfast, but the kids look at me as if I’m speaking in poor taste. Oh yes, I’ve forgotten. The sense-of-humor thing. Not allowed when you have cancer. Silly me.”
“It occurs to me now why people call it a bucket list. Not just because of kicking it, but because this is the kind of wretched moment, when you’re about to fill a bucket, when your long list of unfulfilled wishes rears up.”
It’s never depressing though, and being fiction, allows a happy ending in spite of some sad parts (no spoilers.) I had a mammogram scare the week before my 50th birthday, and by the ultrasound appointment was secretly planning my funeral. The relief at being dismissed with a “see you in two years” was immense, because I’m not sure I’d cope as well as these women do, but reading this now gives me hope that maybe I too might surprise myself. I loved the support characters, especially Tamsin and Amma. I wasn’t sure about the side plot about the shop, it was a bit too obvious what was going on, but I liked the way it was resolved. I’d recommend this book to any younger middle-aged woman facing a trip to Cancer World themselves or with a close friend - there were some useful insights on what (and what not) to say and do - acknowledging that everyone is different of course. 4.5 rounded down for the present tense narration.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
The Bright Side Running Club is published on February 8th 2022.
Kiera is a happily married 47 year old mother of three who runs a gift shop in an unnamed Southern English town, when what she thinks is a routine callback following her mammogram delivers the frightening news that she has breast cancer. Her family and colleagues want to help but don’t understand, so when a surprise invitation from a fellow patient to try a gentle jog in the park leads to a new support system, Kiera finds the strength to endure the most challenging year of her life.
What I liked most about this was how real this felt - Kiera is flawed and very relatable - trying to do her best with her husband, kids and business, but susceptible to insecurity, mood swings and manipulation by those close to her. Her communication failures were sometimes infuriating but completely understandable. The medical details are uncensored and sometimes brutal, as we share her journey through surgery, chemo and it’s complications, radiotherapy, her fears about the change in her body and her sexuality, and the impact on her relationship with her husband and children.
“ I try to make jokes over breakfast, but the kids look at me as if I’m speaking in poor taste. Oh yes, I’ve forgotten. The sense-of-humor thing. Not allowed when you have cancer. Silly me.”
“It occurs to me now why people call it a bucket list. Not just because of kicking it, but because this is the kind of wretched moment, when you’re about to fill a bucket, when your long list of unfulfilled wishes rears up.”
It’s never depressing though, and being fiction, allows a happy ending in spite of some sad parts (no spoilers.) I had a mammogram scare the week before my 50th birthday, and by the ultrasound appointment was secretly planning my funeral. The relief at being dismissed with a “see you in two years” was immense, because I’m not sure I’d cope as well as these women do, but reading this now gives me hope that maybe I too might surprise myself. I loved the support characters, especially Tamsin and Amma. I wasn’t sure about the side plot about the shop, it was a bit too obvious what was going on, but I liked the way it was resolved. I’d recommend this book to any younger middle-aged woman facing a trip to Cancer World themselves or with a close friend - there were some useful insights on what (and what not) to say and do - acknowledging that everyone is different of course. 4.5 rounded down for the present tense narration.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
The Bright Side Running Club is published on February 8th 2022.
March 20, 2022
The Bright Side Running Club is not a bad book by any means, I think that I am just not the audience this book was aiming for. Not being a middle aged mother and having never experienced cancer (thank God) I found that I really struggled with relating to anything, plot and character wise, within this book. I actually did find majority of the characters, including the main character, to be unbearable. The remainder of the characters were so bland I had a difficult time even remembering who was who throughout the story. As for the plot, I found it to be incredibly dull and nothing ever happened during the 338 pages to hook me. Towards the end of the story I just did not care at all about what was going to happen and found myself skimming through to the final page. Below are some takeaways from my time reading (spoilers!):
-The whole business fraud storyline was dull and obvious from the jump
-The Moira storyline was also dull, mentioned a million times, yet I never cared about finding out what happened to her. Once we do find out it just seemed like something that could have been cleared up with a simple text or phone call
-This books is heavy on family life and Keira's relationship with her children which I didn't really care for at all (I think this is just because I am not a mother so I can't relate).
-I found Keira to be very irritating, especially when it comes to Tom.
-I can not differentiate Keira's two OG friends for the life of me.
-I found the plot and dialogue to be VERY cheesy. It gave me Lifetime movie vibes.
-Ian sucks the most.
Overall, this book was not a page turner for me and I really struggled to get through it. I do think that if you are looking for a hopeful and inspiring story with a heavy focus on friendship and family you might enjoy this one.
-The whole business fraud storyline was dull and obvious from the jump
-The Moira storyline was also dull, mentioned a million times, yet I never cared about finding out what happened to her. Once we do find out it just seemed like something that could have been cleared up with a simple text or phone call
-This books is heavy on family life and Keira's relationship with her children which I didn't really care for at all (I think this is just because I am not a mother so I can't relate).
-I found Keira to be very irritating, especially when it comes to Tom.
-I can not differentiate Keira's two OG friends for the life of me.
-I found the plot and dialogue to be VERY cheesy. It gave me Lifetime movie vibes.
-Ian sucks the most.
Overall, this book was not a page turner for me and I really struggled to get through it. I do think that if you are looking for a hopeful and inspiring story with a heavy focus on friendship and family you might enjoy this one.
July 6, 2022
Absolutely fabulous. Funny, witty, uplifting. An honest look at what it means to be a cancer patient. I feel like I was one of (main character) Keira's friends and went through this with her. So inspiring how the (fictional) team of friends (literally) ran through their troubles arm in arm. Well worth a read!
January 10, 2022
What an honor it was to read this book! I was so inspired by the journey of Kiera, a wife and mother of three children still in school, who finds life upended when she's diagnosed with beast cancer. It felt as if I were on this profound trek with her, feeling the fear and angst as she goes from diagnosis through treatment, and finally hope as she connects with other women with breast cancer who together form the Bright Side Running Club.
This poignant novel bursting with life is based on author Josie Lloyd's own experience. Highly highly recommended for readers who love women's fiction, who need hope amid uncertainty, and who adore beautifully written stories of female community.
Note: Felicity Blunt (sister of actress Emily Blunt and wife of actor Stanley Tucci) served as the book's agent. Talk about powerful female support!
Pub Date Feb 8, 2022
#TheBrightSideRunningClub #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
This poignant novel bursting with life is based on author Josie Lloyd's own experience. Highly highly recommended for readers who love women's fiction, who need hope amid uncertainty, and who adore beautifully written stories of female community.
Note: Felicity Blunt (sister of actress Emily Blunt and wife of actor Stanley Tucci) served as the book's agent. Talk about powerful female support!
Pub Date Feb 8, 2022
#TheBrightSideRunningClub #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
October 12, 2021
A truly astonishing, affirmative & bright story! I would surely desire everyone passing through a negative period in their lives to read this novel. Though some portion of the plot appears quite filmy with negative characters & good v/s bad, the overall narrative gives a feel-good impression to the book.
I was emotional during the account as I understand how it feels when there is a cancer sufferer at home; my mom had pancreatic cancer. I couldn't help not crying whenever there occurred clinic appointments. Though it's a tale of fiction, it draws influence from the author's real-life situations & sticks to actuality as much as attainable.
I was emotional during the account as I understand how it feels when there is a cancer sufferer at home; my mom had pancreatic cancer. I couldn't help not crying whenever there occurred clinic appointments. Though it's a tale of fiction, it draws influence from the author's real-life situations & sticks to actuality as much as attainable.
February 18, 2022
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. Witty, moving, snarky, irreverent and inspiring all at once.
May 13, 2021
Three and a half stars.
Keira pretty much has it all: a happy marriage to Tom, a solicitor; three children; joint owner of a family store selling high end gifts; and owner of a beloved, if flatulent, family dog.
Then a cancer diagnosis changes everything, suddenly things at work are looking rocky and Keira's partner Lorna and her husband Pierre seem to be undermining Keira, added to which Keira's favourite employee Moira has taken a month's leave of absence without warning.
Tom's work is stressful, he's trying for promotion, and his new assistant is a glamorous young woman with whom he has giggly late night calls and works late into the evenings and weekends. Added to which Tom's parents are becoming increasingly infirm.
Feel Keira's frustration when fellow mums at the school gate arrange a rota to bring the family meals, at a time when Keira feels perfectly capable of making her own meals, other children refuse to touch her because they think cancer is catching, and her own business partner seems to think a cancer diagnosis means Keira is incapable of making decisions or even lifting boxes.
The one shining light in this dark time is a woman Keira randomly meets while sitting outside the oncology clinic waiting for her diagnosis. At first Keira is judgemental about Tamsin with her heavy make-up and tattoos but when she treats cancer as no big deal and offers to run with Keira once a week the Cancer Ladies Running Club is born. Soon there are four women, all in different stages of cancer treatment, meeting once a week in the only place where everyone knows what you are going through.
However, all that maybe makes this sound a bit worthy, a bit heavy going, and it really isn't. This is just as much women's fiction (I think what I am trying to say is that you could remove Keira's cancer diagnosis from the book and it would still work as a novel), the everyday ins-and-outs of marriage with children and competing careers and elderly parents.
I have to say I thought the plot line with Keira's business partner rang a false note, it was too cartoon villainish. Also, as a forensic accountant I can assure you that we don't do covert copying of computers, we use digital forensic specialists for that, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales does not provide that sort of training. But that is a minor niggle.
Overall, this is a book about the power of friendship, how a random act of kindness can have huge consequences and that life doesn't miraculously become perfect just because you have cancer, kids still argue, parents are still difficult, dogs still need walking and the house still needs cleaning.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Edited because I inexplicably called the husband Ian instead of Tom throughout - no excuse whatsoever. Thanks to NarniaGirl for pointing it out.
Bumped for release.
Keira pretty much has it all: a happy marriage to Tom, a solicitor; three children; joint owner of a family store selling high end gifts; and owner of a beloved, if flatulent, family dog.
Then a cancer diagnosis changes everything, suddenly things at work are looking rocky and Keira's partner Lorna and her husband Pierre seem to be undermining Keira, added to which Keira's favourite employee Moira has taken a month's leave of absence without warning.
Tom's work is stressful, he's trying for promotion, and his new assistant is a glamorous young woman with whom he has giggly late night calls and works late into the evenings and weekends. Added to which Tom's parents are becoming increasingly infirm.
Feel Keira's frustration when fellow mums at the school gate arrange a rota to bring the family meals, at a time when Keira feels perfectly capable of making her own meals, other children refuse to touch her because they think cancer is catching, and her own business partner seems to think a cancer diagnosis means Keira is incapable of making decisions or even lifting boxes.
The one shining light in this dark time is a woman Keira randomly meets while sitting outside the oncology clinic waiting for her diagnosis. At first Keira is judgemental about Tamsin with her heavy make-up and tattoos but when she treats cancer as no big deal and offers to run with Keira once a week the Cancer Ladies Running Club is born. Soon there are four women, all in different stages of cancer treatment, meeting once a week in the only place where everyone knows what you are going through.
However, all that maybe makes this sound a bit worthy, a bit heavy going, and it really isn't. This is just as much women's fiction (I think what I am trying to say is that you could remove Keira's cancer diagnosis from the book and it would still work as a novel), the everyday ins-and-outs of marriage with children and competing careers and elderly parents.
I have to say I thought the plot line with Keira's business partner rang a false note, it was too cartoon villainish. Also, as a forensic accountant I can assure you that we don't do covert copying of computers, we use digital forensic specialists for that, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales does not provide that sort of training. But that is a minor niggle.
Overall, this is a book about the power of friendship, how a random act of kindness can have huge consequences and that life doesn't miraculously become perfect just because you have cancer, kids still argue, parents are still difficult, dogs still need walking and the house still needs cleaning.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Edited because I inexplicably called the husband Ian instead of Tom throughout - no excuse whatsoever. Thanks to NarniaGirl for pointing it out.
Bumped for release.
August 6, 2025
Picked this up for the PopSugar challenge prompt, and it was fine. Heartwarming and inspiring, but didn't go deep enough for it to be memorable.
Kiera gets diagnosed with breast cancer and ends up joining a run club that eventually saves her sanity while she's going through treatment. Anything with cancer kicks my emotional butt to read about and this was no exception, however I wanted more depth from these characters.
Kiera gets diagnosed with breast cancer and ends up joining a run club that eventually saves her sanity while she's going through treatment. Anything with cancer kicks my emotional butt to read about and this was no exception, however I wanted more depth from these characters.
October 17, 2021
Finding this book was very good timing. I’ve just received a breast cancer diagnosis and this has given me hope that I will get through it. I related so much to Keira’s reaction to her diagnosis. It’s how I’m feeling right now. Thank you Josie for writing this. You’ve given me hope that I will be able to continue running throughout treatment and hopefully come out even stronger on the other side.
February 22, 2022
More years ago then I care to remember, I was into @josielloydwriter books. Blame it on the Bridget Jones craze, but overnight “chick lit” became a thing, especially Brit Chick lit. Then I didn’t remember seeing anything about her writing for quite some time.
So you can imagine my surprise (and interest) when I saw a new book had come out by Lloyd. The market now saturated with stories that could be termed “chick lit”, the genre has also managed to grow and evolve, much like the young women they were intended for in the first place.
In The Bright Side Running Club we meet Keira, a middle aged women who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer. As if dealing with a cancer diagnosis isn’t daunting enough, Keira also has some work related woes that don’t help but add to her middle aged angst.
Then she meets a woman who casually mentions she should join her in running weekly. Reluctantly Keira takes part to stay fit and positive. But she quickly finds the new friends she makes while attempting to run away (pun intended) from her problems are cancer patients, just like herself.
While any book that tackles the big C is bound to be depressing in spots, The Bright Side Running Club also lives up to its name by highlighting the importance of having a positive attitude when things are anything but. It’s also a book about the power of friendship. Knowing that Lloyd herself loved through similar circumstances that inspired this fictional account only serves to make the story more uplifting, and more worthwhile.
So you can imagine my surprise (and interest) when I saw a new book had come out by Lloyd. The market now saturated with stories that could be termed “chick lit”, the genre has also managed to grow and evolve, much like the young women they were intended for in the first place.
In The Bright Side Running Club we meet Keira, a middle aged women who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer. As if dealing with a cancer diagnosis isn’t daunting enough, Keira also has some work related woes that don’t help but add to her middle aged angst.
Then she meets a woman who casually mentions she should join her in running weekly. Reluctantly Keira takes part to stay fit and positive. But she quickly finds the new friends she makes while attempting to run away (pun intended) from her problems are cancer patients, just like herself.
While any book that tackles the big C is bound to be depressing in spots, The Bright Side Running Club also lives up to its name by highlighting the importance of having a positive attitude when things are anything but. It’s also a book about the power of friendship. Knowing that Lloyd herself loved through similar circumstances that inspired this fictional account only serves to make the story more uplifting, and more worthwhile.
June 12, 2022
I loved everything about this beautiful book.
I loved all of the women,.
I loved that it told an authentic story of the long and arduous journey through breast cancer.
I loved that it’s about women running together, through a shared experience, making them all the better for it.
I loved that it’s about the strength and beauty of female friendships.
“Go with hope in your heart and wings on your heels” 🏃♀️♥️
I loved all of the women,.
I loved that it told an authentic story of the long and arduous journey through breast cancer.
I loved that it’s about women running together, through a shared experience, making them all the better for it.
I loved that it’s about the strength and beauty of female friendships.
“Go with hope in your heart and wings on your heels” 🏃♀️♥️
May 11, 2020
This is very much a heart on her sleeve story from this author, with her deepest feelings and emotions laid to bare and it is wound around the fictional inspirational characters in the book.
Keira is married with a couple of kids and runs her growing successful business with a few friends and employees. Life is hectic and busy. When she is told by her doctor that she has cancer her world seems to crash down around her. She doesn't want to be a cancer victim bunched with other cancer victims and she certainly doesn't want to be part of any support group. It seems like either people take over some aspects of her life like she hasn't a mind of her own any more or think she should pull herself together. One thing is for sure, friends, work colleagues and family have changed and treat her differently.
When she meets another lady by chance out running and forms a friendship with her, everything changes. Her own pre-judgements of fellow patients with cancer couldn't have been more wrong. The two friends soon become more.
There is so much going off in this story as it brings out the best and worst in people round Keira. The feelings of people close to her and her own. Not wanting people to treat you different isn't the same as needing to know that someone is there for you and friends have your back. It seems that their worlds are still going on and it just won't let Keira get back on board.
This is a very inspirational story, from the gritty facts about the operation she had to the raw feelings that aren't sweetened up. It isn't a survivors club by any means, it is a bunch of women that won't go down without a fight. Superb writing!
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.
Keira is married with a couple of kids and runs her growing successful business with a few friends and employees. Life is hectic and busy. When she is told by her doctor that she has cancer her world seems to crash down around her. She doesn't want to be a cancer victim bunched with other cancer victims and she certainly doesn't want to be part of any support group. It seems like either people take over some aspects of her life like she hasn't a mind of her own any more or think she should pull herself together. One thing is for sure, friends, work colleagues and family have changed and treat her differently.
When she meets another lady by chance out running and forms a friendship with her, everything changes. Her own pre-judgements of fellow patients with cancer couldn't have been more wrong. The two friends soon become more.
There is so much going off in this story as it brings out the best and worst in people round Keira. The feelings of people close to her and her own. Not wanting people to treat you different isn't the same as needing to know that someone is there for you and friends have your back. It seems that their worlds are still going on and it just won't let Keira get back on board.
This is a very inspirational story, from the gritty facts about the operation she had to the raw feelings that aren't sweetened up. It isn't a survivors club by any means, it is a bunch of women that won't go down without a fight. Superb writing!
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.
August 15, 2021
Oh my heart.... what just happened?!?! This is an important book. I have a bit of a personal investment when it comes to breast cancer. I knew that this book will bring out the feels regardless of how to story unfolded.
I was utterly impressed with the level if care that Lloyd gives us in this novel. This is a work of fiction that is based on her own experience with breast cancer.
She not only walks us through the treatment but also throws in a bit of spice. There is a mystery, some great foreshadowing, a bit of parental struggles, and beautiful friendships.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up if you need a good pallete cleanser. I read this in one go. I just couldn't be bothered to put it down.
I was utterly impressed with the level if care that Lloyd gives us in this novel. This is a work of fiction that is based on her own experience with breast cancer.
She not only walks us through the treatment but also throws in a bit of spice. There is a mystery, some great foreshadowing, a bit of parental struggles, and beautiful friendships.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up if you need a good pallete cleanser. I read this in one go. I just couldn't be bothered to put it down.
November 19, 2024
3 stars.
I read this because I thought it would have good "friendship vibes." I do think this is a good recommendation if someone is looking for that in a book. I think this was a good story but it had things about it that I was not personally a fan of. It's more character focused vs. plot and I found it kind of hard to relate or connect with any of the main characters. I felt like the friendships vibes weren't as strong as I would have preferred.
I read this because I thought it would have good "friendship vibes." I do think this is a good recommendation if someone is looking for that in a book. I think this was a good story but it had things about it that I was not personally a fan of. It's more character focused vs. plot and I found it kind of hard to relate or connect with any of the main characters. I felt like the friendships vibes weren't as strong as I would have preferred.
March 31, 2022
I loved the audio of this book! The storyline is strongly character driven and all of the characters are very loveable! The Bright Side Running Club begins with several ladies that are facing cancer diagnoses, treatment, and family and work difficulties. While managing them all the ladies form a running club and are there for each other through all of the difficulties and joys that cancer brings. Very heartfelt and uplifting view of sickness, healing and loss. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audio book.
April 17, 2020
Uplifting and emotional - wonderful writing
This is very clearly a personal novel for the author, and she draws on her own experience of Cancer, in order to produce such a brilliant book.
I would say try not to read the early parts of this book while eating, if you are squeamish. Some of the in depth descriptions of just how the surgery will happen, unfortunately appeared while I was eating and instantly made me lose my appetite.
But besides the technical, in depth hospital details of a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment, there is the rest of her life as it continues, and Keira's determination that cancer won't be her defining characteristic.
And that is where this book comes into it's own, we get to meet a group of strong determined women, who have decided to run their way through cancer, and they form strong friendships as a result of it. Tasmin, Amma, Sian and Keira are all inspirational in their own ways.
Yet not everyone was as a supported of Keira as they perhaps should be, so she is struggling with work issues, which as the reader were obvious a mile off, but it took her a while to realise it wasn't her just dropping the ball. There is her family, who all have different reactions to the diagnosis, as to the mums in the playground, and her best friends, pre-cancer.
It's the bonds of female friendship that really make this book, and I feel it could potentially give anyone going through breast cancer treatment some hope too. This is not a depressing book, yes there were moments I was on the verge of tears, but that is because the writing is so good, that I really cared for the characters and what they are going through.
Truly fabulous book that I highly recommend.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
This is very clearly a personal novel for the author, and she draws on her own experience of Cancer, in order to produce such a brilliant book.
I would say try not to read the early parts of this book while eating, if you are squeamish. Some of the in depth descriptions of just how the surgery will happen, unfortunately appeared while I was eating and instantly made me lose my appetite.
But besides the technical, in depth hospital details of a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment, there is the rest of her life as it continues, and Keira's determination that cancer won't be her defining characteristic.
And that is where this book comes into it's own, we get to meet a group of strong determined women, who have decided to run their way through cancer, and they form strong friendships as a result of it. Tasmin, Amma, Sian and Keira are all inspirational in their own ways.
Yet not everyone was as a supported of Keira as they perhaps should be, so she is struggling with work issues, which as the reader were obvious a mile off, but it took her a while to realise it wasn't her just dropping the ball. There is her family, who all have different reactions to the diagnosis, as to the mums in the playground, and her best friends, pre-cancer.
It's the bonds of female friendship that really make this book, and I feel it could potentially give anyone going through breast cancer treatment some hope too. This is not a depressing book, yes there were moments I was on the verge of tears, but that is because the writing is so good, that I really cared for the characters and what they are going through.
Truly fabulous book that I highly recommend.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
January 27, 2022
What an inspiring (and informative and entertaining) book! Keira is a woman in her 40s, married and with three kids, owner of a small retail business, who is diagnosed with breast cancer. We follow her on her journey through treatment, and what a journey it is. The book is written in the first person, so we really get inside Keira’s head. There are lots of ups and downs along the way, but the “bright spot” for Keira is her chance meeting with Tamsin outside the breast cancer clinic, as Tamsin is finishing up a short run. Out of that meeting, the Bright Side Running Club is born, and includes not only Tamsin and Keira, but two other women who are either going through treatment or who have completed their treatment, Amma and Sian. Through their stories, you see how their diagnosis and treatment affect not only them, but the people around them. The friendships that they form are essential to the women as they provide understanding support for each other. Keira’s family: I particularly loved Keira’s three children, all of whom were given really distinct personalities. Her relationship with her husband Tom also felt very realistic.
I was particularly interested in reading this book because I’m a runner - just a sidelined one for now - and the combination of cancer and running seemed a fascinating one. Since the story takes place in England, you get a bit of an inside look at their National Health System (NHS), which comes off looking pretty good!
I don’t think that the whole subplot involving Keira’s business problems was necessary to the story, although it did give Sian a chance to shine.
The author shares that the story is based on her own life, which makes the book even more poignant and important.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was particularly interested in reading this book because I’m a runner - just a sidelined one for now - and the combination of cancer and running seemed a fascinating one. Since the story takes place in England, you get a bit of an inside look at their National Health System (NHS), which comes off looking pretty good!
I don’t think that the whole subplot involving Keira’s business problems was necessary to the story, although it did give Sian a chance to shine.
The author shares that the story is based on her own life, which makes the book even more poignant and important.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 29, 2023
Based on the synopsis, which I read too quickly, led me to think that this book was about a “ladies running club”. It is much more than that.
Right after the new year, Kiera, late forty’s, wife, busy mother of three school aged children, co-owner of her high end gift store, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Kiera experiences a wide variety of emotions: fear, anger, sadness, guilt, helplessness, and anxiety. She didn’t like, nor want to have, the “C” word attached to her name.
Facing the unknown, Kiera meets Tasmin outside the breast clinic. Tasmin is finishing her run and Keira admires her positivity and how easy it is to chat with her. Tasmin suggests that Keira start running with her. While not a runner, Keira would like to meet with Tasmin again, so she agrees. Kiera later learns that Tasmin is on her own cancer journey. The duo grows to three, each in different stages of breast cancer treatment. The bond between the three women is built on common experience, positivity, encouragement and the need to carry on with life. Keira learns to adjust to her identity as a woman with cancer. She is a Survivor.
This book is emotional and very uplifting.
Right after the new year, Kiera, late forty’s, wife, busy mother of three school aged children, co-owner of her high end gift store, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Kiera experiences a wide variety of emotions: fear, anger, sadness, guilt, helplessness, and anxiety. She didn’t like, nor want to have, the “C” word attached to her name.
Facing the unknown, Kiera meets Tasmin outside the breast clinic. Tasmin is finishing her run and Keira admires her positivity and how easy it is to chat with her. Tasmin suggests that Keira start running with her. While not a runner, Keira would like to meet with Tasmin again, so she agrees. Kiera later learns that Tasmin is on her own cancer journey. The duo grows to three, each in different stages of breast cancer treatment. The bond between the three women is built on common experience, positivity, encouragement and the need to carry on with life. Keira learns to adjust to her identity as a woman with cancer. She is a Survivor.
This book is emotional and very uplifting.
January 6, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early! I thought it was really relatable and really touching. This book is about Keira. She is the owner of a boutique shop with her brother's ex girlfriend. She has 3 kids and a husband and things seem to be going well but then she gets diagnosed with breast cancer. She sees someone running and becomes friends with her and the Bright side running club is born. They are 4 women who all have cancer and are running through it. Their friendship is quick and deep and I have felt similar things. We see Keira and her friends go through their treatment and grow in their friendships as well as Keira struggle to save her business from her evil partner. My only complaint about this book is that there are a lot of characters and it definitely goes more wide than deep. I really wanted to get to know the Bright Side Running Club and I feel like I did, but not as deep as I wanted. I just finished this yesterday and I have a hard time remembering how many kids she has, who her other friends were, etc. because they were all in there but so shallow they were forgettable. Overall though a good read that I'd recommend!
February 25, 2022
This was just the book I needed right about now. Full of strong female characters, female friendship, family drama, funny quips, heartfelt emotional topics, and hope. I have been so weary of the depressing and dark books recently. And the title of this struck me, especially because it is about a group of women who start a running club because they are battling cancer. That seems like it could/should be a dark and depressing book. But the author does a splendid job of keeping the topic Titus and real and raw without it being dark depressing, of course due to the beautifully written character of Tamsen as she helps walk main character Keira through her recent diagnosis. It doesn’t seem possible that a book about such a serious topic could bring a smile to the reader’s face, but that is the simple beauty of the book. Tears alongside smiles. And I believe that was the whole point of the “Bright side running club” that no matter the darkness there is always a bright side of hope. Oh that we all could have this type of outlook no matter what we face. I highly recommend this one!
*thank you netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Language: 6/10 (includes some f-words)
Sex: mild 4/10 (I mean we are talking about breast cancer so breast are talked about a lot)
Violence: 0/10
*thank you netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Language: 6/10 (includes some f-words)
Sex: mild 4/10 (I mean we are talking about breast cancer so breast are talked about a lot)
Violence: 0/10
March 5, 2022
I’ve had this book in my TBR list for so long. Now that I have read it I am finding it hard to put into word how I feel.
Any emotional you can think of, you will feel whilst reading this.
Josie Lloyd, you should be proud.
Any emotional you can think of, you will feel whilst reading this.
Josie Lloyd, you should be proud.
August 19, 2022
When I told my oncologist PA that I was still running, she told me she hadn’t had a patient yet who ran while going through chemo. (Definitely more about her youth than me being unique.) This book was exactly what I needed to remind me that I’m not alone and to reach out to my sisters who are also going through this.
February 2, 2022
This is so entertaining while at the same time super informative and inspiring. I listened to it all day while I went about my chores, etc and I really enjoyed my time spent with Keira and the Club :)
Keira is a mom and wife using her 40s who is content with her life and doesn’t want anything to change. She owns a small boutique that her grandfather and her father before her ran. All is well in her world until she goes in for a routine check up and mammogram. She finds out that she has breast cancer and her world turns upside down. The story follows her journey through treatments but it’s told in a way that while it’s clinical, it’s not stiff and boring. She meets Tansin one day in the park, who is also going through treatment, and they start to jog together as a time to get together and talk and share their experiences and emotions as only someone going through it all would understand. Then more women from the cancer clinic join and they become the Bright Side Running Club and they become the best of friends and amazing support for each other.
The story is based on the authors life and that adds a whole other dimension to the story.
The narration was spot on-I could listen to the accents all day!
Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.
Publication date: February 8, 2022
Keira is a mom and wife using her 40s who is content with her life and doesn’t want anything to change. She owns a small boutique that her grandfather and her father before her ran. All is well in her world until she goes in for a routine check up and mammogram. She finds out that she has breast cancer and her world turns upside down. The story follows her journey through treatments but it’s told in a way that while it’s clinical, it’s not stiff and boring. She meets Tansin one day in the park, who is also going through treatment, and they start to jog together as a time to get together and talk and share their experiences and emotions as only someone going through it all would understand. Then more women from the cancer clinic join and they become the Bright Side Running Club and they become the best of friends and amazing support for each other.
The story is based on the authors life and that adds a whole other dimension to the story.
The narration was spot on-I could listen to the accents all day!
Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.
Publication date: February 8, 2022
March 8, 2022
This review first appeared on Bookends: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/jos...
Based on the author’s own experience following a breast cancer diagnosis, The Bright Side Running Club is an inspirational, uplifting story that is definitely worth the read/listen.
I loved the ladies of the running club and how Keira was able to connect with them in a way that no one else in her life could provide. This story is perfect for any fans of found family.
As heartwarming as this book was, it was incredibly frustrating at times to hear how people dismissed Keira because of her illness. I wanted to punch so many of the characters Keira encountered! I also didn’t understand why she didn’t just text, call, or email Moira to check in, especially if they were as close as they were made out to be. I feel like that whole plot point could have been cleared up with a simple message, even if Moira was on vacation.
Audiobook review: The audiobook is narrated by Danielle Cohen. While I am not familiar with her work, I thought she was the perfect fit for Keira. I enjoyed this production and would certainly listen to more by her!
Based on the author’s own experience following a breast cancer diagnosis, The Bright Side Running Club is an inspirational, uplifting story that is definitely worth the read/listen.
I loved the ladies of the running club and how Keira was able to connect with them in a way that no one else in her life could provide. This story is perfect for any fans of found family.
As heartwarming as this book was, it was incredibly frustrating at times to hear how people dismissed Keira because of her illness. I wanted to punch so many of the characters Keira encountered! I also didn’t understand why she didn’t just text, call, or email Moira to check in, especially if they were as close as they were made out to be. I feel like that whole plot point could have been cleared up with a simple message, even if Moira was on vacation.
Audiobook review: The audiobook is narrated by Danielle Cohen. While I am not familiar with her work, I thought she was the perfect fit for Keira. I enjoyed this production and would certainly listen to more by her!
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