The Runaway Year

The Runaway Series #1

by Shani Struthers

Dumped by her hotshot boyfriend and boss, Layla Lewis quits her job and heads to Trecastle in North Cornwall to house-sit for a friend-of-a-friend. Trecastle isn’t new to her; it's a place where she holidayed regularly with her now-estranged mother. It’s also the home of Hannah McKenzie, her childhood friend. Hannah has tempted her with a place to live and a job in the local pub. Needing time to nurse her battered heart and escape her “real life” for a year, Layla accepts.

Hannah is a talented artist as well as a barmaid. She lives in the village center with her boyfriend Jim, a singer in a local band. They are happy together, or as happy as they can be, considering. Hannah loves Jim, but there is someone she loves more and it’s pushing them to breaking point.

Meanwhile, back in Brighton, Layla’s fiery yet loyal friend Penny seeks revenge on her behalf, sending a forged email that could damage her ex’s business prospects. Penny wonders if she has gone too far but is soon preoccupied with her own problems: the sizzle has fizzled in her marriage, and she feels neglected. After getting frisky with Dylan one night, she confesses all to her husband—and he’s been like ice ever since.

Over the course of a year, there is laughter and heartache as all three endeavor to rein in their tumultuous love lives—discovering you can run all you like, but if it’s love you’re up against, true love, good things can only happen when you stand your ground.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Contemporary

265 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2013

About the author

It's all about the ghosts...

Here's the order my books come in:

Psychic Surveys Series:

Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me

Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street

Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage

Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension

Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion

Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep

Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul

Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar

Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:

Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel

Blakemort (Corinna's story)

Thirteen (Ness's story)

Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)

Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)

This Haunted World Series:

This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian

This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate

This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise

Reach for the Dead Series:

Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy

Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm

Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker

Jessamine Series:

Jessamine

Comraich

Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller

Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.

Reviews

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun to read. Love Actually meets The Holiday meets Bridget Jones. The author is English, and it's written with a lot of "Britishisms", which really lends to immersing yourself into the beach town in Cornwall, where Layla runs off to after her boss/boyfriend chucks her. Yes, Layla makes some spectacularly bad decisions, but don't we all? The POV rotates between Layla, her old beach buddy Hannah, and new bestie from Brighton, Penny.

You want to be friends with all of them. Hannah is a barmaid/painter in a tiny village right on the Atlantic. She's got a sweet, devoted boyfriend but can't seem to shake lingering feelings for his best friend Joseph. Penny is a ScarJo look a like, good for a laugh and an outrageous flirt. Her relationship with her husband suffers when she takes the flirting too far, and as much as she doesn't want Layla to live out for a year in Cornwall, she too takes refuge from the world in the cozy cottage from time to time. And Layla. You want to hug her, get drunk with her, and sometimes shake her by the shoulders til she sees sense! I mean: JOSEPH. Mmmhmm. Hawt.

Perfect, really cute beach read!

[Lesley Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy 'Chick Lit' then this has to rate as a superb example of the genre. It has all the key elements, feisty, likeable yet flawed (so therefore totally believable) characters; Romance, heartbreak, misunderstandings, vacillations, reconciliations, compelling locations, suspense, hangovers,...all wrapped up in a cracking good page turner...leaving you wanting to hear more about Layla, Joseph et al. I hope there's a sequel Ms Struthers!

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runaway Year is a superb read! I mean it is chick lit at it's best. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I could relate to one of the characters and I needed to know what she did and how she handled the problem. Let's face it as adults we make some bad decisions in life and sometimes we hurt people and people hurt us. Relationships come and go and when we learn to open ourselves to the right guy we can see how truly happy we can be and deserve to be. This book is about three women who find themselves at different places in their lives and the journey that brought them there.

We first meet Layla who is dumped by her boyfriend who is also her boss for the new intern. Pissed off and hurt Layla quits her job and takes up her friends offer to house sit.In Trecastle in North Cornwall. She is not really excited but she is ready for a change. When she gets there her best friend makes sure she has a job and a place to stay. As she is going from day to day she finds herself attracted to Joseph. Joseph is determined to win her heart over and show her that not all men are scum. But will Layla open her heart again?

Then we meet my girl Hannah. I loved Hannah because she is in a wonderful relationship with Jim. He is the man every woman dreams of. He is loving and caring and he will give Hannah the world but Hannah loves someone else. She still loves her ex-boyfriend and she is trying desperately to get over him and every time she tries something brings her back to her fears. Will she give in to heart and let Jim love her like she needs to be loved?

Then we meet Penny who is in a loveless marriage. At first her marriage was great but then it fizzled out because her husband works himself to death. Penny starts flirting with Dylan and ends up kissing him. She feels guilty and tells her husband. Her husband is mad and hurt so he stops talking to her and freezes her out. Will her husband ever forgive her for her transgressions?

This is a must read for the summer!

[Alicen Haire · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were part of the Cornwall Tourism Board I'd feel indebted to Shani Struthers for this beautiful book. Highly evocative of the romantic scenery in Cornwall and the faster paced life in Brighton, TRY takes the reader through Layla's emotional roller coaster year. I loved the book - the characters, the settings, the vocabulary, the relationships and the plot! It made me want to run away to Cornwall myself. It's been so long since I read a book that I didn't want to put down and it was a joy to have that feeling again. It must have taken a whole load of work to weave it all together and I admire Shani Struthers hugely for achieving it so seamlessly.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, where to start?! Let's start with what could be problematic for American readers (okay, probably many others, too): Accent. This book takes place in Brighton and Trecastle, both in England (happy sigh) and the language reflects this; however, the accent isn't written out (if you read Scottish romances, you'll understand when I say painful doesn't begin to describe what too many "Och, laddie!"s can do). If you're completely unfamiliar with British English, some of the words might make you pause and say, "What's that mean?"

Cultural differences aside, you won't be taken out of the story; in fact, you'll probably be pulled even further into it, because the characters created are as real as they get. They are beautifully flawed, wonderfully sharp women who are trying to figure out what they want from what they've got.

Love isn't easy, as the only married one, Penny, discovers. Her marriage is derailed after she snogs (that's "makes out" over this side of the Pond) Dylan. She accepts responsibility for it, but also hefts quite a bit of blame onto her husband, Richard, who works some crazy hours and neglects her. They had a hot and steamy romance before they were married...and it takes the entirety of the year for Penny to realize that Richard is in it for the long haul. They have to work hard to prove it to each other, though, and their story is a very well-crafted subplot.

Hannah has a man who is rare indeed - he loves and adores her enough to accept that he's her second-best. She feels guilty about that, but as Jim never makes a big deal out of it, Hannah tries to bury her feelings about her former boyfriend. The evolution of Hannah is drawn out in such a realistic way, that when she finally figures out what she wants from her life, you're cheering (literally out loud, in my case) for her to grab life by the horns and live it.

The main character, Layla, is probably the most flawed. She's in love with her boss, who's callously dumped her for a new intern. He's so slimy - everyone around her can see it, but she keeps her blinders on. He's an older man, and it's suggested by both Penny and Hannah that she looks to older men because of her daddy issues (her father died when she was young). While Layla doesn't blow that notion off completely, she does stand by her actions and decisions as her own - and I can really respect a character like that. When Layla meets Joe, the attraction is instant, and, for Layla, is scary. She's supposed to be getting over her love, but the feelings Joe stirs up make her question quite a bit about herself.

When Layla is (finally) ready to tell Joe how she feels, the poor girl is besieged by outside influences that fall into the story so naturally, even you start to get annoyed with the people around her (who, just pages earlier, you were laughing with and enjoying). The twists involving Joe and Layla, Joe and Hannah,Joe and Penny, Layla and Alex (her boss/ex), Layla and Mick (one of her friends, who's also friends with Joe and Hannah - oh yeah, the secondary characters aren't just fluff in this book!)....the misunderstandings are interesting, they're believable, and they are numerous.

After a just-long-enough ride of emotional ups and downs, obstacles (internal and external) and miscommunications, the ending of this novel - for all characters - is just how it should be. Happy sigh, indeed.

Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased and truthful review. I also lived in England and, by default, am predisposed to loving British women's fiction. :)

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliantly fun read, I loved every minute of it and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next as the story twists and turns. The characters are really likeable, believable and funny! By the end of the book you don't want to say goodbye to them, they feel like friends you've had for years, so I'm really pleased to hear the author is writing a sequel already. (I love a book that makes me laugh out loud, which this one did.)

So, if you're looking for something to take on holiday with you this summer - this is it!

[Camy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when a locale is as much a character as the people in a tale, especially that of a beach or seaside residence.

A good read that started off a bit slow but one that gained traction and kept me reading throughout.

[R.R. Gordon]

A Cracking Good Yarn
Layla is in love with her high-flying boss but it turns out that her feelings are not reciprocated. She finds him in a state of undress with one of her office colleagues and quits both her job and her boyfriend. Layla goes to live in a little village on the beautiful north Cornwall coast, re-uniting herself with her childhood friend, Hannah.

The Runaway Year follows the two friends as they dance their way through love, friendship and difficult relationships in the idyllic surroundings of the Trescastle, the mythical location of everybody’s favourite Cornish beach holiday.

The Runaway Year is an excellent example of contemporary romantic fiction, not trying to be something it is not, but delivering just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes you just need an old-fashioned story that keeps you turning the pages.

However the tale is complex enough, with a network of inter-connected relationships and affairs. The well-crafted characters are likeable and you hope that they find happiness in the end. Good characters create good dialogue and the plot rattles along like a speeding train.

If you are looking for a cracking good yarn, then look no further. The Runaway Year by Shani Struthers is the one for you.

Review by RR Gordon, author of Gull Rock
http://www.rrgordon.com/TellMeMore-Gu...

[✦ Ellen’s Reviews ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Runaway Year is a very entertaining summer read! If you like a little escapism with your reading, this book is for you. I absolutely loved the Cornwall beach setting, which was the perfect background for the romantic escapades of our three heroines.

There is some steam in The Runaway Year, between Layla and her very hot neighbor Joseph. The author does a great job with their romance, and I would love to see more between these two in the future! Layla undergoes an emotional journey throughout the book and I was really rooting for her to open her eyes and appreciate what was right in front of her.

I really loved all three friends, but I most loved Layla’s story. Another stand-out for me was the somewhat magical beach setting. I have always wanted to visit Cornwall (it was the setting of many romance novels I read as a young girl) and the author does a wonderful job of making the setting a crucial part of the story.

I highly recommend this book if you want a bit of romantic escapism and a fairly light but very entertaining summer read. I am very much looking forward to reading more from Shani Struthers!

[Georgina Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed spending a year in Trecastle and getting to know Layla, Penny and Hannah. Layla, having left her life and ex-boyfriend/boss, Alex, behind her to spend a year in the gorgeous Cornish village looking after a cottage and getting to know, then falling out with her lovely neighbour, Joseph - I loved Joseph! Penny with her marital problems due to her getting a little too close to Dylan and then admitting it to her workaholic, husband Richard - I have to admit I wasn’t sure about Penny at first. Then there was the lovely Hannah, whose boyfriend Jim plays in a band and is very much in love with her. Each has their relationship issues and past hurts. If there was any criticism I could make about this book, it would be that I’d have loved to spend longer with each character, however this was a perfect book to read either lying on a beach in the summer, or in front of a log fire in the winter. Loved it.

[Margaret Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla, the main character in The Runaway Year, is such a loveable character. You really feel for her as she is dumped and tries her best to pick herself up again. And because we care for her, we want to read on as she makes mistakes and is held back by events of the past. It was this depth that really appealed to me about the book. Ms Struthers gives us a beautiful Cornish setting and the sizzle of love and passion, but it's not just froth and fluff. A very enjoyable read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable storyline

I never usually read romance but this one was very intriguing. The characters we easy to relate to and they were very realistic in their storylines. There were times I did laugh as I could easily think..yes I totally get that. Looking forward to read the next book and the next chapter in Layla's, Hannah's and Penny's adventures.

[Court · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this book at MustReadBooksOrDie with my amazing friend Shelley. We like to talk to each other :D.

Shel: This novel is British chicklit and the only reason I make this distinction is because some of the British phrases make it distinctively, well, British. And, of course, the quaint and cozy English cottages and landscape add to the delightfully British flavor of the novel...otherwise, though, these ladies are experiencing the same crazy roller coaster ride of relationships that women all over the globe are.

Court: I found this fun! I loved the descriptions of all of the places, and since I take a lot of pride in where I come from, I felt like there was a lot of love for this area of England that showed through. The memories of this place set for a great journey through Layla's past and present that connected all of these people and it made the story all the more interesting!

Shel: This novel offers us three different viewpoints: Layla, Hannah, and Penny. Layla's narrative is the most prominent and she's the glue that holds the other two stories together. The plot really starts when Hannah offers Layla a chance to escape the disaster zone of her last relationship and Layla takes it. Brilliant move. If only we could all be so lucky. And lucky it is. By taking this chance to sort herself, she allows herself a chance to figure out who she is and what she wants for her life. If only it could be that easy....lust, love, and misconceptions complicate things for Layla and her friends in her runaway year.

Court: I was a little bit worried that all of the different viewpoints and stories was going to be an issue. It definitely wasn't...well, I personally could have done with less Penny...but that is my personal preference and she redeemed herself by the end. I thought the writing was really great...with it being more on the chick lit side there was a lot of detail...and that could be very, very boring...but I enjoyed The Runaway Year very much.

Shel: Once the drama that is Layla's love life is established Hannah and Penny's stories begin to filter in from the background. Hannah owns the pub that will employ Layla and Penny is Layla's Brighton BFF. Both of these ladies have their own relationship woes: one pines for someone who doesn't pine for her (all while she's dating his best friend) and one seeks attention outside of her marriage because she's lonely. So between the three of them, they are a hot mess!

Court: Oh. Em. Gee. Hot mess might be an understatement even for us drama/angst lovers. They were seriously on their way to forming England's newest reality show, for real. They were very, very frustrating...but I wanted to know a heck of a lot where they all ended up. The age old lack of communication strikes again...with every one of our heroines...and for once there are some good guys not causing all of the drama in the relationships...that was refreshing...and Alex is still a douchebag.

Shel: At various times of this yearlong journey I wanted to strangle each of these women for being so blind to the situations they were in--situations that each of them willingly engaged in. Thankfully, though, Layla's mom enters the scene and helps get things progressing in a positive direction and by the end of the novel things are as they should be.

Court: Even though this wasn't necessarily a mother/daughter story in any way...I feel like you provided a worthy mention of Layla's mother. Things were getting a little crazy and she brought everything back to earth with her wisdom and motherly advice. She and Layla finally talked through things that they had avoided for a terribly long time and it brought a deeper element to the story that I enjoyed alot.

[Tricia Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received copy from author for honest review! Review to come soon

See full review at Falling In Fall http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com/201...

I gave The Runaway Year 3.5 leaves! This book was a great summer read. Very light and it went by very quickly. I was so jealous of Layla and her getaway to Trecastle. If it could really be considered a getaway seeing as she was asked to housesit a beach house there for a year. But come on, she gets to live on a beach! With a hot guy next door! And she writes to her heart’s content. That is the life. I’ll admit, it took a while for me to get into the story, but once Layla goes to Trecastle, I was hooked. I had to see what would happen between her and Joseph!

Well, there’s a lot more drama than how I previously described Layla’s situation. And I mean a LOT of drama. Actually, I think I threw my iPad at one point while reading. But, It’s just so frustrating! So much tension, because Layla can’t make up her mind about Joseph. I can’t understand for the life of me why she thinks she loves Alex when she has Joseph right in front of her. She is so stubborn, which is a trait I fully understand, but still, she doesn’t listen to anyone! And then, her best friend, don’t even get me started on her. She drove me insane. Penny cheated on her amazing husband with Dylan, so they’re rocky, of course. And then she thinks it’s okay to go and get even more attention from him while her husband is cold towards her for cheating?! That has bad idea written all over it, and I am an expert on bad decisions. I was shaking my head every time the story switched to her point of view. I mean I’ve never been married or anything, but Penny doesn’t handle her marriage situation well at all. Another thing about her was her incessant flirting! She even flirted with Joseph. Although Layla and Joseph were not talking more than they were in the book, as a best friend, Penny should have seen that they were into each other and respected that. It’s okay though, because Penny gets her stuff together at the end and has a happily ever after. Hannah made me sad at times. She had an amazing relationship with Jim, but it took her forever to realize that she loved him back just as much. It didn’t frustrate me as much as the other two did, but that might have been because we spend the least amount of time in her shoes.
All three girls have a bad case of having their head up their butts; yet, by the end we do fall in love with all of them. The Runaway Year has a happy ending all around. The way the story is written just makes it flow and it’s all dream-like. I could just imagine it all in my head like a movie. I want to visit Trecastle so bad! Maybe I’ll find my Joseph there too. I highly recommend this book as one of your summer reads, especially for those into chick lit! And I’m looking forward to more of Shani Struthers’ work!

[Falling In Fall Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. To view the full review, visit: http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com

I gave The Runaway Year 3.5 leaves! This book was a great summer read. Very light and it went by very quickly. I was so jealous of Layla and her getaway to Trecastle. If it could really be considered a getaway seeing as she was asked to housesit a beach house there for a year. But come on, she gets to live on a beach! With a hot guy next door! And she writes to her heart's content. That is the life. I'll admit, it took a while for me to get into the story, but once Layla goes to Trecastle, I was hooked. I had to see what would happen between her and Joseph!

Well, there's a lot more drama than how I previously described Layla's situation. And I mean a LOT of drama. Actually, I think I threw my iPad at one point while reading. But, It's just so frustrating! So much tension, because Layla can't make up her mind about Joseph. I can't understand for the life of me why she thinks she loves Alex when she has Joseph right in front of her. She is so stubborn, which is a trait I fully understand, but still, she doesn't listen to anyone! And then, her best friend, don't even get me started on her. She drove me insane. Penny cheated on her amazing husband with Dylan, so they're rocky, of course. And then she thinks it's okay to go and get even more attention from him while her husband is cold towards her for cheating?! That has bad idea written all over it, and I am an expert on bad decisions. I was shaking my head every time the story switched to her point of view. I mean I've never been married or anything, but Penny doesn't handle her marriage situation well at all. Another thing about her was her incessant flirting! She even flirted with Joseph. Although Layla and Joseph were not talking more than they were in the book, as a best friend, Penny should have seen that they were into each other and respected that. It's okay though, because Penny gets her stuff together at the end and has a happily ever after. Hannah made me sad at times. She had an amazing relationship with Jim, but it took her forever to realize that she loved him back just as much. It didn't frustrate me as much as the other two did, but that might have been because we spend the least amount of time in her shoes.

All three girls have a bad case of having their head up their butts; yet, by the end we do fall in love with all of them. The Runaway Year has a happy ending all around. The way the story is written just makes it flow and it's all dream-like. I could just imagine it all in my head like a movie. I want to visit Trecastle so bad! Maybe I'll find my Joseph there too. I highly recommend this book as one of your summer reads, especially for those into chick lit! And I'm looking forward to more of Shani Struthers' work!

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, likeable characters, lovely setting. The ending did feel over the top and slightly exaggerated. It served its purpose though...fun summer read.

[Michela O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Choral plots, with different points of view, characters and storylines that interwine are my favourites and there's plenty to sink your teeth into here. In fact, if I had to pick faults, I'd say that every character and storyline deserved more space than they get in a relatively short novel.

The different personalities of the three protagonists mean that everyone can identify with at least one of them and have their favourite, as indeed for the male figures in the book. Though I rooted for all of them, and Layla emerged as the one you really wish could sort herself out, it was Hannah that stood out for me, with her artistic nature and heart of gold.

The main plot and various heartaches - all the girls have to deal with relationships and feelings past and present - was absorbing enough to keep me reading to the end, but Layla's relationship with her mother Angelica made for one the most interesting storylines in the novel and I'd love to have read more about Angelica, who jumps out of the pages with her quirks and larger than life personality.

And then there is the other main protagonist, Cornwall itself. A county I know fairly well and love, becomes alive in the heartfelt descriptions by Struthers, with all the magic, the romaticism and mystery that can be found there.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic stories with a modern edge, with lovable characters and beautiful settings.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

For one year three friends are struggling with their love lives. Layla found out her boyfriend had cheated on her and decided to jet to her friend Hannah. Hannah has a good life with a loving boyfriend, but Hannah has a secret, her heart belong to someone else. Penny is a natural flirt and her husband works too hard, since he won't give her the attention she needs she strays a bit. All three have to come to terms with troubles and for one year they have to learn how to fix their love lives to be happy.

I really enjoyed this Chick Lit book. Its a perfect summer read. So for those of you out there who hasn't had a chance to read this, you should. I loved that I got the point of view of each girl to learn what they are going through. One thing that was a little confusing was some phrases they would say, I had to look it up or just guess what somethings ment. I loved how realistic everything was and how it shows that not everything is perfect with relationships. Many books that I've come across everything seems too perfect and with this book it shows different types of relationships between these friends and what they had to go through so they can have their happily ever after. It shows that nothing is easy and how to learn to forgive and let go of the people who aren't right for them.

Overall I loved the story, Highly Recommend!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumped by her hotshot boyfriend and boss, Layla Lewis quits her job and heads to Trecastle to house-sit for a friend. The fact that she had a boyfriend who was a loser and messed around wasn't bad enough but, he was her boss! Her BFF Hannah is a bartender and she takes up with her and helping at her bar/restaurant. From a totally classic chick-lit drama filled book emerges a femme hero in Layla and Hannah. These girls were the total package to me.

With the girls come Joe, Penny and Richard. Now for Penny and Richard, that part of the book was in my opinion the best. It has to be read and enjoyed the way I did. I felt like Penny made a boo boo, a little slip up and Richard was over the top. I didn't like how he treated her and how her own self punishment seemed to go on and on. Poor Penny. I think she should have lied, but that is just me.

I really enjoyed it and I loved the fact that there were usual and typical slang words. They were NOT over used and it will translate well here in the states as for any chick lit lover from the UK and London as well. That is important. I have seen too many reviews get a little off because of the punctuation and slang.

So add this one to the "beach reach" list for sure!

[Lizzie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can't afford a vacation this year then run away with Shani Struther's debut novel to Cornwall. All the elements of a wonderful holiday are there: the beach, quaint Cornish fishing village a la Doc Martin, the friendly pub and an idyllic cottage overlooking Gull Rock. You can have as many Cornish cream teas as you like and not put on an ounce. What more would you like? Hunky guys - plenty of those, too; good mates on tap to pass the tissues or pour out the pinot grigio; not to mention a hero to fall in love with and one seriously scary arachnid. Arachnid? Read the novel and you'll find out. Top it all off with an eccentric' bolter' of a mother and a `love rat', AKA Alex and you've got the elements of a great summer read, on the beach or on your sofa.
I empathised with plucky Layla, fell in love with Joe (and Jim) and wanted to spend a stormy winter night in the pub listening to Jim's band. Hannah was a complete doll, but as for Penny - well, I'd say she was an acquired taste who redeemed herself in the end. In all, a most satisfying read and I'm already looking forward to Ms Struthers next novel.How about Christmas in Trecastle?

[Su Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runaway Year is an absolute little jewel of a book, one of the best I have read in a while. It's a very well-written page turner and I certainly read it quicker than most of the books I have read recently.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Layla and her friends and particularly the different relationships they had with each other as well as thier partners.
Who hasn’t at some point in thier lives wished they could leave it all behind and go off on an adventure, and where better than the oh so beautiful village of Trecastle.
I love the twist and turns the book takes, it really manages to keep you guessing, even when you think you know the outcome.
If you enjoy a love story and you’re a romantic at heart, just buy it. You really won't be disappointed.

[Pea green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read, flew through it in two sittings. Loved all the characters and the different trials they faced. I identified particularly with Layla (the main character) but could empathize with Penny and Hannah too. I loved the friendship between the girls and how they all worked together to resolve their different issues. As for the boys - hot, hot, hot. I fell in love with Jim and Joseph and dare I say it, I even liked bad boy Alex! The book is set between Brighton and Cornwall - both locations I love and the author captured them well. In fact, I'm seriously considering booking a holiday to Cornwall next year because the author has made me long to go back there again. All in all, highly recommended - a great sunshine read.

[Sarah Savery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book -straightaway you like the main character Layla and get transported into her life. It makes you want to buy a convertible (red of course) or at least rent one and whizz off to Cornwall with your hair flying and your favourite tunes turned up loud. Will you meet a tall dashing stranger or just have your breath taken away by the stunning North Cornwall scenery? I know where I want to visit next! This is a great summer holiday read but would also transport you in the winter months when reading snuggled in front of the fire. Girls with spider phobias will laugh at the spider scene. Good book for a girly book group to chat about over a glass or two of wine. Looking forward to more books from this author.

[Sarah Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often write reviews, but when I read a book that I really loved, then I feel compelled. After reading 'The Runaway Year' I felt as though I had made a wonderful group of friends - the characters are all so vivid, real and lovable and kept me turning the page because I just had to know what happened next! I loved the way their lives intertwined, but each still had their own story to tell.
The Cornwall setting is just as much a character as the people - I felt like I'd travelled from the other side of the world, to Cornwall, to participate in this read!
If you're after a great read that will draw you in completely, a book about friendship and love, about changes and striving for more, then 'The Runaway Year' is for you. I can't wait to read more from the author, Shani Struthers.

[Joanna Gawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the relationship ups-and-downs of Layla, Penny, and Hannah, The Runaway Year is a satisfying blend of comedy, romance, drama and friendship. The characters are sufficiently plentiful (and complicated) that there is never a dull moment, some making me laugh, others bringing me near to tears.

I particularly like the way the author weaves the special beauty and charm of Cornwall into the practical and messy lives of the three women. The rugged cliffs and secret caves offer a great backdrop - I'm feeling in need of a trip back to Cornwall!

Hoping the next book isn't too far away...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable story of Layla’s escape to Cornwall. Loved the backdrop and the characters, especially those that drop into the pub as well as Layla’s mother. There is always one character that you love to hate and Layla’s ex fits the bill perfectly – a real rat! I loved the way the story all came together in the end even if it did give me kittens halfway through! A lovely romantic read, gorgeous Cornish scenery and some great characters make this a delightful read. Looking forward to reading 'The Runaway Ex' next.

[Luca Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent wonderful hours with Layla Lewis. I think that she, Penny and Hannah are real and fascinating characters. Trecastle looks so nice in the novel that I now dream one day to go there. The Cornish settings are very attractive. I was impressed by Joseph too, a complex and interesting character. The novel is deep and elegantly written with a lot of humor. I can't wait to read Shani Struthers' next book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sort of book to curl up with in front of the fire in winter or take on a relaxing summer holiday to self-indulgently wallow in its story. The characters are likable and well formed and the settings are perfect. Treat yourself to a glass of good wine, a bar of chocolate and settle down to read this book!

[Julia Tugwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book I cant wait to read the next one, it reminds me of holidays in cornwall

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted in a Good Way story. Leaves you frustrating as Hell, and every time i tell myself i won't read it anymore, i always find myself reading it again.