Running for Yellow

by Christina Varrasso

Running for Yellow is a heartfelt story recounting one woman's journey of self-discovery, in which life's demands and diversions inevitably return her to the enduring foundations of family and faith. Christina Varrasso has crafted a novel that balances a poignant narrative with a light-hearted spirit, while introducing a memorable cast of characters that is lovingly detailed and remarkably true-to-life. Chiara is a hopeless romantic, and as her life unfolds from early adolescence to adulthood, she breaks a promise made to her Italian immigrant father that she would first complete her education before pursuing marriage. Chiara finds her life in complete upheaval after Papa suffers a heart attack and a series of anonymous phone calls force her to question the fidelity of her now-husband, Adrian. Blending humor, drama, and a measured dose of suspense, Running for Yellow is a rewarding and endearing novel about coming of age and the restoring nature of family, love, and faith.

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2013

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently received an autographed first-reads copy of the novel "Running for Yellow" by Christina Varrasso. I did not know what to expect from this book, but the topic sounded interesting. I was captivated almost immediately by the story of Chiara. I was along for her journey from adolescence through early adulthood, and the heartbreak and lessons she encounters along the way. Readers find out fairly quickly to what "yellow" refers. Chiara is raised in a loving, and sometimes strict, Italian household with 2 sisters. She is a hopeless romantic, but wants to study to become a doctor. Her path alters somewhat by a horrible event when she is a teenager, which causes her to lose her faith in God. She promises her father that she will not marry until she has gained her medical degree, but did not plan on falling in love with pro baseball player Adrian. She is devastated when her father suffers a heart attack, and she marries Adrian but receives countless phone calls which cause her to question her husbands faithfulness. I loved this novel. I was happy with the ending (although I shed some tears along the way). The characters were interesting and believable. Christina Varrasso has told a beautiful and touching story of love, family and faith. I was so sad when I reached the end. This is a first novel for this author, and I really hopes she writes many more!!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I finally finished!
I got this book for free, because I won it on a Goodread's First Read contest.
Anyways, first with the bad: it was actually a very slow read. It took me about a week to read it, and it's not that I didn't like it, because I did, but it just had a lot of slow and had a lot of unneeded details.
I felt the plot itself was very realistic, sweet, and it ran together very well. There were twists and turns, and it all ended out perfectly. The characters were very well thought out, and I really liked reading about them. They were very similar real-life people, and I could see myself connecting very well with most of them, for we got to know all of them pretty well.
All in all, I enjoyed with book and I hope to read more from Christina Varrasso! I'm very glad I won Running For Yellow, and wished I could have read it sooner rather than wait this long.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid read that just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

Despite a realistic plot with the many knock backs that life can throw at you, the feel of the book was a bit too sugar coated for me.
I also struggled with the pace of the book; the majority was at a leisurely place (sometimes with unnecessary details), followed by the mystery and conclusion of the story rushed in the last couple of chapters.

Despite that, it is beautifully written with interesting and well thought out characters. Supported by enough twists and turns in the plots too keep you turning the pages.

PLEASE NOTE: I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel had me feeling a range of differnt emotions. First it started out slow, but after a few chapters, I had a really hard time putting it down. You want to choke some, you want to hug others, you want to scream "YEAH!" at some points and then you want to feel the calmness that takes over towards the end. This book was very well written. KUDOS to Christina Varrasso on this being her first novel. I truly look forward to more from her in the future. Thank you to Goodreads.com for giving me the chance to be one of winners in this First Reads give away!

[Collyer Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that one finds a novel as well-written and thought provoking as Running for Yellow. An intensely articulate and moving story of self-discovery, Running for Yellow perfectly ties together notions of love, family, and faith. One of the best things about this book is the way Varrasso developed the characters. Each person has a definite personality. The whole book builds toward the finish...I didn't want to put it down! As an avid reader, I can honestly say that this is perhaps the best book I've picked up in over five years. Highly recommended.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page to the last, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to feed my need to see what was going to happen next! Written with such emotion and depth, I found myself so immersed in the characters that I wept and laughed for their sorrows and joys! I truly felt as if I had to say goodbye to a dear friend upon completion of this book! Bravo, Christina Varrasso, you came out of the gate at full throttle to win.....and indeed you did! Truly first place goes to you on your first novel! Please continue to feed my soul with more!

[Tom Mosser]

Wonderful read...great dialogue...with compelling sub plots...parallel plots...emotional...sad...but totally inspirational at the same time. I enjoyed learning about the horse back riding backdrop of the story and the baseball wife back story is so real some how. I used to work for a major league baseball team so I have an understanding of the men who play the game...and the games that they play games with their wives. I didn't want it to end. A great gift for women in your life.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome great story sad but very well written thank you good reads and Christina Varrasso for choosing me to win the book I enjoyed reading it very much. Sorry Christina it took me longer than I thought it would to read but I just finished it and was so glad that in the end Chiara found herself. Like I said very well written

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Intriguing story about a women discovering herself,taking you through life,Loves,and Her life from beginning to adulthood.A Very good romance novel,and all the things that goes with being raised in an Italian home.A very good journey through life's trials and tribulations. I found that having a box of kleenex a good idea,A very good read.

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written novel! I had tears running down my face as I finished the last page. Read for an hour yesterday and three hours today and I'm done... and I had stuff to do today! LOL I couldn't put it down!

I would give it ten stars if I could!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully well written coming of age story.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Etain Feeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Christina for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Although I found it very well written, I struggled to complete due to the harrowing chapter on child sexual abuse, which was very disturbing to say the least.

However, things did come together eventually and I enjoyed the novel all in all, I agree that it was very thought provoking and made you want to continue to find out what happens next.

Descriptive writing keeps the reader's attention focused and the sensorial perspective is second to none, thanks again, for letting me review. I hope this helps promote your book, have tried express an honest opinion without favouritism.

[Sheryl Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this through Goodreads Frst Reads and I am just now writing a review because I hate giving bad reviews. It wasn't that it was necessarily bad, it just wasn't for me. It was very slow and had lots and lots of detail which I felt just bogged down the story. It was a very cute realistic story though and I think if you just give it time, you may enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The fact that I purchased and then returned this book should give you a good idea of what I thought. The character had no character outside of her outdated desire to please her husband and father. I have only so much time to read.