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You Can Run
She’s making a fresh start. He’s hunting her.
Ivy thought witness protection would keep her safe. A new name, a new town, a fresh start. But how do you build a life on a lie—especially when the man who destroyed your world is still hunting you?
Haunted by the brutal murder of her family, Ivy keeps her head down, pretending to be just another college student. But when she meets the attractive, book-loving Zac—who sees past her guarded walls—her carefully controlled world starts to crack. She wants to let him in, but the truth could get them both killed.
Leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, the killer closes in on Ivy and she faces an impossible choice: risk everything by telling Zac who she really is or disappear once again.
One decision could cost her love. The other could cost her life.
A heart-pounding romantic suspense where love and danger collide.
Ivy thought witness protection would keep her safe. A new name, a new town, a fresh start. But how do you build a life on a lie—especially when the man who destroyed your world is still hunting you?
Haunted by the brutal murder of her family, Ivy keeps her head down, pretending to be just another college student. But when she meets the attractive, book-loving Zac—who sees past her guarded walls—her carefully controlled world starts to crack. She wants to let him in, but the truth could get them both killed.
Leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, the killer closes in on Ivy and she faces an impossible choice: risk everything by telling Zac who she really is or disappear once again.
One decision could cost her love. The other could cost her life.
A heart-pounding romantic suspense where love and danger collide.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2025
4 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
May 31, 2025
** Happy publication day! **
This was a hit of a genre crossover - could not put it down and pleasantly surprised to enjoy the mix!
A thriller/suspense with some romance... and the MMC is soooo loveable. I was obsessed, so many sweet moments.
FMC Ivy is in WITSEC following the brutal murder of some of her family, and the murderer is tracking her down.
Really unique plot and I found original with the cross over, very fast paced and a few anxious moments. I particularly liked the author's work as someone who has had to live through a stalker in the past, the author nailed the emotions and daily battles (ofc note TW for this too).
Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for something a bit different to your usual genre choice. And even more so if you enjoy serial killer thrillers!
Thanks so much to the author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a hit of a genre crossover - could not put it down and pleasantly surprised to enjoy the mix!
A thriller/suspense with some romance... and the MMC is soooo loveable. I was obsessed, so many sweet moments.
FMC Ivy is in WITSEC following the brutal murder of some of her family, and the murderer is tracking her down.
Really unique plot and I found original with the cross over, very fast paced and a few anxious moments. I particularly liked the author's work as someone who has had to live through a stalker in the past, the author nailed the emotions and daily battles (ofc note TW for this too).
Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for something a bit different to your usual genre choice. And even more so if you enjoy serial killer thrillers!
Thanks so much to the author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 16, 2025
If you want a novel that is very, very unlikely, this will certainly give you that. I know stalking is real, but this took it too far. Let’s move on to the main character who changed her mind about Zac so often it made me dizzy. And I hated when they told Zac to go home at the ending, without real police protection. Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
If you know me then you know that I am not a fan of romance… but this thriller had a romance storyline and ai could not put it down!! I was drawn in by the serial killer angle of course and together it all worked so well. I could have easily read this in one sitting if real life hadn’t gotten in the way. So good!!
I loved Ivy and I loved Zac. Poor Ivy is broken. A year ago she witnessed her mother and younger sister being murdered in their home by her stalker, a man she went out with once but refused to take no for an answer. Now she has moved across the country with her Dad in WITSEC, trying to make a new start. She struggles with a normal life when she can’t tell anyone anything about her past, and she is still suffering panic attacks and anxiety. When she meets the gorgeous and sweet Zac that starts to change, but she knows that he is still, out there looking for her and doesn’t want to put Zac in danger.
This really was a great book. It was hard to see Ivy suffer so much because of the choices of a madman. And Zac was so determined to help her, despite not knowing why she was the way she was. The killer was a real piece of work, completely messed up.
Thank you so much to Stephanie for sending me a copy of her book. I highly recommend it.
I loved Ivy and I loved Zac. Poor Ivy is broken. A year ago she witnessed her mother and younger sister being murdered in their home by her stalker, a man she went out with once but refused to take no for an answer. Now she has moved across the country with her Dad in WITSEC, trying to make a new start. She struggles with a normal life when she can’t tell anyone anything about her past, and she is still suffering panic attacks and anxiety. When she meets the gorgeous and sweet Zac that starts to change, but she knows that he is still, out there looking for her and doesn’t want to put Zac in danger.
This really was a great book. It was hard to see Ivy suffer so much because of the choices of a madman. And Zac was so determined to help her, despite not knowing why she was the way she was. The killer was a real piece of work, completely messed up.
Thank you so much to Stephanie for sending me a copy of her book. I highly recommend it.
April 1, 2025
Stephanie Hazeltine does it again! I didn't want to stop reading! I was instantly pulled into Ivy’s world of hiding, grief, and the desire to not be hunted by a demented serial killer. This thriller is the perfect combination of suspense, intensity, and romance. I am usually not a romance fan, but this romance was authentic, believable, and I was cheering for them every step of the way. This is the fourth book I have read by this author and I am already looking forward to reading her next original creation. I highly recommend this intoxicating, addictive, emotional thriller! Thank you, BookSirens for my copy.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 18, 2025
Rating: 3.75 stars
You Can Run was a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down read. I could’ve easily finished it in one sitting—the story pulled me in right away and kept the momentum going. One of my favorite aspects was the multiple POVs. They added depth and gave the story a more layered, emotional edge.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t quite work for me. The FMC being called Angel (for reasons I can’t explain) just completely irked me. There were also a few heavy-handed moments in the plot that created some inconsistencies and minor holes that pulled me out of the story.
Still, it was an engaging, twisty read with characters I wanted to follow. If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with multiple perspectives, this one might be worth the ride!
You Can Run was a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down read. I could’ve easily finished it in one sitting—the story pulled me in right away and kept the momentum going. One of my favorite aspects was the multiple POVs. They added depth and gave the story a more layered, emotional edge.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t quite work for me. The FMC being called Angel (for reasons I can’t explain) just completely irked me. There were also a few heavy-handed moments in the plot that created some inconsistencies and minor holes that pulled me out of the story.
Still, it was an engaging, twisty read with characters I wanted to follow. If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with multiple perspectives, this one might be worth the ride!
March 30, 2025
The moment I saw the blurb for this book I knew I needed to read it! Because I never saw a book about somebody in witness protection before. And did you see the cover? So beautiful!
Thing I really loved about this book
- We got 3 Povs! I love when that happens. You alwasy get a little bit more inside in different characters and I love that.
- The fact that this book plays in the now and in the past. And we get to see what happend and how Ivy got to meet her stalker.
- A boy who loves books
- And off course a little bit of spice!
I've read this book as a ARC
Thing I really loved about this book
- We got 3 Povs! I love when that happens. You alwasy get a little bit more inside in different characters and I love that.
- The fact that this book plays in the now and in the past. And we get to see what happend and how Ivy got to meet her stalker.
- A boy who loves books
- And off course a little bit of spice!
I've read this book as a ARC
April 25, 2025
3.5 Stars
You Can Run is the new release from Aussie author Stephanie Hazeltine and it is a tension filled, fast pace read that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed the two genres in this one…both the romance and thriller aspects. The premise of the book was great and the multiple POVs add great depth to the storyline.
I adored Zac but felt his character was a little too forceful with Ivy rather than just being there for her and letting her dictate the pace. I also found what the two of them did towards the end a little unbelievable given the circumstances.
But if you’re after a quick, thrilling read then I’d definitely recommend this one which releases today.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy to honestly review.
You Can Run is the new release from Aussie author Stephanie Hazeltine and it is a tension filled, fast pace read that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed the two genres in this one…both the romance and thriller aspects. The premise of the book was great and the multiple POVs add great depth to the storyline.
I adored Zac but felt his character was a little too forceful with Ivy rather than just being there for her and letting her dictate the pace. I also found what the two of them did towards the end a little unbelievable given the circumstances.
But if you’re after a quick, thrilling read then I’d definitely recommend this one which releases today.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy to honestly review.
April 28, 2025
I really loved this book! The suspense made me want to keep reading. The thought of this book ending made me want to slow down and savour every sentence. Stephanie has the ability to write books that suck you in from the beginning but stay in your heart forever. Another fantastic read that I will recommend and gift to all of my friends.
April 24, 2025
" A heart-pounding romantic suspense where love and danger collide" ❤️☠️
This was a fast-paced and easy read that hooked me in quickly with its multiple POV's and dual timelines of past and present.
Ivy is attempting to be a normal college student, despite the fact she is in witness protection, grieving and hiding from her stalker who is hunting her down.
When the ever so charming and sweet, book-loving Zac comes along, Ivy is reluctant to let him get too close. She needs to maintain her facade not only to keep herself safe but to keep Zac safe too.
But can Ivy hold back her feelings when Zac just keeps trying to get close and break down her walls? Will she risk everything and tell him the truth?
I adored Ivy! She was quite a strong force despite the tragedy she had gone through. I empathised with her pushing Zac away in an attempt to keep him safe but I loved that Zac didn't give up on Ivy.
Another great read by author @stephaniehazeltinewrites and I look forward to what you have in store for us next! Biggest thank you for sending me a digital copy to read and review. 💕
This was a fast-paced and easy read that hooked me in quickly with its multiple POV's and dual timelines of past and present.
Ivy is attempting to be a normal college student, despite the fact she is in witness protection, grieving and hiding from her stalker who is hunting her down.
When the ever so charming and sweet, book-loving Zac comes along, Ivy is reluctant to let him get too close. She needs to maintain her facade not only to keep herself safe but to keep Zac safe too.
But can Ivy hold back her feelings when Zac just keeps trying to get close and break down her walls? Will she risk everything and tell him the truth?
I adored Ivy! She was quite a strong force despite the tragedy she had gone through. I empathised with her pushing Zac away in an attempt to keep him safe but I loved that Zac didn't give up on Ivy.
Another great read by author @stephaniehazeltinewrites and I look forward to what you have in store for us next! Biggest thank you for sending me a digital copy to read and review. 💕
May 18, 2025
This was my first romantic suspense novel and I can safely say I enjoyed it.
The serial killer angle of this book had me hooked. Ivy and her father are in WITSEC program and have started all over again in a new town. One year ago Ivy witnessed her mother and sister being murdered by a man she went out on a date with once. He stalked her endlessly. She meets Zac at college, he is a book lover, sweet and absolutely loveable. The romantic aspect of this book was perfect to soften the dark moments of this book.
I flew through the pages of this one. It had me hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed reading the alternative points of view from Ivy, Zac and the serial killer. We even get chapters from the serial killer. I felt so sorry for Ivy and what she went through and really enjoyed the ending.
Thank you Stephanie for sending me a gifted copy of your book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The serial killer angle of this book had me hooked. Ivy and her father are in WITSEC program and have started all over again in a new town. One year ago Ivy witnessed her mother and sister being murdered by a man she went out on a date with once. He stalked her endlessly. She meets Zac at college, he is a book lover, sweet and absolutely loveable. The romantic aspect of this book was perfect to soften the dark moments of this book.
I flew through the pages of this one. It had me hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed reading the alternative points of view from Ivy, Zac and the serial killer. We even get chapters from the serial killer. I felt so sorry for Ivy and what she went through and really enjoyed the ending.
Thank you Stephanie for sending me a gifted copy of your book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 2, 2025
I received this as an ARC & this is my honest review 🥰
To start, this book was so well written & Stephanie’s telling of past & present was so cohesive & easy to follow. The book surprised me & I had suspected a different outcome with one of MMCs. I love a multi-pov & again, she nailed it. It was suspenseful, romantic, & I just loved golden retriever vibes Zac 🥹 there was open dialogue about anxiety, trauma, PTSD & it’s nice to see it so thoughtfully represented. There was plenty of action, suspense & romance to make this a quick read. Thanks again Stephanie for trusting me with this ARC. 💖
To start, this book was so well written & Stephanie’s telling of past & present was so cohesive & easy to follow. The book surprised me & I had suspected a different outcome with one of MMCs. I love a multi-pov & again, she nailed it. It was suspenseful, romantic, & I just loved golden retriever vibes Zac 🥹 there was open dialogue about anxiety, trauma, PTSD & it’s nice to see it so thoughtfully represented. There was plenty of action, suspense & romance to make this a quick read. Thanks again Stephanie for trusting me with this ARC. 💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
ARC Review
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.75 ⭐️
𐙚 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫
𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐭
𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 + 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲
this was SO GOOD. It was the perfect mix of thriller AND romance. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter it felt like I was there myself. Not only was the book face paced but it the suspense made me want to keep reading. I’ve many romances and many thriller books but this really top the list!! I can’t wait to read more books by this author and tysm for allowing me to arc read this!!! 🩷
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.75 ⭐️
𐙚 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫
𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐭
𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 + 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲
this was SO GOOD. It was the perfect mix of thriller AND romance. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter it felt like I was there myself. Not only was the book face paced but it the suspense made me want to keep reading. I’ve many romances and many thriller books but this really top the list!! I can’t wait to read more books by this author and tysm for allowing me to arc read this!!! 🩷
April 26, 2025
You Can Run is a thriller and romance wrapped into one fantastic book. Loved the multiple views that Stephanie Hazeltine put into the book. Ivy was a great female main character, Travis was an impeccable stalker and Zac was such a great golden retriever male main character. You Can Run was the perfect balance of being on the edge with fear and then melting with the romance. This book will be a book that I will recommend to literally everyone!
April 4, 2025
“I’m on the run with you, escaping a serial killer. You haven’t figured out that I love you yet?”
ARC review | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
OH MY GOD this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I couldn’t put it down for a second. It was incredibly fast paced and there wasn’t a single boring moment.
The plot: After witnessing the brutal murder of her mom and sister, Ivy is starting over in another city under a new identity as part of the WITSEC program. She meets a guy at college and starts to think that her life might finally be returning to normal. But the killer has other plans - plans that involve stalking her across the country because he won’t rest until he’s made her his.
The characters: Ivy is in college and wishing for her life to go back to normal. She’s tired of looking over her shoulder all the time and keeping people at arms length. But she won’t feel safe until her family’s killer is caught and put behind bars for good. That is until she meets Zac. Zac is taking the same program as her in college and they meet on her first day, and soon after they’re both falling for each other. Zac is a walking green flag: he cares for her so deeply and shows it, respects her boundaries and doesn’t push her to reveal what she’s hiding, stands up to his friend when she’s rude to Ivy, and sooo much more. He helps her live her life again and be comfortable. But the killer is still on the loose. The killer, Travis, is a psychotic stalker who went on one date with Ivy and decided that she was his and that he wouldn’t rest until he had her.
Other notable characters are Reuben and Owen, both of whom I loved. Reuben is Ivy’s dad and he’s such a sweetheart; he’s also coping with his grief in the best way possible while being in WITSEC, and he’s always there for Ivy. Owen is their WITSEC case supervisor who is like a father figure to Ivy. He’s caring and understanding and really has their best interests at heart.
My thoughts: I absolutely loved how fast paced and action packed this book was: whether the action was thrilling or romantic! The progression of Ivy and Zac’s relationship was great and I was rooting for them the whole time. Their miscommunications (mainly caused by Ivy not being able to disclose any personal information to him) were so sad because he genuinely liked her so much and I didn’t want him to get hurt — and she liked him a lot too but had to keep her distance at times to avoid hurting him in the long run.
We got multiple POVs: mainly from Ivy’s perspective, but some from Zac’s and the killer’s, too, which was really nice because we got to see just how smitten Zac was with Ivy, and also how deluded and psychopathic the killer was in his quest to find Ivy.
The chapters were also structured in a ‘now’ and ‘then’ timeline, where the ‘now’ was the present day with Ivy in college, and the ‘then’ was in the past, before Ivy’s mom and sister were killed. It was nice having the ‘then’ chapters to see how Ivy met Travis, rather than just having her recount the story in the present day, as we really got to see the emotions and details.
The story was fast paced and ended in a satisfying ending. The way the book was sprinkled with multiple POVs kept me hooked throughout because we found out simultaneously how Ivy was doing and also how close the killer was to finding her. It kept up the intrigue and nail-biting suspense and I just wanted to keep reading to see if he found her or not.
I also really loved how communicative all the characters were because there were many miscommunications taking place due to the sensitive nature of Ivy’s situation, but they got cleared up and it was so satisfying to see each of Ivy’s relationships progress (e.g., with Zac, her dad, Owen). There were times where Ivy made some stupid decisions, though, but that is true for all heroines who want to save the day without affecting their loved ones.
All in all, I gave this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it was an amazing read and completely delivered on the romance and suspense!
Thank you to Lovenotes PR and Stephanie Hazeltine for sending me the ARC of this book!
ARC review | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
OH MY GOD this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I couldn’t put it down for a second. It was incredibly fast paced and there wasn’t a single boring moment.
The plot: After witnessing the brutal murder of her mom and sister, Ivy is starting over in another city under a new identity as part of the WITSEC program. She meets a guy at college and starts to think that her life might finally be returning to normal. But the killer has other plans - plans that involve stalking her across the country because he won’t rest until he’s made her his.
The characters: Ivy is in college and wishing for her life to go back to normal. She’s tired of looking over her shoulder all the time and keeping people at arms length. But she won’t feel safe until her family’s killer is caught and put behind bars for good. That is until she meets Zac. Zac is taking the same program as her in college and they meet on her first day, and soon after they’re both falling for each other. Zac is a walking green flag: he cares for her so deeply and shows it, respects her boundaries and doesn’t push her to reveal what she’s hiding, stands up to his friend when she’s rude to Ivy, and sooo much more. He helps her live her life again and be comfortable. But the killer is still on the loose. The killer, Travis, is a psychotic stalker who went on one date with Ivy and decided that she was his and that he wouldn’t rest until he had her.
Other notable characters are Reuben and Owen, both of whom I loved. Reuben is Ivy’s dad and he’s such a sweetheart; he’s also coping with his grief in the best way possible while being in WITSEC, and he’s always there for Ivy. Owen is their WITSEC case supervisor who is like a father figure to Ivy. He’s caring and understanding and really has their best interests at heart.
My thoughts: I absolutely loved how fast paced and action packed this book was: whether the action was thrilling or romantic! The progression of Ivy and Zac’s relationship was great and I was rooting for them the whole time. Their miscommunications (mainly caused by Ivy not being able to disclose any personal information to him) were so sad because he genuinely liked her so much and I didn’t want him to get hurt — and she liked him a lot too but had to keep her distance at times to avoid hurting him in the long run.
We got multiple POVs: mainly from Ivy’s perspective, but some from Zac’s and the killer’s, too, which was really nice because we got to see just how smitten Zac was with Ivy, and also how deluded and psychopathic the killer was in his quest to find Ivy.
The chapters were also structured in a ‘now’ and ‘then’ timeline, where the ‘now’ was the present day with Ivy in college, and the ‘then’ was in the past, before Ivy’s mom and sister were killed. It was nice having the ‘then’ chapters to see how Ivy met Travis, rather than just having her recount the story in the present day, as we really got to see the emotions and details.
The story was fast paced and ended in a satisfying ending. The way the book was sprinkled with multiple POVs kept me hooked throughout because we found out simultaneously how Ivy was doing and also how close the killer was to finding her. It kept up the intrigue and nail-biting suspense and I just wanted to keep reading to see if he found her or not.
I also really loved how communicative all the characters were because there were many miscommunications taking place due to the sensitive nature of Ivy’s situation, but they got cleared up and it was so satisfying to see each of Ivy’s relationships progress (e.g., with Zac, her dad, Owen). There were times where Ivy made some stupid decisions, though, but that is true for all heroines who want to save the day without affecting their loved ones.
All in all, I gave this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it was an amazing read and completely delivered on the romance and suspense!
Thank you to Lovenotes PR and Stephanie Hazeltine for sending me the ARC of this book!
April 25, 2025
An interesting thriller-romance blend
You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is a gripping thriller-romance hybrid that follows Ivy, who’s forced into witness protection after surviving an attack by a serial killer. With a new name and a new town, she tries to live like any other college student, but danger is never far behind. As the killer closes in, Ivy must decide whether to trust Zac, who might truly care for her, or disappear again to survive.
“When someone asks you if you’re a thriller reader or a romance reader, and you answer both. This one’s for you.”
From page one, this story had me hooked. It's fast-paced, full of tension, and constantly had me second-guessing every character’s motives. An absolutely enjoyable ride.
One of the aspects I loved most was the use of three POVs. The story is mainly told from Ivy’s perspective, but we also get chapters from Zac and, my personal favorite, the killer. This made it a unique story for me! I also liked the alternating timeline, moving between past and present. It gave important context to Ivy’s trauma and the events that led her into witness protection, without dragging the reveal out for too long.
Ivy sometimes came across as naive, but then again, she’s still so young. I wasn’t sure what to think of Zac at first. Even though I knew this was a romance, I kept expecting a twist that would make him the villain. I adored Ivy’s dad Reuben, but their WITSEC supervisor Owen especially grew on me.
What didn’t work as well for me was the insta-love between Ivy and Zac. They meet once and suddenly he’s head over heels? It felt a bit rushed. Also, Zac calling Ivy “Angel” gave me the icks. And while the ending was exciting, it did feel a little far-fetched, especially the whole "running" part, which didn’t fully make sense to me.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, twisty thriller-romance that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys both genres. It’s emotional and and hard to put down.
“Apparently, you don’t get a say in your life even when one of the country’s worst serial killers wants you dead.”
Big thanks to Love Notes PR and Stephanie Hazeltine for the ARC, I really enjoyed this one!
You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is a gripping thriller-romance hybrid that follows Ivy, who’s forced into witness protection after surviving an attack by a serial killer. With a new name and a new town, she tries to live like any other college student, but danger is never far behind. As the killer closes in, Ivy must decide whether to trust Zac, who might truly care for her, or disappear again to survive.
“When someone asks you if you’re a thriller reader or a romance reader, and you answer both. This one’s for you.”
From page one, this story had me hooked. It's fast-paced, full of tension, and constantly had me second-guessing every character’s motives. An absolutely enjoyable ride.
One of the aspects I loved most was the use of three POVs. The story is mainly told from Ivy’s perspective, but we also get chapters from Zac and, my personal favorite, the killer. This made it a unique story for me! I also liked the alternating timeline, moving between past and present. It gave important context to Ivy’s trauma and the events that led her into witness protection, without dragging the reveal out for too long.
Ivy sometimes came across as naive, but then again, she’s still so young. I wasn’t sure what to think of Zac at first. Even though I knew this was a romance, I kept expecting a twist that would make him the villain. I adored Ivy’s dad Reuben, but their WITSEC supervisor Owen especially grew on me.
What didn’t work as well for me was the insta-love between Ivy and Zac. They meet once and suddenly he’s head over heels? It felt a bit rushed. Also, Zac calling Ivy “Angel” gave me the icks. And while the ending was exciting, it did feel a little far-fetched, especially the whole "running" part, which didn’t fully make sense to me.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, twisty thriller-romance that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys both genres. It’s emotional and and hard to put down.
“Apparently, you don’t get a say in your life even when one of the country’s worst serial killers wants you dead.”
Big thanks to Love Notes PR and Stephanie Hazeltine for the ARC, I really enjoyed this one!
April 30, 2025
"You Can Run" is a romantic suspense novel that follows the story of Ivy, a young woman forced into witness protection after her family is brutally murdered by an obsessed serial killer.
Through dual timelines that weave between her present-day college life and the events leading up to the murders, Stephanie captures Ivy’s inner turmoil as she grapples with the limitations of her new identity amidst the haunting memories of her past. Readers are drawn into Ivy's emotional struggle as she bravely attempts to rebuild her life.
One of the standout aspects of the book is the inclusion of point-of-view chapters from the killer, providing unsettling yet fascinating insights into his twisted obsession with Ivy. This clever narrative choice heightens the tension and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they draw closer to the heart-racing conclusion.
The romantic elements of the story bring moments of warmth and hope, though they never overshadow the central mystery of her past. This layered approach allows readers to connect with Ivy’s journey, making it both a suspenseful and emotional read for anyone who enjoys stories that intertwine mystery with deep, personal experiences.
Thank you to @stephaniehazeltinewrites for allowing me to read You Can Run ahead of its release. You can grab your copy now from Amazon or on KU now!!
Through dual timelines that weave between her present-day college life and the events leading up to the murders, Stephanie captures Ivy’s inner turmoil as she grapples with the limitations of her new identity amidst the haunting memories of her past. Readers are drawn into Ivy's emotional struggle as she bravely attempts to rebuild her life.
One of the standout aspects of the book is the inclusion of point-of-view chapters from the killer, providing unsettling yet fascinating insights into his twisted obsession with Ivy. This clever narrative choice heightens the tension and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they draw closer to the heart-racing conclusion.
The romantic elements of the story bring moments of warmth and hope, though they never overshadow the central mystery of her past. This layered approach allows readers to connect with Ivy’s journey, making it both a suspenseful and emotional read for anyone who enjoys stories that intertwine mystery with deep, personal experiences.
Thank you to @stephaniehazeltinewrites for allowing me to read You Can Run ahead of its release. You can grab your copy now from Amazon or on KU now!!
April 7, 2025
This book is such an anxiety inducing, crazy, yet enjoyable ride that I wasn’t quite expecting! I love that the author starts the story off with a BANG, automatically gripping me and keeping me in a chokehold.
I literally stayed awake and finished this book in one sitting…like could not put it down. This story gave me the most anxiety I can honestly ever remember feeling while reading.
I can’t imagine this actually happening, yet IT COULD! Which is absolutely terrifying. The plot was perfect, it gives you the perfect mix of romance and thriller aspects.
The idea of having a serial unaliver so unhinged that he sees you and automatically thinks you’re perfect for him. Full on obsessed with you. Goes absolutely nuts when you dont want him back? The crazy things he does for your attention?!
How good does this book sound?! You need to add it to your TBR. It’s less than 300 pages and the crazy is full force from beginning to end. I wish I could have connected to the FMC more, she was young, but her romance with Zac was sweet, but I enjoyed the thrill of the story more than the romance.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and the author for the ebook arc to read and review! Always appreciate it!!
I literally stayed awake and finished this book in one sitting…like could not put it down. This story gave me the most anxiety I can honestly ever remember feeling while reading.
I can’t imagine this actually happening, yet IT COULD! Which is absolutely terrifying. The plot was perfect, it gives you the perfect mix of romance and thriller aspects.
The idea of having a serial unaliver so unhinged that he sees you and automatically thinks you’re perfect for him. Full on obsessed with you. Goes absolutely nuts when you dont want him back? The crazy things he does for your attention?!
How good does this book sound?! You need to add it to your TBR. It’s less than 300 pages and the crazy is full force from beginning to end. I wish I could have connected to the FMC more, she was young, but her romance with Zac was sweet, but I enjoyed the thrill of the story more than the romance.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and the author for the ebook arc to read and review! Always appreciate it!!
March 30, 2025
This book was amazing! I am new to this author but this book just had everything that you could want in a romantic suspense book!
I absolutely loved that we got three pov’s we got Ivy’s, Him and Zac’s. I also love that you get both past and present timeline through the book. It made the plot line flow flawlessly and give the readers enough information to build the suspense.
The suspense was toe curling, I didn’t or couldn’t put the book down because I just needed to know what was next. It is a real bad case of just one more chapter. I flew through this book because I was so into the book.
Ivy, you are the sweetest girl and I am so sorry that you had to go through all that you had to. I loved all the different aspects of of this book! I loved the romantic aspect of Ivy and Zac falling in love even though Ivy tries so hard to keep her distance. I love that Zac is so patient with her from the very start, giving her space when she wants it but never giving up on her!
I cannot wait to start another book by Stephanie. But this is an absolute masterpiece and needs to be devoured as soon as you can. Like don’t even add to your TBR it’s a must read right this second!
I absolutely loved that we got three pov’s we got Ivy’s, Him and Zac’s. I also love that you get both past and present timeline through the book. It made the plot line flow flawlessly and give the readers enough information to build the suspense.
The suspense was toe curling, I didn’t or couldn’t put the book down because I just needed to know what was next. It is a real bad case of just one more chapter. I flew through this book because I was so into the book.
Ivy, you are the sweetest girl and I am so sorry that you had to go through all that you had to. I loved all the different aspects of of this book! I loved the romantic aspect of Ivy and Zac falling in love even though Ivy tries so hard to keep her distance. I love that Zac is so patient with her from the very start, giving her space when she wants it but never giving up on her!
I cannot wait to start another book by Stephanie. But this is an absolute masterpiece and needs to be devoured as soon as you can. Like don’t even add to your TBR it’s a must read right this second!
April 30, 2025
Book Review: You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine
📚 Genre: Romantic Suspense
📖 Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
📅 Released: April 2025
⸻
🎬 Hook:
If you’re craving a heart-racing thriller with a dash of romance, You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is your next must-read!
⸻
💥 Why You’ll Love It:
• Gripping Plot: Follow Ivy, a college student haunted by her family’s tragic past, as she navigates a world filled with secrets and danger.
• Strong Characters: Ivy’s resilience and her father’s courage add depth and emotional weight.
• Romantic Tension: The chemistry between Ivy and her love interest perfectly balances the suspense.
🧠 My Thoughts:
I loved how the story balanced intensity with emotion. The pacing kept me hooked, and the small, quiet moments between characters gave the book heart. It wasn’t just about survival—it was about finding the strength to trust again. If you enjoy stories that make you feel both anxious and hopeful, this one’s for you.
⸻
📚 Final Verdict:
You Can Run is a gripping romantic suspense that delivers thrills, emotion, and a powerful heroine worth rooting for.
📚 Genre: Romantic Suspense
📖 Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
📅 Released: April 2025
⸻
🎬 Hook:
If you’re craving a heart-racing thriller with a dash of romance, You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is your next must-read!
⸻
💥 Why You’ll Love It:
• Gripping Plot: Follow Ivy, a college student haunted by her family’s tragic past, as she navigates a world filled with secrets and danger.
• Strong Characters: Ivy’s resilience and her father’s courage add depth and emotional weight.
• Romantic Tension: The chemistry between Ivy and her love interest perfectly balances the suspense.
🧠 My Thoughts:
I loved how the story balanced intensity with emotion. The pacing kept me hooked, and the small, quiet moments between characters gave the book heart. It wasn’t just about survival—it was about finding the strength to trust again. If you enjoy stories that make you feel both anxious and hopeful, this one’s for you.
⸻
📚 Final Verdict:
You Can Run is a gripping romantic suspense that delivers thrills, emotion, and a powerful heroine worth rooting for.
April 10, 2025
You Can Run was really fast paced and anxiety inducing! I really liked the overall plot of this one and especially enjoyed the multiple POVs and dual timelines.
I flew through it and Travis’s chapters specifically gave me so much anxiety.
Ivy was kind of naive but she’s only 20 and went through something super traumatic though so I had to keep reminding myself of that.
I just can’t imagine many people would run off on their own to escape their stalker when their WITSEC agent and cops were there and ready to hide them??? Idk. The adults were kind of dumb too. Like oh no worries that you ran away while your stalker/serial killer is on the loose 😅 I also felt like things moved almost too quickly. It was a little hard to tell what the overall timeline was.
Anyway, despite some of the things I didn’t like, I think a lot of fellow romantic suspense fans will enjoy this one and I will definitely check out more from the author.
I flew through it and Travis’s chapters specifically gave me so much anxiety.
Ivy was kind of naive but she’s only 20 and went through something super traumatic though so I had to keep reminding myself of that.
I just can’t imagine many people would run off on their own to escape their stalker when their WITSEC agent and cops were there and ready to hide them??? Idk. The adults were kind of dumb too. Like oh no worries that you ran away while your stalker/serial killer is on the loose 😅 I also felt like things moved almost too quickly. It was a little hard to tell what the overall timeline was.
Anyway, despite some of the things I didn’t like, I think a lot of fellow romantic suspense fans will enjoy this one and I will definitely check out more from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
Let me start by saying check the trigger warnings before reading! The MFC, Ivy, experiences a trauma no one should have to face. Trauma unfortunately changes you, altering the way you think and react to even the simplest of things.
Ivy thought witness protection would keep her safe with a new name, town, and fresh start. But how do you build a life on a lie— especially when the man who destroyed your world is still on the loose, hunting you? Haunted by the brutal murder of her mother and sister, Ivy keeps her head down, pretending to be just another college student; until she meets Zac. Her carefully controlled world starts to crack. She wants to let him in, but the truth could get them both killed.
I devoured this book in one sitting and recommend to anyone looking for a combination of emotional thriller-romance read. I look forward to more titles, especially in this style from this author!
Ivy thought witness protection would keep her safe with a new name, town, and fresh start. But how do you build a life on a lie— especially when the man who destroyed your world is still on the loose, hunting you? Haunted by the brutal murder of her mother and sister, Ivy keeps her head down, pretending to be just another college student; until she meets Zac. Her carefully controlled world starts to crack. She wants to let him in, but the truth could get them both killed.
I devoured this book in one sitting and recommend to anyone looking for a combination of emotional thriller-romance read. I look forward to more titles, especially in this style from this author!
June 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶
This was a romance thriller where the FMC, Ivy, is put in Witness Protection and is starting her life over with a new identity after 1 date turns into a murderous stalker hunting her down.
Ivy meets Zac who is everything she needs. He's sweet, loyal, patient and helps her heal her trauma. Ivy is afraid to get to close to Zac as she worries it will put a target on his back. Feelings fly but a series of murders across the states are slowly getting closer and closer to her.
I flew through this story so fast. It has super short chapters that were engaging and kept me at the edge of my seat. I truly felt Ivy's anxiety and grief as she tried to acclimate herself in her new identity. Zac was so sweet and so patient with her. Golden retriever energy to the max. They had such great chemistry and the thriller aspect of the story kept surprising me. He was an absolute nightmare and completely delusional.
This was a romance thriller where the FMC, Ivy, is put in Witness Protection and is starting her life over with a new identity after 1 date turns into a murderous stalker hunting her down.
Ivy meets Zac who is everything she needs. He's sweet, loyal, patient and helps her heal her trauma. Ivy is afraid to get to close to Zac as she worries it will put a target on his back. Feelings fly but a series of murders across the states are slowly getting closer and closer to her.
I flew through this story so fast. It has super short chapters that were engaging and kept me at the edge of my seat. I truly felt Ivy's anxiety and grief as she tried to acclimate herself in her new identity. Zac was so sweet and so patient with her. Golden retriever energy to the max. They had such great chemistry and the thriller aspect of the story kept surprising me. He was an absolute nightmare and completely delusional.
March 29, 2025
ARC REVIEW;
This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
The story follows ivy, a young girl that gets asked out on a date by a handsome stranger she meets at the diner she works at.
Only soon as she sits down with this stranger she immediately gets some bad vibes, unbeknownst to her the guy is already obsessing over her. She leaves the date with no intention of seeing him again, only he doesn't take no for an answer.
The story progresses quickly as you jump from past to present until you find out the whole story.
I liked the aspect of having a thriller cross romance but the only thing I didn't really like was how young ivy appeared; she is 20 years old in the present and I kept forgetting she wasn't like 16 due to some interactions, especially with her dad (with how she claimed he embarrassed her etc)
Overall a quick and easy read,
This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
The story follows ivy, a young girl that gets asked out on a date by a handsome stranger she meets at the diner she works at.
Only soon as she sits down with this stranger she immediately gets some bad vibes, unbeknownst to her the guy is already obsessing over her. She leaves the date with no intention of seeing him again, only he doesn't take no for an answer.
The story progresses quickly as you jump from past to present until you find out the whole story.
I liked the aspect of having a thriller cross romance but the only thing I didn't really like was how young ivy appeared; she is 20 years old in the present and I kept forgetting she wasn't like 16 due to some interactions, especially with her dad (with how she claimed he embarrassed her etc)
Overall a quick and easy read,
April 16, 2025
Ivy has been on the run since her mother and sister were killed in front of her by her stalker. Now in witness protection with her Dad, she is trying to live as normal life as possible. Now at university, she meets Zac and falls for his quiet and charming nature
Having lived in isolation for so long now, Ivy is enjoying this new sense of freedom, but has she let her guard down too much? Will her stalker find her again?
Loved the genre cross over of romantic suspense. Stephanie balances them so well throughout. One chapter you are in a blissful first date moment and then next you are fearing for your life!
I was hooked from the first chapter, the fabulous multiple POVs, and short chapters kept me guessing until the final conclusion
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy to review! Highly recommend this fantastic read
Having lived in isolation for so long now, Ivy is enjoying this new sense of freedom, but has she let her guard down too much? Will her stalker find her again?
Loved the genre cross over of romantic suspense. Stephanie balances them so well throughout. One chapter you are in a blissful first date moment and then next you are fearing for your life!
I was hooked from the first chapter, the fabulous multiple POVs, and short chapters kept me guessing until the final conclusion
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy to review! Highly recommend this fantastic read
April 23, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
This book was so good! A story of survival, strength and regaining confidence gives the perfect mix of thriller and romance! The twists and turns of the book while giving a beautiful romance is unmatched by any other book I’ve read.
Ivy is a shy teen who has one date with an unsuspecting guy that turns her life upside down. When she is forced to relocate after a traumatic experience, she has to learn how to live again with the fear he may find her.
Zac is the quintessential college guy with a heart of gold who is enamored by Ivy on the first day of college when he sees her have a panic attack. He has a true patience and understanding when Ivy keeps him at arms length.
Can Zac help Ivy overcome her fears? Will her past finally catch up to her? Is normal life an option?
This book was so good! A story of survival, strength and regaining confidence gives the perfect mix of thriller and romance! The twists and turns of the book while giving a beautiful romance is unmatched by any other book I’ve read.
Ivy is a shy teen who has one date with an unsuspecting guy that turns her life upside down. When she is forced to relocate after a traumatic experience, she has to learn how to live again with the fear he may find her.
Zac is the quintessential college guy with a heart of gold who is enamored by Ivy on the first day of college when he sees her have a panic attack. He has a true patience and understanding when Ivy keeps him at arms length.
Can Zac help Ivy overcome her fears? Will her past finally catch up to her? Is normal life an option?
April 24, 2025
A mix of romance and suspense captured my attention. My thriller loving heart was happy: the opening scenes were amazing, letting the reader in on a terrifying and horrendous act that the FMC had to endure. The action throughout held my interest as the result of witness protection placement and retaliation from the villain, Travis. Ivy and Zac’s collage romance did feel a bit rushed and I missed the tension and banter found in most romances, but appreciated the ways Zac supported the tortured heroine. The multiple POVs was a nice addition—I liked being privy to the inner thoughts from the victim, the villain and the love interest. This was my first book by this author, I’d like to read her backlist. 3.5 stars
Thank you to the author and LoveNotesPR for the eARC
Thank you to the author and LoveNotesPR for the eARC
April 19, 2025
Let me start by saying make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading this book. Ivy experiences a trauma no one should have to face and this book does an excellent job of portraying PTSD. Trauma unfortunately changes you it alters the way you think and react to even the simplest things. The way Ivy’s trauma was written was so real.
I of course loved Zac, Ivy’s relationship with her dad, and seeing Ivy take back her life. From the moment Ivy met Zac and he tried to help her deal with a panic attack you get the feeling he’s a genuinely good guy. Ivy and her dad have a cute relationship especially considering everything they’ve been through. I loved watching Rueben allow Ivy to come into herself. He wants to protect her but he also wants to see her happy and that transition was so sweet. Throughout the book you get a glimpse of Ivy trying to take back control of her life and seeing her stand up against Travis was moving.
Now, it can’t be easy to write from the POV of a psychopath. You know that readers are going to absolutely despise this character but including his POV is vital to telling the whole story. Stephanie does such an amazing job with developing this character. Even though I hated him I loved being able to see how his mind worked and twisted simple actions into something much bigger. There was the perfect amount of suspense to get your heart racing.
I of course loved Zac, Ivy’s relationship with her dad, and seeing Ivy take back her life. From the moment Ivy met Zac and he tried to help her deal with a panic attack you get the feeling he’s a genuinely good guy. Ivy and her dad have a cute relationship especially considering everything they’ve been through. I loved watching Rueben allow Ivy to come into herself. He wants to protect her but he also wants to see her happy and that transition was so sweet. Throughout the book you get a glimpse of Ivy trying to take back control of her life and seeing her stand up against Travis was moving.
Now, it can’t be easy to write from the POV of a psychopath. You know that readers are going to absolutely despise this character but including his POV is vital to telling the whole story. Stephanie does such an amazing job with developing this character. Even though I hated him I loved being able to see how his mind worked and twisted simple actions into something much bigger. There was the perfect amount of suspense to get your heart racing.
March 29, 2025
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. I LOVED IT!!!!! I started at about 5:30pm on friday night, stayed up until 1:30am and then finished it in the morning. WOW! What a book. The way the characters are written, how they interact with each other, the suspense, Travis, Ivy and Zac, everything all just flows so perfectly. If you're going to start this book, make sure you leave enough time to finish it in one go as you will not be wanting to put it down.
I had not heard of this author before, received the book as an ARC from Love Notes PR, but I will definitely be reading more from Stephanie immediately
I had not heard of this author before, received the book as an ARC from Love Notes PR, but I will definitely be reading more from Stephanie immediately
March 29, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 4.5/5 - Recommend!!
You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is a fast-paced, gripping thriller with the perfect mix of suspense and emotion. The story pulls you in from the start, with well-developed characters, unexpected twists, and a tension-filled plot that keeps you on edge. Hazeltine’s writing makes you feel every moment, balancing action with deep, emotional connections. Highly recommend for thriller fans!
Thank you to Stephanie Hazeltine and Love Notes PR for the ARC and the chance to review this fantastic book!
You Can Run by Stephanie Hazeltine is a fast-paced, gripping thriller with the perfect mix of suspense and emotion. The story pulls you in from the start, with well-developed characters, unexpected twists, and a tension-filled plot that keeps you on edge. Hazeltine’s writing makes you feel every moment, balancing action with deep, emotional connections. Highly recommend for thriller fans!
Thank you to Stephanie Hazeltine and Love Notes PR for the ARC and the chance to review this fantastic book!
March 30, 2025
5 stars. Fast paced great thriller/romance book. I read this book in just a few hours, could not put it down. Many twists and turns that kept me wanting more! Definitely recommend. Happy I was able to read this as an arc! The MMC is just the sweetest and most understanding. I love the way he is with Ivy.
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