Runaway Girl

Sin & Redemption #2

by V. Brown

After four years of secret meetings and stolen moments, I finally plucked up the courage to confess my feelings.

Instead of admitting the same, he chose to humiliate me in front of the world, betraying me in the process.

The internet coined me the Runaway Girl. But all he wanted was for me to run back to him.

I left him in my rearview and never planned on turning back. If only he kept to his word and stayed there.

Runaway Girl is a second chance, betrayal romance, with a HEA. It is the second book in the Sin & Redemption interconnected novella series.

Genres: Second Chance, Sports, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance, Romance, Contemporary

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

V. Brown is an avid reader whose wild imagination could not be contained. She soon fell in love with writing, creating worlds where anything is possible.

Emergency nurse by day and writer of all things dark and steamy by night, you can usually find V sitting on her back porch with a cup of tea and a good book, surrounded by Australian wildlife. Her husband, daughters and pet chicken named Shadow are always close by.

Reviews

[Jen ♥]

Ngl, the start was entertaining. I knew what I was getting into when I read this, so the beginning didn't bother me anymore. Instead it made me laugh because why is he such a dumbass? 😂

Anyway, based on the reviews, I thought I’d get a decent grovel, but tbh, I didn’t feel like I got one. 🫣 But then, I get that everyone has their own take on what a good apology is. Still, I feel like he didn’t really try hard enough to win her back. 🤷‍♀️ I can't really explain it well, other than it feels like he still could've done more.

Since this is a short book, I expected that most of it would focus on him working to earn another chance. But the blackmail from his psycho mom, teammate, and an influencer wannabe really took over the second half. I'm fine with a little background info on the MMC and what makes him the way he is. A quick peek would be enough, though.

But no, the author chose to throw in a bunch of side drama instead of letting the MCs figure out their differences and work on their relationship (or situationship???). Do we really need that extra problem? I thought this novella would just be all about the couple. 🤔

So, even before I got to the halfway mark, I lost my interest already. I just want to get done with the plot and see how these two would eventually get back together. I didn't find their reunion sweet, though. 🫣 It was pretty cringey for me, but that's just me and my aversion to public gestures. 🤷‍♀️

Anyhoo, I'm not going to rate this because I've never been a fan of stories where one of the MCs colossally messes up and then offers a half-hearted apology. I don't think the book should get a low rating, especially when I was aware of what to expect. I knew some of the tropes weren't my thing, yet I still chose to read it anyway. Also, I never intended to give it a high rating in the first place. But I'm in a slump, and this somehow got me out. So, I'll just mark it as read instead.

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written for WATTPAD

🌟Brief Summary:
Ethan and Alicia have had a monogamous sexual relationship for 4 years. He is her client. They have kept their relationship a secret for various reasons. Over time it’s definitely become more than sex.
Alicia is ready for more and when she has “the talk” with Ethan he freaks out and says a bunch a horrid crap to the h.she kicks him out and they don’t talk for a few days.

At this point I’m not sure if they are broken up. He doesn’t seem to think so. She says strike 1. So does that mean 3 strikes your out? It’s not clear. But his 3rd strike is when she wakes up to a viral video of him at a bar drunk and COMPLETING verbally decimating her. He then grabs OW and tongue fucks her.

Apparently he threw up right after but was the the kiss or the alcohol?
But it’s clear they are over now…..
Let the grovel begin.

‼️So this was fun and light even though it was betrayal and grovel. I enjoyed it. The H was just bubbling up each apology. But he did seriously apologize and work hard to be worthy of the h. He just had a very bad reaction to knowing he was in love and the fear of past trauma. He was a good guy overall. Definitely arrogant lol 😂 and definitely an idiot at times.

‼️Was the grovel good? It was decent for sure. I would say he won me over.
I would read more from this author as long as it’s not a h taking back a cheater.

🥀 Hero:
Ethan- late 20s?
Big time football player
Commitment phobe
Mommy issues


🦋 Heroine:
Alicia- 28!years old
Financial advisor
Strong independent successful
Also she was a badass lol loved her

💭 POV:
First person duel

😡/😍 Angst level:
Mostly low

❤️‍🔥 Sex & Burn Rate:
No sex. Some sexy scenes but not this is mostly clean.

🌓 Push/Pull:
Yes both push away at times H is the main pursuer of the relationship after he messes up

☠️ OW/OM Drama:
Mild OMD from a rival trying to get under the H skin

🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
No

🤬 Cheating:
No

👰🏼‍♀️ Virgins:
Neither were V.
Neither w any others after meeting or during separation

⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
Yes after the betrayal they are broken up for months


Safety⚠️Triggers🗡️:
Cheating- was the kiss cheating? I don’t know that’s up to each reader to decide but the H thought it was.

Cheating- talks about h sisters husband cheating on her

🌈Epilogue:
Yes years later engaged and pregnant

🥂HEA:
Yes!

❌My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.❌
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you

[VoraciousReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book started out well with a massive betrayal and the beginning of a great grovel by the H. Then, it suddenly flipped with the h calling and messaging the H and him refusing to answer to protect her from his “polluted influence”. After that, I was done.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Hear me out. This book technically wasn’t safe—-but for some reason it totally worked for me.

Ethan and Alicia have been private friends with benefits for 4 years (seriously 4 years exclusively FWB). The book starts with Ali asking Ethan if they can be more and he goes off. Totally D Bag extraordinaire bc shocker—- he has mommy issues. She shuts the door in his face and is so savage with her dismissal. She didn’t take his shit. It was glorious.

Then came the real betrayal. After finding out her dad had a stroke, a viral video was posted of a wasted Ethan telling the camera that his runaway girl is worthless, he’s amazing , blah blah: he is dared to prove that she means nothing so he sticks his tongue down a groupies throat, leaves, and immediately throws up. Kissing another woman made him sick. Technically she had already kicked his ass to the curb and he was wasted—no excuse obviously but he didn’t enjoy it and he didn’t go further. He was being a complete ass and he was a mess. He referred to it as cheating when he apologized , which I appreciated bc I didn’t even consider it cheating.

His grovel and character development was amazing and pretty realistic. It was also pretty funny bc he was so clueless (he tried getting her attention by throwing a football in her direction but he hit her and she fell…seriously he’s dumb lol) but for SOME reason it worked for me. I won’t read the book before this bc it’s a true cheating book where he knocks up the other woman. NO thanks. It’s Alicia’s sister. Not interested in that.

So , I actually really liked this. There’s a big betrayal , she is NOT a doormat, she even passes up his advancements when he tries to solve their issues with sx. I personally found her refreshing and I really ended up liking his character.

[Soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★. This was a decent grovel book. The fmc did not take him back right away and didn’t have stupid BBS. She stood her ground repeatedly and made this man work on himself for her love and trust back. Adding in a whole blackmail part was dumb I can’t lie. It should’ve been just the grovel because adding in emotional abuse by the mmc’s mother and not exploring that more shouldn’t have been done.

Stella’s book only being on the authors patreon bothers me so much! How can you write a fmc getting revenge on her cheating husband and ONLY INCLUDE IT IF WE SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR PATREON??

I will be reading the fmcs sister book. I don’t care if he cheated. This is an easy author and the woman seem strong so like a win.

For my safety readers; safe kinda? The mmc does kiss someone else when they were fighting. He immediately throws up after and himself calls it cheating. Other than that, no other drama. Just him being jealous of other men.

[Beeg Panda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I collected the last gift he had bought me, then proceeded to beat him with it. “Ah! Fuck! Stop!” Ethan yelled, his arms raised to protect himself from the pink dildo repeatedly launching for his face. After one final whack, I chucked the toy at his chest. “Now, go and fuck yourself!” I screamed, then slammed the door in his stupid, shocked face.

Don’t mess with this h.
Shes got no time for shit.
I love her.

He reminds me of Baron from Barons second Chance LOL - he flounders around like a flopping fish out of water - it’s just one bungle up after the other with this fidiot. MID GROVEL. I can’t be mad at him because he’s just so damn clueless. And he absolutely adores her.
Shes his life.
I love him.

He’s the one who mentioned cheating.
I didn't strike me as cheating because as far as I was concerned they weren’t together when he kissed someone else. (After which he threw up, so grossed-out he was) But in his mind it was cheating because, while her telling him to piss off was her way of ending things, he doesn’t even realise he’s been given his walking papers. LOL. I feel bad for laughing at him, because he’s an arrogant man-child. Still.
(He freaked out because she wanted more and he wasn’t ready. For me, it wasn’t so much what he said in response to this revelation, but how he said it. Again, clueless. Mommy issues galore.)

Anyway, he continues on his one man path of “Oops, I did it again” destruction.
And he’s so very unhappy without her.
He’s whole life is derailed.
Poor sod.
But he was nasty and his words were cruel even to our no-nonsense heroine who is no pushover.
I adore her too.

Then he has some come to Jesus moments and his redemption path starts.
I enjoyed it. Nothing dark and heavy. Just a boy wanting to be with his girl.

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I want to rate books like this higher just so the author will be encouraged to push on writing cheating trope books. This really was more a 2 star read. The first few chapters had the angst but then it all fizzled out.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:Parent has stroke, cheating (MMC kisses OW), cheating ex side character who knocked up OW (this character cheated on the FMC’s sister), other cheating side character, parental abandonment, emotional abuse, manipulation

Not gonna lie, this was a bit disappointing. I started this when it was on Wattpad but once it was moved to Patreon, I waited for the full book to be released. I feel like the story was missing angst between the FMC and MMC. We didn’t have enough grovel IMO since there weren’t enough moments between the MMC and FMC. Things were mentioned in passing and the MMC did some things, but I needed to see more. It felt more like the MMC did some things and then two grand gestures. I did like the FMC for her fiery backbone and this did have funny moments. But I couldn’t buy the romance between the FMC and MMC. The fact that they’ve been seeing each other for 4 years without having any depth to their relationship made it hard for me to buy their love for each other. The plot isn’t super unique, I’ve seen it before, but we have nice side characters. This is the second book in a series by the author, the first book follows the FMC’s sister. I haven’t read it yet, but I plan to soon. The story was fine to follow without it, but I think you might enjoy it more if you read the books in order. I am curious for the next book since it focuses on another side character. I plan to read more from the author, but I do wish we get more depth.


Alicia has had a friends with benefits relationship with a star player named Ethan. It’s been 4 years and when she decides to confess, he hurts her in the worst possible way. Alicia realized it isn’t worth it for her to stay and puts herself first. But Ethan realized that he was an idiot, that he might have lost the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Now for spoilers


We start off right after Ethan and Alicia fucked, they’re cuddling. Alicia says she is 28, and they’ve been seeing each other for 4 years. She works for Ethan as his financial advisor and they ended up getting together, it’s a forbidden relationship since she’s not supposed to be with clients. They both agreed to exclusively see each other, but nothing went beyond fucking. That’s why I couldn’t understand how Alicia fell for Ethan. They never met each other’s families or friends. Anyway, Alicia tells Ethan she wants to settle down and get married, have kids someday. Ethan panics and like the typical manchild, he starts saying gross, rude things to Alicia (he’s 29).

“I want to be in a committed relationship. I want a loyal partner. I want to introduce them to my family. I want to get married. I want to have kids one day. I want a life filled with happiness. That’s what I feel will make me happy.”
“Wow, you really did bide your time well, didn't you?” he said with a cocky, condescending grin. Then, the asshole began a slow, dramatic clap. “Well done, Alicia. You really had me fooled. Played the long game and thought you could hook yourself a rich, big-time athlete, huh?”

Alicia says that she was hoping she could be with him, but it’s fine. She knows she deserves better and as she cries, Ethan mocks her. But I loved how she said she knows she can do better than him.

“Yes, Ethan. Over the past four years, I have fallen in love with you, and congratulations, you’ve successfully spat on that in the timespan of a few minutes. But let me clarify a few things for you, famous football player, since you’ve seemed to get a few things twisted. First, I can and will live without you.”

Alicia leaves and Ethan is so damn stupid, he starts texting Alicia during his game. Usually Alicia would text him observations she made while he played, but she sent nothing. No shit, Sherlock. So he starts spamming Alicia, asking why she didn’t message him. He says that he will see her later, and they can talk things through. Tries calling her, but Alicia doesn’t pick up. Because Alicia gets news from her sister Alexis that their dad just had a stroke. So she travels to go see her dad and is worried sick about him. When she wakes up the next day, she finds a viral clip taken by a Tik Toker named Katy. The video shows Ethan shit talking to another player on his team named Jake. He says the bitch he was sleeping with thought that they can marry. He says that the girl thought she can settle down with him, saying she isn’t marriage material or mother material. It was so fucked up. And to make it worse, he has a girl near him. He says that he hasn’t been with anyone else since Alicia, but he can be tempted. So Jake eggs him on and Ethan kisses the girl near him. Alicia is done, she blocks his number and attempts to move on. Alexis hears Alicia cry and comforts her while Alicia spills the beans. Alexis has a son named Austin, she used to be married to a guy named Owen. But Owen was caught cheating with her best friend and ended up knocking her up. It’s been years, and it seems like Owen has done grovelling and Alexis is tempted to mend things, but they did get divorced. Since Owen is a physiotherapist, he is helping their dad recover. Their dad having a stroke was sad, but they moved on from this so quick. It was a good gut punch moment when it happened, but once it was over, it was meh. I feel like we could’ve gotten more angst here. Maybe if Ethan found out and came to the hospital or some shit. I don’t know, we could’ve had something yaknow?


Katy’s clip of Ethan goes viral and the hashtag #RunawayGirl is everywhere. Everyone is supporting Alicia without knowing her identity. Ethan wakes up with major regret, he sees the video himself and he hates it. Apparently nothing happened after the kiss with the OW but it still pissed me off. He realized that Alicia might have seen it and tries texting her but realized she blocked him. So he tries calling her workplace and Alicia’s boss, Felix, answers, saying Alicia is away. Ethan’s dad Rudy calls Ethan to yell at him. Rudy was a single parent who raised Ethan after Ethan’s mom Audrey abandoned him. Audrey only contacted Ethan after he became rich and famous, acting like she cared for him but only used him for money. She was emotionally abusive and manipulative. Rudy says he didn’t raise Ethan to be this way, asking if Ethan was talking about the girl that he planned to introduce to Rudy. Which didn’t add up at all, Ethan’s reaction made no sense in the beginning. You’re telling me he planned to take the next step with Alicia but panicked? The fuck? Anyway, Ethan regrets what he did and waits for Alicia to come back. Alicia returns once her dad is doing a lil okay, Alexis was going to help take care of him. I loved that Alicia wasn’t scared to run into Ethan.

“Fuck him. He will not run me out just because of his fucked up actions. I have nothing to be ashamed of. And, oh”—I clicked on my phone to check the incriminating clip again—“three million random people on the internet agree with me so far.”

When Ethan heard Alicia was back, he spent the day sleeping at her doorstep. Burt, Alicia’s doorman, makes a deal with Ethan. If Ethan gives him $50,000, he will text Alicia for Ethan and tell him when she is back. Ethan gives him half the money and finally gets a text from Burt once Alicia is back. So when he goes to visit, he is shocked that Alicia is acting indifferent to him. He expected her to cry and whine for him, but she said okay, yea, we are over. But then he fucks up by pissing her off.


“Stop acting like this,” he snapped.
“Like what?”
“Like you don’t care. I know you do,” he said, desperation seeping into the edges of his voice.
With an eerily straight face, I decided to strike the match and light the fucking fuse. “But Ethan, I don’t care.”
Boom!
“You could have fooled me, Alicia! You ran away for a whole fucking week because you cared so much. Emergency leave? Yeah, I looked you up. You’re not as unfazed as you’re making yourself out to be. Now, let me in so we can sort this shit out.”

Alicia is pissed since he has no idea she spent the week taking care of her dad. She uses a pink dildo that Ethan gifted her to beat him up. Then Burt takes him away and returns. Alicia encourages Burt to ask Ethan for the other half of the money. Ethan shows up to Alicia’s workplace to talk to her. But then he overhears Alicia talking to her sister, and realized Alicia was away because her dad had a stroke. He realized that he accused her of staying away cuz of him and feels even more shitty. I loved Alexis was throwing shade at Ethan once she saw him. When her son Austin asks if Ethan is his dad, Alexis says that he is not father material, just like Ethan said about Alicia. Alicia is pissed to see Ethan at her office. He says he fucked up and wanted to get back together, but Alicia turns him down.

“Destroying us has been the single worst mistake I have ever made. Fuck football. Fuck the sponsors. Fuck the deals. None of it matters if I don’t have you.”

When Alicia’s boss Felix visits, Alicia says that Ethan will be Felix’s client from now on. Then, Jake walks in, Ethan’s teammate. Jake makes suggestive comments about Alicia which pisses Ethan off. And when Alicia visits the team while they are playing, Jake tells Alicia he looks forward to seeing her at dinner. Alicia is pissed since Jake cancelled their business lunch to make it dinner instead. Jake tells Ethan he plans to fuck Alicia and Ethan beats him up. Alicia checks on Jake’s face which hurts Ethan. Then Alicia goes to Ethan when he is in the shower to yell at him about the fight. Ethan tries to get a reaction outta her by dropping his towel, but she leaves. He says he regrets what he did and sends gifts to Alicia, but we don’t really hear about what they are. I think he even sends them with notes, but we don’t get details, it’s just vaguely mentioned. Anyway, Alicia goes to dinner with Jake and Ethan followed them. When Jake tries to be unprofessional, Alicia puts him in his place, I loved how she wouldn’t take his shit. Jake said she checked his face when Ethan fought him and Alicia said it’s cuz he has brand deals, that they can’t lose money, lol.


Rudy gave advice to Ethan to make things right and Ethan started to go to therapy. Since his mom Audrey was fucked up, he assumed all women were like her. Which makes no sense cuz why the fuck would he wanna introduce Alicia to Rudy if she was like Audrey. And why would he see Alicia exclusively for 4 years if he thought that. Anyway, Audrey messages Ethan asking him to meet since he hasn’t seen her in awhile. When Ethan ignores her, she goes on an interview to say Ethan ignores her and doesn’t take care of her. Alexis is shocked and asks Alicia about Audrey, but Alicia met Audrey before. Audrey had visited Alicia before she started seeing Ethan. Audrey tried to get financial details of what Ethan had and what he left for her. But Alicia refused to give the information since it was confidential. So Audrey tries to throw a fit, but Alicia stood on business. Why this wasn’t discussed with Ethan made no sense to me. This is what I mean, it feels like they barely talked about anything. They just fucked and had good sexual chemistry. And throughout this, we barely see Ethan and Alicia interact. When Alicia shows up to Ethan’s practice with another guy, he is jealous. But then he finds out that this was Owen, Alexis’s ex. They bond over Alicia and Alexis being fiery but being their obsessions. When Alicia is nearby while Ethan is practicing, he tries to throw a football near her to get her attention. Instead, it hits Alicia in the head and she falls on her face.

“Are you the one who chucked that stupid fucking football? What’s wrong with you, Ethan? What the fuck is wrong with you!?”
“I was just trying to get your attention, not give you a concussion.”

Ethan insists on taking her to the doctor but Alicia says no, so he takes her to his place instead. I was like nah y’all still need to see a doctor. Alicia is in pain, so Ethan says he will help her shower and washes her. Then he takes her to bed and insists on a doctor, but after Alicia says no, so they just sleep. Ethan watches her for most of the night while holding her and eventually falls asleep. But when Alicia wakes up early, Rudy is in the apartment. Rudy saw the bruise on Alicia and gets a frying pan to beat Ethan, I loved how he didn’t hesitate.

Ethan’s dad was standing on top of the bed, beating the frying pan against his son’s ass.

Alicia clears things up with Rudy. At this point, it feels like Alicia is ready to forgive Ethan. Like yea we kinda saw him grovel, but do you see what I mean? Barely any interactions between them and not enough grovel. It was more things mentioned in passing, like Ethan still sent gifts. Ethan going to therapy (though I will say the therapy scenes in grovel books are a bit repetitive, even if I like the message behind it). Ethan decides he wants everyone to know about why he fucked up. He had a new phone since his mom kept spamming him, and Rudy gave Alicia his number. Alicia messaged Ethan to check in, but he didn’t answer. I was like uh why wouldn’t you answer. He told Alicia to wait for him. Rudy asked Alicia to not move on just yet, to see if Ethan makes up for everything. Alicia is at a work party and runs into Felix fucking his secretary, Heather. Felix named his company after his wife Stella, who was also at the party. She is pissed and tells Felix that she quits and tries to run off. She is crying and when Stella saw her, Stella says she already knows. She plans to do something but doesn’t want Alicia to quit. I am excited to see Stella’s story, I think it’s next. Fuck Felix for cheating on her, the audacity, especially to do it while Stella is in the same building, ew. So when Alicia runs out, Ethan is there, and she hugs him while crying about Stella. He holds her in his car and they kiss I think. I wish Ethan had a conversation with Alicia one-on-one to explain his situation with his mom. This typa excuse is so overused though. Having a toxic ex or toxic parent that ruined your life and makes you assume all women are like that. And using that as an excuse for why you were shitty to the person you loved. But instead, Ethan goes out publicly to say that he fucked up his one good relationship cuz of his mom. He opens up to the public about Audrey taking advantage of him, how it affected the way he saw relationships, and his regrets. He then says that he is waiting for his runaway girl to run into his arms. The hashtag #runback or some shit was trending.


Alicia watches this with her family, her mom and dad were hilarious. I loved how Alicia snuck in a chocolate bar to her dad. Everyone was shocked Alicia was seeing Ethan, her dad starts ranting about not accepting Ethan. So Alicia snitches to her mom that her dad has a chocolate bar with him. When Ethan is done his interview, he heads back to the stadium and Jake grabs him. Everyone says Ethan has a press conference, and Jake brings Ethan to Audrey. They tell Ethan to quit the team, or they would ruin his and Alicia’s life, saying they know her identity. Then, Katy, the Tik Toker, walks in with pictures of Ethan and Alicia. One picture is of Ethan and Alicia in his car when she was crying in his lap about Stella. The other is of Ethan holding Alicia’s face while she is bleeding cuz of the football. And the last is of Alicia and Jake at the restaurant. The pictures make it seem like Alicia sleeps with all her clients and that Ethan is abusive. Ethan panics, since he loves Alicia and doesn’t want her life ruined. He tells Katy she will regret this, that the clout won’t be worth it. But as he walks out, Alicia is there, and she runs to hug him. He kisses her and says he loves her, and then announces in the press conference that he quits the team. Alicia notices that Ethan is looking at Audrey and Jake, and then she saw Katy. She calls Stella for help and tells her to record the conversation as she follows Katy to the washroom. When Alicia confronts Katy, she admits to everything but says Alicia can’t do anything. Alicia says she knows that she will get more followers if she exposes Katy for everything, and Katy blackmails her with the pictures. Stella speaks up and acts like a lawyer, telling Katy she can get arrested and fined. Katy panics and Stella tells her what to do. Then we cut to seeing Audrey, Jake, and Katy arrested. Jake got out after a bit but no team wants him anymore. Katy was cancelled on the internet and Audrey was stuck in prison. Alicia and Ethan get back together, and she is shocked he was willing to give up his career for her. Stella said Alicia won’t lose her job if she’s with Ethan, she’s an exception. Alicia runs into his arms again and we cut to Ethan and Alicia at an event. Alicia gives Ethan a remote for some sex toy he gifted her during his grovel period. He controls it and then she gets flustered so they go away and he gets her off. He wins an award but he only cares that he has Alicia back. A year or two later, Ethan asks Alicia’s dad if he can propose. He used a chocolate bar as a bribe. Austin overhears the conversation. So Austin blurts it out to Alicia and Alexis to ruin the surprise, but it was cute and funny. Ethan proposes and Alicia is pregnant. While this was cute, I needed more.

Stay safe folks!

[Hey Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly loved the beginning with the dude H making a “BIIIIGGGGGG mistake. BIG. HUGE” a la Julia Robert’s Pretty Woman.

It starts off with the H being a dick to the h when she is asking for a commitment and he tells her that she’s basically just a fuck buddy and he doesn’t want a real relationship with her. Then he goes to the bar with a teammate, gets blindingly drunk and kisses a random woman at the bar while saying the h is a no one blah blah blah. He throws up after he kisses the random woman and then sees what he said when he wakes up the next morning when an influencer person records it all and posts it online.

I guess after that, it was just the same old story that I’ve read before. He doesn’t really have one big moment of grovel or apology. He keeps messing up trying to apologize and it’s like two steps back for one forward. But eventually, she breaks down and says how in love she is with him. I liked when she goes out on a business dinner with his teammate and he makes it seem like he’s going on a date with h and he rubs it in Hs face 😂

There is a side story of his money hungry mom who tries to sell out her son and h helps her man by getting the people behind the scheme

Kind of a forgettable book, but it was ok for a fast, “guy fucked up” trope. Not bad, but not great 🤷‍♀️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent grovel

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but farfetched

I liked it. He definitely messed up. He kissed another woman but that is it. Still cheating kinda,but he threw up after. Really liked the heroine. She was amazing..and strong. I could have done without the epilogue for sure. Just wrong. But the,story itself was good. His mother was vile and I can see why he was so messed up. He definitely groveled.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

its lacking

I understand the low ratings. Alicia went the really obvious “I just can’t get over him even though he hurt me” route. The multiple mentions of “GIRLBOSS” became so cringy when she can’t even do the bare minimum of cutting him off and torturing him through indifference and apathy. She entertained him way too much for someone who was humiliated nationally. Ethan was honestly as wimpy and corny as they come. All of his “efforts” just seem disingenuous. An eye for an eye Alicia should have made him witness her macking on a hot guy instead made her so whiny and obviously pining over Ethan’s undeserving azz.

Hope Stella’s story doesn’t disappoint and turn in to a marriage-in-trouble, Second chance romance after what her scam of a husband did. If it is, no way should the author be allowed to use the term GIRLBOSS ever again since it’s clear it has lost all its meaning.

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✯

-dual POV
-h/H have been seeing each other for 4 years (they were not officially together but they had an exclusive fwb relationship)
-she's 28, he's 29
-the drama: when the h told the hero that she wanted more and that she had fallen in love with him he freaked out, he went to a bar and got drunk, he started talking shit about the h and kissed OW (he didn't know someone was filming him) the next day when he saw the video of him making out with the OW he puked... he was clearly in denial, he was in love with the h but couldn't admit it bc he had commitment issues bc of his mother but to me he was just dumb and immature
-separation: several months (both celibate)
-the h annoyed me a couple times but I liked her for the most part
-unwanted attention from OM
-the grovel was good and I thought he redeemed himself
-epilogue: 6 months and a year and a half later -engaged with a baby on the way
-------------------

“Out of all of those warped lies you’ve told yourself, Ethan. I will give you one concession. There is one fact that you managed to get right—you will never find another woman like me.”

*******************

“I’m so sorry, Alicia. For the way I initially reacted to your feelings, for being so condescending and uncaring. For my immaturity, blowing up your phone. And that video—god, how I wish I could just erase that night. Better yet, erase everything after you tried having that talk with me… I would change so much…”

*******************

“We promised exclusivity, and I managed to shit on our arrangement, our friendship, our connection for a vomit-inducing kiss. I swear it didn’t go further than that, but that doesn’t excuse anything. My actions were deplorable, and when you immediately shut me out, I didn’t know how to cope. I was a fucking toddler chucking a tantrum over not having your attention.”

*******************

“Why would I waste completely good merchandise? Those donuts are delicious, the flowers are beautiful, and the lingerie is my favourite brand. I took those gifts because I fucking deserve them! That doesn’t mean we’re getting back together.”

*******************

If my own mother can treat me so horribly, that must mean all women are highly manipulative and self-serving, right?

*******************

“I know your mum took advantage of you and contributed to the way you process things, but you’re an adult now, son. There’s only so long you can blame her until you have to take responsibility for yourself… Tell the truth. Be vulnerable. If Alicia’s everything you say she is, fight for her, Ethan.”

*******************

I physically and mentally was incapable of being without her and the revelation had me paralysed with so many mixed emotions. The funny thing was, even though I didn’t want to admit it—especially to myself—I loved her too.

*******************

“I fucked up bad with you, huh? But trust me, I’m paying for it now. Since I lost you, I’ve had to work through some heavy self-reflection, and let’s just say I don’t like the person I’ve become. I took you for granted, Ali, but I can’t live without you.”

*******************

“I want you to know that all my fucked up actions leading up to this point has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. It’s me who isn’t husband material. It’s me who isn’t father material.” Unsolicited tears began to gather in my lash line. Yet, I didn’t seem to care. She deserved to see it all. “Fuck. If only I was so lucky to have you as my wife, as the mother of my children. I once told you that nothing else matters if I don’t have you. And you can fucking bet your ass that I’d give up anything for the honour of you taking my last name and becoming my family.”

[Aarann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, but honestly, I never connected to the romance, and I don't have the slightest idea why. Alicia Thorne is a bad-ass who takes no shit. And although Ethan was a fuckwit in the beginning of the book, he realizes pretty quick that he needs to clean up his act.

They've been in a situationship for four years but no one knows about it, even though he's a celebrity football player. She finally asks him where they're going because she is getting older and wants the whole enchilada and even has a great speech about how she wants to settle down, even if it isn't with him. He goes apeshit (mommy issues) and tears her down. She has enough and it's over for her. Unfortunately before she can really ram home the idea that they aren't getting back together, her father has a stroke and she disappears. During that time, Ethan develops a second, more serious case of Douchecanoe and gets caught on video absolutely shredding her (although he doesn't identify her, but it's clear he is talking about his four-year situationship) and the incident goes viral. Alicia, of course, sees the video and calmly cuts him out of her life. Of course, Ethan realizes as soon as he sees that someone videotaped him saying hateful things that is in no way what he wants, and does his best (which is admittedly pretty weak at first) grovel. Luckily, Alicia is take-no-shit and he gets a pink dildo induced (yes, you read that right) black eye. It was glorious.

And yet, something was lacking in the chemistry for me. It could easily be a case of "It's not you, it's me" and maybe I just picked this book up on the wrong day. But I just never connected with wanting the leads to get back together. I felt bad for Ethan and his mommy issues (although her motivations were definitely not fleshed out. At the end his greedy, evil mother teams up with the opportunistic tabloid-style influencer who made his drunken rant viral and his team back-up who wants his place on the team to extort him into quitting football. I get why the jealous player wants him to quit, because he figures that will give him Ethan's spot on the team, but his mother is after money, so him quitting football gets her absolutely nothing. Is she after revenge because she knows the Ethan-bank is dried up? If so, why does she keep demanding money when her actions are likely to leave him without as much income? Make it make sense. As for why the influencer is involved, there's a vague mention of her sleeping with the rival player and I guess that could advance her followers if she has that kind of "in", but she clearly went after Ethan for a reason and I can't figure out why she hated him, specifically, so much. Even a pre-Alicia one night stand that he'd forgotten about would make more sense for why she'd go after him so brutally. But maybe because I never saw the beginning of their relationship, or any of the tender moments over the course of their 4 years together, I couldn't figure out why he couldn't let go of Alicia (I mean, yes, she was a dildo-wielding bad-ass, but I just didn't feel like he really loved her, and vice-versa for that matter).

[Karyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway Girl by V. Brown
https://www.instagram.com/vbrown.author/
#sportsromance #sportsromancebooks #sportsromancenovels #runawaygirl #aussieauthors #romancebooks #romancereader #situationship
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
FMC – 💹
MMC - 🏈
Grovel - 🧎🧎🧎🧎🧎
ARC review
🔥 Runaway Girl, book two in the Sin & Redemption series, delivers a fiery, emotionally charged ride that hits you straight in the heart. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Mercy Lake (Book 1) as the main characters make brief appearance in this book too.. And yes—Mercy Lake is another must-read from V. Brown, so don’t skip it.

Alicia, our powerhouse FMC, rules the finance world with sharp skill and quiet ambition. Her “situationship” with Ethan—a charismatic football player and long-time client—has simmered for four years. But Alicia wants more. She dreams of a real, lasting HEA, even if it means letting Ethan go.

When Alicia finally asks the dreaded “What are we?” question, Ethan spirals—hard. At first, he comes off like a walking disaster of emotional immaturity (think: ego meets denial), but this story isn’t just about his stumble. It’s about growth, redemption, and earning love the hard way.

✨ The character arc is truly satisfying, with Ethan’s transformation being the beating heart of the novel. And Alicia? She remains fierce, vulnerable, and utterly magnetic throughout. The emotional payoff—the grovel—is pure gold. Sensational, unforgettable, and worth every page turn.


V. Brown may be a fresh voice in the romance world, but her storytelling chops are already razor sharp. Runaway Girl proves she’s a talent to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.

Runaway Girl

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of groveling but it fell flat

Pretty close to a closed door story but not exactly - very mild spice at the very very end of the book

Groveling through 70% of the book - it’s a rare book that manages to basically be about groveling but it — felt wrong somehow. Like, not the right type of groveling. Most of it happens internally via the character realizing he needs to be better and go to therapy…it’s a lot of “telling” the reader

You also don’t get any scenes where he’s showcasing he’s changed and interacts with the MFC - it’s just like, I went to therapy and I’m gonna talk on live tv about my trauma and how it made me who I am and why I said these things. Run back to me!!

Also - like, why was the MFC crying about her boss being a cheater?? Like - totally unrealistic for a self proclaimed “girl boss”… it’s basically used as an unrealistic plot point to have the MFC run back to the MMC crappy stalker ex so that they had a reason to interact at 60% of the book…..

Not really sure where the love was supposed to be between the two, tbh 🤷🏻‍♀️

Shout out to the supporting characters that backed up the MFC and did not support the MMC and his abhorrent behavior - they actively called him out and shamed him

[rogue_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an MF romance and is book two of the Sin & Redemption series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone. This was a 5-star 1 spice read for me! Tropes include: second chance, pro football player x financial advisor, forbidden, secret relationship, she says what she means, he has commitment issues, social media scandal, determined MMC, lots of grovelling, trauma x healing, HAE. I’m so in love with these characters and this series. If you love stories with real characters, you’re going to want to read this! I have zero regrets over the lack of spice because the story is just so good.

Alicia (FMC) and Ethan (MMC) have a no-strings type of relationship. For the past four years, it’s worked quite well. Until Alicia mentions changing the terms. Thanks to some serious mommy issues, Ethan is terrified of even having that convo. So, instead of acting like an adult, he ignores the topic. When Alicia demands the respect she deserves, Ethan doesn’t handle her tactics well. He makes a major mistake and spends months figuring out how to fix what he’s done. It seems like the odds are against him, but he’s no quitter, and he wants Alicia Thorne.

[Jimmie Louann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!
Ethan and Alicia have been in a secret relationship for four years. Alicia finally ask Ethan “what are we” when he gets upset because she wants more then secrets and stolen moments together. After he storms out on her she receives a call the shakes her foundation and she rushes home to be with her family. Ethan not knowing what’s going on and Alicia not answering his calls goes out with his team mate and starts saying hurtful things not knowing that it would go viral. Alicia sees the video and decides there isn’t anything left for them or their relationship and try’s to cut all ties with Ethan. Ethan of course at this time realizes that he loves Alicia and will do anything to fix what he’s broken. This book has it all from deep childhood traumas to fear of losing a parent and blackmail. They go through rough waters to find a way back to each other. I have read both Mercy Lake (Alicia’s sister’s book) and now Runaway Girl and I’m a fan for life. Can’t wait for the next!

[Meggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s how you grovel!

This was a quick and sweet read. While my heart hurt through a lot of it, I also ended the book with a huge smile. This was just a great and feel good read!

Ethan messed up big time. That viral video was brutal and I wasn’t sure how he could come back from that. Not only did he screw up, but it was witnessed by millions! It was such an epic fail and my heart hurt for Alicia that she had to witness it.

I wasn’t sure not a fan of Jake, of course. He was not a good man and he was not even subtle about his smarminess. I was so glad that Alicia shut him down hard! I loved that Alicia didn’t even for a second entertain anything with him. She was such a strong woman! I loved that she stood her ground and made Ethan earn it.

I’m new to V. Browns works, but I will definitely be seeking more books by her! I love a good sports romance with a happy ending!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read but thoroughly enjoyed the story. The MMC kissed another woman, but this was after the FMC broke up with him. So what do you think? Would it be considered cheating? The MMC admitted he cheated, but in his little pea-sized brain, the FMC was still his girlfriend. He was absolutely still an a$$hole for the entire situation. 🤨

In the end, the MMC was willing to risk his entire career to save hers. He was being blackmailed by another teammate. I wish the characters' journeys and some situations were a bit more fleshed out. It could have added a little bit more angst. I did feel like the MMC was remorseful, and I was glad that the FMC didn't give in so fast.

My favorite side character was Daddy Harris, even though he only showed up a few times, definitely when it mattered the most. 😂

Can't wait to see Stella take down Felix. *evil laugh*

[Birty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Football romance

After 4 years together but not in public, Alicia wants more, but Ethan isn’t ready. So, instead of staying and talking about their relationship, Ethan stores out and then proceeds to make a drunken video about how unfit Alicia is to be his girl friend. Alicia takes him at his word and tries to move on. Ethan realizes too late the mistake he made. Add to the story a crazy mother (Ethan’s) and a misogynist football client (Alicia’s) mixed with an online influencer trying to make a name, and you have a screwed up romance. Both characters have to learn to respect themselves but for they can work on each other.

At times the story seemed to go slow and the one sexual situation was cringe-worthy but overall story ok.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheating = grey area as technically you could consider that the h and H were broekn up...according to the h, but the H felt that they were not...H kisses another random female while ranting about the h on a viral video. Did not go past that and the H threw up after.

h sees H with OW = h watched video of above....along with millions of others according to the story

OW drama = it's actually not the h who is victimized by the OW drama...it is the H's own mother who causes nothing but pain and heartbreak to her own son. OW is vindictive, manipulative and greedy. Comeuppance? Ends up in prison for extortion/blackmail.

Grovel = H said things directly to the h and on the viral video that he had to make up for. H went to therapy and worked hard in deed and word to make it up to the h.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

My initial thoughts
Ethan was a condescending entitled asshole who needed therapy and didn’t deserve Alicia. Like just because you have mommy and commitment issues doesn’t mean you get to take it out on other people. I hope Alicia doesn’t forgive him.

My thoughts about the ending
I hate to say this but he won me over. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I do resent him a little bit tho. Loved how Alicia stood her ground and made him grovel for her forgiveness. She had an actual backbone that you don’t see in many FMCs. Alicia was badass!!!


Second Chance Romance
Betrayal & Cheating (Kissed OW while in an exclusive Situationship with Alicia.
Grovel
Scenes with OP (Kissed OW)
No OWD
No real OMD(OM tries to cause trouble but Alicia doesn’t care about him)
Dual POV
HEA

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hate to be that person but my god this was awful. I don’t think I’ve ever really left a review like this before.

I don’t know what to say other than, the writing and characters were terrible. I was super excited to read this one because the blurb sounded amazing.
You got a tiny bit of betrayal in the first couple pages and the rest of the book you had a MMC who “grovels” but honestly he seemed written more as a child than an adult football player. Unfortunately I didn’t connect with the FMC at all either. The idea was great, but unfortunately it was just poorly executed.

The only reason I didn’t DNF was because it was a short read.

[Courtney Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reading briefly about the Runaway Girl video in Mercy Lake, to getting the full run down in this absolute masterpiece 🤌🏼
Alicia is an absolute power house and comes across as exactly the girl boss she is aspiring to be!! I love her so much, but the absolute showstopper is Ethan’s transformation, his journey to becoming a better man and someone who is worthy of Alicia’s love.
V, thank you for reducing me to tears, breaking my heart and then putting the pieces back together again 🥹
I loved this book so very much 👌🏼❤️

[Christelle Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so good.
Second chance romance after MMC humiliates the FMC on the internet.
The beginning was really promising but it felt like nothing was really happening. We were stuck in a commitment phobe with mommy issues and a “badass” FMC who apart from the beginning in the relationship she wasn’t that badass and doesn’t have much of a backbone.
The book was mainly the FMC being angry and then after a bit of groveling they were back together.
I was disappointed with how easily they were back together.

[D C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was better than the first book but still wasn’t good enough.

I generally don’t enjoy public apologies but it was fitting considering that he destroyed her character publicly, but still. The book was more messy and less angsty, which I’m not sure if that was the goal of the author.

Ethan undoubtedly didn’t seem like someone who started therapy. He knew already about his problems with commitment etc etc and there’s a mention of therapy but we see nothing of his journey or whatever.

Alicia has no character development. From the first till the last page she was exactly the same.

[olivia V. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't read the first one in this series might read the next one when its available. It was alright. Not a super huge fan of sports romances but as far as mc's go, they were both likeable. I am not a fan of big huge public gestures in romances, they make me cringe. Not a lot of spice, good character growth for the mmc, because it was short it felt like you didn't get much of their back story, so I felt a little shorted. It starts when they've been together for 4 years already and there just wasn't that much angst for me after the breakup. safe overall.

[Adrianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading book one, Mercy Lake, this one was underwhelming. I think it started wrong for me. Since this couple was in a long term sexual relationship but nothing more I didn’t really feel the romance. I didn’t feel a connection between these two. I didn’t think their relationship was worth fighting for because there wasn’t a relationship to begin with. I understood why the FMC would be upset about everything that happened, but I didn’t really get the MMC totally changing his personality.

This was a no for me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alicia and Ethan

Alicia abd Ethan have been together for 4 years though nobody knew it. Due to their professions they had kept their relationship hidden. When Alicia dared to ask for more all hell broke lose and Ethan obliterated her, privately and publicly.
When the dust settled he had a clear view of whst was left and was shocked to realised Alicia was nowhere to be found because she had taken stoke of what he had done and turned her back to him determined not to look back. And to Ethzn astonishment, he was not OK with that. Highly recommended