Outrun: A Thriller Introducing Jessie Baltimore

by Ivy Bronson

Jessie Baltimore has one job this weekend—drive her sons across the Mojave Desert to visit their grandparents.

But when a flash drive is mistakenly slipped into her teenage son’s laptop during a routine repair, the trip becomes anything but ordinary.

The drive contains sensitive information, and powerful men will do whatever it takes to get it back. As Jessie senses they’re being watched, instincts and training she thought she’d left behind surge to the surface. She must confront a past she’s buried and the secrets she’s kept.

Now Jessie has no choice but to outrun her pursuers across a desolate highway and protect her family, as her carefully constructed suburban life shatters.

Outrun is a tense, fast-paced thriller about survival, sacrifice, and a mother who won’t back down.

Perfect for fans of The Chain, No Exit, and Orphan X.

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2025

About the author

About the Author


Ivy Bronson writes pulse-pounding thrillers that dive deep into secrets, survival, and the pasts that shape us. A lifelong lover of suspense and stories that keep you up past midnight, Ivy crafts tightly-wound plots with strong emotional undercurrents and characters you won’t forget.



Her debut novel, Outrun , launches readers into a fast-paced world where trust is a luxury and the truth comes at a cost. When Ivy's not writing, you can find her reading, researching, or planning a trip.



Join Ivy’s reader list for behind-the-scenes looks, bonus content, and early access to upcoming releases.

Reviews

[DoneReadThat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book thru Voracious Readers Only for an honest review. I was sent it as an ARC but I didn't get to it until after the book released on September 3.
(4.75⭐s only because I don't know when the next book comes out)

Shut the front door and read this book. It is so freaking good! 

As a mom of a neurodiverse (ND) kiddo it was so encouraging to see a character that was also ND but wasn't like Sheldon Cooper. The representation of non-a'hole ND individual was refreshing. 

Now back to our regularly scheduled review. 
I love a good thriller. They get your heart pumping and you can escape your boring carline situation. This book most definitely delivers. A mom willing to do whatever it takes to protect her kids while still being able to comfort them when they need it. 

Murder, mayhem, death, & carnage. I'm in.

I cannot wait for more of this series. 

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers. Thank you.

Thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. Good strong characters with many layers.

A regular holiday trip turns into a nightmare for Mum, Jessie Baltimore and her two sons. When organised crime with its death and destruction intrudes on Jessie's life and endangers her sons she steps up.

Interesting storyline with unexpected twists that keep you involved.

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, definitely a page turner. The characters felt real and kept me hooked the whole time. A couple parts dragged a little, but overall it was a good read.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was captivating and a "can't put down" story. Chapters alternating between good characters and bad ones. I enjoyed the fact that the storyline was different than the typical whodonnit.

Thank you to Book Sirens for this ARC book. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed reading Outrun. It was the first book in a long time where I could not put it down and just needed to know what happens!! I found the book to be very relatable as the writer captures the dynamic of children/motherly love so well yet keeping you hooked with the action! Literally reached out to my teen nephew to check in after reading 😊

[Lyndsay Fiorentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful and a page turner, really hoping for a sequel or series with Jessie!
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author via voracious readers only.

[David Gullige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was truly gripping. As I have seen some call it, it is a “family” thriller. The family dynamics are very relevant and add some good humor to the story. Several moments hold you in suspense causing many late nights as I read ‘just one more chapter’ before bed. I appreciated a sense of closure while still leaving bits of the story open to continue. I honestly would’ve enjoyed seeing Charlie being able to find his way back to his brother, but I get he was just a supporting character. All in all a great read, I couldn’t put it down!

[D. Alan. P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTRUN is a captivating and thrilling page-turner with expertly placed comic relief where needed. The International Morse Code messages placed at the scene breaks within the chapters is another touch of brilliance for the attentive reader to discover. What fun! Jessie Baltimore is the mom every boy would love to claim as his own mom. This book is a must-read for fans of the ‘run for your life’ but make the bad guys pay thriller genre.

This thriller will keep you captivated from start to finish, with a real hunger to keep reading after each chapter ends. The kids are relatable, entertaining, frustrating, and adorable from a parent’s point of view. I cheered, I cried, I held my breath, I rooted for mom and the kids, I wanted to lash out at the bad guys, and I did not want the book to end. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out. Jessie Baltimore is my new heroine.

Ivy Bronson has scored a major home-run with her first novel. I can already see the movie franchise potential in this series of Jessie Baltimore thrillers. Readers of this thriller genre are going to love the Ivy Bronson books and will especially love Jessie Baltimore. This book is a MUST READ!!

[Felina Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative revolves around a mother, Jessie Baltimore, and her two young sons, Max and Sean, who are going on a routine trip in the Mojave Desert to visit their elderly relatives when all of a sudden, hell breaks loose. After discovering illicit software linked to criminal activity, courtesy of a misplaced flash drive in Max's laptop, they were thrust abruptly into a chaotic scenario where their safety and security were compromised. Jesse, a former field agent, finds herself leaning on her marksmanship training to defend and protect Max and Sean from dangerous maneuvers and life-and-death scenarios as unlawful operatives pursued them relentlessly to retrieve their felonious data stick.

The action-filled cliffhanger is packed with nail-biting moments and suspenseful tableaus. The characters were well delineated, so it is not difficult to get emotionally invested in the story development. The plot will definitely ensnare your interest and capture your undivided attention.

I laud the author for a well-conceptualized thriller!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this thriller. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their attention to details that made the characters come to life. I enjoyed Jessie and how strong of a female she is. She is my favorite of the story and she made me want to know what happens to her. I enjoyed watching the growth of the plot that made the story easy to read. I enjoyed the twists and turns that had me sitting one the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. The world building just come full circle which just made this story. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome find! I received this book as an ARC through Hidden Gems and am greatly appreciative of this gem of a book!

Jessie Baltimore is a mama bear not to be messed with! This book has it all; protective family instincts, sibling rivalry, action, anticipation, all mixed up with just the right humor. I was worried about not getting a true connection with Johnathan's involvement and got that as well! The ending gave just enough hook and cliffhanger to make me wanting more with Jessie and her skills!
If you like thrillers, this will not disappoint! Such a quick read that you won't be able to put down!
Can't wait for the 2nd book!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that this is the authors first book because it is so good. The blurb had me intrigued and by the time I had finished the first chapter I was sold and continued to eagerly read. I am sure that every young boy would love such a tough mum. She will stop at nothing to protect her kids. It's chock block action plays out with your heart in your throat and I quickly warmed to the characters. It was a exciting read and it's just the start.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her -ast is about to reappear when a drive is put into her son laptop that powerful,people will kill for. She had hoped it would just be a simple trip to take her sones to visit their grandparents. Now she will be caught up in a race to get to safety and keeping her sons safe from harm. A brilliant read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a fast paced action read

[Morena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller, like the desert setting it evokes, is full of surprises. Jesse Baltimore, a seemingly average mom, becomes a force of nature as she protects her kids in a fast paced, action packed story. The right blend of action and motherly love!

[Virginia Prue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Highly recommend. Well developed characters. Looking forward with great anticipation to the next Ivy Bronson thriller!