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Running with Jack Scissors
Sixteen-year-old Megan barely feels anything anymore.
Not since her dad died. Not since her mom stopped looking her in the eye. Not since her cross-country teammates turned every practice into a reminder that she’s not who she used to be.
Then, on a deserted trail, she meets Jack Scissors.
Strange. Charming. Obsessed with all things 1970s. And determined to make her run like his idol, Steve with all heart.
As Jack trains her for the biggest race of the summer, Megan finds herself running faster, and feeling more, than she ever thought she could. She tells him things she’s never told anyone… including the truth about the day her father died.
But the closer race day comes, the more she
Who is Jack Scissors? And why does it feel like knowing him will change everything?
For Megan it's a summer of love, loss, and a boy who dares her to run and live with all heart.
Not since her dad died. Not since her mom stopped looking her in the eye. Not since her cross-country teammates turned every practice into a reminder that she’s not who she used to be.
Then, on a deserted trail, she meets Jack Scissors.
Strange. Charming. Obsessed with all things 1970s. And determined to make her run like his idol, Steve with all heart.
As Jack trains her for the biggest race of the summer, Megan finds herself running faster, and feeling more, than she ever thought she could. She tells him things she’s never told anyone… including the truth about the day her father died.
But the closer race day comes, the more she
Who is Jack Scissors? And why does it feel like knowing him will change everything?
For Megan it's a summer of love, loss, and a boy who dares her to run and live with all heart.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2025
9 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2025
I was very excited to dive into this story as 1. I love YA Romances & 2. DJ had shared on social media that this is becoming a movie.
I want to be clear that my review is based solely on the fact that I don't particularly enjoy faith based "character was dead the whole time" / "guardian angel" book tropes. When I agreed to ARC read I was unaware of the final twist being a supernatural one. Had I known that, I would've let the author know I am not the target audience.
that said:
💗 What I Loved 💗
• Realistic depictions of highschool friends and enemies
• Hallmark story vibes
• the sneakers 👟
🙃 What I thought could be improved 🙃
• dialogue. sometimes the dialogue felt fake or repetitive.
• it felt more like a movie than a book (which yes I know, is the whole point.) but the repetitiveness didn't lend well to a novel.
• the characters were 16&17 yet sometimes said things and acted closer to 12&13 year olds.
• more Proofreading.
⚠️ Should be labeled as Christian fiction, faith based, and paranormal. ⚠️
I personally believe that people just cease to exist after they die so the whole "her father sent a guardian angel 😇" trope was not meant for me.
overall, I can see how this would make a great movie on a Hallmark or up faith network.
I want to be clear that my review is based solely on the fact that I don't particularly enjoy faith based "character was dead the whole time" / "guardian angel" book tropes. When I agreed to ARC read I was unaware of the final twist being a supernatural one. Had I known that, I would've let the author know I am not the target audience.
that said:
💗 What I Loved 💗
• Realistic depictions of highschool friends and enemies
• Hallmark story vibes
• the sneakers 👟
🙃 What I thought could be improved 🙃
• dialogue. sometimes the dialogue felt fake or repetitive.
• it felt more like a movie than a book (which yes I know, is the whole point.) but the repetitiveness didn't lend well to a novel.
• the characters were 16&17 yet sometimes said things and acted closer to 12&13 year olds.
• more Proofreading.
⚠️ Should be labeled as Christian fiction, faith based, and paranormal. ⚠️
I personally believe that people just cease to exist after they die so the whole "her father sent a guardian angel 😇" trope was not meant for me.
overall, I can see how this would make a great movie on a Hallmark or up faith network.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
Running with Jack Scissors by DJ Hellman is a book about people who are dealing with grief, coping mechanisms and how they choose to move past the hurt. Meghan is stuck after loosing her dad. Her relations with her mom is horrible, they are both lost in their grief and trying to cope by using methods that are tearing them apart. Her normal go to is running, but after loosing her dad even that has turned on her.
One day things change when she meets a cute but weird 17 year old boy on a deserted running trail. Jack Scissors is quirky, motivating and obsessed with the 1970 and a running idol named Steve Prefontaine. As Jack helps Meghan train for a big race at the end of the summer, the two become close.
Will this be the summer that changes everything for Meghan?
I liked this book overall and thought the pacing was great. I guess the twist way before it was revealed but was fine with it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All my thoughts and the review are my own.
One day things change when she meets a cute but weird 17 year old boy on a deserted running trail. Jack Scissors is quirky, motivating and obsessed with the 1970 and a running idol named Steve Prefontaine. As Jack helps Meghan train for a big race at the end of the summer, the two become close.
Will this be the summer that changes everything for Meghan?
I liked this book overall and thought the pacing was great. I guess the twist way before it was revealed but was fine with it.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All my thoughts and the review are my own.
September 15, 2025
an enlightening story with deep heart
Hellman takes the reader to places uncommon on the written page. Exceptionally well developed characters come to life as the unusual story of their relationship unfolds. Heartfelt passages appear throughout as the characters come to understand and deal with their situations in life. Highly recommended.
Hellman takes the reader to places uncommon on the written page. Exceptionally well developed characters come to life as the unusual story of their relationship unfolds. Heartfelt passages appear throughout as the characters come to understand and deal with their situations in life. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2025
Was a quick read and I loved the story plot.
Perfect for young teens.
Perfect for young teens.
September 13, 2025
Beautiful
We all to a Jack Scissors in our life. When the tears come let them wash our sorrows away. Amen
We all to a Jack Scissors in our life. When the tears come let them wash our sorrows away. Amen
October 26, 2025
Unexpected. I love a good inspirational movie. It’s uplifting and refreshing.
November 3, 2025
Great read!
This was an amazing read! Definitely one of those "can't stop reading" books! A feel good story with an ending that left you smiling!
This was an amazing read! Definitely one of those "can't stop reading" books! A feel good story with an ending that left you smiling!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews