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Camdyn #1

A Reason to Run

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All she wanted was to write a great love story — she had no idea she’d be writing her own.

Words rarely failed Camdyn Taylor. When life handed her complications, she buried herself in capturing them on paper and crafting a perfect narrative. The fact that her latest novel was currently sitting at the top of the bestseller lists let her know she had succeeded—not that anyone else noticed, since she hid behind a pen name.

It had been tempting to step away from the anonymity at times, but not on days like that one. Not when the humiliating video of Peter proposing was going viral and her name was spreading through peoples’ homes like wildfire. Her inclination to run felt justified, especially when she cloaked it with novel research. The change of scenery should offer the perfect quiet backdrop to finish the manuscript on time.

Of course, she hadn’t factored in an unintended clash with local bachelor Cole Parker. His charming smile and witty demeanor leave her intrigued, even though circumstances seem determined to keep him at arm’s length. Despite distractions, can the two of them find a common bond to tie everything together and construct the perfect story?

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2014

361 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read

About the author

Christina Coryell

21 books104 followers
USA Today bestselling author Christina Coryell was born and raised in southwest Missouri, where she lives with her husband and children. She had plenty of people tell her that her degree in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing would be useless. They were probably right. Added to her dual major in History, she became the least likely candidate for nearly every career on the planet, save being a writer. That suits her just fine.

Christina has written from the back hatch of an SUV, in a lawn chair while at soccer practice, in the front seat of her car, with kids climbing on her, and often with extremely loud noise in the background. At least half of her books have been written during baseball games.

She believes great fiction mirrors life, and great life contains a little humor, so it's difficult not to sprinkle a little funny business throughout her work. Oh...and character is everything.

She loves hearing from readers. You can find all the ways to connect with her at www.christinacoryell.com.

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5 stars
512 (54%)
4 stars
253 (27%)
3 stars
107 (11%)
2 stars
36 (3%)
1 star
23 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews116 followers
Want to read
May 21, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/21/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Angie Thompson.
Author 49 books1,110 followers
August 3, 2018
I really liked both Camdyn and Cole in this story, although I spent half the book torn between liking Cole and being incredibly frustrated with him. I liked the fact that their issues and conflicts began early on in the book, rather than waiting for everything to fall apart three-quarters of the way through. It felt much more realistic for them to have to work things out a bit at a time instead of resolving everything with a single nice conversation after the huge conflict. I also liked the way that they continued to try to communicate, apologize, and forgive in the middle of huge miscommunications and misunderstandings.

The secondary characters were great, too! I loved Charlie and Trina and the obvious history Camdyn shared with them. Rosalie's gentle insistence and Rachel's bubbly exuberance were perfect for their characters. And even the background characters were written like real people rather than stick figures.

Some of Camdyn's "what-if"s had me a little confused and concerned at times, but I ended up liking the way everything tied together. Her voice was very well-done, and I liked the laid-back, self-deprecating style of her narration. I just have to say, though, I'd love to have the ability to turn out a full-fledged novel in a few days!

About the only thing I didn't like about this book was the constant focus on the characters' physical attraction and the emotions of "falling in love". I didn't feel like it was taken too far, but it was definitely painted with a heavier brush than I prefer. There was also quite a bit of kissing over the space of a few chapters, which felt like a little much. And one scene where Camdyn was describing a series of accidents in her past named a few incidents that felt inappropriate. "Thank God" was used a few times, not quite flippantly, but not exactly reverently.

3.5 stars
511 reviews
May 11, 2016
Wonderful story!!

It isn't often that I give 5 star reviews, the book has to really be great and tug at my emotions before I do. This book is fantastic. I cannot tell you how many times I caught myself smiling, laughing and near tears while reading this book. I am so glad to have found this author. I hope to read the whole series. I normally don't read contemporary books, I prefer historical, but I have fell in love with the way the author writes. Thank you for a beautiful book.
Profile Image for Tamra.
219 reviews
January 23, 2015
Loved, loved, LOVED this book! At first I thought it was just another chick lit/Lifetime Movie romance book but it was so much more! One of the best written books I've read in awhile. The author is witty and extremely talented. Even though it is a sappy romance, she pulled me in and I couldn't get enough. The storyline was very engaging. Highly recommend A Reason to Run.
Profile Image for Brenda Poulos.
Author 13 books79 followers
March 16, 2018
Best Book I have Read in A Long Time

I read several books a week, which really eats into my writing schedule. This book was totally worth every minute. Loved the characters and the struggle as they found their way. Cannot wait to read more.
Profile Image for Lia Marie.
Author 5 books7 followers
January 25, 2021
I haven’t read this book since I was 16 or 17 and I wanted to see if I still loved it as much as I did then. The answer is yes! And I found out that it’s actually a series. So I will be binge reading it for the next couple of days 😁
Profile Image for Juli.
125 reviews
September 18, 2017
Thank you @isamom for recommending this book to me. I will read another, I relate very much to her humor. I cried over landscaping.... That's a first.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews266 followers
December 10, 2014
I decided to take a chance on a new author the other day. A Reason to Run by Christina Coryell is the book. I am very glad I took the chance because this book is wonderful!

Quirky, funny, delightful, very well written, A Reason to Run drew me in from the very first and I immediately was glad that I'd agreed to read the book.

Camdyn Taylor writes historical novels under a pen name. She has decided that she will write a book about her ancestress and, prompted by a very humiliating experience, leaves town to do research for that novel. She gets lost on her research trip and meets Cole.

I could barely tear myself away from the book and looked forward to getting back to it every time I had to put it down.

Camdyn is a wonderful young woman, totally captivating to all she comes in contact with. Written in the first person, it brings to mind the books of Jenny B. Jones.

There is a wonderful spiritual lesson here, too, that of allowing God to be the One who decides your future and not yourself. And a preciously romance within these pages will have your heart smiling and shedding tears of joy for Camdyn and Cole.

*I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
Profile Image for Franky.
Author 15 books59 followers
May 5, 2015
This book drew me in from the start. Camdyn is a complex and very real character. She certainly has a reason to run, a poor victim of viral-social-media-video infamy. The author did a brilliant job helping the reader feel the excitement Camdyn and Cole felt when they were getting to know each other and everything between them just clicked. It reminded me of the way it feels when you meet the right guy, and you do almost feel like a high-school girl with a crush again because you're blushing so much. However, the road to love isn't smooth for Camdyn and Cole, the viral video returns to wreck her reputation and both of them have past pain and disappointments to overcome.

It was so interesting that Camdyn chose to write a book about her ancestor Willa. I already love history, and family history is even more fascinating, so, of course, I thought it was an awesome idea to write a book about her great-great-great grandmother. It leads her to research and learn more about her family and I enjoyed that.

Despite complications and hurt feelings, there is a sweet romance in this story that won't disappoint.
Profile Image for Ines Bautista-yao.
Author 20 books147 followers
May 18, 2015
Cole is love.

This book definitely gave me the feels. I couldn't put it down, waiting and waiting for Cole and Camdyn to get together! The teaser in the beginning drove me nuts. What also made me a little crazy was how it took them forever to admit how they felt about each other - and how long it took before they kissed! And to think Cole said he'd wanted to kiss her that first night! So yeah, you can see I was really invested in this story haha!

I also really liked the Willa - great (x5) grandmother - subplot and Camdyn being an author hiding behind a pseudonym. I thought the other characters were fun too.

Though quite gripping, there were times when I felt the back and forth between Cole and Camdyn (will they or wouldn't they get together?) was a bit much - as if they had so many insecurities, they couldn't see how the other was feeling and it was so obvious already on both sides. It felt a bit drawn out. But in the end, Cole totally makes up for it by being such a lovable character.

There's so much more I want to say about the book, but I suggest you read it and get ready for all those feels!
Profile Image for Becky.
16 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2015
A Reason to Run is the first of a four book series. I've had this book in que on my Kindle for a few weeks. Once I started reading, I was drawn in. In fact, I finished the entire four-book series in less than a week.

The main character, Camdyn Taylor, aka C.W. Oliver, is a complex lady. I immediately wanted to know how her story turned out. I also appreciated that the story is written from a Christian perspective without sounding preachy. Camdyn is quirky, fun, has a great sense of humor and has led an eventful and interesting life. The book is written in the first person, and written well.

This may sound surprising, but my least favorite character in the book was Camdyn's newfound boyfriend, Cole. He was just too perfect throughout the book. Another critique is that there was a great deal of time spent describing the physical attractiveness of the couple. Overall, cast of characters in the book were interesting, multi-dimensional people I could imagine myself spending time with. And the storyline, though predictable, was interesting and I was totally engaged from the start.
Profile Image for Kelly.
304 reviews6 followers
July 29, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! This is not what I normally read as I love mysteries and tend to eschew romances,but this book was different. It was so well-written and such a good story that the fact it had romance made it better. It wasn't formulaic or predictable at all, funny, sad, sweet all rolled into one. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,289 reviews15 followers
November 21, 2014
Oh my, oh my, oh my...What a wonderful book. I was caught up in ths story from the beginning. As more and more of the characters was revealed, I felt more and more emotion. Such an engrossing read, I had trouble putting it down. Can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Melissa Wardwell.
Author 20 books943 followers
January 28, 2016
This was such a wonderful story and so well written I couldn't help but smile and even laugh at the interaction between Cole and Camdyn. It was easy to connect with the characters. Such a sweet love story that was difficult to put down. I look forward to reading the reast of the series.
Profile Image for Yolanda.
336 reviews6 followers
March 19, 2015
This book I bought on a 99 cent whim thanks to T I Lowe. :-) I have to say, that the way this came together was perfect!
Profile Image for Phyllis.
1,288 reviews35 followers
November 20, 2017
I am so glad I found this book! It was a wonderfully written romance that was clean and sweet. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Jossie Solheim.
Author 2 books17 followers
January 13, 2018
When I started this book, I didn't know what to expect.

Christina Coryell was not an author I'd ever heard of, so I went in completely blind. Although, I prefer that, to be honest.

As I began to read, I picked at the little things that seemed unrealistic to me. I had imagined Camdyn to be something she very clearly was not. I thought she was a recluse like myself, hiding from the big wide world. Hiding, because putting herself out there was far too scary a prospect.

I've spent a large part of my life wanting to run, even though I'd been watching my mother do that very thing for years without success. I've wanted to take my little family and up and leave to somewhere we were unknown and start afresh, to just leave everything from our pasts behind us. We think that if we do this, life will somehow be better. But if watching my mother has taught me anything, it's that the grass is rarely greener on the other side. Because often what we are looking for has nothing to do with our surroundings and more to do with our interactions or lack thereof.

Realistically, Camdyn could be happy anywhere, especially now she's found, Cole. The same as all of us can, regardless of whether we have found our soul mates or not. It's learning to deal with the people we meet and interact with on a daily basis, that is key.

This book made me think about all these things and also made me fall in love with its characters. Christina has a beautiful writing style that really helps you to become absorbed in her words. Her characters are fun and easy to love, and hard to let go of. Thankfully we don't have to just yet, as this is the first book in a whole series.

I highly recommend this book, if you're looking for a great escape that will make you ponder yourself and your outlook on life. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

And best of all, there wasn't a single tacky sex scene in sight. Now that's rare for a love story these days.
533 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2018
Very well written!!

I loved the humor of the 2 main Characters!!!

But the reason I only gave it a 4 is I really would have liked a lot more about how faith played a role in their daily decisions.

I read Christian fiction to see applications of scripture, doctrine etc woven into the story line.
I do not have a problem with verses from the Bible included, in fact, I eagerly look forward to them.

This was a clean and fun book...but tho there was a minimal amount of prayer and going to church mentioned, it lacked the meat of what I look forward to in Christian fiction. There was some 'milk' but just barely.

To my way of thinking, if a book is labeled 'Christian' fiction,
then whoever reads it, should not be offended with application of scripture from the Bible, and how ones relationship with God/Jesus grows, or how one deals with sin in their lives etc.
It is after all "Christian" fiction.

Still, this was super well written.

Perhaps future books from this author will be a bit more, on fire for the Lord, and not afraid of those who may grumble about bible quotes etc.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,003 reviews6 followers
December 16, 2017
This book was what I needed at the right time. Nothing earth shattering, it is a light, humorous, somewhat predictable novel that was a fun read. The main character was pretty funny and I loved the banter. Best part is that it's clean. There were a few people that marked this as Christian Lit, but apart from a few prayers, that are not too detailed, there really wasn't anything there. They did go to church and of course I expected the minister to expound on and on about something - but it wasn't there. If I remember right, it was a one sentence referring to the subject of the sermon. And that was it. This book was a 3.5 - 3.75. I enjoyed the author's writing and look forward to other novels.
17 reviews
December 30, 2017
I love the richness of characterization throughout. A writer myself, I know how our story inhabitants sometimes fight to keep their secrets. Eben the characters with least mention were 3-D and I'd swear I saw them inhale. .

Thanks for taking my mind off the ugly details of my life and replacing the uglies with laughter and warm fuzzies. This book inspired me to keep trying for patience to endure our difficulties, keep looking for the bright side of things, and remember the love story my husband and I had before his death 9 years ago. I wish I could write our story as well as Coryell has written this one!! Recommended to anyone in a slump, on the pinnacle, and anywhere in between.
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,164 reviews43 followers
September 21, 2018
Oh my goodness, y'all! This book was amazing! I was completely hooked from the very first page and had a difficult time putting it down. I've been meaning to read it for awhile now and am kicking myself for not getting to it sooner.

I lost all track of time while reading this book. I became so completely engrossed in the story that when I looked up at the clock, I'd be shocked by how much time had passed. Now that's what I call a sign of a great book.

This story, these characters, the setting – I couldn't get enough of it. It made me laugh and it made me tear up. It's one of the best contemporary romances I've read lately. There's a real authenticity in Coryell's stories that I love so much and I can't wait to dive into the next book.
Profile Image for Delinda Mauney.
47 reviews
December 19, 2017
this was a very sweet romantic novel. I am one who enjoys action type novels but this one is a very good read. Camdyn is running from her past, her mistakes, not knowing where to go, who to trust or what to do. She is a writer living under an assumed name for her writing but when she meets the right man and discovers some information about her past, she makes the transition to come out from under her assumed name.

It is a very good book about finding true relationships, forming families and friends in an entirely new environment
312 reviews3 followers
September 5, 2021
Home is where the heart is

Camdyn writes books under a pen name. She has been proposed to five times and she has turned them all down. Camdyn ended up leaving her apartment during the night to get away from all the press after her last proposal had been caught on camera at a baseball game. She got lost in the heavy rain and a man stopped to help and took Camdyn to a bed and breakfast. Her book deadline was just around the corner and what she has written was not good and had no idea what to do. Read this great story to see Camdyn's adventures in getting a story written.
Profile Image for Veronica.
78 reviews
December 28, 2017
Wow, I'm impressed. When I browsed through the "Free Romance" section in amazon, I thought those books would be so bad, I wouldn't even be able to rate them. I don't dislike the way it has been written, and I even found myself smiling once or twice in the novel (and it's not easy to get a reaction out of me when I'm reading, I sort of forget I exist and there's just the book). I'm honestly impressed; why is this book free?
Profile Image for Trisha Barton.
7 reviews
July 12, 2017
Wow!

I can't begin to do a review that's good enough for a book like this! I absolutely loved all the characters but Camdyn and Cole were awesome. I'm excited to read more of their journey. It's not often you get to see "the rest of the story" in this genre. Christina, you are now on my list of favorite authors!
Profile Image for Anita.
304 reviews
December 31, 2017
I read book 1 and 2 and am anxious to get bk # 3 I have loved this series and where Camdyn is a bit over the charts for being accident prone it did add some humor to the book. But it is well written, good story plot and bk 1 I thought I would put it down but stuck out the first few chapters for the background and then it delved into a great story.
352 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2018
Loved it

I really loved this book. I loved Camden, I loved Cole, I loved everyone in the story. And I loved the story of the original Willa. Some of the passages were so well written that I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Beautiful book. Clean romance too which is awesome! Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Tracy Wainwright.
Author 23 books33 followers
May 26, 2018
Beautiful Story

From start to finish, this story is not just great but intriguing. I loved that while you had an idea of how it was going to end, there were many details along the way that we’re surprising. The story never felt forced or contrived, but flowed exquisitely. Definitely will be looking to read more about this author.
Profile Image for Nancy.
3 reviews
August 3, 2018
Best book I’ve read in a long time.

This book unraveled like a gourmet truffle, housed in a beautiful, protective box, wrapped in a layer of silk and finally rolled up in silver foil, dusted with gold. It inspires me one step closer to discovering my own story; i feel a bit closer to one day writing my first book. Thank you, C.C.
Profile Image for Patti Fischetti.
125 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2020
A fun book.

At first I thought it was very slow reading. I almost gave up but then it picked up quite nicely and I found myself laughing out loud when Camdyn and Cole met in thunder storm at night. It :had its ups and downs with the typical boy meets girl formula for romance stories. If you like good clean romances than you'll love this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

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