What do you think?
Rate this book
The Runaways
"A story for anyone who has ever felt lost, isolated, or fantasized about reinventing herself -- and isn't that all of us?" --Jenny Rosenstrach, New York Times Bestselling author of Dinner: A Love Story
Ivy is on the run. She is finally ready to trade in a dead-end future of college debt and family obligations for the thrill of a fresh start. But when she finds herself in an isolated cabin in the Poconos, she realizes that starting over is more difficult than she thought.
Especially when a stranger stumbles into her hiding place.
Mary Ellen is attempting to reinvent herself. Dissatisfied with her career and family life, Mary Ellen is finally pursuing art, something she has put aside for years. So, when she arrives at a cabin in the woods for an artist's retreat and finds a teenage girl instead, she realizes this is her chance to start new.
Ivy is on the run. She is finally ready to trade in a dead-end future of college debt and family obligations for the thrill of a fresh start. But when she finds herself in an isolated cabin in the Poconos, she realizes that starting over is more difficult than she thought.
Especially when a stranger stumbles into her hiding place.
Mary Ellen is attempting to reinvent herself. Dissatisfied with her career and family life, Mary Ellen is finally pursuing art, something she has put aside for years. So, when she arrives at a cabin in the woods for an artist's retreat and finds a teenage girl instead, she realizes this is her chance to start new.
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2018
11 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Sonya Terjanian
2 books16 followersSonya Terjanian is a novelist and advertising copywriter. During her 27 years in the advertising field, Sonya has created print, television, and online campaigns for brands such as Disney, Bank of America, Helzberg Diamonds, Anthropologie, and Comcast NBCUniversal. Her first novel, The Objects of Her Affection, was selected as a Top Ten Crime Fiction Debut by Booklist. Her second novel, The Runaways, was described by Publishers Weekly as an “entertaining and atmospheric exploration of class, choice…and hope.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 2, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up.
The Runaways by Sonya Terjanian is essentially a character study. It is apparently categorized as a "psycho-drama thriller", and there was definitely a lot of drama in this book.
The Runaways tells the story of 2 people in alternating chapters. There is Ivy who is a high school student running away from her small town; and Mary Ellen a middle-aged mother of two who is sick of her corporate job. They end up getting trapped in a house in a snowstorm together, and it was very interesting to see their two stories come together. By the time I read this I had forgotten the blurb so I spent a lot of time wondering how Ivy and Mary Ellen would possibly connect. I thought that the connection of their two stories was seamless, and Ivy's parts even had my heart racing more than once.
There isn't really much of a mystery in this book, but I was very intrigued by the story and was able to read The Runaways very quickly. The ending isn't all neatly wrapped up, and you don't really know what happens to one of the characters. That bothered me a little bit, but overall I was able to appreciate the ending.
Final Thought: I am honestly not entirely sure how I feel about this book, but I did like it. Any book that is able to get my pulse racing (at least a little) is a book I can appreciate. I would recommend The Runaways to people who like some good drama in a book, are intrigued by 2 drastically different character's stories tied together, and who don't need a perfectly wrapped up ending. Just don't go into this expecting some huge mystery because there isn't one. It's just a good character study with a few good pulse-racing moments thrown in. I'm definitely interested in reading more from Terjanian.
The Runaways in 3-ish words: Unique, Detailed & Fluid
The Runaways by Sonya Terjanian is essentially a character study. It is apparently categorized as a "psycho-drama thriller", and there was definitely a lot of drama in this book.
The Runaways tells the story of 2 people in alternating chapters. There is Ivy who is a high school student running away from her small town; and Mary Ellen a middle-aged mother of two who is sick of her corporate job. They end up getting trapped in a house in a snowstorm together, and it was very interesting to see their two stories come together. By the time I read this I had forgotten the blurb so I spent a lot of time wondering how Ivy and Mary Ellen would possibly connect. I thought that the connection of their two stories was seamless, and Ivy's parts even had my heart racing more than once.
There isn't really much of a mystery in this book, but I was very intrigued by the story and was able to read The Runaways very quickly. The ending isn't all neatly wrapped up, and you don't really know what happens to one of the characters. That bothered me a little bit, but overall I was able to appreciate the ending.
Final Thought: I am honestly not entirely sure how I feel about this book, but I did like it. Any book that is able to get my pulse racing (at least a little) is a book I can appreciate. I would recommend The Runaways to people who like some good drama in a book, are intrigued by 2 drastically different character's stories tied together, and who don't need a perfectly wrapped up ending. Just don't go into this expecting some huge mystery because there isn't one. It's just a good character study with a few good pulse-racing moments thrown in. I'm definitely interested in reading more from Terjanian.
The Runaways in 3-ish words: Unique, Detailed & Fluid
August 10, 2018
*Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review!*
2.5 stars
This book isn't bad, its sadly just not that great either.
It has an incredibly slow start, that seems to drag rather endlessly and made me feel as if the book could use some actual editing.
That being said, the topic itself and the characters are good.
But because of the very slow start i thing that not a lot of people will actually get through to the good pieces of the story -once the two main characters meet and start to interact with each other, we see actual character development and generally start to see where this story is going and what the snail like first half of the book was trying to do.
I do think that the author had a lot of potential, she clearly has fantastic ideas. But sadly this specific book and how it was written was not for me personally and i don't feel as if i can say that i know anyone that would enjoy this specific writing style.
Which of course doesn't mean that this book isn't for anyone, so if slow build ups sound great to you, give it a try!
2.5 stars
This book isn't bad, its sadly just not that great either.
It has an incredibly slow start, that seems to drag rather endlessly and made me feel as if the book could use some actual editing.
That being said, the topic itself and the characters are good.
But because of the very slow start i thing that not a lot of people will actually get through to the good pieces of the story -once the two main characters meet and start to interact with each other, we see actual character development and generally start to see where this story is going and what the snail like first half of the book was trying to do.
I do think that the author had a lot of potential, she clearly has fantastic ideas. But sadly this specific book and how it was written was not for me personally and i don't feel as if i can say that i know anyone that would enjoy this specific writing style.
Which of course doesn't mean that this book isn't for anyone, so if slow build ups sound great to you, give it a try!
April 3, 2018
"The Runaways" is the story of Ivy, a teenaged girl who is running away from her problems, which include a sick mother and wanting something more from her small life. Mary Ellen who is also running away from her life. She has a husband who is drifting through life with little purpose and twin daughters who will soon leave them empty nesters. Mary Ellen is trying to figure out what life looks like after that happens. These two characters will be thrown together with surprising results.
It took awhile for me to get into this book. It has a very slow start with a lot of set up for who both of our main characters are, especially Mary Ellen. The book goes a lot into Mary Ellen and her newfound love for actually practicing art. I wished that the introduction would have been streamlined a little more and I wish that we had gotten to see both of the characters together more quickly. The main characters don't meet until almost a half of the book is over!
That being said, once we finally get to the characters meeting and interacting with each other, the book really picks up. It becomes a reflection of what happens when you have the opportunity to meet kind people and how life has a certain way of giving us people in our time of need. Once you can finally see where the story is going, I came to like and understand the characters a little bit better!
It took awhile for me to get into this book. It has a very slow start with a lot of set up for who both of our main characters are, especially Mary Ellen. The book goes a lot into Mary Ellen and her newfound love for actually practicing art. I wished that the introduction would have been streamlined a little more and I wish that we had gotten to see both of the characters together more quickly. The main characters don't meet until almost a half of the book is over!
That being said, once we finally get to the characters meeting and interacting with each other, the book really picks up. It becomes a reflection of what happens when you have the opportunity to meet kind people and how life has a certain way of giving us people in our time of need. Once you can finally see where the story is going, I came to like and understand the characters a little bit better!
April 11, 2018
I received a complementary copy of this release in exchange for an honest review:
Don't overlook this sleeper hit about a teenage girl on the run and a woman attempting to reinvent herself! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️It's a five star from me!
The Runaways by Sonya Terjanian is a suspenseful novel that raises questions about the truths you would hide to start over.
Ivy is running away from a future of college debt and family obligations when she seeks shelter in an isolated cabin. Mary Ellen arrives at her new mentor's cabin in the woods for an artist's retreat to find Ivy hiding out. Neither is honest to the other about who they really are, but as a snowstorm presses in, more details begin to come to light. I loved the "coming-of-age meets coming-of-middle age" juxtaposition of this novel and that while there were secondary male characters, it is a story about 2 determined women figuring out their lives.
Don't overlook this sleeper hit about a teenage girl on the run and a woman attempting to reinvent herself! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️It's a five star from me!
The Runaways by Sonya Terjanian is a suspenseful novel that raises questions about the truths you would hide to start over.
Ivy is running away from a future of college debt and family obligations when she seeks shelter in an isolated cabin. Mary Ellen arrives at her new mentor's cabin in the woods for an artist's retreat to find Ivy hiding out. Neither is honest to the other about who they really are, but as a snowstorm presses in, more details begin to come to light. I loved the "coming-of-age meets coming-of-middle age" juxtaposition of this novel and that while there were secondary male characters, it is a story about 2 determined women figuring out their lives.
April 8, 2018
Every so often, I come across a book that I become completely engrossed in. The prose is easy, the characters are intriguing and I find myself reading late into the night so I can figure out that the story. That is exactly what happened to me when I opened The Runaways, the sophomore novel by Sonya Terjanian.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened up The Runaways and the synopsis wasn’t exactly clear. I knew it would involve a teenage runaway, trying to break free from what she believes will be a dull future and I knew she would meet a woman who is trying to escape from her mundane life. Was it going to read like contemporary drama? Women’s fiction? Suspense? These were the types of thoughts running through my head as I sat down to flip open the first page.
What I found, as I continued my reading, was that this novel was a little bit of everything: a dark, cold landscape, deeply flawed characters that collide and secrets flow throughout the plot. It was sort of like Scandinavian Fiction meets Southern Gothic Fiction meets a psychological character study. Needless to say, Terjanian had me hook, line and sinker.
I really appreciated how she chose to roll out the story and how she focused on details. I loved the descriptions of the landscape. For the most part, the novel takes place at a summer cottage during a snowstorm. Terjanian did a brilliant job at making the reader truly FEEL the cold. Even I found myself snuggling deeper into the couch and pulling my blanket up a bit higher. Told through alternating chapters between teenage runaway, Ivy, and professional, Mary Ellen, they each are on their own path until their stories collide and they find themselves living together in the woods.
Something about this one gave me a creepy, southern Gothic vibe. I cannot really put my finger on WHY it gave me this vibe; surely, it was not the landscape I don’t know if it had something to with the encounters between two strangers who are keeping secrets from each other. It sort of reminded me of A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Conner (which happens to be one of my favourite short stories). I don’t believe it was the author’s intention to be “creepy” but the slow, meticulous release of the plot had me feeling like something was going to take a turn for the worst. Maybe it’s because I read so many thrillers?
There were a few things that bothered me throughout the story. For one, I found myself interested in one side of the plot. I really was drawn to the chapters surrounding Ivy but didn’t find myself caring as much about Mary Ellen. I also think that anyone going into this story expecting huge twists and turns will find themselves disappointed. The story is a bit of a slow burn. Finally, the ending left much to be desired for me. When I finished the last page, I said to myself “THAT’S IT??!!” I really wanted some resolutions.
Regardless of my small complaints, I did end up enjoying this story as a whole and would absolutely read more by this author. So, if you enjoy a character study, add this one to your list!
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened up The Runaways and the synopsis wasn’t exactly clear. I knew it would involve a teenage runaway, trying to break free from what she believes will be a dull future and I knew she would meet a woman who is trying to escape from her mundane life. Was it going to read like contemporary drama? Women’s fiction? Suspense? These were the types of thoughts running through my head as I sat down to flip open the first page.
What I found, as I continued my reading, was that this novel was a little bit of everything: a dark, cold landscape, deeply flawed characters that collide and secrets flow throughout the plot. It was sort of like Scandinavian Fiction meets Southern Gothic Fiction meets a psychological character study. Needless to say, Terjanian had me hook, line and sinker.
I really appreciated how she chose to roll out the story and how she focused on details. I loved the descriptions of the landscape. For the most part, the novel takes place at a summer cottage during a snowstorm. Terjanian did a brilliant job at making the reader truly FEEL the cold. Even I found myself snuggling deeper into the couch and pulling my blanket up a bit higher. Told through alternating chapters between teenage runaway, Ivy, and professional, Mary Ellen, they each are on their own path until their stories collide and they find themselves living together in the woods.
Something about this one gave me a creepy, southern Gothic vibe. I cannot really put my finger on WHY it gave me this vibe; surely, it was not the landscape I don’t know if it had something to with the encounters between two strangers who are keeping secrets from each other. It sort of reminded me of A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Conner (which happens to be one of my favourite short stories). I don’t believe it was the author’s intention to be “creepy” but the slow, meticulous release of the plot had me feeling like something was going to take a turn for the worst. Maybe it’s because I read so many thrillers?
There were a few things that bothered me throughout the story. For one, I found myself interested in one side of the plot. I really was drawn to the chapters surrounding Ivy but didn’t find myself caring as much about Mary Ellen. I also think that anyone going into this story expecting huge twists and turns will find themselves disappointed. The story is a bit of a slow burn. Finally, the ending left much to be desired for me. When I finished the last page, I said to myself “THAT’S IT??!!” I really wanted some resolutions.
Regardless of my small complaints, I did end up enjoying this story as a whole and would absolutely read more by this author. So, if you enjoy a character study, add this one to your list!
September 28, 2019
This is more a 3.5 star maybe s 3.3/3.4.
So we have Ivy/Rose a impulsive, sometimes smart, car Thief, con artist runaway who breaks into a summer home and nearly starves to death until Mary Ellen shows up.
Mary Ellen is a middle aged woman who's father's death caused a reexamination of life and she's swept up in a new proffesor who likes her work when others take notice.
Then the story follows about a week that they spend together in a cabin in the woods.
So the first 1/3 of the book follows Ivy and Mary Ellen separately. The next 1/3 and a bit follows them together, and the last 1/4 follows what happens after a big snow storm.
I did enjoy reading the book and I finished it feeling some what satisfied and disappointed.
My a 3-ish star. 1. Ivy, I really can't stand her . She has a few redeeming moments but for the most part she is a whiny teen who doesn't have a plan and when people point it out that she doesn't have a plan she gets angry with them.
2. I know not everyone wants to marry an Alpha male, but can he be a little less beta? Like he's so passive it's annoying. Even when he's in the right and he's fighting with Mary Ellen he doesn't actually fight about what's bothering him.
3. Mary Ellen sometimes I'm like "OMG, You spoiled little bit rich girl" and other times I'm like "stop thinking and just take the picture."
4. The last chapter. It feels like the last chapter was a reminent from the original draft, a draft written in the late '90s and while the rest of the book was updated the last chapter wasn't. It just felt off.
5. And I'll leave some space because of a spoiler.
We don't find out what happened to Ivy. Not really. Did she die in the fire on the news? Did she ever make it to Montana? What. What Happened? And her character hasn't changed very much so I'm rooting for her to get caught.
I don't think I'd ever read this book again, but it's a decent book.
So we have Ivy/Rose a impulsive, sometimes smart, car Thief, con artist runaway who breaks into a summer home and nearly starves to death until Mary Ellen shows up.
Mary Ellen is a middle aged woman who's father's death caused a reexamination of life and she's swept up in a new proffesor who likes her work when others take notice.
Then the story follows about a week that they spend together in a cabin in the woods.
So the first 1/3 of the book follows Ivy and Mary Ellen separately. The next 1/3 and a bit follows them together, and the last 1/4 follows what happens after a big snow storm.
I did enjoy reading the book and I finished it feeling some what satisfied and disappointed.
My a 3-ish star. 1. Ivy, I really can't stand her . She has a few redeeming moments but for the most part she is a whiny teen who doesn't have a plan and when people point it out that she doesn't have a plan she gets angry with them.
2. I know not everyone wants to marry an Alpha male, but can he be a little less beta? Like he's so passive it's annoying. Even when he's in the right and he's fighting with Mary Ellen he doesn't actually fight about what's bothering him.
3. Mary Ellen sometimes I'm like "OMG, You spoiled little bit rich girl" and other times I'm like "stop thinking and just take the picture."
4. The last chapter. It feels like the last chapter was a reminent from the original draft, a draft written in the late '90s and while the rest of the book was updated the last chapter wasn't. It just felt off.
5. And I'll leave some space because of a spoiler.
We don't find out what happened to Ivy. Not really. Did she die in the fire on the news? Did she ever make it to Montana? What. What Happened? And her character hasn't changed very much so I'm rooting for her to get caught.
I don't think I'd ever read this book again, but it's a decent book.
May 24, 2018
This book was a great read. From beginning to end it was hard to put down. The story of Ivy, a teenager running away from her family and home life to start a new beginning was faced with challenges unanticipated. She met Maryellen,a middle aged successful career woman, who was married with twin girls. They were both at cross roads in their lives, soul searching wanting to make changes. Meeting by chance in a home deep in the woods and no internet service they were faced with interesting, life threatening situations. It made you think about how you might have handled the turn of events that occurred having no outside contact or resources available. The author is a great writer and this book I highly recommend.
August 14, 2018
listened to the audio and found it entertaining if not very deep. Seemed like it might be a YA book but the content certainly held my interest. A 17 year old girl steals a car and runs away, a business woman who is unhappy with her life choices goes for a week long art retreat in a friends cabin. They end up in the same secluded cabin. Their few days together are full of lies and deceptions and finally a crisis. Not all believable and at times a little predictable yet intriguing. I was more interested in the older woman's life concerns and found her them much more realistic than the young girl. They both got some life lessons from each other in the end. Not unique but felt it was well worth the listen.
June 15, 2020
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I liked this book. It wasn't a book that had a fast plot or suspense or anything like that. It was more a study of the two main characters. I liked the way they interacted and changed throughout the book. I liked the way they were similar even though they were very different.
The author's writing is very beautiful. Sometimes the way she described things just made me pause. She had a lot of interesting details in her writing.
I also enjoyed that the book was set in Pennsylvania and I knew a lot of the places she talked about.
3.5
Overall I liked this book. It wasn't a book that had a fast plot or suspense or anything like that. It was more a study of the two main characters. I liked the way they interacted and changed throughout the book. I liked the way they were similar even though they were very different.
The author's writing is very beautiful. Sometimes the way she described things just made me pause. She had a lot of interesting details in her writing.
I also enjoyed that the book was set in Pennsylvania and I knew a lot of the places she talked about.
3.5
November 16, 2018
This book began in a way that I thought would hold my interest. Ivy, a young rebelling teen is trying to figure out life. The first chapter or two were 4 star reads. The problem was that the story took a turn and disintegrated with the introduction of a second character who I didn't care much about. The middle of the story pits these two against themselves and I find myself skimming. We never find out what happens to Ivy. HUH!?!? Then what's the point? The older lady I could care less about and the author leaves us hanging as to Ivy.
August 4, 2019
This book started out really captivating and interesting with a great opening, but after the first few chapters fell short. The two main characters were a bit difficult to like, and there were a few cliche moment meant to bring them together which felt forced. The ending was unsatisfactory and a bit open-ended as well.
July 8, 2018
Did not want this book to end!
This book was so relatable. I loved the intersection of the two characters, their similarities and their differences were equally as compelling and distinct. I could have read another 50 pages..
This book was so relatable. I loved the intersection of the two characters, their similarities and their differences were equally as compelling and distinct. I could have read another 50 pages..
September 30, 2018
Not really sure why I finished the book. I was waiting for some emotional breakthrough, some growth, some redemption...something...instead I got a whole cast of self-absorbed characters. The only good thing you can say about Ivy is that she didn't let "the lady" die in the end.
January 6, 2019
A good winter read, perfect for sitting in front of the fire with. This is a good paced book about reinventing yourself by trying to be someone you are not. Two strong females meet in an unexpected circumstance which forces them to learn a lot more about themselves than they ever thought possible.
July 19, 2022
That's it? The ending, really? Could have left out all the profanity, very unnecessary. Ivy was just another mean, selfish, self centered teenager. Even when she actually helps Mary Ellen she never stopped complaining about it.
October 22, 2022
There was an author blurb on the back that called this book a "psychodrama-thriller" and I vehemently disagree. That stupid blurb had me hoping something more . . . action-packed, intense, something other than predictable sentimentality was coming, when it was not.
Read
October 21, 2024It was an okay read. It was a fun take to see the book from two different perspectives. Once I got into the book it took a night to read it. It was during the time when we didn't power because of Hurricane Helene. I stayed up and read the book in its entirety. I did not, however; like the ending.
May 21, 2018
I kept expecting more of the thriller/suspense the jacket alludes to. I agree with another reviewer that said she was disappointed with the ending.
May 28, 2018
Anticlimactic and often times, the dialogue felt forced and contrived.
July 14, 2018
A painter and a teenager end up sharing a cottage during a snowstorm.
It was ok, but not anything special. It was a page-turner at the end though.
It was ok, but not anything special. It was a page-turner at the end though.
July 14, 2021
Almost decided not to read it due to the language, but I kept going and it hooked me. Quick paced, with insightful descriptions of scenery and people.
September 16, 2021
While this is not a great book, it was a good book and oddly compelling. Good character studies, but incomplete. If it had been fleshed out, it would have been better, but it still stuck with me.
February 1, 2022
Not one likable character in the entire book; not even Mr. filthy car, cataract eye, flu Man - and he was such an obvious vehicle that he should have just been left out.
February 20, 2022
Pretty good book that kept my attention and wanting to go back for more. I loved the descriptions the author uses. The story is written well in my opinion.
April 25, 2018
This book chronicles the adventures of two women—one an adolescent from an impoverished background, the other a successful mid-career professional--as each struggles to discover her true self.
When the book begins, both characters are a long way from this goal, and it is their respective fumblings and stumblings that, as much as the physical action, give the narrative its zest and intensity.
The story takes place against an exquisitely detailed double backdrop—a scraggly, scary forest on the one hand, and a stylish summer house of contemporary design on the other—that alternately drives the plot and reflects the characters. In the humorous passages, and there are many, the writer pokes gentle fun at her characters’ tics and foibles, but never loses her deeply empathetic tone.
Wittily told, this is a wise, compassionate, and ultimately moral (but not moralistic) story about Everywoman’s, and Everygirl’s, search for meaning and for the work that will transform her into a more balanced and fulfilled being.
It’s a story about growing up, at any age, and one with which every reader will identify.
When the book begins, both characters are a long way from this goal, and it is their respective fumblings and stumblings that, as much as the physical action, give the narrative its zest and intensity.
The story takes place against an exquisitely detailed double backdrop—a scraggly, scary forest on the one hand, and a stylish summer house of contemporary design on the other—that alternately drives the plot and reflects the characters. In the humorous passages, and there are many, the writer pokes gentle fun at her characters’ tics and foibles, but never loses her deeply empathetic tone.
Wittily told, this is a wise, compassionate, and ultimately moral (but not moralistic) story about Everywoman’s, and Everygirl’s, search for meaning and for the work that will transform her into a more balanced and fulfilled being.
It’s a story about growing up, at any age, and one with which every reader will identify.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews