What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Stories #1
Love On the Run
ASIN moved from less recent edition
When Kara Reynolds runs from her fiancé on her wedding day, she leaves San Francisco, along with her humiliated and un-supportive family, and heads to a small town in northern California to get her head together and face the truth about her desires. She can't commit herself to a man when in her heart she knows it is relationships with women that she really wants to explore.
Café owner Steph McKenzie inherited Anna's Place from her grandmother, but her ex-girlfriend’s betrayal has left her struggling both financially and emotionally. First Larissa stole her heart. Then she stole her money. Is Steph’s luck beginning to turn when a visiting stranger says she’s a business coach specializing in re-energizing flailing businesses and offers her help?
The timing couldn’t be worse for either of them, but the attraction is undeniable. When ghosts from their pasts return to intrude on their fragile, budding relationship, hidden secrets may destroy any chance of a future together. Will Kara and Steph have the courage to stop running from love, and run toward it together?
When Kara Reynolds runs from her fiancé on her wedding day, she leaves San Francisco, along with her humiliated and un-supportive family, and heads to a small town in northern California to get her head together and face the truth about her desires. She can't commit herself to a man when in her heart she knows it is relationships with women that she really wants to explore.
Café owner Steph McKenzie inherited Anna's Place from her grandmother, but her ex-girlfriend’s betrayal has left her struggling both financially and emotionally. First Larissa stole her heart. Then she stole her money. Is Steph’s luck beginning to turn when a visiting stranger says she’s a business coach specializing in re-energizing flailing businesses and offers her help?
The timing couldn’t be worse for either of them, but the attraction is undeniable. When ghosts from their pasts return to intrude on their fragile, budding relationship, hidden secrets may destroy any chance of a future together. Will Kara and Steph have the courage to stop running from love, and run toward it together?
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
185 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 23, 2018
Yea, it's short, yea, it's corny, has goodies and baddies, and yea it won't win the Nobel Prize for Literature, but it's warm,cuddly and a joy to read. Thank you.
November 28, 2020
3 Stars - An ok romance. Quick read.
I thought this book was just ok. There was a bit too much internal dialog rehashing the same details over and over. When I skipped forward I did enjoy the plot about getting Alice's Place fixed up and running better.
I thought this book was just ok. There was a bit too much internal dialog rehashing the same details over and over. When I skipped forward I did enjoy the plot about getting Alice's Place fixed up and running better.
September 7, 2018
Sweet story
Very endearing story with well developed characters. Loved the small town backdrop and the two main protagonists. Love the supporting characters that wanted to help and protect Steph. Kara was sweet and courageous even though she saw herself as a runner when things got tough. In point of fact, she was brave for facing the hard truths of her reality.
Very endearing story with well developed characters. Loved the small town backdrop and the two main protagonists. Love the supporting characters that wanted to help and protect Steph. Kara was sweet and courageous even though she saw herself as a runner when things got tough. In point of fact, she was brave for facing the hard truths of her reality.
March 9, 2020
This is set in northern California but appears to have been written by a Brit who didn’t do much research or ask any Americans to read over it. It’s riddled with Brit-icisms and none of the finances make any sense: $40,000 to buy an house AND business in Northern California?!? And a four-week honeymoon?
It’s a shame, as the characters are kinda charming.
It’s a shame, as the characters are kinda charming.
May 27, 2020
This story had no plot. The characters were pointless
March 7, 2020
Steph trusted her love Larissa, and nearly lost the home and business left to her by her grandmother.
Kara let herself believe that she was bi and really might be happy with Joel. She let her father’s homophobia influence her, and nearly married Joel in an effort to fit in. It was a messy break up at the altar.
Luckily, Kara had a friend with a place in Rivermere.
With her business coaching skills, Kara might be the perfect person to be there for Steph in more ways than one.
Either way, both ladies have a chance at some positive change in their lives, if they follow their instincts- and trust Gran’s friend Nelly.
Fun filled friend and romance adventure
Kara let herself believe that she was bi and really might be happy with Joel. She let her father’s homophobia influence her, and nearly married Joel in an effort to fit in. It was a messy break up at the altar.
Luckily, Kara had a friend with a place in Rivermere.
With her business coaching skills, Kara might be the perfect person to be there for Steph in more ways than one.
Either way, both ladies have a chance at some positive change in their lives, if they follow their instincts- and trust Gran’s friend Nelly.
Fun filled friend and romance adventure
March 7, 2020
Read: March 7, 2020
Rating: 4,5 Stars
Gah, I loved this! Kara and Steph were so unbelievably cute together and the whole town is so idyllic that it makes me want to move there.
Are there towns like that, do they even exist? If yes, sign me up, I'll pack up my stuff.
There was some drama, but it wasn't too drawn out or made to feel overly dramatic.
Nelly was a fun side character as well, quirky and sweet.
The baddie was not very fleshed out but didn't really need to be either for the story to progress.
I will most definitely try other books from this author !!
Rating: 4,5 Stars
Gah, I loved this! Kara and Steph were so unbelievably cute together and the whole town is so idyllic that it makes me want to move there.
Are there towns like that, do they even exist? If yes, sign me up, I'll pack up my stuff.
There was some drama, but it wasn't too drawn out or made to feel overly dramatic.
Nelly was a fun side character as well, quirky and sweet.
The baddie was not very fleshed out but didn't really need to be either for the story to progress.
I will most definitely try other books from this author !!
March 9, 2020
Love can be found when you just have to embrace it.
Kara knows her heart and thought the timing was hurtful she did the right thing. Steph has a big, innocent heart that was taken advantage of in the worst way. Rivermere become the place where the both can heal and listen to their hearts. This was such a beautiful story. I fell in love with Kara and was glad to see both women open up. Everyone needs a Nelly in their life and she adds so much to the story. This is a fun, delightful read and such a strong character that finds home. I fill be reading more of Ellie Spark books.
Kara knows her heart and thought the timing was hurtful she did the right thing. Steph has a big, innocent heart that was taken advantage of in the worst way. Rivermere become the place where the both can heal and listen to their hearts. This was such a beautiful story. I fell in love with Kara and was glad to see both women open up. Everyone needs a Nelly in their life and she adds so much to the story. This is a fun, delightful read and such a strong character that finds home. I fill be reading more of Ellie Spark books.
November 29, 2018
I love the short stories. They have great plots, with drama and happy ending. The only issue I see they are bit short☺
March 28, 2021
Love found in a cafe
Immediate sparks flying for Steph and Kara. Ellie Sparks writes hope into this book well. It was a fun read and look forward to reading more of the series.
Immediate sparks flying for Steph and Kara. Ellie Sparks writes hope into this book well. It was a fun read and look forward to reading more of the series.
April 7, 2021
I feel like this story was too short, and not because I couldn't get enough. Everything happens way too quickly. Potential plotlines pop in and are wrapped up within seconds. Potential antagonists pop in and almost immediately are a non-issue, or have anything they do wrong rectified mere pages later. The romance begins and intensifies so quickly it made my head spin. I felt like I was reading this book on fast forward or something.
The characters were developed decently for how short this book was, but the speed at which they developed feelings for each other made both of them less likeable for different reasons. Steph getting angry/hurt with certain things Kara does (like her going into her competitor's cafe or not telling her about her ex) makes her seem immature and petulant, because she JUST MET HER. Likewise, Kara offering to help turn Steph's business around and claiming to want nothing in return seems a little suspicious when she almost immediately tries to pull Steph into a physical relationship with her. Nothing in return indeed. Of course, I know that's not *actually* the case from Kara's point of view, but it does have that uncomfortable implication.
I really love stories about small towns, and this town had a lot of potential to be built up more thoroughly, considering how instrumental the townsfolk were in helping Anna's Place, but they were kind of brushed over, which is a shame.
Overall, this would have been much better if the book had been longer and more developed. More time spent on Steph and Kara getting to know each other would have made their relationship feel more natural, instead of relying on insta-love to get the ball rolling. The writing style is easy enough to become immersed in and nothing else is outright bad, but this book was really not my cup of tea. I feel super bad for giving this book only two stars because I didn't HATE it, but I think the amount of times this book made me roll my eyes exceeded the acceptable limit for three stars, the "I liked it but it was just okay" score.
So...if you're not put off by the crazy speed of the events, then you might like this book.
The characters were developed decently for how short this book was, but the speed at which they developed feelings for each other made both of them less likeable for different reasons. Steph getting angry/hurt with certain things Kara does (like her going into her competitor's cafe or not telling her about her ex) makes her seem immature and petulant, because she JUST MET HER. Likewise, Kara offering to help turn Steph's business around and claiming to want nothing in return seems a little suspicious when she almost immediately tries to pull Steph into a physical relationship with her. Nothing in return indeed. Of course, I know that's not *actually* the case from Kara's point of view, but it does have that uncomfortable implication.
I really love stories about small towns, and this town had a lot of potential to be built up more thoroughly, considering how instrumental the townsfolk were in helping Anna's Place, but they were kind of brushed over, which is a shame.
Overall, this would have been much better if the book had been longer and more developed. More time spent on Steph and Kara getting to know each other would have made their relationship feel more natural, instead of relying on insta-love to get the ball rolling. The writing style is easy enough to become immersed in and nothing else is outright bad, but this book was really not my cup of tea. I feel super bad for giving this book only two stars because I didn't HATE it, but I think the amount of times this book made me roll my eyes exceeded the acceptable limit for three stars, the "I liked it but it was just okay" score.
So...if you're not put off by the crazy speed of the events, then you might like this book.
December 4, 2020
Love on the Run: A Lesbian Romance (Love Stories Book 1) — Ellie Spark (10 chapters + Three Months Later) Dec. 2-3, 2020
This was a charming tale about two women running from different things and how they pull themselves up and out through each other. Steph was jilted and left in financial ruin. Kara left her ex at the altar. The women meet by accident and grow from their experiences, help each other to overcome their fears.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. In the first chapter or so there was some formatting issues (two section were set at centered on page,) but after those two section everything went back to normal.
Both issues the women were dealing with came and resolved after each other and the ending felt a little rushed, but for the length of the book truly not an issue. It was a quick read and I read it mostly in one day.
Three stars.
This was a charming tale about two women running from different things and how they pull themselves up and out through each other. Steph was jilted and left in financial ruin. Kara left her ex at the altar. The women meet by accident and grow from their experiences, help each other to overcome their fears.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. In the first chapter or so there was some formatting issues (two section were set at centered on page,) but after those two section everything went back to normal.
Both issues the women were dealing with came and resolved after each other and the ending felt a little rushed, but for the length of the book truly not an issue. It was a quick read and I read it mostly in one day.
Three stars.
January 24, 2019
Awesome
The best book I've read yet out of the entire series that I've read!! (Got just 2 left to finish this “Love On…” collection!)
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters while the more I became invested in their journey of revealing pieces of themselves & exploring each other.
It was just so realistic & relatable. I appreciate the rawness, vulnerability & innocence in how it was appreciated without being distorted &/or diminished from what it addressed!! Awesome & Amazing!!
Wonderfully written, wonderfully developed, wonderfully told, wonderfully enjoyed.
The best book I've read yet out of the entire series that I've read!! (Got just 2 left to finish this “Love On…” collection!)
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters while the more I became invested in their journey of revealing pieces of themselves & exploring each other.
It was just so realistic & relatable. I appreciate the rawness, vulnerability & innocence in how it was appreciated without being distorted &/or diminished from what it addressed!! Awesome & Amazing!!
Wonderfully written, wonderfully developed, wonderfully told, wonderfully enjoyed.
September 11, 2020
Quick read, plot holes
This is a quick read and a story with some potential but the characters and the storyline lack depth. Neither is the MCs engendered much sympathy as they were whiny and childish. I’m not a fan of the jumping to conclusions or miscommunication tropes. And while I thought Kara was kind of hard on herself and really should have let her mother have it, I found Steph immature and bordering on TSTL.
The ending was sweet and Nelly was a fun character. The story is ok but could have been so much better.
This is a quick read and a story with some potential but the characters and the storyline lack depth. Neither is the MCs engendered much sympathy as they were whiny and childish. I’m not a fan of the jumping to conclusions or miscommunication tropes. And while I thought Kara was kind of hard on herself and really should have let her mother have it, I found Steph immature and bordering on TSTL.
The ending was sweet and Nelly was a fun character. The story is ok but could have been so much better.
April 2, 2020
Sweet love story with a few twists
Do you marry someone who your parent want you to of a gender you're not interested in or run away from the wedding? Run! Run fast! Spending time in a small town you might find the woman you want but she's also no available. A few twists and turns and a thieving ex-girlfriends appearance and what happens next, you'll have to read this wonderful novel to find out. It will be worth the read!
Do you marry someone who your parent want you to of a gender you're not interested in or run away from the wedding? Run! Run fast! Spending time in a small town you might find the woman you want but she's also no available. A few twists and turns and a thieving ex-girlfriends appearance and what happens next, you'll have to read this wonderful novel to find out. It will be worth the read!
September 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. All of the main characters are really fleshed out. I really believed in their struggles.
I really enjoyed the romance and was just as upset as Kara and Nelly when Larissa showed up. Both Kara and Steph past romantic drama made for a perfect struggle.
I sometimes roll my eyes at stories with contrived obstacles for the couple.
I loved the end. I always enjoy stories where all the ends are tied up perfectly.
I really enjoyed the romance and was just as upset as Kara and Nelly when Larissa showed up. Both Kara and Steph past romantic drama made for a perfect struggle.
I sometimes roll my eyes at stories with contrived obstacles for the couple.
I loved the end. I always enjoy stories where all the ends are tied up perfectly.
December 26, 2020
STARTED OUT OK BUT THIS BOOK 'CAN'T BE LABELED 'LESBIAN!'
This story turned out to be disappointing. As much friendship that was shown there was NO (!!!) PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DISPLAYED (other than a few widely spaced kisses) to show they even 'LIKED' each other! I'M LEFT 'CONFUSED' AND 'DISAPPOINTED!'
IF HER NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES DOESN'T GET MORE 'RACEY' THAN THIS ONE I'LL HAVE TO 'WRITE ELLIE OFF' AS NOT BEING A LESBIAN WRITER!
'NUFF SAID!!!
This story turned out to be disappointing. As much friendship that was shown there was NO (!!!) PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DISPLAYED (other than a few widely spaced kisses) to show they even 'LIKED' each other! I'M LEFT 'CONFUSED' AND 'DISAPPOINTED!'
IF HER NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES DOESN'T GET MORE 'RACEY' THAN THIS ONE I'LL HAVE TO 'WRITE ELLIE OFF' AS NOT BEING A LESBIAN WRITER!
'NUFF SAID!!!
September 16, 2021
Love is not something you run from; it’s something you run to …
Kara and Steph had fractured pasts, but didn’t allow them to undermine their future together. The town had a familial feel to it as everyone took care of each other. Nelly was the matriarch that made things happen. Beautifully written with relatable characters and plot. A very good read. I heartily recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
Kara and Steph had fractured pasts, but didn’t allow them to undermine their future together. The town had a familial feel to it as everyone took care of each other. Nelly was the matriarch that made things happen. Beautifully written with relatable characters and plot. A very good read. I heartily recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
September 12, 2018
Coffee, wine, lemon drizzle cake, small town intrigue, money problems and love. Life is good.
The one drawback is a very rushed ending compressing a great deal of story into relatively few pages. Additional scenes with Kara and Steph further deepening their relationship would have been nice and would be consistent with the greater level of detail in the earlier chapters.
The one drawback is a very rushed ending compressing a great deal of story into relatively few pages. Additional scenes with Kara and Steph further deepening their relationship would have been nice and would be consistent with the greater level of detail in the earlier chapters.
February 18, 2019
I’m a huge fan of the Love... series by Ellie Sparks - her charcters are well developed and multi faceted. The story is light and easy to read and is a typical feel good story with a bit of drama and romance and friendship. I would highly recommend to read this story and to read all the other ones from this series, which are all standalone stories.
July 1, 2020
Need a relief from the pandemic and political nonsense, read this book. Let yourself be a part of small town USA with its compassion for others attitude. If you are looking for blow by blow lesbian sex, you won’t find it here, thank goodness! Instead you find a story that can be relatable and ends with you smiling. On to the Love series book.
May 25, 2022
Adorable and sweet
I loved that this sapphic romance focused on a lesbian love story and not on erotica. Its important that queer relationships arent oversexualized and this story was spot on in that respect. It was short and sweet and a perfect palate cleanser if youre in a reading slump like I was.
I loved that this sapphic romance focused on a lesbian love story and not on erotica. Its important that queer relationships arent oversexualized and this story was spot on in that respect. It was short and sweet and a perfect palate cleanser if youre in a reading slump like I was.
September 22, 2018
Loved this story
Well developed story line that keeps the reader partially in suspense. Highlights were the return of Larissa the ex girlfriend who was a thief. The love story unfolded as the story progressed and was fascinating how it evolved.
Well developed story line that keeps the reader partially in suspense. Highlights were the return of Larissa the ex girlfriend who was a thief. The love story unfolded as the story progressed and was fascinating how it evolved.
September 23, 2020
This was really sweet, I enjoyed getting to know the little town it is set in, and the characters were all lovely, for the most part.
I would have to say, not much really happens, but it is nice to have a relaxing read from time to time!
If I had to find a fault, it would be how quickly the relationship progressed, but its perfectly done for the length!
I would have to say, not much really happens, but it is nice to have a relaxing read from time to time!
If I had to find a fault, it would be how quickly the relationship progressed, but its perfectly done for the length!
December 27, 2020
A story of 2 people with baggage are attracted to each other. Both giving reasons why they are better of as friends. Kara needing to keep busy, helps steph. Steph with her trusting ways and lovable personality. I felt the loneliness from the aftermath of Kara's life checking In.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2021
Good book
I liked this book. I loved how they met and Kara started helping Steph get her business going again. I loved that it was Nelley that told they that they need to grab on to love and never let go.
I liked this book. I loved how they met and Kara started helping Steph get her business going again. I loved that it was Nelley that told they that they need to grab on to love and never let go.
June 28, 2022
where was the plot? where was the chemistry?
the characters all felt one dimensional, i was bored and felt like this story could have been written in two sentences. 150 pages of just being told things.
and the only non white person painted as the villain? hmmmm
the characters all felt one dimensional, i was bored and felt like this story could have been written in two sentences. 150 pages of just being told things.
and the only non white person painted as the villain? hmmmm
December 4, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the 4 books of love. Can’t wait for the next one
March 15, 2020
Quick and easy, light read. Finished in a day!
March 18, 2020
A good quick read
I really enjoyed this book and think it was a great short story. I liked the characters and the story, and especially loved the ending.
I really enjoyed this book and think it was a great short story. I liked the characters and the story, and especially loved the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews