If you were a Renshaw in Blackwater, Georgia, everyone knew you came from the wrong side of the tracks. Your family’s reputation long preceded you. Billy Renshaw was the first of his family who hadn’t been locked up before he turned eighteen. His brothers were doing hard time, and his father had been in and out of jail more times than anyone could count. Billy was getting into his own kind of trouble, though, and everyone in Blackwater knew that you could count on Billy if you were looking for a good time. The three youngest Renshaw brothers had never depended on anyone but each other. Everyone knew the Renshaw kids went through a lot at home, but no one cared enough to do anything about it. Billy didn’t trust anyone, and he never would. Until someone came along and saw more in Billy than he’d ever seen himself. Jordan Jolett moved to Blackwater with her father, a police officer who was leaving his own trouble in the city. She didn’t know Billy, because no one truly did. But when he was being arrested unjustly, she knew she had to do something. One act of kindness set in motion a friendship that withstood all odds, and brought people together in ways no one could have expected. One person would show the youngest Renshaws that maybe they weren’t as worthless as they’d always believed. That person will be the one to hold together one shattered life, even when the world seems to implode in tragedy. Sometimes there is triumph in tragedy. Sometimes the loss of one is the beginning of another’s redemption, and sometimes good can come from the most painful things. Run-down Road is the story of how a friendship changed the lives of those involved, and a whole town in the process.
PK Morrison has had a love for writing since she was a child growing up in the rural Midwest, when she penned short stories in her colorful notebooks. Her passion for writing grew with her, but her love of cold northern winters did not, so she relocated to a small Florida island, where she currently resides with her husband, their two children, and a motley crew of pets. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, coffee, travel, going to the beach, and her longtime career of working with animals.
When I read the synposis of this book, I knew I had to read it. While the content is difficult and the book had me in tears at points, I like the way the author handled Billy's trauma with care. The characters are flawed, yet loveable and well developed.
The story centers around the unliekly frienship between Jordan and Billy. Billy is from the wrong side of the tracks while Jordan is the new cop's daughter. Billy's family has a history of being trouble but he's different and Jordan knows it. When she befriends and defends him, he finally has someone who believes in him and who is willing to do what it takes to make a difference in his life.
This is not a light read and explores the depths of childhood trauma.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you, P.K. Morrison.
Run Down Road centres around an unlikely friendship that develops between a boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the daughter of a police officer who moved to Blackwater in Georgia.
Billy, one of three youngest Renshaw brothers is handed down the family legacy, that nobody would ever ask for! If you're from Blackwater you know the Renshaw name, infamous for their bad behaviour and prison time. When everybody expects the worst from you, what's the point in even trying to be better? Nobody can see the real Billy, the one beneath all the trauma and anger. The injustice aimed his way. That is until Jordan...
This is the first book by P.K. Morrison that I have read. When I saw the synopsis I knew I wanted to read it but didn't exactly know what to expect. Run Down Road isn't easy or light read some parts are emotionally brutal. However I absolutely loved this! I thought the writing was well done and I connected well with the characters they are really well developed and I really felt for Billy and I wanted to fight his battles on behalf of him just like Jordan and her dad. Jordan was the light in the dark. Run Down Road shows that even in the bleakness it just takes one person that believes in you to make some difference.
There's a lot to this book, a lot! I need to reiterate again this is a very deep book there is lots of depths to it so please check the CW before considering reading this.
The evolution of the friendship between perfect Jordan and traumatized Billy is at the center of this book. Although some could argue that the bond between brothers is just as strong of a theme throughout the story.
While repetitive in its mention of many themes, the plot is a good one. The Jolett family is so perfect and saccharine, you may get a cavity. The rushed timeline of difficult conversations is unrealistic and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that Jordan has taken a traumatic parenting class.
Although the plot is triggering, I can imagine, and I hope, that it helps someone who is experiencing a similar situation, whether they be a Jordan or a Billy.
🚨 TRIGGER warning!!! If you are, have been, or know someone who was abused as a child, this can be a tough read. While not graphic, the signs and symptoms are all there and it’s all too relatable for someone who may have experience with abuse.
P.K. always knows how to make my allergies act up. This was simultaneously a tear jerker and a feel good story all rolled up in one. I was so happy with the ending, and about 3/4 through I was worried I wouldn't be.
Once again, P.K. knocked it out of the park, hitting on real issues while drawing you into the story itself. I can't wait to see what she puts out next!
A heartwarming book about the power of friendship. The poignant end, while bittersweet, is a natural conclusion to the story. Just like the ripples from a pebble thrown into the water, the actions of one person can make far-reaching changes. Not a happily-ever-after book, but is instead a book filled with characters that will touch you, move you, frustrate you, and make you want to make a difference in someone's life.
Thank you for the Arc copy I received, here is my honest review in return. The main story is about a friendship formed between 2 very different people, the first being a policeman’s daughter (who’s just moved to town) and the second a boy from the wrong side of town with the wrong name. It would definitely be worth checking any trigger warnings as the book does mention SA but in a more fade to black way.
If you are looking for a HEA this may not be the book for you as this had me in absolute tears but by the end I was smiling 🙂. It was bittersweet!
I knew this book was going to wreck me - in the best way - within the first few chapters and boy was I right. This story is one I have been looking for for a while now - one that sucks you in, makes you care about the characters, makes you want justice and mercy and everything to be right in this mixed up world, and makes you want to be a better person when you're done reading it. This will definitely be a book that I reread often and I can't recommend it enough!
I want to thank P.K. Morrison for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.