9.5.11

Book Review: Girl on the Run by Jane Costello

Abby Rogers has been on health kicks before- they involve eating one blueberry muffin for breakfast rather than two. But since starting her own business, after watching one too many episodes of The Apprentice, the 28 year old's waistline has taken even more of a back seat than her long-neglected love life.
When Abby is encourages to join her sporty best friend's running club- by none other than its gorgeous new captain- she finds a mysterious compulsion to exercise. Sadly, her first session doesn't go to plan. Between the obscenely unflattering pink leggings and the fact that her lungs feel as though they've been set on fire, Abby vows never to return.
Then her colleague Heidi turns up at work and makes a devastating announcement, one that will change her life- and Abby's forever.
Girl on the Run is the first book by Jane Costello that I have read and I loved it. Abby Rogers is extremely likeable and more importantly, believeable. I only started running last year so I related with her first few running experiences.
Abby is running her own business during difficult times; she wants nothing more than to be as a successful as her own entrepreneur mother. The hours she spends in the office and on the way to meetings are mounting up and she is persuaded to take up running as a hobby. Her best friend Jess is a member of the club and introduces her to the dishy single doctor, Oliver who is the captain; Abby starts to think that the running club may have a certain attraction. When one of Abby's employees is taken seriously ill, Abby decides to combine her new hobby with a good cause and signs up to run a half marathon for charity. I don't want to give the plot away by talking about the illness but I did feel that Jane Costello dealt with it admirably. The writing was particularly sensitive and well researched.
Abby loves the running club, she loves to see Oliver and also becomes very friendly with Tom who is also a member. Tom is off limits though as he has a long term girlfriend, so why is it that Abby can't get Tom out of her head when it is Oliver who is single and there for the taking?
Girl on the Run is a very up-lifting read and it definitely had me reaching for my running shoes!

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of the book to review, Girl on the Run is out now.

8 comments:

verity said...

That looks good - I shall look out for that. I tried running but really just couldn't, so it was back into the water for me!

Dot said...

Verity- It's a really good read! I used to love swimming but I injured my shoulder so find it too painful unfortunately!

Jules said...

I quite fancy reading this one! I was a bit disappointed by another Jane Costello book but I think that I need to give this one a shot.

serendipity_viv said...

I like the sound of this one too. I have the urge to read more chick lit.

Dot said...

Jules- I don't have anything to compare it to as it is the first of her books that I have read- I did enjoy it though!

Vivienne- Me too, I've read a lot of crime/thrillers lately so nice to have a change!

The Grandmaster said...

Read it, loved it! Though, its a bit predictable towards 3/4 of the book, but enticing! Can i ask u Dot, how long did it take for u to finish reading this book..? Just curious?

Dot said...

Mr Caelloway- I'm glad you enjoyed it too! I read it whilst on holiday so only took me just over a day as I had nothing else to do!

Anonymous said...

who did abby run into?

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