Review: Run To Me by Erin Golding

Title: Run To Me

Published: April 2012

Synopsis: What does it take to set you free? For Abby Fox and Paul Beckett, life in the lakeside Australian town of Jungilla is far from idyllic. Running is the only thing that brings them peace. Abby is a teacher tortured by her unfulfilled dreams. When she takes on the role of running coach at Whateley School, she never imagines it will unravel her whole life. Paul is sick of watching his back. His father seems to hate him and he’s got a bully after him as well. All he needs is something worth fighting for. Told in the alternating voices of Abby and Paul, this story explores what can happen when life takes us somewhere unexpected.

Status: Read on November 03, 2012 — I own a copy {Courtesy the author}

My Thoughts:

Set in a small Australian town, Run To Me is an unconventional love story which explores the development of a relationship between thirty something English teacher Abby Fox and seventeen year old high school student Paul Beckett.

It’s a challenging subject to write about given that the teacher-student dynamic and age difference are well entrenched social taboo’s but I think Golding does a good job of exploring the genuine connection between Abby and Paul, without ignoring the very real issues that stand between them.

I was surprised to find I did sympathise with Abby at times. Golding achieves this by using the first person point of view which reveals Abby’s faulty reasoning process, giving it some legitimacy in context. Abby is not a predator, she is conflicted about her attraction to Paul and does make an effort to resist it. Her marriage crisis also highlights her vulnerability and her genuine desire for love. Though none of this entirely excuses her poor choices it does create the necessary space within which the author can explore the complexities of the relationship.

I was impressed by the authenticity of Paul’s voice, a mixture of hormone soaked crudity, adolescent confusion and blossoming maturity. His physical attraction to Abby is not unsurprising for a seventeen year old but it’s sweet in a way to see that attraction morph into something deeper. I really appreciated the growth of Paul’s character not only in terms of his relationship with Abby but also with his father, and his consideration of his future.

There are a few minor errors in the text but on the whole Run To Me is well written, the first person points of view are authentic and the dialogue is natural. The story develops at a good pace and maintains the tension well. The ending is a satisfying fit for both the plot and the characters.

Run to Me is an interesting novel which explores a potentially sensational storyline with compassion and sensitivity. While not everyone will be able comfortable with some elements of the novel, it is an impressive debut from a self published author.