REVIEW: Runaway Road by Devney Perry

In Runaway Road (Runaway #1) by Devney Perry, Not many people can say that a junkyard was their saving grace, but for Londyn McCormack it became her home after running away from her doped up, neglectful parents as a teenager. There ended up being six teenagers total in that rag tag bunch of runaways in Temecula. Most of whom Londyn has lost touch with over the years. But with her recent divorce still fresh on her mind, she takes the one remainder of her time in that California junkyard, a now fully restored cherry-red Cadillac, and leaves Boston in the dust. Londyn’s destination? Temecula–to find someone who had also called the junkyard home as a teen. But it seems fate has other plans when she gets stranded along the way.

‘The most handsome man on earth wasn’t a Times Square model or a Hollywood dreamboat. He was a mechanic in West Virginia.
And for the time being, he was mine.’

As the owner of the only garage in Summers, West Virginia, it isn’t unusual for Brooks Cohen to get a call for a tow, even late at night. What starts off as a typical job becomes anything but when he gets a look at the flat tire and body damage to the tricked-out Cadillac. And then there’s the owner, Londyn. Brooks knows it’s been a while since he’s dated, but he doesn’t think that’s to blame for the undeniable zing between them. Too bad she’s only in town long enough to have her car fixed before she’s off to California. Because Brooks could see himself and Londyn having the time of their lives right here in Summers. And maybe something even more long-term. If he can talk her into it.

‘The next time she wanted to leave and find a new adventure, she’d have company.
We’d drive that runaway road together.’

A new series by Devney Perry? Count me in! Runaway Road proved to be as sigh-worthy and captivating as her other character-driven romances I’ve read. And just like the rest, I think readers will love every interesting twist and turn encountered here.

‘I was running away to find peace. To find the life I needed deep in my soul. To find myself again.’

I was excited to start reading Devney Perry’s new Runaway series after finding out that it was about six people (I believe each will have their own book) who as teens had lived in a junkyard together and bonded over their difficult childhoods. And I think Londyn’s story was a great place to start. While there was some trauma in her past, I didn’t find this to be overly dark or a rip-your-heart-out intense book like some of Perry’s have been. Instead, this was a wonderful, touching journey about Londyn finding her own freedom as well as peace and love along the way.

Londyn was a cool heroine. She was realistically flawed, a truly nice person, and she wanted to believe there were still good people in the world–even though she didn’t grow up seeing much positivity in her life. There was a lot of soul-searching done by Londyn, given that she just finalized her divorce when the story begins. I loved the history of the Cadillac that was the inspiration for her road trip and how it was a tie to her time in the junkyard in California. And how she used it to start fresh while still honoring the best part of her past.

It was interesting to see the pattern that emerged, though, of Londyn running away when things got real. Something that happened even in her jaunt in West Virginia after meeting Brooks. And let me just say that he was a totally swoon-worthy, melt-your-heart kind of a hero. He had that warm Southern charm, all manners and kindness, but Brooks was an alpha male and could bring the sexy when he wanted to. *fans face* I adored him and Londyn together. They were in sync from the get-go about their feelings for each other, although her road trip threw a few curve balls their way. But boy did they get their HEA and then some!

Written with heart, honest emotions, and a few laughs for good measure, Runaway Road is a perfect example of why I can’t get enough of Devney Perry’s incredible novels. Highly recommended.

Book Info:

Publication: Published March 6th 2020 | Devney Perry LLC | Runaway #1

Londyn McCormack didn’t have a typical childhood. She ran away from home at sixteen, escaping parents more interested in drugs than their daughter. She doesn’t have loving siblings or an adorable pet. Her only family is the five other runaway kids who shared her junkyard home.

Life pulled them all in separate directions, taking her to Boston. For a short time, she thought she’d found something permanent. But after a devastating divorce, she’s running away again, this time to find a lost friend.
She’s driving across the country in her convertible. As a teenager, the rusty car was her shelter. As an adult, it’s her ride to freedom.

Except one flat tire derails her trip. Her life collides with Brooks Cohen. They walked away from the first crash. The second might destroy them both.