Running Secrets (Alki Trilogy)

A delightful read. If you've ever visited Alki beach in Seattle you'll find yourself mentally running along the beach. There is no need to be a runner yourself as this book is about overcoming depression and uncovering secrets that have been withheld. It is also a book about accepting life as it is and finding self acceptance. Chris (a runner) is a flight attendant suffering from severe depression. She decides to end her life by wrecking her car and ends up badly injured instead of dead. Gemi is hired to assist Chris as she heals. Chris' sister died in a car accident when Chris was young and Gemi lost her baby and mother before coming to America and although they don't share their secrets for some time, they do create a fast bond. Chris finds a way to heal her grief through her journal writing and learning to run again. This is a book that will stay with you for a long time.

This book immediately grabbed me from beginning to end! Some books drag along at some point and I find myself taking a deep breath or rolling my eyes here and there! But my favorite author's books never do this to me! I enjoy them from beginning to end! So I now have a new Author to add to my list! Another thing a book has to have to be an excellent read is an ending that leaves me feeling empowered, encouraged or renewed somehow! A good book, in my opinion, should lift your spirit! This one does! Plus it's well written! It's not too wordy but develops it's character and ideas very well! It's a perfect vacation read! It's like watching a good movie! I will recommend this to all my reading friends and family! Loved it! R. Murphy

Running Secrets is an amazingly tender look at one woman's struggle to survive. She has lost so much that she doesn't want to go on. Her story is about allowing those wounds to heal. She meets two people whose entry into her life helps to fuel that growth. Along the way she learns family secrets that shake the very fabric of her own identity. While Running Secrets would be classified as women's contemporary literature, I would say anyone male or female could relate to these struggles. A highly recommended read.

This book was too good to put down! I enjoyed all the twists and turns, suspense, sorrows, rejoicing and love poured into the marvelous story. Amazingly, I identified with one character and saw my dear friend in the other main female character except our roles in our friendship are the opposite of those in this story. I'm looking forward to the other two books in this trilogy although I don't see how they could improve on this. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

Smart. Not a wasted word. Great visuals. Has a very sensual feel to the prose. Great 1st book with characters I adore. I live in the PacNW and related to many things in this book. But even if you have never visited Seattle area, this is a poignant, beautifully written story about how we see each other-- that will touch your heart. Well done!