Run, Run, Baby is a terrifying retelling of abuse that left me bewildered and emotionally raw. The author's ability to paint invoke torment and terror was striking and comparable to masters of horrors such as Stephen King and Vincent Price.

I am literally shaking while trying to type this review. Right from the jump, we meet Chole who is clearly suffering from PTSD and trauma. She is disassociating and trembling and you want nothing more than to wrap her in your arms and keep her safe.

Her parents are monsters. Not since A Child Called It, have I read such physical and mental abuse that was so disturbing that it affected me so heavily. As a true crime aficionado, my rose-colored glasses have long since been removed and the knowledge that child abuse continues without enough outside intervention is not lost to me. If you are unfamiliar with real cases such as Gabrial Fernadez I implore you to research as this story may be a work of fiction, but the unspeakable behavior and mistreatment of children is very real and far too often is not stopped before tragedy occurs.

Chole's trauma has literally broken her young mind resulting in reality and imagination to blur. There will be times where you may be incredibly confused as to what you are reading only for the connections of the imaginary representations to come to light later while your stomach turns, blood boils, and eyes leak from sadness.

The last chapter presents an unexpected plot twist that will leave you conflicted. There is no Happily Ever After just disappointment, horror, and sorrow at the loss of innocence and humanity.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is my first read by Jennifer Ann Shore. I liked the pretty cover, the premise of missed encounters, and the guy falling first. I assumed this would be a quick meet-cute with a few giggles and a HEA.

What I received was a much deeper vibe. A combo of How I Met Your Mother, mixed with Sex and the City, with a very Harry Meets Sally ending. New York without the rose-colored glasses and I was here for it. The timeline was also anything but quick.

Gemma is an intelligent, hardworking, career driven lawyer with goals on goals and a plan to achieve said goals. She loves what she does and recognizes that she doesn't have time to entertain a relationship right now. Especially after the last one ended in a shit show.

Jack is an artist slash barista who is just living his best life. He's hard working and passionate and he believes in fate and that the mulitple encounters with Gemma are a sign that she is the one.

Gemma is attracted to Jack, she appreciates his kind words and support, she acknowledges the chemistry they have. She's just not focused, it's not a good time. Jack is so open and honest with his feelings and while he has a few big projects in the works, the desire to be with Gemma is first and foremost in his mind.

Gemma isn't a villain. At no point did I think she's intentionally trying to hurt or mislead Jack. I think that her repetitive ball dropping is due to her failure to prioritize her personal life above work and having tunnel vision. The girl doesn't even have friends that she hangs out with.

I really enjoyed their story. I was rooting for both of them, not just in love but in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. NYC is huge the fact that they kept bumping into each other and/or had mutual acquaintances bring them together is kismet. The resistance, miscommunication, hurt feelings, along with the magnetic pull is real life romance. Very rarely will you find a couple where they both knew upon locking eyes that this was it. I feel like Gemma and Jack's story is relatable.

I am stingy with my 5 stars. I only give them out if a story has pulled a strong emotional or physical response from me. The last few chapters of this had me giddy, excited, frustrated, and on pins and needles. I was so committed that I skipped eating dinner.

Totally Worth It! I highly recommend and would like to get my hands on a full-length novel by this author because if she can fit this much depth into a novella, I can only imagine what she is capable of creating with twice the content.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a panty melting, quick read, sprinkled with kink.

I want to be stuck in an elevator with Harrison Stag. Just saying, that man knew how to talk dirty and flex his dominate nature. I was NOT a big fan of Briella. She was fickle and a bit needy but the chemistry between them was fire.

Definitely a dirty late night read.