Run Away With Me

by J. L. Simmonds

Overview

Two teenage runaways. One vintage Mustang. A life-changing race across America. So strap in, because this is going to be one hell of a ride.

"Simmering romance . . . revelations and a plot riddled with high stakes." —Publishers Weekly

Jessie 'Mouse' Swift needs to get out of Seattle and fast. A few days ago she admitted to wanting her abusive stepfather dead, only to come home and find his murdered body. So when a girl from school offers Jessie a ride in her vintage red Mustang, they embark on an unexpected road trip across America.

Brooke Summer is everything Jessie isn’t: popular, confident, wealthy and heart-stoppingly beautiful, and Jessie has been in love with her from afar for years. But Brooke is hiding her own secrets . . .

With the cops and other sinister figures on their tail, how long can Jessie and Brooke stay on the run before they’re caught? And as their friendship blossoms into something more, can they find a future worth running to together?

A coming-of-age thriller-romance, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Casey McQuiston.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250402226
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

J. L. Simmonds grew up by the seaside but now lives in Bristol. She studied English Literature and worked in marketing and communications for ten years before returning to Bath Spa for her MA in Writing for Young People. She writes joyful LGBTQ+ YA, bad poetry and text messages with too many emojis. Run Away with Me is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

"Seedy motel rooms and cassette tapes blend with a sweet, slow-burn romance on a twisty road trip adventure." —Kirkus

"Unique blend of thriller, fun-times road trip, and sapphic romance." —BCCB

"Simmonds builds lived-in character dynamics using natural-feeling dialogue that smoothly sows the seeds toward the girls’ simmering romance, while evenly paced revelations and a plot riddled with high stakes and near misses add grit." —Publishers Weekly

"A thrilling, evocative coming-of-age story. I devoured it." —Cynthia Murphy, author of Win Lose Kill Die

"Run Away With Me is the emotionally–and literally–high-stakes road trip book I never knew I needed. Buckle up, because you’re in for one heck of a ride." —Kayvion Lewis, author of Thieves’ Gambit

From the Publisher