Title: Run, Darling
Author: Valicity Elaine
Published: May 15, 2025
Format: e-ARC
My Rating: 3 stars/5
Synopsis: Gloria Jackson must keep her family safe, no matter the cost. Trapped in the crossfire of a brutal mafia war, she agrees to a peace forged in marriage to Caolan O’Rourke, the cold heir of a rival empire, and the younger brother of the man who murdered her sister.She doesn’t know this man. She doesn’t trust this man. But this contract will save her family.
Now, her wedding day looms, but Gloria isn’t ready. Only God can protect her, except … her newfound faith is dwindling, and so is her resolve. Caolan may not be Prince Charming, but he isn’t such a terrible man after all, and that’s what terrifies her. Falling for her husband means staying in a world of darkness and blood. The same world that took her sister. Gloria won’t let it take her. She must run and she must do it now. But Caolan will find her wherever she goes.
Run, Darling is a low-spice mafia romance written for Christian women. It does not contain erotic love scenes or foul language. It was, however, written for an adult audience. Reader discretion is advised.
My thoughts from the Vault
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book. I chose to review it and this in no way impacts my opinion of it.
As a brand new, baby Christian, I am trying to find more books for me to enjoy that involve God and also are low/no-spice. When I saw Valicity offering out ARCs for her new novel, I jumped on the chance to read it.
As a lover of horror and romance, I thought I would love this. I did really enjoy the dark, gritty, hopelessness the characters feel as they are trapped in the mafia lifestyle and I really enjoyed getting to bear witness as they came to Christ.
I also enjoyed the character growth and the suspense at the beginning of the novel, but I felt the resolution was glazed over. We don’t get to see it unfold and I felt that made it feel rushed to me.
But I enjoyed the faith aspect and I’m excited to read some of the authors other books in my journey to read more novels with Christian values.
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