In the blink of an eye, Ann Stanway’s identity is crushed to pieces. And believing that her reality show-life was actually real, didn’t make her feel any less foolish.
Once a small-town girl, Ann arrived in Hollywood as a caterer. While serving at a Hollywood party, she meets Scott Adsen, a hot actor, and they begin to date. A reality show is created around their romance, and Ann quickly becomes a household name. They enjoy three seasons of sky-high ratings before they drop to an all-time low.
In order to boost ratings and save the show, the producers decide to make a change that does not favor Ann, who is “too sweet” for their fickle audience. Ann expects Scott to defend her and soon finds out that he supports the turn of events, even willing to fake-date an edgier new girlfriend for the sake of the show. Ann can still be a part, but as the ex-girlfriend. Feeling hurt about Scott’s apathetic response, Ann takes a break from him and Hollywood life. She ends up in Cave City, Kentucky, where the Amish community is prevalent. And to Ann’s fortune, they are not television watchers.
Seeing an opportunity, Ann deceives the community by setting aside her old life; she changes her name and her looks. Despite the cost, it is refreshing to be accepted for who she is, and she knows she could easily settle back into who she once was—before Hollywood. She meets some wonderful people and comes to care for them—most notably, Sarah the Amish innkeeper, and the town’s very kind, very handsome and attentive bachelor, Hunter Lewis.
In the short time that Ann stays at the Amish-run inn, Sarah becomes close as a sister; she is a healthy influence and vastly different from Ann’s Hollywood friends. Sarah encourages Ann to go back to her love of cooking and Ann welcomes the idea to cook meals for the inn’s guests. As their friendship grows authentically, Ann is reminded of the closeness she once felt to God.
Hunter is a man who runs his own architecture company and lives with integrity, always seeking ways to help others less fortunate than himself. He is drawn to newcomer Ann, and it doesn’t take long before feelings spark between the two. He respects the ways of the Amish but is not a part of their community. To Ann’s advantage, Hunter has never seen the show she and Scott were a part of; even if he did, her newly disguised look is just enough to keep her public persona hidden.
Ann does not expect to deeply care for someone so soon after leaving Hollywood, and it becomes clear that she must decide when to come clean before her past catches up to her. There is a new reality in her life and one that could risk her relationship with a man of great character, and her sweet friend Sarah. Would they be able to understand and forgive her deception?
Scott finds a way to interfere with Ann’s new life, which makes protecting Sarah her foremost priority. Ann will stop at nothing to keep her friend away from the onslaught of film crews and cameras.
Ann is forced to decide which life she is willing to let go—and which man truly has her heart.
There are overt messages in the book about praying to God. Sarah often reminds Ann that she is here for a purpose—a beautiful reminder to all that God loves us and we do have purpose. The book feels genuine and not preachy. It’s a story about the journey of life, of bad choices and second chances.
Runaway Romance is a delightful and engaging story. A romantic journey that is uplifting, family friendly and focuses on the good in people, and we are delighted to award the seal our Dove Approval for All Ages
