The Runaway Year is a very entertaining summer read! If you like a little escapism with your reading, this book is for you. I absolutely loved the Cornwall beach setting, which was the perfect background for the romantic escapades of our three heroines. 
 There is some steam in The Runaway Year, between Layla and her very hot neighbor Joseph. The author does a great job with their romance, and I would love to see more between these two in the future! Layla undergoes an emotional journey throughout the book and I was really rooting for her to open her eyes and appreciate what was right in front of her. 
 I really loved all three friends, but I most loved Layla's story. Another stand-out for me was the somewhat magical beach setting. I have always wanted to visit Cornwall (it was the setting of many romance novels I read as a young girl) and the author does a wonderful job of making the setting a crucial part of the story. 
 I highly recommend this book if you want a bit of romantic escapism and a fairly light but very entertaining summer read. I am very much looking forward to reading more from Shani Struthers!