Review of Girl on the Run, by Abigail Johnson

I’m fortunate to know Abigail Johnson, and she gave me an advance review copy of this YA thriller, which is due to be released October 6, 2020.

When Katelyn surprises her mom with a profile on a dating site, she’s bewildered by her mother’s reaction. In minutes, they’ve packed two bags, stolen a car, and nearly been run off the road by someone who rammed their vehicle.

Evasive driving helps them lose their attackers; then her mother steals another car and they drive for hours before checking into a motel. Her mother warns her to stay in the room, don’t answer the door, don’t peek out the window, don’t use the phone — and leaves, promising to call soon and be back in a few days. . .

But Mom doesn’t call, doesn’t come back.

When Katelyn hears a car pull up to the room, she disobeys what she’s been told and peeks out the window.

It’s not her mom.

She squeezes out the bathroom window as someone breaks down the door of the room.

A bounty hunter. . . a hostage in a car trunk. . . a mother called by a different name. . . a grandfather she thought was dead. . . a brutal strike on the head. . . an escape from a pitch dark room. . . Johnson’s vivid writing had me in heart-pounding panic. This is one of those books you stay up waaay too late reading because you can’t wait ’til morning.