Official Review: Running to Stand Still by J Theron

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 19 Apr 2016, 10:33

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Running to Stand Still" by J Theron.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Running to Stand Still is a story of love written by J Theron. It is divided into four parts and each part is introduced by a first person narration while each chapter is told in the third person.

The story is about Danielle Rousseau and Michael le Roux who met each other when they were 15 and 18 years old, respectively. They spent the summer together swimming, snorkelling and talking about their future plans and dreams: Danielle’s was to be a cardiothoracic surgeon while Michael’s was to study art in Paris. That beautiful summer abruptly came to an end when Michael left for the army.

When he came back, however, he seemed to be a completely different person, cold and distant and not the friendly and warm boy Danielle spent some time with. After an incident that rocked Danielle’s world, Michael walked away and they did not see each other for ten years.

Danielle, after being offered residency in Groote Schuur Hospital, was spending some time alone in Avignon when she accidentally came across Michael, now a successful painter. He offered to show her around and she gratefully accepted.

The book describes the delicious feeling of being in love for the first time as well as the bitterness and pain of losing that love. Personally, I think the best part of the book is the plot. I find it very realistic. First, Danielle’s decision to date other guys when Michael walked away is sensible. It is the logical and matured thing to do. Instead of wallow in despair for the loss of her first love, she gave herself a chance to fall in love with someone else. Second, though it may sound dishonorable, I agree with Michael when he pursued Danielle in Avignon despite the fact that he knew she was already engaged. He had a chance and he seized it.

In addition to the realistic plot are the admirable and endearing characters. Danielle is smart and brave that she is woman enough to tell her fiancé that she is in love with someone else. It is, for me, the right thing to do and the right thing to say and not the lame ‘it’s not you it’s me’ excuse trying to soften up the blow of a messy break up. Michael loves very generously that he is willing to sacrifice for the one he loves. First, he walked away doing what he thought was right and second, he gave Danielle a choice when he said ‘Even though it would kill me to watch you walk away, I would let you go if I knew it was the best for you..’

This is probably one of the best stories of love I have read so far. However, I noticed some misspelled words in the book which are, thankfully, very few and did not detract the smooth flow of the story.

I, therefore, give this book the rate of 4 out of 4 stars and I recommend it to those who appreciate and enjoy romantic novels and love stories. However, there are scenes in the book which are not suitable for young readers.

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Running to Stand Still
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TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 20 Apr 2016, 09:44

Lovely review kimmyschemy06! I will have to pick up a copy of this book!

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 20 Apr 2016, 10:56

TrishaAnn92 wrote:Lovely review kimmyschemy06! I will have to pick up a copy of this book!

Thank you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Post by **bookowlie** » 20 Apr 2016, 15:00

Nice, thoughtful review! I like the fact that the plot is realistic. Too many romance novels have plots that are too cutesy.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 21 Apr 2016, 00:39

bookowlie wrote:Nice, thoughtful review! I like the fact that the plot is realistic. Too many romance novels have plots that are too cutesy.

Exactly! Thank you very much.

Sarah G · Post by **Sarah G** » 21 Apr 2016, 11:40

Great review

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 21 Apr 2016, 21:52

Sarah G wrote:Great review

Thank you very much..

TravelingJJ · Post by **TravelingJJ** » 26 Apr 2016, 12:41

This review definitely piqued my interest and has me going to check it out

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 26 Apr 2016, 20:08

TravelingJJ wrote:This review definitely piqued my interest and has me going to check it out

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

lmoses · Post by **lmoses** » 02 May 2016, 14:16

This book sounds really good and interesting, thank you for a great review. I will be sure to add it to my list of re-read's for the summer!

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 02 May 2016, 21:14

lmoses wrote:This book sounds really good and interesting, thank you for a great review. I will be sure to add it to my list of re-read's for the summer!

Thank you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 04 May 2016, 11:45

Great review, kimmyschemy06! I love when authors are able to capture their characters' feelings in such a realistic way. This sounds like a book that I would enjoy. I'm going to add it to my to-read list. Thank you!
Congratulations to the author for receiving such a wonderful review!

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 05 May 2016, 07:29

hsimone wrote:Great review, kimmyschemy06! I love when authors are able to capture their characters' feelings in such a realistic way. This sounds like a book that I would enjoy. I'm going to add it to my to-read list. Thank you!
Congratulations to the author for receiving such a wonderful review!

Thank you very much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

batkinson6490 · Post by **batkinson6490** » 23 May 2016, 16:40

bookowlie wrote:Nice, thoughtful review! I like the fact that the plot is realistic. Too many romance novels have plots that are too cutesy.

Yes yes yes!! I agree 100%. I like the more realistic reviews and story lines over the same ole' same ole' stuff. Lets mix it up and break some hearts! Then lets cry and wonder why the author did that but understand, it's a bit more believable.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 01 Jul 2016, 22:30

batkinson6490 wrote:
bookowlie wrote:Nice, thoughtful review! I like the fact that the plot is realistic. Too many romance novels have plots that are too cutesy.
Yes yes yes!! I agree 100%. I like the more realistic reviews and story lines over the same ole' same ole' stuff. Lets mix it up and break some hearts! Then lets cry and wonder why the author did that but understand, it's a bit more believable.

We probably read enough of 'cutesy romance novels' that realistic plots come ass refreshing