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Running Mates
In the quaint yet politically charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina, two worlds are about to collide. Meet Annabelle Morningstar, an impassioned, quirky high school activist raised by her news anchor and surgeon mothers, both champions of progressive ideals. Across town, there's Gabe Delgado, the quintessential all-American boy, molded by his conservative, Cuban senator father. Edgartown is a town literally divided—the Liberal East and the Conservative North coexisting as neighbors but rarely as friends. But what happens when the two sides meet in the least likely of a local bookstore?
When employees at Annabelle's favorite literary haven decide to unionize, she finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Gabe's. And then they're tossed together weekly as they get special training help for their beloved cross-country competitions. With their worlds thrown into disarray, the two high schoolers must navigate their complex feelings for each other while wrestling with their polarized upbringings. Can love bloom in the crossfire of political discord?
“Running Mates” is not just a heartwarming coming-of-age tale. It's a deep dive into the complexities of ideological divide, a vivid portrayal of modern youth activism, and a rallying cry for empathy. As Annabelle and Gabe discover the gray areas in a world seemingly divided into black & white and red & blue, they learn that both politics and love require courage, compromise, and a touch of rebellion.
Engaging, timely, funny, and at times poignant, “Running Mates” serves as a mirror to our times, daring us to question, to feel, to laugh, and above all, to love despite our differences.
When employees at Annabelle's favorite literary haven decide to unionize, she finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Gabe's. And then they're tossed together weekly as they get special training help for their beloved cross-country competitions. With their worlds thrown into disarray, the two high schoolers must navigate their complex feelings for each other while wrestling with their polarized upbringings. Can love bloom in the crossfire of political discord?
“Running Mates” is not just a heartwarming coming-of-age tale. It's a deep dive into the complexities of ideological divide, a vivid portrayal of modern youth activism, and a rallying cry for empathy. As Annabelle and Gabe discover the gray areas in a world seemingly divided into black & white and red & blue, they learn that both politics and love require courage, compromise, and a touch of rebellion.
Engaging, timely, funny, and at times poignant, “Running Mates” serves as a mirror to our times, daring us to question, to feel, to laugh, and above all, to love despite our differences.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 28, 2024
Everything about eleventh-grader Annabelle Morningstar says, “blue state.” She’s the daughter of a left-wing TV pundit, a member of the school’s “Liberal Liasions,” and attends just about every human rights protest in her North Carolina town. To help her track times (which would then help her college chances) she joins an elite training group, but one of the participants is Gabe Delgado, son of the Republican senator who lives on the Northside (code for rich and conservative). She hates everything his father represents, but what happens when Gabe actually happens to be nice? And attentive? And thoughtful?
Yep, it’s set up to be a Trump-era Romeo and Juliet, all right. Locker includes all the requisites: Anna’s friends who can’t stand Gabe; her parents who sneer at the mention of the Senator’s name; and even a jealous, crazy ex. Anna tells the story from her perspective, and she comes off both vulnerable and tough. She shares just about everything, and you can’t help but adore her. I thought giving her a learning disability made her more likeable, and Locker treats it with care and attention.
Being a blue stater myself, I thought I’d dislike Gabe. But he’s gallant, respectful, and kind, especially to Anna. The other characters develop and fold into the plot a bit more gradually than the MCs, but by midstory we get a clearer picture of their roles. The ideological difference between this version of Capulets and Montagues pervades the story’s conflict, but doesn’t overwhelm things with too much explanation, a tactic I appreciated. The “rom” is more important than the politics, and it shows.
Frankly, I wasn’t sure about this whole thing until Gabe helps Anna with a homework assignment. They both won me over at that point. From there it got heartwarming and sweet. The little love story is charming, and the conflicts they encounter are surprisingly edgy and well-constructed. Anna is a rom-com fan (and thus, I assume, so is the author), and it shows: the crescendo of the last hundred pages or so is just as compelling, fun, and meaningful as the best of them. Think Sally Thorne or Katherine Center.
For a second there, I wasn’t sure of the target audience. Was this for teenagers? Middle-school? Twenty-somethings? Again, I got to midway thinking this, but once the romance starts cooking, it was pretty clear she wants high schoolers to read it. (Right?)
And yeah: I’m a sucker for a book about running. Sure, I was denied visions of track meets and cross-country races, but there was enough to keep me interested. And the cute love story and likeable, realistic characters got me to stick around.
Locker surges into the lead pack of the rom-com genre with this endearing teenage love tale.
Thank you to Bancroft Press and NetGalley for a free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Running Mates will be published February 14, 2024.
Yep, it’s set up to be a Trump-era Romeo and Juliet, all right. Locker includes all the requisites: Anna’s friends who can’t stand Gabe; her parents who sneer at the mention of the Senator’s name; and even a jealous, crazy ex. Anna tells the story from her perspective, and she comes off both vulnerable and tough. She shares just about everything, and you can’t help but adore her. I thought giving her a learning disability made her more likeable, and Locker treats it with care and attention.
Being a blue stater myself, I thought I’d dislike Gabe. But he’s gallant, respectful, and kind, especially to Anna. The other characters develop and fold into the plot a bit more gradually than the MCs, but by midstory we get a clearer picture of their roles. The ideological difference between this version of Capulets and Montagues pervades the story’s conflict, but doesn’t overwhelm things with too much explanation, a tactic I appreciated. The “rom” is more important than the politics, and it shows.
Frankly, I wasn’t sure about this whole thing until Gabe helps Anna with a homework assignment. They both won me over at that point. From there it got heartwarming and sweet. The little love story is charming, and the conflicts they encounter are surprisingly edgy and well-constructed. Anna is a rom-com fan (and thus, I assume, so is the author), and it shows: the crescendo of the last hundred pages or so is just as compelling, fun, and meaningful as the best of them. Think Sally Thorne or Katherine Center.
For a second there, I wasn’t sure of the target audience. Was this for teenagers? Middle-school? Twenty-somethings? Again, I got to midway thinking this, but once the romance starts cooking, it was pretty clear she wants high schoolers to read it. (Right?)
And yeah: I’m a sucker for a book about running. Sure, I was denied visions of track meets and cross-country races, but there was enough to keep me interested. And the cute love story and likeable, realistic characters got me to stick around.
Locker surges into the lead pack of the rom-com genre with this endearing teenage love tale.
Thank you to Bancroft Press and NetGalley for a free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Running Mates will be published February 14, 2024.
November 6, 2023
4⭐️
-Opposites to friends to lovers
-Politics
-LGBTQIA+ representation 🏳️🌈
-Romeo and Juliet vibes
-Bookworm FMC
-Conservative senator’s son MMC x Liberal young activist FMC
-Language Processing Disorder rep
TW: homophobia, bullying, racism
“This whole time, liking you and then being with you, I was so afraid of losing myself and my moral edge. But really, I found it.
I finally can sit in the gray, not knowing the answers, not assuming the people around me are automatically right.
It’s so powerful to feel that. To feel like my own separate person.”
First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
“Running Mates” is a YA debut novel that deals with plenty of different topics such as workers’ rights, youth activism and homophobia.
I loved the friendships between the characters, particularly those between Anna and Sam and Anna and Del, and how the author portrayed the relationship between Anna and Gabe.
I loved how they both helped each other find their true selves.
“Shelly thinks people are far less interesting than books and dogs.”
Me too Shelly, me too.
-Opposites to friends to lovers
-Politics
-LGBTQIA+ representation 🏳️🌈
-Romeo and Juliet vibes
-Bookworm FMC
-Conservative senator’s son MMC x Liberal young activist FMC
-Language Processing Disorder rep
TW: homophobia, bullying, racism
“This whole time, liking you and then being with you, I was so afraid of losing myself and my moral edge. But really, I found it.
I finally can sit in the gray, not knowing the answers, not assuming the people around me are automatically right.
It’s so powerful to feel that. To feel like my own separate person.”
First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
“Running Mates” is a YA debut novel that deals with plenty of different topics such as workers’ rights, youth activism and homophobia.
I loved the friendships between the characters, particularly those between Anna and Sam and Anna and Del, and how the author portrayed the relationship between Anna and Gabe.
I loved how they both helped each other find their true selves.
“Shelly thinks people are far less interesting than books and dogs.”
Me too Shelly, me too.
February 10, 2024
Running Mates by Emily Locker was such a delight to read. Truly. It’s heartwarming, funny, timely, and very entertaining. It does lean heavily on the young adult side—which isn’t a genre that I read often—but Locker also included strong elements of friendship, parenting, family, activism, and social issues which broadened the scope for a wider audience. I actually think that this novel will appeal to a lot of moms—especially ones with a teenager in the house. My daughter is just months away from becoming a teenager, so I’m all about dissecting the teenage brain! Ha!
Before picking up this novel, please be aware that politics is a major component to the story. I feel that a lot of politically-themed novels tend to be one-sided lately, which may deter readers from picking them up. What I appreciated most about Running Mates is that we receive representation from both sides. A liberal teenage girl gets involved with a conservative teenage boy. It causes some major rifts and ripples between their friends, family members, and even the couple themselves! I’m happy to report that Locker handled this tricky dynamic wonderfully.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Running and fitness
- Young love
- Politically-charged storylines
- Teenage behavior
- Witty banter
- Family drama
- LGBTQIA+ representation
- Opposites attract trope
- North Carolina setting
Overall, this debut was a major winner for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. 4/5 stars for Running Mates! It’s out on February 14th!
Before picking up this novel, please be aware that politics is a major component to the story. I feel that a lot of politically-themed novels tend to be one-sided lately, which may deter readers from picking them up. What I appreciated most about Running Mates is that we receive representation from both sides. A liberal teenage girl gets involved with a conservative teenage boy. It causes some major rifts and ripples between their friends, family members, and even the couple themselves! I’m happy to report that Locker handled this tricky dynamic wonderfully.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Running and fitness
- Young love
- Politically-charged storylines
- Teenage behavior
- Witty banter
- Family drama
- LGBTQIA+ representation
- Opposites attract trope
- North Carolina setting
Overall, this debut was a major winner for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. 4/5 stars for Running Mates! It’s out on February 14th!
January 5, 2024
Amazing, enjoyable read - highly recommend!!
January 5, 2024
*I received an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for my review of this book.
I enjoyed the idea of two people from opposite sides of the aisle falling in love and learning to live open to each other’s opinions despite their differences. However, this particular book is not ready for publishing. The writing feels immature and needs more development. The whole idea of Northside vs Eastside is trite and pretentious considering both sides are clearly comprised of wealthy and powerful families. The descriptions of characters and settings are overwritten and underdeveloped. There are also issues with the story structure. In several instances, the action doesn’t flow smoothly from chapter to chapter. The stakes and the timing are off in the Anna/Mason storyline. At this point I can’t recommend this book to anyone in good conscience. It definitely has potential, but it needs more editing.
I enjoyed the idea of two people from opposite sides of the aisle falling in love and learning to live open to each other’s opinions despite their differences. However, this particular book is not ready for publishing. The writing feels immature and needs more development. The whole idea of Northside vs Eastside is trite and pretentious considering both sides are clearly comprised of wealthy and powerful families. The descriptions of characters and settings are overwritten and underdeveloped. There are also issues with the story structure. In several instances, the action doesn’t flow smoothly from chapter to chapter. The stakes and the timing are off in the Anna/Mason storyline. At this point I can’t recommend this book to anyone in good conscience. It definitely has potential, but it needs more editing.
March 19, 2024
I expected something light and easy to read and I got it.
Edgartown, a town in North Carolina, has been politically divided since anyone can remember. Annabelle is from the Eastside, liberal part of town, and Gabe is from the Northside, conservative part of Edgartown. They don’t really know each other until, suddenly, they start to train running together.
I was in a mood for something with running and romance in it when I picked this book, and while there was romance, running kind of faded away. It started with a lot of running, and later it was just mentioned. I really hoped there’ll be more of it, but in the end it was fine.
Despite that, kind of too much drama for me. I mean, I know where it came from, but still there was this point when Anna and Gabe were saying they’re trying to make their relationship work, but I didn't really see they were trying, because every chance they had to talk and spend time together they were fighting. I know, teenagers, different views, but for teenagers that were so aware of a lot more than I was their age I would expect that if they said they were trying they really tried that, at least once. And in my opinion they never tried until the end of the book. Of course, the drama was not only about these two, but also their friends, but I’m not going into that. For me, it was just too much.
However, don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad book. It’s a nice read for a cozy evening with tea and a blanket, and I’m sure I would really like it when I was a teen. But now, in my opinion it was just a light book I’ll probably forget in a few weeks, like many similar other books.
Edgartown, a town in North Carolina, has been politically divided since anyone can remember. Annabelle is from the Eastside, liberal part of town, and Gabe is from the Northside, conservative part of Edgartown. They don’t really know each other until, suddenly, they start to train running together.
I was in a mood for something with running and romance in it when I picked this book, and while there was romance, running kind of faded away. It started with a lot of running, and later it was just mentioned. I really hoped there’ll be more of it, but in the end it was fine.
Despite that, kind of too much drama for me. I mean, I know where it came from, but still there was this point when Anna and Gabe were saying they’re trying to make their relationship work, but I didn't really see they were trying, because every chance they had to talk and spend time together they were fighting. I know, teenagers, different views, but for teenagers that were so aware of a lot more than I was their age I would expect that if they said they were trying they really tried that, at least once. And in my opinion they never tried until the end of the book. Of course, the drama was not only about these two, but also their friends, but I’m not going into that. For me, it was just too much.
However, don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad book. It’s a nice read for a cozy evening with tea and a blanket, and I’m sure I would really like it when I was a teen. But now, in my opinion it was just a light book I’ll probably forget in a few weeks, like many similar other books.
January 4, 2024
Incredible debut novel from Emily Locker. Fun, loveable characters in a heartwarming story you won’t be able to put down. Put this on your must read list for 2024!
November 27, 2023
I had the honor of being a reader and reviewer through NetGalley, and let me tell you: this is such a sweet, well-thought out rom-com that has a political twist. All I can say is, this debut novel wholeheartedly gets a 5 star rating from me!
November 2, 2023
While this is a YA book for sure, and I have a horrible time connecting with young MC's, this was a very cute read.
I just imagined it as a hallmark-y type book and boom, loved it.
I just imagined it as a hallmark-y type book and boom, loved it.
November 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It was a very sweet and intriguing story. I think the premise is something that young adults in this political climate can relate to and find hope in! I really loved the characters and the way you see them grapple with their beliefs and grow from that.
November 11, 2023
Running Mates is perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Annabelle and Gabe are children of opposing political parties in a town split between Northside (conservative) and Eastside (liberal) who form a friendship while engaging in extra training to increase their viability for college recruitment.
They start to form a friendship and begin to challenge one another in their ideologies while becoming close to one another's family and friends. But will their differences prove to be too strong? And what happens when there are more to some of the events in the town than originally were apparent?
Running Mates does a great job of showing what it is to come to terms with your own identity and beliefs, especially in the shadows of political parentage.
Annabelle and Gabe are children of opposing political parties in a town split between Northside (conservative) and Eastside (liberal) who form a friendship while engaging in extra training to increase their viability for college recruitment.
They start to form a friendship and begin to challenge one another in their ideologies while becoming close to one another's family and friends. But will their differences prove to be too strong? And what happens when there are more to some of the events in the town than originally were apparent?
Running Mates does a great job of showing what it is to come to terms with your own identity and beliefs, especially in the shadows of political parentage.
February 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
This is a really funny and heartwarming read that YA and romance readers alike will enjoy.
Anna, our protagonist, provided some real laugh out loud moments. Even though she’s a little annoying at the start, kind of bullish in her beliefs, we get to watch her evolve over the course of the book to become a more open and thoughtful person.
Gabe is a hottie (though I feel bad saying it considering this is a high school novel). He has an equanimity that Anna sorely needs, and meanwhile, her confidence helps him develop a strong backbone in his own life.
The side characters here are great as well. I really hope the author continues this as a series so we can see what happens to them!
The world building is also great, in that I developed a clear image of this North Carolina town, and came to love the little shops and small town feel.
Overall, if you want a light, heartfelt, and funny read, I recommend picking up Running Mates.
This is a really funny and heartwarming read that YA and romance readers alike will enjoy.
Anna, our protagonist, provided some real laugh out loud moments. Even though she’s a little annoying at the start, kind of bullish in her beliefs, we get to watch her evolve over the course of the book to become a more open and thoughtful person.
Gabe is a hottie (though I feel bad saying it considering this is a high school novel). He has an equanimity that Anna sorely needs, and meanwhile, her confidence helps him develop a strong backbone in his own life.
The side characters here are great as well. I really hope the author continues this as a series so we can see what happens to them!
The world building is also great, in that I developed a clear image of this North Carolina town, and came to love the little shops and small town feel.
Overall, if you want a light, heartfelt, and funny read, I recommend picking up Running Mates.
February 17, 2024
In this debut novel Emily Locker tackles some of the difficulties of being a teen today. With politics at the forefront of most conversations from around the dinner table with family, to lunch in the cafeteria with friends, and even in the classroom with teachers interjecting their own views into their lectures politics seems to be a stressor Gen Z kids have to deal with that their parents did not and I think this YA novel is a great way to show teens how even people with different viewpoints can be friends.
The town of Edgartown in North Carolina has been politically divided for as long as anyone can remember. Eastside is known for their liberal political views and Northside for their conservative ones. When Anna Morningstar (an Eastsider) starts training with her cross country coach, he teams her with Gabe Delgado, not just a Northsider, but the son of the Republican senator with whom Anna and her mothers do not agree. Soon sparks are flying between the two high schoolers and they are torn between their personal views and the other’s view. When they both realize that the other makes some valid points, they end up needing to reconsider why they have the views they do. Are their opinions truly theirs, or those of their family and friends?
My favorite part of this book is one that’s so secondary to the main theme it might go unnoticed- destigmatizing learning disabilities. Anna has a language processing disorder that she’s quite open about. I have a number processing disorder and an auditory processing disorder (though you’d never know it given the amount of books I listen to), and growing up I always felt like the least smart person in the room. The way Gabe acknowledged Anna’s smarts despite her learning disability was heartwarming to me. If I had had just one person outside of my parents remind me that I was smart despite my learning difficulties it would have made a world of difference.
This was a great YA novel and I think it would be perfect for a high school book club. Thank you to NetGalley and Bancroft Press for an advanced copy. Running Mates hit the shelves on February 14th.
The town of Edgartown in North Carolina has been politically divided for as long as anyone can remember. Eastside is known for their liberal political views and Northside for their conservative ones. When Anna Morningstar (an Eastsider) starts training with her cross country coach, he teams her with Gabe Delgado, not just a Northsider, but the son of the Republican senator with whom Anna and her mothers do not agree. Soon sparks are flying between the two high schoolers and they are torn between their personal views and the other’s view. When they both realize that the other makes some valid points, they end up needing to reconsider why they have the views they do. Are their opinions truly theirs, or those of their family and friends?
My favorite part of this book is one that’s so secondary to the main theme it might go unnoticed- destigmatizing learning disabilities. Anna has a language processing disorder that she’s quite open about. I have a number processing disorder and an auditory processing disorder (though you’d never know it given the amount of books I listen to), and growing up I always felt like the least smart person in the room. The way Gabe acknowledged Anna’s smarts despite her learning disability was heartwarming to me. If I had had just one person outside of my parents remind me that I was smart despite my learning difficulties it would have made a world of difference.
This was a great YA novel and I think it would be perfect for a high school book club. Thank you to NetGalley and Bancroft Press for an advanced copy. Running Mates hit the shelves on February 14th.
December 23, 2023
4.4 rounded down to 4/5.
"Running Mates" by Emily Locker is a delightful rom-com set in the politically charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina. The story introduces Annabelle Morningstar, an impassioned high school activist from a progressive background, and Gabe Delgado, the quintessential all-American boy raised in a conservative, Cuban senator's household. As their worlds collide unexpectedly, the novel explores the possibilities of love in the midst of political discord.
The book masterfully combines elements of romance and comedy, making it a perfect read for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue. The enemies-to-lovers trope is well-executed, providing an engaging and entertaining narrative. The story takes a deeper dive into the complexities of identity and belief systems, especially when shaped by the shadows of political parentage.
One of the novel's strengths is its well-thought-out plot, which keeps readers engaged and entertained. The unionization of a local bookstore serves as a backdrop for Annabelle and Gabe's unexpected interactions, adding depth to their developing relationship. The humor is both witty and heartwarming, contributing to the overall charm of the book.
"Running Mates" successfully navigates the challenges of teenage romance amidst the backdrop of political polarization. The characters are well-developed, and their journey of self-discovery is relatable and authentic. The novel strikes a balance between humor and heartfelt moments, creating a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
In conclusion, "Running Mates" is a well-crafted rom-com that captures the essence of young love in the face of political differences. Emily Locker's storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a compelling and entertaining addition to the genre. Readers will find themselves rooting for Annabelle and Gabe as they navigate the complexities of their budding relationship in the midst of a politically divided town.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Running Mates" by Emily Locker is a delightful rom-com set in the politically charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina. The story introduces Annabelle Morningstar, an impassioned high school activist from a progressive background, and Gabe Delgado, the quintessential all-American boy raised in a conservative, Cuban senator's household. As their worlds collide unexpectedly, the novel explores the possibilities of love in the midst of political discord.
The book masterfully combines elements of romance and comedy, making it a perfect read for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue. The enemies-to-lovers trope is well-executed, providing an engaging and entertaining narrative. The story takes a deeper dive into the complexities of identity and belief systems, especially when shaped by the shadows of political parentage.
One of the novel's strengths is its well-thought-out plot, which keeps readers engaged and entertained. The unionization of a local bookstore serves as a backdrop for Annabelle and Gabe's unexpected interactions, adding depth to their developing relationship. The humor is both witty and heartwarming, contributing to the overall charm of the book.
"Running Mates" successfully navigates the challenges of teenage romance amidst the backdrop of political polarization. The characters are well-developed, and their journey of self-discovery is relatable and authentic. The novel strikes a balance between humor and heartfelt moments, creating a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
In conclusion, "Running Mates" is a well-crafted rom-com that captures the essence of young love in the face of political differences. Emily Locker's storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a compelling and entertaining addition to the genre. Readers will find themselves rooting for Annabelle and Gabe as they navigate the complexities of their budding relationship in the midst of a politically divided town.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 16, 2024
Advanced Book Review! Thank you @netgalley, @emilylocker and @bancroftpress for sending me this book for review. Opinions are my own.
Running Mates is kind of a Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story for the 21st century, about two teenagers on opposite sides of the political spectrum, living in a very politically charged American town.
Annabelle Morningstar is an impassioned, quirky high school activist raised by her news anchor and surgeon mothers, champions of progressive ideals. Annabelle lives on the East Side of town – the Democrat side. Gabe Delgado, is the quintessential all-American boy, molded by his conservative, Cuban senator father. Gabe’s family lives on the North Side – the Republican side.
Rarely are Eastsiders and Northsiders friends, so when Anna and Gabe end up training for track together and become friends, and then more than friends, it’s mind-blowing – mostly for Anna’s besties Del and Mason, and Gabe’s ex-girlfriend. Gabe’s friend, Sam, who also trains with them, doesn’t seem bothered. I think he’s the best secondary character in the book.
I’m trying to remember that this is a young adult book and that I don’t read a lot of YA, but I think it could have used more editing and character development. A lot of the characters and story-lines are one-dimensional and the town is hyper-focused on political issues, through extracurricular activities and weekly protests. I question how many high school students are actually that invested in politics. However, I like that Anna and Gabe are learning to be more than that – which I think is the point.
I think this book is trying to make more young adults aware of politics and explain you need to figure out for yourself what you stand for. And sometimes, when you have a proper discussion with someone on the opposite side or work together, you just never know what kind of positive influence you could have.
Running Mates is kind of a Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story for the 21st century, about two teenagers on opposite sides of the political spectrum, living in a very politically charged American town.
Annabelle Morningstar is an impassioned, quirky high school activist raised by her news anchor and surgeon mothers, champions of progressive ideals. Annabelle lives on the East Side of town – the Democrat side. Gabe Delgado, is the quintessential all-American boy, molded by his conservative, Cuban senator father. Gabe’s family lives on the North Side – the Republican side.
Rarely are Eastsiders and Northsiders friends, so when Anna and Gabe end up training for track together and become friends, and then more than friends, it’s mind-blowing – mostly for Anna’s besties Del and Mason, and Gabe’s ex-girlfriend. Gabe’s friend, Sam, who also trains with them, doesn’t seem bothered. I think he’s the best secondary character in the book.
I’m trying to remember that this is a young adult book and that I don’t read a lot of YA, but I think it could have used more editing and character development. A lot of the characters and story-lines are one-dimensional and the town is hyper-focused on political issues, through extracurricular activities and weekly protests. I question how many high school students are actually that invested in politics. However, I like that Anna and Gabe are learning to be more than that – which I think is the point.
I think this book is trying to make more young adults aware of politics and explain you need to figure out for yourself what you stand for. And sometimes, when you have a proper discussion with someone on the opposite side or work together, you just never know what kind of positive influence you could have.
January 5, 2024
Republican senator’s son and democrat journalist daughter meet through extra track practices and start to fall in love.
I’ll admit when I first saw the title I assumed this was going to be a shifter romance or omegaverse related, neither of which are really my cup of tea. So, I was confused when starting this book only to realize the title was a play on political running mates. The politics in this book are… iffy at best. The fmc is liberal but seems to have never interacted with anyone with more moderate views and constantly can’t wrap her head around the fact that people’s beliefs straddle party lines. She is regularly surprised when the mmc does anything deemed as understanding of women, though he has a sister that is relatively close to his age. I think the story was supposed to be Romeo and Juliet but political parties. I think it may have worked better if the characters were older, not in high school when political ideologies are only just beginning to be formed.
The author’s writing style is more “telling” than “showing”. I couldn’t sink into this book and picture the scenes. I’m not sure I could describe the main characters other than the fmc has curly hair (how curly or color, no clue) and the mmc smells like pines. I’m not convinced any of the fights the main characters were in would actually make me as irrationally angry as they made the characters.
The last thing I have to say: if anyone, and I mean anyone, that you are in a relationship (romantic or friendship) with ignores you or ghosts you for 2 weeks regardless if there was a fight or not, you need to reevaluate if you want that person in your life. Communication is key, people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I’ll admit when I first saw the title I assumed this was going to be a shifter romance or omegaverse related, neither of which are really my cup of tea. So, I was confused when starting this book only to realize the title was a play on political running mates. The politics in this book are… iffy at best. The fmc is liberal but seems to have never interacted with anyone with more moderate views and constantly can’t wrap her head around the fact that people’s beliefs straddle party lines. She is regularly surprised when the mmc does anything deemed as understanding of women, though he has a sister that is relatively close to his age. I think the story was supposed to be Romeo and Juliet but political parties. I think it may have worked better if the characters were older, not in high school when political ideologies are only just beginning to be formed.
The author’s writing style is more “telling” than “showing”. I couldn’t sink into this book and picture the scenes. I’m not sure I could describe the main characters other than the fmc has curly hair (how curly or color, no clue) and the mmc smells like pines. I’m not convinced any of the fights the main characters were in would actually make me as irrationally angry as they made the characters.
The last thing I have to say: if anyone, and I mean anyone, that you are in a relationship (romantic or friendship) with ignores you or ghosts you for 2 weeks regardless if there was a fight or not, you need to reevaluate if you want that person in your life. Communication is key, people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2024
Running Mates was a fun, lighthearted coming of age story with a twist: a Liberal LGBTQ+ Journalist's teen daughter falls for Republican Latinx Senator's teen son.
I definitely appreciate the commentary on considering the nuances in every situation, as that is something I believe everyone can benefit from; however, I felt the characters' opinions were quite shallow, on all sides. I can understand how that is a major part of the commentary regarding how our parents' and peers' views can affect our own opinions and beliefs, as well as the significance of finding your own political stances and doing your own research, etc.
With that said, this book missed the mark for me. It did one of my least favorite things that romances tend to do: the MMC/love interest is wonderful, can do no wrong, perfect book boyfriend/girlfriend ever, yet the FMC/protagonist is annoying, overly unlikeable, stepped all over like a doormat, and beyond infuriating. Additionally, I found the plot to be flimsy and the writing to be more 'tell' than 'show' (which is a personal preference, but I definitely do not love).
Listen- I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn't it for me. The main characters were quite infuriating, especially the FMC and her friends (which were liberals, and I found that to be a little interesting how the right winged characters were typically showcased as hot, athletic, cool, popular, chill people who only did good deeds, while the left winged characters were cliquey, stereotypical, overly sensitive, judgemental, and actively non-inclusive people? that didn't sit right with me, personally)
I can appreciate the commentary on our current political state and the continuing polarization of opinions, as well as the reminder to find the nuance in every situation. However, I think the commentary and reminder are not enough to make up for the poor characterizations, lack of plot and overall irritation I found while reading this book.
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Bancroft Press and author Emily Locker for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I definitely appreciate the commentary on considering the nuances in every situation, as that is something I believe everyone can benefit from; however, I felt the characters' opinions were quite shallow, on all sides. I can understand how that is a major part of the commentary regarding how our parents' and peers' views can affect our own opinions and beliefs, as well as the significance of finding your own political stances and doing your own research, etc.
With that said, this book missed the mark for me. It did one of my least favorite things that romances tend to do: the MMC/love interest is wonderful, can do no wrong, perfect book boyfriend/girlfriend ever, yet the FMC/protagonist is annoying, overly unlikeable, stepped all over like a doormat, and beyond infuriating. Additionally, I found the plot to be flimsy and the writing to be more 'tell' than 'show' (which is a personal preference, but I definitely do not love).
Listen- I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn't it for me. The main characters were quite infuriating, especially the FMC and her friends (which were liberals, and I found that to be a little interesting how the right winged characters were typically showcased as hot, athletic, cool, popular, chill people who only did good deeds, while the left winged characters were cliquey, stereotypical, overly sensitive, judgemental, and actively non-inclusive people? that didn't sit right with me, personally)
I can appreciate the commentary on our current political state and the continuing polarization of opinions, as well as the reminder to find the nuance in every situation. However, I think the commentary and reminder are not enough to make up for the poor characterizations, lack of plot and overall irritation I found while reading this book.
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Bancroft Press and author Emily Locker for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2024
BOOK REVIEW: Running Mates by @emilylocker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emojis: 🇺🇸🏃🏼♀️📚🗞️🩵
First and foremost, I want to thank @emilylocker for sending me an #arc of her book in exchange for an honest review, and just an additional thank you for being so sweet - I’ve enjoyed exchanging messages with you and can’t wait to meet you! FOR MEMPHIS FRIENDS: author Emily Locker will be at @novelmemphis Thursday evening to chat about her book. I encourage to come out and snag a copy, and if you can’t make it please consider ordering a copy to read!
This is THE coming of age book you need on your shelf. I think this book perfectly encapsulates the teenage emotions and high stakes of high school, opinionated teens, feeling like the world is SO BIG and you’re so responsible for every little bit of it.
Lockers book follows FMC Annabelle (Anna) as she navigates joining a training group that interferes with her Liberal Liaisons meetings. She finds herself torn between a budding friendship (and eventually more🤭) with Gabe, son of the conservative senator, and her left-wing liberal lifestyle.
Every time I felt myself frustrated with the immaturity of these characters, it would smack me in the face that these are kids — TEENS — that feel like they carry the weight of the world. And when you live in such extremist polar opposites, how could these characters possibly find resolution? That’s what made this story great. Learning that not everything has to be so black and white (or red and blue in this case). You can make a change and an impact without feeling like you’re betraying either side.
The romance was very Romeo-Juliet vibes, which was so on par. The friends couldn’t have been more accurate, from goofy sidekicks to mean girl energy. I loved the delicacy in which important issues were discussed and debated even.
If I had to ask for one thing about this, I’d like to have a few things more baked out in the backstory. But even then, that’s just because I selfishly want all the details😂🤭 thank you again for this fun read! It was the palette cleanser I needed and it was easy to pick up and enjoy.
#boldsbooks #arc #arcreviewers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #emilylocker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emojis: 🇺🇸🏃🏼♀️📚🗞️🩵
First and foremost, I want to thank @emilylocker for sending me an #arc of her book in exchange for an honest review, and just an additional thank you for being so sweet - I’ve enjoyed exchanging messages with you and can’t wait to meet you! FOR MEMPHIS FRIENDS: author Emily Locker will be at @novelmemphis Thursday evening to chat about her book. I encourage to come out and snag a copy, and if you can’t make it please consider ordering a copy to read!
This is THE coming of age book you need on your shelf. I think this book perfectly encapsulates the teenage emotions and high stakes of high school, opinionated teens, feeling like the world is SO BIG and you’re so responsible for every little bit of it.
Lockers book follows FMC Annabelle (Anna) as she navigates joining a training group that interferes with her Liberal Liaisons meetings. She finds herself torn between a budding friendship (and eventually more🤭) with Gabe, son of the conservative senator, and her left-wing liberal lifestyle.
Every time I felt myself frustrated with the immaturity of these characters, it would smack me in the face that these are kids — TEENS — that feel like they carry the weight of the world. And when you live in such extremist polar opposites, how could these characters possibly find resolution? That’s what made this story great. Learning that not everything has to be so black and white (or red and blue in this case). You can make a change and an impact without feeling like you’re betraying either side.
The romance was very Romeo-Juliet vibes, which was so on par. The friends couldn’t have been more accurate, from goofy sidekicks to mean girl energy. I loved the delicacy in which important issues were discussed and debated even.
If I had to ask for one thing about this, I’d like to have a few things more baked out in the backstory. But even then, that’s just because I selfishly want all the details😂🤭 thank you again for this fun read! It was the palette cleanser I needed and it was easy to pick up and enjoy.
#boldsbooks #arc #arcreviewers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #emilylocker
March 31, 2024
3.75/5.
mini synopsis:
High school senior Anna’s world is turned upside down when she befriends fellow runner Gabe Delgado. Anna is a liberal activist with a famous democratic journalist Mom. Gabe is in Young Republicans with a Cuban, conservative Senator father. When feelings start to grow into something more, their personal belief systems get messily intertwined.
thoughts:
Thank you @thebookclubmom for putting this read on my radar! It’s a rough political landscape right now, and I wanted to know how this author handled the topic in a YA book. This book explores tolerance and navigating when to walk away and when to stand ground. It was trying to accomplish a lot at one time. There was a strike going at a local indie bookstore where the workers wanted a Union, Anna’s several BFFs with their own mini side plot, Anna’s school struggles with her language processing disorder, athletics, all in addition to the romance. I think it would’ve shined a bit more cutting out the best friend side plot. There was also some cheesier than most YA dialogue. But overall I really liked how this handled the differences of Gabe and Anna on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, environmentalism, workers rights, etc. Highly recommend if you are burnt out already this Election year, and need some wholesome reading on politics with heart. I also loved the romance between Gabe and Anna! ❤️
mini synopsis:
High school senior Anna’s world is turned upside down when she befriends fellow runner Gabe Delgado. Anna is a liberal activist with a famous democratic journalist Mom. Gabe is in Young Republicans with a Cuban, conservative Senator father. When feelings start to grow into something more, their personal belief systems get messily intertwined.
thoughts:
Thank you @thebookclubmom for putting this read on my radar! It’s a rough political landscape right now, and I wanted to know how this author handled the topic in a YA book. This book explores tolerance and navigating when to walk away and when to stand ground. It was trying to accomplish a lot at one time. There was a strike going at a local indie bookstore where the workers wanted a Union, Anna’s several BFFs with their own mini side plot, Anna’s school struggles with her language processing disorder, athletics, all in addition to the romance. I think it would’ve shined a bit more cutting out the best friend side plot. There was also some cheesier than most YA dialogue. But overall I really liked how this handled the differences of Gabe and Anna on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, environmentalism, workers rights, etc. Highly recommend if you are burnt out already this Election year, and need some wholesome reading on politics with heart. I also loved the romance between Gabe and Anna! ❤️
January 18, 2024
984 prompts
I recently had the pleasure of reading Emily Locker's Running Mates, and I have to say, it was an absolute delight. Set in the politically-charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina, the story centers around two high school students from opposite sides of the political spectrum. Annabelle Morningstar is a progressive activist raised by two mothers who champion liberal ideals, while Gabe Delgado is the son of a conservative Cuban senator.
Despite their differences, Annabelle and Gabe find themselves thrown together when employees at their favorite bookstore decide to unionize. As they work together to support the union, they soon discover a connection that goes beyond politics. And as they train together for cross-country competitions, their feelings for each other grow even stronger.
What I loved about this book was how it tackled the complex issues of political polarization and cultural differences with grace and empathy. The characters were nuanced and well-developed, and the romance between Annabelle and Gabe felt authentic and heartfelt. Running Mates is a timely and important read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a beautifully written love story that also explores important social issues.
I recently had the pleasure of reading Emily Locker's Running Mates, and I have to say, it was an absolute delight. Set in the politically-charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina, the story centers around two high school students from opposite sides of the political spectrum. Annabelle Morningstar is a progressive activist raised by two mothers who champion liberal ideals, while Gabe Delgado is the son of a conservative Cuban senator.
Despite their differences, Annabelle and Gabe find themselves thrown together when employees at their favorite bookstore decide to unionize. As they work together to support the union, they soon discover a connection that goes beyond politics. And as they train together for cross-country competitions, their feelings for each other grow even stronger.
What I loved about this book was how it tackled the complex issues of political polarization and cultural differences with grace and empathy. The characters were nuanced and well-developed, and the romance between Annabelle and Gabe felt authentic and heartfelt. Running Mates is a timely and important read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a beautifully written love story that also explores important social issues.
March 3, 2024
This book is a delightful read about a teenage love story while also a surprisingly refreshing take about the possibility of love conquering “across the aisle” rivalries in these depressingly hyperpartisan times. The young adult characters are well-developed and are both earnest and thoughtful while still retaining the flights of fancy and overwrought passion that you would expect of hormonal teenagers. But there is also an enduring lesson to be gleaned from this book: pursue your passions (both of the romantic and moral variety) with the purposesful zeal of an audacious teen and with an open mind and heart of a young soul not yet jaded by life’s inevitable bruising moments. We are all striving humans, at the end of the day, and we all aspire to live a life of meaning and virtue in our own ways, regardless of our race, religion or political stripes. I hope my children grow up to be the spirited, engaged and thoughtful teenagers represented by the characters in this book (and I hope their romantic lives are as consensual and respectful as well!). Brava to Ms. locker for creating this world where a brighter, more bipartisan future seems not only possible, but sharply witty and ultimately satisfyingly romantic as well!
February 10, 2024
Grab this one when it’s published next week! Thanks to the author for the ARC is exchange for a fair review. I found this to be extremely readable and well paced. I was never bored and didn’t have a tough time getting into it at all - which is a huge win for me! The characters and the visuals were very real to me and I could picture each one of them and their homes very well. I found some of the political party back and forth to be upsetting as we had people outright discussing whether gay marriage was an important thing to vote for in the name of political discourse, however it ended in a decent place. I will say it was interesting to have commentary on performative actions vs making real changes happen and I appreciated that discourse. Ultimately it was a typical YA book - the tone can be a little juvenile, even for YA, and there are some typos, but it’s worth the read for sure
February 11, 2024
As someone who’s new to the political Romeo and Juliet trope, I found this book really sweet. I think it tackles political views that are very common nowadays such as LGBTQ rights and abortion rights which makes it more relatable to the readers to be able to take sides for certain characters. I will say that the whole rivalry between the families isn’t as bad since they seem to be understanding of Anna and Gabe falling in love which made it feel more like an unrealistic romcom situation than anything.
RUNNING MATES focuses more on finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in rather than the Romeo and Juliet political family feud plot line. Regardless, it was still a cute read that I recommend to readers who care about standing up for what you believe in and wanna read cute romcom scenes.
RUNNING MATES focuses more on finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in rather than the Romeo and Juliet political family feud plot line. Regardless, it was still a cute read that I recommend to readers who care about standing up for what you believe in and wanna read cute romcom scenes.
March 3, 2024
This book was not for me. So much so that I dramatically tossed my Kindle once I reached the end.
I was excited about this title because I just had a conversation jokingly with my partner about there being a lack of running romance books, and then this popped up so I grabbed it immediately.
I knew with the "Running Mates" title this was going to be political , but there wasn't a hint of dialogue or character thought that wasn't laced with political or social commentary -- often feeling forced and unnatural. Because of that, I felt that it took away from getting any real in-depth character development and it became insufferable trying to work through the plot. Toward the end of the book, it felt like there were a lot of loose ends that tried to get tied up really quickly, and the timelines seemed a bit off.
I was excited about this title because I just had a conversation jokingly with my partner about there being a lack of running romance books, and then this popped up so I grabbed it immediately.
I knew with the "Running Mates" title this was going to be political , but there wasn't a hint of dialogue or character thought that wasn't laced with political or social commentary -- often feeling forced and unnatural. Because of that, I felt that it took away from getting any real in-depth character development and it became insufferable trying to work through the plot. Toward the end of the book, it felt like there were a lot of loose ends that tried to get tied up really quickly, and the timelines seemed a bit off.
January 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to hoenstly review this book. All opinions are my own and everyones tastes differ.
Honestly I wanted to like this book, I typically love cheesy rom-com works with Romeo and Juliet vibes or shared interests but unfortunately this one just didn't hit the mark for me. I found Anna (FMC) quite annoying with no self-awareness. There was multiple plot points running at the same time which all just felt a little under-developed for an actual core storyline. As a result of this the ending was rushed and some of the interactions were just cringe, unfortunately. Gabe (MMC) is one of the positives (usually), he has a bit more awareness and wasn't quite so grating. I suppose overall, I also just expected a bit more running in this book!
Honestly I wanted to like this book, I typically love cheesy rom-com works with Romeo and Juliet vibes or shared interests but unfortunately this one just didn't hit the mark for me. I found Anna (FMC) quite annoying with no self-awareness. There was multiple plot points running at the same time which all just felt a little under-developed for an actual core storyline. As a result of this the ending was rushed and some of the interactions were just cringe, unfortunately. Gabe (MMC) is one of the positives (usually), he has a bit more awareness and wasn't quite so grating. I suppose overall, I also just expected a bit more running in this book!
January 4, 2024
This is a sweet, fun YA rom-com following the classic plot line of enemies to high school relationship. Set in a politicised small town where everyone is clearly northside (Republican) or eastside (Democrat). Centring around Annabel and Gabe and their respective friendship groups, I really enjoyed the characters being pulled from different political perspectives and seeing the two main characters influence each others perspectives was a delight.
Unfortunately the ARC I received was full of typesetting errors and could also do with a tighter edit in a few places.
Rounded up from 3.5 in the hope those edits get done!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bancroft Press for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Unfortunately the ARC I received was full of typesetting errors and could also do with a tighter edit in a few places.
Rounded up from 3.5 in the hope those edits get done!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bancroft Press for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
February 29, 2024
This book had a lot of things going for it and a couple of things that were a stretch.
The characters were, for the most part, interesting and real. They had struggles and successes. They were not perfect but they did grow and develop during the story. The dialogue was funny at times as well as honest. The author did a great job making this a fun read.
The stretch was the Romeo and Juliet aspect of it where the family feud was over politics. It pushed the boundaries of believable into the over the top kind of story. The politics on both sides were just to rabid. If it had been dialed back a bit I think I would have liked it a lot more.
That being said, I'm still looking forward to seeing more books from this author.
Enjoy.
The characters were, for the most part, interesting and real. They had struggles and successes. They were not perfect but they did grow and develop during the story. The dialogue was funny at times as well as honest. The author did a great job making this a fun read.
The stretch was the Romeo and Juliet aspect of it where the family feud was over politics. It pushed the boundaries of believable into the over the top kind of story. The politics on both sides were just to rabid. If it had been dialed back a bit I think I would have liked it a lot more.
That being said, I'm still looking forward to seeing more books from this author.
Enjoy.
November 16, 2023
This was a youthful, lighthearted read depicting a blossoming high school relationship between two individuals coming from very different politically driven families in a small town motivated by politics. The town (and high school) largely pits Northside (Republicans) and Eastside (Democrats) against one another.
This is an easy and fun read fueled by humorous dialogue and the adolescent nature of exploring the pitfalls and triumphs of relationships and changing perspectives as a modern age American high schooler.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bancroft Press, and Emily Locker for providing me with this free e-ARC in exchange for a review!
This is an easy and fun read fueled by humorous dialogue and the adolescent nature of exploring the pitfalls and triumphs of relationships and changing perspectives as a modern age American high schooler.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bancroft Press, and Emily Locker for providing me with this free e-ARC in exchange for a review!
December 20, 2023
I was not expecting to enjoy this book honestly. This trope in books usually just annoys me. That wasn't the case here, it was a very cute story. A sort of romeo and juliet-esque story with two "warring" families, with a fun political twist at the end. This was a fun novel to read and I can definitely see how it is geared more towards the YA genre. This would appeal to all the seniors applying to college and trying to get noticed by a sports recruiter. It would hit home for them more than it did for me, but overall, I still enjoyed the novel!
Thank you NetGalley and Bancroft for the Advanced Readers Copy
Thank you NetGalley and Bancroft for the Advanced Readers Copy
January 8, 2024
This was a cute YA rom-com with a timely twist. I could definitely relate to the whole loving and learning to live with people whose political stances don't line up with mine thing. I was glad to see that in the platonic/familial relationships as well as the romantic one.
This is definitely a character/relationship-driven story. The plot's pretty thin, but that's okay since I liked the main characters for the most part. There were times their actions annoyed me, but that's pretty typical for this genre/age. It was good to see the characters grow and learn without forgetting who they are.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
This is definitely a character/relationship-driven story. The plot's pretty thin, but that's okay since I liked the main characters for the most part. There were times their actions annoyed me, but that's pretty typical for this genre/age. It was good to see the characters grow and learn without forgetting who they are.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
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