A review by readingnesting
Running Feral by Erin Russell

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


It is dark, gritty and beautiful. 

Tobias:
'I wasn’t the type of person to sit around daydreaming about being swept off my feet by some guy who would keep me safe. Because there’s no such thing. ‘Safe’ is a fragile, fictional concept and people are inherently unreliable.‘ 

Also Tobias:
‘He (Gunnar) bats my hand away from his shirt gently, looking at me with a powerful combination of annoyance and indulgence that I kind of want to soak up like a sad, underwatered little houseplant.‘ 

After reading this book, my respect for Erin Russell went up again. Which is an achievement.  Stupid Dirty -the first book of this series- is one of my all time favourites. 
Again, the writing was sublime.  Tobias and Gunnar burrowed their way into my heart and I feel very protective of them. 
What stood out to me is the careful and delicate way Erin treated the topic of  intimate partner violence. It breathed respect and understanding. 

To me it is a powerful story that shows how difficult it is to navigate love and relationships during and after trauma. 
The town feels real to me and like I know the people in it. I can't wait to read more of them and I know it is coming soon!

Favourite quote:
'I understand where you’re coming from.” I beg your finest fucking pardon, Officer Bumblefuck, but you clearly don’t.‘
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