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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
“Life is what you make of it” is a lesson Brooke Arnelletta must learn the hard way in Runaway Artist by Sheila Hansberger. She’s an almost 21-year-old college student and aspiring artist interning at a Beverly Hills art gallery. What starts as a typical night quickly takes a sudden turn when Brooke witnesses what looks like a violent crime behind the gallery. When the police find little evidence to support her story, she begins to have doubts and wonders if it was all in her head. She tries to return to everyday routines but must face growing tension between her responsibilities and her family’s expectations. Along the way, other mysterious events unfold, causing Brooke to flee to her grandparents’ cabin in Wildridge. Once there, she befriends Gloria, the woman who runs the small café in town, who offers her a job and gives advice on where to find affordable clothing. Gloria's nephews, Josh and Conner, who work at the hardware store, also become part of her daily routine. Conner wants to help Brooke fix up the cabin, but she keeps him at arm’s length because she doesn’t want him to get hurt and isn’t sure how long she’ll be staying. Will Conner find a place in Brooke’s world? And will she be able to come out of hiding to enjoy it?
I really enjoyed Runaway Artist by Sheila Hansberger. The writing was easy to follow, and there was a good balance between the suspense and Brooke’s personal growth. At first, she came across as a bit sheltered and maybe even a little self-centered. However, over time, I could see her maturing and becoming less selfish, which made her a more relatable character. I was also drawn to the growing relationship she had with Conner. I liked the way her feelings for him sort of snuck up on her. I appreciated how the author showed Brooke’s passion for art without overcomplicating it with terms readers might not understand. The pacing kept me interested, and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. This is an entertaining read that had me engaged from start to finish. Readers looking for light suspense with a coming-of-age feel will want to pick this one up.
