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And Then We Ran
A road-trip story about following your dreams and embracing the unexpected.
Megan knows what she wants out of life and she intends to get it, whatever her parents say.
Elliott has given up on all his plans for the future � but then Megan bursts into his life with a proposal that could change it forever.
Together they embark on a road trip to escape their hometown and chase their dreams. But life is a journey and not even Megan can control where theirs will lead�
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Rainbow Rowell and Non Pratt.
Megan knows what she wants out of life and she intends to get it, whatever her parents say.
Elliott has given up on all his plans for the future � but then Megan bursts into his life with a proposal that could change it forever.
Together they embark on a road trip to escape their hometown and chase their dreams. But life is a journey and not even Megan can control where theirs will lead�
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Rainbow Rowell and Non Pratt.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2017
4 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Katy Cannon
19books45followersKaty was born in Abu Dhabi, grew up in Wales, went to university in Lancaster, spent a few years splitting her time between London, Hertfordshire, and an assortment of hotels across the world. She now lives in a little market town not far from Cambridge. She has a husband, two children, a goldfish, and far too many notebooks.
Katy likes to write stories about the importance of friends and family, and especially those friends who become family. She considers herself most fortunate to have been blessed with an abundance of all three.
As a teenager, Katy was constantly in trouble for reading when she should have been doing something else. These days, she mostly gets in trouble for dreaming up new stories when she should be writing the ones she’s already working on.
Katy’s debut YA novel, LOVE, LIES & LEMON PIES, has been translated into eight languages. Her next book, AND THEN WE RAN, will be released in April 2017.
Katy is represented by Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.
Katy likes to write stories about the importance of friends and family, and especially those friends who become family. She considers herself most fortunate to have been blessed with an abundance of all three.
As a teenager, Katy was constantly in trouble for reading when she should have been doing something else. These days, she mostly gets in trouble for dreaming up new stories when she should be writing the ones she’s already working on.
Katy’s debut YA novel, LOVE, LIES & LEMON PIES, has been translated into eight languages. Her next book, AND THEN WE RAN, will be released in April 2017.
Katy is represented by Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 4, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to Little Tiger Group and NetGalley.)
This was a YA contemporary story, about a girl who thought that getting married so that she could inherit a flat in London was the best way to stop living in her sister’s memory.
Megan was quite an upbeat sort of character, and I felt quite sorry for her when her parents really weren’t listening to what she wanted to do at all. Being forced to become a lawyer because that’s what your recently deceased sister was going to do doesn’t sound like much fun at all.
Elliot was also in a difficult position, and it seemed almost like fate that what Megan wanted so much would also help him out too.
The storyline in this was about Megan wanting to be a photographer, and her parents not approving. Megan’s sister Lizzie had died in an accident a year previously, and Megan didn’t want to take her place and become a lawyer which is what her parents were pushing her to do. Instead Megan had a plan � she stood to inherit her grandmother’s flat in London once she turned 21 or was married, so she decided to get married so that she could move to London and begin her photography business.
I did think that this plan all sounded a bit silly at first, but as the book went on I was really rooting for Megan and Elliot to get to Gretna Green on time and to get married before their families could stop them!
The ending to this was okay, and I was pleased that Megan’s parents finally started to listen to what she wanted to do with her life. I was a little concerned that Elliot wouldn’t get to do what he wanted to do though.
7 out of 10
“We should get married.�
This was a YA contemporary story, about a girl who thought that getting married so that she could inherit a flat in London was the best way to stop living in her sister’s memory.
Megan was quite an upbeat sort of character, and I felt quite sorry for her when her parents really weren’t listening to what she wanted to do at all. Being forced to become a lawyer because that’s what your recently deceased sister was going to do doesn’t sound like much fun at all.
Elliot was also in a difficult position, and it seemed almost like fate that what Megan wanted so much would also help him out too.
The storyline in this was about Megan wanting to be a photographer, and her parents not approving. Megan’s sister Lizzie had died in an accident a year previously, and Megan didn’t want to take her place and become a lawyer which is what her parents were pushing her to do. Instead Megan had a plan � she stood to inherit her grandmother’s flat in London once she turned 21 or was married, so she decided to get married so that she could move to London and begin her photography business.
I did think that this plan all sounded a bit silly at first, but as the book went on I was really rooting for Megan and Elliot to get to Gretna Green on time and to get married before their families could stop them!
The ending to this was okay, and I was pleased that Megan’s parents finally started to listen to what she wanted to do with her life. I was a little concerned that Elliot wouldn’t get to do what he wanted to do though.
7 out of 10
April 21, 2017
I tried to care for this book but I couldn't. It's about a girl called Becca who survives the death of her older sister Lizzie and feels herself tied up in being what their parents expect of her sister but not of her. So she decides to do something drastic as marrying somebody so she can go to London (where she has a flat) and pursue her dream. To do so, she picks a guy named Elliot, kind of an outcast due to his father's actions.
But he is hiding some things about Lizzie's death, and she is also trying to hide some other things about how she feels about her sister... so... that.
But I couldn't care for the book or the characters. For me they were plain and didn't have the kind of spark that makes them come alive.
But he is hiding some things about Lizzie's death, and she is also trying to hide some other things about how she feels about her sister... so... that.
But I couldn't care for the book or the characters. For me they were plain and didn't have the kind of spark that makes them come alive.
March 25, 2017
I loved how much emphasis there was on university and making sure you're picking the right course for you. While I'm not a fan of demonising parents, I thought 'And Then We Ran' did a spectacular job of explaining its own logic and putting everything into perspective. I also wasn't expecting the dimension of guilt Megan felt about her sister, there were so many things that really tied this into a really successful road-trip novel!
August 9, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! I loved all the little photographs and texts, they really added texture to the narrative. The plot was fairly obvious, but still positive, directed at reconciliation and not bitterness. I really liked both characters--they were complex and broken, and worked well as a duet. The supporting characters were lovely too, especially Becca and Sean. I do think that there was space for further exploration of the institute of marriage, which was alluded to but not directly talked about. Overall, however, a fun book.
February 18, 2017
Thematically clever. Heart squeezing. I adored it from cover to cover. It has that same ease and addictive quality that I get when I read one of my faves like Sarah Dessen.
Cute, a little crazy but also very down to earth. Full review soon! :)
Cute, a little crazy but also very down to earth. Full review soon! :)
March 25, 2017
For a pretty wild concept, this is quite a serious story about following your heart, your dreams and living up to expectations. The split perspective between Megan and Elliot was something I really enjoyed, getting to know these characters and there lives separate to one another. Although the build to the whole 'we have to get married' thing was slow, the characters were so well established, I didn't mind. For anyone that's interested in non-academic subjects, or jobs that people are constantly saying no one getting into, this book is the perfect inspiration you need.
May 10, 2017
I received this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This is one of those books where it's all about the characters. Love the characters, love the book. Fortunately for me, I did.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with both Megan and Elliot, who were willing to take a huge risk to have a future they wanted, rather than one that their families had drawn up for them. There was a lot of playful banter between them and a few very meaningful conversations, which made me cry more than once.
The family dynamics were also very interesting. I can't even begin to imagine living in Megan's situation, where her older sister died and I understand why she felt so pressured to emulate Lizzie and felt a pressure from her parents too. I loved the discussion between the three of them at the end, I thought it was beautiful and really helped to close out the story.
Elliot's situation is also intriguing, as he refuses to ask his dad for help and, like Megan, is ready to make a fairly rash decision because he believes it's the only way out.
I loved their friendship, I loved their budding relationship. I loved Megan. I loved Elliot.
This is one of those books where it's all about the characters. Love the characters, love the book. Fortunately for me, I did.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with both Megan and Elliot, who were willing to take a huge risk to have a future they wanted, rather than one that their families had drawn up for them. There was a lot of playful banter between them and a few very meaningful conversations, which made me cry more than once.
The family dynamics were also very interesting. I can't even begin to imagine living in Megan's situation, where her older sister died and I understand why she felt so pressured to emulate Lizzie and felt a pressure from her parents too. I loved the discussion between the three of them at the end, I thought it was beautiful and really helped to close out the story.
Elliot's situation is also intriguing, as he refuses to ask his dad for help and, like Megan, is ready to make a fairly rash decision because he believes it's the only way out.
I loved their friendship, I loved their budding relationship. I loved Megan. I loved Elliot.
March 21, 2017
Thank you to NetGallery for offering me a copy for review! comes out April 6th!
I adored this story so much, I loved everything about it � the characters, the setting, everything. It left me warm and fuzzy (and crying) upon the end of the book. It was my first Katy Cannon book but I doubt it will be my last, her writing is so wonderful.
The story follows Megan, who's older sister recently died in a tragic accident. Her parents also want Megan to be her sister, they want her to become very academic like her sister. Although Megan has other plans and dreams, like photography. There's also Elliott who has given up on his dreams as he was left to help out his mother soon after their father put a black cloud over their family.
I really liked Megan, she was so smart and strong willed. She has a goal and she's so determined to achieve it and I loved that about her. Elliott is having a hard time as people from their town are still not over what his father did, and so he lives in that shadow. He's having such a hard time deciding what he wants to do with his future.
The story is told from both perspectives and when I first started reading I thought I wouldn't enjoy it. I was so so so wrong. Elliott was such a wonderful character and I loved reading his thoughts. It also adds to the story as you see both of them falling for each other without realising they both were. I was so absorbed into the story that I finished the novel in a day. I can't tell you how good it was. Megan and Elliott are so darn cute and it was wonderful to read their journey.
The straight forward road trip turns into a mess across the country as they are short on time. This part of the story had me laughing a lot, I loved the fact that they made friends during their journey, it just added to the story. I did find the fact that their journey became chaotic slightly predictable, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
This is such a cute summery read, its definitely going into my top 3. I would also love to see this book made into a movie, I think there's potential for that, or maybe the writing was so descriptive I imagined it as a movie. It was so good, I urge you to read it when it comes out!
I adored this story so much, I loved everything about it � the characters, the setting, everything. It left me warm and fuzzy (and crying) upon the end of the book. It was my first Katy Cannon book but I doubt it will be my last, her writing is so wonderful.
The story follows Megan, who's older sister recently died in a tragic accident. Her parents also want Megan to be her sister, they want her to become very academic like her sister. Although Megan has other plans and dreams, like photography. There's also Elliott who has given up on his dreams as he was left to help out his mother soon after their father put a black cloud over their family.
I really liked Megan, she was so smart and strong willed. She has a goal and she's so determined to achieve it and I loved that about her. Elliott is having a hard time as people from their town are still not over what his father did, and so he lives in that shadow. He's having such a hard time deciding what he wants to do with his future.
The story is told from both perspectives and when I first started reading I thought I wouldn't enjoy it. I was so so so wrong. Elliott was such a wonderful character and I loved reading his thoughts. It also adds to the story as you see both of them falling for each other without realising they both were. I was so absorbed into the story that I finished the novel in a day. I can't tell you how good it was. Megan and Elliott are so darn cute and it was wonderful to read their journey.
The straight forward road trip turns into a mess across the country as they are short on time. This part of the story had me laughing a lot, I loved the fact that they made friends during their journey, it just added to the story. I did find the fact that their journey became chaotic slightly predictable, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
This is such a cute summery read, its definitely going into my top 3. I would also love to see this book made into a movie, I think there's potential for that, or maybe the writing was so descriptive I imagined it as a movie. It was so good, I urge you to read it when it comes out!
September 14, 2023
Zastanawiam się nawet nad 5 gwiazdkami, ogólnie jestem w szoku bo zakończenie jest inne niż przewidziałam więc fajnie. Nie jest zaskakujące ale jest inne. Strasznie to była przyjemna książka na odmużdzanie taki idealny głupi romansik. Fabuła jest o 16 latkach, którzy stwierdzili, że wezmą ślub i jakby cały czas za nimi odarzamy i tak plan na ten ślub i sama koncepcja jest strasznie głupia ale to się tak dobrze czyta, takie przyjemne to jest i takie lekkie, odprężające że to hit. Seryjnie sięgnę po to jeszcze kiedyś aby przeczytać drugi raz. Polecam serdecznie jako taki romans na przestój albo gorszy czas. Też plusem jest to, że ona strasznie wciąga, jak już się czyta to jest się w tanie czytać i czytac a też szybko idzie czytanie jej. Cieszę się, że kiedyś na skupszopie stwierdziłam o za 5 zł to wezmę bo na prawdę bawiłam się przy niej świetnie.
February 23, 2017
Netgalley copy in exchange for an honest .
If you’re in need of a cute, heart-warming, sweet and fascinating book, just go straight to this one. From the get-go, you know this is going to be a good story: great characters, great voices, interesting plot� the whole package works!
The story is told from both Megan and Elliott’s point of view. I loved both their voices and how relatable and realistic they sounded. What I liked the most about them, though, was how raw they felt. They both long for freedom, they want to find their place and be themselves, they’re young and wild and so full of hope it made my heart puff up in my chest with excitement for their story together.
Elliott and Megan are not the only characters, though, and I really enjoyed the fact that both Becca and Sean (respectively Megan’s best friend and Elliott’s brother) got their own plot and arc as well, and in their way they were main characters too, as well as great friends.
The chapters were short and efficient, and it was very easy to read. I liked the inclusion of photos, text messages and conversations. That was a nice touch.
Still, the best thing remains the message: what matters is being yourself and doing what you love. The whole story was carefully crafted, clever and a little crazy but always very cute. And I loved every page of it.
If you’re in need of a cute, heart-warming, sweet and fascinating book, just go straight to this one. From the get-go, you know this is going to be a good story: great characters, great voices, interesting plot� the whole package works!
The story is told from both Megan and Elliott’s point of view. I loved both their voices and how relatable and realistic they sounded. What I liked the most about them, though, was how raw they felt. They both long for freedom, they want to find their place and be themselves, they’re young and wild and so full of hope it made my heart puff up in my chest with excitement for their story together.
Elliott and Megan are not the only characters, though, and I really enjoyed the fact that both Becca and Sean (respectively Megan’s best friend and Elliott’s brother) got their own plot and arc as well, and in their way they were main characters too, as well as great friends.
The chapters were short and efficient, and it was very easy to read. I liked the inclusion of photos, text messages and conversations. That was a nice touch.
Still, the best thing remains the message: what matters is being yourself and doing what you love. The whole story was carefully crafted, clever and a little crazy but always very cute. And I loved every page of it.
March 21, 2017
I flipping loved this book. This is definitely my kind of story. I loved the characters and how you get to hear their views as each chapter alternates between Megan and Elliott telling the story. I also loved the added features of text messages, phone call transcripts and photos. I love the use of other media formats in YA, it just makes it so current. I think I'm going to review this book in a bit more detail on my YouTube channel so I won't say too much more about it, but I truly loved this.
August 6, 2017
And Then We Ran wasn't quite the I expected. It's set in rainy, wintry Pembrokeshire, in the south west of Wales.
Megan and Elliot feel suffocated by their small beach town. Megan's sister died not so long ago and Elliot's given up on his future. Together, they embark on an adventure to take control of their lives � a road trip to Scotland's Gretna Green to get married (of course), with plans to move to London and follow their dreams.
Megan and Elliot are flawed and flaky teenagers, and that made them fun to read about. Megan wasn't exactly prepared for her big adventure � she's spontaneous and decides to move to the capital to be a photographer, even though she doesn't know what a career in photography involves. Meanwhile, Elliot is too busy being a Bad Boyfriend to work out exactly what he wants to do. But who, as a teenager, knew exactly what they'd be doing in their 20s?
I can understand how frustrating Megan's parents were for her � constantly pressuring her to go to university, refusing to accept that their daughter might be happier taking another path. I'm lucky � my family never pushed me to do anything I didn't want to do, but Megan has to constantly push back.Even so, I know what it's like to feel compelled to run away and start a new life � I nearly did a gap year in Australia for this reason! � and so, then, And Then We Ran starts to make sense.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
Megan and Elliot feel suffocated by their small beach town. Megan's sister died not so long ago and Elliot's given up on his future. Together, they embark on an adventure to take control of their lives � a road trip to Scotland's Gretna Green to get married (of course), with plans to move to London and follow their dreams.
Megan and Elliot are flawed and flaky teenagers, and that made them fun to read about. Megan wasn't exactly prepared for her big adventure � she's spontaneous and decides to move to the capital to be a photographer, even though she doesn't know what a career in photography involves. Meanwhile, Elliot is too busy being a Bad Boyfriend to work out exactly what he wants to do. But who, as a teenager, knew exactly what they'd be doing in their 20s?
I can understand how frustrating Megan's parents were for her � constantly pressuring her to go to university, refusing to accept that their daughter might be happier taking another path. I'm lucky � my family never pushed me to do anything I didn't want to do, but Megan has to constantly push back.Even so, I know what it's like to feel compelled to run away and start a new life � I nearly did a gap year in Australia for this reason! � and so, then, And Then We Ran starts to make sense.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
December 6, 2022
It was not bad, I promise. It was just too cliché and the ending was a little bit of a let down.
Megan wants to study photography, but she is constantly living in her dead older sister Lizzie’s shadow. Her parents don’t understand her dreams and want her to be Lizzie.
Elliot’s father made a big mistake and now he is an outcast. He lost his best friend Megan on the night that ended her sister’s life and he wishes things could go back to the way they were.
A plan is made to make everything right, but is it the right plan?
As I said, not bad, just not great. I read it whilst on holiday (so in short bursts rather than reading consistently). I really liked Megan, she seemed really sweet but in all the chapters I found her idolised and perfect and so cool and everyone wants to be her but somehow she only had one friend. Elliot was super grumpy and kind of a wet blanket. Initially he was really sweet but after a while, I just wanted to smack him really hard. Becca was really sweet and I liked her but Sean was a self obsessed moron who did not deserve her and their relationship felt so forced and I just did not like their relationship at all. Megan and Elliot as well, their relationship also felt so forced and there was not a lot of chemistry.
I also found the inclusion of possessive girlfriend Amy so irritating. The whole wedding thing was very unrealistic and a terrible plot line and the end was just a bit of a let down. I just felt like which normal teenage kid would run away to get married to someone they haven’t been friends with for years just to inherit a house. I just didn’t like it too much.
Anyway, my house got flooded so all my bookshelves are in funny places and my head isn’t exactly in the right place (hence the short review). Hope everyone is okay. 🌊📷💗👰🏼♀�
Megan wants to study photography, but she is constantly living in her dead older sister Lizzie’s shadow. Her parents don’t understand her dreams and want her to be Lizzie.
Elliot’s father made a big mistake and now he is an outcast. He lost his best friend Megan on the night that ended her sister’s life and he wishes things could go back to the way they were.
A plan is made to make everything right, but is it the right plan?
As I said, not bad, just not great. I read it whilst on holiday (so in short bursts rather than reading consistently). I really liked Megan, she seemed really sweet but in all the chapters I found her idolised and perfect and so cool and everyone wants to be her but somehow she only had one friend. Elliot was super grumpy and kind of a wet blanket. Initially he was really sweet but after a while, I just wanted to smack him really hard. Becca was really sweet and I liked her but Sean was a self obsessed moron who did not deserve her and their relationship felt so forced and I just did not like their relationship at all. Megan and Elliot as well, their relationship also felt so forced and there was not a lot of chemistry.
I also found the inclusion of possessive girlfriend Amy so irritating. The whole wedding thing was very unrealistic and a terrible plot line and the end was just a bit of a let down. I just felt like which normal teenage kid would run away to get married to someone they haven’t been friends with for years just to inherit a house. I just didn’t like it too much.
Anyway, my house got flooded so all my bookshelves are in funny places and my head isn’t exactly in the right place (hence the short review). Hope everyone is okay. 🌊📷💗👰🏼♀�
April 10, 2017
Sometimes the right book just come to you at the right time. “And Then We Ran� came to me when I needed to be entertained. A lot of my reads can be a little taxing, so when a tale dealing with serious teen issues told with light voice comes along, you just listen.
This book is showing what many young adults come to at a point in their life, choosing what to do next. But what happens when you know what you want, but your parents have other ideas and refuse to listen? Well, you elope to a place where you can get married at 17 and finally take control of your life…because that makes sense, right?!
Desperation can push people to take the most drastic measures and for our childhood friends Megan and Elliott it is the best chance they feel they have, to do what they want and own their future.
While Megan and Elliott have defined their marriage based on mutual gains, Becca, Megan’s friend and Elliot’s big brother Sean, both secondary characters with a story of their own, have started exploring what is happening between them. Their budding relationship is an interesting parallel to the well planned, arranged quicky wedding that Megan and Elliot are about to embark on. Sean and Becca are trying to figure things out and whatever it is, it is not taking them down the aisle anytime soon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it took me to a time where I was 17, feeling that I was also banging my head against a brick wall when I was not heard.
Looking back now, I remember the “end of the worlds� feelings if things did not go my way and how everything seemed heightened while no one understood me. This is basically what “And Then We Ran� is all about, teenagers the road trip of their life.
April 20, 2017
And Then We Ran was a brilliant book from start to finish, with a great fast-paced storyline and vibrant yet realistic teenage characters. The book is blurbed as being perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, and I definitely got that heartwarming, reassuring, summer-reading vibe from this book (despite the fact that it's set in winter!) I really liked the Welsh setting, and it gave the book a sort of individuality to set it apart from other road trip novels. The small town of St Evaline was so well depicted and described and I think it was the perfect setting for this book.
I love novels whose narrative are split into two different perspectives, and this book was no different. Megan and Elliott were two strong, likeable characters that were sharply and smartly written. They were totally believable and I can actually imagine the two of them existing somewhere, which is important when depicting teenage characters. Their relationship was very well developed and great to read about. Cannon is evidently a master at writing characters who the reader can connect to, and actually care about.
I think that YA fiction is massively ignoring the issue of further education, and I think that it should be written about much more. Cannon tackles this issue and I could definitely relate to the way Megan was feeling (I was very determined about taking a creative writing degree - much to the bewilderment of some of my teachers, and at first, my parents) and I think the issue was very well dealt with in this book. Cannon was not patronising in the least and I like how she gave her characters the chance to grow and develop and make their own decisions, all whilst showing the importance of having a healthy and respectful relationship with parents.
I liked the back-story of Lizzie's death, though at times I felt that it was slightly forgotten about, even though it clearly impacted about many of the events that occur throughout the novel. I wanted Lizzie's death to be dealt with more, maybe some flashbacks to the court hearing and so forth, and this is the only reason this review is 4*s instead of 5.
However, overall I loved this book, and the ending was everything that I wanted it to be. I definitely got that warm, comforted feeling once I turned the very last page, which is everything you want at the end of a book like this.
So rush down to your local bookshop and pick up a copy of And Then We Ran! I promise you you won't regret it, I can definitely see it being one of the books to read this summer.
I love novels whose narrative are split into two different perspectives, and this book was no different. Megan and Elliott were two strong, likeable characters that were sharply and smartly written. They were totally believable and I can actually imagine the two of them existing somewhere, which is important when depicting teenage characters. Their relationship was very well developed and great to read about. Cannon is evidently a master at writing characters who the reader can connect to, and actually care about.
I think that YA fiction is massively ignoring the issue of further education, and I think that it should be written about much more. Cannon tackles this issue and I could definitely relate to the way Megan was feeling (I was very determined about taking a creative writing degree - much to the bewilderment of some of my teachers, and at first, my parents) and I think the issue was very well dealt with in this book. Cannon was not patronising in the least and I like how she gave her characters the chance to grow and develop and make their own decisions, all whilst showing the importance of having a healthy and respectful relationship with parents.
I liked the back-story of Lizzie's death, though at times I felt that it was slightly forgotten about, even though it clearly impacted about many of the events that occur throughout the novel. I wanted Lizzie's death to be dealt with more, maybe some flashbacks to the court hearing and so forth, and this is the only reason this review is 4*s instead of 5.
However, overall I loved this book, and the ending was everything that I wanted it to be. I definitely got that warm, comforted feeling once I turned the very last page, which is everything you want at the end of a book like this.
So rush down to your local bookshop and pick up a copy of And Then We Ran! I promise you you won't regret it, I can definitely see it being one of the books to read this summer.
March 2, 2024
2.5-3 stars
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, for me it was a cheesy YA novel and probably wasn't for me maybe I could have liked it when I was a teenager. Megan wants to escape her family life so she wants to marry Elliot so she can live in London to pursue her career in photography, whereas Elliot agrees to get away from everyone because of the crimes his dad committed. Towards the end it was fun with the road trip to the place where they can get married, with a few bumps into their plan. Some parts where boring and abit repetitive. Just an average read for me
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, for me it was a cheesy YA novel and probably wasn't for me maybe I could have liked it when I was a teenager. Megan wants to escape her family life so she wants to marry Elliot so she can live in London to pursue her career in photography, whereas Elliot agrees to get away from everyone because of the crimes his dad committed. Towards the end it was fun with the road trip to the place where they can get married, with a few bumps into their plan. Some parts where boring and abit repetitive. Just an average read for me
March 29, 2017
Delightful, sweet, fun road trip romance, perfectly-pitched and very warm-hearted. Yes, this is all about teens deciding to get married - but don't worry, Katy handles it beautifully, and the resolution is great. 14+
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
September 12, 2017
It was very different to what I usually read but I was pleasantly surprised. It could have used more details in places but other wise I really enjoyed the idea of the book and the plot but it could have used some more detail in places.
December 3, 2020
5/5!
Schemat: popularny chłopak zakochuje się w kujonce- NIE ISTNIEJE
Bardzo ciekawe, do ostatniej strony śledziłam zakończenie. Zaliczam tę książkę do najlepszych tego roku. Bardzo chciałabym zobaczyć ekranizację tej książki.
Schemat: popularny chłopak zakochuje się w kujonce- NIE ISTNIEJE
Bardzo ciekawe, do ostatniej strony śledziłam zakończenie. Zaliczam tę książkę do najlepszych tego roku. Bardzo chciałabym zobaczyć ekranizację tej książki.
May 1, 2017
*Review copy received from publisher*
And Then We Ran is a sweet read, but lacks depth. The themes, such as death, are only superficially handled and the ending particularly weak.
And Then We Ran is a sweet read, but lacks depth. The themes, such as death, are only superficially handled and the ending particularly weak.
February 23, 2017
Originally posted here:
I’ve always loved anything Katy Cannon has written and so I was super excited to read her newest book. Cannon’s books are the kind of contemporaries that always leave me feeling happy. I always have a smile on my face, a contented sigh, and all the warm fuzzy feelings because the romances are just too damn cute. This book was no different.
Megan is living in her sister’s shadow. Ever since her elder sister died in a tragic accident, Megan’s parents have pushed the academic future they wanted for their eldest onto Megan even though it isn’t what she wants. Elliot used to have big dreams but ever since his father cheated the town and put a black cloud over their family, he’s cast his dreams aside in order to help out at home. With both of them feeling the pressure of their families� expectations, they can only see one way out. They’re going on a road trip to Gretna Green to get married.
This book was just� amazing. I powered through it in a couple of days. Megan and Elliot are ridiculously adorable and it was an absolute pleasure to read their journey.
Megan is feeling the pressure to go to the university her older sister was planning to attend. Her parents want her to get her grades up, to give up her frivolous hobby of photography and focus on making a real career for herself. With all the pressure, it’s no wonder that poor Megan wants to escape to London. There’s already a flat waiting for her that was left by a relative. The problem is that her parents don’t listen. They think they know what’s best, and boy don’t we all know how that feels when a parent (or parents) go down that road?
I loved Megan. She was smart and sassy and strong-willed. She knows what she wants and she’s doing everything she can to make it happen, even if that means asking the boy she was best friends with while growing up to marry her. It seems ludicrous but her reasons totally sounded legit to me. I could understand where she was coming from and I wanted them to succeed in their plans.
Elliot’s living in his father’s shadow. Even though his dad is in jail and Elliot wants nothing to do with him, the things his dad did still linger in the minds of the rest of the folks living in town. His girlfriend is possessive of him, his mother is trying to push him towards university even though they can’t afford it, and his older brother is off studying to join the Navy so he can escape.
Poor Elliot really was having a hard time. I hated his girlfriend. I wanted to smoosh her face for the way that she was treating him. His brother wasn’t much better. I couldn’t decide if Sean, the older brother, was using Becca, Megan’s friend, just to get answers on what was going on between Megan and Elliot or not. He seemed like a right douche for the majority of the story.
The best part was the double love stories. While Megan and Elliot were by far my favourite, Sean and Becca’s mini-love story was cute too. I loved the inclusion of texts and call logs, it was a nice touch.
The road trip inevitably finds its pitfalls and what should have been a straight forward journey turns into an hilarious higglety-pigglety journey across the country as they try to make it to Gretna Green in time for their wedding.
This is the perfect contemporary for the summer.
I’ve always loved anything Katy Cannon has written and so I was super excited to read her newest book. Cannon’s books are the kind of contemporaries that always leave me feeling happy. I always have a smile on my face, a contented sigh, and all the warm fuzzy feelings because the romances are just too damn cute. This book was no different.
Megan is living in her sister’s shadow. Ever since her elder sister died in a tragic accident, Megan’s parents have pushed the academic future they wanted for their eldest onto Megan even though it isn’t what she wants. Elliot used to have big dreams but ever since his father cheated the town and put a black cloud over their family, he’s cast his dreams aside in order to help out at home. With both of them feeling the pressure of their families� expectations, they can only see one way out. They’re going on a road trip to Gretna Green to get married.
This book was just� amazing. I powered through it in a couple of days. Megan and Elliot are ridiculously adorable and it was an absolute pleasure to read their journey.
Megan is feeling the pressure to go to the university her older sister was planning to attend. Her parents want her to get her grades up, to give up her frivolous hobby of photography and focus on making a real career for herself. With all the pressure, it’s no wonder that poor Megan wants to escape to London. There’s already a flat waiting for her that was left by a relative. The problem is that her parents don’t listen. They think they know what’s best, and boy don’t we all know how that feels when a parent (or parents) go down that road?
I loved Megan. She was smart and sassy and strong-willed. She knows what she wants and she’s doing everything she can to make it happen, even if that means asking the boy she was best friends with while growing up to marry her. It seems ludicrous but her reasons totally sounded legit to me. I could understand where she was coming from and I wanted them to succeed in their plans.
Elliot’s living in his father’s shadow. Even though his dad is in jail and Elliot wants nothing to do with him, the things his dad did still linger in the minds of the rest of the folks living in town. His girlfriend is possessive of him, his mother is trying to push him towards university even though they can’t afford it, and his older brother is off studying to join the Navy so he can escape.
Poor Elliot really was having a hard time. I hated his girlfriend. I wanted to smoosh her face for the way that she was treating him. His brother wasn’t much better. I couldn’t decide if Sean, the older brother, was using Becca, Megan’s friend, just to get answers on what was going on between Megan and Elliot or not. He seemed like a right douche for the majority of the story.
The best part was the double love stories. While Megan and Elliot were by far my favourite, Sean and Becca’s mini-love story was cute too. I loved the inclusion of texts and call logs, it was a nice touch.
The road trip inevitably finds its pitfalls and what should have been a straight forward journey turns into an hilarious higglety-pigglety journey across the country as they try to make it to Gretna Green in time for their wedding.
This is the perfect contemporary for the summer.
May 16, 2017
I really loved Katy Cannon's two previous YA novels, the way she spun a seemingly gossamer-light, sweet and funny story based on baking or sewing whilst covering some really intense issues without the books ever feeling overly dramatic or losing their sweetness and humour. In And There We Ran she brings the same sense of humour and perfect romantic timing to a deeper, more intense novel exploring grief, loss and identity. I really loved how much I found myself rooting for Megan and Elliott and how even I, mother of a teen, found the idea of a Gretna Green elopement not just plausible, but found myself, like Megan,seeing no other way out. I can't wait to see what Katy does next...
June 21, 2017
Since her older sister Lizzie died Megan’s parents are treating her as a replacement. They’re forcing Lizzie’s future on her. Elliott was Megan’s best friend growing up. Ever since his father swindled their small town, he’s become an outsider. His family moved to the other side of town and can barely make ends meet. Megan can inherit her deceased grandmother’s flat when she is twenty-one or if she is married before twenty-one. She tells Elliot about her plan and asks him to marry her so they can both escape their small town.
Megan is no innocent doll. She has had crushes, lots of them, and has a lot of wild ideas. After her sister died, she’s been more on herself. Although she still has a bad reputation. Thanks to his father Elliott is an outcast. I liked seeing these misfits, former best friends, find each other again in this bizarre plan. The most important secondary characters are Elliott’s girlfriend Amy, his brother Sean and Megan’s best friend Becca. The latter two are in a friends-with-benefits relationship. Most chapters started or ended with a conversation between Becca and Sean and I found this a nice addition to the story.
The book is pitched as a road trip story, and that part was pretty disappointing. Megan and Elliott spend most of the story coming up with a plan so they can go to Gretna Green to marry without their parents finding out. The actual road trip part felt a little weak. What I did like was the British atmosphere. It was present but not too present, so the story isn’t difficult to follow for non-Brits.
Megan is no innocent doll. She has had crushes, lots of them, and has a lot of wild ideas. After her sister died, she’s been more on herself. Although she still has a bad reputation. Thanks to his father Elliott is an outcast. I liked seeing these misfits, former best friends, find each other again in this bizarre plan. The most important secondary characters are Elliott’s girlfriend Amy, his brother Sean and Megan’s best friend Becca. The latter two are in a friends-with-benefits relationship. Most chapters started or ended with a conversation between Becca and Sean and I found this a nice addition to the story.
The book is pitched as a road trip story, and that part was pretty disappointing. Megan and Elliott spend most of the story coming up with a plan so they can go to Gretna Green to marry without their parents finding out. The actual road trip part felt a little weak. What I did like was the British atmosphere. It was present but not too present, so the story isn’t difficult to follow for non-Brits.
February 28, 2017
Read Full review here:
The book is written from the point of view of both Megan and Elliott. This definitely added to the story as we saw both of them falling for each other without realising they both were, which was cute as hell. I love books like this, you’re expecting a happy ending but don’t know when, where or how it’s going to happen.
I think I loved this book even more because it was set in British Secondary School and I could relate to the grades and system for the first time in a book as I did a-levels myself. Also the fact that it's set in Wales, which is where I'm currently living, made it all the better. The name Swansea popped up (I think that is genuinely the first time I've seen it in a book) and I was like yes, I live there. I recognised the stories about the beaches and the town and also about Megan going into the pub and becoming friends with two older men and the bartender, because people here really are friendly and will have a conversation with you and become your temporary friend.
I was sent a copy of this book through Netgalley
The book is written from the point of view of both Megan and Elliott. This definitely added to the story as we saw both of them falling for each other without realising they both were, which was cute as hell. I love books like this, you’re expecting a happy ending but don’t know when, where or how it’s going to happen.
I think I loved this book even more because it was set in British Secondary School and I could relate to the grades and system for the first time in a book as I did a-levels myself. Also the fact that it's set in Wales, which is where I'm currently living, made it all the better. The name Swansea popped up (I think that is genuinely the first time I've seen it in a book) and I was like yes, I live there. I recognised the stories about the beaches and the town and also about Megan going into the pub and becoming friends with two older men and the bartender, because people here really are friendly and will have a conversation with you and become your temporary friend.
I was sent a copy of this book through Netgalley
June 22, 2017
I received this book for free through ŷ First Reads.
Have you ever felt so desperate to achieve your dreams that you would do anything, no matter how crazy, to reach them? Seventeen-year-old Megan dreams of becoming a professional photographer, however, her parents have other ideas. And Then We Ran by Katy Cannon is a Young Adult novel about learning to be yourself and realising your dreams.
Megan’s older sister died in a terrible accident the year before she completed her A Levels. Now, Megan is at the same stage and is fed up of trying to live up to her sister’s memory. Forced to study subjects she does not care for and pressurised into applying to Oxbridge, Megan feels she only has one option left. Her grandmother’s will stipulates that on her 21st birthday or when she gets married, a little flat in London will become hers. Unable to wait another four years, Megan decides marriage is the only way forward.
Two characters narrate And Then We Ran, the second being an old friend of Megan’s. Elliott has given up all hope of going to university to study archaeology and no longer has any ambitions for the future. Then, Megan approaches him with a proposal that could change his life forever. If Elliott agrees to elope with her to Gretna Green, he could live with her in London and study at UCL. So, with a new future developing before their eyes, the two coalesce and begin to develop their clandestine plan.
Naturally, it is not a simple procedure; they cannot get married on the spur of the moment. Careful planning and a long month later, they are ready to go ahead with their plan, however, things outside of their control seem intent on preventing their marriage. From delayed trains to inclement weather, Megan and Elliott determinedly carry on until, after a more circuitous route, they arrive at their destination. But, that does not necessarily result in their happy ever after.
Getting married for a chance at freedom seems a rather peculiar idea, however, you have to appreciate how determined they are to achieve their dreams. Applying to university is a decision that can alter your entire future, so it is understandable how angry Megan feels that her parents are dictating where she goes and what she studies. And The We Ran is an encouraging book that shows two teenagers seriously contemplating their future and making decisions that will make them happy, rather than doing what everyone else expects.
Although it is a fun story, Megan is not the most relatable character. To begin with, it is hard to connect with her outgoing personality, unlike Elliott who is more reserved and introverted. But, once the story gets going, Megan’s façade begins to slip, revealing that she is not much different from other teenagers with hopes and dreams for the future.
And Then We Ran is not the most realistic of contemporary stories, but it is enjoyable and makes us as readers question the methods of Megan and Elliott’s journey to freedom. Most significantly, it highlights the importance of learning and being who you are, rather than whom other people want you to be. Finally, this story emphasises that there are more than one way of achieving your dreams.
Have you ever felt so desperate to achieve your dreams that you would do anything, no matter how crazy, to reach them? Seventeen-year-old Megan dreams of becoming a professional photographer, however, her parents have other ideas. And Then We Ran by Katy Cannon is a Young Adult novel about learning to be yourself and realising your dreams.
Megan’s older sister died in a terrible accident the year before she completed her A Levels. Now, Megan is at the same stage and is fed up of trying to live up to her sister’s memory. Forced to study subjects she does not care for and pressurised into applying to Oxbridge, Megan feels she only has one option left. Her grandmother’s will stipulates that on her 21st birthday or when she gets married, a little flat in London will become hers. Unable to wait another four years, Megan decides marriage is the only way forward.
Two characters narrate And Then We Ran, the second being an old friend of Megan’s. Elliott has given up all hope of going to university to study archaeology and no longer has any ambitions for the future. Then, Megan approaches him with a proposal that could change his life forever. If Elliott agrees to elope with her to Gretna Green, he could live with her in London and study at UCL. So, with a new future developing before their eyes, the two coalesce and begin to develop their clandestine plan.
Naturally, it is not a simple procedure; they cannot get married on the spur of the moment. Careful planning and a long month later, they are ready to go ahead with their plan, however, things outside of their control seem intent on preventing their marriage. From delayed trains to inclement weather, Megan and Elliott determinedly carry on until, after a more circuitous route, they arrive at their destination. But, that does not necessarily result in their happy ever after.
Getting married for a chance at freedom seems a rather peculiar idea, however, you have to appreciate how determined they are to achieve their dreams. Applying to university is a decision that can alter your entire future, so it is understandable how angry Megan feels that her parents are dictating where she goes and what she studies. And The We Ran is an encouraging book that shows two teenagers seriously contemplating their future and making decisions that will make them happy, rather than doing what everyone else expects.
Although it is a fun story, Megan is not the most relatable character. To begin with, it is hard to connect with her outgoing personality, unlike Elliott who is more reserved and introverted. But, once the story gets going, Megan’s façade begins to slip, revealing that she is not much different from other teenagers with hopes and dreams for the future.
And Then We Ran is not the most realistic of contemporary stories, but it is enjoyable and makes us as readers question the methods of Megan and Elliott’s journey to freedom. Most significantly, it highlights the importance of learning and being who you are, rather than whom other people want you to be. Finally, this story emphasises that there are more than one way of achieving your dreams.
March 25, 2017
I think at this period in time, this book really resonated with me that's why I enjoyed it so much, even if at times it was a bit outrageous but nevertheless I enjoyed it.
One of the main reasons why I enjoyed this novel is that like the main characters, I am also experiencing the same thing as I'm currently picking my university, so I could understand all the worries and the desire to pursue something in the future.
Our main character, Megan is somewhat wild- in the best sense. Her passion for photography is something so inspiring and not getting swayed by the ongoing pressures from the people around is really commendable. In contrast, Elliot is more level headed and is aware of the responsibilities that
an individual has in regards to their family, the future and the present. The alternate narratives really made this book more interesting and heartfelt.
I particularly enjoyed Cannon's depiction of the British seaside perfectly, with the laziness and ease of being by a seaside and the life of a teen choosing their futures, leaving the comfort of their own homes. I think this time period is one of the first major life decisions a teen faces as they become a young adult.
Interestingly, we get an insight between Sean and Becca which I did not expect as they are minor characters within the plot but I felt their interactions through texts really pushed the book forward showing the struggles of communication.
August 12, 2018
In her newest novel, Katy Cannon tells the story of Megan and Elliot, two teenagers who aren`t in love but decide to elope to Gretna Green together so that they can move to London and follow their dreams. I really liked both characters, and their friendship/slow burn romance. I did find their narrative voices slightly hard to distinguish between but it wasn`t an issue as it was clearly shown when it was changing and Katy Cannon`s writing style strikes the most amazing balance of being realistically teenage and gorgeous prose. Another thing I completely adored about this book was that mixed media was used to give insight into the relationship of Megan`s friend Becca and Elliot`s brother Sean, which was so unique and a brilliant narrative device. I was slightly disappointed that the road trip wasn`t as huge a feature as I`d been expecting, but I wasn`t too upset as the one I did get was really cute and funny, and I also enjoyed the happy but unexpected ending
August 5, 2023
Książka miała bardzo duży potencjał, na początku zakładałam, że będzie to 5⭐️ pozycja. Natomiast po jakimś czasie książka straciła wszystkie swoje dobre cechy. Szczególnie zakończenie. Było to jedno z najgorszych jakie miałam okazje przeczytać w swoim życiu. Główna bohaterka przez całą książkę dążyła do jednego celu, wokół którego kręciła się cała fabuła. Nagle, nie wiadomo z jakiego powodu, zrezygnowała ze wszystkich swoich celów, zostawiła głównego bohatera i zrobiła coś zupełnie innego. Moim zdaniem dużo ciekawsza byłaby historia miłości jej przyjaciółki. Ładnie wydana ale nic pozatym. Zdecydowanie nie polecam jeśli nie chcecie komplentie zmarnować czas na coś co i tak niezostanie wam w głowie, jedynie się zdenerwujecie.
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June 18, 2017
This story wasn't bad- but it wasn't the best either. It made a good read not with too much drama but not too boring.
I think that the blurb was misleading though: it talked about a road trip yet it wasn't till the last 50 pages that they travelled. It wasn't really an adventure - more like a longer-than-usual car journey. It also talks about them meeting people that leave a lasting impression on them, but there was no development of characters in these and the protagonists seemed to have forgotten about them very quickly.
The ending was rather abrupt and unrealistic, and there was no exact solving of problems, merely avoiding them.
I think that the blurb was misleading though: it talked about a road trip yet it wasn't till the last 50 pages that they travelled. It wasn't really an adventure - more like a longer-than-usual car journey. It also talks about them meeting people that leave a lasting impression on them, but there was no development of characters in these and the protagonists seemed to have forgotten about them very quickly.
The ending was rather abrupt and unrealistic, and there was no exact solving of problems, merely avoiding them.
June 8, 2017
I liked this but it wasn't as good as I'd thought it would be.
The characters were all likeable but the story was a bit of a let-down. The whole thing was rather stretched out and maybe could have been written slightly more concisely. I also thought the ending was wrapped up quite quickly- the majority of the book had been leading up to the point of marriage but after (no spoilers) that, there's only a couple more chapters.
However, it actually is quite good and there were some parts where I really didn't want to stop reading! The ending was nice, too, even if it was a bit short.
The characters were all likeable but the story was a bit of a let-down. The whole thing was rather stretched out and maybe could have been written slightly more concisely. I also thought the ending was wrapped up quite quickly- the majority of the book had been leading up to the point of marriage but after (no spoilers) that, there's only a couple more chapters.
However, it actually is quite good and there were some parts where I really didn't want to stop reading! The ending was nice, too, even if it was a bit short.
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