First published 2011
When precocious bookworm Ian Drake runs away from his overbearing mother and her hateful pastor, children's librarian Lucy Hull gets swept up in his harrowing escape. Desperate to save Ian from his toxic home life, Lucy allows herself to be hijacked on a wild road trip across the heartland. As the unlikely pair flees from pursuers, they forge an unexpected bond - but can Lucy keep Ian safe, or will her rash actions put them both in grave danger?
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Heartland
Period: 21st-century
324 pages · Hardcover · Viking
Content warnings: abuse, emotional-abuse, toxic-relationship