The Saturday Morning Park Run

The Saturday Morning Park Run

This is the story of two women. One old, one young. One looking for new adventures. One looking for a purpose. Both needing a friend.

And this is how, along with two little girls in need of a family, a gorgeous stranger, and a scruffy dog, they bring the whole community together every Saturday morning for love, laughter and a little bit of running…(well, power walking).

Some people come into your life when you need them the most.

When I saw the description for The Saturday Morning Park Run by Jules Wake, I knew I had to read it.

To be very clear, I love old people. I love books about old people. I might love sisterly, and BFF relationship stories, but I am A SUCKER for multi-generational friendships.

So this book had me at, "one old, one young."

I was prepared for some thing feel good, but also possibly sad. That's the tricky part about reading books about old people. There's a huge chance they might be killed off by the author, because they want to break your heart into a thousand pieces. You just never know until you read it. But it's a chance I'm willing to take.

I was not prepared for the very many levels that I would relate to the characters.

Claire is so close to making partner she can taste it. All it took was being absolutely perfect all the time, and giving up any hopes of a life outside of work. But anxiety is starting to get the better of her, and with all this pressure at work, Claire is sent home with doctors orders to rest, for a whole month.

As someone who let work take over their life, and is still working on repairing the toll it took on her confidence, self worth, and mental health, every moment of that journey felt just as much mine as it was Claire's. Reading her story felt therapeutic. Someone out there understood.

Then there are her nieces, Poppy and Ava. I love kids, and I love my nieces and nephews like I would my own children. I want so much to do fun things with them and make things special for them. I won't give away too much about the relationship with her nieces, but every time she stopped to take in how much she loved them, my eyes got a little wet. And my heart sank a little bit knowing my own nieces and nephews are so far away now.

There's Hilda, the old woman. A hurricane of personality. Tells it like it is. Headstrong. Independent. Hilda doesn't need anyone to take care of her! But company would be nice. And it would be nice to have someone to bake with. Or someone to cook for. And wouldn't it be nice if more people would come out and enjoy this beautiful park?

Hence the plans to start a Saturday Morning Park Run is Churchstone! With a month off of work, and needing to focus on her health, this is exactly the project Claire needs and Hilda wants.

Before I forget, there's Ashwin Laghari, or Ash for short. A super handsome engineer who is very smart, and very manly, and very smooth, and has so much chemistry with Claire that you are fuming when he disappears so soon! But also, maybe hoping he comes back. But with a good excuse, of course. Claire deserves a great romance, but he can't just be hot. He has to not be a jerk too, obviously.

Some how, author Jules Wake weaves together this beautiful story with these characters who are their own person, but all need each other more than they even realize. There is so much love in this book, and so many kinds of love. Parental, friendship, romantic! That's what makes stories like this so special. Because there are so many kinds of love in this world that are fulfilling. Seeing each of them honored, instead of just focusing on romantic love, it just leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling that's on a whole new level!

I know summer might be coming to a close, but if you have time for one more feel good story while you lounge around in a summer daze, this is the story to pick up!

And without further ado!

Recommended Book Pairings!

A warm bath or extra long shower, complete with a luxury body kit from Sabon NYC.

When was the last time you slowed down? Whether it's late nights at the office, herding children in a Covid world, or a little bit of both, think about the last time you actually rested. The last time you took a moment to take care of you. Whatever the answer is, it's probably too long ago. Maybe let's not wait until we get orders from our primary care physician to slow down before taking time for ourselves. I've said before, self care looks different for everyone, and it's about finding what is right for you, and working it into your routine. Self care should be manageable!

Instead of adding another task to your list, consider giving yourself time to enjoy something already part of your day! Splurge a little on this Signature Body Care Kit from Sabon, or pick up some bath salts.

Junk Drawer Physics: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost A Thing - by Bobby Mercer

If Claire's relationship with her nieces has inspired you to make a little more effort with the children in your life, whether they are your own or your sibling's or your BFF's, you might feel a bit unsure as to how. I truly believe that experiences can help build those relationships. Doing something together! You don't have to jump into the deep end and take them on day trips, and depending on the age that might be a little bit overwhelming. But there are plenty of fun and engaging things that can be done at home as well! Try a movie night, but be sure to set up with the kids, making the popcorn together or setting up all the pillows and blankets for the comfiest viewing experience. Or for something fun and educational, try Junk Drawer Physics. Small science experiments with every day items you could find laying around the house.

Seamless High Rise Leggings - The Girlfriend Collective

You've seen the wonders a Saturday morning park run can do for a community. Now you're ready to get running yourself! You've downloaded the Couch to 5K app. You've got your headphones, a playlist ready to go, and a really cute tumbler to keep your water ice cold. Of course you have to stay hydrated! But what are you going to wear? As much as I know I'll feel good about myself after I work out, it can be tough to actually get out the door. But I've found that when I have workout clothes I'm excited about, it's a little easier. Enter, the Girlfriend Collective! Activewear that is sustainable, ethically made, and size inclusive! Sizes range from XXS to 6XL, and the colors are lovely!

I'm adding these leggings in fig to my closet!

With 2020 turning our worlds upside down, and summer flying by, a little piece of normalcy is such an oasis. So if you have time for one more summer read, I recommend The Saturday Morning Park Run. Let it be that feel good story, the summer read you go to for comfort!

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her writing and creative skills penning copy on a vast range of subjects from pig farming and watches, sunglasses and skincare through to beer and stationery. She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and under her pen name Julie Caplin, she writes the Romantic Escapes series. Between them, the two Js have written fourteen novels, The Saturday Morning Park Run being the latest.

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Happy Reading!