This book combines a story of family and personal difficulties with love and friendship, not to mention running. Well written and easy to read, perfect for a wet afternoon. I’ve now searched for my local park run and have decided to give it a go. Well done Jules, getting me off my sofa!

I see I’m in the minority with only giving it 3 stars. This book started out very slow and it didn’t grab me until I got to 50%. I found myself skimming through a lot of the beginning and the middle. This was just ok. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book so much!

We are introduced to the main character Claire as she is making her way to a very important meeting at work. Claire is a workaholic and is hoping to become the first female partner. She literally bumps into Ash at the train station and we see the sparks fly with the chemistry between the two of them. After one very steamy night together, Claire is hoping for more with Ash – but he goes silent on her.

Returning to the main love of her life – her job, Claire soon realises she just isn’t coping and after a trip to see her GP, is signed off work for a month with stress. Claire worries how she will cope with all the time off and what she will do with her days. Her sister runs off to an Indian retreat, leaving her two girls Poppy and Ava with Claire to take care of. She begins to re-evaluate her life and work out what is really important. Meeting Hilda, a mysterious old lady in the park one day, inspires Claire to start running. Hilda becomes a huge part of her Claire’s life. So it would seem Ash too, who also seems to have fallen under the spell of Hilda. Ash has lost his job.

The three of them fall into an easy daily routine. Ash and Claire for a run with Hilda watching on. Hilda comes up with the idea of starting a park run, with the help of Claire and Ash of course. What follows is a lovely story of determination to see the park run succeed, as well as a close family unit forming. Claire, Hilda and Ash all work together to help look after Ava and Poppy.

WHY I LOVED THE SATURDAY MORNING PARK RUN

The Saturday Morning Park Run is a beautifully written story of life, friendship, love and more importantly family. Jules has written the story with love and compassion, showing that a ‘family’ isn’t just people who are related to you. I feel that everyone should read this book to understand that it really is the people in our lives that matter, and at this very difficult time, its so important we all remember and hold on to that.

I have a little confession to make.  Although I have all of Jules' books on my ever growing 'to be read' mountain, I have only managed to read a couple of them.  I read the synopsis for 'The Saturday Morning Park Run' and it certainly sounded like a fabulous read.  I enjoyed this book so much and now I have reminded myself of how flipping awesome an author Jules is, I can guarantee that her other books will not be on that 'TBR' mountain for much longer.

I loved the characters of Claire, Ash and the formidable Hilda, who meet in the unlikeliest of circumstances.  I guess that I felt drawn to Claire in a sense because we have similar life experiences.  Let me explain, about a decade ago, I started a new job, gave it my all and the stress from said job literally damaged my health to the effect that I had a breakdown.  Claire doesn't quite get to that level but she realises that her work is affecting her health, but it's only when her GP signs a fit note (or not fit in this case) that she realises just how much work has dominated her life.  The more she does, the more that is expected of her and the more stress she places on herself.  As a result, she is forced to take a step back, reassess her life and work out just what is important in the grand scheme of things.  Claire literally bumps into Ash and a bond soon starts to form between the two of them.  Ash hasn't had it easy either.  As for Hilda, well she is one sassy, plain speaking, formidable game old bird.  She might be old in body but she isn't old in mind.  The unlikeliest of circumstances brings the little posse together and I enjoyed watching their friendships flourish.

'The Saturday Morning Park Run' was an addictive read.  I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so absorbed in the story that I read for a lot longer than a couple of chapters.  I tried to pace myself as to how much I read at once, so that I could prolong my enjoyment of the book but I ended up enjoying the story so much that I just couldn't stop reading.  I managed to read the book in just over 24 hours, which for me is pretty good going.  I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not when I read a good book, which this one certainly was.  I charged through the latter half of the book and all too quickly I had to bid farewell to Claire, Ash and Hilda, which I was genuinely sad about.

'The Saturday Morning Park Run' is brilliantly written but then I think that to be true of all of Jules' books that I have read to date.  She creates adorable characters and gives them storylines which at one time or another, we will all relate to having found ourselves in similar situations.  I love the way in which Jules' describes her characters so realistically that they seem just as real as you and I.  Jules has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with.  Reading one of Jules' books feels more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book.  I felt as though I was part of the story myself and that's all down to Jules' very vivid storytelling.  I was gripped by the story from start to finish.  'The Saturday Morning Park Run' was a delight to read.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Saturday Morning Park Run' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.  I will certainly be reading more of Jules' work in the future.  The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

THis is a fun quick read. IT will put a smile on your face and very enjoyable and makes you enjoy life! I would recommend this book.

Reading the first few pages of this I wasn't sure if it was for me but then I really got into it and enjoyed it very much. Park runs are in many places now and seeing the different groups of people walking or running around a park makes you feel good even if you, for health reasons can't join them. This made the reading of this book all the more real with the different age groups taking part and where their lives take them. This is a 5 star novel and to Jules Wake, very well written and I look forward to read your new books.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC copy in return for an honest review.

The Saturday Morning Park Run by Jules Wake.

The Story of Claire a burnt out highflying executive and Ash a highflying Company Director when they have a chance meeting and have instant connection after a euphoric first date there is sudden silence from Ash. Claire’s world starts to fall apart. Signed off work for a month from stress (her ultimate shame) her sister abandoned her children on her doorstep and disappeared to India. She is falling apart and suddenly meets Hilda an elderly, lonely whirlwind who discreetly but slowly licks Claire into shape. The sudden appearance of a very different Ash unkept lacklustre man suddenly made redundant feeling his life has ended !

What an absolutely gorgeous book- a page turner if ever was one . The characters are out of this world and how a chance meeting in a park can change everyone’s life . I laughed cried every emotion under the sun. Best book in a while . Very well done Jules! Bought a few if her back catalogue fabulous well written book.

I was really excited to read this book. I have not read this author's work before. What attracted me to this book was the cover and the description that told me this story that included an elderly lady as a main character. I adore the older population and I love the wisdom that they bring to life and good books.

I did enjoy this book very much, but after a few chapters, I seriously considered not reading any more of it. I believe there are so many words in language and using curse words really is not necessary. In the first few chapters several curse words are used and I was at a point that I was not going to continue to read. I stopped and read a few reviews, which all praised this book and many mentioned the fabulous elderly woman character. I was reading the ebook, so I scanned for the words I felt were offensive. The search came back with 32 uses in the entire book. I came to the conclusion that the choice of words were probably to emphasize the character's personality and I decided to go forward and read. I am so happy that I made that decision.

The plot is fantastic. The characters are wonderful and I definitely have strong feelings for them, some good and one definitely not good. I adore the elderly character, Hilda. She made the story, in my opinion.

I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for allowing me to read the advance reader copy. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC.

There’s something for everyone in this heartwarming story of ordinary people looking for friendship, love and purpose without even realising its missing from their lives. Clare and Ash meet or more accurately collide by chance. There’s chemistry amidst the anger and the pride, but where will it lead?

Clare is career-focused. A possible partnership keeps her single-minded. She fails to notice her failing health and the problems in her sister’s life until they unexpectedly make a change in her life inevitable.

Hilda is lonely but wants to bring the community together. When the three unlikely friends meet everything starts to come together in the form of a Saturday morning park run.

This original story has a motivational ethos with believably flawed and relatable characters. The group dynamics are authentic and insightful. This is an emotional story that takes the reader on a journey. Fun, friendship, poignant moments and self-realisation are all explored through the characters with a satisfying life-affirming conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter and the Author in return for an honest review.

This is an enjoyable story about a group of people setting up a park-run in the invented Northern town of Churchstone. It is also about a whole lot more, including family, friends and achieving a good work-life balance. Any book that features a feisty old lady, in this case Hilda, seems to be a winner. Plenty of wisdom and cooking skills are passed down the generations. This story is also about community, and how you can find like-minded people in unusual places and end up developing friendships. A real feel-good book.

The story started off with Claire bumping into Ash, spilling both their coffees, and seemed to be destined be to high flying execs starting a fling. This changed very quickly after Claire is signed off with stress and then ends up babysitting her sister's two children. Whilst running in her local park she comes across a lady of a certain age, Hills, who pushed her into trying to get out of her rut. She also meets up with a bedraggled Ash, who suddenly had his own problems.
After the initial start, which I wasn't really enjoying, this became a story of how to deal with stress, relationships and start organising a Park run. I loved the zany character of Hilda, could understand the struggle that Claire was having, especially with the added strain of looking after the two girls. I'll l just say that I don't have much in common with Ash, but am interesting Compassion with Claire. I also mustn't forget Bill, a rescue dog that is an integral part of this story.
Overall despite the inauspicious start, which was just setting the scene, I really enjoyed this story with that combination of characters in a small community setting that I love.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This is my first Jules Wake read, and I LOVED IT! The story is a wonderful wake-up call about achieving a good work-life balance, making good friends and taking time for the things that matter. The characters are mostly warm and friendly – people you are happy to share time with. Claire’s sister, Alice, is the exception, but her actions help provide the catalyst for change in Claire’s work filled, but otherwise empty, life. Hilda, an older character, was a blast – I loved her no-nonsense say it as it is ways. Claire and Ash shared a lovely connection that held me from the beginning of the story and kept me interested all the way to the end. It was refreshing for the hero to be vulnerable and to make mistakes, even after it seemed things might be sorted. Overall this is a fab book that will leave you with a big smile. And there’s a dog, what’s not to like?

A good story overall. Claire meets Ash, when they collide and spill coffee on each other. Hilda is a 70 year old who runs in the park and becomes friends with them. When Claire ends up taking over for her sister, who abandoned her two young daughters, it gets more complex. A good story, and one I did enjoy, although I must admit the attitude of Ash grated on me a bit, and I did skim some in the middle. Would still recommend though, as the ending was worth the wait.

I loved this book!! It was a lovely, warm-hearted read which really pulled on my heart-strings! Initially, I did wonder where this book was going though! We were introduced to two of the main characters, Claire and Ash. They both came across as work-obsessed, money driven and not very nice, if truth be told! This didn’t feel like the warm, light-hearted and emotional read that I first thought it was! Fear not though, the doubt didn’t last long and within a couple of chapters I was beginning to love Claire and Ash’s characters and as other characters were bought in, I loved them too!

The book’s premise is obviously about the Park Runs that are taking the nation by storm every Saturday morning! But before I got to that I was treated to getting to know the main characters. Claire and Ash literally bump into each other on the morning commute, and whilst they argue as to whose fault it was, they also spend the whole journey exchanging interested looks to each other. Ash’s character really doesn’t come into his own a little bit further into the book, but that’s fine as I loved starting with Claire’s character first. She’s a hardworking woman who works late, starts early and always to tight deadlines – that is until one day when she realises, she’s struggling and is forced to admit this. When her sister runs off to an Indian retreat, leaving her two girls with Claire, Claire begins to re-evaluate her life and work out what is really important. Meeting Hilda, a mysterious old lady in the park one day, Claire, Ash and Hilda begin to make plans to start up a Saturday Park run in their local park.

I’ve heard of park runs and whilst I work every Saturday so am unable to take part in one myself (phew!!), this author certainly got me thinking that they actually sound like a fun thing to do! I loved Claire’s character and thought she came alive when she didn’t have the stresses and strains of work life and focussed her energy into herself and her two nieces. The storyline of her sister made me incandescent with rage! I couldn’t believe how she could do what she did and my heart broke for the two girls. Whilst there were plenty of laughs, usually involving the parts of the story with Hilda in, there were also lots of important issues dealt with in between all the light heartedness! I liked how, whilst there was a romantic element, it wasn’t the main focus of the storyline (although I continually kept my fingers crossed that Claire and Ash would get a happy ending). Amongst all the fun, there were the subjects of mental health, male mental health, loneliness, abandonment and work issues to fill in all the gaps and these were all dealt with wonderfully and sensitively throughout.

This book took me on a fabulous journey that had me not only hooked from very early on in the book, but wiping away sad and happy tears throughout. Showing not just how easy it is to feel like life is spiralling out of control, but also how friendships can form in the most unusual of circumstances tugged at my heartstrings and made me love the characters just that little bit more! This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but that made it so much more enjoyable! A lovely read, highly recommended!!

I am an avid runner and (pre lockdown) Parkrun was a fixed date in my diary each Saturday morning, so I was intrigued about this book as soon as I saw the title and read the blurb.....so it is safe to say I absolutely loved this story. The story starts with Claire and Ash meeting for the very first time, and I was really pleased to see how much the two main characters changed as the story went on as I did not immediately warm to them due to certain reasons! I loved the journey they went on together, and the introduction of Hilda was the perfect tonic for the whole story - despite being the oldest character I loved how she was responsible for breathing new life into Claire and Ash. Poppy and Ava were brilliant characters too and it was clever how their characters sometimes mirrored Claire's relationship with her own sister.The introduction of the parkrun idea really moved the story along, and I could tell that Jules Wake was be an avid parkrunner too with her knowledge of it - she perfectly encapsulated the spirit of it, and as I have met some of my best friends through parkrun I could completely relate to the new friendships that were made along the way. This was such a lovely read - it left me with a lovely warm sense of positivity - I want there to be a second book! I would highly recommend this - you never know, it could inspire you to attend a parkrun when they start up again!

This is an amazing book full of love, laughter and tears. The main character, Claire, is a hardworking woman whose career is her one and only focus in life. She works late everyday and on Saturdays and Sundays, not giving herself a chance to relax, take care of herself or have any kind of a social life. When Claire, literally, runs into a hot and handsome man on the way to work she realizes she may need to spice up her life. While she has an exceptional hot date he then disappears. Her sister suddenly decides she needs to get away for a retreat to India and Claire finds herself taking care of her two nieces. What ensues is plenty of mess ups while she tries to get a grip on taking care of children and straightening out her priorities. One day she meets a feisty little old lady in the park that plows her way in to Claire’s life bringing along that hot and handsome man.

The story from here becomes a wonderful mixture of laughs, heart ache, tears and joy. The author created characters that are far from perfect which makes them easy to like and to cheer on through their many hardships. The town it takes place in was described in a way I could see the characters walking down the street or running through the park. To me this is a sign of a well written book when I can easily picture the characters and places. I found myself laughing out loud at many of Hilda’s antics (the little old lady). She is just an amazing character and I wished I knew her in real life, She is what every woman wants to be when they are a senior citizen, feisty, out going, loving and fearless. The storyline went from what appeared to be a steamy romance into a serious and emotional story of family, friendship and love. I couldn’t put the book down and read it into the wee hours of the night. At times I was angry and more than Once I was in tears but this was quickly balanced by the joy and happiness I felt as the story ended.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book as it wasn’t what I expected at all. If you like a book that brings out many different emotions and has great characters then you really need to read this book. It left me smiling and with a feeling if contentment, a thoroughly enjoyable book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this ARC. I would also like to thank the author Jukes Wake for writing this lovely book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I really loved this book! I had a feeling I would like it because I love books about old people. I adore inter-generational connections. But this book exceeded all expectations. It was such a feel good story about community, being lonely, finding friends, finding work life balance. There were so many parts of it that I connected with and I'm really excited to post my full review for the blog tour soon!

The backdrop to this book is the organisation of the first parkrun in an area, and although I've never seen the point of running when a perfectly good fast walk will do, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it. 

The message embedded in the story is one of community, family and work life balance, and how we sometimes think we know what we want, but when we achieve it we discover it's not as important as we think it is; not if it's detrimental to our mental wellbeing.

The novel is a multi-generational one, and out of all the diverse characters within its pages, I loved the elderly Hilda the best. I really wished the author had divulged her true age though, and whether any of her tall stories were actually true - so now I'm forced to use my imagination!

A lovely, heartwarming story with a more serious message.

I loved this book, it was great. Ash and Claire meet under one set of circumstances, and then they both have setbacks, and end up meeting again. I love the character development for all the characters: Claire, Ash, Hilda and Poppy especially. I loved the community feel of the story - it starts off with a few isolated people, but by the end, they’re a family, surrounded by a supportive community. There’s also plenty of humour sprinkled throughout the book. I love the way that Claire and Ash’s initial sexual chemistry turned into so much more, and the way they adapted their lives to changing priorities. The story was definitely a page turner, I really got sucked in, and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I think that’s down to all the characters being so believable and lovable.

Overall, this was a real feel good, heartwarming story, with family and community at its heart. Perfect for getting lost in for a few hours.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

This is a very enjoyable character led book about two high achievers who both find themselves struggling to adapt when they find themselves adrift due to being forced to take time off work until a chance encounter with a larger than life but also purposeless elderly lady sparks a campaign to set up a park run in their local park.

I really liked the characters, I wasn’t keen on Claire initially however she definitely grew on me as she faced the challenges thrown at her however the indomitable Hilda was my favourite character by far especially with her tales from the past and her don't take no for an answer attitude. I think the story evolved really well with the characters as both lost their hard edges along the way and it made for a very heartwarming read which felt like it took no time to read as I became so engrossed.