Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Bernice - a feisty old lady with a history of personal loss (a 1st romance which dissolved without her knowing why, and a son and husband who have died) has a daughter who thinks she'd be better off moving into a granny flat with them, many miles away from her home. This story of her rebel side taking over is a realistic rambling through events and her thoughts and emotions. I loved reading her reactions to events, her direct responses to the red tape which exists now, and her friendships with the younger people she meets. This is a gentle novel with underpinning 'moral of the story' moments, I really enjoyed and fully recommend it.

I loved this book and the main character was absolutely amazing. Really heartwarming and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.

3* Stars
I was sceptical about this book, it’s so different to everything I’ve read, with a slightly more mature main character and story, but it did not disappoint.
Bernice Hart is a retired librarian who has a regular routine, but maybe that’s not enough for Bernice anymore. By this point she’s raised 2 kids, buried her husband and one of her children and is feeling eager to enjoy her last good years, her last straw comes when her daughter Sarah thinks that Bernice should move it with her to look after her.
Bernice packs up her house, without telling anyone, and leaves the comfort of her old home ready for a new adventure and a new life.
This is a heartwarming story of second chances, love and the power of being alone. Will Bernice find what it truly means to live?

This was a great escape. I loved Bernice. Humorous and heartfelt storyline. Thank you for allowing me to read the book. I look forward to reading more.

This was a cute read of an octogenarian who is caught between wanting to live on her own, find her first love and what went wrong, and facing the move to live with her daughter in a new city and state. Bernice decides she is going to take matters in her own hands, she is running away! Back to the lake of her youth, to find the boy that broke her heart, and face the death of her son. But along the way Bernice finds more than what she was seeking, she find herself, she finds that the future and now is where she wants to be. New clothes, a new hairstyle, new friends, and a new look on life is how Bernice finds that her old life is just where she wants to be.

It took me a good bit to get into this story, though the story was good the flow was a bit slow for me. But I did enjoy it very much and was glad to see Bernice answered a lot of her questions, doubts, and in the end was happier about it.

I don't know if there's an official name to the genre of fiction that deals with older people, but I've been actively searching them out since A Man Called Ove and Olive Kitteridge. This one hits it out of the ballpark--the character of Bernice rings true. Sometimes the character is too young to be considered older, or they're too old to be doing anything too active. (Looking at you, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared)

Her memories ring true for someone in their early 80s--remember when everyone was doing their colors back in the mid-1980s, went to Mary Kay or had an Avon Lady and of course had record albums? I was an autumn, but I sure don't remember the "sultry" adjective!

autumncolors

But also the writer does a good job of making the story based in reality, such as well Bernice goes to open up a new bank account and there's all type of grief over her lack of proof of an address, or having to pay for a library card. And sure, Dolly Parton is the perfect name for a white cat. I bet her first cat, Johnny Cash was all black.

I've never heard of a opposum pie before. It sounds delicious! From the interwebs--

Why is it called possum pie?
The name of the pie is a play on words because to play possum means to be asleep or dead, referring to the fact that the whipped cream topping of this pie hides two more layers underneath – one made of chocolate, and the other of cream cheese, vanilla pudding, or sour cream.

oppossumpie

Bernice does a great job of facing her old ghosts while confronting her daughter over her future...and she does it while downsizing according to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Bernice said the same thing I did about Marie wanting you to get rid of all your paper documents! But she masters the folding of all clothes into squares.

foldclothes

A big thank you to One Mississippi Press and NetGalley for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bernice is a 81 years young lady who wants to keep her independence! A funny and insightful story about how you're only as old as you feel and living life to the fullest. I laughed so much! Loved it.

Bernice is 81 years old and her daughter, Sarah, is pressuring her to move to Atlanta into her guest house. Bernice doesn't want to leave her home in Arkansas. Finally Bernice packs her cat, Miss Fiona, and travels to a favorite childhood vacation cottage park. It's fall and Bernice decides to give herself to New Year's to decide what to do and tell her daughter her decision. While at the lake, she gets a new wardrobe, new haircut and makes new friends. When the family comes to visit for Thanksgiving they make some progress into resolving their issues. A wonderful story of different points of view on aging. I enjoyed this one very much.

On this rainy day, Bernice Runs Away was the perfect escape. This delightful story with lovable quirky characters didn't disappoint.
Thank you One Mississippi Press LLC and NetGalley for the ARC.

Very charming and cozy book!

Bernice is such a lovable character. I was fully envolved in her tale, both in the present and past, as she was telling her running away story. I genuinely cared and worry about her.

This is a great story about relationships and moving on. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end, altough it's a bit slow and most chapters are long. This book is a great reminder that we can learn and grow as a person at any age.

One day, 81 year old Bernice woke up and decided that she had had enough of being told what to do (clean up the clutter and move out of her house) by her daughter. So she hatched a plan to run away. I wanted to run away with her!

Coming of age can happen at any time in your life, not just in your adolescence. Bernice Runs Away is a perfect example. When faced with her immortality and near loss of independence, Bernice sets off on a road-trip to seek freedom and closure. I dare you not to fall in love with Bernice and Dolly Parton (No, not that one).

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

I loved this book! Bernice is a widow who is tired of people telling her what she should do, particularly her daughter who wants her to move into an accessory dwelling at her home. She makes plans to "run away" to a lakeside cottage where she used to vacation with her parents and later her own family. The story of her journey and her experience once she arrives at her destination is fascinating and heartwarming. She meets some new people and finds a way to deal with the dilemmas she's facing. A great story of courage, determination and self-awareness. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a feel-good book with some thought-provoking scenes.

Thank you NetGalley and One Mississippi Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A charming and delightful book! I throughly enjoyed this character driven book full of heartwarming moments.
Bernice is a fantastic character. I was fully engrossed in her tale both in the present and the past. As Bernice tells her story of running away she shares many flashbacks about her 81 years of life to give the reader a wonderful glimpse into this strong characters life. She is a lovable character that I enjoyed getting to know and I genuinely cared about her story.
The supporting characters give Bernice's story many moments of pleasure but there are a few that bring pain to her life. They help to bring Bernice's story to life and are people I also enjoyed getting to know.
This heartwarming book is easily one of my favorites that I have read this year. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and was sad to say goodbye to Bernice when the story came to an end. I highly recommend reading this book!
I am extremely grateful to the publisher One Mississippi Press LLC and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for a honest review.

While I liked the premise of this book I had a hard time connecting with it. I tried a few times but I never finished.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This seemed like something I would really like, but I had a hard time getting into the story or relating at all to Bernice. It was just not working for me. The writing is fine, and the premise ok, but it just didn't come together to make a character I wanted to cheer for.

I was so pleased to get to know Bernice in this funny and warm-hearted novel by Talya Tate Boerner.

Bernice is seizing the reins of her own life. At 81 years old, she is feeling pressured by her daughter to downsize her home and move to a mother-in-law apartment. Bernice isn't quite ready to quit, though, and in a series of unexpected and possibly rash moves, she makes a dash for a home on the lake where she spent many happy days as a child and young adult.

Bernice was lucky. Most of the people she meets treat her with respect and kindness. She rekindles old relationships, and forms new friendships.

I was ready for a feel-good story that highlighted people's positives, and this book filled the bill.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow this book made me think about things in my life. I was hooked from the beginning. Would recommend

What an absolutely delightful read!

Bernice Runs Away is a fun, witty, coming of age (though the age is in the 80s) novel. It has wonderful characters, especially Bernice. She is quite a character that examines many aspects of her life, such as her dreams, future plans, relationships, and religion. She makes steps towards which she believes she wants and discovers many aspects about herself. I absolutely loved this book. Anyone who enjoys humor, reading about life’s lessons and life’s desires. Caution: The reader may likely find they are delving deeper within themselves as they make discoveries right along with Bernice. I did.


I received an ARC from One Mississippi Press, LLC through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.