This book says that it is not for runners, but I feel like runners will truly appreciate this more than the average person. I found myself getting bored at some points. Because while there are lessons she learns, a LOT of the book revolves around running and the lessons she gains from that. It touches on marriage and motherhood too. But it is a lot of running

I feel so lucky to have read this book at a significant transition point in my life. Although I’m not a mom, I am a 30-something year old that returned to running after thinking I’d peaked in my 20s. I related to so many things that Keira talks about, like learning to enjoy the training itself rather than the outcome and feeling surprised by my own strength as I age. I find her story inspiring and it motivates me to keep pushing to see how far I can go. Thank you, Keira, for telling your story. And thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

This was a great memoir! I’m absolute a hobby runner and a slow runner at that so while I’d never even dream of running a sub 10 miles let alone a sub 6 I thoroughly enjoyed her story. I don’t have kids but I thinks it’s a great story of finding your life and personality and balancing that with having children and I think that’s inspirational for a lot of moms out there. Whether you’re a runner or not this will pull you in!

Don’t Call it a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing Happiness
by Keira D’Amato with Evelyn Spence

Five stars are not enough for this memoir. This is probably one of the most uplifting books I have read in a long time. Written so conversationally that it is like chatting with a friend over coffee. Don’t Call It a Comeback is entertaining, motivating, and fast-moving. It is also one of those books that readers will want to keep around so that they can reread it and revisit the messages communicated by the author.

Keira D’Amato is a professional runner who can count among her accomplishments breaking a 16-year American record in the Marathon, breaking the American record in the Half-Marathon, and holding the world best time in the women’s-only ten-mile. She is also a mother of two. In her own way, she is like all of us; it’s just that her story centers on running. She takes the reader on a journey through her career as a runner, but don’t be mistaken, this is NOT a book about running per se. She ran track in school, and she was a recreational runner in adulthood, until she began to make discoveries about herself and the importance of goals and how to handle them. That’s when things began to change for her. How she deals with adversity and the challenges she faces throughout her career is a parable for life in general and how everyone can live a more rewarding life. From the book’s start, where Ms. D’Amato explains why everyone is a runner in one sense or another, to the final pages, readers of all ages and backgrounds will surely be able to garner some wisdom from her story. This is a must-read for anyone who has met challenges in their career or life in general (and who hasn’t?). Don’t Call It a Comeback is one of the most feel-good, uplifting books I have read in a very long time. This is a book about mental health with messages everyone can relate to. Thank you, Keira, for sharing your story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advance reader copy. Planned publication 9 September 2025.

Book Report: Don’t Call it a Comeback

At First Glance: Another book about a female runner?! Give it to me!!!

The Gist: A victorious tale of coming back in middle age to topple marathon records, from the running world's most beloved underdog, mom of two, and woman voted "most fun follow" on Strava.

My Thoughts: I’m entering my…running for pleasure era at the young age of 40 so this book was immediately added to my TBR. I know nothing about the world of running but eager to learn. I’m glad Keira D’Amato’s story was an introduction to my new found act of self care. Inspiring, funny and at times vulnerable Keira’s voice shines in the world of memoirs. This is one I recommend the audio (read by Keira) but a physical copy wouldn’t be a bad idea for revisiting her encouraging words. Though I’m just finding my own strides on the pavement this book felt relatable to any skill level… running isn’t your thing…but curious about athletes, motherhood and marriage this one has it all!

My Question for Keira: I’ll be a bit selfish with this question since this is a new found passion I found later in life. What advice do you have for someone who just started lacing up and hitting the pavement?

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/

Thank you @stmartinspress for my early reading and listening copy of @keiradamato ‘s upcoming new release, DON’T CALL IT A COME BACK. This is the perfect read for a long Saturday run and that is just what I did!

I love that Keira narrates her own memoir, DON’T CALL IT A COME BACK, which releases September 9, 2025.

If you are running, this book is for you.
If you need encouragement in the face of a difficult season of life, or a tough decision, this book is for you.
If you want to read about a bad ass woman who defies what the world tells her life should be, this book is for you.
If you love reading memoirs, this book is for you.

I can’t think of a single reason this book wouldn’t be for you.

I listened during a long 13 mile Saturday run and the miles flew by as I absorbed Keira’s witty banter, laughed out loud with her jokes, and even stopped to cry at her pain during the Olympic trials.

I have always followed Keira on @Strava - her jokes are the slaps and she represents so much of what the running community truly is- a runner no matter what.

I loved it, love Keira’s American Record story, and definitely love the fight she’s advocating for in this book!

I enjoy memoirs from professional runners and this was no exception. Keira D’Amato has an interesting and unique story as a high school and college runner who got injured and quit before she could go pro. After a new career and having kids, she was struggling while her husband was away on military service and started running again.

Relatable in how her return to running was slow and challenging, and inspiring in the way she stuck with it and so quickly improved. Her talent never left her and within a few years she was breaking records.

Her humor shines throughout and while we don’t always share the same sense of humor, I appreciated her outlook on life and her ability to laugh through tough times. Each chapter ends with a “punch line” summary of pretty good advice.

I’m now invested in her career and excited to see what she does next.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Don't Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness
Author: Keira D'Amato
Length: 304
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: Sep 09 2025
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Sports
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Summary:
From Mom Jeans to Marathon Queen
Keira D’Amato went from real estate agent and mom of two to record-breaking marathoner—after 30. Once sidelined by injury, she laced up again in her thirties, chasing not medals but sanity, starting with a 90-second shuffle down her street. Fast-forward six years and she shattered the American women’s marathon record at 37.
With a life full of kids, closings, and chaos, Keira flipped the script on elite athletics—and proved that fun, not fury, might just be the secret to success. This is the hilariously honest, wildly inspiring tale of the internet’s favorite runner (and Strava’s most fun follow) who proves it’s never too late to dream big, run fast, and laugh hard.

Thoughts:
You could say I've been on a sprint of "elite runner memoirs" lately, which is a bit ironic since my personal best is closer to a snail's pace than a world-class race. But hey, a girl can dream, right? So when I heard Kiera D'Amato was dropping a book, I knew I had to dash to get my hands on it. And let me tell you, it did not jog my memory of disappointment—quite the opposite!
Kiera is an absolute track star when it comes to humor and inspiration, and her story really lapped up all my attention. Her non-traditional two-part running journey was a true course in captivating storytelling. Plus, getting the perspective of a mom who's also chasing a dream? Talk about hitting her stride!
I've even started following her on Strava, which is proving to be quite the run for my money in terms of entertainment. And her family? They sound so cool, it makes me want to apply for adoption—seriously, they're family goals! Kiera's personality really shines through on every page, and I'm sure that's exactly what she was running—I mean gunning for.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

I think I may be in the minority on this one. While I love a middle age woman sports comeback story more than anything, the tone of this one got in my nerves for some reason. It felt like the author was trying so hard to appear funny and light-hearted, that it felt disingenuous. This is definitely a me issue, though. It looks like most others enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of, Don't Call it a Comeback, by Keira D'Amato, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Keira D'Amato, is a runner, wife, mother, and daughter. When Keira was injured she thought her running days was over so she got married, started a family and a new career, but running was not done with Keira .I like how Keira reminds people to go easy on themselves, whatever life throws at you.

I knew a little of Keira D'Amato due to following her on Instagram and having a weird interest in professional runner. I feel weird outright reviewing a memoir since it's someone's life, but I will say this one made my respect for Keira soar. I mean, she breaks these records, has these dreams/goals, runs a real estate venture, is a parent, and is a military spouse.

Running is both such a huge and small part of who she is, and it's amazing. Plus, she may have inspired me to make the jump from half marathons to a 25K. Let's not get too crazy.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected digital ARC of 'Don't Call It A Comeback' by Keira D'Amato - expected release date 09/09/2025

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't know anything about Keira D'Amato or the sport of running before this book but I appreciated reading her life story. She was real, vulnerable, funny and most of all, inspirational. This was a quick, easy read.

One year ago (in July 2024), I started my running journey. I ran a bit in high school for fun but never really took it seriously. In July I needed to find something that would get me outside and be enjoyable so I started running again. Those first few months were the hardest things I have ever done. I had to work so hard to get to where I am now, and I am so thankful for my perseverance and the people around me that challenge me and lift me up.

However, I feel like in the running community, it is hard to not get caught up in the 'PRs' and comparison to other runners. So, when I saw the description of this autobiography, I was immediately intrigued. I will admit, I did not know who Keira was before reading this, but the description drew me into this book anyways.

My story feels similar to Keira's story - I started running being out of shape, overweight, and always at the very back of the pack. It felt impossible at times that I would ever be able to progress. Keira's story is incredibly relatable for me, but also very inspiring. i often tell myself and other new runners I meet that we have to remember that starting is the hardest part. Those people at the front of the pack have been doing this for years, and do not discount how far we've come and the work it took to get here.

This book was as much inspiring as it was fun. We get a look into Keira's life outside of running. Her humor and heard are what sets this book apart from others I have read. Her attitude towards runners is very simple - anyone that gets out and moves their body deserves the title of "runner".

Whether you are new to running, a veteran runner, or just interested in an inspiring autobiography - I highly recommend this one. Through Keira's story & writing, I felt seen, inspired, and moved.

What an inspiring story. I really truly enjoyed reading this one! Keira is full of determination and grit. I love it. Thank you for the opportunity.

At 75, with bad knees, I find myself pulled to read books about running and jogging. Go figure. But no matter what condition you find yourself in, stories like Keira D'Amato's are uplifting and help you discover your healthier self.

Listening to Ms. D'Amato recount her wins and trials while pursuing her passion was not only inspiring, but she also has a great sense of humor, which will have you laughing out loud. That's not ideal if you're reading this as a bedtime book, as the giggling may wake your partner. It might be more fun to listen to this book while riding the stationary bike. At least, that doesn't hurt my knees. Who knows, maybe the peddling will make me strong enough to jog?

I was very happy to receive this book from NetGalley.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll preface this review by saying I knew nothing about Keira D’amato before I read this autobiography. I just enjoy reading inspirational autobiographies. Keira’s story did not disappoint, I loved her humor throughout and learning about her highs and lows in running. Definitely recommend if you enjoy inspirational nonfiction.

In this memoir, organized in chapters that drive home life lessons, Kiera D’Amato shares how after giving up running due to an injury in her 20’s, she went on to break marathon records in her late 30’s. In doing so, she became an inspiration, especially for women, mothers, and older adults. Each chapter ends in a kind of debrief called a punchline with inspirational takeaways. D’Amato states that her goal in writing this book is to inspire readers to capture or recapture a passion and to pursue that passion from a place of joy.

I appreciated D’Amato’s positivity, her sense of humor, and her motivational story. Her attitude is inclusive in that upfront, she asserts that anyone who simply gets out and moves their body deserves the title of “runner.” She asks that reader extrapolate her philosophy to apply to any goals beyond athletic aspirations. I enjoyed seeing her set her goals,such as shoe company sponsorship, and achieve them. Even when her performance fell short, often due to injury or adverse race conditions, she found a way to learn from her disappointments.

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

Thanks to St. Martins Press, an imprint of St. Martins Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

"Don't Call It a Comeback" is an inspirational journey into what's possible. Keira pulls you into her story with jokes and vivid storytelling, sharing the highs and lows of her second act in the running world, which blossomed into more than many would have dared to hope or dream. Each chapter has an accessible takeaway framed as a punchline. It was a page-turner that inspired me to look at my own back-burner dreams in a new light.

I enjoyed Keira’s stories and jokes and learning more about her life and career. She seems like someone who would be a fun teammate or even opponent. She is certainly an inspiration for anyone who thinks they are past their “prime” or have missed their opportunity.
She provides a lot of good advice on how to approach goals and life. I liked that she ended each chapter with a “punch line” — a summary of the main point(s) of that chapter. Her openness about her mistakes and willingness to be self-deprecating makes her seem very relatable, which makes her message more relevant.

As someone who loves sports simply for the stories, this book did not disappoint. If you are looking for inspiration to find happiness on your journey, even amongst failure, look no further. I appreciate the reminder to keep focused just on the next step in front of you and don’t get overwhelmed by the race ahead. You will hit bumps in the road but as the author says “use each bump as a learning opportunity, one that will better you down the road.”