In the quaint yet politically charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina, two worlds are about to collide. Meet Gabe Delgado, the quintessential all-American boy, molded by his conservative, Cuban senator father. Across town there’s Annabelle Morningstar, an impassioned, quirky high school activist raised by her news anchor and surgeon mothers, both champions of progressive ideals. Edgartown is a town literally divided―the Liberal East and the Conservative North coexisting as neighbors but rarely as friends. But what happens when the two sides meet in the least likely of places: a local bookstore?

Running Mates is not just a heartwarming coming-of-age tale. It’s a deep dive into the complexities of ideological divide, a vivid portrayal of modern youth activism, and a rallying cry for empathy.

It was a fun read. From the start, the mood and point of the story are well established. I am inclined to say that “it was one of those romance novels usually available in the market,” but there is this charm that makes it stand out a little bit, for sure. The author did a tremendous job spicing up the book – with witty remarks, catchy dialogue and romantic excitement. She has a knack for shifting moods and subject in a timely manner, which is remarkable.

The author is able to dig deep into each character’s maturity, and I love that throughout the story, each personality is justified.

It is not just all love, flirting and relationship issues, things we usually expect in this genre; it also talks about present-day social issues that divert the plot to a lot of other topics and introduce plenty of characters. Despite this, I find the book so light to read. The vibe is all good. The positive aura transfers from the book to the reader. Versatile is a good word to describe the book. I am pretty sure even non-romance book readers will find the material entertaining.

-Kevin Velayo