Lydia McKenzie is not a runner. Not even close. But in her quest to be taken seriously at work—and catch the eye of her office crush—she signs up for the New York City Marathon as part of her architectural firm’s outreach program. Now she just needs to avoid making a fool of herself. Thankfully, she knows how to outsource.
Personal trainer Luke Townsend is definitely a runner, and he’s exactly what Lydia needs to get in shape: experienced, motivational, funny, kind, well muscled… And when he and Lydia bond over her redesign of the Manhattan Youth Center, a place near and dear to Luke’s heart, their training time intensifies from hitting the pavement to hitting the sheets. Still counts as a workout, right?
Suddenly, everything Lydia thought she wanted feels less clear, but she’s determined not to let a little unplanned indiscretion derail her goals. There’s no reason she and Luke can’t keep training as if they don’t share mind-blowing chemistry. They’re professionals. But when her project proposal suddenly hangs in the balance, and her office crush offers some awfully tempting one-on-one help, she’ll have to decide which direction her heart wants to run.
About The Author
My Review
This is a dual POV friends-to-lovers romance featuring Lydia, who signs up for the NYC marathon to win over her office crush and impress her boss. She hires Luke, a dedicated youth center worker, as her marathon coach after a chance encounter, but soon finds herself developing unexpected feelings for him. Their relationship grows naturally through marathon training and shared career ambitions, strengthened by their chemistry and banter.
The story is enriched with themes like architecture, sustainability, and personal growth, adding depth beyond the central romance. While the love triangle subplot and the development of side characters (Eric, Kirsten, Jack) may feel predictable or underdeveloped, Lydia’s evolving connection with Luke is compelling. The subplot with Jack, though somewhat drawn out, encourages Lydia’s self-reflection. Overall, it’s a light, witty, and engaging read that balances humor with the complexities of personal and romantic growth.
My Rating
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