Bernice Runs Away, a Review

We’ve all had moments of wanting to run away. At age 81, Bernice actually does it. Bernice has had her fair share of struggles in life, but overall, has been fairly content with her life in small-town Arkansas, where she was born, raised, and plans to someday die. 

She receives a rude-awakening when her daughter Sarah decides for Bernice that it’s time to sell everything and move into Sarah’s backyard bungalow in Atlanta. Suddenly Bernice feels trapped in her home, confident she’ll never get to make her own choices again. 

Bernice realizes she is not ready to give up. So, she packs her car to the brim with her cat Dolly Parton, essential books, and heads out without a word to Sarah or friends, except her faithful bestie housekeeper, Marlene. 

Next thing you know Dolly really runs away, Bernice begins “not-really-stalking” her first true love, throwing back a beer with the boys, creating a “capsule wardrobe,” and taking command of her life for the first time in decades. 

Bernice Runs Away is an easy read about a quirky woman that teaches us we’re never too old to choose our own future and explore past “what if’s”. At first, I felt sorry for Bernice and wondered if I could finish a book with a heroine I pitied, but I soon realized that’s because Bernice felt sorry for herself. 

She initially views herself as old, weary, taking up space. She slowly grows in confidence throughout the book. She begins to realize it’s never too late to start over and experience new things. And I begin to love her, even identify with her, throughout the book.

Talya Tate Boerner uses Bernice’s story as a reminder that insecurities are always present; whether or not we entertain them is entirely up to us. Our life is our own to live. She skillfully takes Bernice from living a life full of doubts and questions to a life of depth and adventure. 

I appreciate the excellent job the author did painting visual images of Bernice’s world so I felt as if I were a fly on the wall. I could visualize myself smack dab in the middle of the diner or feel the cool breeze while overlooking the lake. The plot may not be attention-grabbing, yet Tayla keeps the reader engagingly immersed into Bernice’s world from beginning to end.

Overall, Bernice Runs Away is a fun, charming read that can be enjoyed by adults of all ages. It will keep you giggling through her routine life into her growth as a confident, stylish sojourner. Age doesn’t change anything. Order yours now so you can curl up with it and a glass of 7Up and gin read up!

If you enjoyed this book, check out these other titles

• Murder Always Barks Twice
• The Vinyl Detective-Written in Dead Wax
• And Jilly Came Tumbling After
• The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip
• Mrs. Morris and the Vampire

Katie Daniels

+ posts

Katie Daniels is a speech language pathologist in Florida, where she resides with her husband and their pup-child. She has dabbled in professional and personal writing over the years, but only recently began sharing her work with others. She is a proud Florida kid who enjoys meeting new people, seeing new places, and all things related to laughter, travel, faith, Disney, reading, and F.S.U. football. She is easily bribed with donuts or mac ‘n cheese.

She would love to connect on Instagram.

• The Twelve Suspects of Christmas: A Book Review
• The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold, a Review
• Thief Liar Lady, A Review
• Death by Food Truck: 4 Culinary Cozy Mysteries, A Review