Running Lean

In their teens Calvin and Stacey are dealing with grief, self loathing, insecurities and fears. Diana Sharples introduce's us to believable and well defined characters that suffer what a lot of young adults deal with every day. The author brings insight to eating disorders like anorexia. Well written.

Calvin is dealing with the recent loss of his brother. Stacey and his dirt bike are his only form of peace and happiness. They support each other and are there for each other. Stacey has suffered a lot in her childhood battling problems with her weight and low self esteem. When Calvin realizes there is a problem with Stacey like losing a lot of weight he tries to help her but she is in denial and feels she doesn't need any help.

A well written book. A must read for young adults especially for girls.

I received a free copy of this book from bookfun,org for my honest opinion and review.

This is a great young adult book. It deals with all the issues they face in a very real way. The story revolves around Calvin and Stacey. Calvin is facing loss, misunderstanding, and trying to keep his family intact. Stacey is dealing with body image issues, family issues, and all the normal issues of her age. I think it is an excellent way to bring anorexia up for discussion without putting anyone in the limelight. I also enjoyed how the author incorporated faith into the book to add that degree of realism.

I received this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a good book for young adults and their parents as it

deals with present day teen issues. The story deals with anorexia

and loss & grief of losing a loved one. The story shows what

can happen any young teens placed in these types situations plus

how it can effect their family members and friends.

The characters are well defined and very, very realistic. The

author gets inside the heads of the characters presenting them to

the reader so you can understand the inner workings that are

occurring within each character. The story moves fast and

contains a lot of harsh reality.

This book was a real eye opener for me. But I feel that the core

of the story inspires the reader with the constant faith and

direction from prayer that makes a difference in lifes decisions.

Thank you to book fun.org for this eBook. My opinion is my own.

Running Lean

By Diana L. Sharples

Publ. Blink c.2013

Calvin Greenlee is worried about his girlfriend Stacy Varnell. At first her excuses for not eating and passing out make sense: she just ate, she isnt feeling well, she doesnt have time. But now, the more he thinks about it and sees how she looks and acts, he just cant believe all that she is telling him.

After searching the internet he is convinced that Stacy is suffering from anorexia. The question becomes what does he do about it. We watch as Calvin stumbles his way through trying to help Stacy while trying not to be manipulated by her efforts to redirect his attention away from her problem. He also has to deal with Stacys best friend Zoe Bernetti who is proving to be a bad influence on her.

Stacy cant see that she is damaging herself with her behavior. She cant see that her view of the world is way off base. All she sees when she looks in the mirror is the chubby child she once was.

Her parents are clueless about her behavior. Most of the people around her dont see what she is doing. She likes it that way. She only wants to keep them in the dark about her behavior,

This gripping book takes you on a journey into the life of a young girl with a severe eating disorder. It shows you the extent to which she will go to protect her secret and hide her issues. You are drawn into the lives of those who love her and interact with her where you see the denial and refusal to see the problem.

Is it an easy read? No! Is it a book that will open your eyes? Absolutely! I highly encourage the parents of any teenager to read this book. I encourage any teenager to read this book either to help others they know or to open their eyes to their own issues.

Diana L. Sharpes has crafted a remarkably real look into the lives of those who are dealing with this very real problem. She has done so with open, honest pictures into their lives.

I was provided this book through The Book Club Network for my unbiased review.l

"Running Lean" is a story about Calvin Greenlee and his girlfriend Stacey. Calvin loves his old Yamaha motor bike and riding it makes him feel free. But not nearly as much as when he is with Stacey. Stacey is everything Calvin has needed in the past year, with the death of his brother Michael and his familys grief. Stacey has been there through his tears and anger and has just...listened. Stacey is a girl with a passion for art. Her drawings captivate Calvin in there uniqueness and creativity. But she looks to Calvin to show her that she is loved. To be the affirmation that she is beautiful. But with her obsession with her weight, is she losing the one thing that means the most to her? Will Calvin stick through it with her, no matter what may happen? It seems that Calvin and Staceys relationship may be Running Lean. Staceys life is in the balance; will Calvin risk everything else that is important to him too save the girl who means the world to him?

I can only say this this story made me cry. Honestly, I had tears running done my cheeks in the last few chapters. I usually dont cry over books, but this book was so deep and sad, I just couldnt keep the tears from running down my cheeks in the last few chapters. I loved how Calvin was searching for answers through the whole story. He wanted to help Stacey, but she shut him out. It really showed the dangers of an eating disorder. I had never really considered what an eating disorder could do to a person. How it spirals out of control until it really is the only thing a person can think of. That said, I think this story is definitely for older teens and above. I would personally say sixteen plus or a very mature fourteen/fifteen year old could handle this particular story. I thought it was a great story, just a little intense at parts, which makes me feel like an older audience is what the author had in mind. The language was good, the plot kept me turning the pages and I read this book within four days. I will be giving this book a four star rating overall and I hope Mrs. Sharples writes more in the future.

This book was given to me by Bookfun.org for my honest review, which I have given.