Running on Empty is the first book I’ve picked up from Jill Williamson and I’ll definitely be picking up another one! This novel was the first time I’ve picked up a realistic fiction book for Christian teens and it was a great read. It deals with difficult—but relevant—topics regarding finding your identity in Christ.

Ratings for Running on Empty

Story: 4/5

Worldview: 5/5

Overall, I have to say I really enjoyed the plot of this book. In Running on Empty, we follow Isabella Valadez, a teen trying to figure out her identity after a traumatic event with photoshopped pictures a few months ago. Her then-boyfriend, now convicted felon, had created fake pictures of her and circulated them—along with other girls and victims. She has a hard time trusting anyone anymore, much less boys. Even her nice, godly neighbor Cody Nichols.

I felt a bit overwhelmed at first with all the names and people (I mean, this is book 7 in a series), but I quickly figured out who was important (to Izzy’s story). The start was pretty slow, but I appreciated the context when the plot picked up after Izzy and her friends started school again. After that, the pacing was great and I loved seeing Izzy’s growth by the end of the book.

Worldview gets a 5 from me because it deals with difficult topics in a way that challenges the characters—and the reader—to seek God in our weaknesses and have compassion on the lost. While the main thread of the novel is Izzy finding her identity, this is coming at the heels of a deep violation. One of her best friends, too, confided in her about a porn addiction, and that had caused a huge rift. Izzy gets self-righteous and judgmental with her friend (who is not Christian). I love how the book mentioned that Izzy’s antagonism made the friend nervous about coming to church, as well as made the friend question if Christ really would forgive her or not.

There are so many nuances that were explored. The novel never wavered on sin being sin, but whacking someone over the head with their mistakes isn’t going to help them come to Christ or find healing from their addiction. The friend was using porn to fill the hole that only Christ could fill in her life, and she needs help.

Overall Thoughts

I really really enjoyed this book overall. 🙂 It deals with tough topics but invites a deeper conversation beyond the novel itself. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free book; all reviews expressed are my own. Feel free to check out this book when it comes out on June 18th!!

If you’re interested in checking out other books with wonderful themes of redemption and salvation, feel free to check out Provenance by Carla Laureano (Adult Christian Romance).