When I Ran Away

Longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s 2021 First Novel Prize, "When I Ran Away" is a heartfelt debut that traces Gigi Stanislawski's journey from post-9/11 Staten Island to affluent London a decade later. After a chance encounter with Harry Harrison during the chaos of the attacks, Gigi navigates the complexities of loss, motherhood, and love. Now a single mother struggling with grief and ambition, her unexpected romance with Harry leads her to confront her past and the profound challenges of motherhood. This poignant narrative is infused with honesty and humor as Gigi seeks healing amidst her struggles.