Running Against Traffic by Gaelen VanDenbergh

In the novel Running Against TrafficWhat do you do when your life takes a big, unexpected and unwelcome turn? A life coach would say “Turn those lemons into lemonade” or “Setbacks are really opportunities in disguise” However, Paige Scott, who grew up living the rich life, married into the rich life and then is dumped by her husband- literally and figuratively-into the “not so rich life by a long shot,” has no use for such optimistic mottoes. In the real world she has hit rock bottom and it’s going to take more than a few positive slogans to help her sort out her life.

Paige knew that her marriage wasn’t perfect and that she and her husband David had grown apart. She also suspected David had been cheating with Simone, a woman who lived in the same posh New York high rise. So it is a bit of a surprise when David informs her that he has purchased a vacation home in Wells Lake, a small town in northern Pennsylvania, and insists
they go there for the weekend. It is even more of a surprise when Paige sees the run down monstrosity that she can barely classify as a house, much less as her home. However, it is a complete shock when she realizes David had set up this pretend getaway just to dump her unceremoniously on the dilapidated doorstep of her new home. He had the forethought to stock
her kitchen with food and open a new bank account with very little money to tide her over. The only thing left before the abandonment is complete is to hand over the house keys and bid her a hasty goodbye. It takes a while before Paige understands that this desertion is about more than her husband not wanting to be part of a lackluster marriage, he wanted no part of her.

Running Against Traffic by Galen Vandenbergh is a coming of age story for Paige, a woman who is having a hard time figuring out who she is, when all she really knows is that she can’t be who she was. Her journey to self-discovery includes an array of flawed and challenging characters, such as roommates Al and Bryce, along with townies Dierdre, Darnell and Dr. Hackney. With their help and often unconventional influence, Paige is able to find her way through the emotional storm.

However, even though this “journey of self-discovery” is a common theme for the beginning of a women’s fiction story, the author has an original take on the ending. Paige’s character development may make readers cheer her on or leave them shaking their heads. Readers may feel that justice is served to her rude, insensitive, soon to be ex-husband or that the two of them deserve each other. Paige Scott may not evolve to become a better or worse person, but she does figure out how to like herself and how to take charge of her life. In the end, the woman in this woman’s fiction story feels pretty hopeful as she faces her future a little wiser, a little stronger, and a lot more confident.