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Portraits #1
Portrait of a Girl Running
All Leila wants is to get through her senior year at her new high school without drawing undue attention. Not that she has any big secret to protect, but her unconventional upbringing has made her very private. At seventeen, she realizes just how odd it was that two men raised her—one black, one white—and no mother. Not to mention they were blues musicians, always on the move. When her father died, he left her with a fear of foster care and a plan that would help her fall between the cracks of the system. Three teachers make that impossible—the handsome track coach, her math teacher from hell, and a jealous gym instructor. Compromising situations, accusations of misconduct, and judicial hearings put Leila’s autonomy and even her dignity at risk, unless she learns to trust an unlikely ally.
Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
850 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Chicoine
8 books20 followersJ. B. Chicoine was born on Long Island, New York, and grew up in Amityville during the 1960s and 70s. She has lived in New Hampshire, Kansas City and Michigan. She enjoys setting her stories in New England.
She has been writing stories since she was a girl, but didn't complete a novel until she was nearly thirty. Since then, she has completed four more novels; UNCHARTED: Story for a Shipwright, SPILLED COFFEE, PORTRAIT OF A GIRL RUNNING and its sequel PORTRAIT OF A PROTEGE.
J. B. Chicoine's novels are character driven, (though she does love a plot twist). As a watercolor artist, people are one of her favorite subjects. She says that developing a character is so much like painting a portrait--adding layers as she goes--creating depth.
She also enjoys designing covers and binding her novels. She blogs about her painting and writing, and also has a Website--. When she's not writing or painting, she enjoys volunteer work, baking crusty breads and working of various projects with her husband. Please feel free to contact her--she loves interacting with her readers.
She has been writing stories since she was a girl, but didn't complete a novel until she was nearly thirty. Since then, she has completed four more novels; UNCHARTED: Story for a Shipwright, SPILLED COFFEE, PORTRAIT OF A GIRL RUNNING and its sequel PORTRAIT OF A PROTEGE.
J. B. Chicoine's novels are character driven, (though she does love a plot twist). As a watercolor artist, people are one of her favorite subjects. She says that developing a character is so much like painting a portrait--adding layers as she goes--creating depth.
She also enjoys designing covers and binding her novels. She blogs about her painting and writing, and also has a Website--. When she's not writing or painting, she enjoys volunteer work, baking crusty breads and working of various projects with her husband. Please feel free to contact her--she loves interacting with her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 27, 2014
Another marvellous novel by J.B.Chicoine! Portrait of a Girl Running is all about a girl growing up in a bi-racial family and how she protects herself from the world when one of her dad dies. This book brings out all the right emotions and feelings and pain, and that will keep the readers more engrossed into the deep, dark, mature novel.
Thanks once again to the author, J.B.Chicoine, for providing me with a copy of her book in return for an honest review.
Leila, a 17-year old girl, is raised up by two dads, who were jazz musicians, as well as loved drinking and taking drugs. So you can see Leila is not any regular kinda girl, after all she has grown up in an unconventional environment. After one of her dad dies, Leila gets scared that she would be send to a foster care, so to protect herself, she runs to her step-grandpa's home to live until she turns legal. In school, she has always managed to protect her privacy, but she develops a bond with her new friends, teachers and coaches, she finds it more difficult to protect herself from the world. Also she develops a relationship with two male teachers of her school, one is the coach and the other is the math teacher. As she tries to move on with her life, it seems more and more difficult to cope on with her past.
Again the storytelling of the author has mesmerized me. She has not tried to show any social stigma or issues in this book, instead she mentions a very personal account of this 17year old girl, she brings out the right elements of emotions in Leila, which will make the readers fall for Leila more. Even every other character had so many layers. That's best thing about J.B.Chicoine's characters, each and every character is so rich, deep and have so many layers, which are slowly peeled along with the progress of the story and are thus represented to us. Also not to mention the twists and turns that this book promises that will intrigue you completely and keep you more on your edges.
So this is perfect book to curl up with on your weekends, but mind it this is quite an emotional book!
Thanks once again to the author, J.B.Chicoine, for providing me with a copy of her book in return for an honest review.
Leila, a 17-year old girl, is raised up by two dads, who were jazz musicians, as well as loved drinking and taking drugs. So you can see Leila is not any regular kinda girl, after all she has grown up in an unconventional environment. After one of her dad dies, Leila gets scared that she would be send to a foster care, so to protect herself, she runs to her step-grandpa's home to live until she turns legal. In school, she has always managed to protect her privacy, but she develops a bond with her new friends, teachers and coaches, she finds it more difficult to protect herself from the world. Also she develops a relationship with two male teachers of her school, one is the coach and the other is the math teacher. As she tries to move on with her life, it seems more and more difficult to cope on with her past.
Again the storytelling of the author has mesmerized me. She has not tried to show any social stigma or issues in this book, instead she mentions a very personal account of this 17year old girl, she brings out the right elements of emotions in Leila, which will make the readers fall for Leila more. Even every other character had so many layers. That's best thing about J.B.Chicoine's characters, each and every character is so rich, deep and have so many layers, which are slowly peeled along with the progress of the story and are thus represented to us. Also not to mention the twists and turns that this book promises that will intrigue you completely and keep you more on your edges.
So this is perfect book to curl up with on your weekends, but mind it this is quite an emotional book!
November 4, 2013
JB Chicoine has done it again! She takes us on a trip through time and family dysfunction, yet somehow, like a fairy tale of old, manages to give us a happy ending.
The main character Leila, has survived an unstable world -- living in a bi-racial family with two dads, surrounded by drug addiction and jazz musicians, and then the tragedy of one of her father's deaths all before she turns eighteen. In order to beat the social service system and foster care, she runs to Long Island and lives with her "step-grandfather" until she turns legal.
She thinks she's safe, but the hits just keep on coming for poor Leila. Rotten luck seems to follow this girl and I just cried in places because I felt so bad for her. Chicoine's writing keeps you immersed within the story and when you're finished with the book, it's like you've just watched the best movie you've ever seen. There are many twists as well, so just when you think Leila is finally going to catch a break, it doesn't happen, which keeps you reading, wondering if this poor girl will finally get her happy ever after.
The prose is always lyrical, Chicoine's words like a tapestry, growing more vibrant as the story continues. With every turn of the page, you keep rooting for Leila, hoping against hope that somewhere there will be a silver lining. As in every fairy tale, there is a fairy godmother, (although in this case a fairy godfather), a wicked queen (does she get her comeuppance?) and a Prince to ride in to the rescue. (Which was a nail biter -- would he, wouldn't he? I'm not telling.)
This book has been classified in the young adult/college age new adult genre, but I think it reads like women's fiction. The character of Leila may be young, but to me she's an old soul who has lived a thousand lives by the time she gets to Long Island. I cannot wait to read the sequel and find out what happens to Leila next.
The main character Leila, has survived an unstable world -- living in a bi-racial family with two dads, surrounded by drug addiction and jazz musicians, and then the tragedy of one of her father's deaths all before she turns eighteen. In order to beat the social service system and foster care, she runs to Long Island and lives with her "step-grandfather" until she turns legal.
She thinks she's safe, but the hits just keep on coming for poor Leila. Rotten luck seems to follow this girl and I just cried in places because I felt so bad for her. Chicoine's writing keeps you immersed within the story and when you're finished with the book, it's like you've just watched the best movie you've ever seen. There are many twists as well, so just when you think Leila is finally going to catch a break, it doesn't happen, which keeps you reading, wondering if this poor girl will finally get her happy ever after.
The prose is always lyrical, Chicoine's words like a tapestry, growing more vibrant as the story continues. With every turn of the page, you keep rooting for Leila, hoping against hope that somewhere there will be a silver lining. As in every fairy tale, there is a fairy godmother, (although in this case a fairy godfather), a wicked queen (does she get her comeuppance?) and a Prince to ride in to the rescue. (Which was a nail biter -- would he, wouldn't he? I'm not telling.)
This book has been classified in the young adult/college age new adult genre, but I think it reads like women's fiction. The character of Leila may be young, but to me she's an old soul who has lived a thousand lives by the time she gets to Long Island. I cannot wait to read the sequel and find out what happens to Leila next.
November 8, 2014
A really beautiful story not only of romantic love, but of familial love, friendship, and growing up after a childhood of transience and neglect. Will definitely read the sequel...though I am worried based on some reviews...
I loved all of the musical and artistic references throughout the work. They made a wonderful soundtrack.
I loved all of the musical and artistic references throughout the work. They made a wonderful soundtrack.
June 17, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. There are just so many wonderful aspects of Girl Running that take this book far beyond simply being a student-teacher novel. It possesses elements of jazz and photography that are expertly descriptive and so enticing that at many points, I thought I could actually hear the music. Chicoine’s characters are very in-depth and truly unforgettable. Girl Running has many themes that are intricately woven in the story and it has many touching moments that are truly unforgettable. It was very difficult for me to put this book down and I immediately jumped into the sequel when finished.
August 4, 2024
In the past few months, I've been reading book after book, all of them melting into each other, leaving me unsatisfied and without a desire to think more about them. I picked up this book in hopes it would stir something in me, and it sure did.
Reading through Leila's story stirred more emotions in me than I'd be willing to admit. Chicoine has managed to produce a beautiful novel that prompts thoughts into how relationships can be messy and convoluted, but love can be found in unlikely places. She shows all the struggles and nuances of being a young woman and how they interact with the people in their lives. Leila is such an old soul but still has her childlike tendencies and emotions, and we can see all sides of her as she interacts with each of the men in her life. We see how different people bring out different sides of people.
Overall, I haven't been as moved with a book as I've been with this one. It's such a cozy read for a weekend, and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to tear up at found family.
Reading through Leila's story stirred more emotions in me than I'd be willing to admit. Chicoine has managed to produce a beautiful novel that prompts thoughts into how relationships can be messy and convoluted, but love can be found in unlikely places. She shows all the struggles and nuances of being a young woman and how they interact with the people in their lives. Leila is such an old soul but still has her childlike tendencies and emotions, and we can see all sides of her as she interacts with each of the men in her life. We see how different people bring out different sides of people.
Overall, I haven't been as moved with a book as I've been with this one. It's such a cozy read for a weekend, and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to tear up at found family.
May 27, 2016
I came across this book whilst searching for something about running. The running genre isn't exactly a crowded field at least if we're talking about running-fiction and most of the books I have read or come across are fairly old. This is stuff like the 'The Loneliness of the long distance runner' or 'Once a runner.'
Upon reading the blurb I wasn't even sure that the book would have anything other than a tangential relationship to the topic so I got in touch with the author who kindly gave me the following reply:
"Thanks for the great question.
While running is important to the plot and character development in Portrait of a Girl Running, it is more relevant as a thematic metaphor.
The story does delve into the challenges of girl athletes in the mid-1970s, before high schools provided separate teams for girls, in this case, a girls’ track team. However, I wouldn’t say that running is a central component—that is, the story does not revolve around running as a sport, but, since the story is more character than action driven, the plot revolves around why the main character, Leila, feels compelled to run—physically and metaphorically...."
So I thought I would give it a shot and bought it. [This wasn't a free-for-review and there was no negotiation of any kind with the author.]
Okay, so the running topic aside this book wasn't my usual type of fare and towards the start I felt like a half miler toeing the start line and exchanging words with a fellow competitor only to find that I had been entered by my girlfriend for a marathon. Well the entry fee had been forked out for, so I might as well enjoy the scenery hadn't I?
I gritted my teeth and got ready to endure the sentence, except that the scenery was rather pretty and I found myself carried along by the lyrical lines of text massed like rows of supporters along the pavement entreating me to keep going....
The story is about a young girl about to graduate high school whose complicated family situation gains additional complexities by her falling for a teacher/coach, falling away from her grade expectations and at various points falling out with most of the other characters in the book. She's basically falling out of the wrong side of the bed throughout the novel. This leads to a number of romantic and legal hurdles which have to be negotiated but which I wont get into so as not to give away any spoilers.
As I said this isn't familiar or especially comfortable territory for me at all and I did wonder if this - 'teacher/student complication'- was well trod terrain- in other words as well worn a cliche as a well worn pair of battered old Nike's; except that what marked it out from most of the stuff I have read of late was the effortless fly-across-the-page-prose which made the passage of the novel a breeze, infact a treat to read!
The central character was well pencilled in and her actions followed pretty logically on the heels of her backstory so that I never felt that there was too great an element of deus-ex-machina putting a spanner in the works. However the motives of some of the other characters through whose viewpoints we are able to glimpse some of the action were rather more opaque, at least until the the end.
The novel is set in the seventies, a time I vaguely remember, and there are a lot of references to art which I didnt mind at all, and to blues music which I initially found intrusive but then quickly got used to. Certainly its a good example of the author writing about subjects she knows well and it gave the characters a polished and rounded feel.
Overall I thought this was a technically well drilled, sympathetic portrait of a likeable character whose story made me want to read all the way to the end to find out what happened to her.
Upon reading the blurb I wasn't even sure that the book would have anything other than a tangential relationship to the topic so I got in touch with the author who kindly gave me the following reply:
"Thanks for the great question.
While running is important to the plot and character development in Portrait of a Girl Running, it is more relevant as a thematic metaphor.
The story does delve into the challenges of girl athletes in the mid-1970s, before high schools provided separate teams for girls, in this case, a girls’ track team. However, I wouldn’t say that running is a central component—that is, the story does not revolve around running as a sport, but, since the story is more character than action driven, the plot revolves around why the main character, Leila, feels compelled to run—physically and metaphorically...."
So I thought I would give it a shot and bought it. [This wasn't a free-for-review and there was no negotiation of any kind with the author.]
Okay, so the running topic aside this book wasn't my usual type of fare and towards the start I felt like a half miler toeing the start line and exchanging words with a fellow competitor only to find that I had been entered by my girlfriend for a marathon. Well the entry fee had been forked out for, so I might as well enjoy the scenery hadn't I?
I gritted my teeth and got ready to endure the sentence, except that the scenery was rather pretty and I found myself carried along by the lyrical lines of text massed like rows of supporters along the pavement entreating me to keep going....
The story is about a young girl about to graduate high school whose complicated family situation gains additional complexities by her falling for a teacher/coach, falling away from her grade expectations and at various points falling out with most of the other characters in the book. She's basically falling out of the wrong side of the bed throughout the novel. This leads to a number of romantic and legal hurdles which have to be negotiated but which I wont get into so as not to give away any spoilers.
As I said this isn't familiar or especially comfortable territory for me at all and I did wonder if this - 'teacher/student complication'- was well trod terrain- in other words as well worn a cliche as a well worn pair of battered old Nike's; except that what marked it out from most of the stuff I have read of late was the effortless fly-across-the-page-prose which made the passage of the novel a breeze, infact a treat to read!
The central character was well pencilled in and her actions followed pretty logically on the heels of her backstory so that I never felt that there was too great an element of deus-ex-machina putting a spanner in the works. However the motives of some of the other characters through whose viewpoints we are able to glimpse some of the action were rather more opaque, at least until the the end.
The novel is set in the seventies, a time I vaguely remember, and there are a lot of references to art which I didnt mind at all, and to blues music which I initially found intrusive but then quickly got used to. Certainly its a good example of the author writing about subjects she knows well and it gave the characters a polished and rounded feel.
Overall I thought this was a technically well drilled, sympathetic portrait of a likeable character whose story made me want to read all the way to the end to find out what happened to her.
October 6, 2013
Although this story has a young-adult character, Leila, the feel of the story is more adult. Set in Leila’s senior year of high school, on her own after the death of her father and in a new environment, Leila struggles with her artistic bent, plays blues piano with a bunch of Delta blues octogenarians every Saturday night, and runs as a way of coping with her a past that is quickly catching up to her. Throw into the mix her unconventional relationships with two male teachers, and I was surprised at how thoroughly engrossed I—an adult male—became in the life of a seventeen-year-old girl.
I enjoyed the switches in point of view, from Leila to Ian Brigham (the handsome and conflicted track coach) to Mr. Clarence Myles (the enigmatic math teacher). While it is a of high school setting, Chicoine focuses enough on the ‘internal’ life of her characters, providing a well-rounded story with impressive character developments. Chicoine’s stories tend to unfold gradually—organically—at the start, but soon escalate with crazy twists and turns that kept me turning pages. I can’t wait to read the sequel, Portrait of a Protégé!
I enjoyed the switches in point of view, from Leila to Ian Brigham (the handsome and conflicted track coach) to Mr. Clarence Myles (the enigmatic math teacher). While it is a of high school setting, Chicoine focuses enough on the ‘internal’ life of her characters, providing a well-rounded story with impressive character developments. Chicoine’s stories tend to unfold gradually—organically—at the start, but soon escalate with crazy twists and turns that kept me turning pages. I can’t wait to read the sequel, Portrait of a Protégé!
December 7, 2013
Leila is a young girl who has faced many unusual circumstances in her life. She is trying to build a life for herself while keeping under the radar as she finishes her senior year of high school. Her mother is gone and her father has died, but she wants to be independent and stay "out of the system." As she builds relationships with friends, coaches, and teachers suspicions arise that make it difficult for her to remain anonymous. She has to face many trying situations as she moves forward attempting to protect those she cares for. I enjoyed this story and the many emotions and feelings expressed within this young girl and her ability to be both genuine and complex. Leila felt like a real person with so much going on in her life that she often did not know how to behave or continue to move forward. The story is written from the viewpoints of different characters and was a good tool in showing the emotions of these characters. Overall, this was a good read! I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.
September 27, 2015
this was so interesting to read, even though not as dramatic as i expected? Idk, i just felt a little disappointed so that's why it's 3 stars for me.
I really like the main character. She's a problematic one, with lots of unresolved issues, so she's a train wreck. You know, the kind of character that I like. Then there's the guy that's her age, then there's the math's teacher that ends being more of a father's figure than a lover (thank god) and then there's the gym teacher that ends being a lover? at some points it seems that all the guys out there were after this one girl just because she was weird and mysterious.
Also the guy who ends up with her... their love story kind of felt unreal.
might read the next book, but meh.
I really like the main character. She's a problematic one, with lots of unresolved issues, so she's a train wreck. You know, the kind of character that I like. Then there's the guy that's her age, then there's the math's teacher that ends being more of a father's figure than a lover (thank god) and then there's the gym teacher that ends being a lover? at some points it seems that all the guys out there were after this one girl just because she was weird and mysterious.
Also the guy who ends up with her... their love story kind of felt unreal.
might read the next book, but meh.
Read
March 20, 2017J.B. Chicoine constantly amazes me at the depth she's able to give her characters. I truly felt connected to Leila and could feel empathy at every crossroads in front if her. Because Leila's past has some darkness to it, this novel felt a little more adult than your typical YA. Yes, Leila is 17 years old, but there's a maturity there as well as some deeper and more emotional themes.
I hope that in the next book Leila learns even more how to come into her own and free herself from her past. I hope she gets her happily ever after--in whatever form is best for her.
I hope that in the next book Leila learns even more how to come into her own and free herself from her past. I hope she gets her happily ever after--in whatever form is best for her.
November 4, 2013
Easy to read and as the story goes along the characters begin to take shape and draw you in. Looking forward to book two
July 24, 2018
3.5 stars.
Oh, Clarence Myles. I think he was hands-down my favorite character in this book. And all the characters are well formed and three-dimensional. It's a good book. Maybe a bit slow for some people, but not boring or dull. Leila is a girl who's never really experienced stability in her life; her mother left her, her father is bipolar (though it seems the people in his life don't realize what it is) and dies shortly before the book begins. Leila is on her own, living in an apartment above the father of her dad's best friend and band mate.
The book opens with Leila meeting Ian for the first time over the summer, and then progresses from there through her final school year.
Please note: The romance in this is as minimal as romance can get. I'm honestly not entirely sure why it's been listed in that category.
Oh, Clarence Myles. I think he was hands-down my favorite character in this book. And all the characters are well formed and three-dimensional. It's a good book. Maybe a bit slow for some people, but not boring or dull. Leila is a girl who's never really experienced stability in her life; her mother left her, her father is bipolar (though it seems the people in his life don't realize what it is) and dies shortly before the book begins. Leila is on her own, living in an apartment above the father of her dad's best friend and band mate.
The book opens with Leila meeting Ian for the first time over the summer, and then progresses from there through her final school year.
Please note: The romance in this is as minimal as romance can get. I'm honestly not entirely sure why it's been listed in that category.
December 2, 2023
I will be honest and say I read SOME spoilers before reading the book, and even then I still found myself reading slow at times just so that the book would not end so soon. This was such a great read!! All characters were great and important to the story. I also loved that we got some backstory from them, it made it more personal and their actions understandable. I will definitely continue reading the series.
April 30, 2025
the characters in this series are relatable and I was able to get attached and feel for them all the way till the end. the details from the author about the time period, area and everyday life really helps you picture the circumstances and picture was happening throughout. recommend this series and it's easy to read and it's one of my favorites.
March 3, 2021
A good solid start to the trilogy. Although, the teacher/student relationships seem inappropriate. I keep reminding myself that it was a different time.
January 26, 2015
I thouroughly enjoyed this book. It sucked me in pretty quickly, and I had to see what was going to happen next. I loved the "forbidden" love aspect she put into the story. It keeps you guessing until the very end. The emotional ups and downs the main character has to face pull you into the story. I can't wait to read the next one!!!
March 5, 2014
This is about the struggle of a 17 year old girl with no parents or friends in a new city .
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