Runaway's Diary has a score of 85 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 5 reviews, indicating that it has received "universal acclaim" from critics. Jon Dennis of The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, writing that Lavere's "longstanding penchant for storytelling songs is given free rein" on the album. He concluded by saying, "considering the subject matter, this is an upbeat album, as if LaVere is looking back on her youthful adventures with a twinkle in her eye."