The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver is the first book i have read by Pam and it will not be the last.
If your into WW2 books you will need to read this one however, you will need some tissues handy, as it will pull at your emotions.

The Runaway Orphans is about two sisters called Amy and Lillian. They have one secret. and a long dangerous wartime journey ahead of them. Amy and Lillian are desperate to escape from their stepfather’s house, they both stow away aboard a train full of children being evacuated from London and the threat of Hitler’s bombs.

Arriving in the seaside town of Worthing, they are taken in by kindly Norah and her husband Jim. Hopefully they are safe and their past does not catch up with them.

This book was a lovely but emotional read. I really enjoyed this book

The Runaway Orphans tells the story of two sisters who escape their abusive father during the evacuation of London at the outbreak of World War II. The two take their chance to leave London when they can, and they take up residence with a couple struggling with family issues, including the ability to have children. The families find themselves at exactly the right time and lean on each other to overcome their issues.
I liked this book, but the ending was so unfulfilling. It just ended and didn't wrap up loose ends, which I found really disappointing! There were a lot of wild twists and turns which I didn't expect, some of which were really great in moving the plot along, while others were a bit too much.

This story is both heart wrenching and heart breaking at the same time. This book grabs your attention from the very start but has an incredibly beautiful ending . Pam Weaver has written a story that you could literally visualize.

Thank you to #netgalley and #avonbooksuk for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

The storyline is certainly emotional. Two sisters need to get away from their abusive stepfather. Older sister, Amy, makes a decision to stow away on a evacuation train. Lily thinks her step father knows they are doing this. Amy needs to keep Lily safe…no matter what she has to do.
I did like the historical aspect of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Please note: There is mention of childhood sexual assault in the story

The Evacuees

What happens when a father is not a real father and a young girl must take matters into her own hands to save her sister.

Amy was determined that her sister Lillian never suffer the same fate that her father had dealt to her. When children began evacuating London because of the bombs she gathered her sister and they hid on the train with the evacuees.

Norah and her husband Jim took in the girls when no predetermined family could be found and Amy gave no details of why they were with the evacuees. They adjusted well and grew to be part of the family.

When her father finally finds out where the girls are and comes to get them what will happen to them? Can Norah help the girls escape their past and start a new life, or will her life be ruined by their father and his vindictive lies.

A story of courage and determination, of love and family and one man who is determined to ruin it all. Set against the backdrop of WWII and the London bombings it is a great story, I loved the ending and thought it was very fitting. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Pam Weaver for writing a great story, to Avon Books U.K. for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

This book is a heartbreaking and also heartwarming story of two young sisters trying to survive more than just the war. Set in a coastal town in England at the beginning of WWII the book is centred around Norah and her husband Jim who take in some children being sent from London to the countryside for safety by their parents.

As the story unfolds we meet some wonderful characters that are easy to like. The book flows smoothly and with the touch of mystery thrown in it isn’t just a typical war story. There is love, family, new beginnings and past secrets that don’t centre slyly in the war.

I have read one other book by this author and she has continued to write books that draw you in quickly so you don’t want to put them down. I read to the wee hours to see what was going to happen. You won’t be disappointed.

I loved the way the 2 sisters, Amy and Lily, stow away on an evacuation train to escape the attentions of their stepfather. Arriving in a seaside town, Worthing, far away from Hitler's bombs, their new lives turn out to be well worth the struggle to get there.

A gripping story set at the start of WWII. Amy and Lily live in London with their abusive step father Jago Ffox-Webster. In desperation to get away from him they mingle at the railway station with children being evacuated and by going from train to train avoid answering questions about their identity. They arrive in Worthing and are lucky enough to have been put into the care of kindly Norah Kirkwood and her police officer husband. Amy and Lily quickly settle in at The Lilacs alongside two other evacuees and Mrs Kirkwood snr. Norah very quickly realises that Amy and Lily are being very secretive about their background and tries to discover more about them. Meanwhile as Amy is 14 years old she finds a job in the police canteen and Lily settles in at school. It’s not long however before their stepfather discovers their whereabouts and removes them from the Kirkwoods care. This leads to the discovery of the stepfather’s abuse and a subsequent search for the girls. However Mr Ffox-Webster is a powerful man and the search is hindered.
This exceptional book has everything. Mystery, secrets, romance and great characters. I personally liked Mrs Kirkwood snr who is a critic of Norah and complains endlessly but eventually she mellows after forming a bond with Amy. I really hope there is a sequel to this book as the story could continue and I’d love to know what happens next! My thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for the opportunity to read and review. And also for introducing me to another fab author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing I would like to say about this book is that there is a MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING for childhood sexual assault and I personally think that should have been addressed in the book blurb. It is a major part of the plot and it isn’t right to expose readers to that without warning.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t really the book for me. I found the writing very confusing at times, with frequent time, setting, and character jumps that weren’t identified as well as too many characters and storylines that often disappeared after a few mentions and were never resolved. While I did enjoy seeing character growth and learning why and how the characters are what they are, I found the father character to be unrealistically too stereotypically evil, and found that his motives didn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

I did really enjoy the historical backdrop and how the war was woven into the story without necessarily being a focal point. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will definitely enjoy that aspect of the book.

Lastly I unfortunately have to say that I did not enjoy the ending and didn’t feel it wrapped up the story. Overall I give this book a 2/5 stars.

A WW2 saga that is very emotional and very well written. There must have been many families in these situation in times of conflict but it is so interesting to read about them. 5 stars and I recommend this to all.

Thanks to Netgally and publisher for this ARC

I am thrilled that there are so many WW2 historical fiction stories being written. I have learned so much that American Textbooks have neglected to share. With each book I gain a better understanding of what my mom and her family went through, hiding in Anderson shelters, fleeing crumbling building, struggling to survive.

The Runaway Orphans increased my knowledge greatly. The Runaway Orphans encouraged me to dive into the history of Britain during WW2 to discover even more. The Runaway Orphans brought to light the treason that occurred. The names may have been different, but I was able to realize how easily the British government was infiltrated, how power can change peoples' lives that created obstacles.

I have read many books about the evacuation of children to the countryside. I had never thought about the complications that could occur. I hadn't thought about children using the evacuations to their benefit. That is what Amy did as a way to get herself and her sister, Linnet away from their step-father.

The author takes the reader on a journey following Amy and Linnet. They are lucky enough to find themselves in the small town of Worthing. They are taken into safety by Nora, a woman with an extra large heart. Her heart is soon broken when the girls' father takes them away showing the reader some of the seedier sides of England.

The Runaway Orphans is a beautiful story about family and how important family was during such trying times. Homes that sheltered two could soon be sheltering four, six or more. The author gave wonderful insight into some of the struggles, how attitudes changed out of necessity and how important it is to support others. The story was a joy to read. I was invested in the characters, hoping that everything would turn out in a positive way. The author didn't make it easy. I had to read a lot before I saw light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully the light was very bright.

This was a great read! The story of the two sisters, Amy and Lillian, who against their step-father’s wishes, join in on the kids from their school who are being evacuated from London to the country. After changing trains a couple of times the girls end up in Worthing.
Worthing is the town where Norah and her husband Jim, a local policeman, live. They recently already took in two evacuee sisters from London but as a colleague of Jim shows up at their doorstep with the two sisters, Norah of course takes these sisters in as well. Amy of 14 and Lilian almost 9 do not talk that much about their family in London. When the time is there to write a letter home Amy refuse but Lilian does, however they have no address so the letter stays at Norah and Jim’s mantlepiece.
Norah’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Krikwood, is also staying with Norah and Jim, Norah does not really fancy her mother-in-law, but Amy seems to have touched a weak spot with her and over time they become friends.
In a nice story telling way you get to know the people in this book, not only Norah and Jim and the ones mentioned before, but also Norah’s parents and her sister and the friendly retired concierge from the local school.
Quite a lot of small stories beside the main story about Amy and Lillian goes on in the book. As there are some questions unanswered, I wonder if there will be a 2nd book about Norah & Jim and their family.
I just don't think the cover fits the content, the girls in the story are significantly older than the girls on the front.

Characters = 9 | Atmosphere = 9 | Writing Style = 9 | Plot = 9 | Intrigue = 9 | Logic = 9 | Enjoyment = 9 | Score 9.00 = 5 stars

I love a good historical fiction, a good book of peoples lives during wartime but this one adds another element to a story of life in wartimes.

Two young girls, one evil step-father and an escape that can only be for the better. This is a book that reels you in and just won't let go. It is unforgettable, beautifully written, emotional and heartbreaking. This book tells so many stories of love, compassion, strength and kindness. I just couldn't stop reading.

Great book, great story and one I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley the Publisher & the Author for allowing me to have an ARC and to provide an honest review in exchange.

I absolutely adore anything to do with this era and World War Two, I find it so inspiring how everyone coped and banded together to get through the terrible time. So when I saw this on NetGalley I requested it straight away and hoped I would get accepted.

The abuse that Amy suffered in the first few pages just broke my heart, she has to rescue herself and little sister Lillian from their evil step father before he turns his attentions on to Lillian so they decide to stow away with a group of evacuees on a train to the countryside.

When they are safe with Norah and Jim in a safe and loving environment they are happy for the first time and finally feel safe until something terrible happens which breaks all of them apart.

Norah and Jim are the most perfect couple ever and the extended family and friends are all adorable and I just adored the wartime camaraderie of everyone pulling together. Everyone had an individual story line in the book too and each one was absolutely captivating, I just hope we get a sequel as the story is far from over yet.

I always enjoy Pam Weaver books because they are so well written and she tends to go into a lot of detail about the era she’s writing about. Her research is spot on. This one was set at the beginning of WW2 and takes you all the way the the war years. It dealt with a difficult subject of children being used for sex by a relation and what happens to them. A wonderful, interesting story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

In the Library this book would probably be categorised as a Saga novel. The book is set during WW2 and centres on Norah and her husband Jum who live on the South Coast. A lot happens to them, maybe it's a bit unrealistic but it contains characters you believe in and is an enjoyable story. I would read another book by this author as a holiday read or if I want an easy, uncomplicated book.

The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver is the type of historical fiction that I absolutely love. This was just an enjoyable, yet emotional read with an interesting mix of characters and a setting I would love to visit, a seaside town in England.

SYNOPSIS

Desperate to escape their stepfather’s house, sisters Amy and Lillian stow away aboard a train full of children being evacuated from London and the threat of Hitler’s bombs.

Arriving in the seaside town of Worthing, they are taken in by kindly Norah and her husband Jim.

With their future now entrusted to strangers, can the girls finally find a safe harbor in these dark days of war? And will they find the strength to confront what they have been running from, when their past finally catches up with them?

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will definitely want to get this book. It comes out on July 7.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this story tells of 2 young girls who are desperate to escape the abuse of their stepfather. They escape amidst other children being evacuated from London in the early days of WWII. Landing in the south coast town of Worthing and take. In by the compassionate Norah and her husband Jim. Of course the girls’ troubles aren’t over. This story revolves around the girls, but also on the extended families of Norah and Jim and how they navigate the early years of the war.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this story tells of 2 young girls who are desperate to escape the abuse of their stepfather. They escape amidst other children being evacuated from London in the early days of WWII. Landing in the south coast town of Worthing and take. In by the compassionate Norah and her husband Jim. Of course the girls’ troubles aren’t over. This story revolves around the girls, but also on the extended families of Norah and Jim and how they navigate the early years of the war.

Every time when I read stories about children, about the awful things that happened to them, I wonder how these children could survive without the protection of the adults. Why those people who have to protect little people inflict so much pain on them? And what two sisters, Amelie and Linnet, could do to safe their lives but run away?
Amelie and Linnet' story hooked me from the first pages. It was unbearable to read about Amelie's life in her stepfather's home. I couldn't hold back my tears while reading these horrible things. I love this unforgettable book, just love it!
Thanks to Pam Weaver, Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!
Definitely 5 stars!