Desperate to escape their stepfather's house, sisters Amy and Lily stow away aboard a train full of children being evacuated from London and the threat of Hitler's bombs. Arriving at the seaside town of Worthing, they are taken in by the kindly Norah and her husband Jim. With their future now entrusted to strangers. can the girls finally find a safe harbour in these dark days of war? And will they find the strength to confront what they have been running away from, when their past finally catches up with them.

With love, heartache, and friendship, this gripping read was hard to put down. When Norah and Jim take in Amy and Lily, the whole family fall in love with the siblings. But just as the girls have settled in to their new family, their stepfather turns up and takes them away. This is a deeply moving story. We learn about evacuees, the bombing, loved ones going off to fight, rationing and much much more. It's well written, thought provoking, and it will make you laugh and cry. I was hooked from the first page.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #PamWeaver for my ARC of #TheRunawayOrphans in exchange for an honest review.

I’d like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Runaway Orphans’ written by Pam Weaver in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It’s late 1938 and sisters Amy and Lillian run away from their stepfather Mr Ffox-Webster by getting on a train with children being evacuated to the South Coast to escape the bombing in London. When the sisters are found alone on the train late at night Norah and her policeman husband Jim are asked to take them into their home.

‘The Runaway Orphans’ is such a wonderful family drama that I haven’t been able to stop reading until I’d reached the end. Although it’s fiction, it gave me an insight into the lives of the children and their families during World War II and the kindness of neighbours as they help each other in times of need. It has an enthralling storyline that’s had me in its grip from page one, absolutely delightful characters whose strength and determination shines bright throughout, with twists and turns that conclude with a delightful ending. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this brilliant novel, the first I’ve read by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Touching story, both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time . Set during the wartime, two sisters escape from their abusive father and find themselves under the loving and protective care of a kindly and childless couple. We are exposed to multiple emotions ranging from the suspicious nature of the elder child, the grumpy mother in law of the couple, the kind and big hearted couple who living together under the same roof form a tight bond among themselves and face the hardships of an uncaring world.
Definitely worth a read

Amy and Lillian are desperate to escape from their dangerous stepfather Jago Ffox-Webster and they hide amongst the hundreds of children leaving London. Amy hopes with so many children being sent to the English countryside, it will be impossible for her stepfather to find them and he has no idea they pretended to be evacuees.

The girls arrive in the seaside town of Worthing, they are taken in by Norah and Jim Kirkwood. Jim is a local policeman and Norah is a lovely and kind lady. When she’s not tending her own garden, Norah’s busy helping others and she’s the council’s advisor to the new allotment scheme. Norah has the patience of a saint, her mother-in-law Mrs. Kirkwood is staying with them, and she criticizes everything Norah does and expects to be waited on.

The girls use their French names Amelie and Linnet, with two other evacuees they settle into The Lilacs and Amelie gets on well with the elderly Mrs. Kirkwood. Norah senses something’s not right about the girls story, she feels Amelie isn’t telling her the truth about their past and she could never imagine how horrific it is.

Jago Ffox-Webster is an evil man, he will go to extreme lengths to find the girls and stop Norah from seeing them. He underestimates Norah, she will do everything in her power to locate the girls, keep them safe and uncover the numerous crimes Jago Ffox-Webster has committed.

I received a copy of The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review. The story has an interesting mix of characters, including Norah’s family, friends and Mr. Ivan Steele who I adored. You read about The Second World War in England, evacuees, rationing, digging for victory, bombing, homelessness and men going off to fight. A well written and thought provoking narrative, I hope there is a sequel and five big stars from me.

The runaways, sisters Amy and Lillian escape their stepfather by joining a train full of evacuees. The girls are housed by the local Bobbie
Jim and his wife Norah who grow fond of the girls. Unknown to them Mr Ffox-Webster the girls father is keen to find them, in order to keep his secret safe.
Make sure you’re comfortable before starting this book as it’s hard to put down.

Thank you to all involved in my chance to read this book in return for my honest opinion

I have read other novels by Pam Weaver and this one did not disappoint.

It was the story of a homely couple who just wanted to be parents and their own families and lives and sisters at the start of WW2.

It was a book that I read in super quick time because I wanted to know what would happen next and where the story would go.

It was a tale of betrayal in the worst possible way, treason and on the other hand was heartwarming. I rarely write a synopsis of a book so that it doesn't spoil it for others

The way one of the sisters was treated was nothing other than appalling - I remember 'approved' schools and the stigma that would have been attached to being sent to one. It was as horrendous as I had imagined.

The story tied up nicely but it would be lovely to know what happens to the 3rd sister and where she ended up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was slightly sad it had come to an end

Thank you again

A brilliant world war 2 story following 2 sisters.
A lovely paced book which kept me captive from start to finish. It has a bit of everything in it…love, friendship, families, heartache. It has been written so warmly covering difficult topics. A truly lovely read which will make you smile and cry.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion. It was an absolute pleasure.

The Runaway Orphans is an excellent new book written by Pam Weaver. At the beginning of the book, Amy and Lillian are living with their stepfather. Two sisters and two secrets. For the last 5 years Amy has been abused by her stepfather and Amy, wanting to remove herself from this position and protect her younger sister from what she has had to face. Lillian doesn’t know anything about the character of her stepfather.

As World War 2 begins, train loads of children are being evacuated from London and Amy puts together a plan for them to run with evacuees. They get out of London successfully before being caught late at night. They are brought to Norah and Jim’s house, where they are made to feel welcome. It becomes clear that these children are not like the other evacuees. Norah wants to help them and enlists the help of her Police Sergeant husband. As the weeks go by the girls begin to feel safe, safer than they have every felt before. Life is good.

But there is more trauma around the corner for these girls as their stepfather comes to collect them. However, this time they are not alone. Although Norah is supposed to let them go, she cannot and when she realises the danger they are.

The book is spellbinding. Once you start reading you don’t want to put it down. It is emotional and your heart will go out to these children and to Norah and Jim. I enjoyed the intentional way Pam lays out the story and how the twist in the end is developed. If you like novels with strong characters, then this is a story for you. I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I cried for the life the girls didn’t have, couldn’t have, but should have.

By the end of the book the secrets have been fully revealed and the plot of another is hinted at, centring on Lillian’s life. Should such a book materialise I will be right there in the queue waiting for it. Thank you very much net galley and Pam Weaver for allowing me to read it.

Oh this book had me on the edge of my seat so many times! I was rooting for those poor girls and I’m so disgusted because sadly there were and still are such evil people who harm children.

I also loved that Norah stood up to her mother-in-law.

I really enjoyed this book and I’d kind of want an epilogue or part 2 to find out what happened to them after the war.

Two sisters and a secret…war time…historical fiction…families and friends…despair…this book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…Written by a talented and gifted author, this is a quick read about a common occurrence during the war…this could a true story…however, some actions are so appalling…

This was a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking read. There are some books which are like that, simple and normal but still such good reads. This was one of those. Thank You for the review copy. All the best.

The Runaway Orphans was an emotional story which had me hooked from the first page. Set in England during WW2, 2 sisters escape their abusive step-father when children are being evacuated from London. They end up with Norah and Jim, a couple who just can't stop helping people out. The step-father is a very powerful man and causes all sorts of grief for Norah and Jim. There was an ensemble of great characters. Jim's mother Mrs Kirkwood was brusque, but with some help softened over time. Norah's parents and sister were kind and lovable right from the start and you can't help falling in love with Amy and Lily. I would love a second book as there were some unresolved story lines. Very touching read.

Wow I love this author. This book did not disappoint loved all the characters and how the author brought them to life. I enjoyed it so much I finished it within 24hrs.
Would highly recommend

Such a sad premise for a novel - children believing that they are better off running away during the war than with their step father. They are right though. The shadow of the three girls step father hangs over the whole book and impacte negatively on the lives of his step daughters, the family that takes two of the girls in during the outbreak of the war and their friends and family. The backdrop of the war flavours a sad tale of three orphans and how they survive.

What a rollercoaster of emotions this book gives. The story focuses around Norah and jim who take in 2 evacuees from London during the war. One of them is harbouring a horrifying secret that has a huge impact of all of their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and will look out for other books from this author.

The resettlement of children from London to the countryside in England during the Blitz of WWII provides the means for two sisters to escape from the horror of their lives with their child molester stepfather. Since they are not on the formal listing of "orphans" they end up with a policeman and his wife who are sadly childless. The girls use their birth names and their deceased mother's maiden name to avoid being found by the stepfather. When he does track them down, the policeman's wife is suspicious. She doesn't give up on reuniting with the girls. Great read!

Read this book in ONE sitting. 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. Heartbreak, love, and abuse but a story to lift your heart. Wonderful story.

Set during the second World War in Worthing, Norah, a good-hearted young policeman's wife finds herself not only taking in a couple of evacuees but also putting up her cantankerous mother-in-law Mrs Kirkwood, an old school caretaker Ivan, who has recently been made homeless and her London family's pets! When two more young girls are brought to her she initially thinks they are evacuaees, but when they refuse  to reveal their surnames or home addresses she realises that they are running away from something. This is a heart-warming and emotional read, with lovely historical description of life at the time.

The Runaway Orphans is the first book from Pam Weaver that I have read, and I can’t wait to read more.
Amy and Lillian are sisters and live with their stepfather. But Amy now fourteen was abused by her stepfather and now Lillian is at that same age. Amy worries that she will be next. So, the girls stow away on an evacuee train full of children and get far away as possible from their Stepfather. But they are caught and as it is late, they are brought to Norah’s house which is already full of evacuees to stay with her and her husband Jim who is a Policeman in Worthing. The girls don’t speak about their father and Norah knows that there is something that it is not right about them, and they realise how when their Stepfather turns up and takes them away.
Thank You Avon for a copy of The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver. This is a beautifully written, emotional story about 2 sisters in WW2. I loved the storyline, and I couldn’t put this down. I hope that there is a sequel to this story to find out that happened Lillian. 5 stars from me.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was invested in the plight of characters from the first page making it impossible to put down once I started it. The story was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I really hope there is another story as I felt there were some unresolved story lines - do the three girls ever find each other, do they go back to their mothers country or remain in England