The Runaway Orphans is a story that takes place during WWII when two girls board a train with other evacuees. Amelie (as she will soon be known), is trying to protect her little sister from the imminent threat at home. They end up in Worthing with a warm-hearted couple, Jim and Norah, with two other evacuees. As picture perfect as possible considering the situation. As Amelie and her sister, Linnet, were not on the evacuation list and were not forthcoming in sharing any information about themselves there is uncertainty as to their history.

Much to Amelie’s horror, her stepfather arrives to collect them and thus begins the uncovering of why Amelie fled with her sister in the first place.

The Runaway Orphans appeared to have all the right components for an emotional ride/read albeit a tad unbelievable or frustrating. How could the stepfather be so powerful as to impact so many lives? Seems all a bit over the top for me as this book took place in England not some backwards lawless country. Would he really have risked his ultimate mission for that? Why did Jim not think that the stepfather was capable of ruining his career when they find he was responsible for scuppering their adoption plans? If they had a weird feeling something wasn’t right, shouldn’t they have spoken to Amelie first, instead of surprising her with her stepfather? And why would he send Linnet to boarding school? Wasn’t he after ‘delicious memories’ with her too? If the stepfather was being monitored, wouldn’t the police know that Norah was not involved? Maybe all of that helps to make the story.

However, my biggest issue with this book and where it ultimately failed me was the the writing. It felt entirely too simplistic, too shallow, too Year 7. “…the weather was fantastic.” “Her husband was concerned and understanding” “Jim was really chuffed.” I can appreciate that this author is loved by so many as is this book, but this is just not my cup of tea. I love to digest a book for a long time after reading it but I had to quickly start a new one. Two stars for the storyline and the ending. Many thanks to #netgalley for a copy in exchange for my views.

What a wonderfully written emotional story two sisters who use the evaccuation as a means of escaping their stepfather.Amy and Lillian travel by train and eventually end up in Worthing at the home of police sergeant Jim and his wife Norah,As Norah helps settle the little girls she tries to find out where they are from but they stay tight lipped and as life goes on the girls settle in to their home.Lillian goes to school but Amy gets a job in the police canteen Norah has four evaccue children living with them and they all settle down to life in Worthing. This a very emotional book and had me in tears a few times.Excellent 5*

Read this in one sitting what an enjoyable read as usual from Pam Weaver.
This was a usual ww2 saga with a few twists and turns. Hope there will be further books on Roz & Felix.
The book is focused on the journey of two Jewish children escaping from Germany st the start of the war and follows their lives.
Great read