Hello

Apologies for the late notice, but I have decided not to review this title. While I am certain it's obvious by now, I wanted to also clear this off NetGalley, so it's not showing as open for either of us.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2023 and beyond.

Laura

The writing of Ms. Tilly is truly remarkable. It serves as the perfect combination of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. I was immediately captivated by the interesting storyline and the suspense that she maintained throughout the novel. As the novel progresses, it's clear that the red herring is firmly in the bad guy category and everything evolves into a happy ending for the good guys. I am so pleased with the outcome and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling read.

I thought this was such a great romance and loved chatting with Meg about it for my podcast. I look forward to her future books. She is delightful.

Sandy M’s review of The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 27 Jul 21

I’m very glad I’ve added Meg Tilly to my list of romantic suspense authors to read over the last couple of years. This book is just as action packed and adventurous as her Solace Island series, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. She goes a step further here, using her Hollywood background to develop her hero, Mick Talford, an award-winning movie director. Sarah Rainsford, our runaway heiress, is perfect for him when she begins working the bully and doesn’t allow him to walk all over her. They’ve found each other just in time, when Sarah’s past is getting closer and closer.


Having been on the run from her abusive husband the past four years, Sarah is happy but still cautious when she lands the job of Mick’s assistant – the perfect hideaway from the scum bucket who always seems to find her no matter how careful she is. Thus, she’s learned to trust no one, even those whom she should be able to go to when needed. Mick is initially a bit difficult – he’s used to having anything, everything, and everyone at his disposal. However, Sarah isn’t having any of his tantrums, and we begin to see just how independent and strong she’s become since being forced to learn how to blend in and move around at a moment’s notice.

Mick, though, isn’t happy with the woman who shows up at his door – he asked for a male assistant. But I love the way Sarah bullies him in return, making herself at home and nearly indispensable to him so she stays protected. Little by little, these two begin to look at each other differently, and it’s an intriguing thing to watch as they develop feelings they never wanted. Sarah’s husband is a wily one and they have to be on their toes to stay one step ahead of him, trying to get Sarah away from the jerk forever. Things get dicey, and they have to be extra careful as twists and turns and the unexpected keep at them from every angle.

Ms. Tilly once again gives readers another well-crafted story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. I’m quite impressed with her writing talent, transitioning from actress to novelist seemingly effortlessly. I’m glad she made the crossover. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors after only four books, and I anxiously look forward to her next story.

Grade: A

Thank you @berkleyromance for a copy of The Runaway Heiress. After reading this, I feel I need to pick up more romantic suspense which is such a great combo. The book was well paced and I felt like Sarah could trust no one. I love how Mick sensed her distress and was able to be there for her. There were lots of twist I didn’t see coming. I do wish the ending was flushed out a little better, it just wrapped up too neatly for me.

Sarah is on the run from her abusive husband, a cop who will not give up on finding her. She changed her name, and has a new job. Her new boss, Mick, soon realizes Sarah is hiding something. As Mick helps Sarah, they develop feelings for one another.

Sarah is an heiress, but her estranged husband wants her money. She’s on the run, wanting to divorce her husband and gain her life back. Mick is a Hollywood director with a “bad boy” image, and a complicated past. They make for entertaining characters.

The Runaway Heiress is a fast-paced romantic suspense. This was my first book by Meg Tilly, and I will pick up others by her in the future.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved every single minute of this book! I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves their romance with a healthy dose of suspense. Really well drawn characters and a plot that doesn't quit! Loved it!

I've enjoyed Meg Tilly's pivot into romantic suspense. Her plots are engaging, and in this case, her insider knowledge of Hollywood certainly made everything more immediate and believable.

Romantic suspense is my favorite subgenre and I thought this was a great one. I couldn't put it down. I liked Meg's writing and will definitely be reading more from her.

The title of Meg Tilly’s new thriller is evocative and intriguing—who is the heiress running from? Why is a wealthy woman on the lam? A vulnerable woman at the end of her rope is a trope that speaks to our deepest fears. We applaud a woman’s determination to leave a perilous situation while wishing no one endure such pain. Readers who enjoyed Kimberly Belle’s Dear Wife will appreciate The Runaway Heiress.

Meet Sarah Rainsford. Told in true Hollywood fashion, her story is larger than life. She’s been on the run for three years.

Hopefully, the promised separation agreement documents from her mom and dad’s old attorney, and family friend, Phillip Clarke, had arrived. Sarah would then take them to the public library, get them signed, notarized, and mailed back before the post office closed for the night. Once the separation agreement was signed and notarized, the clock would start ticking. And in a year from today she would be free. Free. Kevin would no longer have power over her. Legal or otherwise.

Kevin, her violent husband, is a New York City police lieutenant, with access to sophisticated search tools that have kept Sarah on the run for years.

Sarah has a soft heart, as seen when she picked up a young hitchhiker because she empathized with a girl’s plight.

Sarah should have kept walking, but instead, the girl ended up riding shotgun, filling the interior of Sarah’s car with the smell of unwashed body, malodourous BO, and Wrigley’s spearmint gum. And Sarah found herself headed to Santa Monica, California, because Jade had said her folks lived there.



“No good deed . . .” Sarah murmured to herself. “You’re such a patsy.”

Jade cleared out Sarah’s cache of cash, making it impossible for Sarah to find another town to disappear into. She’s stuck in LA with $136 to her name and half a tank of gas. Courtesy of a new name (Rachel Jones) and fake ID, Sarah lands a job as a personal assistant to Hollywood director Mick Talford.

During a raucous party, Mick opens his front door to a conservatively dressed “prim Mary Poppins creature.” Was she proselytizing door-to-door or had one of his friends sent him a stripper in disguise?

Not a stripper. The blush made that obvious. She must be there trying to convert him. Belatedly, he realized he was sans apparel.

The employment agent hadn’t told Rachel the half of what working for Mick Talford was going to entail. Sarah is caught between a rock and a hard place but how could working for an “unshaven, stark naked, dripping wet,” Hollywood type be scarier than sleeping in her car? Even if Mick’s strung-out party posse left a trashed mansion in their wake.

After Mick sobers up, he realizes his house has never looked so good—there’s even a hint of lemon in the air. But why hasn’t Rachel filled up his fridge with groceries? Rachel tells him if he wants groceries, he’ll have to leave her cash. She’s hungry, intensely private, and broke. Mick takes care of problem number one with a delicious dinner at The Palm restaurant. Rachel says she’s not hungry but while they’re waiting a “waiter walked by with a basket of garlic cheese toast, momentarily capturing Rachel’s gaze like a catnip toy dangling on a string.” When they get home, Mick gives Rachel the leftovers from their extravagant dinner which she dines off for a week—before her first payday. Meg Tilly shows not tells Mick’s skill in seeing beyond the surface to come up with face-saving solutions.

When Mick’s longtime office assistant lands in the hospital, he’s forced to ask Rachel to take on a more visible role in his career. Specifically, he needs her to work with him at the studio. She agrees but she’s not comfortable with the request.

Who the hell is she and what is she hiding? Doesn’t have a bank account. Needs to be paid in cash. Something’s fishy about her car, and I’m pretty sure she’s lying about the contacts. The question is why? Is she in trouble? Does she need help? Help. He snorted. Right. Like you’re so good at that. He had to make a conscious effort to loosen his grip on the steering wheel. Her private life is none of your business. You’re getting obsessed, man. You’ve got to let it go. It wasn’t until he had taken the Pass Avenue exit and pulled up next to a cop car that he glanced over and noticed she had unbuckled and slid her body down so it wasn’t visible from the outside that the ping became loud alarm bells clanging in his head.

Mick wants answers but he also wants to help. Rachel tells him her story and divulges her real name: that simple, terrifying choice on her part engenders an inkling of hope. Readers’ hopes for a Cinderella story materialize when Mick realizes that his personal assistant is THAT Sarah Rainsford!

“There was a missing heiress . . .”



“Everyone presumed was dead? No body found.” Sarah shrugged and took another slurp of the milkshake. “Yeah. That’s me.” She said it as if she were talking about the color of her socks.



Mick shot to his feet, needing to move, jammed his hands in his pockets. “You’re that Rainsford? The missing Rainsford heiress?!”



“The one and only,” she replied, calmly dunking a French fry in the ketchup and stirring it so two-thirds of the fry was coated in the sauce before eating it.



“Holy crap.” He shook his head, trying to clear it. “I was obsessed with the case. Kept hoping she would be found, safe and sound.”



“And here I am.”

With a vengeful ex on her tail, Sarah is anything but safe and sound but who better to fight by her side than the supportive, somewhat obsessed man beside her? Mick and Sarah make a great team: The Runaway Heiress is a terrific romantic thriller that begs out for a screenplay.

Sarah is on the run from an abusive husband. Finally tired of running, she trusts Nick to help her. I enjoyed the chemistry between Sarah and Nick. I was anxious to see how they were able to "free" Sarah from her situation. I thought the suspense element was well done.

After read all of Tilly's Solace Island series, I was so excited to see that she had another foray coming out in romance suspense.

Sarah Rainsford is on the run from her abusive cop husband. After her parent's death, Sarah became an heiress and her husband was left nothing if Sarah and he were no longer together. Given the power to leave him and his abuse, Sarah ran. Knowing that she couldn't be safe as Sarah, she's now taken on a new guise and is working as a personal assistant in LA. She gets hired to to work with Hollywood golden boy Mick Talford. She decides to be herself, despite his eccentricities as much as possible. Little does she expect, she starts to fall for him. Then she learns, that she might have a way out of her marriage and starts to look for the trail to get out of her marriage just as her husband starts to find the pieces to pick up on finding her.

As per usual, the characters in Tilly's story were impeccably put together. You know what everyone wants and you feel like everyone is a real character. I did like especially some of the side characters we got in this story. I mean, her aunt was a really well put together small character. I truly enjoyed her more than some of the bigger characters even.

I loved the twist with the lawyer. Honestly it worked well because you know you as a reader had it dangled in front of you at one point that he was the culprit. But it seemed so solidly true that it had to be the husband. Because he an awful human being. Why would it be anyone else? Then to have the additional layers added on? Oh, heartbreaking.

I think what really fell flat in this book for me was the relationship between the two main characters. There didn't seem to be a real relationship like feel to them for me for some reason. Maybe it was because I found it hard to believe that beyond her trauma that Sarah could really open up and trust someone so quickly, Plus, don't get me wrong, I just didn't find Mick as someone who was like some of the other characters Tilly has crafted. He just didn't appeal as much. This relationship didn't really work for me because of these things.

Overall, I did enjoy this for the general plot. I just didn't enjoy the romance as much and that is really what I came to this for, hence my rating. Thank you!

This is my first Meg Tilly and I'll certainly be reading her back list. "The Runaway Heiress" had it all - suspense, humor, and the HEA! I think this is a great read for a rainy night in.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

The Runaway Heiress is a stand alone novel by author Meg Tilly. I have come to appreciate and enjoy Ms. Tilly’s writing from the Solace Island Trilogy and I can say that (in my opinion), this new book is on par with the writing of the first book in the trilogy – Solace Island – one of the best books of hers that I have read to date.

Sarah Rainsford, who we met in Hidden Cove (Solace Island Trilogy), has left the west coast island because her identity has been compromised and is moving around the country taking various types of jobs in an effort to stay hidden from her abusive husband Kevin. This is certainly a far cry from the life Sarah had prior to getting married (her parents never did like her husband)! Her background is of a New York socialite from a very wealthy family but now she barely has two nickels to rub together. This story begins with Sarah arriving in Los Angeles and as a result of an interview with a temp agency, she has landed a personal assistants position for Mick Talford, a “golden boy” director in Hollywood. Mick specifically asked for a male assistant, so you know there are going to be sparks immediately. Luckily for Rachel Jones (aka Sarah Rainsford), Mick decides to give Rachel one week to see if she will fit in with the responsibilities as he has set out (oversee the household staff – once hired, dictation for his new scripts, etc.).

Throughout the story we are fed details to piece together both Sarah’s life before she was on the run and Mick’s life as a child. It was interesting and thought provoking to see how the past has influenced each of their current situations. I think I found these snippets of their past lives the most interesting. However, the most terrifying (and engaging) moments were when we would be fed more about Kevin and his quest for Sarah and the prior abuse he heaped upon her prior to her running away. It truly boggles my mind how one individual can be so cruel to another individual. Makes me wonder what happened in Kevin’s past to make him so controlling.

Now, there is romance in this novel. Mick and Rachel soon develop feelings for one another. Where they will go is anyone’s guess as crossing the boundaries between employer and employee is not one to take lightly. But with two good looking, young and vibrant characters – something is bound to happen eventually ☺.

As an animal lover, I appreciated how Sarah cared for her cat, Charlie. Spoke volumes about her character. Though we did get early on that she was a sincere, caring individual – just one in a bad situation.

As the hunt for the truth ensues and their histories unfold, I found myself liking Mick more and more (as did Sarah ☺). I liked how they joined forces n an attempt to end Kevin’s reign of terror over Sarah. It was nail biting throughout and there were many twists and turns (which I won’t go into for obvious reasons – you must discover them for yourself). If you like suspense novels that totally encapsulate the genre as well as draw you in to a “can’t put it down” read (to heck with dinner or sleep) – then The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly should be on your TBR pile! If you like romance novels with enthralling main characters with some grit – then The Runaway Heiress should be on your TBR pile! Better yet – just get it and start reading…

*4.5 stars*

Filled with tension and heart...

It started on Solace Island (one of my favourite fictional places to visit) and stretched to New York and Los Angeles. The tension was high as Sarah continued to hide under the radar, with her violent husband never too far behind. He was a cop and had the resources to follow yet she wasn’t giving up. Even when a cranky film director crossed her path…

Once again, the characters and a well-paced plot meant no time for anything else but reading their story. With interesting twists to keep a not so new story arc fresh and engaging, Sarah and Mick were the stars of the show. Their banter ranged from sassy exchanges to heartfelt revelations. My heart ached for Mick’s past and Sarah’s present as they opened up to each other, realizing love was at the heart of it all.

Reconciling the past for both of them was the key to their future. That journey meant another great read from an author who has quickly made her way on my re-read shelf…

A romantic suspense story filled with thrills and chills? AND THAT GORGEOUS COVER??? Um, yes please!

As soon as I eyed this book on Netgalley, I just knew that I not only had to read it, but that I would be up late into the night reading it because it was just that good.

The Runaway Heiress captivated my attention from the first glimpse of the cover, and held me tight in its grip from the first page until the flip of the last. There’s nothing more I love than a thriller that completely enthralls me due to the intrigue and twists and turns throughout the story. Add in some romance with that suspense and viola! you have the perfect thriller to keep you reading in one sitting because the anticipation and anxiety has you on the edge of your seat, dying to know whats going to happen next.

Meg Tilly not only intricately wove a captivating plot, but she also gives readers a first hand account into the inner workings of Hollywood, as she knows what truly goes on behind the scenes in Tinseltown.

A woman on the run from an abusive ex-husband. A man captivated by a mysterious woman. The bright lights, but also shady underbelly, of the land of the stars. Throw it all together, and you have everything you want and more in a story!

I absolutely love Meg Tilly’s writing style, and i’m so glad I decided to pick The Runaway Heiress up. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and I highly recommend that you add this one to your TBRs ASAP! This book is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, thrillers, and/or romantic suspense.

I really liked the first half of THE RUNAWAY HEIRESS. It was suspenseful, kept me guessing, and the forbidden romance aspect intrigued me. Then something happened that I must have missed. Sarah’s been on the run for 4 years. That’s A LONG TIME. And once she meets Mick, within a week she tells him all of her secrets and becomes a completely different person. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked the story! It just seemed like a sudden switch from terrified & guarded to completely open.

Even with the storyline whiplash, it was a REALLY GOOD read. Like I-finished-it-in-one-sitting good! I’ll definitely be picking up another Meg Tilly book in the near future!

Steam: Medium - Open-door

I recommend clearing your schedule before beginning The Runaway Heiress. Once I started, there was nothing that was going to pull me away from this book until I reached the final page. Meg Tilly lured me in with fully-formed, vividly-depicted characters in whom I quickly became invested. Then she threw them into a fast-paced, increasingly escalating, life-or-death journey that engaged all of my emotions. Finally, she wrapped it all up in a tightly-constructed plot, with numerous unexpected twists, that had me on the edge of my seat, trying to guess what would happen next, until the very end. What a ride!

Tilly is a gifted writer, one who can bring words on a page to life as stunning visuals in my mind. I could so clearly see everything play out like a film reel as I read the story; could feel the deepening emotions, the escalating danger, smell the fear, anger, and frustration of the characters, both good and evil.

While the compelling, suspense portion of the book kept me on edge, it's nicely balanced by what turns out to be a very sweet romance, with plenty of sizzling chemistry, snappy banter, and emotional vulnerability. I really liked Mick and Sarah together. They were both good people, hiding their true selves for different reasons. I loved that they could see one another so clearly, almost from the first time they met. Their relationship was surprising in some ways, endearing in others, and definitely sigh worthy. I loved the foundation of friendship that developed between them, the emotional support each offered the other, the chemistry that finally refused to be denied, and the hard-earned, happy ending they both deserved.

The Runaway Heiress is loosely connected to Tilly's Solace Island series but this thriller can be fully enjoyed on its own without having read the earlier books (though I recommend those as well).

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

The first half of the story was better than the second where I felt things went a little off the rails. Some of the last minute discoveries were too over the top for me.

Also, I felt the story would've benefited by being edited down. In a lot of scenes I just wanted the characters get to the point or at least have the scene written without all the internal dialogue fitted in between actual dialogue. It really slowed the pace down. Too many descriptions and useless details as well.

A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
If you like a thriller with a definite side of hot romance, then this is for you. The nastiness and power wielded by her awful husband makes it very understandable why she would flee, but the things he does to make sure she fears for her life remind us of the danger of power in the wrong hands. He is a policeman, so has at his fingertips the ways to track her, and to claim her insanity in order to get her money.

The premise of the story is a strong one, and whilst I didn't think Mick was exactly the average hero, distinctly rough around the edges, he does provide a great foil for Sarah as she fights to claim her life back, no longer willing to be on the run for the rest of her life.

I had to stop reading a few times as the tension got to me! It is all very well going in knowing that it will work out, but there is still the chance that serious damage is inflicted along the way. The mental anguish caused alone is disturbing.

I can recommend this thriller-romance novel as an escapism read, and you will feel glad you have simpler life, for sure!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

Sarah has been on the run from her estranged husband for years. Despite her extensive fortune, she can't access it without alerting him to where she is, so she's been getting jobs where she can and saving her money to move around the country.

When Sarah lands a job with a difficult client, she knows that despite her looks and background, she needs the job and he needs the help. They come to an agreement, and she does her best to please her new boss.

Mick is difficult. He's used to getting his way and throws toddler-type temper tantrums when he doesn't. I had a hard time connecting with Mick. He was a little too mean for the romance that was happening.

While Mick and Sarah set off to figure out the mystery behind how her husband keeps finding her and how to access her family money, they connect on a level that neither truly thought possible for themselves.

So, while this book didn't resonate a ton with me, it was entertaining to read. I wish more bad things had happened to her husband. His part of the story felt a little rushed and simplistic. Overall, everything wrapped up nicely and the conclusion was satisfactory.

Triggers: Stalking, attempted murder