Sisters, Amy and Lillian use the evacuation of children from London to Worthing as a way to escape their fathers abuse and end up staying with a policeman and his wife. Scared of being found out as not real evacuees, they try to avoid questions about their family back home.

When a newspaper report shows Lillian as "missing", the family start to realise that something is wrong and when their father turns up to take them home, this opens a new mystery of why he only mentioned Lillian as missing and why does Amy end up in a childrens detention unit.

A story of determination of keeping each other safe and learning to trust strangers - this is a lovely heart warming story.

This is a beautifully written emotional about 2 sisters in WWII.
I loved the storyline. The ending was very fitting.
A great read.

It is so hard to read a story from WWII regarding the orphans but Pam Weaver's writing pulls you into the narrative and you do not look up until the end. I could reread this story and enjoy it just as much as the first time.

Norah and Jim live in Worthing, and have opened their home to evacuees from London. Amy and Lillian find themselves at the police station Jim works at, after fleeing their abusive stepfather by hiding amongst the evacuees, and Norah takes them in with open arms. The whole family fall in love with the girls, but then one day their settled life is turned on its head by the reappearance of their stepfather who takes the girls away. Can Norah and Jim find them, and rescue them from the abuse?

A truly lovely book, lots of engaging characters, and some heartbreaking storylines. I hope there is a sequel, and there are many tales left unfinished and I would love to know what happens next!

An unputdownable read! The tale of two sisters, their secrets and the journey they take is traumatic, yet unforgettable. Wonderfully written, this book is a remarkable read.

A fantastic read! Really enjoyed reading about Norah and Amelie. Norah loves in Worthing and takes in evacuees. When Amelie turns up with her sister Norah must found out their story. Could put this book down, can't wait for the sequel.

This is an okay story with some likable characters. It takes place primarily in Worthington, a seaside community in Great Britain. Norah and Jim Kirkwood have agreed to take in evacuated children and, along the way, take on more than expected when two of the children they take in turn out to have a wicked step-father. Along the way, they take in various people who need them and make a difference in their lives. This is a competently written, light read. Nothing special but certainly worth a quick read.

“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.”

Sometimes you wish you had read a book sooner. The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver is one of those books. I started and finished the book yesterday! I thought I was tired of WWII books, but this book reached out and grabbed me. Yes, it happened during WWII, but more importantly they book could cross time and happen at other times as well. The book focused on the children, Lillian and Amy.

After the beginning of WWII, many of the children in London were evacuated out and found homes in the countryside. Norah and Jim took in children and ended up with two extra - Lillian and Amy. They know that Amy is hiding information and reminding Lillian to keep it quiet too. What they are hiding is a sorry sorry fact that many people can’t even imagine.

Their step-father was a man high on his importance and not bothered by threatening people with his position to keep Norah and Jim from finding out the truth. Amazingly the truth is bigger than even they expect.

The character of Norah is one of strength, intelligence and love. I am just in awe of her ability to find room and caring for so many. The Runaway Orphans by Pam Weaver is a great read.

I absolutely loved this book. I do not normally enjoy historical novels but this one grabbed me straightaway and kept me hooked. I really did not want to put it down!
I loved Norah. Such a charming woman who did not let life get to her. I also loved the girls and my heart was breaking for them at times.
The only part I did not love was the ending - actually I hadn’t even realized it was the ending and turned the page to continue reading. I felt there were still some ends to be tied up which was disappointing. Other than that though a fantastic story with lots of ribbons running through it. Which often tied together in unusual ways

Norah the heroine of the story.
Happily married and longing for a child, Norah discovers she is unable to have a baby. She takes on a couple of evacuees, two girls who fit in well with the family, added to this her miserable Mother-in-law joins them.
Jim, Norah''s husband is a policeman and brings two more lost girls to stay. Amelie and Linnett are well mannered but reserved and Norah senses they are disturbed by their past. The girls stepfather comes to claim them, Amelie is not happy to go with him, which causes Norah and her Mother-in-law to question his motives.
This is an involving novel about families and the lengths they will go to to protect the people they live also the cruelty and abuse that is allowed to happen.
Thank you Pam and NetGalley

This was such a good book. It kept my attention and everything was described perfectly. The only part I didn't particularly like was the end. It seemed way too hurried up and then it was over. I seriously didn't realize it had ended until there was another book being advertised for Ms. Weaver.. Here are some really strong points on why this book was so good. It didn't keep flip flopping back between the past and the present. If there was any mention of the past, it was just to explain something within the story, not for the whole story. I would really recommend this book. It was an easy read and one the reader can get into.

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Great book, loved the main characters and though the story was sad in places, it was uplifting as well. Would definitely recommend

I could not put this book down once I started reading it, it packs a powerful emotional punch.

**TRIGGER WARNING: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE**

I am not triggered by the above, but some people might be, and they need to know. There is nothing worse than starting a book, enjoying it, and then a few pages in, being triggered by something....it really is awful. I would prefer it if warnings are given, just saying.

Amy and Lillian are two sisters who are living with their step-father. He is a nasty piece of work and one day, Amy decides to take her sister out of that environment and joins the thousands of children who are being evacuated on trains, throughout the country. It is chaos, so the sisters are not really noticed. Luckily for them, they end up at the home of Norah and Jim, who are a wonderful couple who have no children of their own and are full of love and compassion.

Of course, war is raging and that brings it's own issues to the Kirkwoods but there is nothing they can't handle as a family.

I loved Norah in particular, she was a beautiful soul. Jim was so loving and supportive as well, at a time in history where men were not necessarily that way about their spouses. The secondary characters also really added to the story, and the combination of it all was wonderful.

As much as I loved this book and I think the author's way of writing is really amazing, I was disappointed at the ending and I wanted it to continue! I got completely emotionally involved.

So.....I really hope there is a sequel to this book :)

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

What a thoroughly enjoyable book by Pam Weaver, All the characters were believable.. Set in the time of the second world war It pulled at the heartstrings with many different emotions.. It contains the abuse of children , the inability of a couple to have children, to an angry Mother in Law. and much more.

This is the first book I have read by Pam Weaver but it will certainly not be the last..

I would like to thank Avon and NetGalley for the ARC for which I have given my honest and unbiased review.

3.5 stars
The story unfolds with details of the child evacuation from London due to the war. The sadness of families torn apart has been told before but some children leave for other reasons. And this 'other' is the centrepiece of this book.
There are many endearing characters, who learn to rely and care for each other while the war plays on as the backdrop. Reference to working conditions, female roles and strength of character, food shortages etc. are interwoven amidst the daily telling of life during those difficult times.
This was still an easy read in spite of the circumstances that were taking place. A good book for those who like the countryside, a community of characters who know each other and have some knowledge of the war, Dunkirk and the politics of the time. An entertaining, simplistic look at this era.
There were some unfinished story lines, so I was quite disappointed when the book ended. I can only guess that there could be a sequel which would be welcomed by its fans.
Thank you #NetGalley for this advance copy for review.

2 sisters, one secret. A daring wartime journey…..

Desperately trying to escape their stepfather, sisters Amy and Lily stowaway aboard a train full of evacuee’s . Arriving in the seaside town of Worthing the girls are placed with Norah and her husband Jim.. Can the girls find safety away from their stepfather’s clutches?
In her efforts to keep younger sister Lily safe, Amy lies to her and lets her think her step father knows they are being evacuated.. can she keep her safe?
This was an emotional read but well written and thought provoking. Highly recommend

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title

Two young girls escape from their abusive step-father during the London evacuation, hiding their identity to avoid getting sent back. Their hosts, Nora & Jim, provide a loving home for them but are troubled when there is no contact with the girls parents. Pam Weaver wove a tale of intrigue, good-vs-evil and redemption. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will look for more of Ms Weaver's books.

(The Runaway Orphans)

Thank you Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

The Runaway Orphans is about two sisters called Amy and Lillian. Amy and Lillian are desperate to escape from their stepfather’s house, so they both run away in a train full of children which are being evacuated from London. After changing trains a couple of times the girls end up in Worthing. A place where they meet Norah and Jim.

The plot is astounding as I have never read such a great read from WW2. This is a fast paced story that is hard to put down but my only regret is that at the end it feels to be incomplete. It has strong character development which I liked.

Trigger warning : Mentions of Childhood Sexual Assault in the story.

A lovely, heartfelt story with lots of highs and lows. I did feel at the end it wasn’t fully completed. I loved all the characters and the settings were well described. A great book, that I couldn’t put down.