The theme is childhood sex trafficking , on a local and international level. The story is told through two main characters- Sammy (Samantha) a child raised inDublin and Nico (Nicoleta) from Moldova who after a harrowing journey ends up as her roommate. They represent an unknown number of children trafficked, but the root causes are the same-society turns a blind eye, the parents are neglectful or abusive or motivated by money, and they are “ lost” in an untraceable and at times uncaring system.
Abused physically, mentally and emotionally, heavily sedated so they can do their “ job”, there is no way out for them.
Well written, vivid, raw, at times horrifying and revolting, this is one that is hard to read, but equally as hard to put down. Harding has done a superb job illuminating the topic.

This book punches you in the stomach several times with its heart wrenching, thought provoking, compelling story about two girl from different backgrounds: neglected teenagers and victims of sex trafficking!

Both Nico and Sam’s character developments and her narrations were perfect! Their stories are well excited! You feel their pains deep in your guts! So tragic, realistic, sad, bleak and definitely so hard to absorb!

Nico’s own father sells her to marriage as soon as she becomes a teenager and Sam cannot stand anymore to live with a mentally distorted, alcoholic mother and a father who cannot even protect her from her mother’s wrongful treatment! She decides to leave the home.
Both girls find herself in the most horrible, nightmarish path they cannot escape!

Writing is beautiful, direct, honest! Both girls’ stories were engaging, realistic!

Giving my full, painful, tragic, poignant five stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperVia Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This book is absolutely heart-wrenching. It’s the story of Nico and Samantha who are both victims of sex trafficking. It’s really hard to read, but definitely important.

Lisa Harding’s Cloud Girls is an emotional and heartbreaking account of sex trafficking in Dublin, Ireland as told by Nico and Sammy. As soon as Nico reaches puberty, she’s sold off by her father for marriage. Sammy, a teen with a mentally unwell mother and a father who long ago has given up trying to shield her, decides she’d rather live anywhere but home. Both girls cross paths later in the story, and we see how these two very different girls with a shared experience connect and care for each other despite their pain.
It hurt to read this book, honestly. Obviously it did. This is no fairy tale. The redemption in this story is the perseverance and determination these young girls have despite their awful situations. However, not all important books are happy books, and I feel this is a well developed, poignant, important read. I hope it will bring awareness to the rampant sexual abuse and trafficking happening in front of our very eyes, and perhaps even save some lives and change some perspectives.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to release, and to HarperVia Publishing as well.

An incredibly moving story of two girls from very different worlds who wind up in the same dark situation. Very raw yet sympathetic window into sex trafficking of young girls. While the novel’s horrors are certainly moving, I was able to enjoy the narrative and relate to the characters as a woman who was once a girl beyond mere empathy for their experience. Will definitely recommend to all of my female friends who love reading!

This deep, dark work of fiction tells the story of Sex Trafficking of young girls. Very well written and horrific details that one will not forget.

Excited to be one of the firsts to review this book by Lisa Harding, author of Bright Burning Things. Once again the author told a compelling, informative story about serious topics, mainly child trafficking, but also, the effects of family and child abuse, and mental illness. Definitely not an easy book to digest, but well-researched and well-written. I could not put it down, Highly recommend!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and HarperVia for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.