The Runaway Daughter

The Lancashire Girls #3

by Libby Ashworth

A family torn apart. A daughter determined to stay together. When the parish guardians send Lydia, daughter of convict James Knowles, to be an apprentice in the cotton mill at Caton, she is distraught at being parted from her younger siblings and mother, Betty, but she has no choice.

At the mill, Lydia is bullied by some of the other girls and things do not go well when she stands up to the ringleader. Fearing she has killed someone and with the word murderess ringing in her ears, Lydia runs for her life.

Meanwhile, Betty and her children have been granted passage to Australia to join her husband, but Lydia cannot be found so Betty is forced to leave without her.

When Lydia arrives home to find her family has gone she is determined to follow them, all the while avoiding the law who seek to return her to the mill.

A dramatic and emotional family saga for fans of Emma Hornby, Joanne Clague and Kitty Neale.

Praise for The Runaway Daughter ‘A definite page turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Absolutely brilliant read, fans of Catherine Cookson will love it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘A dark and gritty read that I devoured, as I know all historical fiction lovers will. I laughed and cried but could not stop reading until I got to the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘An incredible story of a strong family bond, even as they struggle.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Well worth reading the series. Such a good read and well told.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Wow, what a brilliant book. So many emotions and some hard hitting moments. Family saga at its best!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Genres: Historical Fiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2023

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Betty’s husband has been sent to Australia she is very protective of her children but when the local counsel says it could find her daughter a service placement and insinuate if she doesn’t take it they will cut off any funding they’ve been giving her. Reluctantly she sent her daughter Lydia off to work in a warehouse and it’s brutal and the other girls are mean but Lydia holds her head up and keeps going. While she is away Daddy finally breaks down and let Simon go work in the mines but when there is an accident and they blame Simon Betty is relieved to find out her husband letter has arrived and the council is willing to pay for her to go to Australia. The Vicker says he will see what he can do about getting Lydia‘s placement agreement dissolved but when he comes back the next day to talk about it the news isn’t good her and another girl had an accident in the river and Lydia is missing. Daddy is adamant she isn’t leaving without Lydia but as the day arrives she’s no choice but to save her other two children will the family arrive without Lydia NFL will Betty ever get over it? I found this to be a quick and interesting read and although there was some ports I found predictable I didn’t find that took away from my interest I read this all in one day and love this authors books and will definitely read more in the future. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book of the series. As it can be read alone, I was glad I had read the first two.
An incredible story of a strong family bond, even as they struggle. They are faced with separations, surviving cold harsh winters, with little food, little heat and little money. Could you survive?
Lydia, the oldest daughter is sent away, so the "government" didn't have to give money to Betty, the mom, to feed and cloth her. Lydia finds herself in a terrible situation, causing her to runaway. At 14 she is alone out on the run hiding wherever she can not to be catch or worse. She is so brave and handles herself and the situation as best as she can. Can she find her way back home? Will her family be there waiting for?

Hope this peaked your interest, and you pre-order it today. You won't be disappointed. It releases on April 24th

I received an advanced copy of this 3rd book from Net galley for my honest review.

[Sue Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the last book in this series

When I requested this book I hadn’t realised it was the 3rd in a series, quickly ordered the other two from my library and enjoyed them all. They are based on actual records from the Luddite sentencing and men being transported. Well worth reading the series. Such a good read and well told.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and Canelo for the early read for an honest review

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading this book, I really found it interesting, so sad Lydia was sent away to a mill, and the struggle Betty had, begging for help, it was a relief to hear that her husband wanted them all to go to New South Wales, and Lydia being on a race against time to get to the ship to go with her family, I found it fascinating but there was a few pages that I found a little bit boring.
But nevertheless the books in this Saga are brilliant 🤩

[Toni Dowd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy reading stories set in Lancashire where me and my family originally come from. The story read well once I’d started it. It wasn’t till the end that I’d realised this is the 3rd book in the series. Recommend it

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Betty ever get permission to go to her husband who is an convict in new south wales After her eldest daughter runs away from her place of work will she get back to her family in time?
I couldn't put this book down

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit longwinded in places, but still a good read, awaiting next in series

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydia's rush to get to the ship her family were on before it sailed was a bit fraught but I really enjoyed this, wish there had been a bit more at the end though

[Maxine · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10