The Runaway

by Katie Flynn

When Dana and Caitlin meet by chance on the ferry from Ireland, they tell each other that they are simply going to search for work, but they soon realise they have more than that in common.They are both in search of new lives in Liverpool, leaving their secrets behind in Ireland. But Dana is ambitious and resourceful, and when the opportunity comes to own their own tearoom she persuades her friend to join her.

No one is willing to rent property to a couple of girls, however, especially during the Depression. So when Caitlin's new man friend says he'll back them, they are delighted and soon the tearoom is thriving.

Then fate intervenes, and soon the girls find themselves fighting to survive in a world on the brink of war.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

438 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this story, but for me it wasn't' a page tuner. I usually get through books at a rate of one every 5-7 days but this one took me 12 days! In places I found it a little boring. The first half of the book included lots of detail, but the second half skipped big chunks of time and felt rushed. The best bits were Dana and Polly' s friendship and the secret behind why Dana left home and settled in Liverpool. I felt the Land girl part wasn't' t really needed and didn't add anything to the story. The ending was abrupt and predictable.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant enough book I enjoyed the story and characters

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a great start liked the characters but lost interest in parts of this book abit disappointed with this one as Katie Flynn a good author.

[3min45secs · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I thought I would give The Runaway by Katie Flynn a try from my local library. I had enjoyed the previous Irish story I read and had high hopes that I would enjoy this story which is set pre WW2. I enjoyed the story to start with, good character descriptions and an interesting story of Dana and Caitlin trying to set up their lives in Liverpool having come across from Ireland. The description the author gives to Ireland is amazing. I loved how she talks about the beautiful countryside and what it looks like. Makes me want to return for a visit. However, both girls are escaping something from their previous lives in Ireland. They are trying not to let their past influence their future decisions and thoughts. Caitlin is the pretty one, Dana is the brains of the operation and no one seems interested in Dana as she isn't as pretty as Caitlin.



The girls are working in pre-WW2 Liverpool trying to find their way having come from a Depression hit Ireland. They start off working in a kitchen in a hotel, the head cook is a witch and the girls do not like her. They want to spread their wings and make their own fortune. Then their dream comes true. A turn of events and the girls find themselves successful and enjoying life thanks to a gentlemen friend of Caitlin's. Will this last long though or will the girls yet again find themselves working damn hard to get what they want?



The girls make a numerous amount of decisions, some good, some bad and they need to work out if they will benefit their lives or not. Following an accident and a character revealing their true colours, Caitlin finds it too hard to stay in Liverpool and disappears to find herself going back to Ireland. Leaving Dana to sweep up afterwards. For me Caitlin was a very soft character, she sailed through life on compliments and her looks and found she was able to get ahead if people thought she was pretty. Dana had to fight hard to achieve anything and to prove herself. Caitlin, in my opinion, took the easy option out. When things got really hard she abandoned Dana and didn't care what happened to her.



Dana fought to get herself back in the game and to make something of her name. She makes new friends and starts revealing things in her sleep. Who's Con? Why does Dana keep talking about him in her sleep and why doesn't she talk about him when she's awake? Dana has a number of secrets which she does not want to be revealed to anyone. She doesn't want people to know the secret she hides from her past. She keeps herself very private.



Throughout the book, Dana has to struggle to make herself known. She has setbacks and she has achievements. The author does work well with the characters and she kept me engaging during the book. Why only 5 out of 10 for a rating you ask then? Once again, another book that does not go anywhere with the ending. I have read so many books where it feels like the author has gotten as far through the story as they feel they can and they don't know how to end it. Abrupt endings are not my thing and I massively mark a book down when I feel this is what the author has done. The author takes us through a number of years in Dana's life and we want to know what happens to her. We find out information about Con, we find out about Dana's secret and then it just ends! Flynn obviously knew what she wanted to happen to Dana but couldn't find a way to express that so she rushed the ending and threw everything in at once. Not for me, thanks. It is one of my pet peeves when an author does that. Just take your time and add some more to the book to explain the ending properly, don't just rush it off so you get your book completed.



Overall, I don't think I would recommend this book. Flynn tainted it for me because of the ending. However, the characters were good and I have to give credit to the narrator, Anne Dover. Her voice was really nice to listen too and I was impressed with the variety of accents which she could do. She often changed from Irish to Scouser and back again within the same conversation. Well done Anne.

Rating: 5/10

10-Word-Review: Good story but please work on the endings before publishing.

For more reviews visit threeminutesfortyfiveseconds.blogspot.co.uk

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was enjoyable enough but felt some of the detail didn’t add much to the plot and was rather superfluous

[Shaista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Katie Flynn. A quality read, a beautiful story about friendship and family. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Emma Hastie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book to read. Nothing amazing but like a nice comfy hug!

[Kevin Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid read. You can always rely on a Katie Flynn novel.

[Gloria Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled to get into the story at the beginning but i did finally and then towards the end of the book it just kept going on and on But I did manage to read it to the end

[tracey ketteringham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I wouldn’t describe it as a gripping read, it is more of an interesting read about love during the war or lack of it

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always loved Katie Flynn's books but this one wasn't like all the others it lacked something.
The main character was suddenly going to Prince Edward Island in Canada then.....well... I must not spoil the story for others..the end can so quickly compared to the rest of the story which plodded on and on.
I am sure I will love any other books written by this author that I have not yet read but sadly with this one I was not sorry when I finally came to the last page.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Katie Flynn book, very easy to read but this one to me losted its way half way through then the ending seemed to be rushed, good read but not her best book to date.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Loved this Book .. The Best thing about Katie Flynn Books is that Most are along the Same Lines so your Guaranteed a Good Romance and a Happy Ending ;)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book sad in places and heartwarming in others.

[Celia Wightman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting read, unless you are into coffee shops.

[Lesley Workman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really light, fast read, with characters you care about, and interesting pre-wwII and war context in Ireland. Fun vacation read.

[Penny Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite Katie Flynn book. Weak plot line and characters make it rather an insipid read. It is set during the war years but I didn't get a feeling for any particular time.

[Debra Haverkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

love reading angthing by katie flynn

[Christine Heaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storie but took a age to read

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book,love Katie Flynn book.

[Sandra Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Likeable characters make this book. Really enjoyed it.