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Runaway

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Charlotte's life has been torn apart. She must flee the city, leaving behind everything she knows.
With no family left, Charlotte seeks solace in the horses around her. She understands them, and they understand her. None so much as Belle, a horse so beautiful and kind Charlotte almost forgets the disturbing events that forced her into hiding.
But once you stop running from the past, it can quickly catch up with you . . . how long will Charlotte be safe from a stranger who has sworn to find her - wherever she tries to hide . . .

Dark secrets and forbidden love are a treacherous combination, in this page-turning adventure.

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2014

1 person is currently reading
103 people want to read

About the author

Marie-Louise Jensen

14 books121 followers
Born Marie-Louise Chalcraft in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire on September 22nd 1964.

I attended a string of state schools, including Chiltern Edge in Oxfordshire. Once my family moved down to Bath in 1979, I attended Fitzmaurice and St Laurence schools in Bradford on Avon. Throughout my primary school years I was constantly told off for reading secretly and writing long stories instead of completing maths sheets. I’m not sure any of my teachers ever read my stories, but I had a lot of books taken away. When I was eleven, one teacher confiscated Lord of the Rings in the middle of the Battle of Helm’s Deep, and I nearly suffered severe psychological damage waiting a week to find out if Aragorn survived.
My A-levels were in German, French and English and I went on to study German and Danish with literature at the University of East Anglia.

I did more studying and various translating and teaching jobs, including teaching at a university in Germany for four years. Then I returned to Britain to be a full time mother and home educator. These were the years in which I overcame my education and regained my creativity. I read lots and started writing again.

In 2004-5, I took the MA in Writing for Young People at the Bath Spa University. I passed with distinction and was lucky enough to be taken on by an agent, Rosemary Canter at United Agents and a publisher (Oxford University Press) soon after.

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5 stars
43 (43%)
4 stars
34 (34%)
3 stars
16 (16%)
2 stars
6 (6%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for emily.
9 reviews
April 3, 2024
this book almost made me a horse girl when I first read it, 5 stars

my nostalgia for the MLJ books has skewed this rating but oh well
1,148 reviews39 followers
March 2, 2019

This tantalizing tale will have you glued to the pages, lost in the most exciting and dark murder mystery. As a keen equestrian and horse lover i'll admit I was curious at first about this book for its equine content, and I would definitely recommend it to any horse mad girl or boy or even older reader. I was also swept away by the storyline that grabbed my attention immediately, and I loved the main character of Charlie (aka. Charlotte). instantly likeable, a gutsy courageous heroine who isn't afraid to muck-in and get her hands dirty (literally), she really is a well-written character. It is evident that the author is fond of horses and knows quite a bit about them, given the detail that is contained within this book. I found the romance to be touching, the adventure thrilling and I was willing the main character on into a spectacular ending. the storyline is detailed, rich and well-crafted with a gripping beginning and a satisfying ending. As a lover of horse stories since childhood I fell in love with this book, however I would recommend it to readers of romance and historical fiction. A truly enjoyable read and one that I hope you'll love too.
Profile Image for Amber.
15 reviews
October 13, 2014
Where to begin? From the first few pages of the book I knew I was in love with Runaway. I've only read two other books by Marie-Louise Jensen and liked both of them. I really like the style of writing and the historical elements in the story. As I was reading the book I really felt as if I had moved back in time.

Charlie (Charlotte) was a character I really liked. She is determined and doesn't give up easily. She is very brave and does something that no other girl would so easily attempt at that time.

My favourite aspect of the book was the romance. It was sweet and lovely. The love interest, Lawrence, became my favourite character in the book. The scene where discovers Charlie's secret was really funny!(at least for me)

Furthermore, the plot was griping and I found myself biting my nails at quite a few points. I read the whole book in a single night and didn't put it down until I'd finished it.

All in all, it was a great read and I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

Profile Image for Rebecca.
260 reviews
July 31, 2014
You can also read this review here: http://tendtoramble.blogspot.co.uk/20...

Runaway is dramatic from the very beginning, when it starts with events that utterly change Charlotte's life. The story, which follows Charlotte's new life on the run and her journey to discovering her family's secrets, is very exciting, full of action, mystery and suspense. This almost non-stop drama is balanced well by occasional moments of calmness or humour, and the romance (Mr. John Lawrence is a wonderful character) is also well mixed into the story.
It took me a while to get into this book, to be really interested in it and to really want to keep reading, but eventually I did and after that I didn't want to stop reading. About midway through, I found that all I wanted to do was find out what happened next, and then what happened after that, and after that... I think Runaway is definitely worth persevering through.
Profile Image for Victoria Jane.
681 reviews
June 15, 2014
I thought that this book was wonderful. It's warm and has such heart to it, which makes it lovely to read. It also has a great adventure and central mystery to it and a romantic thread that I found very believable. Overall, it's well crafted, well paced and excellently written. Recommended.
Profile Image for Koalathebear Koalathebear.
Author 1 book11 followers
April 8, 2015
I enjoy Marie-Louise Jensen's writing style, simple and descriptive. She writes spunky heroines and sympathetic heroes. Recommended for those who like young adult fiction.
Profile Image for Marianne.
255 reviews
April 27, 2017
It was well written and the story was good, but I did not enjoy it as much as I though I would.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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