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Bought and Sold
A heart-stopping story of lies, brutality and fear. British girl Megan Stephens tells the true story of how an idyllic Mediterranean holiday turned into an unimaginable nightmare when she was tricked into becoming a victim of human trafficking and held captive for six years by deception, threats and violence.
While on holiday with her mother at a popular Mediterranean coastal resort, Megan fell in love. Just 14 years old, naïve and vulnerable, she had no reason to suspect that the man who said he loved her would commit the ultimate betrayal of her trust.
When her mother returned to England, Megan stayed with Jak, who said he would find her a job as a waitress and promised they would be together forever. But when Megan travelled to the city with Jak, his attitude quickly changed and instead of finding her work as a waitress, he allowed her to be raped and then sold her to a human trafficker.
Abandoned by Jak but still unable to accept that everything he’d told her had been a lie, Megan was coerced by threats and violence into working as a prostitute in private homes and brothels. Then the trafficker threatened her mother’s life and it was Megan’s turn to sending her mother the staged photographs that had been taken of her apparently working as a waitress in a cafe, she told her she was happy.
Too frightened and bewildered to trust or reach out to anyone, Megan remained locked in a world of brutality and abuse for six years. In the end, there only seemed to be one way out.
Megan’s powerful story reveals the devastating realities of human trafficking and the fear that imprisons its victims more effectively than any cage could ever do.
While on holiday with her mother at a popular Mediterranean coastal resort, Megan fell in love. Just 14 years old, naïve and vulnerable, she had no reason to suspect that the man who said he loved her would commit the ultimate betrayal of her trust.
When her mother returned to England, Megan stayed with Jak, who said he would find her a job as a waitress and promised they would be together forever. But when Megan travelled to the city with Jak, his attitude quickly changed and instead of finding her work as a waitress, he allowed her to be raped and then sold her to a human trafficker.
Abandoned by Jak but still unable to accept that everything he’d told her had been a lie, Megan was coerced by threats and violence into working as a prostitute in private homes and brothels. Then the trafficker threatened her mother’s life and it was Megan’s turn to sending her mother the staged photographs that had been taken of her apparently working as a waitress in a cafe, she told her she was happy.
Too frightened and bewildered to trust or reach out to anyone, Megan remained locked in a world of brutality and abuse for six years. In the end, there only seemed to be one way out.
Megan’s powerful story reveals the devastating realities of human trafficking and the fear that imprisons its victims more effectively than any cage could ever do.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2015
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543 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 6, 2025
This book was in my Airbnb and it caught my attention.
It’s heartbreaking to know this is a true story and that this actually happens in real life.
Book wise, I think it lacked something for me, the writing felt quite superficial which I understand why it would be, since it’s a victim relaying the worst thing she has ever have to go through, but it had potential.
I read it all in a day because I just wanted to know how she got out of it, and how she was helped afterwards, and I’d say it’s a bittersweet ending, to know she’s safe but also know that she went through all of it because of a man who wanted to move up in life and manipulated her into believing he loved her to get her to do it all. Infuriating. Especially knowing he then had a wife, who probably knew nothing, used the money to get a car, a house and his teeth fixed. Disgusting. Not all men, but men.
It’s heartbreaking to know this is a true story and that this actually happens in real life.
Book wise, I think it lacked something for me, the writing felt quite superficial which I understand why it would be, since it’s a victim relaying the worst thing she has ever have to go through, but it had potential.
I read it all in a day because I just wanted to know how she got out of it, and how she was helped afterwards, and I’d say it’s a bittersweet ending, to know she’s safe but also know that she went through all of it because of a man who wanted to move up in life and manipulated her into believing he loved her to get her to do it all. Infuriating. Especially knowing he then had a wife, who probably knew nothing, used the money to get a car, a house and his teeth fixed. Disgusting. Not all men, but men.
June 29, 2020
I didn't finish this book as it was presented on amazon as a 3 part series that went up in price as you moved on in the story. I read the 1st part and for a person who is not necessarily a writer, Megan Stevens did a fairly good job. I was interested in the story and I was not distracted by a lack of skill on her part. However, I am appalled by the actions of the adult. That the mother of 14 year-old girl would allow her to stay alone in a foreign country is ridiculous! I don't care how much money I would have lost by having to give up plane ticket back to England there is no way on this earth I would have left my child in a foreign country! I feel for Ms. Stephens' ordeal. Human trafficking is one of the worst crimes there is. I'm glad she is able to move on with her life.
March 13, 2023
That is a good book
October 24, 2015
Startling
It is hard to understand that something like this happens in our world. Unfortunately, with people still willing to buy it, it will continue. And without anyone knowing it's happening, it will continue. Megan is very strong for coming forward to tell her story.
It is hard to understand that something like this happens in our world. Unfortunately, with people still willing to buy it, it will continue. And without anyone knowing it's happening, it will continue. Megan is very strong for coming forward to tell her story.
April 25, 2018
Not Sure How to Rate.... Wow, Just Wow.
I chose this book due to its title; the synopsis also grabbed my attention. Megan's story is truly tugging at my heart. I feel no need to judge here, Megan's Mom also seemed to have her own issues. As a former mental health counselor, I do not like the use of "if only...." and so on.
I am saddened and angered by what happened to Megan, her childhood and innocence was stolen. I am not angry with her, as you shouldn't blame anyone who's been violated. I am preparing to start the second and eventually move on the the third book. I think Megan is a strong woman and sharing her story took a lot of courage. Hopefully this has been therapeutic for her, will help other young ppl. Her "boyfriend," Jak (personally, I could think of other names or things to name him) - he deserves to rot.
I am not even sure how to rate this, it is nothing about Megan, I just feel if I rate it low or high I'll seem disrespectful & hardened toward Megan - I do not want to appear that way. Where ever Megan is today, I hope she is happy, safe, and thriving. She deserves to feel cared for & safe - everyone does.
I chose this book due to its title; the synopsis also grabbed my attention. Megan's story is truly tugging at my heart. I feel no need to judge here, Megan's Mom also seemed to have her own issues. As a former mental health counselor, I do not like the use of "if only...." and so on.
I am saddened and angered by what happened to Megan, her childhood and innocence was stolen. I am not angry with her, as you shouldn't blame anyone who's been violated. I am preparing to start the second and eventually move on the the third book. I think Megan is a strong woman and sharing her story took a lot of courage. Hopefully this has been therapeutic for her, will help other young ppl. Her "boyfriend," Jak (personally, I could think of other names or things to name him) - he deserves to rot.
I am not even sure how to rate this, it is nothing about Megan, I just feel if I rate it low or high I'll seem disrespectful & hardened toward Megan - I do not want to appear that way. Where ever Megan is today, I hope she is happy, safe, and thriving. She deserves to feel cared for & safe - everyone does.
November 16, 2018
Easy read but heart belt difficult
1 st of all i just say as a 42 year old male it may seem weird me reading this. My reason is I love in the mind that you can't assume what a person has lived through, it's best to read or hear, if they're willing there story to keep an open mind and learn. Also I went through child abuse when I was a 14 year old child.
Ok my review: This book is such an easy read i read it over 3 days, not normal for me! Yet it's such a difficult story to read without crying and feel a need to help this girl. It's heart breaking to read.
It's written in such a way it seems as she's talking to you and if you can imagine it, sitting there listening feeling a need to hug her to let her know you care and offer yourself to protect her from those horrible sickening men who if I had the choice would be castrated.
I will try to find the rest of her story after writing this review and I applaud her for having the confidence as a strong woman to tell her story in such an open but heartbreaking way.
A brilliant but heartbreaking easy read book.
1 st of all i just say as a 42 year old male it may seem weird me reading this. My reason is I love in the mind that you can't assume what a person has lived through, it's best to read or hear, if they're willing there story to keep an open mind and learn. Also I went through child abuse when I was a 14 year old child.
Ok my review: This book is such an easy read i read it over 3 days, not normal for me! Yet it's such a difficult story to read without crying and feel a need to help this girl. It's heart breaking to read.
It's written in such a way it seems as she's talking to you and if you can imagine it, sitting there listening feeling a need to hug her to let her know you care and offer yourself to protect her from those horrible sickening men who if I had the choice would be castrated.
I will try to find the rest of her story after writing this review and I applaud her for having the confidence as a strong woman to tell her story in such an open but heartbreaking way.
A brilliant but heartbreaking easy read book.
November 13, 2024
A very moving story of human trafficking and Megan a 14yr old girl with a very difficult and depressing childhood when she went to Greece on holiday with her mam where she fell in love and at the airport refused to go home.
Only she was betrayed by her boyfriend and used as a prostitute and sold many times only and her spirit broken over the next six years.
How you can come back from all that and survive I admire her determination to survive.
Only she was betrayed by her boyfriend and used as a prostitute and sold many times only and her spirit broken over the next six years.
How you can come back from all that and survive I admire her determination to survive.
May 6, 2021
Very interesting book
This young lady relays an unimaginable story of her own ordeal living a forced life of sex slavery, and at a very tender age. My heart goes out to her, and all the others who are having to endure the horrific abuse .
This young lady relays an unimaginable story of her own ordeal living a forced life of sex slavery, and at a very tender age. My heart goes out to her, and all the others who are having to endure the horrific abuse .
July 27, 2022
Ridiculous
This story is completely unbelievable. The idea of a mother allowing her 14 year old daughter to stay with a man they barely knew in a foreign country is just the beginning of the stupid events of this story
This story is completely unbelievable. The idea of a mother allowing her 14 year old daughter to stay with a man they barely knew in a foreign country is just the beginning of the stupid events of this story
October 16, 2023
A Tragic tale
A tragic tale of a young girl who is betrayed by someone who she thought loved her. Part 1 is the background story of her life up to the point that her boyfriend starts to sell her out.
A tragic tale of a young girl who is betrayed by someone who she thought loved her. Part 1 is the background story of her life up to the point that her boyfriend starts to sell her out.
December 27, 2017
Sad
This poor girl, bad childhood. Looking for love & acceptance, used and abused in a foreign country. Mom left to go back home.
This poor girl, bad childhood. Looking for love & acceptance, used and abused in a foreign country. Mom left to go back home.
January 23, 2018
Very gripping story
This book keeps you gripped and not wanting to put the book down till you read the whole book. Can't wait to read part 2
This book keeps you gripped and not wanting to put the book down till you read the whole book. Can't wait to read part 2
January 26, 2018
Very gripping from the first line. Written tremendously and very eye-opening.
June 19, 2018
Very interesting. I didn't like that the book was split into 3 different purchases but the book portion I read was great. I'd love to finish, but don't want to purchase it in this manner/format.
July 28, 2021
Addicting
I chose this rating because it was just like a actual paper book. Read at your own speed and continue to read it when you want.
I chose this rating because it was just like a actual paper book. Read at your own speed and continue to read it when you want.
January 9, 2022
Traumatizing
August 12, 2022
Beautifully written for a non-writer. I was interested in her writing the entire time.
Painful story with so many mistakes and people who could’ve saved this girl. Unreal.
Painful story with so many mistakes and people who could’ve saved this girl. Unreal.
August 28, 2022
Somewhat unbelievable
June 15, 2023
This is a really tough book. Please be aware of any triggers like sa and sh!
Read
October 11, 2025Would like to read more of story before I give a star review
December 15, 2022
I was surprised when this book ended abruptly. It was too short, and I felt cheated and aggravated that I was then told to get book two, to see what happened. I will not be reading book two, nor book three.
November 25, 2022
Heartbreaking
The beginning of a very sad story. The story just began and I feel anger and grief and loss for the girl her mother and for every other person that this has happened too
The beginning of a very sad story. The story just began and I feel anger and grief and loss for the girl her mother and for every other person that this has happened too
July 23, 2016
A bit disappointing...
Hard to read even the first 3 chapters. Thinking of a young girl going through so much from the get go, even before she was sold. It really is heartbreaking and undeniably a difficult thought. Her mom leaving her in another country by HERSELF at 14. Going to stay with her dad while he makes sexual innuendos to his friends about his daughter. It just makes you wonder why child protective services didn't take her away long before the trip to Greece. This rating for this book is based on how difficult it is for me to even imagine a young girl going through so much, with a mother who would allow her to even be in that situation. It's truly unimaginative.
Hard to read even the first 3 chapters. Thinking of a young girl going through so much from the get go, even before she was sold. It really is heartbreaking and undeniably a difficult thought. Her mom leaving her in another country by HERSELF at 14. Going to stay with her dad while he makes sexual innuendos to his friends about his daughter. It just makes you wonder why child protective services didn't take her away long before the trip to Greece. This rating for this book is based on how difficult it is for me to even imagine a young girl going through so much, with a mother who would allow her to even be in that situation. It's truly unimaginative.
April 29, 2015
Megan Stephens. Short Story.
Bought And Sold (part 1).
In this part 1 of 3 Megan's young life is just starting out. This part takes you through her very young life at school up until she is 14 and then she goes to Greece with her mum for a holiday, this is when her troubles begin.
4 stars. 29 April 2015.
Bought And Sold (part 1).
In this part 1 of 3 Megan's young life is just starting out. This part takes you through her very young life at school up until she is 14 and then she goes to Greece with her mum for a holiday, this is when her troubles begin.
4 stars. 29 April 2015.
August 24, 2017
Very short book
I know part one was for free, but I wish the author had only split it into two parts instead of three. Only being able to read 4 chapters a book isn't a book at all, it's a way to make money
I know part one was for free, but I wish the author had only split it into two parts instead of three. Only being able to read 4 chapters a book isn't a book at all, it's a way to make money
May 29, 2016
Good read.
Found a good story kept you wondering looking forward to reading next chapters to the books. And other books by the author
Found a good story kept you wondering looking forward to reading next chapters to the books. And other books by the author
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews