Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue

by Sue Reed

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2026

Reviews

[Mum With A Book]

This is a completely fictional story inspired by the felling of the famous Sycamore Gap Tree beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, a tree that became a much loved landmark and even appeared in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Molly McFlynn has tragically lost the love of her life, Jez, and her world falls apart. School, friendships, family and everything she once knew become difficult as she struggles to cope with her grief.
A year later, Molly returns to the Sycamore Tree, their special place. When a storm forces her to take shelter in a nearby bothy, something extraordinary happens. Molly finds herself transported back to the Iron Age, where she meets a group of inspirational women fighting for their community, foraging for food and surviving against the odds.
Through them, Molly begins to rediscover herself. She learns about strength, bravery, resilience and, most importantly, her own self worth.
When Molly returns to the present day, she thinks of the Shoe Tree where she and Jez had planned to protest to save and this gives her the final push she needs.
And Molly takes action. 🌱
She becomes a voice for her community, standing up for what she believes in and fighting to protect the natural world she loves.
I absolutely loved Molly’s character. She is such an inspiring young protagonist and a wonderful reminder to the younger generation that one person really can make a difference.
And her grandparents, their humour, free spirit and unwavering support brought such warmth to the story. They were the perfect supporters Molly needed.
This is a story filled with love, loss, friendship, courage, nature, community and hope. A powerful reminder to stand up for what you believe in, even when it feels impossible.
🌳 A beautiful story about finding your strength when you think you've lost everything. 🌳

[Lisa]

Thank you to @richmond.literary.press and the author for sending me a beautiful copy of this book to review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a lovely story centering around Molly McFlynn as she navigates through a difficult time in her life. Molly visits the Sycamore Gap the night before it's senselessly cut down and then wakes up to find herself in ancient Britain following the occupation of the Romans, and finds herself living amongst druids. It's a period of history I find really interesting, and I love time travel books so this was a perfect book for me.

It has a sad start and Molly is wading through grief for the first part of the book. The characters are realistic and relatable and Molly is a wonderful person. My favourite character was Molly's grandmother, she's fierce and I loved her spirit. Trees and nature play are big part in this book and I think it's great that their importance is highlighted in this book.

I would have liked the time with the druids to have been explored a bit more but it ties in perfectly with the story and propels Molly forwards into the next stage of her life. Molly is then able to move forward and fight for what's important to her.

This is perfect for YA fans that enjoy a bit of fantasy, time travel or nature.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021]

What a raw and emotional book Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue is. What starts off like a teen love story turns tragic and we see Molly come to terms with the fall out of losing the love of her life. The grief felt raw and it really struck me as a reader. I really felt Sue Reed handled the sensitive subjects as delicately and respectfully as possible, the writing really captured the imagination and I felt I was there within the pages.
I really enjoyed the direction this novel went. It took Molly into the past, where she learnt strength. Her character growth throughout her grief and coming to the point where she was determined to save the sycamore tree was brave and inspiring.
Reading this book took me through the emotions, I loved the outcome of the ending.

[chapter1.page1]

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️

Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue is the sequel to The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn. You don’t have to have read the prequel (I haven’t, yet), as it can easily be read as a standalone.

The book is beautifully written, and the chapters flow seamlessly from one to the next. Sue Reed creates a wonderful sense of time and place as we travel from the present day back to the sights and sounds of Iron Age Britain (I particularly loved the chapters set in the past).

Molly is a likeable, well-developed character. She’s brave, feisty and determined and makes an excellent role model. Her heartbreaking grief is handled honestly, with care and sensitivity.

I particularly liked the nature and wildlife/environmental elements of the book and the inclusion of the beautiful, legendary tree that stood at Sycamore Gap.

Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue is a fabulous YA read. It’s a book about family, friendship, love and hope, and the importance and undeniable power of nature.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the prequel.

Many thanks to the author for my gorgeous copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Nicola Wyllie]

Molly McFlynn is back! This is a beautiful book, not only the gorgeous cover but also the most heartwarming story. Sue has managed to pack so much into this novel, first love, grief, family dynamics, historical fiction, all intertwined with the awful events at Sycamore Gap when the nations favourite tree was felled by criminals. It is a fabulous read.

Molly McFlynn goes Rogue is the follow up book to The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn. Molly is a teenager with a strong will and a bold sense of right and wrong. She struggles with school, but finds meaning and purpose in the natural world along with her boyfriend Jez.

If you know a teenager that finds school hard (the noise, the smells, too many people, being inside), and maybe doesn’t quite fit in. Then Molly would be great companion for them.

But whilst these novels are labelled as YA (the book world loves a genre), personally I found it a great read as an adult.