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Runaway

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Broken and Battered
After suffering years of abuse, Esther Wilson has finally had enough. She takes matters in her own hands and runs away to start a new life. After settling into her new life, Esther’s plan is to stay low and avoid discovery. What she doesn’t expect is meeting the man of her dreams. But what will he say when he finds out the truth about her?

Love at First Sight
After a contentious divorce, the last thing Matthias Lang was looking for was another relationship. His focus was on making his business a success. But when he spies the shy beauty, he wants to get to know her better. But when his heart becomes engaged, he finds out a devastating secret that tears them apart.

Reunited
After years apart, their paths cross again. While Esther is determined to maintain her independence, Matthias is just as determined to have her back in his arms. Can he convince her to stop running long enough to realize they belong together?

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2017

52 people are currently reading
68 people want to read

About the author

Eve Vaughn

116 books842 followers
NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Eve Vaughn has enjoyed creating characters and making up stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! Eve likes to read, bake, make crafts, travel, and spend time with her family. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and pet turtle. She loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to contact her at Eve@evevaughn.com or join her Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/eveva...

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5 stars
57 (34%)
4 stars
56 (33%)
3 stars
35 (21%)
2 stars
14 (8%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
655 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2017
Hit and Miss😤

This story is too intense and rich to be abbreviated...sorry to say this Eve...it can be re-written with more details...we got the main characters narrative in excerpts...for all of the things that happened to Esther and Matthias by their exes...I needed more when it actually happens...not from the characters memories...especially Esther...she suffered enormously...at the hands of her parents and then her husband...before we could get into it more.....the epilogue happened...I am not disappointed...just dismayed..
3 reviews
August 31, 2017
Runaway Review
As I began reading Runaway my heart started pounding and I’m sure my blood pressure went up because Esther’s fear was palpable and the violence was brutal. Her husband, Mike is a cruel, sadistic person. He walks around in the guise of a man but is truly a monster. Ms. Vaughn handles the subject of abuse in a realistic and unapologetic manner but does not use gratuitous abuse to get her point across. Esther runs away from home after her mother has been particularly cruel. She meets, falls for, and marries Mike who turns out to be her worst nightmare. After almost dying from one of his beatings Esther realizes that if she doesn’t run away Mike will probably kill her the next time he beats her.
In her new life, Esther meets Matthias, a hot, hunky Asian man. Matthias and Esther are victims of betrayal by their spouses. Matthias was betrayed by his wife, Shin-hye, through the hostile takeover of a business that his grandfather created. Esther’s betrayal was of a darker nature. Because all the people she believed she could trust and look to for love and protection abused her physically, emotionally, and mentally. Esther’s entire support system betrayed her. Despite the heartbreak each has experienced they found each other and took a chance. However, even when love and respect are involved the path to happily ever after is not always smooth or straight. Some secrets are hard to tell and broken trusts leave cracks. Esther and her hunky Asian do find their HEA despite the rocky roads they had to travel. I can’t say that I was happy when Esther’s husband died because dying was too good for him. He needed to live and suffer. Either way Esther was finally free.
This is a quick and easy read that keeps your interest all the way through, so go on and buy the book. So much will be revealed through the pages. I love this story and the main characters.
Profile Image for Crystal Moody.
269 reviews5 followers
September 2, 2017
Sweet Story

This story was so emotional. Sad, sweet, romantic, devastating. This is fiction but the things Esther went through happen in real life. Through all of that, we got a sweet love story. It is a good read.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews66 followers
September 5, 2017
An enjoyable story. Matthias and Esther were great couple. Esther had to overcome a lot of hurts and abuse to get her happy ever after.
181 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2017
Very Heartfelt Story!

This book that revolves around Esther and Matthias takes you on a very emotional journey of two people that have experienced deep emotional and physical traumas, that lead them to where they are in life. Esther has gone through a lot to get to where she is right now, but will she work through everything to be able to allow others in. Matthias has his own set of issues but seems to have a good handle on things. Matthias also knows what he wants and has no problem working towards getting it. Will Esther be able to work through her issues before her past comes calling. You'll have to read this really great story to find out. Highly recommend this book. This author has given us another great read!
572 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2017
I received an ARC for a honest review...... I love Eve's books and I wasn't disappointed in this one. Esther is one strong woman who has endured years of abuse since she was a child. After one bad situation she runs for her life and ends of meeting with Mattias, a man who has gone through so much in his life also. They fall in love quickly but their life is interrupted and they go their separate ways for a while only to end up meeting again. Esther doesn't want to go back but Mattias knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it. This was a very emotional story that at times made me cry and the things Esther went through but was I loved it. The only thing I didn't like was the story wrapped up a little quickly for me, I wanted to see more of their future together.
3,064 reviews13 followers
September 19, 2022
Sometimes a book, which has all the elements necessary for a good read, just doesn't pull the strands together.
It's got a good plot and two strong lead characters but "The Runaway" by Eve Vaughn gradually fades away into mediocrity.
It's not helped by some poor writing and grammatical errors.
On the plus side it has a lot of heart at its core.
Esther Wilson escapes from an abusive husband and starts a new life in a new city.
Matthias Lang is still smarting after a vicious divorce and has plunged into a hectic work schedule.
They meet, they date, they fall in love, and then it all comes crashing down.
Three years later they meet again ...
It's just a pity it doesn't read well.
2.5 Stars.
487 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2017
I can depend on an Eve Vaughn book to give me 2 things - a great storyline and a less than stellar man with some true jerk tendencies (which I love). Esther and Matthias' story takes a slightly different spin than some recent Eve books but in true Eve fashion, you will be pulled in from page 1. The road to love was a challenging one and my heart broke for Esther time and time again. I rooted for this couple to let love find them and loved the growth that Esther experienced. Great supporting cast as well.
29 reviews
September 17, 2017
Wow, Esther and Matthias

Runaway is a story written with depth. It is about an abused, deeply abused young lady, Esther, who met her Knight in shining armour, Matthias. I enjoyed this book and gave it a deserving five stars because the author's depiction of the abuse Esther endured was so life like. As I read, I felt every emotion she experienced. When you can become a part of the book as you are reading, this really speaks to the greatness of the writer. Esther was running from so many things, but the one thing she could not run from was true love.
104 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2017
Runaway

This book is a story of trials, heartache, devastation, abuse turned triumph. The many things that Esther endured had my heart breaking for her. This woman suffered so much that I was couldn't believe it. And along came Matthias who had just recently overcome a bitter divorce. The journey to HEA for these two is paved with lots of difficulty but their story is the perfect example of anything worth having is definitely worth fighting for. Another great read by this author.
Profile Image for Anna.
308 reviews9 followers
October 1, 2022
"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲."

I wanted to love this story but I'm a bit disappointed. Everything was painfully predictable but the author tried to make it mysterious, which only resulted in me lacking connection with the MCs. The angst wasn't angsting the way I wanted it to. Some of the scenes that were supposed to be sad/heartbreaking just made me cringe. Also, the typos.

The book wasn't completely bad - and I think the author has the potential to create a masterpiece. Unfortunately, this didn't do it for me.
Profile Image for Ty.
363 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2023
Enjoyable read

I couldn't deal with her parents that was just crazy they both were. Ans for the mom to blame her for the daddy being sick was beyond crazy.....I think she was jealous that her husband wanted his child.....which wasn't her fault. I glad she left them in the wind but to have to deal with Mike was just as bad if not worse. So when she finally had real love she didn't know how to place his real love so she pushed him away or at least tried to. But I'm glad he fought her hard an didn't give up
308 reviews5 followers
September 2, 2017
Not bad

I actually rate this book 3.5 stars. It was a decent read. I've read better by this author. However, I was not disappointed with the book overall but there were parts of the book that did disappoint. It could have been longer. I was very disappointed with some things that happened to Ester. Her HEA didn't seem like a HEA to me, considering all she lost and suffered. I don't want to spoil the book so I won't elaborate. Overall a good read.
Profile Image for Kelly .
406 reviews9 followers
September 14, 2017
My word!

I don't know how Esther survived with her mind intact! That family of hers, that husband....UGH!

Matthias was exactly she needed but the timing was all wrong; she couldn't allow herself to be open and he was jumping into a relationship too fast.

I cried a lot while reading this book; some situations hit too close to home.

As always, Eve produced a book with touchy subjects, characters you love to hate, and a book that will linger in your thoughts for a while.
Profile Image for Briane.
151 reviews
January 15, 2018
I loved it book! It was so emotional, I was ready to cry, and swoon at the same time. At first I thought she was a little pathetic at having taking so many years of abuse. But I could’ve even begin to share her situation so I let it go. But I definitely loved the twist from my usual about how the guys are the damaged ones and they need the right women to fix them and show them love. But the was reversed and it was beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
39 reviews
September 1, 2017
Flawless

Eve you have done it again that characters Esther and Mattias where that perfect couple both betrayed by the people they loved but Esther the hurdles she had to overcome where just phenomenon but she did it over every moment of this story so on that note if you are a fan of Eve you won't be disappointed this one hure is a WINNER KUDOS
32 reviews
September 3, 2017
Another hit

This was an excellently written story. I felt everything that Esther went through: her pain, her struggle, her joy, her sorrow, her triumph, and most importantly her success. I think the she is the strongest heroine Eve has written this far. To quote Maya Angelou, "And Still I Rise" that was Esther.
Profile Image for --karen Green-berry.
558 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2017
Loved it!!!

I am a fan of this author and I absolutely loved reading this story; even though it is centered around a very touchy and disturbing subject, domestic abuse.

I always find stories with two broken individuals who find each other and somehow find a way to overcome their dark past and find true love.
Profile Image for Thelritta.
197 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2018
Touching

Through pain and self hate rose a Phoenix. Newly born, a bit tarnished but even more beautiful. This is a very painful story with an HEA. I read it in one sitting, and I really appreciate the effort of Ms. Vaughn, the truth in these pages is true for so many. Hardly ever brought to light. Thank you for a touching story of overcoming.
Profile Image for Janina.
16 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2017
Cried

I cried quite a few times reading this love story. Love Eve for bringing soulful stories waiting to be read. I already own a number of them and can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for Denise.
41 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2017
Good read

Matthias and Ester lived unmentionable lives. Anything and everything that could go wrong has. But through their trails and tribulations there's a rainbow at end of road.
545 reviews6 followers
September 7, 2017
Loved it

Enjoyed reading this great story. I experience all type of emotions which made the book interesting to me. The lead characters were loveable. I recommend you read.
Profile Image for Joyce.
511 reviews20 followers
September 13, 2017
I wanted Esther to survive her cruel husband physically intact at least. I was and when she did not. It's a good read about love and domestic abuse survival.
9 reviews
September 20, 2017
Good

Had the potential to be a lot more in-depth with the storyline but overall it was good. The couple was adorable.
449 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2017
Matthias

Eve Vaughn never disappoints. The love Matthias had for Esther was beautifully written. I really enjoyed this quick read and will definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Shantia Shaver.
253 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2017
Hold on to your tissues!

This story was an emotional roller coaster. I absolutely love these characters. Matthias and Esther, I'm so glad that they were able to work things out.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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