Today is my stop on the blog tour for newly released "The Winter Runaway" by Katie Flynn, for my stop I have my review, enjoy. The book is out to buy tomorrow 24th of October, Amazon UK link HERE.
The Winter Runaway by Katie FlynnMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 401
Publisher - Penguin
Source - ARC
Blurb from Goodreads
*The first installment in the brand new Runaway's series from the Sunday Times bestselling author
Tammy and her mother, Grace, are desperate to escape Tammy’s violent bully of a father. But when an unforeseen tragedy strikes, mother and daughter must flee Scotland in the dead of night.
To survive the severest of penalties, they leave behind everything they know and love – including one another.
Under new identities, Tammy and Grace must start afresh. Tammy joins the services and there she meets a dashing officer who begins to break her guard down.
But can the course of true love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self?
My Review
First thing I need to say guys is this one opens with domestic violence (DV), violence within a family setting and the far reach of the consequences throughout the book. Tammy and her mum Grace have been terrorised by Tammy's dad, Grace's husband since as long as they can remember. Alcohol abuse, psychological and physical abuse, the man is an absolute disgrace of a human being. When one night things go to far the women flee toward Scotland, setting them on a separate path, trying to heal their wounds and constantly looking over their shoulders.
The book starts with the horrific scene of DV then flips to three months earlier and gives us a frank look into the ladies daily life. Then we go to the after, Grace and Tammy trying to get through the day whilst the war is going on mind you and the paths each has chosen. Tammy falls into hers and enlists to do her part for the war, Grace finally has some freedom and finds herself helping other woman escaping bad situations and embracing her talent. With the promise of meeting up again both Grace and Tammy do what they need to to survive.
The book bounces about a wee bit but it is done well enough that it isn't distracting and the stories flow well. Tammy ran leaving her love behind Rory so we hear from him and about Tammy's dads antics, the war happening around them. Grace finding her own feet and independence after being beaten down for so long and Tammy with a few white lies has found herself a new bestie and both volunteer to help in the war effort taking them both on new paths. Their lies and lives they have escaped have brought them together and the book very much takes us along actions/consequences, how far lasting/reaching they can be.
Relationships is hugely centric in this one, mother and daughter, husband and wife, first loves, friendship and the attitudes between ranking officers in the army which I thought was pretty interesting. That and how snotty some attitudes are also to women and how they treat them!
It is a really good read to just sink into and forget your own life for a wee bit, set in perilous times, war, poverty, danger from your own loved ones, personal growth and strength once you find the courage to leave (DV). Again this really struck a chord with me, I think it depends on your background, life experiences but this one did pack a bit of a punch and pull some emotionals from me, 4/5.
No comments:
Post a Comment