This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Runaway by Anfal Khaliq is the story of Chloe and her three sisters, Christine, Katie, and Lucy who live with their nasty Aunt Mel. Aunt Mel ill-treats the girls because they have no parents and they live with her. She dislikes the fact that they are dependent on her and she considers taking care of them a burden.
I found the story moving. To read about four girls who lost their parents is sad, and being treated badly is even sadder. Children always think families are great and this book is just the opposite. These girls don't think family is great because they are all unhappy. And their aunt hits them, making them lose their trust and faith in family and its importance.
I enjoyed the character of Aunt Mel. The author manages to create a mean and nasty image so well that even the reader starts hating her. That actually speaks of the author's competence. The four girls are lovable as they display each one's helplessness in a situation where there is no escape.
The twist in the story is when the girls cannot bear any more abuse and ill treatment. From sadness, the tone of the book changes at that point. No one likes to read a sad book especially when it comes to children. So it's nice to see the book chugging away to a happy ending.
