The Women Who Ran Away cover art

The Women Who Ran Away

And the secrets that followed them . . .

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The Women Who Ran Away

By: Sheila O'Flanagan
Narrated by: Shelley Atkinson
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About this listen

In Sheila O'Flanagan's stunning new novel, two women face up to shocking truths about the men they've loved - and start to make their own decisions about what to do next....

Deira isn't the kind of woman to steal a car. Or drive to France alone with no plan. But then, Deira didn't expect to be single. Or to suddenly realise that that the only way she can get the one thing she wants most is to start breaking every rule she lives by.

Grace has been sent on a journey by her late husband, Ken. She doesn't really want to be on it but she's following his instructions, as always. She can only hope that the trip will help her to forgive him. And then - finally - she'll be able to let him go.

Brought together by unexpected circumstances, Grace and Deira find that it's easier to share secrets with a stranger, especially in the shimmering sunny countryside of Spain and France. But they soon find that there's no escaping the truth, whether you're running away from it or racing towards it....

©2020 Sheila O'Flanagan (P)2020 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Women's Fiction

Critic Reviews

"One of my favourite authors." (Marian Keyes)
All stars
Most relevant
not her usual standard the over use of the word SAID was very annoying story was ok

poor naration

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I persevered with the book but found the characters a bit one dimensional and I didn’t really care about what happened. I loved the idea of the plot, and without giving away any spoilers, some parts of the story were unlikely which made me disconnect.
The narrator had a strange, robotic way of saying ‘said Grace’ or ‘said Deera’ etc throughout the book which was jarring and off putting.

Not my favourite

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I liked the fluffy airy story. It was good enough but not one of the author’s best works. Narrator was a bit awkward to listen to.

Nice story but narrator needs work

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The narration was disjointed quite often, which jumbled the inflection and took focus away from the story line. The story however was worth pushing thru the narration production issues. A lovely story with two strong female characters who realise their strength and independence aren’t dependent on needing a guy to save them. Loved it!

Narration could do with some smoothing out, story was great tho!

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I enjoyed this story very much very entertaining and read well. worth a read

good read

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I enjoyed this, was a nice easy listen. One of my favourite authors, so much better than her previous book. The would have enjoyed a more detailed ending or even an epilogue.

Nice story

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always a great storyline from this author. I really struggled with the narration. I will purchase the book and read it myself as I felt the narration detracted from enjoyment of the book itself.

story great, narration difficult to listen to

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Although I initially struggled to get into this book, by chapter 4 or 5 I was hooked.
I loved the premise behind both Grace and Diera's stories and why they were embarking on their individual journeys. Shelley Atkinson is a fine narrator although it sometimes took me a beat to catch up when she switched scenes from one character to the next in what seemed like the same sentence.

A great holiday read

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Cleverly told through the eyes of the main characters this story takes us through France, Spain, life and loves. Very well narrated too.

Enjoyable characters on an intriguing journey

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Great to listen to. I thought the narrator did a great job. I found it a great distraction but it did make me want to run away too!

A great listen

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