When two women that are strangers start a journey together.

Synopsis

THE NO. 1 IRISH BESTSELLER!

‘One of my favourite authors’ Marian Keyes

‘If you’ve had to cancel your holiday plans this summer, don’t worry – this beautiful new novel will transport you to sunnier climes…’ – HEAT‘S READ OF THE WEEK

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 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 . . .

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WOMEN WHO RAN AWAY:

‘Didn’t want it to end‘ *****

‘I would have given this 6 stars if I could‘

‘Within the first chapter, I had left reality and social distancing behind and joined two amazing women on a life-changing adventure’ *****

‘A great summer read‘

‘Five stars all the way!’ *****

‘Sheila O’Flanagan never disappoints‘ *****

‘Fantastic read!’

‘Couldn’t put this book down!’

My review

Deira and Grace meet two women that have been through a rough moment. When they meet, they have different plans. So does Deira want to go to Paris, using the car she just stole from her ex –  partner. And Grace is following the instructions of her late husband Ken, on a trip through Spain.

As fate seems to bring these two women together, Deira decides to change her plans and wants to help Grace to complete the puzzles Ken left behind.
These two women quickly discover that it’s easier to share the secrets they carry around with total strangers, and despite their differences, a strong friendship is being built. But no matter how hard and how far you run away, there is no way you can keep on escaping the truth and you will have to face it anyway…

When I started reading this book, I wasn’t aware I would be on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Initially I found it hard to understand Deira’s motivations. Okay, her partner left her, but then going on stealing his car, seemed a bit a bridge too far.
However, the more we got to know her and her past, the more I understood her and I was finding myself cheering for her!
Deira is in a very dark place, as she has only one purpose that makes her sometimes act like a crazy woman. But again, once you understand her situation, I am sure that you’ll have sympathy for her, just like I did.

Grace’s story is also a heart – breaking one. She sacrificed her own career for her family yet she feels that Ken did not fully appreciate everything Grace did. And when in time of need, it appears that Ken took the “easy” way out.
When she discovers that he planned a whole trip for her, going to Spain and solve his puzzles, she starts on this quest to finally be able to forgive him and move on.

I loved reading how these two women, so different from each other, are befriending quickly. Slowly their relationship evolves from being acquaintances to friends that dare to point out whenever the other one is in the wrong.

Both the women are changing through the story. Slowly, with each other’s help, they are getting out their negative thoughts and are seeing how the past was blocking them to a brighter future. And I have to admit, more towards the end, I admired our characters how they were doing the right thing, even if doing the proposed solution would make their wishes come true.

There are some romantic events in this book, but I found them not being the main subject in the story. They are a nice extra, but it’s not about finding love again, but about finding yourself again.

This story is about how to cope when you find yourself suddenly alone. But it shows how that you can find friendships and even new chances when you least expect it.  It also shows that no matter how dark your thoughts are, and that they are making you do the wrong things, you have a strength in you. In the end, you’ll be come a stronger, independent person and that you can make your own happiness.