Best-escapist-romance-books_Online-Desktop_Penguin-1

Reading lists

Best romance books for ultimate escapism

judy-turner-1296.png

News

Remembering Judy Turner

The Winter Runaway

Discover the emotionally gripping new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling historical fiction and family saga author. 
 
Can you ever escape your past? 
 
Tammy and her mother, Grace, are desperate to escape Tammy’s violent bully of a father. 
 
When an unforeseen tragedy strikes, mother and daughter must flee Scotland in the dead of night, forced to leave behind everything they know and love – including one another. 
 
Under new identities, Tammy and Grace must start afresh. Tammy joins the services, where she meets a dashing officer who begins to break her guard down. 
 
But can the course of love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self? 
 
The Winter Runaway is the first instalment in the brand-new Runaway's trilogy from the beloved bestselling author. 
 
 
WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN: 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
'Hard to put down' 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
'Heartwarming romance'Katie Flynn, Sunday Times bestseller, March 2024

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 love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self?

Katie Flynn is the pen name of the much-loved writer, Judy Turner, who published over ninety novels in her lifetime. Judy's unique stories were inspired by hearing family recollections of life in Liverpool during the early twentieth century, and her books went on to sell more than eight million copies. Judy passed away in January 2019, aged 82. 
 
The legacy of Katie Flynn lives on through her daughter, Holly Flynn, who continues to write under the Katie Flynn name. Holly worked as an assistant to her mother for many years and together they co-authored a number of Katie Flynn novels. 
 
Holly lives in the north east of Wales with her husband Simon and their two children. When she's not writing she enjoys walking her two dogs, Sparky and Tara, in the surrounding countryside, and cooking forbidden foods such as pies, cakes and puddings! She looks forward to sharing many more Katie Flynn stories, which she and her mother devised together, with readers in the years to come.

*The first installment in the brand new Runaway's series from the Sunday Times bestselling author - available to pre-order now!* 
 
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?

A Mother's Secret

Though she may feel lost, she will never give up on finding the truth… 
 
1941: Libby’s life on the sprawling farm at Hollybank is a far cry from the bustling streets of London where she grew up, but after the tragic death of her parents she moved to Liverpool to be closer to her long-lost aunt and uncle. 
 
 
When she discovers they are far from the decent people they claimed to be and have spun a web of lies about her late mother, Libby’s world is shaken. 
 
 
But she is determined to set the story straight and embarks on a journey to unravel the devastating secret her mother kept until her dying day. 
 
 
Can Libby separate the truth from the lies, and forge a brighter future for herself?

**Don't miss the incredible new book from Katie Flynn, The Winter Runaway. Available to pre-order now!** 
 
The brand new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author 
 
Though she may feel lost, she will never give up on finding the truth. . . 
 
1941: Libby&rsquo;s life on the sprawling farm at Hollybank is a far cry from the bustling streets of London where she grew up, but after the tragic death of her parents she moved to Liverpool to be closer to her long-lost aunt and uncle. 
 
When she discovers they are far from the decent people they claimed to be and have spun a web of lies about her late mother, Libby&rsquo;s world is shaken. 
 
But she is determined to set the story straight and embarks on a journey to unravel the devastating secret her mother kept until her dying day. 
 
Can Libby separate the truth from the lies, and forge a brighter future for herself?________ 
 
WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN... 
 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
 
'Heartwarming romance' 
 
'Hard to put down'

Winter's Orphan

London, 1940 
 
When tragedy strikes, Libby Gilbert is left homeless and destitute, fending for herself on the capital's most dangerous streets. 
 
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Libby is on the cusp of making a decision that could jeopardise her future when a local boy saves her from ruin. 
 
The kindness of this stranger sets her on a different path, and Libby heads to Liverpool with a determined mind and hope in her heart. 
 
There, she reconnects with long lost family - but will she be able to uncover the truth that tore them apart all those years ago? 
 
WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN: 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
'Hard to put down' 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
'Heartwarming romance'

An engaging and heartwarming story from the Sunday Times bestselling author

The Lost Days of Summer

When war breaks out in Britain, Nell Whitaker is sent to live with her aunt on a remote farm in Anglesey. 
 
She sorely misses thriving Liverpool but slowly begins to embrace country life. Nell even finds herself growing closer to Auntie Kath whose harsh attitude hides a kind heart. 
 
But when personal tragedy strikes, Nell's world crumbles around her. 
 
Can a blossoming friendship with Hywell, a boy from the neighbouring village, allow Nell to overcome her past and enjoy a brighter future?

The brand new emotional and heartwarming historical romance from the Sunday Times bestselling author

A Rose and a Promise

Liverpool, 1944 
 
Though they may be posted miles apart, Cadi and Jez's love for one another is stronger than ever - until Cadi receives a heart-breaking call from Jez's base. 
 
Cadi races to be with her beau and. at his bedside, they make each other a promise that Cadi hopes she'll never have to keep. 
 
In her darkest hour, Cadi is comforted by her friends, and with their support and guidance she begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But she will face more than one unexpected turn along the way. 
 
Against the odds, will Cadi be able to keep her word? 
____________________ 
 
 
WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN: 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
'Hard to put down' 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
'Heartwarming romance'

The heartwarming festive novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author

The Winter Rose

The heatwarming festive follow-up to The Rose Queen, from beloved Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Flynn. 
_____________________________________________ 
 
Liverpool, 1941: After German bombs shatter the life Cadi has built for herself in Liverpool, she is more determined than ever to sign up and do her bit. Joining the WAAF also means she is closer to her beau - until Jez is sent thousands of miles from home. 
 
While Jez is in Africa, someone from the past starts spreading vicious rumours that could threaten their relationship, and Cadi finds herself torn between keeping secrets and telling the truth to protect those she holds dear. 
 
Cadi has always believed that their love can weather any storm but as the snow sweeps in, she faces an impossible choice. Will her decision leave her broken-hearted or will Cadi and Jez be reunited in time for Christmas? 
_____________________________________________'A story of heartbreak and love, this book will keep you enthralled from start to finish' Northern Echo 
_________________________________________ 
WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN... 
 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
 
'Heartwarming romance' 
 
'Hard to put down'

Katie Flynn

Scotland, 1940: Isla Donaghue is just sixteen when her mother dies, and her idyllic life comes to an abrupt end. Unable to cope, Isla’s father sends her to the poorhouse when he joins the merchant navy. 
 
Horrified at the harsh conditions of the poorhouse, Isla is determined to escape. Enlisting the help of her newfound friends Meg and Sophie, she devises a plan to flee to Liverpool. 
 
Despite the difficulties of her new life and the dangers of the Luftwaffe, Isla falls in love for the first time. But her beau is not all that he seems… Will true love prevail or will secrets from the past put an end to their happiness? 
 
Why readers love Katie Flynn . . . 
 
'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy' 
'Hard to put down' 
'Her characters are like old friends' 
'Heartwarming romance'

Katie Flynn

Forgotten Child

Select a format:

Pre-order:

Summary

More books from this author

Sign up to the Katie Flynn newsletter