A very different story from what we are used to from this Author as she moves away from her time travel adventure series and writes a fictional account based on events in 1992 where Yugoslavia is no more and in Kosovo, the Serbians begin a systematic and ethic cleansing of Albanians.
Forced to Flee is written from the perspectives of two Albanian families, who are close friends. Each family must make a decision as to whether they stay and pledge their allegiance to Serbia or they flee to Britain and start a new life. The two families make their choices, one staying and the other fleeing, and the reader is taken through the events and consequences of each family’s decisions and actions.
The plot moves at a good pace, is engaging and full of drama and tension. The characters are extremely credible and very easy to form an emotional connection with. There are some very minor editing issues but these would not in any way distract the readers enjoyment of this story.
On a personal note I must say that I was delighted to read that two of the characters visited a restaurant in Leeds called DaMario’s. My husband and I used to frequent this restaurant when we first met and started dating, and it brought back a little nostalgia, which was a nice relief from the emotional rollercoaster of the families plight as they fight to survive and stay together.
I really enjoyed Forced to Flee and highly recommend. I am therefore awarding 5 stars.
