Stolen

A Hidden Childhood Unveiled

Stolen by Lesley Pearse plunges readers into the tumultuous world of seventeen-year-old Laura Dawn, whose life is shattered when her mother, desperate and destitute, sells her into servitude. Set against the gritty backdrop of late 1960s England, Laura is thrust into a household of strangers where kindness is scant and suspicion rules. Stripped of her name and autonomy, she must navigate the cold discipline of her new “family,” all the while clinging to the fragile hope that someone—anyone—will remember her name and the promise of a childhood stolen far too soon.

Shadows of Fear and Flickers of Hope

As Laura endures the harsh realities of forced labor and emotional isolation, she finds solace in small rebellions: a stolen moment with a forbidden book, a secret sketch drawn in fading pen, and the whispered friendship of a kind-hearted maid. Yet beneath the surface of mundane chores simmers an undercurrent of danger—secrets that her captors will fiercely guard, and threats that will test Laura’s courage at every turn. When an unexpected letter arrives, bearing the scrawled handwriting of the only person she has left—her mother—Laura faces a choice: to surrender to despair or to risk everything for a chance at freedom and reconciliation.

A Journey Toward Redemption

Driven by resilience and an unbreakable spirit, Laura embarks on a perilous quest to unearth the truth behind her betrayal. Along the way, she encounters unlikely allies: a compassionate lawyer haunted by his own past mistakes, and a streetwise journalist who believes her story could expose a network of exploitation. Together, they confront corruption and prejudice, illuminating a path from captivity to self-discovery. Through heartbreak and fleeting triumphs, Laura learns that true strength comes not from iron fists but from the ability to forgive, to love, and to reclaim one’s own destiny.

. Lesley Pearse is a bestselling British author renowned for her powerful, character-driven narratives, which explore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, earning her a devoted following around the world.