The Reading List: Trafficked by Sophie Hayes

You probably don't know this about me, but I've always been something of a big reader. As a child, every day when my mother dropped me off at playschool, I would have to go and hide in the library corner and bury my head in a book for an hour or so before I was ready to come out and join in with the other children. Whether this was down to shyness or being traumatised by my mother leaving me behind for the day, I'm not sure, but since then books have continued to be an important part of my life. There's just something really self-indulgent about curling up and getting lost in a good book, and while I do have times where I just can't seem to concentrate on anything, it's a hobby I hope I'll always maintain. With this is mind, I've decided that I want to make sharing my favourite reads with you a regular part of this blog, so without further ado, let's get going!

Trafficked, by Sophie Hayes, is a hard-hitting autobiographical story of the dangers of mis-placed trust. Aged twenty-four, Sophie agreed to go on holiday with her best friend - and the man who claimed to love her. But before long, things began to unravel as Kas became violent ,and suddenly she finds herself plunged into the terrifying world of forced prostitution.

This book is utterly gripping, and from the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It's terrifying to think that things like this really happen, and shocking that even normal, happy girls like Sophie are at risk. It's so easy to imagine that there are 'easy targets', such as people from troubled backgrounds or with existing drug problems, but really, it can be as simple as being a little bit too trusting.

I would highly, highly recommend this book, but be warned that you may find it distressing in parts. I won't tell you what the outcome of the story is, but it's an eye-opener and well worth a read.

xx