Miss You Forever

by Josephine Cox

As a woman lies at death's door in hospital, her touching story, encapsulated in her diaries, springs back to life.In Miss You Forever , Josephine Cox writes a spell-binding saga of hidden lives and lost loves. Perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court.One winter's night, in the coal-hole in her yard, Rosie finds that a woman sheltering there has been severely beaten by thugs. At a glance, Kathleen looks like an unkempt, aged vagabond who tramps the roads carrying all her worldly possessions in a grubby tapestry bag. Her only friend is the mangy old dog who accompanies her; the sum of her life is in the diaries she so zealously guards. Yet close up, Rosie can see that Kathleen has a gracious beauty - the 'look' of a respectable lady of means.In hospital, fighting for her life, yet moved by Rosie's care and compassion, Kathleen entrusts the diaries to her, urging her to look at them. There, in the soft glow of the lamp, Rosie reads a heartrending tale of stolen dreams, true love, heartache and loss. A tale that, somehow, must have a happy ending...What readers are saying about Miss You Forever :'Loved this book. The characters are really likeable and a connection is made with them... It's really well written with lots of twists and turns . Well worth reading''It's one of these books which, once you start, you can't put down . Great story. Was in tears at the end, but it was tears of joy. I haven't enjoyed a book so much in years . I can highly recommend it''Quite easily one of the best books I have ever read '

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 1997

About the author

Josephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.

She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.

Reviews

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I hated this book, it made me want to cry. So bitter sweet, horrible, nice, sad.
You'll want to slap-kick the money hungry, greedy kids and their mean, selfish ways. You'll want to take Katherine in yourself and look after her.
I wish she had a chance to have children herself though. She wanted to have children.
Towards the end, when Christian and Melinda ruins her life..she should have found Murray sooner. That would have made the book better and not so sad.
Yes, I know, she gets to finally be with her true love, but she shouldn't have needed to live on the streets for it to come about.
Happy ending that made me cry.
..and Rosie, I so hope she leaves that man and ends up with Murray's son and lives happily ever after.

[Sharon Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Josephine Cox books, and enjoy them, mainly because they are quick to get into, and are a nice easy to read story. This one I felt was one of her better ones, because it was slightly different. It was a lovely story, and not too predictable. Recommended.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually started this book yesterday, so it was a two day read, not a one day read. Larger than usual font and very simply written made it go really fast. Nice story, a bit too pat at the end, all the good guys live happily ever after, all the bad guys find that revenge is never the answer.
Interesting premise for the story, however, it is supposed to be Kathleen's diary that tells the story and this does not read like a diary at all.
Good quick summer feel good read.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Josephine Cox. This story tells how it really used to be although fiction the base is factual as there were the rich and poor but poor in the time of this book really was without anything. Really enjoyed this book and found it hard to leave until I had finished reading it.

[Roxie Gallinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book by josephine cox....she pores it from the heart and pulls on yours....great book once again....loved it....heart whelming....couldn't put it down....

[LOUISE Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss you forever.

Great read kept you wanting more the story about the struggle of the main caricatures keep you intrigued enjoyed very much..

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Josephine Cox read. Couldn't put it down.

[YONSKI · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god what a story as a first book I read with this author I always goes blind. At first I wasn't sure if this book is for me as just looking at the cover; it seem to me that this isn't for me. Guess what I fell in love with the story. Josephine Cox really know how to build up a mini plots of the story from the children's childhood story that gaves impact to there character ( death of thier mother and father ) all the way to the end I was engaged for all of it. Josephine really put good emphasis on where to put emotional themes that help the story reflect to the reader it's so close to everyday experience as she intended. The story structure revolve around many major plot but not the main plot at it was shove aside for the major plot development of the story ( if you get what I mean ). And after everything is set and done. The main plot come back for a satisfying conclusion. Over all, I don't see any big flaws in this story. The writing structure isn't so complex which I like as i paced this like butter and easly to get back again. It's a good read with strong reflection of innocence, money, the cost for sex, true love, pain, and what being a genuinely kind person can give you in return. 5/5.

[Pamela Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with an old woman wandering the streets, her clothes in tatters, and her only possessions in a threadbare tapestry bag and a curious looking dog walking close to her heels and a group of young boys, jeering and spitting at her. A man watching protects her from their threats and sends them on their way. Later that evening they discover her looking for somewhere to lay her head and very cruelly attack her and her dog, leaving them for dead. She is found by Rosie a nurse and admitted to a hospital. The story then moves on through the old woman's diaries that Rosie finds in her bag. It is very readable and has fairly predictable ending. As always Josephine Cox has written another worthwhile book.

[EILEEN SHEPPARD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming

This book was delightful, I loved the story and the author brought the characters to life and I was both happy and sad for the main character Kathleen. Kathleen and her brother Adam have a horrendous brutal man for a father, and a timid selfish woman for a mother. A tragedy happens and their young lives are changed forever. We are taken on a journey from then on , I loved the book. It was a heartwarming story and I would recommend it.

[stephanie moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

I was hooked from the first page .what a fantastic writer you are I am in awe of your stories .Thank you this story made me feel warm inside and appreciate life.

[Mrs Irene Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous read

Couldn’t put this book down,sad and intriguing read but great ending!!The characters were well thought of and the book came together.Always great reads from this writer!

[Punit Sahani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you believe, love comes back ten folds when you give it without expectations. I just didn't want kat to leave with no one in her life and I am glad it turned out so. Wonderful novel 👍👍

[kate pullinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss you forever no cox

Brilliant story. Read it in 2 days. Up to the usual high standard from Jo.
Can't wait to start another one!

[Brenda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story

A very gripping story, I had a job to put the book down. Will be reading more of Josephine Cox's books in future.

[Shaista · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second Josephine Cox book and loved it like the other one👍👌❤️☺️

[Mrs Eileen Garfitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read!

A lot of authors these days write such similar books - this is different and I highly recommend it. You won't want to put it down!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I could not put this book down a real page turner.i will certainly read more from josephine cox .very gooxd

[Janet Fitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cox does it again

I loved this book from the beginning to the end. It was a wonderful story of love over adversity. Kathleen git her man in the end.

[Sue Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Loved this book. A good story with twists and turns. I was totally absorbed into the setting. Did not want it to end.

[m a cairney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found although it was set in the 1800's, the story was brilliant, with an unexpected ending.

[maree keiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

What a wonderful book from the very first page to the last I was hooked , on the last chapter I could hardly read it for tears ,one of her best books ever

[pauline anne allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Enjoyed from start to finish, the story took you through so many twists and turns, look forward to reading more from this Author

[J WHITAKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

A weepy but also heartwarming book

Another gem by josephine Cox. I have read all of her books and they just keep getting better I can recommend them all..Joy Whitaker

[sandra morello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down, did not want story to end.

[Pamela Bladen · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

I chose the rating as it. was so heartwarming and held my attention to the very last page written superbly by the author

[Dr John Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best book. Enormously contrived and somewhat predictable.

[Susan Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story. happy ending but thought last chapter was rushed to make it all good
Story line kept you wanting to read on

[C Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, maybe a little twee snd lots of coincidences with a happily ever after ending. But it was an easy read and I liked the characters.

[Sandra jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

another Cox classic

This one had me hooked. Could not put it down. Fell completely into the storyline. Gripping story keep them coming.