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Flyweight: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26In the wake of the Great War, two female boxers defy society’s standards to fight for their place in the ring
East London, 1921: Lucy Cotter is unemployed, unskilled, and down to her last shilling. Before the Great War she never had to work, relying on her husband, Robin, to support her and their young daughter with his successful boxing career. Now, though, Robin is unemployed and nursing battle wounds, so it’s up to Lucy to keep the leaking roof over their heads. Tired of rejection and nostalgic for better days, Lucy enters Robin’s former boxing club on a whim—and discovers that a place which once barred women is now run by one.
Siobhan McCarthy is the niece of Robin’s late coach and a pugilist herself. She’s delighted Lucy stumbled in; it’s hard to find another woman who knows the sport. Siobhan offers her work as a cleaner—with a few bob more if Lucy trains alongside her. Tempting as the offer sounds, Lucy is skeptical, sharing the opinion of society that boxing is a sport unbecoming of a woman.
Days later, an unexpected expense leaves Lucy and her family facing eviction. Desperate, she returns to the club and reluctantly dons the gloves. As Lucy’s love for her husband’s sport is rekindled, she discovers a new joy in her own prowess, but when Siobhan asks her to spar in a public match, Lucy hesitates. Backlash will be certain and swift, risking her family’s future. How much is she willing to sacrifice to earn her place in the ring?
Inspired by true events, Flyweight is a story of the strength and resilience of two women and the lengths they’re willing to go for their families—and equality.
East London, 1921: Lucy Cotter is unemployed, unskilled, and down to her last shilling. Before the Great War she never had to work, relying on her husband, Robin, to support her and their young daughter with his successful boxing career. Now, though, Robin is unemployed and nursing battle wounds, so it’s up to Lucy to keep the leaking roof over their heads. Tired of rejection and nostalgic for better days, Lucy enters Robin’s former boxing club on a whim—and discovers that a place which once barred women is now run by one.
Siobhan McCarthy is the niece of Robin’s late coach and a pugilist herself. She’s delighted Lucy stumbled in; it’s hard to find another woman who knows the sport. Siobhan offers her work as a cleaner—with a few bob more if Lucy trains alongside her. Tempting as the offer sounds, Lucy is skeptical, sharing the opinion of society that boxing is a sport unbecoming of a woman.
Days later, an unexpected expense leaves Lucy and her family facing eviction. Desperate, she returns to the club and reluctantly dons the gloves. As Lucy’s love for her husband’s sport is rekindled, she discovers a new joy in her own prowess, but when Siobhan asks her to spar in a public match, Lucy hesitates. Backlash will be certain and swift, risking her family’s future. How much is she willing to sacrifice to earn her place in the ring?
Inspired by true events, Flyweight is a story of the strength and resilience of two women and the lengths they’re willing to go for their families—and equality.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
350 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Courtney Ellis
3 books172 followersCourtney Ellis began writing at a young age, and developed an interest in history from her grandfather’s stories of World War II. After obtaining her BA in English and Creative Writing, she went on to pursue a career in publishing. She lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: In post WWI England, Lucy tries desperately to make ends meet for her husband and younger daughter. Her husband Robin, once a boxing champion and on the rise, was blinded in the war. Lucy grew up in privilege and was disowned for marrying "beneath her".
When Lucy enters the boxing gym that Robin's former trainer left to his niece Siobhan, her desire to once again be part of that world flares.
But boxing is not for women, it's scandalous and definitely not allowed. But testing the boundaries is how progress is made.
How far are Siobhan and Lucy willing to take this experiment, this attempt at equality?
The setting is bleak and my heart hurt for Lucy, Robin, their daughter, and Siobhan. Life was hard and unforgiving and making one's way forward was beyond difficult. This book is a detailed look at this time period and the lengths people had to go to get ahead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
When Lucy enters the boxing gym that Robin's former trainer left to his niece Siobhan, her desire to once again be part of that world flares.
But boxing is not for women, it's scandalous and definitely not allowed. But testing the boundaries is how progress is made.
How far are Siobhan and Lucy willing to take this experiment, this attempt at equality?
The setting is bleak and my heart hurt for Lucy, Robin, their daughter, and Siobhan. Life was hard and unforgiving and making one's way forward was beyond difficult. This book is a detailed look at this time period and the lengths people had to go to get ahead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 of 1 review