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Lonely Girl
The new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Josephine Cox gets straight to the hope and heartbreak of family drama.
One fateful night changes the course of a child’s life forever…
Rosie’s mother is a cruel woman and has Rosie’s kind and loving father wrapped around her finger. Though John Tanner does his best to protect her, Rosie often bears the brunt of her mother’s rage.
And his protection can’t last forever.
In one tragic moment Rosie’s fragile world is shattered. Grieving and alone, Rosie is thrust into a harsh reality, and she must face the obstacles that fate has set in her path.
But secrets will out, and Rosie must uncover the shocking truth behind her mother’s cruelty before she can hope for the love and happiness she deserves.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2015
About the author
Josephine Cox
114 books340 followersJosephine 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.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 25, 2015
I picked this up in the library on the new books shelf.
Absolute drivel .I ended up skim reading it just to have it over with.
Absolute drivel .I ended up skim reading it just to have it over with.
February 4, 2019
This is a story about Rosie who on a daily basis is mistreated by her cruel mother. Rosie’s father does all he can to protect his beloved daughter, but of course he can’t always be there. Most days when her father is out of the house, Rosie feels alone, but when tragedy strikes her world is turned upside down. How will Rosie cope with what’s happened?
The Lonely Girl by Josephine Cox was a quick and enjoyable read.
The Lonely Girl by Josephine Cox was a quick and enjoyable read.
January 17, 2016
No doubt this book will delight Josephine Cox fans and much as I hate to give a book a negative review I personally was well disappointed. The cover is amazing and glossy in fact it's the best part of the book! I had to check twice it was actually written by her it was appalling. It started off well but went downhill very quickly to the point it was constant repetition for virtually the whole of the book until close to the end. I wanted to count the Times Rosie asked Where's Daddy gone Barney"!! It was monotonous, boring and badly written. The last few chapters picked up but to have a book with all of it based around this girl wondering about her dad is not a story in my view. That said I have read other books by her and still have some to read but I am well disappointed with this. It was almost as though it was written by a 12 year old and aimed at one. Hate negative reviews but I have to be honest. Do not be out off reading but it just wasn't for me.
March 22, 2015
i was so looking forward to reading this book as i am or was an avid josephine cox reader. This book was awful, boring and repetitive. I nearly gave up on several occasions but battled through to the end. I am staggered at how bad it was, not Josephine Cox at her best!
January 27, 2016
I hate to admit this, but for the first time in a very long time, this was one book that I couldn't finish. I have read Josephine Cox before and enjoyed the read but this book was very poorly written and repetitive . I never rate a book below average, but this time I have to. I won't give up on her yet, jyst hope this was a one off.
April 14, 2016
I was looking forward to giving this author a try but I could not continue reading this book after 1/2 way through. The writing was so bad. It felt like a young child had written it and threw in big words here and there. I'll have to try another book by this author but I'm not impressed so far.
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March 5, 2017Poor! I have made a mental note never to read a book from this author again.
Long tedious and drawn out descriptions and simplistic characters, the book could have been dealt with in 100 pages, not 350.
A little hoorah when it was over, lol.
Long tedious and drawn out descriptions and simplistic characters, the book could have been dealt with in 100 pages, not 350.
A little hoorah when it was over, lol.
November 3, 2015
I wish I could give it 0 stars. It would probably be more interesting to stare at your ceiling for 3 hours than to read this book. I may go as far as to say that it's the worst book I've ever read.
May 29, 2017
Didn't finish - which very unlike me. Drawn out drivel.
October 2, 2018
Loved it!! I couldn't put it down.
May 4, 2022
Rosie avgudar sin pappa och han henne. Det är det enda som gör att hon står ut att leva med sin mammas fruktansvärda behandling av henne.
Jag hade vissa förväntningar på den här boken när jag började läsa och hade nog missförstått en del av hur handlingen skulle vara. Jag tyckte att detta var en väldigt lång bok för att så lite verkligen hände i den. Det är väldigt utdragna scener och beskrivningar av allting. Och allt ska beskrivas ner i minsta detalj, det lämnas inte mycket utrymme för läsaren att skapa egna bilder eller tolka informationen.
Jag hade väldigt svårt att förstå hur gammal Rosie egentligen skulle vara, hon är skriven väldigt barnslig och emellanåt verkar hon vara runt 6-7 år när hon är minst dubbelt så gammal. Även hennes kusin som är i 18-årsåldern framställs som väldigt ung när han pratar och reagerar på vissa saker.
Även hur pappan är beskriven tycker jag känns ganska osympatiskt trots att han är den som ska skydda Rosie. Han bortförklarar mammans beteende hela tiden, försöker få Rosie att förlåta och förstå varför hon behandlar henne så illa, när han bara borde ta sin dotter och dra därifrån eller åtminstone sparka ut mamman.
Detta har varit en hyllvärmare länge så jag är glad att jag äntligen tog mig igenom den, men hade nog egentligen klarat mig utan historien.
Jag hade vissa förväntningar på den här boken när jag började läsa och hade nog missförstått en del av hur handlingen skulle vara. Jag tyckte att detta var en väldigt lång bok för att så lite verkligen hände i den. Det är väldigt utdragna scener och beskrivningar av allting. Och allt ska beskrivas ner i minsta detalj, det lämnas inte mycket utrymme för läsaren att skapa egna bilder eller tolka informationen.
Jag hade väldigt svårt att förstå hur gammal Rosie egentligen skulle vara, hon är skriven väldigt barnslig och emellanåt verkar hon vara runt 6-7 år när hon är minst dubbelt så gammal. Även hennes kusin som är i 18-årsåldern framställs som väldigt ung när han pratar och reagerar på vissa saker.
Även hur pappan är beskriven tycker jag känns ganska osympatiskt trots att han är den som ska skydda Rosie. Han bortförklarar mammans beteende hela tiden, försöker få Rosie att förlåta och förstå varför hon behandlar henne så illa, när han bara borde ta sin dotter och dra därifrån eller åtminstone sparka ut mamman.
Detta har varit en hyllvärmare länge så jag är glad att jag äntligen tog mig igenom den, men hade nog egentligen klarat mig utan historien.
August 7, 2024
Never ever do I want to read such drivel again, the 376 pages could easily have been reduced to 15 if all the repetition had been left out and phrases like 'unable to come to terms with her grief' after Rosie has just found out that her father had died in an accident ( i.e. mudered by Molly, whom she thought was her mother), and more show-than-tell had been used
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August 14, 2021Pretty awful
March 16, 2024
Long and drawn out to start with, repetitive conversations unnecessarily. Second half, quick with less detail.
March 18, 2018
Repetitive drivel! Was so relieved to see it wasn’t just me that thought that!
April 24, 2020
My killer combination to reduce stress is a good book, a cosy blanket and plenty of heart-filling chocolates!😋❤️📖
This book is a reflection on both genders to assure us that humanity still exists and about the loving people that help maintain it a reality in this world. I rate this book a 3.8 out of 5. I finished this book within a day as its a short one, taking us through the terrible life of a small girl who grew to be loving and passionate even after being tortured by her mother. Her father, aunty, uncle, a cousin and Barney(the dog) make her world, enabling her to survive this harsh reality she has to live through.
But her heart is smashed to pieces due to her mother's greediness. Yet she strives to rise to happiness with the help of those around her. I would recommend this book to teenagers.
For more reviews from BookHuntWithUs, check out our Instagram page!!
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This book is a reflection on both genders to assure us that humanity still exists and about the loving people that help maintain it a reality in this world. I rate this book a 3.8 out of 5. I finished this book within a day as its a short one, taking us through the terrible life of a small girl who grew to be loving and passionate even after being tortured by her mother. Her father, aunty, uncle, a cousin and Barney(the dog) make her world, enabling her to survive this harsh reality she has to live through.
But her heart is smashed to pieces due to her mother's greediness. Yet she strives to rise to happiness with the help of those around her. I would recommend this book to teenagers.
For more reviews from BookHuntWithUs, check out our Instagram page!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsVHte2lv4K/
July 16, 2016
Rather poor. There were many parts which were incredibly repetitive, and I had to reread to ensure I wasn't going mad!
The characters were mostly very one dimensional, the entire storyline was rather predictable, and the entire storyline was dragged out far too much.
Some parts of the book went on for far too long, whereas other parts, the parts one wanted to read about, were rushed over and not really covered.
The main character is supposed to be 15 years old but the whole way through it seems like she's about 8 years old. She has a very childlike mind, and way of talking. If there was a reason for this, or it was meant to be a tool to tell the story, this was never explained, so as a result it read very oddly.
The characters were mostly very one dimensional, the entire storyline was rather predictable, and the entire storyline was dragged out far too much.
Some parts of the book went on for far too long, whereas other parts, the parts one wanted to read about, were rushed over and not really covered.
The main character is supposed to be 15 years old but the whole way through it seems like she's about 8 years old. She has a very childlike mind, and way of talking. If there was a reason for this, or it was meant to be a tool to tell the story, this was never explained, so as a result it read very oddly.
October 4, 2016
Oh. My. God.
This was horrible. A dis functional family, a very uneven plot (the author couldn't decide what time period she wanted. The daughter goes to school in a pony trap but then later her father sets off the automatic security lights. Hell if I knew.) and a slow-moving situation.
The characters were oddly drawn and EVERYONE talked way above their age groups and station. I think the authors' thesaurus was dog-eared by the time she finished.
This was horrible. A dis functional family, a very uneven plot (the author couldn't decide what time period she wanted. The daughter goes to school in a pony trap but then later her father sets off the automatic security lights. Hell if I knew.) and a slow-moving situation.
The characters were oddly drawn and EVERYONE talked way above their age groups and station. I think the authors' thesaurus was dog-eared by the time she finished.
January 13, 2016
I'm only giving this one star as that is the minimum allowed.
The writing style of this book was extremely simple and repetitive. So much so that I ended up skimming most of it and still found it repetitive.
Very basic story line and little character development. This whole book could have been condensed into a short chapter.
Terrible for such a well-known author.
The writing style of this book was extremely simple and repetitive. So much so that I ended up skimming most of it and still found it repetitive.
Very basic story line and little character development. This whole book could have been condensed into a short chapter.
Terrible for such a well-known author.
November 29, 2015
Worst book ever! Poorly written, repetitive, obvious contractual cash fodder. Unbelievable storyline with awful one dimensional characters & a cliché ending. I urge anyone; don't waste time reading this rubbish.
August 18, 2016
First Josephine Cox book and based on this my last. Agree with several reviews about it being repetitive. Found it lacked a real story and just seemed to race through as if reading the author's notes. It was difficult to warm to the characters.
December 12, 2017
The book was very repetitive and quite predictable. The conversations in the book seem very unnatural as if they are always trying to convince the reader of something. Trying so hard to convey a message instead of allowing the reader to find the mystery on their own. It's like bad acting.
March 23, 2018
Terrible terrible writing style. Just skim read tho wanting to not bother with it at all. Can’t understand how it ever got published! NO STARS if I could!! First time I’ve read this author and it will be the last!
April 20, 2015
I was lucky to win this book from book reads, however.. oh dear...repetitive and boring, I skim- read it after the first few chapters to get it over and done with.
July 15, 2015
I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other books and found it really boring.
March 28, 2015
goes on n on n on too much. normally enjoy her as an author but this book seems like a space filler with not much else but barf!!
September 27, 2015
Disappointed it was boring and repetitive
January 28, 2016
Disappointing weak predictable story line with weak characters. I think after writing so many books Cox is now running out of ideas.
November 6, 2016
The storyline was non-existent. Tiresomely repetitive. Was totally bored with this book. Don't waste your time I would suggest!
January 27, 2026
Lonely Girl by Josephine Cox had the potential to be a dark and emotionally complex story, but instead it became repetitive, poorly paced, and ultimately frustrating.
From the start, the novel clearly positions Molly as the villain. She murders her husband John for money and later manipulates another man into taking the blame for the crime. While this is a strong and morally charged premise, the book fails to explore it with any real depth. Large sections of the story are filled with repetitive conversations and prolonged hesitation, especially among the adults, who seem to discuss the same concerns over and over without moving the plot forward.
Much of the middle portion feels unnecessarily stretched. Events that should create tension or emotional development are drawn out, while important information is either delayed or handled vaguely. Rosie’s disappearance, for example, turns into a long and implausible search, despite the setting never being clearly established as large or dangerous enough to justify it. These moments feel more like filler than meaningful storytelling.
The novel also struggles with its treatment of morality and responsibility. Molly is portrayed as almost entirely irredeemable, while John is framed as kind and loyal for most of the book. Only later is it revealed that he had an ongoing affair with one woman — Rosie’s biological mother — while Rosie believed Molly was her real mother. This revelation is handled inconsistently: John’s actions are largely excused or glossed over, while Molly is condemned absolutely. The imbalance feels forced and weakens the emotional credibility of the story.
Several major revelations are also poorly executed. Important truths are either obvious long before they are revealed or introduced suddenly without proper buildup. The appearance of Rosie’s biological mother is abrupt and lacks emotional grounding, making what should be a powerful moment feel oddly flat. Similarly, the resolution of the central crime is rushed — the reader is told that Molly is sentenced to prison, but the process itself is barely shown, resulting in a lack of payoff and closure.
By the end, the book feels overcrowded with side elements and symbolic moments that don’t meaningfully contribute to the core story. Instead of building toward a satisfying conclusion, the narrative loses focus and emotional impact.
Overall, Lonely Girl had an interesting premise, but it is undermined by repetition, uneven pacing, shallow character framing, and an unsatisfying resolution. I finished the book feeling that far more time was demanded from the reader than the story was willing to give back.
1/5 stars.
From the start, the novel clearly positions Molly as the villain. She murders her husband John for money and later manipulates another man into taking the blame for the crime. While this is a strong and morally charged premise, the book fails to explore it with any real depth. Large sections of the story are filled with repetitive conversations and prolonged hesitation, especially among the adults, who seem to discuss the same concerns over and over without moving the plot forward.
Much of the middle portion feels unnecessarily stretched. Events that should create tension or emotional development are drawn out, while important information is either delayed or handled vaguely. Rosie’s disappearance, for example, turns into a long and implausible search, despite the setting never being clearly established as large or dangerous enough to justify it. These moments feel more like filler than meaningful storytelling.
The novel also struggles with its treatment of morality and responsibility. Molly is portrayed as almost entirely irredeemable, while John is framed as kind and loyal for most of the book. Only later is it revealed that he had an ongoing affair with one woman — Rosie’s biological mother — while Rosie believed Molly was her real mother. This revelation is handled inconsistently: John’s actions are largely excused or glossed over, while Molly is condemned absolutely. The imbalance feels forced and weakens the emotional credibility of the story.
Several major revelations are also poorly executed. Important truths are either obvious long before they are revealed or introduced suddenly without proper buildup. The appearance of Rosie’s biological mother is abrupt and lacks emotional grounding, making what should be a powerful moment feel oddly flat. Similarly, the resolution of the central crime is rushed — the reader is told that Molly is sentenced to prison, but the process itself is barely shown, resulting in a lack of payoff and closure.
By the end, the book feels overcrowded with side elements and symbolic moments that don’t meaningfully contribute to the core story. Instead of building toward a satisfying conclusion, the narrative loses focus and emotional impact.
Overall, Lonely Girl had an interesting premise, but it is undermined by repetition, uneven pacing, shallow character framing, and an unsatisfying resolution. I finished the book feeling that far more time was demanded from the reader than the story was willing to give back.
1/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews