Ragged Rose

by Dilly Court

The heartwarming new novel from Dilly Court, the Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author of The Beggar Maid.

With the fate of her family in her hands, Rose has to make a terrible choice. Be thrown onto the streets without a penny to her name, or watch her loved ones fall into ruin . . .

Rose is keeping a dreadful secret, and too scared to ask her strict father for help, it’s down to her to keep her brother from the hangman’s noose – whatever it takes. Her innocent sister Cora is on a different road to ruin, bewitched by a handsome cad whose intentions are anything but gallant.

When Rose’s father discovers that his children have disgraced his name he turns them onto the street. Penniless, homeless and with the noose tightening, Rose must rescue her brother and keep her sister from the streets, even if it means putting herself in the most terrible danger...

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

496 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2016

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[KeRRy BECK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Really enjoyed reading this book and all the characters in it made you want to keep reading it. I shall miss reading about them

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the audible and also finished the last 2chapters by book

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An endearing story of the Victors 3 children, two girls and a boy. The daughters Rose and Cora help with the parish duties and care for their ailing mother only to find their brother is in prison for murder. With the help of an actress aunt they take to the stage to raise money for Billys defence. To cut a long story short it has a happy ending so you need to read to find out the rest

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book

I really enjoyed.reading this book it was another of the couldn't put it book I hope anyone else reads this book will enjoy it as much I did

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose is a very strong woman, she
holds the family together.

[Rachel Toy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but couldn’t help noticing the fairly obvious attempts at bringing in some classic literature tropes - the gothic house where Gerard lived (Jane Eyre etc), Cora going off with him as a rogue, being ill in bed afterwards (sense and sensibility) and the stubborn will they won’t they with Rose and standoffish Bennett (pride and prejudice). Would have been better if this was more subtle ☺️

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a Catherine Cookson

The romance between Bennett and Rose was so slow you could have missed it.
I forced myself to turn every page hoping there would be some sort of excitement ahead.
Now I remember why I never finished any of Dilly Court other books, it is hard work believing in the characters or storyline.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy books by Dilly Court. Rose is the heroine of the story and like all heroines helps her family to overcome difficulty. An easy to read story set in both London and Cornwall with plenty of action and touches on the values of society at the time

[Elaine Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow !!

This was one of my Dilly Court favourites ! I have read almost all of her books and find myself waiting for the next release. I couldn't put it down. I was completely immersed in the time and happenings the whole way.

[Punit Sahani · Rating 5 out of 5]

All's well that ends well is what I would summarise this novel with. Lovely British backdrop and amazing language for that era. Bravo to Rose for her being level headed, determined, resilient and doting sister.

[Bibi Kortekaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the books Dilly writes. Read this one very quickly and enjoyed the story a lot. Different from usual it takes place on stage. The hardship in making their living and help their brother out was touching as was Polly’s pursuit to help unfortunate women. Maisie is adorable and so kind and the cat had a strong personality. Starting to sense the same elements that Dilly uses to build up her stories. Some things were a bit flat especially the love stories, although a tad better than the previous book by her I read (The reluctant heiress) did not want to leave this world, will miss Rose, Maisie, Corrie & Polly.

[Meg Ainsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed - one of my nan's books.

At first I didn't think much of it but after the first chapter I could not put it down.

Loved all the characters & found the authors story telling really enjoyable. I felt like I could imagine the world & characters where it was set.

Would recommend.

[mckailer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but I didn't really love the character development in this story, and because of that, the ending felt rushed.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book set in Victorian London. Dilly Court brings the streets of London to life.
Rose is a strong character and I would recommend "Ragged Rose", a family saga.

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good saga set in late 19th century around a girl who performs on stage and would do anything to save the life of her brother. Good read from start to finish

[Sharon Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Katie Rushworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I really got to know the characters and when I turned the last page I was really surprised it had finished and I wanted to read more

[katie daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book

A little hard going at first but half way through it was a enjoyable ready I'm glad I read it

[Booklover BEV]

I loved reading this book right through this author never lets me down especially at Christmas so magical

[Lisa Carlile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed yet another novel by Dilly Court. Follow the adventures and lives of Rose and her siblings

[Kornelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it brought me joy to read it and that was the main reason that i finished it so fast

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wasn't keen on this book! It didn't need to be so long and I think it got dragged out for no reason whatsoever. I definitely will not be reading this again and I don't recommend it

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Rachel Sellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the others

[Sheila Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can see why this was a Sunday Times bestseller I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book

[Lesley B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Interesting story. Not waffly. However, the ending, like so many novels, seems rushed.
Will definitely be looking for more books by this author.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read but certain areas of the story dragged on seemingly to me unnecessarily.

[Rachel Trappman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant novel.

[Amanda Mickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic write. Perfect ending. Looking forward to the swan maid.
Thanks Dilly.