A Rose Among Thorns

by Rosie Goodwin

Will she ever find the happiness she deserves?

In A Rose Among Thorns , Rosie Goodwin weaves a captivating historical saga of a troubled family and the power of love and friendship. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Cathy Sharp.

Despite losing her mother at a young age, Sassy has grown up surrounded by although poor, she is happy. So Sassy is devastated when her father marries wealthy widow Elizabeth Bonner. Social climber Elizabeth despairs of a step-daughter who is more at ease with servants than those above stairs, and is jealous of Sassy's growing beauty which threatens to outshine her own daughter.

Unwelcome and out of place in this unfamiliar world, Sassy often escapes to her old home on Tuttle Hill and the company of her childhood friends, brothers Thomas and Jack Mallabone. But the trio's bond is threatened by the consequences of her blind adoration for wayward Thomas, much to the dismay of Jack, who has long worshipped Sassy in secret...

What readers are saying about A Rose Among Thorns :

'With skillful application of the craft at which she excels, Rosie has produced yet another certain winner. An absorbing tale depicting with great accuracy the nostalgia of bygone times, it evokes warmth, laughter and tears linked by a storyline that defies you to put it down... A wonderful story from a supremely gifted writer '

'A natural born storyteller ... the trouble I have is the stories are never long enough. This novel had me captivated from start to finish'

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical, Romance

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2009

About the author

Before becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.

I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Claire Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gripping from start to finish. Read it in a day as I couldn't put it down. Amazing!

[Anne Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a young woman, those she loves and the heartache she has to endure before finally reaching a happy ending. When Sassy's father remarries a calculating woman, she is not prepared for the sheer vindictiveness of her stepmother and stepsister. Fortunately, Sassy is ring-fenced by some wonderful people; Clara and Walter, neighbours and friends; and her uncle Ben and Aunt Miriam. Through the years, as Sassy loses first one love then another, they are there to support her. I would go so far as to say that these four, but in particular Clara and Walter, who form the backbone of this story. A highly satisfactory, heart-warming story of love, friendship and loyalty.

[Ruth Bucherer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read two books by Rosie Goodwin so far and that's it for me. Although the stories have happy endings they come at a great price: too many deaths and tragedies for my taste, as if the author didn't have more imagination than to let the characters die that are in the way for her plot to develop. The characters are depicted in black and white, being either good or purely evil. Plus, what really annoys me is that the happy endings (and moments) are only barely mentioned whereas the tragic events are relayed in quite some detail, as if the author herself begrudged the main character her happiness. Not my cup of tea and not a satisfying read at all, as I found myself rather annoyed while reading and after having finished this novel and the last one...

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. It was fun to read. But because of the time frame it was set in, women were helpless (mostly), and needed men to carry on - even if the man was kind of a jerk. So that annoyed me.

[Laura whittley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it great read like all the rest of Rosie books

Love love love all.rosie books are brilliant to read !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love them all so much to do the best ev

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book I’ve ever read of Rosie Goodwin, she’s one of my favourite authors, but sadly I really disliked this book. From the beginning I disliked Sassy, she was so pathetic the way she couldn’t let herself love anyone other than Thomas and no matter how badly he treated her she still loved him. I disliked Thomas and they never had chemistry to begin with so it felt pointless reading about them, to be honest Sassy had chemistry with no one.
The amount of deaths and tragedies that befell Sassy and those she was close to was ridiculous and stupid.
I eventually stopped reading and started quickly skimming through the rest as I was so bored and just wanted to end my misery reading this book.

Il give it two stars because the first quarter had potential and I enjoyed it. But from then on it just deteriorated.

[Jani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so refreshingly good! It reduced me to tears too many times and nothing that happens is expected.

Highly recommend.

When Sassy's mother dies giving birth to her little brother, Sassy's life goes downhill. Her hardships are endless with a cinderella style element to her father's new wife, a wealthy widow. The depth in which Rosie Goodwin develops her characters and their relationships is incredible.

BIG SPOILER:
Somehow Rosie Goodwin managed to make me fall on love with the relationship Sassy had with two different men! Truly incredible to read a book where the happy ending (wedding) is not the end but goes on to lead to new happiness with someone else even after the tragic death of one life-partner.

I will DEFINITELY read Rosie Goodwin again.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! The suspense and the twists and turns are thrilling and right to the very last page I was enthralled. I thought it was boring at first but then I started to really get into it. However I'm really annoyed that Jack died because he was like one of my favourite characters after Sassy and such a good and selfless person and you rarely find that these days in real life. It's so sad that Sassy never loved him. But on the whole it was a brilliant book so thank you Rosie Goodwin.

[Mrs Linda Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant story

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sassy and all the other characters, so many ups and downs in her life, I was furious with Elizabeth and Faith’s antics, but as the saying goes everything comes to those who wait! Thank you Rosie I have found it hard at times to stop reading this wonderful story.

[Kristia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I got caught up in the life of the characters, although I have to admit it took me a while.
It really is a heart wrenching story, as soon as characters find happiness another tragedy strikes.
But the ending as usual is a happy one, that brought tears to my eyes.

[Christina Tookey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book every chapter had me wanting more.
Sassy got the love of her life in the end, it was a hard life but she did have some good friends who helped her through the tough times. I will be looking for my next Rosie Goodwin book.

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book

I thought this book was amazing the whole book as about life and what happened in there days 😁☺ I love this authors books.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book was so good that I could not put it down. Would recommend this one as a must read.

[Shee McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rose among Thorns

What a wonderful read this book has been..Not for a very long time have I enjoyed a book more..I'm hoping the next will be as good ..I'm a word.....SUPERB!!!

[mrs g m wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I was very absorbed in this book little bit sad but also keeping you on the edge of your seat

[MISS NICOLA C DOOLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant read, couldn’t put this book down! Would recommend this a million times over! Such a brilliant sorry of love and loss!

[Lynn Symons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic story by Rosie as always

This book was a very enjoyable read as always. I would recommend every book written by Rosie. Fantastic author well done

[ann davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story really enjoyed it

[cathie knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sassy

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was well written. Kept you wanting more. Nice for sassy to get happiness in the end

[Margaret Painton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant story. Heart warming and a tear jerker. When reading could visualise the people Farm and surround.
Would heartily recommend

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy Rosie Goodwins books but this one not as much

[evelyn gillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Excellent read would definitely recommend this book such twist and is through out.didn't want to put the book down great read would happily give this book 5stars

[Deborah Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read

Another brilliant book by Rosie Goodwin. I couldn't put the book
down. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great compelling read. Well written and very enjoyable.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this book

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this 6part book not read it before

[Mrs J Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this book as much as the others I have read by this author.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it was a heart jerker and an emotional story with a happy ending .
There was a lot of heartache to go through for just 1 family but love shone through

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story. Brilliant read.x

[Mrs M E Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Rosie ,it is a lovely book & such a lovely story of devotion & the perfect ending