The Maid's Courage

by Rosie Goodwin

A heartwrenching and uplifting read from Sunday Times bestselling author Rosie GoodwinGinny is devastated by the death of her mother, her two little brothers and her sister - but her father is destroyed by the loss. After a series of drunken mistakes, her father is imprisoned for murder, and Ginny and her little brother Charlie lose the only home they've ever known. Worse is to come. Charlie is only eight years old and has a weak chest. Ginny is determined to keep him with her, but he is taken to the workhouse before she has a chance to save him. Lonely and desperate, Ginny wanders the streets of Nuneaton. She finds honest work at the pie shop - until she is forced to fight off the unwanted advances of the baker and she's out on the streets. It's only then that she remembers her father's final words - the housekeeper of Lamp Hill Hall will help her. Soon Ginny is employed as a laundry maid, the very lowest rung of the ladder. Her beauty and grace mean that she catches the eye of the house's mistress, who raises Ginny up to play lady's maid to the difficult and demanding Miss Diana. All Ginny wants is to find her brother - and it will take all her strength of heart and courage to bring her family together again.

Genres: Historical, Romance, Fiction

447 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2016

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

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry. I certainly needed tissues with this story. Easy to read but very hard to put down.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after reading a favourable review but personally found it disappointing. It was a sweet tale but very formulaic – young girl in straightened circumstances fighting to save her little brother from the workhouse finds herself a job as, first of all a laundry maid (one of the lowest of all jobs) in a large house then promotion to lady’s maid and companion to the difficult and demanding niece of the owner (I found this unlikely). I was much more interested in the enigmatic housekeeper’s story (which thankfully is revealed). However, I was put off the whole thing by the over-use of clichés and the very poor editorial quality. There were several instances of relationships being mixed up and two characters with the same name!

[helen ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Loved this book great story unfortunately there were quite a few mistakes names mixed left it a bit confusing but overall enjoyable

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I desperately wanted to give this 5 stars as this was a book that once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. It was full of emotions and took you from a great high to the worst low. The only thing that let it down, and I’m surprised it wasn’t picked up on in the editing process because it is quite obvious, is that on 3 occasions that I remember the wrong names are used for the wrong characters and I had to read those parts two or three times to work out who they actually meant and in one part I didn’t actually know who they meant. Because of these errors I felt I could only give it 4 stars because it did affect my reading of the book. Other than that this is easily a 5 star book

[Laureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. What a surprise this story was. I couldn't wait to get into the car to listen to this audio book. Another rich family, poor family story but a "page turner" and most eventful. Something new to look forward to and hope for all the time. Relationships, crime, illness, lost family members all play a part. Yes, I would recommend it.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a wonderful story from Rosie Goodwin. The characters are all really well thought out and I felt I got to know them. A book you can loose yourself in.
Unfortunately there were several errors in character names, which I found confusing, otherwise I would have given this book 5 stars.

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 4 out of 5]

'But tonight the man in the moon appeared to be smiling' 😃😃😃

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but a slow burner at first so 4stars from me

[Deirdre Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie strikes again!

Can't get enough of Rosie's books. Ever since I read one of her books, I have read 12 more. As always I love the story line, the way she captures each character and the general atmosphere of the book. No doubt my favourite author.

[Nicole Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Really felt like I went on the journey with Ginny. Definitely recommend

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Rosie. I usually thoroughly enjoy her books and find them ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. But though this one was good there was too much heartbreak in it. I felt like they shock value was over done. I wish books had trigger warnings at the start. I was ok but there could be others triggered and possibly traumatised by Joe's attempted r4p£ of Nancy the actual r4p£ of Diana, masking it as being ok by preying on her naivety that he hadn't meant to hurt or up set her was a bit too much. And I didn't get why Joe's had to emphasised as wanting to avenge his sister being r4p£d by Giles when later on the story had him do the same act himself. It broke my heart when I guessed right away by Diana's talk with Ginnie that she would be found dead by her own hand the next day. I know times were hard back then but it seemed excessively cruel after all she went through. And for her family as well as Ginny to suffer heart break was almost too much. Having said that I feel that Giles got off too easily. His death wasn't that bad, he didn't really suffer. The same can be said for Joe. Neither of them suffered at all but their victims suffered to the ultimate.

[Shania Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tragic story has embarked a journey of its own and has unquestionably struck mixed emotions. This book is filled with overpowering love for her brother as she thrives with all her courage to find him but finds many setbacks throughout. The kindness and acidity of peoples actions clearly expose differences within the story told. I am only 17 but I have read so many books in my lifetime (bookworm..i know aha) I revel in a good story and this most certainly was one. it gives a powerful insight into peoples lives which is rarely found and put into the context of words. Ginnie's story most certainly has touched me personally and i recommend it to anyone who is willing to go on an emotional, fun-filling and thought provoking journey through the power of a beautifully written novel. really great job Rosie Goodwin and I am very enthusiastic and keen to read more of your work.

[Ken the incredible · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good start and initially compelling reading until just after half way.
The characters become less convincing stereotypes with at most two personality characteristics, and several significant events or reactions are reduced to cliches. This makes the latter part of the book rather formulaic and predictable. Several of the problematic characters are dealt with by killing them off, sometimes in ways that would make good TV soap opera.
I was quite taken with this book at the start but the poor style towards the end is the main reason for my score.

[Grace Littlewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal book! A real page turning and very well thought out plot, storyline, and characters. I felt as though I connected with the characters, and that I was on the journey with Ginny. The ending was just perfect though it had me in floods of tears like lots of other times throughout my reading of this book. I’m very sad I have finished it and wish there was a sequel to this story, this book has encouraged me to read more of Rosie’s work, therefore I can rate it nothing less than 5 stars!!!

[Fiona Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosie is a local author so I feel a little biased towards her books. Extremely easy to read, sometimes they can be a little same. I enjoy reading about living history around the world war eras.

This book was a light read between the crimes I had been reading. Good story line, everyone loves a happy ending right? Especially when the start was so gloomy.

[debbie styler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful just beautiful

I read this book In a few night,so well written ,so sad,but written so well it was has if you were there in the story so well described and beautifully told,Rosie you are such a talented writer,And I cannot wait to start your next book

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

The sad take of a young girl facing up bravely to do !such loss and tragedy,the struggles she endured and the story keeps you wanting more! I would recommend this book to all who I've a real good period drama!

[Bev Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book I really enjoyed listening to this book via epub for sight impaired people.
Really heartwarming book.
Thanks Rosie Goodwin.
This is my first time listening to your work.
I will be looking out for more books.

[Alaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favourite Rosie Goodwin book so far. I loved the Ginny character - her grit and determination in adversity. One of the days I am going to count how many 'I see' and Very wells' there r in her books!!

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rosie Goodwin's books! They are such a sweet read, and always take my brain to a happy place :)

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lovely story about a young girl called Ginny who goes into service after her father gets sent to prison.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book , didn’t want to put it down

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a mini Downton Abbey where a lot more is happening.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading.

Another great book. I just could not put this down at every opportunity I had to read more and never read a book so quickly.
Would recommend it.

[chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

The book kept me on edge, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read, I gave this book this rating as it's well deserved.

[Julie Bishop · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some potentially interesting characters and plot lines but all felt like I'd read it before and it rushed to a conclusion that was entirely predictable

[Karen Ahmadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed

Good read. I really wanted to continue and not put the book down, but unfortunately I had to go to work. I would read bits on my phone while at work.

[Margaret Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, couldn’t put it down.

[Linda Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Read in two days...

[Laura mcrobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it would recommend it to friends