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August
Orphaned at the age of seventeen, August Jackson put in practice what she had learned from her late mother. To work hard to keep a roof over your head and some food in the cupboard.Pride doesn’t pay the bills, but it is a powerful fuel.She thought life was cruel when her Mum died so young and her older brother abandoned her.In 1986, a young but naive adult now, she finds out how despicable people can be. Yes, some people take advantage of nice worthy human beings. Is there any justice in this world ? MAYBE.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 9, 2026
A Good Story That Needed Another Edit
I really tried to see past the editing issues, but unfortunately they became too distracting to ignore, especially across 80 chapters. There are punctuation problems, awkward sentence structure, inconsistent formatting, no proper page breaks between chapters, and some chapters are so short they barely feel like chapters at all.
That’s a shame because there is a genuinely decent story underneath it. August is easy to root for, some of the recurring details are memorable, and her overall journey has some satisfying moments. I could see what the author was trying to do, and there were parts I really enjoyed.
For me, the book just needed another thorough edit before publication. The writing can ramble in places, some scenes could be tightened, and a few of the more dramatic moments didn’t quite land the way I think they were intended to.
I did finish it, and I’m glad I gave it a chance, but the editing affected my overall enjoyment too much for me to rate it higher.
I really tried to see past the editing issues, but unfortunately they became too distracting to ignore, especially across 80 chapters. There are punctuation problems, awkward sentence structure, inconsistent formatting, no proper page breaks between chapters, and some chapters are so short they barely feel like chapters at all.
That’s a shame because there is a genuinely decent story underneath it. August is easy to root for, some of the recurring details are memorable, and her overall journey has some satisfying moments. I could see what the author was trying to do, and there were parts I really enjoyed.
For me, the book just needed another thorough edit before publication. The writing can ramble in places, some scenes could be tightened, and a few of the more dramatic moments didn’t quite land the way I think they were intended to.
I did finish it, and I’m glad I gave it a chance, but the editing affected my overall enjoyment too much for me to rate it higher.
July 27, 2024
Cracking read!
August had her new found space invaded by Shaun Ratcliffe, who had no money of his own but drank away the little 'they' had! Shaun then ransacked the house, taking her possessions and maxed out her credit card. He was gone, she had nothing left, the rent had to be paid and the bank was on her back, could things get a my worse! This is the story of a woman's resilience and determination when everything she had has gone. Hitting rock bottom the only way has got to be up, hasn't it?
A brilliantly written story, containing love, hate, revenge, greed and comeuppance. It's a gripping and extremely indulging tale, realistic in many areas and has you rooting all the way for August Jackson as bad lucky seems to follow her everywhere.
All the smaller stories weave and intertwine with the main plot, with an ending that's so satisfying for the reader. Really enjoyed and look forward to reading more from this talented author.
August had her new found space invaded by Shaun Ratcliffe, who had no money of his own but drank away the little 'they' had! Shaun then ransacked the house, taking her possessions and maxed out her credit card. He was gone, she had nothing left, the rent had to be paid and the bank was on her back, could things get a my worse! This is the story of a woman's resilience and determination when everything she had has gone. Hitting rock bottom the only way has got to be up, hasn't it?
A brilliantly written story, containing love, hate, revenge, greed and comeuppance. It's a gripping and extremely indulging tale, realistic in many areas and has you rooting all the way for August Jackson as bad lucky seems to follow her everywhere.
All the smaller stories weave and intertwine with the main plot, with an ending that's so satisfying for the reader. Really enjoyed and look forward to reading more from this talented author.
April 16, 2024
favourite read so far of 2024
I loved this book! I can’t tell you how much, it was just brilliant from start to finish. The characters are exceptional and I loved August. Some people might say she was a doormat, but I think she was strong in the best kind of ways. So resilient and determined — a true inspiration!
Shaun was the dirtbag that we all wanted to see suffer, and Robert (appropriately nicknamed Slime by the people who worked with him) got off lightly in my opinion.
The way the characters lived were all intertwined and they didn’t know it was so cleverly done.
The ending was sublime, and had me cheering August on.
I just loved everything about this book. I already know this is a story I won’t forget for a long while. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book from this talented author.
I loved this book! I can’t tell you how much, it was just brilliant from start to finish. The characters are exceptional and I loved August. Some people might say she was a doormat, but I think she was strong in the best kind of ways. So resilient and determined — a true inspiration!
Shaun was the dirtbag that we all wanted to see suffer, and Robert (appropriately nicknamed Slime by the people who worked with him) got off lightly in my opinion.
The way the characters lived were all intertwined and they didn’t know it was so cleverly done.
The ending was sublime, and had me cheering August on.
I just loved everything about this book. I already know this is a story I won’t forget for a long while. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book from this talented author.
May 21, 2025
A take on 1980s life with a twist
This book will hold particular interest for anyone who endured bedsit life and office politics in the 1980s or slightly earlier. Having lived in a couple of challenging bedsits while studying law between 1975 and 1976 and later in 1977 I understand that the hovel which August endured was entirely credible. Granted her circumstances were particularly awful .As for office life summer jobs and trainee lawyer jobs also made the 1980s office scene recognisable. The good old filofax appears...phone boxes are used! There was always an office slimeball.
Obviously there is more to the story than a view of the 1980s but I thought this aspect would resonate with many people of a certain age hence the 5 stars and for me this was the best part of the story.
This book will hold particular interest for anyone who endured bedsit life and office politics in the 1980s or slightly earlier. Having lived in a couple of challenging bedsits while studying law between 1975 and 1976 and later in 1977 I understand that the hovel which August endured was entirely credible. Granted her circumstances were particularly awful .As for office life summer jobs and trainee lawyer jobs also made the 1980s office scene recognisable. The good old filofax appears...phone boxes are used! There was always an office slimeball.
Obviously there is more to the story than a view of the 1980s but I thought this aspect would resonate with many people of a certain age hence the 5 stars and for me this was the best part of the story.
September 2, 2025
From the bottom to the top
Wow.
August's luck is one for the record books. Everything and everyone is working against her. Her boyfriend, her brother, her boss, her bosses boss. Good grief. My heart ached for her. But I dont want to say 'Poor August'.
This story of one woman's resilience, persistence, and determination is heartwarming and inspirational. No matter how low one gets in life, knowing that having only one person to believe in you can make all the difference. August didnt think she had any friends, she had nothing, only the will to do better, but with friends like Ali, Sammy, Brigitte and Graham, she really turned the tables. I was so satisfied with the ending that I sobbed.
A fantastic, real, raw and humbling read. Highly recommended.
Wow.
August's luck is one for the record books. Everything and everyone is working against her. Her boyfriend, her brother, her boss, her bosses boss. Good grief. My heart ached for her. But I dont want to say 'Poor August'.
This story of one woman's resilience, persistence, and determination is heartwarming and inspirational. No matter how low one gets in life, knowing that having only one person to believe in you can make all the difference. August didnt think she had any friends, she had nothing, only the will to do better, but with friends like Ali, Sammy, Brigitte and Graham, she really turned the tables. I was so satisfied with the ending that I sobbed.
A fantastic, real, raw and humbling read. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2024
That poor girl!
A masterful rendition about strength of character and never giving up hope. Ripped off by her boyfriend, August is in the doldrums of her life. Forced to live on next to nothing in a poky attic room whilst working 3 jobs, she has little to look forwards to. And everything is made much worse by the slimy selfish sales guy and her clueless swine of an MD. But circumstance does smile on this unlikely heroine. A series of events and chance meetings unfolds to show that if you keep fighting, things will get better. You will feel for the awful life August has, it could happen to any of us. And you won't be able to help smiling at what happens. A great read.
A masterful rendition about strength of character and never giving up hope. Ripped off by her boyfriend, August is in the doldrums of her life. Forced to live on next to nothing in a poky attic room whilst working 3 jobs, she has little to look forwards to. And everything is made much worse by the slimy selfish sales guy and her clueless swine of an MD. But circumstance does smile on this unlikely heroine. A series of events and chance meetings unfolds to show that if you keep fighting, things will get better. You will feel for the awful life August has, it could happen to any of us. And you won't be able to help smiling at what happens. A great read.
December 22, 2023
A lovely read.
The deeper I got into this book, the more I enjoyed it. I loved the main character, August, whose waste of space boyfriend, not only lets her down, but robs her blind too. Good riddance to him, I thought. But August hits on hard times and has to work at three jobs to try and keep her head above water. A lovely story with a very satisfying end, I highly recommend this book
The deeper I got into this book, the more I enjoyed it. I loved the main character, August, whose waste of space boyfriend, not only lets her down, but robs her blind too. Good riddance to him, I thought. But August hits on hard times and has to work at three jobs to try and keep her head above water. A lovely story with a very satisfying end, I highly recommend this book
November 18, 2019
August
I loved this book. It was a real page turner. The only problems I found was that I could not put it down. I laughted and I cried. The characters were so real. Well done C.D.Ward-Daniels.
I loved this book. It was a real page turner. The only problems I found was that I could not put it down. I laughted and I cried. The characters were so real. Well done C.D.Ward-Daniels.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews