A Woman’s Fortune

by Josephine Cox

With her family’s fate resting on her shoulders, Evie learns her lessons in life fast. It’s going to take a woman’s courage to find a new beginning…

One night, after her father gambles everything away, Evie and her family are forced to do a moonlight flit. It’s a fresh start in the South, where no-one knows their name, and Evie desperately misses all they’ve left behind. Yet Evie’s troubles are just beginning. Her mother, worn down by life, deserts them for a new man, and with her grandmother’s sight failing, Evie must carry the burden of earning their keep. Holding the family together becomes harder when tragedy strikes at its heart, but there is hope on the horizon . . .

Evie Carter just needs the courage to change the fortunes of her family.

Genres: Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2018

About the author

Josephine 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.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn away from their beloved home, the journey for the Carter family has just begun.

Michael Carter loses his job and he owes a loan shark a lot of money. So he does the only thing he can do to to save himself, and that is to leave home in the middle of the night taking his family and whatever possessions they have that they can fit into the carriers van.

This should be a new beginning for Michael, his wife Jeanie, his daughter Evie, his two sons Pete and Bob and his mother-In-law Sue. But it's only the start of new troubles for Evie, who has the weight of them all on her young shoulders. It's left to Evie and her Gran, Sue, to earn their keep and for Evie to run the house. There is lots more heartbreak in store for the family and a daily struggle to make ends meet.

Josephine Cox is at her best in this tale of heartbreak and family tragedy.

[Roz Radmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping read , full of interesting characters
Overnight Evie's life changes . Thanks to her feckless father and his drinking and gambling the family is forced to do a moonlight flit. Leaving their beloved Lancashire behind they head south . Evie hopes that their new home will be a new start for them all . Evie and her grandmother start a dressmaking business . Even father gets a job , for now .
It seems that a happier life is within reach but happiness , like a house made of cards can soon come tumbling down . Can Evie save the family from themselves ?

[Rachel Shepley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a nice easy read.

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual another great book by this author. I am always a big fan of her writing. This was not as gripping as other books I have read by her but still brilliant. I always look forward to her new books when they come out.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read, nicely written and while you can imagine what is going to happen, its still an enjoyable book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read a Ms Cox book for a while, and after reading this, I'm not to sure why. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Normaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok - my first Josephine Cox book. I liked it, but found the ending quite abrupt. As if marrying Evie off to Billy answered all the questions. I felt there were loose ends - like the scratches in Frederick's car - did he know he killed Michael? Was Jeannie really happy? What will happen to the business? Not sure if I will read another, but probably as I did get invested in the characters.

[Rebecca Haslam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another of the books passed to me by my Grandma and although the story was simple and enjoyable enough, this read was another I found to be a bit bland and lacking in that little something that holds my attention and makes it memorable.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have always loved Josephine Cox's book. I personally don't think this is as good as her early books but I did enjoy it and was a easy read.

[Robyn Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Certainly kept me reading and interested.

[Delibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ve a book I wouldn’t have read in a long time if my TBR Book Jar wouldn’t have said it’s time for this one. And I was hooked from the beginning.
We’ve the family Carter, Grandma Sue Goodwill, Jeanie, Michael, Evie, Peter and Robert Carter. They live a kinda poor life. Michael drinks his wages away or gambles with it. Then the family has to flee in a night, far to the south. In a little town where everyone knows everyone and everything is everyone’s business. Evie has to realise her family is more than broken.

Okay I’ve been hooked from the start and usually that’s not the type of book I’m reading. But this family took me in.
Here is a little spoiler for all people still reading the book. There are a few things, a few questions.
1. why did Robert have to die? It didn’t do anything for the storyline. IMO it was cruel and unnecessary
2. when I’ve got a husband who drinks the money away and can’t keep a job, is dangerous for the children, why keep him? Why not showing him the way to the door forever?
3. Why Billy? Wasn’t the whole reason of all of this to let the past behind? Billy is the past. Wouldn’t it be more realistic and reasonable to find a new one to love?

So yeah, I couldn’t stand the end. But let’s go into detail of Evie. She’s a nice girl, somewhat naively from time to time and sometimes a bit dumb. But lovely all together.
Sue is the women with the reigns. She’s the person with the brains in the family. But even she does some questionable things.
Billy … I don’t know where to begin. He’s one with no backbone. Yes, I know it’s a other time. But he’s a mamaboy and let Ada boss him around. He sees it’s wrong but he let it happen anyway. I honestly couldn’t stand him.

[Jean Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable a book you. Do not want to end kept me wandering in the end who was Evie going to settle down with Billy or George glad it was Billy and it would have been nice if George had given her away.

Very enjoyable a book you do not want to end, kept. Me wondering in the end who was Evie going to settle down with Billy or george,glad it was billy. It would have been nice if George had got friendly with grandma sue.

[Gail Marchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books starts in 1954 the women of the house mum Jeanie, Grandma Sue & Evie making a bit of money washing & ironing & a little mending
The males 2 sons Peter & Robert & dad Micheal
They have to do a moonlight flit after Micheal with his heavy drinking & gambling is in debt , they have to move to get away from the treats
The story about the family poverty, heartache, accounts for the life of these people friends & neighbours
How many of the family survive

[Annett Jummrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a beautiful story of strong women. Evie and her grandmother Sue were very likeable and I was rooting for them all the way. I did enjoy reading about their journey, even though it wasn't always easy (I shed a tear or two). Glad I read the book (first Jo Cox novel for me; inclined to pick up another).

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved Josephine Cox' books and it's hard to believe that she is no longer with us.

Her mostly Northern based sagas always featured a degree of grit and realism in them, but usually there was triumph over tragedy.

Josephine's talent will no doubt be sorely missed, but what a truly gifted storyteller.

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I would say this is a typical holiday read: easy, enjoyable, not very deep or elaborated. I read it very quickly and I liked some of the characters, but to me the novel lacks that something that makes it special and I was quite disappointed by the very predictable storyline and ending. Anyways, if you need something entertaining and simple to read at the beach, this might be it!

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several of Josephine Cox's books and always enjoyed them but I felt this lacked some thing. The ending was especially disappointing. Although not amazing it is still a good story and would still recommend.

[Lorna Morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally boring

I used to enjoy the Josephine Cox books, but this one was just awful. No excitement and certainly not a page turner. I was just skipping pages until the end. I will certainly not be reading anymore of her books...sorry.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have only read Josephine Cox's crime before and enjoyed that. I found this a light easy read but I'm not sure I will look for any more as I rather skip read it, as I was not totally gripped. I found the ending rather rushed and lacking in detail, as if she had run out of steam with the story.

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

What an absolutely amazing read from beginning to end. The characters were wonderful and I’m so so happy that it worked out well in the end. Adversity can definitely be conquered by positivity. Thoroughly recommend it. Thank you 😀

[SUSAN GRIFFIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading

Nice book that passed the time.
Enjoyable story, but ending felt rushed.
Was expecting more from the title, expected a “Women of Substance “ type ending.
Maybe there will be a sequel

[Inas. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living hardship since young age, Evie struggles to feel safe and happy along with her parents, brothers and amazing Grandmother Sue, gripping events , sad incidents yet happiness and love is what she seeks for ...
Loved this book, and loved its romance...
Very affectionate amazing book.

[Jean Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so will be searching for more from Josephine Cox. I do like the way she jumps from one family or situation to another. Wouldn't it be lovely if we were all as thoughtful and caring as most of the characters in this book?

[Abi Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

i lovee josephine cox’s books, they have so much depth and brilliance in them through characters and locations. i read a woman’s fortune in 2 days and i wish i could read it again, it’s so absorbing that you feel like you know the characters yourself

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Josephine Cox.

[Norma Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bolton

Being a Bolton lass myself, loved this. Always tells a good story and I loved reminiscing about the good old days . Very enjoyable

[Liz Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Josephine Cox never fails to deliver

[Lynne Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, a nice easy read on holiday.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read with engaging characters but I felt the ending was rushed. However another good read from an author who never disappoints

[joyce ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I liked this book and enjoyed reading it,the story line flowed well and was believable.The characters developed slowly and were also believable.☺