Two Sisters

by Josephine Cox, Gilly Middleton

The pretty Arnold sisters have grown up on their father’s farm and yearn for something more out of life than drudgery and toil.
Ellen, loyal and honest, is her father’s favourite, but Georgina is impulsive and unreliable, and can’t please a father who has never shown her love.
The big house, Grindle Hall, offers them both a chance of betterment, but while Ellen follows the steady path, Georgina takes a darker road and soon, her actions will have fateful consequences for them all. Only Ellen can help them, but will a sister’s love be enough? Josephine Cox's book 'A Daughter’s Return' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 04-10-2021.

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2020

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]

The pretty Arnold sistera have geown up on their father's farm and yearn for something more out of life than drudgery and toil. Ellen, loyal and honest, is her father's favourite, but Georgina is implusive and unreliable and can't please her father who's never loved her. The big house, Grindle Hall, offers them both a chance of betterment, but while Ellen follows the steady path, Georgina takes a darker road and soon, her actions will have fateful consequences for them all. Only Ellen can help them, but will a sisters love be enough?

This story is about two sisters, one good, the other bad. They get jobs at Grindle Hall where their uncle Tom works in the garden. But Gina's job is walking Mrs Stellion's spaniel puppy. Gina uses people for her own gain. The story strts off slowly but the pace soon picks up. The story is true to the era it's written in. The story mixes familylife with secrets and family bickering. This is another good read by the author.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #JosephineCox for my ARC of #TwoSisters in exchane for an honest review.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two sisters in the 1950’s who both get jobs in the big house owned by a wealthy family.
Ellen is reliable and well liked but her sister Gina is dishonest and uses people for her own gain.
This was an enjoyable read with some likeable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer 1956 and two sisters Gina and Ellen, living in the Lancashire countryside find themselves at odds with each other. Gina is always wanting to be the better daughter and after losing two jobs, one in the village shop and one in the nearby farm, she longs to work at Grindle Hall. Probably because her sister Ellen has just started working there with their Uncle Tom in the gardens, but she ends up getting a job walking the spaniel puppy belonging to Mrs Stellion. As time goes on and Gina is still as scheming as ever and her sister Ellen is certainly the nicer one of the two.
This book will delight the hundreds of fans of Josephine Cox's books and it has all the right mix of family life, squabbles and secrets to make you want to read more. I really enjoyed it and it is well worthy of being a 5 star read.

[DocGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two sisters are the wild one, Gina and the sensible one, Ellen. Through a series of events, through which Josephine Cox initially gives us a very negative impression of Gina, the book takes us into the lives of this Lancashire-based family and community. It's very realistic of the 1960's in England at that time, particularly the huge difference between the wealthy and the working class, so Cox's roots are brought relevantly and grittily into this story. Be prepared, though, for the portrayals of Gina and her father to be very black and white, the former for about 3/4 of the way through the book, if not all, and there is no sympathy given to the father's character whatsoever. It's almost like Cox has decided to ascribe every negative characteristic to Gina at all opportunities, which is just not realistic. Despite that, there is, finally, recognition that she is flawed, rather than evil, eventually, although the same cannot be said for their father. The book is a good read throughout and I'm glad I picked it up. Lovers of Catherine Cookson will adore it!

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by a fantastic auther. I always get excited when a new title gets releced. This book was very good.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a nice story about two sisters, one ready to settle down and the other a bit more wild!

I wasn’t sure why it was split into two sections, I didn’t really think that was necessary

[Ellie Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Marianthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I strongly disliked some aspects of this book, while the writing and plot carried me along. It is a fast-paced pageturner. I enjoyed wondering what Gina was thinking about doing next. I held my breath when Phil appeared, I liked easygoing Nell.
I did not appreciate demonising Gina’s ambition. Wanting something more than her “place” does not mean a woman is inherently evil, dishonest and a bad apple. Yet the story just carried on painting her in the blackest colours. The business with the spell book was really unnecessary. The only time Gina spoke normally was when she had accepted her fate.
Most of the characters were 3-dimensional but some were total stereotypes, like Diana Stellion and Mr. Shepherd.

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven’t read a family saga in ages and I always know I’ll love anything Josephine writes. So easy to just get lost in her stories and before you know it hours have passed while you’ve been in Lancashire experiencing everything Gina and Ellen went through alongside them.
I’d forgotten just how much I love reading books like this and need to read more of the many sitting on my shelves!! For many years historical family sagas were most of what I read and enjoyed.
My tastes may have expanded but I still have a great love for books like this 💜

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story. Ellen and Gina are the two sisters, they live in the village of Little Grindle, where nothing much happens, Gina dreams of spreading her wings and leaving the confides of the village whereas Ellen is happy to marry and stay in Little Grindle.
Both girls go to work at the big house where their employer owns the local brewery. And so starts their problems....
RIP Josephine Cox x

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not usually my kind of book but it wasn't too bad. It's called Two Sisters one good and one bad! The story focussed too much on the bad sister which got on my nerves a bit,she certainly wasn't a very likable character. Sadly Josephine Cox died last year but she has a great back catalogue and I'm sure I'll dip into more of her books.

[Allan Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally different than any other Josephine Cox book than I’ve read. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it but not as highly as other books. It definitely tells the different lives 2 sisters lead due to different life choices, wants, and interests. Add a little romance, mystery and witchcraft and you have an enjoyable read

[SWC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an obituary for the author and then checked whether my library had any of her books (24 I soon discovered). New vocabulary for me were ‘owt’ and ‘nowt”. A ‘feel good’ story. Even after Gina’s adventures, she was still scheming at the end.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5//5 I was still waiting for something bigger to happen

Enjoyed the story, I was always waiting for something bigger and better to happen. It didn’t quite reach expectations but was entertaining just the same.

[Ella Wheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read, however the book was plot driven and the plot did not unravel until the last 5-10 chapters. Would definitely recommend anyone to read, my only advise would be to not expect to fall in love with the book!

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy at all , disappointing.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book. A little bit slow to start with but a good story once I got junk it

[Alison Hydes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

[June Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josephine Cox has done it again, keeps you glued to her story right until the end.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book as always with Josephine Cox, my mum was a big fan which is why I decided to read this new one out. Great characters and good storyline!!!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favourite author I keep going back to year after year. Love the characters and storylines.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Really enjoy the characters in Josephine Cox books.

[Penny G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gina was an interesting character that wasn’t fully explored. Her older sister Nell/Ellen was quite boring.

[Carol G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different read for Jo Cox but I did enjoy it

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, the style of writing and the characters.

I would recommend this book and will certainly be reading more novels written by Josephine Cox.

[Rainie Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a nice story about two sisters, one ready to settle down and the other totally different with bigger dreams to try and fulfill!

[Heather Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good holiday easy read.

[Shai Morbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not my type

[Elke Selan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, easy read to enjoy on your holidays. Liked it a lot.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed her latest book