A Daughter's Destiny

by Rosie Goodwin

The new paperback from Sunday Times bestselling saga author, Rosie Goodwin.

'Rosie Goodwin gets better and better! I read it in just two days but I didn't want it to end' You

Torn apart by destiny, the sisters must learn to survive against the odds in an unforgiving city.

1875.

Emerald Winter has lived a privileged life with her parents and her younger sister Abigail in the stately Astley House. But all that suddenly changes when her father disappears, leaving the family in enormous debt.

They are forced to throw themselves at the mercy of Emerald's uncle who begrudgingly allows them on his farm.

Desperate to find work, Emerald must leave her family and travel to London to become the companion of a distant aunt she's never met.

Rebellious Abigail is unwilling to lower herself to menial farm chores and instead runs away, finding work as a hostess in a Soho club where she soon attracts trouble.

Will Emerald ever be able to find happiness and reunite her family again?

'An other heartwarming saga her fans will love' Woman's Weekly

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance

437 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2022

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

[angelita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5⭐️ This was actually good, it wasn't bad at all, it's just me personally, there were many things that didn't do it for me.

- The pacing. The beginning and the end were too slow for me and the ending was especially dragged out
- Incest. Do I need to explain?
- The father. Sure all ends well but some parts of his character were rushed. Instead of having the start and ending drag out, I wish the father's character was explored a little more.
- Hugo. Please for the love of the lord I wish there was a special scene of him getting what he deserves. Hate him.
- Abi's trauma was way too much.. she's only 16-17 here :(

But despite that, the girls are what saved this book for me

- The main girls. Out of everyone, Abi and Dorcas got such good character development, it genuinely made me happy to see them change their materialistic ways.
- Aunt Imogen was a gem
- In a book full of trashy men, there were like 2 of 3 good ones

Overall, this book is good, really. It just didn't give me that feeling you get when a book is amazing to you if that makes sense lol?? I do recommend it though.

[Charlotte Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I felt about the book. I must admit I didn't get through the whole of it. Although the book was well written, it bored me. I wanted something to happen to keep it going. The author wrote the book incredibly well it just wasn't my kind of book genre. It was very slow in parts, and for a book that's over 400 pages, the last thing I want is for it to drag, which it did in the end. I really wanted to like it and at points it was really good but I just couldn't get into it like I do with other books.

[H LLOYD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me Flowers in the Attic vibes. A well off family loses everything, the father of the house is gone, there's a mysterious wealthy relative that no one heard of that one of the kids is sent to live with and swap out half uncle for cousin. There's even murder like FITA too. Maybe that's why I enjoyed reading it except for portions of Abi's story which again made me want to throw the book across the room screaming no not again!! The book follows the Winter family. Or more specifically the women. Mother Dorcas is a selfish spendthrift who runs her family into debt (Corrine Dollanganger) her husband is ashamed of himself for losing it all and the family goes to live on Dorcas's brother's estate in a tiny cottage. Emerald or Emmy the oldest daughter goes to live and care for a sick wealthy and very eccentric aunt Imogen, Abigail or Abi the youngest is conned by her cousin Jasper to go work at a club in London and runs away. Emmy grows to love her aunt and she and her other cousin Jake who is a doctor open a clinic to help with the people in the slums. Ah the days before socialized medicine. Abi falls in love with a rich asshole and gets pregnant because of course she does. God forbid there should be one book without an unwanted pregnancy. You can create drama without it. In fact my favourite books by this author manage to steer away from it. Abi goes to live in Imogen's summer home with a housekeeper I truly wanted to smack the shit out of. No not everyone falls instantly in love with their baby. Some look at it and see trauma whether because it's a result of rape, or a love affair gone wrong, or just the trauma of giving birth. There's nothing wrong with putting a child up for adoption and it's books like these that often lead to child abuse or abandonment or even murder. If I got pregnant and didn't want it and was against abortion and I had some woman or many people as society tends too do to women who choose not to have kids telling me constantly you'll fall in love the moment you see the baby and I see the baby and see trauma or have no feelings for it I'm going to feel like a failure, I'm going to resent the kid if people keep telling me to give it a chance and push the kid on me. I'm either going to off myself for thinking I'm horrible for not having maternal instincts like "normal" women do or I'll take it out on the child who doesn't deserve that. What in the hell is wrong with not wanting kids. Whenever this trope comes up I hear all the voices saying oh you'll change your mind. Not everyone is meant to be a mother and I'm sick and tired of reading stories like Abi's that make it seem like if you don't fall in love with your baby there's something not right with you. It's not cute, it's not a charming trait it's harmful. That's my rant. This book definitely would've been five full stars as I loved Emmy's story, Abi's too up until the pregnancy thing ad I saw it coming from a mile off. A good twist would've been her saying I'll give up this baby and give it a better life and start with a clean slate. So stupid. But as I said I skipped over most of those parts and I read the actual decent ones like Emmyand Dorcas who learned and grew throughout the story which takes place over a year only aunt Imogen was a fun character and Jasper made a truly rotten if slightly stupid villain. I hope she moves past this pregnancy trope but if the next one has it I'm done with this author.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie Goodwin always delivers. Her stories are captivating and compelling and this is no exception. Without giving away any spoilers, however, I have one small niggle at the end. A woman admits a secret to her son which is life changing but he doesn't respond or say anything. Under the circumstances I find that quite unbelievable and I wonder if that was a little error on the author's part. This was also a part of the storyline which I predicted, perhaps because one of my novels is based on very similar lines. Apart from that it was a great book and I look forward to reading another of Rosie's.

[Lauren Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie Goodwin has done it again, this was another page turner. I really enjoyed the multiple storylines which made the book engaging throughout. Success is not always measured by financial gain, sometimes there are things of other value and this tale takes the readers on a journey to consider what is most important to them. It was also interesting to see how downfall and the events that unravel change the characters, furthermore that whatever stage you are at in life it's never too late to learn from you're mistakes.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new book of Rosie's is a real page turner. I read it in two days as I could not put it down. What a lovely story of a wealthy family losing all and how they each recovered in ways one could not believe. How their natures changed and how they learnt to live with the change. In the 1800's it was tough on the poor and too many of the rich did not notice. Thank goodness I live in this century. Enjoy if you get to read this book. I could not help giving it five stars

[Adri Dosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehmmmm
Je to překombinované. Je to sakra možná hodně červená knihovna. Jako i dost přitažená za vlasy. Nicméně... fakt se to dobře četlo, bavilo mne to a prostě i když ty nedokonalosti člověk viděl a jinde mi lezou na nervy, tu ne. Zvláštní. Prostě jsem o nich věděla, ale máchala rukou a i to, že možná i klišé? A stejně to bylo fajn. A jsem zvědavá na další díl. I když i tento byl svým způsobem uzavřen.

[Daenerys Targaryen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out great. But then plummeted rather rapidly. I felt like the reader is forced to compare between the flighty younger sister and the able, responsible elder one. Plus the book contradicts itself when it says a marriage between cousins is not ideal and then proceeded to do just that.

[Paul Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a splendid book as all of Rosie Goodwin’s books are. Rosie lives in my hometown of Nuneaton where many of her novels are set. This one is a family story of rich people losing what they have. Also has romance tragedy and happy endings. It is well worth a read. Once you pick up this book you will find it difficult to put down. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book as with all of Rosie’s books. I was so drawn into the story I found it hard to put the book down. I felt like I actually knew the characters and what Abbie went through I can relate to as I went through the same so I thought this was particularly written so well.but of course so sad. Thank you for another wonderful book x

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Rosie Goodwin just gets better and better
What a fantastic read couldn’t put it down was reluctant to go work each day just wanted to read this book
It’s ups and down were sad in places but in the end love won x

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a Rosie Goodwin novel for ages so was looking forward to reading this and I wasn't disappointed! From start to finish this had me hooked, I took to all of the characters straight away and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, and a lot did happen 🤣

[Kate Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like the author repeated certain phrases an awful lot during the book, and some of the writing seemed a bit rushed, despite this i really got into the book and enjoyed it, especially getting a deep feel for each character!

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

A wonderful thank you for this amazing story. From the first page to the last I've been stuck to it. Your a fabulous author and I love everyone of your stories. 💕💕😅

[Joanne Whitefoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally not what I expected to happen. Its was a real tear jerker at the end. Another amazing piece of writing by Rosie Goodwin. I love her books and highly recommend Rosie as an author to read

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

An avid reader

I love rosie when I read her books I am there with the characters and
nothing or now one else exists.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per usual……Rosie’s books never fail to please.

[Lesley Puncher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story and have listened to a lot of Rosie Goodwin books on Audible but this time I found Charlie Sanderson's voice rather irritating for the two main female characters.

[Layla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get into this the book started like it had been left off as part of another story. Does anyone know if this is Part of a series.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Rosie Goodwin doesn't dissapoint, another enthralling story.

[Shirley Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as always Rosie Goodwin

Lovely book, great characters, once started you can't stop reading. Alway read Rosie's books. Can't wait for the next one.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this , great story kept me hooked from beginning to end 5*

[Emma Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Gaynor Mckinnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book ,absolutely loved it

[JM Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never shouted "YOU ARE COUSINS" so many times within a 48 hour period. That being said I also couldn't put it down for those 48 hours, so would recommend.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

🙂

[Sylvia Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book I’ve read all of her books but this has got to be amongst the top three.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woops bit late putting this on here as finished this awhile ago. Realy loved this book as I do all of Rosie's books can't wait to get the next one.

[Miss Deborah Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Just like the rest of Rosie Godwin’s books just brilliant. Really enjoyed it. Fabulous story which had me gripped from the start.