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Let It Shine
Ada Williams once believed money and power would bring her happiness. But now she is all alone except for her greedy son Peter, who waits only for the day he will inherit her fortune. Ada, however, has a different plan altogether.
A few miles away in Blackburn, the Bolton family may be poor - but the love they share means they can overcome almost any adversity. But no one could foresee the shocking events of Christmas night, 1932, which split the family asunder, leaving Larry crippled and the twins, Ellie and Betsy, in a foster home. Events that began many years ago, when Ada Williams was young and foolish.
A few miles away in Blackburn, the Bolton family may be poor - but the love they share means they can overcome almost any adversity. But no one could foresee the shocking events of Christmas night, 1932, which split the family asunder, leaving Larry crippled and the twins, Ellie and Betsy, in a foster home. Events that began many years ago, when Ada Williams was young and foolish.
512 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 1999
About the author
Josephine Cox
117 books347 followersJosephine 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.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 13, 2018
So far this is my favourite novel by Josephine Cox. I really enjoy her writing, her ability to make me care for her main characters and loathe the villains. Let is Shine is set in the early 1930s and narrates the story of the Bolton family and their tragedy. I read it in two sittings and after finish this novel, it felt like saying goodbye to dear friends. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I felt that the ending was rush. If you are looking for a cosy and fast-paced historical fiction try this one.
June 22, 2021
Livro que era da mãe, lido para matar saudades. Descubro que trata de uma mãe que abandona a filha, que depois morre deixando os filhos orfãos. Mais duas razões para a agradecer a minha... Mas uma história interessante e envolvente, embora rocambolesca.
June 1, 2022
Josephine Cox is always 5 star for me. Love her books
July 12, 2021
Wow
Another wow of a book - heartwarming - takes you through all the emotions - wonderful - keep them coming x
Another wow of a book - heartwarming - takes you through all the emotions - wonderful - keep them coming x
August 10, 2023
Let it shine is one of my favourite Josephine Cox novels and believe me that is difficult as there is not one of her novels that i have not liked.
This was a saga full of greed and heartache. Ada williams is dying and regrets things from her past that she is trying to put write. Her only sun peter is greedy and only after her money. The story then goes back and takes us through the tragedy that destroyed the Bolton family, killing the mother and father forcing the twins Ellie and Betsy into foster care, crippling there older brother Larry and causing there grand father to have a break down. We follow the various characters as they tried to put their lives back together. This was a wonderful book and everything is reveeled through out the book rather than all at once keeping the reader guessing and wanting more. Each character was developed really well and the book never lost it’s excitement through out. An easy 5 stars.
This was a saga full of greed and heartache. Ada williams is dying and regrets things from her past that she is trying to put write. Her only sun peter is greedy and only after her money. The story then goes back and takes us through the tragedy that destroyed the Bolton family, killing the mother and father forcing the twins Ellie and Betsy into foster care, crippling there older brother Larry and causing there grand father to have a break down. We follow the various characters as they tried to put their lives back together. This was a wonderful book and everything is reveeled through out the book rather than all at once keeping the reader guessing and wanting more. Each character was developed really well and the book never lost it’s excitement through out. An easy 5 stars.
September 4, 2020
I won't give away the entire plotline of the book, or you won't have anything to enjoy. Suffice to say, a Christmas Eve fire will leave the Boltons torn asunder when the parents are both killed, Larry is crippled and the girls are sent to live in a foster home. It all comes good in the end though, so if you're looking for a heart-warming tale of good things coming to those who deserve them, it will definitely put a smile on your face.
(Complete review on my blog : https://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspo...)
(Complete review on my blog : https://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspo...)
February 18, 2019
Mais um livro de uma autora com poucos livros em Portugal. Apesar de não constar aqui no Goodreads existe uma antiga versão em português, foi essa que eu li. Drama, coragem e vontade de viver e vencer. Boas horas de leitura
March 31, 2021
It always brings a smile to my face, of course after few teary eyes when I hoon on to Josephine Cox's reading. What a great book yet again and heart warming story. While there is enough bad out in the world, there is good too that exists. The book is all about that.
September 28, 2021
Let it shine it did
This book was different it was captivating I couldn't put it down I loved it .I found the honesty of characters coming through .
This book will speak to all woman and girls .Margaret..com
This book was different it was captivating I couldn't put it down I loved it .I found the honesty of characters coming through .
This book will speak to all woman and girls .Margaret..com
September 2, 2021
Easy read with the good and pantomime villains. A kind of Lancashire Catherine Cookson.
September 26, 2021
Great read
Kept me up all night reading this book, didn’t want to put it down until I had finished it, highly recommend it
Kept me up all night reading this book, didn’t want to put it down until I had finished it, highly recommend it
September 28, 2021
Brilliant read
Great book, I couldn’t put it down till it was finished. Read from start to finish in 12 hours. Enjoyed every minute.
Great book, I couldn’t put it down till it was finished. Read from start to finish in 12 hours. Enjoyed every minute.
December 30, 2021
Bolton family
Excellent book with many twists and turns. A murder and extreme jealousy. Amazing storyline. Here's to next book by Josephine Cox
Excellent book with many twists and turns. A murder and extreme jealousy. Amazing storyline. Here's to next book by Josephine Cox
February 5, 2022
Love this book
February 11, 2022
Love this book
March 21, 2023
Ok…predictable.
April 2, 2023
not worth my time reviewing
April 25, 2023
recommendation
I would highly recommend this book excellent reading from start to finish. Thrilling story with many surprising twists and turns.
I would highly recommend this book excellent reading from start to finish. Thrilling story with many surprising twists and turns.
July 21, 2023
Another lovely audio book from Josephine cox
Brilliant 5*
Brilliant 5*
December 7, 2023
too convenient
The author conveniently linked major characters together very quickly to come to a nice, neat closure. But it seemed contrived and unbelievable.
The author conveniently linked major characters together very quickly to come to a nice, neat closure. But it seemed contrived and unbelievable.
January 18, 2024
Another brilliant book
I do love this author's books. I enjoy reading them all, and though there are bad times and suffering, there is always a happy ending
I do love this author's books. I enjoy reading them all, and though there are bad times and suffering, there is always a happy ending
June 22, 2024
Holiday read. Cox never let's me down.
September 2, 2024
Easy read
November 7, 2024
Ah easy read about love, loss and second chances.
November 24, 2025
i enjoyed this book but JC always rushes her endings into last two oages but the ending was happy for mist of thecharacter
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2025
Historical fiction by a favourite author of mine
February 2, 2026
really enjoyed this book.
March 11, 2026
This book was given to me by a friend, not my usual read. Struggled to get into it at first and was a bit predictable, but overall a pretty easy read.
April 6, 2026
Great Josephine Cox book as always
May 28, 2026
3.75.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews












