Josie

by Lynda Page

For Josie Rawlings, caring for her cantankerous old grandmother and running her vegetable stall in Leicester's market square is hard work. But then things get a whole lot worse when Josie's inheritance is stolen and her granddmother's death brings eviction from the only home she's ever known.

Determined to rise above these bitter blows, Josie struggles to support herself, and, desperate for affection, stumbles into an ill-fated love affair. But there are those around who do recognise Josie's worth, and, although she is unaware of it, one man in particular is keeping a close eye on her progress...

Genres: Fiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 1994

About the author

Author of 29 books, Lynda Page was born and brought up in Leicester. The eldest of four daughters, she left home at seventeen and has had a wide variety of office jobs. She began her prolific writing career with her first novel during her 45 minute lunch hours at work. The book took 18 months to complete and was snapped up by the leading UK publisher, Headline, and she has been under contract to them ever since. She lives in a village in Leicestershire and is a full time writer.

Reviews

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book. I thought it would take me forever to read but right from the start it was an enjoyable read. A bit predictable at times but that just doesn't matter. It was the first Lynda Page I'd read and I will definately keep my eye open for more.

At first, for some reason, I kept thinking it was set in London in the 1940s but really it's set in Leicester in the 1960's!

[Coyney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again another fabulous read

[Barb Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

I cannot rate this highly enough. For anyone who has not read this authors work I suggest you do asap

[K Stott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly lovely and comforting read. Set in Leicester, England during the late 1960s, the novel is a self-described ‘heartwarming saga’ and that seems about right. It opens with our main character, the naïve but big-hearted Josie Rawlins, living with her grandmother and working at the family’s market stall. Through a series of unfortunate events, 19 year old Josie loses her home, her job and her grandmother in one week. She must fend for herself in a world that she is largely unprepared for. Although the details of her unfortunate week strain credulity, I found myself less bothered by this plot point than I thought I would be, as the novel doesn’t dwell there- instead it follows Josie as she turns optimistically towards a better future. There are all the hallmarks you would expect from a ‘heartwarming saga’ about a young woman growing up- Josie learns lessons, makes friends, gains life experience, suffers setbacks personally and professionally, and ultimately gets a love story and a happy ending.

I’m sure it is somewhat related to my having read this novel in anxious times, but I really enjoyed this read. Where I might usually have found some of the stereotypical characters or unrealistic plot points grating, it didn’t fuss me here. Maybe all I need is the novel equivalent of a hug and a nice cup of tea.

[Mrs Ann Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book by this Author, I love her books.

[Hayleigh Round · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with many twists and turns

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

first romance that I have really enjoyed!!

[Catherine Anne Cooper]

Good read



Easy to read enjoyable book. Good to read s book that's set in my home town. I shall definitely be reading more of the same.