Cradle of Thorns

by Josephine Cox

An alternate cover edition can be found here.

When Nell becomes pregnant, she is forced to leave behind her life and travel across the Bedfordshire countryside of 1890. On her journey she meets Kit, a ten-year-old orphan. She takes him under her wing, both of them aware there must be a reckoning.

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Romance

434 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Ria]

Nell is in trouble, she is pregnant and won't tell her family who is the father is.
Her aunt is livid and wants her thrown out and her father is too scared not to.
So starts a life on the road full of hardship yet also friendship as Nell's sunny nature draws her good pals.
But deep down her heart is with her childhood love, Bill she longs to go back home but will the real father want to claim his child or will her aunt harm them?
A story full of secrets and lies, love, loss, redemption and faith in a brighter future.
I adore Josephine Cox novels, she has never written a bad story and this was no exception.
Brilliant.

[Punit Sahani]

5 ⭐

Nell's journey begins with a single mistake that changes the course of her life forever. Expecting a child out of wedlock in a society quick to judge, she finds herself abandoned by those who should have protected her. With a father unwilling to stand by her and an aunt determined to see her unborn child removed from the picture, Nell makes the courageous decision to leave and face the world on her own.
What follows is a touching journey filled with both kindness and cruelty. Along the way, Nell encounters people who restore her faith in humanity and others who test her strength and determination. Through every hardship, she refuses to compromise her dignity or her love for her child. That unwavering self-respect is what makes her such an admirable protagonist.
Josephine Cox has a remarkable talent for creating characters that feel authentic and deeply human. I found myself completely invested in Nell's struggles, heartbreaks, and triumphs. While the novel does not shy away from the harsh realities of life, it ultimately delivers a message of hope, forgiveness, and second chances.
The ending was particularly satisfying, bringing Nell back to the people she loves and proving that even after the darkest of journeys, happiness can still be found. It is a heartwarming reminder that mistakes do not define a person how they rise above them does.
A moving and memorable read that showcases Josephine Cox at her storytelling best.

[Judy Hansen]

Set in 1890, it's the story of a wandering pregnant woman, Nell, who can't go home because her aunt wants her to have an abortion. Along the way, she picks up a homeless boy, Kit, who has a lot of street smarts but nothing in the way of education or manners. The two have various adventures, including running into some people who help them out and one man with ill intentions.

Meanwhile there are folks at home worried about Nell.

It all works out in the end. I think many of the views and activities are very true to the 1890's. Good historical perspective.

[EILEEN SHEPPARD]

Heartwarming

This book had a bit of everything, the main character young Nell lived with her tyrant of an aunt and a coward of a father. The book is about them, her friends and her adventures when at 17 she takes to the open road alone and desperate. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it had excitement, terror, sadness, laughter and I read it in two sittings. I just couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend this book to all.

[Diana]

Nell lives with her father, Don and her aunt, Lilian. Lilian is a cruel woman who has some kind of “hold” over Don. Nell, secretly pregnant, decides to leave her home and travel by horse and buggy across the country looking for work. Later on, her adventures and tribulations are shared by Kit, a young, homeless boy. Bill, a lifelong friend, travels across country trying to find her and bring her back home. It was a light read but one that kept me interested until the end.

[Debbie]

Great story! Hard to put down

[Jenni]

My favourite at the moment is Bad Boy Jack, this one was alright.

[Sharon Kane]

Review

This was a really good read. Josephine Cox at her best. Never disappointed with any of her books that I have read.

[Mary Humphries]

Definitely spell-binding

My friends, my doctor's receptionist and all who read this. I love all Josephine Cox novels but this, so far is my favourite.

[Dorothy Tysall]

Interesting read

A super read . History of the period well reviewed , just did not want to put the book down.

[Erika Larsson]

En mycket bra, fin, gripande och spännande bok!

[Chantelle]

Poorly written, very childlike and hard to believe. I gave up after a few chapters.

[mrs s.j French]

Lovely

Very good book quite emotional book she takes you into the story and it turns out well in the end

[Lynn Hutchinson]

Always a reliably good tale from Josephine Cox. Interesting characters that made you care about them woven into a good story.

[Mrs Jacqueline Tite]

Briliant

Really good, couldn't put it down.
Great characters very good story, keeps you gripped until the end.
Would highly recommend.

[Margaret Wilkes]

I enjoyed it very much. Look forward to reading more of Josephine Cox .

[Alan Depledge]

Another brilliant read

Thrilling from start to finish. A story that keeps you captivated throughout. Great holiday read, so you’ve got plenty of time.

[Julie Homer]

Another fantastic read 5* brilliant

[Lesley]

An unlikely tale with a predictable ending.

[Joan Jones]

A wonderful book

This book is absolutely brilliant from start to finish I really enjoyed it Josephine Cox is a wonderful author I've read many of her books.

[Melissa Done]

Could have been shorter!

[Apryl Surette]

Cradle of thorns

A very good yarn and a great read. Josephine Cox is an author to follow. Her characters are adorable and true to life.

[Vicki Klemm]

Fantastic listen about a very strong and determined young woman.

[Priscilla Landry]

Captivating!

This book was well written and held your interest throughout. A very good read for sure and I would highly recommend.

[MISS M L HOLBOURNE]

Cradle of thorns

A really good read, I couldn't put my kindle down. A really nice ending.
Perfect for an afternoon of suspence.

[lyn]

Unstoppable read ...

Was spell bound from beginning to end .... excellent story of love and betrayal. Definitely worth a read . Loved every minute... sad when it ended

[Bethany]

I am very critical. This author is very popular and wrote many books, so I don't begrudge her success. But this book was so much an exercise in telling, not showing, that it was laborious to read. The main character is feisty, kind-hearted and spirited because the author keeps making the other characters say so. The wicked aunt is cruel and callous because everyone says so, despite the fact her horrific actions are so obviously sufficient for the reader to make that judgment call. Everyone ends up at a convent. I won't read any other books by the author.

[Diane]

Only recently started to read Josephine Cox novels and i can honestly say out of the 6 i've read so far there is not one i haven't enjoyed. The story was gripping and very sad in places.

[Carobe]

Vagga av törnen.

[Maureen]

another excellent read from Josephine cox...difficult to put down