BORN BAD by JOSEPHINE COX

BORN BAD

BY JOSEPHINE COX

THE BLURB:-

Eighteen years ago, Harry made a hard decision that drove him out from the place he loved. Since then he carved out a life for himself, and found a semblance of peace. Yet he is still haunted by the memory of the warm carefree girl with the laughing eyes.

For Judy Saunders, the pain of her past has left her deeply scarred. Cut off from her family and trapped in a loveless marriage, the distant memories of her first love are her only source of comfort in a dark and dangerous world.

Years later, Harry is heading back. Excited, afraid and racked with guilt, he has little choice. He must confront the past and seek forgiveness.

THE REALITY:-

I've always wanted to read Josephine Cox's books, as they looked like the kind of family sagas that I get on well with. I just maybe wish I hadn't chosen this one? It was very gritty and real, in the style of Catherine Cookson, but was perhaps a bit too depressing for my taste.

Set in 1956, at 468 pages long the book was very thick, considering it's only dealing with the time span of a few months. It was therefore full of glorious detail (which I always prefer to too little) with a great plot:- the question of what really went on with fourteen-year-old Judy and her baby was the issue that kept me turning the pages.

I did find the characters extremely stereotyped, but was very glad of the much-needed happy ending! The twist regarding who was the real villain of the piece was also pleasantly unexpected.

I'd certainly give this author another go.