Emotional rollercoaster read you’ll devour in one sitting

Great author!! I love all your books!! They are real to life, very interesting, entertaining, heartfelt, and always very funny! I loved the character development. I did see some repeated material from other books, but that's ok. It fit well with the story. This book was so good. I took my time with it. I plan to read any new book you write! I read a lot and I really enjoy your style!! "Here's to friendship and all who sailed in on her!!" Classic! Well done! Keep up the good work!

I read 'The Forgotten Woman' immediately after 'Dear Mother' and it is clear to me that Angela Marsons has an excellent insight into childhood abuse and its effects on the victims' lives as they move into adulthood. Written with empathy, sensitivity and compassion, 'The Forgotten Woman' is a progressive story of a friendship that develops between two alcoholic females trying to move on and make something of their lives. Kit is a runaway from her sexually abusive stepfather finds herself out on the streets, fending for herself and turning to prostitution for survival. Frances is the polar opposite; cold, controlled, professional and from a highly privileged background. They meet at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and gradually form an unlikely allegiance in their battle against the booze.
The longer I spent with the characters, the more this story grew on me. Both Kit and Frances are very likeable characters with very believable flaws. They follow a clear progressive path from beginning to end and I found myself willing them to seize their second chance life, make the right choices and move forward with the changes. From a very negative start to their lives, 'The Forgotten Woman' ended just right on a positive note with just enough of an open end to leave the reader hoping that they make it.....

I loved The Forgotten Woman, despite it making me cry so many times I was an emotional wreck by the time I got to the end of it. I even felt tearful for a couple of days after finishing it, each time I thought about it. It left me feeling like I had a fountain of emotion waiting to pour out of me. I’m pleased to say I now feel emotionally stable enough to write a review without crying.

This is a story about two unlikely friends, brought together by alcoholism. Kit and Frances come from two completely different walks of life, but both carry with them dark pasts and a suitcase full of emotional baggage.

This is now officially my favourite book by Angela Marsons. I know this was her very first novel, but me falling in love with this book confirms my suspicions that the main reason I love her crime series, despite not being a fan of crime, is the author’s ability to create wonderful characters with strong emotions that fall off the pages and sneak into the reader’s heart.

While the characters are the strongest part of this novel, the storyline itself was one that surprised me and kept me turning the pages. Finding it especially hard to put down in the second half of the novel.

It also brought back specific memories. One of my time living in Bradford while at university in the 90s, and seeing prostitutes on street corners while I walked to my favourite rock club. I remember one specific night seeing a teenage prostitute and feeling so shocked that she looked so young, possibly not even 16. One night, I was almost picked up myself, while waiting to cross the road. It turns out being a rock chick and wearing boots, black tights, and a black PVC dress can have you mistaken for a prostitute in Bradford!

Another memory was of the dream job I got in my mid 20s, working in a residential college for teenagers with a specific disorder. Unfortunately I was unable to take the job, as being a Navy wife, we were made to move shortly after my security checks came through. I still remember feeling really nervous while waiting in reception for my interview, then all of a sudden being very closely surrounded by a handful of teenagers who wanted to know everything about me, and were all excitedly telling me their names. My nerves disappeared instantly. Not being able to take that job is one of my biggest regrets, as I know I would have found it so fulfilling.

If you enjoy a tear-jerker with great characters, then I definitely recommend this book.

Bookouture and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Forgotten Woman. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The Forgotten Woman is told in the dual perspectives of Kit Mason and Fran Thornton, two women who meet because of an alcohol abuse support group. Kit has a chip on her shoulder, born from being abused by men from the time she was a teenager. Afraid of her own shadow, Kit is struggling to keep her head above water. Fran has always had impossible standards set for her from her parents, her mother in particular. Turning to the bottle for comfort, Fran has to reach the bottom before she can climb her way back up. When the two become friends, will Kit and Fran be able to finally have someone they can rely on for support? Will the mistakes and horrors of the past be put to rest?

The Forgotten Woman was well paced and has two interesting main characters. The dual perspective format works well in this book, as each of the women gets the chance to tell her full story. Both plot lines were compelling, but I liked the story best when the two women come together for mutual support. I would recommend The Forgotten Woman to readers who like realistic and women's fiction and I look forward to reading more by author Angela Marsons in the future.

It was great to read something different from Angela Marsons after reading and loving her successful crime series. This book took me in a different direction and I really enjoyed the journey.

This is a book with a lot of emphasis put on the characters and the interactions between many of them. We have two women who have grown up in very different ways and lived very different lives yet one vice joins them - alcohol addiction.

They meet at an AA meeting and the friendship gets off to a rocky start thanks to years of defence mechanisms and mistrust, however as the book evolves they share with us their friendship journey of growth. I did find that the plot did not hold true to the path walked for those attending AA meetings and some recovery timeframes and how easy it seemed are probably unrealistic.

One character is moving away from a life of prostitution, the other is moving away as much as she can from the dysfunctional relationship she has with her ice-queen of a mother. One does data entry now in a small dingy office, the other is a successful lawyer known for never losing a case.

Each is tempted by a new life love interest and the book explores really well the reality of how hard it can be to let someone in when you've been used and abused by men. Our lawyer faces strong feelings for a women she has met and the book tackles same sex attraction without needing to put labels on any of it beautifully. Love has no need for labels and boxes.

This is an emotional read with characters that grow and change with you as you read the book. It shows that true friendship can blossom between very unlikely people if there is a common ground link cementing it together. It's quite fascinating watching each woman face her own demons, fears, secrets from the past and finally what truth is for them.

If you enjoy a character focused novel that gives you the chance to get alongside the characters you will really enjoy this. There are some great messages shared from both women - both strong ladies, yet so different. I truly liked both of them equally.

The book reads at a consistent steady pace and to enjoy it best, set aside your expectations in regards to Angela's successful crime series as this book really is of a different nature and purpose in the message it delivers. It's great to see the diversity with which Angela writes with. I'm keen for more. Overall a good read that had depth, heart and some really likeable main players. I give it 4/4.5 stars.

Many thanks to the author and Bookouture for my review copy to read and professionally review.

This is my first time reading anything by Angela Marsons and I’m wondering what took me so long?! I relished every minute I spent reading this book and discovering the stories of Kit and Fran.

Kit is not only a forgotten woman at the start of this book, she is a broken woman. She was a prostitute at a young age and she has experienced brutal things at the unforgiving hands of men that utterly broke my heart. When she was describing her life on the streets I just wanted to scoop her up and hug her, love her and be kind to her. I admired her fiery spirit and sarcasm in the face of adversity, Kit is the definition of a fighting spirit.

Fran grew up in completely different circumstances than Kit did. Her family was successful and affluent and she never had to worry about a thing in terms of finances. Her home was lacking in love, however, a love and approval that Fran desperately craved. Despite their obvious differences, the two both struggled with the same demons; an addiction to alcohol.

After an initial meeting, the two women do not hit it off. Despite their rough start, the two strike up an unlikely friendship. I was so emotionally attached to both women in different ways, but I was rooting for them equally. Watching them both grow and find themselves, both separately and together with their burgeoning relationship was truly beautiful.

One thing I particularly liked about this book was that the ending wasn’t tied together all perfectly with a pretty bow. It did tie up several loose ends, enough to where I won’t be annoyed and bothered by unanswered questions, but leaving things imperfect was appreciated by me as this book was all about the imperfect aspects of life.

The Forgotten Woman is a riveting story, about two women, broken, from the backlash of abuse and alcoholism. They formed a close bond and assisted one another in rebuilding their lives. Although Kit Mason and Frances Thornton came from completely different backgrounds, they became the best of friends.

Kim Mason is an ex-prostitute with a violent and abusive past. Frances Thornton is a successful lawyer who was abandoned and abused. Kim Mason landed in a safe-house after being beaten and stabbed by her pimp. Frances Thornton is recovering from an embarrassing, career altering mishap. She collapsed into a drunkard stupor while representing her client, in the middle of the courtroom.

The author does a wonderful job developing these two characters and bringing them to life for the reader. Their dialogue is realistic and witty and their circumstances compelling but tragic. Although, Kim and Frances had come from different worlds; their battles, especially regarding trust, love, and addiction, were the same. The book would have had more of a realistic feel to it, though, if there had been more detail written about the women’s struggle with addiction and the role that Alcoholics Anonymous had played in their recovery.

I enjoyed the book immensely, though, and rooted for the characters, right from the start. The story flowed smoothly from one character’s life to the other. It’s not a fluffy tale; it’s raw, but it’s well-written. I loved the book and recommend giving it a read.

I received this ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having read all of Angela's DI Kim Stone thriller series, which are brilliant, I wondered how much I would enjoy a change of genre by this author, incidentally this is the first book she ever wrote, I certainly wasn't disappointed.

This book follows the lives of Kit and Fran who meet at an AA meeting and soon become firm friends, their backgrounds are actually very similar in that they come from families who didn't know how to show these girls affection and this paved the way to the paths they took in life, that is where the similarities end though.

I experienced the full range of emotions with this book, I laughed and I cried (there were more tears than laughter though), I was also angry at how these girls had ended up where they did because of their parents. It was a real roller coaster of emotions read and I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a tear jerker.

I would like to thank Bookouture for the auto approval and Angie Marsons for a book that, from page one, pulled me into this beautiful story which took me less than a day to read and one that I didn't want to end.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having read all of Angela's DI Kim Stone thriller series, which are brilliant, I wondered how much I would enjoy a change of genre by this author, incidentally this is the first book she ever wrote, I certainly wasn't disappointed.

This book follows the lives of Kit and Fran who meet at an AA meeting and soon become firm friends, their backgrounds are actually very similar in that they come from families who didn't know how to show these girls affection and this paved the way to the paths they took in life, that is where the similarities end though.

I experienced the full range of emotions with this book, I laughed and I cried (there were more tears than laughter though), I was also angry at how these girls had ended up where they did because of their parents. It was a real roller coaster of emotions read and I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a tear jerker.

I would like to thank Bookouture for the auto approval and Angie Marsons for a book that, from page one, pulled me into this beautiful story which took me less than a day to read and one that I didn't want to end.

Angela Marsons is one of my favorite authors and I love her Kim Stone series and this is the first single book of hers that I've read. It was good but it didn't blow me out of the water. "The Forgotten Woman" tells the story of Kim and Fran, two women who appear to have nothing in common. After meeting in an AA meeting the two forge an unlikely friendship, helping and supporting each other to rebuild their lives. Both women have complex histories involving prostitution and a brief mention of sexual child abuse. They learn to deal with their past and move on in their lives. I really enjoyed reading about each woman. For a first novel this book shows that Angela Marsons' is a talented author. I read somewhere that this was her first novel years back and they tweaked it a bit. A good read but not a 5 star on this one.

A stunningly feel good novel. This is one of those books that is about the characters as much as the plot. There is an immediate empathy for 2 women from opposote ends of the spectrum. Kit and Fran have led incredibly different lives however there is a common thread which leads them to meet. Each has had hardships in the past of differing types, each has not had the care that they should have, yet on the surface one is intelligent with a highly paid job wanting for very little and the other has struggled by herself ever since she can remember. This is a very well written book where you instantly feel empathy for the characters, what they gone through and how they have dealt with it in their own way. New beginnings, challenges in various aspects of their lives are brought to life in this tale where you find yourself rooting for them both in different ways. A heartfelt read.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review

This is a story about two women who share similar childhoods--one rich anyone not rich. Both suffer from lack of affection as children for different reasons. Both become alcoholics to escape their lives. They meet at an AA meeting and help each other. Don't want to say more or may spoil it.

Suffice to say, this is not a wimpy story. I found it compelling. Did not want to put it down.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
I have read and enjoyed Angela Marsons crime thrillers. This was her debut novel and totally different to the Kim Stone books.
This is the tale of a friendship between two polar opposite women. Kit is a prostitute trying to leave behind her abusive past. Frances is a lawyer from a privileged background.
Their stories are slowly revealed as is their trust of one another.
This is a very moving book that deals sympathetically with the problems of alcohol addiction.
I will certainly be recommending this book.

"A gripping, emotional rollercoaster read you'll devour in one sitting

by Angela Marsons

I have discovered a new and wonderful author, as a result I will look for more books by this author. The story had me interested from beginning to end, conseqently it kept me up very late. The main characters take you on a journey of their lives, and illustrate as aspects of their live. The friendship that they form is developed after they give up alcohol. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fictional drama and mystery.

A ARC was given to me by Netgalley (a book review site) in return for an honest and objective review.

I rarely take the time to write reviews, but this book spoke to me. If you are a women in recovery from anything, you might find unexpected strength in the stories of Fran and Kit. Been sober for 13 years and 11 months myself. Yet could feel the fears of early days in sobriety, vividly at times, while reading. The Forgotten Woman is reminiscent of powerful AA meetings in the self reflection it provokes. Read it in one sitting and could see myself reading again. Got it first through Kindle Unlimited but will purchase to always have. Like another reviewer stated, surprised they had not gone to more AA meetings, but Fran and Kit found what they each needed to grow in love and respect for themselves. Love all the DI Stone books by Angela Marsons, but this book of hers touched me deeply.

Character driven novel that explores how friendship can improve lives and help women make needed changes. Kit and Fran are both wounded but they want to get well- this sensitive novel documents that journey. Thanks to netgalley for the Arc. This is not a book I might have normally picked off the shelves but I'm very glad to have read it, in no small part because I discovered a new author. I'm looking forward to reading more from Marsons, who has a nice thoughtful writing style.

Two very different women meet, one very tolerant, the other explosive. The months of AA and personal meetings changes both of them and allows each to explore a new life for themselves. Their friendship makes each of them strong in their own so different ways.

I feel this book was well written, but am left feeling more need for completeness, however I enjoyed the book, but did not find it a page turner as advertised.

Angela's characters are always flawed. They seem to me to more human, real. I feel like they're my friends as I get to know them. All Fran & Kit are looking for is to love & be loved. Aren't we all? They're journey brought me to tears. I was thrilled with them when they had their personal breakthroughs. Thank you, Angela, for how real you write. Keep up the good work.

I have enjoyed all four of this authors work although the content is violent and scary.I don't know whether I will continue reading if she produces more books as the subject line is somewhat repetitive in all four books. She is obviously fixated on the rather extreme forms of child abuse. Maybe this is from personal experience and if so I am saddened for her or from her work or other experience. However there is only so much tragedy and horror that I can cope with. I really do like you Angela as you are obviously a person who cares for animals and for that I can forgive you anything ( well almost).Maybe next time you would consider a change of subject as you do write very well.

The characters are interesting as well as the story itself. However, the writing is terrible. It seems like the author does not know about punctuation or how to use it. There are some blatant mistakes, like using the name of one character when she's clearly talking of the other. It looks like someone did not do their jobs as it's hard to believe that a book would go to print in this state.

Wow! Angela Marsons is one talented author! I was completely blown away by this story and kept having to remind myself that this is actually her debut! An accomplished, assured and amazing story from a wonderful author! A tale of friendship and overcoming, of addiction and bravery, of hurt and forgiveness, love and acceptance. I absolutely loved the way the author showed us the real stories behind the facades that Kit and Fran - two very different women - had adopted to face the world. Loved the way their friendship grew and matured - it is so beautifully portrayed. Written with heart, this is a truly special story. I am in awe of this brilliant author and cannot wait to read her next offering, be it crime or women's fiction - she is master of both!

The storyline is believable and poignant. This novel is very well written. I believe it is the best of the authors books. As the friendship develops, their history unfolds and the characters become very real. As human beings we all have something to share with each other.

After devouring her Kim Stone series I couldn't picture her novels, but this book is fantastic. She's a beautiful writer, I lover her characters and the stories were very moving. I just wish she'd write as fast as I can read.

This is readable, but don't expect plausible situations.

There are two stories in one, here, two main characters whose lives transform, as they grow up and begin to make their way in a world that is equally harsh to the adults they are, as it was for the children they were.

Kit comes from a low-income background, with distant (for no sensible reason) mother and siblings, and the obligatory stepfather who abuses her. Naturally, that leads her to run away from home, to more abuse and life on the street as a prostitute.

Frances comes from a privileged environment, and from parents who inexplicably withheld affection and approval. The reason for this was revealed near the end, and was far too contrived, I thought. Frances was a fully practicing lawyer at age 23!

The book held my attention for the first half, as these two met at an AA meeting, and formed a sort of unconvincing friendship and support alliance. but too many coincidences just so happened to allow their lives to fall into place, new, first loves, who happened to be trustworthy people.

If the book had been about Frances, alone, it would have been a better read. I just didn't find Kit's portion likely, or very compelling, at all.

I finished it, but won't go out of my way to pick up another by this author.

Kit comes trom a poor, cold unloving backgroumd. Fran comes from a wealthy yet also icy home. They meet at an alcohol recovery meeting and an unlikely friendship forms. A story unfolds as they heal helping each other.

Read it in 2 days. Loved the drama, struggles, the real life situation's. Overcoming your past and not letting it define you is the premise of this book. Found it real , humours, and a look at you never know what hell people have lived.

I do not normally read books like this, but having read her book Silent Screams, and being impressed, I decided to check it out. Am so glad I did decided to take the chance with this book.. A wonderful story where two woman from opposite sides of the streets exchange their best friend of alcohol for being best friends to each other.

I Enjoyed the book, but thought there was too much jumping between her main characters and their developing stories. This caused me to
lose interest.However,basically enjoyed the book and thought it had a lovely ending.

A story of love stripped bare. Friendship family and survival of some of the worst life can throw at a person the strength Kit is amazing as is that of Fran although the backgrounds are so very different.

‘The Forgotten Woman’ by Angela Marsons is the story of two women and their sometimes painful struggle against an alcohol addiction. From two very different worlds, a former prostitute and a defence solicitor, their friendship shouldn’t work and yet they are to find out that behind the gloss and breeding, the leather jackets and the scars, they have more in common than just the desire to forget their pasts in the bottom of a bottle.

Kit Mason has lived a very difficult and traumatic life. Abused by her mother’s partner and forgotten by her sisters, she fled to London, falling into the world of an abusive pimp. She barely escaped with her life and has made a new start in Birmingham, where she is encouraged to attend the local AA Meeting. Her life has been filled with rejection, her drinking just another symptom of a deep rooted pain.

Frances Thornton appears to have it all. Money, breeding and a top career. Her drinking is seen as a sign of her burn out, her perfect trial record pushing her a touch too far as she tries to maintain it. But the truth is a darker, a secret which no one other than her family knows about, one which has slowly destroyed her life ever since she was a teenager.

The two meet at AA, and there is an immediate tension between them as their differences are hard to ignore. And yet as their friendship grows, they become to rely upon each other for guidance and support as they try to find a way to beat their addiction and leave their past behind them. But life is never that simple is it?

Marsons has created a very interesting dynamic between the two characters. They wear a mask, a façade, the public persona designed to keep people away. Yet these masks slowly slip as they begin to open up to each other, and Marsons shows us the truth, and the beauty, of the person within. They each possess a characteristic that the other lacks, be it fire and strength, or subtlety and diplomacy. You get a real sense of the growth of their friendship, the way in which they come to rely on each other and the way in which they become a surrogate for the alcohol on which they depend. Their journey is moving, and sometimes harrowing, and both have a lot of emotional growth to achieve before they can really move on.

The pace of this story is more measured than fans of Marsons’ Kim Stone series will be used to, with just the occasionally tense scene, notably when Kit is faced with the threat from her pimp. More often it is slower and reflective, indicative of the mood of the piece. While Kit’s past is violent, Fran’s is no less shocking and as the truth of it is revealed, you are left feeling as sympathetic towards her as you are to the abuse Kit suffered. It is hard not to like, or to feel for, the two characters, no matter how prickly or stand-offish they may appear at first. Marsons’ beautiful writing builds them up in such a way that the optimism of the closing chapters seems the only fitting way to end the story. There is no clear resolution, it is not all wrapped up with a perfect HEA ending. But there is a sense of hope. A feeling that both women have the chance to become more than the legacy of their pasts would dictate.

A very moving 4 stars.

My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Bookouture for the copy of ‘The Forgotten Woman’ by Angela Marsons in exchange for my review.

Wow! Angela Marsons is one talented author! I was completely blown away by this story and kept having to remind myself that this is actually her debut! An accomplished, assured and amazing story from a wonderful author! A tale of friendship and overcoming, of addiction and bravery, of hurt and forgiveness, love and acceptance. I absolutely loved the way the author showed us the real stories behind the facades that Kit and Fran - two very different women - had adopted to face the world. Loved the way their friendship grew and matured - it is so beautifully portrayed. Written with heart, this is a truly special story. I am in awe of this brilliant author and cannot wait to read her next offering, be it crime or women's fiction - she is master of both!