FLYWEIGHT
In the wake of the Great War, two female boxers defy society’s standards to fight for their place in the ring
East London, 1921: Lucy Cotter is unemployed, unskilled, and down to her last shilling. Before the Great War she never had to work, relying on her husband, Robin, to support her and their young daughter with his successful boxing career. Now, though, Robin is unemployed and nursing battle wounds, so it’s up to Lucy to keep the leaking roof over their heads. Tired of rejection and nostalgic for better days, Lucy enters Robin’s former boxing club on a whim–and discovers that a place which once barred women is now run by one.
In the wake of the Great War, two female boxers defy society’s standards to fight for their place in the ring
East London, 1921: Lucy Cotter is unemployed, unskilled, and down to her last shilling. Before the Great War she never had to work, relying on her husband, Robin, to support her and their young daughter with his successful boxing career. Now, though, Robin is unemployed and nursing battle wounds, so it’s up to Lucy to keep the leaking roof over their heads. Tired of rejection and nostalgic for better days, Lucy enters Robin’s former boxing club on a whim–and discovers that a place which once barred women is now run by one.
Siobhan McCarthy is the niece of Robin’s late coach and a pugilist herself. She’s delighted Lucy stumbled in; it’s hard to find another woman who knows the sport. Siobhan offers her work as a cleaner–with a few bob more if Lucy trains alongside her. Tempting as the offer sounds, Lucy is skeptical, sharing the opinion of society that boxing is a sport unbecoming of a woman.
Days later, an unexpected expense leaves Lucy and her family facing eviction. Desperate, she returns to the club and reluctantly dons the gloves. As Lucy’s love for her husband’s sport is rekindled, she discovers a new joy in her own prowess, but when Siobhan asks her to spar in a public match, Lucy hesitates. Backlash will be certain and swift, risking her family’s future. How much is she willing to sacrifice to earn her place in the ring?
Inspired by true events, Flyweight is a story of the strength and resilience of two women and the lengths they’re willing to go for their families–and equality.
- Blackstone Publishing
- Hardcover
- October 2026
- 320 Pages
- 9798228532649
Buy the Book
$29.99
About Courtney Ellis
Courtney Ellis is the author of At Summer’s End and The Forgotten Cottage. Flyweight is her third novel. She lives in Western New York with her rescue dog.
Praise
“A beautifully crafted and inspiring story, Flyweight highlights a fascinating slice of history that might have been lost to old newspapers otherwise. A quiet grit runs beneath the story and, while paired with Lucy’s infinite love for her family, creates exquisite emotional layers in Courtney Ellis’s trademark style. These women are going to make readers want to jump out of their seats and cheer right to the very last thrilling page. A must-read!” —Brianna Labuskes, USA Today bestselling author of The Librarian of Burned Books
“A captivating debut…Ellis’s lyrical, emotional writing brings the beauty of Braemore alive while revealing the complexity of the richly drawn characters…Historical fiction fans will appreciate this.” —Publisher’s Weekly on At Summer’s End
“A fascinating historical novel about women in sports and overcoming both outer and inner prejudices.” —Cakes, Tea and Dreams
“A superb character study of women and their aspirations in the early 20th century and the long-term effects of World War I on soldiers, nurses, and those left behind…Readers will be filled with suspense, sometimes even anxiousness, but also cheer for Bertie’s boldness, her sense of accomplishment, and the decision she makes at summer’s end.” —Historical Novel Society on At Summer’s End
“Based on the real-life story of the 1926 London boxing match between two women that sparked a public uproar, Flyweight is an inspiring tale of family, loss, and hope that asks how far a woman will go to protect those she loves–and how hard she’ll fight for her place in the world.” —Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau and The Book of Lost Names