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Daddy's Little Soldier
- When Home Is a War Zone, Who Can Little Tom Trust?
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Categories: Relationships, Parenting & Personal Development, Parenting & Families
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Battered, Broken, Healed
- By: Maggie Hartley
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- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
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When six-week-old Jasmine is placed in her care, foster mother Maggie Hartley is delighted to have a baby in the house again. Maggie's been given temporary custody of Jasmine after social services were concerned that the baby was failing to thrive and develop. With Maggie's love and care, Jasmine soon flourishes into a healthy, happy baby - but it is clear that all is not quite as it seems with her mum, Hailey.
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Fantastic!
- By Helen on 07-07-18
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Who Will Love Me Now?
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
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At just 10 years old, Kirsty has suffered a lifetime of heartache. Neglected by her teenage mother and taken into care, Kirsty thought she had found her forever family when she was fostered by Pat and Mike. But when Pat has a heart attack and collapses in front of her, Kirsty's foster family say it's her fault. Kirsty is still reeling from this rejection when she comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley. She acts out, smashing up Maggie's home, and even threatens to hurt the baby boy Maggie has fostered since birth.
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not her best
- By Pixie on 12-10-20
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Denied a Mummy
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
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The heartbreaking story of three little children searching for someone to love them. Maggie Hartley faces one of the toughest challenges of her career when three abused and neglected siblings she’s been caring for are placed for adoption with a family she believes are unsuitable. The couple are looking for a perfect ready-made family, and Maggie knows that they’re not going to find it with these traumatised children. And when her worst fears come true, Maggie must fight against the very system she’s part of to have the siblings returned to her so that she can start to undo some of the damage that has been done.
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Another fantastic book by this author.
- By ian mcnamara on 28-12-18
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Is It My Fault Mummy?
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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'Is It My Fault Mummy?': seven-year-old Paris is trapped in a prison of guilt. Devastated after the death of her baby brother, Joel, Maggie faces one of her most heartbreaking cases yet as she tries to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl. 'A Desperate Cry for Help': 12-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Traumatised by the fire and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her.
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brilliant
- By marley on 05-01-21
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The Little Ghost Girl
- Abused, starved and neglected. A little girl desperate for someone to love her.
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
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Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she had been conditioned to 'see no evil, speak no evil'. Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past.
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The little ghost girl
- By Ann on 06-02-21
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Exploited
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Fourteen-year-old Hannah comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley after her mum pleads with Social Services to take her into care, unable to cope with her daughter anymore. Previously a good student, a loving daughter and sister, Hannah is now playing truant, drinking and taking drugs. Angry and mistrustful, it seems that nobody can reach this troubled teenager.
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Great read
- By Reeree on 10-12-20
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Battered, Broken, Healed
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When six-week-old Jasmine is placed in her care, foster mother Maggie Hartley is delighted to have a baby in the house again. Maggie's been given temporary custody of Jasmine after social services were concerned that the baby was failing to thrive and develop. With Maggie's love and care, Jasmine soon flourishes into a healthy, happy baby - but it is clear that all is not quite as it seems with her mum, Hailey.
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Fantastic!
- By Helen on 07-07-18
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Who Will Love Me Now?
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At just 10 years old, Kirsty has suffered a lifetime of heartache. Neglected by her teenage mother and taken into care, Kirsty thought she had found her forever family when she was fostered by Pat and Mike. But when Pat has a heart attack and collapses in front of her, Kirsty's foster family say it's her fault. Kirsty is still reeling from this rejection when she comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley. She acts out, smashing up Maggie's home, and even threatens to hurt the baby boy Maggie has fostered since birth.
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not her best
- By Pixie on 12-10-20
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Denied a Mummy
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
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The heartbreaking story of three little children searching for someone to love them. Maggie Hartley faces one of the toughest challenges of her career when three abused and neglected siblings she’s been caring for are placed for adoption with a family she believes are unsuitable. The couple are looking for a perfect ready-made family, and Maggie knows that they’re not going to find it with these traumatised children. And when her worst fears come true, Maggie must fight against the very system she’s part of to have the siblings returned to her so that she can start to undo some of the damage that has been done.
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Another fantastic book by this author.
- By ian mcnamara on 28-12-18
-
Is It My Fault Mummy?
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Is It My Fault Mummy?': seven-year-old Paris is trapped in a prison of guilt. Devastated after the death of her baby brother, Joel, Maggie faces one of her most heartbreaking cases yet as she tries to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl. 'A Desperate Cry for Help': 12-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Traumatised by the fire and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her.
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brilliant
- By marley on 05-01-21
-
The Little Ghost Girl
- Abused, starved and neglected. A little girl desperate for someone to love her.
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she had been conditioned to 'see no evil, speak no evil'. Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past.
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The little ghost girl
- By Ann on 06-02-21
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Exploited
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fourteen-year-old Hannah comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley after her mum pleads with Social Services to take her into care, unable to cope with her daughter anymore. Previously a good student, a loving daughter and sister, Hannah is now playing truant, drinking and taking drugs. Angry and mistrustful, it seems that nobody can reach this troubled teenager.
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Great read
- By Reeree on 10-12-20
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Too Scared to Cry
- And Other True Stories from the Nation’s Favourite Foster Carer
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Maggie Hartley is one of the UK's most prolific foster mothers. These heartwarming and inspiring short stories show the power of a foster mother's love, and her determination to help the children who come into her care. Includes 'Too Scared to Cry', 'The Girl No One Wanted' and 'A Family for Christmas'.
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Loved it!
- By Linda jauncey on 27-06-20
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Please Don't Take My Sisters
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Three-year-old Lexie, five-year-old Amelie and thirteen-year-old Leo come to Maggie after Leo confesses to a teacher that his mother's addiction problems and her latest violent relationship has left him as the sole carer to his younger sisters. Maggie welcomes the three children into her home and is touched by the gentle care Leo shows to the two little girls. It is clear that Lexie and Amelie adore their big brother and rely on him for comfort and reassurance.
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Very accurately written
- By suzy on 20-11-19
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Groomed to Be a Bride
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Maggie faces one of the most challenging cases of her career when a young, orphaned Syrian girl comes to live with her. Barely able to communicate without a shared language, Maggie must battle to reach the vulnerable refugee and help her to start to overcome the traumas she has endured. But there is more horror to come when Maggie starts to suspect that the young girl is being groomed by relatives back in Syria to return and join ISIS.
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brilliant
- By Anonymous User on 11-09-20
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Too Young to Be a Mum
- Can Jess learn to be a good mummy when she is only a child herself?
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
When 16-year-old Jess arrives on foster carer Maggie Hartley's doorstep with her newborn son, Jimmy, she has nowhere else to go. Arriving straight from the hospital, having just given birth, Jess is like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Scared, alone, and practically a child herself, she is overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for a newborn without the support of a loving family or her beloved boyfriend. With social services threatening to take baby Jimmy into care, Jess knows that Maggie is her only chance.
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A very interesting and engaging fostering story
- By Linda jauncey on 04-10-17
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Tiny Prisoners
- Two siblings trapped in a world of abuse. One woman determined to free them.
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Evie and Elliot are scrawny, filthy and scared when they turn up on foster carer Maggie Hartley's doorstep. Aged just two and three years old, this brother and sister have hardly set foot outside their own home. They have been prisoners, locked in a world of abuse, violence and neglect. Maggie soon realises that Evie and Elliot are lacking the basic life skills we all take for granted, and the outside world terrifies them. Gradually unlocking the truth of their heartbreaking upbringing, Maggie tells their shocking true story.
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What a heart wrenching story
- By linda chenapa on 20-06-18
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Sold to Be a Wife
- By: Maggie Hartley
- Narrated by: Penny MacDonald
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Fourteen-year-old Shazia has been taken into care after a conversation at school leads her teacher to suspect that the teenager's family are planning to send her to Pakistan for an arranged marriage. To her family's fury, Shazia is sent to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley whilst social services investigate. But with Shazia denying everything and social services unable to find any evidence to support the teacher's fears, Shazia is allowed to return home. But a few weeks later, Maggie is woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call from a terrified Shazia, who has managed to escape the family home through a window.
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Heart breaking
- By linda chenapa on 26-09-18
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A Life Lost
- Jackson Is Haunted by a Secret from His Past
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care. Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light....
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Excellent !!!
- By Joanne Robertson on 08-03-21
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Broken
- By: Rosie Lewis
- Narrated by: Madeleine Gould
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Nine-year-old Archie and his five-year-old sister, Bobbi, are taken into emergency police protective custody after an incident of domestic violence at their family home. Rosie collects the children from their out-of-hours foster carer on New Year's Day and instantly recognises Archie from a domestic violence workshop she helped with. Rosie remembers that when asked what he enjoyed most about the course, Archie said, 'The biscuits'. Social workers are concerned that Archie and Bobbi have been neglected.
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A little confusing at times but an ok listen
- By it's good fun, but takes alot of waiting around on 15-01-21
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Torn: A Terrified Girl. A Shocking Secret. A Terrible Choice.
- By: Rosie Lewis
- Narrated by: Madeline Gould
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Experienced foster carer Rosie Lewis is used to looking after children from difficult home situations, but she finds herself struggling when she agrees to take in Taylor and her younger brother, Reece, for a short while. Taylor tries desperately not to fit in, to be the tough young teen that she has had to become, making it clear that she cares about nothing and no one, while Reece is just desperate for someone to love him.
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Torn
- By tracey burton on 12-06-17
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Let Me Go
- By: Casey Watson
- Narrated by: Kate Lock
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Harley, 13, has been sectioned under the mental health act after attempting suicide. She was spotted climbing the railings on a footbridge that crossed a busy motorway and pulled to safety by a member of the public. After six weeks in hospital, social services are looking for a short-term placement so she can be kept safe while family therapy takes place. Harley has a family - a widowed mother and an older sister, Milly, who left home with her long-term boyfriend just over a year ago.
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Terrible narration!
- By megan on 04-10-20
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A Dark Secret
- By: Casey Watson
- Narrated by: Kate Lock
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Just when Casey thinks her foster care duties are done, she’s asked to look after Sam, a troubled nine-year-old with a violent streak who drove his previous guardians to release him of their care. It soon unfolds, however, that this is no simple case. Determined to get to the root of Sam’s behaviour, Casey is committed to uncover his mysterious past only to find out something far darker than she ever imagined.
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Brilliant book but...
- By Bestdressed on 09-05-19
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A Terrible Secret
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Tilly hates her stepfather, Dave. He abuses her mother, but she refuses to leave him. Frightened for her own safety, Tilly asks to go into foster care and is placed with Cathy. Tilly arrives with a graze on her cheek, and Cathy becomes increasingly concerned by Dave’s behaviour, especially when she learns he has been showering Tilly with gifts. While she’s busy looking after Tilly and trying to keep her safe, Cathy is also worried about her own daughter, Lucy.
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excellent
- By Mr on 19-10-20
Summary
Having recently lost his mum to cancer, when eight-year-old Tom comes to live with Maggie, he is scared and alone. Tom has been taken into care following concerns from his teachers about his dad Mark's ability to cope as a single parent following the death of his wife.
As a former soldier, Mark has resorted to his military training in order to cope with his young son, forcing him to scrub the floors until his hands bleed and perform repeated push-ups as punishment for his misdemeanors.
Working with both father and son, Maggie Hartley must try everything she knows to help the pair grieve for the mother and wife they've lost and reconnect with one another. But can dad Mark overcome his own demons and become the father his son so desperately needs?
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What listeners say about Daddy's Little Soldier
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Selfos
- 14-10-20
a man's view
i really loved it. a truly positive story. from the highs and lows of fostering.
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- Bev Hawkes
- 12-04-20
The nice side of social services
I found this book a bit too sugary ..Maggie was too perfect and the story predictable and although told well there was too much “lovely” and “of course you can “ body to this ..Easy listen whilst gardening though ..
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- Anonymous User
- 19-09-19
Absolutely love
Loved every 2nd of this book. Penny MacDonald is just so so amazing at reading this so lovely and the whole story line had me in tears of happiness & sadness throughout!!
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- Donna Keogh Buttle
- 30-06-19
Heart warming and up lifting
Loved the story line not always sad and a lot of happy moments, made me smile and feel happy .
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- Linda jauncey
- 09-04-19
Great book!
I loved this book and didn't want it to end. Maggie please write more books!
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- ShaTra
- 04-12-19
Yawning
Sorry, while I appreciate the work the author does with with foster children, I just don't think the story is "book-worthy "
This book was, in my eyes, much too predictable. Needs at least one plot twist or jaw dropper.