A few days ago, some people on an E-mail list were discussing a new collection of short stories by UK foster carer Maggie Hartley. I couldn’t find the collection on Apple Books, but I did stumble upon one of her full-size books, called Who Will Love Me Now?. Most people on the list had already read it, but I hadn’t, so I bought it and started to read it.
Summary
At just ten years old, Kirsty has already suffered a lifetime of heartache and suffering. Neglected by her teenage mother and taken into care, Kirsty thought she had found her forever family when she is fostered by Pat and Mike, who she comes to see as her real mum and dad.
But when Pat has a heart attack and collapses in front of her, Kirsty’s foster family say it’s all her fault. They blame her temper tantrums for putting Pat under stress and they don’t want Kirsty in their lives anymore.
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. Social Services must take Kirsty’s threat seriously and Maggie is forced to choose between eight-month-old Ryan, who she’s grown to love, or angry Kirsty, who will most likely end up in a children’s home if Maggie can no longer care for her. Maggie is in an impossible position, one that calls in to question her decision to become a foster carer in the first place…
My Review
This book totally spoke to me! I could on some deep level relate to Kirsty. After all, I too displayed many behaviors similar to her at around this age. Age ten was also when my parents first considered (albeit not seriously) institutionalizing me at the school for the blind.
I could and to some extent still can relate to Kirsty’s volatile behavior. I have never had to live with anyone other than my biological parents until I was nineteen, but I did often feel rejected by them and showed this in quite dramatic ways.
I immediately, for this reason, rooted for Kirsty and resented Pat and Mike. It was for this reason that I loved to see how the story unfolded.
I read one earlier story by Maggie Hartley, but that was an eShort. I for this reason already knew I liked Maggie’s writing style. I loved it in this book too.
Overall, this was a great read and I finished it within less than a week.
Book Details
Title: Who Will Love Me Now?: Neglected, Unloved and Rejected. A Little Girl Desperate for a Home to Call Her Own
Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Trapeze
Publication Date: July 20, 2017
A Multitude of Musings 
That was a great review and I’m glad you enjoyed the book!
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Yes I definitely did. Thanks for your comment.
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I think it is dangerous to just see one side, though. My daughter will say I was a useless parent. From my side, she had more love, and certainly more opportunity, than most children. She accused me of child abuse, in the end, change my life, I had a stroke within a year.
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That’s true. It’s so sad that this happened to you. Thanks for offering some perspective.
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This sounds like an intriguing story – now I’m wondering who Maggie chooses!
#readwithme
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It is for sure. I won’t spoil that bit to you though. Thanks for commenting.
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I don’t tend to read true stories much, but I do like the sound of this #readwithme
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Oh, that’s okay. I do love true stories, but I know not everyone does. Thanks for commenting.
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This sounds like a really interesting read. I used to come into contact with foster carers through work and I was always in awe of what they did for children and how they coped with whatever the kids threw at them.
#readwithme
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Thanks so much. That’s so interesting that you used to be in contact with foster carers. I agree it must be a difficult job. This read is definitely interesting.
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