Incredibly raw, truthful and insightful

My mother is a foster carer and I have met and connected with many troubled children throughout my life, which made me feel prepared to tackle this novel. I wasn’t.
It is currently 3:30 am and I couldn’t sleep until I knew Jodie was okay. The traumas this innocent little girl suffered broke not only my heart, but tore at the very foundations of my soul.
Knowing the many complications, frustrations, trials and tribulations foster carers endure not only with the children in their care, but with the care system itself, I honestly expected this novel to be yet another glorified account of a highly functioning system with sunshine and daisies and a few rainy days in between. Instead I was impressed at the brutal truth unveiled, showing the intensity of the frustrations that every foster carer faces on a day to day basis, while also highlighting how rewarding the job can be and the importance of good foster carers and just how much difference can be made.
Cathy Glass reminds me so much of my own mum and her foster carer Aunty Betty. If it weren’t for the hard word and determination of Aunty Betty my mum likely would not have been able to overcome her own traumas to become the wonderful, caring foster parent and mother she is today.
Despite the tears still streaming down my face over this tragic story, I feel privileged to have had a peek through the window of one of Cathy’s precious memories and of Jodie’s life.

Cathy, you are one amazing, brave woman and you should be so proud of yourself for all you have done. Your children sound incredible and so insightful and empathetic.

I wish the best for young Jodie and am so glad that someone took the time to reach her and help her to become the best she can be.

This book will stay in my heart and mind for a very long time to come.

Also a brilliant performance by the narrator for this audiobook. Best I have come across.

I wish I could give this a higher rating than five stars, because it takes some skill to write such a horrifying tale with so much emotion and insight. Thank you.

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an outpouring of empathy

The narrator was excellent and so easy to listen too.
The story line was sometimes hard to listen but an eye opening experience that goes on in so many homes.

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Truely heart breaking

Beyond the saddest story and life of a child I have ever heard . Worth the read

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Beautifully told tragic story

Wow just wow. Beautifully written and told. Such an emotional book to listen too but one worth it. I cannot believe the terror someone could put a child through. Thanks for sharing Jodie’s story. I hope she gets better.

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Damaged Jodie

Such a horrible story of Jodie and the horrendous abuse at such a young age. Cathy is such an amazing person to take on these foster children and deal with the challenges their trauma brings. The narration is excellent and makes for easy listening.

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Damaged.

I cried oceans for all children who have suffered from the evils of sexual predators

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It breaks my heart what happened to poor Jodi.

Thank god for the wonderful Carers. How can anyone treat children like that. This book was narrated easy to listen to.

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Horrifying and Sad but Eye-Opening

Absolutely loved this book. It was such a sad story. Made me cry multiple times. I am reading Cathy Glass books as a recommendation from family to help me gain patience and knowledge on how to get me through life with my difficult step-son and I am already noticing a motivation and change that is a first for me. I will definitely read all of her books.

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heartbreaking

absolutely heartbreaking story, really opens your eyes to realise how many are out there suffering without help even after speaking out. I honestly hope Jodie is happy in her own way

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Sad but well told!

It was a sad story but true! It was very well written - foster careers are special people

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