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Please Help My Mummy: Baby Felix has been abandoned, but can the truth be discovered in time to help his mum?
* The new Sunday Times bestseller *
'It's ok, Felix, don't worry. We're going to find your mummy.'
When newborn baby Felix is found abandoned at a train station, the police launch a desperate search for his mum. It doesn't take long for their inquiries to lead them to Emily.
While baby Felix is placed in Maggie's care, the police and Social Services try and work out why Emily, a single mum, who has gone through fertility treatment to get pregnant, has suddenly resorted to abandoning her much longed-for child.
But it's only when Maggie wins her trust that Emily reveals the extent of her secret. Can Maggie help a desperate mother and her baby reunite?
From Britain's best-loved foster carer, a new and inspiring true story of secrets and hope.
*****
Readers LOVE Maggie
'Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
'Very gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
'It's ok, Felix, don't worry. We're going to find your mummy.'
When newborn baby Felix is found abandoned at a train station, the police launch a desperate search for his mum. It doesn't take long for their inquiries to lead them to Emily.
While baby Felix is placed in Maggie's care, the police and Social Services try and work out why Emily, a single mum, who has gone through fertility treatment to get pregnant, has suddenly resorted to abandoning her much longed-for child.
But it's only when Maggie wins her trust that Emily reveals the extent of her secret. Can Maggie help a desperate mother and her baby reunite?
From Britain's best-loved foster carer, a new and inspiring true story of secrets and hope.
*****
Readers LOVE Maggie
'Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
'Very gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
- GenresNonfictionFostering
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2025
97 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 9, 2025
Wow what a story it certainly makes you realise that mum's that leave their babies don't always do it because they don't want them, that usually like in this story there are underlying health problems like in this case where the mother suffered from a mental illness. Maggie is amazing and because of her a family can overcome the past and live for the future.
March 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Heartbreaking Yet Hopeful Story of Love, Struggle, and Strength
Maggie Hartley once again delivers an incredibly moving and eye-opening story in Please Help My Mummy. This book follows Emily, a mother battling mental health (postpartum psychosis) struggles, and her little son, Felix, who is caught in the heartbreaking consequences of her illness.
Emily’s love for Felix is undeniable, but her challenges make it impossible for her to care for him properly. As their situation worsens, social services intervene, and Felix is placed into foster care with Maggie Hartley. What follows is an emotional journey as Maggie not only provides Felix with the love and stability he desperately needs but also witnesses Emily’s painful battle to overcome her demons and become the mother she longs to be.
This book is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. It sheds light on the devastating impact of mental health but also the deep love between a mother and her child. Maggie’s compassion and dedication as a foster carer bring hope to an otherwise tragic situation, showing how kindness and patience can change lives.
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply touching—a reminder of how fragile yet powerful the bond between mother and child truly is. Highly recommended!
A Heartbreaking Yet Hopeful Story of Love, Struggle, and Strength
Maggie Hartley once again delivers an incredibly moving and eye-opening story in Please Help My Mummy. This book follows Emily, a mother battling mental health (postpartum psychosis) struggles, and her little son, Felix, who is caught in the heartbreaking consequences of her illness.
Emily’s love for Felix is undeniable, but her challenges make it impossible for her to care for him properly. As their situation worsens, social services intervene, and Felix is placed into foster care with Maggie Hartley. What follows is an emotional journey as Maggie not only provides Felix with the love and stability he desperately needs but also witnesses Emily’s painful battle to overcome her demons and become the mother she longs to be.
This book is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. It sheds light on the devastating impact of mental health but also the deep love between a mother and her child. Maggie’s compassion and dedication as a foster carer bring hope to an otherwise tragic situation, showing how kindness and patience can change lives.
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply touching—a reminder of how fragile yet powerful the bond between mother and child truly is. Highly recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
Love books like this. They give you an insight into what foster carers do day by day. They face lots of struggles with the children and adults that they care for. Loved how this one panned out and await Maggies new book in July
October 3, 2025
another fab book
February 17, 2025
📖 Book Review:
Please Help My Mummy by Maggie Hartley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow—what a read! Please Help My Mummy is yet another powerful, emotional, and deeply moving book from Maggie Hartley. She dives into the complexities of motherhood, mental health, and the foster care system with her signature empathy and insight.
When newborn Felix is found abandoned at a train station, authorities trace him back to Emily, a single mother who went through fertility treatment to have him. A mother who longed for her child—so what could have led her to such a heartbreaking decision? As Felix enters care, Maggie steps in to uncover the truth behind Emily’s struggles and fight for the best possible outcome.
This book shines a light on the realities of maternal mental health, the role of the foster system beyond just caring for children, and the life-changing power of compassion. Maggie’s storytelling is raw, real, and utterly gripping. If you love books that make you feel everything, this one’s for you!
📚 A must-read for anyone interested in fostering, social work, or just an incredible, heartfelt story!
💬 Personal note to Maggie (posted on Facebook):
Maggie, thank you for always highlighting the real and diverse nature of fostering. So often, it’s portrayed as one-dimensional, but you capture the many unique and deeply personal reasons children enter care.
Growing up in care myself, I always knew the reasons were more complex than what people assume, but I never fully understood the challenges of being a carer—especially from the perspective of a “child of the authority.” Your books have given me a new level of understanding and appreciation.
Your stories aren’t just powerful—they’re essential for the foster community and beyond. You truly deserve every bit of recognition for this book, and I cannot wait to see what’s next!
Best wishes to Emily and Felix—this story will stay with me for a long time.
📢 If you loved this book, come join the conversation! Follow @Fostering, Memoirs & Fiction Book Club where we dive into incredible books like this and share our love for powerful stories. Let’s talk about our current reads! 📚✨
Please Help My Mummy by Maggie Hartley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow—what a read! Please Help My Mummy is yet another powerful, emotional, and deeply moving book from Maggie Hartley. She dives into the complexities of motherhood, mental health, and the foster care system with her signature empathy and insight.
When newborn Felix is found abandoned at a train station, authorities trace him back to Emily, a single mother who went through fertility treatment to have him. A mother who longed for her child—so what could have led her to such a heartbreaking decision? As Felix enters care, Maggie steps in to uncover the truth behind Emily’s struggles and fight for the best possible outcome.
This book shines a light on the realities of maternal mental health, the role of the foster system beyond just caring for children, and the life-changing power of compassion. Maggie’s storytelling is raw, real, and utterly gripping. If you love books that make you feel everything, this one’s for you!
📚 A must-read for anyone interested in fostering, social work, or just an incredible, heartfelt story!
💬 Personal note to Maggie (posted on Facebook):
Maggie, thank you for always highlighting the real and diverse nature of fostering. So often, it’s portrayed as one-dimensional, but you capture the many unique and deeply personal reasons children enter care.
Growing up in care myself, I always knew the reasons were more complex than what people assume, but I never fully understood the challenges of being a carer—especially from the perspective of a “child of the authority.” Your books have given me a new level of understanding and appreciation.
Your stories aren’t just powerful—they’re essential for the foster community and beyond. You truly deserve every bit of recognition for this book, and I cannot wait to see what’s next!
Best wishes to Emily and Felix—this story will stay with me for a long time.
📢 If you loved this book, come join the conversation! Follow @Fostering, Memoirs & Fiction Book Club where we dive into incredible books like this and share our love for powerful stories. Let’s talk about our current reads! 📚✨
March 2, 2025
* The new Sunday Times bestseller *
'It's ok, Felix, don't worry. We're going to find your mummy.'
When newborn baby Felix is found abandoned at a train station, the police launch a desperate search for his mum. It doesn't take long for their inquiries to lead them to Emily.
While baby Felix is placed in Maggie's care, the police and Social Services try and work out why Emily, a single mum, who has gone through fertility treatment to get pregnant, has suddenly resorted to abandoning her much longed-for child.
But it's only when Maggie wins her trust that Emily reveals the extent of her secret. Can Maggie help a desperate mother and her baby reunite?
My comments:
I could not put this book down from start to finish, it was an amazing story however very sad. I loved the way Maggie supported both Emily and Felix and wanted what was best for them. There are a few of her books now where she has not just supported the child however helped the birth mother too which have always been lovely stories.
Emily's story shows you can't always judge a book by it's cover as you never know what someone might be going through. The write outcome occured in this book for sure. Really sad and informative.
'It's ok, Felix, don't worry. We're going to find your mummy.'
When newborn baby Felix is found abandoned at a train station, the police launch a desperate search for his mum. It doesn't take long for their inquiries to lead them to Emily.
While baby Felix is placed in Maggie's care, the police and Social Services try and work out why Emily, a single mum, who has gone through fertility treatment to get pregnant, has suddenly resorted to abandoning her much longed-for child.
But it's only when Maggie wins her trust that Emily reveals the extent of her secret. Can Maggie help a desperate mother and her baby reunite?
My comments:
I could not put this book down from start to finish, it was an amazing story however very sad. I loved the way Maggie supported both Emily and Felix and wanted what was best for them. There are a few of her books now where she has not just supported the child however helped the birth mother too which have always been lovely stories.
Emily's story shows you can't always judge a book by it's cover as you never know what someone might be going through. The write outcome occured in this book for sure. Really sad and informative.
March 18, 2025
What a fantastic book.
This is a true story told by the person who was there at the centre of it all. Firstly I’d like to say how amazing I think the author is for fostering like 300+ children… what an amazing woman.
This story really hits home just some of the issues going on right now with the lack of foster carers and the amount of children who really do need the care and support.
This story also covers mental health a lot and i think it is amazing giving people the knowledge of postpartum psychosis, and it shows how the mother was able to work through this with the support she needed.
This is a true story told by the person who was there at the centre of it all. Firstly I’d like to say how amazing I think the author is for fostering like 300+ children… what an amazing woman.
This story really hits home just some of the issues going on right now with the lack of foster carers and the amount of children who really do need the care and support.
This story also covers mental health a lot and i think it is amazing giving people the knowledge of postpartum psychosis, and it shows how the mother was able to work through this with the support she needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
Please Help My Mummy. by Maggie Hartley.
Love reading books by Maggie Hartley … always well written.
Baby Felix is only weeks old when he was abandoned by his mum at a train station … who would do such a thing and why!
As you read on you find out why and how it comes about …
Started the book the morning it downloaded on my kindle .. read about half and sat it aside for a few hours and then finished it that afternoon. Eager to find out what was happening ..
Recommended to read if you are into foster care stories.
Love reading books by Maggie Hartley … always well written.
Baby Felix is only weeks old when he was abandoned by his mum at a train station … who would do such a thing and why!
As you read on you find out why and how it comes about …
Started the book the morning it downloaded on my kindle .. read about half and sat it aside for a few hours and then finished it that afternoon. Eager to find out what was happening ..
Recommended to read if you are into foster care stories.
February 14, 2025
What another fantastic and heartfelt book from Maggie Hartley. I couldn't put it down. So pleased it was a happy ending.
I definitely recommend reading this book.
SPOILERS
Thank you Maggie for sharing Emily's story and how she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. I can't imagine what it must be like or to see someone go through it. I'm so pleased that with help and support from Maggie and everyone else involved, Emily was able to recover and get strong and better and be a fantastic mummy to baby Felix.
I definitely recommend reading this book.
SPOILERS
Thank you Maggie for sharing Emily's story and how she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. I can't imagine what it must be like or to see someone go through it. I'm so pleased that with help and support from Maggie and everyone else involved, Emily was able to recover and get strong and better and be a fantastic mummy to baby Felix.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2025
The absolute horror that Maggie must have felt! I can’t even begin to imagine being faced with what Emily and Maggie were. I am glad that this book brings awareness to what happens in it. I don’t want to put spoilers in this review, so I am trying to be vague and not say too much. This book is an important one to read, the story in it needed to be told, as is common for Maggie’s books. She brings awareness to so many things and shares her knowledge with everyone she can. Just like with every other book I have read by her, you feel as if you are there while you read the words on the page.
February 16, 2025
A heart wrenching story about a woman who abandons her baby on the train platform. Maggie fosters the newborn and we see the story unfold as to why the mother left her baby there.
I haven’t heard of the condition before mentioned in this story so it was a good insight into it and what can happen! Very enlightening!
Heart wrenching but heartwarming at the same time! I loved it! Definitely a 5 star book (as always) by this very talented author!
I haven’t heard of the condition before mentioned in this story so it was a good insight into it and what can happen! Very enlightening!
Heart wrenching but heartwarming at the same time! I loved it! Definitely a 5 star book (as always) by this very talented author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
Oh wow. I knew about post-partum pyschosis before but Maggie has told Emily's story in such a way that it is easier to understand. I'm sure Felix is probably an adult now and I do hope he is doing was well as he can which I'm sure he will be, with Emily's eternal love. And I hope that Emily has managed to forgive herself for being poorly! Maggie's books are so descriptive and compelling, I'm eager for the next.
May 13, 2025
Wow took me less then a night shift to read this book I can’t remember if it was Maggie or Rosie Lewis that I feel the books aren’t as long any more.. they seem to get shorter and shorter this book was just over 200 pages long
Anyway Review- This book was about a lovely little boy called Felix who was abandoned and his mum ended up with a mental illness, Emily worked so hard to become a mum again.
Well done Maggie for what must of been a difficult story to write about x
Anyway Review- This book was about a lovely little boy called Felix who was abandoned and his mum ended up with a mental illness, Emily worked so hard to become a mum again.
Well done Maggie for what must of been a difficult story to write about x
February 17, 2025
Started and finished within one day. Read in 2 different sessions. I knew straight away where this was going long before they did. PPP is so dangerous, and I can't believe even Maggie didn't know about it. People need to be educated on it like they are with PPA or PPD. I bet most people don't know that PPOCD exists either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
I like Maggie Hartley’s stories of her experience as a foster carer. My parents fostered for over 30 years and I adopted my children so this is something close to my heart. Being familiar with someone who recently took their life due to post partum psychosis this book was a much needed insight into a little understood condition
December 29, 2025
Sad
It took me some time to get into this book but as I read it I realised this was true how that poor woman fought so.hard to overcome her mental illness and how she got her son back and in the end was making a life for herself and her son .
A very interesting book and all.was ok the end
It took me some time to get into this book but as I read it I realised this was true how that poor woman fought so.hard to overcome her mental illness and how she got her son back and in the end was making a life for herself and her son .
A very interesting book and all.was ok the end
February 14, 2025
An awful illnes!
What a very brave mummy Felix had. She fought so hard.
This is a terrible illness and a friend of mine suffered with it. She was extremely poorly.
Congratulations Maggie a wonderfully written a count of the marvellous care you care ❤❤❤
What a very brave mummy Felix had. She fought so hard.
This is a terrible illness and a friend of mine suffered with it. She was extremely poorly.
Congratulations Maggie a wonderfully written a count of the marvellous care you care ❤❤❤
February 19, 2025
wonderful book about mental health
This was a wonderful book about mental health and how people can get help and get better. Thank goodness the stigma about mental health is getting better but it still has a long way to go.
This was a wonderful book about mental health and how people can get help and get better. Thank goodness the stigma about mental health is getting better but it still has a long way to go.
February 27, 2025
I honestly can’t believe how sad, happy and heart breaking this book is and with Emily going through postpartum psychosis and no one noticing and coming out the other side is amazing she deserves a medal for proving she can do better and get better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
A truly interesting story, which gives more insight into what can happen after giving birth and that we shouldn’t judge everything on face value. A gripping story, that kept you on edge until the end. It’s was also insightful to hear the true reality of what challenges foster parents face.
February 15, 2025
Amazing! Cried multiple times and struggled to put the book down. I will be reading all of her books now!!
February 18, 2025
So good, as always. Felt shorter than usual.
February 19, 2025
A well written and engaging story that iread in a sitting.
February 21, 2025
Fantastic book. I LOVE how Maggie writes her books. Finished it in 24 hours. So so good! I think I felt through every emotion but ended smiling with the outcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Brilliant read
Thanks Maggie for another enjoyable read. Couldn't put the book down. I love all your books. So pleased Felix was reunited.
Thanks Maggie for another enjoyable read. Couldn't put the book down. I love all your books. So pleased Felix was reunited.
February 24, 2025
Success❣️❣️👍👍👏🏻👏🏻😘😘
This was a wonderful story about Mother and Child Bonding❣️❣️👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I enjoyed it Very Much and other readers will also!!!
This was a wonderful story about Mother and Child Bonding❣️❣️👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I enjoyed it Very Much and other readers will also!!!
February 26, 2025
Wow what a read yet again maggie saves the day and never wrong as i always say she is a hero on earth
March 2, 2025
very powerful and moving book brought tears to my eyes at times.
March 17, 2025
As someone who has been through postpartum psychosis, this was a tough read!
April 8, 2025
Such a moving book
A young mum fightback from mental health to have a new start with her baby boy. A thought provoke book
A young mum fightback from mental health to have a new start with her baby boy. A thought provoke book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews