Who Will Love Me Now?

A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story

by Maggie Hartley

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...

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, Memoir, Biography, True Story, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2017

Reviews

[Jemma Morris]

I absolutely loved this book! I always enjoy reading a book by Maggie as all of her books are based on true stories from her own fostering career. Her books are so touching and you can feel every emotion throughout the book.

This book was about a little girl called Kirsty, she had been treated poorly by her biological parents and then got rejected by her fostering parents after 10 years of having her. While in the care of Maggie you can see how much trauma Kirsty had endured in her life and it affected her behaviour so much that she blamed herself for everything. I felt so sorry for Kirsty and it’s a real shame children do go through this in real life.

I was so happy for Kirsty and Ryan at the end of the book as they both got their happy ending they deserved by getting adopted!! 🥹🥹

Her books will always be a five star read as I am so interested in reading all of her fostering experiences.

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Randa Slater]

Feelings...

I've read all of Maggie Hartley's books, and true to form, this one doesn't disappoint. The title of my review is feelings because through her talented writing I was able to physically feel each emotion, by each character, including baby Ryan's teething pain. I cried with Maggie at times, and with Kirsty's, too. If you're a fan of the "misery lit" genre, this book is not to be missed. If you're a fan of love trumps all, this book is not to be missed. In general, this book is not to be missed.

[belle]

Awsum

This was rather shocking at times ,I'm amazed at how well maggie did with this foster child it was sad at times ,this book is a must if your into reading about foster carers. fab true life read had me feeling angry sad and happy so definitely pulled on my heartstrings cEnt wait to read another of Maggie's books as I'm a big fan of them

[MRS Y M SOMERVILLE]

Great read

This really shows the fantastic work some foster carers do. It was a great read and I felt the emotion of both Maggie and Kirsty

[Loretta]

This will break your heart, then melt it. Imagine a child who believes she is too horrible to be loved - and sets out to prove it. Abandoned by her previous foster carers after a decade (although, I can understand why they gave in) Maggie must teach her that she can be loved, that she deserves love. It won't be easy - in a desperate attempt to make up for her birth mother's abandonment, her previous foster carers gave in to her every whim and unwittingly created a monster. But she's still just a little girl. Surely it can't be too late to unpick the damage.

If you're considering foster care, I recommend reading this. If you have a child you can't get through to, read this. If you want to cry with pity, anger and joy, read this.

[Leah]

Fantastic book, and really well told. Kirsty sounded like a little girl facing lots of challenges, and the part about baby Ryan and the choice Maggie had to make was so sad, but ultimately the best decision. Really gave an insight into some of the bigger challenges that foster carer's can face and how children can sometimes react in a completely different way to what is expected.

[Katie Marie]

Heartbreaking

[Faye]

sad but good read

[Nicola Robson]

Brilliant book by Maggie. So sad how this little girl felt rejected by so many people.

[Maureen H]

A great read, couldn't put it down.

A well written story. I couldn't put it down, had to read it right through. It made me cry and smile. Praise to Maggie for doing such a wonderful job. Such a shame children are put though such traumatic situations.

[Mel]

Brilliant read

[Sam]

Who will love me now? Is the heartbreaking story of Kirsty a child who has become more than used to the feeling of rejection. With the help of Maggie Huntley, Kirsty learns to love herself and after some twists and turns she finds her forever family.

Maggie's writing is easy to grasp and she writes about such raw emotions beautifully. I'd definitely recommend because once you've invested time into Kristy's story you won't want to put the book down.

[Louise]

This was another amazing read by Maggie Hartley. I love reading her books and I found this book heartbreaking and very interesting. I was eager to find out what happend to this poor damaged little girl. Maggie gives you a honest insight of what being a foster carer is like. I felt when she expressed her emotions in all the difficult circumstances she faced you could really connect with her. I am looking forward to reading lots more of her books in the future. Another inspiring read.

[Kirsty]

This is the first book I have read by this author.
I like her writing style. she only mentions what is important rather than listing her full day.
She also seems very honest. She will mention her true feelings rather than saying what you think a foster carer would think.

This is the first book of this genre I have read since becoming a mum and it definitely pulls on your heart strings. It was worth the read.

[Kristin Panaro]

I love this book! I was up for half of the night reading it. This book had a lot of twists and turns. I can only imagine how a child would feel going from one home to the next and feeling rejected. I know that children often think that it’s their fault when things like this happen. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Zoe]

Maggie’s parenting skills are really apparent in this book where we meet ten year old Kirsty. Arriving in Maggie’s care after being told her previous foster parents no longer wanted her - things were tricky to say the least. Kirsty behaved badly and her lack of self esteem was always obvious. It was down to Maggie to build her up again and what a fantastic job she did too.

[Susan Watts]

A lovely book telling the story of Maggie a foster-carer and her experience with a Kirsty a 10-year old who had experienced neglect and rejection in her short life. Maggie is truly inspirational and the foster children who go to her are fortunate to have such a dedicated carer, despite the problems they experienced before going there.

[Fiona]

There is always a depth of personality to make a child to want to rebel against everything in the world. I remember feeling alike to Kirsty. Just wished that social services could have helped more. But there was always a snobbery of mixing with children in care from my parents when we were the ones who also needed to be known to ss. Glad Kirsty got recognised and helped.

[Rebecca]

Maggie is a true inspiration. I have loved each of her stories. They are written with such warmth and compassion towards each and every child. Her passion for improving the lives of children is clear in every word written.
This story was written about a child called Kirsty and her battle with rejection and sense of self worth.

[Brittney Smidt]

absolutely beautiful

Oh Maggie as a fellow foster carer but in the US. I’ve absolutely loved reading your series so far I just got the entire series to have as my own. Bless you for your journey and love has helped so many children!!! This story had me bursting into tears of sorrow and happiness throughout the whole story

[Desi Kleinczmit]

The insight once again! Maggie’s ability to make one of the hardest choices is jaw dropping. The emotion that could be felt through the words on the page had me crying. I could feel her pain. I was completely immersed into the story and felt like I was living her experiences. I admire her ability to not give up no matter how hard it is.

[Rhonda Garrison]

I really didn’t like Christie at the beginning of this book. I thought she was a little brat. But, just as Maggie did I too came to really care about her. I am glad she got the ending that she deserved.

[Gail]

Recommended

Another great book by Maggie Hartley. Maggie has to put everything she has learned into action to help a 10year-old girl who feels that no one loves or wants her. I recommend this book from a wonderful writer.

[Lia Sheriff]

I read through this over a couple of days. The writing style is quite basic, and, although I thought I could predict the end, I'd guessed incorrectly. I almost had a little cry at one point, but I caught myself. Everyone likes a happy ending, but even so, this book wasn't for me.

[Ian Mcnamara]

Enjoyed this book a lot, I have read quite a lot of similar authers and I really enjoyed them.

[kim lidgard]

Wow

My heart went out for kirsty she went thru so much before finally getting a family of her own. I wish her well in the future

[Gayle]

Fanastic read couldn't put it down. would recommend Maggie Hartley's books

[Emma Sutton]

Amazing and powerful story

An incredible story showing the true power of a foster carer. Incredible work to save a little girl.

My favourite one of maggies books so far.

[mois reads]

Kirsty

Another excellent read from Maggie and all the help she gave to one troubled little girl 5 stars for a heart wrenching true story .

[Katie]

Really good book such a damaged child but so happy to read she got her forever home