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Exploited
'He said he loved me.'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.Maggie is used to difficult teenagers, but Hannah's behaviour brings into question everything Maggie has ever learnt in all her years as a foster carer. Determined to push away everyone around her away, Hannah's life seems to be spiralling out of control. But when Hannah finally breaks down and confides a shocking secret to Maggie, the truth behind her chaotic behaviour is finally revealed. Can Maggie help this vulnerable young girl overcome the trauma of what's happened to her and set her free from the demons that haunt her?A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.'A very moving read' 5* Amazon reader review
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2020
138 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 17, 2020
Desperate to get help, her mother makes an unthinkable choice. Hannah enters care as a terrified victim of exploitation, though no one around her knows what she’s going through. Maggie steps in and works to offer the love and support that will unlock the truth and start the process of seeking justice for them all.
April 17, 2020
Another good book by this author. Her books are all very interesting.
April 16, 2020
Hannah
A young girl groomed and abused in an awful way. Hannah was sent to Maggie by her mam when things got really tough for the family and her mam couldn't help Hannah but what Maggie found out appaled her and she had to help Hannah and her family come to terms with this abuse with Maggie's help the family coped a really fantastic book and a well deserved 5 STARS.
A young girl groomed and abused in an awful way. Hannah was sent to Maggie by her mam when things got really tough for the family and her mam couldn't help Hannah but what Maggie found out appaled her and she had to help Hannah and her family come to terms with this abuse with Maggie's help the family coped a really fantastic book and a well deserved 5 STARS.
March 30, 2023
I’ve been on a Maggie Hartley binge recently but I have to say this book was an incredibly difficult read. With themes of sexual violence, grooming, forced drug use, and general violence I would erg readers to consider their triggers prior to reading.
That being said, this book does excellent at spreading awareness for experiences similar to Hannah’s. It’s clear that at the time the contents of this book took place, little was understood about these crimes and little training/support was in place to protect these young people. Obviously, more is done in recent years to spot warning signs and to support children but it’s frustrating and (quite frankly) depressing to read what children had to go through prior to modern procedures.
I hope people in power will continue to read stories like this and educate themselves on what more they could do to prevent inducing further trauma.
That being said, this book does excellent at spreading awareness for experiences similar to Hannah’s. It’s clear that at the time the contents of this book took place, little was understood about these crimes and little training/support was in place to protect these young people. Obviously, more is done in recent years to spot warning signs and to support children but it’s frustrating and (quite frankly) depressing to read what children had to go through prior to modern procedures.
I hope people in power will continue to read stories like this and educate themselves on what more they could do to prevent inducing further trauma.
April 27, 2020
Great
Very good, Hannah is so strong. She sure went through loads. Spoolier I do not feel 12 years was enough fow what he did to the girls. There was3 girls. 12 each maybe. Sorry but I was a victom of rape. The guy got 10 for me then had to finish his time for his daughters before starting mine. So see why I feel thisway. Some Men suck.
Very good, Hannah is so strong. She sure went through loads. Spoolier I do not feel 12 years was enough fow what he did to the girls. There was3 girls. 12 each maybe. Sorry but I was a victom of rape. The guy got 10 for me then had to finish his time for his daughters before starting mine. So see why I feel thisway. Some Men suck.
February 11, 2025
Maggie Hartley’s Exploited is a powerful and heart-wrenching true story that sheds light on the devastating impact of child exploitation and the resilience of the human spirit. As an experienced foster carer, Hartley has dedicated her life to helping vulnerable children, and in this book, she recounts one of her most challenging cases—Hannah, a deeply troubled 14-year-old girl whose past holds painful secrets.
A Story of Desperation and Survival
Hannah’s life is in turmoil. She skips school, abuses drugs, and lashes out with uncontrollable anger. To the outside world, she appears to be just another rebellious teenager, but behind her behavior lies a darker truth. Her mother, unable to cope with her daughter’s self-destructive ways, makes the painful decision to place her in foster care. That’s when she enters Maggie Hartley’s home—a safe haven for children in crisis.
At first, Hannah is distrustful and hostile, unwilling to let anyone in. She’s been hurt too many times before. But Maggie, with her experience and unwavering patience, refuses to give up on her. As she slowly gains Hannah’s trust, a horrifying secret emerges—one that explains Hannah’s fear, rage, and erratic behavior. She is not just a troubled teen; she is a victim of exploitation.
A Heartfelt and Eye-Opening Read
Maggie Hartley does an incredible job of telling Hannah’s story with sensitivity and compassion. The book doesn’t just focus on the trauma—though it is a major theme—but also on the power of love, patience, and understanding in helping a child heal. The narrative is gripping, raw, and deeply emotional, making it impossible to put down.
One of the most striking aspects of Exploited is how it highlights the gaps in the child protection system. It’s a sobering reminder of how easily vulnerable children can slip through the cracks and how important foster carers like Maggie are in giving them a second chance.
A Must-Read for Those Who Care About Child Welfare
If you’re a fan of real-life stories of resilience, or if you have an interest in foster care and child protection, Exploited is a must-read. It’s heartbreaking yet hopeful, shining a light on the dark reality of child exploitation while showcasing the incredible difference a single person can make in a child’s life.
Maggie Hartley’s writing is straightforward yet powerful, drawing readers into Hannah’s world and making them feel every moment of pain, anger, and ultimately, hope. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
If you enjoy books like this, please join us at fostering, memoirs and fiction book club on Facebook, where other like-minded readers and individuals get together and talk books! 📚
A Story of Desperation and Survival
Hannah’s life is in turmoil. She skips school, abuses drugs, and lashes out with uncontrollable anger. To the outside world, she appears to be just another rebellious teenager, but behind her behavior lies a darker truth. Her mother, unable to cope with her daughter’s self-destructive ways, makes the painful decision to place her in foster care. That’s when she enters Maggie Hartley’s home—a safe haven for children in crisis.
At first, Hannah is distrustful and hostile, unwilling to let anyone in. She’s been hurt too many times before. But Maggie, with her experience and unwavering patience, refuses to give up on her. As she slowly gains Hannah’s trust, a horrifying secret emerges—one that explains Hannah’s fear, rage, and erratic behavior. She is not just a troubled teen; she is a victim of exploitation.
A Heartfelt and Eye-Opening Read
Maggie Hartley does an incredible job of telling Hannah’s story with sensitivity and compassion. The book doesn’t just focus on the trauma—though it is a major theme—but also on the power of love, patience, and understanding in helping a child heal. The narrative is gripping, raw, and deeply emotional, making it impossible to put down.
One of the most striking aspects of Exploited is how it highlights the gaps in the child protection system. It’s a sobering reminder of how easily vulnerable children can slip through the cracks and how important foster carers like Maggie are in giving them a second chance.
A Must-Read for Those Who Care About Child Welfare
If you’re a fan of real-life stories of resilience, or if you have an interest in foster care and child protection, Exploited is a must-read. It’s heartbreaking yet hopeful, shining a light on the dark reality of child exploitation while showcasing the incredible difference a single person can make in a child’s life.
Maggie Hartley’s writing is straightforward yet powerful, drawing readers into Hannah’s world and making them feel every moment of pain, anger, and ultimately, hope. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
If you enjoy books like this, please join us at fostering, memoirs and fiction book club on Facebook, where other like-minded readers and individuals get together and talk books! 📚
Currently reading
March 27, 2021“Exploited” by Maggie Hartley is a story about her foster parent's life on a day-to-day basis. 14-year-old Hanah was being taken away from her biological mother to be fostered by Maggie. Maggie, Hanah, and the mother all have to go through the difficult journey of their new lives and learn how to adapt especially for the hurt and angered Hanah.
Exploited is a good personal book for anyone who is interested in reading about fostering/family dramas. It's a type of book that can connect to the reader in some shape or form. It can connect with an adult or a junior high or high schooler. I’m not a big reader so of course I didn't enjoy the book but I would recommend it for people who love to read and are interested in family drama/fostering.
It is based on the true story of Maggie Hartley's foster patient. Hanah is a 14-year-old girl who is in the foster system after being taken away from her real mom but not because her mom was a bad parent. Maggie shows Hanah's mom around her place so she knows Hannah will be safe. Hanah's mother and Maggie are gonna have to adjust to the new style of life that is prepared to take place in Hanah’s chapter. Not only are they gonna have to adjust but Hanah most importantly is gonna have to adjust to the new style of life she is prepared to be in.
This book would appeal to anyone who is interested in some family drama or foster care info or what the child and the foster parent and the actual parent go through. In the first part of the book, the mother of Hannah wanted to be able to call her but Maggie said it wasn’t gonna be a good idea. The book has many “aw” and “awe” moments.
Exploited is a good personal book for anyone who is interested in reading about fostering/family dramas. It's a type of book that can connect to the reader in some shape or form. It can connect with an adult or a junior high or high schooler. I’m not a big reader so of course I didn't enjoy the book but I would recommend it for people who love to read and are interested in family drama/fostering.
It is based on the true story of Maggie Hartley's foster patient. Hanah is a 14-year-old girl who is in the foster system after being taken away from her real mom but not because her mom was a bad parent. Maggie shows Hanah's mom around her place so she knows Hannah will be safe. Hanah's mother and Maggie are gonna have to adjust to the new style of life that is prepared to take place in Hanah’s chapter. Not only are they gonna have to adjust but Hanah most importantly is gonna have to adjust to the new style of life she is prepared to be in.
This book would appeal to anyone who is interested in some family drama or foster care info or what the child and the foster parent and the actual parent go through. In the first part of the book, the mother of Hannah wanted to be able to call her but Maggie said it wasn’t gonna be a good idea. The book has many “aw” and “awe” moments.
February 3, 2026
⸻
This book was an incredible and emotional read from start to finish. The build up of the story was great — it slowly drew me in and made me connect with each character before everything came together in such a powerful way. The storyline was everything. It was meaningful, engaging, and full of moments that really made you think and feel.
One of the strongest parts of the book was how it showed the importance of the role of foster carers and everything they do for each child. It highlighted not only the care they provide, but also the patience, understanding, and love that goes into helping children through difficult situations. It really opened my eyes to how much of a difference foster carers can make in young lives.
The story also went into great detail about each character and their individual problems. This made the characters feel real and relatable, and helped me understand their struggles on a deeper level. Each backstory added so much depth to the overall story and made their journeys even more powerful.
Overall, this was a beautifully written book with a strong message and unforgettable characters. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and emotional story that stays with you long after finishing it.
June 8, 2024
Maggie Hartley is an excellent memoir writer. This is the second book of hers that I have recently read and I really enjoyed both.
This is a story about Hannah. A 15 year old girl who, just months ago, was a happy, care free child who never caused her family any issues. However, Hannah’s life takes an unexpected and unexplained, dark turn and Hannah’s personality, behaviour and actions becomes unrecognisable.
Hannah’s mum feels like she has no choice but to ask the social services for help as Hannah is out of control and her mum fears for her safety. Hannah is placed into voluntary foster care with Maggie, who works very hard to piece together to puzzle, to form the bigger picture of Hannah’s circumstances and reasonings.
There is a heart breaking revelation which explains Hannah’s behaviour and difficulties and with the help of Maggie and her family and social worker, Hannah is finally able to open up and expose the person who has been brutally controlling her.
I was beginning to think the story wouldn’t have a happy ending and that this awful man wouldn’t be punished. However, justice does end up served.
This is a story about Hannah. A 15 year old girl who, just months ago, was a happy, care free child who never caused her family any issues. However, Hannah’s life takes an unexpected and unexplained, dark turn and Hannah’s personality, behaviour and actions becomes unrecognisable.
Hannah’s mum feels like she has no choice but to ask the social services for help as Hannah is out of control and her mum fears for her safety. Hannah is placed into voluntary foster care with Maggie, who works very hard to piece together to puzzle, to form the bigger picture of Hannah’s circumstances and reasonings.
There is a heart breaking revelation which explains Hannah’s behaviour and difficulties and with the help of Maggie and her family and social worker, Hannah is finally able to open up and expose the person who has been brutally controlling her.
I was beginning to think the story wouldn’t have a happy ending and that this awful man wouldn’t be punished. However, justice does end up served.
March 24, 2025
This poor girl! The fear she must have felt, the guilt, the sadness, I can’t imagine how she did it! Hannah, you are such a strong person who is an inspiration to others that may have gone through what you did. Maggie, the way you helped her, was there for her and her mother…as usual I am sure it made all the difference. You do everything in your power to help others and that is also a massive inspiration. The way the book is written you can feel the emotion in the words on the pages. The care Maggie had for Hannah was felt through the words. Even when Maggie is faced with something unknown to her, she admits it and seeks help. She doesn’t hide her flaws; she doesn’t act like she perfectly handles every situation. The way she explains things makes it easy to understand even if you have no knowledge of fostering, or how the legal system works with it.
P.S. Shelley you did the right thing! As hard as it was you did the right thing. If Hannah had remained with you, surely things would have taken a far worse turn and perhaps Molly would have been dragged in. Well done Shelley!
P.S. Shelley you did the right thing! As hard as it was you did the right thing. If Hannah had remained with you, surely things would have taken a far worse turn and perhaps Molly would have been dragged in. Well done Shelley!
June 14, 2020
Very good fostering/true crime memoir.
Another good quick read from Maggie Hartley. I've read quite a few of her fostering memoirs now and this seemed a bit shorter than some of her books, at 192 pages on the kindle edition, but a full length story anyway. So; easy to read and get through in just a couple of days.
This time it's Maggie's task to look after an errant teen, as her own mum is finding things so difficult and needs help. At first Hannah seems to be complying. But worrying times are ahead. Good read.
Another good quick read from Maggie Hartley. I've read quite a few of her fostering memoirs now and this seemed a bit shorter than some of her books, at 192 pages on the kindle edition, but a full length story anyway. So; easy to read and get through in just a couple of days.
This time it's Maggie's task to look after an errant teen, as her own mum is finding things so difficult and needs help. At first Hannah seems to be complying. But worrying times are ahead. Good read.
April 18, 2020
Exploited by Maggie Hartley.
A must read, hard to put down book!
Hannah lives with her Mum and younger sister ... a loving family until a few months ago .... what has made Hannah change! Why is she being so uncontrollable ... rude, sneaking out, drinking ...
Her mother has no choice but to relinquish her to Maggie ...
What Maggie eventually finds out is nothing she could even think could happen.
A riveting story written by a compassionate caring soul!
Keep the tissues handy!
A must read, hard to put down book!
Hannah lives with her Mum and younger sister ... a loving family until a few months ago .... what has made Hannah change! Why is she being so uncontrollable ... rude, sneaking out, drinking ...
Her mother has no choice but to relinquish her to Maggie ...
What Maggie eventually finds out is nothing she could even think could happen.
A riveting story written by a compassionate caring soul!
Keep the tissues handy!
May 3, 2021
Well,done Hanna sending love to you
Another fab book of Maggies in regards to a young girl Called Hannah. The story is so tragic but in this day becoming to popular. Laws are changing to,protect these children.
A note from me to Hanna if she ever reads this is, you are a very brave and an incredible young woman, and I wish you love, health and happiness in your life moving forward. Xxx
Another fab book of Maggies in regards to a young girl Called Hannah. The story is so tragic but in this day becoming to popular. Laws are changing to,protect these children.
A note from me to Hanna if she ever reads this is, you are a very brave and an incredible young woman, and I wish you love, health and happiness in your life moving forward. Xxx
July 1, 2020
Not sure
I was a little shocked when reading this book that people didn’t act quicker or respond differently and that the girl involved didn’t have her caution overturned. Glad that I read Epilogue as this goes some way to explaining however it may have been helpful for the reader to know roughly when this was instead of feeling that the poor girl was really badly let down.
I was a little shocked when reading this book that people didn’t act quicker or respond differently and that the girl involved didn’t have her caution overturned. Glad that I read Epilogue as this goes some way to explaining however it may have been helpful for the reader to know roughly when this was instead of feeling that the poor girl was really badly let down.
April 18, 2020
Another fantastic and brilliant book from Maggie Hartley. I couldn't put the book down. I felt so sorry Hannah for what happened to her hut so glad that everything worked out in the end.
Looking forward to reading Maggie Hartley's next book.
Looking forward to reading Maggie Hartley's next book.
June 2, 2020
As always, Maggie’s books are hard to put down. They’re heartbreaking with kids who have really been put through the ringer. If it wasn’t for people like Maggie to care for these kids, where would they end up? She is an inspiration
July 5, 2020
Emotional
There are multiple emotions. Until in this book. From the beginning when Shelley had to place in foster care her teenage daughter, Hannah. Throughout Hannah 's reveal to what really was behind her problems.
There are multiple emotions. Until in this book. From the beginning when Shelley had to place in foster care her teenage daughter, Hannah. Throughout Hannah 's reveal to what really was behind her problems.
March 5, 2022
Poor girl. Such strength.
Heartbreaking. Just shows why so many rapes and grooming victims don't bother reporting it because of 'unsubstantial evidence'.
Such a strong young lass.
Heartbreaking. Just shows why so many rapes and grooming victims don't bother reporting it because of 'unsubstantial evidence'.
Such a strong young lass.
July 19, 2024
adding this to my favorite books, the way i am on edge the whole time i was reading this i am so glad that Maggie, Emma and everyone involved got justice for Hannah. I hope they are doing well as of this day
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2020
k
Amazing book, couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read more of Maggie's work. Inspirational writing. Well done Maggie x
Amazing book, couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read more of Maggie's work. Inspirational writing. Well done Maggie x
April 26, 2020
Good read
Brilliant book only took me two days to read couldn’t put it down I have read all of Magie’s books and enjoyed them all
Brilliant book only took me two days to read couldn’t put it down I have read all of Magie’s books and enjoyed them all
May 9, 2020
Fantastic
I would really recommend this book i stared reading this book at 9pm and I couldn't out it down finished it at 3am
I would really recommend this book i stared reading this book at 9pm and I couldn't out it down finished it at 3am
June 10, 2020
Brilliant book, Loving reading Maggie Hartleys books on to next one
June 19, 2020
Very good book
September 20, 2020
Another fab book 📖 couldn't put the book down
Love Maggie Hartley books 📚.
Love Maggie Hartley books 📚.
November 1, 2020
Heart wrenching.
February 18, 2021
As usual this book was not a disappointment.
I always love reading Maggie’s books.
She must be an amazing person.
I always love reading Maggie’s books.
She must be an amazing person.
Read
March 6, 2021Excellent book, I cried at the end which is unlike me!
April 25, 2021
Good book
June 2, 2021
Such a terrifying story. Thankfully it ended well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews