A Family Friend: There was only one man Sammy could turn to…

by Casey Watson

The new fostering memoir from The Sunday Times bestselling author Casey Watson.With his young mother in and out of prison, Sammy has been in care since he was nine years old. Left feeling entirely alone, he has never had a proper safe haven.

There is one person looking out for his neighbour, ‘Uncle Kenny’. But while Sammy may turn to Kenny for comfort, alarm bells soon start to ring for experienced foster carer Casey Watson…

Will Casey be able to save Sammy before it’s too late?

Casey Watson's book 'Little Girl Lost' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-04-01.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, Biography

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

Reviews

[Erica⭐]

With his young mother in and out of prison, Sammy has been in care since he was nine years old. Left feeling entirely alone, he has never had a proper safe haven.

There is one person looking out for Sammy: his neighbour, ‘Uncle Kenny’. But while Sammy may turn to Kenny for comfort, alarm bells soon start to ring for experienced foster carer Casey Watson…

Will Casey be able to save Sammy before it’s too late?

[Lou]

Review: A Family Friend by Casey Watson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casey Watson delivers yet another deeply moving and powerful memoir with A Family Friend. This book tells the heartbreaking yet inspiring story of Sammy, a young boy who has spent years in care, longing for stability and a place to call home. With his mother in and out of prison, Sammy finds solace in the presence of his neighbor, ‘Uncle Kenny’—but as Watson soon discovers, not everything is as it seems.

As an experienced foster carer, Casey’s insight into Sammy’s world is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. She writes with honesty, compassion, and a deep understanding of the complexities that come with fostering vulnerable children. The tension builds as she navigates the warning signs surrounding Sammy’s situation, making this book both an emotional and gripping read.

What sets A Family Friend apart is Casey Watson’s ability to bring real-life struggles to the page with such authenticity. Her storytelling is raw and deeply touching, making it impossible to put the book down. The journey Sammy goes through is one that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

If you love true fostering memoirs filled with resilience, hope, and the strength of the human spirit, A Family Friend is a must-read. Highly recommended for fans of Cathy Glass, Angela Hart, and other authors who share powerful real-life stories.

📚 If you enjoy books like this, follow and join our group on Facebook: “Fostering, Memoirs, and Fiction Book Club”! 📚

[Kelly Ferrett]

A FamilyFriend. by Casey Watson.
Of course a great read again from Casey Watson …
This actually was up to date on what is happening to young people today … their trusting nature can put them in danger …
Sammy is a 13 year old boy who needs to be placed in another foster home after he has a fight with his carers son. When arriving at Casey’s he is well dressed .. and so polite. Is this hiding a bigger problem that no one knows about yet! He had lived with his grandmother for a most of his life after his mother was placed in prison. When his grandmother died he was placed in the care system …
The things Sammy has done and seen is not anything anyone should see!

[Holly Hall]

It’s taken me a while to read this book normally with authors like Casey Watson I’m normally on it and read them straight away but this kind of book has put me off for months and been reading a different type of book

Poor Sammy his story was so said. It questions doesn’t it what goes on behind parents or child carers eyes. My daughter is of Sammy’s age and I think that is sick what he’s been through. These children and especially my daughter are of that age where they think they are savvy in life and know everything but they don’t they are 13 just a child

Another story from Casey that makes you open your eyes

Thanks Casey!

[Jacki Rhinehart]

Excellent Read

Another excellent book by Casey Watson!
I enjoyed reading about Sammy. Though his life was sad, Casey and her husband, Mike, managed to help Sammy change things for the better. I cried through parts of it.
Casey has an excellent way of describing the ins and outs of foster care and the handling of sensitive subjects.
This book also taught me about how the practice of receiving any gifts in return for gaming reviews, for example, can lead to a dangerous situation, even for older teens and adults. I will keep it in mind with my grandchildren.
Thank you, Casey.

[Maureen H]

Heart warming read

Another good read from Casey, it must be quite a roller coaster ride being a foster carer, the lows and highs of working with youngsters who have been treated like Sammy. Kids don't asked to come Into this world but they deserved to be loved and treated well. Thank goodness there are people like Casey and Mike.

[Rebecca Fowkes]

What another fantastic book from Casey Watson. I couldn't put this book down. Felt so sorry for what Sammy went through and it was a shame he couldn't stay with you. But I'm so pleased that it was a lovely ending and Sammy can go on to be happy.

[Emma Taylor]

Another fantastic read! My heart absolutely broke for Sammie and what he's been through 😢 this is also a stark reminder of the dangers phones/internet/socials can pose.! I honestly wish Sammie all the happiness in the works and I hope he is now happy and settled and will continue to be

[Tanja Ragonesi]

Hooray for Casey

Like most Casey Watson fans, I flew through this book and can't wait for the next. Loved the foster child's complex personality and wish him all the best for his future.

[Cassondra Durham]

A wonderful book

This was another great book by Casey Watson. I personally felt like crying just reading what happened to Sammy. I would recommend this book for everyone, that can handle such profound circumstances.

[Elizabeth Ray]

A good read as always. I can never put these books down.

[NICOLE]

As predicted, as always. 3 star because I finish them in a day or two and because I've probably read them all at this point.

[Jade]

so good! even at times annoying, but in last part got me in tears <3

[Mrs Judith Cohen]

Brilliant read

Another great read from Casey Watson. So hard to put this book down. Even on nights when my eyes were closing I just had to read one more chapter. It's a must read

[Gail murray]

Another well written book really enjoyed reading this book and hard tonput down.

[Hayley]

This was an amazing book. I was in tears at some parts. I've read a lot of these type of memoirs, but this one really moved me

[Marwa Ghazy]

قراءات ٢٠٢٥
رائعة كالعادة

[Tanya Boulter]

Another great book by Casey Watson. A nod to the evil that is out there in this world and the great work Casey and her family do.

[georgia elderkin]

Always hard to read these books but knowing that the child had a happy ending makes it worth while.

[Caitlin]

Couldn't put the book down, read it in a day. A very moving story and sadly this is real life experienced by many children

[Gayle]

Amither fanastic read x