What do you think?
Home Bird: a bittersweet and funny novel based on the author's experience in foster care
'This has all of Fran's trademark quick wit and black humour' Gráinne Murphy
'Funny, warm and very moving' Lucinda Hawksley
'Fran writes with such humour and humanity, it was an absolute tonic' Victoria Mackenzie
1979. Jackie Chadwick is 17 and living in a supported bedsit. She's still close to her foster parents and friends with (aka unofficial minder for) Amanda, their irresponsible daughter, but she’s enjoying her independence – until a fire leaves her temporarily homeless. Jackie’s dad, widower and recovering alcoholic Dave, has just been released from prison and sees this as his chance to make amends. He offers her his spare room – but can their relationship survive him going back on the booze and the arrival of his gin-loving lady friend and her errant son? As things go from bad to worse, Jackie has to decide how many chances you give someone who keeps letting you down.
Bittersweet and funny, Home Bird draws on Fran Hill's own experiences as a teenager in foster care.
'Deliciously nostalgic, brilliantly funny' Frances Quinn
'I loved Home Bird. Fran drew me in to that world' Jane Ions
'A jewel of a book. Fran Hill can do what other authors spend a lifetime trying to disarm you in a sentence' Deborah Jenkins
'The story is ultimately upbeat… the lightness of touch has real depth' Anthony Ferner
'Like a perfectly risen souffle made with dangerously volatile ingredients, Jackie’s story of dashed hopes, disappointment, optimism and resilience gripped me from the first line and wouldn’t let me go' Ruth Leigh
'Filled with nostalgia and insightful humanity, the reader will laugh aloud and weep with emotion... a beautiful book' Linda Hill, The People's Friend
'A treat for the reader... a brilliantly written novel' Anne Cater, Mature Times
'Funny, warm and very moving' Lucinda Hawksley
'Fran writes with such humour and humanity, it was an absolute tonic' Victoria Mackenzie
1979. Jackie Chadwick is 17 and living in a supported bedsit. She's still close to her foster parents and friends with (aka unofficial minder for) Amanda, their irresponsible daughter, but she’s enjoying her independence – until a fire leaves her temporarily homeless. Jackie’s dad, widower and recovering alcoholic Dave, has just been released from prison and sees this as his chance to make amends. He offers her his spare room – but can their relationship survive him going back on the booze and the arrival of his gin-loving lady friend and her errant son? As things go from bad to worse, Jackie has to decide how many chances you give someone who keeps letting you down.
Bittersweet and funny, Home Bird draws on Fran Hill's own experiences as a teenager in foster care.
'Deliciously nostalgic, brilliantly funny' Frances Quinn
'I loved Home Bird. Fran drew me in to that world' Jane Ions
'A jewel of a book. Fran Hill can do what other authors spend a lifetime trying to disarm you in a sentence' Deborah Jenkins
'The story is ultimately upbeat… the lightness of touch has real depth' Anthony Ferner
'Like a perfectly risen souffle made with dangerously volatile ingredients, Jackie’s story of dashed hopes, disappointment, optimism and resilience gripped me from the first line and wouldn’t let me go' Ruth Leigh
'Filled with nostalgia and insightful humanity, the reader will laugh aloud and weep with emotion... a beautiful book' Linda Hill, The People's Friend
'A treat for the reader... a brilliantly written novel' Anne Cater, Mature Times
- GenresFictionFamily Drama
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2025
About the author
Fran Hill
7 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 13, 2025
17 year old Jackie Chadwick’s dad is fresh out of prison.
Sometimes with a book review, I just want to say, ‘Buy this book.’ Home Bird is one such story. It’s wonderful. Having previously met the fabulous Jackie, Amanda et al in Cuckoo in the Nest, I’d urge readers to read that book before Home Bird. Not because you need any prior knowledge of Jackie, as this story works flawlessly as a stand alone, but because, once you’ve read Home Bird, you’ll feel devastated not to have met Jackie sooner!
I’m not quite sure how she does it, but Fran Hill is as able to convey meaning equally as well through what she doesn’t write, as through the words she allows into the page. Her prose is simply glorious. It’s imbued with every emotion conceivable and impacts the reader right in the heart, even when they are laughing aloud at Jackie’s wry, self-preserving, dark humour. It’s the direct speech that conveys meaning and emotion so perfectly. But it’s not just brevity and pared back prose that is so effective. Some of the description of inanimate objects is so astute it takes the reader’s breath away. I found myself reading Home Bird with admiration and envy of the author’s craft because it felt totally perfect.
On the surface, the narrative plot seems prosaic. A teenage girl navigates her way through relationships with her less than perfect father, her previous foster family and her friends. So too do many other teenage girls. But this apparent simplicity belies the stunning insight into human nature, the heart rending and uplifting moments that everyday life throws at Jackie and the true understanding of social care, its efforts and its inadequacies. Heather does her best by Jackie, as do her school’s Nursey B and teacher Mrs Collingworth, but Fran Hill lays bare the challenges faced by young people experiencing social care and she does so with such humanity that it’s impossible not to feel touched to the soul by her writing. I could not have loved Jackie more. She’s the same age as I was in 1979 and reading about her life made me want to climb into the book and become her closest friend. She’s an outstanding character.
I found all the characters quite wonderful. Dave’s spiral back into drink is so realistic as he gravitates towards Doreen, that Jackie finds herself once more a ‘cuckoo in the nest’ in her own home. This gives a sense of the inevitability of life and a feeling of doom even when there’s considerable humour in the telling.
The depiction of 1979 in Home Bird is phenomenal. References to school, food, television, magazines and music all create an authentic and nostalgic tapestry of setting and era so that the reader is totally transported. This is a story written by someone who knows. Someone who understands. Someone who cares.
As a result, Home Bird is the most brilliant read. It made me laugh aloud and it made me cry. It cemented in my mind that Fran Hill is a writer of exceptional talent who understands human frailty completely and who can convey her characters in an intense, yet humorous, distilled fashion so that we comprehend their very essence and they break our hearts along the way. In case you didn’t realise, I absolutely loved this Home Bird. Don’t miss it.
Sometimes with a book review, I just want to say, ‘Buy this book.’ Home Bird is one such story. It’s wonderful. Having previously met the fabulous Jackie, Amanda et al in Cuckoo in the Nest, I’d urge readers to read that book before Home Bird. Not because you need any prior knowledge of Jackie, as this story works flawlessly as a stand alone, but because, once you’ve read Home Bird, you’ll feel devastated not to have met Jackie sooner!
I’m not quite sure how she does it, but Fran Hill is as able to convey meaning equally as well through what she doesn’t write, as through the words she allows into the page. Her prose is simply glorious. It’s imbued with every emotion conceivable and impacts the reader right in the heart, even when they are laughing aloud at Jackie’s wry, self-preserving, dark humour. It’s the direct speech that conveys meaning and emotion so perfectly. But it’s not just brevity and pared back prose that is so effective. Some of the description of inanimate objects is so astute it takes the reader’s breath away. I found myself reading Home Bird with admiration and envy of the author’s craft because it felt totally perfect.
On the surface, the narrative plot seems prosaic. A teenage girl navigates her way through relationships with her less than perfect father, her previous foster family and her friends. So too do many other teenage girls. But this apparent simplicity belies the stunning insight into human nature, the heart rending and uplifting moments that everyday life throws at Jackie and the true understanding of social care, its efforts and its inadequacies. Heather does her best by Jackie, as do her school’s Nursey B and teacher Mrs Collingworth, but Fran Hill lays bare the challenges faced by young people experiencing social care and she does so with such humanity that it’s impossible not to feel touched to the soul by her writing. I could not have loved Jackie more. She’s the same age as I was in 1979 and reading about her life made me want to climb into the book and become her closest friend. She’s an outstanding character.
I found all the characters quite wonderful. Dave’s spiral back into drink is so realistic as he gravitates towards Doreen, that Jackie finds herself once more a ‘cuckoo in the nest’ in her own home. This gives a sense of the inevitability of life and a feeling of doom even when there’s considerable humour in the telling.
The depiction of 1979 in Home Bird is phenomenal. References to school, food, television, magazines and music all create an authentic and nostalgic tapestry of setting and era so that the reader is totally transported. This is a story written by someone who knows. Someone who understands. Someone who cares.
As a result, Home Bird is the most brilliant read. It made me laugh aloud and it made me cry. It cemented in my mind that Fran Hill is a writer of exceptional talent who understands human frailty completely and who can convey her characters in an intense, yet humorous, distilled fashion so that we comprehend their very essence and they break our hearts along the way. In case you didn’t realise, I absolutely loved this Home Bird. Don’t miss it.
May 23, 2026
I loved this book! I didn't want it to end. Having read Cuckoo In the Nest, I thought it couldn't be topped but I think this has done it.
I could read many more books about Jackie Chadwick. I love the harsh realism of her life, what she's going through, the various relationships she has to navigate, each one carefully thought out so she doesn't drop her guard - exhausting!
The humour is wonderful and shines through, turning some of those (what could be) darker times into something seemingly more light hearted, but of course the humour is a coping mechanism.
Beautifully written and superbly engaging.
I could read many more books about Jackie Chadwick. I love the harsh realism of her life, what she's going through, the various relationships she has to navigate, each one carefully thought out so she doesn't drop her guard - exhausting!
The humour is wonderful and shines through, turning some of those (what could be) darker times into something seemingly more light hearted, but of course the humour is a coping mechanism.
Beautifully written and superbly engaging.
March 29, 2025
Absolutely wonderful voice, great characters and realistic dialogue. This author is a joy to read !!! More please….
March 28, 2025
A brilliant follow up to 'Cuckoo in the Nest' , in which we first met teenager Jackie Chadwick as she started foster care after her widower Dad was sent to prison.
The story starts as Jackie meets him on his release and the stage looks set for returning to a life on the straight and narrow. Jackie's social worker has seen her safely settled in shared accommodation, but when her friend accidentally sets the house on fire a choice needs to be made. Should Jackie return to the Wall family or take a chance of living with her Dad and hope he doesn't return to the bottle? On top of that, what does her boyfriend really want, and does she even want him around in the midst of more unfolding chaos?
New characters join the cast including Doreen from the local shop and her irresponsible son, Stuart. Jackie's friendship with Amanda takes some strain as do those with her school friends. Meanwhile, Bridget Wall's Parkinson's advances, Jackie's English teacher encourages her to keep writing poetry; the school nurse is a lifeline, but Jackie's social worker is spread too thin.
Through it all, Jackie is still the one who observes what's really going on beneath the bluster and words, the one who is confided in, is old beyond her years and the one who regularly drops witty replies.
Fran Hill's experience as both a foster child and an English teacher shines through the narrative which is cleverly anchored in the 1979/80 era with good, but not intrusive, contemporary references. You'll be reminded of TV programmes you'd forgotten about as well as a few meals you'll be glad to have assigned to the annals of history.
A very satisfying read with laughter and a few tears. I can't wait to find out where life takes Jackie in book 3 (please).
The story starts as Jackie meets him on his release and the stage looks set for returning to a life on the straight and narrow. Jackie's social worker has seen her safely settled in shared accommodation, but when her friend accidentally sets the house on fire a choice needs to be made. Should Jackie return to the Wall family or take a chance of living with her Dad and hope he doesn't return to the bottle? On top of that, what does her boyfriend really want, and does she even want him around in the midst of more unfolding chaos?
New characters join the cast including Doreen from the local shop and her irresponsible son, Stuart. Jackie's friendship with Amanda takes some strain as do those with her school friends. Meanwhile, Bridget Wall's Parkinson's advances, Jackie's English teacher encourages her to keep writing poetry; the school nurse is a lifeline, but Jackie's social worker is spread too thin.
Through it all, Jackie is still the one who observes what's really going on beneath the bluster and words, the one who is confided in, is old beyond her years and the one who regularly drops witty replies.
Fran Hill's experience as both a foster child and an English teacher shines through the narrative which is cleverly anchored in the 1979/80 era with good, but not intrusive, contemporary references. You'll be reminded of TV programmes you'd forgotten about as well as a few meals you'll be glad to have assigned to the annals of history.
A very satisfying read with laughter and a few tears. I can't wait to find out where life takes Jackie in book 3 (please).
March 24, 2025
This is a highly engaging novel set in 1979/80 about a young woman, age 17, who has been living with a foster family for the past three years of her life and must now move to independent accommodation designated for her by the care system, but longs to reinstate her former relationship with the father who let her down so badly in the past.
He’s just out of prison, now free, she hopes, of his former alcohol addition, and she visualises a return to the stable home life with a caring loving responsible biological parent, the family life she might always have dreamed of.
However, life is complicated by self-defeating relationships, the cruelty of addiction and the sheer vulnerability and unaccountability of human beings. Fran Hill’s psychological insight is scalpel sharp, sometimes almost painful, but amazes the reader in the way she slices in shafts of laugh-out-loud humour e.g. ‘I’d never seen a man naked, and wasn’t in the mood for this to be my debut’. Because humans being wrong, stupid, and a mess, is often highly comedic, I could perfectly understand how only humour can save you from the blackest situations; sometimes it really is the best weapon.
The tension builds up as you long for Jackie to tell the truth to the very people who can help her, and to stop protecting her disastrous father (and her own dreams). Some of the conversations were so harrowing, almost cringe-making, and heavy with avoidance of truth; especially at the dinner table in the Berni Inn (when I felt equally sorry for the waitress, and tempted to laugh hysterically), and other passages of the dialogue incredibly incisive, e.g. that between Jackie and Amanda in the café, when some extremely important news is revealed.
I was so glad it has a happy ending! (sorry about the plot spoiler, but it was such a relief).
He’s just out of prison, now free, she hopes, of his former alcohol addition, and she visualises a return to the stable home life with a caring loving responsible biological parent, the family life she might always have dreamed of.
However, life is complicated by self-defeating relationships, the cruelty of addiction and the sheer vulnerability and unaccountability of human beings. Fran Hill’s psychological insight is scalpel sharp, sometimes almost painful, but amazes the reader in the way she slices in shafts of laugh-out-loud humour e.g. ‘I’d never seen a man naked, and wasn’t in the mood for this to be my debut’. Because humans being wrong, stupid, and a mess, is often highly comedic, I could perfectly understand how only humour can save you from the blackest situations; sometimes it really is the best weapon.
The tension builds up as you long for Jackie to tell the truth to the very people who can help her, and to stop protecting her disastrous father (and her own dreams). Some of the conversations were so harrowing, almost cringe-making, and heavy with avoidance of truth; especially at the dinner table in the Berni Inn (when I felt equally sorry for the waitress, and tempted to laugh hysterically), and other passages of the dialogue incredibly incisive, e.g. that between Jackie and Amanda in the café, when some extremely important news is revealed.
I was so glad it has a happy ending! (sorry about the plot spoiler, but it was such a relief).
April 4, 2025
Jackie Chadwick is tough and resilient young lady. She's had to be, considering what life has thrown at her in the past (see the first book about her, Cuckoo in the Nest). But things don't get easier.
Trying to rebuild her relationship with her alcoholic father would be a challenging task in itself, but there are complications to that. Plus she has friends in trouble, she has trouble with her boyfriend, she has conflicts of interest and loyalty to navigate. How can she manage to cope?
She copes with a sharp sense of humour. She copes by putting her life into her poetry. She copes by showing compassion and kindness where she can. And - although she doesn't always recognise it - she copes because she has people who are there for her.
We see it all through her eyes, but (thanks to the skill of the writer) we sometimes see more than she sees. We can recognise when she hurts, when she fails to see help that is offered, when she is giving more help than she realises to others. We recognise her courage and strength, even when she feels like she has no more to give.
A wonderful book, filled with deep insight and understanding of people, and beautifully written with Fran Hill's typical humour and healing love for damaged and hurting people.
Trying to rebuild her relationship with her alcoholic father would be a challenging task in itself, but there are complications to that. Plus she has friends in trouble, she has trouble with her boyfriend, she has conflicts of interest and loyalty to navigate. How can she manage to cope?
She copes with a sharp sense of humour. She copes by putting her life into her poetry. She copes by showing compassion and kindness where she can. And - although she doesn't always recognise it - she copes because she has people who are there for her.
We see it all through her eyes, but (thanks to the skill of the writer) we sometimes see more than she sees. We can recognise when she hurts, when she fails to see help that is offered, when she is giving more help than she realises to others. We recognise her courage and strength, even when she feels like she has no more to give.
A wonderful book, filled with deep insight and understanding of people, and beautifully written with Fran Hill's typical humour and healing love for damaged and hurting people.
May 13, 2026
Another great book from author, Fran Hill, following the life of fostered child, Jackie Chadwick. The book starts with renewed hope as Jackie's father, Dave, leaves prison and they set up life together, Dave working in a local pie factory and Jackie, school and part time in a local bakery. However, things soon change as Dave meets Doreen and then Doreen's son appears on the scene. From a happy and contented life, Jackie mental state soon unravells until she finds herself back to her old head picking habit. At the same time Jackie has to deal with problems with her foster family, the Walls, as mother, Bridget struggles with Parkisons and Amanda becomes more and more secretive and wild. Will things change for Jackie, can she cope with all this? Read the book and find out.
July 5, 2025
loved this book! was nervous at first that it wouldn't hold up to the first book but it really did! both books are amazing.
the characterisation is so strong. whenever I read books, my pet peeve is miscommunication and withholding information, but in this series it's never bothered me as it just makes so much sense with characterisation. the writing is is really well done and well paced throughout, it's a book that I never wanted to end but at the same time couldn't read fast enough!
I'll be keeping my eye out for more Fran Hill books!
the characterisation is so strong. whenever I read books, my pet peeve is miscommunication and withholding information, but in this series it's never bothered me as it just makes so much sense with characterisation. the writing is is really well done and well paced throughout, it's a book that I never wanted to end but at the same time couldn't read fast enough!
I'll be keeping my eye out for more Fran Hill books!
February 25, 2026
The second installment of Hall's 1970s series. Jackie Chadwick has exams, boyfriend issues & a turbulent home life thar gets increasing omplicatuon which evey day.
Hall once again draws you effortlessly into Jackie's world. The rib tickling humour, sharp observations of human nature and life in the 70s is all there. But as Jackie grows up so does her story resulting in a greater emotional depth to it which Hall excelled in. This coming-of-age story will resonet with many who grew up in the 70s.
Hall once again draws you effortlessly into Jackie's world. The rib tickling humour, sharp observations of human nature and life in the 70s is all there. But as Jackie grows up so does her story resulting in a greater emotional depth to it which Hall excelled in. This coming-of-age story will resonet with many who grew up in the 70s.
March 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this - a good dose of nostalgia, mixed in with great characters, and an interesting story about how a young person's life can so easily be derailed by their parents or poor choices in relationships. It tackles serious stuff, but with a very light touch. I haven't read the previous book, but I can see how these characters could very easily turn into a series. I'd like to read another one to see what happens next!
May 26, 2025
I listened to the audiobook. This sequel to ‘Cuckoo in the Nest’ did not disappoint. Superbly written, it charts our protagonist’s life as an A level student who moves in with her Dad when he’s released from prison. Although there were fewer laugh-out-loud moments, it was a hugely engaging story that kept me on tenterhooks throughout, wondering what would happen next, and how the story would unfold. I’m looking forward to book three Fran!
October 5, 2025
Home Bird follows on from the author's previous book (which I haven't read) about teenage Jackie Chadwick who grew up in foster care.
In 1979 17yo Jackie's alcoholic father is released from prison and she goes to live with him.
As her life becomes more chaotic, she struggles to keep it all together while finishing school and dreaming of being a poet.
It is a poignant, funny and engaging story, recommended.
In 1979 17yo Jackie's alcoholic father is released from prison and she goes to live with him.
As her life becomes more chaotic, she struggles to keep it all together while finishing school and dreaming of being a poet.
It is a poignant, funny and engaging story, recommended.
June 4, 2025
I love how the author has such a deep connection to her protagonist. Jackie leaps off the page - she’s real and authentic from her quippy retorts to her vulnerabilities which are shown beautifully in her poetry. This kind of first person narration is what keeps you turning the page! I found myself at the end yearning the comfort of tea and teacakes, and another Jackie book, please.
August 13, 2026
Brilliant
I loved this book. The writing was so thoughtful and clever without seeming artificial or arcane. The characters were so well drawn with a lot of depth and without any cliche. Why was Fran Hill not shortlisted for the booker prize? It is much better than last year’s winner or some of the runners up. I hope she writes more novels.
I loved this book. The writing was so thoughtful and clever without seeming artificial or arcane. The characters were so well drawn with a lot of depth and without any cliche. Why was Fran Hill not shortlisted for the booker prize? It is much better than last year’s winner or some of the runners up. I hope she writes more novels.
April 5, 2025
Home Bird
As with Cukoo In The Nest, I thoroughly enjoyed joining Jackie in her trials and tribulations.
A great main character and moving storylines, all with a good amount of humour and lightheartedness
I want more !
As with Cukoo In The Nest, I thoroughly enjoyed joining Jackie in her trials and tribulations.
A great main character and moving storylines, all with a good amount of humour and lightheartedness
I want more !
April 21, 2025
This book absorbed me, a great follow up to “Cuckoo in the nest”. It follows Jackie’s life with her Dad fresh out of prison. It gently explores families (however they’re made up), friendships, first love and teenage years.
June 4, 2025
Utterly gorgeous sequel following on from Fran’s first book Cuckoo in the Nest. So nice to see realistic representation of foster homes and the struggles of becoming an adult in that environment.
Also the poems throughout are beautiful!!
Also the poems throughout are beautiful!!
October 15, 2025
A truly satisfying read. I was so happy to return to Jackie's wry, relatable narration (and of course, Fran Hill's wonderfully warm storytelling). The plot develops with lots of twists and turns, but I felt in such safe hands, I was sorry to part ways with the world of Jackie Chadwick.
July 8, 2025
Could not put it down, wonderful follow up. Excited for the next one.
November 6, 2025
So unbelievably sad I've finished this. Thankyou Fran Hill, this and its predecessor have been an absolute joy to read 📚
July 21, 2026
4.5 beter dan deel 1
June 14, 2025
It was so good to be back with Jackie and learning what came next for her. Whilst we see her bonding with her dad and how they both deal with living together, we still see characters from Cuckoo In The Nest.
The authors writes characters which are so endearing, not sparing their flaws, which make them so much more likeable and realistic. I was cracking up at Jackie’s written one liners especially with Stuart.
This is a must read if you want to get comfy with loveable characters and pure nostalgic vibes, everybody needs Jackie in the lives! Next book pllleeeaaassseee ❤️
The authors writes characters which are so endearing, not sparing their flaws, which make them so much more likeable and realistic. I was cracking up at Jackie’s written one liners especially with Stuart.
This is a must read if you want to get comfy with loveable characters and pure nostalgic vibes, everybody needs Jackie in the lives! Next book pllleeeaaassseee ❤️
April 1, 2025
⭐️ 5 ⭐️
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October 29, 2025Not quite as funny as Cuckoo in the Nest, but definitely enjoyable, heartwarming and some other stuff.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews