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Willow's Story: Thrown Away Children series
The tenth instalment in the popular Thrown Away Children paperback series.
A young girl’s life is shadowed by secrets and lies...
When Willow arrives in the Allen household, curious things begin to happen.
Who is the strange child dressed in outlandish clothes who refuses a mobile phone? What are the mysterious allegations that have been made about her?
Determined to find out Louise gets more than she bargained for, as she unravels the truth about Willow’s family background and uncovers some distressing
secrets.
A young girl’s life is shadowed by secrets and lies...
When Willow arrives in the Allen household, curious things begin to happen.
Who is the strange child dressed in outlandish clothes who refuses a mobile phone? What are the mysterious allegations that have been made about her?
Determined to find out Louise gets more than she bargained for, as she unravels the truth about Willow’s family background and uncovers some distressing
secrets.
- GenresNonfiction
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2024
40 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
17 books114 followersFrom an early age, Louise was adopted into a family who, from the beginning, said they didn’t want her. Her first book, Thrown Away Child, reveals the abuse and neglect she and a fellow adopted child suffered at the hands of their adopted mother, Barbara. Ten years ago, Louise and her family became a fostering family. They have looked after over twenty children, some have stayed long term. This led to the bestselling series, Thrown Away Children, where Louise is inspired by the stories of children in the care system. Within days, the book became a bestseller.
Louise now draws on her experience to write a new series of ‘How to’ books about adoption, fostering and parenting. How to Adopt a Child is the unvarnished truth about adoption. Louise is well known for “saying it as it is,” so not only is it witty and engaging, it also empowers adopters to feel confident and in control and to know where to turn to for help.
Louise now draws on her experience to write a new series of ‘How to’ books about adoption, fostering and parenting. How to Adopt a Child is the unvarnished truth about adoption. Louise is well known for “saying it as it is,” so not only is it witty and engaging, it also empowers adopters to feel confident and in control and to know where to turn to for help.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 13, 2024
Very disappointing
I read foster care books by a bunch of authors. Louise Allen was never among the top favorites but still worth reading until this one. The amount of the book that actually deals directly with willow could be condensed into a short story. The rest was the author complaining about the foster care system now and when she was a child. There is a bunch of stuff about the author's abusive childhood, stuff likely from the book she wrote about herself. There are many references to that book about her abusive childhood, even a rather large quote. I was going to give this book one star but I decided that willow, the little we had of her, deserves a star because that part was pretty interesting. I have another of the author's books on pre-order and I will keep that commitment but if it's like this one it will probably be the last. It was just so aggravating. I would be reading about willow and getting lost in her story and, frustratingly, the author segued into yet another rant about the system.
I read foster care books by a bunch of authors. Louise Allen was never among the top favorites but still worth reading until this one. The amount of the book that actually deals directly with willow could be condensed into a short story. The rest was the author complaining about the foster care system now and when she was a child. There is a bunch of stuff about the author's abusive childhood, stuff likely from the book she wrote about herself. There are many references to that book about her abusive childhood, even a rather large quote. I was going to give this book one star but I decided that willow, the little we had of her, deserves a star because that part was pretty interesting. I have another of the author's books on pre-order and I will keep that commitment but if it's like this one it will probably be the last. It was just so aggravating. I would be reading about willow and getting lost in her story and, frustratingly, the author segued into yet another rant about the system.
November 29, 2024
I saw where this was going and then…BAM
I won’t say too much as to spoil the story for the reader but this was a powerful read. While Louise does tend to go off on tangents which may hinder the story a bit, they are relevant and you can see why these rants are important. Hard to put down.
I won’t say too much as to spoil the story for the reader but this was a powerful read. While Louise does tend to go off on tangents which may hinder the story a bit, they are relevant and you can see why these rants are important. Hard to put down.
September 27, 2025
The saddest one yet. Heartbreaking
November 29, 2024
Absolutely shocking story, very sad. Louise is always so open and honest in her books and I love the way she tells you how it really is as a foster carer, the struggles, the truth and not just the good bits and happy endings
June 26, 2025
Willow’s Story. Thrown Away Children series. by Louise Allen.
This was a very sad story of what Willow had been through. She had been through way too much for a young teen … and seem to have lost trust in the adults who should have been looking after her prior to arriving at Louise house. When she gets there (hours before the allotted time) all Louise can see is a young girl with clothes on that is not anywhere near the expected teen attire … very old fashion and drab. But Willow is a very polite girl who seems to not going to give them any trouble.
As the days and weeks progress she is dressed more like a teen but still a very polite girl.
As a norm for Louise there are problems with the authorities who think that because most teens have a mobile phone that Willow should get one … she has no real experience with any form of social media and navigating through the traps that come with it … Louise knows a problem will arise but no one will listen … and when a major develop occurs with it all the truth of Willows life is then discovered … not what you want. A compelling story.
This was a very sad story of what Willow had been through. She had been through way too much for a young teen … and seem to have lost trust in the adults who should have been looking after her prior to arriving at Louise house. When she gets there (hours before the allotted time) all Louise can see is a young girl with clothes on that is not anywhere near the expected teen attire … very old fashion and drab. But Willow is a very polite girl who seems to not going to give them any trouble.
As the days and weeks progress she is dressed more like a teen but still a very polite girl.
As a norm for Louise there are problems with the authorities who think that because most teens have a mobile phone that Willow should get one … she has no real experience with any form of social media and navigating through the traps that come with it … Louise knows a problem will arise but no one will listen … and when a major develop occurs with it all the truth of Willows life is then discovered … not what you want. A compelling story.
May 13, 2025
This isn’t my normal choice of book as I tend to always go for fiction, but a friend lent me a few books from this author and this was the first one I picked up. A very interesting but heartbreaking read. I felt a bit uncomfortable at times, hearing what this poor child had to go through. The reality is that there are a lot of children out there that suffer daily abuse and most of the time people don’t have cause to stop and think about them. Certainly thought provoking. I think it’s important to realise what some children have to go through, but at the same time I’m not sure how many of these books I will be able to read, think I may have to return to something lighter. I thought it was well written and gave an insight to the issues foster carers face, both with their children and with the system. Made me appreciate my loving and caring family that little bit more.
October 27, 2025
Heartbreaking.
I enjoyed this book. I felt so sorry for Willow and what she went through, it's really heartbreaking how she was treated. I also felt sorry for Willow's Dad as well and for Louise as it felt like the social services were just ticking the boxes and not listening to what Louise and Lloyd was telling them. I was so angry with the social services when they told Louise and Lloyd they are moving Willow straight away. I really hope that sometime in the future, Willow desperately gets the help she needs and starts to enjoy her music again and I really hope that somehow Louise is able to see Willow again. Looking forward to reading Louise's next book in the Thrown Away Children series and also her new series she is doing.
I enjoyed this book. I felt so sorry for Willow and what she went through, it's really heartbreaking how she was treated. I also felt sorry for Willow's Dad as well and for Louise as it felt like the social services were just ticking the boxes and not listening to what Louise and Lloyd was telling them. I was so angry with the social services when they told Louise and Lloyd they are moving Willow straight away. I really hope that sometime in the future, Willow desperately gets the help she needs and starts to enjoy her music again and I really hope that somehow Louise is able to see Willow again. Looking forward to reading Louise's next book in the Thrown Away Children series and also her new series she is doing.
December 13, 2024
Tragic
This is the most disturbing account of Willow's time in foster Care with Louise and her husband.
I simply cannot understand the thinking transactions of Social Services.
The kindest and understanding of Louise I hope will be in Willow's heart.
Although distressing, Louise writes so well and is truly and inspiration.
This is the most disturbing account of Willow's time in foster Care with Louise and her husband.
I simply cannot understand the thinking transactions of Social Services.
The kindest and understanding of Louise I hope will be in Willow's heart.
Although distressing, Louise writes so well and is truly and inspiration.
December 12, 2025
Heartbreaking tale of the manipulation and abuse of a vulnerable dad and daughter as well as the failure of the child protection service. The poor girl taken into care for her protection but further traumatized by being in the system. It was so very sad.
November 18, 2024
This was so sad. The phone issue highlights my concerns about fostering older children who may come in with their own devices.
January 1, 2025
A fantastic but absolutely heartbreaking story.
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January 8, 2025Check out the charity for girls leaving care SPARK SISTERHOOD.
February 9, 2025
I found it so heartbreaking but you could feel the love from Louise 💕
August 21, 2025
loved it
This story was so heartbreaking but another great book Louise is a fabulous author and I love reading her books
This story was so heartbreaking but another great book Louise is a fabulous author and I love reading her books
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews