Shattered Paths : Unveiling the Hidden Truths of Foster Care and Neglect

by Daniel Rolph

Shattered Paths is the first instalment in a powerful trilogy that follows the intertwined lives of three children-Oliver, Emma, and Jack-each navigating the harsh realities of the foster care system.

Three lives…
Three paths…
One shared destiny...

This debut novel focuses on Jack, whose world is defined by neglect, abandonment, and a relentless search for connection. His story, told with raw emotion and unwavering honesty, sheds light on the darkest aspects of the care system. Experience Jack’s pain, his fleeting moments of hope, and the powerful bonds he forms with those who share his journey.

Daniel Rolph, drawing from his own tumultuous journey through the UK care system, brings a deeply personal perspective to Shattered Paths . Adopted and re-entered into foster care during his youth, Rolph’s debut novel is a reflection of his own experiences and those of countless others who have faced similar challenges. Through this powerful story, Daniel seeks to illuminate the often-unseen realities of foster care and child abuse and neglect, raising awareness and fostering empathy.

Shattered Paths is a call for understanding and change that will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned. Get your copy today and explore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Genres: Nonfiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

Daniel Rolph is a storyteller driven by a passion for shedding light on untold stories and human resilience. Drawing from his own life experiences, Daniel’s work delves into themes of trauma, identity, and hope, offering readers a raw and emotional journey through the complexities of the human condition.With a natural ability to connect with audiences, Daniel creates stories that resonate deeply, inspiring reflection and sparking meaningful conversations. His writing is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged, aiming to give a voice to those often unheard while fostering understanding and connection across diverse readers.Beyond his work as an author, Daniel is dedicated to raising awareness about social issues and exploring the ways we navigate adversity. His authentic storytelling and empathetic approach have established him as a compelling new voice in contemporary literature. Daniel invites readers to join him on a journey of discovery, reflection, and ultimately, hope.

Reviews

[Faithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered paths by Daniel Rolph is about the author's life in foster care, how he endured hardship but also now he survived.

The book opened up with Daniel's mom, who was a drug addict, dying shortly before his 6th birthday. This resulted in him being taken away to Lightman's home for disadvantaged children.

From the time he was 6 to the time he was 15 Daniel was cycled through many foster homes and to and from Thames house for boys. Along the way he met two of his best friends for life, Emma and Ollie.

I couldn't seem to read this book fast enough. This is not a light, fun read but I poured through the book wanting to find out what happened next .

Huge thank you to Daniel Rolph for sharing your story. I can't wait to read part two when it comes out! Thank you for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. The neglect of the foster care. Trying to find friends who have gone thru the sad things. Read it.

[Avril Serene · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I'm sometimes asked by other book reviewers to write (or significantly contribute to) a review that they can then submit to other websites under their own names. This is one of those. - Avril]

This book wrecked me. I picked it up not fully knowing what I was getting into, and by the time I finished, I felt like I’d been through every emotional shredder there is. It’s told from the point of view of a kid growing up in the foster care system, and it’s not sugarcoated at all. It’s raw, painful, and sometimes hard to read—but I couldn’t put it down.

The writing is very personal, like the narrator is talking directly to you, which made it hit even harder. Some parts actually made me pause just to take a breath. What this kid goes through—homes filled with abuse, being totally alone, seeing horrible things at such a young age—it’s heartbreaking.

There were a few characters I won’t forget any time soon. Ritchie especially. The story around him really got to me. And even though a lot of it is dark, there are little moments of hope or connection that keep you from completely breaking with the narrator.

I wouldn’t say this book is for everyone. It’s not light reading, and it deals with really heavy stuff like child abuse, neglect, and trauma. But it’s real. And that’s what makes it worth reading. It made me angry, sad, and weirdly grateful all at once.

If you can handle the tough material, it’s one of those stories that’ll stick with you. It definitely made me think about how many kids go through things like this and never get heard.

[Alisa Hunninghem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, thought-provoking read

As someone who is in the process of adopting a child, I found this story deeply touching. “Shattered Paths” allowed me to see the care system from a different perspective and see the struggles faced by children in need of a loving and stable home.

This novel delves into the harsh realities of the foster care system through the eyes of three children. The focus on Jack's story, filled with neglect and abandonment, is told with raw emotion and unwavering honesty, shedding light on the darkest aspects of the care system.
Rolph's personal experience navigating the UK care system adds a level of authenticity to Jack's story, making it a compelling and accurate portrayal of the challenges faced by children in foster care.

The book is easy to read, making it accessible to younger readers while still tackling important and complex themes. I highly recommend this book for its powerful storytelling and important message.

[Lisa Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Paths

This book was about foster care and how a young man survived the system. Devasting and uncomprehending the death of his mom when he was 5. Sad and trying to find a place for himself, he learned to grow up quickly if he wanted to survive. Happiness came and then disappeared from foster home to foster home encountering things he didn't need to see. Made 2 friends who endured their own set of problems never dragging each other into it but helped each other survive and have chances to become something. This book made me feel sad, scared, and excited about every turn of the page. Great read.

[Jenn Riemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Paths by Daniel Rolph is an emotional gut-punch in the best way. The way the children are treated throughout the story made me want to scream and punch things — it was that infuriating. It’s also incredibly eye-opening about the foster care system and just how many children it fails. Rolph doesn’t hold back, and the emotional weight hits hard, but it’s all told with care and purpose. Thankfully, it all builds toward a hopeful, happy ending that made the tough parts worth it. I’ll definitely be continuing on with Emma’s story next — and then Ollie’s! I’m really hoping both of their stories end on a happy note too.

[Jessica Vroman · Rating 5 out of 5]

this hit so close to home having been in the foster system then adopted by someone who wanted my siblings but not me because I was contaminated but had to take me in order to get my siblings.. rough.. fantastic job

[James Thomas Lynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw emotional journey!!!!

Daniel Roth captures the heartbreaking, honest struggles within the foster care system. I promise you this story will stay with you after the last page is read. Jack, Oliver, and Emma give a voice to kids that are often overlooked. I recommend this book. Great read!

[pat goode · Rating 4 out of 5]

sad story

This book was a very sad take I can relate to as my family have gone through similar heartache I am glad things turned out ok for the big sadly many don't survive

[IngramSpark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!

[Elisabeth Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

just…WOW

It’s hard to imagine that this can be a real experience. Disturbingly raw, but unforgettably human, this memoir is poignant, deep, and haunting in all the right ways.

[Vince Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

I chose this book because it sounded interesting but after starting it, I couldn't put it down. I was almost tired as I read, feeling the weariness of the characters. Excellent character development, intertwining their lives and destinies. Waiting on book 2

[matilda :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

vickys part in the story HURT.

[Victoria Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, Honest, and Unforgettable

This book moved me deeply, Jack’s story is raw, emotional, and full of heart. It shines a light in the harsh realities of foster care while still offering hope.

[Nikki 🐦‍⬛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this - but there was so many typos and something just didn’t grab me. Like I wanted to know what happened but I didn’t want to read it to find out.

[Tena Hubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching story of a boy that grew up in foster care. Heart warming because it is also a rags to riches story. Looking forward to reading boom 2.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the best reads in a very long time!

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to understand addiction of any type just a bit better.. Or anyone exploring foster parenting to get more insight into what a child would feel and experience. I love Mr. Rolph's way of describing and drawing a reader in. Overall, this is definitely one of the best reads in a long time!

[Anee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this ebook in a giveaway. Sounded interesting. It’s not the type of genre I normally read but I for some reason thought it was sort of an autobiography of the authors life. And it turns out… it wasn’t.

Starts off strong. Then plummets really quickly. Jack goes on and on about how awful the care system is. I know it’s bad. I’m not denying it. But every other sentence literally just talked about how awful the system was. I just wanted to read about what happened. I can form an opinion of how awful it is myself! Took me months to pick this book back up 🤦🏻‍♀️

It got a little bit more interesting when he was in foster homes. Then it plummeted again quickly when Jack becomes a bit stuck up. Judging his friends for taking drugs. Yet he went around stealing and that was perfectly okay 🤔

The main thing I found annoying about this book is that it’s meant to be based in the UK but the author is constantly using American terms. “Awesome” and “dope” are definitely not British terms. Even the foods like “Fruit Loops” which is an American cereal? I didn’t entirely understand the purpose of this. Could’ve just picked a generic cereal. Even the TV shows and restaurants mentioned were American? I thought that was a bit of an odd choice.

I don’t think I’ll be picking up the rest of the books unfortunately. I really had to skim read the last 40% of the book to get through it…

[Ankith Hardageri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foster care

A harrowing story told by daniel rolph of oliver, emma and jack where these 3 children work through the foster care system in part1 of this classic trilogy

[Ruth Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story (first part of a trilogy) that describes the lives of three children caught up in the foster care and justice system in London. This first part is told from the perspective of Jack. If you have ever read 'White Oleander', a story of a girl caught up in the foster care system in Los Angelos, this has a similar vibe--horrific circumstances, disfunctional and abusive adults, and personal resilience. I appreciated the bond formed between the three young people which added a continuous thread throughout the book (and I'm assuming subsequent books in the trilogy). This story was easy to follow and read, perhaps written more for a teenager in terms of vocabulary and structure. That being said, the contents and descriptions will keep adults riveted to the pages until the end. Just when you think circumstances are improving for the poor boy, another catastrophe happens (not of his own making). The story and readability were great. I feel as though more attention should have been paid to editing. Although editing is mundane, there were a few typos which were distracting. Word choices were also a bit immature and repetitive (in one short paragraph, for example, the word 'popping' occurred three times). Overall, great job! Thank you for letting me review this.

[Helena Regan]

Shattered Paths is one of those rare books that doesn't just tell a story it reveals something deep and real about the human condition. Following Jack’s life through the chaos of neglect and the broken care system, I found myself completely immersed in his world. His pain, confusion, and brief flickers of hope are portrayed so honestly, it felt less like fiction and more like someone opening their soul.

What really struck me was the emotional depth and vulnerability Daniel Rolph brings to the writing. Knowing that the author has personally experienced the foster system makes every scene feel even more powerful. You can sense the authenticity in every chapter the anger, the sadness, but also the strength and quiet resilience that refuses to be crushed.

This isn’t an easy read but it’s an important one. Shattered Paths opened my eyes to a side of life I rarely think about. It’s heartbreaking at times, but also filled with moments of unexpected warmth and genuine connection. A must read for anyone who values real stories that matter.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Paths is an emotional powerhouse of a novel that makes you feel every moment of Jack’s struggle. His journey through the foster care system is raw, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down. Daniel Rolph’s writing pulls you deep into the reality of neglect and survival, but what stuck with me most was the flicker of hope that refuses to be extinguished. I walked away from this book feeling like I’d just lived Jack’s life alongside him, and I can’t wait to see where the trilogy goes next.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Paths by Daniel Rolph is an absorbing look into the hidden struggles of youngsters within the foster care system. told in the first person, Jack enters the system at 5 years old he is moved from one bad placement to another often without explanation A real emotional and honest rollercoaster of a listen. Narrated brilliantly by Peter J. Matthews whose voice fits the tone of he story perfectly. Highly Recommended and I am looking forward to book 2 for which you get a one chapter taster at the end of this one.

[Liora Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Paths is an unflinching, deeply moving portrayal of life within the foster care system. Daniel Rolph writes with raw honesty and compassion, drawing from his own lived experiences to expose both the pain and resilience of children like Jack. The story is heartbreaking yet hopeful, shining a light on the emotional scars left by neglect and the courage it takes to keep going. Rolph’s voice feels authentic and necessary his words don’t just tell a story, they demand empathy and change. This is a powerful, eye-opening read that lingers long after you close the book.

[Jaana Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who went through it, and is a victim of the system, I am always drawn to the stories of others who lived it.
I read Emma's story first, having won a copy in a giveaway. When I was done, of course I had to see Jack's journey and will definitely be reading Ollie's when the time comes. While not everyone's path is exactly the same, the similarities and shared traumas are often the same over and over. This is the dark side of the care system, an area that still has a very long way to go.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself, because Shattered Paths is here to wreck your emotions in the best (and most necessary) way possible. Jack’s story is gut-wrenching, eye-opening, and so real it hurts. One minute I wanted to scream at the world for failing him, the next I was cheering for every tiny victory. Daniel Rolph doesn’t just write a book—he throws you headfirst into a reality most people don’t see but need to. Read it. Feel it. And be ready for some serious soul-searching. 💔📖🔥

[Maryna Moolman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story gripped me from the first page. It was surely a mixed bag of emotions. My heart broke for the kids in the system. I felt angry at those whom they could not rely on. What these kids and thousands more endure is heart wrenching.
The first person writing was done superbly dy the Author.
My hope is that this book will open the eyes to those in charge to really take another look at the foster care system.

[Daniel Rolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[PATTI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the story of a foster child's experiences in Foster care told by the child himself
i devoured this book. Sad subject but good story

[Daniel Rolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!