Torn

by Rosie Lewis

Experienced foster carer Rosie Lewis faces a battle to uncover the dark family secret that is tearing a family apart. Rosie is used to looking after children from difficult home situations, but she finds herself struggling when she agrees to take in Taylor and her younger brother, Reece, for a short while. Taylor tries desperately not to fit in, to be the tough young teen that she has had to become, making it clear that she cares about nothing and no-one, while Reece is just desperate for someone to love him. Rosie finds herself battling an unknown monster in their past, as social media and the Internet become a means to control and manipulate the siblings while in her care. And then a more sinister turn of events causes Rosie to dig into their past, desperate to discover the truth before her time with them is over and they must be returned to their family.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Fostering, Abuse, Biography, Adult, True Story

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2015

About the author

Rosie Lewis has been a short-term foster carer for over seven years and in that time has shared her home with over twenty children. Since childhood, Rosie has had an obsession with books and is now delighted to combine fostering with her other passion, writing, by recording some of her experiences in a series of memoirs. Based in northern England, Rosie writes under a pseudonym to protect the identities of the children she looks after.

She lives in the North of England with her own two children.

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter what, I am always pulled to stories such as this.
One of my aunties used to Foster, her home was always packed not only with her own children but children that needed to be cared for until things were either sorted with the children's family and Social services worked out what was best for the children or maybe even at 3am be fetching down cots from the loft because of an urgent placement.
So maybe this is why I read such stories.

Its also for the huge resilience of children.

Its not until you get older and a Mother of grown children yourself you can understand that parental actions affect your kids. They do. Your actions as well as your decisions. Treatment of them, how you speak, what kind of speech you use. There is an awful lot into parenting your child to grow up the type of person you want them to be in society and life.

This is more so when you are a foster parent. More often than not a child or children come to you from backgrounds that you need to have special qualifications for to deal with the child and steer it in the correct path.

Then there is the loyalty they will have with their own Parents no matter how much they were treated badly.
Children love, children forgive.
But, children are not immune.

We can see this when Rosie takes in a brother and sister, Taylor and Reece. Reece is the younger brother and we experience the upsetting behavior of Taylor and how Rosie feels out of her depth at times. I remember my auntie feeling the same way. And as mentioned in here, its the ones that do worry about "doing the right thing" that do well, because they are aware of the children and their needs.

As we read, we learn more and more about the way the Mother has to live and the way they're father is with them, especially Taylor.

Taylor is 10 years old going on 18 which is a worrying issue.

Bailey their younger sibling needs to arrive later in the story which bounces off more issues we get to see and understand.

Rosie Lewis the author writes a brilliant story allowing us the insight into the Foster mother and her own children. And your integrity for the children she takes under her wing. The feelings towards staff of the Social services and how a relationship needs to be formed for the sake of the children. Her own set of rules also.

Its written very much in the style of Cathy Glass, so if you are a fan of hers you will love this one too.


* I would like to thank HarperCollins UK, Nonfiction and Net Galley for my copy*

[Libby May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was heart wrenching and awful and it reached out and squished your feelings down to the depth of your being.

First, I have to say that if this book was written as entertainment, it's not good at all. The entire feeling of the book is downcast, scared, and desperate.
But if it was written to give a realistic and warning feeling of the truth of fostering, it was very well done.

I didn't enjoy reading this, but I read it and pushed through because these are the sort of things I need to know and I need to understand if I ever go into foster care.

Honestly it really hurt. And it effected my mood so bad I really feel sour today. I want to cry and sleep and not do anything. But I'm sort of glad I read it, it'll help me realize what Foster care is.
If God is calling me to be a foster parent, I'm doing the best I can to scare myself now as much as I can, so I can be fairly warned and aware of however much I can be without yet actually being a foster parent.

Now, to review the book. It was rather amusing to read it because it was written by a British lady, so the words, that language, the layout and the lifestyle are treated as normal, but to me it was interesting since I'm American.

Language: A lot. Taylor is very bed and swears a lot including vain use of God's name as well as the F bomb she uses freely.

Violence/gore: There isn't any direct violence, but there is a fair amount of blood, bruises, and other uncomfortable things because of physical abuse being part of Taylor and Reese's life.

Romance/Smut: There is no romance, but several references to sexually abuse and adultery are included.

Overall, I would never read it again, but I'm glad I read it once. And I do plan to read the other books in the series when I swallow this and I'm read for wave two. For now, Ivy Introspect, please don't let me down.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I find this author very easy to read and engaging. I really enjoy her stories. My only complaint is that it all sounds too perfect regardless if the nature of the story itself.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. Very good, reminds me of Cathy Glass and Casey Watson. Sad subject but not hard to read.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I'd start the year off with something a little different. And I have to say I really did enjoy this book.
Rosie Lewis is a foster carer, I have read a few of Rosie's books, and enjoyed them all. I think they are brilliantly written. Covering some very difficult subjects and situations.
I think being a foster carer is an amazing thing anyone can do. I dread to think what could happen to some of these kids if it wasn't for people like Rosie.
Rosie really has her hands full with this placement, A sister and a brother, along with her own two children, Rosie's patience really is tested.
I'm worried about going into any details as I think it would give too much away, but what I will say is if this is they type of read you enjoy or if you have enjoyed previous books by Rosie Lewis, Cathy Glass etc., then you will thoroughly enjoy this.





I can really recommend this book, it really was a very interesting read. Wanting to carry on reading all the time so I could see how things worked out. A touching story.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking

A really shocking story that shows the power and the pain that is coming to the newer generations through the power of social media. It really highlighted the dangers from controlling and abusive people and the access to easy communication. I love Rosie for her patience and persistence despite the many challenges. These books really bring into focus the hardships. It is a hard hitter so hang in there.

[Aveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more works by Rosie Lewis. I thought the story was well paced and kept me wondering what was next. The book was similar to the writtings of my favourite Author Cathy Glass - another foster parent.

If you enjoy reading such stories I don't think this one will disappoint.

[Beatrice Loo]

Amazing read. I couldn't stop until I finished it. Read this one in a day! The characters are hard not to love and the story keeps you on the edge. The whole time I was wondering what would happen. Its also an emotional ride so be ready.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor (10) and Reece (5) are taken into care when Reece's teacher notices an enormous bruise on his thigh, which Reece tells her is the result of a smack from his mum. Rosie Lewis takes them as an emergency placement. Some weeks later they are joined by their one year old brother, Bailey, who has been left to spend the night in a tent in the cold in the family back yard. Dad is unemployed, violent to their mum, and appears to have considerable unexplained income. Things are not looking good for any chance of reuniting the children with their mum. (Even the children don't give the impression of thinking that a reunion with their father is a good idea.) Can foster carer Rosie, social worker Maisie and the court-appointed guardian Max get to the bottom of how this family works, and reunite the children with their Mum?
This book, set in 2005, gives an ominous and depressing account of how social media can play a role in family dysfunction.

[Dannielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heartwarming book by Rosie Lewis, about her trials and tribulations of being a foster mother.

Rosie takes in Taylor and Reece, Tylor is strong, but only on the outside it takes time but Rosie breaks through to find a soft side to Taylor. Reece is nervous about everything and is found to be hiding food in case Rosie did not feed him.

Eventually, Rosie is able to break through to both Taylor and Reece. However, Taylor struggled to trust Rosie after years of abuse by her father, Rosie used every trick in her book to eventually be able to break Taylor down and to gain Taylor's trust.

Eventually, Baylie Taylor and Reece's younger brother come to live with Rosie as well. All three children were eventually adopted and left Rosies Happier, calmer and feeling loved.

[Katie_Potatie]

Three things about Torn:
1. Trigger Warning: Parental abuse, grooming
2. Amazing clinical and emotional account
3. Family reunited

CAWPILE: N/A

As a lover of Foster Care biographies, and having on success with the queen Cathy Glass, I was hesitant to go into this, but Rosie Lewis was a refreshing change. I am almost annoyed that Rosie only has 4 memoirs so far, I want to binge her work.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The troubled little girl was one I definitely related to. This pulled at my heartstrings and was pleased to see at the end that this author has many fiction books about the same foster parent fostering different children in different situations. Looking forward to reading them as well.

[Randy Reishus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent book that I very much enjoyed. Sad that children have to suffer at hands of adults. So many times connected with how drugs damage people. Easy reading story that should be read by all who relate with children.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional story

Rosie fosters a brother and sister but finds it difficult to connect with Taylor the 10year old girl. I enjoyed the way that the children were treated and how their story progressed. It was a mixture of emotions with ups and downs throughout the book.

[Cassondra Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. It is sad that children go through these things. But, the book shows an insight for fellow foster parents.

[Sebbe P · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story can not be rated with stars, the person in question has experienced something that no one is entitled to judge.
So my judgment is based solely on how the book is written.

[Marie Dring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so hard to find Taylor likeable, so I can only imagine how Rosie felt, but she did it and broke through the barrier. Amazing.

[Nicola Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author, heard lots of good feedback and this did not disappointment. Read in 2 days found very hard to put down.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book liked the story
I like the way it written
The final looks so short and simple. I even didn’t understand what happened to their father. Is he went to a jail or got rid of police?

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much

[Amanda James · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read but the ending seem abrupt and kind of disappointing.

[Chrisann Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally stayed up past midnight (something I try not to do because I'm toast the next day) to finish this. Wow! So much was not what I expected!

[Marwa Ghazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan 2024

[Bristol Woodlief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn is about a foster carer named Rosie who cares for these siblings, Taylor, Reece and Bailey. Along the way she notices that Taylor is keeping a secret. Whenever Rosie tries to bring it up, Taylor throws a tantrum. With Taylor's obsession with myspace does not help the situation. One day while Taylor was playing in the garden, Rosie notices that she left myspace open. Being suspicious Rosie looked on her account and saw that Taylor was being bullied. She immediately closes her account because she was so surprised.

During the middle of the book, Rosie confronts Taylor more often. Taylor still threw tantrums but not as bad. Rosie tried to be friends with Taylor but Taylor kept in excluding her. Ever since her dad got taken away, she has been even more mean to Rosie and her siblings.

At the end of the book they all went on a vacation to an island. Rosie confronts Taylor one last time and Taylor finally tells. She tells Rosie that she has been contacting her dad. She told him where Rosie lives and told him where her mom is staying. Rosie was shocked and scared about the idea of her dad following them. She was somewhat relieved when she remembered that they were on vacation.

Finally when they returned home the kids got to live with their mom. They were excited and happy that they got to be back with their mom but they were sad about leaving Rosie and her kids. When they were settled into their new home they sent a letter to Rosie saying how much they missed her.

[Catherine Witzaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a completely out of the ordinary read for me. But once I started it I couldn’t put it down and I read pretty much the entire thing in one day.

Advanced warning, this is not an easy read emotionally. The ending is happy, if bittersweet. But it’s sickening seeing the depth of evil humanity is capable of. My heart really went out to these kids. It’s terrible that children get exposed to such trauma. One chillingly true line that will always stick with me from this story is that “Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child.”

I read this largely because I’ve been reluctantly pondering the possibility of becoming a foster carer eventually. This story basically confirmed to me all my assumptions about how difficult a role that is to take on. I really appreciate the honesty in this story. But startlingly, seeing the depth of need of these very troubled kids made me more open to the idea than I’d been before, which I didn’t expect. I can definitely see myself going down this road eventually. But I’m still a bit too young and inexperienced to tackle it now. Definitely will be reading more of Rosie’s books and seeking out other resources to read in the future.

On a side note, it’s interesting to see how the world has drastically changed since 2005. It’s also really interesting getting a view on life/personality/language in the UK vs Canada where I’ve always lived.

[Hester Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosie Lewis has fostered several children, but this one's different. Taylor is overbearing, aggressive, bitchy, messy and stock-piles her own urine. Honestly, she does. She's ungrateful about everything Rosie and her own two children do for her.

Lewis's knowledge and child-raising skills are impressive and her patience unending. At times I questioned why she allowed Taylor to manipulate everyone to the extent she did, especially with school sit-ins, to the detriment of Rosie's own ultra-forgiving children. Taylor certainly stretched my patience, and I longed, not once, to give her some good old-fashioned discipline. Which tells me how involved I became in her story.

The character of Taylor's brother, Reece, is less complicated as he settles into the stable family life Lewis offers. As the plot unfolded I came to understand Taylor's immense and complicated emotional battles, battles a ten-year-old should never have to face.

The author's easy writing style and skilful characterization made me want to read on to the finish. I would like to read another of her books. I rate it 3.5

[Donna Jenner]

This tale of a young girl who feels that she cannot betray her family is truly heart breaking. ut at the same time it is a page turner I could not put it down but then of course it is based on a true story. The way Rosie Lewis writes this book is awesome I plan on reading more of her books. I think any person going into a job where they are going to work with children need to read Rosie Lewis's books. all of them they do not have to be read in order just pick one up and read it. but again theses are books that you are going to cry for the poor children that Rosie takes into her home. But I also Rosie deserves a big round of applaud for taking in these children that need love and a safe place to stay untill there parents can take better care of them or until a permenet family can be found.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was thought provoking, touching, saddening and the ending made me happy - a bit of a rollercoaster ride but well worth a read. The story is quite harrowing to a degree but what makes it worse is that this is probably happening in homes all over the UK and we know nothing about it. This is the first book that I have read by Rosie Lewis and it won't be my last. I loved her style of writing and want to know about more of what she has experienced - a very good read and my first venture in to autobiographical fiction.

[Kaptain Kniccas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depending on your experience with child protection issues and foster families you are either going to find this an easy page turner or a eye opener.
For me this was a great book to pick up before a long haul crossing borders. Rosie writes in a clear and simple style that had me turning the pages and simply finishing the book in hours.
The story is inviting and riveting. The progression of a young family's battered story and how a foster carer can be so selfless to help them while they wait for their next life chapter to begin.