From the Day You Were Born

by Jordyn Bolton

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Joanne-Marie Palmer]

★★★★

From the Day You Were Born is incredibly hard-hitting and hard to swallow.

This book really makes you question the whole nature versus nurture debate, and how much of who we become is shaped by the circumstances we are born into. The harsh realities of the foster care system are portrayed in a way that forces you to look beyond the labels and judgements placed on children in care. When children are born into a system and raised in environments where survival often comes before anything else, how can we judge their actions without understanding what brought them there?

I particularly loved the use of multiple POVs. Hearing each character’s story, thoughts and feelings gave so much depth to their actions and allowed me to understand them in a way that I don’t think would have been possible from just one perspective. It really highlights how everyone has a story, and that sometimes the behaviours we judge most harshly are simply the ways people have learned to survive.

At its heart, this is a story about a child growing up within the system who desperately wants to break the cycle. Someone who wants to be loved, protected and safe, but who also wants to create that safety for their own family. The desire to provide the loving home they themselves may never have had is heartbreaking and incredibly powerful.

This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It is uncomfortable, emotional and thought-provoking, but it challenges you to question where blame belongs and whether people can truly break free from the environments that shaped them.

Near the end the focus changes a lot and describes a journey with god and religion and as a non religious person I found this difficult to relate to, but could also see why the main FMC leans so heavily into this as it allows her to heal, face past trauma and discover that through her beliefs she is not alone.

A very difficult read, sometimes frustrating, but a deeply impactful one. Four stars. ★★★★

[Angela Tonguett LaBue]

Recieved as Advanced Readers Copy from Author. This book is hard to swallow. It is brutal with truths of foster care. As a pediatric nurse it spoke to me more than some. It shows you that hardship isn't a choice. These poor babies thay have not been given the opportunity to live up to their full potential is heartbreaking. Bolton shows the influence on a special lady in helping foster children find their way to a brighter place. I love how she incoorperates God into the healing journey. God is our Father. When humans let us down God will always have a way of escape.

[Stephanie]

Working in the field I do, this book really hit close to home. The way the author wrote from each character’s point of view brought the entire story together in such a powerful way. The feelings and emotions this book brought up felt real and raw.

I don’t usually get choked up while reading, but this one got me. I loved watching Annabelle’s journey unfold. Although it was difficult to read at times, her story beautifully shows what strength, resilience, and finding faith can do.

I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it! ❤️📖

[Caitlin Ressel]

This powerful and heartfelt book shines a light on the harsh realities of the foster care system and the lasting effects of generational trauma with raw honesty and compassion. Through Annabelle's journey, readers are drawn into her struggles, hopes, and resilience, creating a deeply emotional connection that had me rooting for her every step of the way. Ultimately, this redemptive story points to the hope found in Christ and leaves readers encouraged by the power of resilience, healing, and second chances.

[BethAnn Bolton]

Really good read. I went through almost all of the emotions: anger, happiness, sadness, shock. Annabelle's story from start to finish is gut wrenching and so beautiful all at the same time. It's also a big eye opener to the reality a lot of kids face in the foster care system. Also, as someone who is not very religious, the scripture and the faith and belief in God had me in tears at times. 10/10 would recommend

[Savannah Phillips]

Reality of Foster Care
This book follows a young girl, Annabelle and her life story. It is a compilation of what different children in foster care deal with in their life. I love the hope it gives to foster children, that their lives can be more than the trauma they faced. I love that the authors had personal experience with these children and that she able to write it into a retelling what their lives might’ve been like. A hard read but good reality check for my heart!

[Emily Crewse]

Loved this book! It kept me interested in what was going to happen to the main characters throughout the entire book. Though very sad at times, this book does an amazing job showing the hope that comes after trauma when you trust in God and trust in the people who truly want to help you and take care of you. Such an inspiring read that makes you want to reach out and help children in foster care.

[Kensi Dye]

This book is so eye opening to the hardships of foster care. It is heavy, raw, and gut-wrenching but also thought-provoking, perspective-shifting, and impactful. I have a whole new appreciation for the people who enter foster care with the intentions to give children a better, more secure life, even if it’s just for a little bit. Everyone should read From The Day You Were Born.

[Lynda Merchant]

As a health care provider in a pediatric setting, this book was an eye opening experience to physical signs of abuse. This book kept me wanting to read more. It is a very emotional read but has a happy ending.

[Alexandra Smith]

Wow. This book was so well written and did a great job at showing what life in foster care can look like. Annabelle’s story was heartbreaking and inspiring. Definitely read the trigger warnings, but I highly recommend anyone to read this who won’t be triggered. Definitely one of my top reads this year!

[Mason Bolton]

This book is such an accurate representation of what the journey through foster care can look like. Lots of heartbreak. However, not all outcomes have to be the same, and the cycle can be broken. Very powerful book.

[Sarah Prow]

This story is told with such compassion and empathy. With a deep dive into generational trauma, the impact of the foster care system and child protective services, and rewriting your story against all odds. It is beautifully written and will make you feel all of the feelings.

[Shelita]

This is a great easy read that pulls on the heart strings and left me in tears. It defiantly kept my attention and I did loose a night's sleeping chasing the next chapter.

[Landree Palmer]

An emotional read with Christ’s love and persistence at the center.

[Clara King]

The author did a phenomenal job of sharing the perspectives and struggles of all the characters. I found myself rooting for the main character as well as many of the secondary characters, and genuinely feeling their emotions as their stories unfolded. The story was heartbreaking, but the ending was incredibly emotionally restorative and left me feeling hopeful after such a heavy journey. I especially appreciated how beautifully the author captured both the small, everyday struggles and the much larger realities faced by children in foster care. There were moments that absolutely broke my heart, yet somehow the story also restored some of my faith in the system and in the people who choose to show up for these children. It was emotional, heartbreaking, hopeful, and ultimately a beautiful reminder of the impact that compassion, stability, and simply being there can have on a child’s life.