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Taken
Experienced foster carer, Rosie Lewis, takes on the heart-breaking case of Megan, a baby born with a drug addiction and a cleft palate.
Addicted to drugs from birth because of her mother’s substance abuse during pregnancy, new-born Megan is taken into Rosie’s loving care. Rosie is supposed to help Megan find her new permanent home, but it turns out that Megan has already found her ‘forever mummy’ in Rosie.
Rosie grows incredibly attached to Megan and applies to adopt her, but the system refuses her in favour of a young couple and Rosie is devastated. Against all her instincts, Rosie does her job and prepares Megan for her new ‘forever family’, but everything about Megan leaving feels wrong.
When Rosie learns a few months later that Megan’s adoption has broken down, she is saddened but also filled with hope – will this little girl be allowed to return to her true ‘forever home’?
Addicted to drugs from birth because of her mother’s substance abuse during pregnancy, new-born Megan is taken into Rosie’s loving care. Rosie is supposed to help Megan find her new permanent home, but it turns out that Megan has already found her ‘forever mummy’ in Rosie.
Rosie grows incredibly attached to Megan and applies to adopt her, but the system refuses her in favour of a young couple and Rosie is devastated. Against all her instincts, Rosie does her job and prepares Megan for her new ‘forever family’, but everything about Megan leaving feels wrong.
When Rosie learns a few months later that Megan’s adoption has broken down, she is saddened but also filled with hope – will this little girl be allowed to return to her true ‘forever home’?
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2016
143 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Lewis
37 books189 followersRosie 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.
She lives in the North of England with her own two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 19, 2017
*I won this in a GoodReads Giveaway!*
This book is such an emotional rollercoaster. Once you start reading this book, you feel the need to find out what is going to happen and cannot stop. At the same time you don't want to finish it because it's such a fantastic story! Rosie is a fabulous writer and an amazing mother.
This book is such an emotional rollercoaster. Once you start reading this book, you feel the need to find out what is going to happen and cannot stop. At the same time you don't want to finish it because it's such a fantastic story! Rosie is a fabulous writer and an amazing mother.
July 6, 2018
A true life book with a amazing and wonderful ending would definitely recommend people to read this book. It’s heartbreaking at the beginning but gets better and better as you go into the book xxx
March 18, 2017
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Rosie Lewis, presumably a penname, has been a professional foster carer for over seven years. During this time, she has dealt with children and teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds who are usually facing some form of crisis or difficulty. In latter years, Rosie has begun to combine her love of writing with her fostering experiences by writing story-like memoirs. Taken is Rosie’s latest publication, which reveals how emotionally challenging fostering can be.
Rosie first met Megan when she was only a few days old, struggling with the effects of neonatal abstinence syndrome and a cleft plate. Removed from her mother’s care – a drug addict – Megan needs a temporary home to go to. Rosie is more than happy to take care of Megan until her “forever home” can be found.
As time goes on, Rosie and her children become attached to the little girl and include her as part of the family. Megan’s salient recovery turns her into an energetic, slightly precocious toddler who absolutely adores Rosie’s family as much as they love her. But Rosie knows she will eventually have to say goodbye, no matter what her feelings.
Rosie explains to the reader how difficult it is to function properly as a foster carer once strong emotions have got involved. She dreams of being able to keep Megan forever, but when a couple are found who desperately want a child, Rosie has no choice but to say goodbye.
It is heartbreaking to see the effects of the separation on Rosie as well as on Megan, who, despite Rosie’s attempts to elucidate the situation, does not fully comprehend what is going on. Guiltily hoping that Megan’s irascible behaviour, or a cataclysmic event, puts the new parents off adoption, Rosie says goodbye to the little girl she loves with all her heart. However, her hopes are raised when it becomes clear the adoption is not sitting as well with the new parents as much as they originally hoped. Perhaps Rosie has a chance to become Megan’s “forever mummy” after all?
Told from Rosie’s professional perspective, readers are taken on a journey from a child’s unstable beginning, to a time when they are at peace with the world. It is impossible to be unaffected by the events in Megan’s life, or experience versions of Rosie’s own emotions.
Many foster carers, social workers and nurses have put their experiences onto paper to share with the world. Most are good storytellers and are able to create a tale that could almost be fiction, with good use of vocabulary and imagery. At times, it felt like Rosie was attempting to tell a story, but instead ended up with a formal account of events. As the book progressed, however, the reader becomes so invested in Megan’s wellbeing that this issue becomes unnoticeable.
Unlike stories about older children in care, Megan’s life is easier to read about since, being fostered as a new born baby, she has no demoralizing past to overcome. Taken is by far the happier story within its genre, not least because of its satisfying ending, but from the joy Megan brings to the lives of everyone around her, too. Those new to this style of book may find Taken a good way of easing themselves into the genre, rather than jumping in with a story about a child with a background full of unspeakable things.
Rosie Lewis, presumably a penname, has been a professional foster carer for over seven years. During this time, she has dealt with children and teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds who are usually facing some form of crisis or difficulty. In latter years, Rosie has begun to combine her love of writing with her fostering experiences by writing story-like memoirs. Taken is Rosie’s latest publication, which reveals how emotionally challenging fostering can be.
Rosie first met Megan when she was only a few days old, struggling with the effects of neonatal abstinence syndrome and a cleft plate. Removed from her mother’s care – a drug addict – Megan needs a temporary home to go to. Rosie is more than happy to take care of Megan until her “forever home” can be found.
As time goes on, Rosie and her children become attached to the little girl and include her as part of the family. Megan’s salient recovery turns her into an energetic, slightly precocious toddler who absolutely adores Rosie’s family as much as they love her. But Rosie knows she will eventually have to say goodbye, no matter what her feelings.
Rosie explains to the reader how difficult it is to function properly as a foster carer once strong emotions have got involved. She dreams of being able to keep Megan forever, but when a couple are found who desperately want a child, Rosie has no choice but to say goodbye.
It is heartbreaking to see the effects of the separation on Rosie as well as on Megan, who, despite Rosie’s attempts to elucidate the situation, does not fully comprehend what is going on. Guiltily hoping that Megan’s irascible behaviour, or a cataclysmic event, puts the new parents off adoption, Rosie says goodbye to the little girl she loves with all her heart. However, her hopes are raised when it becomes clear the adoption is not sitting as well with the new parents as much as they originally hoped. Perhaps Rosie has a chance to become Megan’s “forever mummy” after all?
Told from Rosie’s professional perspective, readers are taken on a journey from a child’s unstable beginning, to a time when they are at peace with the world. It is impossible to be unaffected by the events in Megan’s life, or experience versions of Rosie’s own emotions.
Many foster carers, social workers and nurses have put their experiences onto paper to share with the world. Most are good storytellers and are able to create a tale that could almost be fiction, with good use of vocabulary and imagery. At times, it felt like Rosie was attempting to tell a story, but instead ended up with a formal account of events. As the book progressed, however, the reader becomes so invested in Megan’s wellbeing that this issue becomes unnoticeable.
Unlike stories about older children in care, Megan’s life is easier to read about since, being fostered as a new born baby, she has no demoralizing past to overcome. Taken is by far the happier story within its genre, not least because of its satisfying ending, but from the joy Megan brings to the lives of everyone around her, too. Those new to this style of book may find Taken a good way of easing themselves into the genre, rather than jumping in with a story about a child with a background full of unspeakable things.
January 27, 2017
So sad in places, but definitely worth the read. Rosie is a phenomenal carer. The world needs more people like her.
May 15, 2020
This book had me in tears. It was a good read and the ended was so nice. I enjoyed this story throughly
February 22, 2023
A total 5
Loved this. Very much like Cathy Glass.
I want to read more about this foster carer.
Loved this. Very much like Cathy Glass.
I want to read more about this foster carer.
February 13, 2021
I loved this book from start to finish! The blurb kinda tells you what’s going to happen so I spent the whole time falling in love with little Megan and enchanted by how quickly she grew up and the family grew together then how she found her adoptive parents then feeling the heartbreak that Rosie must’ve been feeling. I read as quickly as I could to get through it to find out how they got Megan back and it was such a beautiful ending! It’s already made me add her next book to my TBR and all her past ones! I love the way she writes and would love to hear more of her stories. This ones was definitely a happy ending but lots of emotion throughout!
June 9, 2019
Megan
This book is heartbreaking in parts but it shows how love for child will win in the end 5 STARS.
This book is heartbreaking in parts but it shows how love for child will win in the end 5 STARS.
September 28, 2023
A book that every character in the book tugs on your heart strings for every different reason. Especially little Megan. An honest raw tale of how sad some kids start in life is.
Tissues needed at the end
Tissues needed at the end
February 19, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you for sending me a copy of it. My first Goodreads win of 2017!
This book amalgamates many of my passions. I love books. I am passionate about working with children - so much so, I am studying for a degree in Childhood and Youth with The Open University. My current uni module is very much focused on Looked After Children, and if I'd have read this book a few weeks earlier, it would have thoroughly supported my reading for my previous assignment.
A thoroughly interesting book that reads almost like you're having a conversation with 'Rosie', a foster carer given a newborn baby with neonatal abstinence syndrome and a cleft palate to care for and support through her journey in the care system.
This book amalgamates many of my passions. I love books. I am passionate about working with children - so much so, I am studying for a degree in Childhood and Youth with The Open University. My current uni module is very much focused on Looked After Children, and if I'd have read this book a few weeks earlier, it would have thoroughly supported my reading for my previous assignment.
A thoroughly interesting book that reads almost like you're having a conversation with 'Rosie', a foster carer given a newborn baby with neonatal abstinence syndrome and a cleft palate to care for and support through her journey in the care system.
February 5, 2017
I have a personal interest in adoption and fostering, so found this book really interesting. The book is the story of Megan and her foster carer Rosie, it is a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions and is quite sad in places. Overwhelmingly the love of the foster carer for the child shines through, such a lovely read.
May 26, 2017
I was told over and over how heart wrenching this book was, how it would reduce me to tears.
And I'll admit I felt bad for the little girl but that was as far as I got with it.
I wasn't reduced to tears my heart wasn't ripped out my chest over it all. it seemed a rather mellow story with more of a want for the child than anything.
Don't get me wrong I would never wish what happened to the little girl to happen to anyone but it still didn't fill me with so much emotion that I struggled to read on.
And I'll admit I felt bad for the little girl but that was as far as I got with it.
I wasn't reduced to tears my heart wasn't ripped out my chest over it all. it seemed a rather mellow story with more of a want for the child than anything.
Don't get me wrong I would never wish what happened to the little girl to happen to anyone but it still didn't fill me with so much emotion that I struggled to read on.
August 24, 2017
Can't put this book down!
I am far from young and this book made me do something I have only done once before! I got so angry at a particular spot, I had to look at the end to continue reading it. Even by seeing the end I was still surprised at the ending when it was done. It is an amazing story about love and adoption and what a person will do to get the right outcome! Stunning ending!
I am far from young and this book made me do something I have only done once before! I got so angry at a particular spot, I had to look at the end to continue reading it. Even by seeing the end I was still surprised at the ending when it was done. It is an amazing story about love and adoption and what a person will do to get the right outcome! Stunning ending!
November 11, 2020
Heartwarming and saddening
There are times when the system doesn’t work and it is clearly highlighted in this book. When the child’s own mother can see things that social services refuse to you do wonder. It shows the strength of Rosie and her family but also focuses very heavily on their feelings in this matter. I found it hard to keep reading at times due to the abundance of ‘I know how much it will hurt’ points.
There are times when the system doesn’t work and it is clearly highlighted in this book. When the child’s own mother can see things that social services refuse to you do wonder. It shows the strength of Rosie and her family but also focuses very heavily on their feelings in this matter. I found it hard to keep reading at times due to the abundance of ‘I know how much it will hurt’ points.
October 17, 2018
Marvelous book. I love the story, it's very emotional yet controversial, it shows us the courage,love and support Rosie has towards her "childen" and the responsabilities and tough situations adults sometimes go trough, not to mention it goes along with many other little stories which leaves us asking for more.
December 23, 2019
Loving Forever Home
Rosie has a way of showing how much Foster Carers and the wonderful Adoptive Parents do to give each child in their care a loving safe home. Megan so touched her families hearts that they gave her not only their love but a forever home. All those amazing people deserve our support and admiration. Oh you WILL NEED a tissue or two!!!
Rosie has a way of showing how much Foster Carers and the wonderful Adoptive Parents do to give each child in their care a loving safe home. Megan so touched her families hearts that they gave her not only their love but a forever home. All those amazing people deserve our support and admiration. Oh you WILL NEED a tissue or two!!!
June 10, 2022
Amazing
Omg this book is a must if u like reading this kinda book
Rosie I have read a few of yr books now and this one has to b the best so far , I couldn't put it down the twists & turns had me hooked and not to mention the emotional rollercoaster
But I just wanna say u and yr family are sooooo lovely and wanna say well done for the work u do ,yr just amazin xx
Omg this book is a must if u like reading this kinda book
Rosie I have read a few of yr books now and this one has to b the best so far , I couldn't put it down the twists & turns had me hooked and not to mention the emotional rollercoaster
But I just wanna say u and yr family are sooooo lovely and wanna say well done for the work u do ,yr just amazin xx
December 13, 2023
This was my first Rosie Lewis book. I had read all of Cathy Glass' fostering memoirs and needed a new fix. I appreciated her writing style and am glad I found her books. Having read Cathy Glass' memoirs I appreciated not hearing as much detail about how the fostering care system works as Cathy offers.
February 5, 2024
As a foster parent myself, this book had many similarities to our current situation. It made me feel heard, not alone in the feelings that we have and the frustrations that we have. Especially when the child has been with us since birth. I am proud of the authors fight for the best interest of the child!!
April 15, 2018
I won this from a Good reads giveaway.
Story about a foster carer who wants to adopt the girl she is fostering. She does go to a forever home . But does it work out? You will need to read the book to find out.
Story about a foster carer who wants to adopt the girl she is fostering. She does go to a forever home . But does it work out? You will need to read the book to find out.
October 5, 2018
Heartwarming story of young Megan, who was born addicted to drugs and with a cleft lip and palate. After being fostered by Rosie Lewis, Megan is found a permanent family, but all does not go according to plan. Find out what happens in this touching book.
June 7, 2020
Such a lovely story
I really enjoyed this book. When Megan went away I guessed that it wasn’t for good. I could not put the book down until I reached the happy ending. I hope that Megan is very happy and settled in her forever family.
I really enjoyed this book. When Megan went away I guessed that it wasn’t for good. I could not put the book down until I reached the happy ending. I hope that Megan is very happy and settled in her forever family.
December 17, 2020
A truly gripping story leaving you needing to read on to desperately find out what happens to little Megan with all the twists and turns in her story, with a very satisfying and truly wonderful ending of Megan ending up where she truly belongs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2022
Good idea - but there wasn’t much to read that wasn’t already included in the blurb. I didn’t really feel like I got much more than the basics. Idk. I wasn’t attached or interested. Nothing really blew my mind. The idea sounds great and thrilling but it just did not land for me.
June 30, 2017
A rather sweet memoir of fostering and adoption. very touching.
August 21, 2017
A beautiful story about one brave woman's quest to make a young girl in foster care her legal daughter
January 11, 2018
Couldn't put this book down
March 5, 2018
Wow, I actually did not see that coming. Pleasantly surprised that everything worked out in the end!
September 27, 2019
A bit of a messed up system, but it all worked out in the end for a happy ending.
June 1, 2020
Emotional
I was in tears reading this book. So sad ,it really drew you in as if you were experiencing the events as story unfolded.
I was in tears reading this book. So sad ,it really drew you in as if you were experiencing the events as story unfolded.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews