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A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story
Too Young to be a Mum: Can Jess learn to be a good mummy, when she is only a child herself?
When sixteen-year-old Jess arrives on foster carer Maggie Hartley's doorstep with her newborn son Jimmy, she has nowhere else to go. Arriving straight from the hospital having just given birth, Jess is like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Scared, alone, and practically a child herself, she is overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for a newborn without the support of a loving family or her beloved boyfriend. With social services threatening to take baby Jimmy into care, Jess knows that Maggie is her only chance of keeping her son.Maggie can see that Jess loves her boyfriend and wants to be a good mother to her son. Can Maggie help Jess learn to become a mum? Will the family ever be allowed to live together?A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.'Didn't want it to end' 5* Amazon reader review
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2017
151 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 1, 2017
Really enjoyed this book, looking forward to more in the future. This story was especially good because I like the way Maggie stood up for what she believed in despite everybody else not agreeing with her. It is lovely that the story had the happy ending it deserved.
July 8, 2021
From reading books by other foster carerors, I understand that truly happy endings are rare. That’s why this story stands out so much. I can honestly say that I spent more time smiling reading this book than any other in the foster care memoir genre books I have read so far.
May 6, 2017
What a beautiful outcome
This was an excellent read two foster children reunited with parents/parent and in these two cases rightfully so .really happy ending such a good read
This was an excellent read two foster children reunited with parents/parent and in these two cases rightfully so .really happy ending such a good read
September 4, 2017
I love all of Maggie Hartley's books, never read one I didn't like.
October 5, 2017
Everything I love in a fostering memoir. So realistic, but heart-warming too.
October 30, 2017
Fantastic
I really enjoyed this book, it's the first Maggie Hartley I've read, in places it was very difficult for me as I've been through the assessments etc with my grandson who we now have sgo of, how my son and his partner must have felt breaks my heart. Thank you Maggie for giving me some insight. Our story didn't end so well for birth parents but they tried and failed. Our lo is 3 now and we all believe he's in the right place
I really enjoyed this book, it's the first Maggie Hartley I've read, in places it was very difficult for me as I've been through the assessments etc with my grandson who we now have sgo of, how my son and his partner must have felt breaks my heart. Thank you Maggie for giving me some insight. Our story didn't end so well for birth parents but they tried and failed. Our lo is 3 now and we all believe he's in the right place
August 17, 2021
Ive read two other books by Maggie and i cant fault any of them.
i loved this book. i love a story of unforute events turning into great outcomes- this is truly one of those books.
hours have passed since finishing this book and i cant stop things about Jess, Darren and Jimmy. i truly hope they are all safe and well.
i want to thank Maggie personally for writing the books and for being one of the reason I'm now wanting to be a social worker.
i loved this book. i love a story of unforute events turning into great outcomes- this is truly one of those books.
hours have passed since finishing this book and i cant stop things about Jess, Darren and Jimmy. i truly hope they are all safe and well.
i want to thank Maggie personally for writing the books and for being one of the reason I'm now wanting to be a social worker.
January 23, 2025
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book by Maggie that I also read the Kindle eBook just like with the last book by her that I read. I did not want to put this down. I absolutely adore how Maggie stands up for what is right whether it may affect her career or not. She really shows how stereotypes can be damaging and how prejudice some people can really be. More over she manages to teach effective methods to dealing with all kinds of issues in all ages that have helped immensely in my personal life.
November 11, 2017
I don't tend to go for this genre when I'm on a book shopping spree, but my daughter does, and through our mutual love of 'sharing the book love', I found myself reading this. I could relate to some of the content, having been a young mum myself (17). Heartfelt and encouraging. Definitely worth a read.
March 20, 2019
Beautiful endings
The story, about teenage mum jess, and her boyfriend daz, and her baby jimmy.
Hard road ahead of them both, trying to convince everyone they can be good parents. A bumpy road ahead of them.
Maggie heartley, you are a fantastic fostering lady, for all the love, care that you give to children theatre in need of your help.
The story, about teenage mum jess, and her boyfriend daz, and her baby jimmy.
Hard road ahead of them both, trying to convince everyone they can be good parents. A bumpy road ahead of them.
Maggie heartley, you are a fantastic fostering lady, for all the love, care that you give to children theatre in need of your help.
December 13, 2020
Have never read a Maggie Hartley book before and was pleasantly surprised. I have two friends who are foster carers and I know how seriously they take their jobs and how they have turned many lives around.
It was well written and for a sensitive subject was not overly sentimental. I was pleased there was a happy ending too.
It was well written and for a sensitive subject was not overly sentimental. I was pleased there was a happy ending too.
August 22, 2022
This book is a real emotional rollercoaster.
I like the fact the author concentrated on telling the stories of the children she had with her and not plugging previous or new books. She really lays out her own emotions in the book too. I found myself really rooting for Jess throughout the book. I would be happy to read other Maggie Hartley books in the future.
I like the fact the author concentrated on telling the stories of the children she had with her and not plugging previous or new books. She really lays out her own emotions in the book too. I found myself really rooting for Jess throughout the book. I would be happy to read other Maggie Hartley books in the future.
June 10, 2024
I am so glad this book ended the way it did! I was so happy for Jess, Darin and Jimmy! And I also have to mention that I am just blown away at how amazing the UK handles teen pregnancy. A family unit where the mom and the dad and the baby can all stay together where the teen mom and dad can learn how to properly parent their baby? AMAZING!! The US should take a lesson!!
February 10, 2018
Excellent
A truly beautiful story of love and compassion of two teenagers who find themselves in the care system.. The love and support given by a foster mother who helped to turn these young lives around. Beautiful indeed
A truly beautiful story of love and compassion of two teenagers who find themselves in the care system.. The love and support given by a foster mother who helped to turn these young lives around. Beautiful indeed
April 1, 2018
insightful story
This is a very insightfu!l look into the life of a foster career and a look at 2 different ppls lives I would recommend this book Romany one who likes memoirs of true story
This is a very insightfu!l look into the life of a foster career and a look at 2 different ppls lives I would recommend this book Romany one who likes memoirs of true story
September 18, 2018
Yet an Mother great read from this awesome author! Love her stories, the style she writes, and the love be she has for each child comes across in every page! Never a let down, always a joy (even with few heart strings pulled) to read.
March 6, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.. the support from Maggie to the young people with a newborn was so amazing.. she helped them from the start and she believed in the youngsters and she stood up for them in keeping their baby..
June 7, 2020
Loved this book, First one of Maggy las books Iv read, needless to say my husband ordered me another 4, start a new one tonight l, This really got me back into reading and was hooked from chapter one
April 26, 2021
Amazing
It is amazing that this teenage couple endured to become a family.If we're not for Maggie their carer's help and belief in them it wouldn't have happened. She is an amazing person who is truly dedicated to the children in her care.
It is amazing that this teenage couple endured to become a family.If we're not for Maggie their carer's help and belief in them it wouldn't have happened. She is an amazing person who is truly dedicated to the children in her care.
April 7, 2022
This is the 5th Maggie Hartley book I've read and it was brilliant. They way she fought for that little family even when they pushed the boundaries and her to her limit, the emotions in this book were felt by me-the reader-and I have ordered more of her books.....highly recommend
November 1, 2022
Excellent book and very emotional too as it feels like you are in the teenagers shoes and you are fighting for your baby. Overall excellent book and the author laid it out excellently.
Will definitely read this book again in the future
Will definitely read this book again in the future
March 18, 2024
This was a great read for someone who wants to become a foster parent one day in the future. I feel it gave me a real sense of the challenges and emotional toll of the role but also the amazing contributions you can make to the lives of others and therefore fulfilment.
March 19, 2024
tear jerker
What an absolute beautiful ending for both Jimmy and Lily. I cannot wait to buy the rest of her books, as only some are with kindle unlimited but you won’t regret it won’t bit!
What an absolute beautiful ending for both Jimmy and Lily. I cannot wait to buy the rest of her books, as only some are with kindle unlimited but you won’t regret it won’t bit!
October 3, 2025
An emotional story of love, commitment and the power of having someone believe in you.
While at times Jess and her boyfriend Darren acted impulsively and like typical teenagers all they really wanted was to be a family. With someone to believe in them and support them would this be possible?
While at times Jess and her boyfriend Darren acted impulsively and like typical teenagers all they really wanted was to be a family. With someone to believe in them and support them would this be possible?
January 5, 2018
another fab read would highly recoomend.
December 31, 2017
Love happy endings
Great book. I started one evening and finished the next!!! I highly recommend this book!!! I'm a huge fan of Maggie Hartley
Great book. I started one evening and finished the next!!! I highly recommend this book!!! I'm a huge fan of Maggie Hartley
July 20, 2018
Amazing book, love how Maggie stood up for what she believed in. Being an early adult and having friends with kids related to me. Defiantly recommend!!
June 16, 2018
3.5 stars
Listened to audiobook.
Listened to audiobook.
August 26, 2018
This is the first book I read from this writer and it was brilliant and I was hooked
January 1, 2019
Maggie Hartley books always a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews