Sold To Be A Wife

A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story

by Maggie Hartley

Fourteen-year-old Shazia has been taken into care after a conversation at school leads her teacher to suspect that the teenager's family are planning to send her to Pakistan for an arranged marriage. To her family's fury, Shazia is sent to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley whilst social services investigate. But with Shazia denying everything and social services unable to find any evidence to support the teacher's fears, Shazia is allowed to return home. But a few weeks later, Maggie is woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call from a terrified Shazia, who has managed to escape the family home through a window. Sobbing, she confesses to Maggie that her parents are planning to send her to Pakistan to be married in a few days, and have threatened to kill her if she speaks out again. Returned to Maggie's care, Shazia is petrified that her parents will track her down and kill her, and Maggie must be on constant alert. But the worst is yet to come when it emerges that Shazia is the victim of FGM. Can Maggie help this damaged and traumatised young girl understand what has happened to her and to find a way to heal?A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.'I've always enjoyed Maggie Hartley's fostering stories, but this is without doubt her best' 5* Amazon reader review

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Fostering, True Story

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2018

Reviews

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good story, I really love these types of books. It was very sad the way it all had to end though and so final however it was better for the child concerned. Lovely book and I can't wait for her next one.

[Erica⭐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It tells the tale of a young Pakistani girl whose very life was at risk from her manipulative and dangerous family. I found it hard to understand why the police were not able to bring a case against this girl's parents and brothers; surely locking the child in a cellar for four days with only bread and water and a bucket, must be a punishable offence by law? - not to mention all the other atrocities they subjected the young girl to. But it would seem not, despite all the physical evidence: the bruising, the burns, the appalling genital surgery they'd put the child through, to make her more sexually attractive ... Only the girl's word against her parents', apparently - not enough to prosecute.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 1 out of 5]

50% DNF.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sad and inspiring story of a young Muslim woman whose family wanted to take her to Pakistan for a forced arranged marriage. Beaten, burned, and genitally mutilated by her parents and brothers, she was kept locked for days without food in a dark basement. This is the story of her escape end of the lengths she had to go to to prevent being killed by her family to appease there honor. No child should have to go through this. It would be horrific enough if it were done by strangers. The fact that it was her family that did all of these things to her just boggles my mind.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrifically sad story, about a young girl named Shazia who (at the end of the book) has to take on a new identity due to her parent's obsession with moving her to Pakistan for an arranged marriage. It is told with such poignancy by Maggie Hartley, her social worker who becomes Shazia's strength and solitude during her worst times and it's clear how much looking after her affects Maggie.
Something even more upsetting happens towards the end of the book that really made me want to cry.
I would be interested to read more of this author's work and hear more fascinating stories of the children she looks after.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and care

This is what Maggie gives to the children in her care unconditional love it was hard to read about shazia but it shows what goes on in this cruel world .and Michael what a gorgeous baby .5 STARS for an insight into foster care without these angels more children would suffer .

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we meet “Shazia”, a 14 year old bought into Maggie’s care after her parents’ plans to force her back to Pakistan for an arranged marriage came to light. After receiving endless threats from her family which hinted strongly at “honour killing”, drastic measures were taken to keep this young girl safe. A sad story.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful true story and one you can’t believe happens in this country and you want to keep reading to see what happens and amazing foster mother that Maggie is as well shows how dedicated she is to her job high credit to her an amazing book.

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, engrossing, and troubling read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad and deeply moving short story. At one point I had to put it down and distract myself as it was so upsetting.

I find myself so grateful to live in the Christian culture in the UK, although I am not a fool to know we have our own sickening child abuse going on.

Again like with Maggie Hartley's other book, I have read, her proof readers have let her down. There was a typo error, just the one this time and also she repeated herself a couple of times, but I still highly recommend it.

#soldtobeawife #maggiehartley #nonfiction #memoirs

[Tria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Not much other than the usual reason I read these: an easy read that doesn't require much thought, formulaic, literary junk food. I usually find it difficult to review things based on reality, and end up critiquing the style in which they're written, and frankly so far as I'm concerned Maggie Hartley and Cathy Glass, whoever the pair of them are, might as well be siblings, their memoir writing is so similar in so many ways. (And no, that isn't a good thing.)

[Shelley Kinash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A poignant true story about the lives and challenges of foster children. This story deals with the complexity of cultural practices which go against deeply held western morals and principles of social justice. The writing feels like the adolescent genre - written plainly and sometimes naively.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.. Heartbreaking story..

[Alicia Lovely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad read. Thank goodness this poor girl fell into the safe hands of Maggie, but nonetheless what this girl went through and still had to face was terrible.


14 year old Shazia was in big trouble at home. Her mother’s hands seemed tied and her controlling, dominating father and brothers seemed to think they had control over her every move.

Shazia’s concerned school friend, Naz, consults a teacher when she is concerned that Shazia is about to the taken to Pakistan to be married to her cousin. The school step into action and call social services, who place Shazia into foster care while this is all investigated. However, a very frightened Shazia insists that none of it is true and that she made it all up and unable to prove otherwise, the social services and police have no choice but to let her return home.
However, the following week, Shazia is back with Maggie after escaping from her parents cellar, where her Father and brothers held her captive for 4 days, so that she couldn’t run away again. Shazia had no choice but to confess that her arranged marriage was true.

Shazia’s life soon becomes a misery when she isn’t allowed to leave Maggie’s house due to her aggressive brother’s trying to kidnap her at any possible opportunity. She ends up house bound and very lonely and the only way for her life to get back to any kind of normals, is to fall under the police protection act, leave her old life behind completely, be given a new name and move to another county.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Maggie Hartley, which I read in less than two days.

I've read quite a few fostering memoirs now; from authors such as Cathy Glass, Rosie Lewis, Casey Watson-and more recently I have found Maggie Hartley. This is the fourth book I have read from Maggie Hartley and they've all been very different-but all such a high standard. Accurate and all concisely written, and gripping tales. I have started to find some of the other authors repeating some things-I think this is inevitable as you can read all of their books in any order then-but Maggie Hartley's books don't repeat the same things again.

This was a tragic tale which I had an idea how it would work out-but there was so much more to it which I didn't foresee. Even though I had read a couple of books which deal with the same subject-and I've read the memoir quite a few years ago which is mentioned in Maggie's book. An excellent book and I will be eagerly waiting for her next book.

[Rozalyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sold To Be A Wife is based on a true story about the life of Foster Carer Maggie & her experience of fostering Shazia.

Shazia, aged 14, came from a challenging background whereby her parents planned a forced wedding for her in Pakistan, her father & brothers abused and imprisoned her & she suffered the torture of Female Genital Mutilation.

Clearly this was an extremely complex foster placement & I have absolute adoration for Maggie for dealing with it so well, she is clearly an incredibly selfless woman (and also a super hero!).

The book itself could do with better editing in honesty (typo’s & punctuation) however given the importance of this story, I can look past it.

Maggie, thank you for being such a wonderful person, you’re truly an inspiration.

[Desi Kleinczmit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute horror and heart break that this girl went through. My heart just shattered. The emotion in words on the page would bring tears to my eyes as they have many times before in Maggie's books. More so in this book than any of the others. There were many happy points in this story. Maggie's determination to help this girl as least have a few good memories to go on with sticks with you after you finish the book. This book, I think will stick with me more than the others in general. A story that needed to be told and I appreciate Maggie's ability to share it. It is so important to share, you never know when that one person can help another from the knowledge of things happening. Even though it was not the happiest of endings, in a sense it was. You would have to read it to know what I mean.

[Shazna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4 stars.

This book was thought provoking, heartbreaking and shocking. The first part of Shazias story was shocking enough but near the end where something horrifying happened to this girl when she was younger left me speechless.
Maggie and other foster carers out there, you are amazing people to keep children safe and give them a new start in life. With the right support and love that every child should have. This story will stay with me.

‼️Slight spoiler‼️



Mentions of FGM. (Female genital mutilation.)

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sold To Be A Wife was a enthralling read that shocked, amused and finished with a different ending.
Maggie as usual was a comfort to a frightened young lady who had been devastated by what her family had planned for her. To then find out what had been done to her when she was so little ... But thankfully not having memories of it ... Thankfully.
Highly recommend this book as well as other books by Maggie Hartley.

[Snowfreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a 14 year old child whose family wants to take her abroad to marry her cousin. I don't know how foster carers do what they do and while trying to show respect to the child while trying to appreciate the child's background and culture. Touches on FGM as well. I'm not sure we westerners appreciate what we have. Hopefully with social media Shazia can trace her bestie again when they are adults.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

sad

It's sad story of young girl who was saved from forced marriage. But it is also a story of kind foster carers who is doing everything she can to help this girl. I'm so sad as even if there is a happy ending the past of this girl is terrifying and even worse is thinking what if she wasn't saved.

[Kivalina Mauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shazia

Poor girl, It does turn out better in end but this young girl was really put threw so much . I hope she contacts you after she is 18. She can contact her best friend again when she is of age. Nothing anyone can do to stop her. I truly hop her and Zeena find each other again. Friends like that are hard to find.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant writing. This beautiful woman should get an award for caring for foster children.

What a clear look into the world of foster care in the UK. Gripping story, sad at times but real. This is so important to learn about. Children are in need of good foster carers the world over.

[Jacobus De Wit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Could not put the book down. Really well written as always. Maggie brings her characters to life, enabling her readers to visualise and experience the lives that they came from. It is heart warming to see the positive outcomes.

[Jules Cake Pops · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow maggie

You've done it again another very emotional read. Where religion shows it's true colours.
It tears your heart out reading your books, you are an inspiration, and do a fantastic work with the children you care for.

[Carol Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading maggie hartley books such a great authour and foster carer her books allways make me have a lump in my throat while reading them..how she helps all her foster children most of them have a happy ending cant wait for her next book

[Becky-Lynn Sturge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and informative

This was a different case and outcome that was a twist in this look inside foster parenting. It truly is as the author says you can never tell what will be next. A true compassionate adventurer.

[Monolus · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always enjoyed the book. At first I wasn't really happy about the mix up between Michael and Shazia, but at the end I was glad to hear at least one happy ending,... which kinda became 2 at the end, but well, anyway I liked it

[Coley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a cryer but this brought tears to my eyes at the end, I felt awful for both shazia and Maggie at the way they departed! Awful traumatic story but one that left me wishing for a good future for that young girl who doesn’t deserve the amount of trauma she’s endured.

[Lisa Gatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sold To Be A Wife

This is my favorite blog by Maggie so far and I think I've read 8 of her books.I did not put it down for a minute till it was done.Very very interesting story and I learned a lot about the young girls culture.