Eden's Story

Thrown Away Children #3

by Louise Allen

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Ashley is a young single mum raising her daughter, Eden, and working hard to do the very best job she can - until one night she can't find a babysitter and makes the decision to leave Eden home alone for a couple of hours, asleep inside a wardrobe. It is an action that begins a terrible downward spiral for both of them.

When Eden arrives at experienced foster carer Louise Allen's home, she has entered the care system because her mother is in prison. Eden is five years old and will not speak to any human. She begins exhibiting some other disturbing behaviours alongside the mutism, too, including torturing the family pets she loves. This eventually leads Louise to discover the pain and tragic reality behind Eden's Story.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Abuse, Biography

Paperback

First published January 14, 2021

About the author

From an early age, Louise was adopted into a family who, from the beginning, said they didn’t want her. Her first book, Thrown Away Child, reveals the abuse and neglect she and a fellow adopted child suffered at the hands of their adopted mother, Barbara. Ten years ago, Louise and her family became a fostering family. They have looked after over twenty children, some have stayed long term. This led to the bestselling series, Thrown Away Children, where Louise is inspired by the stories of children in the care system. Within days, the book became a bestseller.

Louise now draws on her experience to write a new series of ‘How to’ books about adoption, fostering and parenting. How to Adopt a Child is the unvarnished truth about adoption. Louise is well known for “saying it as it is,” so not only is it witty and engaging, it also empowers adopters to feel confident and in control and to know where to turn to for help.

Reviews

[Sammi Bland-Kanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragically beautiful story of neglect, abuse, loss and found family. This is Eden's story! From neglect to foster care to forever after.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written

I am kind of addicted to reading foster carer stories. I have read and love Maggie Hartley, Cathy Glass, and Rosie Lewis. How wonderful to find another to join the ranks of these great women. Louise writes with so much humor that you laugh almost as much as you cry. She goes off on tangents which only add to the story. Once you start reading you best not have anything else to do for the next 5 hours because it is impossible to put the book down. I have loved all 3 of her stories and hope she has many more coming about her wonderful loving family and the children’s whose lives are better for having been a part of the Allen clan if only for a little while. Highly recommended!

[Jan David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being part of these journeys gives you an idea of what the Foster carers and children go through.

[Yve Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book quite interesting but i can't say that it was amazing. I found the dialogue a bit stilted, especially in the early chapters, but overall it is well written. I think i expected more drama after reading the blurb, but of course this is a true story so i probably expected too much. I am a foster carer myself, though not in the UK, and i found myself nodding along with many of the frustrations that Louise encountered. All in all a solid, worthwhile read.

[Lara Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading gthis series of books within a week must mean it appeals to me on sokme level. However, i question the truth in these storries. Louise seems verry unlucky with the children’s social workers she encounters and seems to always foster the same type of girls.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... An amazingly written book, heartbreaking at times.

Usually with these memoirs I can predict when something will happen, but I did not expect to read of the tragic death of Eden's mum midway through, as a reader it came like a bolt from the blue, so I can't begin to imagine what this news would be like to a 5 year old losing their mother.

I can never say I enjoy these type of books, as it's people lives, children's lives which have been very difficult, but I did find the insight fascinating

[Julie Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another insightful story from the Thrown Away Children series. The first chapters did a very good job of drawing me in. Very well told. I totally felt the author’s emotion when they had to break it to little Eden that her mummy had died. The relationship between her own child and Eden was beautiful. Who knows what this poor little child has suffered at such a young age, being locked in a wardrobe and tortured, as well as seeing unthinkable things. Nice it had a happy ending when she was reunited with her dad and could go on to have a stable happy family life.

[Georgina Abbotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden's story was heartbreaking I shed a fair few tears reading this Ashley Who is Edens young mum really loved her little girl hut was in with the wrong people who could sense she was vulnerable. Louise and her family always make Foster children apart of their family.Thry always want what's best for Foster children.Eden doesn't know her dad he hasn't been apart of Edens life so when Ashley sadly dies in prison the social worker track down Edens dad

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story. I have to say i am glad edon got the outcome she deserved it was terrible what she went through. I felt sorry for Ashely as she was as much a victom, if she had better support she may have made better choices.

[Samantha Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was very interesting and sad. I did notice errors with names. Kerry became Kelly then Kerry again. Not sure if it’s only in early copies or all copies. If you like Cathy glass or similar then you’ll like this

[Jessica Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad story but I love that u were able to she how the family go to the point were Eden was put into care will definitely be reading more of Louise books

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

[Laura-Jane & Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but gripping. Can't wait to read Louise's other books.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was crying by the end. Good book.

[Nicola Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by louise Allen.

[Lisa Gatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edens Story

This was just as good as all the other Louise Allen books.It was a page turner and kept me up late in the night

[NAOMI FOWLES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I'll tell you how immersive this book was, I picked it up yesterday lunch time & I've finished it already (8.36pm).
I'm so, so glad Eden got her happy ending!

[Sarah Whiscombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad story but glad that Eden got her daddy in the end

[Connie Anne Kikta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.

[Sharon]

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[Marwa Ghazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad 😢
10/11/2023

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sad book to read but I was happy about the outcome at the end and feel that stories like these need to be told.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Annamarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five year old Eden comes to Louise after her mother Ashley makes a bunch of wrong decisions and ends up in prison; she leaves Eden at home alone as a baby while she goes out partying after her friend refuses to keep babysitting for her.

While out partying Ashley meets a guy who supplies her with drugs and after a while he meets Eden who is only a baby still and he eventually moves into Ashley’s home this guy is a creep.

When Eden finally goes to Louise she won’t talk no matter how much Louise and her family tries to get her to. In true Louise fashion she does all she can to help this poor child.

Louise tells us about the troubles she has with the social services while looking after Eden as well as the trouble she has looking after Eden who has her own issues, I am glad that Eden got to go and live with her dad and have a happy life.