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Neglected: Scared, hungry and alone, Jamey craves affection
This book tells the story of Jamey, two-and-a-half years old, who is suffering from severe neglect. The police remove Jamey from home and take him to foster carer, Cathy. But as Jamey settles into Cathy’s home a new threat emerges and coronavirus changes everything.
Jamey arrives at Cathy’s as an emergency two days before Christmas, having been left alone all night while his drug and alcohol dependent mother went out partying. Jamey is scared, small for his age, and unsteady on his feet, more like a baby, a result of being left for long periods in his cot which his mother used as a cage. When Cathy changes Jamey’s nappy she finds his bottom is red raw from being left in soiled nappies.
Slowly, with patience, love, care and understanding Jamey learns to trust Cathy and her adult daughter, Paula, the only one of Cathy’s children still living at home. Cathy also looks after her granddaughter, Emma, one day a week and although she is a year younger than Jamey she is more advanced, highlighting the damage neglect has done to Jamey in his early years.
When the country goes into lockdown many fostering practices change; meetings, visits and contact take place online which brings more problems. Referrals to the social services soar and Cathy accepts two more children short term. It isn’t until restrictions are lifted the judge can make decisions on poor Jamey’s fate…
Jamey arrives at Cathy’s as an emergency two days before Christmas, having been left alone all night while his drug and alcohol dependent mother went out partying. Jamey is scared, small for his age, and unsteady on his feet, more like a baby, a result of being left for long periods in his cot which his mother used as a cage. When Cathy changes Jamey’s nappy she finds his bottom is red raw from being left in soiled nappies.
Slowly, with patience, love, care and understanding Jamey learns to trust Cathy and her adult daughter, Paula, the only one of Cathy’s children still living at home. Cathy also looks after her granddaughter, Emma, one day a week and although she is a year younger than Jamey she is more advanced, highlighting the damage neglect has done to Jamey in his early years.
When the country goes into lockdown many fostering practices change; meetings, visits and contact take place online which brings more problems. Referrals to the social services soar and Cathy accepts two more children short term. It isn’t until restrictions are lifted the judge can make decisions on poor Jamey’s fate…
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2022
175 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Glass
179 books2,229 followersCathy Glass is a bestselling British author, freelance writer and foster carer.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
March 8, 2022
I was really looking forward to reading this as I have loved all of Cathy glass' memoirs. I didn't enjoy this anywhere near as much as I thought I would, though.
Jamey sounded like such a lovely, compliant, quiet boy who obviously had a very bad and neglectful start to his life and I enjoyed reading about him and how he was progressing with Cathy and Paula.
However I didn't like the constant talk of covid and the lockdown. I lived through it in the UK and knew exactly what it was like so didn't really like the reminder of how ridiculous some of the rules were (shutting a park so people have nowhere to walk for example), and how scared people were of it, and how "depressing the news is everyday", so why not just turn it off?
Some of the book was therefore quite annoying and dull and seems more like a book to document what she felt about covid and not about sweet little Jamey.
Jamey sounded like such a lovely, compliant, quiet boy who obviously had a very bad and neglectful start to his life and I enjoyed reading about him and how he was progressing with Cathy and Paula.
However I didn't like the constant talk of covid and the lockdown. I lived through it in the UK and knew exactly what it was like so didn't really like the reminder of how ridiculous some of the rules were (shutting a park so people have nowhere to walk for example), and how scared people were of it, and how "depressing the news is everyday", so why not just turn it off?
Some of the book was therefore quite annoying and dull and seems more like a book to document what she felt about covid and not about sweet little Jamey.
February 24, 2022
This book about the heartache of a toddler Jamey who is 2 & 1/2 years old struggling to survive with a mum that has an addiction. Jamey is then taken into a loving foster home. Cathy Glass writes her novels with the straight to the point facts as well as how she nurtures the child in her care. This book takes place in 2019 to 2020 so the talk of COVID and how that rocked the foster care world puts a new viewpoint in how many different people in different situations were affected by COVID. This is another great novel by Cathy Glass and I'm so glad about the happy ending.
February 17, 2022
A fantastic book as always by this author, it was interesting to read how Cathy and her family coped with fostering in the pandemic. Jamie was a wonderful child and got the outcome that he deserved. A sad story of neglect that Jamie had to suffer but thankfully Cathy was able to help him which is a huge relief.
February 18, 2022
Excellent book as usual.
July 3, 2023
So found this quite a difficult, this was more due to Covid and how difficult it was listening to how families coped especially those in difficult circumstances.
February 18, 2022
Fostering during a pandemic this book touches on some of the changes, from virtual meetings and contact, to societal closures which were a feature of the pandemic.
I like the way the books touch on fosterings impact on broader family and non judgementally talks about reasons children come into care.
I am not fully convinced of the truth of all the books the dates given at the start indicate a very long working week over christmas the weather in 2020 is not the baffling mix of storms and glaurious sun without a plane the sky. I also feel it unusual that a child victim of such seveer and long lasting neglect slotted in and showed such immediate love.
I like the way the books touch on fosterings impact on broader family and non judgementally talks about reasons children come into care.
I am not fully convinced of the truth of all the books the dates given at the start indicate a very long working week over christmas the weather in 2020 is not the baffling mix of storms and glaurious sun without a plane the sky. I also feel it unusual that a child victim of such seveer and long lasting neglect slotted in and showed such immediate love.
February 22, 2022
Good read about a little boy called Jamey whose fostered by Cathy during the pandemic.
May 14, 2023
Too much info about covid and not enough about the child...
June 3, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I have always adored Cathy's books and I've read at least 10 but I can't remember the exact number. They hugely appeal to the Social Worker side of me and they feel familiar and easy to read.
And whilst I did enjoy this one, unfortunately it is set during the pandemic, and I've seen a lot of reviews criticising how much COVID-19 was mentioned in this book because it was COVID heavy. However, as Jamey (the child in the book) was fostered just prior to the pandemic, it would have been impossible not to mention it and actually it was really interesting for me to read the impact the pandemic had on Fostering.
Cathy has so many books now that a lot of what she writes can feel the same as before but that was exactly why I picked this book to read now, as I was in a bit of a slump and knew I could read this in 48 hours.
Jamey's was a tale I've heard a lot of times unfortunately and wasn't as uncomfortable as some of the other stories I've read by Cathy. This is probably a good starting point if you haven't read any of her books before (although chronologically it's the last one).
I have always adored Cathy's books and I've read at least 10 but I can't remember the exact number. They hugely appeal to the Social Worker side of me and they feel familiar and easy to read.
And whilst I did enjoy this one, unfortunately it is set during the pandemic, and I've seen a lot of reviews criticising how much COVID-19 was mentioned in this book because it was COVID heavy. However, as Jamey (the child in the book) was fostered just prior to the pandemic, it would have been impossible not to mention it and actually it was really interesting for me to read the impact the pandemic had on Fostering.
Cathy has so many books now that a lot of what she writes can feel the same as before but that was exactly why I picked this book to read now, as I was in a bit of a slump and knew I could read this in 48 hours.
Jamey's was a tale I've heard a lot of times unfortunately and wasn't as uncomfortable as some of the other stories I've read by Cathy. This is probably a good starting point if you haven't read any of her books before (although chronologically it's the last one).
August 26, 2023
Jamey was two and a half when his mum went out for the night leaving him on his own, probably not for the first time. Social services needed to find a safe place for him just before Christmas 2019 and that safe place was with foster carer Cathy Glass. Jamey is small for his age and far behind in both physical and social development. Cathy throws herself into Jamey's care with her usual gusto, navigating the conflicting demands of his mother Kat, who clearly has problems with addictions to drugs and alcohol, and her sister Lacey, who would like to take Jamey under her wing and doesn't see why social services are not willing to let her do so immediately. And then Covid19 struck, making everyone's life more difficult. Cathy's daughter Paula, who lives with Cathy, is soon placed on furlough, enabling her to play a part in Jamey's rehabilitation. Just as well, from Cathy's point of view, as the number of children entering the care system has soared during the pandemic and Cathy is asked to provide emergency foster care for Cora, aged 3, and Theo, aged 1 when their mother is admitted to hospital after being stabbed by her husband. It's just for a few days, while their maternal grandparents are contacted and asked to provide care for the children until their mother recovers. They are only with Cathy for a few days and are well-behaved, but without Paula's help it is not clear how Cathy could have coped.
June 1, 2022
5 stars
This book was set just before and during the pandemic, it was interesting to see how things changed in the fostering world because of lockdown.
Cathy has such a great way of telling these stories and this was a particularly heartwarming one but also raised awareness of how unfortunately there are so many children out there like Jamey.
This book was set just before and during the pandemic, it was interesting to see how things changed in the fostering world because of lockdown.
Cathy has such a great way of telling these stories and this was a particularly heartwarming one but also raised awareness of how unfortunately there are so many children out there like Jamey.
June 9, 2022
Cathy Glass never disappoints
June 28, 2022
Another fantastic book by Cathy Glass. My heart broke for Jamey. Cathy & Paula are angels. The world certainly needs more people like them
July 6, 2022
Review to follow.
September 11, 2023
Only read two chapters as I didnt like the simplistic way it was written. Almost as if the author really didnt care that much about the little boy. It was as if she was convincing us that she was ‘ticking’ the fostering boxes. ‘I ran him a bath. I checked the water temperature. I changed his nappy’
Sorry, not for me.
Sorry, not for me.
October 31, 2023
I love Cathy’s books but this was a hard read, jamey is a lovely child but the coverage of Covid was annoying. I appreciated that this case was during that time but I didn’t want to be constantly reminded of how awful it was and I felt it spoilt the story a bit. It also felt like after going in for so long it came to a bit of an abrupt end.
October 11, 2024
It's such a heartbreaking story. I felt like living 2020 lockdown all over again. It has changed so many lives. It was such an excellent read again
May 22, 2023
This book started off great like the rest of Cathy glass’ books, but halfway through it the story moved towards the covid pandemic and less about Jamey and his story. Very disappointed
December 26, 2023
Another great book by Cathy glass.
I listened to this on audio.
As always, it was very hard hitting and emotional. A great insight into the world of fostering children
I listened to this on audio.
As always, it was very hard hitting and emotional. A great insight into the world of fostering children
August 6, 2022
They say when a baby’s cries are not addressed, the baby eventually stops crying altogether.
Book review - Neglected, Cathy Glass.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of Cathy Glass and her books. I always find them hugely inspiring and this was no different. The way she writes is with extreme accuracy and the books are incredibly informative. She comes across as the biggest optimist and completely inspires me with the work she does.
Jamey is taken into Cathy’s care after being found alone in his cot whilst his mother was out partying. He has been neglected all of his life - all of the signs are there. Cathy begins making huge strides with Jamey’s development. Then, the pandemic hits…
I’ll start with how freaking adorable Jamey is. I absolutely loved reading about the progress he made in his language and communication whilst in Cathy’s care! The attachment and love he needed and received was heartwarming to read. I also appreciate that Cathy never expresses negative opinions or thoughts towards the parents despite missed contact meetings and abrupt phone calls. Her optimism and empathy for other humans is inspiring.
Half way through the book, the pandemic hits. I’m in two minds about this part of the book. I love how it was written yet hate it at the same time. Having just experienced everything she documented, I related to it so much. Every detail she wrote about was exactly what happened in my experience! I couldn’t help myself but think that this would be an incredible resource in years to come when there is a need to reflect and learn about what happened with COVID-19. However, and this is a semi-large however, sometimes Jamey’s story was lost because of this. It felt as though some pages spoke in such detail about the effects of lockdown and then there was a sentence on the end like “by the way guys Jamey just used the potty”. That isn’t exactly how it went but, to me, it felt like it. It was almost as if when she was writing about the pandemic, she forgot that the book was about Jamey. Granted, the pandemic is clearly an integral part of his story but I think she could have linked it a little ?¿better¿?.
Book review - Neglected, Cathy Glass.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of Cathy Glass and her books. I always find them hugely inspiring and this was no different. The way she writes is with extreme accuracy and the books are incredibly informative. She comes across as the biggest optimist and completely inspires me with the work she does.
Jamey is taken into Cathy’s care after being found alone in his cot whilst his mother was out partying. He has been neglected all of his life - all of the signs are there. Cathy begins making huge strides with Jamey’s development. Then, the pandemic hits…
I’ll start with how freaking adorable Jamey is. I absolutely loved reading about the progress he made in his language and communication whilst in Cathy’s care! The attachment and love he needed and received was heartwarming to read. I also appreciate that Cathy never expresses negative opinions or thoughts towards the parents despite missed contact meetings and abrupt phone calls. Her optimism and empathy for other humans is inspiring.
Half way through the book, the pandemic hits. I’m in two minds about this part of the book. I love how it was written yet hate it at the same time. Having just experienced everything she documented, I related to it so much. Every detail she wrote about was exactly what happened in my experience! I couldn’t help myself but think that this would be an incredible resource in years to come when there is a need to reflect and learn about what happened with COVID-19. However, and this is a semi-large however, sometimes Jamey’s story was lost because of this. It felt as though some pages spoke in such detail about the effects of lockdown and then there was a sentence on the end like “by the way guys Jamey just used the potty”. That isn’t exactly how it went but, to me, it felt like it. It was almost as if when she was writing about the pandemic, she forgot that the book was about Jamey. Granted, the pandemic is clearly an integral part of his story but I think she could have linked it a little ?¿better¿?.
October 13, 2022
This book is about Cathy who is a foster carer who has been fostering for over 25 years and cared for more than 150 children whilst also caring for her own birth children. When Cathy gets the phone call that a two year old needs a home in an emergency she doesn't give a second thought to say yes straight away. When Jamey came into Cathy's care you could clearly see he needed attention as he was neglected. Everything was going so well as Jamey lived with Cathy until Covid hit.
What I liked about this book was how Cathy has written it as it draws you in and makes you want to read on, I also like how each chapter has a little title so then you know what that chapter is about. I also like how much detail gets put into the books as it makes you feel you were there. This book made my heartace for Jamey and also made me cry but also happy for the outcome.
In my opinion, I really enjoyed this book as i've read Cathy's other book I feel like I know her and her family really well, I also like this book because it's things that actually happened and we went through the Covid pandemic too.
To summarise my review this book was an amazing read as all Cathy's books are and I would definitely recommend this book although I would say only adults but if you don't like reading about emotional situations then this isn't the book for you. I've rated this book 5 stars because it was such a good read.
What I liked about this book was how Cathy has written it as it draws you in and makes you want to read on, I also like how each chapter has a little title so then you know what that chapter is about. I also like how much detail gets put into the books as it makes you feel you were there. This book made my heartace for Jamey and also made me cry but also happy for the outcome.
In my opinion, I really enjoyed this book as i've read Cathy's other book I feel like I know her and her family really well, I also like this book because it's things that actually happened and we went through the Covid pandemic too.
To summarise my review this book was an amazing read as all Cathy's books are and I would definitely recommend this book although I would say only adults but if you don't like reading about emotional situations then this isn't the book for you. I've rated this book 5 stars because it was such a good read.
June 28, 2022
🐷I loved this there was so much going on that it just was a rollercoaster but Cathy had full control as always
This book is about a boy called Jamey he has been found after spending the night alone while his mum is out at a party. Jamey is found hungry, in need of a nappy change and unsteady on his feet. Jamey has a loving affection that Cathy and her family adore. Then the pandemic hits and everything they have put in place suddenly changes. Then Cora and Theo arrive who are a one year old and a three year old and the chaos begins.Cora and Theo are brought into foster care temporary because there mother has been stabbed by their father and is taken into hospital. Cathy has her hands full but somehow manages to succeed.
highly recomend this book If you feel things are getting too much you can do this just like Cathy.
This book is about a boy called Jamey he has been found after spending the night alone while his mum is out at a party. Jamey is found hungry, in need of a nappy change and unsteady on his feet. Jamey has a loving affection that Cathy and her family adore. Then the pandemic hits and everything they have put in place suddenly changes. Then Cora and Theo arrive who are a one year old and a three year old and the chaos begins.Cora and Theo are brought into foster care temporary because there mother has been stabbed by their father and is taken into hospital. Cathy has her hands full but somehow manages to succeed.
highly recomend this book If you feel things are getting too much you can do this just like Cathy.
June 7, 2022
A beautifully written book, a true story of a little boy placed into emergency foster care just before COVID-19 hits the UK. I read this book in 2 and a half days which is very rare for me, I normally take weeks to read a book. Get your tissues ready though, the love that was shown to this little boy by the foster mum and family, the relationship she developed with the boy's mum and Auntie Lacey were written about so wonderfully, I couldn't put the book down until I had jobs to do or sleep to have!
I was unsure that this author should make money about the tragic stories of neglected children but I think what overcomes this is the real need to tell it how it is both for foster children and the emergency foster carers.
I was unsure that this author should make money about the tragic stories of neglected children but I think what overcomes this is the real need to tell it how it is both for foster children and the emergency foster carers.
September 10, 2022
Big let down.The worst patronising and comic book style narration for such a tragic and,serous case.The protagonists were portrayed in such a “ho hum” fashion,as if they did not take anything seriously! Not very good writing style,seemed a bit in the vein of a high school essay or maybe it was the narration that did this. Talking to the child in a singsong voice is understandable BUT why read the non conversational text the same way? Plus,do we really need a step by step in-depth description of his bowel and,bladder movements,as it’s not a medical story? Why is there never ever a pre warning for this kind of stuff in books or movies,when lots of us will be eating while watching or listening??!!
April 18, 2023
Such a sad and heartbreaking read about a young child called Jamey. The hard work and dedication Cathy Glass puts in to looking after a child in need is heartwarming and loving she is so delicate on how she handles the child in her care and how she handles learning them and loving them and her family are so proud and happy of the hard work Cathy puts in. This is such a beautiful family who all love the child in need in the Cathy’s care and the family dote on the child like a family member which is beautiful to see. I am so happy how then ending of Jameys story ended and how he was placed with his aunty but also it’s a shame his mum couldn’t have him back home to look after. Such a well written book and told so wonderful and so respectful to the family’s of the child who needs help. Xx
February 22, 2022
I have read all of Cathy's books to date and they never fail to disappoint. This one was just as good as all of her other books. This story focuses on Jamey's story and also how the pandemic affected Cathy and her family. Little Jamey is such a sweet little boy and I was grateful to Cathy for taking him in and all the things she does for him is wonderful, it was wonderful to see how much he develops just within the time he is with Cathy. I found it interesting to see how Cathy and her family cope during the pandemic and how much it had hit foster carers is eye opening. I look forward to Cathy's next book now.
February 27, 2022
An excellent read as always by Cathy Glass. Written beautifully and even with the sad theme running throughout some parts did make me smile. Actually had tears in my eyes for the last few chapters though .
Cathy is a foster parent (non fiction) and has been for numerous years as well as having her own children. Being a single parent didn’t stop her passion of caring for others and within her books are ways of tackling difficult situations and circumstances, sometimes with challenging behaviour from children/ teenagers and sometimes families!
In my opinion there is a lot to be learned from reading them!
Cathy is a foster parent (non fiction) and has been for numerous years as well as having her own children. Being a single parent didn’t stop her passion of caring for others and within her books are ways of tackling difficult situations and circumstances, sometimes with challenging behaviour from children/ teenagers and sometimes families!
In my opinion there is a lot to be learned from reading them!
October 2, 2022
What a heart wrenching and informative book this was. I do like these true life stories and Cathy is just amazing. This little boy Jamey was adorable, he'd had a rough start to life, but as a Foster carer, Cathy, was able to help him enjoy his life when he came to her at only 2.5 years old! As I read the book you could visualise the difference in him, how much they all went through as he lived with herself and her daughter Paula, and how much Covid impacted on looked after children and their families. Towards the end I had tears in my eyes but thankfully it was a happy ending for Jamey. Such a good book to read and I'll definitely read more of hers.
May 17, 2025
A really good book, I have read quite a few of Cathy’s books and feel she is an incredible foster carer, I can only imagine how fostering in a world pandemic has its challenges, however it took me a while to get used to how repetitive Cathy can be after not reading her books for a while. She tells the reader every detail including nappy changes and walks you through her every movement and I feel too much emphasis is put on this instead of the story she’s telling. However the story is one of love and kindness to a child who hasn’t experienced a lot of that in their past and that makes me super happy
March 17, 2022
Well what a brillant book you can't imagine what so many children have to go through. It's heartbreaking and makes you think and Cathy is so good and doing the best for the children in her care she gives so much love.
Two year old Jamey is removed from his mother as she has left him alone and on drugs to. When he arrives he's so with drawn and hungry and scared and so behind in his development. He's unsteady on his feet as been left in his cot for to long. Sadly while he's with her covid hots and she has to cope with lockdown as well but will it be a happy ending for him.
Two year old Jamey is removed from his mother as she has left him alone and on drugs to. When he arrives he's so with drawn and hungry and scared and so behind in his development. He's unsteady on his feet as been left in his cot for to long. Sadly while he's with her covid hots and she has to cope with lockdown as well but will it be a happy ending for him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews