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Nobody Loves Me: Bobby’s true story of neglect, secrets and abuse

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'Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
'Very gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review



'I'm very, very bad. I don't deserve to have nice things. Nobody loves me.'

Three young siblings arrive at Maggie's door after being taken into care. Teachers of eight-year-old Bobby spotted distinct hand-shaped bruises on his arm and his dad and stepmother are uncooperative and hostile to Social Services. While they investigate, Bobby, as well as Melodie and Poppy, are looked after in Maggie's home.

As the children settle in, a thought won't let Maggie go. While Melodie and Poppy are clean, well-fed and immaculately dressed, Bobby is pale, severely underweight and extremely quiet. What looks like a case of neglect is actually something much more sinister. Bobby and his half-sisters are hiding a cruel secret, but can Maggie find the truth?

A new true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2023

76 people are currently reading
379 people want to read

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Maggie Hartley

44 books370 followers

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5 stars
743 (77%)
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161 (16%)
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48 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Erica⭐.
477 reviews
September 18, 2023
The heartbreaking tale of Bobby and his dad Lee. This was a very gripping and powerful read, it had me gripped and at times very angry at what had happened to an innocent man and child. It also makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors. And how abuse can happen in many forms.
881 reviews5 followers
August 17, 2023
Another great book by this author and a quick listen to help get me through my work day. Bobbies story was so sad and the way he described himself at the beginning was heart breaking to read. It was lovely how Maggie was determined to help Bobby and get to the truth of what was really going on. It was lovely to see how dedicated to her job she is and how she does her best for every child in her care.
Profile Image for Louise .
46 reviews
August 28, 2023
I had read this book just under 48 hours over the bank holiday weekend. What an exposure! What a book! I had been getting readers block and I was reading so much I was beginning to lose my enjoyment so I’m pleased that this page turner broke my blocking! I won’t share too much about the book as I believe the description is on Amazon and on the blurb.

The book as heartbreaking as it is, it’s understandably another brilliant read by the brilliant Maggie Hartley full of hope and love despite the title.

As a care leaver myself it can be difficult to read things like this, however I’m so pleased that Bobby and his father had the help of Maggie and her expertise. Not everyone is a lucky to have a foster carer as supportive as Maggie and the care system has drastically improved since my care leaving.

I am left with a question, but I don’t wish to spoil or speculate too much as I know the carers role is ultimately the safe place of the child but wasn’t it obvious to the naked eye what was happening? I wasn’t surprised when the truth was exposed just saddened that in 2023 that this is still going on undetected. The main prejudice was aimed at the male.

Not everyone has a fairytale ending but I wish both Bobby and his father Lee all the best in their next chapter. Hopefully their story will raise the much needed awareness and help gain the support that victims and survivors of trauma this true memoir covers. This particular case is still a very much grey area and so overlooked. So I do hope others come forward, are heard and believed.

Thank you to Maggie, Lee and Bobby for educating the world with topics that come up in this book. I can only hope it allows someone to recognise & spot sometimes the subtle symptoms or signs of neglect and abuse but in this case it was very much blatantly happening. All it takes is one person, who maybe able to prevent it happening or somehow help someone break the cycle, their silence or get out of a situation.

I honestly couldn’t put the book down! I still have all the other Maggie’s books to binge on. It takes an awful lot of courage to pick up a book of this nature. Anyone who has a traumatic childhood or experience can understand that it can reopen trauma. I’ve suffered with mental health ptsd (it’s not only army veterans on the contrary - abuse victims are more susceptible to get cptsd) also with major depressive disorder in childhood and later in life anxiety, all steamed from trauma. I usually read these book to heal, to inspire me to write and to educate myself. Ultimately or usually there is hope and many are on the way to healing and that’s what I read for!

If anyone likes contents like this feel free to add our Facebook group called “fostering memoirs and fiction book club” and join like minded others who enjoy sharing and reading similar content to this author.
Profile Image for Jemma Morris.
62 reviews
October 26, 2024
I'm on page 42 now, and I'm already feeling sympathy for Bobby. Bobby was the "odd" one out of the three. Melodie and Poppy appeared tidy, and their clothes were in decent condition and well-maintained. The girls were also quite talkative and frequently mentioned how much they wanted to return home. Bobby, on the other hand, had multiple bruises on his body and was quiet, making no mention of his parents or his desire to return home. Bobby's fingernails and toenails were quite long, and his hair was matted, indicating that he hadn't been washed in a long time.

During dinner time the girls hated their meals but Bobby scoffed his food as if he hadn’t been fed in a while, in fact he had two portions of the baked pasta.
- It breaks my heart seeing differences between the children, as the parents provided more love and attention to the girls but not Bobby. They had a blended family, and it is common to hear of some children receiving more or being treated differently than others.

“He’s a liar,’ she spat, pointing at Bobby. “He’s stupid and a waste of space and he makes things up for attention.’
- Melody blames everything on Bobby. This leads me to believe that they heard their mother constantly blaming Bobby and caught it up from her, or that they are aware that their mother is mistreating Bobby. Perhaps they are blaming him because they want to go home. There are several reasons.

Bobby - ‘everybody hates me,’ he cried. ‘. I’m bad and useless.’ 🥺🥺 no child should feel like that and it makes me so sad.

Brianna, the mother of Melodie and Poppy, dropped off clothes for Melodie, Poppy, and Bobby. Brianna, on the other hand, provided Melodie and Poppy with plenty of lovely clothes and shoes. But she gave Bobby some filthy, old clothes and shoes that smelt of mould. Not long after that, Lee, Bobby's father, kept following Maggie around (Maggie was the foster carer), and Maggie had had enough of Lee following her around, so she went outside to see what Lee wanted, expecting him to be angry with her, but to her surprise, he was calm and nice to her and wanted to give Bobby some extra clothes, nice clothes, but he didn't want Brianna to know. Bobby's father appears to want the best for him but is unwilling to demonstrate it in front of Brianna. Maybe Bobby's father dislikes the way Brianna treats him. Or does he harm Bobby? Or is it only Brianna?

Maggie and Bobby's friendship has already captured my heart. And I adore how he can open out to Maggie and feel safe around her. Bobby just told Maggie that he sleeps on the hard floor with only a few cushions whereas Melodie and Poppy enjoy nice beds. He also stated that he does not eat every day and stated that:
“They’re not naughty so they’re allowed to have them”
“I’m very, very bad”
“I don’t deserve to have nice things. Nobody loves me”
I balled my eyes out at this part. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. NO child should feel like this and I’m honestly so sorry that Bobby felt this way.

Every time Lee sees Maggie, he asks how Bobby is doing. Maggie wondered why he was continuously asking if, given that Bobby was clearly neglected. But Lee said he couldn't talk to Bobby because he could see in his son's eyes that he was terrified of his father, which broke Lee's heart. So Lee is being questioned so that they can understand what is going on; but, Lee will only speak if Maggie is around, and he trusts her because she makes Bobby happy.

“We've spoken to Bobby's teachers and they told us how he never had a clean uniform, that nobody came to his parents' evenings or paid his dinner money. Everyone that we have talked to is telling us that this is a child who wasn't being cared for or loved.'
Lee suddenly let out a whimper.
'He is loved!' he wept. I love him. I swear I do. I've let him down.'
His whole body shook as he sobbed into his hands.
'How have you let Bobby down, Lee?' Patsy asked.
I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
'He's scared of me,' Lee cried. I can see it in his eyes.
- I feel bad for Lee, I hated him as I thought that he was in it with Brianna but after all this I see a man who is stuck in a situation and can’t find his way out. He loves his son so much and it shows but doesn’t know how to reach for help.

‘She ain't never liked him. She hit him and she kicked him and sometimes she punched him. She treated him like s**t and made his life a misery. She told him that he was useless and a waste of space and she got her girls to say the same. The worst thing is, the poor lad started to believe it.”
- Brianna is the one who has been abusing Bobby.

Bobby didn’t want the police involved with what he had told them in the interview.

I AM SHOCKED and my eyes are actually streaming with real tears. I didn’t expect this. Lee turned up on maggies front door step asking to let him in. His lip was swollen and bleeding, had gouges down the side of his face and a black eye. He opened up to Maggie and told her it was Brianna who did it to him. He then states that: “I’m useless and pathetic”
- so not only Bobby is being mistreated by Brianna, it is also Lee his father who is also getting abused by her.

Bobby and Lee are free from Brianna.

Bobby now lives with his dad again.

“Bobby was leaving my house knowing that he was loved, that he was cared for and that he was safe. And I knew that was all I could ask for”
- I am so happy at the ending. It was truly the ending that Bobby and Lee needed for themselves. And I love how their relationship has progressed.

I loved this book. It was very emotional and overwhelming but It was amazing to read.
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Leah.
41 reviews
December 26, 2024
Really detailed account of fostering from Maggie Harley. Bobby's and his dad's story is heartbreaking, especially the way the older sister treated him too. Really sad, but nice ending. The fostering perspective felt a little bit idealistic at points, and leant more into the sad side, rather than how challenging it could be. However, the way that the story was told was really good.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
191 reviews2 followers
May 21, 2024
I did not feel sorry for Lee at all. Not one little bit. And I'm so confused as to why Maggie and the social services did. He is more responsible for the abuse that Bobby faced than Briana was. He LET his girlfriend abuse his son. Over and over and over again for years. And they just gave him his son back because "he was a victim too". Even though Briana was half his size and he totally could have defended himself and his son against her but he was too pathetic to. And now what's going to happen? He's going to end up in a new relationship with a woman just like Briana and Bobby is going to have to face the same abuse. I know from experience.
Profile Image for Rebecca Fowkes.
511 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2023
Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley. I couldn't put it down, it is heartbreaking what Bobby went through and I felt so sorry for Boby and his Dad. Definitely recommend reading it.

I was so pleased that Bobby felt comfortable with you Maggie and was able to talk to you about what happened. Thank you Maggie for telling us about Bobby's story, I wish Bobby and his Dad all the best for the future. They was so lucky to have met you Maggie.
Profile Image for Joanne Dickinson.
133 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2024
What a lovely caring story

Excellent story
Stay up all night reading. I just need to know what happened to the three children.

This book highlights domestic violence and how men are more scared to report it.

What a sad world we live in, where poor children are neglected and domestic violence happens

Without giving the story away. Maggie does a fantastic job and helps Bobby and his dad.



Profile Image for Gemma  Cayce.
67 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2025
The fact that it took me 24hrs to read the entire book shows the quality if writing and editing but more importantly the effect this story had on me. A child who never should have been born to such despicable people. An example of where our legal system of favouring adults over innocent children is wrong. Maggie is a true hero and deserves a sainthood as all long-term foster carers do who don’t give up on challenging cases. Amazing.
Profile Image for Holly Hall.
91 reviews
August 22, 2023
Litterly read this in 24hrs.
This story had me crying from beginning to end. What an emotional roller coaster. People like you Maggie I don’t know how you do it you do an amazing job! And look how far Bobby has come!

Maggie I had it when your books end I wish they would go on and on. This was another 5 star read and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone
Until next time Maggie thank you x
Profile Image for Kelly Ferrett.
286 reviews9 followers
September 3, 2023
Nobody Loves Me (Bobby’s true story. by Maggie Hartley.
Bobby is brought into care with his two non biological sisters … but things are so different when you see them all together .. things are not as straight forward as it seems … what is going on! Bobby is very quiet .. he does not speak much at all …
Can these mysteries be found out and will it happen soon!
Great read by Maggie Hartley intriguing story!
Profile Image for Pammi Walker.
38 reviews1 follower
Read
October 8, 2023
Great read

As I read many foster carers books Maggie u are in my top 5 ,
I just could not stop reading this book from start to finish and I wanna say well done for all that u do
U get 10/10 from me and anyone who likes to read these kinda books then I suggest that u read this on too
BRILLIANT XX
Profile Image for miss p r brown.
10 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2024
Emotional and pulls in heartstrings

I really enjoyed this book. I cried quite a bit in the beginning at how appalling the situation was. I really felt for poor Bobby. I couldn't switch off kindle reading it. I finished the book with tears of joy and very happy. I get so lost in my books that it feels like I'm part of the story. Thanks Maggie another fab book
Profile Image for Amy (itsadohertything).
2 reviews
April 27, 2024
I like the way the book was written and I read the whole thing within 48 hours. I needed to know the truth although I know what was happening from the start. I was still dying to know how it would all end. I really felt for the characters and what they had been through. I would love a story from Briannas point of view to find out why she did what she did.
Profile Image for Sophie Tuck.
146 reviews
July 28, 2024
5/5⭐️

Another interesting read by Maggie Hartley who retells the story under a different name to protect the children she has fostered. Little Bobby, and his step sisters Melodie and Poppy were brought to Maggie’s home due to domestic violence at their home. Throughout the book, the story reveals what truly happened. Bobby, his dad Lee and the girls finally get their happy ending. 📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jacinta Curley.
35 reviews
October 10, 2024
I finally found the time and energy to get back into reading!! This is the first book ive read by Maggie Hartley but i will definetely be picking up more.
This true life story is so untterly heartbreaking at points but also shows how strong a parents love and courage is!
I would definetely recommend reading this book to anyone who loves true stories!! 10/10⭐️
Profile Image for Karen.
584 reviews5 followers
August 23, 2023
Nobody Loves Me is Maggie Hartley’s latest fostering memoir and the heartbreaking tale of Bobby and his family. I have so much respect for foster carers - they take so many children into their homes and give them the loving care most of them need. Thank you x
31 reviews
August 26, 2023
A must read

Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley, I am so pleased Bobby opened up to you. I would like to wish Bobby and his Dad all the very best for the future. Maggie you do an amazing job and love reading your books.
Profile Image for Francesca Goldsmith.
47 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2024
Such a beautiful retelling of this little ones and dads story .I enjoyed it massively and has given me the final push to get into my dream of going into social work to help little ones like Bobby and his father <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
35 reviews
January 10, 2025
It takes a very special kind of person to be a foster carer and that shines through in this book. Thank god for all those wonderful people who put their love and their time into children who need it
Profile Image for Lizzy.
944 reviews3 followers
February 12, 2025
I read the paperback from the Library, which doesn't seem to be an option here.
I enjoyed the telling from the fosterer point of view, and how she tackled various things. What a nice lady. I thought it was very well done.
36 reviews
October 9, 2025
What a book! This was a book that I didn’t want to put down. The story is both heartbreaking and keeps you gripped. This book is well written and gives an explicit true account of abuse and the effects this can have, both short term and long term. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
1 review
August 19, 2023
Couldn’t put it down

Yet another heart breaking story that touched my heart and was told beautifully. Bobby was lucky to have met Maggie.
Profile Image for Bella-Mae Stapleton.
56 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2023
OH MY GOD.

What a book. I couldn't put this down, truly heart breaking throughout.

I will certainly be reading more of Hartley's stories about her experiences as a foster carer.
Profile Image for  laura.B.
131 reviews
November 19, 2023
Sad, unfortunate, heartbreaking are the only words I can think of to describe this book.
Profile Image for Kathy Hennessy.
201 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2023
Oooff this was hard on the heart sometimes. Well written, real, heart breaking but also a wonderful example of resilience and the power of kindness and encouragement.
Profile Image for kay.
35 reviews
February 1, 2024
Once again a heart wrenching story, well narrated and another can’t put down book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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