bethkayreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
chesabella229's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. Emotional incest is something I don't think a lot of people know about and I think through cathys story of Beth this will bring a lot more awareness to it. Cathy also tells us in this book of her and her husbands break up which all I can say is well done to her for being so calm as I very much doubt many women would have been so reserved. Great read.
readwithciara's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an eye-opener. At first, fostering is not something I appreciate or think of much because I am concerned about how hard it must be to form attachments with someone, and then let them go after some time. But reading this book made me realize it was in fact possible, and even life-altering if done right.
Also, it was highlighted how very challenging it is to build a family and raise children. Many families could not get it right, thus affecting the children in the long run.
So it always make me proud how people or children manage to get through difficult times in their lives. It was astonishing to witness how they try to cope, and be the awesome person that they are regardless of their past. I admire Beth's resilience and character. And I am very happy that they were helped out of that unhealthy situation. Abuse and manipulation are two things I hate the most, what more if children were involved?
And let's talk about John. How do men - alright, PEOPLE - have the audacity to cheat and then blame it on their partners? Why make them think it was just not working out when clearly you were the one who chose not to make it work because you're seeing another person? How can they cheat in the first place when it was apparent how their children dote on them, when their presence is very much anticipated, when they seem so perfect together as a family? How can they stomach being with someone else while their kids and spouse were at home expecting them? How can they fucking LIE for years? And to think this is a very common scenario is really saddening. The only comfort I have is there is divorce so they do not have to force themselves on each other when it clearly won't work which in most cases becomes really toxic for the children.
Also, it was highlighted how very challenging it is to build a family and raise children. Many families could not get it right, thus affecting the children in the long run.
So it always make me proud how people or children manage to get through difficult times in their lives. It was astonishing to witness how they try to cope, and be the awesome person that they are regardless of their past. I admire Beth's resilience and character. And I am very happy that they were helped out of that unhealthy situation. Abuse and manipulation are two things I hate the most, what more if children were involved?
And let's talk about John. How do men - alright, PEOPLE - have the audacity to cheat and then blame it on their partners? Why make them think it was just not working out when clearly you were the one who chose not to make it work because you're seeing another person? How can they cheat in the first place when it was apparent how their children dote on them, when their presence is very much anticipated, when they seem so perfect together as a family? How can they stomach being with someone else while their kids and spouse were at home expecting them? How can they fucking LIE for years? And to think this is a very common scenario is really saddening. The only comfort I have is there is divorce so they do not have to force themselves on each other when it clearly won't work which in most cases becomes really toxic for the children.
ashleysbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
This was a good story. I learned about an interesting situation that I hadn't known much about. I'm glad for the happy ending and it brought up good conversation with my own kids about our own fostering, which will begin later this year!
acikulatbuku's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Cathy Glass book. Children should be protected at all cost. I felt dread and apprehension for Beth. I’m glad some, if not all, had a happy ending.