how strong Louise was

I absolutely loved this book Louise u made me laugh on do many times I love how strong she is and never get on the bad side there should be more foster carers like you xxx

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Love Louise Allen’s foster care memoirs

I’m up to date with all the Louise Allen fostering memoirs now and this title didn’t disappoint either…

Beautifully narrated, this story of Max and Mia was a different tale to some of Louise’s previous foster children.

It’s so heart breaking to learn how unfair the care system and in particular, impartial, judgemental social workers can be at times, so much more should be done for these young lives and the people, like Louise who sacrifice themselves and their family life to help and support young people who just need a chance in life.

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Louise's strength and guidance shines

Excellent and unusual view of another side of fostering. If Louise ever questioned the whys of her childhood, hopefully she understands that without it, her depth of compassion and search for justice wouldn't be such rare brilliance...she is special and so is her hubby...thanks for sharing your life!

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One of the best

What I love with Louise's involvements in her profession as a (exemplary) foster carer is her determination to do the right thing.... even if sometimes that 'right thing' pushes against the confines of the prescribed practice.

This story illustrates that exactly. And blimey oh Riley if she (and her husband Lloyd) had NOT.... the outcome would have been devastating. The lives of Angelina, Ben, Max and Mia would have been altered forever more, and in a terrible way.
I also particularly appreciated the highlighting of the far too common assumption that wealthy people MUST be snobby, therefore deserve to be 'brought down a peg' and in some way or another penalised, Atrocious. I've personally been covertly subjected to this; it's inverted snobbery and often simply masking ugly jealousy....... as in the case of this lovely, human, therefore faulty at times family. Thank you Louise. You really are one of life's all-rounders, borne of your own experiences as well as intelligence and developed intuition. But what potentially trumps all of these qualities I'm afraid is your hysterical humour! I had tears of laughter in my eyes at parts of this book!
This must NOT go unacknowledged!
The dentist running commentary:
'Left bottom doodah
Right top hoohah
Eleventy-12th ......'

And the David Attenborough commentary!

Your mind is full of life and it's a pleasure to have discovered your work Louise 🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

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a different listen

I have listened to all Louise allen books and they are all different but still sort of the same her books are very human emotive she doesn't pull any punches, but this book was entirely different to the usual I won't give away to. much as it would ruin the story let's just say victimisation and jealousy is alive and kicking throughout this book . Once again it proves 90 percent of social workers are useless and the rate Foster carers get paid is a joke. I don't know if the rates are different in Scotland but I wouldn't have thought so . I enjoyed Lloyd getting involved a bit more in this book it was a great listen thank you Louise and its great having the same narrator 1st class job

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Couldn't put it down

I finished listening in just one day. Again another brilliant book and great narrator.

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Max and Mia

I love listening to these books and I have listened to all 7. Louise is very level headed and she certainly uses a lot of common sense and I think if she hadn't gone with her instinct on that first meeting then the out come could have been quite different. There certainly is a lot of corruption in the Social Services & this really does need looking into as children & young adults are at their most vulnerable in their lives. Social workers need to work together & not close rank. The agent's are just in it for the money & the council needs to stop employing them & start treating their carers with respect (after all they are the one's that are looking after the children 24/7) so their input is crucial.

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Heartwarming

Heartbreaking story but heart warming that there were people to fight for the children! Well written and narrated

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Fantastic as usual

This was a great book, i love the fact that Louise does what is best for the children even when that means sometimes breaking the rules to do what is best for the child or children concerned. I also like the fact that her books give a realistic view of how things really are within the care system. As she has been through it herself she has lived experience.

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Uncomfortable listen

I have to agree with reviewer Leo, that the way the social worker Bea was judged and mocked by Louise made this uncomfortable to listen to. Louise takes against her from the first moment of setting eyes on her, based purely on appearances, and even mocks her for asking to be called Bea (her full name is Beatrice) So petty and vindictive. While there may be just cause to critique her competence as a social worker later on, and it certainly seems she was at the very least incompetent, if not possibly malicious, the personal and petty attacks from Louise (in the book, not to the woman's face) were uncalled for and felt very unprofessional, for all that Louise goes on about wanting foster carers to be considered professionals.

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