It's no big secret that I really enjoy reading Cathy's fostering memoirs and have read all of her books. Cathy is a very experienced foster carer and has fostered and cared for more than 150 children. So when Haper Colins kindly offered me Cathy's new book to read and review. I couldn't wait. 'Cruel To Be Kind' is released on 7th September this year and is also available to pre order on amazon.


Pages: 336
Genre: Personal memoir/fostering/true story. 

Harper Collins got in touch with me and asked me if I'd like to review Nobody's Son by Cathy Glass. Nobody's son is Cathy's new book and is out at the end of this month. I am a HUGE Cathy Glass fan and couldn't wait to read this book! (You can check out my other Cathy Glass book reviews by clicking on the 'Cathy Glass' label on the right side of my blog).

 The blurb:

Sarah xXx


I was sent a copy of this book for the purpose of the review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid for this post.

I think everyone that reads my blog knows just how much I love Cathy Glass and her books! So when I was asked if I'd like to review a copy of this book, I of course said that it would be my pleasure. I have read all of Cathy's books (You can check out my reviews here).


For all of you that aren't aware of Cathy Glass, she is a foster carer and has been for over twenty five years. She has fostered over 150 children and some of those stories she shares with us in her books. She also has three children of her own. She is amazing woman and I wish there were more people like her in the world.

'Can I let You Go?' is Cathy glass's new book and has only recently just hit the shops (September 6th 2016). I was ever so excited to read this book!

Genre: Autobiography/Memoir
Pages: 336
The Blurb:

"Faye is 24, pregnant, and has learning difficulties as a result of her mother’s alcoholism. Faye is gentle, childlike and vulnerable, and normally lives with her grandparents, both of whom have mobility problems. Cathy and her children welcome Faye into their home and hearts. The care plan is for Faye to stay with Cathy until after the birth when she will return home and the baby will go for adoption. Given that Faye never goes out alone it is something of a mystery how she ever became pregnant and Faye says it’s a secret.

To begin with Faye won’t acknowledge she is pregnant or talk about the changes in her body as she worries it will upset her grandparents, but after her social worker assures her she can talk to Cathy she opens up. However, this leads to Faye realizing just how much she will lose and she changes her mind and says she wants to keep her baby.

Is it possible Faye could learn enough to parent her child? Cathy believes it is, and Faye’s social worker is obliged to give Faye the chance."

I'll try and write this review without giving too much away. It's always hard to review books without giving away spoilers but especially ones I have thoroughly enjoyed and 'Can I Let You Go?' is no exception!

My thoughts:
'Can I Let You Go?' is a true life fostering memoir, Cathy shares her experience with us.

At the beginning of the book, we learn that Cathy's father has recently passed away, which I found quite sad as he has come into most (if not all!) of Cathy's books. My heart really does go out to Cathy and her family.
Cathy tells us the story of a young adult (Faye) she fostered. Faye is in twenty four years old but has the mind of a much younger person due to 'Foetal Alcohol Syndrome' (FAS) which causes many mental, physical and learning disabilities which are the result of the mother drinking alcohol whilst pregnant. Faye's mother passed away when Faye was just a baby, Faye was brought up and lives with her Grandparents in a block of flats. It isn't easy for her Grandparents to get out as they have health issues themselves and simply can't take her to her appointments whilst she's pregnant as they struggle themselves. Faye has decided to place her baby for adoption as soon as her baby is born as she simply can not care for a baby. She can't care for herself very well and is very dependent on others to help her. Nothing is known about the father of Faye's baby. Cathy takes Faye in whilst she is pregnant. Faye is a very sweet, kind natured young lady and fits into Cathy's home and family perfectly. Cathy's own children (who are young adults themselves) really love Faye and that shines through in this book. Faye doesn't really acknowledge her pregnancy to begin with and seems to ignore the fact she is indeed pregnant. Cathy and Fayes social worker do manage to explain to Faye that she is pregnant . Faye eventually decides that she would like to keep her baby and learn everything she needs to know. It isn't at all easy but with Cathy's and her social workers help, is it possible for Faye to keep her baby? Will she be able to learn everything she needs to know? And WHO exactly is the father of Faye's baby?

If you enjoy Cathy's other books, you'll certainly enjoy this one. I feel it isn't quite as harrowing or sad as some of Cathy's previous experiences that she has shared with us. It's sad in places of course - It's real life after all. It was very easy to connect with Cathy (as always) and I fell in love with Faye. The choices Faye makes are not easy choices for anyone to make! Faye is a very brave, strong young lady. I loved reading the update on Cathy's website. I feel this book has a good ending. I could have quite easily have read this book in one sitting had I had the chance. On and off it took me around 5ish hours in total to read. I found it hard to put down. It's beautifully written and easy to follow and read.
In th back of the book there is a section of suggested topics for a group discussion, I'd quite like to discuss those topics on my blog at some point (watch this space!)
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves memoirs and fostering stories. I think 'Can I Let You Go?' is actually one of my favourite books by Cathy.

I rated this book five out of five stars.

What have you been reading lately?

Sarah xXx





I was sent a copy of 'Can I let you go?@or the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own, honest, personal opinions. I was not paid for this post.

The Silent Cry by Cathy Glass 

The heartbreaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help.
The sixteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass.
It’s a big, exciting moment for Laura when she decides to finally take her new baby out to the school playground for the first time ever. What should be a happy, magical moment quickly sours, however, when Laura suddenly feels queasy and runs off back home. None of the other schoolyard mothers seem to notice this troubled, struggling woman – apart from Cathy. But when Cathy tries to help, she finds herself hitting wall after wall. Laura needs medical help but refuses to see a doctor. Her own cold mother refuses to help. It is left to Cathy to try and bring light to this dark and dangerous place.
source. 

I picked this book up in ASDA and it came in a 2 pack with another book by Cathy Glass 'Cut'. A two pack of books for £4? Yes please! Although I think I have already read 'Cut', I'm not quite sure. Firstly, for those of you who don't know. I love Cathy Glass books. She is an amazing woman who fosters children and helps them, she has done this for many, many years and is very experienced. I love the fact she shares her stories with us. 
*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* 
This book dates right back to when Cathy's own children were very little. Cathy shares her story about a woman she meets in the playground. She discovers all is not well with this lady -Laura-. It turns out Laura is suffering with PND and needs help. Cathy is a great support and truly does help Laura and her family a lot. Cathy also shares her story and also talks about the children is fostering (on short term) at the time. I cold talk about this book all day but honestly, I don't want to share too much because I know some of my readers have this on there 'To Read' list.
Overall, I really loved this book. There needs to be more people like Cathy in this world. I give this book five stars. It's beautifully written, easy to follow and certainly easy to read. I couldn't put this book down. I read it within a day (on and off of course!)

What have you read lately?

Sarah xXx

Linked up with 
Beck Valley Books. 

"Aged nine Joss came home from school to discover her father's suicide. She's never got over it.


This is the true story of Joss, 13 who is angry and out of control. At the age of nine, Joss finds her father’s dead body. He has committed suicide. Then more recently her mother remarries and Joss bitterly resents her step-father who abuses her mentally and physically. Cathy takes Joss under her wing but will she ever be able to get through to the warm-hearted girl she sees glimpses off underneath the vehement outbreaks of anger that dominate the house and will Cathy be able to build up Joss’s trust so she can learn the full truth of the terrible situation." 

Cathy glass has wrote many books, she has been a foster carer to many, many years and fostered over 150 children. She is an amazing woman and I wish there was more people in the world like her! Anyway, this is the story of a young girl called Joss. She has been through so very much in her life already. She finds her father dead, he comitted suicide when she was nine years old and Joss and her mother discover him. Which I can't even imagine what that must have been like, especially for a nine year old child. Joss' mum remarries, Joss doesn't like her new step dad and ends up in Cathy's care. There's a twist to this story that I didn't see coming and was shocked! I may have had a bit of a lump in my throat and tear in my eye if I'm honest. It is a very sad story but it has a much happier ending.
Another brilliantly written book from Cathy and my heart goes out to Joss and her family.
Five stars from me.

Sarah xXx





Please note - I bought this book with my own money. No one asked me to write this review. All opinions are my own.

The fifteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass.
Danny was petrified and clung to me in desperation as I carried him to my car. Trapped in his own dark world, he couldn't understand why his parents no longer loved or wanted him, and were sending him away.


While Danny’s parents have everything they could wish for in material terms, they are unable to care for their only child. This is where Cathy comes in. On a cold dark evening Danny finds a place in her home where he can be himself; away from his parents’ impatience and frustration. Often in his own little world, six-year-old Danny finds it difficult to communicate, finding solace in his best friend and confidant George – his rabbit.
Cathy quickly becomes aware of his obsessively meticulous behaviour in addition to his love of patterns, he sees them everywhere and creates them at any opportunity – in his play and also with his food. She realises that patience is the key to looking after Danny as well as her well-tried strategies for managing children’s behaviour.
With his father refusing to cooperate, it becomes increasingly likely that Danny will be living with Cathy permanently until she gets an opportunity to speak her piece.
 source 


I've read every single one of Cathy Glass books, I really like her books a lot. Some of her stories are really sad but they generally all have lovely endings. I admire Cathy, she is so inspirational and such a good foster carer, I wish there were more people like her in the world. The world could certainly do with more people like her indeed.

Anyway.

This book was a really good read, I read it within a few hours (I actually had time!) and I could not put it down! I suppose it took me a day or so to read on and off. Little Danny has learning problems and is suspected to be autistic. His parents put him into care voluntary because they couldn't cope. He ends up living with Cathy and her family for a while, who help him. I don't want to go into too much detail because I know a lot of my readers that are reading this, haven't yet read this book. This book has a lovely ending, the best ending in fact and I must admit I may have had a tear in my eye towards the end (a -what I call- good tear).
I give this book five stars and I can not wait for Cathy's next book!

Sarah xXx