Taken by Rosie Lewis

​This was a quick little read – quick because I found it very hard to put down.
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Rosie Lewis is a foster carer, and she writes semi-fictionalised memoirs, each book focussing on a different foster child.  This book is about Megan, born addicted to drugs from her mother’s drug use during pregnancy. Rosie fosters Megan from birth and decides that she wants to adopt her, but falls foul of the wheels of bureaucracy and suffers obstacle after obstacle.

Lewis captures perfectly the pain foster carers suffer when their foster children move on, and the difficulties of allowing oneself to become too attached. I defy anyone who has a child in their lives whom they love to read this book without getting a lump in the throat. When I wasn’t ironically ignoring my own child because I was so hooked on this novel, I was running to her for lots of extra cuddles and holding her extra tight.

Another aspect that Lewis writes well about is the inner workings of social services, and the processes of fostering and adoption. The details are vivid and interesting and really add to the story.
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That said, I don’t think I’ll read any of Lewis’ other books. I have a feeling that once you’ve read one, you might have read them all. But it was a very eye-opening and worthwhile read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.