Will You Love Me?: Lucy's Story: The Heartbreaking True Story of My Adopted Daughter and Her Desperate Search for a Loving Home by Cathy Glass

Will You Love Me?: Lucy's Story: The Heartbreaking True Story of My Adopted Daughter and Her Desperate Search for a Loving Home Reviews

• 
  Julie Haigh

  Excellent-probably one of Cathy's best books.
  
  I have read quite a few of Cathy Glass' fostering memoirs, and Lucy has featured in them many times, but here we have Lucy's story; how she came to be with Cathy. It's an excellent book-probably one of Cathy's best that I have read so far. These are such easy reads, despite the often sad content, as they follow a format-Cathy has to keep a daily log of everything concerning her charges, and so she writes her memoirs from these. Often the same sorts of things crop up, as a matter of routine-but that's good, as it means you really can read them in any order. Once I have read one of this author's books, I can't wait to read the next.
• 
  ReadAlongWithSue

  Read in parts see other review
• 
  Sue

  Very good read as usual with Cathy's books, it was moving to read about Lucy's early life and how she came to be a part of the family which is all she ever wanted, to have a family who love her.
• 
  Emy

  Will You Love Me? is the story of Cathy Glass's adopted daughter, Lucy. Lucy herself helped gather the pieces of her life story together to help Cathy write this book so, as you might expect, this is a little different to Cathy's previous novels.
  
  This book is in two parts. Part one is told in third person and follows the story of Lucy's mother, Bonnie, and then, subsequently, Lucy herself in the eleven years before she came to Cathy's home. Whilst it was interesting to learn Lucy's background, I didn't feel that this worked on a narrative level. For one thing, the third person narrative felt a little clumsy, and I often wondered how on earth Cathy knew about specific conversations and things, and how much it was made up to pad out the story. I understand from the end of the book that Cathy is still occasionally in contact with Lucy's mother, so perhaps this explains it, but that is not clear until the very end of the book.
  
  But my biggest problem of that section is this:
  
  Usually, as a reader, we learn alongside Cathy what has happened to a child through the child sharing their own past, and it often marked a turning point in the relationship between Cathy and said child. As we knew most of Lucy's backstory before getting to the point where Cathy took her on, I feel like we missed out on a lot of that. I feel like we lost out on a lot of relationship building, and it seemed a little bit out of the blue when Cathy decided to foster Lucy permanently. In Cathy's other books, I really felt the relationship between Cathy and the children she looks after; in this one, not so much.
  
  I don't know. Perhaps because Lucy was involved in the making of this book and will most likely have read it, I felt that Cathy was rather more guarded than she usually is. There was also a lot of anger in this book, I felt, bubbling away beneath the surface - anger at the way Lucy had been failed by the care system.
  
  I think Lucy's social worker, Stevie, got a bit of a rough treatment in this. Sometimes she felt more like a caricature than a human being, and maybe a lot of that is due to some underlying resentment on Cathy's part (or maybe I'm being unfair, and she really was that awful). Cathy is usually very good at not letting her personal feelings colour the prose, especially when it comes to the people in her writing. I definitely felt some bitter shards of resentment throughout the book, though.
  
  That said, part two was very much a Cathy Glass book. I enjoy her way of writing and find it wonderful how she manages to look after children and get through to them. Like I said, though, I just felt as though something was... lacking.
  
  I had high expectations for this book, which is perhaps why I feel so underwhelmed by it. I've been curious about Lucy and how Cathy and her became mother and daughter for a long time, but this just seemed to be missing a certain intimacy that I'd been expecting.
  
  That said, if you are a Cathy Glass fan, you would be missing out if you didn't read this book. It is a very personal book and, whilst there is something missing, it is still worth the read.
• 
  Liza Fireman

  Cathy Glass is a foster carer in the UK. The book is about Lucy, an eleven year old girl, that is moving from one place to the next, has a mother that does not care about her and does not see her except maybe once a year, and that went through neglect and maybe more during her short life.
  
  It is not only the success story of Lucy, but mainly the shortcoming of the foster care system. A system that can allow a social worker to demand cultural conditions to a kid that never lived or even saw the suitable cultural background that she is asking for. Cathy is half Thai, but she never saw her father, never visited in Thailand, doesn't even like Thai food. Much of the reason that she stayed in the foster system is the need to find a family from a similar cultural background, and that is not easy to find in the UK. The social worker insists on hanging the Thai flag in the living room, eating Thai food, and other things that Lucy is not even interested in. She does not show the slight interest in Lucy, and does her job in less than the minimal way you would hope.
  
  Lucy is not an easy child. She went through enough and is testing people around her if they love her. I admire Cathy for being able to cope pretty calmly in situations that most people cannot handle at ease at all. There are many heart breaking parts. Even after getting to Cathy, Lucy meets her mom in a special meeting place for families that get social workers support. She knows her mom will not keep close contact, she forgives her in advance because of the hard life she went through. Not a hug, a kiss or a warm welcome or goodbye, she is a stranger in her daughter's life.
  
  Sad, but was an important read.A bit more than 3.5 stars.
• 
  Snehil

  A very well written true story. Cathy is a genuinely beautiful soul. She has written the book with sensitivity and her attitude through out this journey was filled with empathy.
  The story is about the journey of Lucy until she is adopted by Cathy. Lucy was born to Bonnie who wanted to be a good mother and did not want to be like her own mother. But as the circumstances had their way, in spite of her best efforts Bonnie was unable to care for her child. She was angry at her own mother for not being there for Bonnie. She was in denial for a long time that she needed help esp. for caring for her daughter. The child suffered for 11 years and was sent in foster care numerous times. What Lucy went through those 11 years was heartbreaking. God bless people like Cathy Glass who not only care for their own children but also have so much love to give to those who have no one else to love them. World is a better place because of such people. Having the supportive family, as Cathy herself has, makes such efforts possible.
  The world is such an enigma.... people have desire and biological capabilities to become parents but they very often do not get the opportunities to learn to care for their children or they do not have enough means to do so. There must be a reason for this in the bigger scheme, but it just feels so very unfair that so many children, for whatever reasons, do not get the nurturing environment they should have a birth right of.
  
• 
  Martina

  Pfff.....wat een boek!! Het is een heel emotioneel verhaal, dat vlot leest. Diep respect voor de pleegzorg, meer kan ik er eigenlijk niet over zeggen!!!
• 
  Jenn

  I knew from reading later books written by Glass that this one had a happy ending which make it easier to digest. Lucy’s inevitable adoption was on my mind throughout and made some of her horrible experiences when younger seem like a history that could be forgotten. Lots of live, the need for a permanent family and lots of stability made for a good read. I’m always glad to read Cathy’s foster stories ebb when the make a stubborn goat like me cry.
• 
  Lori

  I was a goodreads first reads winner of the book "will you love me? by Cathy Glass. the author is a carer in Britain. she has been for years. This book is about Lucy a girl who came to her home when she was eleven years old. The book begins with Lucy and a phone call from Cathy.When Lucy arrives at the door of Cathy Glass, they go back when Lucy was a baby and spend some time talking about what they know about Lucy's life up until she comes to live with Cathy Glass and her two kids.
  Lucy's life has been years of neglect going from her mother, to other relatives and foster homes. her life has been tough, neglectful and sad.
  Enter Cathy Glass and family they slowly build a relationship with Lucy and gain her trust. Soon Cathy and family want to make Lucy a permanent home with them. and even hoping to adopt her. A first for Cathy Glass after dozens of foster children in her care. Won't give too many details. A nice read. I give Cathy Glass a lot of credit for providing a loving home for foster children helping and caring for them. I found myself hoping for a happy ending for Lucy and Cathy Glass and family. this is the second book I have read by Cathy Glass. Will probably read a few more of these well done non-fiction books.
• 
  Katherine Hayward Pérez

  I bought this just two days ago, and from the start, I was gripped by this book. I've read other books by Cathy Glass where Lucy was mentioned and once she was more integrated in Cathy's family, but this is about her beginnings and how she met Cathy and ended up at her house.
  This is the story about Lucy, Cathy's adopted daughter. Lucy had a really troubled past, and was passed from one house to another. She was bought up by her mother after her father, who is Thai, went off to Thailand following the explanation that his mother was ill. It's hard to know if this was true or not, and I felt like Lucy's mum, Bonnie, when she found out. Bonnie lived in a rundown flat above a launderette in a depressed area of town for years, but then managed to excape and rent a flat. Lucy went through a lot through her whole life.
  She seems to open up when she meets Cathy and her family. This book is very honestly written as always with Cathy Glass's books. The book is very sad in some parts, and it was great to read Lucy's story.
• 
  Belinda

  Wow what a great book! Makes me want to become a foster parent.
• 
  Cath Hughes

  Moving story about a little girl called Lucy.
  It brought tears to my eyes lots of times, but this should not put you off reading this wonderful, heart warming story.
• 
  Sandra de koning-vd pol

  Als geen beschrijft Cathy, weet ze je te raken... *er stil van is*
• 
  Dini Azmi

  I recently finished reading this book and I absolutely love it! This is my first book by Cathy Glass, and I'm definitely buying more. It is very touching and it broke my heart to read as Lucy grew older. Lucy had gone through a lot in her life and she suffered ever since the first day she was born. My heart ached every time she moves to a new foster carer. True that she's probably happier in foster homes but as far as I know, living temporarily in many different homes will make a child feel unloved. Part two of the book was more interesting. Cathy is a great mother and I'm glad that she adopted Lucy. If it wasn't for her, Lucy wouldn't be having the good life she is having with Cathy. My favourite part of the book is when Cathy sends off Lucy to meet her mother. She kissed her mother in the cheek and gave her the birthday present and card Cathy bought. Bonnie, Lucy's biological mother was shocked by her actions.
  So, What's Your favourite part of the story?
• 
  Zahrah

  This is the retelling of the true story of a foster child called Lucy, who is eventually adopted by her carer Cathy.
  When I started this book, I wasn't expecting it to be amazing. In general Cathy Glass books tend to be quite good at best. So, I'm not really disappointed by "Will you love me?", because although it wasn't a phenomenal read, it was sufficient, and it was heart warming, and, well, nice. It's captivating at times, and you're unable to put it down, and it's an interesting story with no boring moments (apart from maybe the beginning, which could have been more fast paced or not been there at all).
  
  If you're looking for something that's short, interesting and slightly emotional then I would recommend this.
• 
  Faye

  Wow loved this book it wasn't too gruesome, written with dignity and professionalism. What a beautiful person Cathy Glass is and a wonderful carer. Hoping that Lucy has now had some fantastic times with her new family, even though you could never take away the hurt she went through, hope there is some peace in her life now. Will be definitely reading more of this author.
• 
  Samu

  Not the greatest work of literature I've ever read but that's not really the point either. I desperately want to foster children and reading these, albeit horrific stories of foster children and the lives they have had, just reinforces that want.
• 
  Demi

  The best Cathy glass book I've read. It read much more like a story instead of just a series of noted down events and I can't help but wonder why all of her books are not like this. I enjoyed learning more about Lucy and I liked thy Cathy spoke more about her emotions
• 
  Amie Wilson

  This story is written from the author's perspective. It differs from other memoirs in that she is the adult in the story describing the child's life before coming to live with her and then while under Cathy's care. The author, Cathy, writes more in the style of a report than a story, yet she doesn't fail to capture the reader's interest and quickly taps into our sense of compassion for her young charges, in this case, little Lucy, who has never truly been cared for by anyone. Although Lucy came on to the radar of England's Social Services at the young age of six months, she feel through the cracks repeatedly. She was in and out of living situations with her mother, who seemed to suffer from depression and a general inability to take care of herself, let alone her daughter; then a stepfather and his rotating girlfriends; and different foster family situations with varying degrees of care. At first we see that lonely little Lucy, terrified of strangers due to early bad experiences of living life on the streets and various crash pads with her mother, is open to affection and care. After years of being shuffled around and feeling like no one cares and no situation is permanent she becomes more angry and sullen. As you read the story, your heart just breaks for Lucy as you realize all of the times her life could have gone differently if someone would have just stepped in.
• 
  Amber Ashton

  This is the kind of story that makes you want to hold your sweet children closer and make sure you're giving them the love that they need. I was impressed by the forgiveness and acceptance that Lucy had for her biological mother. She truly understood that her mother's life had not been what it should have been either. As was mentioned, Bonnie was in as much need of a loving, caring environment as Lucy.
  
  It was heartbreaking to see how, although often unintentional, the social services failed this child. Her anger toward social workers was understandable. The sad story of Stevie, the social worker who worked toward satisfying her own agenda rather than meeting Lucy's needs, was frustrating to read about, but I'm sure is very much something you encounter in the social system.
  
  My only criticism of the book would be that caring for a foster child seemed too easy. I almost wanted to look into fostering myself based on her description of it. But then I thought of the real life stories I have heard and know about which makes me say the author didn't quite describe things in the way it plays out in reality. Even the hard emotional outbursts she did discuss seemed too easy for the foster carer to weather. Maybe I'm just not trained, or maybe I'm too emotional in my reactions, but I would have a harder time dealing with the baggage that inevitably comes with foster children.
• 
  Sylvia

  I completed an adoptive parent course and I'm currently waiting for my own adoptive child to enter our family. I found "Will You Love Me" not only a very real, but also a practical read. Telling the story of Lucy and her difficult road to adoption, Cathy presents the complexity and absurdity of the social services system. I think raising awareness in this area is very important.
  I love the way how lenient and uncritical Cathy is towards Lucy's birth mother and how she shows her in the best way possible. Bonnie is portrayed as an anxious adult, who needs help herself and thus is unable to take up her responsibility as a mother.
  The story is very touching and it's got a positive ending. Lucy's kind heart and good character helped her surviving the worst times of her life without being broken. Meeting Cathy she was able to bond with her and her family. Luckily she found her place in the world, as well as happiness.
  However, the story makes me think about all those children who were never helped the way they should have been and those broken so badly, that their life will never have a happily ever after.
  Nowadays social services often claim that for the child's sake staying with people whom they know is for the best. Unfortunately shared DNA is not enough to be a family, which is often forgotten.
• 
  Catherine

  I really enjoyed this story.
  The eleventh memoir and latest title from the internationally bestselling author and foster carer Cathy Glass. This book tells the true story of Cathy s adopted daughter Lucy.
  
  Lucy was born to a single mother who had been abused and neglected for most of her own childhood. Right from the beginning Lucy s mother couldn't cope, but it was n' t until Lucy reached eight years old that she was finally taken into permanent foster care.
  
  By the time Lucy is brought to live with Cathy she is eleven years old and severely distressed after being moved from one foster home to another. Withdrawn, refusing to eat and three years behind in her schooling, it is thought that the damage Lucy has suffered is irreversible.
  
  But Cathy and her two children bond with Lucy quickly, and break through to Lucy in a way no-one else has been able to, finally showing her the loving home she never believed existed. Cathy and Lucy believe they were always destined to be mother and daughter it just took them a little while to find each other.
• 
  Sarah

  I am glad that Lucy had a happy ending because of the way her life was like before she was fostered by Cathy and I am glad that even through it took to her being 11 years old that she got her forever home with Cathy as her adopted mother and Cathy two children Adrian and Paula.
  
  This book does show the some of the short coming of the uk social services and how it takes a long time to get a child into long term foster care or to be adopted and how even if a child has never been round the culture of one of their birth parents the social services will try everything to get a child into a culturally appropriate foster or adopted family but it doesn't always work out because there is not another foster or adoption families who are of the culture that the social worker is looking for in the system or because the child doesn't feel it is their culture and so alot of children get stuck in the system even through their are foster or adopted families around even if their are not culturally appropriate.
  
  I will definitely be looking into reading more of Cathy Glass books