Exploited

A young girl trapped in a world of abuse and fear. Can the love of a foster mother set her free?

By: Maggie Hartley

Narrated by: Penelope McDonald

'He said he loved me.'

Fourteen-year-old Hannah comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley after her mum pleads with Social Services to take her into care, unable to cope with her daughter anymore. Previously a good student, a loving daughter and sister, Hannah is now playing truant, drinking, and taking drugs. Angry and mistrustful, it seems that nobody can reach this troubled teenager.

Maggie is used to difficult teenagers, but Hannah's behaviour brings into question everything Maggie has ever learnt in all her years as a foster carer. Determined to push away everyone around her away, Hannah's life seems to be spiralling out of control. But when Hannah finally breaks down and confides a shocking secret to Maggie, the truth behind her chaotic behaviour is finally revealed. Can Maggie help this vulnerable young girl overcome the trauma of what's happened to her and set her free from the demons that haunt her?

A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.

'A very moving read' 5* Amazon reader review

A lot of naïveté in this one

Having read several her books, I was surprised at how naive everyone seemed in this one about how things would go with the police, their safety issues, just a lot. It was a particularly upsetting book as well because I felt like important issues were not finished, not dealt with enough for the reader to feel... well, I just feel unfinished and kinda traumatized myself because we got to hear about healing progress, but weren’t taken through it ourselves. This was a tough one and one that felt less than sensible.

Narrator still really works for me. Her voice is calm and on her lower side of the register, making her seem like she might sound like Maggie herself.

frustrating yet full of Hope

Exploited was a very good read. By takung apart a dysfunctional family with support from social services usually ends in more pain, more stress and several other complications. With Maggie's help and with the dedicated mother ends up bringing thia family strongly united together again.