Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This book is heartbreakingly brilliant. A Very well written true story. Such an emotional book, to think of an 8 year old or any age of a child to go through what Lucy did is just terrible. Poor Lucy just wanted some attention and her stepmother was not into giving Lucy any loving what so ever. She is just not a nice person at all. Brilliant book. Well deserving of 5stars and more. I love true stories and this was the best I’ve read in years.

Firstly thank you for the advanced copy of The Girl Who Wanted To Belong. This is without a doubt an emotional read. As the title suggest, the story centres around Lucy (an eight year old) and her relationship with her step mother.

Lucy is taken into foster care, Angela and Johnathon, who seek to take care of her and support building the relationship with her family until she can return home.

I read this in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down. At times I had so much frustrating feelings for Lucy and the treatment she was receiving from her step mother, admiration for Angela in working and supporting Lucy seeking the truth, annoyed with Lucy’s father for not seeing what was happening and being strong enough to protect her and the bureaucracy of social services and LEA that often seemed to hinder.

And on the other hand I had Tears that rolled of my cheeks (no spoilers). This story really helps the reader to understand a fostering relationship. I for one had not appreciated what they do. It also provides insight into how a child can feel in those circumstances. Coming from a very close family, full of love and devotion it makes for a very difficult read at times.

A compelling, informative and emotional read. Thank you.

I have not read anything from this author and so was very pleased to be offered an arc copy in return for my independent honest review.
Straight away the easy writing style drew me into the story about Lucy who had been fostered by Angela and her husband.
This is a very informative book about the important subject of fostering children and how difficult and complex the whole process can be.It is written in a fair and even handed way, the author being truthful about the highs and the lows of caring for Lucy and I admire the professionalism shown towards her parents when quite frankly they often didn't deserve it.
Lucy's story makes for a very emotional read and as a parent myself I found it very sad how she was treated and regularly let down by her Father and step Mother.
I admire people who can foster and show love to children experiencing difficult issues.
Overall a well written account of what life is like in this profession. It keeps you engaged and wanting to know what happens to Lucy and if life does improve for her.
A great emotional read which is both informative and heartwarming.

I loved this book and finished it in one sitting. I was exhausted just reading how much of a whirlwind Lucy was. Before reading this book I knew nothing about foster carers and my eyes were really opened by Angela’s story of her time caring for Lucy. It was heartbreaking to read of all the broken promises and manipulation that Lucy had to endure from her family. A thought provoking book that I would recommend for anyone interested in the role of fostering. Angela and Johnathan are two remarkable people.

#TheGirlWhoWantedToBelong #NetGalley What an emotional book! At times it seemed that it had to be a work of fiction but then I had to remind myself that this was a true story and Lucy's father and stepmother actually did treat a little 8 year old girl so appallingly! I kept turning the pages hoping that Dean would wake up, ditch Wendy and bring Lucy back into the family and then it was heartbreaking getting to the epilogue to read that Lucy stayed with Angela and Jonathan for another 7 years. Angela and Jonathan were the true heroes and it doesn't bear thinking about how Lucy would have turned out without their guidance and support. It seems wrong to say I really 'enjoyed' this book but I couldn't put it down - it was a compelling read and very well written.

This is a very compelling emotional read, I was very frustrated and angry in places that a child could be treated so badly but as ever all may not be what it seems.. Who knows who is telling the the truth but I certainly think Angela and Jonathan want a medal for how they dealt with the situation.

The Girl Who Wanted To Belong by Angela Hart is a true story of Lucy, a foster girl searching for the love of her family and seeking to find her place. It will break your heart.
Eight year olds should not have to fight for love. The reader sees the conflict between Lucy's father and his partner. He seems to be caught between a rock and a hard place. Every time the reader gets their hope up, it seems another brick is cemented in the wall. We 'feel' for Lucy.
The story is also about the foster parents, Angela and Jonathan who are seen to have infinite love, patience, respect and boundaries. Giving a healthy home for Lucy to be loved and nurtured. They diplomatically fight her corner.
My heart was in pieces for Lucy. I wanted her to be loved and wanted. I hated seeing hopes rise, only to be dashed. I understood her frustrations and patterns of behaviour.
This is a powerful memoir of a beautiful little girl who will just take up residence in your heart. I wanted to love Lucy every step of the way. Her desire to be loved and to please was heart wrenching.
You will need to read this with tissues.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I don't usually read too many books that are emotional as I prefer to relax and not be upset by a story. That being said, lately I seem to have been reading more of these types of books with this just being one of them i've tried in past few months. What attracted me to this was the idea that it was going to be about giving a little girl redemption and letting her be a child. We all need to read stories like these from time to time to remind ourselves just how lucky we are!

Now we all know that foster carers are a special breed - caring for sometimes unruly and unloved children or those who have been abandoned by their biological parents cannot be an easy task. While those parents may be selfish and neglectful, foster carers happen to be the exact opposite - altruistic, selfless and beautiful people and this certainly comes across here.

This is a powerful true story that shows the redemptive power of love and care. Through no fault of her own Lucy has been dealt a bad hand and it takes a loving, sympathetic carer to turn her life around. I have no hesitation in recommending this book, it is a story I will remember for a long time to come. The world needs more uplifting books such as this, in my opinion.

Many thanks to Bluebird for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Omg! Omg! I couldn't breathe, my heart felt as if it would shatter under this pain. Pain not for me but for Lucy, an innocent child trying to come to terms with her family scenario...

A beautiful story of heartbreak and rejection. A story of patience and gentleness. A story of foster parents and their immense love and understanding for the children.

This is one book I couldn't put down, I was reading it till 2am. I had to cry the tears, I had to see my heart wrenching when the child is rejected again and again. I had to know the end.

The author Angela Hart has done a fabulous job in writing this true story of Lucy. A child in foster care because of her disruptive behavior and rejected by family and her aunts, who just wants to go back home and live with her family.

This book shows how Angela slowly draws Lucy out by the love in her heart. It is not easy being foster parents, but Angela and her husband Jonathan do it beautifully. I loved the flow of prose, the honesty of words and the pain which seeps through when Angela describes Lucy's life and how it was pulled apart by her stepmother and stepsister. (The father was pretty spineless in the entire book, though the author has been kind enough to call him a gentle soul, I wouldn't!!)

Lucy's love for her father is resalient and never-ending but sadly nobody but Angela could see what the child went through on every visit. Nobody but Angela could see that the child was acting out in pain. Nobody but Angela could see Lucy's hopes crashing again and again!!

Angela has also brought home a fact that - it just takes a small sliver of love from the parent for the child to blossoms. Sadly enough none of the adults in Lucy's family could see that.

I was literally breaking into pieces reading this story, yet each piece of me just wanted to know one thing — What happens to Lucy? Does she make it? Does she go back to her family?

Read the book, peruse every line, feel every word. Life is enriched when this story touches the heart!!

The girl who wanted to belong by Angela Hart.
This was a fantastic read with brilliant characters.  It was a very moving and emotional too. With characters like Angela Jonathan Lucy Maria Bella and Jess Lucy's dad but i couldnt stand her step mother Wendy. I thought she was very controlling. And how she kept letting Lucy Down.  I loved the ending.  Perfect. 5*. Would give more if I could.

Spent all afternoon reading this, I literally could not put it down. I've read many books like this by well known authors and without sounding weird, I love them. I've been in foster care myself so I know firsthand how much hard work the people who foster out into it. I felt really sorry for Lucy and I connected with her immediately she certainly pulled at my heartstrings and I felt quite emotional reading parts of this book. I think people who foster for the right reasons deserve a medal. They don't get the respect and credit they deserve. This book is a fantastic read the first few lines drew me in and I haven't put my kindle down since. It breaks my heart that kids are still passed around the system in this day and age but these stories need to be told, it's real, it happens! The author really tells you a story. It's hard not to get drawn in and become part of their lives when it's explained so well. I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm going to get the rest of this authors books