An Innocent Baby: Why would anyone abandon little Darcy-May? The Sunday Times bestselling crime and fostering memoir

I love Cathy Glass books and I do feel a tad guilty as she seems a lovely person from her writings, but this book was really peculiar and has left me feeling a bit let down, if I’m honest. My reason for this is because Cathy has always been adamant that the stories are true, and while we can allow for artistic licence, this one really did completely stretch credibility.The story picks up directly from the last one: Cathy is asked to foster a newborn, who is just two days old. Upon collecting Darcy-May, Cathy learns that her fourteen year old mother does not want anything to do with Darcy-May, but later, a contact session is established. This is where Cathy meets the fourteen year old Mum (Haylea) for the first time. Haylea is living in a children’s home. However, Haylea gets Cathy’s address from the hospital and unexpectedly turns up at Cathy’s home, not to see her daughter but to see Cathy.It’s at this point the story seems to diverge from embellished fact to downright fiction: Cathy is asked to foster Haylea as well as Darcy-May (the daughter who is being put up for adoption and who Haylea wants nothing to do with) and does so. I’m well aware there is a dire shortage of foster carers, but in absolutely no instances would this be thought of as appropriate. It simply wouldn’t happen, couldn’t happen.The story follows its usual format then but where again it deviates is that most of Cathy’s books have an ending, if not always a happy one, a definite sense of a line drawn. This one didn’t. It ended pretty abruptly (as Innocent does) but without the sense of a definite end. It relied almost wholly on shock factors (Haylea being abused by a paedophile gang, which if I suspect the story is fictitious seems somewhat distasteful - I mean, it is one thing to write a work of fiction about child abuse but to write a work of fiction with the tag line of it being a true story seems a bit off. Anyway, I suppose that isn’t important - Haylea doubtless exists, I’m simply doubting she and child were placed with the same foster carer.)Some other nitpicky bits: Cathy uses a baby monitor while a two day old baby is sleeping upstairs unsupervised. Anyone who has recently had a baby knows that’s a big no-no - all naps should be supervised up to six months. The judgement of a prospective set of adoptive parents also annoyed me. When adopting, prospective parents are asked very clearly what they don’t think they could cope with. So much better to be honest and say that we couldn’t cope with that than to have a broken down adoption further down the line. And Cathy must be a more competent woman than me but when she cares for a newborn it sounds effortless, a mere up once or twice for a bottle and then back down. No nights where you sleep for an hour or two then are awake the rest of the night? No days where the baby won’t let you put her down at all?It’s not a bad read, but it isn’t much of a story and I do suspect this one isn’t real at all, which has made me question some of Cathy’s other works, which is a pity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A heartwrenching case for Cathy as she agrees to foster newborn Darcy-May. Cathy learns that Darcy-May's mum is only 14 so assumes the pregnancy is a result of an underage sexual relationship. As we all know, things are never that simple for a foster carer! I cried buckets reading about Darcy-May and Haylea (her mum). It really makes my blood boil! I admire all foster carers - they go through so much trauma with the young people they care for.

Another fantastically written fostering memoir from Cathy Glass . I only recieved my book yesterday dinner time and I have already finished it . It had me gripped with the highs and lows Cathy and Haylea had to go through but it shows how professional and amazing Cathy is as a Foster carer and how lucky thechildren who she has fostered have been to have such an amazing role model to have in there life . I can't wait for the next book .

I have read all of Cathy's books and couldn't wait for this one. My heart goes out to the teenager in the story and to cathy and her family dealing with the loss of her mum and then having to say goodbye to 2 children. I admire her work and the safe environment she provides for all of her placements. Congratulations to her son aswell on his marriage. I enjoy all of the children's story's and love that she includes updates on her own children

Brilliant book, but am really really annoyed that I had to pay for it twice. I pre ordered this book for release date in September, but I didn't read it straight away as I already had a book on the go and wasn't reading much as I had not long lost my younger brother in a car accident. When I went to read the book a few nights ago I was given a message saying that the book had expired and I would have to but it again to read it. This really annoyed and upset me as I wasn't warned that it was going expire and if it hadn't been for the fact it was Cathy Glass (my favourite writer) I wouldn't have bothered. I should not have to have paid for it twice. Not sure now if I'll keep using kindle, might start buying books. At least then I can read them when I want to and read again if I want to which you can't do on kindle as your books aren't saved for very long. Really disappointed.

An Innocent Baby by Cathy Glass is a fantastic-can’t -put-down true story about Darcy-May who leaves the hospital to be fostered by Cathy when she was only 2 days old. Cathy and her teenage children, Adrian, Lucy and Paula grow quickly to love and bond with this tiny girl although they all know they will be heartbroken when she leaves for a forever family. Then unusually and unexpectedly Darcy-Mays teenage mum also goes to Cathy’s although she does not want anything to do with her baby. You will smile cry and maybe a wee laugh but will not want to put this book down. Then when it is finished I know I was wishing I was just starting it again! I absolutely recommend An Innocent Baby to you. Cathy is a first class author, a caring loving foster carer and wonderfulMum. Order this book today I promise you will love it. Mind have the tissues near by!

I've read all Cathy's books and the past few have become so boring. Do we really need to know in each book that her husband left her for someone else? Do we really need to know what time Paula arrived home and time the carrots were being peeled? What were all the details of who wore what to Adrian wedding got to to with Darcy-Mays story? If you were to take out all the repetitive stuff, you'd read the book in 10 mins! You know when something has had its time? Well for me, this had. I've returned this and the latest one about Jamie.

Very well put together book.Cathy is kind caring and this shines through her writing it's not surprising Haylea felt secure & found solace at Cathy s home..Cathy selfless manner puts all at ease & sharing her fostering experience will help many other.Takes a special person to take such situations on board.Well done Cathy & God Bless you.Kindest Regards always from your friend Karen xxx