As a retired child welfare social worker, I don't often read social worker stories, but I'm always interested in child protection practice in other counties, here the UK. It has a potentially interesting plot line, but it's way too long and repetitive. Ms. Lewis could have used a good editor.The denoument is ridiculous and fanciful to a professional social worker; The person who need therapy the most is Alex/Charlotte. A much better story is P. D. James's Innocent Blood. In the end, I loved this, which says a lot, because I hated it most of the time I was reading it. This book is about social workers and their role at protecting children. I rated it 5 stars because it has been a very long time since I've read a book that really engrossed me, moved me, and ate at my soul like this one did. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next. No Child of Mine started off very slow. In hindsight, I think the author was trying to layout the role of a social worker so we could see how difficult it is to accomplish the goals of that job. As this was 500ish pages, I think a lot could have been left out that did not necessarily add to the overall plot line (perhaps her being a producer of a play), in my opinion. I did not hate those parts of the book, it just made it very long. The chapters in this book are long as well, and I tend to prefer shorter chapters. Having said that....SPOILERS:This book deeply touched me. I've not read a book about child abuse before, and I probably never will again, frankly. It was incredibly difficult reading about Ottilie and what she endured with her parents. Every time I had to read those parts of the book, it literally made my stomach ache. I could not WAIT to be finished with it, as I just couldn't stand listening to how her parents treated her. I have a young daughter who has a favorite stuffed animal like Ottilie, and I couldn't help but think of her in this story and how devastatingly awful it would be if something like that happened to my own child. It literally felt like my heart was breaking in two for this little girl. I am SO GLAD that both Ottilie and Alex found each other. The ending blindsided me a bit (I'm not one of those people who can predict an ending no matter how much I try). I do wish things would have played out a bit differently at the end. However, I have just purchased the sequel and look forward to discovering what happens next!
What do You think about No Child Of Mine (2013)?
Loved this book, increased my heart rate somewhat, difficult to put down.
—Jen
Enjoyed the book but was disappointed in the far-fetched ending.
—books
