Get Your Free Audiobook
-
Cruel to Be Kind
- Saying No Can Save a Child's Life
- Narrated by: DeNica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Government
Non-member price: $19.47
People who bought this also bought...
-
A Long Way from Home
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The true story of two-year-old Anna, abandoned by her natural parents, left alone in a neglected orphanage. Elaine and Ian had travelled halfway round the world to adopt little Anna. She couldn't have been more wanted, loved and cherished. So why was she now in foster care and living with me? It didn't make sense.
-
-
Cathy=amazing; book lacks emotional depth of novel
- By finnea on 01-02-2021
-
Nobody's Son
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born in a prison and removed from his drug-dependent mother, rejection is all that 7-year-old Alex knows. When Cathy is asked to foster little Alex, aged seven, her immediate reaction is: Why can't he stay with his present carers for the last month? He's already had many moves since coming into care as a toddler and he'll only be with her a short while before he goes to live with his permanent adoptive family. But the present carers are expecting a baby and the foster mother isn't coping, so Alex goes to live with Cathy.
-
-
Not for me
- By Sarah on 31-05-2017
-
The Silent Cry
- There is little Kim can do as her mother's mental health spirals out of control
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The heartbreaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help. The 16th fostering memoir by Cathy Glass. It is the first time Laura has been out since the birth of her baby when Cathy sees her in the school playground. A joyful occasion, but Cathy has the feeling something is wrong. By the time she discovers what it is, it is too late. This is the true story of Laura, whose life touches Cathy's in a way she could never have foreseen.
-
-
good story
- By Anonymous User on 05-07-2020
-
A Life Lost
- Jackson Is Haunted by a Secret from His Past
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care. Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light....
-
-
great book
- By Amazon Customer on 28-03-2021
-
The Saddest Girl in the World
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author of Damaged tells the true story of Donna, who came into foster care aged 10, having been abused, victimised, and rejected by her family. Donna has been in foster care with her two young brothers for three weeks when she is abruptly moved to Cathy's. When Donna arrives she is silent, withdrawn, and walks with her shoulders hunched forward and her head down.
-
-
😭😭😭😭
- By Chloe hill on 02-03-2021
-
Innocent
- The True Story of Siblings Struggling to Survive
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aneta and Filip, the children’s parents, are distraught when their children are taken into care. Aneta maintains she is innocent of harming them, while Filip appears bewildered and out of his depth. It’s true the family has never come to the attention of the social services before, and little Kit and Molly appear to have been well looked after, but Kit has a broken arm and bruises on his face. Could it be they were a result of a genuine accident, as Aneta is claiming?
-
-
Another amazing read
- By Anonymous User on 18-03-2021
-
A Long Way from Home
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The true story of two-year-old Anna, abandoned by her natural parents, left alone in a neglected orphanage. Elaine and Ian had travelled halfway round the world to adopt little Anna. She couldn't have been more wanted, loved and cherished. So why was she now in foster care and living with me? It didn't make sense.
-
-
Cathy=amazing; book lacks emotional depth of novel
- By finnea on 01-02-2021
-
Nobody's Son
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born in a prison and removed from his drug-dependent mother, rejection is all that 7-year-old Alex knows. When Cathy is asked to foster little Alex, aged seven, her immediate reaction is: Why can't he stay with his present carers for the last month? He's already had many moves since coming into care as a toddler and he'll only be with her a short while before he goes to live with his permanent adoptive family. But the present carers are expecting a baby and the foster mother isn't coping, so Alex goes to live with Cathy.
-
-
Not for me
- By Sarah on 31-05-2017
-
The Silent Cry
- There is little Kim can do as her mother's mental health spirals out of control
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The heartbreaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help. The 16th fostering memoir by Cathy Glass. It is the first time Laura has been out since the birth of her baby when Cathy sees her in the school playground. A joyful occasion, but Cathy has the feeling something is wrong. By the time she discovers what it is, it is too late. This is the true story of Laura, whose life touches Cathy's in a way she could never have foreseen.
-
-
good story
- By Anonymous User on 05-07-2020
-
A Life Lost
- Jackson Is Haunted by a Secret from His Past
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care. Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light....
-
-
great book
- By Amazon Customer on 28-03-2021
-
The Saddest Girl in the World
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author of Damaged tells the true story of Donna, who came into foster care aged 10, having been abused, victimised, and rejected by her family. Donna has been in foster care with her two young brothers for three weeks when she is abruptly moved to Cathy's. When Donna arrives she is silent, withdrawn, and walks with her shoulders hunched forward and her head down.
-
-
😭😭😭😭
- By Chloe hill on 02-03-2021
-
Innocent
- The True Story of Siblings Struggling to Survive
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aneta and Filip, the children’s parents, are distraught when their children are taken into care. Aneta maintains she is innocent of harming them, while Filip appears bewildered and out of his depth. It’s true the family has never come to the attention of the social services before, and little Kit and Molly appear to have been well looked after, but Kit has a broken arm and bruises on his face. Could it be they were a result of a genuine accident, as Aneta is claiming?
-
-
Another amazing read
- By Anonymous User on 18-03-2021
-
Where Has Mummy Gone?
- A Young Girl and a Mother Who No Longer Knows Her
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Cathy is told about Melody’s terrible childhood, she is sure she’s heard it all before. But it isn’t long before she feels there is more going on than she or the social services are aware of. Although Melody is angry at having to leave her mother, she also worries about her obsessively - far more than is usual. Amanda, Melody’s mother, is also angry and takes it out on Cathy at contact, which again is something Cathy has experienced before. When Amanda misses contact, it is assumed she has forgotten, but nothing could have been further from the truth.
-
-
Heartbreaking
- By gaddster 2003 on 29-10-2020
-
The Night the Angels Came
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A new memoir from Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author Cathy Glass. When Cathy receives a call about a terminally ill widower terrified of leaving his son all alone in the world, she is wracked with sadness and indecision. Can she risk exposing her own young children to a little boy on the brink of bereavement? Eight-year-old Michael is part of a family of two, but with his beloved father given only months to live and his mother having died when he was a toddler, he could soon become an orphan.
-
-
Strength & Heartbreaj
- By gaddster 2003 on 29-10-2020
-
Too Scared to Tell
- A True Story
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Oskar's school teacher raises the alarm. Oskar's mother is abroad, and he has been left in the care of friends, but has been arriving in school hungry, unkempt and with bruises on his arms, legs and body. Experienced foster carer Cathy Glass is asked to look after him, but as the weeks pass, her concerns deepen. Oskar is far too quiet for a child of six and is clearly scared of something or someone.
-
-
bloody brilliant
- By Anonymous User on 10-06-2020
-
A Terrible Secret
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tilly hates her stepfather, Dave. He abuses her mother, but she refuses to leave him. Frightened for her own safety, Tilly asks to go into foster care and is placed with Cathy. Tilly arrives with a graze on her cheek, and Cathy becomes increasingly concerned by Dave’s behaviour, especially when she learns he has been showering Tilly with gifts. While she’s busy looking after Tilly and trying to keep her safe, Cathy is also worried about her own daughter, Lucy.
-
-
Sad true story
- By Anonymous User on 21-03-2021
-
Daddy's Little Princess
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beth is a sweet-natured child who appears to have been well looked after. But it isn't long before Cathy begins to have concerns that the relationship between Beth and her father is not as it should be. Little Beth, aged 7, has been brought up by her father Derek after her mother left when she was a toddler. When Derek is suddenly admitted to hospital with psychiatric problems, Beth is taken into care and arrives at Cathy's.
-
-
Brave little girl
- By James on 26-07-2015
-
Will You Love Me?
- The Story of My Adopted Daughter Lucy
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The 11th 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 wasn't until Lucy reached eight years old that she was finally taken into permanent foster care.
-
-
All 5 stars for every book I've read
- By Lucy Fieldhouse on 24-11-2016
-
Please Don't Take My Baby
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"I'm going to love my baby and give her lots of attention," Jade said. "I'll show my mum she's wrong." Jade, 17, is pregnant, homeless, and alone when she's brought to live with Cathy. Jade is desperate to keep her baby, but, little more than a child herself, she struggles with the responsibilities her daughter brings. Cathy is worried as soon as Jade arrives: she's never looked after a pregnant teenager before, but none of the mother-and-baby carers is free.
-
-
Amazing as always !!!
- By Jaz on 09-09-2020
-
Cut: The true story of an abandoned, abused little girl who was desperate to be part of a family
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her new book, the Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author of Damaged tells the story of the Dawn, a sweet and seemingly well-balanced girl whose outward appearance masks a traumatic childhood of suffering at the hands of the very people who should have cared for her. Dawn was the first girl Cathy Glass ever fostered. Sweet and seemingly well balanced girl, Dawn's outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood so awful, that even she could not remember it.
-
-
An eye opener
- By Anonymous User on 24-03-2021
-
A Baby's Cry
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What could cause a mother to believe that giving away her newborn baby is her only option? Cathy Glass is about to find out. From author of Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Damaged comes a harrowing and moving memoir about tiny Harrison, left in Cathy's care, and the potentially fatal family secret of his beginnings. When Cathy is first asked to foster one-day old Harrison her only concern is if she will remember how to look after a baby.
-
-
Good but mainly uneventful
- By Christina on 11-03-2018
-
Can I Let You Go?
- A Heartbreaking True Story of Love, Loss and Moving On
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An Impossible Decision is the true story of Faye, a wonderful young woman who may never be able to parent her unborn child. Faye is 24 and pregnant and has learning difficulties as a result of her mother's alcoholism. Faye is gentle, childlike and vulnerable and normally lives with her grandparents, both of whom have mobility problems. Cathy and her children welcome Faye into their home and hearts.
-
I Miss Mummy: The true story of a frightened young girl who is desperate to go home
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her new book, Cathy Glass, the number one best-selling author of Damaged, tells the story of the Alice, a young and vulnerable girl who is desperate to return home to her mother. Alice, aged four, is snatched by her mother the day she is due to arrive at Cathy's house. Drug-dependent and mentally ill, but desperate to keep hold of her daughter, Alice's mother snatches her from her parents' house and disappears.
-
Girl Alone
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aged nine Joss came home from school to discover her father's suicide. She's never got over it. This is the true story of Joss, 13, who is angry and out of control. At the age of nine, Joss finds her father's dead body. He has committed suicide. Then more recently her mother remarries, and Joss bitterly resents her stepfather, who abuses her mentally and physically.
-
-
Love these books.
- By Alexa on 08-08-2016
Publisher's Summary
Cruel to Be Kind is the true story of Max, age six. He is fostered by Cathy while his mother is in hospital with complications from type 2 diabetes.
Fostering Max gets off to a bad start when his mother, Caz, complains and threatens Cathy even before Max has moved in. Cathy and her family are shocked when they first meet Max. But his social worker isn't the only one in denial; his whole family are, too.
What listeners say about Cruel to Be Kind
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 14-12-2020
Love these books
The only downside is that the reader has such a beautiful soothing voice I was so relaxed I fell asleep. But I love Cathy's work.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 02-08-2020
such a great listen
love cathys books, working my way through them from start to finish and really enjoying each and everyone
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kevster
- 15-06-2018
simple interesting. honest.
The performance was fabulous. The story is interesting. it's a good read that will tug at your heart. very enlightening about obesity and fostering children.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Joy
- 18-01-2018
A++
Cathy Glass is an inspiration. She is a miracle worked in the life of these kids and alot of time the parents of the kids she cares for. I never expected this story to end like it did but sad as it was the kids were and will be okay thanks to her and other kind ppl like her.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Randi shelton
- 08-09-2017
Excellent and very timely
Another excellent book by Cathy Glass!
It's a very well-written and timely story about a little boy who is morbidly obese and his family. Max comes to live with Cathy and her family when his mother is hospitalized with complications from type II diabetes. Cathy's fostering of Max gets off to a bad start when she receives a threatening phone call from Max's mother before his arrival. No one mentions Max's obesity, and Cathy and her family are understandably shocked when they meet Max for the first time. The social worker refuses to acknowlege it, and when Cathy proposes small changes, she's told to leave things as they are. It's not until he has a medical appointment as part of the precess of coming into care, that Cathy is given the go ahead to help Max to begin to lose weight and thus live a more normal life- something he wants for himself.
As the story progresses, the rest of the family gradually warms to Cathy and accepts what she's doing for Max. His three sisters, who also struggle with obesity, also try the program Max is using.
As the book goes on, we learn about Max's mother's terrible childhood and come to understand why she's the way she is -- angry, distant, and we learn why she withholds affection from her children. I found myself liking her and Max's three sisters and cheering them on.
As with many of the books Cathy Glass has written, this one will stay with me for a long time. Sadly, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions here in the U.S. as well. Thank you for sharing Max's story with us, ands always telling it so well.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Marcia B.
- 15-09-2017
Good foster care story with gripping tale
Cathy Glass tells of a challenging foster care story in England. She takes on an intellectual young boy who is obese and has a mother resistant to changing his situation. The troubles of the family interfere with Cathy's attempts to help the boy in many ways. An interesting riveting read. Recommended.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- CAROL ANN G.
- 23-10-2020
Well Done Cathy
I’ve read all but 3 of Cathy Glass’s novels about her fostering experiences. This is one of the best stories yet.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mayra N.
- 16-02-2020
As always very entertaining
I love cathy glass and her books. It is always amazing to see the journey she foes thru with her foster kids. This is one of the stories I'm happy to know ends so well.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Angelina
- 12-09-2019
My review
I chose this rating, because all of Cathy Glasses books are EXCELANT!!!!!!!! I love this book, because once again, it shows what a wonderful foster carer she is and the compassion she has.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 08-07-2019
very good book brings you in !!
great listen story makes you feel as of you are in the room with the characters. cathy glass is amazong as always
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Aubrey
- 16-05-2018
a delight as always
cathy is my hero another great one for the books she tells her stories in a way you just can't put down
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Susie
- 29-09-2017
Could not put it down
Enjoyed it. Max story interested me. Glad did so well. Want to read more of Cathy Glass books and see how Max and his sisters and family do.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- MissD
- 26-06-2019
A bit boring compared to others.
Read about 7 Cathy Glass books now and this one is probably my least favourite. Not much of a story compared to the others I’ve read. Seems like it’s concentrated more on the stress foster carers and social workers are under, rather than a story surrounding a child. Fast forwarded an entire chapter because all it discussed was foster care vs social work. Wouldn’t recommend.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- anna abimbola
- 22-02-2018
Heartwarming
This story was heartwarming and tragic the little boy growing up to be this grown man made me a cry
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Kayleigh lumsden
- 28-02-2021
love xx
love all ur books and this is one of my favourites sad but lovely xx
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 13-01-2021
I enjoyed
I like the narrator, and the the story as the same as Cathy's other books, beautifully written. Not as horrifying as her other stories, this one is a lot more tame.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Miss A A Bowers
- 23-09-2020
Sad but wonderful mem5our
Such a sad, but beautifully told memoir of Cathy's fostering experience with Max.
Was very different to many others of Cathy's memoirs, of which I have read or listened to. Max's story included a touching relationship that developed with his family, a desperately sad twist but a truly lovely ending. Max getting back in contact with Cathy & her family years later which was a lovely & very different touching ending. Would thoroughly recommend reading or listening via audible.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mrs. D. Darby
- 27-05-2020
loved it....
cathy glass is one of my favorite authors and despite the sadness in this story this is one of the most beautiful tales.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- chelle73
- 20-02-2020
great read
another great story from cathy glass love her happy ever after endings and down to earth story telling
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Louise
- 06-09-2019
Fantastic heart wrenching story.
Fantastically written as usual. Very thought provoking and really tugged at the heartstrings. Would highly recommend reading with a box of tissues.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 02-09-2019
Another gripping story
I love the books by Cathy Glass. Always well told on audible and although difficult to listen to some of the children's issue, always a joy when things go well.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Annie71
- 11-08-2019
Fantastic !!! As always
Lovely story as always from cathy. Really enjoyed listening to another wonderful heartwarming tale. Xx
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



25 Best Celebrity Audiobooks
It’s always a pleasant surprise to pick up a familiar story and find an unexpected famous friend in the narrator’s booth.



Best Audiobooks of 2020
We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions to round up the best listens of 2020.


