Broken Lives
A Social Worker's Tale
by Teresa Devereux
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 20 May 2019 | Archive Date 12 Jul 2019
Troubador Publishing Ltd. | Matador
Talking about this book? Use #BrokenLives #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Just like any other mother, Samantha Bushell adores her two little girls. After an unhappy childhood and tormented by her memories of abuse and neglect, Samantha’s life takes a downward spiral. With poor coping mechanisms and no-one to support her, alcohol becomes her only friend – and greatest enemy.
New to the social work team, April Gardiner tries to help Samantha take control of her life and hold on to her children, whilst also dealing with problems of her own. The two women form an unlikely bond after similar childhood experiences paved the way for the adults they ultimately became.
A moving and eye-opening tale of privilege, disadvantage, and overcoming adversity, Broken Lives is ultimately a story about two young women whose paths cross at difficult times in both of their lives. It provides an insight into the emotional rollercoaster of social work and the families they strive to help. Will April be able to help Samantha turn her life around, whilst also seeking to achieve her own personal goals?
A Note From the Publisher
Teresa has a degree in Psychology and Social Policy and qualified as a social worker in 2001. After eight years of working in a children and families team, she started working in the disabled children’s team, before becoming a manager. She now work part time as an Independent Reviewing Officer, chairing reviews for children who are in foster care. Her role is to ensure that the local authority is providing adequate care for the children and all their needs are being met. Teresa’s political stance is towards social justice and equality of opportunities and she strongly believes that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in life
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781838599287 |
| PRICE | US$5.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 200 |
Featured Reviews
Jolene H, Reviewer
Broken Lives was such a heartbreaking read that I had to stop reading for a few days. It was full of emotion and convincinly shows the true life of a social worker, which can be a very dark place. There was no beating about the bush with this, it was straight to the core but it did have some lighter moments. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued. This was a very well written book.
Lana P, Reviewer
This story was bleak with bits of light shining through. Pretty true to a social worker’s experiences. I wish the ending had been resolved, but that is often the way these tales go. Well done.
Kade G, Reviewer
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
Samantha is a mom to two little girls who she absolutely adores. Samantha lacks the coping skills she needs, so she depends on alcohol to assist her.... which leads to social worker April Gardiner getting involved into her life. They form an unlikely bond due to their pasts/childhood experiences.
Louise F, Reviewer
I have mixed feelings about this book. The main character is a social worker named April, and the author writes with convincing detail and with great sympathy about the hardscrabble lives of the families that April comes into contact with. It is obvious that the author knows quite a lot about social work, at least how it is practiced in England. However, there is too much explanation/exposition and quite a bit of repetition sprinkled throughout the story. The publisher’s summary emphasizes April’s relationship with one client, Samantha, I disagree with the notion that “the two women form an unlikely bond after similar childhood experiences…” I found myself interested in the stories of the client families and not as interested in April’s personal problems.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
