The Child Bride

Bought as a gift for a friend. She was very happy

Not had time to read this yet but I'm sure it will be good

I enjoy Cathy Glass books every now and again. They are very formulaic and can contain lots of repetitive and irrelevant detail but on the whole I enjoy the comfortable familiarity that comes with her style. This was an interesting book although some of the revelations seemed predictable (no spoilers). It’s a bit different to lots of her other books. I think Cathy’s success is a product of combining shocking stories with comforting ‘sandwich lunches’ and casseroles, without which they’d just be upsetting and depressing. Cathy Glass is the only author of this type that I read. I’m not sure what that says about me!

very sad indeed. you don’t really understand what happens in other countries until you read a book like this. It’s absolutely awful! So glad it became a happy ending for Zeena xx

This is another book which should be re-titled "The Wonderful Work of Cathy Glass". It tells the story of a young Asian teenager, who having suffered terrible abuse at the hands of her family, asks to be taken into care for her own protection. As the story progresses it becomes clear that she has has been appallingly treated, having been forced into a child marriage with a man three times her age. This compelling story takes up approximately the first third of the book. But sadly, from then on, it turns into a long and boring tale of how brilliantly Cathy helped the girl to cope with her problems : page after page of unnecessary details about Cathy's kindness and her patience, how many times a day she phoned and texted the girl (including yawningly word-for-word contents of every text) - details of every meeting that took place, who attended, how long it took Cathy to drive there, where she managed to park etc. etc. In fact the book could have been written in about half as many words, and would have been far more interesting to the reader. Yes, Cathy Glass, there's no doubt that you're an excellent carer; but why not concentrate on what you're really good at - looking after needy children - and not trying to combine this with being a best-selling author. Two stars maximum.

Yet another amazing book by an amazing author, an author who is very caring, compassionate and all in all, one in a million. Cathy has a writing style that gets your attention from the very start of any book she's written. The Child Bride is another amazing read. Once started, I personally can't put her books down! The children she looks after have all sorts of problems but Cathy takes them under her wing, creates a bond with them, they trust her (and her own children) and together, they move forward in leaps and bounds. The world we live in today is very challenging at the best of times, but with people like Cathy, it's a better place. I have read all Cathy's books and each and every one of them are unique in their own special way - I would urge anyone who hasn't read them all, to do so. Well done Cathy on another amazing book. It's good to read your updates on your website too.

I enjoyed the book, and really feel for the other poor children in a similar situation who aren't able to find an escape from their abusers.I did however feel the title gave away too much to the reader and it possibly prepared the reader for what would have been the shock, horror & other feelings that Cathy had when she discovered the truth behind Zena's previous life.Whilst reading the book I felt I already knew what was coming before Cathy did and it did soften the feeling of absolute disgust that we, the reader, should have shared together for the first time when the truth finally came out. Having read a few of Cathy's other books I know that she normally gets the reader to understand & share the journey of discovery WITH Cathy rather than in advance. Overall a very good read but the title was a bit of a spoiler for me.

Another excellent book from Cathy Glass ,I have read most of her books and they always have me gripped till the end.They are easy to read and the author writes in detail with enough information not to become tiresome.I do find often feeling inadequate as a mother, compared to the perfect foster carer she portrays herself, some what exaggerated I feel. That said I do enjoy her books .The childbride is a shocking insite into the dreadful abuse of girls in some cultures. I hope her father is caught and made to pay for his crimes of abuse,totally unbelievable how a father could treat his daughter this way.,but the sad truth is this isn't an isolated case .Well done Cathy Glass for writing an excellent account of such unspoken abuse in your own professional but heartfelt way .