Elise Gilpatrick never thought she would be a parent, especially not like this. After agreeing to take 15-year-old DJ as a temporary foster placement straight from the police station, she feels like she’s in over her head. But, as she learns on the job, and with a little help from her coworker, Elise realizes that she and DJ need to lean on each other, and on the God who pieced them together. … Their rocky journey will only prove that it’s never too late to find the love of a family.
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Valerie Howard writes well, really well. This is the third of this series that I’ve read.
A naive foster ‘mum’ and a hurting girl.
I was hoping to give this a higher star rating but there was one point in the book that pulled it down where the main character did something which seemed to be her own thinking rather than a letting God deal with it.
Terrific covers, well-written Christian women’s fiction.
This book was different from what I usually read but I listened to a sample and I wanted to hear the rest of the story. It is an audiobook and the narrator was pleasant to hear. The story was interesting and thought provoking. Picking Daisy really touched me because I have a heart for children that doesn’t have parents or have bad parents. I also have friends that have been foster parents. This story gives us both sides, of a foster parent and the child. I had compassion for both with the struggles they had. DJ was so scared of rejection from yet another person that she couldn’t even begin to think why Elise was being so nice. Elise trying to be so pleasant but going about it the wrong way.
If you want to read an unforgettable story that shows brokenness, rejection faith, redemption and unconditional love you have to read this one. I will remember this book for a long time and I will probably listen to it again.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Picking Daisy by Valerie Howard
The title of this book seems like a light and fluffy book. In reality it is a heart searching journey for Elise who is a 50 something woman who feels that she has something to give and decides to foster children and teens.
DJ is a young teen who has been through multiple traumas and uncountable foster homes. He life is anything but easy, and at time PTSD becomes uncontrollable.
Elise is flawed, has never been a mother, and is hopelessly over her head with DJ. DJ doesn’t want to like Elise. All they do works against each other, but Elise doesn’t give up, and neither does God.
I couldn’t put the book down, and when I did finish, it was still on my mind. It was realistic, well written, and the characters were beautifully flawed. I think this book should be required reading for anyone thinking about fostering older children.
Loved this book. Elise was doubtful about being a parent. DJ was just trying to get by until she turned 18. The journey for both is heart wrenching and uplifting. The ending was awesome. Just curl up and enjoy this wonderful story.
Title: Picking Daisy
Written By: Valerie Howard
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Recommended Ages: 13 & up
Introduction:
For a while now, I’ve been interested in the whole foster care/adoption types of things. But I didn’t know a lot about it. My parents did foster care for babies when I was young, so we never had to deal with the “problems” of the older kids. This book was very eye opening, but at the same time entertaining.
Characters: 1/1
Elise definitely had her flaws as did DJ and the other characters. But even with all their flaws, they had good qualities as well. Even DJ who after meeting her at the beginning of the book, you would think she’s just a girl destined to be put in jail. But after a while of getting to know her, you realize she has some sweetness and compassion to her, too. Valerie did a good job of portraying the characters.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue made me cry, laugh, feel sad, and generally feel whatever emotion it was supposed to.
Plot/storyline: 1/1
I can’t recall reading a book about foster care and adoption before. This is one that will stick with me for a while. The plot and storyline were very good.
Overall writing quality: 1/1
Every part of this story was very well done.
Un-put-down-ability: 1/1
I did not want to put this book down. I literally read it in three days. Which is unusual for me. For a full-length novel, I usually take at least a week to get from beginning to end simply because of my limited time to read. So I’m glad I started it just before a weekend so I could take the weekend to read a little extra.
Conclusion: 5/5
Read this book. It will likely change your view of certain behaviors. Or at least bring a little more compassion to your heart regarding children in foster care and what they are going through. Valerie also lists some places at the end were you can donate to monetarily or with your time. I highly recommend this book.