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My Brother's Secret: Can three neglected brothers stay together, or will they be torn apart?
'They made me do it, it wasn't my fault!'
When three brothers come to live with Maggie, she knows that it's going to be challenging. They are all already struggling with rejection after their dad abandoned them, their mum having died several years before.
While four-year-old Billy is a delight, eleven-year-old Keegan is quiet and withdrawn, and teenager Cooper is a whirlwind of destruction. His behaviour at school is disruptive and Maggie struggles to get through to him, especially when he's in danger of being expelled.
But when a shocking discovery turns everything on its head, Maggie begins to realise that what she believed to be true is completely wrong.
Danger is lurking, but is it too late for Maggie to help?
From Britain's best-loved foster carer, a new and emotional true story of bonds, brothers and family.
When three brothers come to live with Maggie, she knows that it's going to be challenging. They are all already struggling with rejection after their dad abandoned them, their mum having died several years before.
While four-year-old Billy is a delight, eleven-year-old Keegan is quiet and withdrawn, and teenager Cooper is a whirlwind of destruction. His behaviour at school is disruptive and Maggie struggles to get through to him, especially when he's in danger of being expelled.
But when a shocking discovery turns everything on its head, Maggie begins to realise that what she believed to be true is completely wrong.
Danger is lurking, but is it too late for Maggie to help?
From Britain's best-loved foster carer, a new and emotional true story of bonds, brothers and family.
- GenresFostering
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
38 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 19, 2026
As normally great book from Maggie
I really hope these 3 boys were okay and settled into there home.
Thanks Maggie
I really hope these 3 boys were okay and settled into there home.
Thanks Maggie
March 1, 2026
📚 Book Thoughts:
Title: My Brother’s Secret by My Brother’s Secret
I started this on Thursday evening and, honestly, life kept interrupting me otherwise I know I would’ve flown through it much faster.
No spoilers from me, but this felt very much like a slow burner. At first I wondered if the pace was gentle and then I realised it had to be. When a story is true, you can’t rush it for drama or effect. The unfolding needs space, and this book really demands that you sit with it.
I think when you’ve read real-life stories like this before, you begin to recognise the signs early on. Nothing felt sensationalised or shocking for the sake of it? more a quiet understanding of where things were leading.
What struck me most is how educational these books are. I actually found myself sitting with my own children having conversations that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise reminding them that no matter what, they can always come to me first.
My only lingering question though… would Maggie, Vicky, Helen and Maggie’s supervising social worker have had the same attitude, empathy, and willingness to keep placement stability if the situation involved the other brother? It really made me reflect on how differently children can sometimes be viewed depending on circumstance.
That insight alone makes reading stories like this invaluable.
A thoughtful, emotional read that stays with you long after you’ve put it down.
Posted on our Facebook group Fostering, memoirs, fiction and fiction book club, open to join 📘
Title: My Brother’s Secret by My Brother’s Secret
I started this on Thursday evening and, honestly, life kept interrupting me otherwise I know I would’ve flown through it much faster.
No spoilers from me, but this felt very much like a slow burner. At first I wondered if the pace was gentle and then I realised it had to be. When a story is true, you can’t rush it for drama or effect. The unfolding needs space, and this book really demands that you sit with it.
I think when you’ve read real-life stories like this before, you begin to recognise the signs early on. Nothing felt sensationalised or shocking for the sake of it? more a quiet understanding of where things were leading.
What struck me most is how educational these books are. I actually found myself sitting with my own children having conversations that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise reminding them that no matter what, they can always come to me first.
My only lingering question though… would Maggie, Vicky, Helen and Maggie’s supervising social worker have had the same attitude, empathy, and willingness to keep placement stability if the situation involved the other brother? It really made me reflect on how differently children can sometimes be viewed depending on circumstance.
That insight alone makes reading stories like this invaluable.
A thoughtful, emotional read that stays with you long after you’ve put it down.
Posted on our Facebook group Fostering, memoirs, fiction and fiction book club, open to join 📘
February 27, 2026
Another great Maggie Hartley book.
Was really pleased to get this book yesterday as I am always excited when I read a Maggie Hartley book. Penelope McDonald reds all of her books and does a really good job of them.
As usual I really enjoyed this book, Maggie as usual shown fantastic care for the three children and I also love her willingness to do whatever it takes to help them when needed. It’s always interesting to learn about fostering and the techniques she uses. I have not read a bad book yet by this author and have always enjoyed every single one. I love the way Maggie does her best for every child she looks after.
Was really pleased to get this book yesterday as I am always excited when I read a Maggie Hartley book. Penelope McDonald reds all of her books and does a really good job of them.
As usual I really enjoyed this book, Maggie as usual shown fantastic care for the three children and I also love her willingness to do whatever it takes to help them when needed. It’s always interesting to learn about fostering and the techniques she uses. I have not read a bad book yet by this author and have always enjoyed every single one. I love the way Maggie does her best for every child she looks after.
March 28, 2026
Interesting book about two brothers who get dropped off with not many clothes or school items.
As usual I really enjoyed this book, Maggie as usual shown fantastic care for the three children and I also love her willingness to do whatever it takes to help them when needed. It’s always interesting to learn about fostering and the techniques she uses. I have not read a bad book yet by this author and have always enjoyed every single one. I love the way Maggie does her best for every child she looks after.
As usual I really enjoyed this book, Maggie as usual shown fantastic care for the three children and I also love her willingness to do whatever it takes to help them when needed. It’s always interesting to learn about fostering and the techniques she uses. I have not read a bad book yet by this author and have always enjoyed every single one. I love the way Maggie does her best for every child she looks after.
March 2, 2026
Another great read from Maggie Hartley. This is a heartbreaking and emotional story that tugged my heart. I love how Maggie always goes out of the way to help any child/ren she is fostering, I couldn't put this book down. I definitely recommend reading this book. Looking forward to reading Maggie's next new book when it comes out.
March 7, 2026
My Brother’s Secret. by Maggie Hartley.
Maggie has been asked to look after 2 brothers … their younger brother has already been placed with someone else. One … Keegan the younger of the two is quiet, where as his brother Cooper is a bit more challenging … a shock to Maggie as one is found to have been involved in a robbery.
Trials and tribulations to get answers on how to get them reunited with their dad and things he needs to do to show he can be a good dad.
Another great book from Maggie Hartley.
Maggie has been asked to look after 2 brothers … their younger brother has already been placed with someone else. One … Keegan the younger of the two is quiet, where as his brother Cooper is a bit more challenging … a shock to Maggie as one is found to have been involved in a robbery.
Trials and tribulations to get answers on how to get them reunited with their dad and things he needs to do to show he can be a good dad.
Another great book from Maggie Hartley.
February 27, 2026
Brilliant book . There truly are some amazing people out there who do the best they can to support and help these children.
March 3, 2026
Great read
Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley. An absolutely must read. I'm so amazed how foster carers do, keep up the amazing work you all do.
Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley. An absolutely must read. I'm so amazed how foster carers do, keep up the amazing work you all do.
March 5, 2026
I couldn’t put it down even though I knew what was likely coming. I love Maggie’s books.
March 9, 2026
fantastic read
I didn’t want it to end great story and a lovely ending I have now read all maggie hartle books
I didn’t want it to end great story and a lovely ending I have now read all maggie hartle books
March 10, 2026
Really good case study and a warning for all parents/carers/guardians of all class and social economic areas that knives are here now and I think here to stay sadly in our children's lives .
March 16, 2026
not as good as her older books too much talking about Louise and the past
March 18, 2026
her worse written one tbh.
April 30, 2026
Love Maggie’s books. The world needs more Maggie’s in this world
April 17, 2026
It was so good to finally read another book from Maggie! This book served as a valuable reminder that a child’s quiet demeanour and academic success do not necessarily indicate their well-being. It is often easy to overlook the quiet child when a more vocal and disruptive child requires significant energy and attention. Too often, the quiet individuals are the most vulnerable and easily targeted. I appreciate how Maggie acknowledged her own shortcomings, never presenting herself as an expert, and stood by these boys regardless of the challenges they faced. Even the most experienced individuals can make mistakes, and no one can be infallible when it comes to children, as they are each a unique individual.
April 10, 2026
Brilliant book maggie heartly is a fab writer I start one of her books cant put it down
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews