This memoir investigates the ethical and emotional complexities of emergency foster care when a terminally ill parent faces the prospect of leaving a child orphaned. Cathy Glass, a seasoned foster carer and bestselling author, utilizes her extensive experience in the social care system to document the specific challenges of integrating a grieving child into an established family unit. The narrative examines the delicate balance between professional duty and personal boundaries, providing a firsthand account of the crisis intervention process.

The narrative provides a clinical yet empathetic look at the realities of the foster care system, focusing on the logistical and psychological hurdles faced by both the child and the caregiver. The work is regarded as a practical, grounded account that highlights the systemic challenges inherent in emergency child placement.