Review: E. R. Murray – Caramel Hearts

Caramel Hearts
E. R. Murray

Liv should be an average 14 year old from an average split parents. The only problem is that her mother is in a recovery centre for alcoholics and Liv is only being guided by her older sister. When she discovers a book of recipes that might lead her into knowing her mum’s previous self, things become both better and worse at the same time.

Liv is a cute little character that isn’t very bright. Oh wait, she’s only 14. So we can excuse a wide number of things she does wrong, except maybe that theft. What were you thinking Liv? I think her brain just went into overdrive sometimes with the sheer amount of mess she had gotten herself into.

I recognised her defence mechanism of running away when things got too much, but I couldn’t agree with it. Is 14 too young to run away? Maybe I’m losing my teenage touch. Still though, teenagers are going to sympathise with her, and might even do some thinking for themselves about what the right thing to do is…

This is yet another novel in the theme of a father or mother being in rehab for an alcohol addiction. This time we are seeing the perspective of the younger sibling, rather than the one that is the new ‘head’ of the household. It’s an interesting read, and I enjoyed it. It’s nothing particularly new though.

I’m going to give this 4 stars. It kept me entertained for a couple of hours, and I have to say the idea with the recipes made me want to bake which is always a good thing!