Paper Heart by Cecelia Ahern

Paper Heart is somewhat sad at the start, but it becomes an uplifting story of a 32-year-old Pip. She lives with her teenage daughter in her parents’ home in a controlling and heartbreaking situation. Having had her daughter at the age of 16, her mother has always felt ashamed of her daughter. So much so that she took the baby and brought her up as her own, banishing her daughter’s boyfriend, therefore removing any input from either of them. She made sure Pip was never given the chance to take the child and leave. As a consequence, Pip has never been able to form a bond with her daughter, who regards her grandparents as her parents.

Given the smallest bedroom in the house, it becomes Pip’s sanctuary, filled with dreams, drawings, her poetry and the beautiful origami pieces she secrets away. Then a crack appears in the wall of her room, and a series of events happens. First, she meets an astronomer working temporarily at the local observatory, who opens her eyes to the world that thrives beyond her tiny, controlled one. Then her father’s esteemed employer asks her out on a date, and her daughter’s father —the man she fell in love with —returns to the town.

Paper Heart is about Pip’s transition from having a very controlled and unhealthy dependency to a desire to want more from life. She starts to question the way things are; what’s normal and what isn’t; her need to form a meaningful relationship with her daughter, and above all, what she wants from life for them both. While this plays out, the crack in the wall of her room begins to grow bigger, and others appear throughout her parents’ house.

Set in Ireland, it’s emotional and well-written with a character the reader can’t help but cheer for. Everyone deserves second chances. A lovely read.

Reviewer: Carole Brungar

Harper Collins