aklibrarychick 's review for:

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

4.0

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I pretty much figured I would like this book, given how much I enjoyed Fish in a Tree. I was not disappointed. Carley's story is alternately heartbreaking and hopeful. The daughter of a flighty and irresponsible self proclaimed "Vegas girl", Carley winds up with the Murphy's after being beaten by her stepfather. She believes her mother was complicit in the beating and hopes (sort of) that she'll never go back to her. In the Murphy's, with their three rambunctious boys, she finally sees what a family is supposed to look like. And in her new bestie, Toni, she learns what friendship can be. The ending is realistic, if not completely happy. But we are left believing that Carley is not only going to survive her less than ideal childhood, but that she is going to thrive. Don't forget the tissues; you'll need them.