WOOOOAAAHH I did not expect that plot twist!!!!
⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!! ⚠️
Okay…so I wasn’t really looking forward to this book because I thought that Coco was rrrreeeeeaaaaaallllyyy dumb.
Okay, quick summary:
Coco is the youngest of all 5 Tanberry sisters. She often feels that even though she is 12-years-old, she is still the baby in the family and is often treated that way. One day, at riding school, she decides that she wants to ride her favourite pony Caramel, but Caramel is a rescue and often freaks out when people ride her, so the riding school don’t like younger riders riding her (understandably), but Coco lies to the teacher and says that she’s had permission to ride Caramel. When Coco rides Caramel, Caramel doesn’t like how Coco’s legs brushed up against her neck and she panics and Coco is thrown off. She gets into trouble for this as she hasn’t had permission. When she gets back to the stable for her next lesson, a boy from the school (Lawrie, who happens to work at the stables) tells Coco that everything that is happening is all her fault. But Coco doesn’t know what is her fault, but she then finds out that Caramel has been sold to some man called Seddon. Coco rushes back to Lawrie and Lawrie explains that Seddon is a big bully and doesn’t say anything else. On her way home, Coco sees a jeep with a horse box attached to it making its way from the stables. Coco then makes her way up to Seddon’s house (Blue Downs House) to say her last goodbye to Caramel, but whilst she’s up there, she witnesses Seddon beating Caramel. She is deeply upset by this and being the determined and animal-loving person that she is, she stayed the night in the woods by Blue Downs House so she could steal Caramel at midnight. Midnight comes and she breaks into the stables to see Lawrie feeding Caramel, she is shocked and also notices that there is a pregnant horse with Caramel. Her and Lawrie take the two horses up to the ruined cottage a short walk up from the house, they both go up there each morning and night to feed them and make sure everything’s alright. Soon after, newspapers jump on the story of the stolen horses which really frightens Coco, because whilst all this is happening, her big sister Honey is driving her mum and stepdad up the wall. She starts taking furniture up to the ruined cottage and stays the night there. That night, Spirit (the pregnant horse) gives birth to Star. And Coco explains to Lawrie what’s happening at home with her sister Honey, and Lawrie shares that life at home is difficult for him but that she wouldn’t understand. Coco tells Lawrie about her concerns with the newspapers and he tells her that Seddon has bought two more ponies and that they need rescuing. So a couple nights later they break back into the stables. Coco notices a skinny whippet dog whilst she’s there and is convinced that he needs rescuing too. When her and Lawrie are just about to take the horses and dog to the cottage, Seddon shoots his gun near Lawrie, which panics them both. Seddon runs over and tells Lawrie how much of a waster he is, “just like his dad”. He beats Lawrie and even throws him. A woman and a little girl come running over, begging Seddon to stop. Seddon goes over to the woman and slaps her which makes her bleed. Lawrie shouts to the woman “MUM RUN!!!”, which makes Coco realise that Lawrie’s tough home-life is because Seddon is his stepdad. Coco rushes the family and animals over to the car. They make their way over to the Tanberry’s house and end up staying for two weeks. Lawrie and his family end up moving back up north and Coco feels sad to say goodbye to him. In the end, Coco now has Caramel all to herself.
This is probably my favourite book in the series so far! It was so well-written and exciting!
I really do think that Cathy’s books should come with some trigger warnings. Summer’s Dream for eating disorders and Coco Caramel for animal and domestic abuse.
That plot twist was shocking!! I can’t believe that Seddon was actually Lawrie’s stepdad!! I felt really sorry for Lawrie, Jasmine and Sandra…
Characters that did good:
Lawrie - I really liked Lawrie!! He was really kind and cared for animals. He successfully helped Coco rescue four ponies and a dog!! I felt really bad for him because he had to watch the animals and his family get beaten up all the time by Seddon. He was kind and caring and that’s all you need in a friend! The scene where he left was really sad!
Characters that did bad:
Seddon - I couldn’t make a “characters that did bad” list without Seddon at the top!!! He was an awful, abusive, horrible, absolutely repulsive man. He beat horses and his wife and stepchildren. I really hope he went into prison after this book because he really was horrific!!
Cherry - Cherry really bothered me during this book. Coco told her about the whole situation with the horses and she ran to no one!!! I know that Coco begged her not to tell but I would have told my parents because Coco got herself into real danger!
Charlotte & Paddy - Why did they literally focus on the chocolate business so much that they didn’t even notice that they’re kid smuggled horses????? Like WHATTTT??!?!?! Really irresponsible parenting.
Honey - Honey did all of these stupid things during the book and everyone felt bad for her. LIKE NO!! She totally deserves the punishment she had because she is awful to everyone!!!!!! I understand that she is family but come on! How they were so gentle with her was ridiculous!
Overall I absolutely loved this book and I am gutted that it’s over!!