This was definitely an interesting read.
I was captivated by Allegra but also completely infuriated by a lot of her decisions and actions and by some of the things that she just didn't say. I felt as though she had two different personalities, she definitely took her job seriously and had lots of the 'small-town girl' vibes but then posed naked for the art classes, confidently sent letters to strangers and went on a wild night out with her old school friend. This kept me guessing what she was going to do next but also confused the hell out of me.

A really enjoyable read with an emotional journey too.

I wonder who is the intended audience of this book? It is story of self discovery, a search for self identity, friendships and family. Allegra can’t stop the thoughts unfolding in her head. The link to freckles and self harming is there but left and not explored or taken further. A search but not well concluded, but is there ever a conclusion in life?

What a beautiful story! I cried my eyes out and it was so heartwarming too. It covers love and loss, abandonment and betrayal and is the story of freckles and her finding her five people. This was very touching and uplifting. I would absolutely recommend this uplifting story to anyone.

Thank you to Cecelia and HarperCollins for the chance to read this.

I thought this one had great potential. but sadly fell a bit flat for me.
Freckles and Rooster's relationship is an interesting one as is the way she interprets his 5 person connection theory.
Liked her letters at the start of the book, but generally found the pace slow and just couldn't buy into it.

I found it a bit tricky to get into this book to start with. Couldn’t put my finger on why, but I stuck with it and soon became engrossed. I like that it’s different from your traditional romcom story because the main character was more interesting and you learnt a great deal about her before progressing onto the rest of the story line. The ending was lovely to read, I’d recommend it.

You are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with". When somebody says this to traffic warden, Allegra, it is the start of a journey of friendship and discovery.

I have been a fan of Cecelia Ahern since I read P.S. I Love You. I love her writing style, the settings for her books and the way she makes you fall in love with the characters she writes about. When I first started reading this book, I very nearly gave up. The main character, Allegra, was not likeable, and it took me a little while to see where the story was going. But, oh boy, did I fall in love with her and Tristan (Rooster), who tells her that she is the sum of the five people she spends most time with. This is where I really became invested in the story and I stayed up way too late reading. I really cared about Allegra and what would happen to her. As the story unfolded, and Allegra's relationships with Tristan, her Dad and the other significant people in her life began to unfold, I became more and more emotionally invested in the outcome. I laughed, I cried, I loved it!

Cecelia Aherns long-awaited #Freckles doesn’t disappoint. Tender, thought provoking, emotional, a little bit quirky with a whole lot of heart. Loved it!

Hmm, before the last few chapters I'd have given this book a different review to what I'm going to now.
This is essentially nothing like a Cecilia Ahern book I've ever read before.
However, the thoughts behind the book are actually quite provoking and obviously it had a good ending as most of her books do.
It's not on my list to recommend, but I will mention its strangeness in passing.

Just a 3 star from me , I wanted to finish it but I was happy when I closed the cover.
I wasn’t particularly interested in the characters - they felt a little under developed, the constellation of scars was an affectation, and the premise felt well worn for this author - similar to other stories in design. Shoehorning people into the 5 was just a bit contrived.

A really pleasant and enjoyable book which gets better the further you get into the story. Allegra Bird (aka Freckles) a traffic warden in Dublin is puzzled by something Tristan (aka Rooster) a YouTube star says to her that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. The book follows Freckles' journey to discover her 5 people and is a good reminder that things are not always what they seem.
.

Another amazing emotional story from this author with a style that is unique to her. I often find with authors their books all follow a similar type of pattern, Cecelia manages to make each one different and as special to itself as the last one was.

<i>You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with</i>

<b>Freckles</b> follows Allegra Bird (affectionately known as Freckles by those closest to her) after her move to Dublin in search of her mother who had abandoned her at birth. Due to a run-in with a stranger having a bad day who told her she is the average of the five people she spends the most time with and they must be why she is a <b><i>loser</i></b>, she starts to question who she thinks of as her nearest and dearest. Told in first person with Freckles unique outlook on life it is at times heartbreaking, but overall a wonderful story of courage and bravery. I took a minute to get in to this, but that is absolutely not because of the book, and I would encourage anyone who is finding this to keep reading as it really is a lovely book with a great ending.

For fans of Eleanor Oliphant and other novels with a quirky lead character just trying to find her way in life.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review</i>

I was really excited to get to read this book early, it was already on my own 'wish list' and it didn't disappoint!

I have enjoyed all of Cecilia Ahern's books in the past and this story was as equally as charming as the stories that came before it.

The story and characters were relatable; struggling to fit in and be hopeful about the future is something that every human can talk to. Cecilia always seems to shape her characters and a narrative with a personal obstacle that they must overcome, this simple premise always surprises me in how engaging it is; for a natural cynic, this story had me feeling rather emotional and moved about the journey that 'freckles' had to take to see her worth and place in the world.

I would recommend this to anyone, as a pleasant, life affirming, relatable read!

‘You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with,’ is a quote attributed most often to motivational speaker Jim Rohn.

Now, Cecelia Ahern has taken that notion and spun it into her latest novel, Freckles.

The Dublin author is best known for penning romance novels like PS I Love You and Where Rainbows End. Both novels have been adapted into big-screen rom-coms, a literary space where Cecelia really shines.

However, Freckles is not another dreamy romance, though it does focus on love of another kind – self-love and finding one’s identity. With this book, Cecelia falls into line with the likes of new writers such as Naoise Dolan and Sally Rooney, as she tells the story of millennial Valentia Island native Allegra Bird who relocates to Malahide with a singular goal in mind.

Freckles, so-called by her friends, is 24, a failed Garda, and lives a pretty simple life. She spends her meticulously planned days working as a parking warden in an affluent Dublin area.

Then a chance meeting with YouTube star Tristan turns her life upside down, and a simple question sends her spiralling, as she wonders who are the five people with whom she spends the most time and what does this say about her.

Cecelia easy and controversial prose is her superpower, the thing that draws you into her books. And while the story of a struggling young woman trying to find her place in the world isn’t a new concept, Freckles has a spark that makes you want to keep reading.

Like most women in their early 20s, Allegra isn’t the most put-together character. At 24, the world is still too big for her to fit into, her life plan begins to fall apart as she deals with outgrowing her childhood relationships, and tries to connect with an estranged parent.

And while the book wraps up in a nice little bow, there seems to be a lack of substance. She doesn’t go to get professional help for her mental health struggles, something that she clearly needs. Instead, everyone just rallies around her at the completion of the novel to show that she never really was alone.

Although it isn’t Cecelia’s best work, it is certainly an uplifting tale about friendship, loneliness and feeling adrift. A refreshing story that focuses on platonic relationships rather than searching for ‘The One’. This charming tale will remind you to look around and take a moment to cherish the glorious people you have in your life.

Cecelia Ahern has done it again! Allegra, originally from an island off the coast of Ireland, has an interesting life in Dublin. An angry encounter makes her think who the five people in her life are that are closest to her. This quandary makes her and the reader reflect on who would make the five person list. I found this an enjoyable holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

As usual Cecelia Ahern delivers! This is such a good read, I honestly could not put it down.
Slow to start but worth the persistence.

Enjoyable read, would definitely recommend, read within a couple of days and is what you would expect of a Celia sheen novel. Giving 4 stars as I felt there were parts that could have done with more pace, bit overall a good solid read.

As with all Cecelia Ahern books you are in for a treat, and this one is very thought provoking, who would be.my five? Very emotional read at times but great to imagine your on a beach in the sunshine away from reality as you immerse yourself in Freckles story. Would definitely recommend this book.

A lovely thought provoking read with an uplifting ending.

Allegra is posed the question who are your 5? Your as good, or bad, as your 5 people and she doesn't have an answer so she goes on the hunt to choose her 5, not realising she already has a 5.

It's a slow but powerful read that will appeal to Ahern fans!

Allegra is a complex woman who hasn't had an easy life but is loved by her single father. Her mother left when she was born & she has been wanting to know more about her. An interesting insight into her life & the lengths she will go to to learn more about herself & others. Another insightful read by Cecelia Ahern.