GP Enya Pickering is on her way home following an out-of-hours call. She is caught in an horrendous storm, when she comes across a man waving her down. To her horror, she thinks she sees her son, Finn, lying injured on the road.

Thankfully not her son, but she realises the boy is seriously injured and does all she can to help him until the ambulance arrives.

She has saved the boys life, but what starts off as something worth celebrating, Enya’s life starts to spiral out of control.

This was an enjoyable story that started off well, and I couldn’t put the book down. It did slow down for a while, but gradually picked up again.

The characters were portrayed well in the story, and I took a disliking to some of them, especially Enya’s husband, Xander.

Some interesting twists along the way that weren’t what I was expecting at all.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Enya's healing journey and link to her mum's death at 47 and how it impacts her life. The rag tree and the sense of community and the passing of time in nature and seasons. A thoughtful story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Multifaceted, 'Into the Storm' delves into inner demons and fears - whether real or self-inflicted - and, importantly, consequences. The cast of characters – even though one or two I struggled with because I didn’t buy into their reactions and dialogue – make for a really good read. The interweaving of folklore and Enya’s mother’s writings lend so much to what might be a sad tale. Enya has much to overcome: fear of death at the same age as her mother, a broken marriage, distance from her son, loss of faith in her ability as a doctor, life in a new small village, overpowering guilt … but she survives, and helps Margaret, also battling with loss and guilt, to survive. Truth will out and Enya faces the consequences of her deceit and silence. Free, she accepts her future with hope. Cecelia Ahern's evocative writing, some delightful Irish humour, the magic Rag Tree, stormy settings, added to my overall enjoyment.

A serious road accident, a GP falling apart at the seams and a plot full of ancient Irish folklore - this book has it all and the writing style gives it a propulsion of its own and makes it difficult to put down until after the final word. This is a book that will keep the reader up long into the night.

Amazing, it starts really strong with a crash in the middle of a storm, a young boy in a hit and run and a taxi driver and doctor on the scene. What then follows is a tale of who actually was there that night, why were they out in a storm, A questioning of characters all intertwined, mental ill health, friendships built through adversity and a surprising end to the whodunnit.

Such an interesting book! I was unaware of Rag Trees and their importance.
Poor Enya was mentally torturing herself and then told a lie, which escalated.
Everyone needs the support of family and friends and Enya is no exception.
I throughly enjoyed and recommend reading this book.

It is a wild night in the middle of December, and GP Enya is crouched over a teenage boy, performing CPR in the rain. The boy survives, but Enya’s life splinters in two. Trapped in a loveless marriage, the storm propels her to break free. But even in the remote country town that becomes her sanctuary, Enya is haunted by the night in the rain. Beneath the boughs of an ancient tree that tells a thousand stories, can she find the courage to face her own? Is this her one chance to finally feel free?

It comes as no surprise to many who follow my account that I was very excited about this new title from Cecelia Ahern. A huge fan of her writing, with P.S I Love You still the book I have read the most times over, I look forward to stepping into the pages of her latest release every year.

'Into The Storm' doesn't fail to disappoint, Enya being another of Ahern's characters that the reader can connect with on an approachable level. I enjoyed the delving into the underlying concerns of her character, dealing with the continuing grief of losing her mother at a young age and the worries that have cemented themselves in her thoughts and feelings as her life has progressed. I also enjoyed the knowledge in relation to the changing of the seasons and folklore traditions, portrayed through Enya's mother's words from newspaper columns, a clever addition.

The interlinking story of the young boy Enya encounters at the beginning provides a background to the other events that take place in the book, the suspense element of a thriller coming through with some unexpected twists taking the story in a completely different direction at times.

Her descriptive writing style has always been something that hits me from all of Ahern's books, shown perfectly even in simple prose such as "Rocks will crumble like Rich Tea and trees will dissolve like Hobnobs", allowing the picture of scenes to form perfectly in your mind.

As Cecelia's 20th book over twenty years, it is clear to see that this author hasn't lost her touch, creating stories that will stay with you for many years after you read, something she should be very proud of.

I loved this! Really kept you wondering what was going on. I felt invested in the characters. Well written and would definitely recommend.

This is a confusing book which in parts I thought was brilliant and others I was lost as to what was actually happening.

A family is torn apart when a boy is found following an accident. The accounts of the night are unclear and those responsible do not come forward.

Superstitions and traditions are vitally important and the rag tree in the garden of the house where the doctor is staying is covered by items of clothing belonging to people hoping and remembering their loved ones.

I enjoyed the book particularly for the traditions and enjoyed reading about those but felt the story about the accident and the anticipation of death at a certain age of the main protagonist did not blend together to make a good story.

Recommend - Cecilia Ahern has been a constant over my adult life. I really enjoy every book she releases and this one was no different. I loved the story and the pace. It has everything from dealing with death to friendships and families.

After a late night call out, Dr Enya Pickering is driving home in a storm when she is flagged down by a taxi driver, who has discovered a teenager in the road, the victim of a hit and run.

I was cheering Enya on as she walked out on her horrible husband, and started a new life for herself. But it was never going to be easy and the night she found a teenager dying in the road will never leave her.

As Enya approached her 47th birthday, the same age her mother was when she died, she spiralled into crisis and her behaviour became quite erratic. Although I had moments of empathy, I found Enya to be a difficult and unlikeable woman. The only person she seems to have any consideration for was herself, which did make it difficult to care about what happened to her.

There were some elements of the story that didn't quite work - Mark's and Oscar's obsessive behaviour felt like they came from a different book!

I enjoyed Enya's developing relationship with folklore and Irish magic that connected her to her late mother and as her mother said, "you reap what you sow".

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cecelia Ahern and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Driving home through a storm one December night Dr Enya Pickering is flagged down by a taxi driver who has found a young man lying in the road, a victim of a hit and run so she performs CPR and saves his life, but this sets off a catalogue of events in Enya's life where she feels she can't trust anyone so, when she hears about a doctor's job in the remote village of Abbeydooley, in rural Ireland she jumps at the chance to get away, but what is so bad that she would leave everyone she loves behind?

Into the Storm is the latest by this author, which relies heavily on old Irish folklore throughout. It's an intriguing read following the life of Enya, desperate to escape her current life but loathe to lose contact with her teenage son Finn. I found the history of the old Rag Tree disturbing, yet fascinating and the inclusion of her mum's historical writing columns a good part of the story. There were some great characters in this tale, especially Margaret who Enya found she had to lean on quite a lot while she was finding her feet in a rural community, but I found Enya's husband, Xander to be rude and obnoxious. A good read that kept me guessing throughout, with a rather unexpected ending.

I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Into The Storm is a poignant exploration of grief and self-discovery, following GP Enya on a harrowing journey after a life-altering encounter. On a stormy winter night, she saves a boy who has been struck by a car, providing him with critical care. Yet, upon returning home to her husband and son, Enya finds herself grappling with unresolved grief from her mother’s death. As her birthday approaches—a painful reminder of her loss—she feels increasingly unanchored. In a moment of desperation, she abandons her family, her business, and everything familiar, retreating to a remote town in search of solace.

Ahern masterfully captures the complexity of Enya’s emotions as she navigates her tumultuous inner landscape. Her conflict over ageing past the age her mother never reached is both relatable and deeply unsettling. Enya’s torment and anxiety paint a realistic portrait of a woman confronting significant life choices. While her flaws may make her a frustrating character at times, they also contribute to her authenticity, allowing readers to empathize with her struggle.

The novel's depiction of mental health is raw and uncomfortable, effectively illustrating the weight of Enya’s emotional turmoil. This heavy subject matter, however, can lead to a slower narrative pace that may challenge some readers.

Margaret, a secondary character, is a standout presence in the story. She is a deeply flawed individual who has made her share of mistakes, yet her complexity makes her relatable and enriching to the narrative. Her interactions with Enya provide valuable insights, highlighting the intricacies of human connection amidst personal chaos.

Overall, Into The Storm is an immersive and heartfelt read that challenges readers to reflect on grief, identity, and the choices we make in the face of loss. Ahern’s thoughtful prose invites us to walk alongside Enya as she seeks to find herself amid the storm.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. Firstly I loved the setting in rural Ireland where superstitions and folklore are prominent. This book features Enya who is aGP who is struggling with her marriage and motherhood. On a stormy night she is driving and encounters an accident , she stops and helps the young boy who has been hit by a car. Nothing is what it seems and we follow Enya into her descent of mental illness. She struggles with people and is overcome with grief after losing her own mother. We meet different characters ,her husband , her son , her sister and Margaret who lives in the flat above the surgery , who has her own problems. We learn about different superstitions like the rag tree where people visit and hang their memorials. I struggled engaging with some of the characters and I wasn’t really gripped towards the end . For me it was an ok read .

Another cracking good story by Cecelia Ahern.
The tale oscillates between good news and bad news, panic and calm, tension and quiet, clarity and obscurity.
The reader is kept thinking all of the time.
I loved this story, easy to follow, but with several surprises.
Lovely scenery, great characters, good story line.
Magic!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book that grabbed my attention from the start and kept me on edge throughout. There is so much going on in the book and story, a lot of drama, emotion, tension and of course family dynamics. There are twists and turns and the characters are all have there own personalities which come through on the pages of this book.

Intriguing, interesting and a book you can't stop reading. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have to be honest, I found this book a dark and gloomy read. Although it’s ultimately about healing, its portrayal of a woman teetering on the brink of a nervous breakdown was tough going at times. I was grateful for the wonderful character of Margaret, who had her own heartbreaking troubles but whose ironic sense of humour provided some lighter moments.
Enya is an interesting character, a respected GP with a selfish husband and mother of a teenaged boy. She’s struggling with grief and anxiety, the impending breakup of her marriage, and guilt at having an affair. Caught in a maelstrom of paranoid anxiety, she takes dramatic action to try to put her life back on track and do the right thing, all the while terrified that she’s going to either die at 47 or outlive her mother.
I’m not sure if I would recommend this book to others, but it is very well written and memorable. I think a reader would have to be feeling pretty strong to tackle it, though. I’m left needing something light and funny to lift my mood after finishing it.

Unfortunately DNFd this. It lacked substance and was very slow with no clear direction of the plot. I loved her earlier work but this is not worth reading in my opiniom

It took me a while to read this book. I found it difficult to get into the storyline as I found it too drawn out. However , it was well written and I am sure it will appeal to a wide audience but it was just not for me.

This really wasnt what I was expecting - it was so much better. I really enjoyed the cultural element to the story, the fear that being alone can create and also how sometimes poeple just arent really what you expect or how they present themselves.

This book has it all, whodunnit (I got it wrong), family drama, and starting over all with the backdrop of a rag tree.

Its a brilliant read for a rainy winter day