I love Cecelia Ahern's writing, it's so beautiful and soothing even when tackling tough subjects. Paper Heart follows Pip who had a baby as a teenager with her boyfriend but her parents immediately took over when the baby was born. Pip is now older and the baby is a teenager but still they all live in the same house and Pip still has no agency in her own life. Her mum looks after her daughter Bella and Pip is frustrated but feels powerless to make a change. Then one day she meets a man who works at the observatory and slowly he helps Pip see that there is beauty in this world and freedom to be had. Gradually Pip starts to make changes in her life and to stand up to her mother, and I loved seeing her make a bid for independence and to follow her own dreams, and to be allowed to parent her daughter. This novel has some quirky elements as you expect from the author but it all blends together so beautifully and in the end this is such a heartwarming novel. I recommend it!

It took me a while to get into this book and it’s fair to say whilst I loved PS I love you, I haven’t felt the same about many of Cecilia’s later books.

I loved Pip as a character and really related to a domineering mother (as mine was!) I got a bit frustrated about why she allowed herself to be treated like that until she was 32, but pleased when she found herself and her voice.

Also got a bit frustrated about why she was pushed out of parenting Bella herself up until then.

A real feel good story of coming of age, second chances at happiness and that it’s never too late to really start your life how you want to live it.

When you get pregnant at the age of 16 and your parents takeover.
Not allowed to parent her daughter and the dad Jamie exiled to Liverpool from Ireland.
Now Bella is 16 year's old herself and 32 year old Pip is still being treated as if she's a child.
Time to make changes, follow pip standing up for herself and claiming a relationship with her daughter. Finding her voice not just for herself and her child but wrongs in the community
It's never too late to grow up
Enjoy I did following Pips teenager rebellion at the age of 32. Made me smile, cheering Pip on

There’s a lot to like about Pip, Cecelia’s latest protagonist – even if Pip doesn’t like much about herself, except, perhaps, her origami skill. A dreamer, guidance comes from an unexpected source, but is she willing to open her horizons to allow that heart of hers to open as effectively? You’ll be rooting for Pip throughout this tender read, that moves seamlessly from one emotion to the next, always appropriate and never feeling gratuitous. Knowing the level of detail Cecelia goes into in terms of research for each novel adds an extra layer to what is already a gorgeous read. One to savour.

This started off really bleak and it took me awhile to get into it. Maybe half way it started to lighten. I really felt for Pip, although I did feel frustrated at the way she was behaving at 32 years-old (in the early part of the book, thankfully she does find her voice). What does Ahern want us to think about Io I wonder? A great character. I enjoyed the sense of mystery surrounding him. Some of the information about turf I found boring. It dragged on too long in parts. It's great when Pip's life starts opening up. This book ends really well, so I am glad I stuck with it. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always enjoyed Cecilia Ahern’s novels—some more than others—but this one really stood out. While P.S. I Love You remains my all-time favourite, this might be the closest any of her books have come to topping it.

At the heart of the story is Pip, a woman whose role as a mother was taken from her before it ever really began. Pregnant at 16, Pip was pushed aside by her controlling mother, Josephine, who stepped in to raise Bella as her own. Now, with Bella turning 16, Pip is still treated more like an embarrassment than a parent—and Bella has never once called her “Mam.” My heart ached for Pip; her life has been overshadowed and dictated by a woman who shows little compassion.

Then Jamie returns—the boy who was sent away when they were teens, Bella’s father, and the person Pip never truly stopped loving. His reappearance brings old emotions and new possibilities into Pip’s life.

This novel is about more than love—it's about reclaiming identity, healing fractured family ties, and finding the courage to fight for your place in the world. There’s also a twist near the end that genuinely surprised me and gave the story even more depth.

Heartfelt, emotional, and deeply moving—this is a story that lingers.

Book Title: Paper Heart

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Publication Date:

Rating: ★★★☆☆

I received a free book copy from HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins, and NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Introduction

✨ Cecelia Ahern’s upcoming novel, Paper Heart, is an engaging and heartfelt read. The story focuses on Pip, a timid 32-year-old who has lived under the control of her parents since becoming a teenage mother. It's a quiet, contemplative journey of self-discovery that is both frustrating and deeply rewarding to witness.

Source: GoodReads

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

🫂 Pip, a 32-year-old woman with a 16-year-old daughter, Bella, still lives with her domineering parents. Her life is a result of their shame over her teenage pregnancy, which led them to make all her decisions, leaving her with a low-income job and a lack of independence. Pip's one true joy is making origami, a private expression of her emotions. A chance meeting with Io, an astronomer, inspires her to look at her life from a new perspective, and the return of Bella’s father, Jamie, forces her to confront the past. The narrative follows Pip as she slowly begins to reclaim her voice, challenging the years of control and building a life of her own.

Characters and Their Development (Spoilers)

🌱 Cecelia Ahern’s talent for creating rich, complex characters stands out throughout Paper Heart, while the development of the main cast is a central part of the novel’s appeal.

🥹 Pip’s character arc is the core of the story. She is initially presented as shy and lacking in agency, a direct result of being completely controlled by her mother for over a decade. It can be frustrating to read as she makes poor decisions or allows others to make them for her, but this feeling is exactly what makes her eventual growth so satisfying. The narrative is a slow and deliberate unfolding, mirroring the origami that Pip creates. By the end, she is no longer the timid mouse she was at the start, having found her voice and the courage to take charge of her own life.

🔭 The other characters serve as catalysts for Pip’s transformation and highlight her growth. Io, the astronomer, brings a refreshing and almost magical quality to the narrative. His presence introduces Pip to a world far bigger than her own, offering a new perspective and helping her to see the potential for change.

🗣️ The character of Jamie, Bella’s father, also plays a crucial role. His return forces Pip to confront the past and provides a tangible path toward the family life she was never allowed to have. Their relationship is tender and healing, beautifully demonstrating a love that was never truly lost.

🤯 In contrast, the antagonist characters, particularly Pip’s mother Josephine and a character named Sammy, are written with such effectiveness that they provoke strong reactions through the reading. Josephine's overbearing and manipulative nature is the primary force that has held Pip back, and the constant friction between them is a powerful depiction of a strained mother-daughter relationship. While some may find this a tired trope in Ahern's work, the literary execution here is compelling. Similarly, the infuriating nature of Sammy speaks to Ahern’s skill in crafting characters who are both believable and memorable.

Overall Thoughts

🔖 Paper Heart is a quiet, contemplative read that is thoroughly enjoyable. While the pacing is slow at the start, this is a deliberate choice that reflects Pip’s stagnant life, and it makes her eventual journey toward self-discovery all the more rewarding. The book successfully explores themes of family dynamics, shame, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. The prose is beautiful and evocative, with the use of origami and astronomy serving as powerful metaphors for Pip’s inner world and her expanding horizons.

Conclusion & Final Rating

💯 Cecelia Ahern has delivered a beautifully written and emotional novel with Paper Heart. It is a testament to her ability to create deeply human characters and to tell a story that is full of hope and heart. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about finding one’s voice and reclaiming a life that was almost lost.

Final Rating: ★★★☆☆

Book Tropes:

Journey of Self-Discovery: The central plot follows the main character, Pip, as she gradually reclaims her independence, voice, and confidence after years of being suppressed by her family.

Healing from a Traumatic Past: The story explores the long-term effects of shame and parental control on Pip's life, showing her process of emotional healing and learning to live for herself.

Second-Chance Romance: The plot includes the return of a first love, Jamie, and the exploration of a renewed relationship with him after many years apart.

The Overbearing Mother: A prominent and often frustrating trope, Pip's mother is a domineering figure who makes all her decisions and holds her back. This is a key driver of the conflict and Pip's personal growth.

Finding Your Voice: This is a core theme and trope, as Pip goes from a quiet, submissive character to one who stands up for herself and others.


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What a wholesome read. I really enjoyed seeing Pip coming out of the shell she was put in. It's one of those stories that make you believe it's never too late to be happy.

After not enjoying Cecelia Ahern’s release last year, I’m happy to say that her latest novel is a hit, Paper Heart is a heartfelt and engaging read that I truly enjoyed.

The story follows Pip, a thirty-two-year-old woman with a sixteen-year-old daughter, still living with her parents and working a low-income job. She’s shy, lacks agency, and is heavily influenced by her parents. Her one personal joy is making origami, something that feels entirely her own. The novel is a slow-burn journey of self-discovery, as Pip gradually begins to reclaim her life, confidence, and independence.

Pip’s character arc is particularly strong. While it was often frustrating to watch her make poor decisions, or have decisions made for her, I found it incredibly rewarding to see her grow and gain self-assurance. The addition of Io, with his love of astronomy, brought a refreshing energy to the story and reminded me of the charm found in Ahern’s earlier works. One character I couldn’t stand was Sammy—easily one of the most infuriating characters I’ve encountered this year. But my strong reaction only speaks to Ahern’s powerful character writing.

A small note that didn’t affect my rating: I think it’s time for Ahern to move away from the recurring “terrible mother” trope. The overuse of strained mother-daughter relationships across her novels is starting to feel a bit tired.

That said, I’m still eagerly anticipating her next book. Cecelia Ahern remains an author I’ll always want to read.

I think Cecelia Ahern's books can be a bit Marmite.Some you love some you don't. For me this was a definite love. I was rooting for Pip from the start. The downtrodden 16 year old who had gotten pregnant and been totally walked all over by her domineering mother til at 32 she was a timid mouse. I loved, although was a bit confused by, the character of Io who gave Pip the strength to grow and disliked intensely bullying Sammy. I had no trouble setting straight into the story and loved it from start to finish. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Pip is 32 years old, pregnant at 16 and living with her parents and 16 year old daughter. We follow Pip as she basically get trampled all over by her mother, It was a slow start and I honestly couldn’t relate at all to Pip. It picks up just after halfway through but unfortunately it didn’t hit the spot, I didn’t feel like I was reading a Cecilia Ahern book at all, I am a fan so I hate saying this!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book.

Cecelia Ahern has once again delivered another beautifully written book. Set in rural Ireland the story revolves around Pip, her teenage daughter and her controlling mother. Although its perhaps
un- fathomable as to why or how Pip has allowed her mother to domineer her whole life it's a lovely journey as we watch Pip awaken and begin her life. I enjoyed it. Thank you netgalley, author and publisher for an advance read.

This may be my new favourite novel by Cecelia Ahern. Pip lives with her parents and 16 year old daughter, Bella. Constantly reminded of the shame brought on the family by her teenage pregnancy, Pip lives in the shadows, acquiescing to her mother’s instructions, living in the job arranged by her mother and living in the single bedroom allocated to her by her mum. After meeting a mysterious new friend, Io, and with Bella’s dad returning to Ireland for a family emergency, Pip starts to question the narrative that has been woven and starts to consider the life she wants to live.

The relationship between Pip and Bella is complex, at times sisters, at times friends and with Pip trying to gently move towards parent-child relationship. The dynamic in the family is interesting and gives an insight into Ireland’s not so distance past of the shame surrounding parentage outside of wedlock. The character of Io brings comedic relief but also hopeful insight into a brighter future.

Magical, heartfelt and demonstrating complex family dynamics, this is a must read.

Pip’s world is small, but the stars are calling. She’s spent years folding herself into the background, living quietly and carefully. Then she meets an astronomer from the local observatory who shows her how to look up. Suddenly, the universe feels wide open, full of possibility and light. As stargazing turns to something softer and deeper, Pip begins to wonder if there’s more waiting for her than just quiet nights and quiet dreams. A gentle, luminous story about finding love, taking up space, and letting your heart lead the way.

Another cracking read from Cecelia Ahern.
Pip is in her early thirties; she loves with her mum, dad and her 16 year old daughter who treats her more like a sister. Her life isn't really hers, it's her mother's.

Initially, it took me a while to get into the story - I wasn't really familiar with Irish bogs but very quickly the characters envelope you and I found I couldn't put the book down! It's emotional, engaging and with enough twists and turns that it's not predictable. There's a slight extraterrestrial twist I'm not certain about but it is well worth a read.

Such an interesting read with a fresh combination of issues explored (teenage pregnancy /family abuse / construction safety mica style cover up) which All sounds a bit grim but it isn’t. What could be depressing becomes a lively tale of a family rediscovering each other and themselves with a couple of slightly weird twists.

This book was difficult to read but thoroughly enjoyable. Watching Pip bloom was so satisfying, literally like a flower. Io was a delight, and I’m so glad Jamie came back and helped Pip find her voice.
This book is full of anger, sadness, and some very funny parts, but most importantly it is full of hope. Please go and read it; you won’t be disappointed!

Loved this book, a tale with themes of family dynamics and self discovery while touching on some difficult issues along the way. Loved the wee twist at the end.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Set in Ireland. Pip lives at home with her parents and daughter Bella. Pip’s mother Josephine controls the family interactions. Pip would like a better relationship with her 16-year-old daughter, but Josephine prevents her from having a better relationship.

Pip works at Ballybeg Service Station, working at the deli counter preparing food.

Pip escapes into an imaginary world of daydreams and enjoys writing poetry and folding paper into origami, shapes. The poetry and origami are the aspects of her life she can control.

A chance meeting with a stranger encourages Pip to improve her life.

I loved the way Pip gradually starts making friends and rebelling against her mother.

This was a love story about families and life in a small town.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Harper Collins for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had high hopes for this latest book from Cecilia Ahern, having enjoyed all her previous books. However, I struggled to get into this tale of Pip and her daughter Bella and sadly I didn’t complete it.