I absolutely loved this book! I am a huge fan of Cecelia Ahern and have read many of her books but Paper Heart is now my favourite! Such a wonderful and beautiful story about self-discovery, finding your inner strength, embracing change, and taking that leap into the future that you could only have imagined before.

The main character is Pip who I absolutely adored. It took a long time for Pip to come out of her shell. Pip’s mother, Josephine, was deeply controlling, constantly undermining her independence and preventing her from making her own choices, especially when it came to raising her child, Bella, the way she wanted. Reading Pip’s story was heartbreaking, seeing how her mother shaped her life completely, never allowing her the freedom to truly be herself, which is all we want in life. We want to be ourselves, we want to choose how we live our life and make our own decisions. We may not always get it right, but we should be given the freedom to try. I know Pip’s Mum thought she was doing what was best for her daughter and granddaughter but she could not see the immense harm she was doing. She held Pip back, never allowing Pip the space to grow into the person she wanted to be. I really disliked Pip’s mother, constantly overshadowing her choices and stifling her independence. All Pip longed for was the freedom to be herself, to be supported, to make her own choices, and to be the mother she wished to be. Pip’s Mother made me so angry!

But you cannot change the past and by digging deep however hard it is, finding your strength and voice, you do have the power to change the future and this is just what Pip did! Go Pip! She was finally shining like a supernova!

I loved the astronomy elements in the book. I have never read a book with so much detail about astronomy and I found it absolutely fascinating! At the observatory, Io revealed the vastness of the world to Pip. Seeing how small her own circle had been, Pip became determined to break free and embrace something greater and take control of her own path, shaping her future and destiny on her own terms, not her Mother’s. I was loving this new Pip! She was becoming stronger, braver, and finally stepping into the life she and her daughter truly deserved.

We also learned about the high-intensity vibrations, which exceeded the legal limit, from the nearby quarry, which caused significant damage to their home and to her Father’s health as he worked at the quarry. The cracks in her bedroom wall I fell mirrored the fractures in her life, they may appear small in their own right but as a whole, they are so much bigger, highlighting a much bigger issue. I also felt the cracks represented the family being so separate and not working together and operating as one family unit – mainly due to Pip’s Mother being so overbearing and manipulative. As you can probably tell, I had no sympathy for her! I also disliked Sammy for many many reasons, that you will understand once you have read the book!

I loved seeing how the relationship developed between Jamie and Pip and I was so very very happy with the ending!

I love the powerful words about Origami throughout the book - they were perfect. Origami mirrors life so much. Life, like origami, unfolds in unexpected ways. Every crease and fold shapes us, and they challenge us be stronger. We grow, we adapt, and we transform, embracing the possibilities that come with change and this is just what Pip did – unfolded herself, piece by piece, just like the origami she made. Origami is delicate, just like Pip was, but her resilience and strength unfolded in time, transforming her into the Pip she always wanted and hoped to be.

Goodness, I could write so much more. As you can also tell, I adored this book so much!

A five star read about hope. love and transformation. This story will stay with me for a long time. Thank you!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK Publishers Ltd for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved this! I’ve been reading Cecelia Ahern books for years and this didn’t disappoint! Beautifully written, a really lovely exploration of difficult family dynamics- such a unique writing style. I couldn’t put this down- loved the cliffhanger (no spoilers!!)

Its been a while since I picked up a Cecelia Ahern book so I was intrigued when I saw this book available to request on NetGalley. I immediately remembered how much I enjoy her style of writing and the way this makes you feel so attached to the characters. Paper Heart is a heart-warming book although tackles some hard subjects and the difficult familial dynamics the main character experiences are difficult and frustrating to read at times. I would have liked to get a bit more development of the romance plot but I also enjoyed the focus on the main characters individual development and can understand why this was the main plot point. Overall I really enjoyed this emotional heart-warming read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Having read Cecelia Ahern’s previous book, I was really excited to get stuck into Paper Hearts. I did enjoy it—there’s something so warm and easy about Ahern’s writing—but I couldn’t help feeling like it needed a bit more depth.

I absolutely loved Pip as a character and would’ve liked to see her story explored further. The book flew by and honestly felt more like a novella than a full-length novel, which left me wanting more—not because it was a cliffhanger, but because I felt there was still so much story left to tell.

Overall, a nice, quick read with a great main character—but I wish there had been a bit more to sink my teeth into.

A beautiful book. I loved the characters and watching how they grew. A great insight into difficult family dynamics. Recommended.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

I had a very slow start to this book and was beginning to think it wasn’t for me. I’m so, so glad I kept with it as it has turned out to be my book of the year so far. It’ll be memorable for all the right reasons, heart warming, uplifting, touching on all human emotions- god and bad. There are some horrible characters and some truly wonderful ones too, the ending is just perfection in so many ways too numerous to mention. I’d love to see this on film! 4* because of the slower start

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I think I'm on a new high with Aherns books. Another hit!
I knew this was going to feature romance but it also featured a lot of anxiety and stress for Pip dealing with her narcissist mother Joesphine.

Pip fell pregnant at 16 with her childhood sweetheart Jamie. It's brought great shame on both families. Skip forward 16 years and Jamie lives in Liverpool and Pip is still living at home with her family and daughter Bella, who is more like her little sister.

This book is about change, setting boundaries and following your dreams. I loved seeing Pip change and find happiness. The only aspect that let it down for me was The Wolverstons featured hugely in this story as baddies and I would have liked to have known what happened to them in the end.

I really enjoyed this story although it didn't take me where I thought it would to begin with. It becomes one you don't want to put down as you want to know which way the ending is heading...

I have always loved Ahern's books and this one proves why. The book is all heart and strikes the right emotional chords as the story progresses.

Loved the premise and the lead character. Her struggle, loss and pain makes you feel for her. Especially her strained relationships and her family. I found her someone to root for. Absolutely recommend this one!

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

I enjoyed this tale of redemption, love and quiet strength. It takes a lot to confront the past and I was rooting for the main character Pip throughout. She spent much of her life hidden away and shaped by shame and strained relationships. There's pain in her story but also healing showing hope can guide us through even the darkest moments. . Ahern’s storytelling is characteristically tender and follows Pip as she begins to reclaim her voice and her sense of self. I was offered this ARC in exchange for an honest review which I have voluntarily given. With twists and emotional depth, Paper Heart is a moving reminder that it's never too late to make change.

Overall I enjoyed this book. Although it was slow to get going. Pips mum Josephine was extremely unlikable and domineering ( to put it mildly) .
For the a lot of the booknI was rooting for Pip to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the ending even if it was somewhat predictable

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I absolutely love this author and feel so lucky for have been able to read this
I thoroughly enjoyed this

perfect for summer

Highly recommend

Paper Heart by Cecelia Ahern is a tender and heartfelt story about hope, family, and the courage to reclaim one’s life. Pip has spent years shrinking into the shadows, folding her dreams as delicately as the origami she creates in solitude. Her teenage pregnancy and the judgment of her own mother, Josephine, have kept her in a prison of shame and silence, with her daughter Bella never recognising her as Mam.

The arrival of Jamie, Bella’s father and Pip’s first love, reopens old wounds but also offers a chance for healing. Pip’s journey towards self-acceptance and love is beautifully portrayed with Ahern’s usual warmth and gentle prose. The book delicately explores how families can fracture and mend, and the power of hope to light the darkest paths.

I found Pip’s story deeply moving, especially her struggle to break free from the past and to find her own voice. The unexpected twist towards the end added a poignant touch that stayed with me long after I finished the book.

Paper Heart is a celebration of resilience and the human spirit, perfect for anyone who believes in second chances.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This was such an achingly sad, heartbreaking read. My first time reading from this author and I am going to have to read more of her works. This one got me feeling all the feels. Pip is a character I have so much sympathy for, I just found her story so completely heartbreaking. The second chance romance of the book was well done. It's beautifully written. An amazing book

This was very different to the last book from Cecelia Ahern, but an easy read and uplifting conclusion.

As a reader I was rooting for Pip from the start. She’s not had an easy time, giving birth to Bella and 16 and enduring a restricted life with controlling parents. Now in her early 30s, she is ‘woken up’ to potential opportunities beyond her small life in the village. A few different strands are woven through the story such as her friendship with Io, dating experiences with Sammy, the father daughter relationship between Jamie and Bella. A lot happened in the last few chapters but I did enjoy the ending.

Huge thank you for the ARC.

I could not put this book down, great to have a new novel from Ahern. The story opens with Pip, and we are immediately given an insight into her life as she is sat in the back of the car with her mother and 16 year old daughter in the front.
Ahern is great at writing about characters and I immediately warmed to Pip, cheering her on throughout. After getting pregnant at 16 her mother and father have never stopped punishing her for it. Pip has lost confidence in herself and has learned to believe everything they say she is, a failure and useless. But changes are coming and I cheered her on the whole way.
An odd ending for her friend Io that I didn't feel was necessary, but I loved this book and recommend it to everyone.

Pip and Jamie had a baby 16 years ago but their parents overuled and Jamie ended up moving overseas to live with family. Pip' mother has made every important decision for her and Bella, or Isabella, as her mother insists on referring to her, every since.
This book explores complex relationships and we observe Pip finally stepping out of her mother's shadow after developing a unique friendship with IO.
Cecilia Ahern has a talent for incorporating the weird and wonderful and this, though somewhat predictable, was no different.

Loved loved loved! Another fantastic book from the queen of storytelling. A bittersweet story of self discovery, hope, toxic relationships and true friendships. Highly recommend.

A story of personal growth and finding yourself when facing up to the past.

Cecelia Ahern always writes deeper meaning novels with that little touch of magic, and this one was no exception. A slow developing found family and inner strength trope. A really enjoyable read