I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as it’s not usually the sort of thing I go for, but I found it genuinely enthralling. The story follows Pip, who had her daughter Bella at just 16. Set in Ireland, it explores the shame her parents felt around teenage pregnancy, leading them to force Pip into a life dictated by their rules. Bella’s father, Jamie, was sent away to Liverpool to live with family, reducing his relationship with Bella to weekly phone calls. Despite the distance, Pip and Jamie never stopped loving each other, they were simply forced apart by their parents. The damage caused by her parents' control is especially visible in her relationship with Bella. Bella doesn’t call Pip “Mum” and even tells her new boyfriend they’re sisters.

Now in her 30s, Pip is still under her parents' control. She lives with them, never finished school, and works jobs they arrange for her. She doesn't drive and relies on them for transport. Both she and her mother work at a local observatory, but when 16-year-old Bella needs a job, Pip is pushed to working at a petrol station. This change, though seemingly small, becomes a turning point. It gives Pip some space from her parents and introduces her to new people who help her rediscover herself.

What really stood out to me was how evocative the writing was. The characters felt real and alive, and you could genuinely feel the tension in the family dynamic. Watching Pip slowly break free, find her voice, and ultimately choose a life that’s hers was beautiful to witness.

I don’t want to spoil the story because it’s so well woven that even small details could give too much away. But I would thoroughly recommend this book if you enjoy stories about complex family relationships, rich characterisation, Irish humour, and the journey of a woman finding her independence.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers, for allowing me to read this book.
I had huge expectations from Paper Heart, especially because Cecelia Ahern usually knows how to tug at the right strings. The book started strong, and for a while, I thought it was going to be one of those emotional, beautifully crafted reads that stay with you. But somewhere along the way, it lost a bit of that spark. It didn’t quite live up to what I had hoped for. That said, it’s still a good read—just not the standout I expected it to be.

I love Cecelia Ahern but this book fell short for me and unfortunately didn't finish. The characters just felt too scripted which is unusual for this author as they're usually so well done.

Cecelia is a favourite author of mine. This book describes the way in which 2 teenagers had their lives changed overnight. Their families stepped in to make the best of what they thought was a bad situation. Over the years both have been treated very badly. Phillipa has found a way to cope with her disappointment using origami and poetry to describe her feelings. She keeps this coping mechanism to herself. As so often happens, life events bring situations to a head. Explore this story through the eyes of family, friendships and love.

I read this book in afew sittings, and although I found it quite slow going to start, it really did pick up around half way through when Pip seems to wake up and realise there is more to life than her controlling family situation. I really disliked Pips mother and even her drip of a father, but I guess that was the intention and Cecelia Ahern wrote them well for that purpose.

I loved everything about this book. It’s one of my favourites this year. It gripped me from the 1st page, and despite finishing it a few weeks ago, the plot has stayed with me. It’s beautifully written, heart warming and thought-provoking.

Pip finds her voice. Pip had a daughter at sixteen. Her controlling mother took charge, mothering her granddaughter Bella and smothering Pip, who takes refuge in origami and her poetry. Then something makes her rebel. A bit convoluted at times but a good read and a dramatic ending.

I am 30% through this so far and I really really wanted to love it. Cecelia Ahern is one of my favourite authors (Where Rainbows End, Ps I Love You and The Book of Tomorrow, being my favourites by her) but I just couldn't get into this at all. It just doesn't feel finished and feels jaggedy (don't know if that makes sense) so for the time being I do have to DNF but may pick it back up before it's release date in August

I absolutely loved this book and found it so hard to put it down!
The characters are fantastic, a lot of people will be able to relate to them and the story itself.

Thank you so much for providing me with an early copy of this book. Cecelia Ahern was the author that got me obsessed with reading and her earlier books hold a special place in my heart. When I saw that she had another book coming out I couldn’t help myself. I knew I had to read it. I have mixed feelings about Paper Hearts. I loved the characters. I loved seeing Pip grow with each and every chapter. I found myself felling so many different emotions for her. I couldn’t help but feel so sorry for her and Bella for the relationship that they were never allowed. I loved Jamie and I really enjoyed seeing them come together as a family again. I just didn’t understand the side story regarding the quarry. It just felt out of place and took me away from the story that I was enjoying. I feel like Cecelia really creates her characters with so much depth and warmth it’s virtually impossible to not build a relationship with them but I felt like the size sorry team my from that away from me. I also can’t help but be a little bit disappointed by the ending. I would have loved to have seen more. Bella’s reaction, her parents reaction. Just that little bit more instead of dropping the news and then ending. I feel like there would have been room to do that if we didn’t focus so much on a side story. However that doesn’t take away from the fact that I loved these characters, their development and the journey that they go on throughout this book. I would be super interested in account book with these characters.

I absolutely adored this book. Cecelia really gets into the heart of characters in her own unique way. The characters are so well written, the nice ones, corrupt ones, timid ones and the struggles they are facing and I was rooting for a few reckonings! An absolutely beautiful book, I devoured it.

16 years ago, aged 16, Pip had a baby. Her domineering mother took charge and has done ever since, constantly showing her disappointment. Is now the time to rebel and take charge of her own life, and that of her daughter? A wonderful story of enduring love. Cecilia Ahern never fails to please .

Pip was 16 when she became an unmarried mother in a backward part of Ireland. That her daughter is mow 16 and she twice that age has not been noticed by pip, her domineering mother or her doormat of a father.
A chance event which causes the “guilty” father of the baby to return home triggers an upheaval in all of their lives - especially Pip”s

It's different, topical and a bit unexpected too.

What I loved most about this book was seeing Pip come to several realisations both about her own life but also about the community around her. Recognising her worth and value after losing so much at such a young age was a transformation I loved reading about. Her friendships and the "unfolding" of her life begins with small events that cascade into bigger revelations and realisations that take them all in a new direction.
So well written, full of warmth and emotions, this was a joy to read.

I’m a big fan of Cecelia Ahern, but this one felt quite different from her previous books. It’s a more emotional and, at times, difficult read, focusing on Pip and her experience with controlling parents. The structure is really clever, with short poems and origami instructions woven between the chapters, adding a unique and creative touch. I found myself really rooting for Pip and was completely drawn into her journey.

u can’t understand the luck i’m feeling while writing this review about paper heart by cecelia ahern because recently i read my very first book by her and i had enjoyed myself in a very unique way that made me curios about her other books and guess what? i happened to find out that paper out’s was going to be released soon and so i wanted try my luck and hoping to read it during these days and now here i am writing about it!

“origami girl hides inside herself she tucks and folds a pith in her peel she expresses with shapes touches with corners feels with a concealed pleated heart she whispers in ink”

so we met pip (our origami girl) a strong woman that happens to feel very small thanks to the situation and people she has near unfortunately :( she’s a woman but she’s also a mother of a young girl bella and the father our jamie’s not with them but due to new things happened in the small town she lives our jamie will return back and well everything will change and not only because of this fact but especially also thanks to pip because our female main character’s finally standing up for herself and her beloved and i honestly I couldn’t be more happier and proud for her because reading this story gifted me a lot of different emotions from being angry to being extremely emotional and proud in fact i shouldn’t hide the fact that i exclaimed more than once while reading the words: “that’s my girl” “yes. pip.”

this is the type of story that i would advice to read it just like that because it will surprise you and trust me because i truly was so just go for it and especially if you are in the mood for a complex story about a girl that discover herself again through her love and passion and well it made me feel more curious about cecelia ahern previous and future stories :”)

a lot of thanks to HarperCollins Uk, HarperFiction and Netgalley for the e-arc of this lighthearted story in exchange for my honest opinion!

Absolutely loved this book,. Just when I though Cecelia Ahern could not get any better. I fabulous story line. I absolutely loved the lead character Pip a shrinking violet who turns into a Roaring Lion. Girl Power at its best. Fantastic!

I haven't read a Cecilia Ahern book for a while so I was excited to receive this ARC. I wasn't disappointed.
Telling the story of Pip, a woman in her 30's who has a tiny life. Still at home with her parents and teenage daughter, Pip is treated like a child with no voice.
The story gradually shows Pip growing and finding her true self.
A good read.

This story felt like a quiet hug. Pip is stuck in a life that feels too small, until a gentle stranger helps her see beyond it. It’s not just about romance, it’s about finding your voice when you’ve forgotten you had one.

A slow, tender story about healing, self-worth, and second chances. It stayed with me.

Cecelia always writes a gorgeous book and this doesn’t disappoint
It follows the story of Pip and Bella, Josephine and Philip who all live in the house Philip built with his very own hands with rock from the very quarry he works in
He worships the owners the family of wolverstons now Sammy the youngest and not in the best way by cutting training, not producing quality cement and making the blasts more often
But before all that at the start of the story we have Pip finding out she is pregnant with Jamie baby they are quite happy but Jamie is shipped of to Liverpool meanwhile Pip has her baby taken off her by her mum and she is stuffed in the tiny box room while her mum brings up her baby as her own
This goes on for years and Pip allows it to go on and on would she ever get to call her daughter her own
She met a man called Io who worked at the observatory next door to the crossroads service station where Pip worked and he came in every day for her to make him a salad and she made him the best ones ever and they became friends he talked to her and made her feel at ease told her she would go far but always look up, this man would teach her so much she learned so much from him
Would she fall n love again?