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?

Deeply emotional and romantic read! Such a complex story that was woven together beautifully. The characters all had depth to them, such as Pip, making it extremely easy to root for them all. Would definitely recommend to those who enjoy Cecilia Ahern! This is some of her best work

I thought this book was fantastic, but I have knocked off a star, purely because I thought some parts were TOO sad. I was emotional throughout, and so invested in Pip’s story, but my GOD was I miserable at some points. I thought the ending was twisty and well done and I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who’s enjoyed Cecelia Ahern’s previous works - a very on brand emotive read from her!

Pip gave birth to a baby when she was only sixteen years old, much to her mother's shame, not least because she was deeply aware of the disapproval from their small Irish church going community. Pip's mother took on the care of Bella, excluding Pip from her daughter's life. Now, sixteen years later, Bella is a teenager, and Pip still lives in the box room of the house her father built with rock from they quarry where he works (her daughter has the second bedroom with en suite). However, cracks—both literal and metaphorical—are beginning to appear in the family's life. Pip works at the local service station, pouring her unspoken emotions into poems she conceals in origami creations. Then Jamie, Bella's father, returns from Liverpool, where he had been following Bella's birth, and so does Io, an astronomer from the local observatory, challenging her to confront her own unhappiness.

Initially, I was uncertain whether I would enjoy this book. It is quiet, contemplative, and, at the start, slow-moving. However, this deliberate pacing reflects the stagnant nature of Pip's life at the outset. Pip has disengaged from her own life, merely going through the motions while enduring her mother's disdain and the belief that she has irreparably ruined her future I found great satisfaction in watching Io and Jamie help Pip reframe her narrative and rediscover how to live the life she desire.s It is a subtle and beautifully written story, as is to be expected from Cecelia Ahern, and I highly recommend it.

BEautifully complex characters with a great story to tell. Family dynamics with shameful stories whilst struggling to become their best selves,

This story was so beautifully crafted, so many different characters each with their own story to tell.
the story gives an insight to the complexities that land owners face and how it is still so difficult

Paper Heart is a quietly resonant story of finding strength in vulnerability and reclaiming one’s life under the gaze of the stars. If you love character-driven, introspective fiction with lyrical prose, this is a lovely choice. Just know it’s a slow, reflective read—not a plot-driven whirlwind thriller.

I love this author, but this book was just ok. I felt it started off very slow but stuck at it. Got better from half way.

This is a great story with characters that will take you on a journey. I absolutely loved the character development for several characters in the book. I felt a strong sense of empowerment and loved to read about strong female characters who take charge, ensure they are listened to, and have a sense of sisterhood. Really truly brilliant characters. Even the characters that you hate are written well and some really important topics were covered in a powerful way. For instance, I was so pleased at the inclusion of ask Angela - if one person reads about that who didn’t know about it before, then it’s one more empowered person. Amazing.

I loved the story but felt like the ending was missing something. I wanted a little more finality around some aspects of the story and it felt like a lot was crammed in at the end that maybe didn’t need to be. I had guessed from quite early on what the ending would be around the observatory character though I must admit it didn’t really necessary from my perspective and I actually thought the story could’ve done just as well without that being part of it.

I did love the ending for the main characters and felt a sense of relief that things seemed to work out just right for them.

DNF @ 20%

I've read most of Cecelia's books and I always ended up enjoying them (I mean, P.S I Love You? Lots of tears), so I was so curious to read this one! Alas, from the first chapter I really struggled to connect with the story and the characters, especially because the writing style was so different from the other books. I don't know how to describe it, but it wasn't very fluent. Sorry to DNF it but this time it's a miss for me.

Paper Hearts is a beautifully emotional novel about family, hopes, and dreams — and how the paths we take are often written in the stars. Cecelia Ahern weaves a heartfelt story full of emotional highs and lows, with stunning reflections on love, identity, and connection.

The inclusion of astronomy elements adds a magical, thoughtful layer to the narrative, grounding the characters’ journeys in something vast and universal. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, a brilliant and unexpected twist shifts everything — and it lands perfectly.

Moving, tender, and quietly powerful, Paper Hearts is a stellar read that lingers long after the final page.

I do love a new Celia book. This one is an up and down journey all the way to the end. It had me championing the main character and left me more than a little disappointed that I’d gotten to the end so fast.

I always love when a book by Cecelia pops up. Definitely one of my favourite authors. As always another great book. Absolutely adored the characters and plot ❤️

This is a 4.5* read. Beautifully written and totally gripping read. Tugs at the heart strings and has you shouting to support the main character on her journey. Would highly recommend this book

This is just as you'd expect from Cecilia Ahern, a person's dreams turn into heartbreak before they become love. A catchy read from the start.

I was really excited to read this latest book from Cecelia Ahern, as it’s been a while since I’ve read anything by her. I thought it was beautifully written, exploring the difficult relationships within a family. I loved Pip’s character but felt there was more to explore there. I t took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did, it flew by. There was so much more to say, and more to explore within the story, but enjoyed it all the same.
I will definitely look out for her next book. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this as an ARC.

As a Cecelia Ahern fan, I was delighted to read this ARC of Paper Heart. Such a sad but beautiful book about families, friendships, life, hope, relationships, and most importantly about finding your voice. Pip and Jamie were 16 when Pip fell pregnant with Bella with drastic consequences in Ballybeg. The story pics up 16 years later, with characters that you quickly fall in love with, and others you despise. I don't want to spoil the story, it unfolds so beautifully with twists and turns, and many air punching moments, and moments that brought me to tears, all brought together in such a satisfying way. This could possibly be my favourite Cecelia Ahern book so far.
Thank you Netgalley.

Paper Heart is an absolute triumph. As a long-time fan of Cecelia Ahern, I’ve adored many of her books over the years – and this one was no different.

This beautifully told story is about self-discovery, resilience, and the quiet yet powerful journey of finding your voice after years of being silenced.

At its centre is Pip – a character I utterly adored. Watching her gradually emerge from the shadows of her life, and from the deep control of her mother Josephine, was both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Pip’s story is one of pain, courage, and growth. Her mother’s overbearing nature – constantly undermining Pip, taking over the parenting of her daughter Bella, and stifling her independence – made me incredibly angry.

While it was clear Josephine believed she was acting in her daughter and granddaughter’s best interests, the damage she inflicted was undeniable.

Pip’s yearning for freedom, to live on her own terms and be the mother she wanted to be, resonated deeply. We all deserve the right to choose our path, even if we sometimes falter. That freedom was cruelly denied to Pip for far too long.

But this isn’t just a story of loss and limitation – it’s one of hope and transformation.

Pip’s journey is a powerful reminder that while we can’t change the past, we can reclaim our future. And that’s exactly what she does. Go Pip!

Watching her come into her own, shining like a supernova, was such a joy.

The astronomy themes woven throughout the story were fascinating and completely original – I’ve never read anything like it.

When Pip visits the observatory and meets Io, her world expands. She begins to see just how small her life has become – and just how much bigger it could be.

That turning point was handled with so much tenderness and power. I was rooting for her every step of the way.

The book also explores community and environmental damage, with Pip discovering the devastating impact of a nearby quarry – a metaphor, in many ways, for the cracks that had long been forming in her family and her life.

Those literal cracks in the walls mirrored the fractures in her spirit, but also signalled a potential for change.

I was completely captivated by the relationship between Pip and Jamie – gentle, respectful, and healing – and the ending left me both teary-eyed and full of joy.

What adds even more depth is the recurring motif of origami. Each fold and shape reflects the delicate strength of Pip’s own transformation.

Life, like origami, is intricate, fragile, and ever-changing – and through each crease, Pip slowly unfolds into the woman she was always meant to be.

Ahern’s writing is exquisite as ever – full of empathy, wisdom, and hope.

She has this rare ability to craft characters who feel utterly real, and Paper Heart is no exception.

Every detail, from the lyrical poems to the subtle humour, is perfectly placed. And while most of the characters were lovable, I will simply say: Sammy… no thank you (iykyk!).

This is a novel about identity, motherhood, control, love, and courage. About reclaiming your story. A tender, fierce, and inspiring book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Paper Hearts is a book of beauty, and it really resonated with me in parts.

The story follows Pip, a 32 year old woman who at sixteen became pregnant and had a little girl Bella. However, all is not what it seems and the pregnancy led to a life of being controlled, undermined and generally made to feel like an embarrassement by her parents, in particular her mother Josephine. The father of her child is sent away to be with family, and the role of parenting her daughter is taken from her and she spends 16 years being a spectator in a life that should have been hers.

Whilst we are following Pip and her journey to finding her voice and her power again, we see everything around them falling apart. Her dad has just built a new house near the quarry where he works and they have a frosty reception from their neighbours. In Pip's journey to standing for herself, she starts looking into the quarry when she sees cracks appearing in her new home, and discovers the real reason for her neighbours opinions.

The story is one of inner strength, both finding it and using it. For years she has been treated like a child through every decision that she has made and this is her time. It's a story of hope, of prevailing love and of justice to an extent. It is a journey of self reflection and the use of origami shapes and poems that are added throughout the narrative offer insight into Pip and her sadness. It is a story of rebuilding relationships, making new ones and setting boundaries on those that harm.

This book is everything and more. It has a bit of everything to keep the story moving and is wonderfully paced.

I really enjoyed this book and felt like I knew the characters personally. The way it was written, helped to emerse the reader into their lives. I have always liked Cecelia Ahern's books and will continue to read any new ones that come out.

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.