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.

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