Cecelia Ahern is back at her best again, this time telling the story of Allegra and the five people in her life, but which 5 are her 5 ? An absolute joy to read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I really struggled to get into this book, but by about half way it started to pick up, and in the end I did enjoy it. I really enjoyed the concept - that we're shaped by the five people we spend most time with - and do think that to some, Allegra (Freckles) will be relatable. I am usually a big fan of Cecelia's writing, so am glad I gave it a go, and look forward to her next.

DNF'd at 38%. The story seemed dull and the writing style didn't gel with me, I think I've realised Cecelia Ahern books aren't for me.

Allegra leaves her childhood behind but a chance encounter leads her to question who made her who she is today. Another fabulous Cecelia Ahern novel which leaves you feeling whole and satisfied.

I was excited to see a new book by this author. The title and cover both intrigued me and drew me in instantly. Freckles is the nickname of Allegra Bird. She’s a traffic warden in an Irish city. She always wanted to be a police officer in the Irish Garda, but failed to make the grade, so a traffic warden is the nearest she’ll get. When the owner of a car she keeps ticketing tells her that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with…” it sends Allegra’s life into a spin with her trying to decide who her five people are.

This is a very cleverly written book with plenty of things to think about, both for Allegra and yourself as you read. I have to admit though, it took me ages to get into the story properly. I became invested in Allegra’s character quite early on; I liked her character and her routines. Then as the story moved on, I lost the connection a little, and then I got it again, then lost it again…and I found this continued through well over half of the book. I found the book a little complicated at times but there was something in the story which pushed me to continue with it. The supporting characters were good, I loved Paddy and Tristan and they made the story. The whole supporting cast were a mixed bunch of characters, but they worked well throughout the book and kept it going!

For me, the best part of the story was the last quarter of the book. I became so engrossed in the story that I actually felt quite sad when I finished it, which felt strange considering I’d struggled with the rest of the book. The premise of “the average of the five people you spend the most time with” was interesting and by the end of the book, this all made perfect sense. The book was emotional and moving throughout, and on the very last page, I have to admit, I was reduced to tears. This was such a difficult book to review, I normally would have given up with it very early on, but as it was an author I like, it spurred me to carry on. In the end, I’m so glad I did!

A very thought provoking book. I just resonate with the quote this whole book is built up on so much. Thoigh it drags a bit in the first half and makes you want to DNF it, it slowly gathers pace. A well written book which will make you just sit and think about what you read.

This is a cleverly written book.
Allegra has freckles and they dominate her life. she can see things in them and spends time joining the dots by any means available.
Then she is told that everyone is part of the five people they spend the most time with and she tries to resonate with this. who are the five people who have shaped her?
She travels wide and far but she she find peace within herself?

It took me a little time to get into this book. The central character, Allegra Bird, is a complex lady who thrives on a set routine and gets upset if things change. After reading the book I'm not sure if she is on the spectrum or not. An acquaintance once told her 'that everyone is the average of the five people they spend the most time with' she was on a quest to find those five people and include them in her life in the belief that she would have a richer life. Throughout the journey she discovered more about herself, her family and her friends. This is a thoroughly good read which I was disappointed to finish.

This was a nice read but it was lacking from the flair that I expected from this author. There wasn't the usual warmth or magic, and it was such a slow start, I also didn't like the way the dialogue was written. Very frustrating. That said, it was a sweet book and there was plenty of heart.

This review is based on a free eARC of this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Allegra, aka Freckles, is a young woman who has moved to the city from rural Ireland and works as a parking warden. She takes her job very (VERY) seriously, and while she's fining the owner of a tacky yellow Ferrari, the disgruntled owner calls her a loser and tells her she's the average of the 5 people (read: other losers) she spends most time with. This comment sparks a trip of self-discovery in which Allegra tries to figure out (and fabricate) her 5 people, which quickly spirals out of control.

I really loved Allegra in the first half of the book or so. She's funny (I laughed out loud a few times, which I needed after much harder reads I've been doing lately) and refreshing, and I thought she was well-defined. Her relationship with her dad is also lovely, and I hurt with her when she goes back home to spend Easter. Having said that, the "self-discovery" Allegra quickly became annoying.

The book did make me think about my 5 people, and probably because of the pandemic I found it difficult to actually come up with a list of 5 people I interact with on a regular basis. I don't know where the concept came from, but I think it can be powerful, and I'm sure will inspire quite a few people to re-think their relationships, like it does to many of the characters of the book.

Rating: 3.5/5, rounded up.

Allegra Bird, nicknamed Freckles thanks to the covering of freckles she inherited from her Dad, has moved away from her family and friends to start a new life in Malahide but when a stranger makes a throwaway comment that everyone is the average of the five people they spend the most time with she really takes it to heart, even more so when she realises she doesn’t really have five people. This sets her off on a quest to find her five who can help her become the person she wants to be.

First of all I need to say a huge thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for approving me for an advanced review copy of “Freckles”. I adore Cecelia Ahern’s writing and my pre-ordered hardback now doesn’t need to be carried around in my handbag!

“Freckles” is an absolutely beautiful story told in a slightly unusual style. Allegra is clearly very quirky, I don’t like to diagnose book characters with things that they’re not stated to have but some of her behaviours are reminiscent of someone on the autistic spectrum, and the book is told in first person narrative from her point of view so we get a real insight into how she thinks.

My only complaint would be that Ahern didn’t use speech marks and whilst I did quickly get used to it and I understand why authors sometimes write in this way I’m not a fan of this style.

I love the concept of the five people who help influence your life outside of family and it really got me thinking about who I spend time with now and who has been in my life in the past and what influence they have had on me. I’m very fortunate to have a lot of amazing people in my life, obviously some are closer than others but each will have influenced me in their own way and I hope I’ve been a positive influence on them in return.

Ahern’s characters are always a big part of why I love her books and Allegra is truly wonderful. I love the story at the start about her freckles and how she likens them to constellations. I also love the relationship between her and her Dad. She’s such a caring woman in her own way but throughout her life she has had a lot to deal with.

As always, Ahern’s writing kept me completely gripped and I gobbled this up in huge chunks at a time because once I started I just couldn’t stop reading. There is less romance in this one than in most of Ahern’s previous books with it instead focusing on the other relationships that people have in their lives rather than purely on love and romance.

Tristan is a particular favourite of mine out of the supporting characters. I don’t want to include any spoilers so won’t say too much but I love the way he develops and I would absolutely love to read a sequel and see where all these characters end up.

“Freckles” is out on 2 September and I would recommend it to all fans of Ahern’s work as you will not be disappointed.

I was so excited to read this as soon as I saw it as I haven’t read Cecelia’s books other than PS I love you, years ago! And this didn’t disappoint, it was so lovely.

Following Allegra/Freckles journey to find her five people. It really does make you think about yourself, and who are your five people. It made me think about myself and who I’ve got around me that impacts how I am.

Allegra faces ups and downs, and after some of the heartache, it really is one of them stories where you just ache for a happy ending. You just want the best for Allegra. I did love her relationship with Pops - even though I did question his character at the earlier stages.

I kept wanting to read on because I just wanted to know what happened next - and what happened next for her.

It was the type of book I haven’t read for so long - makes you think outside of the book and about your life.

Freckles is a slow-burner - a novel that gradually gets under your skin.

This is the story of Allegra Bird, told in first-person, and beautifully written. Allegra is a unique and memorable character. She's full of contradictions - independent yet desperately searching for her place in the world. She's endearing, contrary, and refreshingly different.

Allegra's insights on the people and places she encounters during the course of the book really help bring her to life. She is a logical and methodical person, although once the axis of her world is knocked, she quickly loses her sense of self. Allegra may initially seem dull or routine, but her story is a joy to read.

Despite various hiccups and low points along the way, Freckles is ultimately a feel-good story. It's one of those books where you can't help but wish for a happy ending, hoping that Allegra will finally find what she's been searching for and achieve a sense of peace.

The book is well-paced and I found it to be quite a quick read. It's also compulsive reading as you can't wait to get to the end and find out what happens to Allegra. Interestingly, there are no speech marks in the book. All speech is written in-line within the rest of the prose, flowing smoothly from one train of thought to the next. It's different and does take a while to get used to, but the stylistic choices don't detract from this highly character-driven novel.

Quirky and uplifting, Freckles is an emotionally charged, thought-provoking read.

Wow, this is an unusual book! It took me a bit to actually get into it, but to be fair, I find a lot of books that way…….I prefer an explosive start that sucks me in straight away……..this book definitely didn’t do that. What it did do is make me think. This thought that ‘you are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with’ had me thinking and relating it to my friends and giving it a helluva lot of thought and trying to work out who my five people are!

Allegra, the protagonist, isn’t immediately likeable and that came across in the book as it clearly did in her life., but dig a little deeper, as the book did and she becomes much more human and likeable. Her Pops, her dad isn’t an easy character either, in fact the book is full of deeper characters who don’t appeal to those of us who might be a little superficial and that is probably exactly the point……………don’t judge a book by it’s cover, don’t judge a person by your first impressions!

I like books that make me think and contemplate and this book definitely did that! I’ve always liked Cecilia Ahern books and this one did not disappoint. I only give four stars because it took me quite a long time to get hooked on the book!

My thanks to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader e-copy in return for an honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book follows the story of Allegra/Freckles.
When a stranger says to her “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. She’s left thinking what this means and who those five are because of whom she’s the way she is and will decide her future?

A touching story of friendships and connections.I did enjoy this book but it took me a while to get into it.

I should mention that this book does cover topics such as depiction of self harm, child abandonment, sexual scenes, mentions of sexual harassment,

With thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #Freckles by #CeceliaAhern.

‘You are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with.’

This is what Allegra is told, and it sets her on a journey to find who her five people are.

I really struggled with this book. I found it hard to get into and unfortunately, for me, it just didn’t flow.

The second half of the story was better, and did bring together an eclectic group of characters, into what ultimately becomes a heartwarming story of friendship and human connecions.

Worth a mention to say that this book does deal with some difficult issues, including sexual harassment and self harm.

There were some lovely parts in this book, but regrettably it just didn’t draw me in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

What comes to your mind first when you think about Ireland?
For me, it’s Guinness, good craic, fun-loving people and of course Cecelia Ahern.

I fell in love with her books when I was a teenager. I started by reading “P.S. I love you” and I instantly knew I'm going to read every book she writes.

Over the few years, I’ve noticed a huge improvement in Cecelia’s books. The books became more focused on strong, independent women (although now I think it was always her focus but her writing got so much better in my opinion).

After I requested “Freckles” on Netgalley, I was so excited I kept checking my email to see if my wish was granted.

Finally, my dream came true.
I started reading it straight away and couldn't put it down.

It tells a story of a young woman named Allegra Bird, although most of the people call her “Freckles” because… Yeah, you’ve guessed it. She’s got her fair share of freckles.

She works as a parking warden in Dublin, loves snacking on caramelised walnuts and usually eats her lunch near the public toilets.

One day she’s told by a stranger that “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”.

That’s where she starts wondering who she really is and what’s her purpose in life. Also, can she change her destiny by mingling with the good, strong and inspiring people?

I always admire the author’s style. Her books are so sad, yet uplifting. Serious, yet so funny you almost piss yourself laughing. I mean… I did 😂

I highly recommend you to do yourself a favour and read this book. You won’t regret it.

I did enjoy reading this book but I somehow felt it wasn’t as good as it should have been. Interesting characters and a lovely setting, taking us from Dublin to Valentina Island. Although the book was heartwarming in places it didn’t quite flow for me personally.

When a stranger in a yellow car tells Allegra Bird, also known as Freckles, 'You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with', everything changes.

She takes a look at her life; her job as a parking warden, her complicated family, her hopes and dreams - and she wonders who her five could possibly be. Does she even have five people in her life anymore? This is a beautiful story about a woman trying to find her place in life and make it on her own.

In true Cecelia Ahern style, this book was inspirational and motivating but with plenty of warm, fuzzy feelings thrown in that last long after the final page has been turned. Full of thought-provoking ideas that make you take a step back and think about the people that surround you and their impact on who you are as a person.

I didn't immediately fall in love with Allegra - I found her cold and distant for a while before warming up to her but as she lets us in she becomes so relatable and quirky in her own refreshing ways.

Thank you to Cecelia Ahern, Harper Collins and Netgalley for an advanced reviewers copy of this title.

‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with’.
This is a very clever, unique, unusual, read. Meet Freckles Allegra, in Dublin, working as a traffic warden, trying to find herself and more. Cecelia Ahern again pulls off an original tale that’s nothing like anything you’ve read before. I read this over the course of an afternoon/evening and became totally invested in it . A great read