Freckles is a story that follows the life of Allegra Bird: traffic warden, still life model and motherless daughter searching for her identity in Dublin.
The story centres around an idea that you are the sum total of the 5 people who influence you most in life. This is initially flung at Allegra as an insult but she takes it as a mission to discover who those people are and what they bring to her existence, while trying to muster up the courage to introduce herself to the mother who abandoned her at birth.

I have read most of Cecelia Ahern's books before and enjoyed them but I did find this one hard to get into. I wasn't sure I liked Allegra although I did find the description of modern life pretty accurate! An OK read but didn't light any fires in my imagination. 3/5

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review.

In some ways a strange read, Allegra Bird aka Freckles is an unusual character. She is unable to make human connections and suffers from OCD . A chance comment “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” sends Allegra on a voyage of discovery. The story is based around Allegra and her finding her five people. The book was slow at the start and Allegra wasn’t always very likeable but it was an interesting read and one that stayed with you . I would recommend this book
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins, and Cecilia Ahern for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Freckles – Cecelia Ahern

I’ve been in a real reading rut, recently. Since racing through the lengthy Grown Ups by Marian Keyes and then the short but sweet Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, I’ve picked up four or five books without getting beyond the first few pages.

It’s not them, it’s me – maybe it’s the promise of lighter evenings and warmer days, maybe it’s the fact that I’m cycling quite a lot at the moment and the time I would have spent reading I’m either doing that, or I’m trying not to fall asleep on the sofa.

Aside from that, Freckles popped out of my he-uge TBR as I saw it was on the pre-order lists, and is due for release in September.

Freckles is the nickname of one Allegra Bird. She’s a parking warden in a suburb of Dublin, ensconced in her routine and keen to follow and apply the rules. She doesn’t need to be liked – she knows she’s right. That doesn’t mean she’s immune to the outbursts from some of the people she gives tickets to, of course.

It’s told from her point of view, as she goes from point A to point B. We learn more of her life – her childhood on an island outside of Dublin, growing up with her eccentric but loving father looking after her. Her dark skin marking her out as different from his pale, Irish skin, but her freckles linking them together. This theme, this dot to dot journey, carries on through the book.

Allegra tells us she has freckles on her arms that she joined together with pen so much at boarding school, the teachers took her pens away at night. She then discovered that knives are better, and they gave her the pen back. This is pretty much the way it was told in the book, and I was taken aback by how glibly it was stated. Additionally, it is never explicit, but I got the feeling that Allegra and her Dad sit somewhere on the scale of autism. I recognised some of the characteristics – fixation on a subject to the point of boring everyone around you (in her case, space and more specifically, constellations), an unwavering clinging to routine to the point where if it’s out of kilter by even a few seconds, it causes distress. This is never addressed though, and perhaps it’s because it’s told from her point of view and not someone else’s, she lacks the self awareness to think of it. Or, of course, she knows and it’s just not important. It certainly didn’t detract from the story and in some ways it was refreshing that the narrative wasn’t about her being diagnosed, labelled and managed.

After an unpleasant encounter with a bloke who has more money than sense, Allegra is sent on a downward spiral about her life and the lack of achievements she’s had since leaving school. She hasn’t found her mum, she didn’t get into the garda, her Dad’s not doing very well alone and she’s living above some posh couple’s garage. No friends. No family nearby. Just her job, keeping her going.

Allegra is one of those protagonists that you find yourself shouting at. “Don’t go to the party with her, she’s not your friend!” or “Go out the front door, not up the stairs when you hear a noise late at night!!”. Sometimes irritating, often naïve, she’s a great character because you want her to succeed. Ultimately she’s immature, and she’s dealing with some major things in her life at the same time as trying to grow up.

She spends about 2/3 of the book looking for her Five. Her five people who are most influential on her personality. Who have moulded and shaped her into the person she is, or who will do so in the future. It’s a thoughtful premise, although it’s based on pretty flimsy business leader hokum (which is pointed out, in the book).

It was unexpectedly lovely, actually, and I found myself a bit sucker punched at the end, when it all speeds up and wraps into a bow. Not that it’s all neatly tied off, but more that what you think might happen, and hope does, does.

I don’t think I’ve read Cecelia Ahern since “PS I love you” a long time ago, which I don’t remember much of. Freckles is a recommended read for something a little bit kitchen sink dramatic, a little bit sugary sweet and easy to read through. Maybe a late summer beach read? I have seen the hardback pre order and it’s got spotty sprayed edges, and the Waterstones one is signed, too!

Thanks as always to Netgalley for the platform and HarperCollins for the DRC!

I found it a little hard to get into this book. It didn't grab me quite as much as other Cecelia Ahern . But by about chapter 3, I absolutely loved it. It's quirky. Beautifully written. Wonderful characters. The layers peel away as you get more and more into the story. Absolutely fantastic novel. I cried at the end and would read it again in a heartbeat.
Wonder if Cecilia Ahern was inspired by the movie Serendipity: joining the freckles with a black felt tip pen inn one of the early chapters and the reference to Cassiopeia seemed strangely familiar! However, this book is WAY superior to Serendipity. I hope someone will make a film of Freckles: it would make a superb film.

Freckles is trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in the world. With echoes of Eleanor Oliphant, Freckles is a likeable, although sometimes unconvincing, character.

All emotions erupt towards the end of this story in a revelation of clarity and wonder. For most of the book, despite moments of bravado and humour, I felt the desolate sadness of Allegra. Personally, I struggled a little with the presentation of text without speech, confusing the tense and voice at times. However, by the end, I applauded the characters and their resilience.

I had such high, high hopes for this book as I’m a huge lover of the PS I Love You books but this one just didn’t do it for me.

I can relate to the characters nickname of ‘Freckles’ because that was me when I was younger and thought in this book was very cute however, the book really didn’t do it for me and I’m hugely gutted.

I know how it feels to want to fit in with people and make friends etc but just don’t. I’ve learned a lot this past few years, sometimes your face just doesn’t fit. I feel this book showed this powerful message throughout and as much as I loved the message of the story, I just wasn’t a huge fan of the overall book.

Thank you to Cecelia and Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m super happy to have been accepted for this ARC.

I was drawn into this book's suggestion that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with; I though it would be really interesting to examine a life through this lens. The main character, Allegra, is struggling with life and has really low self esteem. Would a chance comment by a stranger cause her to reevaluate the company she keeps and help her to find acceptance and happiness?

Allegra was well established as a character at the beginning of the book - I could palpably feel her misery and despair. There are very few light moments in her life and it feels as though she is going through the motions doing her rounds as a traffic warden. We hear about her unfilled dreams and begin to hope that some of these might be realised in the future. When a stranger, angry at receiving a parking ticket, tells her 'you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with', I was intrigued as to how this theme would be developed further.

However, nearly 50% through the book and it still hadn't really gone anywhere - the first half was a bit slow. After that, the plot did develop and the story got going, but I still found the characters a little simplistic. The resolution was good but, coming back to the five people theory, I'm not sure how at least two of the five had shaped Allegra very much.

All-in-all, the book promised more than it delivered but worth a read and will get you thinking about who your five people are ...

Was really excited to be approved for this book and I wasn't disappointed. I thought the main character was really well developed and the message around being influenced by 5 people was really interesting! I did find some of the supporting characters really quite unlikeable but didn't detract from overall enjoyment!

I was so excited to receive this from Netgalley, I am a huge Cecelia Ahern and Freckles did not disappoint!

‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with’, I loved how even before Allegra heard this saying, the theme of five was carried throughout the book.

Allegra aka Freckles is such a great character, just a girl trying to find her way in the world and learning that you don’t always have the same people around you and that’s ok as that’s how we grow.

An uplifting read. Thoroughly recommend

What a lovely book, you wish you could be friends with Allegra just so she doesn’t feel so alone, A chance encounter leads to Allegra *Freckles” questioning her life and indeed the idea in the story that you are the sum of the five people you are closest too is thought invoking.
Would make a fabulous film , highly recommended.

Allegra Bird lived on the rural island of Valentia but 5 months ago she moved to Dublin. She always wanted to work for the Guarda but unfortunately, she failed the training so instead she becomes a Parking Warden. She also came to Dublin to look for her mother who abandoned her as a child.
Her day is usually the same repetitive one, when she meets Tristan with his yellow Ferrari who keep illegally parking and they become friends. He tells her that she is the average of the five people that she spends the most time with.
This statement makes her question her life and she is determined to change the path of her life for the better.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for a copy of Freckles. I have been a big fan of Cecelia Ahern since her first book P.S. I love you. She writes beautifully heartfelt books. Cecelia’s new book Freckles has a good premise but for me personally I do not think it’s one of her best. I found it hard to connect to the characters and did not feel that spark and warmth that I usually get from her books previously. 3.5 stars from me.

FRECKLES didn’t disappoint. 😍 Ahern always writes such interesting characters. The story follows Allegra Bird, nicknamed Freckles, who is a parking warden in the city. An encounter with a stranger one day who utters the words “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with...” leads her on a path of self discovery and human connection. I found Allegra such a fascinating and inspiring person. I didn’t immediately warm to her to be honest, but over the course of the book, I was drawn to the way she viewed the world and I was rooting for her to find her way. Like many of Aherns previous books, it pulls on your heart strings and leaves you feeling hopeful and lifted. There are some really funny and sweet moments that shine through, particularly between Allegra and Tristan, the guy with the Ferrari who keeps getting parking tickets, and her eccentric father, Pops. I adore Aherns writing so much and she is an amazing storyteller. I love the premise of this book as it got me thinking about the people that I choose to spend most of my time with and how this shapes my life. Mainly book people to be fair so I can’t be that bad. 😂

FRECKLES is a smashing read and I definitely recommend this one if you are a Cecelia Ahern super fan like me. Shall we make some T-Shirts?! 🤣

I’m a huge fan of Cecilia Ahern and her latest really came up with the goods. A chance remark from a man she issues repeated tickets to as a parking warden makes “Freckles” question her relationships with others and the choices that she’s made in her life so far. A great read, thanks NetGalley!

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 💫
⭐⭐⭐⭐

TW: Drug Use/Self Harm

Firstly, thank you to @netgalley @harpercollinsuk and @official_ceceliaahern for this advance copy of 'Freckles' which will be released in September!

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

When a stranger says this to Allegra (known to her friends as Freckles) it turns her highly ordered life upside down. A Parking Warden, Allegra left her eccentric father and unconventional childhood behind for a new start.
This single encounter gets her to thinking who are the people who made her the way she is? Who are the five people who can shape and define her future?

Thoughts:
It took me a couple of chapters to get in to this because of Allegra's unique voice but I loved it. I've never read a book by Cecelia Ahern that I didn't like. She's got such a beautiful writing style.
Allegra is such a wholesome, broken soul and I just wanted to give her a big cuddle and there were times when I wanted to cringe or cry at her actions but I could resonate with her need to fit in and be accepted by everyone. This book is a raw tale about growing in to your own skin, friendships and the importance of human connection.

I came away from this book definitely feeling thoughtful and appreciative of the people around me. I'm very humbled to have had the chance to read this pre-publication but I'd definitely recommend adding it to your TBR! 💗👌🏼

Allegra Bird is Freckles. And she does struggle with life somewhat. She is portrayed as socially awkward, a little out of step with others despite her best efforts. Life is never easy for her. However, inspired by someone who told her “you are a reflection of the five people closest to you” she begins a journey of self discovery. This book is raw and blunt but all the better for that because it is honest. Cecelia Ahern does it again!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperFiction for this ARC - I loved it!

Allegra Bird, nicknamed Freckles at school, moves from the beautiful but rural Valentia Island into Dublin hoping to find her mam who abandoned her at birth. Rejected from the garda, Allegra settles for a job as a parking warden - where she meets the stranger who tells her: "you are a reflection of the five people you spend the most time with." Allegra confronts her own loneliness and inner demons in an attempt to discover her closest five and decide how they've influenced the way she is.

Ahern wrote Allegra's character so beautifully, I feel as though I know her as a real person - with her odd mannerisms and socially awkward personality. Allegra's feelings of loneliness and difficulty fitting in felt real, raw and honest.

I was hooked on this from the first chapter and I highly recommend, I think this will prove v popular at its September release!

This book started off slowly but as time went on I grew to love the main character, Allegra Bird.
Allegra has had many struggles in her life and she finds it hard to understand people. When Tristan appears in her life and tells her "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with" this sets Allegra on a new path of discovery.
This is an interesting theory that the people we spend the most time with, help to shape us and one that Allegra explores. A heartwarming story of self discovery and the importance of human connections.

I love Cecelia Ahern books and I was eagerly anticipating this one! Sheer brilliance. I found it heartwarming and I couldn’t put it down

Wow what a read!! unlike a lot of Cecelia Ahern’s female leads Allegra Bird aka Freckles is not that relatable, I like that she was a little odd, and struggled with human connections because let’s face it we are not all the same!

I felt sorry for Allegra in so many different ways and wished I could become one of her five, the story itself is extraordinarily well written (as anyone who knows Cecelia Ahern's works will attest) I got drawn in, I found myself shocked in parts -and the raw emotions expressed, I cringed for her, felt sorry for her, cried for her and hoped there would be a happy ever after.

It’s left me wondering who my five people are