I will not be publishing this review as I don’t think you’d want me to. This book was very poor. The idea is good. I usually love Cecilia Ahern books. But not this one. Hated it. The characters are unlikeable and not well developed; the ideas are not strung together well; and overall it’s just weak, and not remotely enjoyable.

Cecelia Ahern is an author I’ve followed since I was a teenager. I feel like she’s grown and matured with me. With this book, she’s an author at the top of her game – she’s honed her craft, creating an incredibly compelling, emotional drama with a unique premise and protagonist at its heart.

The protagonist is Alice and she suffers from synaesthesia which, for her, means that she sees colours when she sees people. They might be all sorts of colours, they might change to reflect their mood or stay static, but it means she has a unique read on people – which proves to be both a blessing and a curse.

The story follows Alice from a child to adulthood and, at times, it’s a hard read. Family dramas aren’t usually my thing, and if I’d known I’d be reading about a troubled childhood, a girl living with an instable mother suffering from alcoholism and bipolar disorder, to be honest, I perhaps wouldn’t have read it. But Ahern’s writing got under my skin from the beginning; it’s emotively compelling and gripping, and it doesn’t let go throughout.

All of the characters in this story feel incredibly real, but at the heart of it all is Alice. Her unique condition brings the other character to life, and casts a new light on the difficulties of navigating life. We follow Alice coming to terms with her talent, becoming a unique individual who often doesn’t always react to situations in the right way.

Her family, the supporting cast, are sensitively depicted despite their flaws – her alcoholic mother Lilly, her prison-bound brother Ollie who suffers from anger issues from a young age, and her successful and supportive brother Hugh, the only one who managed to make a quick escape from a dangerous family dynamic. They all felt like a truly authentic family.

While the early parts of Alice’s life are told in detail through a series of abstract memories which feel like vignettes, the latter part of her life skips forward a little more quickly. She does finally find a connection, but the focus of this story is not romance. I appreciated it for that and I think that’s why it feels the author skims over the details of this to some extent. The sole focus of this story is Alice and her life, all other people are side characters. But she’s more than enough to lead a brilliant story.

In a Thousand Different Ways is the first book I have read by Cecilia Ahern. The unusual book cover caught my eye. I don’t read synopses or blurbs – am open to anything.

A Thousand Different Ways tells the story of Alice. We first meet her as a child and Alice has a gift: she can see auras around people in the form of colours; different colours for differing emotions and moods. Through the book we learn how Alice comes to terms with her unusual gift and uses these “colours” to understand people (and plants too). I loved following Alice’s adventures and was more than excited when she met someone without colours. How clever. I loved this book, and the ending was spectacular.

I give this five stars, am already buying other books by Cecilia Ahern.

Cecelia Ahern is a writing genius. Her books never fail to take my breath away and they are never ever the same.

In a thousand different ways is another one of her masterpieces that kept me enthralled throughout.

Alice suffers from a rare condition in which she can see colours surrounding not only people but places and things. The emotions that she equates with these colours sometimes make life too difficult for Alice to take, especially, the colours surrounding her mum and younger brother, who make her home life a living hell.

Alice feels like she has a grip on these colours until she meets Andy, who is unlike anyone that she has ever met before; she cannot see his colours. Having to build a relationship without any clues and guidance will she ever truly be able to breakfree from the labels that had her stereotyped as troublesome and odd.

At times the book was a heavy read as I found Alice's homelife and the abuse she endured from her mum and younger brother quite difficult to read. However, the relationship with her older brother, was a saving grace.

A fantastic read. I can't wait for the next book.

This was a great book, such an interesting topic. Characters are very well developed, and we see how toxic Alice’s family were, its just very good.

This was AMAZING.
A few days since I finished it, and I'm still thinking about it.
Ahern's books tend to have some small fantasy element to it, but the premise of this one completely fascinates me.
Alice sees people's emotions, in colours around their bodies. Colours represent certain emotions, so she can see things before they happen by how people feel in the build up, and she can tell when people are being deceitful.
Alice has a complicated background, and the opening scenes broke me. The tension and anxiety felt so so real.
I have constantly wondered how I would feel if I had the same gift. Ahern tackles many different scenarios in the book, so readers can fully appreciate what life would be like.
This is now my new favourite Cecelia Ahern book, and will take some beating.

In a Thousand Different Ways, Cecelia Ahern

Wow, just wow! Cecelia Ahern is an amazing author, and you will not be disappointed by her most recent book.

Alice comes home from school to find a blue mist, swirling down the stairs from her mother’s bedroom. She is frightened and calls for help. This makes her mother very angry and Alice notices then that the colours around her mother are dark and they change. When her brother returns home from school, she sees calming colours around her older brother, which helps to relax her.

Alice sees everything in colour, she can identify emotions and feelings and even a pregnancy. She learns to protect herself with an invisible wall, with the help of her neighbour. Then suddenly, Alice is a mother and grandmother.

I felt that the ending was rushed – it did feel as though the subject matter was too big for the author to continue to detail Alice’s life. I personally would have liked more.

Despite, this, I really enjoyed the book and would certainly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Colllins for a copy of this book, I rate it 5 stars.

I haven't read a Cecelia Ahern book in quite a while and this reminded me that her books feel like a warm hug on a wobbly day. They don't skirt over life's challenges but offer a window of compassion into them. "In a Thousand Different Ways" is Ahern's fictional account of how a person with synesthesia discovers and learns to live with it. (Synesthesia is when you experience one of your senses through another. )

The story follows Alice, a young woman who can see people's auras and emotions in vivid colours. Ahern explores the highs and lows of life and the importance of family and love. The characters are well-developed and the story is beautifully written.

The themes of acceptance and self-discovery are present through Alice's struggles and her unique way of seeing the world. She learns to accept herself for who she is, flaws and all. The message of acceptance feels very relevant in a world where people are increasingly judged for their differences. Alice reminds us that everyone is unique, and that we should celebrate our differences rather than trying to conform to someone else's idea of what is normal.A thought-provoking and heartwarming read.

Alice starts to see colours around people as a young girl - at first it is only her mam, and she is blue - not a good colour, but one that means danger and fear for Alice. As she grows, so does her ability and how she manages it and the accompanying migraines.

This is not what I was expecting from "see's people moods" - and it is wonderfully done and such an underused plot in books!

This book flows through Alice's life - back and forth, with no warning but it is never confusing and is very well done. You can't help root for Alice and fall in love with her as we see her struggle and thrive throughout her live.

Read this on a sunny day in nature.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a Thousand Different Ways, by Cecelia Ahern is a very different, and beautifully written story. Recommended.

A very satisfying book, with a beginning, a middle, and a fine ending. It tells the story of Alice, a woman with a dramatic type of Synesthesia. How she at first hated it, but in later life embraced it. The wonderful Cecelia Ahern brought it all to life, and I was completely enthralled throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review

Cecelia Ahern can do no wrong! This boom was si beautifully written. I really enjoyed the storyline and character development throughout. Would recommend.

I have always heard such good things about Ahern as an author, and it has been a priority of mine to make sure that I read some more of her books!

I was excited to get the chance to read this book prior to its release date and I was not disappointed. Overall I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and I thought the concept of seeing different colours was really refreshing and different to any other books that I have read before. I fell in love with these characters and the way that the book was written too. I can't wait to order more of Aherns previous and upcoming books after reading in a thousand different ways!

cecelia has a way of always making my cry… but in a good way. such an unusual book but i couldn’t put it down. The story is intriguing-such a well written book

Another great novel from Celia Ahern, a really different subject matter handled beautifully. The characters were interesting and watching them progress and grow up was lovely. I do feel the ending was a little rushed but it didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thanks to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review

It took me until half way through to figure out whether I liked the book or not, but by 60% I had decided that it was worth the journey. I have read many of Cecelia Ahern's books -she was a favourite of mine when I was a tween -and have found myself picking up more of her recent novels lately, which are quite different to her earlier work... She has a wonderful way of writing and her stories are consistently emotional and heart heavy, but always hopeful and endearing. This story was quite different... there is hope towards the end - and in the character of Naomi who was wonderful - but the first part of the story was so sad and triggering (do check the TWs) for someone who has experienced childhood trauma, and as a mother. I am all too aware of how much of a role we play in our Littles' lives, but it REALLY made me look at myself.

Alice is 8 years old when she realises she can see peoples' emotions as colourful auras around their bodies. With time she learns what the different shades mean, and as she grows she realises people are more than just one predominant colour. Cecelia Ahern often writes with a little touch of magic and I loved how she infused this idea into everyday life, such as how newborns glow pure and gold, how pregnancy affected her focus and ability, and how 'the one' doesn't exist - we all have multiple people who are 'right' for us around the world.

This is a story about gut instincts, coping mechanisms, and the experiences which lead us to develop them. Of family dynamics, mental health, how emotions (good and bad) can be absorbed - especially by young children - and how the choices we make are more than what has happened to us. Alice journeys through life with this curse/gift, making mistakes, learning lessons, trying to live with/in spite of it. She does make friends, have lovers, jobs, and this story takes us through her life until the end.

So did I like the book in the end? Yes, but it was a challenge, as books should be sometimes. We read to escape, to remember, to learn and grow. For fun and entertainment, to experience different lives and cultures. And although it can be uncomfortable at times, some books are here to make us think and reflect, in a thousand different ways.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this wonderful book. A stunning five star read!

A beautiful colourful story about Alice Kelly who has Synesthesia (Aura Migraine). She can see everyone’s colours/auras, this includes plants and trees. Alice does not have an easy life and everyday is overwhelming but she adapts with her gift and uses it like a superpower.

This story discusses beautifully people’s emotions and the development of dynamic characters. I was really able to feel the weight and impact of Alice’s decisions due to how detailed the story was. I really felt like I was in the story as it was emotional and it really makes you think that there are so many different ways you can see the world. The story moved at a good pace and although the chapters were long I was fascinated by Cecilia’s exquisite writing!

An inspiring beautiful story which I would recommend to everyone! This story will definitely stay with me for a while and would make for a beautiful film.

A deeply emotional story of Alice and her unusual abilities discovered at 8 years old. Alice has a troubled upbringing - from the moment their dad leaves shortly before her 8th birthday, Alice and her two brothers are left at the mercy of their unpredictable mother. Older brother Hugh is Alice's rock, and when he leaves for university she flounders. Sent to a school for behaviourally challenged kids, Alice is never understood. Her friend, Gospel is the only person who has ever "got" her. This is the story of Alice's troubled journey through life. I was willing her on, hoping she could find peace and some kind of life. There is humour in some of the events, but my overwhelming emotion was of sadness for Alice, in amongst questioning whether I believed her abilities were possible. #netgalley #inathousanddifferentways

If you’re a fan of Cecilia Ahern then you’ll want to pre-order this latest instalment.

In A Thousand Different Ways is the story of a little girl who has the ability to see people’s emotions through colours radiating from their body.

“She sees a thousand different emotions and knows exactly what everyone around her is feeling. Every. Single. Day.
But it’s the dark thoughts. The sadness. The rage.
These are the things she can’t get out of her head. The things that overwhelm her”.

Let me tell you, it is a fantastic story that I couldn’t stop reading! I mean, what an idea to write about! The ending was heartbreaking but sweet.

I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this having loved everything Cecelia Ahern has ever written.
I found it a quick read as I was so engrossed, I liked how the story was told through different time periods and I didn't know much about synesthesia beforehand so I found it interesting and informative.
I laughed, I cried and I had my heart broken again, a great read that will stay with me.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.