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.

Bliss another fall into the heaven of this authors creations. I love the settings and the characters all recognisable and relatable. Thankyou

What a fantastic read, I loved this book from beginning to end, we need more books about the neurodiverse experience.

Alice sees everything in colour, so she knows that her mother is struggling because she can see the dark cloud that follows her, she knows who is kind, who is a danger to her.
This is the book that takes unusual and special Alice and teaches her how to live in the world, bringing her specific talent to help others.
I laughed, I cried, I loved the people in the story (or most of them)
Hard to describe but beautiful to read.

General Thoughts 🤔

I know people say it often but I genuinely do mean it when I say that from the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked. I read such a huge chunk of it in that very first sitting as I was so engrossed and I simply had to keep going. I was also very emotional from the beginning. This isn’t a story that started off happily and it really did get me right in the feels. As the story continued, there were bumps in the road for these fabulous characters, but there were moments of happiness to be found.

Characters 👫👭👬

Alice. I don’t even know where to start with this woman. I can’t even imagine how draining her entire life must have been. She must have been in a constant state of confusion and fright as a child; I would be now as an adult if I had her gift. I was amazed by how well she dealt with it and with all of her family worries and stress thrown on top. She was such a beautiful soul and I spent the whole entire time hoping that she would find herself and her happiness and learn to live with her special gift.

Alice’s mother Lily was a character that I knew right away I wasn’t going to warm to however that didn’t mean that I couldn’t empathise and I definitely thought she was a fantastic addition to the story. Lily quite obviously did not have the support she needed as a mother and a woman with poor mental health and this had obvious negative impacts on all of her children’s lives. It was heartbreaking to follow but heart warming at moments too.

Writing Style ✍️

This is the second book I have read by this author and I could clearly hear her tone and voice in the writing. I remember having the same emotional draw to the story and the characters when I read Freckles so I am concluding that this is Cecelia Ahern’s writing super power; make people feel. I read many books that make me feel, but not all of them make me feel, question those feelings, feel something else and absorb and sit in the feelings. Cecelia Ahern has done that to me twice now and I am hugely appreciative of that talent.

The structure of the book probably had something to do with why I couldn’t put it down. The chapters were very long, I would refer to them as parts rather than chapters. Ordinarily, this would make a story feel more drawn out for me, however the mix of timelines within each chapter and the scatty and erratic nature of the writing at times, kept me engaged and kept the story and characters moving forwards.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

What a special story, with special characters. I adored this book even though it made me feel very emotional and even uncomfortable at times. The premise of this story was fascinating and has had my mind ticking over ever since I put it down. Such beautiful writing of a beautiful plot with beautiful ups and downs, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Absolutely beautiful and incredibly thought provoking. This is a book that will stay in my heart for a long time to come. Cecelia is an author that knows no bounds and can take an idea and turn it into a book that you can’t put down. I will be raving about this book for years to come. It’s mesmerising and exquisitely written.

Quite a powerful book, which I believe will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

An enchanting story of Alice and her life seen through colours. From an early age Alice sees everyone as a colour. Life is challenging for her as she is different and not always accepted. We are all expected to fit into the expected norm but this tale embraces difference and is so refreshing. Be proud to be different.

What a beautifully written book! I am a great fan of Cecelia Ahern and I love the quirky individuality of her books, all unique, taking us on thought-provoking journeys, it’s always exciting to see where the story will go. Her description is a delight to read and her characterisation is flawless.

The main character in this one is a young girl - Alice, who ‘sees’ auras around people, in colours. It is both terrifying and frustrating for her, being able to see how people are feeling and how they can affect those around them.

Alice is a brilliantly complex main character who I couldn’t help but warm to. The close bonds she develops with Hugh, and later Gospel, are satisfying to read, especially when she faces so many problems and struggles to come to terms with her synesthesia, which threatens to overwhelm her. Her neighbour, Naomi, becomes a good friend to Alice, helping her start to find herself and how to live with and embrace her condition.

Her mother, Lily, in a dark place herself, doesn’t understand, although her older brother Hugh does. He tries his best to help and protect Alice, whilst planning for his own future at university.

Cecelia Ahern crafts a variety of characters that evoke quite different emotions in the reader, some likeable, some less so and all authentic and substantial. She takes us along on the journey, reflecting the huge spectrum of society in the characters we meet through Alice.

This character-driven story will make you reflect on the shields humans use to protect themselves or the projections of their characters they mimic to hide behind.

Somehow I found myself thinking about ‘what if…..’ I found myself in Alice’s position several times and by this point, the reader can reflect on both the positives and negatives this would involve.

I was emotionally invested in this story and found a lump in my throat at several points towards the end. It is a gentle, thought -provoking novel which has left me with much to mull over.

Having read multiple Ceceila Ahern books, this one did not disappoint. Was an amazing read, keeps you enthralled and full of twists and turns.

I couldn’t read this book quick enough and looked forward to picking it back up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy this authors work, so I was excited to read this one, for me I found it difficult to follow, it seemed to jump around quite a lot. Fans of magical realism will love this though, so I will still recommend.

I haven’t read books by cecilia ahern for a while….but I am so pleased I read this one. I just utterly loved it, the story of Alice who at a young age sees peoples auras and feeling through colours…..this continues throughout her life and she must live her life with this drain on her emotionally. This book was so special and lovely and just so heartwarming.

For some reason I always associated Cecelia Ahern with the chick lit genre -how wrong was I !
I loved this book -it was an original ,quirky, at times heartbreaking page turner .
Fabulous

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review