As GP Enya gives CPR on a dark, rainy winter evening, she soon begins to shake and in the days that follow, she loses grip on her life. When she thinks about it, things started to unravel when she turned 40, when they moved into her husbands home, when her son drifted further away from her grasp, when her marriage seemed to grow colder, when her mind lost grip on reality. If she doesn't confront her troubles face on, then her life really will collapse. A dark and moving story centring on grief and secrecy.#intothestorm #ceciliaahern #netgalley

This is a good read and has lots of and turns. I don’t think it’s the best novel I have read from Celia Ahern. It’s a bit darker and addresses stronger issues like mental health, relationships and loss. The book did keep me guessing but I wasn’t a total fan of the end so have rated this four stars.

On a storm-ravaged December night, Dr. Enya Pickering makes a split-second decision that will shatter her carefully constructed life. Stopping to help a teenage hit-and-run victim, she has no idea that this single act of compassion will awaken buried trauma, unravel her sense of reality, and send her spiralling into the depths of grief and paranoia. As she retreats into the wilds of rural Ireland, where ancient folklore and long-buried secrets lurk in the shadows, Enya must confront the ghosts of her past before they consume her completely.

At first glance, Enya appears to have everything—a thriving career, a loving family, and the security of a privileged life in a grand Irish estate. But beneath the surface, fractures are already forming. The fateful night of the accident is not the cause of her unravelling but the catalyst, pulling her deeper into the unprocessed grief and anxiety she has spent years trying to suppress. Desperate for solace, she withdraws into the countryside, but instead of peace, she finds herself entangled in eerie folklore and unsettling memories that refuse to stay buried.

From the very first pages, there’s a sense that something isn’t quite right with Enya. As the novel unfolds, her mental health deteriorates under the crushing weight of grief, anxiety, and long-buried trauma—exacerbated by the sobering realisation that she has now outlived her mother. Ahern captures this struggle with raw honesty, immersing the reader in Enya’s growing paranoia and self-doubt. At times, her inner turmoil is so vividly portrayed that it’s hard not to feel consumed by it. However, this also makes her a tough character to connect with—her isolation and self-absorption may feel alienating to some readers, yet painfully familiar to anyone who has ever grappled with deep emotional wounds.

The novel’s pacing falters as Enya’s downward spiral takes centre stage. Ahern introduces historical articles from a long-deceased character, which initially seem promising but often feel like a distraction rather than an enhancement. Side plots pop up here and there, hinting at intrigue but ultimately adding to the novel’s disjointed feel. Whether intentional or not, this patchwork approach creates a lingering unease—sometimes effective, sometimes frustrating.

That said, Into the Storm isn’t without its strengths. The supporting cast is well-drawn, adding depth where Enya struggles to provide it. But the real standout element is the infusion of Irish mythology. Ahern doesn’t just sprinkle in folklore for atmosphere—she weaves it directly into the heart of the story, using it as a mirror for Enya’s own journey through loss and identity. Many of these myths sound far-fetched, so of course, I had to check whether they were part of the fiction woven by the author, but to my genuine surprise, they were not. All of the myths appear to be rooted in actual Irish legends, something that is a massive boon to a reader who loves mythology, adding richness and authenticity that keeps the novel from feeling completely bleak.

Ahern’s writing is undeniably beautiful. The storm isn’t just a setting—it’s practically a character itself, raging alongside Enya’s inner turmoil. Her descriptions of rural Ireland are haunting and atmospheric, filled with rugged landscapes and whispers of something ancient. However, the weight of these lush descriptions sometimes slows the pace even more, making the novel feel heavier than it needs to be.

And then there’s the ending. After all the emotional investment, the resolution feels… underwhelming. Not terrible, just not as satisfying as you might hope. It’s like finishing a marathon only to be handed a lollipop—technically, you got what you were promised, but it’s not quite the reward you expected.

It’s also worth noting that the novel tackles some heavy themes—hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving, adultery, and medical malpractice. Ahern handles them with care, but they contribute to the book’s overall emotional weight. If you’re in the right headspace, this depth can be compelling; if you’re not, it might feel overwhelming.

So, would I recommend Into the Storm? That depends. If you’re drawn to slow-burning, introspective novels that lean into psychological drama and mythology, this could be a fascinating read. But if you prefer tightly woven plots with a strong sense of resolution, you might find it frustrating. Ahern’s talent is clear—she knows how to create atmosphere and emotion—but this novel doesn’t quite hit the mark in delivering a truly satisfying narrative arc.

Thank you to NetGallery and Harper Collins for an eARC

In the midst of a storm Dr Enya comes across a boy who is the victim of a hit and run, she gives him CPR to save him but from that night onwards her life as she knows it starts to unfold around her.
Although I am a big fan of Cecelia Ahern unfortunately I didn’t find this one of her best,

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's a dark and stormy night in December.
Enya a local GP is driving when out of the darkness she sees a boy slumped in the road and a taxi driver trying to help.
Her doctor instincts kick in and she races to help.
But this is only the beginning, this night sparks the beginning of a mental breakdown for Enya.
She retreats from her husband and son Finn and sets up practice in rural Abbeydooley.
But that night haunts her, she can't get over it and on top of that the anniversary of her mother's death is coming up and Enya will be exactly the same age as when she died.
As Enya spirals more and more into a form of depression and near madness we slowly learn the truth of that night.
She hasn't been telling the truth but then who has about that time in December?
This was a fascinating story of tragedy, lies, truth and eventually healing.
A really great read.

I enjoyed reading this book, as I have done a lot of Cecelia Aherns previous books. The story was gripping, I was engaged with the characters and I didn't want the book to end. It also kept me on my toes guessing who was going to have done the damage in the end! Would recommend and look forward to expanding my bookcase with more Cecelia Ahern books in the future!

I've been a fan of Cecelia Ahern since her first book PS I Love You was published but I really struggled with this book as I found it quite depressing and difficult to read.

GP Enya Fielding comes across a teenage boy in the middle of a dark country road during a torrential storm. The boy in question reminds her of her own teenage son Finn and this sends her emotions into a whole spiral. Already struggling with her mother's death and the decline of her marriage Enya relocates to a remote Irish village to try and deal with all that life has thrown at her. Upon her move we come across the eccentric Margaret, a magical rag tree and a deep family secret.

A good read but not really for me.

A thought provoking thriller following Dr Enya, this book iwill have you thinking about it for days and weeks afterwards and the author touches on raw subjects such as grief.

I really enjoyed it as I am a big fan of Cecilia’s books. I’ll definitely be recommending to everyone.

As a lover of Cecilia’s books I was keen to read this one.
Enya, is a GP and married with a teenage son, but she’s far from happy and after an incident, where she helps save a young boys life Enya begins to reevaluate her life and makes the decision to leave her husband.
She settle in a remote village as a local doctor, but slowly things begin to unravel for her

I didn’t take to Enya character and it made me find it difficult to connect with her. Despite the twists and turns I felt I had the story down fairly early in. That said it was an easy read

Into the Storm focuses on Enya Pickering and the aftermath of a road traffic incident that she is caught up in.
A GP, Dr Pickering is on her way back from an out of hours call when she comes across a taxi driver stopped in the road trying to help a young boy who has been hit. She administers CPR and saves the boy’s life, but this incident seems to mark a moment for her and she decides to change her life.
Struggling with approaching the age her mother was when she died, Enya decides to leave her husband and take a job as a rural doctor. This move brings about numerous changes and we follow Enya as she settles into her new existence.
The story is more complicated than we are led to believe, and as we progress through we start to understand Enya’s motivation. A dysfunctional character, Enya was hard to warm to. The details about the rag tree and exploring how families remembered lost ones was interesting, but I felt rather detached from events throughout.

Equally creepy and domestic

There’s a mystery at the heart of this novel but it’s not the reason to read it. Equal parts atmospheric and ordinary, it’s the tale of a stressed-out GP who thinks her world is falling apart, so she takes a break from her urban, domestic life in a picturesque village, but she discovers that distance cannot take you way from yourself, and your own guilt.

Way too many red herrings, very few sympathetic characters, but full of creepy folksy village atmosphere, I felt that this novel had ambitions that it failed to live up to. In a year when so many wonderful folk horror novels came out, this is an unsuccessful mash-up with
Ahern’s more usual domestic melodramas, with the folkloric aspects as set dressing.

I regrettably received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley last summer and never got a chance to get to it and more fool me.

Last week when storm Éowyn ravaged through Ireland I felt everyone had the same idea and started reading this book. Let’s escape the storm by reading about another one! I had read the first few opening chapters, but when I received the book club invite for Sunday and hadn’t started Hagstone yet, priorities quickly changed. I was partly upset that I didn’t finish this book last week, but as you read through the book, you see strong references to Brigid’s Day, so it really was the weekend for it.

On one stormy night where it all went wrong we meet Enya on the road on a stormy night when she comes upon a road accident. A boy, who is not her son, has been hit by a car and Oscar a very suspicious taxi driver makes us question who really hit Ross? This thankfully wasn’t a whodunnit of horrors, where we were led along the twists and turns of a country road. We learn about the storm that rages within Enya, like a ticking time bomb/impending doom/mortality and final separation from her mother, think the 27 club, but rather it’s the 47 club and her impending birthday where everything will change or cease to exist.

Thankfully it’s not all doom and gloom, we learn about the intricacies of rural GPs, the sacredness of rag trees and the love between a mother and a child. I was fearful for the end and how the story would leave us, but in hindsight it wasn’t too bad an ending.

i have read and loved all Cecelia Ahern's books and this one didnt' disappoint.

This was a little different from some of the others as a little more twisty but was gripping and easy to read like all her other books.

Enjoyed it

A good book with several twists to keep you guessing. I love Cecilia Ahern’s books and this was another good one!

A different style of writing - was more of a mystery book
It was an interesting concept
The main character, Dr Enya Pickering seems to have it all, a loving husband and a young son.
Her life is turned upside down one fateful night and the decisions she made that night have repercussions that forces her to leave her home and take up a new job in remote rural Ireland
But her actions are haunting her - the guilt, the infidelity and the choices she made
It’s raw and powerful, exploring trauma, resilience and the transformative power of nature
However I did find Dr Enya frustrating - her self-pity and “woe is me” attitude
All in all it’s a very thought provoking read and would generate excellent book club discussions
Thanks @official_ceceliaahern @harpercollinsuk & @netgalley for the interesting read

"One Night" is a gripping and emotional story that keeps you hooked from the very first page. Her unraveling marriage and quest for self-discovery drive the narrative, set against the backdrop of a remote country town that becomes both her sanctuary and a place of reckoning.

The writing is vivid, especially in describing Enya's internal struggles and the profound impact of the night in the rain. The themes of freedom, and personal transformation are explored with depth and sensitivity.

While the pacing is generally solid, the emotional intensity of the story can be overwhelming at times, and some moments may feel predictable. Still, the book delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion that leaves you reflecting on its characters and themes long after you turn the last page.

Overall, *One Night* is a compelling read with strong character development and a heartfelt message about finding strength in difficult times. A highly recommended pick for fans of character-driven stories.

I usually love Cecilia’s books but for some reason I couldn’t get into this one. The story seemed dragged out and I struggled with it. However I look forward to reading the next book by this author. Thank you for my ARC.

2.5*
I have mixed feelings about this book. It follows the experiences of a doctor, Enya Pickering, after she gets caught up in a hit and run incident on a remote road outside Dublin on a wet winter night. I've enjoyed other Cecilia Ahern novels and this one delivered some of her trademark features: she creates vivid scenes and scenarios that get you right into her characters' lives, exploring their emotions, relationships and motivations under difficult circumstances. I hate the term 'women's fiction' but this would fit the bill. It does what it says on the tin, essentially. For this reason, I'd give this 3-4 stars because it does deliver on expectations in many ways, and no doubt many of her avid fans will like this.

As for what pulls my rating down, it's the story. It felt contrived and rather heavy handed. As I read, I could almost picture the story broken down into index cards pulled out one at a time to construct the narrative, with none of the individual pieces feeling quite convincing. Two threads - the whole tree thing (avoiding spoilers) and her mother's letters - in particular were just cloying and felt like filler. In short, I observed the story unfold, rather than getting caught up into it.

In my view, fiction lives or dies on suspension of disbelief. It's the trump card in the pack. This time, it wasn't played.

Storms have always given me mixed emotions- a scared anticipation and an excited thrill. Reading this book was just like sitting through a storm, there were highs and lows, thrills and scary bits. It was a totally enthralling read. Really enjoyed it and would totally recommend it.

This story of a traumatised GP who is caught up in an accident in bad weather was okay but did not engage me as much as other novels by this author. The mystery behind the trauma was not that surprising and I zoned out in parts.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this novel.