Freckles by Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern is one of my favourite authors of all time and as soon as I finish her latest book, I find myself on a countdown until the next one comes out. It’s only been about two years since her last release, but I have been eagerly anticipating reading Freckles. I pre-ordered it as soon as I could, and I was also very pleased to receive an advanced PDF copy in exchange for an honest review as part of Random Things Tours. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I also adore my spredges on my special edition copy. But will the story inside be just as beautiful?

Blurb:

Five people.

Five chances.

One Woman’s search for happiness.

Allegra Bird’s arms are scattered with freckles, a gift from her beloved father. But despite her nickname, Freckles has never been able to join all the dots. So when a stranger tells her that everyone is the average of the five people they spend the most time with, it opens up something deep inside. The trouble is, Freckles doesn’t know if she has five people. And if not, what does that say about her? She’s left her unconventional father and her friends behind for a bold new life in Dublin, but she’s still an outsider. Now, in a quest to understand, she must find not one but five people who shape her – and who will determine her future. Told in Allegra’s vivid, original voice, moving from modern Dublin to the fierce Atlantic coast, this is an unforgettable story of human connection, of friendship, and of growing into your own skin.

My thoughts:

Wow, this has been an emotional and beatiful read. Immediately, I found the description of Allegra to be reminiscent of Amy in Everything is Beautiful, and Eleanor Oliphant. Allegra is a young woman who lives quite literally on the periphery of society – her childhood home is a semi-remote island, and her adult dwellings are on top of someone’s garage, in the suburbs of Dublin. This is also shown in her emotional and mental state. Her loneliness is amplified by this notion of ‘five people’ but it is clear from the way she lives her life that Allegra was already quite a lonely outsider. She comes across as someone who feels comfortable keeping herself to herself, and enjoys the mundane routine of her every day life.

However, there is a complexity to Allegra that I wasn’t expecting. We learn so much about her history, her habits and her emotions, she becomes a sympathetic character who it is easy to visualise and imagine in real life. I felt a deep connection with Allegra from quite early on in the book, and this only grew as the story developed.

The story touches upon so many issues that are prevalent throughout society including class, infidelity, relationship breakdown but it is also a heart-warming story that reinforces our need for human connection at a time when I think most of us are starting to realise, following the Covid-19 pandemic, that this is what we need in our life.

Undoubtedly one of my favourite books of the year, this is a emotional book that includes well-drawn characters and moves between the every day scenarios faced by Allegra, to bigger and philosophical questions about life, loyalty and friendship. I personally think this is the mark of an outstanding author and book, as this is one that has left me pondering the book’s message and my connection with others in my life, long after finishing the last page.