I hated my freckles as a kid. I used to joke about joining them together, like a dot-to-dot drawing. Unfortunately I didn’t have a cute smattering across my nose, rather they were clumped together in splotches. Of course in retrospect I realise I was far more conscious of them than anyone else around me.
The lead character of Cecilia Ahern’s latest novel is given the nickname Freckles for obvious reasons. Allegra doesn’t mind though. She loves her freckles and as a teenager drew links from one to another, mapping constellations.

by Cecelia Ahern
Published by HarperCollins UK
Source: Harper Collins
Genres: General Fiction
ISBN: 0008194920
Pages: 352

Goodreads
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
When a stranger utters these words to Allegra Bird, nicknamed Freckles, it turns her highly ordered life upside down. In her current life as a parking warden, she has left her eccentric father and unconventional childhood behind for a bold new life in the city.
But a single encounter leads her to ask the question she’s been avoiding for so long: who are the people who made her the way she is? And who are the five people who can shape and determine her future? Just as she once joined the freckles on her skin to mirror the constellations in the night sky, she must once again look for connections.
In her mid 20s Allegra’s working as a parking warden on the outskirts of Dublin. She tells us it was her dream to become a police officer but her application wasn’t successful. She’s… quirky and perhaps if diagnosed would be on the autism spectrum (or similar). She’s details-focussed, a stickler for the rules and somewhat pedantic about her routines.
She’s certainly irascible but Ahern’s given her layer upon layer. Despite her rigidity for example, she’s unpredictable and full of surprises.
The book is very much centred around a turning point in Allegra’s life. It actually is the offhand comment (mentioned in the blurb) by a young man angry at having received a parking ticket. Tristan rips up the ticket as he lashes out at Allegra suggesting that the five people she surrounds herself with would all be losers.
Whether what happens would have happened anyway we don’t know, but Allegra is confronted by the idea that she really doesn’t have ‘five people’ so decides to find inspirational people to connect with (and rub off on her obvs).
As one can imagine, it doesn’t necessarily go as planned and letters to the likes of Amal Clooney and an Irish Olympian disappear into the ether.
At the same time she’s grappling with her eccentric landlords, unusual part-time job and keeps running into Tristan who’s trying to atone for his initial behaviour.
I loved Allegra’s voice. Ahern delivers her narrative in a very conversational way reflecting her personality. There’s a very ‘matter of fact’ tone to her writing that makes this very accessible and engaging.
… maybe it’s because of my mam’s genes. She was a dancer, apparently. Or wanted to be one. That’s how she met Pops, she was doing performing arts, he was a music professor. Maybe she got what she wanted for a while at least between wanting to be and not being. I hope for her she was. You wouldn’t want to give up something for everything and end up with nothing. Quite unfair on the something. p 19
I very much enjoyed this book. There’s a sense of whimsy or lightness in one sense, but it tackles some complex issues relating to relationships, friendships and aloneness. We’re reminded that our impressions of people may not always be correct, that people’s personalities come in shades of grey and they can often surprise us.
Freckles by Cecilia Ahern was published in Australia by Harper Collins and is now available.
I’m actually leaving comments open for this – which I don’t usually do… as I pondered if I actually have ‘five’ people at the moment. In the book Allegra ultimately realises she does, and they’re not who she expects.
Do you agree with the suggestion that who you spend the most time with shapes who you are? I realise the five people might change over time but wonder if you can purposely seek out people to be in ‘your five’ or if it happens more organically.
September 6, 2021
Sounds interesing. I real;ly like the cover (but not sure it matches the story). Those of us in lockdown need bright & light at the moment
September 6, 2021
I guess it’s meant to mirror her freckles. It’s hard to describe the book. It’s actually a little confronting. I had something in my review (but might have taken it out) about the fact that things get kinda worse for Allegra before they get better.
September 6, 2021
As for ifg you have 5 people, I have learnt that when disaster strikes, unexpected people turn up. So it may not be your regular friend but someone who values you that steps up. (and you then do the same – I’ve become freinds with one of my husband’s friends because I stepped up in her moment of need. We weren’t freinds before that)
September 6, 2021
True. I know I’ve often been surprised in the past at who’s hung around or been there when I least expected it… and those who weren’t I guess.
September 6, 2021
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one as well. I thought it was a really good read too. It had me thinking about my five, which I could definitely come up with, however my five right now are not all the same as they would have been about 18 months ago (for obvious reasons). Some were the same, but one in particular no more. It’s such an interesting concept though and in discussion about it on my review for this book, we talked about if one of your five could be online, but someone you message with a lot and talk to on zoom, etc. I felt this was a yes.
September 6, 2021
Yes, I agree the five could include people you know / engage with online. I went through a bit of a thing last year and had a few moments where I contemplated who I wanted to spend time with if my time was limited – or the last hurrah type thing and I found myself quite certain in who I’d choose. I’m not sure they’d be there for me (cos of other commitments and life) but I was fairly certain.
Oh and yes, it can def change over time. I think by default we’ve often spent a lot of time with colleagues at work who we become close to even if we don’t socialise outside of work.
September 6, 2021
Absolutely agree about work colleagues! So many of mine have been confidants throughout the years.
September 6, 2021
It’s an interesting concept… and this sounds like a book I’d very much enjoy.
September 6, 2021
I’ve not read any of her books before. She’s written a couple of YA novels but wrote PS I Love You and Postscript (original and sequel). I’ve seen the movie of the former.
September 6, 2021
I’ve only read one before – I remember it had something about year in the title and the character was quite complex.
September 6, 2021
I’m not sure about the 5 but off the top of my head I would say mine have morphed organically (due to where I live and who is available to mix with) and then those I’ve met through various means. I think i’ll have to read the book to get more of an idea of where she takes this concept. Thanks Deb, another one to add to the list! #lifethisweek
September 6, 2021
Not to offer spoilers, but yes Allegra realises her ‘five’ changed when she moved to Dublin and only later realises she has five but they’re not who she expected. A bit of a ‘you’ve had the power all along’ Wizard of Oz type thing. Kinda.
September 6, 2021
I love Celia Ahern so will definitely be checking this one out. I really do think that we’re influenced by those around us – that’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with good people. Now you’ve got me thinking about my 5 people, I wonder if a dog can be counted as a person?! I think we “find” these people organically, life works in very mysterious ways!
September 6, 2021
Oh yes, I was reminded about those who tell us to surround ourselves by positive people etc and what we constantly see / hear or are exposed to reflects back on us.
September 9, 2021
I am sorry to say Deb, but all I saw in this title were Freckles YOU eat…chocolate discs with 100s and 1000s. I do think the books sounds good. Do I have 5? On line I have a few. My family make up 5. Real life friends? I do have a local person who would drop everything to help me or B. Take care,
Thanks for linking up and I hope to see a post old or new for next week as I mark 5 years of Life This Week, Blog Link Up. Warm wishes, Denyse.
September 13, 2021
Oh… I love chocolate freckles!!!