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Into the Storm
One night can change your life. Forever.
One night. One chance to be free.
Enya feels adrift. Trapped in a life she no longer recognises.
A loveless marriage. A distant son.
Until the night she saves a young boy’s life – and upends her own.
Now to break free she must face the storm again. And this time, she’s fighting for herself.
‘Outstanding… I simply couldn’t stop reading. One of the two or three best novels I’ve read this year and without question the best book I’ve ever read by Cecelia' JOHN BOYNE
'A terrific story! It had me completely gripped from the very first page' KARIN SLAUGHTER
‘Sharp, relatable and poignant … a joy’ ANDREA MARA
‘Vivid, beautiful and deeply, darkly atmospheric’ SARAH CROSSAN
‘An emotional deep-dive into the unravelling of one woman’s life’ DAILY MAIL
One night. One chance to be free.
Enya feels adrift. Trapped in a life she no longer recognises.
A loveless marriage. A distant son.
Until the night she saves a young boy’s life – and upends her own.
Now to break free she must face the storm again. And this time, she’s fighting for herself.
‘Outstanding… I simply couldn’t stop reading. One of the two or three best novels I’ve read this year and without question the best book I’ve ever read by Cecelia' JOHN BOYNE
'A terrific story! It had me completely gripped from the very first page' KARIN SLAUGHTER
‘Sharp, relatable and poignant … a joy’ ANDREA MARA
‘Vivid, beautiful and deeply, darkly atmospheric’ SARAH CROSSAN
‘An emotional deep-dive into the unravelling of one woman’s life’ DAILY MAIL
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First published April 11, 2024
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About the author
Cecelia Ahern
98 books19.4k followersCecelia Ahern was born and grew up in Dublin. She is now published in nearly fifty countries, and has sold over twenty-five million copies of her novels worldwide. Two of her books have been adapted as films and she has created several TV series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
October 3, 2024
'Despite her attempt to escape to a remote place, everything is chasing her'.
It's a cold, stormy night, with near zero visibility when Dr Enya Pickering rounds the bend and sees flashing lights and a taxi driver desperately waving her down. A teenage boy, a victim of a hit-and-run lies on the road with critical head injuries. While they wait for the ambulance to arrive, she administers CPR and saves his life. But rather than feeling like any type of hero, she shakily returns home, unable to get the accident off her mind. Enya's so affected, she dramatically leaves her husband and son, moving to a rural practice in the mountains of Ireland, hoping to find enough peace to quell her anxiety and increasing paranoia, 'I'm trying to find my sanity. I am on my hands and knees crawling in the dark looking for it'. However, that Hawthorne tree, the rag tree, in her new backyard won't stop tapping on her window, it won't give her peace, 'There are two reasons why people tie their emblem around the limbs of the tree. One for healing. The other for forgiveness'.
I thought 'Into the Storm' was a good read but I while I found some of the story suspenseful and intriguing, other parts of it, for me, seemed somewhat disconnected - they didn't enhance the main drama. This is the second story I've read from Ahern - I loved 'In a Thousand Different Ways' - and although this one didn't resonate as strongly, I'll definitely still read more from her in the future.
It's a cold, stormy night, with near zero visibility when Dr Enya Pickering rounds the bend and sees flashing lights and a taxi driver desperately waving her down. A teenage boy, a victim of a hit-and-run lies on the road with critical head injuries. While they wait for the ambulance to arrive, she administers CPR and saves his life. But rather than feeling like any type of hero, she shakily returns home, unable to get the accident off her mind. Enya's so affected, she dramatically leaves her husband and son, moving to a rural practice in the mountains of Ireland, hoping to find enough peace to quell her anxiety and increasing paranoia, 'I'm trying to find my sanity. I am on my hands and knees crawling in the dark looking for it'. However, that Hawthorne tree, the rag tree, in her new backyard won't stop tapping on her window, it won't give her peace, 'There are two reasons why people tie their emblem around the limbs of the tree. One for healing. The other for forgiveness'.
I thought 'Into the Storm' was a good read but I while I found some of the story suspenseful and intriguing, other parts of it, for me, seemed somewhat disconnected - they didn't enhance the main drama. This is the second story I've read from Ahern - I loved 'In a Thousand Different Ways' - and although this one didn't resonate as strongly, I'll definitely still read more from her in the future.
September 12, 2024
3.5
I have a chequered relationship with Cecilia Ahern's novels. Some, like her last, I really enjoyed and while Into The Storm isn't as bad as PS I Love You, it's not her best.
Enya Pickering is a GP, married to Alexander (Xander) and a son, Finn. One night she excuses herself from a dinner party to meet her lover but as she races home after the rendezvous she comes upon the scene of an accident. A young man lies, badly injured, in the road and a cabbie has flagged her down. She saves the boy's life but this episode sets off a chain of events that leads Enya farvfron her home, leaving her husband and son, to take over a practice desperate for a doctor.
But as she settles into her work she is hounded out of a peaceful existence by her own thoughts, the ongoing investigation into the accident, her husband, her lover, the cabbie and the presence of a rag tree in the garden of her rented home. All is certainly not as it seems in Abbeydooley or, indeed, in Enya's life.
The book is an easy enough read but Enya is quite unlikeable as a character. She is narcissistic and, for me, her "woe is me" attitude got on my nerves after a while. In fact the only character I did like was the straightforward Margaret who lives in the flat over the surgery.
There are several twists and turns but it was obvious to me quite early on what had happened. Still it was worth the read even if I did get annoyed with Enya quite a lot.
It does deal with some very weighty subjects including hit and run, drinking and driving, adultery and medical malpractice.
I have a chequered relationship with Cecilia Ahern's novels. Some, like her last, I really enjoyed and while Into The Storm isn't as bad as PS I Love You, it's not her best.
Enya Pickering is a GP, married to Alexander (Xander) and a son, Finn. One night she excuses herself from a dinner party to meet her lover but as she races home after the rendezvous she comes upon the scene of an accident. A young man lies, badly injured, in the road and a cabbie has flagged her down. She saves the boy's life but this episode sets off a chain of events that leads Enya farvfron her home, leaving her husband and son, to take over a practice desperate for a doctor.
But as she settles into her work she is hounded out of a peaceful existence by her own thoughts, the ongoing investigation into the accident, her husband, her lover, the cabbie and the presence of a rag tree in the garden of her rented home. All is certainly not as it seems in Abbeydooley or, indeed, in Enya's life.
The book is an easy enough read but Enya is quite unlikeable as a character. She is narcissistic and, for me, her "woe is me" attitude got on my nerves after a while. In fact the only character I did like was the straightforward Margaret who lives in the flat over the surgery.
There are several twists and turns but it was obvious to me quite early on what had happened. Still it was worth the read even if I did get annoyed with Enya quite a lot.
It does deal with some very weighty subjects including hit and run, drinking and driving, adultery and medical malpractice.
August 7, 2024
Dr Enya Pickering is married to fellow GP Alexander and has a teenage son Finn. One night in December she's driving home, the weather is terrible and visibility is poor, when she finds a boy in the middle of the road, she gives him CPR while a taxi driver calls an ambulance. The teenager reminds her of her son Finn, what's he doing on a remote mountain road near Dublin and it appears to be a hit and run?
Enya’s life has been spiralling out of control for a couple of months, she feels trapped in her marriage, and her once happy and loving son spends most of his time in his room. Enya moves to a remote a village called Abbeydooley in the Irish Midlands for a break and to think, she rents the former doctors house and surgery.
Enya's expecting peace and tranquillity, instead it's pitch black outside, spooky and a tree branch keeps scraping the window. The Hawthorn Tree or Rag Tree is sacred, a ritual going back to Celtic times, it’s believed if a person ties the cloth to the tree, whatever sickness or ailment their suffering from will fade away as the rag rots and they will be healed.
I received a copy of Into the Storm from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a big fan of Cecelia Ahern's books and writing style for years, but her latest novel left me feeling somewhat perplexed and confused. I think it’s a story about dysfunctional families, not dealing with the loss of a loved one, superstition, making bad choices, secrets, mental illness and regret?
Three stars from me, I do understand both Irish and Scottish people believed in folklore and have done for centuries, my mother’s from Scotland and the information about the Rag Tree is interesting and please read this book for yourself and see if it makes any sense to you!
Enya’s life has been spiralling out of control for a couple of months, she feels trapped in her marriage, and her once happy and loving son spends most of his time in his room. Enya moves to a remote a village called Abbeydooley in the Irish Midlands for a break and to think, she rents the former doctors house and surgery.
Enya's expecting peace and tranquillity, instead it's pitch black outside, spooky and a tree branch keeps scraping the window. The Hawthorn Tree or Rag Tree is sacred, a ritual going back to Celtic times, it’s believed if a person ties the cloth to the tree, whatever sickness or ailment their suffering from will fade away as the rag rots and they will be healed.
I received a copy of Into the Storm from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a big fan of Cecelia Ahern's books and writing style for years, but her latest novel left me feeling somewhat perplexed and confused. I think it’s a story about dysfunctional families, not dealing with the loss of a loved one, superstition, making bad choices, secrets, mental illness and regret?
Three stars from me, I do understand both Irish and Scottish people believed in folklore and have done for centuries, my mother’s from Scotland and the information about the Rag Tree is interesting and please read this book for yourself and see if it makes any sense to you!
January 8, 2025
3.5*
Into the Storm follows Irish general practitioner (family doctor) Enya Pickering, as her life unravels in the aftermath of a traffic accident, during which she rendered assistance to a seriously injured teenager.
Her marriage to Xander, who is also her partner in medical practice, already in a precarious state prior to the accident, crumbles completely and Enya goes to live with her beloved sister for a while, before accepting an appointment as the sole family practitioner in a central Irish town. The job comes with the rather ramshackle residence and garden owned by her predecessor, who - now retired - is now travelling the world with his wife. Prickly Enya gradually begins to bond with several locals and find some level of personal and professional redemption after a period of crisis. She also begins to accept the importance of local mythology and folklore in the psyches of her neighbours, after she commits great offence by deigning to prune some branches off a sacred "Rag Tree" that overshadows one of her windows and draws strange nocturnal visitors to her property.
Enya is deeply traumatised, not only by the accident, which seems to have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but also by her fractured relationship with her teenaged son, from whom her vindictive ex-husband is withholding contact on the dubious grounds of her psychiatric instability. Underlying all this is the existential crisis Enya feels as she approaches the same age that her mother was when she died an untimely death. Despite her own apparently robust physical health, she experiences a sense of dislocation as she approaches the great beyond- the years ahead that her mother never got to live.
I found the first three-quarters of the novel quite compelling, especially as I share some of the main character's preoccupations - in four years, I will reach the age when my own mother died, and it does prompt ruminations around mortality and a sort of "survivor's guilt". I also found the detail around the significance of "Rag Trees" (also referred to as wishing trees) in Celtic culture fascinating.
However, I felt non-plussed by the way that the narrative was brought to a conclusion. Without wanting to post spoilers, I felt the revelations were jarring to the investment I had made in understanding the motivations of the central character. While I'm all for the "surprise twist" in narrative fiction, I felt this one was ill-fitted to the character arc over the course of the book and left me feeling puzzled and dissatisfied. There were a couple of alternate endings that I felt would have been more appropriate.
My thanks to the author, Cecilia Ahern, publisher Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Into the Storm follows Irish general practitioner (family doctor) Enya Pickering, as her life unravels in the aftermath of a traffic accident, during which she rendered assistance to a seriously injured teenager.
Her marriage to Xander, who is also her partner in medical practice, already in a precarious state prior to the accident, crumbles completely and Enya goes to live with her beloved sister for a while, before accepting an appointment as the sole family practitioner in a central Irish town. The job comes with the rather ramshackle residence and garden owned by her predecessor, who - now retired - is now travelling the world with his wife. Prickly Enya gradually begins to bond with several locals and find some level of personal and professional redemption after a period of crisis. She also begins to accept the importance of local mythology and folklore in the psyches of her neighbours, after she commits great offence by deigning to prune some branches off a sacred "Rag Tree" that overshadows one of her windows and draws strange nocturnal visitors to her property.
Enya is deeply traumatised, not only by the accident, which seems to have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but also by her fractured relationship with her teenaged son, from whom her vindictive ex-husband is withholding contact on the dubious grounds of her psychiatric instability. Underlying all this is the existential crisis Enya feels as she approaches the same age that her mother was when she died an untimely death. Despite her own apparently robust physical health, she experiences a sense of dislocation as she approaches the great beyond- the years ahead that her mother never got to live.
I found the first three-quarters of the novel quite compelling, especially as I share some of the main character's preoccupations - in four years, I will reach the age when my own mother died, and it does prompt ruminations around mortality and a sort of "survivor's guilt". I also found the detail around the significance of "Rag Trees" (also referred to as wishing trees) in Celtic culture fascinating.
However, I felt non-plussed by the way that the narrative was brought to a conclusion. Without wanting to post spoilers, I felt the revelations were jarring to the investment I had made in understanding the motivations of the central character. While I'm all for the "surprise twist" in narrative fiction, I felt this one was ill-fitted to the character arc over the course of the book and left me feeling puzzled and dissatisfied. There were a couple of alternate endings that I felt would have been more appropriate.
My thanks to the author, Cecilia Ahern, publisher Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
March 4, 2025
I did not care for any of the characters in the book. Well written though.
July 9, 2024
*ARC review -Publish date 10th October 2024*
I'm somewhat undecided about this one if I'm being honest.
I've really enjoyed Cecelia Ahern's books in the past, but I've not read one for a long time. Mainly due to my tastes in genres changing. Still, I was excited to be given access to an ARC of her new book, due to be published this October.
•
Enya Pickering is our main character. She's on her way home on a Saturday evening in December, driving in a torrential storm when she is flagged down by a distressed taxi driver who has seemingly come across a hit-and-run victim, a 15-year-old boy. As a GP, Enya immediately jumps into action performing CPR whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive on the scene.
•
Once back in her car and on her way home again, the events of the evening start to take hold. The scary similarities between the victim to her 15-year-old son, Finn, leave her visibly shaken.
Except these aren't the only demons that Enya is battling, so with her life seemingly in tatters, she accepts a new job in the rural countryside and leaves her old life (& husband and son) behind.
•
It's not that easy to run away from the past though and the secrets she's so desperate to keep. With the garda investigating the hit and run, her husband blocking communication with Finn and her battles with her mental health, Enya is starting to crack at the seams.
•
I found this quite slow-paced and was a good 75% of the way through before I could say I liked it. I struggled to like Enya, although there were moments of warmth and empathy with her battles with mental health.
The story seemed a little dragged out, with not a lot happening, followed by a bit of a rushed ending.
That being said, the ending was a satisfying conclusion.
I liked the "articles" written by her mother, and their tales of Irish history. They added depth and warmth to the story & Enya's character.
Would I recommend it? I'm unsure at this point. I'd be been keen to hear others thoughts on it, that's for sure!
I'm somewhat undecided about this one if I'm being honest.
I've really enjoyed Cecelia Ahern's books in the past, but I've not read one for a long time. Mainly due to my tastes in genres changing. Still, I was excited to be given access to an ARC of her new book, due to be published this October.
•
Enya Pickering is our main character. She's on her way home on a Saturday evening in December, driving in a torrential storm when she is flagged down by a distressed taxi driver who has seemingly come across a hit-and-run victim, a 15-year-old boy. As a GP, Enya immediately jumps into action performing CPR whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive on the scene.
•
Once back in her car and on her way home again, the events of the evening start to take hold. The scary similarities between the victim to her 15-year-old son, Finn, leave her visibly shaken.
Except these aren't the only demons that Enya is battling, so with her life seemingly in tatters, she accepts a new job in the rural countryside and leaves her old life (& husband and son) behind.
•
It's not that easy to run away from the past though and the secrets she's so desperate to keep. With the garda investigating the hit and run, her husband blocking communication with Finn and her battles with her mental health, Enya is starting to crack at the seams.
•
I found this quite slow-paced and was a good 75% of the way through before I could say I liked it. I struggled to like Enya, although there were moments of warmth and empathy with her battles with mental health.
The story seemed a little dragged out, with not a lot happening, followed by a bit of a rushed ending.
That being said, the ending was a satisfying conclusion.
I liked the "articles" written by her mother, and their tales of Irish history. They added depth and warmth to the story & Enya's character.
Would I recommend it? I'm unsure at this point. I'd be been keen to hear others thoughts on it, that's for sure!
August 21, 2024
This novel has left me conflicted to be honest. I really enjoyed the concept, and it had a really strong start, however, it just seemed to stagnate a little in the middle.
Into the Storm follows GP Enya, who on a stormy winter night, comes across a boy in the middle of the road who has been hit by a car. Providing him with vital care that keeps him alive, Enya then goes home to her own husband and son. However, Enya is suffering from delayed grief from the death of her mother, and as her birthday approaches, she struggles to find herself on even footing. Instead, she abandons her home, her business and her beloved son and moves to a remote town. Can she find herself before she loses it all?
I think Ahern has written something quite poignant, as Enya tries to make sense of the death of her mother, and the conflict she feels over aging past the age her mother didn’t reach. I think Enya’s torment and anxiety mixed in with her grief is realistic, and made her character sympathetic, if not entirely likeable. I think many readers will relate heavily to Enya in terms of a woman questioning her life and how she’s choosing to live it when faced with huge decisions. I think although Enya is often frustrating at times, she comes across as truthful and well developed as she’s deeply flawed and complex.
I think the depiction of mental health is accurate and truthful and uncomfortable to read at times, which I think some readers might struggle with. It also makes it quite a heavy read that was often at times too slow paced for the content.
The character of Margaret was a really wonderful creation, and the book really benefitted from the addition of her character. She was deeply flawed, made a lot of very big mistakes in her life, but was likeable and real.
Although I understand the inclusion of the articles written by her mother, I found myself skim reading them because I just couldn’t connect. I also had figured out the twists, which was a little disappointing.
A book that induces thought, but slow and almost gloomy at times.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Into the Storm follows GP Enya, who on a stormy winter night, comes across a boy in the middle of the road who has been hit by a car. Providing him with vital care that keeps him alive, Enya then goes home to her own husband and son. However, Enya is suffering from delayed grief from the death of her mother, and as her birthday approaches, she struggles to find herself on even footing. Instead, she abandons her home, her business and her beloved son and moves to a remote town. Can she find herself before she loses it all?
I think Ahern has written something quite poignant, as Enya tries to make sense of the death of her mother, and the conflict she feels over aging past the age her mother didn’t reach. I think Enya’s torment and anxiety mixed in with her grief is realistic, and made her character sympathetic, if not entirely likeable. I think many readers will relate heavily to Enya in terms of a woman questioning her life and how she’s choosing to live it when faced with huge decisions. I think although Enya is often frustrating at times, she comes across as truthful and well developed as she’s deeply flawed and complex.
I think the depiction of mental health is accurate and truthful and uncomfortable to read at times, which I think some readers might struggle with. It also makes it quite a heavy read that was often at times too slow paced for the content.
The character of Margaret was a really wonderful creation, and the book really benefitted from the addition of her character. She was deeply flawed, made a lot of very big mistakes in her life, but was likeable and real.
Although I understand the inclusion of the articles written by her mother, I found myself skim reading them because I just couldn’t connect. I also had figured out the twists, which was a little disappointing.
A book that induces thought, but slow and almost gloomy at times.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2024
A slow read with Enya as the main character that I couldn't seem to connect with. The story is about Enya, a doctor, and her slowly unravelling. She is travelling home when she comes across a car accident and she saves the life of a boy the same age as her son. It explores grief, guilt, healing, and relationships. I enjoyed the secondary character of Margaret and the rag tree, which is a character in its own right. I did keep referring to the wheel of the year, which was at the front of the book, and assisted with the passage of time. She is unable to see her life beyond the age her mother died when she was a child. I wasn't connected to Enya, and I would have enjoyed the book more if I had., however I could feel her dispair. Whilst I predicted the ending somewhat, this did not interfere with the well written story. The library has categorised as a thriller, but it is more of a domestic psychological read. An emotional read that made me think.
January 31, 2025
This was a completely different read compared to Ahern's other books and it didn't disappoint.
Enya is driving home from a call out to attend to a sick baby when she is flagged down to help a boy who has been struck by a car and needs CPR.
The events of this night change Enyas life forever. The story unfolds with looking into Enya and her secrets and lies spiralling her life out of her control. Enya trying to do the right things only makes it worse.
This book truly had me hooked, and every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up immediately to find out what happened next.
I will say that Xander is an absolute moron. Not a fan of him!
I did feel the ending dragged on for me, but when I thought it was all making sense and coming to an end there was more.
Brilliant read.
Thank you Netgally and HarperCollins for my copy
Enya is driving home from a call out to attend to a sick baby when she is flagged down to help a boy who has been struck by a car and needs CPR.
The events of this night change Enyas life forever. The story unfolds with looking into Enya and her secrets and lies spiralling her life out of her control. Enya trying to do the right things only makes it worse.
This book truly had me hooked, and every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up immediately to find out what happened next.
I will say that Xander is an absolute moron. Not a fan of him!
I did feel the ending dragged on for me, but when I thought it was all making sense and coming to an end there was more.
Brilliant read.
Thank you Netgally and HarperCollins for my copy
September 22, 2024
Was interesting to read in the authors notes this is the 20th book for her publisher in 20 years, no small feat
It is a long time since I have read a book by this author but knew I had enjoyed the ones I had read some years before
This book is set in Ireland and is a whodunit mixed with a touch of mystical and featuring family drama…there is a lot going on but it is held together well and manages to create a good atmospheric story that even though at times almost reaches fanciful manages to pull itself back and continue on strongly
It centres around events on a stormy night and what really did happen as Dr Enya Pickering came across a hit and run and saved the victims life….and when she randomly moves to a remote village that desperately needs a GP what is the mysterious ‘cloth tree’ that taps her window nightly and causes her such fear and anxiety
A robust cast of strong characters including Margaret the gruff no nonsense ‘Management Agent’, Xander ( Enya’s hubby ) and Finn ( Enya’s son )
Talented author, strong descriptive writing, and a surprisingly shock ending all made this a worthwhile read
It is a long time since I have read a book by this author but knew I had enjoyed the ones I had read some years before
This book is set in Ireland and is a whodunit mixed with a touch of mystical and featuring family drama…there is a lot going on but it is held together well and manages to create a good atmospheric story that even though at times almost reaches fanciful manages to pull itself back and continue on strongly
It centres around events on a stormy night and what really did happen as Dr Enya Pickering came across a hit and run and saved the victims life….and when she randomly moves to a remote village that desperately needs a GP what is the mysterious ‘cloth tree’ that taps her window nightly and causes her such fear and anxiety
A robust cast of strong characters including Margaret the gruff no nonsense ‘Management Agent’, Xander ( Enya’s hubby ) and Finn ( Enya’s son )
Talented author, strong descriptive writing, and a surprisingly shock ending all made this a worthwhile read
April 15, 2025
This was pretty bad, unlike the previous novels I have read by Ms Ahern. A wandering mess with an unfocused and unclear story and a very convoluted MC who only lets us know in snippets what is happening with her. I only gave it 2 stars as I finished it, forever hoping there would be some justification for finishing. Very disappointing from such a previously enjoyed writer. Library ebook
'Though they work side by side in their surgery every day, she can’t imagine Xander doing any of those things; he abhors smells and anything distasteful, though he does come at her in a rather medical way when he’s down there under the sheets. Moving things around as though he’s a fussy child who won’t eat their vegetables. Nibbling at the parts he likes. A prissy prudish examination'. pg 26
'The tree surgeon arrives just after lunch in a jeep that looks like it’s emerged from a bog. A woman steps out, dressed in double denim and looking like she’s lost a few rounds in the ring with herself'. pg 90
'Though they work side by side in their surgery every day, she can’t imagine Xander doing any of those things; he abhors smells and anything distasteful, though he does come at her in a rather medical way when he’s down there under the sheets. Moving things around as though he’s a fussy child who won’t eat their vegetables. Nibbling at the parts he likes. A prissy prudish examination'. pg 26
'The tree surgeon arrives just after lunch in a jeep that looks like it’s emerged from a bog. A woman steps out, dressed in double denim and looking like she’s lost a few rounds in the ring with herself'. pg 90
February 17, 2025
O carte intensă, emoționantă, care arată încă o dată cât de bine poate autoarea exprima in cuvinte toate fațetele sentimentelor umane.
O poveste puternică despre vinovăție, durere și dorință de iertare. Cu toate ca este scrisa intr-un ton melancolic este in acelasi timp plina de speranta. Lupta Enyei de a-si invinge demonii interni este emotionanta si autentica.
Ceea ce mi-a placut la fel de mult, ca si povestea, a fost atmosfera mistica si in acelasi timp magica a Irlandei, ca o tara plina de credinte si traditii.
O poveste puternică despre vinovăție, durere și dorință de iertare. Cu toate ca este scrisa intr-un ton melancolic este in acelasi timp plina de speranta. Lupta Enyei de a-si invinge demonii interni este emotionanta si autentica.
Ceea ce mi-a placut la fel de mult, ca si povestea, a fost atmosfera mistica si in acelasi timp magica a Irlandei, ca o tara plina de credinte si traditii.
November 24, 2024
I have enjoyed several Cecilia Ahern books previously and I was intrigued at the premise of this book.
Dr Enya Pickering is driving home in the pouring rain when she is flagged down by a taxi driver. On the floor she sees a boy, who looked uncannily like her son, who had been knocked over. She performs CPR on the boy until the ambulance arrives and so saves his life. Her life then falls to pieces – her husband, also a GP in the same practice wants her gone, and her beloved son won’t speak to her. When her father tells her about an opening for a GP in a remote village in Ireland, she decides that it’s fate and takes the job. However, is everything as it seems and will the past catch up with her?
I really enjoyed this story. It’s somewhat of a ‘whodunnit’. It has great characterisation and shows how people are not always inherently good or inherently bad, but more all a bit of a mixture. A great, well written story.
Dr Enya Pickering is driving home in the pouring rain when she is flagged down by a taxi driver. On the floor she sees a boy, who looked uncannily like her son, who had been knocked over. She performs CPR on the boy until the ambulance arrives and so saves his life. Her life then falls to pieces – her husband, also a GP in the same practice wants her gone, and her beloved son won’t speak to her. When her father tells her about an opening for a GP in a remote village in Ireland, she decides that it’s fate and takes the job. However, is everything as it seems and will the past catch up with her?
I really enjoyed this story. It’s somewhat of a ‘whodunnit’. It has great characterisation and shows how people are not always inherently good or inherently bad, but more all a bit of a mixture. A great, well written story.
October 2, 2024
Enya Pickering, MD, is literally driving through a heavy storm on the night of 21 December, when she is flagged down by a taxi driver. He needs help because he found a wounded boy on the road. Of course Enya comes to the rescue, but it shocks her to her core. Why? There are several reasons, who become clear later.
Enya drives home and tries to pick up her usual life, talking to her twin sister a lot about the upcoming Christmas. In between trying to act as normal as she can, we see glimpses of what makes Enya so frightened and full of fear. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old and now she’s reaching the same age as her mother had when she died, her life seems to unravel. Her husband, with whom she runs a practice, is not a very nice man at all and she wonders what she ever saw in him. Her son Finn is a typical teenager: moody and acting strange sometimes.
The book starts slow but inevitably we are drawn into the story of a woman who’s slowly losing her mind, at least, that’s what she thinks. Well, she may be partly right but during the story she also learns that she has a lot to live for.
I really liked the way Enya’s secrets unfold; it’s not that she suddenly looses it. It’s more that she knows she’s going to lose it but part of her still tries to avoid this. The columns written by Enya’s mother were really beautiful and thought-provoking and I liked the little pinpricks of real humour in the story.
I loved it, just as I loved other books by this wonderful author.
Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this review copy.
Enya drives home and tries to pick up her usual life, talking to her twin sister a lot about the upcoming Christmas. In between trying to act as normal as she can, we see glimpses of what makes Enya so frightened and full of fear. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old and now she’s reaching the same age as her mother had when she died, her life seems to unravel. Her husband, with whom she runs a practice, is not a very nice man at all and she wonders what she ever saw in him. Her son Finn is a typical teenager: moody and acting strange sometimes.
The book starts slow but inevitably we are drawn into the story of a woman who’s slowly losing her mind, at least, that’s what she thinks. Well, she may be partly right but during the story she also learns that she has a lot to live for.
I really liked the way Enya’s secrets unfold; it’s not that she suddenly looses it. It’s more that she knows she’s going to lose it but part of her still tries to avoid this. The columns written by Enya’s mother were really beautiful and thought-provoking and I liked the little pinpricks of real humour in the story.
I loved it, just as I loved other books by this wonderful author.
Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this review copy.
October 20, 2024
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.
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.
November 29, 2025
F*ck this book!!
I hated every second of it. I kept going expecting some kind of phenomenal ending, and then THAT was how it ended? Seriously???
F*ck this book. The one star is purely for the beautiful cover that absolutely did not match the book.
I hated every second of it. I kept going expecting some kind of phenomenal ending, and then THAT was how it ended? Seriously???
F*ck this book. The one star is purely for the beautiful cover that absolutely did not match the book.
Read
August 15, 2025This started well and quickly went downhill.
September 11, 2025
A great easy holiday read
January 30, 2025
Couldn’t get past 20% it was so boring
August 28, 2024
Cecelia Ahern’s Into the Storm is a raw and emotional exploration of trauma, resilience, and the transformative power of nature. Enya, a GP, finds herself at the epicentre of a life-altering event when she saves the life of a teenage boy on a stormy night. This harrowing experience becomes a catalyst for her to break free from her unhappy marriage, seeking solace in the remote Irish countryside as a rural GP.
Cecelia Ahern masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, guilt, and the search for meaning. From the beginning, it is apparent that Enya is hiding something, perhaps even more than one thing. She’s emotionally fraught, her reactions to the accident and the injured young man, whilst understandable, were also extreme. Her distress over what has happened and the subsequent move away from her family lead her to a prickly start in her new home, a tiny rural Irish village. I enjoyed this aspect of the story though, everything to do with the village and its inhabitants was so quaintly and wryly Irish, it was good reading and very entertaining.
The exploration of Irish folklore and mythology through the rag tree added and element of depth and intrigue, Enya’s initial rage at the tree giving way to an understanding of its deeper meaning, and in turn, an inner discovery of self and getting down to the bones of the grief she was carrying for her mother and its intertwining with her fears for her own mortality. I felt that Enya was an incredibly complex character and the unhinged and extreme volatility of her emotions and actions all slid into place as the novel progressed and I was left feeling an immense sense of compassion and understanding for her.
While the novel delves into profound themes, it never loses sight of its characters’ humanity. Enya’s vulnerability is both relatable and inspiring, making her a compelling protagonist. The supporting cast, though limited, is well-developed and contributes to the overall richness of the story.
Into the Storm is a poignant exploration of healing and rebirth. Cecelia Ahern’s evocative storytelling and richly drawn characters create a compelling narrative that lingers long after the final page.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
Cecelia Ahern masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, guilt, and the search for meaning. From the beginning, it is apparent that Enya is hiding something, perhaps even more than one thing. She’s emotionally fraught, her reactions to the accident and the injured young man, whilst understandable, were also extreme. Her distress over what has happened and the subsequent move away from her family lead her to a prickly start in her new home, a tiny rural Irish village. I enjoyed this aspect of the story though, everything to do with the village and its inhabitants was so quaintly and wryly Irish, it was good reading and very entertaining.
The exploration of Irish folklore and mythology through the rag tree added and element of depth and intrigue, Enya’s initial rage at the tree giving way to an understanding of its deeper meaning, and in turn, an inner discovery of self and getting down to the bones of the grief she was carrying for her mother and its intertwining with her fears for her own mortality. I felt that Enya was an incredibly complex character and the unhinged and extreme volatility of her emotions and actions all slid into place as the novel progressed and I was left feeling an immense sense of compassion and understanding for her.
While the novel delves into profound themes, it never loses sight of its characters’ humanity. Enya’s vulnerability is both relatable and inspiring, making her a compelling protagonist. The supporting cast, though limited, is well-developed and contributes to the overall richness of the story.
Into the Storm is a poignant exploration of healing and rebirth. Cecelia Ahern’s evocative storytelling and richly drawn characters create a compelling narrative that lingers long after the final page.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
January 24, 2025
It was okay, but a year from now I probably won't even remember I read this book.
August 22, 2024
I was a bit apprehensive about reading a new CA book, as I haven't read one for several years & my tastes have changed. However it appears her writing has grown with me.
I really enjoyed it. I was into it as soon as I started. There was so much going on, her mum's death, her fear of dying at 47, the same age as her, infidelity, getting older, life falling apart.
I did guess the ending quite early on, it seemed quite obvious but it was fun watching it play out.
I think I gelled with this book more having lost both my dad and brother at 47, I have often had similar thoughts, hoping I live longer. That's where the similarities with Enya and I end though!!
I think this will appear to readers aged 40+.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed it. I was into it as soon as I started. There was so much going on, her mum's death, her fear of dying at 47, the same age as her, infidelity, getting older, life falling apart.
I did guess the ending quite early on, it seemed quite obvious but it was fun watching it play out.
I think I gelled with this book more having lost both my dad and brother at 47, I have often had similar thoughts, hoping I live longer. That's where the similarities with Enya and I end though!!
I think this will appear to readers aged 40+.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2024
4 stars for Into the storm by my beloved Cecelia Ahern. A perfect book about facing your emotions and accepting.
Enya is driving home in a horrendous storm when she is flaged down by another driver, a man in need. He had just found a 16 year old boy, lying in the middel of the road, bleeding and hardly breathing. A clear case of a hit and run. Enya, who is a GP, performs CPR on the boy until the paramedics are there to take over.
Enya gets to go home, but this incident is now part of her and far from behind her.
She tries to run away from it, but she can’t outrun it. And the celtic gods, the one who her mother used to praise, Lead her right back into and trough the storm.
Enya is driving home in a horrendous storm when she is flaged down by another driver, a man in need. He had just found a 16 year old boy, lying in the middel of the road, bleeding and hardly breathing. A clear case of a hit and run. Enya, who is a GP, performs CPR on the boy until the paramedics are there to take over.
Enya gets to go home, but this incident is now part of her and far from behind her.
She tries to run away from it, but she can’t outrun it. And the celtic gods, the one who her mother used to praise, Lead her right back into and trough the storm.
November 20, 2024
On a stormy night, Enya's life changes completely. She reaches a point where she feels she must leave everything behind, including her son. Struggling to move forward, she finds herself at a breaking point. Eventually, she realizes that she needs to confront her problems rather than run away from them, but she still has a long way to go before truly understanding this. It’s a thoughtful and engaging book about grief, love, fear, hope, guilt, sacrifice, and mental health and I recommend reading it.
July 28, 2024
Cecelia Ahern is one of my favorite authors. I have read every single adult book that she has written. She has another two novels for young adults that I am planning to read by the end of the year. Into The Storm is her newest novel that comes out this October, and I must say this is not her strongest one.
The story revolves around Dr. Enya Pickering, who, on one stormy night, witnesses a hit-and-run and saves the injured person's life. After that moment, her life starts to spiral out of control. Her relationships with her husband and son reach a breaking point, and she decides to move to the small Irish town of Abbeydooley to find herself. Enya is also haunted by the upcoming fear of reaching the age her mother was when she lost her life.
Enya is a deeply flawed character, and it took a while to become familiar with her. I really didn't like her husband, Xander, and his treatment of Enya. I think the author spent way too much time focusing on the hit-and-run case, where I would have liked to read more about Enya's journey toward healing. Still, I enjoyed reading this novel, and I will read anything this author writes. It's possible that I had sky-high expectations because I absolutely loved her last year's release, In a Thousand Different Ways. I thought she caught lightning in a bottle with that one.
3.5 Stars
The story revolves around Dr. Enya Pickering, who, on one stormy night, witnesses a hit-and-run and saves the injured person's life. After that moment, her life starts to spiral out of control. Her relationships with her husband and son reach a breaking point, and she decides to move to the small Irish town of Abbeydooley to find herself. Enya is also haunted by the upcoming fear of reaching the age her mother was when she lost her life.
Enya is a deeply flawed character, and it took a while to become familiar with her. I really didn't like her husband, Xander, and his treatment of Enya. I think the author spent way too much time focusing on the hit-and-run case, where I would have liked to read more about Enya's journey toward healing. Still, I enjoyed reading this novel, and I will read anything this author writes. It's possible that I had sky-high expectations because I absolutely loved her last year's release, In a Thousand Different Ways. I thought she caught lightning in a bottle with that one.
3.5 Stars
October 5, 2025
If you know me .. i love a twist .. or a good old love story. This was essentially a thriller with no twist , i think , or not a thriller but then i’m unsure what genre it was ? .. not great but read it in 2 days so not too much time wasted.
April 7, 2025
A fine read. Cecelia A write well but the plot was thin.
July 28, 2025
Incredible and unforgettable read 🩵
December 31, 2024
On a stormy Saturday evening in December, while driving home, Enya Pickering encounters a distraught taxi driver who has stumbled upon a hit-and-run victim—a 15-year-old boy. As a general practitioner, Enya instinctively takes charge, performing CPR until emergency services arrive. Once back in her car, the gravity of the situation begins to sink in, especially the eerie resemblance between the victim and her own 15-year-old son, Finn, leaving her deeply unsettled.
But this incident is just the tip of the iceberg for Enya. Haunted by personal demons and a life in disarray, she decides to escape her past by accepting a new job in the rural countryside, abandoning her old life, including her husband and son. However, the past proves difficult to outrun, along with the secrets she is desperate to keep hidden. With the Garda investigating the hit-and-run, her husband severing communication with Finn, and her ongoing struggles with mental health, Enya's composure begins to fray.
Enya believed her life ended at forty-seven, but she didn’t anticipate an opportunity for rebirth. She discovers a newfound peace reminiscent of the safety she felt at twelve, enclosed with her sister and mother. This sense of security, forever etched in her heart and her mother's writings, becomes her guiding light. Enya carries this light within her, using it to navigate the darkness of her journey, illuminating her path with resilience and hope.
This narrative will resonate deeply with women over forty, a stage in life where stability often gives way to introspection and a desire for personal growth. It's a time when many reconsider their life choices and explore new directions. The writing style, tinged with melancholy, conveys a palpable sadness and missed opportunities that evoke strong emotions. Although the pace can be slow, the author skillfully handles complex themes with nuance and sensitivity.
The characters are vividly depicted, lifelike, and brimming with emotion. The contrast between Enya’s private turmoil and professional facade is both understandable and intricate.
The story draws on the Tree of Life concept, a symbol of interconnectedness across heaven, earth, and the underworld. It reflects pre-Christian Irish spirituality, with the Rag Tree serving as a potent symbol of healing. Enya’s tumultuous yet ultimately restorative journey is deeply inspired by this symbol, making the narrative both profound and meaningful.
3,5/5
But this incident is just the tip of the iceberg for Enya. Haunted by personal demons and a life in disarray, she decides to escape her past by accepting a new job in the rural countryside, abandoning her old life, including her husband and son. However, the past proves difficult to outrun, along with the secrets she is desperate to keep hidden. With the Garda investigating the hit-and-run, her husband severing communication with Finn, and her ongoing struggles with mental health, Enya's composure begins to fray.
Enya believed her life ended at forty-seven, but she didn’t anticipate an opportunity for rebirth. She discovers a newfound peace reminiscent of the safety she felt at twelve, enclosed with her sister and mother. This sense of security, forever etched in her heart and her mother's writings, becomes her guiding light. Enya carries this light within her, using it to navigate the darkness of her journey, illuminating her path with resilience and hope.
This narrative will resonate deeply with women over forty, a stage in life where stability often gives way to introspection and a desire for personal growth. It's a time when many reconsider their life choices and explore new directions. The writing style, tinged with melancholy, conveys a palpable sadness and missed opportunities that evoke strong emotions. Although the pace can be slow, the author skillfully handles complex themes with nuance and sensitivity.
The characters are vividly depicted, lifelike, and brimming with emotion. The contrast between Enya’s private turmoil and professional facade is both understandable and intricate.
The story draws on the Tree of Life concept, a symbol of interconnectedness across heaven, earth, and the underworld. It reflects pre-Christian Irish spirituality, with the Rag Tree serving as a potent symbol of healing. Enya’s tumultuous yet ultimately restorative journey is deeply inspired by this symbol, making the narrative both profound and meaningful.
3,5/5
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