[ About Love Unlocked ]
Melody has vowed never to fall in love again. Al is a hopeless romantic. So, when they quite literally bump into each other, there’s no reason sparks should fly. But the world seems a little upside down lately.
A few weeks ago, Al ordered the removal of all the lovers’ padlocks from one of Dublin’s beautiful bridges. Ever since then, couples across the world have started splitting up. And as Melody begins investigating this mysterious wave of breakups for her podcast, it seems there might be a bigger story to tell.
Together, they decide to uncover what’s unravelling so many love stories. And, in the middle of solving everyone else’s heartbreak, can they unlock their own?
[ My Review ]
Love Unlocked by Cecelia Ahern publishes with Harper Collins August 27th and is described as an ’emotional and uplifting love story.’
Like many of you I have heard of the Pont des Arts in Paris which had to have over a million ‘love locks’ removed in 2015 due to their weight and the potential impact they were having on the stability and safety of the bridge. These padlocks were placed there by couples wishing to mark their relationship, as a romantic gesture of forever. Cecelia Ahern took this concept and considered what might have happened to all the couples after the padlocks were removed. Did their relationships fall apart, as Cecelia puts it ‘as if a spell had been broken‘?
‘It got me thinking about the immense weight of love, how relationships can crumble under its load, how – much like a bridge’s metal railings – the shape of the relationships can be bent and altered. Love is strong and yet is so fragile; after holding on for so long, being seemingly indestructible, what is the one small – or large – thing that finally causes it to break…’
– Cecelia Ahern
Melody is a DJ and podcaster with commitment issues. For some time now Melody has forged her own path, steering clear of any romantic connections that could lead to complications in her life. With an unresolved fear of being alone at nighttime, her nightlife career suits her. From 5am Melody feels safe and assured that all is as it should be. On her podcast she delves into life issues with Prunella, her on air partner, with Melody always being the more cynical of the two.
Al works for the Bridges Department for Dublin city. A sentimental romantic, he thought his life was sorted until the day his world came crashing down. He just about manages to get into work every morning, facing the hours ahead while leaving a permanent sense of gloom in his wake. When asked to check out a bridge in Dublin that has become a shrine to love adorned with love locks, Al has no compunction in having them removed. The bridge is named after Grace Plunkett, the wife of executed 1916 republican Joseph Plunkett, drawing many couples to the bridge to mark their love with padlocks. Once the padlock is in position, the couple then throw the key into the river. [Note – this bridge is fictional but the story of Grace and Joseph Plunkett is tragic and so very true, with their love immortalised over the years in both story and song]
Melody starts to piece a story together for the podcast when she hears about the bridge and the coincidence of couples breaking up across the globe. She raises the topic with her listeners and is soon inundated with messages of distraught individuals left in bits after their partners finished with them. Is there a connection? Have these locks become a symbol of something more? Is there some kind of magic at work here?
Melody sets off to investigate, while simultaneously being faced with challenging issues in her own life. She meets Al to question him more but he is very sceptical of her take, especially in view of his own recent upheaval. As the days pass both start to ask questions and explore the possibility of alternative perspectives. They reconsider the many different kinds of relationships that exist and are faced with some challenging home truths about themselves and the choices they have made to date in their lives.
There is a real sense of sincerity running through this novel, with a host of individuals that come alive on the pages. Cecelia Ahern plays around with these two wonderfully flawed characters presenting their imperfections and humanity with her now recognisable spark of magic weaving through the story. A gorgeous romantic story Love Unlocked is imbued with the perfect peppering of emotional turmoil blended with self-discovery and reflection. A tender tale, an uplifting story and one I heartily recommend.
[ Thank you to Harper Collins Ireland for a copy of Love Unlocked in exchange for my honest review]
[ Bio ]
Cecelia Ahern is an Irish novelist whose work was first published in 2004. Her debut novel PS I Love You was an international bestseller and was adapted to film starring Hilary Swank.
Her second novel, Where Rainbows End, was adapted into Love, Rosie starring Lily Collins. Her books have been published in over thirty-seven languages, and have sold over twenty-five million copies.
In addition to her novels, she is also the author of a highly acclaimed collection of stories, Roar, which is now an Apple Original series starring Nicole Kidman on Apple TV+.
Fab review, really like the sound of this! xx
Nicki I surprised myself by enjoying it so much. A really charming & sweet read. Thank you xx
Great review Mairead. I enjoyed this too. Would make a great film! I had to look up the Plunkett story – so sad.
It’s such a tragic part of our history. Very sad. Thanks Joanne. It’s definitely my fav book of hers x