Bestselling author Cecelia Ahern is releasing two contrasting books this summer, returning to the romance genre with Love Unlocked while launching a children’s series titled Detective Thingy Majiggy, inspired by bedtime reading with her youngest daughter, Blossom, according to an interview with Claire O’Mahony.
More than 20 years after her debut novel PS, I Love You, Ahern continues to explore stories that ask readers to suspend disbelief. The simultaneous publication of an adult romance and a children’s mystery represents a deliberate shift in pace for the 44-year-old author, who lives in Malahide, County Dublin, with her husband, David Keoghan, and their three children.
Collaborating with Blossom on Detective Thingy Majiggy
According to Ahern, the children’s novel began through nightly reading sessions with six-year-old Blossom. Her daughter actively participated in the creative process, helping select illustrations and discussing plot developments as the book took shape. Writing for younger audiences demanded a quicker narrative pace compared to adult fiction. Ahern noted that her daughter served as a strict editor during early drafts, stopping her at the opening chapter to demand she skip lengthy introductions and get straight to the point.
Pro Tip: When writing for younger readers, keep the plot moving swiftly and avoid excessive introductory descriptions, as children prefer to engage directly with the core storyline.
The protagonist of the new series is Mia, a young girl living in foster care who can communicate with inanimate objects that talk back. Ahern stated that Mia’s backpack serves as a crucial constant in a changing world, acting as family since it accompanies her from home to home. This imaginative element mirrors Ahern’s own parenting style, which involves giving voices and personalities to everyday items, a habit she has maintained since her children were toddlers.
Inspiration Behind the Romance Novel Love Unlocked
Ahern’s adult novel Love Unlocked originated from research for a previous book, Into the Storm, when she learned about the padlocks left by couples on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. According to the author, the removal of the locks due to structural weight sparked the central premise of the book: examining what happens if relationships end as soon as the locks are cut. The narrative follows Melody and Al, two people with contrasting reservations about romance who ultimately help each other heal.
The novel weaves in the historical romance of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford, whose marriage in Kilmainham Gaol on the eve of Plunkett’s execution influenced the emotional core of the book. Ahern incorporated excerpts from their historical letters throughout the text, describing their relationship as a tragic and beautiful love story that suited the themes of fragility and second chances in her latest work.
Maintaining a Structured Writing Routine in Malahide
Balancing her career as an internationally published author requires strict daily routines. Ahern writes from nine until one in the afternoon during drafting phases, leaving the remainder of the day for family responsibilities, before occasionally returning to her desk from nine until midnight. Living on the coast in Malahide provides a dynamic environment, offering sea views that change daily and serve as a backdrop for her writing process.
Ideas for new projects accumulate in her phone’s notes app until one generates enough momentum and excitement to pursue. While she enjoys the solitary nature of writing, Ahern values connecting with readers during book events. She noted that she often visualizes her audiences while on stage and carries those memories back to her desk when working alone.
Did You Know? Cecelia Ahern coordinates the wardrobe for her book tours to match the color themes of her book covers, a trend that fans and booksellers often replicate at her public events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cecelia Ahern’s newest books?
Cecelia Ahern’s summer releases are Love Unlocked, an adult romance novel, and Detective Thingy Majiggy, the first installment in a new children’s book series.
Who inspired Detective Thingy Majiggy?
According to Ahern, the children’s series was inspired by bedtime reading sessions with her youngest daughter, Blossom, who also helped select illustrations and provided editorial feedback during the writing process.
What inspired the plot of Love Unlocked?
The novel was inspired by the padlocks left by couples on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, prompting Ahern to explore the symbolism of romantic tokens and what happens when they are removed.
Where does Cecelia Ahern live and write?
Ahern lives in Malahide, County Dublin, where she maintains a structured writing routine from her home office, balancing her author career with family life.
What are your thoughts on Cecelia Ahern’s return to romance and her new children’s series? Leave a comment below, share this article with fellow book lovers, or subscribe to our newsletter for more author interviews and literary updates.
Related reading