This was brilliant read. Ella was estranged from her mother. Her mum had a bad fall and she came back from Australia to help. It was a moving story. Books and friends play a major part and looking why we are the way we are. I won’t spoil it but absolutely loved it. Will recommend it. Also my favourite a proper ending .

Beautiful, beautiful book! I requested this book from Netgalley as soon as I read the title…..any book relating to books and I’m in! This is a story about redemption. It is a charming and poignantly satisfying read, on so many levels. The love of books and the insights we are given when we read them are priceless gifts. Don’t miss this book upon its publication in 2024. Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for granting this book for review consideration.all opinions are my own. #TheMemoryLibrary, #AvonBooksUK.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Yet another new author and title that I was drawn to becuase of its basis on a library. I'm in! I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read The Memory Library as it is a wonderful story of redemption and family. I loved the growth of the characters and the honesty as they struggled to move out of the past and to put aside hurts and resentments. The gradually learned humility and perspective heals the mother/daughter relationship and allows personal growth and a healthier, happier relationship with her husband and daughter as well. I loved, loved that the mom bought a book each year for her daughter that represented things in her daughter's life that year, wether it be qualities she saw in her daughter, wishes and dreams for her, or advice. It is so thoughtful and created a true library of memories and love.

What a beautiful read I loved every page, characters and the visits to the library. This book was way out of my comfort zone but I absolutely loved it and so glad I decided to read it.

The bond that grew with mother and daughter was particularly lovely and I cannot speak highly enough about this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for this ARC.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the storyline were great. Would recommend.

This truly is a tear jerker. It’s such a beautiful story that will probably have you examining your own actions.

Ella Harrison is a career woman, leaving her husband Charlie to care for their daughter Willow and attend to all household related issues.
Ella suddenly gets a call that her mother has had a fall and is in hospital. As Ella prepares to go to the UK to discover how badly hurt her mother is she thinks the time away will do her and Charlie good as they have been growing apart, or have they!

On arrival at her old home she finds a lot of water damage from her mother flooding the bathroom so she sets out to assess the damage ad air the place only one of the rooms is locked and she can’t find the key. This room holds the story of her life, showing all the mistakes and misconceptions she held about her mother, Sally. It also shows her how much love she has missed out on.
As the story unfolds and we learn all the details will it bring them together, will Ella be able to admit mistakes. How will it affect her own family’s life!

The visits to the local library are quite entertaining, namely Jakob, my favourite character.
And young Nathan, delightful.
If you learn anything from this book it will be “never judge”
Can’t recommend it enough.

"The Memory Library" by Kate Storey is a heartwarming novel that explores themes of family, loneliness, and hope, blending the perennial love for books about books. The story revolves around Sally Harrison, who, for forty-two years, has been building a library. Every year, on her daughter Ella's birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves, dedicating each one to her greatest work.

However, Ella, Sally's only child, left for Australia twenty-two years ago after a heated exchange, and the mother-daughter relationship has been strained ever since. Despite the physical distance, Sally continues to add books to her library, holding onto the hope that one day Ella will return and read the notes dedicated to her.

When disaster strikes, Ella is forced to return to the home she left behind. The novel explores the dynamics of their relationship, the passage of time, and the impact of the written word. As Ella navigates her return, the story unfolds with themes of second chances, friendship, and the transformative power of books.

"The Memory Library" promises to be a touching and poignant read, especially for book lovers who appreciate the magic and solace found within the pages of a good book.

Oh my gosh, this is an amazing read. It’s a powerful story about the importance of libraries. The importance of books, the importance of empathy and compassion. It’s about the importance of friendship, love and community.

This story features the greatest idea: A mother gifting her child a book with a life lesson dedication at the front, each year. What an amazing gift to receive. Books are so personal and to have someone take the time to pick one out for you and dedicate it is really special

In this story, a mother and daughter are estranged, but, after years of resentment and misunderstanding, they are forced to spend time together due to an unfortunate chain of events. Books become a common denominator for them.

There are so many great books referenced and I love a book featuring books. People music is healing and that’s true, but I also believe books are healing. They allow you to escape, they are a conversation starter, they transform the way you think and can connect you to other people. It was a complete privilege to read this powerful and poignant story. There were tears shed.

This will be a top book for me for 2024, when it publishes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a lot of different messages in it. It’s about how important books can be to our lives. It’s about parent/child relationships. The perception of them versus the reality of them. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors. Most of all it’s about discovering what is truly important to oneself. It makes a great book club read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through Net Galley.

This is being billed as a debut voice but it really isn't...it is by author Lisa Timoney and I loved it. This book is about parental relationships and how we perceive them versus what the reality is. I loved how Sally protected her daughter even though it took a toll on the mother-daughter relationship. And despite the fact that they aren't on the best of terms Ella flies halfway around the world when her mother has a fall and injures herself.

Ella learns a lot about her mum while helping out and it makes her reflect on her own marriage and eight-year-old daughter. The story is told in a very realistic way and I learned to love these characters so much I would have liked to have been friends with them. Not only is this a book about a mother and daughter but it is also a book about community. Remember the saying "it takes a village"? That's not just for children everyone can use a community, and that's a lesson Ella learns.

The Memory Library delivers on its promise of a heartwarming read about hope, friendship and second chances. I should note that this book is also a love letter to the written word.

This book was great to read. It was written beautifully and had a beautiful message. The story was based around forgiveness, hope, strained relationships, and a very helping community. If you enjoy reading and love positivity and growth and greater good you’ll love this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author

This was a heartwarming, uplifting story about mothers and daughters, family, community, forgiveness and hope. I especially appreciated the inclusiveness of all the minor characters. And of course, the inclusion of books, and the love of books, and how books touch our lives in so many wonderful ways. The idea of creating memory library for someone I love is a beautiful thing and I hope many people start to do this after reading this book!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A feel good book about books and how they can unite people. The written word is a powerful communicator as well as a solace for comfort. Oral language is often misinterpreted as displayed in this book . Its misinterpretation caused years of separation for Ella and her mother. When Ella and her mother finally come to terms with misinformation they see the value of each other and furthermore for Ella she sees the value of the small community she left behind for Australia and the mediocre life she has there with her husband and daughter. The value of books is medicine for the soul and the mind. In this book it reconnected Ella with her mother , her husband and daughter and the community that shaped her .

'The Memory Library' is a beautiful book about mothers and daughters, love, second chances...oh and lots of books, so what's not to love! It's a touching story that is peppered with some really lovely characters. Highly recommend you read it ..although you might need to keep the tissues handy. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance reading copy.

A beautifully written book about the relationship between mothers and daughters, friends and family and the importance of community. I laughed out loud and had more than one glassy eye! There are many gorgeous references to classic novels I have read, and some that I haven’t (but definitely will now!) Descriptions are vivid and I have a clear picture of the area described, despite never having been there.
I read the book in one sitting. You really care about the characters and what will happen to them next, and the pages just kept turning. Read it and enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

3.5 stars rounded up

I'm not sure what made me continue reading this book but I'm so glad I did. I disliked it for almost the entire first half, and believe me, I have no qualms about not finishing a book. So many books, so little time, and all that. All of sudden it turned a corner for me and I couldn't read it fast enough. Once Ella got involved in the community and reunited with childhood friend, Verity, it was like an entirely different story. It's about reconnecting with loved ones while viewing "home" through adult eyes. The twist with one of the side characters was brilliant and I did NOT see that coming at all. The beautiful ending brought tears to my eyes. 2 stars for the first half, 5 for the second.

I absolutely adored reading this book and it had me crying. It was beautifully and rightfully written, with a beautiful message. Ella moves to Australia after her father's death, refusing to speak to her mother, when an accident brings Ella back home, her life will never be the same, with the help of books and friendships.

This is one book I will definitely be gifting to friends.

Thank you Netgalley and AvonBooksUK for the chance to read.

What an beautiful moving story this is.! It really had me sobbing my eyes out. With all the people in the book Its true what they say , don't judge a book by the cover! It made me feel all warm and i didn't want it to end! Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves books and how they make you feel!

The Memory Library is a heartwarming story about a mother-daughter duo who reconcile after a misunderstanding. The story highlights the importance of acting out of love and avoiding assuming the truth when reality is far from it. The protagonists face challenges in addressing their own shortcomings and overcoming adversity. The book is a book that offers numerous recommendations and a heartwarming growth and redemption arc. It also serves as a lesson in the importance of the present, even in the face of adversity, as it reminds us that we still have the present.

What a beautiful story and so well written. Ella moved to Australia after her father's death and university and barely communicated with her mother for two decades, blaming her for something that happened then. When her mother falls and breaks both her wrists Ella begrudgingly comes to back to care for her. Ella meets up with old friends and finds out about the books her mother has bought every year on her birthday since she left. Ella soon finds out that everything isn't as it seems. This book was a feel good, uplifting story that also had me in tears. A definite must read and I'd certainly read something else by this author.