A story that intertwines history, mystery, and magic into dual timelines. The pace is not rushed and the author has an elegant way with words that brings emotional depth. Overall an enchanting story for those who love historical fiction sprinkled with a little magic!

This is the book that I've read by this author, but I will be searching for more.one of the strongest points is the character development. The characters are well rounded and believable. After finishing the book, I find myself wondering about them and and what is happening in their lives. The story nes shifts from present day to many years ago. I enjoyed both, and the way they melded together

A beautiful story about finding stories from the past while also finding yourself with the help of folklore set in the landscape of Ireland. This story touches on grief and loss but is beautifully written.

Stunningly beautiful. Loved every moment .My heart won't be the same. Read this book asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 2nd Evie Woods book and I loved it like I did The Lost Bookshop!

I love the past and present concept. Sarah in present times and Anna in the past. Sarah's connection to Anna through her diary helping her to heal her own issues brings the books together. The complexity of the characters is beautiful!

Sarah took a risk by getting on the plane to Ireland to see the Hawthorne Tree. It lead her on an unexpected journey! Finding wonderful people in the village and finding Anna's diary. This adventure was able to heal Sarah in ways that she did not know was possible.

Wonderful read! Highly suggest and highly suggest this author!

3.5 Evie Woods’ The Story Collectory is a charming, dual-timeline novel that redefines the concept of "happily ever after." Seamlessly blending elements of reality with the whimsy of fairy tales, this story is a heartwarming exploration of healing, belief in magic, and finding the courage to move forward.

The narrative allows readers to indulge in the possibility of the fairy folk while staying grounded in a world that feels genuine and relatable. It’s a delicate balance that Woods manages beautifully, creating a tale that feels magical without straying into fantasy. This makes it an ideal read (or listen) for those who love cozy novels that mix a bit of everything—romance, self-discovery, and a sprinkle of enchantment.

A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this audiobook. The Story Collectory is a cozy, enchanting experience that leaves listeners with a renewed belief in the power of magic and the strength of the human spirit. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a comforting escape that also stirs the heart.

I liked this I supposed, but it put me in a book slump (the not good kind). It is a dual timeline romance with two couples. The more recent studying the history and stories of the older couple combined with an exploration of Irish fairies folklore.

I loved the Irish setting. I found I enjoyed Anna's story in 1910 and learning about the magic of fairies. Sarah's story in 2011 I felt really didn't add to the story and kept waiting for some way it would link Anna's story to hers (other than finding the diary). Sarah's romance with Orrin wasn't really needed for the story to progress. Hazel was an interesting character. 3.5 stars

I adore Evie's writing style. Her books feel like cozy fantasy, but real-world believability.

Sarah is a new favorite character. She feels like a friend. And I wish only the best for her.

Ireland is a bookish bucket-list destination for me. And Sarah's journey is part of that list now. Hazel is an absolute gem of a character, too!

There's nothing like a good diary story within a story. Anna feels like character I've met before. Beautiful.

And the idea of being a story collector? Fantasy job!

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
"Wow, that's pretty profound, Hazel. When did you get so clever?"
"It's Roald Dahl, Dad! Honestly, you really should try reading a book every now and again!"

I am a huge fan of Evie Woods' The Lost Bookshop, so I was eager to read The Story Collector. I have mixed feelings about this novel. First, it isn't nearly as good as The Lost Bookshop. Second, the dual timeline feels unnecessary.

I enjoyed Anna and Harold's story much more than Sarah's. Sarah's story felt insincere and didn't really add much to the narrative. I also didn't like the way Woods glossed over Sarah's alcoholism. This is not a subject that should be depicted as normal with no consequences. Sarah's arc lives only to tell the story of Anna and Harold, which could have been done just as easily, and better, without Sarah.

I loved the Irish folklore and the descriptive vision Woods painted through her words captivated me. Unfortunately, I wish there had been more about Thornwood Hall. The house could have provided so much realism to the story, but it was almost an afterthought after being touted as a main character in the beginning.

The ending was not satisfying at all. I was so disappointed in the bittersweet events that occurred that I wanted to throw the book at the wall. Thus, I award The Story Collector 3 out of 5 stars.

3.5*
Dual timelines. One takes place in Ireland In the early 1900’s where a young farmgirl, Anna, offers to help an American college student translate Irish folklore into English. The second is a contemporary timeline in which we find Sarah Harper fleeing her stifling, depressing life in America and ending up in the same Irish countryside that the American scholar had long ago traversed as he conducted his research.

Harold is the young student writer who relies on his younger companion to introduce him and assist him in documenting the stories of the fae. Anna translates local tales of fairy encounters and Harold documents them for his book. The stories are whimsical and magical and the young scholar is transfixed by the enchanting accounts.

Meanwhile, Sarah is confused and distraught over her failed marriage and, on impulse, has flown to Ireland. She quickly becomes comfortable in the small Irish town and virtually cuts herself off from her old life. Her hasty decisions are driven by her erratic emotional state and the problems that plagued her in America. Her escape may be the change she desperately needs, but cutting off all communication with everyone seems extreme. Her plotline is less satisfying.

In the earlier storyline, the girl Anna is actually more central to the plot than Harold, although they both are endearing. One can’t help but be charmed by the earnestness of the young man who is so enamored by the tales of the fairies and with teenage Anna who’s thrilled with her new job and also becomes wrapped up in her new employer and the stories she translates. Years later, Sarah finds and reads Anna’s hundred-year-old diary, providing a connection between the two storylines.

The historical plot was warm and had a nice sense of place. In contrast, the contemporary story was lacking in real heartfelt emotion, other than depression and desperation. Still, the diary was a convenient vehicle for interweaving the plots and helped lead Sarah to a better place. Overall, Gaughn’s novel was enjoyable and interesting, a book that cast a lovely light on the Emerald Isle.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I do think it was well written but it didn’t catch and keep my attention as I hoped it would. The dual timeline was interesting but I ended up not finishing simply because it wasn’t really for me. I’m sure that some will love it. Just not me.

This book felt like it was written just for me—it checked off everything I love! If you're a fan of dual-timeline historical fiction with a dash of magic, this one is a must-read. The story follows Sarah, who embarks on a serendipitous trip to Ireland and finds herself staying in a cottage in a quiet, picturesque town. While there, she discovers the diary of Anna and is instantly drawn into her world and story. I couldn't put it down, five stars!

*The Story Collector* by Evie Woods is a beautifully written, heartwarming novel that touches on themes of storytelling, personal growth, and the importance of community. The story follows a young woman who becomes involved in preserving the stories of the people around her, uncovering hidden truths and connecting with her own past along the way. Woods’ writing is rich in atmosphere, and the characters are likable and relatable.

That said, while the book is engaging, the pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some of the plot developments felt predictable. The emotional payoff is there, but it takes a while to really build momentum. Still, the book offers a satisfying conclusion and a gentle, thoughtful narrative that will resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven stories about finding your place in the world.

Overall, *The Story Collector* is a lovely, reflective read, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of literary fiction and those looking for a quiet, uplifting story. A solid 3.5 stars!

This is lovely story by a new author to me. And I love the cover. There are two stories running parallel, one in 2010/1911 and the other 100 years earlier. Sarah Zaparelli is leaving her husband of three years, suffering from anxiety disorder after The Big Bad Thing. Planing to decamp with her sister in Boston, in a drunken state she decides to go to Ireland instead. I'm not going to add a spoiler to what The Big Bad Thing is, but like me, I image most readers have already figured it out before it is finally revealed towards the end of the book. She knows no one in Ireland, but reading an article about Thornwood and a protest there to protect a fairy tree (Hawthorn tree), she ends up there in a charming cottage, where not only does she meet charming people, who help her heal, but also finds a diary from 100 years ago hidden in the hollow of a tree. The diary was written by a young woman named Anna Butler and a young American, Harold Griffin-Krauss who came to Ireland to get information for his thesis about "the Good People" i.e. fairies. Wonderful characters and story. However, since there really isn't a blantant HEA for either heroine, I guess that makes this "Women's Fiction" rather than a Romance.

I read a gifted Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased, voluntary and honest review. I recommend this book. It is really a lovely read.

Such a pleasant surprise! Truly lovely on audio with the Irish accents. A bit of historical fiction, a bit literary, a splash of romance, and a little bit magical. For fans of Emily Wilde!

This book follows Sarah, in a more modern and contemporary world, escaping to Ireland to process some of life’s difficulties. When Sarah finds Anna’s diary in the cottage she’s staying in the stories start to weave together. We get glimpses into the past through the diary as Sarah is reading and processing that and her own life story. There’s a bit of magic in finding and discovering fae. It’s overall just a charming and cozy read! I think the pacing is helped by the audio!

Duel timelines based on two women born a hundred years apart. On Christmas Eve Sarah is suppose to be flying to Boston but instead flies to the West Coast of Ireland where her ancestors are from. While in Ireland she finds a diary in a tree that belonged to a girl named Anna who wrote this diary 100 years ago.

This story delves into the mysteries of the fairies in this small town in Ireland. As Sarah is dealing with the loss of her child, she begins to find solace and healing in reading Annas diary about the fairies and how they brought magic into the families in this small town. Sarah also discovers more things in Ireland that she wasn't expecting.

Such a sweet story about grief and healing and finding yourself. I am looking forward to more books from Evie Woods. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for this complimentary digital copy for my honest review.

dnfed 25% in -

i just couldn't get into this story and felt like there was a hurdle with me really connecting with this one. i wasn't feeling the characters or the story and i felt like i was reading words but not really processing them.

This is my second book by Evie Woods and I really enjoy her magical realism. As with her other book I preferred one timeline over the other but that was okay. It was a little long but still worth the read.

This book was an unexpected surprise. I loved the romance in the book, but I also loved that it was not the focus. It alternates between the past and the present. Sometimes that doesn’t work for me because I like one storyline better and want to focus on that timeline, but that was not the case in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed both. The plot was a bit predictable, but in this case that didn’t bother me at all.
S