I’m a reader that typically has five to six books going at once. With that being said, I couldn’t stay away from Evie Wood’s “The Story Collector.” The Irish setting is enchanting with the lush landscape descriptions and the incredible details of all of the homes and lifestyles (both in 1911 and 2011). The story explores Irish folklore and beliefs while toggling between two different time periods. I really enjoyed the pacing of jumping back and forth between both timelines. Although there is a romantic element to the characters’ stories, it is by no means the main focus. I found the read to be equal parts cozy and suspenseful with a general sense of foreboding that creeps along in the shadows.
Thank you, NetGalley, One More Chapter, and Evie Woods for allowing me to read the ARC of this charming story! I rate it a 4.5.

I’m in the minority for this book. It fell short for me.
The jumping back and forth between dual pov from Sarah (present)and Anna(in the found journal) I found the jumping around jarring. I wished rather than Sarah finding a journal, that the book would have been about the fairies in the area where she was staying in Ireland. The book did have a few surprises for the reader and many people loved this book.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the arc.

Evie Woods casts another spellbinding tale in "The Story Collector," a captivating blend of whimsy, historical intrigue, and present-day heartache. While a 3-star rating feels insufficient, it doesn't quite capture the novel's full charm – a solid 3.75 stars feels more apt.

Following the successful formula of "The Lost Bookshop," Woods weaves a narrative across two timelines, transporting readers to the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland. We first meet Sarah, grappling with the emotional fallout of a marital separation due to "the big bad thing." Drowning her sorrows in pre-flight cocktails, Sarah's Boston-bound journey took a mystical detour. She awoke to a different kind of green – the rolling hills of Ireland – with a pounding head and a memory as hazy as the Guinness she never drank.

Through a serendipitous twist of fate, we're then transported back to 1911, encountering Anna Butler and her family. This enchanting thread also introduces Harold, a scholarly American researching Celtic folklore for his Oxford thesis, and is where we meet Thornwood, and all the mystery it is shrouded in.

Back in the present, we connect with Oran and his daughter, Hazel, as they navigate the profound grief of losing Carol, Oran's wife and Hazel's mother. Throughout the story, a vibrant cast of characters enriches the narrative, adding depth to what might initially appear as a lighthearted tale. But make no mistake, "The Story Collector" is anything but frivolous.

Woods imbues the often-childish concept of fairies with surprising reverence, delving into the rich tapestry of Irish folklore that still holds power in certain corners of the world. While I anticipated an enchanting yet inconsequential story, I was delightfully surprised by the depth it offered. From the very beginning (surpassing even the fourth chapter!), the narrative hooked me. The captivating curse that plagues Thornwood intertwines with the reawakening of love, making "The Story Collector" a truly captivating read.

The Story Collector by Evie Woods which takes place in Ireland is full of Irish lore, mythical creatures, and about finding oneself after loss. I love a story with a dual timeline and this book keeps the reader enthralled with a present day artist going back in time while reading the journal of a young girl from the early 1900’s. It’s so interesting to see how each young woman finds herself, each in a different time period, while in the exact same place. I couldn’t wait to finish this one to see how it would end!
#TheStoryCollector #NetGalley

4.25 stars!!!

“Our wills and fate so contrary run” - Shakespeare

The Story Collector is a cozy, magical, wintry novel. Think fall/winter season, sitting by the fireplace… or at least a YouTube video of a fireplace with the crackling sounds and wrapped in a blanket.

I enjoyed reading the dual timelines centered around life in the same setting/location in Ireland. It was interesting how similar the experiences were between the two main FMCs throughout the story. The way the author paced the story so that their experiences were volleyed back and forth to each other made me excited to read both journeys.

There are times in dual timeline or dual POV novels where one is far more interesting than the other, but I’m thankful that wasn’t the case here. I was rooting for both characters.

There are topics that could be triggering to some, such as attempted rape and dealing with grief due to the loss of a loved one. I feel that these topics were handled with grace.

Also, finding out that parts of the story is inspired by a real-life anthropologist who also traveled to Ireland to collect similar stories discussed in the book was exciting! It makes me want to read his published thesis as well. 😊

This is a beautiful historical fiction book that was overwhelming delightful. The novel is rich in Irish folklore and superstitions.

The book alternates between the present and the past. It was beautifully written. I enjoyed the interweaving stories.

I highly recommend this magical book. I intend to read more from this author.

The STory Collector
by Evie Woods
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
An evocative and charming novel full of secrets and mystery, from the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop
In a quiet village in Ireland, a mysterious local myth is about to change everything.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction, learning about Ireland and Irish beliefs of fairies, and superstitions.
This book was totally unexpectedly delightful. I read it all in one day, and that alone says something! The book is written in a way that it's alternating between past and present, which is a style I love. It's very beautifully and skillfully written in my opinion. I loved the main characters. I loved the different stories integrated into the main stories.

Evie Woods is the author of The Lost Bookshop. This one looks cozy and magical - I can't wait!

From GR:
In a quiet village in Ireland, a mysterious local myth is about to change everything…

One hundred years ago, Anna, a young farm girl, volunteers to help an intriguing American visitor translate fairy stories from Irish to English. But all is not as it seems and Anna soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery that threatens her very way of life.

In New York in the present day, Sarah Harper boards a plane bound for the West Coast of Ireland. But once there, she finds she has unearthed dark secrets – secrets that tread the line between the everyday and the otherworldly, the seen and the unseen.

With a taste for the magical in everyday life, Evie Woods's latest novel is full of ordinary characters with extraordinary tales to tell.


I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book. My review rating is based on the summary of this book.

This is what a warm hug feels like.

From the outset, Sarah's story drew me in. Her impulsive actions felt familiar as if I was encouraging her. Her trip to Ireland and the chance discovery of the diary were pivotal moments. The diary, a magical life jacket, was the answer she had been seeking, even if she hadn't known it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the quaint Irish country life that the author painted for us. I felt transported there, drinking my magical tea and dunking my biscuits until they were teetering on their soggy ends. The stories of Anna and Sarah were beautifully interlaced. I learned so much about Irish folklore, which has intrigued me and made me want to learn more. I absolutely loved what Harold speaks about folklore, how a scholarly man, despite his skepticism that perhaps comes with the territory of being a scholar, believed that the beliefs of the people were the most touching and thought-provoking.

Sarah’s pain and anguish were palpable throughout the pages, and Fee’s remarks of “believing in yourself and trusting your heart” almost brought me to tears.

The book's message about the power of serendipity and the right words at the right time resonated deeply with me, inspiring me to believe in the magic of life.
This book is a masterpiece, a tapestry of emotions and beauty that left me spellbound.

A 4.75 stars for me

Thank you Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to review this beautiful book

Although the premise of this story sounded great, it fell short for me. My favorite parts of the story were the diary entries, but I can not for the life of me figure out why the author ended the “past” story the way she did. Had that part ended differently, I would have felt a lot differently about the book.

I had high hopes for this one but for me it fell short… very short. I was, quite frankly, bored with the story. The chapters ended in an awkwardly abrupt way. Gaelic words were used with no indication of what they might mean. Upon meeting Harold, Anna was blushing with adoration, only to completely abandon those feelings for George. When things with George didn’t go as planned, back to Harold it was. Sarah had just left her husband and within days was flirting with a stranger halfway across the world. I thought the end of Anna’s story was terrible, but at least Sarah’s was better.

Whew, I am NOT a crier but I am still wiping tears from my eyes after just finishing this book! I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this book but I got 100x more than expected. I feel like a small part of my heart that needed healing, which I didn't know needed it, was healed after reading this story. I need a prequel...I need a sequel...I need supporting novellas...I need them all!
The author has created a tale that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the stories that define us. Central to the novel is the theme of the power of stories themselves — how they shape lives, connect people across generations, and reveal universal truths.
This would make an incredible movie...Benicio del Toro needs to read this book!

An endearing story that magically whisks you away to the Irish countryside!

Have you ever wished you could drop everything and flee the country to escape the drama in your life? Sarah does that in ‘The Story Collector’ as she impulsively travels to Ireland for Christmas leaving behind her overbearing family and failed marriage. I immediately appreciated Sarah’s witty and refreshingly honest internal dialogue.

Through Sarah’s journey, we are immersed into the Irish countryside in a charming cottage and welcomed into the fold by the people in her small town (think The Holiday meets Eat, Pray, Love). Soon Sarah discovers a diary written over 100 years ago by a young local farmgirl, Anna Butler, that details the complicated feelings of the locals and their fairy folklore. It’s ultimately a poignant story about love and loss, with enough whimsical fairy magic to nudge us to consider whether our lives are ever truly within our control.

My favorite quotes from the book:
* “The easiest thing would have been to fall into his arms and bury her pain somewhere neither of them could find it, but she’d tried that already and two years later, it still wasn’t working. They were living in a house of unspoken needs and muffled emotions.” 🥴
* “She couldn’t recall the last time she had done something so impulsive and purely for herself. She kept expecting the panic to set in, but as she took in her new surroundings, all she felt was joy. ‘Maybe’, she thought, ‘this is what following your heart feels like.’ 💫
* ‘If I’m honest, I thought it would kill me. The grief. But you know what’s worse? It doesn’t kill you. You go on, living… surviving, whether you want to or not.’ ❤️
* “My ankle has healed well enough, though I still have a slight limp. Billy says I’m beginning to waddle like a duck, so I’m doing my best to remedy that. Paddy is keeping a sensible distance from my father, and despite warnings from my mother to keep our family matters private, today I spilled the beans about Danny to Harold before we were even past our gate.” 😂

Content warnings for sensitivity:
* Loss of a child
* Attempted rape
* Divorce

Ultimately, Sarah tries to find love again, and while I would have enjoyed seeing more of that relationship develop, we see a glimpse through a few sweet encounters. I especially appreciated how relatable the main characters were; they often had me nodding along and laughing out loud.

‘The Story Collector’ would be the perfect cozy read fireside over the holidays! THANK YOU to Evie Woods, NetGalley, and Harper360 for the e-arc copy in exchange for my honest review!

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely story! It’s a charming historical fiction novel that weaves a bit of fairy folklore into modern day reality. The dual time line narrative begins when Sarah Harper, still reeling from a broken marriage, impulsively boards a plane for Ireland. A borrowed cottage in the Welsh countryside of Thornwood makes the perfect setting for Sarah to pause and reexamine the state of her life. These timeless landscapes and cozy village are the perfect ambiance for an unfolding story as she stumbles upon a journal nearly one-hundred years old.
This dusty tome transports us to our second timeline, also in the village of Thornwood. In fact, in the same cottage where 100 years in the future, Sarah Harper is reading this very book. In this timeline, our main character is Anna Butler an intriguing farmer’s daughter on the precipice of womanhood. We are also introduced to Harold Griffin-Krauss an American scholar who’s come to record the stories of fairy folklore firsthand from Celtic villages across Ireland. Harold is drawn to these first-hand accounts and rumors of fairy mischief. Anna eagerly offers to serve as his translator and assistant to this task. Together they work to compile a scholarly record of fairy lore and superstition. One such account is of Thornwood House, ancestral home of the wealthy Lord and Lady Hawley. According to the local seeress Maggie Walsh, it is cursed by the fairies!
The weaving timelines held my attention and kept me turning pages right up until the very end. A great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction mixed with a bit of superstition.
*I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Sarah Harper is going through a divorce. She leaves her husband to fly home but she doesn't make it home. Sarah decides mid flights to fly to the West Coast of Ireland. She finds a wonderful little village known for their fairy tree. She visits the tree and discovers a diary written a hundred years ago by a girl named Anna. Anna a farm girl helps a man named Harold to explore the local folklore about fairies. This story has a wonderful cast of characters and is beautifully written. I loved the Irish folklore and the tales of love and loss. One of my favorite reads of 2024.

The Story Collector is an enchanting story in which the past and present are intertwined in a mysterious web of love, loss, myth, and lore. I loved the element of the past rippling into the future and the power that folklore and myths have through generations as shown through the alternating lenses of 100 years past and present. As someone who gravitates towards historical fiction, this novel had enough historical and geographical references to satisfy that interest, while the introduction of fantasy and myth offered a refreshing spin. The author does a remarkable job at bringing the fairies of Ireland to life and making the reader believe in their power. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and captivating read.

I was really so excited for this book based off of the description but felt let down by the actual book. I was expecting much more dark mystery but that wasn’t there.

Overall the book was a good read. I love switching between points of view from Anna to Sarah. I was satisfied with the ending as it showed that magic does exist.

Running from her grief, Sarah finds herself in a tiny Irish village where residents have successfully defended their century’s old culture and traditions from the unrelenting march of progress.

While there, she discovers the journal of Anna Butler, a young girl fighting to come to terms with a loss of her own. As Sarah follows Anna’s journey, she realizes that though a hundred years separate their lives, some struggles transcend time.

Evie Woods masterfully weaves both women’s stories into a compelling narrative that is hard to put down. Her exploration of the fairy world enchants readers, prompting them to wonder what supernatural forces might be at play in our own lives. She also shines a light on how we handle - or sometimes avoid handling - the pain and complexity of grief.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.l

I highly recommend this wonderful book. The story was mesmerizing and I became lost in it. There was a mystical feel to it that I adored. The characters are well thought out and have great depth, I found myself thinking about them long after I finished the book. This is my first read by this very talented author and it won't be my last. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for an ARC copy of The Story Collector.

The Story Collector is set in dual timelines, the early 1900's and 2010/2011. Sarah Harper is leaving her broken marriage behind, to return home to her family, when a spontaneous decision at the airport takes her to Ireland. There she finds a diary from 100 years ago, written by a young farm girl named Anna. As Sarah settles into her new surroundings and meets the people of Thornwood, she begins to heal from the tragedy that ended her marriage, while also becoming invested in Anna's story. Anna led a simple life in her village, until the arrival of Harold Krauss. She becomes his assistant and travels the village gathering fairy stories from the locals, for his thesis, but Anna is hiding her own story from Harold.

The Story Collector is a book after my own heart, with the dual timelines of the past and present, fairy stories, and being set in. Ireland. It's a great historical fiction story, where we see the problems that both women face in their own timelines, and how they try to overcome them. I did find Anna's story to be the more interesting of the two, because I loved the relationship that developed between her and Harold, and the visits they made to the fellow villagers to hear their fairy stories. My favorite part about Sarah's story, was how Woods tied her and Harold together at the end of the book. I thought it was really well done and a great way to end the book.

Even though I really enjoyed the book and the characters, I felt like the chapters of Anna's diary entries did not read like diary entries. The language and style of the writing didn't differ from Sarah's chapters, and I think it would have added an extra element to the book, if they were written in a diary format.

If you love Historical Fiction, Irish Folklore, and books about books, then I highly recommend The Story Collector.