I loved this story! Imagination required but still neat. Books and bookshops ARE magic and can change lives.

3.5 stars. I loved the descriptive setting in Ireland, and really enjoyed the writing style that seemed to capture the simple rural life. There were a few things that felt out of place with the rest of the story, (when we hear about the husband and the witch, and what happened to the rabbit for example) and those were jarring to me. The pacing felt off when it came to the relationships of the couples in the two timelines. I liked it but felt like there were a few problems along the way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ireland - 1911 and 2011

1911 - Young Anna Butler lives on her parents small farm in western Ireland. It's a simple life although Anna yearns for some excitement. That excitement turns up when American scholar Harold Griffin-Krauss turns up in the village. His anthropology studies are centered on Celtic folklore, fairy faith in particular. Much to Anna's delight, he hires her to accompany him around the area to speak to those who believe in fairies, and why. As they interview various members of the village, they are drawn to the Thornwood Estate, and the story of its origin when the Hawley family purchased the land and built the house. Lord Hawley was told by locals that he should not cut down the ancient hawthorn tree on the site, as it would bring his family bad luck. Well, of course, he cut it down, and after his wife gave birth to twins, she soon claimed that they weren't her babies, and days later threw herself out of the second floor window - dying. Harold was determined to learn more.

Anna and Harold are drawn into the odd lives of the Hawley twins. While Anna thinks George is handsome and overly friendly, she is not sure what to think of his twin sister, Olivia, who seems brittle and at times, cruel. Are they affected by their mother's death, and would that explain their differences? Soon, it becomes clear that there are secrets that may not be safe to learn.

2011 - Sarah Harper makes a rash, last-minute decision to fly to Ireland instead of retreating to her family in Boston after leaving her husband. When she lands at Shannon Airport, she is confused, and heads to the airport hotel. But there are no rooms available. Taken under the wing of the hotel manager, Sarah finds herself ensconced in a tiny cottage in a small village. Exploring one day, she finds a box stuffed into the crevice of a tree. Inside she finds a diary written by a young girl who used to live in the very cottage Sarah is renting. Delving into the book, she is drawn into the life of Anna Butler.

THE STORY COLLECTOR is an inspiring, emotional, and lovely tale of people finding answers in their lives, whether good or bad. Do the fairies truly hold sway in some people's lives? Do they affect the outcome of decisions, right or wrong? A sweet, and sad at times, story of everyday people dealing with everyday lives, but with a touch of magic.

I'm in the minority here but this book was just ok. I was much more invested in the story of Anna and Harold than Sarah's story. I also wished there had been a little more fairy activity. There was "talk" of fairies but no actual fairy happenings.

I think I struggled thinking the fanstasy aspect of the story would be more present than the historical fiction part. And even then, it could have been just the Anna and Harold part.

Sarah was escaping from a troubled marriage when a news report sent her to Ireland. There she found a diary of a young girl, Anna, helped an American uncover “fairy stories” from the townsfolk. This dual timeline story follows Anna as she pines for George, the lord of the manor, and Sarah as she heals from the death of her unborn daughter. The Story Collector, by Evie Woods, chronicles their lives and the stories of The Good People.

The book got better as it went on and has a few surprises for the reader. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a charming novel steeped in secrets and mystery. Set in a quiet Irish village, the story unfolds across two timelines. A hundred years ago, Anna, a young farm girl, becomes entangled in a mysterious adventure while helping an American visitor translate fairy stories. In the present day, Sarah Harper's journey to Ireland uncovers dark secrets that blur the lines between the everyday and the otherworldly. The author blends historical fiction with elements of Irish folklore, creating a narrative that's both romantic and magical. The richly painted settings and enchanting characters enhance the beauty of this story.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was another fun read by Evie Woods. Filled with nostalgia, romance, and mystery it will definitely warm your heart. This is one I will read again at Christmastime.

Sarah’s marriage has ended at Christmastime and she spontaneously boards a plane from Manhattan to Ireland. Upon arrival, she finds herself in a unique cottage and discovers a diary, lost for 100 years. As she spends Christmas in this beautiful place and meets wonderful people, she dives into the diary of Anne and learns about local fairy legends and a young romance.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and allowing me to provide this voluntary review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This review will appear on goodreads and the opinions expressed are my own.
For anyone interested in learning more about Ireland and its local legends, this book explores both. There is romance and magic as we learn about the some of the mythical characters of western Ireland (or are they a myth?) The book is told in two simultaneously developed timelines as visitor Sarah finds a journal in a tree (which was a little weird) and learns a lot about herself while the story of Anna unfolds in the journal's pages.
It was a delightful surprise, this read. Its clean with no swearing or anything too graphic.
It looks its due out in America next month, so put yourself on the hold list. Its a nice little journey and a nice diversion from some heavier topics in the news for sure.
4*

Two timelines, two women, born a hundred years apart. Sarah’s story set in 2011 briefly begins in America as Christmas is approaching, and she can’t bear to spend it with her family. Sarah’s grieving over a recent divorce, and another loss, as well, and she just wants time to heal, to not be around people who know what she is going through, to grieve in her own way, and in her own time.

This is not planned, but she just knows she wants to get away, away from those who know what she is going through, and just allow her to process her grief on her own. And so, she takes a flight to Ireland, where no one knows her or what she is going through.

When she arrives, she finds a place to stay, a quiet village where she learns of a local myth which seems to become a part of her story, as well. When she is settling in, she comes across an old diary that shares the life of Anna Butler, which she finds fascinating. A time when most people in Ireland believed in fairies.

A story that shares some magical moments, of believing in oneself, and perhaps a sprinkling of what seems like magic.


Pub Date: 13 Aug 2024

Many thanks to for the ARC provided by Harper 360

The Story Collector, a charming historical fiction novel written by Evie Gaughan, showed up on my NetGalley feed and immediately captured by interest. Ireland. Secrets. A curse. Love. Death. Drama. Books. Everything I need in my reading! From the elaborately woven descriptions of the magic with fairies (minor fantasy element) to the divine local stories of all the villagers, every chapter offered something new. Created a wonderful imaginary space to transport temporarily to, and left me excited about the adventures of love for both the main characters, one in the past and one in the present. I always prefer a tightly sealed happy ending, but you will not find that here. Love escapes some. Truth comes hurdling forward. Things settle, but I wanted some more. Definitely intrigued my reading urges, so I'll check out more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 30 for the.opportunity to read The Story Collector by Evie Woods. I loved it! Magical a delightful.

The Story Collector weaves an Irish tale so intriguing, even the most skeptical of the paranormal would be caught off guard. It blends the stories of two women, one from 2011 and the other from one hundred years earlier, as they struggle to find bits of themselves. Sarah, "the American," on the surface is dealing with overcoming a new divorce. Near the end of the book, however, readers learn the pain there goes far deeper. When Sarah makes a split second decision to travel to Ireland, she doesn't realize the implications it will have on her personal life and the lives of everyone she meets.

Sarah, a woman devastated by the stillbirth of her daughter and the end of her marriage, embarks on a spontaneous journey to Ireland. Upon her arrival, she stumbles upon the diary of Anna Butler. Anna’s life takes center stage as she meets Harold Krauss, an American deeply immersed in his thesis on the local beliefs in fairies. Through Anna's diary, Sarah is transported back to a time when the belief in fairies was more than just folklore.
An uplifting read that celebrates the power of belief, where the past and present collide in magical ways.

A charming story that skillfully blends past and present with folklore and romance! I finished this book with a smile on my face. Definitely one to buy for my bookshelf!

'The Story Collector' by Evie Woods is a whimsical and enchanting novel that transports readers to a quiet village in Ireland, where a mysterious local myth begins to unfold. The story weaves together the past and the present through the experiences of two protagonists: Anna, a young farm girl from a century ago, and Sarah Harper, a modern-day traveler from New York.

Anna's journey starts when she volunteers to help an American visitor translate fairy stories from Irish to English. She finds herself entangled in a mystery that threatens her way of life. In parallel, Sarah arrives in Ireland with a mission that leads her to uncover dark secrets blending the everyday with the otherworldly.

Evie Woods has written another story that is both magical and grounded in the charm of everyday bookish life. Her ordinary characters have extraordinary courage, making the novel a delightful escape. As Sarah and Anna's stories intertwine, the book explores the transformative power of stories and their emotional impact on our lives.

One of my favorite components of this novel is its exploration of antiquarian books. Readers will find themselves learning about rare books and lost manuscripts, enhancing the novel's appeal to book lovers and literary enthusiasts alike. The search for a vanishing bookshop adds an element of mystery and adventure that keeps the narrative engaging.

Favorite quotes from the book include:
"There was an awkward silence in which I realized that being an expert in rare books and lost manuscripts could sometimes be construed as quite boring."
"He was letting me into his world and it felt good to be out of my own for a while."
"There's no limit to what I want to know about a book."

'The Story Collector' is a charming literary escape for anyone who loves books and the magic they hold. Evie Woods successfully captures the essence of how stories can forever change us, making this novel a must-read for scholars, book dealers, and literary enthusiasts. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

My favorite, a book about books! And it was awesome! I loved this book. It’s a must read for the book lovers!