I wasn’t quite sure what to expect out of this book - and honestly, I was neither impressed nor disappointed. I didn’t find myself rushing to read this or picking it up because I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.

At times it felt confusing, with all of the fairy background and information, and other times I really liked the characters! I felt the second half went much quicker than the first, but I just didn’t love it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Sarah is fresh off a divorce and headed to her sisters house in Boston. She gets drunk at the airport and instead heads to Ireland. Sarah finds a diary written by Annie 100 years before that she begins to read and these two stories begin to weave back and forth. This was not my favorite choice three stars

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery. It’s different than any other book I have read and I really appreciated that

A heartwarming and nostalgic read about the power of stories and the importance of family. Solomon's writing is as comforting as a warm blanket, and the characters are endearing and relatable. The book celebrates the power of stories to shape lives and inspire hope. Ideal for book lovers who appreciate metafiction and the magic of narrative, this is a tribute to the art of storytelling.

This was a great, easy read. It was a great mix of fairies and folklore, some historical fiction, and a mystery and little romance.

I was intrigued when I first read about this, excited when I got the arc, thrilled to have it as an audiobook option on Everand, and then fairly bored by the whole thing. What sounded like an enchanted escape to a fairy filled Irish landscape fell flat in the dual timeline, character development, and overall lack of magic.

Sarah is in a funk and flies to Ireland where she meets some lovely people. She uncovers a diary from 100 years ago in which a local farm girl named Anna writes of her time meeting an American fellow she helps translate fairy stories for as part of his research. As the two periods come to life there just wasn’t enough detail or plot to keep me interested and her diary didn’t work as the source of intel as the characters spoke in dialogue and would have been better to just shift time periods.

Charmingly told romantic story. Enjoyed this one quite literally as the calm DURING the storm Helene!

The Story Collector is a novel about a young woman who in the midst of a divorce has lost herself and decides to spontaneously get on a plane to Ireland after reading a story about a Hawthorne tree being cut down, which has caused an outcry in the town. The reason is that the village believes that the tree is tied to the fairy world and removing it brings bad luck. She stumbles across a diary of a young girl who helped an American collect stories of the villagers interactions with the fairies in the early 1900s.

The story is beautifully written about women across decades finding parts of themselves, one in a society that is much less open to it. It also is a bit of a love story to the small town, where people care and look after one another. Beautiful story but I had a hard time keeping track of who is who given the number of characters introduced in each of the stories. I picked up and put this one down a few times before I finally got through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An Irish love story told through the eyes of two different time lines (one being a diary excerpt that reads like a novel). It was sad and hopeful and scary and all the things you would expect for an Irish telling of the wee folk. Loved this book.

"The Story Collector" by Evie Woods is a beautifully crafted tale that celebrates the power of storytelling and the connections it fosters. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable, drawing readers into her world. Woods’ lyrical writing and vivid imagery create an immersive reading experience that captures the imagination. The intertwining of personal stories adds depth and richness, making each character’s arc feel meaningful. Overall, this novel is a heartfelt tribute to the stories that shape us and the bonds they create.

This was a nice story that I enjoyed. The Irish folklore was really enjoyable. This was a really pleasant novel that I would recommend! Special Thank You to Evie Gaughan,Harper 360 Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another charming story from Evie Gaughan where Ireland’s myths and folklore are blended into relatable characters lives. This book takes you in a journey but also contains elements that feel quite cozy and comforting.

*The Story Collector* by Evie Woods is a captivating novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the power of storytelling. The narrative centers on a woman named Eve who discovers a diary that contains a story more compelling than her own troubles. The author again does a great job blending the present day with a historical narrative in a meaningful way. Woods excels in creating a sense of mystery and emotional depth, making the novel both a compelling read and a poignant reflection on the impact of stories in shaping our identities and connections.

It's Christmas Eve, Sarah is supposed to be heading to her sister's house. in Boston. After her marriage ends, she needs a change. After a chance encounter at the airport, she find herself on a flight to Ireland instead. When she gets there, she rents a little cottage and decides to make the best of her time there. She finds the 100-year old diary of a girl named Anna. Anna was a farm girl who found herself helping an American scholar named Harold, to document stories of fairies in the region. However, a mysterious encounter puts Anna and Harold in a dire situtation. Sarah finds herself engrossed in the diary, and along the way makes some discoveries and friendships in the small Irish town.

This book was absolutely precious. I love the elements of folklore and magical realism. I love the duel stories of Anna and Sarah, one past and one present. This book feels like the perfect cozy fall read. It really captures the mystery and magic of the small Irish town. I loved this book and definitely recommend it! Thank you to Netgalley, Harper360, and especially Evie Wood for the opportunity to read this book!

"The Story Collector" by Evie Woods has its charm, but I didn't connect with it as much as I hoped. I wanted a stronger story in the past, & present day, Anna’s story, fell a little flat. While I enjoyed the folklore, the plot felt like it was missing something, and the writing didn't resonate with me—especially, as said, in the present-day sections, where the characters felt awkward. I was far more invested in the past characters, and the ending left me disappointed, feeling rushed and unresolved. Overall, while I appreciated the parallel storytelling, it felt uneven, and I’m a bit let down, though I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

***I want to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Evie Woods’ The Story Collector is a cute and whimsical tale set in Ireland, but it left me wanting a bit more. While the story is interesting, the relationships between the characters felt a bit underdeveloped and, at times, random. I found myself wanting a deeper connection and more natural progression in their bonds. Despite this, the book still has a charming quality that touches on grief and unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol and avoidance, those aspects didn't have the depth that I felt they deserved. If you’re looking for something that touches on Irish folklore, this story might be worth a try, even if it doesn’t quite deliver the depth I was hoping for.

Evie woods is now one of my favorite authors! I have put her on my "auto-buy" list The Story Collector and The Lost Bookshop are heartfelt wonderful stories where you are rooting for the happy ending.

The magical folklore of Ireland blended with romance and history make this book a special reading adventure. The stories of two women, one from the past and one in the present are woven are woven perfectly together. The reader feels as if they know each of them and can actually feel their joys and pains.
The descriptions of the Irish landscape, the Irish history, the folklores, the fairy stories, and the characters made this charming book very special. This is a book that you will definitely want to read again and again.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Negalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this.

I really enjoyed “The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods, so I was incredibly excited to read her new one, “The Story Collector.” “The Story Collector” is a story about a mystery, history, and magic. I found the story itself to be interesting, but I would have enjoyed more character development. Overall, it was a quick fun read.

After having loved The Lost Bookshop, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, I felt a sense of disconnect from not just our main character but from the overall story.
While I think the dual storylines could have been as strong as it was supposed to, I found myself wanting one story more than the other, which isnt what I wanted.
Overall it was a good read.