With a gorgeous Irish setting in County Clare, dual timelines set 100 years apart, and enchanting tales of fairy folk, this book ticked all the boxes for me. Picture the words coming up off the page, spiraling around me, and pulling me down into the book. My favorite part was the collecting of the stories, especially the spooky ones. I balked a little bit at first at the "diary" entries, since they were not really written that way (no one I know writes dialogue into their diary entries...), however, I was enthralled enough with the storytelling that I quickly found I didn't care about that little quirk. Overall, the pace was fast, the characters were well-developed for the most part, the writing was smooth, and the storyline was engaging.

This book was so cute!
Historical fiction- Irish beliefs, fairies and all of that in between. There is a little romance as well!
I always love a book that writes in past and present - it makes it feel even more magical!

4 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date: 08/13/2024

“The Story Collector” by Evie Woods follows two women whose timelines are 100 years apart and connects them through a lost but now found journal and a mystery of superstition surrounding a village in Ireland. This magical and heartwarming book is beautifully written and brings elements of historical fiction blended with magical elements of “fairy” tales and emotions such as heartbreak, loss, and love. Evie had me completely immersed from the beginning. The dual perspective via different timelines was a game-changer, allowing me to connect with both Sarah, Anna, and the American visitor from the past. I just wish the ending had been a bit more satisfying and I feel like Sarah’s character development could have been better. I feel Sarah’s story was a bit more rushed and not as focused on as Anna’s. Now Anna’s story had me completely drawn in and I found myself eagerly waiting for her chapters. Though it didn’t meet all my expectations, the story is beautifully written and I highly recommend. If you're looking for a captivating and heartwarming tale filled with magic, love, and loss, that you can cozy up with, this book is a must-read.

This book was a little bit of drama, a little bit of fantasy and a little bit of romance. It was altogether a very good book and I enjoyed it. A little unbelievable at times, but that is where the fantasy part definitely comes in. How many of us have wanted to escape from life, just jump a plane and go anywhere? Well, this is the book for you, as the main character does exactly that. The characters are very well developed, and at times bring out strong emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. An interesting take on one of my favorite things, magical realism.

"The Story Collector" begins when Sarah Harper makes an unplanned trip to Ireland. Finding a hidden journal, Sarah finds herself immersed in a story written by Anna over 100 years ago. Anna had a mission; to assist an American scholar collecting folklore in her Western Irish countryside. The stories they collect were magical and sometimes mystical. As Anna's story is revealed amid the Irish landscapes, Sarah learns of the magical and sometimes sinister history of the area.

"The Story Collector" is a story inside a story which is always a joy to read. Blessed are the authors who can create 3 dimensional stories for their readers. It must be magic.

Irish folklore and historical fiction!? Yes please!!! I absolutely loved this book and the two main characters. Just such a beautiful story about the mysteries in life that can't be explained. Thank you so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

I enjoyed The Lost Bookshop and The Story Collector was wonderful too! I enjoyed it's classic feel and the fairy elements added so much to this dual timeline story. It's the stories of Anna and Sarah and their grief and strength but it I love the lighter touches of the fairy lore and the found diary. It's a great escapist book!

A story with Sasha and Harold who are in Ireland learning all about the Irish folklore about Fairies and curses.
Drama, intrigue, fantasy
Voluntarily reviewed.

This book was absolutely amazing. I read The Lost Bookshop a while back and loved it so when I saw a new book by Evie Woods coming out, I knew I had to read it.

This book offers a beautifully written, dual timeline story that jumps from 2011 and 1911. In 2011, we get the story of Sarah Harper who spontaneously decides to get on a plane to Ireland instead of heading home to Boston after leaving her husband. In 1911, we get the story of Anna Butler who is hired to be the assistant to an anthropological scholar writing a thesis on local folklore. While these two perspectives come from very different times, the connections made between each point of view make you want to keep turning the page to see what happens next.

After reading two fascinating books by Evie Woods, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more in the future.

A sweet and magical story, following two timelines in Ireland, where faeries are real and romance is alive.

I had a bit of a hard time picking this book up because I felt like the story was a bit slow but once I got to the last quarter of the book, I couldn't put it down. the storyline was unique and nothing like anything I've ever read. I loved the dual timeline aspect and seeing how the author connected both main characters even though their hardships were hundreds of years apart. overall, I would still recommend.

Sarah is on her way home from NYC to Boston. Her marriage has broken up and she really doesn't want to go to her parents' home. After reading about a "magical" tree in Ireland that is being threatened with destruction and consuming a large amount of alcohol, she changes her plans and flies to Ireland. She settles in a small village and begins to assess her life. When she finds the diary of a former resident, she is drawn into a story of romance and fairies.

While I did enjoy reading this book,it's really pretty predictable and rather ordinary. The story flips back and forth between current day (Sarah) and 1911 (Anna's diary). Sometimes it's a bit confusing whose story is being told since only some of the chapters are labeled. Each story is compelling in and of itself -- Sarah is dealing with a breakup, but the whole story involves a tragedy that is revealed slowly, and even the predictable romance that develops is sweet and touching. Anna's story is rich with class distinctions and longing for a man she cannot have, and this story incorporates a lot of Irish folklore that is simply fascinating. Combining the stories, however, just creates a pedestrian romance worthy of the Hallmark channel. Not a bad book -- the writer really puts the reader into life in an Irish village, but it could be so much more. Worth the time, just not great.

This was a solid 3 stars for me. When I read the synopsis, it sounded like it would be right up my alley. But by the time I ended I was honestly a little bored. It took me SO long to finish this book. I kept putting it down and I had to force myself to finish it.

It takes place over two timelines and follows two characters. The main characters are Sarah who is just getting divorced. She is supposed to be flying to Boston to stay with her sister after her marriage ends, but ends up on a flight to Ireland and stays in the cottage where the other main character, Anna, lived many years prior.

I did not like how Anna’s story was supposedly told through diary entries but they read like full on scenes. No one writes in their diary like that. It would have been better if we just followed along on the two timelines and occasionally had a diary entry to gather Anna’s thoughts. I also really loved the Irish countryside setting.

In the end it was a lovely story about the growth of both of these women. If you love a historical fiction with some magical realism thrown in, then I think you will enjoy this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was introduced to the Author when I read her first novel “The Lost Bookshop.” I couldn’t wait for her second novel to be released and I wasn’t disappointed.

This book involves two timelines and two different women, Sarah and Anna. It did take me a bit to get into the flow of this book compared to her first novel. However, it was definitely worth it and I was hooked until the end. Each time I started reading a part of her novel, I felt like I was transported into a beautiful world filled with curiosity and wonder.

Some of my favorite quotes were:

“It felt oddly satisfying to be frightened by something real, instead of the fears inside her own head.”

“Adults never think their children are listening when they whisper, but that’s the exact time we are listening!”

“He was like a different person, without that cloak of grief that he wore. Was he trying to keep the painful memories in or keep happiness out?”

“He has made me feel like I am worth listening to.”

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”


If this book is not on your TBR list- it needs to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author, Evie Woods, for allowing me to read the Advanced Reader’s Copy.

This was such a delight to read. It was cozy, and filled with tons of Irish folklore. I loved the dual timelines and was enraptured by both Sarah and Anna's stories. I wish we would have gotten more of a conclusion for Anna. I felt the ending was rather abrupt. It left me wanting more. I did love Sarah's coming to herself story with her grief and the love story was super sweet.

I was captivated by a beautifully woven narrative that delves into the transformative power of stories. Set against the backdrop of a charming, aging library, the book explores the lives of its quirky patrons and their intertwined tales, highlighting how each story can shape one’s identity and connections. Woods’ writing is both lyrical and evocative, drawing me into the very essence of each character’s journey. I particularly loved the way she balanced heartwarming moments with poignant reflections on loss and hope.
However, there were instances where the pacing dipped, particularly during extended backstories that could feel a bit drawn out, hindering the overall momentum. Additionally, while most characters were richly developed, a few felt underexplored, leaving me curious about their deeper motivations.
Overall, The Story Collector is a delightful celebration of storytelling that resonated with me long after I turned the last page.

"The Story Collector" by Evie Woods is an enchanting Irish tale with one foot in our current century and the other in the last. With its entwined storyline taking the reader back and forth between 1911 and 2011, the reader will encounter two stories of chance connections between strangers that will bind both characters and readers in the magic and mischief that is Ireland!

There was a nicely paced story to be enjoyed in this pleasant novel. Part historical fiction, part family drama, and to be sure, a bit of Irish folklore and a wee visit here and there from the Good People who lend their magic and mayhem to many an Irish story!

My thanks to the author, Evie Woods and to her publisher and NetGalley for the galley copy. It has been recently published on August 13, 2024.

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Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book and had troubles putting it down. The perfect story as is though I’d love to follow along on their adventures if I could.

The Story Collector is a delightful read that will appeal to anyone who loves books, history, and tales of personal growth. Evie Woods has crafted a novel that is both a love letter to the art of storytelling and a reminder of the importance of understanding our roots. It's a book that invites readers to curl up with a cup of tea and lose themselves in its pages, much like Ellie does in her grandmother's bookshop.