Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this copy of "The Story She Left Behind."

This book was "fantastical and incandescent" which are words used to describe Clara's drawings.

Clara, an art school teacher, has just won 1952's Caldecott award for illustration.

Her mother, Bronwyn, was a famous author who disappeared in 1927. Clara has spent the past 25 years questioning and hoping that she might find any news about her mother.

Then Clara is contacted by Charlie in London who is following his late father's instructions to catalog his personal library. Charlie has found a satchel with pages and a letter for Clara's eyes only. But she has to come to London to claim it.

Patti Callahan Henry has a gift for crafting stories that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant, and The Story She Left Behind is no exception. This novel is a moving exploration of love, loss, and the lingering echoes of the past, told with Henry’s signature warmth and lyrical prose.

At its core, the story follows a woman unraveling the hidden chapters of her family’s history after discovering a long-lost letter. As she pieces together the truth, she is forced to confront old wounds, long-buried regrets, and the possibility of rewriting her own future. Henry’s storytelling is rich with emotion, capturing both the heartache of what’s been lost and the hope that comes with rediscovery.

What makes this novel so compelling is the way it weaves together past and present, reminding us that the stories we inherit shape us just as much as the ones we choose to tell. With vivid settings, complex characters, and a touch of mystery, The Story She Left Behind is a book that lingers in the heart—a perfect read for anyone who believes in the power of forgiveness, love, and finding one’s way home.

The Story She left behind, by Author Patti Callahan Henry is just a lovely book, with a beautiful story and is quite romantic.

This story starts off in 1927 in South Carolina when Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham disappears off into the night, leaving an eight-year-old daughter and husband behind.

Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham is a renowned Author who wrote a book when she was only twelve years old.

The story then takes us to 1952 when her daughter and granddaughter travel to London after being contacted by a stranger who has news of the missing mother, who disappeared twenty-five years earlier.

To be honest this is not the type of book that I normally gravitate towards, and the first that I have read from this Author.

I however really enjoyed the gentle lovely words, the characters and the visuals that were placed in my mind as I read it.

Thank You to NetGalley, Author Patti Callahan Henry, and Atria Books for my advanced copy to read and review.

Wow! Absolutely loved this story. I had just finished The Secret Book of Flora Lea the week before starting The Story She Left Behind.
Patti drew me in with compelling storylines but it was the way she build such great characters. She used such beautiful writing to describe that not only did I feel like I was there but had me wanting to learn more about Northern England. From Beatrix Potter, TS Elliott to Herdeick sheep, I wanted to learn more. No spoilers but I was happy to see a character from Secret Book show up in one scene.
Highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This historical family saga offers a bit of mystery and a bit of romance in this story based on real events. Clara is a strong, likeable character and the descriptive language paints the landscape. There is enough intrigue to keep the reader guessing and rooting for Clara.

At first I really enjoyed the story line and the characters. I liked the descriptions of the countryside, etc, but also London during the blackout. I was unaware of that part of history. However, I started to lose interest midway through as I felt the story didn't progress as fast as I'd hoped. I really had to push myself to finish the story to see how it ended and was a little disappointed. i know everyone wants a nice little ending, but I felt it was just a little too wrapped up in a nice bow for me. I did read a bit of the actual book that this story was based around just to get an idea of what the story was about. Her mothers first book, i skimmed it, found it interesting. Thanks for the advanced copy. I would like to read another of this author as I did like her voice, but the plot just wasn't for me.

Where do I even begin with this story? A book hug. This story got a huge book hug from me and I absolutely cannot wait to have a physical copy on my shelf. The Secret Book of Flora Lea was my favorite book of the year in 2023, and Henry has absolutely blown me away again with her newest novel. This literary mystery with a touch of historical fiction takes us on a magical ride that forces us as readers to believe in the magic of make believe and the unknown world. The author is a master at writing atmospheric scenery in a way that instantly transports you to the setting of the book, which in this case is South Carolina and UK (London and Lake District). I have so many quotes written down that I really needed to read and hear at this time in the world that we live in. 5 stars from me and I have already recommended to everyone that I know to add this to their TBR. Thank you Patti for sharing your talent of writing with us.

This story will appeal to readers who enjoy flowery language and a woman’s journey to find her mother and happiness. After her mother disappeared, Clara has been searching for answers. After many years, a single phone call may change everything.

I was completely mesmerized by "The Story She Left Behind" by Patti Callahan-Henry from the very first paragraph. This enchanting tale weaves together family drama, mystery, and a touch of magic that resonated deeply with me as a lover of stories about self-discovery and belonging.

For me, the novel's essence is beautifully captured in Wynnie's words: "It's about finding home. It's about knowing where you belong and then doing something about that truth." This quote encapsulates the heart of the story, exploring the sometimes wonderful, sometimes challenging journey of finding one's place in the world.

Callahan-Henry's vivid descriptions transported me from the sun-drenched bayside of South Carolina to the misty Lakeside District in England. I was particularly impressed by the author's ability to capture the London fog of 1952, which enveloped me in the atmospheric setting. As a fan of Beatrix Potter, I delighted in the subtle nods to her world, seamlessly woven into the narrative.

From the first chapter, I was pulled in by a compelling mystery, complemented by a romantic subplot that added depth and warmth to the story. But what truly set this book apart for me was its emotional impact. I found myself moved to tears of relief after 50+ chapters, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a deeply affecting narrative.

At its core, I felt "The Story She Left Behind" is a poignant exploration of mother-daughter relationships and the all-encompassing nature of that love. The cheeky ending left me with a smile, while the overall experience can only be described as "miraculum" – a word that perfectly captures the book's indescribable, magical quality for me.

If you're looking for a novel that combines family drama, mystery, and a touch of magic, I wholeheartedly recommend this as a must-read.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my free books.

I could not put this book down! I wanted to find out more about what happened.

In 1927, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, a renowned author, disappeared off the coast of South Carolina. She was known for writing a book in an invented language at the age of 12. She left behind a husband and an eight-year-old daughter Clara when she disappeared. When she disappeared, all hope was lost that the sequel would be translated.

By 1952, her daughter Clara is an award-winning illustrator raising her own daughter Wynnie. A stranger from London, Charlie Jameson, contacts her, claiming to have discovered the handwritten dictionary of her mother's lost language. Clara is skeptical but soon decides to travel to London, with her daughter, to see if it really is her mother's handwritten dictionary.

When they arrive in London, it is in the middle of one of London's deadliest disasters, the Great Smog. It wreaks havoc on asthmatic Wynnie, so Charlie, Clara, and Wynnie escape the city and head to the Jameson's family retreat in the Lake District. It is there that Clara finds the courage to find the truth about her mother's disappearance and, in the process, uses the dictionary she left behind to translate Bronwyn's sequel.

Thank you to @netgalley and @AtriaBooks for this ARC. 1952: South Caroline - Clara's mother disappeared 25 years ago, taking her papers with her. Now Clara is a mother and receives a phone call from someone in London claiming they have her mother's papers and per the note attached, Clara must retrieve them. Wanting answers, Clara and her daughter book passage to England. When she meets up with Charlie, he in fact has the complete dictionary of the language her mother created. This will allow them to decipher and publish the sequel to the famous book her mother wrote and published when she was a teenager. However, the questions and secrets keep adding up and she is no closer to finding the answers regarding her mother. Sweet, sweet story. Patti Callahan Henry is one of my favs! #TheStorySheLeftBehind #PattiCallahanHenry #AtriaBooks #March2025

This book was excellent. I read the authors last novel, and enjoyed it, so I was very happy to receive this advanced copy of The Story She Left Behind.

The writing was beautiful, and the characters were excellently written. Historical fiction at its best! (And not about WW2, which is a breath of fresh air). There is a bit of romance, but it's not the main storyline at all. It's primarily focused on the mystery. I didn’t want to put this one down, and I highly recommend picking up a copy. This is a 4.5/5 for me!

I really enjoyed this book. The main plot was intriguing and the secondary plot enhanced rather than distracting from the story. This book is about families and grief and love. The mystery is engaging and there is so much more to the sure than just the mystery. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Nick for providing me an early release in exchange for fair and honest review

The Story She Left Behind is a deeply human narrative about the physical and emotional journey of finding your way home. Through themes of grief, memory, and patient, enduring love, it explores multiple generations of mother-daughter bonds, revealing the ways our connections create us. As always, Patti Callahan Henry masterfully combines romance, mystery, suspense, adventure, and a dash of magic to tell a story all readers can find comfort in.

This is an entertaining mystery that kept my attention and interest throughout. At times, the writing was a bit belabored and veered into the melodramatic. I also was not expecting a romance storyline, but it didn’t overwhelm the main theme of the book.

This book has a character type that drives me crazy - the overly precocious child. I have trouble with an eight year old who spouts aphorisms like an adult. Let a child be a child.

Also, the author has a tendency to tell you what something is, then several pages later mention that thing and tell you again what it means. Trust the reader to remember some details.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, but I will be reading more after this. I really enjoyed this, it did take me a little bit to get fully immersed, but once I was I was hooked and sped through the rest. This is a story about a mother‘s disappearance and the daughter who is searching for answers. There is a mysterious element to it that propels you forward, but there is also emotional depth and great characterizations. This was a 4.5 star read for me not quite a five star but close!

The velvety pace of the narrative matches perfectly with the slow unveiling of the plot. Bronwyn Newcastle was a child prodigy. She created her own dictionary of invented words and completed her first novel at age 12. That novel became a modern classic. Her childhood was fraught with she married and became a mother to Clara. However, she abandoned her beloved husband and eight year old Clara after a house fire. Abandoned? Killed herself? No one knows. The dictionary that could, be used to translate the sequel was gone with her. Adult Clara needs to solve the mystery of her mother. Now that she has an eight year old daughter of her own, she is desperate to understand how a mother could abandon the child she demonstrably loved. This is a story of family, love, and generational trauma with healing at its close. Ultimately hopeful…

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

enjoyed the authors last book and this book was just as great. Such a beautiful story with so much feeling.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

Such a magical book. The vivid language takes you right into the heart of the story
This takes place in SC and England. A story of a missing mother and a missing story . This is a heartwarming tale of love and forgiveness . It’s a book to treasure Definitely a great book for 2025 and must read !!!

I didn't much care for author's previous book but summary of this one was intriguing.
However, it didn't pull me in. Something about this author's style drags for me.