Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this novel.

Patti Callahan Henry's newest book, The Story She Left Behind, is an enjoyable blend of historical fiction, mystery, and family drama. Inspired by the true story of a child author and primarily set in post-war 1950s, it includes themes also explored in Henry's previous novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, including how we manage loss experienced in childhood, storytelling as a way to understand the natural world, and the enduring bonds that connect us to the people we love (in this case, mothers and daughters) across time and through adversity.

Henry's lyrical prose and sense of place enhance the storytelling, and her descriptions of Bluffton South Carolina, London, and Cumbria make one feel fully present in each setting. As in her previous books, this novel is also well-researched, with events that anchor the story in time and characters the reader becomes invested in.

While the first 3/4s of the book were suspenseful, the plot and pacing were not as strong in the last part of the book, where the coincidences and revelations were less satisfying. I also thought the story lost momentum when it began to switch narrators.

Overall, The Story She Left Behind is beautifully written and evocative, and readers who like literary mysteries, historical fiction, and stories that explore love in its many forms will enjoy it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed The Story She Left Behind! This book was engaging, compelling, and drew me in from the first page. This is the kind of book to read to get lost in, to forget about anything hard or difficult in your own life and enjoy a story.

Don't get me wrong - this book does have its fair share of pain and heartache, but there is also SO MUCH hope in these pages. Clara was abandoned by her mother when she was young (8) and now she has an 8 year daughter of her own. Her daughter's health issues are significant, but Clara also is captured by the story of her mother and the need to find out what happened to her and the book she left behind. This book had it all... mystery, tragedy, love, family, and closure. The settings were lovely - Bluffton, SC, London, and the Lake District in England were all so unique and tied into the story well! There was a lot going on in this book, but nothing too intense or scary... and the ending was just fabulous. I really enjoyed this novel!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to get an advanced copy of this book after reading and enjoying The Secret Life of Flora Lea. Patti Callahan Henry has such a wonderful writing style that I was thrilled to see again in The Story She Left Behind. Clara, the female MC, receives a phone call from Charlie twenty-five years after her mother's disappearance/presumed death. Charlie's father has passed away, and while cleaning out the home library, Charlie came across a bag that was supposed to be delivered to Clara in person. Clara makes the journey to England with her eight-year-old daughter Wynnie, and they end up escaping to Charlie's country home after some life-threatening fog. While there, secrets and relationships are revealed.
Again, the writing style and mystery aspect kept me intrigued. I really liked all of the characters and liked how realistic they all seemed. The epilogue was also perfect as well. I wouldn't read this if you are looking for a mystery/thriller because it's more literary fiction, but I highly recommend it if you want to read a book with lines that will truly resonate with you.

A beautiful story to start the new year. There is a blend of wishes, hopes and realities that weave together a story of a long missing mother, her ever hopeful daughter, and the sequel to a novel that cannot be translated. The story is written in a magical language created by the mother-author. When the daughter gets a call that her mother’s satchel of papers has been found after twenty-five years, she and her daughter travel to smog laden London to retrieve the satchel. From this point, a story of discovery and mystery begins.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This latest book by Patti Callahan Henry was another great read by a talented author.
The story is well written, has an intriguing mystery and just the right amount of romance.

This book is beautifully written. The reader is immediately drawn to the characters, the setting which feels almost magical, and to the storyline's questions and emotions. The story is focused on Clara's mother Bronwyn, a well-known author who disappeared when Clara was a young girl. When some of Bronwyn's important papers are found in London, Clara and her daughter Wynnie embark on a journey that they had not fully expected.

4.5 stars. A beautiful story.What a beautiful gift to the reading world - a book which celebrates evocation of words, the wonder of story, and the depths of motherly love.

I wish I had the words to truly describe this book. Patti Callahan Henry takes the reader on a mysteriously enchanting journey of love, sacrifice, regret and forgiveness. I loved almost every character in this book but Wynnie was my favorite. I am afraid to say too much because I don't want to ruin the magic for others. All I will say is READ IT!!!! Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books for the advanced reader copy.

Two words….simply extraordinary! Patti Callahan Henry can tell a story in such a way that your transported within the pages and don’t want to leave.

The story centers around a child author that disappeared as a young adult. What she left behind was a daughter, Clara, that could not, would not stop looking for the reason she vanished. The author left behind a book that was written in a language she had created and a man in England might have the key to unravel this language. This finding sends Clara and her daughter Wynnie on a magical journey.

Put this book on every TBR list you have now, it is outstanding.

This story is about an author who goes missing in 1927 and her daughter’s journey to find answers about her and her secret language in 1952. I enjoyed the characters and the settings of the story as well as learning about the true story that inspired this book. The story was so whimsical I almost expected magical realism. While the book was a bit predictable, I appreciated how nicely the subplots concluded. Overall, a lovely read.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

*The Story She Left Behind* by Patti Callahan Henry is a captivating exploration of memory, loss, and second chances. The novel follows the journey of an artist named Clare, who returns to her hometown to confront the past and uncover long-buried secrets about her mother. Henry's writing is evocative, with vivid descriptions that make the setting feel alive and intimate. The emotional depth of the characters, especially Clare, creates a strong connection that pulls you into the story. While some parts of the plot feel predictable, the heartfelt moments and themes of healing make this a compelling and reflective read. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of art, love, and rediscovery. A solid, touching novel that will resonate with fans of emotional family dramas.

Traditional format 📕 (digital)

This is a historical fiction book based on the true story of an author who disappeared in the late 1930s. It takes place mainly in the Lake District of the UK and includes a story line about the Great London Smog that occurred in that time period.

Child prodigy author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn leaves behind her husband and heartbroken daughter. Her daughter Clara (a book illustrator) is contacted by a man from London who claims
to have discovered a set of her mother’s written work. Clara and her daughter travel to the UK to recover the writings and discover much more along the way.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was poetic at times and the element of a made up language with the definitions was very unique to me (I haven’t read any other books with this style). The setting just added to the overall charm of the book. The book had many subplots all woven together to tell a wonderful story.

I give this book a 4.5/5. I recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction who like an element of whimsy.

Thank you Net Galley and Atria Books for a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I am truly amazed by the amount of research Patti Callahan Henry does for each of her books. This one is inspired by the true story of Barbara Newhall Follet, who, in 1927, writes a best-selling novel at the age of 12, then lives a seemingly normal life until she vanishes when her daughter was eight, presumed drowned off the coast of South Carolina. Clara becomes the abandoned daughter, raised by her father, marries, has a daughter and a marriage that is falling apart. She has so many questions about why her mother left and what happened to her.

Fast forward to 1952, when Clara receives a phone call from Charlie Jameson in England, stating he has papers belonging to her mother and Clara must come to England to retrieve them. Clara and her daughter, Wynnie, arrive in London during the deadliest fog imaginable. Wynnie who has asthma, can't breathe and Charlie Jameson realizes he has to get Wynnie and Clara out of the city. He takes them to his family's retreat far out in the Lake Country. It is there that Clara realizes she might find the answers as to why her mother left her and what exactly the secret invented language might mean.

All of Patti Callahan Henry's books are always good with interesting historical subjects. Recommend for readers of family sagas, just a little bit of romance. Some characters choices are a bit improbable but not enough to disrupt the story.

Bring a fireplace, a hot chocolate, and a cozy blanket. Then settle in for a gorgeous read you won’t be able to put down. Delicious prose and wonderful storylines. Loved this one!

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

I do love a literary mystery and I also love a book based on a true story. Patti Callahan Henry is a great author. I enjoy her books. This one didn't disappoint. Her writing is fantastic. I gave four stars instead of five because I thought it a bit predictable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this author's previous novel but this one left me wanting more. I can't really figure out what was missing but I had trouble connecting to the characters and skimmed parts of the story to get to the action. I'm sure many will love this book but it wasn't a winner for me.

I was granted an ARC through NetGalley and, as usual, Ms. Patti Callahan Henry has written an incredible novel that takes you beyond reality to an incredible world of intrigue, love and suspense. Loosely based on a true story, the novel spans over 25 years, through a dark time in England and with a remarkable ending of forgiveness and treasure. You won’t regret picking up this awesome novel, it will stay with you for days, weeks and months to come. Five stars and many thanks to this amazing author .

The Story She Left Behind is an interesting historical novel based on true events in the life of Barbara Newhall Follet. In this story, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham pens a book at a very young age. After a tragic accident, Bronwyn disappears leaving her husband and young daughter Clara without an explanation. Years later Clara is now divorced and a mother herself. When a call comes from England telling her a satchel has been found containing papers belonging to her mother, she doesn't hesitate to book passage to England for herself and her daughter Wynnie. This is a compelling novel about family secrets and mystery. Thanks to author Patti Callahan Henry, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this ebook for review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Story She Left Behind is a story about the disappearance of author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, a woman famous for creating her own language and publishing a novel at the young age of 12, that is loosely inspired by the true story of the disappearance of an author under similar circumstances in the 1920s. Bronwyn leaves behind her loving husband and her 8-year-old daughter Clara when she disappears in the middle of the night in South Carolina. The book jumps forward in time to the mid 1950s with Clara as the primary narrator, when she receives a mysterious phone call from a gentleman in London claiming to have her mother's long-lost dictionary that will aid her in translating her mother's 2nd novel and hopefully solve her financial woes as a recently divorced single mother. Clara, and her daughter Wynnie, embark for England to claim the lost papers, arriving in London just in time for one of the most notable natural disasters of the last century, The Great Smog. With Wynnie's health at risk, they escape London for the Lake District and continue to seek the truth behind how Bronwyn's papers ended up with Charlie's family, and what really happened to Bronwyn when she left her family behind.
As with previous books by Patti Callahan Henry, this novel is clearly well researched and beautifully written, but also heavy on the melodrama, with a semi predictable resolution to the mysterious disappearance of Bronwyn. There is also a romantic subplot, that for me felt only semi developed, as the characters seem to fall into an instant attraction/love. Overall, this was a solid new book for this author, and with only minor criticism, I enjoyed it and give it a solid 4-star rating.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.