I listened to the audiobook and read some of this.....
The audiobook had a great narrator and was well spoken, kept me interested, I also read when i could not listen

The story is great, mother and daughter reconnecting and the story of why they drifted apart and how the found each other again

That made this book great was all the other mentions of the books that they read together

This is a story about the dynamic between a mother and a daughter who have become estranged and try to reconnect. I enjoyed that the story was set in the current time and had a few flashbacks adding critical details to the story. That being said, I feel like it was too happily-ever-after for me. Maybe it didn't suit my mood at the time I read it. Maybe I'm just a little more jaded about relationships. I had hoped this would be an emotional read but for me it just fell flat. I was annoyed with Ella and her pettiness and her Mom could've tried harder to communicate. And the "huge" even that caused the estrangement was a bit silly. Either way I was happy to be able to read this ARC from NetGalley.

Such a beautiful, beautiful story about the bonds of family, love and loss. I loved everything about this story even though it made me cry. The voice actors did such an amazing job at making the listener completely immersed in the story.

Sweet, feel-good story about the power of connection, family, and love. Enjoyed listening, pretty predictable, but that's nice sometimes honestly. 3.5/5

Kate Storey’s The Memory Library is a heartfelt, beautifully woven story about love, loss, and the quiet ways we try to hold on to the people we’ve lost. The audiobook, narrated by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde, brings this deeply emotional journey to life with warmth and sincerity, making it feel less like a book and more like a memory unfolding in real-time.

The premise alone had me hooked—Sally, a mother who spent decades creating a library of books for her estranged daughter, Ella, hoping that one day she would return. And when Ella finally does, the weight of all those lost years settles in, as each book reveals more than just words on a page. It’s a story about reconciliation, about finding pieces of someone even when they’re gone, and about how stories—both written and lived—connect us in ways we don’t always realize.

Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde were the perfect narrators for this. Their voices carried so much depth, especially in the emotionally charged moments. There’s something about the way they delivered certain lines—like when Ella starts truly understanding what her mother left behind—that made my throat tighten. They didn’t just read the story; they felt it, and in turn, I felt it too.

That said, I did see some of the plot twists coming, which took away a little of the emotional punch toward the end. It’s a story that leans into its sentimentality, and while that worked for me in some moments, in others, it felt a bit predictable. But honestly? It didn’t really matter. The execution was so well done that I didn’t mind knowing where things were going—I just wanted to soak it all in.

If you love books about books, mother-daughter relationships, and the kind of stories that sit with you long after the final chapter, The Memory Library is absolutely worth a listen. Just maybe keep some tissues nearby.

Ella is estranged from her mother and now lives far away with her husband and daughter. When something happens to her mother that forces her to go home to take care of her and sort things out, Ella’s eyes are opened to a world she didn’t know.

I love books and so I love the idea of picking a special book on someone’s birthday and writing an inscription in it. Having a library of books with special things written in them about that time in a persons life! I may just have to start this!

I just finished a beautiful story about a mother and daughter, showcasing how miscommunication can impact their relationship but ultimately can't diminish the love they share. It's heartwarming to see how their mutual love for books helps heal past wounds. The portrayal of their lovely community and friendships adds to the charm, though I felt the plot was a bit slow and lacking in a good twist. There was significant character development that helps connect with the characters. Nonetheless, I appreciate this adorable ARC and truly enjoyed this lovely read. Thank you!

(Did my review on Amazon as well )

Such a great story! With themes of family/relationships and a mother’s love, this one will definitely pull at your heartstrings. I listened to the audiobook format and enjoyed the narration.

*many thanks to Harper Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Cozy, sweet and fulfilling. I liked this as an audiobook listen. I didn't feel like I was missing details; and I felt like I was in the story.

Sobbing. What a beautiful, memorable, story about the depth of a mother’s love and the rekindling of some of the most important relationships in life. Everyone should read this - it so powerful and charming and I loved it so incredibly much.
When Ella travels from Australia back home to England to help her mom, Sally, after a fall, she comes face to face with her past, and uncovers the power of love. It’s heartbreakingly good and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book focusing on a strained mother/daughter relationship that must be mended as the mother ages and needs more hands-on care from her daughter, who hasn't visited in about 20 years. The daughter, Ella feels betrayed by her mother after discovering a letter her mother had from another man soon after Ella's father died. However, her mother, Sally has given Ella her space, as she moved half way around the world, all the while curating a library of carefully selected books in case Ella ever returns.

While The Memory Library took me a bit to get into, I ended up absolutely loving it. A truly heartfelt story that spoke to my heart. Kate Storey writes the plight of an estranged mother and daughter beautifully and I saw so much of my own life reflected in her words. By the end of the book I felt like I knew every character, big and small, and how important they all were to the story. If you want a book that will pull at your heart strings, and show the power of a community, definitely pick up this read.

The narrator was lovely to listen to as well.

While I thought the begging moved a little slow, I did enjoy the overall story. I thought it had strong character development.

Sally has always added a new book to the shelves of her library on her daughter Ella’s birthday with a dedication note in the front. Sally has continued this tradition even after Ella left for Australia twenty-one years ago after heated words. She’s not sure if Ella will ever read the words she has wrote to her, but they will be there on the off chance she returns.

Ella suddenly has no choice but to return to her childhood home that she fled so long ago.

I love the idea of the memory library and the idea of a special place like that.

I enjoyed the narrators and would definitely be interested in other books they’ve narrated.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this novel. #NetGalley #TheMemoryLibrary

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Watching the relationship between mother, Sally, and daughter, Ella, change during the time Ella is staying with her mother following an unfortunate accident was touching. It was moving to see Ella experience life with her mother and see all the ways her mother has had a positive impact on the lives of those around her. What a wonderful person and it is interesting to see how Ella begins to open her eyes and see that things are not always as they appear. The sense of community is a primary focus and has you wanting to experience the same sense with those with whom you work and live. I loved every time Ella thought in her mind, “If I were Queen of the World ...” It made me want to take up that mantra. This is a lesson of love, friendship, the value books have on our lives, community, memories, and family. Do not let this chance at a touching and heartwarming read. You should cherish every word that is expressed throughout the pages. They could change your life ... or at least your outlook on life.

As a side note, I loved the library aspect of this book. I had a group of graduate students who gave me a copy of a book that meant something to them and each wrote a note to go along with it to let me know why they chose that book for me. In fact, one of the books I received was written in Japanese (absolutely beautiful artwork) and then I received an e-book version in English. I will never forget the thought that went into each of the books I received. After you’ve read this book, you will see how this relates to my memory of these books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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While this book explored intriguing themes, I had a hard time connecting with the story. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

What a lovely treasure! Kate Storey's delightful mother-daughter relationship novel The Memory Library is filled with warmth. A must for anyone who has ever had an estranged relationship with someone quite close to them. I've had a rough patch or two with the mother figures in my life, and this is a real healing journey.

The audio version of The Memory Library is beautifully performed by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Memory library is a sweet, heart breaking look at family and how we view our parents. Ella grows so much as person throughout the story. I loved how it is community focused--found family, accepting others and not judging. It is a very touching and heart-warming story. I loved how Sally bought a book for her daughter for her birthdays through out her 42 years. I love the lessons that Sally wanted to share with her daughter through the books. I enjoyed this story but make sure you have tissues.
I will not purchase for our high school library but do recommend it.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e version of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I found this to be a sweet read, with well developed characters. Loved Sally, she was wonderful and added a lot of love and heart to the book. Ella was less enjoyable, seemed much like a child despite her age, though she did have character growth though the book.

Great book for for an in-between genre changer. Great book about mother and daughter.

4 stars - really enjoyed it.

Loved this book. It was a great story of a daughter finding peace with her mother. Lots of community, family, forgiveness, grace. I thought the story was very well written and flowed really nicely. I’m bummed the author doesn’t have anymore books for me to read now. I’ll have to be on the lookout for future books. The narrators were great and I really enjoyed the audiobook. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an Arc in exchange for my honest review.