The Memory Library by Kate Storey is a beautifully written, heartwarming novel about the complexities of family, the healing power of community, and the enduring magic of books. Sally and Ella’s story is one that will tug at your heartstrings and linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.

Sally Harrison, estranged from her only daughter Ella for over two decades, has quietly dedicated herself to creating a library of love—a collection of books inscribed with messages for the daughter she hopes will one day return. When Sally suffers a fall, Ella reluctantly journeys from Australia back to England, where she’s forced to confront not only the mother she left behind but also the reasons she fled.

What makes this book shine is its realistic portrayal of strained relationships and the gradual, bittersweet process of reconciliation. Ella’s initial resentment and materialistic outlook evolve as she learns more about Sally’s quiet sacrifices and unwavering kindness to those around her. The vibrant Greenwich community becomes a warm backdrop, reminding us of the importance of connection and the “village” we all need to thrive.

The novel’s love letter to books is simply enchanting. The idea of a library as a repository of emotions, memories, and unspoken words is deeply touching. Ella’s journey of rediscovery—both of her mother and herself—is filled with creative and heart-swelling moments that made me pause and reflect on my own relationships.

The ending was as lovely as it was hopeful, a testament to second chances and new beginnings. I can’t stop thinking about this story, and I know it will stay with me for a long time. For anyone looking for a book about love, forgiveness, and the connections we forge with others—and with the written word—The Memory Library is an unforgettable choice.

Five stars from me!

The Memory Library is a beautiful novel that addresses the complex issues of parents protecting a child, loss, grief, growing up, forgiveness, and aging parents. When Ella was young her mother Sally gave her a brand book with an inscription inside with a message that pertained to what she was going through or something she would like to have her learn. Each year Ella looked forward to this until her and her mother had a falling out and she moved from England to Australia. 21 years ago by before Ella returns home. Sally has slipped and fallen breaking her wrists and needs assistance while she heals. Reluctantly Ella returns home to help and in the process of assisting her mom, she learns things about herself, heals herself and her mother's relationship and gains back her mom, her family and a new found family. This story was beautifully told and made me feel so many complex feelings about family relationships, grief, change and Alzheimer's. The narrator told the story in a sweeping way that helped add to the overall story. I am recommending to everyone. This also inspired me to reread some classics, first up Little Women. I look forward to creating a library for my daughter as well.

Thank you Harper Audio Adult for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book had such promise for me, and I really liked the underlying story. A story about second chances and redemption of estranged mother and daughters, centered around books and community connection? Sign me up! However, the main character Ella fell a bit flat. I don't know what it was, but I just couldn't connect with her and thus couldn't enjoy the story as much. But Sally and her found family that she built in the community really saved it. I loved learning more about their stories. I listened to the audiobook, and I loved the narrators.

The blurb:

For forty-two years, Sally Harrison has been building a library.

Each year, on her daughter’s birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work.

But Ella – Sally’s only child – fled to Australia twenty-two years ago after a heated exchange, and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on July 11th, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle.

Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew.

She is soon to discover that when one chapter ends, another will soon follow…

All you have to do is turn the page…

I adored this book! As a lifelong reader, it brought up so many pleasant memories of just what the reader gets from a good book and how that travels with the reader and grows fonder with time. This book is really a gift to anyone who loves a good book. The best part for me is that it referenced the last book I read, literally a couple of days ago "We All Want Impossible Things" by Catherine Newman, once again proving to me that we don't choose the book, the book chooses us! Great read!

This is an emotional novel with good character building and a medium-paced character-driven plot. The various traits of characters makes them feel fleshed out.

The audiobook has a narrator with a nice voice and cadence. The narrator read at a good pace.

This was such a sweet and moving story. I think hearing it through the audio book made it a little more meaningful. The mom and daughter relationship here really struggled and they each had their own stuff to work on. Loved the difference the time back home made the daughter see things so differently.

Loved the memory library

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity

This book has a slow start. I felt animosity towards the main character, so it started to feel like a slog until it hit its stride. Once the plot began to unfurl and more characters were introduced and developed, I couldn’t read fast enough! Having a strained relationship with a parent is relatable to many, and its relevance to my life caused me to become quickly invested. It is an eye-opening family drama with a beautiful tapestry of books woven throughout. For any book lover, this is a must-read. The experience will make your heart more generous . Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A must read for booklovers wanting an uplifting book of second chances. I loved that it shows the value of books for healing, Read it and then have your book club read it so that you can read it again!

I really love this book and the idea of a memory library. This book I me in tears a couple of times. The book is well written and definitely written from the heart. The narrator did an amazing job and made you really felt like you were on this nostalgic ride home yourself. Every mother’s dream is to instill a love of reading into their children, and that is one of my hopes for my boys, and if I could afford to be able to build them in memory library, I most definitely would. I would highly recommend this book to all readers, those who both building bridges between family members, the nostalgia of coming home, & those who know that life is what you choose.

***NetGalley Review*** This book combines so many of my favorite things. To start, books and the power of literature. Friendship and found family. Mending complicated relationships with an emphasis on mother/daughter dynamics. And an ending that feels like a giant hug. Without giving away major aspects of the plot I loved how Ella was able to stop herself from becoming a version of her father she did not know existed before it did irreversible damage to her family and relationships. I also have to note what a wonderful character Sally was. I have so much empathy for her struggles with her health, which made the ending that much more satisfying. Would definitely recommend!

I loved that this book as it combines several of my favorites, the power of books, caring communities and healing relationships. Especially how the books can help bring people together. It`s the story of Ella and Sally, who became estranged without ever getting reconciled. When Sally falls and is injured, Ella travels to England from Australia to be with her, and she gets to know her mother again. The relationship between Ella and Sally was complicated, but I really liked the way it slowly played out, and we learned so much more about both of them and how sometimes that feeling of wanting to protect those we love can really end up hurting them more. The best parts of the book was how she became a part of a lovely community. There were many wonderful moments. When she got the idea to do something for her mother, the books stood out from others. It was creative and interesting, and it made my heart swell. The ending was perfect. If you want a heartwarming novel to keep your spirits up, this one will be a safe pick. This is definitely one I would recommend to others.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc to preview.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book. I really enjoyed listening to this. The narration was well done. This book brought up some tough subjects and as someone who has a family member in the early stages of dementia, it definitely resonated. This is a beautiful story of family, reconciliation, and letting go of our preconceived notions to allow room for other view points. This would be a great read for anyone, but especially for those who may have strained relationships with parents or have a parent battling dementia or Alzheimer’s.

'The Memory Library' follows a mother-daughter pair as they reconnect after years apart. Ella is not thrilled to be called home to care for her mother after an accident, particularly because of they parted ways years ago. But this experience allows Ella to see that others' experience her mother, Sally, in a way very different than she remembers. They work to rediscover one another through their shared love of reading.

'The Memory Library' is a heartfelt exploration of adult parent-child relationships. I appreciated that we were allowed to hear the perspectives of both Ella and Sally, allowing the reader to understand why each made the decisions that they did.

I was lucky enough to review the audio version of this book, and enjoyed the dual narration of Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde.

Thank you to Kate Storey and HarperAudio Adult for the ARC of 'The Memory Library' in exchange for an honest review.

Weekend book pick: "The Memory Library" by Kate Storey. The parent/child relationship is complicated and made more so by distance, death, and deep misunderstandings. Ella returns home after decades away to see her family, her hometown, and herself with fresh eyes. This book handles dementia in a realistic, respectful way.

Thanks to @NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | Harper360 for the advance reader copy.

*The Memory Library* by Kate Storey is an extraordinary journey that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. Listening to the audiobook version of this novel adds a unique depth to its emotional resonance, with the narrator’s subtle nuances and heartfelt delivery perfectly capturing the soul of this beautiful, bittersweet story. It’s a novel about memory, love, loss, and the stories we carry with us, and the audiobook brings these themes to life in a deeply moving way.

The story itself is a delicate dance between the past and present, with the protagonist navigating a world where memories are not just part of the past, but tangible, living things that shape and haunt us. The concept of a "Memory Library" is both fascinating and profoundly emotional. As the protagonist explores these memories, the audiobook gently guides you through a tapestry of moments—some joyful, some painful—that make up a life. It’s impossible not to be moved by how our memories define us and the people we love, and how they shape our future.

The narration elevates the experience. The voice actor does an exceptional job of capturing the vulnerability and strength of the characters, infusing each line with the emotion required to truly make the story come alive. The pacing is deliberate, drawing you into the contemplative atmosphere of the novel while keeping you engaged in the tender moments and devastating truths the characters must face. The way the narrator shifts between the subtle sadness of loss and the warmth of remembrance will bring tears to your eyes and make your heart swell in equal measure.

What makes *The Memory Library* so emotional is its profound exploration of how we hold onto the past. It doesn’t just tell a story—it forces you to reflect on your own memories and the moments that have shaped you. It’s one of those books that makes you feel seen, even as it makes you confront the deep, often painful parts of yourself. Listening to it as an audiobook amplifies that feeling, as the words become a kind of intimate conversation, echoing in your mind long after you’ve stopped listening.

In short, *The Memory Library* is a stunning, emotional experience—one that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of memory and the connections we share. The audiobook version is an especially powerful way to experience it, as it wraps you in a blanket of emotions that feels both personal and universal. If you’re looking for a story that touches the heart in a way that only the best literature can, this is the one.

The Memory Library is a beautiful book. Its pace is slow at first, and Ella, resentfully returning to London from Australia to attend her mother, is a bit hard to love. But author Kate Storey skillfully shows us Ella's eyes opening over time and introduces a lovely array of characters and subplots that enrich the story. Reverence for books and the sharing of their magic is, of course, at the heart of The Memory Library, but the relationships that evolve over the course of the book reminded me of a tree coming to life in the spring. At first the branches appear almost dead, but little by little buds push forth and finally burst into vibrant color. Sally's unsurprising diagnosis is sad, but the overall tone of the book, especially towards its conclusion, is joy.

I just finished listening to The Memory Library by Kate Storey, who also writes under Lisa Timoney, and I enjoyed it immensely. The culmination of an estranged adult daughter finally realizing how much her mother gave up for her, and the entire community, with the impeccable narration, brought me to tears near the end of the book. It is a rare book indeed that makes me cry. If you enjoy contemporary novels that pull at your heart strings, with lots of literary references, and a happy ending, I highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you, Harper Audio, for an audio ARC of The Memory Library by Kate Storey!

Ella and Sally, and mother/daughter duo that became estranged 20+ years ago after a heated argument. Present day, Ella is informed that her mother has had a recent fall and needs some assistance. Upon her return, Ella discovers that her mother has been keeping a few secrets.

A story about family drama, community support, and books about books.

I loved what Sally had done with the books for Ella ♥️

The lack of communication frustrated me at times among characters.

Ella fled from her childhood home many years ago after a heated disagreement with her mother. Out of the blue, she is called back to England from her new home in Australia to help her mother Sally. Sally recently was injured and is alone and in need of assistance. Being her only family, Ella agrees to come for a quick stay. When she gets there, Ella learns that Sally has kept her childhood tradition of buying and inscribing a book for Ella every year on her birthday. But due to a flooding that leaked into the room with the books from Sally's accident, all were destroyed. The longer Ella stays and helps her mother, the more Ella realizes that she may have been wrong about her judgement and tries to make up for her mistakes.

This was such a heartwarming and emotional story that was very well written. I love how the author was able to create a story around the healing power of books. It seems like most of the books that have this theme resonate extremely well with me and I will continue to seek them out to read. The author did a fantastic job of developing and growing the relationship between mother and daughter so naturally. Even with some deeper topics covered, it ends with a very beautiful and optimistic message.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley and Kate Storey for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Ella, a 42-year-old woman who has been living in Australia for the last 21 years after becoming estranged from her Mother, Sally, is forced to return to her hometown in England after Sally is injured during a fall. After discovering a special gesture Sally had been working on for years, the two confront missteps and miscommunications from their past as they learn to navigate their new relationship and an unexpected change in Sally's life.
Will this gesture, along with finding family in the form of community, be enough to repair the damage that had been done?

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was well-written, the characters were likable and relatable, and the audio narration was excellent. As the reader, I felt like I was several steps ahead of Ella and sometimes wished the plot moved a bit faster to catch up. There was a lot of miscommunication between the two main characters, which became a little overused by the end. That said, the book had heart, a touch of humor, and was a feel-good read.