A good dual timeline story with Nita Bineham and her family home Melham Manor the link between both timelines. In 1940/1 Nita, aged 21, lives with her very wealthy parents at their estate in Surrey. In 2008 Beth Bineham visits her great aunt in the now rather dilapidated Manor House and Nita’s deathbed conversation sparks something in Beth who starts looking into Nita’s past. Well written and satisfying plot with both timelines meeting seamlessly.

Briefly, Nita craves her independence and when she is given the opportunity to work for a local newspaper she jumps at it. She makes friends with Joe who also works for the newspaper and together they search for a German spy reputed to be living in their area. Beth’s job in the family firm is in jeopardy and her husband has told her he wants a divorce. As a child she loved visiting Nita but aged 10 the visits stopped abruptly and she never knew why. She immediately feels at home in the manor and when the house and lands are at risk she is desperate to stop the planners moving in.

There were a lot of similarities between Nita and Beth. Both loved writing, both kind and caring and both ruled by their families until they rebelled and found they were stronger than they thought. The Wiccan element of the book was interesting and added an extra dimension to the story. An enjoyable story about families and friendships, you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends and they chose well. Very entertaining read.

this is a dual timeline book, set in 1941 and 2008, about a niece and an aunt and about a house that links them together. good story.

Having previously read a novel by the same author I was already looking forward to reading The Storyteller’s daughter and it did not disappoint. With its dual timeline narrative (and the clue in the title) it wasn’t too hard to see what one of the major plot twists was but I still really enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy

The Storyteller’s Daughter by Victoria Scott is a beautiful dual timeline novel that I loved.
The action is set in 1941 and 2008. The periods are united by a family house and woodland as we follow a young woman in 2008 and her aunt in 1941.
Both main characters are similar in personality and circumstances. Both have been pressured by their families, having their personal lives squashed.
In 1941 Nita was expected to marry the man her parents chose for her – but Nita had a strong personality and would not be hemmed in by tradition and circumstances.
In 2008 Beth has always done what her parents wanted and has worked in the family firm. It was never her dream and now she decides to branch out on her own, having been re-united with her aunt on her death bed.
The ambitions of both young women was to be journalists. Now seems the ideal time to pursue these dreams.
Secrets are buried deep in the past. A death bed cryptic clue sends Beth delving into her aunt’s wartime activities – it is amazing what she uncovers.
The book has a serenity to it. The reader feels that despite of all the events, both Nita and Beth find and discover a peace within – this peace extends to the house and the reader.
We see the value of true friends. There are friends who go the extra mile and who will keep quiet as needed.
Wartime was a time of suspicion and patriotism. The characters are shocked at the thought of a spy walking amongst them.
Love blossoms where it will – and it remains, hidden secretly away.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Storyteller’s Daughter. It was an engaging read with a difference – a hidden event that I did not see coming! Grab a copy and see what I mean!
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Victoria Scott, The Storyteller's Daughter, Boldwood Books,
January 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

In this story that weaves together a narrative from the past with one from the present day, Victoria Scott combines World War 11 historical events, the role of women in work and family environments and their stories. This is a quiet page turner rather than a gripping read. However, quietly though the pages might be turned, turned they must be. The Story Teller’s Daughter begins slowly, but as the stories of Nita and her great niece, Beth, evolve it is impossible to leave them. Partly it is the evocative writing about the house and surrounds that have impacted the two women’s lives that is so engaging. The women whose stories combine their gathering strength, their preparedness to question their lifestyle and readiness to make change are also appealing. Nita resists expectations to marry and uses her voluntary work as a journalist on a local paper to change her life. Beth in an age where while her being employed is expected, as is a commitment to the domestic duties that remain to be done, lead to her making changes too. Some are forced upon her, others she chooses. Both women’s stories show them questioning themselves and the choices they have made that might need to be adapted to new ideas and events.

Nita and Beth have a past together at Melrose Manor. This past, and what becomes Beth’s present, has elements of fantasy about it, which are cleverly posed against the realities of class differences, the search for a spy during the war, the poverty of council housing and planning that can be undertaken to address this, or to exacerbate it and societal and family pressures against which Nita and Beth eventually rebel. Wealth and inheritance, social and family expectations and relationships, married, unmarried and enduring friendships between women are an important part of the narrative.

Scott’s thoughtful approach to the issues, personal and public that she addresses in this book enhances the stories of both women. These stories are of their time, but the parallels between them are significant without being forced. The resolution to each woman’s story is pleasantly satisfying.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early arc.

This book was kind of just okay for me. I didn't really love the characters and the character development just didn't feel like it was enough. Like so many things kept happening to these characters and then just wrapped up a little too quickly.

I did like Nita's POV more than Beth's. I just wasn't really a fan of Beth's POV. It was really more family drama and less investigating the secrets of the past than I wanted.

I also don't like the title with this book. It's supposed to be a big secret to one of the characters and it really is more of a spoiler. And along with that, we see Nita with her daughter well before Beth finding out and I think the timelines should have followed each other a little closer. It's like that for a lot of things and it makes it feel like what is the point of Beth's POV?

There were also some lines that I were a bit offputting, such as "her ample breasts are now pointing towards the sky, like anti-aircraft guns."

Hit all the feels and had me laughing out loud… Will propel you to your happy place. A must read!… Feel-good romance… Truly heart-warming… Such a cute read! I started and finished in one day – what can I say?

I really enjoyed this who doesn't love a dual timeline?
Set in 2008/9 and world war 2 . It follows the lives of Beth (2008) and Nita (WW2) it uncovers a lot of very surprising secrets and is a voyage of discovery for one of them.
If you like Judith Lennox this will be right up your street.

Victoria Scott has done it again. She’s written an engaging story with wonderful characters and added a bit of a mystery that I couldn’t wait to solve. You can tell the author has done her research impeccably, and I highly recommend reading her notes at the end.

This is in the dual timeline format (my favourite) with a 1940/41 timeline and a 2008/09 one. As is usual for me I enjoyed the earlier timeline more. We also get the points of view of both main female characters, Nita and her great-niece Beth. I loved Nita’s story so much and learning about how hard it was to be a woman reporter at the time, especially considering she came from such an influential family. What I found remarkable is that women are still fighting some of the same challenges today…trying to break through that glass ceiling in a man’s world while wanting children and family life. Both Beth and Nita face these challenges in one way or another 70 years apart. Nita was such a compelling character as was Beth and I was cheering them on and wishing them well.

I love when I can learn something from a fictional story and this one taught me a lot about the war, spies and Wiccan. This book made me appreciate the time I live in and my ancestors who fought in WWII. I also know to appreciate and celebrate our differences and not shun them no matter our beliefs or rituals. I highly recommend this one to historical fiction lovers who enjoy an atmospheric tale.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoy dual timeline stories , so in some regards this story hit the mark, in others not so much.. The present day story of Beth, a young educated woman from a prosperous family in Britain, and the story of Nita, her great aunt, who never married, was considered eccentric, whose story focused on her World War II experiences was at times an interesting story. I had some difficulty getting into the story, trying to find the connection, but once I did the story flowed. I can honestly say I enjoyed the dual timeline, I did not feel that there was enough character development, I feel that both women who were going through difficult times, was a real downer at times. The story had as possible a somewhat “ happy “ ending.

This was a lovely story, told in 2 timelines. Beth’s story in 2008 and her Great Aunt Nita at the age of 21 in 1940. It’s a tale of family relationships – both good and bad, history, mystery, and personal values.

It’s 2008, and Beth works for the family business – which she is not enjoying, and having said the wrong thing to the press she is now on gardening leave. When she hears that her beloved Great Aunt Nita is dying, she goes to see her and is there when she passes away. This brings back very happy memories of her childhood with her Great Aunt and she wonders why she hadn’t been there for a while. Before Nita passes, in a lucid moment she tells Beth about a secret in the attic. As Beth and her husband’s marriage comes to an end, Beth finds herself spending more and more time at her Great Aunt’s home with and without her children, and spends time trying to work out the secret that Nita was trying to tell her.

A beautiful story that kept me enthralled to the end. I hadn’t heard of Victoria Scott but I will be looking out for further books of hers.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7107828463

https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-storytellers-daughter-by-victoria.html

A secret has ben let for decades. Beth’s great Aunt is dying in 2008 but has a secret that goes back to 1940. A storyline that goes between two eras. I struggled to get into this book but I did persevere. Thanks to Victoria and her publisher

I really loved this book. Set over 2 timelines the book explores a family history that was just lovely to read. I thought it was very well written and I would definitely reccomend it.

Intriguing setting but I found most of the characters to be sad or unhappy. There was a lot of potential with Nita’s character but Beth seemed weak from beginning. I did question Nita and Beth’s relationship. My guesses were wrong, and there were unexpected events and surprises at the end.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

It’s difficult to relate to Nita and to Beth. Not just because of the time difference, but also because of the socioeconomics of the characters. There have been many WW2 novels written where the women worked because they HAD to, not just because they wanted to. I found the beginning of both characters to be whiny. Nita, in my opinion, grew out of it, but Beth never really did. However, I absolutely did not like Beth’s estranged husband, and felt that everything about him was selfish, even though the author tried to make him not that way. It just felt like “here’s the scenario and he’s a jerk but let me back track and write him nicer in another scene.”

I knew who the spy was the very second it was mentioned. But again, I was focused on Nita’s growth. I liked the parallel with both women working at the Bugle, the Manor home, and grounds. I wish there was a little more of the Wiccan pieces to it, and I would have liked Nita’s secret to have been revealed a bit earlier.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

I very much enjoy dual timeline historical fiction stories. This one missed the mark. The main characters came off as naive and were not relatable in my opinion. I’m sure others will enjoy this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A lovely poignant story about two strong women in different timescales. I found it a bit slow in places but nonetheless a happy ending. Not many twists and turns or surprises but a gentle story capturing aspects of how women were treated during the war years and how modern day (2008) women have greater choices. I found the part off the book that dealt with the Wiccan beliefs really interesting and well researched

Overall an interesting read and I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This is a past/present story that revolves around Beth and her great aunt, Nita. After Nita passes away, Beth is delegated by her overbearing family to straighten out the house, and get items ready for auction. Nita had been an important part of Beth's life until she turned 11 and her parents stopped sending her to spend summers at the family manor. However, Beth hadn't seen her for a long time. Beth is also estranged from her husband, and is struggling with her job in the family business- so this opportunity presents a way for her to get herself together and figure out her next steps. While cleaning, she remembers Nita's last words to her before she dies, the box in the attic holds the secrets. Beth discovers the box, and learns so much about her aunt. This sets up the mystery and dual narrative.

I have never read a book by this author. However, when I read the synopsis for this, it checked all my boxes: past/present timeline, mystery, family secrets. I really loved the two women's characters. Both were faced with difficult/domineering parents and expectations, challenges and mistakes. However, both women persevere in the face of trauma/danger. Nita in 1940/1941 begins a volunteer job at The Bugle- the local newspaper. When she is sent to interview a "crazy woman" who is part of a coven, and planning on casting a spell to defeat Hitler, I had to stop for a minute! However, the woman warns Nita that there is a Nazi spy in their midst, and this sets Nita on a dangerous path to discover who the spy is.

As Beth delves into her aunt's life, she works hard to put the clues together to figure out who the spy is, and why her aunt never married Joe- the other reporter that was helping Nita look into the spy allegations.

This story is so well written. I was completely engaged and mesmerized! I felt deeply for the characters, and felt their triumphs and heartbreak. There were quite a few plot twists that surprised me, but completely made sense. The setting also plays a key role in the story, becoming a character of itself- and you know I love it when authors do this! The mystery, when solved is satisfying and bittersweet. I have never read a book by Ms. Scott, however, I am going to rectify this! Great characters, mystery, setting, plot and pacing! Highly recommend this if you are looking for a deeper, engrossing story with strong characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood, and the personal invitation I received to review this book.

I did like this book. 2008 present day Beth goes back to her old family home to help settle her great aunt Nia estate while handling her husband wanting a divorce. Beth finds documents that reveal family secrets from the past.

There is a secondary timeline revealing Nia s story which ties into the present. Great story with 2 very strong women.

This was a strong historical novel that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The concept worked and enjoyed the two timelines going on. It was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. Victoria Scott did a great job in writing this and am excited for more.