The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a charming, evocative story full of secrets and mystery. It spans two centuries and tells the stories of two women and the men they fell in love with.
1910, Anna a young naive farm girl meets Harold Griffin-Kraus and helps him to to interpretation the local people’s fairy stories and folk lore.
Harper is the second woman in the story and she goes on a plane to Ireland in the New Year of 2011 and meets another lost soul. Harper finds Anna’s diary and reads her story and sees how it resonates with her own.
A story full of folk lore and fairies, love, laughter, sadness and renewal.
Highly recommended

This is the second book by Evie Woods that I have read and I was looking forward to it having enjoyed the previous book. However, it wasn't as good for me as The Lost Book Shop. The plot line was too obvious and felt cliched, the ending was predictable and this took away the mystery that the story needed.
I struggled to relate to the characters and found the main character, Sarah's excessive drinking unnecessary for the plot.
This book didn't deliver the impact it should have, which is a shame as it could have been a good story.

This is the first book by Evie Woods that I have read. I read a preview for The Lost Bookshop at the end of The Story Collector so I will be keeping my eyes out for that now!

I loved reading about Harold and Anna from 100 years ago, and their search for stories about The Good People.

Then we have Sarah, who seemingly on a whim ends up in Ireland, following in Harold and Anna's footsteps 100 years later.

A delightful tale of love and loss and magical stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I couldn't wait to dive into another Evie Woods adventure after devouring "The Lost Bookshop"! 📚✨ The blend of magical realism and fairy folklore had me hooked from the start, especially since I've experienced the enchantment of Ireland firsthand. 🇮🇪 This story simply begged to be told!

The characters are so vividly drawn, and the language is like poetry! 🌟 I found myself pausing frequently just to savor the beautiful phrases. "His face was well used like an old leather shoe that had seen many roads" — isn't that just perfect for describing someone wise and weathered by life?

The dual timeline format, with Sarah seeking solace in Ireland's embrace and Anna unraveling mysteries in the past, adds an extra layer of intrigue. 🕰️🔍 It's like they're connected by an invisible thread, drawing you deeper into their worlds. And talk about a page-turner! This story zips along, blending romance, mysticism, and themes of redemption and renewal. 💫💖

The setting is absolutely magical, with Thornwood House and Anna's cozy cottage stealing the show. 🌳🏠 Evoking the mystical aura of Celtic places adds such richness to the tale. And the integration of folklore? Genius! It's like the very land breathes with ancient stories.

The way the two timelines intertwine is masterful. In 1910, you're on the edge of your seat with Anna and Harold, while in 2010/11, Sarah finds her way back to life with the help of both the past and the people she meets in County Clare. 🌿👭

From start to finish, this novel was an absolute delight! 🎉 It's the kind of story that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling, and the ending is just the cherry on top of this enchanting read. 🍒📖

The Story Collector by Evie Woods

A dual timeline novel set one hundred years apart. We have Anna a young farm girl in 1910 and then fast forward to 2010 and Sarah who starts off in New York but heads off to where Anna was in West Coast of Ireland.
I liked the way the author brought the two together and found the plot captivating.
First time read for this author.

I was attracted to the premise of this book, as I enjoy historical novels, and sometimes dual timelines, if they are done well. Somehow this novel didn’t hit the spot for me, There was so much focus on grief, at times it was hard to read. Similarly, the horrors of war, the brutality and deprivations suffered, were difficult to read about. I skimmed over some of that. The inclusion of the tarot cards and spirit world put me off, maybe it was included in an effort to make the story creepy?
Whatever it was, I began to lose interest further into the story. Too many coincidences to be plausible, I felt. I skim read to the end.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this author's previous book so I was excited to read this and was not disappointed. The two time lines were well balanced and both periods were believable. I loved the folklore and magic elements of the story and whilst I don't want to give spoilers, the end was refreshing.

This book is a 3.5 out of 5 for me, I really enjoyed the lost bookshop and this is similar as it’s two peoples stories being told years apart but I got a bit bored with this one unfortunately. It is a nice book but I thought it could have been better.

Thanks to NetGalley and one more chapter for my advanced reading copy.

I wasn't one for Irish folklore, so this book was completely new to me and it uncovered some things I'm really interested in reading!

I enjoyed the story and think if you enjoyed Evie's last book this one is up your alley as well!

Get ready to bend time as we unravel the mystery of Anna, a young Irish farm girl who helps American Harold Griffin-Krauss translate Irish folk tales and legends into English. Things aren't all as they seem and misfortune follows. Fast forward to 2010, and Sara Hopper is walking down the same path as Anna when she starts unravelling the mysteries of the past. Will Sarah be able to solve the mystery, or will she become another victim?

Sarah, leaves her husband of three years, decides to fly to Boston to spend Christmas with her sister, but somehow bizarrely ends up in Ireland instead. There, she stumbles upon the diary of Anna, a girl who lived 100 years ago. The diary logs Anna's adventures with Harold, an anthropologist, as they interview people regarding their beliefs in fairy faith for his thesis.

I picked up this book as I enjoyed the author's previous book, The Lost Bookshop, however this didn't satisfy as much. The fairies theme didn't feel magical and whimsical enough and the dealing with loss theme wasn't explored deeply. I found the storylines quite bland and overall didn't deliver the impact which would have made this a great read for me.

Do you believe in fairies? This wonderful book tells the story of two women decades apart who tell an engaging story of their lives, with Ireland’s folklore as the background.
Sarah from New York, present time, is recovering from the ‘big bad thing’ and a divorce so she runs away to Ireland. She finds a diary written by Anna in the mid 1900s and loses herself in the story. Anna is assisting an American, Harold Griffin-Kraus, who is recording stories/tales from the locals of Thornwood Village about their experience with the ‘other world’ for a research project.
A lovely tale that will keep you enthralled to the end.

Sarah Harper was on her way to Boston to spend Christmas with her sister after her divorce from Jack when she found that she had taken the plane to Shannon Ireland instead. In Ireland she found a cottage to live in for a couple weeks. While there and getting her head together after her divorce and while grieving for her stillborn daughter, she found a diary hidden in a tree. The diary told the story of a young girl who had lived in the cottage with her family a hundred years earlier. The book alternates between 2011 and 1911 - the stories of Sarah and her recovery from grief and loss, and the story of Anna and her loss of innocence and the man she came to love and lost.
I'm not a fan of split time lines and again I found the story disruptive as it jumped from one century to the other. there has to be a better way to tell the story of two women in different times who both suffered loss but came out of it somewhat whole. The story of Anna seems to be cut short with an unsatifactory ending and the story of Sarah is too predictable. I found Anna's story had more to it than Sarah's did but there was no ending other than she went to Dublin and married there. The plot line for the story is good but the way it is told doesn't satisfy me. I liked the underlying magical/fairy element of old Ireland though. Bringing it into the 21st century didn't really work in this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book; the opinions are all mine.

4-5 stars
Christmas Day 2010, New York City.
Sarah Harper’s marriage breaks down and instead of heading home to her family in Boston, she impulsively books a flight to Shannon in the Irish Republic. A midlife crisis? Maybe, but with no room booked she ends up in the pretty village of Thornwood, Co Clare staying in a picture postcard cottage which puts joy in her heart. A chance discovery plunges her into a mystery from the past.

1910 - Anna Butler, the daughter of a farmer, offers her help to American Harold Griffin-Krauss, who is researching folklore for his Oxford university thesis. They are drawn into the orbit of the Hawley family, Anglo Irish landowners, who live in the imposing Thornwood House. Two timelines, two interconnecting stories are woven together into a captivating tale.

Yet again, Evie Woods enchants with her imaginative and engaging storytelling which is sprinkled with fairy dust! The story is wonderful, it’s vivid with well defined characters who are easily visualised via some aptly chosen phrases.

The setting is fantastic, there are some lovely descriptions which adds its own unique atmosphere with Anna’s cottage and Thornwood House at its epicentre. Celtic places are special, the landscapes have an aura and they often feel mystical so it’s easy to see how ancient folklore arises and I love how it’s integrated into this story. The superstitions of places (here Cnoc na Sí, the hill of the fairies) of natural objects, of the ‘Good People’, makes the novel feel magical.

The two timelines flow and fuse well together. In 1910, you follow the story of Anna and Harold at times with bated breath as it takes a dark turn. In 2010/11 a bruised and damaged Sarah comes back to life and begins to accept the things that have been weighing her down. Much of this is with the aid of the 1910/11 story and by the characters she meets in County Clare.

Overall, I enjoy this novel from start to finish which has a lovely end to a lovely read.

PS the character of Harold is inspired by a real life character, which I like very much.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

After experiencing a heart-wrenching defeat, Sarah impulsively decides to embark on a journey across the vast expanse of the skies, ultimately landing in the picturesque village known as Thornwood. It is within this enchanting locale that she finds herself transported to a realm brimming with ancient customs, captivating folklore, and an unwavering belief in the existence of Good People, more commonly referred to as fairies. As if fate had intervened, hidden amidst the hollowed depths of a towering tree, Sarah is fortunate enough to stumble upon an aged diary dating back to 1910. Penned by a woman named Anna, the diary chronicles her adventurous encounters alongside the young and esteemed American anthropologist named Harold, as they diligently collect and record timeless tales of fairies.

Unbeknownst to Sarah, Thornwood Village, and its endearing inhabitants would swiftly transform into a sanctuary of solace and restoration. As the chapters of time converge, the lines between past and present blur, creating an intricate tapestry woven with the threads of sorcery and enchantment. It is within this realm, where the ordinary is transformed into extraordinary, that Sarah must confront the profound implications of meddling with the forces of magic.to invest in the narrative wholeheartedly

At its core, this story beautifully unfolds within a rich tapestry of character development where authenticity reigns supreme, prompting readers to wholeheartedly invest in the narrative. As the story flows gracefully from one page to the next, the elements of magical realism, a genre of great personal fondness, breathe life into every paragraph. The pacing of the plot is expertly crafted, captivating readers with its restless momentum that compels them to keep turning the pages.

Engaging both heart and mind, this tale skillfully interweaves romance and mysticism, while also exploring the themes of redemption, rebirth, and the serendipity afforded by second chances. Such a compelling combination creates an experience that genuinely resonates with readers, leaving them captivated from beginning to end. In truth, this book stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, capable of whisking readers away to otherworldly realms, all while igniting a sense of hope and a renewed appreciation for life's untold possibilities.

As the final chapter draws near and the last word is read, a profound sense of satisfaction ensues. Within the confines of this masterfully written tale lies a narrative that both honors and celebrates the incredible journey of the human spirit.

Whether it be through the threads of friendship, the bonds of love, or the allure of the unknown, this book invites readers to embrace every page with an open heart and an eager mind. In essence, it is a literary masterpiece that promises to leave an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to lose themselves within its magical pages.

This was such a lovely story! I loved the dual timelines; it gave a wonderful depth to the story and the characters. Get your tissues ready, as this one has all the feels!

This was a sweet book. Switching between the past with Anna (via her journal found by Sarah hidden in a tree hollow) and the present with Sarah when she makes a spur of the moment decision to fly to Ireland instead of home to where her heart was broken by the loss of her child. Ireland for her is a place of magic and healing as she reads the journal Anna left. This book will have you believing in the Good Folk who can be friendly like Milly or awful like those who may or may not have lived in the manor that was built in the place of a hawthorn tree (super bad luck to chop down one of those).

This book teaches that sometimes things don't turn out and there will be heartbreak but you can still forge a new path to a happy ending which is what happens with both Anna and Sarah. And sometimes you will be changed with a little magic and maybe see the truth about the hidden mysteries of Ireland.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Sarah is looking to go home after her recent marriage has ended. At the airport she boards the wrong plane. She arrives in Ireland instead of Boston. This book was well written.

Sarah’s marriage to Jack has broken down. Bizarrely, as the inevitable has been on the cards for a while, she decides to leave on Christmas Day. Not able to stand the thought of living with her parents, her decision for her new life is to go to live with sister Meghan and her family in Boston. All belongings are already in storage, Sarah has just her last suitcase to take with her to the airport to catch her flight from Newark to her home city. At the airport a chance encounter with an Irish newspaper, a ceramic sheep and a bottle of Irish Whiskey sets Sarah’s thoughts off on a different track. Some hours later she wakes to find herself at Shannon airport, without a clue as to how she got there. Deciding to stay awhile, Sarah rents a cottage in mysterious Thornwood village, discovers an old diary and gets lost in its story.

This book runs on two timelines, 2010/11 with Sarah, and 1910/11 with Anna, the owner of the old diary.

I really liked The Lost Bookshop, and looked forward to this from Woods, but there are a few very odd events. If Sarah was so drunk as to have no recollection of her journey, why was she allowed on a plane? Why leave on Christmas Day? Why wander off in the dark and ferret about in a tree trunk? The mystery of Millie was a let down. Sadly it’s not a patch on the previous book. Whilst the ‘ago’ part was ok, the more modern depiction of rural Irish life left a lot to be desired. Overly twee and saccharine, with many stereotypical musings it was a yawn of a read.

A struggle to finish, and, with apologies to the author, not to my taste.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter.

The Story Collector is a delightful, gentle story about the joy of folklore and magic.
We have two timelines: the present (set in 2011) when our protoganist Sarah Harper finds herself making a rather impulsive decision to escape the stresses in her life and hide out in Ireland over the Christmas holidays. Arriving without any plans or accommodation, she finds herself in a fictional village near Shannon, and with the assistance of the locals, is soon staying in a traditional cottage called Butlers.
While meandering around the locale, Sarah comes across a diary belong to a young girl called Anna, written 100 years earlier. The diary details the visit of an American scholar called Harold Krauss. Krauss has arrived in Ireland to study the mythology/beliefs surrounding fairies or Good People.
As Sarah reads about the events from a century earlier and the tragic outcome, she learns to cope with her own past.
The Story Collector is a particulary unusual novel, with much of our story spent on learning about the mythology of the Good People and should prove fascinating to anyone with an interest in this topic. The author, Evie Woods has mentioned that her storyline was inspired by an American anthropologist, WY Evans Wentz, who came to Ireland in the early 1900s to complete his thesis on the Celtic Fairy Faith. And indeed, her love of mythology and research shines through. This is a gentle tale that acts as both as a lovestory to Ireland's past and also integrates the mythology into the contemporary storyline. There is a bittersweet ending and some questions are left unanswered, such as how the diary come to be left in the box, but this adds to the overall sense of mystery of the novel, rather than taking from the tale.