What a stunning book! Both inside and out! It was the cover that initially drew me to pick this book up, but once I'd read the blur and it promised folklore and myth, I was convinced this was my kind of book - and I was proved right!

The story is set in 2 timelines - 2010 with the character of Sarah who has recently split from her husband, and is at that point in her life where she doesn't know what is next for her - and also 1910 with the character of Anna whose story we hear of through her diary entries. The way these stories blend together is extremely clever and enthralling and I loved both characters for the ways they dealt with the issues that faced them.
Set in the village of Thornwood over the years, the stories of 'The Good People' have always been part of the folklore and there has always been a huge interest in the ways of the fairies - some curse them, others see them as a good power watching over them, and as Sarah traces the steps of Anna and Harold, the American who is in the village to collect stories of local folklore, she begins to see similarities between her own life and finds herself falling under the spell of Thornwood herself. With the help of Hazel, a local, she finds herself using the thoughts and experiences of Anna to understand her own life and how to move on.

This was a beautifully written story that had me captivated from start to finish. It was full of the magical elements that I love alongside some fascinating characters and that the power of belief is such a powerful thing to many.
Highly recommended!!

The Story Collector is a charming blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and heartfelt storytelling. The novel revolves around a woman who uncovers hidden secrets and stories that have been forgotten over time, set against the backdrop of an old, mysterious library. As she delves deeper into the past, the lines between history, memory, and magic blur, making for a rich and enchanting read.

One of the standout features of the book is how it captures the magic of storytelling itself, celebrating the importance of preserving history and the lives that are interwoven into the tales we tell. The novel has a comforting, almost cozy feel, even as it deals with moments of heartache and suspense.

I'm a big fan of Evie Woods and was exicted to get my hands on this book. The Story Collector alternates between a young girl who is guiding a researcher collecting anecdotes about fairies in a small Irish town and Sarah who at a major crossroads in her life decides to get on a flight to Ireland on a whim. Set 100 years in the past and in the present, this book is a whimsical story that is just wholesome and good. While I think I enjoyed The Lost Bookshop much more, this still was a fun read that transported me to Ireland for a time.

I just love Evie Woods, reading her books are magical! I love how she creates a world and as a reader you get swept away with the storytelling. I loved the characters and the developments of the story, each feeling realistic. Another great read that I found myself truly immersed in.

My new favourite author, even though Evie Woods has a few books out there. Has all my favourite topics in the title

2.5 stars.
This dual timeline story, set in 1910 and 2010, concerns storytelling, and recovering from grief, respectively.

In 2010, Sarah Harper drunkenly boards a plane for Ireland, instead of heading to her family's home in Boston, after splitting up with her husband Jack. She rents a cozy cottage, then finds a diary written by a girl named Anna in 1910. Intrigued, Sarah begins reading. She also meets the original owner of the cottage, Oran, a man grieving his wife and raising his daughter Hazel. Sarah instantly feels attracted to him, but is too mired in her grief most of the time, drinking herself to sleep each night, and wondering what she's going to make of her life now.

In 1910, Anna, a naive, young farm girl, meets American Harold Griffin-Krauss, who is travelling the Celtic countries and writing down stories of the Fae from the locals. Anna volunteers to take him around her village, introducing Harold to anyone who may have an interesting story. She's also mooning over the local rich boy, and is more knowledgeable of many things than I would have expected a girl who's never been anywhere else.

These two timelines gradually come together, with Anna's story propelling Sarah to begin picking up the pieces of her life.

So…the book's cover is pretty, and Anna, despite inconsistencies in her characterization, and Hazel (a minor character) are the most interesting people in this story. Not enough was done with Sarah for me to feel much for her, despite the horrible tragedy that sent running to Ireland. I also was really surprised when she was attracted to Oran almost immediately, despite being in pain and literally just splitting with husband.

The story collector of the novel, Harold, whom I figured would be a major character, because of the novel's title, really felt like a supporting character, even though it's his attempt at capturing old stories that has Anna noting his efforts in the diary which connects the two timelines together.

I also felt that the story could have just centred on Anna and the book would have been stronger; her trajectory was much more interesting as it felt more cohesive and thought-out.

I think the BEST part of this book was the stories that villagers tell Harold; they're fascinating, full of danger and colour.

Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This was a really sweet read and perfect for anyone looking to curl up with a great fall book! I loved the world that Woods builds and that she doesn't shy away from things not going as planned for her characters.

I devoured Woods’ The Lost Bookshop so was very pleased to be able to read and review The Story Collector. I loved the setting and the enchanting cottage and village Sarah found herself in. Using Annie’s story and diary from the past to delve into the world of the fae was magical.

Another dual time line story from this author, set across one hundred years.

It is 1911, Anna a farm girl, helps out a mysterious man who is travelling around Ireland, translating fairy stories. The area in West Coast Ireland is rich in myth, folklore and tall tales. Anna becomes [art of the story as she learns about places and the man that she has been tasked to help.

2011. Sara is in the midst of some sort of breakdown, flying to Ireland from New York, she finds herself in the depth of winter, in a cottage to work out what next in her life. Her discovery of Anna’s diary from 100 years ago takes her on a journey to find out more about this mysterious women. Is it this journey that will solve Sara’s problems.

The author has captured the mystical and magical elements within this book as she did her previous one and weaves it into the story. The modern day story was very hard, Sarah was a character I didn’t warm to, her harshness perhaps a reflection on her circumstances but none the less it was all integral to the book. Anna on the other hand provided me with an insight into turn of the century farming in Ireland.

A book which challenged the role of magic in our lives. It was a good read.

Not my usual genre yet a delightful story of Irish customs , past history and magical superstitions. A book of two timelines: A century ago a young Irish girl becomes involved with an American who is not what he seems. Fast forward to modern times when the second protagonist, Sarah, makes a foolhardy decision at the last minute to escape her emotional issues by running away to Ireland. Here she discovers an old diary written 100 years ago. The past crashes into the present with a delightful mix of old Irish customs, magic and a belief in fairies all a huge part of the country’s history. A gentle storyline of a different age and time where it was everyday practice to accept by suspending belief without the need for cold logic or proof. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

What a lovely story where at Thornwood Village in 1910 we see Anna Anna, a young farm girl, helping American visitor, Harold Griffin-Krauss, translate 'fairy stories' from Irish to English. Then in New York in 2010 we find Sarah entranced by Irish folklore, boards a plane for Ireland.

This is a tale in two parts and we follow two young women, Irish myths and legends, lots of mystery and suspense and plenty of secrets from the past. This is a magical book to say the least told over two timelines but this works well to bring the stories, 'fairy tales' and folklore of the past and into the present.

I started reading and the book drew me into it's pages and I just couldn't let go. Loved the writing, the story and the Irishness of it. It is intriguing but it is so much more. Another great read/book but Evie Woods.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved every page of this book. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you angry and sometimes all within the sme chapter!

3.5 - This was a really unique story set in two timelines in Ireland. The historical time is a man coming to document stories about local "fairies" and the woman who helps him. The modern has a woman running away from her life in America. Both have people in need to healing.

A cosy fantasy, a cute story, one that made me smile and I loved
I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, fascinating world building, and entertaining. . I liked the good storytelling
Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. A proper review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love books about books so the title of this one grabbed me straight away! There was a lot of mystery surrounding the Thornwood House and I liked how the present day and past stories were connected. Anna and Harold's story was my favourite aspect. The way they worked together and learnt from each other was written beautifully. Sarah's story was filled with heartbreak and seeing her recovery and acceptance in the village was touching.

⭐⭐⭐✨

This was a re-read, I still loved it.

This is a fabulous and fantastic story that encompasses mythological and legendary tales from the Good People or Fairy Folk of Ireland. The Story Collector is Harold, who is researching and writing a thesis on the folklore and of the belief people have of the Fairies. He enlists the help of local girl Anna and they travel around her homeland collecting tales and stories, she keeps her own diary of these stories. A hundred years later and the diary is found by Sarah when she makes a spontaneous trip to Ireland, was it spontaneous or was it fate, or maybe it was something more.

This story is such a good mix of things; folklore, myth, legend, love, life and death. The author has created a wonderful story that combines all of theses within a beautifully described area of the world. I love the way I was transported into the community that Anna lived in and walked or cycled along the lanes visiting people and listening to their tales.

I should add that there is a dual timeline to this story. The story of Sarah is one that also struck a chord as she comes to terms with things in her life. As much as I also loved Sarah’s story I have to say Harold and Anna were the characters that really did it for me.

This book is fabulously written and I was able to imagine the various scenes and images from the words. A story of love and loss that has a span of a hundred years so I was transported back and forth across the years as they alternated in their telling.

Yes I loved this book and read it in one sitting as I was captivated and enchanted. A book I would highly recommend to those who love a little romance, a little history and a little folk-lore. Go buy yourself a copy right this moment xx

I loved the lost bookshop by this author and I had high expectations for this one but unfortunately it did not deliver.
The story was very slow and did not grab my attention.
I also wanted more information about the fairy folklore and this was just skimmed over.
The book picked up towards the end but then the book ended very abruptly and unsatisfying.

Absolutely beautiful story full of Irish Fairy folklore and beautifully cozy winter vibes.
I loved Anna's narrative, especially the way Woods bridges the chapters reminding us that it is Sarah reading the journal, this really resonated with me as an avid reader, getting cozy with a book, and reminded how easy it is to escape into the words of someone else. Very cleverly and beautifully done. I especially loved the way both stories ended, there was no big fairytale ending. Just a simple reminder that life moves on.
Evie Woods has a beautiful writing style and does really well bringing historical fiction and modern day together seamlessly, throw in some magic realism, a gentle and beautiful look at grief, community, and finally a sunny/grumpy romance and you've got the perfect book to curl up with on a cold autumn/winter day.

After reading The Lost Bookshop as well I'm really excited to see what's next from Evie Woods!

This is a dual-timeline novel that is filled with history, mystery and magic. It's a bit of a slower read, but has cozy romantic vibes.

I absolutely loved The Lost Bookshops and I was excited to read this book.

This book was really intriguing, I was gripped wanting to know all about the story collector and what happened.

I would love to spend more time in Ireland, my Grandad on my mum's side was born and raised there and he passed away when I was very young. The places are described so well it makes me want to go even more.

I loved learning about the characters and how they connect. The different between the past and the present and looking into the history of Anna is so intriguing.