Grace learns about her deceased husband Frank and, equally importantly, herself, when she joins Frank's book club which, as it turns out, is silent. But not for long and thanks to Annie, who reaches over to Grace. Yes this is about grief and mental health issues (as well as ADHD) but it's also about how books can help build a village. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I loved this author's book The Memory Library, so I jumped at the chance to get this from NetGalley, and I wasn't disappointed. This is a heartfelt story of grief and healing and what it means to be a community. The story will resonate with anyone who has found solace in a book and a group of friends, and it was very compelling.

The book is filled with emotional depth and delicately handles grief. I especially appreciated the way the character of Grace was written. It's hard for me to read very emotional stories without feeling like the author is trying to manipulate me emotionally. Storey does it with sensitivity and authenticity.

The characters were very charming and diverse. Everyone had their own story to tell and struggles to deal with. The author developed them subtly, and they were very distinct. She made them feel like real people. The changes in Grace, as she deals with her grief and begins to connect with the other members of the club, are very well written.

This is a love letter to the written word, and the author captures the joy that books bring and their ability to bring people together beautifully. Even though many of the topics are sad, I found the book uplifting in many ways and felt hopeful after reading it. Kate Storey has created a beautiful story that is sure to touch the hearts of many readers.

A book about books ; what’s not to love for a keen reader?!
I loved this book so much.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

A book that shows the power of reading for individuals and how the camaraderie from a group of individuals can help people heal and move on with their lives. There is the undercurrent of how ADHD affects individuals and the difficulties it brings with it along with the positives

The Forgotten Book Club features a recent widow, Grace , who has been oblivious to the goings on around her until she is pushed to join a book club, the one her late husband, Frank, used to run. When she decides to finally look at Frank’s personal library and notes, what she discovers is perhaps the greatest gift.

This is a charming and uplifting story of found family, second chances and the healing power of books. The writing is warm and inviting, and at times it felt like I sitting in the cozy bookshop, turning the pages of an old favorite. There are many books mentioned in the story and I’ve actually read many of them.

I will say, there is a bit of a heavy focus on ADHD here and I found it a bit too much and it overpowers the main message I think. So for this reason, it didn’t resonate with me as much as The Memory Story. 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Harper Collins for the ARC

I loved this book - a 5 star rating from me.

Grace is struggling following the sudden death of Frank, her book lover husband. Her daughter and grandson worried about her well-being suggest she joins the silent book club he helped to set up at their local independent bookshop.

Here she meets a group of disparate characters who take her in and become her friends. Here she finds acceptance, support and is able to rebuild her life so much so that she wants to give back. She plans to carry out two tasks Frank set himself - to raise awareness of ADHD - a condition he, his daughter and grandson shared and to expand the book club to benefit others.

A lovely heartwarming book - full of hope and love.

One to be recommended.

What a delightful gem of a book. Every so often a nov comes around and you meet a cast of characters that you wish you could be a part of in your own life. Story has done a brilliant job of creating characters that you root for, feel for and want to be friends with, in this charming story of grief, love, and books. I am always drawn to books about books and the love of books. Storey does that by naming specific titles but also allowing readers to understand the love of these books from the characters. Storey does an excellent job of description of location and the coziness of the story as a whole. What starts as a grief stricken widow who has lost her husband but turns to a group of characters who become her family. It was a gem of a book to read.

A book about books. Yeh, I'm in! This was a snuggly read.
Grave is dealing with such huge grief and loss. She's struggling. Her late husband, a book lover had a book club. So why not give it a go? But on arrival she realises to her shock and horror that it is a "silent one". No this doesn't fit well. She came for company not more silence and feeling more alone.
But persuaded to give it a chance is the best decision she could have taken. Becuase the group she meets,learns about are a fantastic bunch. They all have their own book choices and all their own uniqueness. But amongst them she finally finds what she'd been hoping for.
A sense of belonging,support and care might just be her own tale of healing and growth.
A soft and tender book full of books. Brilliant.

this is a heartfelt story about human connection, community, and self-discovery. At its core, the novel explores themes of friendship, overcoming loneliness, processing grief, and raising awareness about ADHD. The book club at the heart of the story is unlike any other—offering not just a love for books but a space for healing, purpose, and support.

Grace, the protagonist, struggles with grief after losing her husband, Frank. Though never a big reader herself, she finds solace in the book club he loved so much. Initially unsure of its unconventional format, she gradually embraces its unique approach and discovers the impact Frank had on others. As she learns more about his passion, she finds new purpose in continuing his legacy—expanding the club’s reach and incorporating ADHD awareness.

With beautiful reflections on friendship, literature, and mental health, this novel is a touching journey of healing and personal growth.

The Forgotten Book Club was an enjoyable enough read, but it hasn't really stayed with me as much as I thought it might. Kate Storey's writing was engaging and the plot was well-handled (although I still want to know what Lee's job is), but I found I couldn't care deeply about any of the characters, well-drawn as they were.

Great characters good storyline. Hooked from the first chapter. Thanks for letting me review. Would continue the series

“The Forgotten Book Club” is a delightful and emotive read. The book has a strong sense of belonging and community which rings out loudly through the pages. Reading it was life affirming and comforting for me.

Grace is recently bereaved and struggling to go out and even consider socialising. Her late husband, Frank, a book lover, was more outgoing and had set up a popular book club in a local bookshop. Grace is persuaded by her family to go to the book club and is horrified to discover it is a “silent” book club where everyone reads their own choice of book. She attempts joining in but hates the silence, feeling more alone and judged than anything and doesn’t wish to stay. What she doesn’t count on is the kindness and warmth of her husband’s chosen family. A ragtag bunch of readers all with hearts of gold who help her understand the silent book club concept, and that the social chat can be at the beginning not end and she can leave before the reading part if she feels uncomfortable.

Encouraged slightly, Grace tries again. She discovers how important Frank was to all the members. She slowly begins to feel comforted and enjoys attending the club. In the meantime, she also discovers Frank’s book journals which open her heart to changes in her as she hears his voice again through his notes.

In essence “The Forgotten Book Club” is all about overcoming grief and adversity. The love of family and friends and finding true belonging.

Each character is written in an understanding way some colourful characters some appearing more mundane but each with their own struggles very real, lovable and important to those that know them. The members of the book club are from different walks of life, a diverse bunch of readers that I enjoyed getting to know.

Throughout the text different books are described including what they meant to each reader. It not only warmed me to each character but added to my own book wish list. The genres chosen Frank and the book club members are as varied as the people themselves illustrating that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover or content. A love of books of every kind with no snobbery or judgement is made clear as each member tells us more about their own choices and a glimpse into their own stories.

Such an emotional read and so well written. I loved the storyline and the well developed characters. Very enjoyable

This was a ‘nice’ book. There was nothing particularly challenging about it but nothing to not like either. Grace is a widow who is really struggling with her loss and she is persuaded to attend the book club set up by her late husband. As she comes back to life she learns a great deal about her family and herself.

When grief hits hard there's always that longing to find that connection to the one you have lost. When Frank died Grace made it her mission to understand his life and his love of reading. A lovely story of jew friendships and understanding. The author taps into the mental health struggles of family and friends and makes it her aim to help those around her.

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Kate Storey has the most beautiful way of writing conflict, heartbreak, healing, and inclusion. This story is a 10 out of 10 for me. As I read this book, I relived the death of my father and how my sisters and I attempted to get my mother back into society, and how difficult it was to watch her grieve. Also, being the mother of a child that has been diagnosed with ADHD without hyperactivity, I felt a lot like Gracie. I did not want him to be dependent on the meds that the doctor had given him. However, watching him blossom with a little assistance has been such a joy.

Kate has an amazing finesse with words that I do not believe I have seen before. The way her characters come to life and her attention to detail regarding each scene are absolute music.

Kate will always be an auto purchase for me!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon Books UK | Avon, and Kate Storey for this beautiful ARC.

The storyline had me hooked from start to finish. A lovely story written so well covering many issues in an informative way along with great characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

There is a quote that says, "reading for pleasure is one of life's great joys", and I do believe that. I have always been knows as an introvert, and many people don't understand introverts, but I found friends here that understood. This was a story about grief, and Grace realizing after her husband passed away, she was feeling lonely, and isolated from everyone. She also discovered after going to the book club that her husband started, but she never went to, it was hard to get back into life after staying at home for a year.
I learned a lot from this story, and many times I felt this book was written for me to read, so I can understand things. Since the pandemic, I think loneliness and isolation is still here, and I highly recommend this story. There was another part in the story, that after they started the book club, that you don't feel lonely, when you are reading books, that you connect to, that you understand them, and they understand me, and you can feel the hugs coming through the book. This was one of those books and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC from Avon through NetGalley. It will be a book I will always keep and never forget.

This is a lovely book about loss, grief, family and the power of friendship. I was a little worried when I started to read about the grandson having ADHD, as my son has a diagnosis since he was seven, and I get cross when it is misrepresented. However, it is dealt with really well and would be informative for people who do not understand the condition. I love the idea of a silent book club, where you can all read whatever book you like. If there was one near me, I would definitely be there.

This is a book that I wouldn’t typically read but something about the title intrigued me to want to give it a go. I gave this book a solid 4 stars as it was beautifully written and touched on common themes of grief, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. There were times I felt the mention of ADHD was a bit strong and over focused on however the book did its job of getting readers to understand what ADHD is and how people diagnosed with it cope. I enjoyed the story and was captivated from the very beginning!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this story! It’s one I will remember.