If there is a book with the word "book" in the title, chances are great that I am going to read it. The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey was such a good book.

What a beautiful read. I absolutely,loved Grace's story it takes her a year for her to find the courage to enter her late husband Frank's library and she learns about his love of his book club which he started and how it had lost lots of members since his passing and when her beloved grandson asks to go along she reluctantly agrees but things don't go well and she quickly leaves.but when a member Annie befriends her things start to get better and she is determined to try and make sure Frank and the book club are not forgotten. A lovely story for anyone who loves books full of joy with really interesting characters and beautifully written a real gem

A thought provoking story about Grace who is grieving after her husband passes away. Grace is trying to prove to her daughter and grandson that she's fine by being out walking the streets when they call to visit her, in reality Grace is not fine but very sad and lonely.
Her grandson encourages her to visit the book club in a local bookstore which was set up by her husband. Grace is reluctant at first but then gives it a try but is surprised and horrified that they are expected to sit and read in silence and silence is the last thing Grace needs.
I enjoyed this story and how everyone gets together to help the book club and support each other. Lots of mentions about ADHD which I know very little about so an informative story as well.
Good read.

A year on from her beloved husband, Frank's, death and Grace is still struggling with her loss. Her grandson Jude,suggests she joins the bookclub that Frank founded with local bookshop owner. Grace has never really been a reader, and especially not one as avid as Frank was, but decides to go to please Jude. She's surprised to find that everyone is reading a different book to each other and that most of the session is spent in silence. She learns from the others this is what Frank wanted. On finding his journal she learns more about her husband than he had told her, his worries and anxieties laid bare within the cover.
To fulfill his final wishes Grace enlists the help of the members to make the club bigger and more inclusive. In doing this she realises that there is a life after grief.
Reading has always been my thing, I can get lost in a good book. The characters can feel like friends as you go through lifes ups and downs with them, this novel is no exception. Books and reading have an impact on our lives without us even realising. This novel has stayed with me long after i finished it.

I absolutely loved this book from the first word. The characters were so real. The way the author describes their quirks and foibles helps make them so. Grief and neuro diversity in the form of ADHD are two main topics of the book. Both are dealt with with knowledge and sensitivity. The idea of a silent book club where everyone can read a different book is just brilliant. My main bugbear with book clubs is I don't like half the books they make you read. The ending of the book was perfect. I was in floods of tears. A really wonderful read everyone should try.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

Grace is still grieving her husband Frank who died 18 months ago from a heart attack. He was a total bookworm and had founded a book club he tried to take Grace to but she always resisted. Her daughter Rosie and her husband Paz plus grandson Jude are worried about her isolation and make her promise to attend the book club just once.

When she reluctantly makes the journey, she discovers it's a silent book club - the members don't discuss a set book but all read whatever they like while they are there. Grace doesn't see a point in this, but slowly she is won over by the motley crew that attends fortnightly. However, the book club is not very well attended. After finding one of Frank's old journals, Grace makes the decision to change that and at the same time raise awareness of ADHD which seems to run in the family.

God, I loved this book. Oftentimes when you get a book that takes place in a book-filled environment like a bookshop or library, the books are just in the background. This novel is all about reading. It mentions lots of great books that I have read (both books Crash gave Grace are excellent) and gives recommendations on many more. I believe even one of the author's own is mentioned! It shows how books are for everyone - they give us access to different worlds but also connect us to others who love to read, and they can educate, entertain or soothe us.

Personally, I've never liked the idea of a traditional book club. I don't have the time to discuss a book with other people but I love the idea of a silent book club where you take the time to read without interruption by your telephone (I can lose hours on social media), but you're not on your own while doing so. It feels like quiet gardening, but in company. I read quite a few different genres, ranging from romance to historical to cosy and other crime and psychological thrillers. To see those genres honoured and find a man reading romance is giving me life.

The second topic is mental health, especially ADHD and anxiety and depression. It covers all the prejudices people have about conditions that people are increasingly being diagnosed with, but the warped ideas about just getting on with it and harmful medications as initially displayed by Grace about her grandson Jude are thankfully no longer common and the stigma of mental illness is receding. There is still work to be done though and this book is contributing with lots of info on the condition. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the author knew people with ADHD or had it herself.

I loved all the characters and their challenges, from grieving widow Grace to rock chick turned bookshop owner Crash to posh Harry and his cat Earnest, to kind but troubled Annie and fact-loving Lee who takes a bit of getting used to. Grace's family are wonderful and loving too and I was very happy for Jude who got so much support. It's rare I want to be in a book I read but I really wanted to be a member of this book club and be friends with these lovely people who rally around you when you need help.

I love older characters and this is such an intelligent book. It's a romance, a love declaration for books and a manual on grief and mental health. It's also a warmhearted book about community and found family, about shared passions and new beginnings, and it manages to be light-hearted, inspiring and hopeful without compromising on emotional depth. I had tears in my eyes at the end. What a rare treat, with a gorgeous cover. My heart is full. Thank you.

#DesertIslandReads
#ReadWithEarnest
#TheSilentBookClub

Grace's husband Frank was an avid reader, Grace not so much. When he passes away, their grandson Jude persuades Grace to visit the book club Frank set up. Here Grace finds friendship and reconnects to Frank in a way she didn't think possible. A lovely story about not judging a book by it's cover and accepting the hand of friendship.

I loved the way the book club ran in this story - everyone silent reading was a fabulous idea (where can I find a club like this?!) The mix of characters was great too, from the confident to those needing help. I particularly like Annie and Jude, and of course the travelling cat Earnest! The reference to other literature throughout was also great to read.

The amount of references to ADHD was a little overwhelming and felt a bit preachy at times, although it was clear that it was Grace working through her own thoughts and feelings.

A lovely read.

Grace's husband of maybe years, Frank, passed away suddenly more than a year ago and she really hasn't moved on. She's started taking long walks so her daughter thinks she's found a social life.

The truth comes out and her grandson convinces her to try attending the book club Frank had started. She shows up and discovers that it's a silent book club. How odd! She slowly changes her mind and finds new friends in this wonderful group.

I was drawn into Grace’s story from the very few pages. Her isolation from everyone but her family since being widowed was poignant and palpable, her determination not to be a burden to them the force which would drive her to change.
Her late husband Frank had been an avid reader and Grace stumbles into joining his book club – a silent one, not what she had expected at all – and once which initially left her feeling even more lonely. But encouraged by her grandson and by the friendliness of Annie, a book club member, she perseveres. And once she discovers Frank’s reading journal has unfinished business too.
As well as grief, and friendship, the book explores themes of mental health, something which sadly isn’t brought out in the blurb, and gives the supporting characters’ journeys real depth.

I have a soft spot for books about books and anything that shows humanity within the struggle for mental health. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Kate Storey's last novel <i>The Memory Library</i>. So it was a pleasure to get the opportunity to read an ARC of this one.

Grace is floundering after the death of Frank her husband of forty-six years. She knows she needs to stop isolating and work on joining the world again but finds it easier said than done. Especially, given that she's an introvert. Her grandson suggests a visit to the book club that meant so much to Frank. Grace agrees despite not being much of a reader. She attends expecting a normal book club format, but Frank's book club is anything but. Each member of the club faces unique challenges, and the sense of community and acceptance was uplifting.

I have a heartfelt appreciation for mental health rep in novels because many lives and much quality of life has been sacrificed due to stigma. However, a little subtlety would have gone a long way in this case. The impact was watered down because the approach was heavy handed. Perhaps more showing through characterization and less telling through info dumps would've been more effective.

Otherwise, this is a lovely novel about the importance of connection and glorious books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon UK for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

This book had me crying from the very beginnig.
Was an extremely moving read about losing a loved one and navigating the works without him. Instantly I thought of friends who this book would help. This book was extremely moving , emotional! And I shed lots of tears!

The Forgotten Book Club focuses on Grace after her husband, Frank, passes away and she has to find a way to navigate the grief she's feeling. She's also realizing how much of her recent life was centered around him. At the suggestion of her daughter and grandson, she reluctantly joins the unusual book club he created and finds a second family and a way to make sure her husband's legacy lives on.

Honestly, this story has me written all over it. I happen to love stories about grief and older people trying to move on when the partner they've spent almost their entire life with passes on. I also LOVE books about books. There's some great neurodivergent representation in this book as well. Some of it was a bit cliche but I can forgive that.

Overall, this is a really sweet story with some fun and relatable characters. It made me laugh and of course, it made me cry.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and Avon for providing me with an advanced copy of this book! :)

They always say never judge a book by its cover but how about judging a reader by its books..

When Grace's husband dies she is griefstricken. She decides to attend his book club and while learning the books he read she uncovers things about him..did she really know him at all?


I adored this book.. it is warm and sad but also uplifting and insightful

The characters are lovable and the story flowed beautifully

I loved it

I Ioved all of Kate’s other books so I had high expectations of this one. It did not disappoint!

As an avid book reader I really resonated with the characters feelings around books and what they mean to them. I now want to join a silent book club and sat for ages thinking what my Desert Island Reads would be.

The book also represented mental health, grief and ADHD beautifully. I have ADHD and the experiences of Frank and Jude really resonated with me.

If you’re looking for an emotional, heart warming and inspiring read then this is for you. Books have been my best friends for a long time and this was like a love letter to them

Grace feels lonely after the death of her husband. She decides to join the book club that her husband started many years ago.
She meets some new friends there and discovers the joy in reading books again.
A story about friendship and new beginnings.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Forgotten Book Club is a story about human connection: the importance of community, finding friendships, overcoming loneliness, helping each other through various life stages and disruptions, and expressing and processing grief in a positive way. But this novel is also about mental health. It focuses quite heavily on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Through the characters’ discussions, we hear about the public perceptions and misinformation about the condition. Plus the struggles of those who have it. They often suffer from self-imposed limitations and lack of confidence. And sometimes the feeling it is unfair to have a romantic relationship with a person who does not have ADHD due to the challenges of the disorder. These are just a few of the areas covered on this topic that take precedence.

But as the title states, a book club is the vehicle that carries all the concerns presented in The Forgotten Book Club. Here in this book community with its inviting cosy setting, major plot things happen. Any story that focuses on books, bookstores or writers, always grabs my attention and gets me inside the front cover! And this one has a unique book club that offers its members more than just books. It is here where friendships are forged and worthwhile projects are born. Without knowing much about this special book club, our main character Grace supported her husband’s interest in it. Even though she wasn’t a big reader, she knew Frank drew great joy from his activities in this friendly setting. Later she discovers how much he has contributed to others’ lives in this group setting. While she learns about his passion, her heart starts beating with new purpose and meaning.

After Frank dies, Grace struggles with the grief of her loss. Finding herself alone (and lonely) she is not quite sure how to go forward without him. So she turns to his interests—in hopes it will make her feel closer to him in his absence. Prompted by her grandson, she appears at Frank’s favourite Book club. But she does not tell anyone who she is at first. Her first encounter is a confusing one. For this book club operates very differently from what she expects a book club to be. Isn’t it a place where its members pick out a book, read together and then meet to discuss the pros, cons, merits and magic (or lack of) of their selection? Not this one! It runs on silence but that is all I will say! As Grace slowly gets to know the people and system her husband created, she sees its value and wants to add even more to what he has left behind.

There are some lovely wise lines in the novel such as ‘good friendships share life’s load between them.’ How true! Other discussions include the importance of libraries and authors’ payments from books that are loaned. And when Grace decides to help out and expand the book club into other areas to reach more people, then the plan of fund raising begins. Plus she weaves her interest of ADHD awareness into the book club activities to help those like her husband and grandson.

This novel is a lot about what it is like to be human and sharing the earth with others who may be different from you. Everyone is doing their best to live, learn, love and survive. I liked many aspects of the novel. Although The Forgotten Book Club was different from the author’s previous book, the delightful topic of books is shared! I enjoyed the mentions and thoughts on various fiction titles, the uniqueness of the book club and why it was started. I also loved Frank’s beautiful journal entries that really helped Grace move forward. Other intriguing characters and their various interactions kept the plot hurdling along. The mental health topic, though, is quite dominant which some readers may find overwhelming. But give the story a go as there are some touching moments, amazing truths and uplifting discoveries to behold. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

A very moving read about losing a loved one and trying to make sense of the world around you. A woman grieves her husband and through what he read and what books he had allows her to get to know him in a way she never did. Books bring healing and warmth and this story shows just what books can do and what their power is. Moving and emotional!

Grieving over the death of her beloved husband Frank, Grace resolves to move forward. Joining the book club frank used to attend opens up a circle of support and friends.
Not a traditional book club but important even essential in some of the members lives.
Finding Frank's reading journal opens Grace to a different path. Promoting the new style book club and neuro Diversity sets up a new interest.
A heart warming story about books, joy, friendship, love and perception.
It will touch your heart in many ways as you get to know the characters and their lives

One of my books of 2025. Brilliant and sad. Grace had lost her husband and it is her story of rebuilding her life with books and people. I think I like the idea of a silent book club. The journalist was terrible. The bookshop building was lovely. Lots of amazing characters. I really loved it , kept you gripped . Did not want it to finish. Read it .

For the most part, this was a thoughtfully written book. It centers around a book club, a silent book club. Members get together, chat a bit and then they read a book of their choosing, silently for one hour. Discussions abound afterwards. Grace is drawn to this book club as she is a lonely widow, whose late husband actually started it. Friendships, new horizons, confidences, interesting topics and book suggestions ensue for Grace. All in all, a new lease on life for her. The pounding of ADHD, neurodivergence and so much discussion about this condition, in my opinion, was over done. Was the author spearheading awareness? It came across that way to me. I thought I was being treated as a student learning about ADHD, rather than being entertained. Thank you NetGalley and Avon Publishing for granting this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, Goodreads, #TheForgottenBookClub, #Avon.