This was a very warm-hearted read primarily about Grace who is still deeply grieving her husband one year after his sudden death and is encouraged to go to his book club to try to socialise more. The members are all very unique characters who over time reveal their own individual talents but the format of the book club with an element of silent reading is initially too much for Grace. Annie is a long term book club who has had her own struggles recently while Grace’s interest in her husbands book collection leads her to make a discovery that forces her to rethink if she knew her husband. Although the story is based around the book club and efforts to increase it’s members the real storylines are about ADHD, anxiety and depression so there’s some strong and relevant subjects within this too which are all given a decent amount of pages rather than just being touched on which made it a different read to what I’d anticipated but certainly not in a bad way. This is a thoughtful read but with laughs and plenty of uplifting moments too.

3.5 ⭐

I absolutely loved The Memory Library and was looking forward to another bookish read!

When Grace’s husband, Frank, dies after 46 years of marriage, she joins his book club as a way to work through her grief. Shocked that it’s ‘Frank’s Silent Book Club’, believing that it isn’t what she needs when she’s so isolated, and realizing that she needs to mix and communicate with others, she decides not to return.

In reading through his books and book reviews in his personal library, Grace learns more about Frank than in their decades of marriage. Furthermore, she discovers that he’d never want her to feel isolated or alone…so she heads back to the book club. It’s the best gift Frank could have left the grieving 70-year-old!

I’ll admit to being overwhelmed and frustrated with the constant reminders of ADHD throughout the book.

My takeaway: Look for opportunities to share the load.

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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!

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

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

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! :)

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