This dual timeline novel connects present day Sarah to past events in Ireland through a diary. The chapters alternate between past and present, as readers learn about Harold the “story collector.” He plans to write about the Good People of Ireland, gathering his insights through interviews with local folks. In present day Ireland, Sarah becomes fascinated with reading his book and learns more about herself and her art in the process.

It took me awhile to engage with the dual narrative but the story itself was intriguing. Readers who enjoy reading about Ireland and her heritage will enjoy reading the book.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I liked this author's 2023 novel, 'The Lost Bookshop' and was drawn to the cover of this one. Books! 😍 but the Story Collector read more like women's fiction, fantasy-lite, or even romance (although that element felt misplaced), with its fairly unremarkable storyline. That said, I liked the protagonist and her struggles, and the darker fairy tale element. I always enjoy dual timeline stories, although, as usual, I felt one was stronger than the other and I didn't care for the diary as a plot device linking the two. Ireland as a setting is always magical. So overall, a mix for me--a like but not a love!

This book brought to me the excitement of the Irish heritage. Getting to know the people in the villagers. As the main character collected stories from different people, it made me realize we should ask people, especially family, of their stories to share with us. A delightful read.

A heartwarming story told in multiple timelines and of multiple main characters. Wonderful characters and a plot line that has enough mystery to keep you coming back to finish.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Story Collector was a sweet story with a a sprinkling of fairies and magical realism. It is a dual time line story. It moved a little slow for me, but I enjoyed the story.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. The plot sounded intriguing but the execution fell flat for me. I was bored for most of the story.

Synopsis: Sarah is dealing with some difficult life events. She is set to leave Boston and head home to spend the holidays with her family. Instead, after one too many cocktails, Sarah boards a plane and ends up on the west coast of Ireland. She ends up finding accommodations in a small cottage on the property of a local family. In the cottage she finds the journal of Anna from 100 years ago. Anna is assisting a young American scholar in translating Irish fairy folklore into English.

Honestly, the book was just ok. I was intrigued by the Irish Folklore but I didn’t get out of it what I expected. The whole storyline felt vague. The storylines of Anna and Sarah felt like they just ran parallel to each other. It was hard to find the connection in the stories which just made it feel out of sync to me. I didn’t feel any real connection to the characters. It just wasn’t for me.

A delightful (albeit sometimes slow) tale through Irish fairy folktale, sprinkled with love, loss, family loyalty, and small town life.

The Story Collector was a wonderful love letter to Irish folklore that reminded me of The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey. Complete with complex characters and beautiful scenery, this was a splendid read about love and heartbreak. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun book! Sarah finds herself spontaneously in Ireland. There is a parallel story in the book about a young girl from long ago. There’s a touch of magic in the story. I loved the characters in this book!

I was transported to Ireland with this story. The premise of the story was entertaining and interesting, and I enjoyed the mystery within. So many dark secrets within, which kept me guessing. I always love a dual-timeline and the historical aspect was great. I also enjoyed the love story within. Overall, a great read!

Thank you, NetGalley, for and e-ARC of The Story Collector by Evie Woods.
The Story Collector is a cozy mystery with elements of magical realism. The story is predicable yet endearing and will appeal to a variety of readers.

This book was very cute. The romance was enjoyable and the fantasy aspects were fantastical. A good fun time that I would recommend to others.

I received a copy of The Story collector by Evie Woods from HarperCollins and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I’m usually not a fan of magical realism but I really enjoy this novel, and it combines well the everyday and the otherworldly, the Irish people’s belief mythology, fairies, and Celtic folklore. Five stars from me, I learnt some fairies are good and others are bad and I’m keen to read Ms. Woods previous book, The Lost Bookshop. t's a historical fiction novel mainly about Irish beliefs of fairies, and superstitions. In the description it says it's a historical romance. And there's romance in it, but it's not the focus of the book. It would be undermining all the other elements in it. The book is written in a way that it's alternating between past and present, which is a style I love. It's very beautifully and skillfully written in my opinion. I loved the main characters. I loved the different stories integrated into the main stories. This book also has a very magical vibe that's close to movie "The Holiday". That's why I couldn't put it down, it just warmed my heart. I would definitely recommend this book to people who love to travel through time, or to different places and learn about different customs happening somewhere else.

This appears to be a re-release of the book (originally published in 2018) and is a dual timeline (1910 and 2010) taking place in the small village of Thornwood on the west coast of Ireland centering around Anna, a young farm girl and Sarah, a New Yorker trying to find herself following a tragic event and subsequent separation from her husband.

When an intriguing American academic (Harold) shows up on her family’s doorstep, Anna volunteers to assist him in translating local folklore surrounding the Good Folk (fairies) for a book he’s writing. We get lots of fascinating folklore tales, and Harold is eager to perpetuate the art of storytelling to keep Irish traditions alive for the next generation. Following an otherworldly, horrific event/murder in which an innocent person is arrested, Anna and Harold have some difficult and heart wrenching decisions to make concerning their futures.

Sarah “accidently” finds herself in Ireland as she seeks time alone to come to terms with a devastation loss. While there, she discovers Anna’s diary and becomes immersed in her story. She also meets her landlord who is recovering from his own loss and raising a teenaged daughter.

I actually preferred Anna’s story here. It’s filled with intriguing stories, and I found both Anna and Harold very compelling. Sarah’s story did not have the pull for me that Anna’s did. And for me, the endings for both timelines left me a bit disappointed and unsatisfied.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing the free arc of The Story Collector for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

What a cozy, magical story. The dual timeline was super easy to follow and I loved all the Irish folklore. This was my first historical fiction with magical elements and I couldn’t put it down!

This books has great reviews but I just could not get into it. I don’t feel like there was enough character development to keep me interested in the story, or perhaps it just wasn’t my thing.

Absolutely loved the dual timeline, magical setting of the book. The main character was complex and well written. I wish we got to know more of Anne and Harold’s life.

I enjoyed this book. Magical and romantic are the best words to describe this story of love, loss and grief. I liked the dual timelines built around the same magical location through the use of a diary. The characters were well developed and relateable. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a magical story. I loved the different timelines and stories and the sense of Irish magic in the book. This was such a fun and endearing story. I was so enamored with it and the characters journeys.

The Story Collector was a enjoyable book. I really liked the characters and it was well written. I was pulled into the story and lost myself in the lives of the characters. This was a quick read.