The Story Collector is a novel with dual storylines. The novel begins on Christmas Day, 2010, in New York City. Sarah Harper is leaving her husband, Jack. Something tragic has happened between the two, and it has driven them apart. Sarah plans to fly home to Boston. However, while she’s at the airport, she has a bit too much to drink, makes a snap decision with her foggy brain, and finds upon landing, she’s flown to Ireland, not Boston. She gets settled into a cottage and her adventure begins.

She is prone to panic attacks, and her way of coping in NYC was running. Here in the Irish countryside, she copes by talking a walk in the dark, with a bottle as her companion. Events lead her to a deep hollow in a tree, where she finds a box. Once she returns home to her cottage, she finds a diary inside, and that is how the second storyline is introduced. The diary belongs to Anna Butler, and the first entry is on Saint Stephen’s Day (day after Christmas), 1910. The two timelines alternate throughout the novel, healing one broken heart, and breaking another.

At first, I found Sarah Harper a bit irritating, and I think that’s partly because the secret she carries, the one that has driven her and Jack apart, isn’t revealed until later in the novel. Without knowing why Sarah is the way she is, she initially came across, to me anyway, as a self-absorbed, possibly alcoholic, character. Anna, on the other hand, was very much a likable Irish girl, even if her head was too easily turned by the local wealthy landowner’s son. But as the story progressed, I found my opinion of Sarah changing, as she begins to show another side away from those who know her well. In Ireland, she’s free to rewrite her story, the way others see her, and how she sees herself.

Irish folklore is the foundation for this story. Sarah is drawn to Ireland after reading a newspaper story about how locals had forced a major roadway to be built in order to preserve an old hawthorn tree. Hawthorn trees are important to the Irish and fairy stories associated with them. During her visit, she becomes friends with her landlord’s granddaughter, a teenager drawn to the stories of fairies and Irish folklore.

Anna, the 1910 character, is very much a believer in the world of fairies and their ways. After milking the family cow, she lets a drop of milk splash onto the ground for the Good People. So when an American, Harold Griffin-Kraus, shows up at their cottage with two flat bike tires, she finds herself with a job. Harold is a scholar. He’s an anthropology student at Oxford, and for his thesis, he’s traveling Ireland collecting stories to see if the fairy faith is still alive. He needs someone to introduce him to the locals willing to tell him their tales. Harold and the reader are both exposed to the stories of the Good People, tales both good and bad. Anna has her own fairy story, but she is reluctant to tell it to Harold, because she doesn’t trust him with it.

Trust and betrayal are the issues at the core of this novel. Woods does a fantastic job of interweaving the stories of these two women, a hundred years apart.

If Irish folklore, magical realism/fantasy, and/or historical fiction interest you, give The Story Collector a try. I’m glad I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

This is an interesting story. It shifts back and forth between the past and present. Sarah is at the end of her rope. She has left her husband and is heading home. But, instead of heading home, she ends up in Ireland. She just needs some time to herself to get it together. While there, she finds the diary of a young girl named Anna from 100 years ago. As Sarah gets into Anna's story, she finds pieces of herself. A moving story of resilience and love.

I wish I could say I loved this book, but I didn't. There are two stories here, 100 years apart. Sarah, going through a divorce, goes to the airport to fly home to Boston to move in with her sister. But she somehow after already checking in at the airport winds up on a flight to Ireland, because she got plastered out of her mind and somehow talked her way onto an international flight. Seriously? This does not happen. Not even close. And I really hate when stupid things like this are written in a novel. Find another way to get her to Ireland. Also she spends at least half the book getting raging drunk, so my she's a flaming alcoholic vibes were going off. The first half of the book she drinks, A LOT. And then just suddenly stops. I can't see that happening that way. Given how much she drinks, she'd have some serious detox if she went cold turkey. Also, apparently she only has a (small?) carryon bag, so where did her suitcase go? Or did she not have one and only had a small carry on? I'm confused, because she spends weeks in Ireland and apparently has no issue with having a ton of clothes. The whole Sarah storyline simply didn't work for me, and these logical inconsistencies were just a part of it. She just felt too whiny to me. Also, and this may be a little picky, but as someone who crochets, the constant mixing up of knitting and crochet (they are not the same thing!) was really annoying.

However, there is another story here, once that I loved. While out on a walk, Sarah finds a century old diary of a young girl, Anna, who lived in the cottage where Sarah is staying. Sarah reads Anna's diary, and we learn the story of Anna and Harold, a young American scholar who is researching the oral fairy traditions in the Celtic lands. Anna becomes his assistant, and this is the story that I wish was just what the novel was. This part was charming, and had such a wonderful feel of place and character. This is the part that is worth reading this book for.

I didn't particularly like the ending for either Anna or Sarah, but with Anna, I could see her ending being the most reasonable. I did feel however it came too quickly and ended up being a short info dump. I honestly wish Anna's story had been fleshed out more.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of The Story Collector by Evie Woods. I had my ups and downs with this book, but I am so glad I kept on reading. The main characters were very likable. I normally don't enjoy when books flip around from past to present, but this was done tastefully and wove it together seamlessly. My only criticism was I wish the ending included what happened between two people in particular. I recommend reading this book.

I was really interested in reading this story based on the description - I love dual timelines. This one takes place in 1911 and 2011. I was fully engrossed in the 1911 story. Anna was such an engaging character and I couldn't wait for her parts of the book. Sarah's timeline in 2011 was not as strong in my opinion. I just couldn't connect with her at all, and the romance aspect was actually my least favorite part because it just didn't seem likely in the story. I felt like we needed more details, but it was Anna's story that I wanted more of!

I loved the Irish folklore and loved the blurring of the line between fantasy and reality.

Thank you to NetGalley, Evie Woods, and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read in this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was a 3.5 for me. The first half of the book dragged a little too much for my liking, but then the second half was much more interesting. It took me a long time to get used to the multiple POVs, and I do wish that every chapter had the name/date, not just when it changed. Overall the story was an interesting premise!

This story line followed the story line of two characters at different times (one living in 1911 and the other in 2011). Overall four stars, mainly because I could not connect with Sarah Harper as much as I tried. The search and struggle to understand faeries was much appreciated. It kept me on edge and I still see the magic even though I did not get the outcome I was expecting.

Anna - I could not get enough of Anna. She was a diamond in this book. I quickly read through the chapters regarding Sarah so that I could get back to Anna's story. The ending for Anna is not what I had hoped; however, it left me with some happiness. I wish there was more of an ending for Harold, but I am leaving that up to my imagination. As for the fairies, I am still a believer even though a Tinkerbell never appeared.

Sarah - Talk about a hot mess. I tried to connect with this character, I am not sure if I disliked her because I did not think she was as well developed as Anna or because she just seemed to make her own life miserable. A little perturbed she got the happy ending that the readers did not get to experience with Anna.

This was a story about Sarah, an artist struggling to deal with a major loss that led to her marriage's dissolution. En route to her sister's to be with family for the holidays, she travels to Ireland instead. Near her rental cottage, she finds a diary of Anna, who lived there 100 years prior. The remainder of the book is two parallel stories of women confronting their grief.

I didn't love this story. It had good bones, the characters were likable, and Anna's story was compelling. I wanted to love it, but it felt rushed and disconnected. Sarah and Oran falling in love made little sense since they barely interacted. At least with Anne and Harold, they spent a good amount of time together. I wish we could have explored Sarah overcoming her self-destructive habits, like drinking, and how they impacted her marriage after "The Big Bad Thing."

The story was still okay, but it could have been great with better details and attention to critical relationships. It would also have worked well if it had focused solely on Anna. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evie Woods’ The Story Collector is an enchanting journey that seamlessly blends historical intrigue with otherworldly charm. Set between early 20th-century Ireland and contemporary New York, the novel follows Anna’s involvement in translating fairy tales and Sarah’s quest to uncover long-buried secrets. Woods' lyrical prose brings to life a world where the mystical intertwines with the mundane, creating a narrative rich in atmosphere and emotion. The dual timelines and layers of folklore make this book a captivating read that celebrates the magic in everyday life and the power of stories.

Thank you, One More Chapter and NetGalley, for my free e-book for review.

I am forever enthralled by faery lore, and this book beautifully encapsulates stories collected from the residents of a small Irish village.

Evie Woods introduces us to two protagonists whose lives diverge yet intertwine as we delve into their narratives. My favorite is Anna's story, rich with superstitions as she guides a young American man on his quest to uncover the truth about faeries. The villagers' accounts reveal the true nature of these supernatural beings, often steeped in darkness and tragedy. The journal format of Anna's narration adds a refreshing touch that keeps the pace engaging.

As we get to know Sarah, her character elicits an instinctual desire to offer her a comforting hug. Her journey is marked by grief, yet the author skillfully weaves a thread of hope that emerges by the end.

This book is a delightful blend of historical fiction and magical realism, making it a captivating read.

This is my 2nd book of Evie Woods and I really love her style of writing ! Such a charming historical fiction with a dash of magical realism ! I normally don’t gravitate towards tons of historical fiction but when I’m reading from Evie Woods I get so immersed in her world and just can’t put the book down ! I also love the fact that it’s not only 1 journey that she takes us on but 2! 2 different perspectives in 2 different time frames but intertwined beautifully. There are also some slight trigger warnings ! Overall great read ! Highly recommend !

Beautifully fantastic story of healing, finding peace and magic.
Two extraordinary women who carry grief differently find their way in the world, and look for the magic of hope.
Absolutely bewitching. The setting, the myth, and search for truth had me hoping for magic and love throughout it all. Fate brought the Yank and Irish together again in Butler cottage.
I do believe this is my few favorite book

Review posted:
There are stories that bring magic, and then there is "The Story Collector" that paints a vivid land engulfing the reader. From the first page of Sarah & the first entry by Anna, you will be immersed in the magic of Ireland & The Good People.
Even ordinary people have extraordinary stories to tell...
Past and present dance with each other as these women search for freedom from their past and hope for tomorrow. Eloquently written, and heart-wrenching, Evie Woods will have you racing to find the ending.
After all, one should always listen to the whispered wisdom coming from Cnoc na Sí, and take care for the bees.

I have a very good friend that lives in County Clare, so this story was close to my heart. I love the folklore aspect and dual time-lines. I have only recently discovered Evie Woods and I can't wait for her next novel.

The Story Collector is a story told in parallel timelines - one contemporary, and one back in the 1800s.
Sarah, our modern protagonist, is in New York struggling with processing some trauma and has just divorced her spouse. Anna, the 19th century protagonist, is living in a small village in Ireland.

Their timelines end up coinciding and both women find some answers and resolution, although not without some pain and suffering. The storyline of this book is compelling and interesting. I did find some of the writing very 'trope-y' and predictable, although the whole book wasn't like that. It was just a bit uneven.

Regardless, this is a very enjoyable read and includes interesting historical insight as well. Trigger warning for death of family/child and sexual violence.

I appreciate the publisher, Harper 360, and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Evie Woods is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The Story Collector was a sweet story full of Irish folklore, romance and mystery. Thoroughly enjoyed this quirky cozy read.
Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I just adored this story! The combination of history, a bit of romance and a bit of magical realism is enchanting. And since I have ancestors from County Clare, Ireland, I was particularly fascinated. I’ve been to visit Ireland 3 times and now I’m ready to go again!

Do you believe in fairies? This is a story within a story with good characters and plot development.

Unexpectedly lovely and lyrical novel. Ireland, fairies, two timelines -- sign me up. Although it was a little hard to keep all the characters straight at first I loved the way the dual timelines played out. I also liked that there was never a definitive proof one way or another on the existence of fairies.

After reading the intriguing summary, great reviews and loving the wonderful cover, I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn't. In fact, it didn't hold my interest and I came to dread picking it back up. The story is S.L.O.W. and the mention of fairies and magic is very sparse. I couldn't connect with either of the main characters and found their to be more descriptive commentary than substantial content. I slogged through to 47% and then ultimately decided to dnf it.

I truly hate leaving a bad review. Luckily, there are tons of others out there who have fabulous things to say so I know it will find its people.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing story! I could barely put it down for wanting to know what happened in 1911 and 2011. It was incredibly easy to keep up with the stories of the two different times periods.

My heart broke that both characters had experienced such deep losses and that they both worked through them their own way!