The Story Collectory, loved the time travel the relationships we so wonderful. Dairy entries were nice but should have been more in a diary format instead of just writing them out. The magical realism of the castle and land was a nice touch after just visiting Ireland.

Originally published in 2018, this new edition uses Gaughan's new pseudonym (Evie Woods). The Story Collector is set in Ireland, where the setting is as important as the characters in moving the plot.

In this case, Gaughan, a native of Galway, gives a clear and loving description of a small community located not too far from Shannon. Even in the deep winter, a time of year that matches Sarah's mood, she is drawn to the stillness and beauty of the countryside. Anna is running. Running from a failed marriage, from a judgmental family, and from an abandoned career as an artist. By chance, she discovers a hidden diary from 1910. From this turning point, dual timelines occur.

In 1910, Anna, an Irish farm girl, becomes an assistant to Harold Griffin-Krauss. Griffin-Krauss is modeled on other literary anthropologists who were studying culture via myth and legend. Together, they move from researcher/assistant to comrades and finally to star-crossed lovers. In the present, Anna is also finding her way back to her true self. She is helped by Owen. Both are grieving, Anna who has lost her way, and Owen who is a recent widower.

Magic realism completes the novel. In a country known for a rich and beloved folklore, there are really no coincidences. Things and people happen in a matter-of-fact, albeit possibly magical way.
This leaves this reader feeling a sense of wonder and a desire to sample Irish life.
Recommended for book clubs, readers of all ages.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a beautiful, heartwarming tale that masterfully intertwines history, mystery, and a touch of magic. From the first page, I was captivated by the protagonist’s journey, exploring the power of stories, memories, and the importance of understanding our past. The writing is lyrical, the characters are richly drawn, and the plot unfolds with just the right balance of suspense and warmth. Woods has a gift for creating atmospheres that feel both nostalgic and otherworldly, making it easy to get lost in the pages. This book is a gem for anyone who loves books that celebrate the magic of storytelling. Highly recommend!

This is a captivating blend of historical fiction and magical realism,
It’s set in the enchanting backdrop of Ireland.
The novel intertwines the lives of two women separated by a century: Anna, a young farm girl in the early 1900s, and Sarah, a modern-day New Yorker. Anna becomes involved in translating Irish fairy tales for an American visitor, only to find herself entangled in a mystery that threatens her way of life. Meanwhile, Sarah travels to Ireland, uncovering dark secrets that blur the lines between reality and folklore.

"The Story Collector" is a dual-timeline story about grief, love and Irish folklore.

In the present day, Anna is feeling lost and alone as she seeks to overcome the death of her unborn child. And the loss is one that has served as a wedge in her marriage, since neither she nor her husband know how to talk about their grief. Upon deciding to go their separate ways, Anna escapes to Ireland on a whim, but whether that's to drink herself to death or find some answers, she's really not certain.

And in 1911, a young farm girl, Abby, is trying to navigate growing up. She has had a crush on the lord of the manor for years, but as he finally starts to notice her, she begins to wonder if he's really who she always thought he was.

As both women seek to understand the role The Good People play in their lives, they each learn to heal from losses that they've had a hard time letting go of. And as they each grow into who they were meant to be, they change the lives of those around them as well.

This is a heartwarming story of love and loss, followed by newfound love and purpose.

Thank you to Evie Woods, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

THE STORY COLLECTOR by Evie Woods

This story follows two women, Sarah and Anna, a hundred years apart (2011 and 1911), who are connected through a long lost (now found) diary.

I really liked the Irish folklore and superstitions described throughout the book. I found it all to be fascinating. It reminded me of the tales my family would share about our Filipino culture’s superstitions and mythical creatures.

Sometimes mysteries with a romance subplot make me roll my eyes, but this one didn’t. It did make me want to jet off to Ireland and learn more about “the good people” and fae folk.

Note: I chose to listen to the audio book in tandem and Heather O’Sullivan’s Irish accent was lovely. Also enjoyed hearing the correct pronunciation of Irish/Gaelic words as I definitely would have butchered them.


Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & HarperCollins360

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect out of this book - and honestly, I was neither impressed nor disappointed. I didn’t find myself rushing to read this or picking it up because I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.

At times it felt confusing, with all of the fairy background and information, and other times I really liked the characters! I felt the second half went much quicker than the first, but I just didn’t love it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Sarah is fresh off a divorce and headed to her sisters house in Boston. She gets drunk at the airport and instead heads to Ireland. Sarah finds a diary written by Annie 100 years before that she begins to read and these two stories begin to weave back and forth. This was not my favorite choice three stars

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery. It’s different than any other book I have read and I really appreciated that

A heartwarming and nostalgic read about the power of stories and the importance of family. Solomon's writing is as comforting as a warm blanket, and the characters are endearing and relatable. The book celebrates the power of stories to shape lives and inspire hope. Ideal for book lovers who appreciate metafiction and the magic of narrative, this is a tribute to the art of storytelling.

This was a great, easy read. It was a great mix of fairies and folklore, some historical fiction, and a mystery and little romance.

I was intrigued when I first read about this, excited when I got the arc, thrilled to have it as an audiobook option on Everand, and then fairly bored by the whole thing. What sounded like an enchanted escape to a fairy filled Irish landscape fell flat in the dual timeline, character development, and overall lack of magic.

Sarah is in a funk and flies to Ireland where she meets some lovely people. She uncovers a diary from 100 years ago in which a local farm girl named Anna writes of her time meeting an American fellow she helps translate fairy stories for as part of his research. As the two periods come to life there just wasn’t enough detail or plot to keep me interested and her diary didn’t work as the source of intel as the characters spoke in dialogue and would have been better to just shift time periods.

Charmingly told romantic story. Enjoyed this one quite literally as the calm DURING the storm Helene!

The Story Collector is a novel about a young woman who in the midst of a divorce has lost herself and decides to spontaneously get on a plane to Ireland after reading a story about a Hawthorne tree being cut down, which has caused an outcry in the town. The reason is that the village believes that the tree is tied to the fairy world and removing it brings bad luck. She stumbles across a diary of a young girl who helped an American collect stories of the villagers interactions with the fairies in the early 1900s.

The story is beautifully written about women across decades finding parts of themselves, one in a society that is much less open to it. It also is a bit of a love story to the small town, where people care and look after one another. Beautiful story but I had a hard time keeping track of who is who given the number of characters introduced in each of the stories. I picked up and put this one down a few times before I finally got through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An Irish love story told through the eyes of two different time lines (one being a diary excerpt that reads like a novel). It was sad and hopeful and scary and all the things you would expect for an Irish telling of the wee folk. Loved this book.

"The Story Collector" by Evie Woods is a beautifully crafted tale that celebrates the power of storytelling and the connections it fosters. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable, drawing readers into her world. Woods’ lyrical writing and vivid imagery create an immersive reading experience that captures the imagination. The intertwining of personal stories adds depth and richness, making each character’s arc feel meaningful. Overall, this novel is a heartfelt tribute to the stories that shape us and the bonds they create.

This was a nice story that I enjoyed. The Irish folklore was really enjoyable. This was a really pleasant novel that I would recommend! Special Thank You to Evie Gaughan,Harper 360 Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another charming story from Evie Gaughan where Ireland’s myths and folklore are blended into relatable characters lives. This book takes you in a journey but also contains elements that feel quite cozy and comforting.

*The Story Collector* by Evie Woods is a captivating novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the power of storytelling. The narrative centers on a woman named Eve who discovers a diary that contains a story more compelling than her own troubles. The author again does a great job blending the present day with a historical narrative in a meaningful way. Woods excels in creating a sense of mystery and emotional depth, making the novel both a compelling read and a poignant reflection on the impact of stories in shaping our identities and connections.

It's Christmas Eve, Sarah is supposed to be heading to her sister's house. in Boston. After her marriage ends, she needs a change. After a chance encounter at the airport, she find herself on a flight to Ireland instead. When she gets there, she rents a little cottage and decides to make the best of her time there. She finds the 100-year old diary of a girl named Anna. Anna was a farm girl who found herself helping an American scholar named Harold, to document stories of fairies in the region. However, a mysterious encounter puts Anna and Harold in a dire situtation. Sarah finds herself engrossed in the diary, and along the way makes some discoveries and friendships in the small Irish town.

This book was absolutely precious. I love the elements of folklore and magical realism. I love the duel stories of Anna and Sarah, one past and one present. This book feels like the perfect cozy fall read. It really captures the mystery and magic of the small Irish town. I loved this book and definitely recommend it! Thank you to Netgalley, Harper360, and especially Evie Wood for the opportunity to read this book!