I liked aspects of this book (the fairy story connections, the dark fairytale versions particularly) and the lead character was appealing in her struggles with life. I do think the romance felt a bit forced, and the trauma the lead character finally deals with could be quite triggering for young women (it was hard to read). I adored her previous book The Lost Bookshop, and while it had some very serious issues in it as well, it seemed to have more magic and spots of light that I appreciated a bit more

Thank you Evie Woods and One More Chapter for a #gifted copy.

This was an interesting dual timeline book. Magic realism? A little romance? Drama? All included.

I appreciated the overall story and found the inclusion of the fairy stories fascinating. I think that the author did a great job including it in the story. In both timelines.

It did take me a while to really get invested in the story, though. But once I was hooked, I couldn’t stop reading. It was tough to put down!

Overall, it was a fun, magical realism novel! Definitely enjoyed it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from Evie Woods and One More Chapter through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

On the way to visit her parents Sarah makes a last minute decision to fly to Ireland instead. Trying to escape her life for a bit she discovers a diary written 100 years ago by Anna who is helping an American scholar collect stories about fairies. I liked the alternating stormy lines. I liked the stories of folklore in a small town mixed with bigger issues such as dealing with grief. The was a quick read with some interesting characters.

Synopsis: Sarah flies to Ireland and uncovers a mysterious story about Anna, and Irish woman who lived 100 years before.

Thoughts: oof. This was not great. It dragged and I couldn’t even force myself to finish. The first book that I’ve ever DNF. Something about the writing style and the characters didn’t feel developed enough. I had zero attachment to any character.

Thank you to Evie Woods, Harper360 and NetGalley for the copy.

This book was mysterious, magical and exactly what I was hoping for! Sarah and Anna were each such a relatable characters in many different ways.

I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect and felt the jump between time periods was well done and not confusing as I’ve experienced in other books.

This book makes me interested to visit Ireland and learn more about the Irish folklore!

The Story Collector is a captivating story that draws on the unique fantasy life that is part of Irish culture. Sarah Harper doesn't realize she is looking for an escape when she spontaneously boards a plane for Ireland instead of one to visit her sister at Christmas. Little does she know the decision will transform her life as she lands in an Irish village where the past and the present collide. Thus begins a tale of self-discovery and healing that draws on the rich, magical lore that dominates Irish life to this day. The format of the book successfully alternates between the present and the past, and the characters in each era are wonderfully developed. A quote from Roald Dahl is rightly used to sum up the fine line that divides reality and magic: "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a galley proof to read.

Evie Woods is a masterful storyteller.

This historical fiction tale features the folklore of fairies in Ireland. Told through the past and present, we learn how the events from long ago come alive when a long-lost diary is found in the hollow of a tree.

I was transported to the lush landscape of Ireland and its history of superstitions for a historical mystery with a bit romance.

Can't wait for what Woods writes next!

Thank you, Harper 360 | Harper360

The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a charming tale woven with an undeniable magic. This story crosses the boundaries of time to bring together the lives of Anna Butler and Sarah Harper, two women separated by a century, but connected by their grief, hope, and a shared fascination of The Good People.

Following a tragic loss, Sarah is at her breaking point. Guided by a ceramic sheep and a mysterious newspaper article telling of the magical Thornwood Tree, she boards a plane headed for the Western coast of Ireland. Fleeing her grief and an estranged husband, she finds peace in the simple walls and warmth of Butler's cottage. It is there that she discovers the diary of Anna Butler, nestled in the roots of an ancient tree.

Anna lives in a simple cottage with her parents and brothers. In her diary, she tells of her adventures as assistant to the handsome American visitor, Harold Griffin-Kraus. Harold has made magic his mission as he translates fairy tales from their original Irish to English. Serving as interpreter between Harold and the villagers, Anna listens as her friends and neighbors tell of encounters with The Good People and the magic of the Underworld. Anna's own encounters with the fairies and the dark magic that dwells within Thornwood Hall change her life, and force her to question what she believes.

Through Anna's words and encounters with the locals, Sarah feels her grief begin to heal. With renewed hope and the promise of love, she finds a home in her new surroundings. Lead by the stories around her and a growing fascination with the mythical tales of Ireland, Sarah seeks the end of Anna's story. As the echoes of the past guide her, her life is forever changed by the magic of Ireland and the mystical people within its hills.

4-stars to The Story Collector; a wonderous adventure steeped in the ancient magic of Irish folklore. Beautifully told through the words of Evie Woods, this is a story that I will enjoy for years to come.

The word that best comes to mind with this story is charming. Bouncing back and forth between pre-war Ireland and contemporary times as well as the mystical and practical, the story weaves together a cast of interesting and realistic characters. The author manages to convey the time period of each narrative section through her prose alone, which is gorgeous and descriptive, without being unnecessarily effusive.

I sometimes struggle with cozier fantasy if it’s too slow or low-stakes, but this story had such rich characterization it felt as much like I was reading about their lives as I was the faerie stories. I did prefer the past story-line to the present (I felt the romance was a little unnecessary and forced), but this didn’t take away from the overall pacing of the book.

Would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This was absolutely different than what I’ve read in such a long time. It was whimsical, it was cultural, and it was heart breaking. How Evie Woods took folklore and weaved it into modern day was beautiful. It all connected and all made so much sense. It was amazing learning so much about Ireland and some of the beliefs they have. This makes me want to visit and check out small towns that have this rich history to learn more.

Not only was this a tale of a folklore, but a tale of loss and new found love. I can’t wait to read more of her books!

A beautifully written dual timeline with sprinkling of magic! I loved the characters in both stories and never wanted it to end!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This duel timeline book is beautiful and lovely. The historical timeline relates the story of a farm girl in Ireland that meets an American doing a dissertation on the folklore of fairies and other mythical creatures alongside the role they play in the cultures in which they're told. He enlists her to help him find the stories around town and in local towns as they finally take in the lore of the castle and ruling family of the area. In the modern timeline, an artist leaves her husband on Christmas, claiming to go spend time with her family but too much alcohol and an article read as she waited had her waking in Ireland as well. She finds herself exploring the same small town. the same stories, and the journal containing the story of American and the farm girl.
The way the stories weave together, the tragedies among the healing, the concrete among the ethereal create a magical story with a lovely backdrop. It was fascinating to learn culture through the characters and watch the modern and historical come together.

#arc
#netgalley
#thestorycollector

"The Story Collector" by Evie Gaughan weaves an enchanting tale of mystery, folklore, and dual timelines that transport readers between a quiet Irish village in the past and present-day New York. The novel beautifully blends elements of historical fiction with magical realism, creating a rich, atmospheric narrative.

The historical storyline follows Anna, a young Irish farm girl, as she assists an American visitor in translating Irish fairy tales. What starts as an innocent project soon spirals into a compelling mystery, one that could alter Anna’s life forever. Meanwhile, in the present, Sarah Harper travels to Ireland, where she uncovers long-buried secrets that blur the line between reality and the mystical.

Evie Gaughan’s writing brings both timelines to life with vivid descriptions of the Irish landscape and a captivating sense of wonder. The folklore woven throughout the story adds depth and intrigue, while the characters, though ordinary on the surface, possess extraordinary stories of their own.

For readers who enjoy books with a touch of magic and a dash of mystery, "The Story Collector" is a delightful escape that explores the power of stories to connect people across time and space.

The Story Collector is an interesting premise. Sarah, a woman newly separated from her husband, drunkenly derails her planned flight from NY to Boston and somehow finds herself in small town Ireland at Christmas. She is lucky to find hospitality that folds her in like family.

In her exploration, she finds a diary hidden in the trunk of a tree. The 100 year old diary belonged to a girl named Anna who documented her time working with an American who collected stories about fairies from the locals.

Their stories intertwine and Sarah finds herself.

I felt the story was cute, and I enjoyed the fairy stories a lot. The actual story collector is more of a supporting character, though, and doesn’t get much “page time”. The diary entries are written more like a novel, far too formal for that modality to be believable. For two female main characters, they both could’ve been stronger characters. Maybe a juxtaposition of a weaker FMC from 100 years ago to our protagonist in current day would’ve been a nice way to see that feminist growth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a light read with a bit of historical fiction flair and back-and-forth timelines. I'm not sure I ever really felt all in on the characters, so perhaps the writing didn't quite work for me, but the story moved along well enough. I do wish there'd been a bit more fairy magical bits, but I think it was more about the folklore as culture and history of this place in Ireland than it was about actual fairies.

Another beautiful adventure from Evie woods. Her books are always an enjoyable escape from the real world with beautifully written characters.

I should have finished "The Lost Bookshop" before getting the ARC for "The Story Collector." I would have been more prepared for the disappointment in character these books have. The back cover promises mystery and intrigue in Ireland--a favorite setting of mine--across multiple timelines--a favorite trope of mine.

There was so much promise I kind of just dove off the cliff and got both books at once. Then immediately landed flat on my face. "The Lost Bookshop" had horrible role models and a mountain of trauma. Then this book opens with a woman walking out on her husband, which most likely stems from a mountain of trauma. I'm done. DNF. Have a nice day.

The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a beautifully atmospheric novel that blends Irish folklore, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, creating a compelling dual-timeline story that will captivate fans of both historical fiction and magical realism.

Set in a quiet Irish village, the novel intertwines the lives of two women—Anna, a young farm girl in 1920s Ireland, and Sarah Harper, a modern-day woman seeking escape and answers. The connection between them unravels slowly, tied together by myths, fairy stories, and the secrets of a community steeped in tradition and superstition.

Anna’s story is steeped in Irish folklore, giving the novel a deep, enchanting sense of place. When she begins working with an American visitor to translate local fairy stories, what seems like a harmless task turns into something far more complex. The mystery she finds herself caught up in threatens her simple, rural life, pulling her deeper into a world where the boundaries between reality and myth blur. Woods’s portrayal of 1920s Ireland is rich and immersive, filled with the kinds of old-world superstitions that give the story its eerie, magical undertones.

In the present day, Sarah Harper travels to Ireland hoping to escape her own life and find a sense of peace. But instead, she uncovers long-buried secrets that echo Anna’s mysterious past. Sarah’s narrative is grounded in the real world but tinged with the same sense of otherworldliness that haunts Anna’s story. As she delves into the village’s history and the myths that surround it, Sarah becomes an unwitting participant in a mystery that bridges generations.

Woods excels at creating vivid, relatable characters, with both Anna and Sarah being strong, determined women whose lives are shaped by the secrets they uncover. While Anna’s journey is more tied to survival and the unraveling of a personal and cultural mystery, Sarah’s arc focuses on self-discovery, healing, and the allure of the unknown. Both characters are easy to root for, and their stories are woven together with a sense of inevitability that keeps the reader engaged.

The novel’s pacing is gentle yet gripping, building layers of intrigue as it alternates between past and present. Woods balances the magical with the everyday in a way that makes the story feel grounded but still enchanting. The fairy stories, while central to the plot, also serve as metaphors for the characters’ journeys—both Anna and Sarah are navigating their own personal folklore, full of unseen forces and untold truths.

One of the novel’s standout features is its exploration of how stories—whether folklore, family secrets, or personal histories—shape who we are. As Anna and Sarah dig deeper into the myth and mystery of the village, they also come to understand the power of storytelling itself. This theme adds an emotional resonance to the plot, making The Story Collector more than just a tale of mystery and magic; it’s a meditation on the stories we tell ourselves and others.

Overall, The Story Collector is a wonderfully evocative novel that draws readers into its magical world with charm and grace. Evie Woods has created a tale that’s full of heart, mystery, and just the right touch of enchantment. Fans of historical fiction with a dash of the mystical will find much to love here, as will anyone who enjoys stories where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.

What a delight! This book was like a warm Irish hug; I loved every part. Magical realism is possibly my favorite genre, and when mixed with historical fiction in Ireland's countryside, I am hooked. I enjoyed how the author developed and concluded both the story in the present day and a century in the past and how she tied the two timelines together. While this book touched upon grief and loss, it did so with acknowledgment and sensitivity.

Quick recap without spoilers:
It is Christmas day in New York, and Sarah Harper is traveling home to Boston after finalizing her divorce. After drunken spontaneity results in a plane ticket to Shannon, Ireland, the location of a fairy tree featured in a magazine, the locals pity Sarah and give her a place to stay. While exploring, Sarah finds the hidden journal of Anna, a farm girl from a hundred years ago. Anna is excited about her new job as an assistant for an American who is researching fairy folklore. The past and the present have themes of love, loss, and a little magic.

I gave this one 4.5 stars. Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the advanced copy; I will post the review on my page.

Cute book! I like the magical realism feel to it and the character back and forth. I think I have to say I really enjoyed the first book more.