This read was definitely a slow start. It started to pick up at about 35-40%. The back and forth with the timeline was a tad bit hard to follow until the story picked up. Once it picked up I really enjoyed the story.
This is a read about finding something you lost but also learning to remind yourself what you have and what is important to you. Clara really struggled with needing answers and being the best parent for Wynnie. Her struggle was very relatable because sometimes healing our inner child can cause us to struggle internally. I think her divorce and "broken" family played into the struggle of needing to know what happened to her mom. She needed closure and need to know if her mom abandoned her or not.
I struggle with historical fiction and this read was no different. I think they just aren't really for me; I enjoyed certain parts but it really seemed to drag on and didn't feel as though it was building to much of anything at all. at about 70% I was pretty invested and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.
It took a good while to keep me drawn in but the ending made it worth the wait.

Clara’s mother, Bronwyn, a renowned author, vanishes from the South Carolina coast, leaving the world captivated by her book written in an invented language that becomes a national phenomenon.

Set primarily in 1952, the story follows Clara, now a children’s book illustrator, as she raises her own daughter, Wynnie. One day, Clara receives a letter from Charlie Jameson, a stranger in London, who claims to have the lost dictionary of her mother’s unique language. Clara and Wynnie cross the Atlantic to London during the height of the Great Smog, a devastating natural disaster that puts asthmatic Wynnie at risk and they escape to Charlie’s family retreat in the Lake District.

This is a beautifully written, deeply moving story about the bond between a mother and daughter, and the search for a lost mother. It has themes of abandonment, adventure, mystery, and love.

I was so intrigued by the mystery around Bronwyn's book and the invented language, and seeing everything come together was so beautifully written. My only slight critique is that this didn't fully feel like historical fiction - it felt a little like it could have taken place at any time. But this is a truly wonderful and heartwarming read.

4.5-5⭐️ When Clara Harrington’s brilliant mother, author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears from their home in South Carolina, leaving behind her only published book written at the age of 12 in her own invented language, her world is shattered. Years later, when a stranger reaches out claiming he has her mother’s handwritten dictionary of her created language, she takes her daughter Wynnie on a voyage of a lifetime, across the Atlantic, to London, where she hopes Charlie Jameson holds the answers to what happened to her mother.

Wow. I had originally intended to read just a few pages of this book, and wound up absolutely devouring it in an afternoon. Oops. What I love most is that this story, based on an actual literary mystery, offers a little bit of everything, making it a fantastic read for such a large swath of readers. With a fantastic mashup of historical fiction, literary fiction, mystery, and romance, and gorgeous prose, it’s hard not to be completely swept away to the tiny picturesque area of London, and into the world Patti Callahan Henry has created.

This is my first book by this author, so I am very new to her writing, but I was blown away by how evocative and atmospheric her writing is. As Clara and Wynnie brave the streets of London during the Great Smog, I felt as though I was right beside them, unable to breathe myself. For so much of the story, there was a cinematic quality achieved through her dynamic writing. And beyond that, the characters are spectacular. They are multi-layered and complex, each with their own unique backstory, and I enjoyed every moment I spent with them. I have surely been missing out here, and I cannot wait to dive into this author’s entire backlist.

Read if you like:
▪️women’s fiction
▪️literary mysteries
▪️mother/daughter stories
▪️dual timelines
▪️books about books
▪️romance subplot

Thank you Atria Books for the gifted copies.

I absolutely love everything Patti Callahan Henry writes and think this might be her best novel yet.

Patti and I both share a love of Bluffton, SC and when the book started out there, I was captivated. From the meandering marshes of Bluffton to the Lake District, Patti described the scenery with her signature lyrical prose. You can visualize yourself standing along the May River or immersed in the beauty of the English countryside.

Clara Harrington childhood is upended when her mom, literary prodigy, Brownyn Newscastle Fordham suddenly disappears.

Not only are Clara and her father left behind, but so are the hopes of translating the sequel to her groundbreaking first novel.

Fast forward and Clara is a successful illustrator who is set to receive a prestigious award when she’s unexpectedly contacted by Charlie Jameson who claims to have documents belonging to her mother.

Clara and her daughter, Wynnie journey to London and what transpires is a story of courage, forgiveness, love, and overcoming fear. I was enthralled with how the Jameson family was connected and could not put the book down until I had all the answers. My gut had an inkling as to how things would turn out, and how Patti Callahan Henry wove the story is simply magical.

Patti Callahan Henry has written another beautiful novel that resonates with you long after its done. The story unfolded so brilliantly and I became truly invested in her characters. I love the historical fiction elements, this story tied in with real events that I was not aware of and look forward to reading more about. A compelling story of sacrifice and how we make decisions in life based on what we think will be best for our loved ones. Whether these sacrifices end up being better for those we love or better for ourselves is the real question. Clara has lived her life in the shadow of her famous mother Bronwyn whose story is quite unique. Bronwyn is considered a literary genius and published a book at the age of 12 and not just any book but a book that has stood the test of time. This classic novel keeps her Mothers story alive years after her disappearance and assumed death. Clara now a mother of a young daughter receives a phone call that sends her on a journey to hopefully find some answers to this mystery.
Do not delay on buying this book you will not regret it. My only regret is I did not savor it a little longer.

Y’all! This book is pure magic!

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District.

This story captivated me. It has a little bit of everything…history, mystery, great characters and drama.

I loved Clara! She has great hope even though she fights this hope every day. This is the reason she sails to Europe to hunt for her mother one last time. She has hope!

Now, I don’t want to give anything away. Did I guess it? Yes and no! You will need to read this to find out. But, I swear, every time a new female character was introduced, I was sure it was going to be Clara’s mother.

Need a tale which will have you engrossed from start to finish…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

One of the best books I have ever read

I love Patti Callahan Henry's books and this is the best I have read so far! The story is very engrossing and raises lots of issues about family, genius and historical treatment of atypical minds. One is thrust into a family secret spanning 3 generations and two continents. I don't want to say much more for fear of ruining the terrific plot, characterizations and mystery for the reader, I just want to say that in my opinion, this is one of the best books I have ever read.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I loved reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea.
So I was so excited to jump into The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry.
I thoroughly enjoyed this charming, imaginative story.
Such a beautiful book that made me feel all of the feels. Simply enchanting.

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the most charming, cozy mystery that will leave you aching to be transported to the English Countryside. The setting in this book is enough to keep you reading. I was very invested in the story and needed to see it all come together, but the pacing was a little bit slow for me. If you go in expecting that, I think this story will suck you in and you will love it!

When Clara is only 8 years old, her mother, a famous author, disappears and is never found. Years later a stranger from London contacts her claiming to have her mother’s lost language. Desperate to find out the truth about her mother’s disappearance, Clara travels to London with her daughter to see what she can find.

Perfect if you like:
•Slow burn romance.
•Cozy mystery.
•DREAMY setting!
•Interwoven characters.

Thank you @netgalley for the advanced copy!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍜

Atria eARC
Absolutely beautiful. This novel will be one of my favorites of the year, I'm sure. It was historical fiction that focused on a family, what being a mother and motherless meant, had a compelling mystery, and a cast of truly wonderful characters. I fell instantly for Clara and Wynnie. I loved this mother/daughter duo and the love between them. The mystery felt natural and Charlie and his family in England were just the sweetest to Clara and Wynnie when they traveled. I also liked the message of forgiveness and figuring out what comes next because those times can feel so fraught with tension, and the author captured these feelings so well. I just adored this story.

The Story She Left Behind is loosely based on a true story. The novel uses events from the life of an author who invented her own language, wrote a book, and then disappeared as the bones for this tale. Here, it picks up twenty-five years later when the author’s daughter gets a call from a man claiming to have the dictionary of her mother’s invented language. Hoping to find answers either in the papers he has or by translating the novel she left behind, the daughter packs up her own asthmatic daughter and heads to London in time to suffer the Great Smog.

Patti Callahan Henry weaves a lovely story in exquisite prose. Her word pictures draw you into the setting and the people. Her characters are baffled at all the connections they have while still struggling to put together the pieces.

I enjoyed this story and would recommend to those who love beautiful writing.

Not family friendly due to a few mild curse words and a not quite closed door sex scene.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me feel a lot of emotions, exploring deep themes of abandonment, love, anger, and forgiveness. The author weaves these emotions together in such a compelling way that you can’t help but become invested in the characters and their journeys. The writing itself is absolutely beautiful—lyrical, evocative, and immersive. I found myself unable to put it down, as every page drew me in more and more. It’s a truly unforgettable read, rich in emotional depth and complexity.

Patti Callahan Henry has a remarkable talent for using words to create magical landscapes and emotional connections. I was swept away by her gorgeous writing and compelling story.

This is a tale of love, loss, and forgiveness wrapped in a mystery. The narrative centers on the disappearance of acclaimed author, Bronwynn Newcastle Fordham, best known for publishing a book at the age of twelve which utilized a secret language. Bronwynn’s daughter, Clara, was a child when her mother disappeared. Now a children’s book illustrator raising a daughter of her own, Clara is shocked to receive a message saying a dictionary of her mother’s language has been located which coukd be used to translate the writings she left behind.

Clara and her daughter, Wynnie, set out on an adventure seeking answers to the long ago disappearance. What they find is more than they ever expected.

I was completely mesmerized by the story, the characters, and the writing. I know I’ve read a special book when the ending leaves me both fully satisfied and wanting more. This is such a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Once again Patty Callahan Henry has done it!
I don’t know how she can write such words that stir the soul!
A word that I had in mind to describe the book before I saw it used in the narrative is ethereal. The characters in this book are not quite of this earth.
I thought Clara was very careless with the satchel of papers and I was heartsick when the inevitable occurred. I had to stop reading for a bit and collect myself.
I’m sure I’ll be the minority in this opinion but I didn’t like Bronwyn, I found her to be selfish, shallow, and cruel. Forgiveness would not have happened if I was one of the characters.
Aside from that the novel captures the whimsy and wonder of words, wandering, and the world/

In 1927, Clara Harrington’s mother Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham disappears without a trace. Bronwyn had stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Fast-forward to 1952 where Clara is a children's book illustrator & single mom of Wynnie. She has never given up hope of finding her mom, although the chances decrease with every passing year. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language, along with a note addressed to Clara Clara is skeptical, but he manages to convice her of its validity. She & Wynnie arrive in London right as "The Great Smog" has taken over the city, making any siteseeing impossible, and wreaking havoc on Wynnie's lungs. Charlie takes them to the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District, well away from the smog of the city. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

This book is based on the life of child prodigy Barbara Newhall Follet, who also created her own language and penned her own novel at age 8. This book was so immersive, I felt like I was really there, watching it all unfold. This was not only a historical fiction novel, but also a mystery and a love story. I loved this book, and I think you will too.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This was a beautiful story about love, loss, and forgiveness, with a family mystery expertly woven in. Loosely inspired by the life and disappearance of author Barbara Newhall Follett, this story follows a daughter’s search for the truth about her lost mother.

This was a great read and I could barely wait to find out how all the little coincidences along the way were going to come together at the end!

Three words to describe this book? Magical. Spellbinding. Heartfelt.

For fans of The Secret Book of Flora Lea, be prepared to be taken on another beautiful, emotional, slowly-unravelling tale of long-lost love. In The Story She Left Behind, we follow Clara and her daughter Wynnie in South Carolina in 1952. Twenty-five years earlier, Clara's imaginative author mother mysteriously disappeared, taking the sequel to her beloved novel with her. Clara is shocked to receive a phone call that a hand-written dictionary of her mother's lost language has been found - all the way in London. Charlie is just as shocked to find the dictionary in his late father's things. Clara and Wynnie travel to meet Charlie in hopes of unearthing the secrets of the dictionary and the connection between Clara's mom and Charlie's dad- and maybe to finally figure out what happened to Clara's mother all those years ago.

Henry does such an expert job of weaving different elements of her stories- Clara's mother's magical world, Clara and Wynnie's adventures, and Charlie's life in the English countryside. It was really interesting to visit London post-war and the author does a great job of describing the time period where the city was covered in fog.

As with Flora Lea, there's also a little bit of a book within a book, a magical fantasy that really pulls in your attention. I fell in love with Clara and Charlie and especially Wynnie, and I found the ending to be interesting and very relevant for today.

Reading this book felt warm, like basking in a ray of sunshine. Beautifully written, it held my attention from start to finish. This is exactly how I love my historical fiction reads. Thank you Atria for one of my most anticipated reads. I am officially a giant Henry fan! Read this if you want to find your next five star read!

The whimsical nature of the story and the bond between mother, Clara and Wynnie, her child make this a near cozy story. I loved the elements of believing in another world without getting deep into the nature of it. It’s a sweet story and will be a great spring read. The historical facts that are interwoven were very much appreciated and added to the story.

Ms. Henry certainly knows how to tell a story. I was enraptured by this one from the get go. I thought the ending was great and wrapped up the story with perfection. It’s a story of family, love, forgiveness and hope.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry was given to me via ARC from the wonderful people at NetGalley and Atria Books.
I loved Patti Callahan Henry’s novel The Secret Book of Flora Lea and this book uses the same type of magical writing, twists and essence of family that her previous book used. One of my favorite things about this novel is how she weaves in beloved children’s stories like Beatrix Potter to tell her story.
This book centers around Clara, a woman whose mother ran away when she was young never to be seen again. Her mother, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, happened to be a very well-known author of a popular children’s book, so the mystery of her disappearance was all over the news and widely known known. When Clara gets a call from across the pond from a man stating that he found her mother’s lost documents Clara takes her daughter and goes to England for any kind of hope that her mother left her clues to why she left. From there the adventure is just getting started.
Honestly I thought this one was a little long at the end, but overall it was an enjoyable read that kept you hooked and wanting to know how it was going to all work out. Ms. Callahan did a wonderful job of tying together all of the loose ends to make this a satisfying read.