Thank you, Netgalley, the publisher and author, for an advanced copy. This review is entirely my own.

This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last. I was drawn in for the entire story and would recommend it to all historical fiction book lovers.

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND
BY: PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY

About 4.5 Stars!

Patty Callahan Henry is a favorite Author of mine and I try to read everything she writes. In her newest Historical fiction novel. called, "THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND," is the perfect title for this newest work. This Author grabbed my attention right away with her lyrical and ethereal prose. There's something magical the way Patti Callahan Henry weaves her story and sketches lovable characters. The beginning was beautifully written about a famous child prodigy Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham who in 1927, who is now a mother to her only child, a daughter named Clara Harrington, Bronwyn slips off during the middle of the night, and the mystery begins into what happened to her.
She abandoned and shattered her daughter Clara, who was only eight years old at the time. Clara grows up yearning for her famous author mother, always feeling a void, and missing her mother. It was right after Bronwyn almost burned their house down in South Carolina. There were some issues with injuring a fire fighter, and Clara was burned, and Bronwyn was afraid that she'd be punished by being locked up in a windowless room. Bronwyn had listened to the local gossip who blamed Bronwyn for the incident of the fire in their home. She was also an only daughter whose mother traumatized her by sending her off to a mental institution while she lived with her mother which was where Bronwyn thought awaited her for their home catching on fire. It was a good thing that Clara's father was a loving presence in young Clara's life since he raised her in a loving home (the same one that the fire took place), but he never married again, since Bronwyn left such a lasting, gaping hole of a void in both of their lives. They lived on a river, but it's channels led out to the ocean. The tinkling sounds of the crushed seashells, and the briny smell of the air, in their charming town made for a very atmospheric place to grow up in. After a divorce Clara now lives back at home with her own eight year old daughter named, Wynnie who was a very lovable character who has an imaginary friend, or it could be a magical friend who was a character in her Grandmother's first published novel as a child prodigy. It was sad because Bronwyn taught herself to read at a young age, and that psychiatric stay away from home in a place she definitely didn't belong as a by product of being brilliant left Clara and her father to feel her loss, never knowing what happened to Bronwyn, and the reader doesn't know either. Now it is 1952, and Clara has her own eight year old daughter named, Wynnie who is very aware of her famous Grandmother's character in her first novel. I loved how close Clara was to her.
to her only daughter, Wynnie. How much she shared about her mother, so that Wynnie knew about the magic of storytelling that her grandmother was so famous for. There was a sequel written by Bronwyn that was never published because it was written in a language that Bronwyn made up, and sat unpublished in a safety deposit box. Clara is a children's book illustrator, and I just loved Wynnie and her preoccupation she has throughout this novel to one of her grandmother's characters from her world famous novel. This was like a magical historical fiction novel written for adults. There's a lot of beautiful language that is certainly well known, and it's quoted from famous authors, and how art and books are well loved throughout this charming tale.

It's now 1952, and a man named Charlie who lives in London calls Clara telling her that he found her mother's satchel that contained a letter from Bronwyn to Clara, and the dictionary to her mother's secret language is in his possession found among his father's things. Clara after much hesitation takes the rest of her savings and books tickets for herself, and Wynnie to travel to London to retrieve them. She thinks that she will be able to finally translate her mother's sequel with the dictionary to her mother's secret language that Bronwyn had created with her own made up language. When Clara and Wynnie arrive they are greeted by Charlie, who true to his word hands Clara the letter and she recognizes the secret dictionary as being authentic of her mother's genuine dictionary. Clara's father had rented a nice place for her, and Wynnie to stay at while they plan to do some sightseeing during the remainder of their trip. Only as Clara and Wynnie are trying to make it back to their rental the Great Smog of 1952, London has enveloped the city. They almost don't make it back as it was difficult to see a few feet in front of them. Wynnie has asthma and when they barely make it back to their rental, Wynnie has an attack. With them both covered in soot a doctor is consulted because Clara had left Wynnie's medication at their rental which she feels terrible. Clara is such a great mother to Wynnie, with both of them being lovable characters who keep the plot moving forward.

Charlie stops by and suggests that they get out of the city, and so they drive out to the Lakes region where Charlie's mother Pippa is staying. The magical Lakes region is out in the country and they arrive finally after much of a hardship making it out of London. The Great Smog really happened and claimed many lives in December of 1952. The landscape sounded so beautiful and that is due to Patti Callahan Henry's talented description of it. Once again, this author turns this story into something special with the way the characters are so kind and she creates descriptive, atmospheric landscapes so vivid I felt like I could picture the beautiful landscape as if I was seeing it with them. On the way they had given a woman who appears out of nowhere while they are stopped eating a meal Charlie's maid had packed for them, and that turns their fate around. When they give this woman a ride when she gets out she has stolen Clara's pocket book with their passports, and most of the secret dictionary is lost as they give chase with only a small portion of the secret dictionary of Clara's mother's satchel is left.

They visit Beatrix Potter's home which is nearby. There is a mystery, historical fiction, romance, and found family staying with Charlie's mother Pippa. There are fifteen or sixteen Lakes in this region with mountains and glaciers. Clara who is a children's Illustrator wants to make it back home in time to attend the awards ceremony, but Wynnie doesn't want to leave and begs Clara to stay longer. Clara loves the area and doesn't seem in a hurry to leave either. Her and Charlie have entered into a romance. What happens during their stay is also magical. I felt myself falling in love with the area. This was a beautifully written novel, although, it didn't quite feel historical as it could have taken place at any time period, except for the lack of technology. I did love the way this story ended and when the author made the revelation it was the perfect ending. This was a very enchanting, sweet, ethereal, magic novel, and I love the fantastic cover. I was swept away with Patti Callahan Henry's gorgeous prose, and a much simpler, innocent time period. I'll be recommending this to everyone, and it is so masterfully, well written that it was breathtaking.

Publication Date: March 18, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Patty Callahan Henry and Atria Books for generously providing me with my terrific ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheStorySheLeftBehind #PattyCallahanHenry #AtriaBooks #NetGalley

The Story She Left Behind is a fictional book based on the true life of an author who just disappeared. I found that I enjoyed Ms. Henry's beautiful prose and the way she describes the settings. I felt like I was there in England in my mind's eye experiencing all that Clara, Charles, and Wynnie were going through. The mystery of Clara's missing mother kept me turning the pages. However, because I read Once Upon A Wardrobe, and Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I was a bit surprised at some of the language and one scene in particular took me off guard. So, I would have enjoyed it much more without that. But, I'm certain others will love it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story.
This story was magical, lyrical and just wonderful. A book I could not put down. The descriptive writing was so beautiful. I honestly think this is Patti's Best book yet. Love, Love, Loved It!

This was such an interesting story. The imagery and detail that the author used to describe everything really drew me in to what was happening. A young mother’s mom had gone missing when she was 8. She’s in her 30’s and receives information that leads her to England and an adventure she never dreamed of.

This is the first story by this author I’ve read, but I will definitely read more. This was an interesting story.

As I trudged through the unimaginable fog, so thick it caused death in 1952 London, I considered giving up. I grew impatient and felt smothered. But then, that’s what made this book so compelling—I felt like I was THERE, living it, seeing it, breathing it.

Few books transport you to a place as wholly as The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry. Her descriptive writing transports you first to a small coastal town in South Carolina, then to the gritty streets of London, and finally to the wild beauty of the northwest Lake District of England.

Both a mystery and a family drama—with romance sprinkled in for a bonus—this book is one to be savored.
This book grew on me as I read it. I had to drop impatient expectations for a snappy, contemporary plot and fall into the story’s charming rhythm—like trading a car ride on the interstate for a gentle horse loping through beautiful trailways.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance review copy.

No one sweeps me away to another place and time like Patti Callahan Henry does! Henry’s writing is poetic as she captures the emotions of angst, longing and profound love among a story of mystery infused with a dusting of whimsical magic. Atmospheric and character driven, I was absorbed by the story and into the lives of these characters. Henry also incorporates some true literary characters and events into the novel.
The time is 1927 and Clara Harrington’s childhood is forever changed when her mother, Bronwyn, disappears. Bronwyn is a renowned author, who penned a book with an invented language at only twelve years old. The option of translating her sequel has disappeared with her.
More than twenty years later, a stranger from London reaches out to Clara. He has found papers from her mother to be opened only by Clara among his recently deceased father’s belongings. Quite skeptical but curious, Clara embarks on a trip to London with her young daughter.
Do not skip the author's notes at the end, as Patti explains what real historical event sparked this story in her mind.

4.5⭐️
This was whimsical fiction. Such a magical story with a bit of mystery.

Clara's mother was a child prodigy who published a fan favorite novel at 12 years old. As an adult, she worked on a second novel written in her secret made-up language.

Then, while Clara is still a child, her mother vanishes. She is left broken hearted and with a manuscript in a secret language she wants so badly to translate to understand where her mother has gone.

Years later, Clara receives a call from a stranger in England who has her mother's secret language dictionary and a note written by her mother that the contents are only for Clara.

She takes off for England in hopes of finding the answers she's been waiting her whole life for.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

Such an incredible, beautifully written story. I adored this from beginning to end.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely captivated by this lyrical tale by Patti Callahan Henry. It’s a story of a mother’s love for her daughter, and there is truly no word in any language that can describe that love. You do anything to protect her. And it’s a story of a daughter longing for her mother.

Where do we find the answers to the hardest questions? Our deepest longings? This story is a puzzle with carefully placed pieces, and though at first you can’t see how they fit together, the picture becomes clearer with each chapter...each page...each word.

The author creates a world with such wonderfully detailed settings that I felt as if I had been completely absorbed into the book. She gives such life to her characters that they became real to me. I need my own invented language to find a word big enough to encompass all of the feelings I had while I was reading. I highly recommend this and can’t wait for her next book! 5 HUGE stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A magical, mysterious , enchanting , emotional beautiful story. Patti Callahan Henry writes such beautiful stories. I rushed through this book because I couldn’t put it down, but went back and reread most of it so that I could appreciate Henry’s writing.
Clara is a an art teacher in Bluffton SC in the 1950’s. She lives with her father and eight year old daughter Wylie. Clara’s mother, Bronwyn was a published author as a child, and she mysteriously disappeared when Clara was a child. Her mother penned a book that was cherished by children all over the world and when she disappeared so did the sequel to her book.
The sequel contained a secret language that Bronwyn created. Her language was what she needed to survive. The story delves into the true meanings of Bronwyn’s secret words, beautiful, heartfelt meanings.
Clara travels to London to retrieve lost papers of her mother’s that are discovered by the Jameson family. In London, so much is learned and found.
This story is about family, authors, artists, secrets, and words, and isn’t’ that what all readers love? This is just the perfect story, that will stay with me forever.
And the cover!! So beautiful!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. .

Before I even start, can I just say... WOW that cover!!! All the heart eyes. Probably one of my favorite covers from the last 5 years. As you read The Story She Left Behind, you'll see just how perfect it is.

I have been a Patti Callahan Henry fan ever since I found Once Upon a Wardrobe. I feel like The Story She Left Behind combines the magic and whimsy of Once Upon a Wardrobe with the dramatic family dynamics from The Secret Book of Flora Lea.

Clara and her father are abandoned by her prodigy author mom Bronwyn when Clara is just 8. Clara struggles with the sweet memories she has of her whimsical and eccentric mom and the anger she feels from being abandoned. Twenty-five years later, Clara receives a call from a man named Charlie in London that papers from her mom have been found in his deceased father's study and she must come at once to retrieve them. Clara and her 8-year old daughter Wynnie board a boat and head to England. Will Clara find the answers for why Bronwyn disappeared all those years ago?

I loved the supporting characters in this novel. While a bit whimsical herself, Wynnie is a shining star. She is necessary to the plot (not just from why she and her mom leave London), but also for how Clara processes Bronwyn leaving. She seems like the one who binds everyone together. I could have done without the intensity of Clara and Charlie after just one week of knowing each other. I felt like it went too far too fast.

While I wouldn't call this historical fiction per se, I did enjoy the parts about literary characters and also about the London fog. This is one I will definitely purchase. 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

Special thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. All views are my own.

Where to even start…I loved this book for so many different reasons! The descriptive writing style is so well-done that I FELT that I was inside the story, set mainly in 1952 England. Yet- it flowed so well and was easy to read, not overly done. I wish I could transport to this magical place in the early 1950’s English Countryside and live there! There is a love story and a mystery and I was never bored or lacking of a need to find out what was going to happen next. I will be thinking about this book for a long time, and can’t wait to read more books by Patti Callahan Henry!

Before reading this book, I'd never read anything by Patti Callahan Henry, and I choose not to review the blurb for this one aside from it being a historical fiction. I'm so glad I went in blind, because this book truly captured my heart. It grabbed my attention and I couldn't stop turning the pages!
The story blends emotion, romance, and mystery so well that it kept me hooked. The setting was enchanting and atmospheric, offering a refreshing escape. I loved the lyrical writing and the detailed descriptions. The FMC was portrayed so genuinely-it was impossible not to feel what she was going through. I appreciated how she followed her own heart in the end. The touch of whimsy and magical realism added just the right amount of charm without feeling over the top. I loved how the story came together and how so many of the characters had secret/unknown ties to eachother.
Many thanks for the ARC provided by NetGalley and Atria Books!

This book is captivating, adventurous, romantic and heart-warming. I fell in love with the characters and their story. Each character was easy to like and root for. I enjoyed the mystery behind the plot and loved how the story ended up. If you are looking for an uplifting and enchanting historical fiction novel, this is one to absolutely add to your shelf!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Patti Callahan Henry is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I have particularly loved this one and the two before it. All three are magical reads. The author’s writing skills are exceptional. She has a way with words and descriptions that puts you right into the story. I absolutely loved the characters, especially Clara, Charlie, and Wynnie. I also like the way she takes something true that you most likely never heard of and uses the kernel of that truth to tell an enchanting story. I guarantee that this story will make you want to take a trip to the Lake District of England.

Wonderful, enchanting mystery! I am the enjoyed this book thoroughly. Highly recommended for historical fiction enthusiasts. Thank you to the publisher Atria for an advanced copy.

As a long time fan of Patti Callahan Henry, I jumped at the chance to read this book.
The pros: I love that she based this on a real mystery but added her own spin on it. I kind of knew how this was going to end up but I very much enjoyed the journey. The descriptions of both London and the Lake District were extraordinary and fueled my desire to visit one day. Loved the majority of the British characters and felt they were warmly yet realistically drawn.
The cons: Just a few characters bothered me. Unfortunately, one was the main character, Clara. I understand her desire to find her mother, but at times she gave a very obsessive vibe that was a bit jarring. Moira, one of the house staff, seemed much more familiar with the family than a servant would have been in that time period. The fact that she got into Charlie's father's things (on multiple occasions) and the family dismissed it as "sweet" and proof of devotion seemed problematic. Maybe this was used as a device to distract and make the reader think that Moira knew more than she did. It worked, because I viewed her with suspicion for most of the novel.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this story and loved learning more about the person it was based upon. This is a great read for anyone who dreams of the English countryside but can only visit through books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

This book is the reason why I love historical fiction. The chapters dealing with the Great Smog of London were exceptional. It was like I was there, choking on the smoke, unable to see a foot in front of me, throat burning, and eyes.

I will say that I would have enjoyed a more complicated reveal. Something more shocking but still enjoyed it overall. 3.5 rounding up to 4 because their journey from London to the country home kept me on the edge of my seat!

"Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter's search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington's magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

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. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry's lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets."

I love literary mysteries!