The Story She Left Behind
4.5 ⭐️

I loved this story so much - beautiful, compelling, and moving all at once. I don’t pick up historical fiction books as often anymore, but Patti Callahan Henry is one I trust to do such a good job with whatever time period she pulls us into.

Clara has always felt a hole in her life from when her mother left their family when she was 8. After years of assuming her dead, she gets a call from a man in London saying he has some of her mother’s papers. She and her daughter Wynnie travel across the Atlantic by steamer to find out what really happened 25 years ago.

This was a beautiful story with so much emotion put into these characters. I loved the many things they felt throughout the mystery. Glad I snagged a copy of this on @netgalley!

I am a fan of this author, and this book was gorgeously written. I just wasn't pulled into the story, and found it a bit slow. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the mystery unfolded too slowly for me.

I adored The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry, so The Story She Left Behind was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases.

Unfortunately, I did not find The Story She Left Behind as captivating as the author's previous work.

The story moved at an agonizingly slow pace, and the plot developments that did occur felt much too convenient and coincidental to be realistic.

I am still looking forward to the author's future works!

This book was so beautifully written. I was hoping for a happy ending but I was doubting it would be throughout most of the book, I was very pleasantly surprised! I was so intrigued by the unsolved mystery of the manuscript and the adventure of the grieving daughter. This book captured my heart, it’s full of hope, forgiveness, new relationships, and found family, it’s emotional and delightful. A must read if you enjoy a historical mystery that is both real and imaginative. A unique story.

4.25 🌟

How ironic that Patti wrote a book about someone who is magical with words when she, herself is so magical with words.

I found myself fully emersed in this story, wanting to find out what happened to Browyn's missing dictionary, needed to translate her words. The setting for this book was perfection and I found myself longing for the countryside. If you are a fan of Patti's other books, you will love this one.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Stunning, beautiful, poetic, tragic, poignant, emotional! Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the E-ARC of this beautiful story in exchange for my honest review!

A decades-long mystery and family secrets take Clara Harrington and her daughter Wynnie from South Carolina to the English countryside. What happened to Clara's mother, a famous author, who disappeared 25 years ago? In the search for truth, Clara must find the courage to uncover what happened all these years ago to her mother and the story she left behind.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the E-ARC of this beautiful story in exchange for my honest review!

"In my beginning is my end. In my end is my beginning."

"Fate and destiny, they are ours to make. We choose from many fates."

"Dreams are so much more than that. They are visions of the future, they are whispers of our desires, they are hope. We cannot and we must not live without dreams."

"When the sky breaks open; a transformation that changes you into who you are meant to be; into your very essence."

"You're the place that I stand when my feet are sore."

The story she left behind was only pieces of her she could when the hope disappears alongside.

It’s 1927 when Bronwyn disappears. Leaving behind her 8 yr old daughter Clara and beloved husband behind. A mystery that is never solved despite it becoming a folklore of “what ifs” within the literacy community.

When the phone rings one night and a British man named Charlie is on the other end, Clara’s hopes of a miracle ignite again. Even if it just means solving the mystery of her mother’s decoded second novel.

I’ve had a string of “ok” novels until I opened this one. It drew me in with the mystery and held me with the vivid descriptions of the English Countryside that stole my heart when I visited a few years ago.

As the mystery unfolds, so too does a story about family and love. Painted with the backdrop of loss and hope.

Predictable at times but wholly enjoyable. A cozy big hearted mystery that just feels heart-warming by the last page.

Wow! What an emotional story!! The story is centered around Clara whose mother just disappeared one day one day and was presumed to have died. Then one day, she receives a call from a gentlemen who has possession of her mother’s satchel which held an envelope with her name on it. Could this possibly be the answer to all her questions as to why her mother disappeared and where she has been for the last 25 years? The only way to get possession of the letter and satchel is to take her daughter and travel by ship to London. So off they go. To say there are lots of surprises in this story is an understatement. Clara is in for an emotional rollercoaster ride to say the least. I loved this story and how it plays out. I would highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and give my honest review.

The title The Story She Left Behind sums up this newest novel by Patti Callahan Henry perfectly. Author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham became a literary sensation as a child by penning a book written in an invented language. Bronwyn grows up, becomes a wife and mother, and writes a sequel. Oddly enough, she disappears in 1927, leaving an untranslatable sequel and a young daughter who hopes one day to discover why her mother vanished. In 1952, Bronwyn's daughter, Clara, learns of the existence of a handwritten lexicon located in England that might translate her mother's work. Once in England, Clara finds there is much more to the story that her mother left behind . . . Patti Callahan Henry has once again created an atmospheric novel that will draw the reader in and captivate them to the last page.

This is definitely one of my favorite books this year!!

From the first page I was completely lost in the power of imagination, the telling of children's stories and imaginary friends. I was enchanted by the mesmerizing word that Patti had written. I felt and experienced the lake, the forest, the cozy cabin, the mansion, the paintings. I loved the relationships and the intense feelings I felt as I was navigating through this story.

I'm about to preorder the physical book now as it's not out til March 18th and I only buy my favorites in physical copies.

Thank you publisher, netgalley and Patti Callahan Henry. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

The Story She Left Behind is like stepping into a world you don’t want to leave.

1927: Eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s world is turned upside down when an accident happens, and her mother disappears. Though a bit unorthodox, Clara’s mother Bronwyn gave Clara the childhood that others dream about. They explored all around their South Carolina coastal home, reading great literature and creating inventive art. And imaginative play was a staple in their world, which is apt for a mother who gained fame for inventing her own language and publishing a children’s book at the tender age of twelve. What young Clara did not realize was the trauma of Bronwyn’s own childhood and how it impacted her upbringing.

1952: Raising her own daughter, Clara isn’t blind to the parallels of her own childhood as she is not what the parent teacher organization would consider a “normal” mother. Her illustrating career has set her apart from the others in her small hometown. Still, she is determined to raise her daughter Wynnie similar to the way her own mother did until she disappeared. When a stranger from London calls with information about Bronwyn, Clara discovers a wound not healed and decides to take Wynnie across the ocean to try to find closure. London’s infamous smog impedes their journey as asthmatic Wynnie cannot handle the air in the city, and they end up in the Lake District, where surprisingly more connections to her mother’s story are discovered.

Again, this beautifully layered novel resonates, and I found myself rereading passages more than once, just to sink further into the setting. The blend of mystery, family dynamics, and the powerful exploration of trauma passed down through generations really pulls at the heartstrings. Clara’s journey to uncover her mother’s secrets, and then trying to replicate that unique upbringing for her own daughter, is such an emotional arc. Patti Callaghan Henry reminds us of the power of a mother’s love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and of course the author Patti Callahan Henry for the advanced copy of the book. The Story She Left Behind is out on March 18th. All opinions are my own.

A lovely story of the power of story, imagination, family and really finding what you are looking for. I enjoyed the characters and the setting very much. I would like to visit and be their friends. I appreciate all that was said about the power of story and words. It was a delightful read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster, for this advanced reader copy!

Patti Callahan Henry’s The Story She Left Behind transported me to a world of wonder. Her prose weaves a magical journey, rich with emotion and beautifully crafted storytelling.

Her writing evoked so many feelings, drawing me in with words that felt both intimate and enchanting. I was completely immersed, as if I had stepped into my dream home—the lake, the forest, the cozy cabin, and so much more. The serene setting, the relationships, and the depth of emotion made this book an unforgettable experience.

From Peter Rabbit to a forest of imagination, this novel has officially earned a spot in my Top 20! A heartfelt, beautifully written story that lingers long after the final page.

lovely book that's ironically most hampered by the word choices, which, at points, add a dingy coat to the gem that is the story. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

:"In my beginning is my end/ in my end is my beginning." T.S. Eliot

The Story She Left Behind is an immersive literary experience. The characters' emotions, the settings, the time-frame all come together to make this a truly captivating experience. Our story follows child prodigy author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, her legacy and imaginative- creativity. At 12 years of age, Bronwyn pens her first novel and starts to create her own language. She lives in a mystical world that's peppered with reality. Following an accident, she flees Bluffton, South Carolina never to be seen or heard from in over 25 years. Her daughter, Clara, is a brilliant illustrator and art teacher. We find more about Bronwyn and her created language through an intersecting family in London. Charlie Jameson is sorting through his late father's personal effects when he comes across Bronwyn's dictionary and letter to Clara. Pick up this book to follow a riveting journey through the London Fog to the countryside! It is guaranteed to be delightful and splendid!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this ARC!

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry is a beautifully written novel about an impossible choice made by a mother, the emotional scars left in her daughter’s heart, and a book that might heal her pain decades later.

Summary
As a child prodigy, Bronwyn writes a book that becomes famous. As an adult, she writes the long-awaited sequel. The book is written in a coded language Bronwyn created and is yet unpublished. Under mysterious circumstances in 1927, she leaves her husband and her 8-year-old daughter Clara, and takes the dictionary needed to translate the cipher. The family believes Bronwyn is dead, and the pages are gone forever.

Twenty-five years later, Clara receives a phone call from Charlie, a stranger living in London. He claims her mother’s papers have been discovered. Her mother’s abandonment has haunted Clara and driven her need for answers and resolution. Suspicious but hopeful that the papers are real, Clara travels with her daughter Wynnie from South Carolina to London to retrieve them.

They arrive during The Great Smog of 1952. To escape the toxic air in London, they travel with Charlie to his family’s retreat in the Lake district, near where Beatrix Potter lived. While staying at the country estate, Clara must find the courage to uncover her mother’s secrets and the story she left behind.

My Thoughts
It’s fascinating that the real life and disappearance of author Barbara Newhall Follett inspired Patti’s novel. I had never heard of Barbara Newhall Follett, so of course I looked her up. You should, too! I appreciate that books have the power to bring someone unknown or nearly forgotten back into the spotlight.


So many times while reading this novel, I marveled at Patti Callahan Henry’s descriptions. Take time while you’re reading to savor the language she uses.

Clara goes through many trials in the story to get answers, but the ending is satisfying. The Story She Left Behind is filled with discovery, connection, understanding, forgiveness, lost family, and unexpected love.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. The opinion are my own.

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND’s pub date is March 18, 2025, but preordering is VERY helpful to authors. I suggest ordering through Bookshop.org since they help support small, independent bookstores across the county: order hardback or ebook here.

If you like THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, check out these past recommendations by Patti Callahan Henry: The Secret Life of Flora Lea and Once Upon a Wardrobe.

PCH has done it again with the magical feelings and elements she includes in her writing. Loved this book so much! Clara has never stopped searching for her mother who disappeared 25 years ago. This search takes her to London - thru many twists and turns. What an adventure. History, romance, mystery, and the magic of storytelling.

The Story She Left Behind is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that weaves together mystery, family legacy, and the enduring power of stories. Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical prose brings to life the heartbreaking journey of Clara Harrington, a daughter desperate to understand the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.

The novel’s strongest elements are its immersive settings, from the hauntingly beautiful coast of South Carolina to the fog-laden streets of London and the serene Lake District. The sense of place is vivid and evocative, making the reader feel transported. Clara’s journey of discovery is compelling, and the inclusion of her mother’s invented language adds an extra layer of fascination.

While the novel is undeniably captivating, the pacing in some sections felt a bit slow, and I found myself wanting more resolution in certain aspects of the mystery. That said, the emotional depth and exquisite writing make this a worthy read, especially for fans of historical fiction with literary themes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Book Review: The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.5/5)
Patti Callahan Henry’s The Story She Left Behind was such an emotional, beautifully written journey that I couldn’t put it down! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, but the novel instantly grabbed my attention with its rich characters and its deep dive into the complexity of family relationships.
The story revolves around the main character, Clara, who works to unravel the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. The tension between Clara’s present-day life and the secrets that have been buried for years is so compelling, and you just feel Clara's emotional tug-of-war with each new discovery she makes. The plot is tightly woven, and there’s this perfect balance of suspense and heartfelt moments that kept me hooked.
What really stood out to me were the layers of love, grief, and self-discovery. It’s one of those books that explores how the past shapes who we are today, and it really hit me hard at times. Clara’s relationship with her mother, her daughter, and later her own self-reflection, was incredibly moving and relatable. The setting is painted so vividly that you feel like you’re right there, experiencing it all with her.
The only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is because there were a couple of moments where the pacing felt a little slower than I would have liked. But overall, it’s a truly powerful read that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
If you love stories about family, loss, and finding your way in the world, The Story She Left Behind is definitely worth picking up. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley.

Heartwarming historical fiction novel about mothers and daughters, finding yourself, and forgiveness. Henry's latest novel is set in the early 1950s and focuses on Clara, an artist and illustrator, and her relationship with both her mother, who abandoned her as a child, and her own daughter, Wynnie. Clara and Wynnie venture to post-war England to retrieve some papers that belonged to Clara's mother and find more than they were hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.