Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
There was so much that I loved about this book. The story flowed between two timelines. Bronwyn, a literary genius, has disappeared, leaving behind her young daughter. Years later, Clara is now a single mother, still missing her mother, when a man calls from England with news about some papers from her mother that he found in his late father’s safe.
Clara travels to England, hoping to find answers about her mother’s disappearance.
I was captivated by this enchanting story.

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The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My first book of 2025 is a dreamy novel based on a true event that inspired the author. Her last book “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” was my favorite book of 2023 and this one had many similarities in writing style and even story. I believe my first book of the year could hold up all year to make my Top 10! Time will tell!!

What I liked:
•this book had all my favorite elements: historical fiction, fantastical stories, beautiful location imagery, mystery, suspense and romance!
•a mother-daughter story (in this case multigenerational) always piques my interest!
•a strong cast of women
•my favorite childhood book was “The Secret Garden” this has some similarities and even references it at one point
•seeking or dreaming of lost love

What I didn’t like (it was a 5⭐️ read for me…so not much!)
•I woke up each morning excited to read but finished it too quickly!
•the end tied itself up a little too easily ~ but I enjoyed it.

This book is set to publish March 18. Thank you to @netgalley and @pattichenry for this digital ARC.

Book 1 of 2025
Read January 1-4

Patti Callahan Henry has a way of drawing me into the story even though, admittedly, historical fiction is not my favorite genre. The Story She Left Behind is no exception. Clara's mother, a famous author, disappeared when she was a child. She left behind a heartbroken husband and daughter and a sequel to her novel written in a made up language that no one can translate. When Clara is an adult, she is contacted by a man across the Atlantic Ocean who says he is in possession of her mother's dictionary. Will Clara brave a trip across the ocean? And will she finally find the missing pieces of her mother? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this novel.

Patti Callahan Henry's newest book, The Story She Left Behind, is an enjoyable blend of historical fiction, mystery, and family drama. Inspired by the true story of a child author and primarily set in post-war 1950s, it includes themes also explored in Henry's previous novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, including how we manage loss experienced in childhood, storytelling as a way to understand the natural world, and the enduring bonds that connect us to the people we love (in this case, mothers and daughters) across time and through adversity.

Henry's lyrical prose and sense of place enhance the storytelling, and her descriptions of Bluffton South Carolina, London, and Cumbria make one feel fully present in each setting. As in her previous books, this novel is also well-researched, with events that anchor the story in time and characters the reader becomes invested in.

While the first 3/4s of the book were suspenseful, the plot and pacing were not as strong in the last part of the book, where the coincidences and revelations were less satisfying. I also thought the story lost momentum when it began to switch narrators.

Overall, The Story She Left Behind is beautifully written and evocative, and readers who like literary mysteries, historical fiction, and stories that explore love in its many forms will enjoy it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed The Story She Left Behind! This book was engaging, compelling, and drew me in from the first page. This is the kind of book to read to get lost in, to forget about anything hard or difficult in your own life and enjoy a story.

Don't get me wrong - this book does have its fair share of pain and heartache, but there is also SO MUCH hope in these pages. Clara was abandoned by her mother when she was young (8) and now she has an 8 year daughter of her own. Her daughter's health issues are significant, but Clara also is captured by the story of her mother and the need to find out what happened to her and the book she left behind. This book had it all... mystery, tragedy, love, family, and closure. The settings were lovely - Bluffton, SC, London, and the Lake District in England were all so unique and tied into the story well! There was a lot going on in this book, but nothing too intense or scary... and the ending was just fabulous. I really enjoyed this novel!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to get an advanced copy of this book after reading and enjoying The Secret Life of Flora Lea. Patti Callahan Henry has such a wonderful writing style that I was thrilled to see again in The Story She Left Behind. Clara, the female MC, receives a phone call from Charlie twenty-five years after her mother's disappearance/presumed death. Charlie's father has passed away, and while cleaning out the home library, Charlie came across a bag that was supposed to be delivered to Clara in person. Clara makes the journey to England with her eight-year-old daughter Wynnie, and they end up escaping to Charlie's country home after some life-threatening fog. While there, secrets and relationships are revealed.
Again, the writing style and mystery aspect kept me intrigued. I really liked all of the characters and liked how realistic they all seemed. The epilogue was also perfect as well. I wouldn't read this if you are looking for a mystery/thriller because it's more literary fiction, but I highly recommend it if you want to read a book with lines that will truly resonate with you.

A beautiful story to start the new year. There is a blend of wishes, hopes and realities that weave together a story of a long missing mother, her ever hopeful daughter, and the sequel to a novel that cannot be translated. The story is written in a magical language created by the mother-author. When the daughter gets a call that her mother’s satchel of papers has been found after twenty-five years, she and her daughter travel to smog laden London to retrieve the satchel. From this point, a story of discovery and mystery begins.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This latest book by Patti Callahan Henry was another great read by a talented author.
The story is well written, has an intriguing mystery and just the right amount of romance.

This book is beautifully written. The reader is immediately drawn to the characters, the setting which feels almost magical, and to the storyline's questions and emotions. The story is focused on Clara's mother Bronwyn, a well-known author who disappeared when Clara was a young girl. When some of Bronwyn's important papers are found in London, Clara and her daughter Wynnie embark on a journey that they had not fully expected.

4.5 stars. A beautiful story.What a beautiful gift to the reading world - a book which celebrates evocation of words, the wonder of story, and the depths of motherly love.

I wish I had the words to truly describe this book. Patti Callahan Henry takes the reader on a mysteriously enchanting journey of love, sacrifice, regret and forgiveness. I loved almost every character in this book but Wynnie was my favorite. I am afraid to say too much because I don't want to ruin the magic for others. All I will say is READ IT!!!! Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books for the advanced reader copy.

Two words….simply extraordinary! Patti Callahan Henry can tell a story in such a way that your transported within the pages and don’t want to leave.

The story centers around a child author that disappeared as a young adult. What she left behind was a daughter, Clara, that could not, would not stop looking for the reason she vanished. The author left behind a book that was written in a language she had created and a man in England might have the key to unravel this language. This finding sends Clara and her daughter Wynnie on a magical journey.

Put this book on every TBR list you have now, it is outstanding.

This story is about an author who goes missing in 1927 and her daughter’s journey to find answers about her and her secret language in 1952. I enjoyed the characters and the settings of the story as well as learning about the true story that inspired this book. The story was so whimsical I almost expected magical realism. While the book was a bit predictable, I appreciated how nicely the subplots concluded. Overall, a lovely read.

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

*The Story She Left Behind* by Patti Callahan Henry is a captivating exploration of memory, loss, and second chances. The novel follows the journey of an artist named Clare, who returns to her hometown to confront the past and uncover long-buried secrets about her mother. Henry's writing is evocative, with vivid descriptions that make the setting feel alive and intimate. The emotional depth of the characters, especially Clare, creates a strong connection that pulls you into the story. While some parts of the plot feel predictable, the heartfelt moments and themes of healing make this a compelling and reflective read. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of art, love, and rediscovery. A solid, touching novel that will resonate with fans of emotional family dramas.

Traditional format 📕 (digital)

This is a historical fiction book based on the true story of an author who disappeared in the late 1930s. It takes place mainly in the Lake District of the UK and includes a story line about the Great London Smog that occurred in that time period.

Child prodigy author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn leaves behind her husband and heartbroken daughter. Her daughter Clara (a book illustrator) is contacted by a man from London who claims
to have discovered a set of her mother’s written work. Clara and her daughter travel to the UK to recover the writings and discover much more along the way.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was poetic at times and the element of a made up language with the definitions was very unique to me (I haven’t read any other books with this style). The setting just added to the overall charm of the book. The book had many subplots all woven together to tell a wonderful story.

I give this book a 4.5/5. I recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction who like an element of whimsy.

Thank you Net Galley and Atria Books for a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I am truly amazed by the amount of research Patti Callahan Henry does for each of her books. This one is inspired by the true story of Barbara Newhall Follet, who, in 1927, writes a best-selling novel at the age of 12, then lives a seemingly normal life until she vanishes when her daughter was eight, presumed drowned off the coast of South Carolina. Clara becomes the abandoned daughter, raised by her father, marries, has a daughter and a marriage that is falling apart. She has so many questions about why her mother left and what happened to her.

Fast forward to 1952, when Clara receives a phone call from Charlie Jameson in England, stating he has papers belonging to her mother and Clara must come to England to retrieve them. Clara and her daughter, Wynnie, arrive in London during the deadliest fog imaginable. Wynnie who has asthma, can't breathe and Charlie Jameson realizes he has to get Wynnie and Clara out of the city. He takes them to his family's retreat far out in the Lake Country. It is there that Clara realizes she might find the answers as to why her mother left her and what exactly the secret invented language might mean.

All of Patti Callahan Henry's books are always good with interesting historical subjects. Recommend for readers of family sagas, just a little bit of romance. Some characters choices are a bit improbable but not enough to disrupt the story.

Bring a fireplace, a hot chocolate, and a cozy blanket. Then settle in for a gorgeous read you won’t be able to put down. Delicious prose and wonderful storylines. Loved this one!

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.

I do love a literary mystery and I also love a book based on a true story. Patti Callahan Henry is a great author. I enjoy her books. This one didn't disappoint. Her writing is fantastic. I gave four stars instead of five because I thought it a bit predictable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this author's previous novel but this one left me wanting more. I can't really figure out what was missing but I had trouble connecting to the characters and skimmed parts of the story to get to the action. I'm sure many will love this book but it wasn't a winner for me.