Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins | Avon for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Kate Storey. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Grace is mourning the sudden loss of her beloved husband, Frank, and one year later is still struggling. Her daughter and grandson encourage her to get out and suggest that she attend the book club that Frank started. But this is no ordinary book club - it's a silent book club that is respectful of the fact that not everyone has the time to read or wants to talk. Grace soon finds herself wanting to help build up this small group as a tribute to Frank.

I loved this author's previous book, The Memory Library, and once again we find relatable characters dealing with issues, but finding support and love through community. This is definitely another love letter to books, and I found myself making notes of books to add to my never-ending TBR list and considering what my Desert Island Reads would be. There's also lots of discussion on ADHD and neurodivergent issues, all handled respectfully and informatively. The characters are great and I became emotionally attached to their journeys. Another fabulous book!

This is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters are totally believable the book tackles loneliness, bereavement andADHD

The further you get into the book the more you realise that this tackles things which go on in everyday life and through the bookclub lasting friendships are forged through a range of diverse characters. I want to read another book by this author.

This book was slow to start but ultimately I enjoyed it. A lovely story about the journey grief takes you on.

Book clubs are a source of joy for many, but Grace never understood her husband’s connection to his club. After he passes away, Grace finds answers in a journal her husband left behind. I found that the book got off to a slow start but became more interesting when Grace begins attending the book club and discovers why her late husband felt so connected to this community of readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this eCopy to review

The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey is a heart warming and uplifting story about love, loss, and the power of books to bring people together.

The novel follows Grace, a widow who has spent years supporting her late husband Frank’s passion for books, despite not being much of a reader herself. After Frank’s passing, Grace feels adrift, her home filled with books that now echo with memories. When her grandson suggests she join Frank’s old book club to feel closer to him, Grace reluctantly agrees. However, this isn’t your typical book club—members gather for an hour of silent reading, which initially leaves Grace feeling disconnected and disappointed.

But as Grace begins to connect with fellow member Annie, she finds herself determined to breathe new life into the group. Together, they transform the club into a vibrant community, rediscovering the joy of shared stories and forging new friendships. Along the way, Grace embarks on her own journey of healing and self-discovery, proving that it’s never too late to start a new chapter in life.

The Forgotten Book Club is a beautifully written celebration of books, community, and second chances. The emotional depth and tender moments made it a truly memorable read.

What a lovely portrayal of human connection this is - through Grace, struggling through the treacle that is grief we get to know a disparate group of people who are all part of a rather special book club with a difference. It covers some of lives most significant trials but also celebrates difference, acceptance and what it is to be human. Chuck in a love of reading as well and I couldn't help but enjoy this rather gorgeous book.

The Forgotten Book Club is not a book I soon forgot:) Most readers will really enjoy the many, many references to books, as I did. The insights to Grace's grief are spot on. Her family and the secondary characters are all enjoyable to read about. I agree with some others that while I didn't mind reading so much about ADHD, I did sort of wonder why it was emphasized so often.. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Summary: A really interesting entry into the sub-genre of books about books, this cosy story stood out for me because of its underlying focus on ADHD, neurodivergence and mental health. It was nice reading from the perspective of an older character, Grace, who is grieving the loss of her husband and gains a new lease of life when she joins the book club he started.

The first half of The Forgotten Book Club was stronger overall - I warmed to Grace very quickly as our POV character, empathising with her in her loneliness following the death of her husband Frank. Grace’s struggle to understand her grandson’s ADHD was extremely interesting at first, but by the end of the book I felt it had been oversimplified into just “well, I was wrong”.

Grace’s friendship with Annie, whom she meets at the book club, feels very genuine and sweet, like she’s found a light in the darkness. Annie and all the other characters are all fairly well-realised and fleshed out, with distinct personalities and backstories that don’t take over the main narrative, but still make them feel real.

By the end I think the “happily ever after” narrative had gotten a bit cliched and everything fell into place a little new neatly to be believable, but this was still a really enjoyable and thought-provoking book even if for me it didn’t quite stick the landing.

Recently widowed Grace had spent most of her married life supporting her husband Frank's intense joy of all things books, despite not being a book lover herself. Frank's study had become his own home library, the shelves bursting with his favourite books. Grace, still in the full throes of grief, had not found the courage to enter this room in the twelve months since he died. In an attempt to help Grace come to terms with Frank's death, grandson Jude suggests she join the Book Club Frank had set up some years previously. This is no ordinary book club: no chosen book for everyone to read and subsequently discuss, but a Silent Book Club where each member reads a book of their own choosing, in silence, for one hour. Unable to cope with even more solitude Grace initially rushes out, however is persuaded by one of the members to give it another try. Gradually Grace starts to find solace with this eclectic group of people and comes up with a plan to expand the Silent Book Club in Frank's memory.

Any plot involving books, libraries, book clubs or book shops always piques my interest and 'The Forgotten Book Club' did not disappoint. A heartwarming, flowing story about community and what can be achieved when a group of people work together for a common goal. Mental health, including ADHD, depression and the journey through grief are explored in a thoughtful way. Despite the sorrow that grief and mental health bring, this is a joyous and easy read. There are some delightful nuggets of wisdom, my favourite being the analogy to Russian dolls - each new experience adds another layer to a person, the experiences slot inside each other making you the person you are.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

I adored this book. Kate Storey has a wonder way of writing such brilliant characters and I fell in love with Grace and the bookclub members from the very start.
Covering topics of grief, neurodiversity and depression, this is so much more than a light read about books. Handled so sensitively, these topics are covered with love and compassion.
The grief Grace was feeling was totally consuming, but to see her find confidence in herself again was beautiful with the help of Annie, Crush and the others, and I loved how Frank’s books and journals were able to help her on this emotional journey and memories.

Kate Storey´s books always leave an impact and her latest The Forgotten Book Club does not disappoint. When I write a review for one of Kate Storeys´ books I never feel like I have the words to describe how wonderful it is and how it stays with me long after I have finished it. This is a book of loss, grief, and the power of community. Grace has lost her husband Frank and has felt lost without him. Its been a year and she still has not gone into his beloved library. She decides its time to enter his library and discovers a side of her husband she did not know, at first she is devastated. Grace thought after a lifetime together she knew everything about her Frank and she is so sad he never confided in her. This is when she starts attending the book club Frank started and meets the community he created.
This book addresses issues and made me aware of so many elements of mental health and grief. I absolutely loved this book its beautifully written and her characters are wonderful. Storeys´ books are never what I anticipate them to be and they always send me down a path of true reflection.

Grace has been struggling after the death of her beloved Frank so when her grandson Jude suggests going along to the book club that Frank ran she wasn’t too sure, but to appease Jude she went. To say that it wasn’t like most book clubs was no exaggeration. They didn’t have a book that they all read, instead they had silent reading time where people could feel free to read what ever they liked (sharing if they did at the chat at the beginning of each session. Grace was sure it wasn’t for her , that is until the had of friendship came from fellow member Annie. Then when Jude suggested that he came along with her to the next one she decided she would.

I felt Grace learnt more about Frank after this than she actually knew before.. it also taught her things about herself and her family. Read in one sitting . I loved the book recommendations, I’ve taken a note of some. Look forward to May this author.

This novel by Kate Storey is a beautiful read .it's about recently widowed Grace who is convinced by her grandson and daughter to join a book club her husband Frank started.
She had become a bit of a recluse over the 12 months since her husband suddenly died and the book club takes her on a journey of discovery about her family and the ADHD they have but had kept from her to protect her.
The characters are beautifully written and I really enjoyed seeing how Grace develops.
Definitely recommend

This wasn’t as deep and emotional as The Memory Library. I found the plot shallow esp its treatment of ADHD. Grace skepticism was heavy handed, her narrative made it sound like it’s a chronic and contagious disease the way she’s going on about it, overthinking it, and feeling a certain way about being “normal” compared to her “quirky” family.

All this being said, I did enjoy the relationships between the characters and the sense of community Frank’s Silent Book Club fostered amongst its members. I love the emphasis on the importance of reading and how it brings people together, and teaches empathy. I love Grace’s relationship with her family, and how reading helped her heal from Frank’s death and helped her foster new and lasting relationships.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7431238409
Fable: https://fable.co/review/374d47b3-30c8-4b2c-8777-b0b2d6562cdc/share

Recently widowed, Grace is convinced by her grandson to join a book club her husband Frank started. Deeply saddened by his passing 18-month prior, Grace has become a bit of a recluse. When she goes to the book club, she finds that it is not like a traditional book club. All of the members are reading a different book for part of the meeting, and discussing them at the end.

This silent book club makes Grace uncomfortable at first, but leads her to finally enter Frank's untouched library. As she rummages through his books, she begins to find journals about what he has read, his desire to bring awareness to mental health, and to revitalize the book club he started. As Grace strives to help achieve his goals, she starts to find a purpose in her life again.

This is my second book and second 4-star review of a book by Kate Storey. I really enjoy how shes is able to weave together such heartwarming stories around the impact of books in a person's life. I felt an instant connection to the diverse characters in this book and how reading was able to touch each one. And books about books/reading always seem to find a place in my heart. This book was an absolute hit for me and I look forward to reading more books from Kate Storey.

If doing a book challenge and you are looking for books that are mentioned in other books, this would be a great book to find them. Some, but not all, include:

Anxious People
The Year of Magical Thinking
All Quiet on the Western Front
Demon Copperhead
Gulliver's Travels
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Charlotte's Web
Rebecca
The Tempest
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and Kate Storey for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a bit to warm up to Grace. Her internal monologue when she found out her grandson had ADHD—and when she started piecing together that her late husband probably had it too—was hard to read. Not because it was poorly written (quite the opposite), but because it was real. And as someone who lives with ADHD every day, hearing those knee-jerk thoughts hit a little too close to home. I found myself flinching on behalf of past-me, the one who’s been on the receiving end of comments like those.

But here’s the thing—Grace grows. And not in a cheesy, all-tied-up-with-a-bow kind of way. She grows in the kind of messy, nonlinear, deeply human way that feels true. Watching a woman in her seventies unpack internalized ableism, reconnect with her past, and stumble toward vulnerability? Yeah, that’s the kind of character arc I’m always hungry for. We don’t get nearly enough stories where older women get to transform and expand instead of just fade quietly into the background.

And then there’s the book club itself—a cozy little gathering that feels like a beacon to anyone who’s ever wanted to belong without having to perform. It reminded me of my own love for the idea of silent book clubs, and that deep, hopeful longing to find a found family in exactly that kind of setting. Every time the characters came together, it made my heart do the little happy wiggle. You know the one.

This book isn’t perfect, but it is full of heart. It made me smile. It made me think. It reminded me why I keep showing up for stories about connection, no matter how different the people on the page may be from me. Sometimes, they surprise you. And sometimes, they help you understand yourself just a little bit more.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review—and I honestly loved this quiet little gem more than I expected.

I loved the fact that the main characters are older (70s), and, of course, I loved the book angle! I wish I could find more books like this. Character development was a bit uneven in regards to the book club members. I'd have liked to known them a bit better. Numerous topics are addressed in a sensitive matter, such as ADHD, and it made this book informative, as well as entertaining. I look forward to checking out future books from this author.


Possible trigger warnings: mental health issues (especially ADHD) and grief

Grace is dealing with depression after the death of her husband Frank. She is surrounded by bookshelves in every room, filled to the brim with books that he loved. Never having been much of a reader herself, this wasn't something that they shared. He had started a bookclub and tried multiple times to get her to join him, but she kept rebuffing him, finally asking him not to bring it up again. Now that he is gone, however, she is reconsidering her decision. It would be nice to be around those who also loved Frank, and having someone to help fill the silence in her life. However, when she arrives at the book club meeting, she is in for a rude awakening - it is a silent book club. There is a bit of catching up at the beginning, and people are free to talk about what they are reading if they choose to, but then everyone settles down and reads quietly whatever book they choose to read. Disappointed by the sparse attendance and confused by the lack of chatter, Grace flees Annie, one of the members, talks her into coming back the following week, though, and the more times she attends, the more she realizes this is exactly where she is meant to be.

I loved The Memory Library, so I was excited to read this one as well. This one was good, but it didn't quite stack up to The Memory Library. I loved all of the characters, and it had a good message. It was also heartwarming, and I learned a lot about ADHD and Neurodiversity because that was the underlying theme of the book. My one complaint is that it was a little too "in your face" about the ADHD. I think it was mentioned at least evry other page. I feel like the message would have gotten across just as well if the author had been a little more subtle about it. Possibly it is a British thing - maybe ADHD is not as prevalent there as it is here in the U.S. I don't know. Otherwise, this was a very enoyable book

I love @lisatimoneywrites books 💜The Forgotten Bookclub is her newest cozy work of fiction that absolutely delighted me.
Grace has been struggling to keep moving forward after the death of her beloved husband, Frank. Worried she has been leaning too much on her daughter and grandson she reluctantly agrees to attend Frank’s old book club, so she can show her daughter she really is fine. When she discovers the book club is a silent one, and the members are all close friends who share their feelings the entire thing overwhelms her. But with time she finds a new community and a new connection to the man she loved and lost.
As a reader and avid book lover I adored this. The community and friendships that are formed over a love of reading was beautiful. If you need to read about the good in humanity I definitely recommend picking up this one when it releases on April 10 (or really any Kate Storey book if you can’t wait that long)
Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for letting me have an advanced copy of #theforgottenbookclub for review
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #cozyreads

Grace is still grieving from the loss of her husband Frank who died twelve months earlier from a heart attack, married for forty seven years they were everything to each other and she is struggling to carry on without him. Her grandson Jude suggests she join the book club that Frank set up at a local bookshop years earlier, she doesn't have the same love of books that he did but she reluctantly agrees, when she arrives she discovers it's not what she expected, where members all read the same book and then discuss in the group, this is a silent group where they can read what they want but in an hour of silence, she can't cope with any more solitude and flees the shop. Fellow member Annie persuades her to give it another chance, from that moment she pledges that neither Frank, or his book club, will be forgotten and this, along with Frank's hidden journals could actually be just what she needs to help her through her grief.

This latest novel by Storey, although it centres around the bookclub and the legacy that Frank created, is about so much more than their love of books. This quirky group of people, who i absolutely adored from the beginning, were a little community of people that relied on each other and their love of books to escape reality for an hour every fortnight and this is exactly what Frank wanted from his silent book club, a place where they could go and not be judged by others for who they were and what genre of book they enjoyed. This story covers a range of subjects such as grief, depression, the understanding of neurodivergency and probably most important of all is friendship and how someone reaching out that hand of friendship can change another persons life in so many ways. I loved this author's first book, The Memory Library, so was excited when I heard about this one which was everything her debut novel offered and then some. This is another heartwarming, emotional story from one of my go to authors, which i highly recommend, but you will need tissues!

I'd like to thank Avon Books and NetGalley for inviting me to read this, I will post by review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.