This novel really affected me. Set in a near-future dystopian world where fiction is banned, it details the bland existence of Fern, a former prize-winning author now relegated to a mundane cleaning job. She finds her way to an underground group that reads bedtime stories over the phone to children and develops a relationship with a boy named Hunter. The tedium and low-level dread of Fern's life is changed by her participation in the group and I was surprised by the direction the novel took at the end.

I have reviewed End of Story for book recommendation site LoveReading.co.uk

I’ve chosen it as a Star Book and Liz Robinson pick of the month for its publication month.

Please see the link for full review.

Wow I really don’t know where to begin with this one. Although this is a 2023 book, I couldn’t wait to delve in and now I have months to wait before I can discuss this one.

Fern Dostoy is criminal– a fiction writer. Just imagine a world in which fiction is banned and novels are burnt.

The horror I’ve felt at this aspect, has resulted in me stroking my books and reminding those around me of the consequences of coming near my books. It’s a thought that terrifies me- a world without fiction novels.

However, Swanson takes us on a journey with Fern- writer, award winner, laureate. As a reader, you feel for her and can’t help but want to give her a great big cwtch because of her circumstances.

Once I’d got over the nightmare the author planted (burning of books), I devoured page after page. There are so many scary elements to this one, yet they are presented in a way which is completely imaginable and realistic.

As events in this one have unravelled, I’ve found myself completely speechless and unable to put this down. I’ve needed to know how this was going to play out. Swanson is a genius, this is a book that will completely pull the ground from under you. I have been completely speechless and unable to predict this.

I am in awe of how effortlessly this flows. Swanson is talented and this is a book which absolutely must be a bestseller. I can say nothing negative about this gem because it’s everything I had anticipated and so much more. This truly is a book worthy of all the stars.

A must for the TBR.

There’s going to be a day, soon - if not already - where this author’s work is going to be on school / university reading lists, End Of Story especially.
The humanity in this novel is a shining beacon.
In my eyes, a dystopian read - whether apocalyptic or post, totalitarian or even speculative - had to have a sense of all hope gone, but at the same time, some semblance of belief to cling to.
End Of Story is superbly written. I CARED massively about the characters.
This book is going to be a major hit.
Solid five stars.

Having read End of Story during the balmy days of October 2022, I could well believe the setting of a heatwave in November 2035. But that's not the only catastrophe that's happened. In another believable move, fiction has been banned by the government and only factual books are allowed to be sold and read. Parents could go to prison and have their children removed if they're caught telling them a bedtime story. For Fern Dostoy, a best-selling, award-winning author, this is more than a travesty. Her whole life is turned upside down as she's not allowed to acknowledge her previous success. She's also monitored on a regular basis to ensure she's no longer writing. But Fern is writing a diary, a secret one that reveals everything that's going on.

There's immediacy and intimacy in Louise Swanson.'s writing that captured me completely and drew me in. I was in the story with Fern, feeling everything that she was feeling. I could instantly relate to and feel her despair, not just for herself, but for everyone affected. Rather worryingly, I could imagine a time where fiction might be banned. A stunning book.

I absolutely loved the premise of this novel and the execution is excellent.

Louise Swanson has created a dystopian society where fiction is forbidden and writers are enemies of the public.
Despite finishing this book over a week ago, I can't stop thinking about the characters.

An intelligent, moving novel.

I read 1984 in the 70s, and Children of Men when it was published in, I think, 1991, so it intrigued me when an author whose work I hugely enjoy (as Louise Beech) decided to write her 9th novel as a futuristic one. Set not that many years away, though; indeed, someone of my vintage reading End of Story may well look at some elements and wince, but what Louise Swanson has actually done is add some pretty thought-provoking "what ifs" to a modern day catastrophe and turn them into a reality of the near future in this story of one woman's plight, trying to maintain the life she used to have. Some very poignant moments and some others that may leave you wanting to rage against the machine, but certainly a book that will linger long after the final page has been read.

My thanks to the publishers, Hodder, and Netgalley UK, for the advance review copy of this book and the opportunity to read prior to publication in March.

Very enjoyable book. It had a different storyline than I was expecting. Great character building. Would definitely recommend this book

This book inspires and scares in equal measure. End of story is set not so far in the future (2035) where books of fiction are banned, the protagonist, an award-winning writer Fern Dostoy, reveals how creativity has been banished. No books, no theatre and only factual programmes available and writers are no longer able to write and are closely monitored by sinister Government officials who regularly turn up unannounced. Fern befriends a delivery man who tries to tempt her with tea and biscuits and she is both intrigued and annoyed with him. With bedtime stories banned, children are deprived of storytelling but through a clandestine group, Fern gets a call from an eight year old boy Hunter and weekly, he calls for the latest instalment. The final quarter of the book springs quite a surprise. It is both redeeming and touching. A well-crafted and original story. A sombre read that is thought-provoking and for book lovers everywhere, a reminder of how much joy reading brings. Keep your enemies close, but your beloved books closer.

This is a book of two halves.
The first had me gripped in a world where fiction is banned and where our best selling heroine is observed constantly and cannot quite believe that her stories appear to be coming true. A dystopian nightmare of what could happen is stories were gone.
The second made me much more thoughtful and reflect, much more would spoil it.
Highly recommended.

Quitei a novel

Unique and frightening

I loved how vague it is in the sense that you don't know where this is all happening or where it could happen. that could be anywhere ! That is scary

A very unique read

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

I jumped into this book without any expectations. I liked the blurb and the title looked cool so thought why not read it. The book is set in 2035, all fiction is banned and storytelling is illegal, the government punishes the people who disobey this law. All the famous former authors are being imprisoned in unknown places and ordered to keep low profiles. Big four were the last four famous books and one was written by Fern Dostoy, She wrote the book in grief after losing her husband. Now Fern is forced to do a low-wage job with another identity. Her life is so monotonous, the only change is two police inspectors who come to inspect her. However, it is impossible to erase the whole fiction from the minds of people. People are trying in one way or another to keep connected with stories that make it difficult for a former famous author to live in isolation.

If, I'll have to define this book in one word it would-be SIMPLE. The writing was so simple and the focus was only on ordinary elements and events of Fern's life. Sometimes, world-building doesn't have to be ostentatious. A regular world can be equally charming. I really enjoyed the writing and savor each detail. I agree that nothing is perfect so, in the middle, it started the downfall of the book, Ferns' character started to be dull, and the book entered into a boring land. I was bored and just wanted to finish it but after 80% of the book it took an interesting and totally unexpected turn that was able to grab all of my attention and I loved those twists and turns. I don't wanna spoil but normally this kind of twist is banal and not my favorite. But the way the author manipulate things was really clever.

If you wanna read a dystopian mystery with a good amount of emotions then go ahead.

Genuinely think this will be one of the big titles for 2023. Such a clever concept. The writing is hauntingly beautiful, and done in a way that drags you head first into Louise Swanson’s world. It’s one that attracts and repels you for all the right reasons, not least of which are the opposing cast of characters who carry the story. Will be surprised if this isn’t still at least in my top 5 by the end of the year.

I'll start at the beginning and admit this book blew my socks off from the first pages. And — wow — the end of (the) story caught me completely unawares and alternating between gasping and wiping away tears.
Having read several of the author's novels under a different name, I knew her to be outstandingly talented. This nightmarish read (imagine a world where fiction is banned, and authors dealt with brutally for their 'crimes'), underlines again her ability to weave magic with words. And to create characters that will stay in your mind for a long time. As always, so many outstanding lines:
The voice is different when it reads. The words are different when lifted from the page. The air holds its breath when a story is told.
Discretion; I love that word. I formed it silently in my corner. I can be as discreet as soft net curtains hiding an illicit encounter.
I sensed the author bleeding out her heart and soul into this intense and thought-provoking tale. Memories, moments of pain spilling out across the pages, raw and real.
I don't want to say anything about the plot because you simply have to read this. Just be ready to put the rest of your life on hold when you do.

An atmospheric and highly original read; I really enjoyed this and did not see the twist coming. With a futuristic yet plausible plot, this story provides suspense as well showing insightful perspective on loss and grief. Very readable -I was completely gripped and will be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Louise Swanson, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC.

I’ve had to think really hard about this review. It is a testament to the writing that I knew it was a 5⭐️ read but struggled to work out why!

Fern, our main character, is strongly developed and interesting. She narrates her story for us in diary entries which, although believable, leave the reader with a slight feeling of confusion. This air of mystery is fascinating rather than annoying and carries the reader forward, wanting to know more.

About two thirds of the way through I guessed what the ending was going to be and, to be honest, my heart fell. Without wanting to give spoilers, it could have been a real cop-out of an ending. But it was done so well that it totally redeemed itself. And best of all, it’s one of those books that make me want to read it again with the knowledge of the ending.

Bravo Louise Swanson.

This is a difficult book to review without spoiling it in any way, so I won’t recount any more of the story than the blurb gives you.

If you are not familiar with the author, I think you’ll enjoy this book for what it is straight away and will probably just go with the flow.

My issue was that I have read a lot of books this author has written under the name Louise Beech, and I love her for the emotional response her characters evoke. This was lacking for me for the first half of the book, I wasn’t connecting with Fern and something seemed off about her relationships with people. I had expected more, that special something was missing… until later events, when it all made perfect sense! All the bits that didn’t gel were suddenly all the more poignant and all the feels I’m used to getting from the author were there in spades. It was absolutely heartbreaking and I could really relate to Fern and imagine her pain. I’m glad I didn’t give up when I felt like it was missing the soul I had come to expect, you have to go with it and trust Louise, I’m sorry I ever doubted her!

a creative taale set in the future, an unusual read that is both curiously and compelling. The story deals with some dark and difficult topics and had a surprising ended which i really enjoyed.

What a fantastic book! I was both captivated and dismayed by the dystopian elements as things got worse and worse for the Fern and the terrible life she was leading in the not to distant future - my heart broke when all of the strands of the book came together at the end. Unique and unputdownable - highly recommended.

What an addictive story this one was. Set in a world where fiction is illegal, one writer tries to keep a record of what has happened and what life has become. Full of dark specificities and characters who are doing what they can to be rebellious, to fight for what they once knew. I consumed every page of this like it's the last book I'll ever be allowed to read.