Libraries are such special places, and it’s in one of these local havens that Hattie, Avril, Stuart, and librarian Will cross paths. For Hattie and Avril, the library starts out as a place of escape—but soon becomes much more. Hattie is on a journey to recover something she’s lost, while Avril is seeking a brighter future. Stuart, newly retired, is simply looking for purpose and a way to fill his time. Their lives intertwine when they decide to enter a writing competition together.

This novel is a charming and refreshing departure from my usual reads. It’s a heartwarming story about connection, loss, resilience, and the unlikely friendships that form in the most unexpected places. The narrative is cleverly layered—a story within a story—and it’s all tied together beautifully.

The characters are engaging and relatable, each bringing their own personal history to the group. The writing is light and accessible, with moments of gentle humor—many of them thanks to the ever-endearing Hattie. The growing bond between the characters is genuinely touching; they support and inspire each other, not just in their writing, but in life.

The story wraps up on an uplifting note, showing how powerful and transformative friendships can be—regardless of age or background. It’s a tender and inspiring read that left me feeling hopeful. While I enjoyed all the characters, Hattie especially stood out and left a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The “Storytellers” is a beautifully told tale of a group of three strangers who come together via a library competition to write an original story. Each one is to write a chapter then continue where the other has left off like the game consequences.

The main characters both the storytellers and those in the story they tell together, are complex and full of long held emotions and anxieties that are released in the company of their new found friends. As they meet and write they learn new things about each other and themselves. We are treated to each chapter of the developing story alongside snippets of the lives of the storytellers themselves.

The characters are all at different stages in their lives but all equally insecure about the paths they have taken and choices they need to make. The book is a celebration of multi age friendships and the soothing power of words both creating, reading and sharing. Sue Heath is a master storyteller she brings together unlikely souls and weaves tales that mesmerise the reader, none so fantastic that they can’t be real but soft, kindly told emotive stories well worth telling.

Delightful!

The local library is more than just a place where you can borrow a book-It’s a place where community members can gather.

And, that is why when this library announces a creative writing contest-it wants the entries to be a collaborative effort-one written the way a FIRESIDE TALE is told-with one person starting and the next person continuing the story in their own voice, and in their own handwriting.

Recently widowed Hattie, is looking to reconnect with someone from her past-afraid of wasting however many years she may have left.

Avril, has just quit a job she wasn’t enjoying but she isn’t sure what she should do instead.

Stuart, has just retired and isn’t sure how to fill his free time, but he has always wanted to write a novel.

And, Will is a bookstore owner from Cambridge, working as a librarian here, temporarily, while home helping his sick Dad.

That is how these four very different individuals find themselves in the library together the day when a determined Hattie sees the flyer and decides she wants to enter! She won’t take NO for an answer, convincing the other three to join her team and that is how their novella is born.

📖 ✍🏻

We are treated to a STORY WITHIN A STORY, as Hattie begins the tale, and the others have no idea what they will receive when the notebook is passed to them, and it is their turn to continue the story…

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW

It ends up being a very therapeutic exercise for each of them as they explore their own emotions through the characters in their story, and form new friendships with each other while doing so.

I really enjoyed the concept, and even the story within the story is good, although I don’t think each of the team’s writers really had a distinct voice. And, while we scratched the surface of what drew each character to the library, I don’t think we delved deep enough to bring me to tears (happy or sad) by the end.

In this World which seems anything but- I am finding myself being drawn more and more frequently to “Up Lit” (a literature trend, written to be uplifting-which explores deeper themes with a positive outcome, focusing on kindness, empathy and connection) and if you are too-this is definitely a story which I wouldn’t hesitate to RECOMMEND!

AVAILABLE AUGUST 1, 2025!

Thank You to One More Chapter for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I expected a lot more from this book but I was underwhelmed. It reminded me of something read recently called The Midnight Bookshop and actually that book is advertised in the endpapers..

It is really just "once upon a time four people met and became friends, some small problems are resolved and they all live happily ever after.

This book is very slow and repetitive. I found the characters to be flat and was not very interested in their backstories/problems. I didn't learn anything new , there is no tension; no one has any interesting secrets or is acting in a duplicitous or gaslighting way. it is not in any way moving and my heart remained unwarmed.

For such a simple tale it took me ages to read it, probably because I found it and the characters, apart from Stuart I suppose, exasperating. Everything is spelled out and reiterated throughout the book, I don't know how many times we are told how amazing and adventurous the supremely irritating Harriet is or how many times we hear Will mooning over how marvellous and different Avril is. Lisa's complete volte face at the end seemed particularly unbelievable.

At first I preferred the story within the story that they are writing for the competition but after a couple of chapters I could not work out what was going on and was entirely confused by it all.

The epilogue is just what you would expect.

I have given this book a 3 because although I did not like it, it is a fairly good example of its type...

a story about stories and how much we adore stories. and also how much we adore our libraries. this book wraps itself around you like a giant comfort. i loved every moment of being involved in this story and the characters within it.
this library is where we meet our crew for this book. we've got Hattie,Avril, Stuart and Will. they all meet here. they all go or are there for one thing but end up finding so much more. this book is a wonderful way of talking us through the importance of connection and how much friendship, love and o support in life is something of a blessing. and it can lie in the unexpected places and with unexpected people.
i love how we learn of them through their time together but also their own individual journey and tale was so captivating and important too,
the added little bonus of the competition they all bond over is such a wonderful detail. its like a Russian dolls of stories this one and i loved that effect.
this story is wonderful. thats it. that all. that is all you need to know. oh and to read it. if you need to feel better today choose this book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Published: August 1, 2025
Series: Novel
Pages: 384

Not sure why I waited to read some stories, but the wait was well worth it. “The Storytellers” is the first read by Sue Heath, a new author to this reader. This was a heartwarming story of four characters connected by a library who decided to write a story together for a competition. It is filled with second chances of hope, faith, courage and healing while overcoming the struggles that embodies their lives. I did love the idea behind Ms. Heath writing this story and thought it was well-written and the characters well-developed forming lasting friendships. When I read One More Chapter novels, they are truly inspirational. Recommend the read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love a book where a group of strangers come together, with random backgrounds and experiences yet strive to meet a common goal all whilst figuring out their own issues. A lovely tale of community, friendships and working with others, supporting them and being there when things go wrong and right! Great characters, a lovely story about seeing things in other ways and the power of words.

Chance meeting in the local library and joining forces to enter a writing competition. Stuart who has retired and feeling adrift and feeling surplus to requirements.
Hattie newly windowed and free to find I love of her life, after decades in a stifling marriage.
Avril who has finished her hairdressing job and is looking for something that inspires her.
The back story's of the three as they each write chapters to complete the story .
Inspired and encouraged by will the temporary librarian who has his own story to add to the mix.
Very different people working together and finding common ground, friendship and respect

Hattie goes to the public library hoping to learn how to use a computer so she can find Peter, a friend she once had many years ago. While at the library Hattie sees a notice about a writing competition that appeals to her, only to learn that to enter the competition you must be part of writing group at the library.

At the library Hattie meets some other lonely people and convinces them it would be good for them to form a writing group and take part in the competition.

Avril and Stuart formed a writing group with Hattie, and the librarian, Will became a fourth member.

Together they write a short story, each taking turns to write a chapter. I loved the way they developed and wrote their story and how they helped each other with their personal life and developed friendships.

I loved the cover on the E-Book.

This was a novel about friendships, families and grief. Lots of twists and turns.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher One More Chapter for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

What a great read. Loved the idea behind this book. Was interesting to learn each member of the groups story. Would recommend this book.

This was an easy read and I was instantly drawn in as I love anything to do with libraries. I loved all the characters and liked how all stories developed. Perfect light summer read a d would definitely check out other books by the author in the future as her writing style is effortless and descriptive. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc. Rounded up to 4 stars.

This was such a fun an easy read.

It encompasses the community built from within the public library and it represents that warm, safe feeling, perfectly.

It begins with Hattie, a newly widowed and entertaining older woman. She’s the driving force that creates a writing group with 3 other strangers, to enter a writing competition.

Next we have Will, the part time librarian who brings gentle calm to every conversation, a romantic at heart.

Avril joins the group despite not being a writer and potentially dyslexic, purely because she’s taken with Hattie and newly unemployed.

Stuart, the last member is special in his own way too, newly retired and struggling to find ways to fill his time, learns an important lesson about his marriage along the way.

I really enjoyed all of the characters. They were all very different but managed to come together to create a story that represented each of their lives, while supporting and complimenting each other.

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a heartwarming, and fun read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy, feel-good read that reminded me why libraries are magical. I adored the intergenerational friendships and the concept of writing a story together—each chapter revealing something deeper about the characters. It’s a gentle, uplifting tale with a story-within-a-story twist that worked so well.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is such a clever, intelligently written book. It is a story written within a story allowing the characters to work out their problems and get to know each other under the auspices of writing a short story as a group for a competition. I loved the way this was done. I wasn't sure how it would work at first but it did work and just beautifully. It has a little bit of everything you could want in a book. Mystery, romance, intrigue, subterfuge and some sadness. The storyline has enough twists and surprises to keep the reader's attention right to the very end which in itself is very satisfying. A very enjoyable book which I'm happy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Wonderful story about four people who come together to write a story for a writing competition. The main character is an elderly woman which I love! Each character writes a part of the story and it has a hint of what's happening in their own lives. I enjoyed each character and I even enjoyed the story they wrote. I would definitely recommend if your looking for something light to read that just makes you feel good.

This one snuck up on me in the best way. It starts like a gentle meander through your local library (complete with coffee, community vibes, and emotional repression), but by the end, you’re rooting for a bunch of strangers who accidentally form a support group via creative writing prompts. As one does.

Hattie’s chasing ghosts. Avril’s hiding from her life. Stuart’s mid-existential spiral. Will is the cinnamon roll librarian we all deserve. They shouldn’t work together on paper—and honestly, sometimes they don’t—but that’s part of the charm. The tension isn’t flashy. It’s quiet. It’s in the pauses and the unsaid things. It’s very British grief with a side of growth.

Some pacing issues and a few “emotional revelations by monologue” moments kept this from a full five stars, but I loved the way it honored ordinary people trying to stitch themselves back together through story. Found family, gentle healing, and a reminder that libraries are magic.

Would recommend if you’ve ever used a blank page as therapy and believe that sometimes the most unexpected people end up being your plot twist.

I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and a wonderful story line. I loved the library setting. Highly recommended.

Wonderful book - really enjoyed it! Four individuals meet by chance in their local library and quickly bond when Hattie ropes them all into a writing competition. None of the others seemed particularly keen, but she wouldn't accept no for an answer! Turned out to be the best thing for all of them, where they poured their own emotions, worries and problems into the characters in the book they were writing collaboratively. Such a lovely idea to write a chapter each then pass the notebook onto the next person to continue the story. And the story telling made such a difference to all their lives, being very therapeutic, forcing them all to face their issues and move forward.

Highly recommend this book, with its' story within a story, as you get to read chapters from their competition writing entry.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

A chance meeting at the local library brings four unlikely characters together as they enter a book writing competition each taking turns to write a chapter.

Its funny, its poignant and as each chapter takes the direction its individual author decides they find themselves looking at their themselves and the direction their life has taken. I loved the characters and the friendship that grew from their collaboration.

This novel filled me with a warm sense of nostalgia for the days when I was a regular at my local library. A must read for booklovers.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own

I previously read the novel The Secret Ingredient by Sue Heath. A beautiful story about loss and finding new friendships.
When I saw her second book: The Storytellers, about a group of people
who participate in a wrtingcompetition, I wanted to read that one too.


What a wonderful story to read. The characters are well developed. All their doubts and thoughts come across as realistic and honest. The interaction between the characters is good and feels natural, just like the dialogues that are described. As a reader, you feel like the fifth person listening to what happens and is said.

It is nice to see that the writing assignment that they do for the competition is also completely included in the book. So you read a book within a book. They take turns writing a chapter and they complete it from each other. It is well done, because what they feel, think and discover in their own search for where they are now, is incorporated into their mutual stories. And yet it becomes a whole.

It is written in a nice way, with humor and love and a small dose of drama. The Storytellers is a beautiful book with sweet characters in an original feel-good story.

The Storytellers focuses on four characters. They have all lost something and are looking for something, but they don't know what. The oldest of the four is Hattie. She has recently become a widow. Her marriage was difficult with a dominant man. Now she is 'free'. In the library she sees a flyer for a writing competition for groups. The first person she recruits to participate is Will, the library employee. He has a broken heart and his life is in sleep mode. The second person she recruits is the young Avril. She has quit her job and comes to the library as if she is at work, because she didn't say anything at home about the dismissal. Finally, Stuart joins in, recently retired and looking for a way to fill his life. It turns out to be a group that complements and strengthens each other and that combination turns out to be healing for everyone.