I loved this book! Such a unique story and so well-written. The story centers around four library visitors. The story unfolds and unveils their stories to the reader in a wonderful way. Worth the read!

Four library goers, each with their own story join together to enter a writing competition. Each must follow on from another, writing the next chapter in their book. Wonderful writing, the reader can identify with each character . .

A really lovely story about a chance meeting in a library for the characters Hattie, Stuart, Will and Avril . I thoroughly enjoyed the book while letting the characters unfold and give their reasons for being in the library.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for the early read

A group of people write a story which mirrors their lives and concerns. Will is a librarian and enjoys his job. Hattie has just lost her controlling husband. Love her dog, Nutmeg! April has resigned from her job. Stuart escapes to the library to avoid his wife’s life-painting group. They jointly enter a book-writing competition. Their story mirrors events in their lives. A cosy story of friends helping each other.

This was an enchantingly captivating book that completely drew me in from the very start I was totally invested in the characters and the story line. I loved it

Enjoyable read that had my attention from beginning to end

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

I received a free copy of, The Storytellers, by Sue Heath, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Will, Avril, Stuart, and Hattie met at the library. I have always loved libraries they are amazing places. This was a good read about four people who come together to write a story and learn new things about themselves and the others.

This story is proof that books and stories are the perfect tonic. Not only can they bring unexpected people together but they can put light onto your own lives.

A truly heartwarming story about 4 people from different generations of life who enter a novella writing contest at their local library. It's told from the perspectives of each character where we learn about their lives both past and present and the hurdles they are individually facing.

I adored all the characters they complimented each other so well and I loved seeing their friendship blossom.

The bonus is we got a story inside a story and I was just as curious about the novella they were writing as I was about the book itself.

So powerful and emotive, like a big cuddle if im honest.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

Four strangers come together to participate in a library writing competition and,in the process, become friends, help each other heal, and learn about their place in the world. The story is Immediately heart warming- sharing the significance of libraries and connection through books and a free community space. Will, Hattie, Avril, and Stuart all touch on being in different places in life, but growing and becoming more grounded through the power of community and writing. This book inspires you to write; with stories as a metaphor for life, a blank page, starting over. There’s also a bit of mystery woven throughout the multiple points of view and it makes for the perfect page turner.

This was a very interesting concept for a story. I thought it was well written and I enjoyed the character development throughout. I enjoyed the competition aspect of it which helped each character on their life path. My only critique would be that it was a little choppy. I understand the different POVs throughout for our story plus the story they are writing but I feel like if I read the story they wrote straight through, it would've been a little disconnected. Overall, it was a cute story.

A wholesome story that explores the idea that writing is a form of therapy.

The chances of these four individuals meeting were very unlikely, until a library and a writing competition brings them together. (For all my fellow readers out there, that will grab your attention!) Four people looking to mend their minds and their hearts, hurt and/or broken for various reasons. Putting yourself out there, meeting new people and taking risks is what binds these characters together, no matter their age or gender.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK for the advanced copy via NetGalley. These opinions are entirely my own and not based on the final copy. While I found the story got off to a scattered start and at times the dialogue read a little unnatural, as a whole, this story is super sweet and a call to action to be kind, take chances and tap in to the power of community.

This was such a wonderful read. It’s not a book packed with action or wild twists—and that’s exactly what made it so special. The story was simple, but the characters were full of heart.

I didn’t keep turning the pages because of the plot—I kept reading because I completely fell in love with the people in it. I just wanted to spend more and more time with them... especially Hattie.

This book felt like a cozy blanket—comforting, gentle, and full of charm. If you love character-driven stories with heart, this one’s worth picking up.

A delightful weekend read. A story within a story as told by a group who are committed to entering a writing competition at their local library. Will , the library assistant; Hattie, who had lost her controlling husband and ventures into the library in search of help in finding an old friend; Stuart, who has recently retired and is still finding out what to do in retirement and Avril; who has quit her job as a hairdresser and is not sure what to do next. They begin writing chapters for the competition and in doing so they learn they need each other as much as the writing competition. It is a story of letting go of the past and embracing life and moving forward.
An uplifting read !

A wonderful story inside a story of letting go of the past and finding our path.

4.75⭐️

Pub Date 8/1/25

#thestorytellers
#sueheath
#netgalley
#findingyourpath

An enjoyable gentle read with strong characters. Set in a small town Cheshire, an unlikely group of people get together to enter a competition run by libraries in the area. Apart from following the lives of the four writers, the short novella is also included in the stages as it evolves. Different, light read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming story of 4 strangers coming together to enter a library writing competition. Hattie, Avril, Stuart, and Will and their own personal stories came together beautifully. A perfect escape read about life's journeys and friendship. Many thanks to the publisher, author and netGalley for an early e-copy. 5 stars.

I always gravitate toward books set in libraries, so The Storytellers instantly appealed to me. The local library setting—with its books, coffee, and sense of community—was heart warming, and I enjoyed seeing how the writing competition brought together such a mismatched group: Hattie, Avril, Stuart, and librarian Will.

Will, with his “twinkle in his eye that suggested he might have a wicked sense of humour under that librarian outer shell,” was a particular favourite. (Why are librarians always portrayed as boring and quiet? How rude!)

I also really appreciated the age representation. It was refreshing to see Hattie, a genuinely elderly character at 87, portrayed with spirit, intelligence, and warmth—rather than the recent trend of calling 60-year-olds old and frumpy (I’m 51, so yes, that grates).

Avril’s journey into reading and writing was beautiful, and I liked the “found family” vibe that formed between the characters. There was also a lovely thread of therapeutic connection through shared creativity.

Where it lost me a little was the story within the story—the one the group wrote for the competition. That part felt unnecessarily wordy and slowed things down for me. I found myself more invested in the real lives of the characters, especially side characters like Lisa and Lucy, who I wanted more from.

Still, this was a heart warming, quietly powerful read about stories, healing, and friendship.

3.5 stars (rounded up for setting, community spirit, and a library full of life.)

This book is for everyone who enjoys reading and books. A group of people meet in a library, each with their own personal life story , Their connections grow as they decide to enter a writing competition, each writing their own part to make a final story.

The characters are so diverse, Hattie an 87 year old widow, Avril who is trying to find more about her past , Stuart struggling with retirement and Will the librarian who has left his home and business to be nearer to his aging parents.

This novel is all about friendship, moving forward, and sharing interests which can give support and purpose. A really heartwarming read, I loved all the characters and how they developed through their shared love of books and storytelling,

I liked the idea of this story with the writing competition and the story within a story. I have read a couple of books lately set in and around the local library and wonder if it's becoming an overused trope. It's an okay book, although a bit twee for me. I did like Hattie's character. With thanks for the e-ARC to read and review.