The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Life can begin with a single story. You just have to Bring Your Own Book…For three decades, Grace supported her husband Frank’s passion for books, even though her own love for literature paled in comparison. Since his passing, the shelves echo longingly, and Grace's heartache has only grown.​

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2025; Avon; 978-0008763084
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); women's fiction

This wonderful, uplifting book is a book about books and about the community that can be formed when you get a group of book lovers together.  

Grace has been mourning her beloved husband Frank for a year, and on the anniversary of his death, she decides to open the door to his study for the first time.  Seeing his study reminds her of what an avid reader he was.  He had even started a book club at their local bookstore.  She wasn't interested in reading and never asked much about his book club.  Her daughter and grandson suggest that she join the book club that Frank started.  She doesn't really want to, but her grandson suggests that she go to one meeting, and if she didn't like it, they'd never mention it again.  She agrees to attend, and when she goes, she's amazed to find out that it's a silent book club.  Members don't read the same book and discuss it - instead, they all read their own book and then share about their book.  She really doesn't like all of the quiet reading, but when she leaves, one of the members, Annie, talks to her and they make plans to meet again and become friends.  Once she gets used to the silent book club plus finds Frank's reading journals, she begins to realize what a great idea it all is - especially for people who are a bit shy.  She makes it her new goal to expand the book club and bring new members into her book club, and as she breathes new life into the group, she might just find this is where she truly belongs. ​Because this next chapter of life could just be the beginning of her story…

This was a very interesting book -- not only were the members of the club of different ages, but they were all from different walks of life.  It really showed that a group of book lovers can become friends with other book lovers, no matter where they are in their lives -- books bring a good connection to other people.

The book club not only gave Grace a new community of friends, but it also helped her start a new life without her beloved husband.  The book club helped take her grief to a smaller part of her life instead of being her whole life like it had been.  This is a wonderful story about the way that books can change your life and help bring meaning and friendship.  As a plus for me, there were several books mentioned that I have added to my 'to be read' list.

Buy The Forgotten Book Club at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.   

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