Review of 'The Forgotten Book Club' by Kate Storey

Review of 'The Forgotten Book Club' by Kate Storey

Release date: April 10th, 2025

Publisher: Avon Books

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REVIEW

The Forgotten Book Club is a story about human connection: the importance of community, finding friendships, overcoming loneliness, helping each other through various life stages and disruptions, and expressing and processing grief in a positive way. But this novel is also about mental health. It focuses quite heavily on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Through the characters’ discussions, we hear about the public perceptions and misinformation about the condition. Plus the struggles of those who have it. They often suffer from self-imposed limitations and lack of confidence. And sometimes the feeling it is unfair to have a romantic relationship with a person who does not have ADHD due to the challenges of the disorder. These are just a few of the areas covered on this topic that take precedence.

But as the title states, a book club is the vehicle that carries all the concerns presented in The Forgotten Book Club. Here in this book community with its inviting cosy setting, major plot things happen. Any story that focuses on books, bookstores or writers, always grabs my attention and gets me inside the front cover! And this one has a unique book club that offers its members more than just books. It is here where friendships are forged and worthwhile projects are born. Without knowing much about this special book club, our main character Grace supported her husband’s interest in it. Even though she wasn’t a big reader, she knew Frank drew great joy from his activities in this friendly setting. Later she discovers how much he has contributed to others’ lives in this group setting. While she learns about his passion, her heart starts beating with new purpose and meaning.

After Frank dies, Grace struggles with the grief of her loss. Finding herself alone (and lonely) she is not quite sure how to go forward without him. So she turns to his interests—in hopes it will make her feel closer to him in his absence. Prompted by her grandson, she appears at Frank’s favourite Book club. But she does not tell anyone who she is at first. Her first encounter is a confusing one. For this book club operates very differently from what she expects a book club to be. Isn’t it a place where its members pick out a book, read together and then meet to discuss the pros, cons, merits and magic (or lack of) of their selection? Not this one! It runs on silence but that is all I will say! As Grace slowly gets to know the people who attend and system her husband created, she sees its value and wants to add even more to what he has left behind.

There are some lovely wise lines in the novel such as ‘good friendships share life’s load between them.’ How true! Other discussions include the importance of libraries and authors’ payments from books that are loaned. And when Grace decides to help out and expand the book club into other areas to reach more people, then the plan of fund raising begins. Plus she weaves her interest of ADHD awareness into the book club activities to help those like her husband and grandson.

This novel is a lot about what it is like to be human and sharing the earth with others who may be different from you. Everyone is doing their best to live, learn, love and survive. I liked many aspects of the novel. Although The Forgotten Book Club was different from the author’s previous book, the delightful topic of books is shared! I enjoyed the mentions and thoughts on various fiction titles, the uniqueness of the book club and why it was started. I also loved Frank’s beautiful journal entries that really helped Grace move forward. Other intriguing characters and their various interactions kept the plot hurdling along. The mental health topic, though, is quite dominant which some readers may find overwhelming. But give the story a go as there are some touching moments, amazing truths and uplifting discoveries to behold. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for a review copy.