The Keeper of Stories: The most charming and uplifting novel you will read this year! Paperback – 17 Mar. 2022

I had totally run out of books from the plethora of author's I usually turn to and this book was suggested as something I might like by the kindle app. To be honest, it wasn't the genre I'm currently exploring and I wasn't sure I'd like it, but stuck waiting somewhere I thought I'd read a chapter or two just to pass the time....Well, the characters are people you could know, believable, funny, sad, real. Decius, the Fox Terrier is as wise as he is funny. This is a story of a woman who collects stories, and in a lot of ways maybe we all do as we travel through life.The friendships she builds and the trials she faces, alongside of those of her friends make for a beautiful heartwarming story.I don't want to spoil the story by giving anything away so will just say if you want a bit of joy in your life this is a good story for you. Well written and easy to read, but hard to put down.Who would like this story... everyone.Happy reading.

This is a really lovely, gentle story that doesn’t lack depth or intrigue.Janice is a cleaner that likes to collect stories. One per person, filed away in her mind to be revisited whenever she wants. Her clients provide the basis for many of these, and there is a wonderful mix of characters, each very different and each bringing another layer to the themes of the book.It’s very much about the relationships we have with others and what they bring to our lives. How the stories we tell ourselves, are quite different to how others would tell our story. Janice uses her love of other peoples lives, to distract her from not really living her own. I particularly loved the character of Mrs B, a formidable woman in her 90’s with a fascinating life, who brings something out of Janice that has long been buried.I really liked the writing, it’s hard to believe it’s a debut as the whole structure and flow felt really accomplished. It was a pleasure to read. I’d definitely recommend this book, it covers some quite hard hitting topics in such a sensitive and thought provoking way. I came away inspired to start collecting stories of my own.

I often tend to start my review with ‘this book has been in my library for awhile’ and this book was no exception. Another ‘why have I waited so long’ as this is a wonderful book. I enjoyed the storyline and most of the characters; it made a change from psychological thrillers. I will certainly look out for other books by this author and if like me this has sat in your library for sometime, I would highly recommend that you download and read it.

Intelligence and wit, sadness and regret all in one, a beautiful read. I loved every page and it’s a must read.

📚 Janice likes to collect stories from overheard conversations. As a cleaner her collection is extensive, but she’s never been asked to share her own story until she starts working for an elderly lady, Mrs B. Mrs B can tell that Janice has a story to tell but what is she hiding?💭 I was about 3/4 through the book and I still had no clue where the story was going. Some interesting characters but found this a very slow starter and whilst I wanted to read on and uncover the stories within, I found they all lacked substance and overall let down. An easy read but in my opinion isn’t anything special.

An intriguing story about a cleaner who becomes a welcomed friend and confidante to the families she works for because she listens to them.However no-one listens to her at home and she is taken for granted by her husband who sees himself as a dynamic business man although he is frequently unemployed and relies on his wife to keep the home going.Her way of coping to escape her mundane life is to weave stories about the people she sees .When one of her families ask her to clean for their elderly mother living in the college grounds things begin to change. She is forced to take a fresh look at her life and makes new friends.I liked this book its well written with great characters, is very funny and tragic in parts.

Loved this. Some real truths, well written and not predictable. I’m looking forward to reading another of her books soon.

I enjoyed this book so much I read it twice. It is refreshingly different and all the characters are so interesting, I was totally immersed from beginning to the end.