The Storyteller's Secret

The brand new novel from the author of Netgalley's Historical Fiction Book of 2025 The Lamplighter's Bookshop

Two locked hearts. One secret that could set them free …

He can't bear to remember. She is desperate to forget …

From the stage of the Penny Farthing Theatre, Ava Adams uses hypnotism to draw long-buried memories from the lost and the lonely. Taught by her late mother, Ava once believed in her gift — until heartbreak shattered her confidence.

Damien Carter is running from disaster when he sees Ava's face on a faded poster. It feels like he's been waiting for her all his life.

But as dark forces conspire to break them, can they reach beyond the prison of their memories to find redemption together?

Readers love Sophie Austin!

What's not to love?! Nineteenth century York, bookshops and brilliant characters!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Spellbinding and romantic' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A beautifully told historical novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviews

Praise for Sophie Austin:

‘We got completely lost in this beautifully written book' Bella

‘[An] engaging romantic novel' Choice

‘A charming enemies-to-lovers romance' That's Life

About the author

Sophie Austin was born in Kent and she earned her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from King's College London in 2013. After spending five years working in marketing, Sophie moved to Sweden in 2017 to focus on her novel writing and gain her Master's in Transnational Creative Writing at Stockholm University. Now, Sophie works as a Creative Writer for Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time. When she's not writing YouTube scripts for millions of viewers, she retreats to the turn of the century to write historical novels about a time where old Victorian values and turn-of-the-century inventions collide. Find her on X @saustinauthor and Instagram @sophieaustinauthor