I became intrigued after rapidly whipping through the first few pages and wanted to know more about Celia, a half Chinese woman around the turn of the 20th century. Alas, the first half of the book ended up going rather slowly for me, and I didn't feel Celia had enough depth as a character to keep me interested. However, the second half of the book took off like lightening, and although the predicaments Celia found herself in were a bit over-the-top, I enjoyed those adventures. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for a review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: May 20, 2025
Pages: 416

“The Girls of Good Fortune” by Kristina McMorris, new author to this ready was a poignant story that tells of the mistreatment of Chinese immigrants in America. It incorporates discrimination, prostitution, class division, corruption woven into the development of the characters on the pages. There is history from a Shanghai perspective and plot thickened with intrigue.

We meet Celia, a victim who tells of her journey in the underground tunnels of Shanghai to 19th century Oregon. She is half Asian during a time of racism in America against her culture. This is a compelling and remarkable story that leaves you heartfelt as the heroine navigates through emotional pain and hatred. A very enjoyable read and a work by the author that made me love this book tremendously. Enjoyed and recommended.

Celia Hart works as a maid for the mayor in 1880's Portland. As a person of half-Chinese descent, Celia is glad for the job, especially with her father working in the mines. She is also happy to have met the mayor's son, Stephen. With a promise of a proposal after he returns from school, Celia maintains a positive outlook until she learns that she is pregnant. When Stephen's parents learn of the news, they send Celia to work as a maid at a brothel and send word to Stephen that Celia has entered an arranged marriage. Meanwhile, Celia has learned that her father has died in an attack on Chinese workers at a mine. After giving birth at the brothel, Celia learns from a client about another attack on Chinese workers and becomes an advocate for the deceased men by making sure their murderers go to trial. In trying to seek justice, Celia is shanghaied onto a ship as forced labor. Celia must adapt and try to survive for her daughter and the Chinese-Americans that she is trying to advocate for.

A fascinating,heartfelt historical adventure that looks into the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the very real Massacre at Hells Canyon. Celia's character captivated me immediately with her unique outlook on life and being half-Chinese and half-White during this time period. Her life working in the mayor's household is very juxtaposed with her father's, working in a coal mine. Celia's appearance and position, have led her to forget about the rampant racism that is present in the world until she hears of her father's death and the Mayor's betrayal. Celia is very quick to adapt when she learns of her condition and her new home, making the best of the situation and creating relationships while staying true to herself. Celia's story gained in excitement as she attempted to trackdown witnesses for the trial and got shanghaied. I enjoyed the description of the Mayor's house, the brothel, Tunnels, the ship and the different places Celia traveled while aboard, bringing alive the time period and Celia's experience there. I was constantly amazed by Celia's perseverance, hope and willingness to help others. With the addition of the modern timeline woven throughout there was an added layer of depth and I was happy to learn of Celia's fate and her family line.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This follows the struggle of a chinese woman during the 1880s. We follow her as she tries to navigate and make the best of her life during the times of political unrest in America.

She was a hardened woman and I loved her for that. We follow her steps from when she was a maiden and was quite sheltered to her becoming a more jaded person and a loving mother to a beautiful daughter. I loved her determination and resilience to live well and make the most of what has been given to her.

My only issue was the ending and how everything tied up together. I feel that it diminished whatever she had done. It fell a little flat.

Her journey was amazing to read though.

Set in west coast of the 1880's, a time of great anti-Asian sentiment. Celia, who is half Asian but passes as white, becomes pregnant by her employer's son. She is sent off to work as a housekeeper in a brothel & becomes involved in trying to seek justice for some murdered Chinese miners. She ends up kidnapped & sent to sea, somehow escapes & eventually is able to achieve justice for herself & others. Based on two real life historical incidents, this was my first 5 star read this year.

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris tells the story of Celia. A young woman in the late 1800s dealing with the mistreatment of Chinese immigrants in America and her own personal struggles.

Being half-Chinese herself she has to hide her heritage as she works for the Mayor taking care of his 13-year-old daughter.

Celia embarks on a journey of love, heartbreak, injustice, grief, and resilience. She is a survivor and believes in the power of the truth and love.

This was a fascinating read. While I was familiar with portions of this history it was not nearly as much as I thought. I was not familiar with the Shanghai tunnels at all

The injustices these people faced and had to deal with just infuriates me. I think the book portrayed the history really well and added an engaging plot to help encourage the story along.

Celia just wanted fairness for all and I think she really did do what she could to help. Really liked the ending but had hoped for a little more of her life after I felt like it just kind of ended for her.

Would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction and a touch of romance.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC.

What a wonderful book and story and not like any I have read before. Very interesting and I do love the historical aspect of the Chinese immigrants in America. I like the way the story built throughout bringing all aspects of the story together. The characters are well developed and bring the story to life.

A well written book that took me on a journey and made me think about the things that have happened in the past. It is an intense read, lots going on but it all worked well and came together nicely. It is emotional but then there are some almost fun things that came from the lives of these immigrants like the recipes and references to the food. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Asian culture and the struggle to get ahead. Interesting, well researched historical fiction.
The author of Sold on a Monday does it again.
Recommended read !

I chose this book solely for the author. I loved Sold on a Monday and assumed I would love this book too, Unfortunately, I didn't realize this story had a main character locked in an underground tunnel and this is how the book begins. We meet the character waking up, not knowing where she is or how she got there until she begins to explore and realize she is locked in an underground tunnel. At this point, I read the synopsis and knew that I would not be able to read this book any further. I get very claustrophobic and I would definitely have nightmares if I continued to read this story. I think McMorris is an amazing writer, and I love the idea of this historical event. I would read any of her other books. However, this one, unfortunately, will not be for me.

This is a novel that I highly recommend. It held my attention from the first page in an informative, action packed, interesting and engaging story. Set in Oregon in the late 1880’s it exposes life for Chinese immigrants through brothels, the opium tunnels and even the Shanghai imprisonment of innocents forced to work on sailing vessels. The main character is a half Chinese girl who is engaged to a son of a wealthy family that does not want her in their family. Her intended goes off to school and she discovers she is pregnant and the family wants her gone. This story tells of her strength and courage as she struggles to protect her daughter. Part of the story details the mass murders of Chinese people searching for gold. I knew a little about the background for the story but learned so much more from reading this book. Do not miss this one. Kristina McMorris is a master storyteller.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Sourcebook Landmarks publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A huge thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Set against the backdrop of the American West between 1885 and 1888, The Girls of Good Fortune opens with a striking scene: the protagonist, Celia Hart, awakens disoriented in an unfamiliar place, dressed in men’s clothing, with no memory of how she arrived there. From this moment, Kristina McMorris unravels a powerful and emotionally charged narrative that follows Celia—a young Chinese woman—through the brutal realities of her life as a maid in the household of Portland’s wealthy mayor, and later, through her journey toward self-discovery, resilience, and cultural reclamation.

When Celia becomes pregnant by the mayor’s son, who promptly departs for Europe, the scandal-averse family casts her out. With no regard for her wellbeing, they send her to live in a brothel—an act that sets the course for years of hardship. As Celia struggles to survive and raise her daughter Pearl in a city steeped in anti-Chinese sentiment, she becomes entangled in a quest for justice related to the real-life massacre of Chinese miners, a haunting historical event that McMorris integrates with remarkable care and nuance.

Celia’s story is one of perseverance amid relentless adversity. Drugged and abducted onto a ship bound far from Portland, she eventually escapes and undertakes a perilous journey back from San Francisco to reclaim her life and be reunited with her daughter. Along the way, she narrowly avoids institutionalization and faces countless obstacles, finally making it home and having to locate a missing Pearl, only to find her with in Stephen, her lost love and Pearl’s father. Having been misled by his mother, Stephen has returned from abroad determined to find Celia and build the future they were once denied.

McMorris delivers a richly textured narrative grounded in meticulous historical research. Through Celia’s personal trials, the novel examines themes of racial prejudice, social injustice, and the enduring strength of maternal love. The author’s ability to weave historical fact into a compelling fictional framework not only enriches the narrative but also serves as an important reminder of overlooked chapters in American history.

The Girls of Good Fortune is a masterfully written and deeply moving work of historical fiction. With its vivid storytelling, complex characters, and insightful social commentary, it is both an engrossing novel and a meaningful contribution to the genre. Kristina McMorris once again demonstrates her talent for crafting stories that illuminate the past while resonating powerfully with contemporary readers.

The fascinating untold history here is the biggest draw to this book; narrative drive and character development felt a little thin but still quite enjoyable.

This is an enjoyable historical fiction read that shines a light on the experience of Chinese immigrants in 19th century America and the prejudice and injustice they experienced.

The story follows Celia, a half Chinese young woman who falls into the trap of falling in love with her rich employers son, falls pregnant out of wedlock, gets kidnapped and endures much hardship.

I enjoyed the exploration of family and identity during the era of the Chinese exclusion act and found it incredibly well researched. The historical setting was excellent and was really well written. I did find Celia exasperating at times but thought she was a well written character full of resourcefulness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC to review.

The Girls of Good Fortune was set in the late 1800’s in Portland, Oregon, and begins with Celia trapped in one of the city’s secret Shanghai tunnels. She’s dressed as a man and has only time to try to trace back how she became a captive in these tunnels and find a way out.

Celia was born into a mixed family, the daughter of a Chinese immigrant who worked on the railroads, then in the mining community. At his transfer to the mines, her father secured a job for her as a nanny to the Mayor’s powerful family.

McMorris’ latest title gives us a view into life in the U.S. at a very difficult time for Chinese immigrants. Not only did the immigrants help build the railroads (the backbone of our country’s transportation at the time), but they were also discriminated against, and often harmed or killed despite their efforts to work hard and support families.

The author explored the country’s attitudes towards the Chinese-American community and balanced it well with Celia’s story. Through her story this book became part adventure, activist, and part romance. In short, it was a book I couldn’t put down.

What a incredible touching book. The story made me believe in was living it. She dealt with do much but at the end was so happy. Loved this story


Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

5.0/5.0 stars
HIGHLY recommend

This book is deeply personal. I am married to an American-born Chinese man and have a hapa (Hawaiian for half) daughter.

The main character grows during this novel - from "passing" as white to being proud of being Chinese. My daughter can "pass" but prefers to be proud of both sides of her family. This novel educated me about historical events in 1800s Oregon that I had no clue about. These were horrific, unspeakable, and cruel events. But, knowing what happened in the past helps make you a better person in a better country. This book did that for me.

The writing is so pretty with strong characters and an intriguing storyline.

This will appeal to historical fiction lovers who want to avoid "whitewashed" American history storytelling or want to read a good book!

Goodreads: - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7252432626 - posted 4/9/2025
The StoryGraph: - https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/48988605-7ed2-4edc-ac8d-2851d30aff21?redirect=true- posted 4/9/2025
booksbydorothea Blog: - https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2025/04/review-girls-of-good-fortune-earcebook.html - posted 4/9/2025

In the late 1800s, people of Chinese decent was looked upon as less than human. The west was supposed to be a better place for them to live, but that was far from the truth. The Girl’s Of Good Fortune, by Kristina McMorris, follows Celia, a young woman who was half Chinese. Through love, tragedy, surprising friendships, Celia and her descendants find themselves as girls of good fortune.
I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

The Girls of Good Fortune is a must read. The story is based on a true fact that I had never heard of, the Gold Massacre of the Chinese.
A young half Chinese girl goes to work in the mayors house. She falls in love with the Mayors son and things do not go well. The book jumps from that to her being Shanghaied. She wakes up dressed as a man and has to navigate her way to return to her child. Her father was killed in the Gold Massacre and she fights for justice for his death. So much happens in this book and it keeps you on the edge of your set.
I highly recommend reading this!

I was slightly disappointed in this book and I felt like I could never really get completely into it. As I continued on reading, I just felt like the book had too many things crammed into it, too many perils, too many adventures, too many people lying to other people, etc.. Then, when I finally reached the end, I was totally disappointed and felt like the last little bit was just pinned on to tie things up and didn’t really flow with the rest of the book. I have enjoyed this author’s other books, but this one just did not do it for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

What a remarkable story of a courageous, strong woman! Celia battles the hard trials of her life with such strong determination that you cannot help but cheer her on. From discrimination, to servantship, disgrace, and imprisonment in the Shanghai Tunnels, Celia never gives up. She is a warrior through it all and strives to overcome all obstacles.
A heartbreaking story that shows us the trials that the Chinese people endured. The unjust treatment of a people who only wanted a better life for themselves and their family.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.