Wow! This book kept surprising me. It's historical fiction that reads almost like a spy novel, full of action and intrigue. I found myself wondering when and where Celia would find her "good fortune" or if the book title was satirical. This is a story of survival and the depths of familial love.

Thanks to NetGalley for early access.

What an intriguing and beautifully woven story.
I found the novel very hard to put down with an extremely well-constructed plot that keep me reading.
McMorris did a fantastic job drawing you into the story to feel all the emotions!! I would recommend this book for reading.

A gripping and emotional story about identity, resilience, motherhood, and love, The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris is as moving as it is eye-opening.

The book opens with an unforgettable scene: a woman wakes up in unfamiliar clothes, in an unfamiliar place, with no idea how she got there. That haunting moment sets the tone for the layered and powerful story that follows.We’re introduced to Celia, a half-Chinese young woman living in Portland in the late 1880s. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of intense anti-Chinese sentiment, and McMorris expertly weaves real historical events—like the Hells Canyon massacre and the horrors of being "shanghaied"—into the narrative. Celia’s journey is anything but easy. Though she can pass as white, she constantly faces prejudice, danger, and heartbreaking choices.

At times, Celia's youth and naivety lead her to make frustrating decisions—but they also make her feel authentic. She’s brave, determined, deeply loving, and impossible not to root for. The second half of the book, especially, had me completely hooked—hoping, fearing, and holding my breath as her story unfolded.

What truly stood out to me was the depth of historical research and how seamlessly it was woven into the emotional arc of the story. This book doesn't shy away from injustice, and it gave me a lot to reflect on. McMorris brings history to life with compassion, detail, and heart.
The Girls of Good Fortune is a beautifully written, richly layered novel that builds slowly and rewards readers who stick with it. It’s powerful, thoughtful, and unforgettable.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In 1888, Oregon, Celia awakens in a tunnel after being drugged and kidnapped. Half Chinese and white passing, she is still taken to use as labor. She's forced to serve as a maid even as she looks into why she was abducted. Secrets emerge, and some of them can be downright deadly.

The time period was a terrible one for the Chinese, with the people hired for cheap wages to break railroad strikes. Once here, the other workers turned violent, with horrible massacres and racism. As a maid, Celia's parentage was initially ignored, but getting pregnant with the mayor's son has her immediately disrespected and tossed out. It happened right after Celia discovered that her Chinese father was killed in a massacre. She is therefore sensitive to further events, which were all too frequent in that time period. Celia goes through a lot over the course of the novel, putting herself in harm's way to seek justice for slaughtered men where she can, and to get back home to her daughter when abducted.

Heavily inspired by historical events, we get a picture of what life was like in 1888 Oregon for the Chinese people, women on the outskirts of society, and the poor. Justice isn't always served, especially when there's profit and reputation at stake. The tension is high throughout the novel, since we don't know whom Celia can trust and if she'll make it through. It was a tough time period, and she's a strong-willed woman. I was drawn into her story and the struggle she endured.

I was lucky enough to meet Kristina when she was doing a book tour for Sold on a Monday. I was impressed by her kindness and friendliness. When I saw she had a new book coming out, I asked for an advanced copy.
In Portland, Oregon, in 1888, Celia Hart wakes to find herself in a cell in the Shanghai tunnels, with no memory of how she got there. We learn through flashbacks how she got there, and it is quite a harrowing story.
McMorris has done quite a bit of research on 2 massacres perpetuated against Chinese men at the time. one, a massacre in Wyoming, was where our fictional heroine's
father was killed. Celia Chung took her white missionary mother's name as she was able to pass for white. She worked as a maid in the mayor's home, where she and his son Stephen fell in love.
Celia went through many trials and tribulations when Stephen was sent off to medical school in England. She was helped by many kind people, but harassed by many unkind people.
The epilogue in 1995 ties up the story in a satisfying way. The author's note explains much of the history, much of which I didn't know.
This is a story of love, perseverance, friendship, and sacrifice, as well as prejudice and corruption.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. These are my honest opinions.

Kristina McMorris isn't a new author to me and with Girls of Good Fortune she solidifies for me that historical fiction is her niche. Well researched and a fascinating story.

We meet a disoriented Celia at the beginning not knowing where she is and how she came to be wearing men's clothing. Then the narrative goes backward from that scene and opens an incredible story of strength and perseverance. The Chinese were discriminated against in the 1880's and Celia's life is not easy as she pushes through blatant racism. It would seem that being able to pass as white would guarantee an easier life. Which was true for a time until it wasn't, and Celia's character started to shine through. The addition of the Hells Canyon massacre and the term "shanghaied" was new to me and added to the atrocities the Chinese suffered during this time period. Celia's resiliency had me cheering for her all the way despite a few blunders. She is strong, brave, and believes in her convictions.

Fans of historical fiction will appreciate The Girls of Good Fortune and the details of the time period.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an early copy.

Oh my gosh! How did I not know about the Shanghai Tunnels? This gripping novel, follows Celia, a half-Chinese woman navigating the dangerous world of Portland's Shanghai Tunnels in 1888. After getting kidnapped and trapped in an underground cell, Celia must use her wit and survival skills to escape a terrifying fate of forced labor.
This suspenseful plot kept me guessing the whole time! I learned about an important time in American history. It showed how people can be brave even in difficult circumstances. Celia’s story will stay with me forever.
If you like historical fiction about a not so well known part of history, this book is for you.

Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced audio copy of THE GIRLS OF GOOD FORTUNE by Kristina McMorris. I have read most of her previous novels and was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. It taught me so much that I did not know about. I realized there was a lot of prejudice against the Asian population of the United States but never realized the extent of it. I don't remember ever reading about or hearing about the tunnels and the description of them was frightening. I can't imagine the terror of anyone trapped in them

This book was so captivating. So sad, so moving. I feel like I learned a lot and I was so invested in it. Thank you for the advance copy.

5 Stars

One of the things I love so much about Ms. McMorris’s books is the phenomenal story telling that happens. She’s so detail oriented and weaves a masterful story. She clearly does so much research so I know what I’m reading is actually based on facts. I also know that she writes stories about topics that I’ve never read before, and shame on me, for not knowing these events took place in our country!

This book is no different. We’re taken back to the late 1800’s in Oregon where a woman, Celia, is of mixed Asian heritage, but has been living as Caucasian for the last few years finds herself abducted and in an underground room with no way to escape. And so begins our journey of going back in time to see how Celia ended up where she is.

This book held me captivated and I was invested in how Celia fell in love with the son of the Mayor who didn’t approve of their relationship at all for a multitude of reasons. When Celia finds herself pregnant the Mayor’s family refused to help her and in some ways lent to where Celia found herself.

As often happens in Ms. McMorris’ books, there’s a dual timeline that was both fascinating and intense. I thought I knew where the book was going, but it didn’t and I fell deeper in love with this story because of all the twists and turns.

I read this book in one sitting over the weekend and I found out so much about a topic that was foreign to me and I not only found the book entertaining but also enlightening. I highly recommend reading this book!

This book is a must read. You'll be transported into another world and you will enjoy and savor each minute.

Set in Portland, Oregon, in 1888, the story follows Celia, a young woman of mixed Chinese and white heritage. Passing as white in a society rife with anti-Chinese sentiment, Celia navigates a precarious existence. Her life takes a harrowing turn when she awakens in the infamous Shanghai Tunnels, drugged and on the brink of being shipped off as forced labor. As she retraces the events leading to her abduction—including her employment as a maid for a dubious mayor and entanglement in a gold miners' massacre—Celia uncovers secrets that put her loved ones at risk. Desperate to return home, she must confront the perils of her past and the societal prejudices that threaten her future .

This is such an engaging story. We meet Celia, a woman who is half Chinese, trying to fight back against the mistrust of the Chinese Immigrants of the time.

Her life is sad, intense, and engaging. I knew so little about this time period, so it was fascinating so see how it all came together.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will like this book.

The Girls of Good Fortune is a story of heartache, strength, and perseverance. Celia is a half-Chinese women who has a good job working for an upstanding family. She thought her future was all good, until it wasn't. When she is sent away, her life spiraled.

The book starts with a young woman trapped in a cell, not knowing how or why she is there. Told in two timelines that eventually converge, the reader finds out the back story of the woman and discovers how she came to be there. Celia is an amazingly strong, righteous women who endures a lot to get back to where she belongs.

This was a tale that captured me from the very first chapter and kept me enthralled until the very satisfying ending. I have read several of Kristina's books and she has now become one of my must-read authors. I will be excitingly waiting for her next book to be published. I highly recommend The Girls of Good Fortune if you love historical fiction, and if you are a fan of Kristina's, you will not be disappointed.

I loved Sold on a Monday and was thrilled to see Kristina had written another story. Remarkable, inspiring and engaging, The time flew by.

Kristina McMorris’s *The Girls of Good Fortune* is a compelling historical fiction novel set in Portland 1888, that examines themes of identity, resilience, and survival. The story follows Celia Jung, a half-Chinese woman confronting societal challenges shaped by anti-Chinese sentiment. When she is abducted and forced into labor under a false identity, she must piece together the events leading to her captivity and fight to reclaim her freedom.

This novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of historical realities, blending immersive storytelling with significant social themes. *The Girls of Good Fortune* is particularly recommended for readers interested in historical fiction that highlights underrepresented narratives and features strong female protagonists.

Oregon, 1888, an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment, a young woman wakes up in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. As Celia, a half Chinese woman, realizes she's been "shanghaied", she struggles to figure out how this happened and why. I was fascinated by Celia's journey through a world that looked down not only on immigrants of different races but also considered women as helpless pawns in a man's world. The all too familiar prejudices portrayed in this story, the depth of a mother's love and the violent history of the of the Pacific Northwest are masterfully brought to life in one of this year's best historical fiction novels. A compelling, well researched novel from one of my favorite authors!

I love to read Kristina McMorris' books. I feel like I always learn something new. This story was full of intrigue. Celia was a character that you see grown and learn as her story unfolds. I know that America has a history of racism and hatred of immigrants. It is vastly know how African Americans, but we rarely hear about the struggles of Chinese immigrants (and I am sure all other races).

Celia Hart has denied half her heritage in order to secure a job and be accepted by society. Celia is employed as a nanny/servant for the local mayor. She send some of her wages to her father working in a mine. Celia is secretly in love with her employers' son, Stephen. Stephen is set to leave for school in England and promised to return home to marry her. While away, Celia's father is murdered by white miners that are upset with the Chinese taking their jobs. Due to circumstances Celia was a bit naive about, she is soon forced out of her employment with the mayor. She is sent to work as a housekeeper for the local brothel.

Celia learns how to stand on her own and how to take care of her daughter. When one night she is given a confession about another murder of Chinese immigrants, she sees this as her opportunity to get justice for her people. She does all she can to get the young man to turn himself in for immunity. Outraged over the verdict, Celia reaches out to the Mayor for help but what happens after that sends Celia on a adventure that has you praying for her safe return to Pearl, her young daughter.

The ending of the book was so wonderful. It truly was what my heart needed after seeing what all Celia endured to try to bring justice to people that were brutally murdered and treated so poorly. It always break my heart to see how narrow-minded the world (America) can be to what they see as different. I am grateful for stories like these that show how much we have grown but also allow us to see how we can improve as a country.


Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook/Landmark books for the ARC of this ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Girls of Good Fortune is a powerful story set during the Chinese Exclusion Act. Celia, with mixed heritage, can pass as Caucasian, which helps her land a job with a rich family. But when she falls for their son, the family steps in, and they get separated. Pregnant and on her own, Celia fights to keep her daughter and survive. When her daughter is kidnapped, Celia does whatever it takes to get her back.

I loved how this book shows the struggles minorities faced during a time of serious prejudice. It’s a powerful reminder of the hardships they had to endure. I was totally sucked in by this story. Five stars from me!

Kristina McMorris has once again put massive time in researching real events in U.S. history (and so well timed, especially now). McMorris writes of Portland’s past history when America’s anti-Chinese rhetoric was at its peak, and thanks to KM, I’ve learned more and have a better understanding of the early Chinese migrant experience than I ever received in school.. unfortunate the more sensitive issues seemed to have been skimmed over in our textbooks.
I know this is fictional, but what a phenomenal portrayal of a woman facing injustice because of her ethnic heritage and for being born female. This is such a heartbreaking yet hopeful story of survival going back in time to the late 1800s. Our MC Celia is a shanghaied victim; -kidnapped and forced as a laborer in the Shanghai Tunnels. McMorris portrays a realness in her characters, of their feelings, and shows you the desperate circumstances as if you’re there living it. I loved this story. Just make sure you have the Kleenex as this is a heartstring puller.. and don’t forget the authors note at the end. 5 stars — Pub. 5/20/25

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.