⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it was amazing
🌶️ glimpses and kisses
Meaningful glances and perhaps a kiss, but no sex on and off page.

I received a free eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is my own honest opinion about the book.

Book Review: The Secret Book Society
Release Date: 8/26/25

(These opinions are mine, if you don't agree, talk about that on your page)

*Spoilers Ahead*

This book was unexpected. Women find an incredible group of friends and while bonding over books, they save each other from what life throws at them. It gave Bridgerton vibes but full of friendship and less romance.
Goodreads link included. Will update 7/31 with links for IG, FB, and TT

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin is set in England during 1895. In this novel, Martin brings to life a group of women who join an enigmatic book club led by Lady Duxbury. Each woman has her personal struggles within the cut throat Victorian social hierarchy as well as their marriages, but they develop deep and supportive friendships.

The reader is immersed in Victorian England where women are easily cast aside by their husbands and placed in lunatic asylums.

If you enjoy character-driven historical fiction where women find their voices and support each other, then you should give this one a read!

Another really good book by one of my favorite historical fiction writers, Madeline Martin. The Secret Book Society is a book set in Victorian London in 1895. Set during a time when women didn't have a lot of options to be in charge of their own fate. A sisterhood is formed by a mysterious invitation to a book club that is spearheaded by a reclusive Lady Duxbury.
I enjoyed the intrigue of the storytelling and was compelled to read late into the night.
Highly recommended!

A solid work of historical fiction that creates a vivid picture of the lesser known hardships for women in the Victorian era. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are mine and freely shared!

Things I liked:
- The characters and world were richly described and crafted, and I loved our protagonists with their unique personalities and motivations.
- The overall resolution was good; it felt a bit melodramatic but I have to remind myself that things like this actually happened in the time and though it sounds like something out of a drama film, it's based on history.
- The writing style was engaging and easy to read.

Things I didn't like:
- In general, it was a bit slow to pick up. Once I got to 30-40% though, I was much more engaged.
- The switching of POV every chapter would be better if I didn't get confused by which last names went with which characters, since each POV refers to the others by their surnames (until later in the story). I think I was also fighting an uphill battle because I paused reading for a bit. Probably is a me problem!
- Some of the shifts in the secondary characters felt like they came out of nowhere. They were hinted at a bit, but it felt sudden when they switched from super evil/aloof to loving/understanding.

I was completely drawn into The Secret Book Society, a beautifully written, emotionally rich historical novel that felt both sweeping and intimate. Set in Victorian London, the story follows three women navigating the invisible cages of marriage, social class, and secrecy. When each receives an unexpected invitation to an afternoon tea, what unfolds is not just a hidden book club but a lifeline.

The pacing was wonderfully balanced, never rushed yet always compelling. Madeline Martin has a gift for building slow burning tension while nurturing deep, meaningful character development. Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia each face their own struggles, but what moved me most was the strength they found in one another. I have a soft spot for strong female characters who do not just fight for themselves, they lift each other up. That spirit of solidarity is the heart of this novel.

Lady Duxbury is a force in her own right, mysterious, elegant, and just a little dangerous. Her home becomes a haven where secrets are shared, stories are rewritten, and courage is born. Watching the women’s relationships evolve from polite introductions to fierce, genuine loyalty was one of the most satisfying arcs in the book.

This is a story about reclaiming voice and agency, even when the stakes are high and the world is watching. I could not put it down, and I already know I will be recommending it to my book club.

A sincere thank you to Madeline Martin, NetGalley, and Hanover Square Press for the advanced copy.

This book was so so good! I loved how much the author fit into this fast paced, not chunkier book (that is my own judgement on fast paced and chunky in.l regards to books).

I loved all the characters and how they each had such different struggles despite all being wealthy and of high society. I love how they came together and how their friendship formed.

It was so well done! I recommend to anyone looking for a book that promotes reading, using resources to help others, and the power of friendship.

Set in Victorian London, four women join to create the “Secret Book Society” where we learn the truth behind the facades that they put on for others. This book speaks on the restrictions of women during the time, but is also highly relatable today. It was the most incredibly bingeable read, I couldn’t put it down- just had to know how it would resolve!

What I Loved-
4 Unique Characters (rotating POV between chapters)
Fast Paced
Romance, History, Mystery….a little bit everything!
Felt like a Hallmark Movie (in the best way!). Touched on serious topics, but in a way that felt fun to read not heavy.

Other Notes-
Some elements felt quite far fetched, but again thinking "Hallmark Movie" it kind of works
Ends Very Abruptly- the story does wrap up nicely- just a little bit too quickly for me.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I suggest going into it blindly so that you get to uncover the “truth” about each character and their situation as you read along.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press for this early copy.
#TheSecretBookSocietyTheHive #NetGalley

Title: The Secret Book Society
Author: Madeline Martin
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…

London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.

Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.

As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.

This was such a good read! I loved the stories of all these women and found them so inspiring! The growing friendship between the three women was well-done and made me feel like I was part of their book club. Their excitement over the books made me want to read (or re-read) some of their selections!

Madeline Martin is a bestselling author. The Secret Book Society is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Blog link live 8/27.)

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Very well written historical fiction novel and love the different POVs from the women and diary entries of Lady Duxbury. Highly recommended and resonates well with today!

I love this book!! Joining these strong women in their lives, I felt their turmoil. While there are stark differences between their setting and mine, I connected with their struggles and worries and I celebrated their victories with them. Definitely in my reread TBR!

This story was captivating. Lady Duxbury, the heroin of the story I wanted to applaud her. She created a secret book society during the Victorian era. She sent three invitations to three women she felt needed rescuing. Eleanor, Rose (an American) and Lavinia, (the younger woman of the group). There were threats of putting them in an insane asylum customary of this time to force women into submission. Duxbury was a victim of the same crimes bestowed on these women and the atrocities they endured in this story made me angry, sad and a lot of times I cried in a good way. It made me realize the parallels between the Victorian era and today’s world were one step away from those olden times. I want to thank @NetGalley, @MadelineMartin, and @HarlequinTradPublishing for having me allowed this insightful arc.

This was a cute read, if a little fast-paced for me. I don't normally read the regency-genre type books, but I actually enjoyed it. My main gripe with the book is that all the characters felt a little shallow to me. All of the girls get together and become fast friends, which is believable to me, as they're all lonely in some time of way. But they all suddenly become more confident after what feels like only a few meetings.

3.5⭐️, would have been 3 until I read the acknowledgements (which I never do lol) and saw how the story was based on true events which made it better in my opinion.

I loved the writing style. It was very easy to read and I flew through it. My main reason for not rating higher is the plot could have been stronger. It felt very slice of life since it was following so many characters and the slice of life you’re witnessing from the characters was REALLY intense. I’m not one that has to look at trigger warnings really but I felt like I needed them for this because there was a substantial amount of domestic abuse.

I did enjoy the growing female friendships and women’s empowerment through the book club. Those parts when the women were together were like breaths of fresh air. If you enjoy period pieces rooted in historical facts, this is for you. If you’re looking for something lighthearted about books though, maybe skip this one.

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin is a moving and inspiring historical novel that celebrates the quiet courage of women. One of the things I enjoyed most was how the story centered on strong, empowered women who refused to be silenced—even when faced with censorship, danger, and personal loss.

Set against the backdrop of Victorian London, the novel beautifully illustrates how books can be a lifeline, offering both comfort and resistance. The secret society formed to protect and share banned literature was both touching and thrilling, and I found myself rooting for the characters at every turn. The characters are relatable to those in the same situation, providing hope to the modern woman that there is a better life.

While some plot developments were a little predictable, and I wished for more depth in a few of the side characters, the emotional impact and the strength of the female leads more than made up for it. Their bravery, resilience, and passion for books were what made the story so compelling for me.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction who love stories about the power of literature—and the power of women.

This book will take you straight back to the Victorian Era. You become completely immersed in this time period. The author does an incredible job eith the writing style to assist in the whole experience.

The characters were hard to keep track of at first as they ate refrenced to by last name in some context and in others, by first name. Once I caught on to the characters I loved them all.

I think its important for readers to know about the trigger warning in one of the storyline. One character endures physical, verbal and emotional abuse throughout the book that becomes fairly graphic at one point.

I am looking forward to reading more in the future!

Thank you for ARC

Set in Victorian England, Madeline Martin has shown what lengths women had to go through to be accepted by society, their families, and in some cases even to be heard and understood.

The four women meet after accepting an invitation to The Secret Book Society. They bond over books initially, but become steadfast friends over their shared traumas and experiences.

This book is well thought out. Has a perfect backstory. Enough ‘happy endings’ and ‘get what is coming to them’ situations to satisfy most readers. And an ending that hints to a second book, which is always a nice surprise.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Am I becoming more and more a lover of historical fiction? I think so!

Set in 1895, the Secret Book Society is a fast paced read and an absolute thrill to read. Though some of the content is quite heavy (trigger warning: domestic violence), I couldn’t help wanting to read more and more as the story went on!

My heartstrings were pulled for so many of the characters, but most especially for Lavinia and for Evelyn. Lavinia for coming into her own, discovering more about herself (and owning it!). Evelyn because of the sheer troubles that she endured throughout the story.

I feel like we all need a Lady Duxbury in our lives. Someone safe that we can count on in troubling times.

Absolutely loved this story and I hope that lots of people will read it!

I received an electronic ARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley.
Martin brings readers to Victorian England and introduces us to four women.
Lady Duxbury - an older woman who seeks to help other women caught in difficult circumstances.
Eleanor Clarke - Trapped in an abusive marriage.
Rose Wharton - An American woman married to an Englishman who will become a Duke rather than a younger son.
Lavinia Cavendish - A young woman who feels deep emotions which is taboo in her family.

Lady Duxbury brings these women together and encourages them to support each other and find ways to be more than society expects or allows. Readers see each woman find her courage and stand up for herself at a time when women were considered to be the property of their fathers and then their husbands. We see them learn to trust each other and themselves as the story unfolds. Their relationships are contrasted with a society dame who arrived at her position by backstabbing and nasty politics. Readers will make the obvious comparison as Martin intends.

The wrap up is a bit too tidy and quick but it does work but I enjoyed the characters and how they took charge of their lives.

Imagine a world where putting pen to paper could cost a woman her freedom—this is Victorian England as Madeline Martin portrays it, rendered with such vivid intensity that I felt the stifling weight of societal constraints alongside its remarkable heroines. This powerful historical fiction unveils a world where women's voices are systematically silenced, yet somehow find ways to echo through the cracks.

The quartet of female protagonists captivated me from the first pages. Lady Duxbury commands attention with her formidable presence, carrying secrets that shaped her into the fortress of strength she becomes for others. Eleonore Clark's fierce maternal love had me in tears as she faced impossible choices to protect her son. Rose's struggle to preserve her crumbling marriage while her manipulative brother-in-law undermined her at every turn made my blood boil. And Leonore—her poetic soul threatened with institutionalization simply for expressing her truth—left me breathless with indignation.

What resonated most deeply was watching these women find each other. Their initial wariness blossoms into a bond that defies the isolation patriarchal society imposed upon them. I found myself alternately raging against their circumstances and cheering their small rebellions.

Martin crafts a narrative that goes beyond merely highlighting historical injustices. She shows how women's solidarity created oxygen in airless spaces, how shared stories became lifelines when individual voices were suppressed.

The Secret Book Society isn't just historical fiction—it's a reminder that women have always found ways to build community and strength together, even when the world conspired to keep them apart. For anyone who appreciates stories of resilience wrapped in exquisite historical detail, this book is an absolute treasure.

Special thanks to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for providing advance copies. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.

Oh my goodness, what a story. The power of books is strong, but so are the women of late 1800's London, no matter how much men in their lives are trying to control them. Lady Duxbury invited three different women to a secret book club, so the women can read what they choose to and so much more. I loved the friendships formed and how strong each woman proved to be, despite dealing with heartbreaking circumstances. Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for a chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.