Really enjoyed this one! It’s a lovely story about how books bring people together, even in the toughest times. The characters felt real and I was rooting for them the whole way. If you love stories about book lovers and unexpected friendships, this one’s for you. Thank you, NetGalley!

A reminder to women how far we've come - being unable to control basic aspects of you life, living under the restrictions set by your nearest male relative.

Well written, very descriptive.

The Secret Book Society is a beautiful story about women helping women--something that is needed as much today as it was during the Victorian era. I especially loved that Lady Duxbury assisted and empowered women through access to books. Any woman who has shared favorite books--as well as her deepest feelings--with true friends will be touched and inspired by this book. As I read, I was reminded of treasured relationships with the women in my life who have been there for me in difficult times. The members of the Secret Book Society were all heroines in their time, and perfect examples of how women can and should support and strengthen each other. I loved this book and will recommend it to all of the special women in my life. An enthusiastic 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Madeline Martin for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a quick, fun but thoughtful read. I enjoyed the alternating POVs as it kept the plot moving, though it did sometimes take me a bit to match the first names to the last names and remember which Lady was which, as they were all kind of generic British names. It was a good reflection on our past and place in society as women, and the fraught relationship with access to books and education there was.

I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and abrupt, and wanted to see more of the aftermath here. I don't think this is necessarily the type of concept or book that will have a large lasting impression, but I'm glad it had something to say while still providing the cozy regency vibes promised. I wasn't in the mood for this type of setting, but the writing and execution was so well done, it pulled me in regardless. I think it could've been explored deeper in order to have lasting impact, but not everything is a heavy and deep read, and there is certainly a place for this type of book! Especially good for fans of Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, The Great and other fresh takes on historical/period works.

In The Secret Book Society, Madeline Martin delivers a powerful and heartfelt story about female friendship, resilience, and the quiet rebellion of women seeking freedom in a society that seeks to silence them.

Three women—each oppressed in different ways—are brought together under the protective wing of the formidable Lady Duxbury. Rose Wharton, an American thrust into British aristocracy through marriage to a future earl; Eleanor, the wife of a cruel and demanding husband; and Lavinia, a young woman stifled by societal expectations and dismissed for her emotional nature—all find themselves invited to a secret society where they can read, speak, and simply be without judgment from the men who control their lives.

“For how long would women be held under the thumb of men? How long until they broke free?” This question resonates throughout the novel, as each woman embarks on her own journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed woman of status and experience, serves as a mentor, offering wisdom, warmth, and unwavering support. What begins as an unlikely alliance becomes a deep, meaningful bond as the women learn to navigate—and challenge—the rigid expectations of their world.

Martin masterfully draws the reader into the lives of these women, weaving their individual struggles into a cohesive narrative that is both fast-paced and emotionally compelling. Each chapter leaves you eager to discover what happens next, not only in their shared rebellion but in their personal quests for freedom, identity, and happiness.

With a satisfying conclusion and a strong emotional core, The Secret Book Society is a tribute to the strength of women and the transformative power of friendship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the advanced copy.

Mystery, fiction books, history and female friendship. It was a fantastic premise - gathering women who are in difficult and oppressive situations, offering an escape thru reading and loyal friendships. It was so hard to put down, and the mystery was really well done.

I always love an emphasis on how important community and friendship is. The book conveyed how it can bring hope and confidence when you’ve been living in isolation - whether physical or mentally. And how women should support each other rather than compete or tear down. It was excellently done.

It was also a great window to how restrictive higher society ladies had it at the end of the 19th century, from their emotions and actions, to even the books that they read, and how it sometimes became an evil opportunity for abuse to run rampant. The look at asylums in that abuse and some of what they did there was horrifying.

I did wish there was a little more transition with a couple characters changing perspective. Just felt a little abrupt, but not a deal breaker.

Overall I loved the book. So many elements that are my favorite and well done.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I don’t think I have been so touched by a book since my first reading of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” This story is SO VERY RICH and should be on everyone’s to be read list. I would even advocate for High Schools to use it as required reading. The author does an exceptional job of writing about these women and their problems. Eleanor’s situation is something we still see today, and that is a very frightening thought! Lady Duxbury’s story is so heartbreaking and the little joy she did get was very welcome to read. Lady Lavina’s fear was written so exquisitely, I could feel her heart beating frantically and Rose, oh my, I can’t even imagine having a brother in law like that. Though this book deals with some hard issues, the writing is so sublime, you don’t feel horrible…you feel stronger, watching these ladies overcome extreme circumstances . I sincerely hope this is part of a series as the little teaser at the end caught my attention. Fantastic story!

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

Oppressed by 1895 London society, Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia accept an invitation to Lady Duxbury's mysterious tea, which leads them to a secret book club. Within this sanctuary, they forge powerful friendships and uncover shocking truths, gaining the courage to rewrite their lives in a world where secrets are deadly and freedom comes at a cost.

This was my introduction to Madeline's writing as I have never read her work but what a great one it was. While it didn't quite land at the very top of my historical fiction favorites, I was deeply immersed in the central theme of strong female friendship. Martin's writing is simply beautiful, a blend of power and whimsy that had me highlighting countless lines and paragraphs. The character development was brief but a profound one. Watching them evolve was a wonderful experience leaving me hopeful for a sequel so we may get to know them more. I'll certainly be checking out more of Madeline’s work.

I really enjoyed this book! The author was able to write real characters with real and relatable troubles that are still relevant today. Although I can't imagine modern women being denied access to books, it does call to mind the banning of certain books and limiting what kids have access to in schools and libraries in a way. It was a very empowering story and although it had bit of a slow start with a lot of names to keep track of, it's definitely worth a read!

Beautiful. Devastating. Inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review. Reading this novel reminded me exactly how lucky I am to be alive today and be able to read what I like without being restricted and controlled. To think that women could be sent to an asylum for doing anything to upset a man, including reading is heartbreaking.

It was so beautiful to watch women build each other up and find commonality even though they were each at different stages of life. I cheered for this women and cried for them too.

This story starts off with a strong hook. The reader is left wondering which of the characters is involved in that first dramatic scene, before going back a few months to the start of their journey. Set in London England in 1895, a group of ladies are invited to tea leading to extraordinary changes in their lives. The story follows three main characters and you learn more about the fourth character along the way. The characters have their own unique personalities and struggles they are facing. The story dives into some of the challenges that women in this time period faced.

I appreciated how the characters discussed and shared the messages they discovered from different books that they read. I wished this was expanded on a bit more but still enjoyed it. The Secret Book Society showed the ladies the importance of learning and the empowering strength that can be found in helping others.

With any historical fiction, I love learning interesting facts from the time period and particularly enjoyed one from this book, Hatpin Fighting.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced readers copy for review.

Lady Duxbury sends a special invitation to join a secret book society. She has chosen Rose Wharton, an American seeking to embody the ideal qualities of an aristocratic wife. Then there's Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman who is doing her best to follow the expectations of society and her parents. Eleanor Clarke, a caring mother trapped under her husband's oppression. Their shared passion for reading unites them, and they learn to trust one another. They might be able to express their deepest emotions through their book discussions.

The novel opens slowly, introducing readers to these ladies and the setting in which they live. This is an upper-class drama that depicts women's battle with the rules that males have put on them and the consequences if they don't comply. These men believe that if they can control their wives and daughters based on what they read, all will be well. They're mistaken. In the harsh society that has silenced them, their defense is bravery. When secrets are at stake, one mistake will cost them everything.

It's a terrifying and intriguing piece of history. This story builds to a climactic ending. I liked how this author showed strong women supporting on another in the feminist rebellion. This would make a great book club pick; there is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have always loved Madeline Martin's writing and characters, my favorite being The Librarian Spy, and was excited to hear of this new book! I knew I just had to read it, and I was not disappointed.

The Secret Book Society follow 3 young women in Victorian London -- Eleanor, Rose & Lavinia -- who are invited by one Lady Duxbury into her Secret Book Society. Not knowing what to expect, the 3 women and wives attend the meetings, finding friendships, books, and support with issues they faced in their lives and marriages. In a time where women were controlled by their spouses and restricted from reading and independent thoughts/emotions (else they be placed in asylums) it was hard to read about and fathom what these women were going through. The FMCs were very likeable and easy to root for and their empowerment and coming-together at the end really made the whole book. Eleanor's story in particular took us on a rollercoaster and gave me all the feels. May we all have a friend like Lady Duxbury in our lives.

I absolutely loved the story and the character development, and I couldn't put this one down! I will absolutely be recommending this book to all of my friends and coworkers. Those who love historical fiction and female empowerment will love this one! It's Madeline Martin at her finest! And if you have't read her other books, I highly recommend those too!

I want to thank the publishers for sharing this with me as an arc! I loved this book and wasn’t surprised as this genre is intriguing to me. It’s amazing when an author can tie some historical context with a whirlwind plot! The premise of women being stuck with dealing with societal expectations & oppressive marriages is so old and yet very relevant to our times as women are becoming more bold and stepping into their own sovereignty! The London setting was a nice twist for me as I have only read 2 other books that shared that same factor. I’d recommend to all the girlies!

The Secret Book Society meets for tea and discussions about books at Lady Duxbury’s residence. Eleanor suffers domestic abuse under the dictatorship of her husband. Rose is an American trying desperately to fit into high society. Lavinia is a high-spirited young woman who is mourning the sale of her books for a disagreement with her brother. Lady Duxbury brings these young women together to give them access to books and friendship. The women find their voices and change their lives, but not without obstacles along the way.

I recommend this novel for historical fiction readers. It’s a novel of supporting each other through adversity and finding the courage to speak up and act for your independence in a world that oppresses women. Women were sent to asylums for speaking their minds, reading books, and even just disagreeing with their father or husband. The resilience of the women and their friendships will inspire you to read the banned books and fight for the freedoms you have.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Madeline Martin for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

The Secret Society is about three women in Victorian England, who are invited to join a secret book society. Through this lens, author Madeline Martin explores society as it was at that time, as women (and, to be fair, others) fought for rights and tried to force change against a very resistant power structure. Martin and her characters explore what it means to be friends, and how friendships helps these women deal with the challenges in their lives. It’s not an easy read, at times, but worth our time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love authors who can take a piece of history and bring it to life on the page! Martin is a master at this!
This story, set in Victorian London, follows three women who are invited to a secret book society - they have been hand chosen by a widow that has secrets of her own. These three women lead very difficult lives, and books have been taken from each of them. In this book society, they find a love for books, find a group of true friends, and find freedom in many ways!
This book will draw you in from the first page!

This is a compelling story about female friendship and the power that comes with having a group of people you can depend on and trust. The story addresses the misogyny so many women endured and how men were able to be rid of any inconvenient female by committing them to an asylum. An interesting read that was hard to put down!

This was a good book this was a little different than my normal reads but I enjoyed it thank you for this read

Whew there is so much to unpack! You will laugh, cry and cheer with the women who endure much and gain success in various ways!
We have shy, beautiful gifted Lavinia who found her voice in a poetry outlet that allows her to escape her fears! She writes the release and finds bravery she needs to find love!
We also have Rose aka Mrs Wharton whose husband is now not the second son but heir to an Earldom! She is considered by her brother in law a brash American! She of course suffers because of this! Can she find her way back to love with her husband!?
We have also the bravest with a very abusive and violent husband! Mrs Eleanor Clarke married to a man who is vulgar and very unkind but they have a son! Eleanor would do anything for her son! Anything including face a lion in a lions den!
Lady Clara Chambers, Countess of Duxbury has issued these ladies an invitation to a Secret Book Society!
All have been curtailed in their reading in some form or another!
This invite will gain them freedom never before experienced in the mind, thoughts and values! Women of the Ton are notorious for their spiteful back biting ways! This is a chance for a real connection and a true sisterhood!
Each of these women have faced and will face trials but it is the bond of friendship that sees them through these challenges! Do get a handkerchief or a box of tissues for you will need them! Bravo! Very well done!