Historical fictions usually take me awhile to read, but I devoured The Secret Book Society in one day! This is an absolute treasure of a new historical novel, that will especially delight fans of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters (and not just because of the many wonderful references to their works!). This is one I will be thinking about for some time to come (and already anticipate a re-read in the near future).

Set in Victorian London in 1895, the Secret Book Society follows the lives of four women during a time that it was (especially) difficult to be a woman. When Eleanor Clarke (the woman who seems to have it all to society, but with many secrets behind closed doors), Rose Wharton (a wealthy American trying to find her place as an aristocratic wife), and Lavinia Cavendish (an artistic woman frequently declared to be “mad” due to her passionate tendencies) receive an invitation to tea to the home of the mysterious thrice-widowed Lady Duxbury, they cannot say no. Much to their surprise, Lady Duxbury is forming a secret book society for women who have been forbidden from reading by men in their lives. The four form unforgettable bonds and navigate a treacherous time in society together.

Huge thank you to Madeline Martin, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Harlequin Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful tale of female empowerment in the 1800’s….historical detail of repression of women is enlightening…but as the story unfolds, these women’s lives become increasingly important to us.
Great book club read and will spark lively conversations about the evolution of women’s liberation

Every time I read a historical fiction novel I remember how much I always enjoy them and this one was no different. Told in alternating POV, we find three young women on an adventure to freedom when they receive an exclusive invite for afternoon tea from the Lady Duxbury

Eleanor Clarke is feeling trapped by her husband. Rose Wharton is doing her best to fit into the Victorian socialite lifestyle. Lavinia Cavendish who thrills in the arts but is forbidden to do so

Lady Duxbury is everything these women admire. She’s courageous, she’s overcome trying times, and she has the most amazing literary collection. As their bonds strength, these women find that nothing will stop them in the pursuit of sisterhood, free rights, and the power to stand up for themselves and each other

I definitely recommend this to historical fiction fans and those who enjoy stories of women empowering each other

Calling all book lovers 📚—especially those who swoon for stories about the power of reading! If you’re in the market for a historical fiction book that leaves you feeling emboldened and empowered, then I have a book for you. The Secret Book Society is a must-read. I absolutely loved this book and cannot stop recommending it. It’s heartwarming, feminist, and brimming with unforgettable women whose flaws and fierceness make them all the more real. Prepare for ALL the feels! This is heartwarming historical fiction at its finest. I read this book with both my ears and my eyes, and I loved both formats. The excellent narration by Saskia Maarleveld, one of my all-time favorite historical fiction narrators, was absolutely terrific. I often get asked for book recommendations for feel-good historical fiction, and this definitely fits that category. I cannot recommend this book enough, and I want to thank HTP Books for sending me advanced copies of this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Hanover Square Press for the chance to read an ARC of The secret book society by Madeline Martin. It's safe to say that if a book is about reading, libraries or empowering women I will want to read it; add in an author that is on my TBR list, and its a must read. And I am so glad I did!!!! It starts with an invitation from Lady Duxbury...You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society ... and ends with a sisterhood of strong women who have been oppressed by husbands and fathers for too long. I was surprised (although I shouldn't have been) at how controlling men were, that without any thought, husbands could get their wives committed to an insane asylum for no reason. This is a book all women should read. Definitely a good choice for a book club!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the advanced reader copy of The Secret Book Society in exchange for an honest review.
Madeline Martin delivers another emotionally resonant historical fiction novel with The Secret Book Society, a moving tribute to the enduring power of books and the unbreakable bonds forged between women in times of hardship.
Set during a tumultuous period in history, this novel follows a group of women each facing their own personal battles—yet finding strength, solace, and solidarity through literature and friendship. Martin expertly weaves together their individual struggles, drawing readers into a world where the written word becomes both a refuge and a form of resistance.
The characters are richly drawn and deeply human, each one leaving a lasting impression. But what truly stands out is the warmth and resilience that blossoms between them as they form their own secret book society. Their shared love of reading becomes a lifeline, offering moments of hope, joy, and connection in the darkest of times.
Heartwarming, empowering, and beautifully written, The Secret Book Society is a celebration of friendship, literature, and the quiet strength of women who refuse to be broken. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction that highlights the emotional and transformative impact of books.

Loved, loved, loved this book! It's 1895 and women are discouraged from reading, even having books taken away from them, so as not to enrage or activate their emotions, lest they be thrown into the asylum! Even expressing rage, anxiety, depression, any type of emotion or reaction that displeases a man, risks the diagnosis of hysteria, which is grounds for committment. I can't even imagine living in that day and time as I look at my huge book collection!

Rose, Eleanor, and Lavinia all get invitations from Lady Duxbury to join her 'Secret book society'. These invitations are disguised as teatime to avoid the concerns of their husbands. At these meetings they discuss their problems, the books they've read, and get to pick a new book out from Lady Duxbury's extensive library. Each woman is dealing with their own challenges, abusive husbands, tyranical brothers-in-law, the pressure to succumb to society's wishes and be the perfect wife/mother/hostess. Watching the women fight back against their opressive lives, using all the resources at their disposal, is exciting and gratifying. Who knew that foxglove was so effective??

All of Ms. Martin's previous books are book themed so I'll have to check those out as well now. Highly recommended.

Eleanor is in particularly bad shape as everything she does is not approved by her husband and she soon needs the assistance of all 3 women to escape her fate.

This is a great study of how necessary female friendships are, then and today, whether to fight opression, sexism, or harassment, or just to elevate each other in the workplace, women should always be helping women.

The author does a great job with character development and you are invested in each women's outcome as she navigates her challenges through life.

The power of female friendship cannot be quantified or overstated. The Secret Book Society illustrates how friendship can empower and embolden women regardless of time or place.

Our story is set in highly patriarchal Victorian Era London. Much more than corsetry restrains women. Female writers are encouraged to publish using male names. Actually, women are dissuaded from reading anything except books about homemaking or parenting. Reading creates opinions - and opinions can lead to disobedience. Frequent disobedience can lead to a stay in an asylum. Those stays designed to treat “hysterical” women may or may not be permanent. But it would be enough to permanently separate mother and child.

Lady Duxbury, thrice a widow (thus the topic of much gossip) has amassed a fortune. In addition to many residences she also has an abundant library which she decides to share. Under the guise of a weekly Ladies’ Tea, she opens her home and library (including her hidden diary) to three pre-selected ladies. All may be members of Society, but as we all know, no one knows what happens behind closed doors except for those under that roof.

Lady Lavinia Cavendish is 19, a meek redhead without confidence due to a shameful “secret”. Mrs. Rose Wharton is American born and discovering the love she married for doesn’t translate well across the Pond. Her husband puts his impending earldom over his wife and Rose cannot put a foot right. Lastly is Mrs. Eleanor Clarke, whose connections sustain her husband’s nouveaux riche ambitions.

What did I love about the book? Essentially everything. This is my third read by Martin, as I have read The Last Bookshop in London (2021) and The Keeper of Hidden Books (2023). From the dedication to the book community to the many literary references to Austen and Poe among others it is immediately apparent how far Martin’s bibliomania runs. The language flows and the reader can find themselves lost in the words as much as the ladies wander the shelves.

Make no mistake, this is an extremely feminist book. I realize that is odd for a novel set in the Victorian Era but it shows through on every page. Serious topics are mentioned - abortion, medications, miscarriages, even divorce. But one of the things I liked most is that not all the men are “bad” or “irredeemable”. Characters of both genders were shown to be enlightened and in one case even evolved.

This was a lovely book to read after reading something heavy or bleak. Even though these women had lives that were far from easy, each receives a proper ending. Part of the time reading this I felt like I was reading an Austen-adjacent work, and it made me want to re-read Sense and Sensibility for the unquantifiable time. I suppose that’s about as high a compliment as I can give.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early access. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

Because who doesn’t love some light Victorian book clubbing (the non-murder kind, mostly).

The Secret Book Society—a historical novel where women in 1895 London are trapped in terrible marriages, suffocated by society’s expectations, and then promptly decide, “You know what? Screw this, let’s read.” Honestly, if Bridgerton taught us that high society was about balls and scandal, this book reminds us it was also about finding a safe space to gossip over tea and casually dodge being poisoned by your thrice-widowed hostess.

We’ve got Eleanor, trapped in a marriage to Mr. Misogyny himself; Rose, the American import trying desperately not to scream “yee-haw” at the dinner table; and Lavinia, the artsy type with family secrets dark enough to make a Gothic novelist salivate. Enter Lady Duxbury: the enigmatic countess, collector of dead husbands, and apparently the Oprah of clandestine book clubs. You get freedom! You get sisterhood! You get possibly murdered if you talk too much!

The book is full of friendship, whispered rebellion, and Victorian men being insufferable (shocking, I know). The pacing occasionally takes its sweet time—as if even the novel itself is pausing for a dramatic fainting spell—but when the women start pushing back against their suffocating lives, it’s genuinely thrilling.

The secret club becomes less “tea and crumpets” and more “sisterhood revolution with bonus homicide rumors,” and I was here for it.

It’s smart, fun, and a little scandalous—a perfect pick for anyone who’s ever thought, “Wow, Victorian husbands really were the worst. Pass the scones and hand me the contraband novels.”

3.5 stars
In The Secret Book Society, Madeline Martin transports readers to Victorian England in 1895, where a group of high-society women are brought together by their secrets. The novel's premise is fascinating: a "secret book club" founded by Lady Duxbury as a way for these women to find strength in each other.

As a fan of historical fiction, I was immediately drawn to this concept. The first chapter promised a captivating read, but as the story progressed, it became a bit muddled. The sheer number of plots and subplots made it difficult to keep track of the characters and their individual stories. While Lady Duxbury’s past was the most compelling to me, her narrative felt rushed and underdeveloped, often revealed in short, shallow diary entries. Certain scenes, like the séance, seemed unnecessary and detracted from the main plot rather than adding to it.

The male characters in the story are painted as clear villains, to the point where you might question how marriage survived the Victorian era. Despite this, the book is a captivating, if messy, look into a world many of us haven't seen. The author's note at the end is a worthwhile read, offering great insight into the extensive research that went into the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

“We are in a world where men have established a great power over us.”

“She yearned for the fictional stories that wound around her being, adroitly playing at her emotions as if they were the chords of a precious instrument.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Madeline Martin for gifting me this ARC

I am writing this immediately after finishing this book and the feelings this book elicits, especially as a woman, is profound. This is the first book I’ve read by Madeline Martin and it will not be the last.

The Secret Book Society is a historical fiction that takes place in Victorian Era England. A period where women had little rights and were controlled by the men of their lives including not only what they read , but if they are even allowed to read. This book focuses on 4 women from English high society that are brought together after chance encounters individually with Lady Duxbury. Something stands out with these women and Lady Duxbury then invites these women to form a secret book society.

We are given insight into each women’s individual lives and the challenges they face. Through this group, we see the women grow and find their voices. They learn the value of women supporting each other and that deep resounding acceptance that we all crave. You’ll read of the desperation of a mother, the crushing expectations of family, the loss of and finding of love and more in this book.

If you like Austen, you will find remnants of her work in this book. Austen always emphasizes the importance of female relationships in her works and that is really the heart of this book. The women of The Secret Book Society find acceptance to be the passionate women they are despite their oppressive circumstances and they will inspire you to use your voice, share your passion and cherish female friendships.

Over the last several years author Madeline Martin has written books about people who love reading and books, and how that helps them find strength and community through a difficult period, and spotlighting the experiences of women during World War II. While her latest book, The Secret Book Society, leaves the War in favor of the earlier Victorian era, at its heart it's definitely a book about those who love reading and how books can open worlds and inspire one to find her own inner strength.
When the reclusive Lady Duxbury, host of the eponymous Secret Book Society, gathers a select group of women for tea, they're eager to attend. They quickly discover that Lady Duxbury's keen eye has observed that they each are living a restricted life, controlled by the men in their families, and desperately in need of some strength and sisterhood. By gently offering kindness and a willingness to listen--and of course access to her extensive library -- Lady Duxbury and the women of the Secret Book Society discover friendship and strength from one another as well as beloved characters like Jane Eyre and Marianne Dashwood.
I will admit when I first saw that Madeline Martin was leaving the War period for the Victorian I was a bit sad. I have loved seeing women draw strength and community from books while enduring the hardships of that era. But this was such a masterpiece! Martin showcases some of the domestic dangers women faced during the Victorian era--domestic violence, complete control of one's life and choices by a domineering spouse or father (or both), and that convenient label of "hysteria" that merited a woman's confinement to an institution. Set in 1895, women had few legal rights and little to no recourse, no escape from an oppressive life except into books. Martin's Book Society women see themselves in Bronte and Austen's characters, and are inspired by their resilience.
My favorite character, the young Lady Lavinia, marvels that Austen's Marianne Dashwood is allowed to be passionate in her emotions without being labeled "mad." Lavinia fears her own emotions and lives in terror of being sent to the madhouse. Though it was painful to read, this was my favorite element. Martin draws attention to the many ways a woman might be deemed "mad" and some of the motives for sending her away. It's a heartbreaking history, but Martin captures it perfectly.
This was a thoroughly engaging story and perfect for historical fiction fans and anyone who loves a book about readers.
I have posted a review of this book to my social media, as well as retail sites, and have added links to each as they are published.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I was mesmerized the whole time. Coincidentally this is the second book I’ve read this week from this time period and I am still frustrated with the limitations and treatment of women in this time. But I was definitely intrigued by the immensely interesting plot and characters the author created.

The women in the book are truly amazing. They are written so well. Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia are all in situations where they didn’t know how much they needed Lady Duxbury and each other and each having been invited to the Secret Book Society by Lady Duxbury.

The characters are so well done. I got to a certain point where I had to finish. The twists the author adds are excellent and I was cheering and screaming for the women. During all this, I was applauding Lady Duxbury for her bravery and nerve to be heard.

I can’t wait to read more books from this author.

The audio narrator, Saskia Maarleveld was wonderful. I’ve listened to other books with her voice and I thought she did an amazing job with these characters. The way she portrayed them was so well done. Maarleveld nailed the urgency needed for the tense situations.

Thank you to the author for the paperback giveaway where I won a copy. Thank you to the publisher for the ALC and ebook approval on NetGalley. All views are my own.

4 star rating

The Secret Book Society is set in Victorian England during the 1890"s. The story starts with Lady Duxbury sending mysterious invitations to afternoon tea to three women. The women all share the love of books and have restricted freedom from enjoying reading. The story is told through the four women's perspectives ( Lady Duxbury's story is told through her diaries). Eleanor is in an abusive relationship, Lavinia is hiding a huge family secret, Rose is from America and has trouble fitting into London society.

The ladies together form friendships, battle the pressure of societal norms, fight abusive men and share the love of reading and freedom to have their own thoughts.

I loved the message of how powerful women can be when supporting each other rather than tearing each other down with gossip and hate. I highly recommend this book for historical fiction lovers, readers who love women who find their strength and fight for their freedom. My heart felt so good after this book. I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Madeline Martin's bookish historical fiction set during World War 2 so as soon as I saw she was venturing into the Victorian era, I immediately added it to my TBR. Not to mention that beautiful cover?! Sign me up!

That being said, unfortunately I did not enjoy this one quite as much as some of her other books. It took me a while to keep the women separate in my mind and understand who was who. Once I did, I was invested in the characters and wanted things to work out for them, it just took longer than I would have liked.

As usual, I did enjoy the bookish aspect and found it deplorable that in that time period it was frowned upon for women to read for pleasure. Can you imagine?! If my husband made me pick between him and the books....let's just say I'm glad it will never come to that.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for my gifted copy of The Secret Book Society.

Consider this a Historical Fiction piece. This book really reminds me of how lucky we are to live during these times, where for the most part, we are free to read what we want, when we want. As well as to be treated as equals. This book is about friendships, found family, loyalty, bravery, betrayal. It has some darker content like verbal abuse; physical abuse so definitely be mindful going into it.

The ideology that women were considered dispensable and or trophies at some point in time is perplexing. I really got to care for the main characters in this book. I felt with them, I cried with them, I was happy with them, all of the above!

My true rating was a 3.5 BUT I will round to 4. Mostly because it was a bit slow and with so many characters, hard to follow at times.

I would recommend.

The Secret Book Society is a compelling story set in Victorian London with themes of women supporting women.

A forbidden book club + dangerous secrets + women who dare to break free = one page-turning story. In 1895, women were often trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations. Lady Duxbury, a reclusive widow, issues three mysterious invitations to afternoon tea, which is, in reality, a secret book club. This gathering provides women with a safe space to form meaningful friendships, select reading material, and share their thoughts and feelings (secrets). They face severe consequences and great danger to protect one of their own.

I always appreciate a theme of women supporting women. I love the fierce loyalty and solidarity. In a society where women have little power and are trapped by societal norms, it’s often their only recourse. Can you imagine a husband who controls his wife’s reading life?! Or gives her “permission” to read what she wants to read? Can you envision meeting in secret to discuss books?!

Favorite Quote: “The kindred joy of having discovered someone who read the same book was immediate, a friend whose mind had resided once in the same fictional world.”

This group of women is forced to consider some extreme actions to protect one of their own. Compelling themes include sisterhood, friendship, loyalty, self-reliance, women’s rights, bravery, and courage.

Reading this story reminds me of the gratitude we owe women in history who have fought for women’s rights in their own unique ways. Some of these women built a public platform, and others fought quietly. We honor each one who worked to secure the freedoms and rights women enjoy today. We stand on their shoulders.

Content Consideration: domestic abuse

Fans of Madeline Martin and stories of women supporting women will want to add The Secret Book Society to their fall TBRs! I have read many of her books, and I appreciate her well-researched and well-written historical fiction.

Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books @Hanover_Square for a complimentary eARC of #TheSecretBookSociety upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Such a beautiful story of women's strength during a time when women were limited and treated as weak by society. Most historical fiction I read ends up being more focused on romance, so this was a refreshing change. I loved Lady Duxbury (reminded me a bit of Lady Danbury from Bridgerton) and how her own past helped her make a difference in the lives of each of the women she invited to her Secret Book Society. Definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction!

What’s better than a historical fiction novel about 1890’s London? A historical fiction novel about a BOOK CLUB in 1890’s London! In The Secret Book Society, the elusive Lady Duxbury invites three women to tea at her home. Under the guise of a very societally-appropriate gathering, she creates a secret book club to help these women escape their oppressive home lives. Eleanor needs to find the power to stand up to her abusive husband and save her young son. Rose is struggling to fit in as an American transplant and needs a place she feels like she belongs. And Lavinia is a creative young woman trying to find a way to channel her emotions and prove to her family that she’s passionate, not suffering from hysteria. These four women gather, read books, and empower each other to make the changes they need in their lives through friendship.

I enjoyed this story so much! I loved how each of our main characters found their voices over the course of the book. And the strong friendships they developed were definitely a highlight for me. I enjoyed this snapshot of 1890’s London and thought it was important how it brought attention to the oppression these women dealt with on a daily basis. The threat of insane asylums for any reason was absolutely wild to me. How terrifying! It made me want to do some more research about this time period. I just love a story that captivates me and also teaches me something along the way!

Give The Secret Book Society a read if you enjoy historical fiction that features strong female characters and friendships and a love of books.