This book was incredible 🤩 As soon as I started this book I couldn't put it down and I finished it fairly quickly.

Once again, I can't help but appreciate the depth of research that shines through in Madeline Martin's historical fiction. I enjoyed watching the friendships between the women in the story develop and the ways they supported and uplifted one another. There are difficult themes tackled, including domestic violence, mistreatment of women under the guise of "hysteria" and the suppression of the women's freedoms. Each chapter gave more depth and insight into the characters, their circumstances and how they could relate to one another. I enjoyed the bookish references, exquisite vocabulary and themes of found sisterhood throughout. I could easily read more of Lady Duxbury and her friends.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the eARC of this book (thanks to Netgalley and Madeline's team) in exchange for an honest review.

At a time when women are discouraged from reading, Lady Duxbury invites select women to enjoy her
personal collection. Each of the three women who accept are dealing with the challenges of living in a
restrictive society where it is very easy for family or husbands to have them committed to insane
asylums if they don't toe the line. The support the women receive from the group aids in resolving the
challenges they face, leaving them with more control over their lives. Well written strong female characters.
#TheSecretBookSociety #HarlequinTradePublishing #HanoverSquarePress #NetGalley

Ladies unite! It's time to take control of your life which is easier said than done when you have little say in that life. I loved Madeline Martin's new historical novel which is set in Victorian London at a time when every aspect of a woman's life to include access to books was usually controlled by a man or by society's constraints.

Lady Duxbury, a reclusive widow has survived 3 marriages which has lead to rumors of possible foul play. When she sends an invitation to a select few ladies to tea which includes a covert offer to join a secret bookclub, little do they realize the life changing impact their acceptance will wrought. Eleanor, a devoted mother is struggling to survive an abusive marriage. Rose ,a wealthy American heiress is seeking acceptance as the wife of an English aristocrat. Lavinia struggles to control her artistic passion which she fears will lead to the exposure of a family secret. Three ladies brought together at a time when even what they read is curtailed or denied by the majority of men in an effort to keep them under a man's control. As their new bonds of friendships strengthen, danger is never far behind as they each seek to find their own inner strengths to forge a life of their own making.

This is my first book by Madeline Martin, but it will not be my last! I loved the strong female characters and the strength of their friendship that evolved as the story progressed. Her historical research as to life in the Victorian age made the story come alive for me so that the injustices the characters suffered felt as if I was living through them too. It is hard to phantom that in a time when a woman, Queen Victoria was ruling Great Britain many of her contemporaries were controlled to the point they were not even given the freedom to read a book of their own choosing! This story brings to light this privilege that many of us today takes for granted. Yet, around the world, millions of women are still being denied this basic freedom. This is a well crafted novel with a strong message about the power of friendship, resilience, and the desire in all of us to seek a path of our own choosing. Thank you Madeline Martin, NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the opportunity to review this ARC.

It is 1895 in London and a time when women are highly restricted and unable to do things without consent from their spouse.
There are many consequences for not following rules!
This unfortunately includes simple pleasures as reading a good novel, spending time with friends and family.
That is until three women receive an invite to a tea party by the influential Lady Duxbury.
But- it is not just a tea party; it is a place where they can speak, obtain a book and learn who they really can be.
The secrets, fear, and solutions are shared.

This is historical fiction and one that is well written, intense, sad and filled with suspense. Excellent!
It is definitely a book to put on your reading list!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

First book by Madeline Martin and it was my “cup of tea”. This was a well done historical fiction read. I loved the focus on female friendships especially in a time of coveted invitations and societal positions in a male dominated world.

Madeline Martin did an excellent job of bringing together a group of women who appear quite diverse, but they all harbor secrets that will draw them together into this friendship. I loved diving into the backgrounds of each of these women and feel Madeline Martin did a fantastic job of bringing them to life. The research was well done on how women were treated and expected to be in Victorian England. There are definitely times that you want to go toe-to-toe with the men in this book, but there may be a few for whom you might want to kiss on the cheek and say well done ol’ chap. The writing flowed and allowed easy visuals of drawing rooms and gardens in all their grandeur. Emotions were well written and heart pounding at times. I love a book that just put you through all the feels.

This is a book that unites these 5 ladies through friendship, books, and the quiet strength and courage inside us all. I highly recommend this book whether you are new to historical fiction or this is your jam.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book follows a group of women and shows how books can literally change your life. This book was fast paced, easy to follow, and just overall beautifully written.

An empowering story of women who become friends through the safety and freedom they find in books.

Seeing the characters go from their distressing, mundane lives and come into who they are thanks to the friendship and kindness they find in the Society was so uplifting. Lady Duxbury was my hero and she just kept reminding me of Lady Danbury from Bridgerton. She saw these women and the need they had to escape into a library, but more so just to be seen and known.

The writing was so beautiful, very Bridgerton. If you want a story to shows why books and friendship make the world better, this is it.

Thanks to Harper Collins for the advanced copy. I was not required to write a review.

Set in the richly detailed world of 1895 London, it follows three very different women who find unexpected freedom and power in a most unlikely place: a clandestine book club.

Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia are compelling, vividly drawn characters, each trapped in her gilded cage. Their emotional journeys are rendered with nuance and empathy, from Eleanor’s quiet resistance as a mother under her husband’s control to Rose’s battle to reconcile her American identity with British aristocratic expectations and Lavinia’s poignant search for artistic expression and safety from her past. Their bond—rooted in shared stories, whispered truths, and growing defiance—forms the heart of the novel.

With its perfect blend of suspense, historical detail, and emotional resonance, this novel is more than just a charming period piece—it’s a fierce ode to women who dare to reclaim their voices in a world designed to silence them.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review of The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin (Published by HarperCollins)
5/5 stars

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin is a heartwarming, empowering, and utterly gripping historical novel set in the late Victorian era. With elegant prose and fast-paced storytelling, Martin brings to life the harsh realities women faced in the 1880s and 1890s—when their choices were limited, their voices often silenced, and their passions (especially for reading) discouraged or outright forbidden.

At the center of the novel are four compelling women: a noble Countess (Lady Duxbury) with a bold secret, a blunt and misunderstood American, a flawless socialite hiding deep trauma, and a young woman battling anxiety and panic attacks. Each perspective is richly written, and the shifting points of view allow readers to connect deeply with their individual struggles—and triumphs.

Brought together by a shared love of books, these women form a secret society that becomes both sanctuary and rebellion. Their courage, intelligence, and friendship light up the pages, and the novel beautifully illustrates how even a single sentence—or book—can spark change. It’s a story of female empowerment, solidarity, and the transformative power of literature.

The historical details are vivid and at times shocking. I was fascinated—and horrified—to learn how easily women were institutionalized, and how harmful “treatments” like arsenic wafers or mercury were once seen as cures. Martin skillfully weaves these facts into the plot, making the novel as educational as it is emotional.

With secret gardens, hidden book compartments, dark pasts, and forbidden knowledge, this story has everything I love in historical fiction. I laughed, I learned, I was moved, and I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend The Secret Book Society to anyone who enjoys stories about brave women, the healing power of books, and reclaiming one’s voice.

Such a powerful read! The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. The characters are compelling and truly engaging.

Y’all, take my advice when I say don’t grab a “read now” copy of a book in a genre you wouldn’t typically read, blindly, just because the cover is gorgeous. I’m guilty. I’m bad. But it was too tempting.

I’ll likely pick this one up in a few years but I am not a fan of historical fiction in general.
The language is hard to adjust to when reading other genres (and books with servants make me feel weird, but this book is historically accurate).

This book is beautifully written, caught my attention, and I think historical fiction fans will love and cherish this one for a long time to come. A gem of a book.

Thank you for this ARC! I am leaving my honest feedback voluntarily.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong emotional depth and found family energy, this book delivers a powerful and heartfelt story.

Set in Victorian-era London, The Secret Book Society follows four women whose lives have been shaped by repression, abuse, and societal limitations. Each of them carries their own wounds, but when their paths cross, something magical begins to happen. Through shared pain, loyalty, and a blossoming trust, they form a bond that becomes their greatest source of strength.

What I loved most was the exploration of female friendship and how, even in a time when women were often silenced, they found their voices in each other. The writing beautifully captures the slow, vulnerable process of healing and solidarity. It reminded me how essential community is, especially in moments of despair.

I gave it 5 stars because the novel was a powerful testament to resilience, sisterhood, and the courage it takes to reclaim your story.

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a book that’s both emotionally moving and deeply empowering—without needing any romance to drive it.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am a sucker for books about books and book clubs so the title and pretty cover definitely caught my eye. I am so glad I got the chance to read this title. It was an enjoyable read with likable characters who each had their own depth and background. I loved the idea of a woman using a secret book club to connect with like-minded women and how the connection allowed them to support and encourage one another at a time when society was unfavorable towards women.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC!
TW: Domestic Abuse & off-screen harm to a child

The Secret Book Society is a thoughtful and beautiful piece of historical fiction that balances a compelling narrative with meaningful commentary on women's autonomy in the late Victorian period.

Set in late 1890s London, the story follows three women who each face oppression in different forms: their husbands, their father, or the generally restrictive societal norms and pressures placed on them by other women. Couple that with the ever-present threat of being institutionalized for "hysteria" (aka any behaviour not deemed "womanly" such as passion, reading, speaking out, etc.) adds a constnat tension reflective of the very real dangers women faced during this era.

As a professor of early American history who focuses on the mid-late 1800s and institutional treatment (especially of the Deaf), I found Martin’s portrayal of the time period impressively grounded and well-researched. She captures the societal constraints of the era without romanticizing them, offering readers a refreshingly honest look at the realities beneath the corsets and drawing rooms.

What worked for me:
>Historical accuracy. Martin did her research, and it shows in the language, setting, and character behavior. I truly believed I was in Victorian London with the way the characters spoke, acted, and treated each other and the Society around them.

>Gradual character development. The protagonists grow organically, and their emotional journeys are nuanced and believable.

>Feminine strength is portrayed authentically. In an age where over-the-top, snarky, overpowered FMCs are common, Martin’s characters find strength in subtlety and persistence.

>Balanced storytelling done through "showing" and "telling." Martin uses diary entries sporadically to "tell" us context that is useful to the current situation. The rest of the story outside of the diaries is "shown" as a growing, breathing, world. I think when done correctly (as Martin did in this instance), the diaries offer a brief change of pace to give the reader necessary context without taking us out of the world or overwhelming us with information all at once.

Why I gave it 4.5 instead of 5 stars
>Some pacing issues. Key plot threads occasionally wrapped up too quickly, undercutting emotional payoff.

>I wanted more Lady Druxbury. Actually...I want an entire book based on the brief snippets of her backstory that we got!!

This is a rewarding, feminist-leaning historical fiction that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy for drama. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys feminist fiction, historical fiction, or just a genuinely good story without catty drama for drama's sake.

I plan to buy a copy once this book hits the shelves and if you're one of those people curiously scanning the comments while still on the fence, give this book a chance, you'll love it!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Madeline Martin is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books, but I think this one might be my favorite. It takes place in 1895 London, at a time when women had very few rights. They were under the rule of society and their husbands. Three women who are living in adverse circumstances are invited to The Secret Book Society by Lady Duxbury. Through a mutual love of books and a developing friendship, they help each other. The writing is superb, and all the characters are very well represented. This book just got better and better, and I liked the end. Highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Captivating Journey I Couldn't Put Down!

From the very first page, The Secret Book Society pulled me in with its enchanting storytelling and richly drawn characters. The author’s ability to weave a tale that is both heartbreaking and uplifting had me completely hooked. I started the book last night and literally fell asleep with it in my hands—unable to tear myself away. This morning, I dove right back in and couldn’t stop reading until I reached the final paragraph.

The characters felt so real and vulnerable that I found myself cheering them on through every twist and turn, feeling their pain and triumphs as if they were my own. This book is a beautiful blend of mystery, emotion, and hope that stays with you long after the last page. If you love stories that grip your heart and soul, this is a must-read!

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for providing an early copy to review.

Four and a half stars rounded up to five. 1895. Lady Duxbury has invited three women to her Secret Book Society: Eleanor, whose husband abuses her and limits her access to her son, Rose, the American heiress that English society scorns, and Lavinia, whose shyness is crippling but hides a secret passion.
I read this book in one sitting. It was fabulous! Crisp writing, and the characters practically leapt off the page. Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin is historical fiction set in 1895 London. Three women who are trapped in marriages/lives which are truly oppressive are invited to Lady Duxbury’s home for tea and to be a part of a secret book society. Through the meetings and the books they read, the women begin to learn more about who they are and what they need.

The characters in this book were not extremely dynamic, but they were likable and I found myself rooting for them both as a group and as individuals. Eleanor Clarke is a devoted mother who has no freedom under the watchful eye and harshness of her husband. Rose Wharton is an American who is struggling to fit in to the position of an aristocratic wife in this unfamiliar country. Lavinia Cavendish is a young artistic writer who is haunted by a family secret. Lady Duxbury joins the three of them together along with herself and the ladies are immediately drawn to her. As their friendships grow, they discover courage they didn’t know they had and that it is the only thing that can help them escape their oppressive worlds.

This fast paced novel explores a time period in history where women were not treated as equals and were often physically abused. Some even had a constant threat of being declared hysterical and sent to asylums. During this time, woman were expected to obey their husbands or other men in their lives and were not to show any sign of disagreement. If they did, there were heavy consequences. This is a fact that I had heard of but had not researched or read about very much. The Secret Book Society shed light on this dark time for women and helped me understand how differently women were viewed in society.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is fast paced and doesn’t pull any punches when dealing with tough topics. It is an easy read and one that I feel will hold your interest throughout the book. My only wish is that there had been a little more description in the end. I do understand that the point was to let us draw some of our own conclusions, but I like books to be wrapped up nicely like gifts with a pretty little bow. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Martin’s books.

Last Bookshop in London remains my favorite Madeline Martin title. However, this newest publication took second place.
I thought a great deal about the writings of Nellie Bly while reading this book. Another great read for those who love a book about books. I enjoyed the entrance into a new historical time period for Martin.
I would recommend this title to those who are notof a faint constitution! What a different and encouraging woman friendships story. Curious to see what other readers have to say about The Secret Book Society.
P.S. The ending hints at a sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this title.