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.

This was a deep look into the Victorian aristocracy’s darkness regarding women. The plight of Eleanor was particularly harrowing. I enjoyed reading this very much.

I'm so glad I randomly decided to request this. I was immediately pulled in by the characters, and quickly understood the message of the plot. I loved the focus on empowering women. I was mad, sad, and in tears for these women. I also loved the writing style and am truly thankful that I got to read this.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this copy. This review is my own opinion.

This was a very fascinating read. Four women who had been or were currently being abused either socially, mentally, emotionally or physically, show their strength to overcome these odds. This takes place in the 1890’s when women were not encouraged to read for pleasure or have their own opinions. This has some very upsetting moments with regard to physical abuse and mental asylums at the time. It was interesting how the author allowed for each character to have their own voice in a specific chapter. The note to take away from this read is how one person can affect the lives of others either in a good way or a bad way. I would recommend this book.

I really enjoyed the interconnectedness all of the characters in this story. Following Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia, I loved how they all came together through Lady Duxbury's secret book society. Each woman faced unique challenges, from societal expectations to personal struggles, but their relationships blossomed into a source of true friendship and acceptance — truly women supporting women. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the ARC!

Absolutely captivating from the first page! This is the second book I’ve read from Martin and her love for books shines through still. I admire how she illustrates the way women have been intertwined with literature throughout history.

This book was an enchanting look into old London. The desperation of women being able to lead lives outside of the male dominate world comes alive in this story. What better way to present this historical fiction than to write a book about books !

Madeline Martin’s writing makes it easy to envision the glamours gowns, homes, and transportation of this era .

This was my first book to read by this author. I am looking forward to reading more by her .

The story of the Secret Book Society is one of female friendship and the ways in which coming together can empower change for the better. Madeline Martin does an exquisite job of telling the story of these fictional women based on women who suffered in the late 19th century. This story was compelling, empowering, and heart breaking. I couldn’t put it down. I can only hope there are more stories on the way.

Thank you to HTP Books for the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was wonderful. It enraged me, but it was so good. The fact that men had so much control over the women in their lives, the disgraceful fact that a husband could decide his wife was insane and just lock her away is revolting. I loved the way these female characters loved and supported each other, and I loved watching their confidence grow as their friendships grew. And the way the book ended leaves room for a sequel, which I really hope is coming.

This is my first book by Madeline and it won't be my last!

I loved the characters and the plot was amazing.

This book has a setting that captured me as soon as I started reading it. Mysterious characters and places that drag you in.
Very nice and easy story to read. Keeps you enthralled in it and wondering at the same time.
I'll be reading it again.
Teresa Kenyon

I know going into a book by Madeline Martin that I'm going to become attached to charming characters, shed few tears as they navigate significant challenges, and revel in a beautiful ending. I've come to expect this after reading all of her historical fiction books. This story is a little different and it's extra special. We aren't dealing with women during a war, which is a common theme in Martin's books, but with woman who come from restrictive and abusive homes. All of them have soft landings, but a reader should be aware that the road to happily ever after has some details that may be difficult for some to read.

The book starts almost at the end, which is always a fascinating tactic to me. We have Lady Duxbury finding out that a friend has been sent to an asylum by her husband. The first chapter circles back to Lady Duxbury starting a book club for three women who she detects to be in difficult home situations. Eleanor Clarke is the seemingly perfect society woman who has a controlling and sometimes violent husband. Rose Warton is the American "dollar princess" whose once-loving husband is under the influence of an older brother who abhors Rose's background and different behavior (though her money saved their home). Lavinia Cavendish is passionate young woman who has trouble being demure (and may have what we would consider an anxiety disorder in modern times). The three women find community in Lady Duxbury's home and they become friends through their meetings.

The writing in this book is beautiful and I found it hard to put the book down, even before the fast-paced final act during which the friends attempt to extract the one who was sent to the asylum. Despite the difficult details of their home lives, this book felt like a comfort read. The friendships are just so lovely and satisfying.

I imagine that anyone who reads this as their first Madeline Martin book will want to circle back to read her backlist. All of her books are wonderful, but this might be my favorite!

I initially read the synopsis and was pretty optimistic about it. I love a book about sisterhood—and books about books (because who could have guessed that I maybe also like books!)—paired with historical fiction, but the feminist messaging of this book has zero subtlety, and the development of the friendships between the women was, mildly, undercooked. They were simply thrust together in a room and boom, suddenly they're besties. That would be forgiveable if the writing were more compelling. The problem, I think, is that we're told they've bonded over mutual understanding of hardships and a love of literature, but the showing was somewhat lackluster.

I suppose it makes sense that all three women were specifically selected because of the situations they were in, but the antagonists were just so evil, they felt so very one-dimensional. (Especially Lady Meddleson, who's going above and beyond to be petty all because of jealousy. The men? Yeah, I can believe they're rotton to the core.)

The story wasn't so bad. It had its appeal. I was just really hoping for something more, unfortunately.

Madeline Martin is one of my favorite Authors with every genre she writes in, and I'm so glad that I got chosen to be an ARC reader for The Secret Book Society. I absolutely loved this book. The characters amazing to watch develop. The storyline was very well written and entertaining. I couldn't put this book down and found myself self using every spare minute to finish this book. I can't wait to see what she does next!

This was a deeply entertaining book, from start to finish. I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to read it early in exchange for my honest review. This book will surely be gaining a large popularity on social media, and I am sure that it already has. This author has lots of potential to become a baron of the book writing industry; a big name, if you will.

I look forward to this author's future works.

This books chapters are long despite the number of pages. I dont really like historical fiction but this was ok. It was captivating and the time period was set where I like. I think this is a great book for people who love to read historical fiction.

The era in the book is 1895, with some of London’s ladies in society. This was a time when women were discouraged from reading, so establishing something in secret was risky, but dangerous. They are each harboring secrets as they come together after an invitation arrives.

Lady Duxbury, is a recluse and invites these ladies to a tea. A secret book club brings the ladies together as they share a sisterhood and form friendships. Will some of the secrets be deadly? Will they be able to lean on each other as things change for each of them?

Get ready to be lost in London. A novel that is part suspense, historical and the added bonus of friendship when life gets is tough.

A secret book club in Victorian era England with women supporting women, need I say more?

When a mysterious three-time-widow, Lady Duxbury, invites a small group of women to join her secret book club, none of them could have said how much they needed this escape from the injustices of their daily lives. Lady Duxbury doesn’t intend for the club to solely read books, she also hopes to empower the women and guide them to support each other. But as each member finds her voice and learns to stand up against her patriarchal oppressors, the threat of being sent to the lunatic asylum turns from a threat into reality.

This story is a fresh perspective on the injustices that many women experienced in this time and I appreciated how clearly the double standards are called out. I found it challenging to keep the characters straight for the first half of the book as they are called by both their first name and then their last name as the perspective switches. For example one character is called Rose when the story is told from her perspective and then when the story is told from another character’s perspective, Rose is called Mrs Wharton. This is the case for three characters so it was confusing at first. That being said, it wouldn’t stop me from recommending the book, I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in the space of two days. The setting of Victorian England, in the midst of a society which did its best to repress women, was perfect for the lives of Lady Duxbury, Rose Wharton, Eleanor Clarke and Lavinia Cavendish to become entwined. The idea of a literary society, founded by Lady Duxbury, with the intent of helping women to find peers, friends and support is one that still resonates today. Through the gentle guidance of Lady Duxbury, and the access to precious books, each woman finds their voice, their strength and support. A really lovely read - I thoroughly enjoyed it.