From the very first pages, Madeline does an incredible job painting the scene so vividly that I felt like a character living within the story. I started crying by Chapter 3, and honestly, I never really stopped. Her portrayal of the struggles of womanhood and the battles we fight both within ourselves and with other women deeply resonated with me. It was powerful, raw, and impactful.

Though it’s historical fiction, the themes are strikingly modern: the oppression of women by men, the restriction of what we’re allowed to read or say, and the way society teaches us to see each other as rivals instead of allies. Madeline weaves these topics into the narrative with heartbreaking beauty, showing the importance of female empowerment, freedom of expression, and sisterhood.

This book inspired me and stayed with me long after I turned the final page. It gave me a renewed sense of power and a deep desire to be better: to myself, to other women, and to the world around me. It reminded me how much our voices and actions matter in a society that needs compassion, courage, and connection right now.

This book was a balm to my soul. The Victorian women's lot in life was stifling and bleak. To think, reading or writing poetry could put you in an asylum. The individual women's stories had me anxious one minute and enraged the next. Knowing that reading was discouraged for women, I feel immensely relieved that it is different for me in 2025, but not all women have the freedom even now. I applauded the HEA for these characters and yet I wondered what I would have done in each of these women's shoes. A great story.

Overall an enjoyable book. A little heavy handed on social issues at times (I read to get a break from such things).
Great character exploration and use if language.
A bit slow-paced.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Book Society is the third book I’ve read by Madeline Martin. It’s a solid four stars like her others. As a historical fiction author, she is reliably excellent.

This novel was a fast-paced and compelling read. It is also a difficult read during much of it, as it focuses on the oppression of ladies in Victorian England.

Widow Lady Duxbury takes two married women and one young lady under her wing. Through books and through the creation of a community and sharing secrets, all three work to create fulfilling lives for themselves.

Trigger warnings for domestic violence and abusive relationships.

This was a satisfying read. And, although I would never want to live in the world of these women, I would love to befriend any of them. They were all white and wealthy and held stature in society, but they were each unique in their stories, rather than being merely generic stifled women.

4.5 stars, rounded up. This is my third book by Madeline Martin and definitely will not be my last. Her writing gets better with every book, and it was already very good to start. This is a fascinating historical fiction story about the Victorian era when ladies of Society were discouraged (sometimes forced) not to read books for fear that it would be a negative influence on them. One woman is determined to change this, and starts the Secret book Society, with a handful of very carefully chosen members. The sisterhood that develops from this secret society changes all of their lives in very profound ways. I won’t share any of those details, as it is a great joy to watch this unfold in the book. If you like stories of women rising, stories of often overlooked periods of history and/or stories that make you think, you will surely enjoy this lovely novel. Highly recommend.

🌸BOOK REVIEW🌸

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Ebook

Historical Fiction

A book about books— need I say more??
Set in Victorian London, this story of friendship tackles important topics such as women’s rights, women’s agency and independence, marriage and oppression, social pressures, and domestic violence, with Lady Duxbury’s secret book club as the catalyst for change for four women.
The main characters— Lavinia, Eleanor, Rose, and Lady Duxbury— could not be more different, and their distinct personalities and backgrounds forge close bonds as the women open up to each other and help each other overcome their struggles.
I loved reading about the time period and the lifestyles of the rich and famous, even though the interior lives of each woman were not nearly as glamorous as the shiny exteriors. The descriptions of the balls, teas, dresses, and rules of etiquette brought the story to life!
The role of books in this story is perfectly timed— Lady Duxbury recommends the perfect book to help each young woman at just the right moment: Jane Eyre, a diary, Aurora Leigh, a book of herbal remedies. The women find themselves within the pages of each book.
This is a five star read!!
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you @netgalley and @HTPBooksfor this advanced reader copy! The Secret Book Society will be available August 26!
🌸 Em

With THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY, Madeline Martin, one of the most under appreciated and undervalued historical novelists working today, proves once again that she is a brilliant storyteller and diligent craftswoman when it comes to the high quality of her prose and character development. When I read Ms. Martin’s books, not only do I know I will be reading an engrossing narrative, but I always learn something new as well.

Stepping away from the backdrop of WWII, Ms. Martin tackles the Victorian era with her latest. This is her darkest and grimmest novel. I certainly grew tense at times, concerned for the welfare of her characters as I became emotionally involved with each of them. Parts of the book reminded me of the horrors described in Dickens.

THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY is about women’s rights, the patriarchy, power, control, hysteria, influence, family, and most importantly, friendship and the power of books. Readers will laugh, cry, and gasp due to fright.

This book is a must read and is guaranteed to appear on many end-of-the-year Best of lists.

I was captivated by this book from the very beginning. Historical fiction is a favorite genre of mine to read and I was thrilled to see that this was set in a different time period than that of many other historical books. I have yet to read much of Victorian time and was heartbroken while reading what these women had to endure simply because they were women. How easily they could be cast aside and condemned to a psychiatric hospital simply for speaking. How something such as reading could be taken away because their husbands wanted their attention elsewhere.

This book was so beautifully written and the characters were well developed. Their growth as a friend group and as their own was remarkable. You got to see this group of women come together because books were taken from them for various reasons, learn to trust one another, open up to one another and form an unbreakable bond. You see them fight for one another and rely on one another. There are some heartbreaking moments but the strength these women had is unbelievable.

This book was an anticipated read for me this year and I am so grateful to have been able to advance read. Madeline Martin has easily become a favorite author of mine over the years, she has a way of bringing a story to life and writing characters I have had a connection with, who's stories have broken me and gave me hope.

I would like to thank Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to advance read in exchange for my honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book because Madeline Martin is one of my favorite authors, especially because it has to do with a book society. While this was an well-developed story, I missed the war timeline of what I have come to love about Madeline Martin books. The pace was a little slower than I thought it would be, with the middle half really slowing down. Once I got to the last quarter, I didn't want to put it down, but it took me a while to be that invested in the characters.

Again, this was an interesting story, it just didn't grab my attention as quickly. I am glad I read it (hence the 4 stars) but I probably won't pick it up to read again.

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

Madeline Martin has written another wonderful novel! She remains one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to be approved on NetGalley to read her latest masterpiece. I am grateful to the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Secret Book Society. Thank you.

The Secret Book Society is an absolute delight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Madeline has a way of inviting you into the story with her interesting plot twists, historical intrigue and multi-leveled characters that burst forth from the page. It is a book about the power of literature, the power of friendship, and the bonds that form when a group of women in Victorian London form a secret society to read together. They find much more than just the words on the pages of the books they share - they find strength and a new sense of fortitude they didn’t know they possessed.

It was fascinating to learn about the oppressive strictures placed upon women during the Victorian Era in terms of books and learning. I knew that the social mores of the day required a woman to be the epitome of gentile and ladylike but I had no idea that it was commonplace for the men of high society to restrict women from reading as a way to keep them from having a voice. The women in the Secret Book Society faced scrutiny, danger, and overwhelming pressure if they exerted any type of independent thinking and pursuits. They overcome these challenges with wit, determination, and with the help and support of each other.

When the women of the story finally believe themselves capable of fighting for the kind of life they desire and deserve to live, they find they will have to rely on the trusted friendships of the group to get them through scandal, threats, danger, adversity and hardship. They find there is a strength within themselves they didn’t know they had and they begin to find a sense of who they are and stand up for what they believe in.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was how Madeline weaves in the importance of books and the power that reading has in changing one's life. It made me think just how lucky we are to have the gift of literature and the freedom to choose when and what we’d like to read.

If you enjoy historical fiction that is enlightening, and espouses the ideals of love, friendship, independence, hope, and empowerment, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!

I was hooked by the end of the first chapter!

Lady Duxbury invites three women—each facing their own challenges within a restrictive society—into her secret book club, giving them a chance to take control of their destinies.

The character development in this story is rich and deeply satisfying; watching each woman grow into her power was an incredible journey.

The theme of female friendship really resonated with me, and the story beautifully balances emotional depth with uplifting moments.

If you're looking for a feminist historical read with strong Bridgerton vibes and a secret society twist, this book is for you.

A huge thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC!

The Secret Book Society is a beautifully written story following four different women, in Victorian era England. Martin weaves together a story of heartbreak, hope, friendship, and empowerment with each of the women facing different situations in their lives. The setting of the book has a great Regency era feel, along the lines of the Bridgerton books, but it deals with a lot of heavier subject matter. The chapters switch POVs between each of the female characters, along with diary entries from Lady Duxbury, and I thought this helped to keep the story interesting.

All of the female characters were well-written, and the situations they each faced were believable for this time period. Lady Duxbury was the stand-out character and well layered from her past experiences, and now working to help other women who are facing hardships and challenges within their families. I loved that at the heart of the story, books were used to empower the women, who lived during a time when their reading was limited or completely removed.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Historical Fiction
* Female Friendships
* Victorian Era Society
* Secrets & Betrayals
* Control/Abuse

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)

I would highly recommend The Secret Book Society if you love female characters who grow to overcome adversity and hardship, women who lift one another up, and the life-changing effects that books can bring to one's life.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Fierce women, forbidden books, and a secret society worth fighting for.

The Secret Book Society is a stunning love letter to women’s resilience and the power of story. Set against the rigid backdrop of Victorian London, this novel pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go.

Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia each bring their own heartbreak and hopes to the secret book club, and watching them form bonds of trust, strength, and sisterhood is as moving as it is empowering. Lady Duxbury is a total scene-stealer—mysterious, sharp, and the exact kind of woman you’d risk it all to have tea with.

Madeline Martin delivers a deeply emotional, suspenseful, and inspiring historical read with high stakes and unforgettable female leads. If you love secret societies, slow-burning tension, and books that celebrate women finding their voices, this one’s for you.

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin.
You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society...Lady Duxbury.
When you receive a note like this, you must attend!
The women were also asked to hold the correspondence in the "strictest of confidences".
The invited women not only had literary interests in common but their life circumstances alerted Lady Duxbury to cordially invite them to join the Secret Book Society because she was in a position to help them.
These were women whose books were being restricted by their husband's and fathers but she felt strongly that so, too, other aspects of their lives were restricted as well.
We meet the women of the Secret Book Society..
Lady Lavinia, Eleanor, and Rose and they believed that the more the bond between them grew, the more they would learn about friendship which is "the balm that has let us begin to heal".
Is this time, a woman could be accused of being afflicted with ‘hysteria’ and sent to a lunatic asylum. Hysteria was a frequent diagnosis for women in this time period with symptoms such as depression and anxiety.. What I found fascinating was in the Author's Note, she describes a true account of a woman throwing a shoe with a note tucked inside for someone to help her as she's being taken away.
I absolutely loved how these women came together for each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I have never read anything like this. I read a lot of historical romances that usually have the London ballrooms and characters of nobility. This has some of that too, but it’s far from a flowery love story. No. It’s gritty, edgy, scary at times, and mired in reality.

The story centers around four women, all of whom are a part of high society. Eleanor Clarke is married to a despicable man. Rose Wharton is an American woman who is married to a man who is in line to b e come an earl. Lady Lavinia is young and a little troubled. Lady Duxbury was the heroine in the story and brought these women together to form a secret book club and what a Godsend that was.

The friendship these ladies forged was unshakable. They helped each other overcome adversity, empowered each other, were loyal even when the men in their lives forbade it and manipulated the situation and tried to keep them under their thumbs, then came together when it really mattered.

This isn’t for the faint of heart. The main characters were sorely put upon and abused in one way or another, but everybody has a breaking point, which catapulted this to a surprise ending that was more than satisfying,

This is probably the best book I’ve read so far this year.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was given a copy of this in exchange for a review.

Another great historical read from Madeline Martin!

In The Secret Book Society three women are invited to Lady Duxbury's house. Eleanor Clarke, Rose Wharton and Lavinia Cavendish are trapped by the rules of society or marriage. Lady Duxbury suggests a secret book society and offers her library of books to the ladies to take home and enjoy. As the book continues a strong friendship develops between the ladies and each lady becomes more confident in herself and the desire to make changes in her life. Grab you copy in August 2025!

The Secret Book Society
by Madeline Martin
Pub Date: August 26, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this fantastic novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.
Martin’s storytelling resonated deeply with me, a poignant reminder of the strides women have made throughout history. She vividly portrays the harsh realities women once endured treated as mere property, their voices stifled and autonomy denied. Yet through her characters, she breathes life into their resilience, courage, and the transformative power of female friendship.
The Secret Book Society is an exceptional tale of friendship, defiance against societal constraints, hidden truths, personal growth, and the heart-wrenching decisions required to claim one’s destiny. As a relatively new reader of Madeline Martin’s works, this novel has undoubtedly secured her place on my must-read list. It's a profoundly moving and unforgettable tale, one I will treasure and return to time and again.

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release date: 8/26/25

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC! The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin follows three women after they receive a mysterious invitation to a secret book club from Lady Duxbury. The women find a space where they can come together, form friendships, and find the courage to stand up for themselves and change their lives despite the oppresive expectations of society.

The Secret Book Society is proof that when women work together, support one another, and lift each other up good things happen. This an easy read that sucked me in right from the start. The different POVs are done extremely well as the stories of each member of The Secret Book Society intertwine. The characters are easy to like and root for. I think that sometimes we forget, or might not even realize, that women were not always permitted to read or had access to the books they wanted to read. This story demonstrates some of the reasons that women in the Victorian era may not have been allowed to read and the consequences they may have faced at home or in society for something so many of us enjoy without a second thought today. The Secret Book Society has the likeable and deep characters and character growth that I have come to expect in Madeline Martin's novels.

This story is a powerful reminder that we should never take for granted our easy access to books and the ability to read what we want when we want to without the the fear of judgement or persecution. It is a very appropriately timed message given what is happening with libraries across the country. Especially in the state I just recently moved out of.

Overall, I recommend The Secret Book Society! If you enjoy books about books, historical fiction, and strong female characters than this is the book for you!

Title: The Secret Book Society
Author: Madeline Martin
Length: 336
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: Aug 26 2025
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice Level: closed door
Summary:
London, 1895: Three women—each trapped by stifling marriages and societal expectations—are drawn to a secret book club hosted by the mysterious Lady Duxbury, a countess with a scandalous past. Amid whispered rumors and hidden truths, they find friendship, freedom, and the courage to reclaim their lives. But in a world where secrets can be deadly, one wrong move could cost them everything.

Thoughts:
I will say I was weary starting this book since I knew we’d be steering away from the WWII historical fiction and heading into Victorian England historical fiction. I think I might’ve read only one or two other historical fictions set in Victorian England. Madeline Martin did NOT disappoint! ☺️ I loved the theme of women camaraderie, seeing how they could come together and help one another, and also the power of books and how they can impact our lives. It also made me super thankful to not be living in that time period haha. There was drama, there was heartache, there was suspense, and there was a little bit of romance sprinkled in.

Read if you love:
Victorian England
Historical Fiction
Multiple POVs
Books about books

Special thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

In The Secret Book Society, Madeline Martin masterfully weaves a tale set against the rigid backdrop of Victorian London in 1895, a time when societal expectations confined women's roles, thoughts, and even their access to knowledge. This captivating story follows the lives of three remarkable women whose worlds are irrevocably changed by a mysterious, secret invitation.

At the heart of the narrative is the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a reclusive figure burdened by whispers of scandal and loss, whispers accusing her of having a hand in the deaths of her three husbands. Yet beneath her shadowed reputation lies a fierce determination to empower other women. She extends an invitation under the guise of afternoon tea, but in truth, it is an offer to join a secret book club.

Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother trapped in a cruel, unjust marriage with the tyrannical Cecil, fights silently for her son’s well-being. Rose Wharton, an outspoken American heiress, wrestles with the suffocating judgments of English society and her husband’s disapproving brother, despite her deep love for her husband. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic soul, struggles to reconcile her passions with her father’s expectations while harboring a burdensome family secret.

Martin’s storytelling resonated deeply with me, a poignant reminder of the strides women have made throughout history. She vividly portrays the harsh realities women once endured treated as mere property, their voices stifled and autonomy denied. Yet through her characters, she breathes life into their resilience, courage, and the transformative power of female friendship.

The bond formed among Eleanor, Rose, and Lavinia, sparked by Lady Duxbury’s invitation, evolves into a profound connection. Their secret gatherings become a sanctuary where they find the courage to defy societal norms and pursue the happiness they deserve. Each woman’s journey is uniquely emotional, marked by strength, vulnerability, and the unwavering support they offer one another.

The Secret Book Society is an exceptional tale of friendship, defiance against societal constraints, hidden truths, personal growth, and the heart-wrenching decisions required to claim one’s destiny. As a relatively new reader of Madeline Martin’s works, this novel has undoubtedly secured her place on my must-read list. It's a profoundly moving and unforgettable tale, one I will treasure and return to time and again.

Thank you to the Madeline Martin, Harper Collins, and Netgalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.