The Undercover Heiress of Brockton begins as a lighthearted read, set in 1905 Brockton, Massachusetts, about twenty-five miles outside of Boston. Henrietta Maxwell is a young woman of society, masquerading as Henry Mason, one of the top reporters for the Brockton Enterprise, a condition of her employment since a female reporter would not be taken seriously. Her personality, persistence, and the situations in which she sometimes finds herself will endear her to fans of Jen Turano's books. In Chapter Five, things take a serious turn when, based on actual events, an explosion and subsequent fire occur at the Grover Shoe Factory. In her undercover persona, Etta, as she is known by family and friends, and fireman Les Eriksson join forces to solve not only the cause of this catastrophic event, but a string of arson related fires in the Campello district of Brockton. Mixed in with the seriousness of their investigation, Goshorn has written in a developing romance with misunderstandings and setbacks. Goshorn sensitively and respectfully includes the difficulties encountered by women of the time who strove to compete in what was the man's world of business and politics. Etta, like many women of the time, struggled with being all she felt led by God to be while also being accepted and loved for being all of who she was.

I recommend this well-written and well-researched book that so well balances levity and seriousness. I would enjoy meeting the main characters as well as some of the secondary characters again in future books. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Undercover Heiress of Brockton from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

In 1905 Brockton, Massachusetts, Miss Henrietta Maxwell is a busy, eccentric young woman. The tall, bespectacled daughter of a self-made Bostonian businessman with Brockton roots, she attends upscale garden parties and writes a city society column while living in a Brockton boardinghouse and writing hard-hitting news for the Brockton Enterprise in disguise as “Henry Mason.” Until now, Etta successfully kept her secret under wraps, but Leo Eriksson, a local fireman, unmasks her identity (literally) after she falls from a tree while investigating corruption and arson—knocking both her and Leo to the ground. Impressed by her intelligence and gumption, Leo agrees to stay quiet about Etta’s clandestine career. They begin courting, hoping their affection will surmount class barriers, but a devastating industrial accident complicates things. The sensational headlines and cold-hard-facts approach to her reporting make Leo question if she lacks empathy. Also, Etta fends off a rival reporter desperate to out-scoop her.

Goshorn sets her inspirational romance against the backdrop of the Grover Shoe Factory disaster, which killed dozens after the four-story building collapsed and caught fire after a boiler explosion. She transforms this little-known historical incident into a riveting human drama, successfully animating a large cast and illustrating many moments—taken from primary source accounts—of heroic rescue and unescapable tragedy. Etta and Leo are both caring people whose personalities complement each other, and their journey back to one another is realistically complex (if a bit overlong) as they rely on their Christian faith while working their way out of a big misunderstanding. Boston and Brockton are 25 miles apart, so it’s unclear why their social circles overlap so much, or how Etta juggles her multiple roles while traveling back and forth. But in all, this is a well-crafted novel, with a hopeful bent, which underscores the importance of industrial safety regulations.

published in the Historical Novels Review, August 2025

New author for me, but I loved this book. Only reason not a 5 was just a bit of repetitive dialogues here and there. Definitely will be reading this author again.
The story starts out with a bit of deception, lol the title kind of gives a bit away. When the Heiress Henrietta is not able to work at the newspaper under her real name, she assumes a male persona.
There is a lot going on but hang on it is good. Since this is brand new book just published today! August 1, 2025. I don't want to ruin the storyline.
This book is written around a real tragedy on March 20, 1905. This past March was 120 years. The town of Brockton Mass had many factories making shoes, called the Shoe City. The factories employed nearly 10,000 women, men and children. The author has a great notation at the end of the book for those interested in the story within the story.
The book has romance, deception, family ties and more. I really like stories set is this time frame and a bit earlier, so was a great fit for me.
Thanks to Barbour and NetGalley for a pre-publication copy. I am reading the next book in the series soon. Not by the same author, but I'm sure will be great as well. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Always enjoy stories with a plucky, determined heroine who is trying to carve her path in a man’s worlds. Etta was persistent, professional, and believable disguised as a male reporter in her efforts to live out her dreams.

The budding romance between her and Leo was sweet. Loved learning about events that I previously had never heard of.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was an excellent historical novel. Not only did it give a close up view of a real disaster in Brockton, Massachusetts, but the author wove a captivating romance into the details.
Heiress Henrietta Maxwell is not content to sit back and enjoy her family’s new wealth. She has a philanthropic heart and raises funds for worthy causes, one of which is Fire Engine Company #1. She also has ambitions to be a newspaper reporter with her own byline. However society frowns on women in a man’s domain. So she adopts a pseudonym and disguises herself as a man and does it anyway. After falling out of a tree onto firefighter Leo Eriksson, her cover is blown. But an instant attraction is made. “If she were bold enough to flirt with Leo, would he douse the fire with water-or accelerant? The better question was could she be brave enough to find out?”
When a boiler explodes at Grover Shoe Factory and collapses the building, Leo and crew lend a hand in rescue efforts. Etta is close by and helps during the chaos. It was fun to see just how the romance progressed.
The author did a good job of crafting complex characters in realistic situations with obstacles to overcome and calling on their faith in God to provide solutions to their problems.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

4.5 stars!
If you like compelling historical fiction from real events you may have been unaware of, with wonderful characters, you will love this multi-layered historical fiction story that had me turning pages late into the night!

The heroine, Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, is strong and goes after her dreams at a time when most women didn't, the hero, Leo Eriksson, a second-generation firefighter, is a good man, loyal and brave, but still wounded from a previous relationship. The heiress & undercover reporter and the fireman make an unlikely pair in this historical time period that comes alive under the talented pen of author Kelly J. Goshorn.

I loved the brotherly moments of levity, and truth with Leo and his family. They all seem to be striving to "use the gifts God's given (them) to glorify Him." Themes of faith, family, forgiveness, bravery, and being who God created you to be are beautifully woven throughout the story. I highly recommend The Heiress of Brockton to lovers of historical fiction.

The historical event that is in the book that I was not aware of: this year (March 20, 2025) marks the 120th anniversary of the catastrophic steam-boiler explosion at the R.B. Grover & Company in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Thank you to Barbour Fiction and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own!

This was a beautiful story set around real events that I was unaware of. I also loved how strong the heroine was. She did what it took to pursue her dreams and that lead to real consequences. The hero also has scars from his past that made him much more than an alpha male. That made the romance was sweet and real. I enjoyed this novel so much and can recommend it to those who love a historical romance set in a real time period and events.

The undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly Goshorn is the second book in the Enduring Hope series. This story takes place in Brockton, MA in 1905 and chronicles the lives of Henrietta Maxwell, or "Etta", who is an investigative reporter at the Brockton Enterprise newspaper and Leo Eriksson, a fire fighter for Brockton. Because of the male dominence in newspaper reporters at that time, Etta disguises herself as a man and writes under the name of Henry Mason.

When an explosion at the Grover Shoe Factory destroys the building and also kills many of the employees, Etta and Leo team up to try and figure out whether this was done by an arsonist, sparks fly between them. Will a lady from high society and a lowly fireman be able to have a lifelong relationship?

Kelly Goshorn is a new-to-me author. I liked that the Christian faith played a major role in this story, as well as biblical references. To me, there was too much graphic romance between Etta and Leo. It was, however, an interesting historical romance that is based on real events.

Thanks to both the author and #NetGalley for an advanced e-pub of this book.

All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#TheUndercoverHeiressofBrockton #NetGalley

A book that highlights not only the struggles of people within the early 1900s but also the very real tragedy of the Grover steam-boiler explosion. Goshorn did a wonderful job of bringing the events of this tragedy to life as well as the general feeling of Brockton.

Henrietta "Etta" is determined to write news articles under her own name, important news articles not the fluff columns that are deemed somewhat acceptable for a woman. Therefore, she takes on the persona of Henry Mason to be able to pursue that goal. However, her plans are disrupted by firefighter Leo Eriksson and her growing attraction for him.

By day, Etta Maxwell is a wealthy heiress with a gilded last name. But by deadline, she’s Henry Mason—the Enterprise Daily’s most hard-hitting (and secretly female) investigative reporter. It's a deception born not of vanity, but of necessity. In the late 19th century, when women were expected to reside in parlors instead of pressrooms, Etta dares to make her mark where few women are allowed: in print.

Enter Leo Eriksson, a noble firefighter with a heart for justice and a nose for smoke—both literal and figurative. When he uncovers Etta’s secret, the pair find themselves entangled in more than just mystery. A deadly explosion at the Grover Shoe Factory draws them together in a race to uncover the truth behind a string of suspicious fires. But when passion and pride collide, and betrayal threatens to undo everything they’ve built, Etta must risk more than her secret—she must risk her heart.

Etta Maxwell is fictional, yes—but she feels achingly real. Her journey reflects the very real battles women of the era faced for credibility, autonomy, and the right to speak truth. Goshorn’s storytelling honors their legacy with warmth, wit, and heart-pounding authenticity.

If you love fierce heroines, honorable heroes, historical secrets, and swoony second chances, The Undercover Heiress of Brockton belongs on your shelf.

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton is a beautiful love story set against a fascinating and devastating event in history. Etta endears herself to the reader immediately, and from page one, I was invested in her not only finding her happily ever after, but also getting her well-deserved byline. Leo certainly proved himself a worthy hero for Etta, and their love story was incredibly sweet. Despite the serious nature of the shoe factory fire disaster, and Etta's pursuit of her own byline by reporting about the disaster and several arsons around the city, there were several laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of witty banter.
I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to leave a review. This opinion is my own.

Henry Mason, hard-hitting reporter for The Enterprise Daily, a respected newspaper in Brockton, MA, has a secret. ‘Henry’ is a nom de plume and an elaborate disguise for Henrietta ‘Etta’ Maxwell, heiress to a fortune. While her father, a self-made man, would probably understand Etta’s desire to pursue a career in journalism, her mother would surely disown her if she ever found out.

And if any of Mr. Mason’s readership discovers her identity, Etta’s editor would fire her. While he acknowledges Etta’s top-notch investigative reporting skills, he doesn’t think the world is ready to accept a female reporter.

When handsome firefighter Leo Eriksson discovers Henry’s secret, he promises to keep it. But can Etta trust him? Leo and Etta team up to find the source of a string of arson fires—is a group of racketeers setting them to force local businesses to pay for protection? When the answers seem within reach, the Grover Shoe Factory explodes, and Etta struggles to maintain her cover as she balances her life as Henry the reporter and Etta Maxwell, the benevolent heiress.

Etta and Leo find they work well together and each harbors an attraction for the other. But when someone blows her cover, Etta stands to lose everything she’s worked for.

What I Liked About This Book

Goshorn’s historical research makes this a fun read for history buffs. Etta and Leo break the tropes of a wealthy, tall man falling for a diminutive middle-class woman. Readers who have struggled to forgive someone who has wronged them will relate to Leo, and those who have experienced prejudice will relate to Etta. Mystery and intrigue spice up this sweet love story set in the late 1800s.

Henrietta Maxwell has no choice but to impersonate a man in order to be an investigative reporter. Fireman Leo Eriksson soon discovers her true identity. They team up to investigate a series of suspicious fires. Based on a real life tragedy in Brockton, Mass. in 1905, you will get an interesting insight in not just the roles of women for that time period, but fire fighting as well. I thought the book was well written, the characters were quirky & very likeable. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

She used a false name to tell the truth. He ran toward danger when others ran from it. And through it all, God moved quietly, purposefully, and with power.

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton stirred something in me. The romance was sweet. The historical setting was rich. The mystery kept me flipping the pages. It was the faith that kept me. The kind that doesn’t always roar but speaks with authority. The kind that hides behind ink-stained fingers and smoke-streaked uniforms and reminds us that God sees it all … every detail … every heart.

Etta’s disguise may have fooled the public, but her heart was never hidden from the One who called her.

“Warmth spread through Etta’s chest. God knew what was needed and had made provisions even before Dr. Reid made his request. Why had she worried?” That whispers to my own heart.

The story unfolds against real tragedy and woven loss, yet I found peace in the way Etta saw God’s hand even in the rubble. “Some might look at the morning’s tragic events and question God. Etta saw His love and mercy… She’d never doubt that again.”

And then there’s Leo. Brave. Loyal. Unshakable in the ways that matter most. His quiet strength and the way his family laughed and teased and stood beside each other made the whole world of this book feel alive. That brotherly banter? I loved every bit of it.

This story reminded me that courage sometimes looks like speaking out … and sometimes it looks like laying your pride down and forgiving when it hurts.

“Use the gifts God’s given you to glorify Him.” Etta did. Leo did.

Their journey didn’t just stay on the page—it stirred a holy nudge in me. To trust that God has already made provision before I even know the need. To look for His mercy in the rubble. And to use whatever He’s placed in me to glorify Him and serve others, even in unseen places.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

If you’re a lover of historical fiction, then you are in for a real treat! Kelly Goshorn has taken an actual historical event straight to fiction. It is loosely based on the Brockton Shoe Factory explosion in 1905 which was a horrific community tragedy. The story centers around Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell who writes newspaper articles under a male non de plume and effortlessly moves among the community as an undercover male reporter. Kelly Goshorn delivers a sweet romance along with the daily burden of honesty in news reporting and caring for a hurting community. There is also a strong and very comfortable faith thread throughout which I always appreciate.
I have read almost everything Kelly Goshorn has published and do not hesitate to recommend any of her novels.
I received a e-copy of this book from NetGalley and 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 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Wow! A fantastic story with such depth and well-formed characters. Etta and Leo are well-written characters and I felt as if I knew them personally. This story is so much more than a romance. The compassion and love for a community, living out one's true calling, and caring for others no matter what walk of life they are from are big components of this story. Page one pulled me in and I was held captivated through the entire story! Emotions were fully engaged in this incredible story. I will be thinking about it for days. This is the kind of writing that makes readers like me want to snatch up every book by said author. Exceptional storytelling!

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need

They are drawn together when tragedy strikes their town. Joining together to investigate the fire the rocked the shoe factory.

Based on a true incident. I loved these sweet characters. Both have been hurt and struggle to let themselves move past those hurts.

This book was hopeful and lovely.

This is a great story I devoured on a plane trip!

A young lady disguises herself as a newspaper reporter works with a local fireman for stories. They eventually develop a relationship- obviously.

What is great is she isn’t perfect with all swooning about her. It’s not to not have a perfectly perfect heroine. Well written sweet story.

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this story based on the explosion in the Grover Shoe Factory in Brockton, Massachusetts. Having never heard of this event, it was quite interesting to read about the investigation. Readers will enjoy Leo and his family’s loving relationship. I did find it hard to believe Etta could get away with her double life for such a long period of time . The importance of good journalism verses sloppy articles was a plus. This faith filled story can be read as a stand-alone even though it is the second in the Enduring Hope series. Recommended.

Who wouldn’t want to read about a rich girl having an undercover as a journalist? And falls in love with the man who finds out she is no one but a rich heiress? Who is also a firefighter too who is trying to find out the secrets and truth behind the same case she is trying to unravel?

Right from the first place I got hooked and thank God, this is my best POV in books. Third POV which made me get into it and loved it more. I loved our hot firefighter Leo (blushing) and their chemistry.

Reading it will make you smile and blush. I loved it although I’m not much of a historical reader but I dived into this one and would recommend readers and lovers of Francine rivers to eat this up too.

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour publishing for giving this to me. All opinions are mine.