Richly atmospheric and grounded in a harrowing slice of forgotten history, The Girls of Good Fortune is a gripping tale of resilience, identity, and survival. Celia’s journey through the shadowy underworld of Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels is as suspenseful as it is emotionally resonant, with themes of race, class, and motherhood woven throughout. Though the pacing slows slightly in parts, the historical detail and Celia’s compelling voice make this a standout novel with both heart and grit.

This work is mostly told from the present timeline, though there are short chapters set in 1888 scattered throughout the primary timeline, and it’s about 65% through the book before the two timelines merge. The strongest part of this book was the details included around historical events of Chinese persecution that was prevalent during this time. From casual racism to dangerous working conditions to downright massacres and shanghaiing, it was all covered in this novel.

There were a few things that weren’t my favorite though. The book feels uneven, with the first half being more focused on Celia and Pearl, motherhood, and trying to get by. Then the second half (post 60%) turns into an action/adventure with constant perils, escapes, and then running straight into another peril that needs escaping. I also didn’t feel like the characters were that strong. This was partially due to the writing style (we’re told how they’re feeling rather than it coming through in the writing), and partially due to the strong focus on the history than the adventure aspects. The romance didn’t feel realistic and added nothing positive for me. The epilogue was a time jump to 1995 where we learn about Celia’s later life of activism, which is a story I think I would have been more interested in than the adventure section of this book.

This may work well for folks who don’t mind a shift in genre in the last half of a book or who are interested in learning about this history. I do recommend the audiobook version of this work, as the narrator did an excellent job. My thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Girls of Good Fortune explores an interesting place in time. As a Portlander, I was excited to read about the history of my town, and learned a lot about its seedier element. Very little time was spent on the Shanghai Tunnels and the kidnapping element, but the story was interesting nonetheless. Action-packed, this is a quick read, great for those interested in Portland's history.

This was an interesting concept, but I couldn't really figure out when the timelines switched. I think this would have been understood better in physical format, rather than audio, but I didn't care enough to try it. The main character didn't seem to understand the way the world worked at the time she lived in, which made me feel disconnected to the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and RBMedia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley ad the publisher for the ARC of this novel.
Set in Portland in 1888, this is the story of Celia, a half Chinese half Anglo American. Celia, who passes for white, sees many instances where Chinese immigrants are mistreated, and sets out to find out more about these people. The book has a strong start, and the author provides a rich, detailed history about some of the challenges faced by Chinese American immigrants.
When Celia is Shanghaied and her story becomes a series of adventures is when I admittedly lost focus. I felt the story line became about Celia's poor choices in her efforts to return to her infant daughter, all tied up neatly in the end.
If you like a light read with some interesting history woven into the story line, this book might be for you.

The narrator of the audiobook was AMAZING!
I hope the author can work with her again. They make a good team!
I had never read a historical fiction like this so I hope to read more from the author (soon, please)

3.5 stars rounded up
Interesting tale of the treatment of Chinese immigrants in America in the 1880's, specifically in Portland, OR. The story initially focuses on the plight of Celia, a woman who is half-Chinese passing for white and working as a maid for the mayor. She finds herself "shanghaied" to be used as forced labor. Told in alternating timelines of 1885 and 1888, we learn of her experiences and how she came to be imprisoned. I appreciate the author creating a strong female character who was resilient despite her circumstances. Unfortunately, I felt the author tried to include so many issues affecting the Chinese in America during this time period, that the story of the main character's plight became less of the focus. Other reviews have mentioned the author's note providing more historical information, but this was not included in the audiobook.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books. This one was a little different read for me in that it took place in the summer of mid- to late-1880s. I was unaware of the prejudices against those of Chinese descent during that time period. Following along with Celia as she navigates life through difficult circumstances. I enjoyed learning about the Shanghai Tunnels and the secrets that prevailed. The romance sprinkled throughout the pages was interesting and added to the story. My one negative reflection is that in listening to the audiobook, the back-and-forth between the two time periods was a little difficult to follow. But eventually you will land in June 1888 and from there you continue in a forward movement through time. The author’s notes are a plus as she provides historical aspects of the atrocities that occurred. This is a well-researched and written historical fiction book that will appeal to those who enjoy books in that genre as well as women’s fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Adult Fiction
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
Romance
Women’s Fiction

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris is a gripping historical fiction audiobook that blends suspense, resilience, and identity into a richly atmospheric tale. Set in Portland, 1888, the story follows Celia, a half-Chinese woman who wakes up drugged and imprisoned in the infamous Shanghai Tunnels. As she pieces together how she ended up there—having worked as a maid for a corrupt mayor’s family and becoming entangled in a goldminers’ massacre—she uncovers secrets that threaten not just her life, but the people she loves.

If you enjoy audiobooks that combine historical grit with heartfelt storytelling—especially ones that spotlight underrepresented voices—this one might be right up your alley. Want help finding where to listen or curious how it compares to The Ways We Hide or Sold on a Monday? I’d be happy to dive deeper.

What a gripping, moving, and at times, heartbreaking story. I couldn't stop listening to this. The narrator did a really good job of getting every single emotion across and making me really feel like I was a part of the story. As an Asian-American, I really felt this story. This is a top tier historical fiction that everyone should read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kristina McMorris has a gift for blending history and heart, and her latest novel, The Girls of Good Fortune, digs deep.

Set in 1888 Portland, the story opens in the city’s infamous Shanghai Tunnels, where Celia, a young woman of mixed heritage, awakens in a drugged haze, disguised and imprisoned. She’s about to be shipped off as forced labor—shanghaied into a nightmare that pulls no punches.

Celia’s struggle to piece together how she ended up there takes readers on a twisting journey through corruption, injustice, and survival. As a half-Chinese woman passing as white in a time of deep anti-Chinese sentiment, her very existence is a balancing act. The book explores identity, belonging, and the often-hidden cost of silence.

I appreciated the historical depth—especially the backdrop of the goldminers’ massacre and the seedy politics of the day. It was educational without feeling like a history lecture, and McMorris includes recipes and an excellent author’s note to round it out. Still, I had a hard time following the timeline at times, and emotionally, it didn’t hit as hard as some of her earlier novels.

Even so, this is a powerful, well-researched read with guts, grit, and relevance. Four stars from me.

** Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Recorded Books for complimentary review copies of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital copy.

“The Girls of Good Fortune” started strong. I felt genuine empathy for the main character navigating life in the 1800s, where misogyny and racism toward Asians went unquestioned. I listened to this as an audiobook and had to speed it up to 1.5x—the narrator sounded wonderful, but the reading was too slow for me. However, despite being a lengthy book, the characters never felt fully developed. The story aimed to portray the horrific treatment of Chinese immigrants, but I never truly felt the horror of their situation—it felt like a bonus plot point rather than the baseline. The protagonist’s circumstances as a young unmarried woman with a daughter working in a brothel led to questionable decisions. Then the second half shifts into adventure territory when she’s mistaken for a man and forced to work on a ship while hiding her identity, accompanied by a hired henchman from her child’s father. While the author emphasizes that the main character didn’t wait for good luck but made her own, her overwhelming sensitivity dominated every action. She had nightmares and saw ghosts after each tragedy. Though sensitivity isn’t inherently negative, it became grating when she seemed unable to control her emotions during these heroic situations. The epilogue jumps to 1995, suggesting the family had a great life—which might have been more interesting to read about, despite the tragedy and betrayal in the story’s conclusion. I appreciated the multiple timelines and historical backgrounds, as well as the author’s exploration of family heritage, though that element often got lost in the “adventures” the main character went through. This one just didn’t land for me, but I’ll still read another book by this author.

The Girls of Good Fortune

The Girls of Good Fortune delivers a compelling, atmospheric journey into 1888 Portland, weaving historical accuracy with a haunting portrayal of identity, survival, and buried secrets. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its richly researched backdrop—the infamous Shanghai Tunnels—and its unflinching depiction of racial tension and exploitation in a forgotten corner of American history.

Celia is a memorable protagonist, both resourceful and haunted, shaped by the necessity of passing and the weight of her mixed heritage. Her voice is strong, even as the narrative immerses readers in moments of fear, betrayal, and painful discovery. The mystery of her abduction unfolds at a deliberate pace, laced with layered connections—from political corruption to a long-buried crime involving missing goldminers.

Though some of the darker elements may feel heavy, they serve the narrative’s deeper exploration of identity and generational trauma. The novel doesn’t shy away from its unsettling realities but balances them with moments of tenderness and resilience. The ending, while not neat, feels earned—especially in light of the thematic focus on how the stories we inherit shape the futures we fight for.

A gripping read for fans of historical fiction that isn't afraid to peer into the shadows, *The Girls of Good Fortune* offers a powerful meditation on what it means to reclaim your story—no matter the cost.

This book embodies everything that I love about historical fiction. Kristina McMorris opened my eyes to a heartbreaking part of history that I was unaware of.

Oregon 1888 had been deemed the “shanghaiing capital of the world.” Sailors were being drugged and dropped through trapped doors only to awaken in a cell or on a ship, having been sold into forced labor.

Celia, a young half-Chinese woman, awakens in a cell, confused as to why she is disguised as a man and what led her to be drugged and imprisoned. She rushes to piece together the facts and find an escape.

This was thoroughly researched, with vivid, fascinating, and some terrifying details about what Portland, Oregon, was like in the late 1800s. There was a labyrinth of tunnels underneath it and so much illicit behavior that was left unchecked, including anti-Chinese sentiment, political corruption, murder, kidnapping, or “Shanghaiing”.

Celica’s story, although fraught with hardship, is one of courage and hope. Family heritage, motherhood, identity, and determination are all intricately intertwined, making this a spellbinding tale.


Thank you @recordedbooks for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley, narrated by Cindy Kay.

I have never read for this offer, but this book had a good premise. It kept me engaged, and I finished it in one day. Narration was fine.

I listened to this book on audio for an honest review. I enjoyed listening to this book, especially having grown up outside of Portland. I typically listen to a book all the way through, but I had to jump ahead (**SPOILER**) because, after everything Celia had been through, I had to know that she had a happy ending. To find out that Celia was Kristina McMorris', the author's, grandmother, made it more compelling and heartfelt. A good story worthy of being told. Would be a good book for high school students in Oregon, and the west coast, to read. Thank you for sharing.

Kristina McMorris

This is one of my favorite genres, historical fiction, particularly learning about other cultures. I have read this author before, Sold on a Monday, and enjoyed it. I love how she weaves historical events into an interesting narrative.

This book is set in Oregon in the 1880s. Celia Hart is half Chinese, but is able to pass as white. Due to the racial prejudice against Chinese people in America during this era, she feels the need to hide her Chinese heritage. She works as a servant and nanny for a mayor, while her Chinese father is working in a mine. When her father is murdered by white miners and circumstances leave her unemployed by the mayor‘s family, she decides to pursue justice for her father’s murder.

What I loved about this book :
- A part of history that I did not know before and found very interesting.
- The author wrapped up the ending and left me feeling satisfied

What I thought could be better:
- there were two storylines, her pursuit of justice and her relationship with Stephen. I felt that her relationship with Stephen was left behind during the bulk of the book. I would’ve liked to see more of that during the novel.
- Parts of the story felt unrealistic to me.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #GirlsofGoodFortune for the complimentary audiobook.

3.8 ⭐️

In the Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris (book cover is in the image) proves once again that McMorris is a master at bringing to life a historical setting, She immerses the reading in place and time flawlessly. Unfortunately, the plot and characterization in this fell flat for me. There was more time placed on historical setting than in developing the story and characters. In addition, the setting descriptions and the storyline felt very disjointed.

The Narration by Cindy Kay was well done, and was probably the only reason I did not DNF this book.

Thank you RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All Opinions are my own.

Rating: 3 Stars
Pub Date: May 20 2025

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Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an ARC of this novel.

I have to say that I was disappointed in this novel. I love the author's book, Sold on a Monday, and expected to like this one as well. Through the first half of the novel, I was totally engaged and interested to learn about the Shanghai Tunnels and the mistreatment of the Chinese immigrants in the 1800s. However, to me, halfway through, the story just really went off the rails. It became so far-fetched and unbelievable. At first, I was pretty invested in the main character, Celia. Then, because of some unrealistic things that happen in the middle of the story, I just finished it to find out what happened. Although it was a very serious story, at times it seemed almost laughable. It reminded me of an Indiana Jones movie. I also found it distracting the way the story moved back and forth from 1885 to 1888. The narrator did a credible job, but didn't help me to engage in the story. Their are many 5 star review, so I think that the story just wasn't for me.

Here's my issue with the book:

I'm reading the description and I see "Woman wakes up underground after being drugged and will be sold into forced labor." Wow. That sounds intense. Imagine my confusion when this doesn't happen until well over half way into the book. I went back to reread the description and I even checked out reviews to see if I got the books confused somehow. Nope!

The first half of the book could've gone on to show how Celia raises her daughter with her friends in the brothel. It could've shown how she helped other people of color. I think some reformatting would've helped even. The book should've started with her waking up underground and fighting to get back to her daughter. Really anything could've helped. It's almost like two different books put together.

The cover and title is beautiful and eye catching. The narrator is perfectly adequate. I think the story is confusing and not enough to make me a fan.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristina McMorris, Cindy Kay, and RBMedia for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.