I’m floundering between 3- 4 🌟 for this title in all honesty. I’ve opted for 3 purely because it felt like 2 separate books and I struggled to get to grips with part 2.

I love when you can learn through fiction, and the author has clearly researched the time very well, I definitely learned some Chinese American history that I was unaware of. There is a trigger warning at the outset for racism and language of the times. I’ve never heard some of these words, I hope not to hear them again.

Our protagonist Celia is of mixed heritage, half Chinese and white passing, being white passing allows her to gain employment and move through life a little more freely in a time that was dangerous for Chinese Americans. While the story becomes an action packed adventure in the second half, the sentiment of knowing your lineage and having pride in your heritage shines through.

I struggled a little bit with the narration, it was a little monotone, and may have impacted my rating, but I’d happily read from the author again.

Many thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available now.

The Girls of Good Fortune follows the story of Cecelia, a half Chinese woman, in late 1800s Oregon. She is a housekeeper for the mayor of her city and, because she passes for white, only the fact the family's tween daughter saw a letter from her father outed her as Chinese. This is a seemingly progressive family who allow her to stay on. Cecelia falls in love with the wrong man and this is reciprocated. However, the relationship has challenges. The novel opens with her imprisoned somewhere and then travels on various timelines that leave us constantly wondering when she was kidnapped or jailed and why. However, her bad fortune preceded this predicament when there was a falling out with the family she worked for. She is left on her own with some serious challenges ahead.

Central to this story is the fact that Chinese laborers were being massacred at mines all over the west/northwest by angry white minors who saw them as taking jobs from white men, partly by "accepting" lower wages. Cecelia becomes interested in these horrible, near daily reports of such murderous conduct and pursues this. Over the course of this novel, she is a bit of a "Perils of Pauline" character as she falls into dangers that she must overcome. This definitely could have been a serial movie of the silent film era or an early talkie. Ultimately, Cecelia navigates through the challenges with the help of others who are similarly challenged. People die. People live. People are prostitutes. People are small town cops. People are ship captains. People are evil. People seem evil. People are redeemed. People are forever cast into hellfire. But overall, it's a story of adversity and resilience, as the publisher notes and a very fun read. The epilogue gives us a modern day review of what happened to the characters we rooted for. All a good romp.

The Girls of Good Fortune is an intriguing Historical Novel about a half Chinese and half Caucasian woman living in 1800s Portland. This is a very well written and well researched novel that explores themes of racism and xenophobia in late 1800s America as well as broader themes of class and motherhood. This novel also has a very engaging plot with interesting characters. This is just a really solid piece of historical fiction that does a fantastic job at bringing to life the late 1800s Portland in a way that felt very realistic but also captured the unique aspects of the setting and time period. My only major complaint was that I wish the novel was a little longer so that the storylines of some of the side characters could be tied up a little better, but when my biggest complaint is that I did not want the novel to end you know it is a great novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for an ARC Audiobook of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this audiobook just as much as I loved the book! A great historical fiction that I hope more people read!

2.5 stars
The first half of The Girls of Good Fortune was engaging, with an appealing setup and characters that seemed poised for depth. Unfortunately, the second half veered into implausibility, undermined by a series of increasingly irrational decisions by the protagonist. What began as a promising story unraveled into a string of far-fetched misadventures that felt disconnected from the tone and structure of the beginning. Ultimately, the novel lacked the cohesion and restraint needed to deliver on its early potential.

Celia is an amazing character! I admire how she remains optimistic, never breaking and never giving up in creating her own fortune. And boy does she experience everything! After being sent away due to falling in love with Steven (the Mayor's son) and getting pregnant, Celia finds a way to make a home for her and her daughter in the Dewdrop Inn, along with friends that help when the going gets tough. And boy does that happen, especially when she searches for justice in the Chinese miners massacre (which also happened to her father). Her sense of right and wrong, and fight to help those seen as lesser is very admirable, even if some of the short sighted choices and her fiery temper leads to the cell and even more craziness (like jumping ship, hopping trains, and ending in a jail cell) though also people who are willing to help and her quick wits do create a bit a fortune out of all the misfortune she experiences. Celia never loses her hope despite all that and I am happy that the ending was well deserved and is a bright spot after all the darkness, leading to later changes and future generations receiving the rights that Celia worked so hard to get started.

The author did a good job with the research of this time and it really shows in the story. And I enjoyed the recipes at the end for some of the baked goods Celia made at the Dewdrop. It was a nice touch making things feel even more real. The narrator also did a wonderful job in bringing Celia to life and all the adventures she went through amid the prejudice and violence of that time.

This story was not what I thought it was going to be but it was still really interesting. It is told in two timelines. 1888 when Celia is taken and needs to escape. 1885 when she was a maid and what happens after. Do not want to spoil anything. This was a somewhat heavy book with some heartbreaking themes. I will say Celia was a very strong and brave character during this time and I really wanted to see her thrive. The writing and details of this book were suburb and made me not want to stop listening. I need to go back and listen to this author`s other works.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this historical fiction novel by Kristina McMorris, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Cindy Kay. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

It's Portland, 1888, when a woman awakens in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. Celia soon realizes she's a "shanghaied" victim on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor. In an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment, being half-Chinese she is used to adapting for survival. She must find a way to escape.

This was a historical time period in Portland that I have never heard about. As always with McMorris's books, it is meticulously researched and you can definitely feel like you are in another world. As Celia awakes, she goes back in time to 1885, remembering how she got where she is, determined to fight for her life. I had to pay close attention to the year so as not to be confused, but once it was all set in the same time period, it flowed easier for me. It's a beautiful reminder of how important stories are to be passed through the generations, as well as a story of hope and human resilience in the face of evil. The narration was wonderful and added to the atmospheric feel of this book.

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris is a brilliantly crafted historical novel that immerses readers in the shadowy depths of Portland's Shanghai Tunnels in 1888. Celia’s story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and the silent strength of those who navigated a world rife with prejudice and danger. McMorris masterfully brings to life the gritty atmosphere of the era, painting a compelling picture of a woman caught between two worlds—her Chinese heritage and her attempts to pass as white to survive. As Celia awakens in her underground prison, the narrative swiftly pulls you into her desperate fight to escape her captors and uncover the truth behind her kidnapping. The novel delves into dark themes like forced labor, secretive political plots, and the plight of women in peril, all woven seamlessly into a suspenseful and emotionally charged story. What sets this book apart is McMorris’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling, which breathe authenticity into every scene. The twists and revelations keep the pages turning, leaving you eager to see if Celia can outsmart those hunting her and protect an innocent child caught in the chaos. The Girls of Good Fortune is a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit amidst darkness, and a must-read for fans of historical fiction that combines mystery, social commentary, and heartfelt bravery.