What a beautiful historical fiction about two women who have a colourful past and wanted to change and start a new life as well as change how women are treated.
I really enjoyed reading the story about empowering women.
The narrator did an amazing work in making the characters alive in the book.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Brilliance Publishing for the amazing ARC-audio.

This was my first time reading Carolyn Brown’s work, and it was an enjoyable read. The plot was very intriguing and what initially drew me to this book. Daisy and Lily are former prostitutes from an upscale brothel who venture out to find new beginnings in Autrie, Texas as seamstresses. I loved their determination and spunky attitudes, and I rooted them on throughout the entire book. Most of this story deals with women’s rights during the post Civil War era - or lack thereof - and it was fun reading the antics Daisy, Lily, and the women of Autrie get into in their quest to be treated as equals. Beulah, a secondary character, was my favorite, with her sharp tongue and fiery spirit. The ending was a tad bit disappointing, especially after everything Daisy and Lily went through to make their home in Autrie and to help liberate themselves and the other women. (Trying not to give away any spoilers here). I also wished the epilogue had been fleshed out with more details about what happened to the women. Did Daisy and Lily ever have children? Did Beulah find love again? Did Wesley get thrown into an abandoned well and succumb to the horrible ending he deserved? These are just a few of the unanswered questions I have, but overall The Paradise Petition was a fun read, and I would gladly recommend it to everyone.

EXCERPT: On a hot late-June afternoon in 1883, when the sun was streaming heat down upon the town of Autrie, Texas, two women stepped off a train. A porter unloaded two trunks onto the platform at the side of the tracks and waved for the engineer to start moving. The wheels of the train generated enough motion to create tiny tornadoes of dirt, and Lily winced when the hot wind blew the dirt onto her dark skirt.
Almost as bewildered as she was the day she'd arrived in Spanish Fort with no money, she rolled the kinks out of her neck. Even though she now had money in her purse, and quite a lot more tucked away in the lining of her rolltop chest, the feeling was the same: absolutely bewildered and lost.
'I'm alone,' she blurted out, 'and there's no one in this town like Miz Raven to rescue us like she did,' and wished she could take the words back. After all, she was the one who was almost six feet tall, and supposedly had a temper to go with her red hair. She shouldn't be worrying Daisy at this point.
'No, but I'm with you,' Daisy said in a firm voice. 'We've got each other.'
Lily bent slightly and slipped an arm around Daisy's shoulders. Her smaller friend was like a lit stick of dynamite with a short fuse. 'Yes, we do. And we will remember what Miz Raven told us.'
'"Remember this is an adventure and a new start in life,"' Daisy quipped.
'That's right,' Lily agreed, and wished the words came from her heart as well as her mouth.
(This excerpt is taken from an Advanced Readers Copy uncorrected proof.)

ABOUT 'THE PARADISE PETITION': Daisy Lindberg and Lily Boyle traded a colorful past for a fresh start as seamstresses in Autrie, Texas, and their aim to spark a women’s rights movement is raising eyebrows among the town’s dumbfounded men. But among the ladies? Tired of being treated like possessions, they have two words: Amen, sister!

Beulah, a sassy shop owner as formidable as a cannon shot, is on board. So is Alma, a timid preacher’s wife who hit her breaking point. Before long, a courageous female posse has a liberating petition of demands. Surprisingly, they also have an empathetic ear in sheep rancher Matt Maguire, who’s as keen on women’s independence as he is on Lily.

As Daisy and Lily make waves in the small town, their secrets threaten to come out. But they haven’t traveled this far to let their past define them. In fact, with love and the forging of new lives on the line, they’ve never felt more defiant.

MY THOUGHTS: The Paradise Petition is the heartwarming story of two women trying to make the most of the second chance at life they have been given.

Lily and Daisy haven't had easy lives. In fact, their lives have been downright hard, but they are determined to make a new start in Autrie, Texas, as respectable women and leading lights in the suffragette movement. They thought that they were far enough away from their pasts for it never to catch up with them, but just how far is far enough?

For two women trying to make new lives in a new town, they sure stir the pot from the get-go, motivating most of the townswomen to start demanding rights like being able to sit with their husbands and families in church instead of being segregated, and an end to spousal violence amongst other things.

Lily and Daisy are warm, strong and complex characters who I was rooting for all the way. They are feisty and determined not to back down.

There are more than a few surprises in The Paradise Petition, and it kept me entertained from beginning to end.

I combined reading with listening to The Paradise Petition written by Carolyn Brown and superbly narrated by Brittany Pressley. I enjoyed both formats equally.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#TheParadisePetition #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR - CAROLYN BROWN: I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue, then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC, and Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio, for providing an audiobook of The Paradise Petition written by Carolyn Brown and narrated by Brittany Pressley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The Paradise Petition was published July 15, 2025.

The Paradise Petition is a work of historical fiction by Carolyn Brown. Perhaps it is meant to be a sort of origin story for her current day Paradise books series, perhaps just a great story of the brave women who fought for independence, freedom, and personal rights for women in Texas in the late 19th century. And perhaps it is part cautionary tale reflecting current happenings. Regardless of intent, this is a very good story of courageous women willing to take a stand.

With Miz Raven closing up the Paradise and moving back to England, she has sent her ladies to various locations more southerly in Texas to begin women’s organizations to push for certain freedoms, including the right to vote. Daisy Lindberg, née Ethel Kate Lindberg, and Lily Boyle, née Abigail Carolina Boyle, had come to the Paradise as a result of the patriarchal system. Daisy was a young widow who wasn’t allowed to inherit her husband’s estate by law in Texas and therefore had nothing. Lily, after having been sexually assaulted by her then fiancé and not protected by her family, found herself at the mercy of MizRaven as well. And Miz Raven was merciful. She took good care of her ladies. But now, with their savings and belongings in tow, they are off to set up a respectable seamstress business in Autrie.

Upon arrival in Autrie the ladies make the acquaintance of Matt Maguire who transports them by wagon to the respectable hotel. Matt is a very open minded fellow from a particularly open sheep ranching family outside of town. He and his cousin Claude are the new heads of the ranch with their uncle Elijah having moved to Autrie to set up and manage the wagon yard.

Unfortunately, for the most part the town’s people aren’t so welcoming to two women traveling without male escort. With a bit of slight of hand and hinted at blackmail of judge Wesley Martin, who had been a regular for Daisy at the Paradise, they were initially able to rent a business, make the acquaintance of several lively townsfolk like Beulah, owner of the general store, and ultimately disrupt the lives of the townsfolk as well as those on the sheep ranch.

This was such a good story. Although a bit slow to begin, the pace quickly sped up and even a story this long and involved seemed to go by in a flash. These characters are richly drawn. The times and setting are so well described it’s almost like being there. The plot line is timeless, then and now. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, all of the characters were great and it was very easy for me to imagine all of them. We went along with Lily and Daisy as they attempted to start a new life in a small Texas town. Along the way they made new friends, fought for women’s rights, and fell in love.

Daisy and Lily are ready to start new lives and help other women at the same time. There are lots of surprises in store for them in their new town. Nothing will be the same when they get done!

I wanted to love this, but I didn't. I'm a sucker for historical westerns, but this was a miss for me.

Lily and Daisy come to town to open a seamstress shop after the brothel they worked in closed. Ready for a new start, they keep their past a secret. They are staunch supporters of women's rights and they meet a few likeminded women. They band together to try and improve their lives.

This was just too syrupy-sweet for me. Everything works out perfectly all the time. The overall theme alone (women's rights in the 19th century) demands angst and conflict. But there was virtually none. (There was, but it was so off page and not a factor).

This is tagged as romance- it is not. Both Lily and Daisy meet a man and end up with them, but there is absolutely no development. The men help them move a bazillion times. They each have one conversation about their past. That is it.

Oh, and if I had to hear about how scandalous drinking coffee was one more time, I likely would have ran over my phone a dozen times to make it stop.

Brittany Pressley narrates. I enjoy her work, but she was not right for this one. She is too bubbly for a 19th century story about women's rights.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Take a trip back to a time when Women were fighting for their rights. Women’s Auxiliary Meetings were a safe place for Women to band together and make real change. I listened to the Audiobook version of this book. Performed by the talented Brittany Pressley. She delivered a flawless performance. Miss Pressleys ability to lend different voices to all characters is impressive. Carolyn Brown delivers the warm and fuzzy feeling we all keep coming back for book after book. Unsavory Gals and Proper Ladies come together to make change for all women. It really gives you a sneak peek of how life was like before women’s rights. This tale is purely fictional and still gives you a reality check on how far we have come as Women. It was unthinkable to have a Woman run for office, own her own land, drink alcohol! Yet these ladies dreamed of a better future for all Women….. and won!

I started this audiobook not realizing this book is a prequel to another series. At times I feel like I've jumped into a story midway and had some catching up to do with these characters.
Daisy and Lily are befriended by Beulah and they set out to work together to push for more rights for women. This change seems long overdue and is encouraged with new laws on the books allowing married women to own property.

Filled with humor and romance this is a story of women wanting things changed for the better going forward in their lives, changes they hope will make it easier for both themselves and their children in future years.
I enjoyed many parts of the "women empowering" moments but at times, I think there wasn't enough distinction within the audiobook narrator to help me figure out the different characters speaking. I love Brittany Pressley as a narrator so maybe it was just this particular book that made me feel this way.
There are also themes of physical and verbal abuse, along with other trigger points throughout the book.

I felt the lack of closure at the end so hopefully this is the beginning of a new series because I really want to know more about how things go forward into the future for these characters

Carolyn Brown is a new to me author, and in The Paradise Petition she expertly swept me back in time to 1800’s Texas.

Daisy and Lily are seeking a new start, with some money in their pockets and a will in their heart they are looking to settle in a new place and open their own seamstress and millinery business, but in a time where women are frowned upon for drinking coffee or looked down upon as old maids for being unmarried in their early 20”s they are going to find it tough. It’s just as well then, that these two women are nobody’s fools, and with their business they also start a women’s rights movement.

Girl powers 1800’s style.

Short sweet, lots of great characters along the way, there really wasn’t anything not to love my only criticism was that at times it was a little repetitive and I felt like it could’ve been part of a series.

Lovely narration. I’m a sucker for a Texan accent!

My thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ELC 🎧

3.5 Stars. In The Paradise Petition, Carolyn Brown weaves a rich story about two former brothel workers who, despite their pasts, find strength, solidarity, and purpose as they join forces with other women in their town to fight for women’s rights.

What I loved most about this book was the strong sense of community and the way the women supported one another in a time when they had very few rights or choices. The characters were full of grit, heart, and courage, and their journey felt both inspiring and deeply human. Brown captures the essence of resilience and redemption while shedding light on the challenges women faced—and how powerful they could be when they stood together.

If you enjoy stories about strong female friendships, second chances, and zero smut, The Paradise Petition is well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

Set in the 1800's, this is the story of Lily and Daisy, two former ladies from the upscale Paradise brothel. After the madam of the brothel closes her business to join suffragists back in England, the ladies in her employ all head out to different parts of Texas to try start anew. Hoping to open a seamstress shop in Autrie, 'cousins' Lily and Daisy befriend the ladies of Autrie and become part of the women's rights movements in Texas. But when their new lives are threatened by someone who knew them in their former lives, Lily and Daisy learn just how strong they really are.

I really enjoy historical romance novels, but this one missed the mark for me somewhat. There wasn't a lot of character development with any of the characters. They were all pretty one-dimensional to me and I found it hard to sympathize with them as I was intended to. The story also wraps up very neatly, in such a way that it doesn't really seem believable. I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't resonate with me.

I listened to the audiobook of this novel, and the narrator does a southern drawl that at times got a bit tedious to listen to, but those who love period romances will probably enjoy. The narration and pacing of the audiobook is really well done, it's just the accent used that became a bit much for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Audio, and Carolyn Brown for an eARC of this novel to review.

This was a lovely book about not judging people - we do not know circumstances of others! This book was filled with women helping women see who they really are and who they can become through acceptance and love! Enjoyable story!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this story as an audiobook! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This is a book for those who enjoy a story about women coming together to make the world a better place. The ladies are a mix of sassy, quiet, and brash. Lily and Daisy are trying to start over in Autrie and while things start out fairly well, it quickly becomes apparent that there are problems. All the women band together to try and make life better for themselves and their family's. The mix of saloon girls, shop owners, abused wives, and others is one of the most poignant parts of the book. Although they come from different backgrounds and livelihoods, once items are mentioned for inclusion in the petition, they realize they are all more alike than different. Not all of the men take the petition well, but a majority are willing to attempt to change. In the mix of this are the possibility for Lily and Daisy to find a second chance at happiness. The narrator does an amazing job with the voices as well as the inflection and makes the story come to life. It's a wonderful read that makes you think about history and be glad for happy endings.

This was a refreshing story of two women, Daisy and Lily who moved to a new town in Texas to get a fresh start in life. They opened a shop as seamstresses and made friends quickly. Their shop became the new meeting place for the women’s auxiliary meetings and Lily and Daisy along with cafe owner Beulah inspired their friends to fight for women’s rights. We all know about the women’s suffrage movement but this story predated that organized movement. It was so interesting to hear demands from the different women in town when you knew the stories of these characters. Fighting for such simple things as sitting with their husbands in church, being able to go into town without a man escorting her, being able to wear pants and being able to teach after they were married. I enjoyed this book!

The Paradise Petition is exactly what I hoped it would be—bold, heartfelt, and full of the kind of female firepower that makes historical fiction sing. Carolyn Brown delivers a witty, warm, and empowering story set in 19th-century Texas, where two strong-willed women, Daisy and Lily, trade their colorful pasts for a fresh start and a fearless fight for women’s rights.

From the moment they set foot in Autrie, Texas, I was rooting for them. The dynamic between Daisy, Lily, and the other women—especially the fierce Beulah and quietly powerful Alma—felt authentic and inspiring. The story balances humor and heart with a dash of small-town drama and a side of romance thanks to the surprisingly progressive sheep rancher, Matt Maguire.

Brown does an incredible job showing how personal courage can spark real change, all while weaving in secrets, second chances, and just enough tension to keep the pages turning. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars for me is that I wanted just a touch more depth in some of the secondary characters’ arcs. But that’s a small quibble in an otherwise empowering and engaging read.

If you love stories about found family, female strength, and reclaiming your voice—The Paradise Petition is a must-read.

The Paradise Petition AUDIO and ebook by Carolyn Brown. Brown’s last three or four books have been about sisters living in a huge house in Texas called The Paradise. Many years earlier it had been a brothel. Now Brown is digging into one hundred fifty years earlier to some of the woman who had lived and worked in The Paradise. Miss Raven has closed The Paradise and sent her girls to various towns around Texas while she returns to England to work with her sister for women’s rights. Lily and Daisy have wound up in Autrie, and the first person they meet is a preacher so filled with self-loathing that he abuses his wife and daughters and sets about disparaging them to the entire town.. The only building available for their dressmaking business happens to belong to him. Fortunately Daisy recognizes a man, who has become a judge, who was once a client. She uses her influence to convince him to buy the building and rent it to them. Things go well for a few days as they meet Beulah and several other women in town and get things going. Then, as Lily, Daisy, and Beulah begin to introduce the women to the fact they have power, things go down hill quickly as a drunk calls them out for their previous profession.

Even with all the women behind them, Daisy and Lily are forced to leave when the judge evicts them. It turns out all right when they find a new home and new happiness. This is a touching story of women who are forced to earn a living the only way men allow them to. It is a time of great change as women work for the vote as well as legislation that makes them less of a piece of property and more of a human being. Not all men are alike, though, and both women find happiness with men that have been raised to respect and value women. It is a simple story, mostly accurate, of some of these women, from all tracks in life. The characters are amusing, the situation is compelling, and they have found themselves surrounded by more good than bad. It was a fitting story to follow the stories of the modern women loving in The Paradise.

The narrator is Brittany Pressley who does a creditable job with both the male and female characters. She uses accents subtly and is a positive voice throughout. It is a tossup which is the better medium: audio or visual.

I was invited to both read and listen to The Paradise Petition by Montlake and Brilliance Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Montlake #Brilliance #BrittanyPressley #CarolynBrown #TheParadisePetition

In The Paradise Petition, Daisy and Lily roll into Autrie, Texas, with hopes of leaving their pasts behind and starting fresh. What they find instead is a calling. With the help of a fiery shop owner, a quietly brave preacher’s wife, and an unexpected sisterhood of women from both the church and the town brothel, they set out to launch a women’s rights movement that shakes the town to its core. As secrets threaten to surface and emotions rise, the women stand united, refusing to be silenced or sidelined ever again.

This story stole my heart. It’s full of grit, hope, and the kind of strength that makes you want to cheer out loud. Set in 1883, Daisy and Lily fight to create a new life for themselves in a world that expects women to stay small. But these women dream bigger. They band together, lift each other up, and remind us what’s possible when women support women. It was impossible to put this book down. I finished the audiobook in record time and honestly wanted to hit play all over again.

Brittany Pressley’s narration is perfection. She captures each character with so much emotion, especially the strength and vulnerability that make these women unforgettable. Five stars for her performance. And a glowing four stars for the story itself, which would make an incredible book club pick. There’s so much to unpack here; friendship, freedom, love, resilience, and what it truly means to claim your place in the world.I was given and advance copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Two daring women challenge the status quo in 19th century Texas and make a bold statement!

Daisy Lindbergh and Lily Boyle decide to change their colorful past for a fresh start by becoming seam stresses in Autrie, Texas. There they make new friends and spark a women's right movement that will put the men of this town on notice!!

A well written story of women from all walks of life trying to move ahead. The suffragette movement is well researched and represented. I appreciated how she woven in the life stories of several women, all so very different from one an another, yet the same. We are so much stronger when we stand together! Ms. Brown wrote a fast moving, well written book that was difficult to put down!