The Wives of Herrick Hall is, without question, the most extraordinary sapphic novel I have ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The love between Josephine and Nora is at once beautiful and shadowed, tender yet ferocious. Their connection unfolds with such intensity that it feels both intimate and consuming. The story itself is utterly riveting—rich with tension, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

What moved me most was the character development. I never imagined I would come to cherish Nora as deeply as I do, yet she completely stole my heart. Watching her evolution was both surprising and profoundly affecting.

This novel pulses with feminine rage and feminine power. It does not shy away from anguish, grief, or suffering—instead, it embraces them, honours them, and transforms them into something fierce and liberating. The emotional journey is breathtaking: the twists and turns, the turmoil and fear, the loathing and longing, the love, the peace, the hard-won freedom. I felt every moment of it.

I struggle to find words that adequately capture how powerful this book is, or how grateful I am to have experienced it. I am already counting down to its release, knowing it will be a gift I press into the hands of many women in my life.

I sincerely hope there will be a special edition, because this story deserves to be displayed in all its glory — its beauty reflected not only within its pages, but on the cover that holds them.

Filled with ghosts, dances, forbidden love, and a very creepy house, THE WIVES OF HERRICK HALL is one of the best debut novels I have ever read. It’s about finding love in the most unexpected of places and accepting yourself in a society that doesn’t acknowledge your existence. I adored Josephine and Nora’s journey from lady and lady’s maid to grudging friendship and, try as they might to deny it, eventual love. Their dynamic is fantastic and their banter kept making me giggle, particularly their nicknames for each other.

HERRICK HALL is perfect for anyone who likes Jane Austen but wishes it were gay. There are many longing glances across ballrooms as well as an excellent kiss in a carriage. The men in this book are even scarier than the ghosts, but that’s just the patriarchy for you, and the novel does an excellent job critiquing the position of women in society without ever being too heavy-handed.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reader copy from Quill & Crow in exchange for an honest review, and I liked it so much that I’ve already preordered my copy so that it can have a place of honor on my shelf where I can visit it again and again. THE WIVES OF HERRICK HALL is an absolute masterpiece, and I can’t wait to see what’s next from the brilliant author!