Kristy Cambron has done it again.

From the very first chapter, The Making of a Mad Woman pulled me into its beautifully crafted dual timeline and never let go. I was just as invested in Jo's journey through the cutthroat world of 1960s Madison Avenue as I was in Alex's present-day search for the truth about her family's past.

Jo is the kind of heroine I love reading about. She's intelligent, determined, and refuses to let anyone define what she's is capable of. Watching her fight to prove herself in a male-dominated industry made her impossible not to root for.

What I loved most was the balance between historical detail and emotional depth. This isn't just a story about advertising or business. It's about family, ambition, sacrifice, love, and the legacy we leave behind. Every chapter added another layer, and I found myself completely immersed in both timelines.

Kristy Cambron's writing is elegant and engaging, making the pages fly by while still giving every emotional moment the time it deserves. By the time I reached the final pages, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters.

If you love historical fiction with strong female leads, dual timelines, family secrets, and stories that stay with you long after you've finished, The Making of a Mad Woman belongs on your must-read list.

This is an easy five-star read and one I know I'll be recommending often in my bookstore.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In my opinion this book offers a compelling look at the determination, resilience and ambition of women striving to make it in a male dominated corporate world of the 1960's. The book is emotionally engaging while Jo is showing her grand-daughter what real love and sacrifice look like. I had a great time reading this.

Told in dual timelines—the turbulent 1960s and the present day—this remarkable story blends vivid historical detail with deeply relatable characters, drawing the reader in from the very first page.
In the 1960s, Jo Carmichael is one of Europe’s top runway models. When her estranged father dies, she returns to New York for his funeral and discovers that his once thriving Madison Avenue ad agency is facing serious financial trouble. To everyone’s surprise, Jo walks away from her prestigious modeling career and persuades the board to appoint her as CEO. With determination and a mostly female team, she works tirelessly to restore the agency’s success, all while battling a male dominated industry and outsmarting the “Mad Men” who underestimate her.
The present-day storyline unfolds in Michigan, where Jo’s granddaughter, Alex Carmichael, has lived her entire life. Years earlier, Jo abruptly left her high-powered career in New York and chose a quieter life running a flower shop. Now in her nineties, Jo remains sharp, commanding, and fiercely independent, and Alex has put much of her own life on hold to care for her. When the truth behind Jo’s sudden departure from New York finally comes to light, it not only reframes Jo’s past but also empowers Alex to make some life altering decisions of her own.
This is an engaging, heartfelt novel that beautifully intertwines ambition, resilience, and the legacy of strong women across generations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

The Making of a Mad Woman by Kristy Cambron was such an interesting and intriguing mix of historical fiction, family drama, and women’s fiction! I really enjoyed how the story moved between the past and the present. Both timelines kept me invested, and I looked forward to seeing how everything would come together. I absolutely loved all of the historical details and that the book focused just as much on family, identity, and second chances as it did on ambition and success. It was a thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring novel! I would definitely recommend this one to readers who enjoy dual timelines, strong female characters, and stories about family, resilience, and finding your own path!

One of the Best Books I’ve Read This Year!

I tore through The Making of a Mad Woman. This dual-timeline novel moves between the early 1960s and the present, following a grandmother in the past and her granddaughter today, while also revealing the deep love they share in the present. It was my first novel by Kristy Cambron, but it certainly won’t be my last.

I absolutely loved both storylines. The historical thread vividly portrays the culture of the early sixties and the formidable barriers women faced as they fought to rise to the highest levels of major corporations. The present-day thread was equally compelling, and the bond between the grandmother and granddaughter made both stories even more meaningful.

The novel also portrays with painful realism the emotional strain that multiple marriages can place on children. That added another layer of complexity to the family relationships and made the characters feel even more authentic.

At heart, this is also a deeply satisfying love story. The romance was palpable and completely satisfying to this incurable romantic. As a lover of all things floral, I also delighted in the wonderful detail surrounding floral artistry.

The ending surprised me in the best possible way and brought me to tears. This was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you enjoyed the television show Mad Men, you will love Kristy Cambron's The Making of a Mad Woman. The story focuses on Jo Carmichael and her making her way in the 1960's in business and in life. Flash forward to her granddaughter Alex as she is finding her way in present day. I found Jo's story to be quite engaging and I especially appreciated the light the author shone on what it meant to be a woman at that time. This would make a great book club discussion topic about the gains women have made.

I was absorbed by this book and appreciated the resolution of the story. HIghly recommend!
I received an advance copy of The Making of a Mad Woman from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating blend of historical fiction and family drama that celebrates ambitious women, second chances, and the courage to rewrite your own story. 💼🌸📖 The Making of a Mad Woman beautifully weaves together the glamour of 1960s Madison Avenue with a heartfelt present-day journey of love, legacy, and self-discovery.

I loved the dual timeline and how Jo’s trailblazing career in the male-dominated advertising world unfolded alongside Alex’s search to understand the grandmother she thought she knew. The behind-the-scenes look at the golden age of advertising was fascinating, and every chapter revealed another layer of family history waiting to be uncovered. ✨🗽

What I loved most about this book was Jo’s incredible strength and determination. Watching her fight to prove herself while balancing ambition, family, and sacrifice made her an unforgettable character. The relationship between Jo and Alex added so much heart, reminding us that the stories of the women who came before us can inspire our own paths forward. 💕🌷

Don't let the title fool you! This book is way more than a story about a woman who becomes the first successful female CEO of a Madison Avenue ad agency. Told in duel timelines (the 60's and present day), as well as by two povs (grandmother and granddaughter) - this book is not one to miss. It has it all - the nostalgia of the 60's, strong female characters, historical accuracy and love. The author does an amazing job in her details of everything which makes you feel like you are right there in the story. I loved this book from start to finish! One of my favorites of the year thus far. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Making of a Man Woman is a thought-provoking and beautifully written story that explores identity, relationships, and what it truly means to become the person you are meant to be. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters and the way the author tackles complicated emotions and personal growth without making the story feel heavy. There were plenty of moments that made me stop and think, and I appreciated how layered and nuanced the characters felt. This is a memorable read that will likely stay with me for a while, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it as an ARC