The Secret Book Society is a compelling story set in Victorian London with themes of women supporting women.

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction (1895), Friendship, Women Supporting Women, Books About Books, Book Club, Victorian London

***This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books @Hanover_Square for a complimentary eARC of #TheSecretBookSociety upon my request. All opinions are my own.

A forbidden book club + dangerous secrets + women who dare to break free = one page-turning story. In 1895, women were often trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations. Lady Duxbury, a reclusive widow, issues three mysterious invitations to afternoon tea, which is, in reality, a secret book club. This gathering provides women with a safe space to form meaningful friendships, select reading material, and share their thoughts and feelings (secrets). They face severe consequences and great danger to protect one of their own.

My Thoughts:

Women Supporting Women

I always appreciate a theme of women supporting women. I love the fierce loyalty and solidarity. In a society where women have little power and are trapped by societal norms, it’s often their only recourse. Can you imagine a husband who controls his wife’s reading life?! Or gives her “permission” to read what she wants to read? Can you envision meeting in secret to discuss books?!

Themes

This group of women is forced to consider so

me extreme actions to protect one of their own. Compelling themes include sisterhood, friendship, loyalty, self-reliance, women’s rights, bravery, and courage.

Favorite Quote:

“The kindred joy of having discovered someone who read the same book was immediate, a friend whose mind had resided once in the same fictional world.”

Gratitude

Reading this story reminds me of the gratitude we owe women in history who have fought for women’s rights in their own unique ways. Some of these women built a public platform, and others fought quietly. We honor each one who worked to secure the freedoms and rights women enjoy today. We stand on their shoulders.

Content Consideration: domestic abuse

Recommending The Secret Book Society:

Fans of Madeline Martin and stories of women supporting women will want to add The Secret Book Society to their fall TBRs! I have read many of her books, and I appreciate her well-researched and well-written historical fiction.

Related: Other books by the author: The Last Bookshop in London, The Keeper of Hidden Books, The Librarian Spy, The Booklover’s Library

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here

Meet the Author of The Secret Book Society, Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages.

She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he’s been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she’s not writing, researching or ‘moming’, you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.

Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more: https://madelinemartin.com

Here’s a recent interview with the author you might enjoy!

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Happy Reading Book Buddies!

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All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

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