The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

 

My thoughts

This is a must read. It will be in my top twenty at the end of the year. This book was so good. A sad tale of what life was like for women who loved reading back in 1895. And what happened if they disobeyed their husband. Yes I said disobeyed. Can you imagine? 

This is about four women: Mrs Eleanor Clarke. She was married and had a baby boy. Her husband was a beast. You will thoroughly hate him. His abuse knows no boundaries. Mrs Rose Wharton. She's also married. Her husband truly loves her. But he had banned books for her because of his brother. Lady Lavinia Cavendish. She's the youngest. Not married. She lives with her parents and siblings. She suffers from what to me seems like social anxiety. Writing poetry helps her deal with that. Lady Duxbury. She is the one who invited the other three to her Secret Book Society. She's truly a force. A caring, understanding, force. She's been married three times. She gives these women a place where they feel safe. Feel like they can express themselves. Not just with books. With their thoughts. Their wishes. Their lives. Their hurts.

This book is so well written. You truly can feel each woman's pain and happiness. The way they deal or can't deal. Most likely you can relate to at least one of these women in some way. 

I have to say this book is emotional. It will have you in tears in many places. Also give hope to these women. Give hope that all will be ok. Eventually. The sad part is that women are still held hostage by most men. In one way or another we have to answer to them for something. But we have honestly come a long way since they could ban books from us. Now it's the government that bans the books. Go figure.

Add this one to your tbr list. I promise you won't regret it.

Thank you to the publisher for this arc.

Five big fat stars. 

About

A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.

You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society...

London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club-a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.

Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands' untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.

As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.