The Secret Book Society
by Madeline Martin
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You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society...
London, 1885: 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.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781335001153
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Madeline Martin
- Publisher
- Hanover Square Press
- Published Date
- August 26, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 336
- Physical Info
- 1.2 in H x 8.9 in L x 6.3 in W (0.95 lb)
A book written by a reader of books and a believer of how the right book can change a life. In this particular book, Madeline Martin envelopes us in the world of society restrictions and oppression on opulence. Each woman we follow has her own challenges and secrets. As relationships grow among these women, they are guided by our heroine into a sage place of support and loyal friendship that was so lacking in their age and ours. I found I was interested in each woman and their experiences and had great empathy for their challenges and seemingly hopeless solutions. I thoroughly experienced and finally enjoyed our time together.
Simply couldn’t put it down! The more I read, the more I wanted to know what would happen next. Highly recommend this book!
I love everything about this book! It was an awesome read! I can’t wait to read more of Madeline’s work.
The Secret Book Society meets for tea and discussions about books at Lady Duxbury’s residence. Eleanor suffers domestic abuse under the dictatorship of her husband. Rose is an American trying desperately to fit into high society. Lavinia is a high-spirited young woman who is mourning the sale of her books for a disagreement with her brother. Lady Duxbury brings these young women together to give them access to books and friendship. The women find their voices and change their lives, but not without obstacles along the way.I recommend this novel for historical fiction readers. It’s a novel of supporting each other through adversity and finding the courage to speak up and act for your independence in a world that oppresses women. Women were sent to asylums for speaking their minds, reading books, and even just disagreeing with their father or husband. The resilience of the women and their friendships will inspire you to read the banned books and fight for the freedoms you have.Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Madeline Martin for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
First book by Madeline Martin and it was my “cup of tea”. This was a well done historical fiction read. I loved the focus on female friendships especially in a time of coveted invitations and societal positions in a male dominated world.Madeline Martin did an excellent job of bringing together a group of women who appear quite diverse, but they all harbor secrets that will draw them together into this friendship. I loved diving into the backgrounds of each of these women and feel Madeline Martin did a fantastic job of bringing them to life. The research was well done on how women were treated and expected to be in Victorian England. There are definitely times that you want to go toe-to-toe with the men in this book, but there may be a few for whom you might want to kiss on the cheek and say well done ol’ chap. The writing flowed and allowed easy visuals of drawing rooms and gardens in all their grandeur. Emotions were well written and heart pounding at times. I love a book that just put you through all the feels.This is a book that unites these 5 ladies through friendship, books, and the quiet strength and courage inside us all. I highly recommend this book whether you are new to historical fiction or this is your jam.
