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.
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The Secret Book Society was the second book that I read by Madeline Martin, and it will not be the last. Martin's newest book, The Secret Book Society, captured my interest from the title alone. After reading the book's synopsis, I became even more intrigued. I was curious to see how Lady Duxubury, Eleanor, Rose and Lavina would connect. I liked how the story was told from the perspectives of most of the characters, which allowed the reader to connect with each of them better. I liked how Martin depicted each of the women's emotions, which I felt while reading the book. I could feel their pain, fear, anger, and joy while they were together and reading books. When they talked about books, it made me smile because it reminded me of discussing my favorite books with friends and exchanging them.
The Secret Book Society This book isn't just about friendship; it's also about survival and courage. Each of these women went through so much. I’m glad that they had somewhere where they could escape. I enjoyed how the author developed these women's relationships throughout the book. There were a few slower parts in the book, but they did not last long. I found it difficult to pull myself away from the story. I needed to know how it would end. If I were asked which was my favorite character, I don’t think I would be able to decide, each of the characters was unique in their own way.
The setting was one of my favorite aspects of this book. I adore this time period, and reading about it made me imagine myself there. Martin's novel, The Secret Of Book Society, focused heavily on women and was beautifully written. I could tell how much research went into this book. I'm so glad I got a chance to read this book. I highly recommend it to all historical fiction fans