I really wanted to love this one more than I did. The writing is beautiful, Kate Quinn definitely knows how to write a story, but The Briar Club was a slow burn that took me a lot longer to finish than usual. The long chapters (each from a different POV) made it harder to stay fully hooked, even though I understand the structure, especially with the non-linear timeline.

That said, I did love the strong female friendships that formed between the women of Briarwood House. It was inspiring to see them working (and surviving) in male-dominated spaces, especially during the 1950s, when society rarely gave them the credit they deserved. If you’re into slow-building historical fiction with found family vibes, Cold War intrigue, and layered female characters, you might really enjoy this one. It just wasn’t quite the page-turner that works for me.