The Moonshine Women

by Michelle Collins Anderson

In the Prohibition era Missouri Ozarks, three sisters take over their father’s moonshine business in an evocative story of reinvention, sisterhood, and the alchemy of love for readers of Jeannette Walls, Fannie Flagg, Sue Monk Kidd, and Donna Everhart.

Every batch of Strong moonshine has its own special flavor, thanks to the secret ingredients that matriarch Lidy Strong adds to the barrels of fermenting corn mash. Whether a bucketful of golden peaches, a ripe melon or juicy, jewel-toned berries, that extra “something something” is what makes the Strong “shine” so prized—and allows the family to survive after crop prices plummeted in the wake of the Great War.

Each of the Strong sisters, too, is distinct. Stoic, steadfast Rebecca would rather be with her beloved farm animals or off hunting in the woods than socializing. Middle sister Elsie is kindhearted, beautiful—and itching for a life more thrilling than the farm can offer. Jace, the youngest, is known far and wide as “Shine,” a name that suits her fiery personality and flaming red hair as much as her innate skill with a still.

Their father, Hiram, has been drowning himself in grief and liquor ever since his wife died. But the moonshine business is unforgiving, especially with Prohibition agents turning up in every creek and holler. When tragedy strikes, it falls to the Strong women to keep the still running, the family together, and hope burning on the horizon.

From the Ozark mountains edged in oak and pine, to the outlaw paradise of Hot Springs, Arkansas—where gangsters like Al Capone line the bar at the Southern Club—the sisters’ quests for vengeance, healing, and love will drive them forward, in search of a future as transformative and powerful as the purest Strong moonshine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Family, Book Club, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

401 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2026

About the author

Michelle Collins Anderson is the USA Today best selling author of THE FLOWER SISTERS, her debut novel which also won the Missouri Library Association Literary Award in 2025.

Michelle grew up on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks — a place and a way of life that has shaped her writing. She received her MFA from Warren Wilson College and has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri.

Her short fiction has appeared in Nimrod International Journal #37 Awards Edition, Literal Latté, Midwestern Gothic, bosque, The Lascaux Review, Pooled Ink, Literary Mama and Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozark Studies and is forthcoming in Storied Hills: An Anthology of Contemporary Ozark Fiction.

Michelle has been an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri and Stephens College, taught creative writing at her local elementary school, and serves on the board of The Missouri Review. She and her husband, Clay, have three adult children and live in St. Louis, Missouri, with a rambunctious border collie and two sister cats. Her second historical fiction novel, THE MOONSHINE WOMEN, publishes in March 2026.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moonshine Women brings a fascinating story of three sisters from the Ozark Mountains and the regions’ rich folk tradition of moonshine whiskey.

Rebecca, the oldest sister, loves the farm life, surrounded by animals and nature. Elsie, the middle sister, craves beauty and a family atmosphere far from rural hardship. Shine, the youngest, is full of verve and the most inclined to carry on their father’s legacy.

The story begins in 1929 Missouri, with seventeen-year-old Shine introducing the moonshine tradition. Even before the Prohibition, their father made his own moonshine, as many respected farmers did. None of them would waste money on store-bought alcohol. The formulas for moonshine were handed down from generation to generation like cake recipes. When crops became nearly worthless and couldn’t feed the family, they turned them into something that could. And with human nature, what was forbidden quickly became lucrative - especially when Grandma Lidy Strong added her own secretive ingredients.

There are other captivating characters woven into the story. John Flanagan is a federal agent enforcing prohibition through the Volstead Act. His harsh childhood shaped his strict allegiance to the law. He is proud of what he has achieved in his life and determined to track down those he beliefs waste their money on alcohol.

After the death of their mother, the girls’ father drowns himself in grief and liquor. He never saw the moonshine business as wrong - it was legal before after all. But after his death, the sisters device creative ways to transport contraband across state lines. Shine has an additional motive: she wants to find. She wants to find the person responsible for their father’s death.

After setting in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Shine eventually encounters the notorious gangster she’s heard so much about - Al Capone himself. He’s come to Hot Springs, tired of Chicago’s alcohol scene, and brings with him his own beliefs about what women should and shouldn’t do. Working at the bar of the Southern Club, Shine faces Capone’s smirks and chauvinism, each encounter stoking a fire of her vengeance.

The character-driven story explores themes of sisterhood and reinvention. The characters are compelling, the threads of the plot come together seamlessly, and the prose is both beautiful and entertaining. The descriptions of the Ozarks and its traditions are vivid and immersive. The Moonshine Women delivers a memorable story full of heart, grit, and cultural richness.

The first half of the story had a faster pace than the second half. The first half had the character-development which I enjoyed and was more absorbed by rather than the second half which was more about events.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsay L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 moonshine stars.

Started off stronger than it ended.

Three sisters growing up in the backwoods of the Ozark mountains during the Prohibition Era. Their grandmother, the mountain medicine woman everyone visits for cures of all kinds. Their father, the mountain moonshine maker with a secret family recipe making his “shine” the best around. Their mother, an angel in heaven. Each sister strong, unique and stubborn in their own ways.

The story is told through several perspectives, including each of the sisters, the grandmother and the lawmen seeking to end all mountain bootlegging business. I thought each perspective was done well and embraced the characters vividly.

I enjoyed the first half of the book much more than the second half. I feel like this could have been two separate stories altogether. The first half focused on the sisters isolated family homestead buried deep in the mountains. Their backwoods way of living off the land and running their illegal family business showed their raw grit and tenacity. I really liked their family dynamic and found myself rooting for them.

The second half of the book moved away from the backwoods family homestead and moonshine business. It focused on the sisters leaving the mountains and their adventures in the small growing town center. The story began to feel disjointed as the timeline unexpectedly jumped years ahead preventing me from continuing the initial connection and investment I had. It also introduced romance which I didn’t care for. There was also a major plot point that included a character wearing a disguise, which for anyone who follows my reviews, knows is always a deal breaker for me. There were too many elements that I simply didn’t care for in the second half. It was entertaining but implausible and movie-ish. The storyline was not believable.

Overall, this book had potential but it lacked flow and failed to truly work for me as a whole. I recommend it to readers who like backwoods Prohibition Era stories but who can simply sit back and be entertained without questioning plausibility.

There are plenty of trigger warnings including domestic abuse, rape, assault, suicide, among others.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE MOONSHINE WOMEN
By Michelle Collins Anderson

Strong women, risky choices, and a bond that won’t break.

3.5 stars rounded up
A story of sisterhood set in the Prohibition-era Missouri Ozarks, The Moonshine Women follows three sisters forced to take over their family’s moonshine operation. As they try to keep things running, they face danger, the law, and tough choices just to survive.

The sisters are strong but very different, and while their personalities sometimes clash, it’s also what helps them endure.

The writing is descriptive and vivid, making it easy to picture the Ozarks setting and the harsh realities of life during Prohibition. The multiple perspectives add depth and give a better understanding of each character. The tone is often tense due to the danger and illegal activity, but it’s also emotional and heartfelt, especially in its focus on family bonds. There’s a sense of hope in how the sisters keep going despite everything.

I especially enjoyed the sister banter and personality clashes—particularly Shine, whose bold, sarcastic attitude adds some lighter moments.

I also enjoyed the author’s previous book, The Flower Sisters, and this was another engaging read.

Thank you to BookBrowse and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moonshine Women was Michelle Collins Anderson’s second book that I had the pleasure of reading. It was a historical fiction novel that took place in the early 1900’s in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. During that time, most farmers in this region found that it was more profitable to use their corn crop to distill illegal spirits than to actually sell their corn at market. The Strong family, like many in the region, relied heavily on the profits they pocketed from their superior moonshine. Unfortunately, this was when prohibition began. Those that resorted to making and selling their moonshine had to do it with the utmost discretion. Federal prohibition officers were on the prowl and ready to dismantle and destroy as many stills as possible. Fines and arrest were not out of the question either.

The Moonshine Women centered around the three Strong sisters, Rebecca, Elsie and Shine, their grandmother, Liddy and their father, Hiram. Life was not easy for the Strong family but they always managed to find a way to keep going. Shine was my favorite character and Jed my least favorite. There were elements of loss, perseverance, sisterly love and devotion, romance, friendship, revenge, faith and strong family ties. I appreciated the strong women characters that developed throughout this book. Each of the Strong sisters’ journey was unique and yet their internal compass always led each of the sisters back to each other.

I enjoyed reading about this time in our country’s history. The cameo appearances of well known figures like Al Capone and famous landmarks was an added bonus. Besides prohibition, the stock market crash was touched upon as was the Kansas City Massacre. Hot Spring, Arkansas with its famous healing thermal spring baths became a major tourist destination during that time. I really enjoyed The Moonshine Women and recommend it very highly.

Thank you to Kensington Publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy of The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moonshine Women is a upcoming historical novel about the struggles of thr Strong Family as they try their best to make a living during prohibition and their own personal tragedies. I will say I was quite impressed with this Arc because we were introduced to three sisters who worked their tails off to keep their father's work alive. Overall this novel really does offer a great deal of information on how dangerous this kind of work was.

Some of the hardships this family faced started around before the birth of the youngest daughter Shine when Elise and Rebecca's mother Alma suffered a tragic accident. However, despite the circumstances the three sisters manage to grow up rather close under the watchfull eye of their grandmother. Years later their father ends up dying and immediately it is up to the girls to keep the moonshine business going.

I will say that this novelhad me intrigued from the start. I really enjoyed the close dynamic that the sisters had. Although there are some dark family secrets but that just keeps the novel interesting!

[BansheeBibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important stories are the ones we tell to - and about - ourselves. And her story could no longer be one of weakness and wishing, of deference and denial. If she desired a different ending, she would have to act...she would do what she needed to do.

She would save her own damn self.

I am so grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this outstanding new book (*releasing March 31, 2026) in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Moonshine Women explores the lives of the aptly named Strong sisters: three siblings eking out a hardscrabble existence in the rural Ozarks region of Missouri. Eldest sister Rebecca is hardworking and stoic, happy to tend the land and be surrounded by nature. Middle sister Elsie is beautiful and kind but yearns for a life beyond the confines of the family farm. Youngest sister Jace, better known as "Shine", is a redheaded spitfire who has an untamed spirit and love of adventure.

When their mother dies tragically, the Strong sisters find themselves struggling to hold their family together. Along with their father and grandmother, the broken family must find a way to subsist in the difficult years after the end of the Great War. With crop prices plummeting and an uncertain future, the Strongs turn to the only certain way to earn a living: using their unsold corn and barley crops to craft barrels of homemade moonshine to sell on the black market.

The descriptive prose in this novel is so striking. Author Michelle Collins Anderson not only brings the characters to life but puts the reader in their world, with vivid depictions of the pine forest of the Missouri Ozarks and the big city doings of lawless Hot Springs, Arkansas. Weaving together real historic events and prominent figures of the 1920s with the saga of the Sisters Strong, she tells a tale that is full of adventure, heartache, vengeance and redemption. I was rooting for the sisters from start to finish and felt fully invested in their stories and immersed in every aspect of their lives.

A remarkable work of historical fiction with a memorable cast of strong women, shady men and a host of larger than life characters pulled from the pages of history, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great story. 4.5 stars

[Molly]

I am so excited for this one. I already told my mom we are reading it together. The Flower Sisters (read in March) thrilled me!

[Kate (k8tsreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book felt somewhat like watching a cartoon. I don't know if that makes any sense, but there was something about the combination of dramatic events, over the top characters, and Prohibition-era setting that just really gave it that sort of comic book kind of energy.

In general, I found that the start of this book was very strong. We follow the Strong sisters, who live high up in the Ozark mountains with their father and grandmother during the 1920s and 1930s. As a family, they manage to make a decent living by selling the moonshine that they brew with the help of their father. But moonshine is, of course, illegal, and it's a constant struggle trying to keep their activities under wraps.

The sisters themselves were decently fleshed out as characters, but the rest of the ensemble was a tad flat. Especially John, a "prohi" trying to arrest individuals who are selling alcohol. Jed, one of the book's main antagonists, was also fairly undeveloped. And even the sisters, while they started out strong, ended up feeling a bit flat to me in the end.

I did really enjoy the setting, and especially loved the cameos from famous characters like Al Capone. But there was just something so very off about the pacing in this novel. Months and years go by between chapters, and for me, the plot just sort of lost its focus at the 50% mark. After a very promising beginning, that was just a bit disappointing, especially because there were important character moments that no longer felt like they held much weight.

But, a fun, decently quick read that gives you an interesting look at the Prohibition Era. And the prose in general was also quite good.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

[Janie Redlawski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read! Fast paced with nice array of characters. I wouldn’t say major twists, but definitely some OMG developments. I will look for other works by Michelle Collins Anderson.

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a captivating read, the author draws the reader into to this wonderful narrative, set in the 1920’s, centred around the lives of 3 sisters and their grandmother. Three strong determined women, each with different strengths, Rebecca, Elsie & Shine (Jace).
Rebecca loves the farm and the animals, Elsie is the middle sister, she wants love and craves a life away from the hardships of the rural farm, Shine is the youngest, fire red hair and a temperament to match, she is the one who will carry on their fathers legacy and continue to make the famous Strong moonshine, a recipe handed down through generations and Grandma Lily Strong liked to add her own secret ingredients.
Their father was shot whilst making moonshine with Shine, and after his death the sisters come up with a plan to carry their liquor across the state lines to make money, Shine has another motive, revenge, she is determined to find the person responsible for her fathers death.
The three sisters are all great characters and there are other equally captivating characters speckled throughout the story.
The sisters show strength of character, resilience, and courage, the story is compelling, the descriptive writing is vivid and vibrant, the story is fascinating from beginning to end and woven together in a masterfully.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

[Deirdre Jost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great opening scene that thrusts us directly into the action, followed by a steady plot with soldi pacing. No crazy jumps, but there are frequent enough plot twists and developments that the story is interesting to read. This is very grounded in historical events (historical figures show up, etc) which I was unsure about, but working well within the context of the story. Unpredictable, but in a way that makes sense and is interesting instead of being too crazy. The plot is fairly dark at times, but with a solid, satisfying ending that is happy without being too unrealistic. This is also incredibly well-researched, which adds to the realism and the great plot.

(I received this as a free ARC through Goodreads)

[Cathy O'c · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read about running moonshine during prohibition told from a woman’s perspective. I enjoyed the novel, it had a perfect blend of historical facts and events woven into the lives of the Strong sisters. The novel begins with the Lidy, the grandmother and matriarch of the family narrating, while an interesting voice, it wasn’t until the sisters began to narrate that the novel engaged me as a reader. I believe that anyone who likes independent women, unusual story lines and a bit of history in their reading will enjoy this book.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the rugged beauty of the Prohibition-era Ozarks, The Moonshine Women is a slow-burning, richly atmospheric historical novel that highlights the incredible strength and resilience of women when the world gives them no choice but to endure.

After their father is murdered by a federal agent, the Strong sisters - stoic Rebecca, kind-hearted Elsie, and fiercely pragmatic Shine (Jace) - are thrust into running the family’s illegal moonshine operation. What follows is a story of survival, revenge, and reinvention, with moonshine running not only through their stills but through the very lifeblood of their identity.

Told through multiple POVs (Shine’s was my favourite 💛), the narrative weaves real history, rich sensory prose, and unforgettable characters into a portrait of womanhood in a world that underestimates it. The setting almost becomes a character in itself - muddy roads, hidden stills, and the outlaw town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where gangsters like Al Capone roam.

This is not a high-octane thriller but a compelling, character-driven exploration of sisterhood, grief, and survival. Highly recommended for fans of Southern fiction and historical stories that centre brave, complicated women.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC! Out 31 March 2026.

[Hijabi_booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
**Review: *The Moonshine Women* by Michelle Collins Anderson**

*The Moonshine Women* is an unforgettable, five-star read raw, immersive, and powered by some of the fiercest women I’ve met on the page in a long time. Michelle Collins Anderson delivers a story steeped in Southern grit, family ties, and survival, written with heart and unflinching honesty.

My favorite character, hands down, is Jace aka “Shine.” She is tenacious, wild, and impossible not to love. Shine knows exactly what she wants and goes after it with zero apologies, even when the odds are stacked against her. She embodies courage, defiance, and a deep, burning independence that makes every scene she’s in electric. She’s the kind of character who stays with you long after the book ends.

The writing is vivid and atmospheric, the emotions run deep, and the relationships feel real and hard-won. This novel doesn’t shy away from tough choices or complicated women and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

A stunning story about resilience, freedom, and fierce womanhood. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven Southern fiction with bite and soul.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. 4.25 stars. I really enjoyed this book, even if I didn’t find it exceptional. I found it to be original and refreshing. It is rare to find historical fiction that hasn’t already been done to death, and I think this book fits that mold. The author has a unique ability to capture the nature of the historical Ozarks in her works, and her love for her home region comes through in her narratives. The descriptions of settings are poetic, and her prose is lyrical in a way that totally captures the readers. I found her characterizations in this novel, especially of the Strong sisters, were successful. I enjoyed reading about the growth of all three women through their individual hardships during the shadow of Prohibition. Again, the author devises an ending that is a little convenient and saccharine, but it is delightful nonetheless, and I love the last chapter from an unexpected perspective. This novel was a great way to spend a week, and I would recommend it to fans of American historical fiction.

[Christina Eick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I suggest you preorder this book today and on March 31 feign an illness and lock yourself away somewhere, as you will not want to put this book down. This book tells the story of Moonshiners from the Missouri Ozarks and their life and struggles in the 1930’s. Michelle’s storyline, character development and overall story telling ability is outstanding! Every character comes alive with her exceptional ability to weave a backstory into the present one. Her use of historical events, places and characters adds realism to the story of these strong, courageous and compelling female characters. Thank you Ms. Anderson for another great read, I hope you’re working on another!

[Marilynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kensington Publishing for the ability to read and review this book. The setting for this book is truly unique. We have a farming family living in the Appalachia mountains during prohibition. The author does an excellent job helping the reader to visualize not just the beauty of living in the Ozark mountains but displaying the poverty that shapes the decisions this family will make. With each and every scrap of food they eek from their farm to keep them all feed and healthy to the moonshine they create to help pay their bills, the author paints a picture of their daily struggle to survive. We also learn about the great love each of the family members have for one another and the sacrifices they have made along the way to keep the family together.

The structure of this story is very interesting. You have 5 different POVs each telling you a their part of the this family’s story. At the beginning of the book, we learn about the death of Alta, the mother to Rebecca, Elsie, and Jace. She is the only person we never hear from and it is through this initial loss, the reader begins to understand the lives of these three girls. The matriarch and grandmother at the center of the story, Lidy, begins to tell a story that will have you wanting to know more. There are so many questions that I needed answer for. Masterfully woven into the story of this family is the actual historical facts about life during Prohibition and the early to mid 1900s. you begin to feel your heart breaking for the problems this family has had to endure and their solutions.The women at the center of this story are all tough, no nonsense women who work hard to ensure the survival of her family. At the heart of this book lies the question; how do you show those most important to you how much you love them? So you go after vengeance and retaliation? Do you help them survive their grief or allow them to wallow in their sadness? How do you ensure that the hurts that have wrecked the family have been justly paid and show your devotion to the family you so love?

There is plenty of action within the pages of this story. There are prohibition officers chasing moonshiners, gunslinging thugs shooting others, there are robberies and chase scenes and even Al Capone makes an appearance in the novel and then there are descriptive stretches within the novel allowing the reader to take a break to understand the character they are reading about. To see into them and truly get to know what motivates them and why they are making the decisions they are making.

If you want a well researched historical novel that is set in a unique place and time, this may be the book for you. I would highly recommend it!

[Adeana Libman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Michelle Collins Anderson for giving me access to this eARC!

The Moonshine Women is a novel depicting the life of the Strong family in the Ozarks. They have learned to survive off the land, and do it well, with their unique brand of moonshine that incorporates the matriarch's, Lidy, preserves. The book mostly focuses on the three Strong sisters, silent and steady Rebecca, sweet and sunshine-filled Elsie, and scrappy and sassy Shine. The three women, along with their grandmother, go through many trials and tribulations during the time of prohibition while trying to keep themselves afloat and keep their family connection going steady.

Collins Anderson is a phenomenal writer, first and foremost. Her writing style is easy to read, she puts a great deal of love in to creating her characters, and she is wonderful at building a setting. Unfortunately, I just did not enjoy this novel. It felt far too long for me. There were many times where I felt the chapter was just a random tangent that was not necessary to the plot. There were also jumps in timeline that did not make sense at times. I think this book could have been much more impactful if it focused on a shorter amount of times or if this was split in to just a part one (before the death of their father) and part two (after the death) which may have made it much cleaner.

I do think I would read more of Collins Anderson's work, especially as she is a talented author, but this was just not it for me.

3.25/5 stars

[Beverly Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful, from the vivid imagery to the authentic voice of the characters. It’s a slow-burning, character-driven story told through multiple perspectives, with a strong sense of time and place. The Prohibition-era Ozark setting feels especially well researched and immersive. If you enjoy historical fiction woven with family drama—particularly stories centered on resilient, strong-willed women and the secrets they carry—you’ll likely appreciate this one. And if you liked Buckeye and Kin, this should be right up your alley. It’s a patient read, stick with it.

[Jeannie Minnaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Moonshine Women. Tough as nails, bad ass moonshine making Ozark women. Learning their family loyalty and hard core living from their grandmother the Strong sisterhood is unbreakable. Moonshine Women is strong wild ride of a book!!!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed this book due to my rural upbringing! I laughed at many of the idioms so familiar to me. The metaphorical language was also entertaining!

[Wendie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of three sisters who when pushed to the limit, find out just how strong they can be!

I love a story about sisters…especially three sisters! I loved the characters, the story, and the atmosphere.

[Renee Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moonshine Women is an amazing story of sisterhood, healing and love. The three sisters grew up on a farm in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Rebecca is the oldest and loves everything about farming and tracking animals – people not so much. Elise is the middle sister and dreams of escaping and raising a family. Shine is the youngest and has a spirited personality. She is the one who is passionate about producing the best Strong Shine ever made and works with her father operating the still.

This is a well-written story told through multiple POVs and the characters, including side characters, were complex. Al Capone also makes an appearance. From the mountains to Hot Springs, Arkansas the setting came to life with it’s beauty and harsh reality of life during prohibition. The fierce determination of the women to survive the tragedies, thrive during the prohibition and it’s hardships for women and their devotion to their family made this book an incredible read.

It is a powerful book rich in history and one in which the characters have to make tough choices to survive. I highly recommend it to readers who love historical fiction and strong female characters.

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read a great many books it takes an incredible story to truly capture your attention. I have found such a book! The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson hits all the categories of being a time honored best seller when it is published March 31, 2026. I received a preview copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If I could rate a book more than 5 stars, I certainly would. The author's voice as she tells the tale was so engaging that I completely lost myself in the lives of the Strong family women and their world as moonshiners during the prohibition era of Ozark mountain history. Each woman is unique and so vivid that I was grieving with their losses and rooting for their accomplishments as if they were close personal friends. Three sisters, Rebecca, Elsie, and "Shine" , with startlingly different personalities, exude resilience throughout the many trials of eking out a living in a poor Arkansas community.

In addition to the Strong family, Anderson introduces some famous characters to add intrigue to the story and create a historical element to enhance the setting and timeframe. My favorite one is Al Capone, the famous Chicago mob boss. The youngest sister, "Shine" impresses Mr. Capone with her forthright personality and expertise in drinkology,, within the confines of Hot Springs Arkansas's teaming bars and bath houses. Such an interesting element to add to the plot.

The story is absorbing. It is as if I could see the story in its entirety within my mind. The Moonshine Women would make an amazing major motion picture and I would be one of the first in line to purchase a ticket. But in the meantime, book clubs should add it to their must read lists. It even includes a discussion guide in the back of the book.

Needless to say, I strongly recommend setting an alert on your phone to go and buy this book next March. I was enchanted by it and will tell everyone what a gem it is.

[Madd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy from a giveaway! And thank you to the author and the publisher for the ARC <3

I'll be honest: when the book first arrived in the mail (and the excitement of getting a book in the mail wore off), I couldn't remember why I had been interested in this to begin with. From the synopsis, it's not really my kind of book. I'm not the biggest reader of historical fiction, and there was just nothing really grabbing at me. But I'm glad I won this, and I'm glad I decided to go at it anyway, because I loved it.

I am the oldest of three sisters, and I love the Strong girls. I think they are all incredibly well-written and developed, very unique from one another but they have a clear shared origin. Lidy as well, the sort of unspoken Moonshine Woman! Hiram and Flanagan I loved, Jed and McConnell I loved to hate. All of the settings are so immersive and beautiful and steeped in history. I had forgotten how fascinating I found the Great Depression to be as a time period! I was being taken back to my middle school history classes, lmao, but in a very good way. I just overall had a really wonderful time with this book. (Reading about prohibition does always remind me of that one Tumblr post that's like "people shouldn't go to jail for objectively funny crimes" lol)

I've really only got two hangups, and I think they're related. First of all, while the book kind of tricks you into thinking this is a revenge story and that's the plot for the first half or so, it is not. This is a very character-driven story. It's about the Strong sisters and the things they go through in the wake of their father's death. Revenge is a part of that, but it is not the centerpiece. We actually focus on it very little. Which is fine, but I wish that had been more obvious sooner. The second part is the romance between Shine and John. I can barely consider that a spoiler given that it's obvious from literally the moment they meet face to face early in the book, lmao. I don't hate the idea, and I don't hate them as a couple, but it has much the same issue as the revenge bit: this is not a romance novel. The focus is not the romance. It's a part of the story, but it's not the centerpiece. The revenge part was a little easier to swallow, though; Shine and John's relationship develops mostly off-page, and then we have a three year time skip that really messes with the momentum of it. I would say that this is a very realistic story, and in real life shit like that happens all the time! But in fiction, I would have appreciated having a little more time focused on, y'know. Why they like each other and all that.

Overall, I had a great time. Would recommend if you like historical fiction and character-driven stories!

[Angelina Bartel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can certainly give this one a 3.5 ⭐️ getting me to start AND finish a historical fiction novel is a feat, alone. This one grabbed my attention right away.

The Moonshine Women had some very strong moments, though it wasn’t consistently captivating. Certain characters made decisions I could not rationalize or empathize with. And that was another deficit in this book (for me)…emotion. My greatest attachment was to Birdie, whom only visited my pages for a handful chapters, telling me the character development of the Strong family members wasn’t what it could have been.

I enjoyed the added romance—call me a hopeless romantic. And I felt the ending was satisfying and didn’t leave me wondering what’s next.

Overall, if you have any interest in prohibition, moonshine, morally gray decisions, and Strong female leads, give this one a read!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars. This historical fiction has you follow along with the lives of 3 sisters during the prohibition.

[Pat Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow....let's just say I am glad to not be a moonshine woman

[taylor:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

i’m such a sucker for historical fiction I just knew I would love this. I loved all the characters individually but the way they gelled together was the best part🥹 I loved reading about times during the prohibition too! everything was tied back to the moonshine in some way whether it was what it meant in the times of prohibition or how it’s made and I LOVEDDDDDD that<3 shine is that girl. 5/5!!

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

From moonshine in the Ozark mountains to gangsters and bank robbers in the city, this book is filled with action, depth, and moments for reflection. How a baby comes into this world: who is responsible and how can community help to ease the burdens? I absolutely loved the complexity for each sister, and their counterparts. The characters, even minor ones, are well developed and I loved the way they all had their hardships but overcame them (most of them) through each other. I also loved the farm life in contrast with the bar life: two very different settings to show how people tried to get by in the 1920’s -30’s.