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The Sisters of Book Row
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26A thrilling and timely historical novel of books, banning, and the women who helped save New York’s famed Book Row, from bestselling author Shelley Noble.
1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.
1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 3, 2026
11 people are currently reading
10354 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Noble
31 books1,243 followersShelley Noble is a multi published fiction author whose books have been translated into seven languages. She writes women’s fiction as Shelley Noble and is also the author of several amateur sleuth mystery series, written as Shelley Freydont.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 22, 2026
The banning of books, men trying to control what women do with their bodies from birth control to vitamins for pregnant women in New York City in 1915 by the Society for the Suppression of Vice is portrayed in this novel. In 2026 it’s eerily relevant as we still see books being banned and women being told what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, being prevented from life saving medical treatment. Sad to know that we haven’t come as long a way as we thought.
Events of the time brought to life by story of three sisters as different as could be - one desire to keep family business going with a passion for rare books, one concerned with the possibilities for finding a husband and one determined and dedicated women’s health advocate involved in the clandestine printing and distribution of pamphlets and articles of Margaret Sanger and others . An excellent piece of historical fiction depicting the time and events in the once famous Book Row.
I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
Events of the time brought to life by story of three sisters as different as could be - one desire to keep family business going with a passion for rare books, one concerned with the possibilities for finding a husband and one determined and dedicated women’s health advocate involved in the clandestine printing and distribution of pamphlets and articles of Margaret Sanger and others . An excellent piece of historical fiction depicting the time and events in the once famous Book Row.
I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
September 22, 2025
The Sisters of Book Row is a timely novel that brings the book world of 1915 Manhattan to life with striking historical detail. At its core are the unforgettable Applebaum sisters, whose love of books, resilience, and quiet defiance stand against censorship and oppression. Shelley Noble has expertly blended rich historical detail with the enduring power of the written word for a beautiful story that will touch reader’s hearts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I used to read a lot of historical fiction, but I have found myself staying away from it lately. This book made me remember why historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and why I fell in love with it years ago. Especially historical fiction about women who stood up for their rights and paved the way for generations to come.
One of my favorite things about this book was the three sisters. Each has its own distinct personality, and it made the book fun to read. I liked each of the sisters for different reasons. I also loved the idea of them running a bookstore. Putting them in a man's job and in New York City nonetheless made this book interesting and entertaining. I also liked the sense of community among the booksellers. That added a sense of coziness to the story, making it fun to read.
This was the second book I've read by this author, and I love her writing style and the way she tells a story. This book was effortless to read and kept my attention from beginning to end. I feel like she really captures the time period she is writing about and transports me to that time and place. I also feel like I am part of the story she is telling.
I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction or fans of this author. A book about a bookstore is sure to be a delight for readers!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
One of my favorite things about this book was the three sisters. Each has its own distinct personality, and it made the book fun to read. I liked each of the sisters for different reasons. I also loved the idea of them running a bookstore. Putting them in a man's job and in New York City nonetheless made this book interesting and entertaining. I also liked the sense of community among the booksellers. That added a sense of coziness to the story, making it fun to read.
This was the second book I've read by this author, and I love her writing style and the way she tells a story. This book was effortless to read and kept my attention from beginning to end. I feel like she really captures the time period she is writing about and transports me to that time and place. I also feel like I am part of the story she is telling.
I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction or fans of this author. A book about a bookstore is sure to be a delight for readers!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 28, 2025
The Sisters of Book Row is a rich, atmospheric tribute to the power of books, sisterhood, and quiet rebellion.
Set in 1915 Manhattan, the story follows the Applebaum sisters—Olivia, Daphne, and Celia—who run a rare bookshop on the famed Book Row. Each sister brings something different to the table: preservation, charm, and quiet defiance. Celia’s secret involvement in an underground movement to spread information on women’s health—hidden within everyday books—is especially compelling and timely.
Shelley Noble brings the tension of the Comstock Laws to life, highlighting how even classic literature could be deemed “obscene.” I loved the sense of place—the dusty bookshop, the shadowy alleys, the quiet bravery of ordinary people standing up to censorship.
While the pacing dragged slightly in parts and I wanted a bit more emotional depth from a few characters, the historical detail and bookish backdrop more than made up for it. It’s a quieter kind of historical fiction—no big battle scenes or dramatic love triangles—just smart, strong women fighting for the freedom to read and learn.
If you’re drawn to stories about banned books, secret resistance, and found family tucked between the shelves, this one belongs on your TBR.
Set in 1915 Manhattan, the story follows the Applebaum sisters—Olivia, Daphne, and Celia—who run a rare bookshop on the famed Book Row. Each sister brings something different to the table: preservation, charm, and quiet defiance. Celia’s secret involvement in an underground movement to spread information on women’s health—hidden within everyday books—is especially compelling and timely.
Shelley Noble brings the tension of the Comstock Laws to life, highlighting how even classic literature could be deemed “obscene.” I loved the sense of place—the dusty bookshop, the shadowy alleys, the quiet bravery of ordinary people standing up to censorship.
While the pacing dragged slightly in parts and I wanted a bit more emotional depth from a few characters, the historical detail and bookish backdrop more than made up for it. It’s a quieter kind of historical fiction—no big battle scenes or dramatic love triangles—just smart, strong women fighting for the freedom to read and learn.
If you’re drawn to stories about banned books, secret resistance, and found family tucked between the shelves, this one belongs on your TBR.
January 29, 2026
I loved this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this is truly a must-read. The three Applebaum sisters were wonderfully written, each with a distinct personality, and I loved seeing them co-own the family bookstore after their father’s death. Watching each sister find her own path during a time when women had so little power was both compelling and inspiring—and sadly, many of the themes still feel relevant today.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end while also shedding light on a fascinating period in New York history, including the villain Anthony Comstock and his unjust laws.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy to read and review.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end while also shedding light on a fascinating period in New York history, including the villain Anthony Comstock and his unjust laws.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy to read and review.
February 3, 2026
A story about sisters owning and operating a bookstore in a time when " morality men " were trying to police the book industry.
I needed more of the sisters and a connection to each as a reader. This book is an interesting topic but I needed more story. I also think out of three capable women that one of them should have learned how to cook. The poor sisters ate eggs morning, noon and night. I thank the author for finally feeding them in the end because I was getting concerned.
I needed more of the sisters and a connection to each as a reader. This book is an interesting topic but I needed more story. I also think out of three capable women that one of them should have learned how to cook. The poor sisters ate eggs morning, noon and night. I thank the author for finally feeding them in the end because I was getting concerned.
December 8, 2025
My favorite books usually have “bookstore” “librarian” “book” in the title as most of these books fall into the “historical fiction” genre. Given that, I thank Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Sisters of Book Row by Shelly Noble.
The Sisters of Book Row started out slow and it took me a bit of time to get into the story. The three sisters - Olivia, Daphne and Celia - live above the Manhattan book store left to them by their father. The year is 1915 and Book Row is home to rare book sellers who look out for one another. Three sisters with such different personalities can be a challenge to the reader unless their personalities are well defined. Noble does a good job in establishing each sister’s role in the book shop hierarchy and their individuality in the first half of the book, but I found the writing repetitious and tedious.
One of the most interesting parts of The Sisters of Book Row was the story of Anthony Comstock, ‘America’s most vicious censor”. I had never heard of Comstock and his methods of censorship were repulsive. Comstock found pornography in the most respected and cherished books regardless of genre. His actions, and those of his enforcers, wreaked havoc on Manhattan’s Book Row, as shop owners were attacked and their stocks destroyed. It reminded me of the banned book frenzy experienced recently in America; a frenzy that emptied books shelves in libraries, schools, universities and stores of a variety of the classics, books on subjects deemed “unfitting” for children, books on truth and life.
The sisters relationships with each other was complicated. That they loved each other was not in question. They felt resentment and angst at not being able to realize their dreams, even though they didn’t share their dreams with each other. Noble brought in the resistance movement through Margaret Sanger’s mission to gain equality for women, and Celia as the sister who wanted to help women chart their own course via pregnancy. Daphne, who appears shallow at first, is anything but that. And Olivia, the oldest, had her own problems to deal with almost to the point of obsession.
The pace picks up in the second half of the book as the story line evolves and the sisters find their own footing. There is a mystery to be solved, several men appear in the sister’s lives and the ending, although predictable, tied things up nicely.
The Sisters of Book Row started out slow and it took me a bit of time to get into the story. The three sisters - Olivia, Daphne and Celia - live above the Manhattan book store left to them by their father. The year is 1915 and Book Row is home to rare book sellers who look out for one another. Three sisters with such different personalities can be a challenge to the reader unless their personalities are well defined. Noble does a good job in establishing each sister’s role in the book shop hierarchy and their individuality in the first half of the book, but I found the writing repetitious and tedious.
One of the most interesting parts of The Sisters of Book Row was the story of Anthony Comstock, ‘America’s most vicious censor”. I had never heard of Comstock and his methods of censorship were repulsive. Comstock found pornography in the most respected and cherished books regardless of genre. His actions, and those of his enforcers, wreaked havoc on Manhattan’s Book Row, as shop owners were attacked and their stocks destroyed. It reminded me of the banned book frenzy experienced recently in America; a frenzy that emptied books shelves in libraries, schools, universities and stores of a variety of the classics, books on subjects deemed “unfitting” for children, books on truth and life.
The sisters relationships with each other was complicated. That they loved each other was not in question. They felt resentment and angst at not being able to realize their dreams, even though they didn’t share their dreams with each other. Noble brought in the resistance movement through Margaret Sanger’s mission to gain equality for women, and Celia as the sister who wanted to help women chart their own course via pregnancy. Daphne, who appears shallow at first, is anything but that. And Olivia, the oldest, had her own problems to deal with almost to the point of obsession.
The pace picks up in the second half of the book as the story line evolves and the sisters find their own footing. There is a mystery to be solved, several men appear in the sister’s lives and the ending, although predictable, tied things up nicely.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The year is 1915 and the place is the Book Row district of Manhattan. The Arcadia Rare Book Shop on Fourth Avenue is run by three sisters, Olivia, Daphne and Celia Applebaum. Their father had died three years previously, and their mother three years prior to that, weakened and run down trying to give birth to a son her husband felt he must have to continue the business. (His father, Henry, had founded the business.) Consequently she had suffered multiple miscarriages.
Olivia, the oldest daughter specializes in antiquarian books and auctions. She is fluent in French, German and Italian. She translates and can decipher several other languages. She learned at an early age, then honed her skills at Barnard where she studied the classics. She has taken over the logistics of the business. Her offices are on the third floor of the building. The sisters have managed to get by financially, but Olivia knows they are on shaky ground as her vision is failing her. She feels it is only a matter of time before she will go blind. Daphne and Celia run the shop on the first two floors which carry new and used books. The two girls are quite different in temperament, with Daphne, the middle sister, into buying the latest fashions, reading romance novels and worrying that they will all end up spinsters working in a musty book store. Celia is caught up in Margaret Sanger’s movement to liberate women, and educate them about birth control. She was profoundly affected by her mother’s death and her father’s selfishness. She has been operating clandestinely, unbeknownst to her sisters, serving as a messenger for Sanger to the printer, Yannis Teller, who operates a business next door to the Arcadia. He prints material at cost for Sanger and other organizations. The sisters’ living quarters are on the fourth floor.
Anthony Comstock, the United States Postal Inspector, and secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), is dedicated to upholding Christian morality. He opposes obscene literature, abortion, contraception, masturbation, gambling, prostitution, and patent medicine. His agents and hired thugs seemingly operate without constraints terrorizing the book sellers enforcing Comstock’s extremist views. Sanger flees the country fearing she will be arrested yet again on the publication of a pamphlet she authored which details several contraceptive methods.
The action really takes off when a carefully wrapped package lands in the throwaway box of the Applebaums’ Arcadia during the melee following one of Comstock’s raids.
The story is well paced and researched. It was an easy read with occasional pauses to look up the links below for a deeper dive into some of the topics touched upon by the author. She gives us a good portrayal of this New York City neighborhood and what life was like at that time.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I especially enjoyed learning about this time and place, which I knew little about. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to preview prior to publication.
Anthony Comstock
https://www.history.com/articles/coms...
Comstock Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comstoc...
Margaret Sanger
https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-am...
https://www.womenshistory.org/educati...
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Family...
Black Mariah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_van
Book Row
https://www.villagepreservation.org/2...
https://www.6sqft.com/a-history-of-bo...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_Row
Sappho
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=95SDtZd...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho
The Decameron
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dec...
https://webhelper.brown.edu/decameron/
https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/gio...
Jane Addams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ad...
Jane Eyre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre
Jane Austin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Au...
Wanamaker’s
https://www.untappedcities.com/10-los...
https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.co...
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamer...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanamak...
https://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...
Settlement House
https://www.tenement.org/blog/america...
https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/settl...
https://www.pbs.org/video/treasures-n...
Pessary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pessary
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health...
Piecrust table
https://roomai.com/interior-design-gl...
Gibson Girl
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gibson-g...
British Museum
https://www.britishmuseum.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...
Quotes
“Did you know that doctors are not even allowed to discuss contraception or abortion, even if the woman will die giving birth? What are doctors for? To let their patients succumb because of some man’s stupidity, or to save lives?”
Olivia, the oldest daughter specializes in antiquarian books and auctions. She is fluent in French, German and Italian. She translates and can decipher several other languages. She learned at an early age, then honed her skills at Barnard where she studied the classics. She has taken over the logistics of the business. Her offices are on the third floor of the building. The sisters have managed to get by financially, but Olivia knows they are on shaky ground as her vision is failing her. She feels it is only a matter of time before she will go blind. Daphne and Celia run the shop on the first two floors which carry new and used books. The two girls are quite different in temperament, with Daphne, the middle sister, into buying the latest fashions, reading romance novels and worrying that they will all end up spinsters working in a musty book store. Celia is caught up in Margaret Sanger’s movement to liberate women, and educate them about birth control. She was profoundly affected by her mother’s death and her father’s selfishness. She has been operating clandestinely, unbeknownst to her sisters, serving as a messenger for Sanger to the printer, Yannis Teller, who operates a business next door to the Arcadia. He prints material at cost for Sanger and other organizations. The sisters’ living quarters are on the fourth floor.
Anthony Comstock, the United States Postal Inspector, and secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), is dedicated to upholding Christian morality. He opposes obscene literature, abortion, contraception, masturbation, gambling, prostitution, and patent medicine. His agents and hired thugs seemingly operate without constraints terrorizing the book sellers enforcing Comstock’s extremist views. Sanger flees the country fearing she will be arrested yet again on the publication of a pamphlet she authored which details several contraceptive methods.
The action really takes off when a carefully wrapped package lands in the throwaway box of the Applebaums’ Arcadia during the melee following one of Comstock’s raids.
The story is well paced and researched. It was an easy read with occasional pauses to look up the links below for a deeper dive into some of the topics touched upon by the author. She gives us a good portrayal of this New York City neighborhood and what life was like at that time.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I especially enjoyed learning about this time and place, which I knew little about. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to preview prior to publication.
Anthony Comstock
https://www.history.com/articles/coms...
Comstock Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comstoc...
Margaret Sanger
https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-am...
https://www.womenshistory.org/educati...
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Family...
Black Mariah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_van
Book Row
https://www.villagepreservation.org/2...
https://www.6sqft.com/a-history-of-bo...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_Row
Sappho
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=95SDtZd...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho
The Decameron
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dec...
https://webhelper.brown.edu/decameron/
https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/gio...
Jane Addams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ad...
Jane Eyre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre
Jane Austin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Au...
Wanamaker’s
https://www.untappedcities.com/10-los...
https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.co...
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamer...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanamak...
https://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...
Settlement House
https://www.tenement.org/blog/america...
https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/settl...
https://www.pbs.org/video/treasures-n...
Pessary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pessary
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health...
Piecrust table
https://roomai.com/interior-design-gl...
Gibson Girl
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gibson-g...
British Museum
https://www.britishmuseum.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...
Quotes
“Did you know that doctors are not even allowed to discuss contraception or abortion, even if the woman will die giving birth? What are doctors for? To let their patients succumb because of some man’s stupidity, or to save lives?”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Sisters of Book Row are Olivia, Daphne, and Celia Applebaum. The three young women struggle to run the used bookshop they inherited from their father. Olivia, the eldest, is an expert in restoration and rare books. College-educated so that she can take over the business and support her sisters, she has two secret sorrows - having to give up a job she loved at the Metropolitan Museum and advancing cataracts that are robbing her of her sight. Daphne is pretty, vain, and shallow. She loves romance novels and longs for a handsome man who will take her away from a life she finds dreary. Celia, the youngest, has dedicated herself to distributing illegal information about birth control. The three live in fear that the dreaded Anthony Comstock and his agents of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice will endanger their livelihood.
The historical background of this novel is fascinating. I knew nothing of Comstock's reign of terror over the shopkeepers of New York. A petty tyrant with a very broad and personal definition of pornography, he sent his hired thugs to raid stores, confiscate books, and arrest anyone he suspected of illicit behavior. He had a particular obsession with Margaret Sanger and anyone connected with her campaign to provide women with information about birth control.
Unfortunately, the book, itself, was less than riveting. I expected the Applebaum sisters to be similar to Amy Stewart's wonderful Kopp sisters, but they were not. Celia was the most clearly defined character, but until the last few chapters, all I really knew about her sisters was that Daphne curled her hair by tying it up with socks and Olivia wore glasses. I grew very tired of the endless repetitions of the tedious details of the Applebaums opening and closing the store every day. Okay, I got it that their lives were dull and limited; did the book have to focus on that more than anything else? The subplot about papyrus fragments of a poem by Sappho seemed extraneous and added for the purpose of bringing two love interests into the story. Everything felt pulled together at the end. Too much of the dialog consisted of speeches about censorship and freedom of information.
I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access to a free advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The historical background of this novel is fascinating. I knew nothing of Comstock's reign of terror over the shopkeepers of New York. A petty tyrant with a very broad and personal definition of pornography, he sent his hired thugs to raid stores, confiscate books, and arrest anyone he suspected of illicit behavior. He had a particular obsession with Margaret Sanger and anyone connected with her campaign to provide women with information about birth control.
Unfortunately, the book, itself, was less than riveting. I expected the Applebaum sisters to be similar to Amy Stewart's wonderful Kopp sisters, but they were not. Celia was the most clearly defined character, but until the last few chapters, all I really knew about her sisters was that Daphne curled her hair by tying it up with socks and Olivia wore glasses. I grew very tired of the endless repetitions of the tedious details of the Applebaums opening and closing the store every day. Okay, I got it that their lives were dull and limited; did the book have to focus on that more than anything else? The subplot about papyrus fragments of a poem by Sappho seemed extraneous and added for the purpose of bringing two love interests into the story. Everything felt pulled together at the end. Too much of the dialog consisted of speeches about censorship and freedom of information.
I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access to a free advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Sisters of Book Rowmby Shelley Noble
While the Comstock Act may have sounded vaguely familiar, I did not realize what it was really about, nor did I realize the impact it had upon publishers, booksellers, and women in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including prostitution, birth control, abortion, pornography or anything deemed lewd or overtly sexual, and this was not explicitly defined but left to the judgment of the investigators.
The story focuses on the Arcadia Rare Bookshop, which is run by Olivia Applebaum and her sisters Daphne and Celia. After their father died, Olivia took over, having given up her dream job because, much to their father’s dismay, there was no male offspring to carry on the family business. While Olivia ran the store, her younger sisters did their best to follow her wishes, despite having dreams of lives of their own. Daphne, the middle sister, has an eye for design, while Celia is secretly participating in weekly activist group meetings to distribute pamphlets to a women’s clinic. For the women, there is a sense of sameness to their lives. Work, trudge upstairs to their living quarters for a simple meal, retire for the evening, repeat.
When a mysterious stranger begins hovering around the shop, the sisters grow nervous – Celia most of all, - but neither of her sisters is aware of her activities, although they suspect she is not really in a “knitting” group. They wonder if she may have secret trysts with a beau.
The story takes a dramatic turn when a rare package turns up in the throwaway box in front of the store. It changes Olivia’s entire outlook and the whole thrust of the family’s future. Will this lead down the road to turmoil, ruin, perhaps legal peril, or will it open the door to better understanding and freedom for them all?
After a bit of a slow start, I found this to be a quite enjoyable read, quite different from recent historical fiction reads. I received an ARC copy of The Sisters of Book Row in exchange for my honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing, and the author.
4 stars
While the Comstock Act may have sounded vaguely familiar, I did not realize what it was really about, nor did I realize the impact it had upon publishers, booksellers, and women in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including prostitution, birth control, abortion, pornography or anything deemed lewd or overtly sexual, and this was not explicitly defined but left to the judgment of the investigators.
The story focuses on the Arcadia Rare Bookshop, which is run by Olivia Applebaum and her sisters Daphne and Celia. After their father died, Olivia took over, having given up her dream job because, much to their father’s dismay, there was no male offspring to carry on the family business. While Olivia ran the store, her younger sisters did their best to follow her wishes, despite having dreams of lives of their own. Daphne, the middle sister, has an eye for design, while Celia is secretly participating in weekly activist group meetings to distribute pamphlets to a women’s clinic. For the women, there is a sense of sameness to their lives. Work, trudge upstairs to their living quarters for a simple meal, retire for the evening, repeat.
When a mysterious stranger begins hovering around the shop, the sisters grow nervous – Celia most of all, - but neither of her sisters is aware of her activities, although they suspect she is not really in a “knitting” group. They wonder if she may have secret trysts with a beau.
The story takes a dramatic turn when a rare package turns up in the throwaway box in front of the store. It changes Olivia’s entire outlook and the whole thrust of the family’s future. Will this lead down the road to turmoil, ruin, perhaps legal peril, or will it open the door to better understanding and freedom for them all?
After a bit of a slow start, I found this to be a quite enjoyable read, quite different from recent historical fiction reads. I received an ARC copy of The Sisters of Book Row in exchange for my honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing, and the author.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you, William Morrow, for the Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Sisters of Book Row is historical fiction inspired by actual people and events featuring courageous booksellers fighting censorship and oppression. This story, told in two converging story lines, captures a fierce love for the written word and boots on the ground display of civil disobedience and resilience.
Anthony Comstock was commissioned as special agent for the New York US Post Office to prevent pornography from being sent through the mail. He became a zealot, appointing himself the “Christian morality man”, dedicated to censoring “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. In 1915, he created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice to enforce his anti-obscenity campaign by dispatching agents to raid bookstores and apprehend civilians accused of violating his laws.
At the same time, Margaret Stanger was an advocate at the forefront of protecting women’s right to healthcare and fought to distribute family planning information. Stanger insisted women and girls should have autonomy over their lives, making her one of Comstock’s main targets.
The Applebaum sister’s storyline links these two characters into a cohesive plot. The three sisters do their part to keep the family bookstore open after inheriting the Arcadia Rare Bookshop from their father, three years after their mother died during childbirth. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. She is hiding a secret from her sisters that will affect all their futures. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, wants to have a family, but working in a bookstore limits her prospects, sending her into constant melancholy. Ceclia, the youngest, is secretly aiding the cause to educate women about contraception while obsessing over her sisters finding out. Two of the sisters cross the line of the Comstock morality codes, placing their business and personal lives in jeopardy. Will their secret lives advance their mission to defy the laws, or will the sin of omission irrevocably unravel their lives?
Shelley Noble has created a fascinating, meticulously researched story that introduces readers to larger-than-life figures that played key roles in shaping American history.
The Sisters of Book Row is historical fiction inspired by actual people and events featuring courageous booksellers fighting censorship and oppression. This story, told in two converging story lines, captures a fierce love for the written word and boots on the ground display of civil disobedience and resilience.
Anthony Comstock was commissioned as special agent for the New York US Post Office to prevent pornography from being sent through the mail. He became a zealot, appointing himself the “Christian morality man”, dedicated to censoring “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. In 1915, he created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice to enforce his anti-obscenity campaign by dispatching agents to raid bookstores and apprehend civilians accused of violating his laws.
At the same time, Margaret Stanger was an advocate at the forefront of protecting women’s right to healthcare and fought to distribute family planning information. Stanger insisted women and girls should have autonomy over their lives, making her one of Comstock’s main targets.
The Applebaum sister’s storyline links these two characters into a cohesive plot. The three sisters do their part to keep the family bookstore open after inheriting the Arcadia Rare Bookshop from their father, three years after their mother died during childbirth. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. She is hiding a secret from her sisters that will affect all their futures. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, wants to have a family, but working in a bookstore limits her prospects, sending her into constant melancholy. Ceclia, the youngest, is secretly aiding the cause to educate women about contraception while obsessing over her sisters finding out. Two of the sisters cross the line of the Comstock morality codes, placing their business and personal lives in jeopardy. Will their secret lives advance their mission to defy the laws, or will the sin of omission irrevocably unravel their lives?
Shelley Noble has created a fascinating, meticulously researched story that introduces readers to larger-than-life figures that played key roles in shaping American history.
February 1, 2026
Books about books always catch my eye, and I am happy that I chose to read this historical fiction novel that brought to light the early banning of books and the women's rights movement.
It's 1915 and the Applebaum sisters (Olivia, Daphne, and Celia) of Manhattan are struggling to keep their late father's antique book store afloat following his death three years ago. The store is located on the 4th Avenue "Book Row," where many book and art sellers have shops.
The story is a beautiful blend of women secretly working to help women, the power of books, the power of family, and efforts to stop a ruthless censor, Anthony Comstock. The book was obviously well-researched and the author does a beautiful job weaving verified history with fiction to create a novel that accurately reflects real people and situations of the time period.
Reading the author's notes was fascinating. I had never heard of Anthony Comstock, who advocated for "Christian morality," by creating the "Society for the Suppression of Vice." The NY legislature gave Comstock power to begin a campaign against obscenity, which grew to include contraception, abortion, and pornography. Sadly, the definition of what was considered"pornography" was subjective, and Comstock burned tons and tons of classic texts, art pieces, and more. His acts were well-illustrated in this story, the surprise raiding of bookstores, print shops, and art galleries was greatly feared by store owners on "Book Row." Another central figure in the story is Margaret Stanger, who was an early leader in advocating for the rights of women to have access to family planning information and healthcare.
It was a real eye-opener to realize that it's 2026 and women are still being told what they can or can't do with their bodies, and books are still being banned. The Comstock Law was invalidated in 1957, but many similar laws exist today throughout the United States.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Publishers, and the author for the advanced reading copy.
It's 1915 and the Applebaum sisters (Olivia, Daphne, and Celia) of Manhattan are struggling to keep their late father's antique book store afloat following his death three years ago. The store is located on the 4th Avenue "Book Row," where many book and art sellers have shops.
The story is a beautiful blend of women secretly working to help women, the power of books, the power of family, and efforts to stop a ruthless censor, Anthony Comstock. The book was obviously well-researched and the author does a beautiful job weaving verified history with fiction to create a novel that accurately reflects real people and situations of the time period.
Reading the author's notes was fascinating. I had never heard of Anthony Comstock, who advocated for "Christian morality," by creating the "Society for the Suppression of Vice." The NY legislature gave Comstock power to begin a campaign against obscenity, which grew to include contraception, abortion, and pornography. Sadly, the definition of what was considered"pornography" was subjective, and Comstock burned tons and tons of classic texts, art pieces, and more. His acts were well-illustrated in this story, the surprise raiding of bookstores, print shops, and art galleries was greatly feared by store owners on "Book Row." Another central figure in the story is Margaret Stanger, who was an early leader in advocating for the rights of women to have access to family planning information and healthcare.
It was a real eye-opener to realize that it's 2026 and women are still being told what they can or can't do with their bodies, and books are still being banned. The Comstock Law was invalidated in 1957, but many similar laws exist today throughout the United States.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Publishers, and the author for the advanced reading copy.
December 29, 2025
I loved this book! Blending historical fiction with a touch of mystery and romance, its rich, intimate, and quietly suspenseful from the very first pages.
Set in 1915 Manhattan, the story follows the three Applebaum sisters, who run a rare and secondhand bookstore on Fourth Avenue’s famed Book Row—complete with a resident cat and a small apartment upstairs. Their daily lives are shadowed by constant anxiety over potential raids from real-life historical figure Anthony Comstock, notorious for censoring books, art, and information about birth control and reproductive health.
The sisters live a life at odds with the rigid expectations of their time, books were a man’s business. And still they dream of more. Olivia, the eldest, longs to return to her true passion: translating rare texts. Daphne’s wishes are simpler—she wants to leave behind the musty bookstore and find the security of marriage. Celia, the youngest, is already living dangerously as a clandestine activist working with another real historical figure, Margaret Sanger, helping fight laws that restrict access to contraception and women’s health information.
The novel alternates between the sisters’ perspectives, and each is fully realized and emotionally compelling. Daphne has my favorite glow-up of the book, I wish both she and Olivia had more narrative voice in the first half. Still, their arcs are deeply satisfying by the end.
One of the most endearing elements of the story is its portrayal of Book Row itself—not merely as a collection of shops, but as a tight-knit community of friends who protect one another and stand together during a tumultuous and dangerous period. That sense of solidarity, paired with the sisters’ quiet acts of defiance, makes this novel both moving and unforgettable.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC. I loved this one so much I have preordered a physical copy for my personal library. Can’t wait to reread!
Set in 1915 Manhattan, the story follows the three Applebaum sisters, who run a rare and secondhand bookstore on Fourth Avenue’s famed Book Row—complete with a resident cat and a small apartment upstairs. Their daily lives are shadowed by constant anxiety over potential raids from real-life historical figure Anthony Comstock, notorious for censoring books, art, and information about birth control and reproductive health.
The sisters live a life at odds with the rigid expectations of their time, books were a man’s business. And still they dream of more. Olivia, the eldest, longs to return to her true passion: translating rare texts. Daphne’s wishes are simpler—she wants to leave behind the musty bookstore and find the security of marriage. Celia, the youngest, is already living dangerously as a clandestine activist working with another real historical figure, Margaret Sanger, helping fight laws that restrict access to contraception and women’s health information.
The novel alternates between the sisters’ perspectives, and each is fully realized and emotionally compelling. Daphne has my favorite glow-up of the book, I wish both she and Olivia had more narrative voice in the first half. Still, their arcs are deeply satisfying by the end.
One of the most endearing elements of the story is its portrayal of Book Row itself—not merely as a collection of shops, but as a tight-knit community of friends who protect one another and stand together during a tumultuous and dangerous period. That sense of solidarity, paired with the sisters’ quiet acts of defiance, makes this novel both moving and unforgettable.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC. I loved this one so much I have preordered a physical copy for my personal library. Can’t wait to reread!
November 19, 2025
The publisher was kind enough to provide me an eARC. The review is my own.
Three sisters inherited their father's bookshop in early 1900's Book Row, New York. A profession that was under attack at that time from a man named Comstock who was put in charge of protecting the public from things considered against public decency. A war was brewing in Europe and immigrants in New York were growing restless, with many still having families and sympathies across the seas. Women were fighting to be heard above the turmoils happening as well for the vote and freedoms such as the right to be able to choose whether to have children or not. Against this backdrop, we meet our sisters, loosely based on an actual famous New York book family. And from there the author gives us the story of how each sister in her own way is fighting for her own identity in these times and in her home.
The relationships between the sisters though loving is strained by secrets both their own and those of others. There are ghosts of their parents, obligations handed down, duties that cannot be avoided, opportunities shunned out of fear, love denied, frustration born out of misunderstanding, sacrifice, but there is also courage. Social growth and acceptance. Neighborhood friendships and associations that historically helped Book Row develop into what it became. There's a wonderful book mystery thrown in to pepper the parts of the book that let you into the side of the book trade, see what a book store was like back in the day. Over all this was a satisfying read as each sister is given a chance to flex and grow.
Three sisters inherited their father's bookshop in early 1900's Book Row, New York. A profession that was under attack at that time from a man named Comstock who was put in charge of protecting the public from things considered against public decency. A war was brewing in Europe and immigrants in New York were growing restless, with many still having families and sympathies across the seas. Women were fighting to be heard above the turmoils happening as well for the vote and freedoms such as the right to be able to choose whether to have children or not. Against this backdrop, we meet our sisters, loosely based on an actual famous New York book family. And from there the author gives us the story of how each sister in her own way is fighting for her own identity in these times and in her home.
The relationships between the sisters though loving is strained by secrets both their own and those of others. There are ghosts of their parents, obligations handed down, duties that cannot be avoided, opportunities shunned out of fear, love denied, frustration born out of misunderstanding, sacrifice, but there is also courage. Social growth and acceptance. Neighborhood friendships and associations that historically helped Book Row develop into what it became. There's a wonderful book mystery thrown in to pepper the parts of the book that let you into the side of the book trade, see what a book store was like back in the day. Over all this was a satisfying read as each sister is given a chance to flex and grow.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was initially drawn to this novel because it promises two of my favorite themes: "books about books" and the fight for women’s rights. I was also excited to learn more about an era of history (early 1900s) that is often overlooked in historical fiction. Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to the premise.
The primary issue was the pacing; the narrative felt incredibly slow and weighed down by dense prose that didn't always serve the plot. I found myself wanting much more "showing" and less "telling". I was eager to learn about the logistics of Margaret Sanger’s movement and the specifics of Celia’s clandestine printing work, but these fascinating elements were often overshadowed by Celia’s repetitive internal monologues and misplaced self-blame.
Additionally, the story felt disjointed, almost as if two separate novels were stitched together. The subplot involving the Sappho poems felt random and disconnected from the central message of resistance against the Comstock Act. Because the book tried to cover so much ground to support the different lives of the sisters, the character development felt forced and ultimately lacked the depth needed to make me feel invested in their journeys. By the end, I was still left searching for a clear, cohesive message or a definitive "why" behind the story.
While the historical setting had immense potential, the lack of narrative focus and uneven explanation made this a difficult read for me. The story had promise, but it was just too slow and disjointed for my tast.
Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The primary issue was the pacing; the narrative felt incredibly slow and weighed down by dense prose that didn't always serve the plot. I found myself wanting much more "showing" and less "telling". I was eager to learn about the logistics of Margaret Sanger’s movement and the specifics of Celia’s clandestine printing work, but these fascinating elements were often overshadowed by Celia’s repetitive internal monologues and misplaced self-blame.
Additionally, the story felt disjointed, almost as if two separate novels were stitched together. The subplot involving the Sappho poems felt random and disconnected from the central message of resistance against the Comstock Act. Because the book tried to cover so much ground to support the different lives of the sisters, the character development felt forced and ultimately lacked the depth needed to make me feel invested in their journeys. By the end, I was still left searching for a clear, cohesive message or a definitive "why" behind the story.
While the historical setting had immense potential, the lack of narrative focus and uneven explanation made this a difficult read for me. The story had promise, but it was just too slow and disjointed for my tast.
Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2025
“The Sisters of Book Row” by Shelley Noble is the story of three sisters – the bonds between them, the secrets they keep from each other, their love and loyalty, and their individual needs to grow into their essential selves. The book is set in 1915, when it was not safe to run a bookstore in New York City. The Comstock Laws were in place and those enforcing them could declare any work, including works of great literature, illegal and immoral. People on book row were being arrested and taken away. Women, in general, were seen as purveyors of vice. The world of bookselling was a man’s world and female booksellers were scarce. However, the girls are respected within their community. They are not alone and when things take a wrong turn, people rally to help. Each girl’s courage and talents create a web of relationships that potentiate a future they may not have predicted.
This book is beautifully set in both time and place. It is an excellent choice for those who enjoy well written historical fiction. The setting and overarching events are firmly grounded in history, while specifics of the protagonists’ lives create a propulsive story that draws the reader into their world.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is beautifully set in both time and place. It is an excellent choice for those who enjoy well written historical fiction. The setting and overarching events are firmly grounded in history, while specifics of the protagonists’ lives create a propulsive story that draws the reader into their world.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC of this upcoming novel. When I saw this title on the NetGalley website, I clicked on it immediately because it mentioned books (surprise!). The description appealed to me instantly as an episode in history that did not sound familiar to me. I was glad to be selected for a copy and happy to share this is the first book I finished in 2026.
This is the first time I have read this author and plan to read more. The story was competent and enjoyable, but did not knock me off my feet. The sisters, having been introduced, were somewhat predictable as the story progressed, but it was more the activity of what was going on around them that interested me anyway, and I learned from it while being entertained. Also she did a really nice job with describing the store and the places Celia visited. Noble did an excellent job in the Author's Note explaining how she did her research and the liberties she took with actual facts in order to create an engaging storyline that was still educational. I personally love reading those author's notes! Overall, I think fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this.
This is the first time I have read this author and plan to read more. The story was competent and enjoyable, but did not knock me off my feet. The sisters, having been introduced, were somewhat predictable as the story progressed, but it was more the activity of what was going on around them that interested me anyway, and I learned from it while being entertained. Also she did a really nice job with describing the store and the places Celia visited. Noble did an excellent job in the Author's Note explaining how she did her research and the liberties she took with actual facts in order to create an engaging storyline that was still educational. I personally love reading those author's notes! Overall, I think fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Sisters of Book Row is set in 1915 Manhattan during the height of the Comstock Laws era. The Applebaum sisters own & operate a rare books store on Book Row. One day, they come into possession of a rare and invaluable find, something that will surely get them arrested for possessing. Not only that, Celia, the younger of the sisters, is secretly transporting banned material that would surely get her arrested if caught. This tells the story of 3 women and a community at large, willing to take a stand against censorship.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, voluntary review. Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and publishing company.
Though fictional, the story is loosely based on real events that occurred during the time which i always enjoy with historical fiction. The story is slow paced up until the last few chapters where it picks up a bit. I was intrigued enough by the story line to keep going since I was unfamiliar with the Comstock Laws of New York. I found the story interesting from that aspect. This is more of a muted historical fiction so don't expect an exciting plot.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, voluntary review. Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and publishing company.
Though fictional, the story is loosely based on real events that occurred during the time which i always enjoy with historical fiction. The story is slow paced up until the last few chapters where it picks up a bit. I was intrigued enough by the story line to keep going since I was unfamiliar with the Comstock Laws of New York. I found the story interesting from that aspect. This is more of a muted historical fiction so don't expect an exciting plot.
September 27, 2025
If you think that a book set w/3 adult Sisters running a bookstore while combating censorship in all forms seems like it might be pulled right out of current times, this book actually transports you to the 1910s in a section of Book Row in New York City instead.
Sadly there are too many similariites to our current times with what Olivia, Daphne & Celia battled daily, You name it - Organized city bullies that were power hungry, lack of freedom of speech & a vote, and the mere mention of reproductive freedom would jeopardize your business and personal safety. A female that wasn't married in her 20s with a thriving business could be accused of running a brothel!
I am an admirer of rare book sellers & I appreciated that this was explored here. I also have a background in the legislature and The Comstock Act of 1873 was one I was familiar with (as ridiculous as it was).
The 3 Sisters are captivating characters that make this a page-turner. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Sadly there are too many similariites to our current times with what Olivia, Daphne & Celia battled daily, You name it - Organized city bullies that were power hungry, lack of freedom of speech & a vote, and the mere mention of reproductive freedom would jeopardize your business and personal safety. A female that wasn't married in her 20s with a thriving business could be accused of running a brothel!
I am an admirer of rare book sellers & I appreciated that this was explored here. I also have a background in the legislature and The Comstock Act of 1873 was one I was familiar with (as ridiculous as it was).
The 3 Sisters are captivating characters that make this a page-turner. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this book so much! Set in 1915 New York City, three young women are trying to keep the family bookstore up and running even though none of the three really likes selling books. The book is set in a very interesting time for women and small business owners. The real-life infamous Society for the Suppression of Vice was running rampant, arresting people for imagined "pornographic materials" such as art books with pictures of great works of art such as the Venus de Milo, and great works such as the Bible.. This is the era of the infamous Comstock Act, named after Anthony Comstock, a Postmaster, a truly horrible human being who hated women and, unfortunately, a real person. The young women's bookstore is located on NYC's famed Book Row and the book is full of details that bring the time period to life. The main characters are all likable and relatable and I'd love to read more about them. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble is a great historical fiction novel that takes place in Manhattan in 1915.
I love books. I love books about books , bookshops, and running bookshops. I also love a good HF with strong female characters venturing out, stealthily pushing the boundaries, and succeeding against the odds. This book has all of the above.
I enjoyed reading about these three sisters…their interests, fears, hopes, and dreams and how that was a lot of times at odds with what was expected of a woman in the early 20th century. Their development and the interplay between the sisters is what drives this novel. Definitely an interesting read.
4/5 stars
Thank you NG and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/3/2026.
I love books. I love books about books , bookshops, and running bookshops. I also love a good HF with strong female characters venturing out, stealthily pushing the boundaries, and succeeding against the odds. This book has all of the above.
I enjoyed reading about these three sisters…their interests, fears, hopes, and dreams and how that was a lot of times at odds with what was expected of a woman in the early 20th century. Their development and the interplay between the sisters is what drives this novel. Definitely an interesting read.
4/5 stars
Thank you NG and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/3/2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sisters of Book Row is a historical fiction novel that follows sisters Olivia, Daphne, and Celia as they try to run the family bookstore as women in a era when woman were usually not allowed to do such things. It's also during the Comstock era, when censorship made selling books dangerous. The author did an excellent job of depicting 1915 Manhattan and the fear than people lived under during Comstock's censorship raids. While the beginning of the story is a little slow, it does pick up and flows pretty well. By the end of the story all three sisters have grown and find what they are meant to do. I would've liked an epilogue set in the future to see where the women end up. Aspects of this story unfortunately resonate a little too well today. If you are looking for historical fiction that's not romance this is a good book for you.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In early twentieth century New York City there existed a community of book lovers on Fourth Avenue, designed Book Row. With this setting Shelley Noble introduces us to the Applebaum sisters, Olivia, Daphne and Celia, owners of the Arcadia Rare Bookshop. It is a time of fear and anxiety between struggling sales and Anthony Comstock and his thugs. He is an ignorant extremist who not only bans literary works but also desecrates them. This misogynist arrests anyone promoting what he considers pornography, including information on family planning. When an ancient manuscript is delivered to the sisters, harm to them and the store ensues. They must rely on their own resources and the loyalty of their neighboring store owners, along with two outsiders. From the opening line the reader wants to follow the path of these women amidst mystery and danger. Lessons are learned; dreams are realized in this thoroughly enjoyable novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in 1915, the Applebaum sisters run Arcadia Rare Bookshop, the family business, on Book Row in Manhattan. Youngest sister Celia sneaks away to support Margaret Sanger's feminist efforts while middle sister Daphne dreams of romance, and oldest sister Olivia worries about their future in light of her degenerative eye condition.
Everyone in the family, and in the book district around them, is stressed out about Anthony Comstock and his Society for the Suppression of Vice terrorizing them all with threats of arrest and brutality. I loved the suspenseful story, the setting and the characters, but I wish the dialog were written more true to the era. Most of all, I loved the author for inserting this: If we let that heppen it will spread, and every uneducated bigoted soul in America will start demanding that their towns, schools, libraries ban whatever books they personally don't like."
Everyone in the family, and in the book district around them, is stressed out about Anthony Comstock and his Society for the Suppression of Vice terrorizing them all with threats of arrest and brutality. I loved the suspenseful story, the setting and the characters, but I wish the dialog were written more true to the era. Most of all, I loved the author for inserting this: If we let that heppen it will spread, and every uneducated bigoted soul in America will start demanding that their towns, schools, libraries ban whatever books they personally don't like."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Applebaum sisters are running a bookshop in Manhattan in 1915 that they inherited from their parents and which is under constant threat from the so-called Comstock Laws. Enforced by Anthony Comstock, their supposed purpose is to keep lewd publications out of the hands of innocent citizens, and the shops are constantly under threat of being raided. There is some interesting history here pertaining to women’s rights and family planning, and I spent time researching some of the people mentioned. The story felt a bit repetitive to me, though, and I skimmed a bit in the middle. I was curious to see if the sister’s’ secrets would be revealed and if the bookshop – as well as the dozens of others on Book Row – would survive. Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow Paperbacks, and Ms. Noble for the ARC of this title.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. I read a lot of historical fiction and am drawn towards books about books and bookstores. I also have a lot of sisters so a book about 3 sisters is very appealing too. This book takes place during the Comstock era when almost everything was deemed pornographic including classic art and talking about birth control. It's scary to read about how violent and outside the law that these enforcers acted although looking at current events in the United States, some things have not changed in over 100 years. I liked the three sisters and how diverse they were. It would've been nice if they had communicated honestly with each other more before things reached a breaking point. I enjoyed the bookstore setting. The writing kept my attention.
September 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I really like to read stories about books and bookstores. This story takes place in 1915 along Manhattan's book row. Three sisters-Olivia, Daphne and Celia-own and work at a bookstore in this area. The sisters are all trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, as well as dealing with Anthony Comstock. He is conducting raids to destroy books and art he deems offensive. I thought the interaction between the sisters was very well-written. Things were not always great between them, but they always managed to come back together. Shelley Noble is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I think her books are very authentic and give lots of details for the time period in which she is writing.
November 18, 2025
Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of the Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble. This is historical fiction, it takes place in Manhattan in 1915. The three Applebaum sisters run the rare bookstore that their father started years before. It is a time of upheaval and change in America, and the biggest threat to Book Row (Fourth Avenue), is a censor named Anthony Comstock. He had a lot of power and wreaked havoc among art and collections. The sisters all protest in their own way, and try to support each other and their fellow booksellers. It was interesting to learn about this part of history, and I always enjoy a book related story! #thesistersofbookrow @shelleynoble @bookstagram #advancedreadercopy #arc #lovetoread #readersofinstagram #bookrow #bannedbooks #netgalley
December 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and the author for a copy of the advanced readers copy.
The story follows the Applebaum sisters, who live and work in their family’s four‑story shop, Arcadia Rare Bookshop. Their world is threatened by the rise of Anthony Comstock, the real-life moral crusader and head of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, infamous for aggressive censorship campaigns.
This was such a great story! While I knew some of the history around Comstock as it related to Margret Sanger, I didn't realize that he went after bookstores as well. (Which is logical, I guess.) Not spending a ton of time in NYC, I also didn't realize that book shops were all in one area of the city.
I really loved the characters and their relationships. All three sisters growing up together having completely different personalities and ideas on how they want to live their life but not wanting to disappoint their sisters with their choices.
The reader will be rooting for these women and all of their friends and neighbors to survive Comstock.
This story is an important one now as we are seeing more attacks on "morality" and what's right and wrong from our current government officials.
Thank you again to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced readers copy.
The story follows the Applebaum sisters, who live and work in their family’s four‑story shop, Arcadia Rare Bookshop. Their world is threatened by the rise of Anthony Comstock, the real-life moral crusader and head of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, infamous for aggressive censorship campaigns.
This was such a great story! While I knew some of the history around Comstock as it related to Margret Sanger, I didn't realize that he went after bookstores as well. (Which is logical, I guess.) Not spending a ton of time in NYC, I also didn't realize that book shops were all in one area of the city.
I really loved the characters and their relationships. All three sisters growing up together having completely different personalities and ideas on how they want to live their life but not wanting to disappoint their sisters with their choices.
The reader will be rooting for these women and all of their friends and neighbors to survive Comstock.
This story is an important one now as we are seeing more attacks on "morality" and what's right and wrong from our current government officials.
Thank you again to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced readers copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. 1915: Olivia, Daphne and Celia Applebaum have inherited their dad's rare bookstore on Book Row in NYC. For fear of the Comstock Laws - selling anything that is deemed "lewd or obscene" and a shop owned by women, they have to be very careful of what they sell or display. Olivia, who gave up her job as a book restorer at the Met, Daphne who sees more to the store than just dusty old books and Celia is working illegally with a printer to print pamphlets on pre-natal vitamins to educate women. All have a lot going on, all the while trying to keep the shop running and not raided. I enjoy Shelley Noble books who brings to light things I have never read or experienced before. #TheSistersofBookRow #ShelleyNoble #WilliamMorrow #March2026
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