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Lady X
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26The search for a notorious vigilante exposes the secrets between three generations of women in this propulsive novel of female resistance and rage, sweeping from contemporary L.A. to gritty, 1970s New York.
Los Angeles, 2024. After learning that her A-List actor husband sent explicit photos to multiple girls on social media, Margot Cooper runs away from the world—and the paparazzi—by fleeing to her childhood home with her teenage daughter in tow.
But home isn’t the sanctuary Margot was hoping for. In a cardboard box in the corner of the attic, she finds damning evidence of an infamous urban legend, the mysterious vigilante “Lady X”—including a blurry newspaper photo of a woman who looks an awful lot like Margot’s mother.
New York City, 1977. In the midst of an infamous summer, Ginger Daughtry and her two beloved roommates are able to shield each other from the chaos—until one of them is assaulted. Astounded by the lack of response from police, the young women decide to engage in some light payback, signing their handiwork as “Lady X.”
Soon copycats appear, and a movement inspired by acts of vandalism against terrible men spirals out of control, with criminals running amok under the guise of the enigmatic “Lady X.” When a body is found fallen—or pushed—from five stories high, the hunt reaches a boiling point.
But Lady X has vanished into thin air.
Los Angeles, 2024. After learning that her A-List actor husband sent explicit photos to multiple girls on social media, Margot Cooper runs away from the world—and the paparazzi—by fleeing to her childhood home with her teenage daughter in tow.
But home isn’t the sanctuary Margot was hoping for. In a cardboard box in the corner of the attic, she finds damning evidence of an infamous urban legend, the mysterious vigilante “Lady X”—including a blurry newspaper photo of a woman who looks an awful lot like Margot’s mother.
New York City, 1977. In the midst of an infamous summer, Ginger Daughtry and her two beloved roommates are able to shield each other from the chaos—until one of them is assaulted. Astounded by the lack of response from police, the young women decide to engage in some light payback, signing their handiwork as “Lady X.”
Soon copycats appear, and a movement inspired by acts of vandalism against terrible men spirals out of control, with criminals running amok under the guise of the enigmatic “Lady X.” When a body is found fallen—or pushed—from five stories high, the hunt reaches a boiling point.
But Lady X has vanished into thin air.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Molly Fader
5 books633 followersMolly Fader is the author of The McAvoy Sister’s Book Of Secrets. As Molly O’Keefe she is the USA Today Bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances. She lives in Toronto Ontario with her husband, two kids and rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 28, 2025
Out May 5th, 2026
Lady X is a gripping, intergenerational novel that blends mystery, feminist resistance, and emotional reckoning across two timelines—1970s New York and contemporary Los Angeles. At its heart, the story explores the legacy of a vigilante known only as “Lady X,” whose mythic reputation has haunted and empowered women for decades. The novel opens in 2024 with Margot Cooper, a Hollywood wife reeling from the public scandal of her A-list husband’s inappropriate behavior. Seeking refuge, she retreats to her childhood home with her teenage daughter, only to uncover a box in the attic containing cryptic evidence—newspaper clippings and photos—that suggest her mother may have once been the infamous Lady X.
The narrative then shifts to 1977 New York City, where Ginger Daughtry and her two roommates are navigating a gritty, chaotic summer. When one of them is assaulted and the police fail to act, the women take justice into their own hands. Their retaliatory acts—graffiti, vandalism, and symbolic defiance—are signed “Lady X,” sparking a wave of copycat crimes and a citywide obsession with the mysterious figure. What begins as a personal crusade against misogyny snowballs into a movement, blurring the lines between justice and chaos. When a man is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the hunt for Lady X intensifies, but she disappears without a trace.
As Margot digs deeper into her mother’s past, she begins to unravel the secrets that bind three generations of women—herself, her mother, and her daughter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!
Lady X is a gripping, intergenerational novel that blends mystery, feminist resistance, and emotional reckoning across two timelines—1970s New York and contemporary Los Angeles. At its heart, the story explores the legacy of a vigilante known only as “Lady X,” whose mythic reputation has haunted and empowered women for decades. The novel opens in 2024 with Margot Cooper, a Hollywood wife reeling from the public scandal of her A-list husband’s inappropriate behavior. Seeking refuge, she retreats to her childhood home with her teenage daughter, only to uncover a box in the attic containing cryptic evidence—newspaper clippings and photos—that suggest her mother may have once been the infamous Lady X.
The narrative then shifts to 1977 New York City, where Ginger Daughtry and her two roommates are navigating a gritty, chaotic summer. When one of them is assaulted and the police fail to act, the women take justice into their own hands. Their retaliatory acts—graffiti, vandalism, and symbolic defiance—are signed “Lady X,” sparking a wave of copycat crimes and a citywide obsession with the mysterious figure. What begins as a personal crusade against misogyny snowballs into a movement, blurring the lines between justice and chaos. When a man is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the hunt for Lady X intensifies, but she disappears without a trace.
As Margot digs deeper into her mother’s past, she begins to unravel the secrets that bind three generations of women—herself, her mother, and her daughter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!
September 30, 2025
Lady X is a sweeping, dual-timeline novel of resistance, rage, and resilience.
In 1977 New York, Ginger and her roommates, disillusioned by a system that fails them, become the notorious vigilante “Lady X.” In 2024 Los Angeles, Margot, reeling from her husband’s betrayal, uncovers clues that suggest her own mother may have been part of the legend.
What I loved most was how Molly Fader tackled such a dark and important subject with grace. The story is suspenseful yet deeply human, with women you can’t help but cheer for, even when they’re walking morally gray lines.
Perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Lisa Unger, or Brit Bennett.
In 1977 New York, Ginger and her roommates, disillusioned by a system that fails them, become the notorious vigilante “Lady X.” In 2024 Los Angeles, Margot, reeling from her husband’s betrayal, uncovers clues that suggest her own mother may have been part of the legend.
What I loved most was how Molly Fader tackled such a dark and important subject with grace. The story is suspenseful yet deeply human, with women you can’t help but cheer for, even when they’re walking morally gray lines.
Perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Lisa Unger, or Brit Bennett.
September 28, 2025
Thank you to Random House Publishing and Molly Fader (via NetGalley) for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
"Lady X" follows sisters Margot and Julia as they navigate family lies and secrets. After Margot’s husband Jack becomes embroiled in public scandal due to his affairs, the sisters discover evidence linking their mother to the 1977 activist known as "Lady X." This revelation prompts them to uncover secrets about their mother's past.
The novel features a unique premise with dual points of view, alternating between Margot in 2024 and Ginger in 1977. The author effectively sets the scene with vivid descriptions of the Orbit Room, the political climate of 1977, and well-developed backstories for each character. Faye, Rachel, and Ginger illustrate the struggle and spirit of the feminist movement. I appreciated how each main character evolved throughout the novel, learning to trust one another and assert themselves in a male-dominated world.
Although there were some references in the 1977 perspective that I found confusing and had to reread several times, by the end, Ginger's past intertwined seamlessly with Margot’s current situation with her husband. This novel powerfully explores themes of female friendship and the feminist movement.
"Lady X" is set to be published on May 5, 2026.
"Lady X" follows sisters Margot and Julia as they navigate family lies and secrets. After Margot’s husband Jack becomes embroiled in public scandal due to his affairs, the sisters discover evidence linking their mother to the 1977 activist known as "Lady X." This revelation prompts them to uncover secrets about their mother's past.
The novel features a unique premise with dual points of view, alternating between Margot in 2024 and Ginger in 1977. The author effectively sets the scene with vivid descriptions of the Orbit Room, the political climate of 1977, and well-developed backstories for each character. Faye, Rachel, and Ginger illustrate the struggle and spirit of the feminist movement. I appreciated how each main character evolved throughout the novel, learning to trust one another and assert themselves in a male-dominated world.
Although there were some references in the 1977 perspective that I found confusing and had to reread several times, by the end, Ginger's past intertwined seamlessly with Margot’s current situation with her husband. This novel powerfully explores themes of female friendship and the feminist movement.
"Lady X" is set to be published on May 5, 2026.
December 2, 2025
* thanks to Ballantine for the ARC (pub dat: May 5, 2026)
Loved this - dual timelines (1970s NYC and today), vigilante justice, complicated female friendships, complicated family relationships, and a lot of shitty men.
Loved this - dual timelines (1970s NYC and today), vigilante justice, complicated female friendships, complicated family relationships, and a lot of shitty men.
March 1, 2026
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lauren from BookHuddle and NetGalley for this ARC.
I inhaled this book. I could not put in down. If you are angry and disappointed about everything going on in the world right now, this book is just for you. The feminine rage is so justified and essential at this moment.
The dual storylines were equally engaging. I loved reading about New York in the 70’s, while Margot’s story is so similar to others in the news. You will feel a connection to the female characters in this story - their rage, their love/found family, and their disappointment in the lack of accountability and change. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
I inhaled this book. I could not put in down. If you are angry and disappointed about everything going on in the world right now, this book is just for you. The feminine rage is so justified and essential at this moment.
The dual storylines were equally engaging. I loved reading about New York in the 70’s, while Margot’s story is so similar to others in the news. You will feel a connection to the female characters in this story - their rage, their love/found family, and their disappointment in the lack of accountability and change. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
February 24, 2026
First, a big thank you to Lauren from BookHuddle and NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was incredible. I honestly don’t even have the words. Every woman needs to read this. Honestly so do the men.
The feminine rage in this story? So satisfying. It felt so relatable and powerful in a way that just hits. I truly think any woman could see parts of herself in these pages. And the ending? I’ve never felt so satisfied watching a character grow and fully step into themselves.
I’m usually not a dual-timeline girl and almost always prefer one over the other, but not here. I was equally invested in both. Every time I wanted more from one timeline, Molly delivered. She really knew exactly when to give you what you were craving.
Such a powerful read.
This book was incredible. I honestly don’t even have the words. Every woman needs to read this. Honestly so do the men.
The feminine rage in this story? So satisfying. It felt so relatable and powerful in a way that just hits. I truly think any woman could see parts of herself in these pages. And the ending? I’ve never felt so satisfied watching a character grow and fully step into themselves.
I’m usually not a dual-timeline girl and almost always prefer one over the other, but not here. I was equally invested in both. Every time I wanted more from one timeline, Molly delivered. She really knew exactly when to give you what you were craving.
Such a powerful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2026
4.5 stars. Lady X was great. I loved the dual time line. Both sides were equally interesting and enjoyable to read. I loved the story of how Lady X came to be, and the power of women, especially in a time when women did not have much of it. Highly recommend this book. Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the EArc.
February 21, 2026
A book about sisterhood & female rage against the patriarchy? Fuck yes. Please read this.
March 26, 2026
5 stars!
This was a fabulous read for me. The dual timeline, the characters, the tension, and the atmosphere all came together to create a propulsive and evocative story.
The women in both timelines were so well developed and had strong, bonded relationships. There were so many tough things that happened to many of the characters, but their strong relationships helped them through.
I couldn't stop reading this; I had to know what was going to happen. Every time we switched timelines, I was immersed, but still wanted to get back to the alternate timeline to find out what was happening. I can't recommend this bad-ass feminist story enough. I hope it gets all the attention it deserves!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance e-reader copy.
This was a fabulous read for me. The dual timeline, the characters, the tension, and the atmosphere all came together to create a propulsive and evocative story.
The women in both timelines were so well developed and had strong, bonded relationships. There were so many tough things that happened to many of the characters, but their strong relationships helped them through.
I couldn't stop reading this; I had to know what was going to happen. Every time we switched timelines, I was immersed, but still wanted to get back to the alternate timeline to find out what was happening. I can't recommend this bad-ass feminist story enough. I hope it gets all the attention it deserves!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance e-reader copy.
October 1, 2025
Okay, wow—Lady X, five stars and zero regrets. This isn’t normally the type of book I reach for, and I’d never read anything from this author before, but the cover and synopsis had me intrigued. I went in curious but unsure if it would hold my attention… and I ended up glued to the pages.
The story moves between two timelines: Margot in 2024, who’s hiding out at her childhood home after her marriage implodes, and Ginger in 1977 New York, where she and her roommates decide to fight back after one of them is attacked. Their small act of revenge snowballs into something much bigger—an urban legend known as “Lady X.” Generational secrets, a little mystery, and plenty of tension tie the two timelines together, and it’s all super easy to follow.
What I loved most was how much heart this book had. Sisterhood, found family, women empowering other women—it’s all here, and it shines. The 1977 chapters especially popped for me. While Son of Sam was on the loose, Lady X was out there saying “hold my beer” (figuratively, not literally) and making sure bad men are brought to their knees. (That one is both literal and figurative.)
There are some great twists and turns, and while a couple of sections dragged just a bit, I honestly didn’t care—I was too invested in the characters and needed to know how it all shook out. These women are raw, fierce, and relatable.
This was a 5-star read for me, no question. It’s the kind of book that would spark so much conversation in a book club—you could really dig into the themes and probably trauma-bond a little over what the women go through. Luckily, they have each other, and as a reader, you feel that support right along with them.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Published/Ballantine Books for putting this arc on my radar. Pub date is 5/5/2026. Highly recommend picking this one up—you won’t regret it!
The story moves between two timelines: Margot in 2024, who’s hiding out at her childhood home after her marriage implodes, and Ginger in 1977 New York, where she and her roommates decide to fight back after one of them is attacked. Their small act of revenge snowballs into something much bigger—an urban legend known as “Lady X.” Generational secrets, a little mystery, and plenty of tension tie the two timelines together, and it’s all super easy to follow.
What I loved most was how much heart this book had. Sisterhood, found family, women empowering other women—it’s all here, and it shines. The 1977 chapters especially popped for me. While Son of Sam was on the loose, Lady X was out there saying “hold my beer” (figuratively, not literally) and making sure bad men are brought to their knees. (That one is both literal and figurative.)
There are some great twists and turns, and while a couple of sections dragged just a bit, I honestly didn’t care—I was too invested in the characters and needed to know how it all shook out. These women are raw, fierce, and relatable.
This was a 5-star read for me, no question. It’s the kind of book that would spark so much conversation in a book club—you could really dig into the themes and probably trauma-bond a little over what the women go through. Luckily, they have each other, and as a reader, you feel that support right along with them.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Published/Ballantine Books for putting this arc on my radar. Pub date is 5/5/2026. Highly recommend picking this one up—you won’t regret it!
November 3, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I love the #metoo emphasis and calling a-hole dudes out for the crappy behavior, I felt like the novel was a little bogged down with exposition that wasn't essential to the story as whole. I do understand what Fader was doing with those seemingly unnecessary details, but it felt a little forced.
I can't imagine what it's like to be a woman, let alone a woman who is sexualized at every moment of their lives. I can't imagine how women who have been solicited feel and the rage that can occupy their lives and thoughts, and for this I appreciate Lady X, it's a glance in that direction and hopefully a teaching moment for the novel. I think that people need to be aware of how something like this can take over a persons life. I love the whole Lady X underdog story and I like how 1977 was woven together with the story in 2024. I was underwhelmed with the details of Margot's life outside of her desire to destroy her husband (for obvious, and good reasons). I get that she felt forced to create a brand to feel like she had a life of her own, I do get that, but I would have been much more interested in her picking up the reins of Lady X in more detail and more frequently. I do suppose you have to start somewhere with that type of social justice.
Regardless, the book was interesting and the stories being told in 1977 and 2024 were well laid out. I think I wanted more revenge for men being a hole men and to see them fall because you know... eff them. Thanks to NetGalley for the hook up!
I can't imagine what it's like to be a woman, let alone a woman who is sexualized at every moment of their lives. I can't imagine how women who have been solicited feel and the rage that can occupy their lives and thoughts, and for this I appreciate Lady X, it's a glance in that direction and hopefully a teaching moment for the novel. I think that people need to be aware of how something like this can take over a persons life. I love the whole Lady X underdog story and I like how 1977 was woven together with the story in 2024. I was underwhelmed with the details of Margot's life outside of her desire to destroy her husband (for obvious, and good reasons). I get that she felt forced to create a brand to feel like she had a life of her own, I do get that, but I would have been much more interested in her picking up the reins of Lady X in more detail and more frequently. I do suppose you have to start somewhere with that type of social justice.
Regardless, the book was interesting and the stories being told in 1977 and 2024 were well laid out. I think I wanted more revenge for men being a hole men and to see them fall because you know... eff them. Thanks to NetGalley for the hook up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a very strong novel with a beautiful story enveloped within the pages.
I truly loved discovering the story of Lady X and the power she gave to women. I felt like Molly Fader did a great job weaving the story between the 70s and the present. Each character was strong and grew throughout the novel.
Historical fiction novels do tend to feel very long for me which is why I rated this 3 stars. I did enjoy it when I was reading it but it just felt so long.
I believe that this is a very powerful book that everyone should read. It shows that even though women have more rights now, men still believe that they are more powerful and in general, better than women. It shows the power that women have to make their own decisions and find their own story.
I truly loved discovering the story of Lady X and the power she gave to women. I felt like Molly Fader did a great job weaving the story between the 70s and the present. Each character was strong and grew throughout the novel.
Historical fiction novels do tend to feel very long for me which is why I rated this 3 stars. I did enjoy it when I was reading it but it just felt so long.
I believe that this is a very powerful book that everyone should read. It shows that even though women have more rights now, men still believe that they are more powerful and in general, better than women. It shows the power that women have to make their own decisions and find their own story.
November 11, 2025
Thank you to Random House, Ballantine Books, and Molly Fader for an ARC copy of Lady X. 3.5 stars. This was a grand story of friendship and the struggles we as women face in a patriarchal society. At times it was a bit predictable but a fun read. If youre a McFadden fan, add this to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
CW: infidelity, sexual assault (off-page), sexual harassment, abuse of power, domestic violence (off-page), gender-based violence, police brutality, police misconduct, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, thoughts of abortion, friendship betrayal, complicated friendships, complicated family dynamics
I don’t know if a book has ever made me cry purely from uncontrollable rage before, so kudos to Molly Fader.
I know this story. All women I know know this story. We’ve lived it in one form or another, and we continue to live it. And yet, the intensity of my anger while reading Lady X genuinely shocked me.
From the opening, I felt sick to my stomach as Margot learns about Jack’s infidelity and despicable behaviour. The revelation lands even harder because the marriage is framed as loving and solid; the kind of partnership the public admires (literally! Margot's whole brand revolved around it). That contrast makes the betrayal all the more devastating. Watching Margot and her family find out alongside the rest of the world was brutal.
The novel’s dual timelines reinforce how systemic this harm is. The 1970s New York storyline feels horrifyingly real. It's a reminder of how little room women had to simply exist without harassment or threat. That historical rage bleeds seamlessly into the present-day story, where Margot’s sacrifices are rendered invisible. Learning that she studied biochemistry before giving up her education to support Jack’s ambitions, and keep a pregnancy she didn't initially want, made his later comments about her brand and making her question her worth all the more sickening. His entitlement is staggering, and the rage it provoked in me was visceral.
If the betrayal by men is enraging, the betrayal by women cuts even deeper. Noelle is, frankly, astonishing in the worst way. She's right up there with Nesta from A Court of Thorns and Roses for me. And anyone who knows my views on Nesta will understand just how damning that comparison is. Sleeping with her friend's (and boss’s) husband is bad enough, but filming Margot during an intensely vulnerable and emotional moment (a moment Noelle shouldn't have even been present for if Jack could learn to keep it in his pants) and using it as blackmail is just shocking. And I'm terribly upset she didn't get slapped in the face. Additionally, Ellen’s decision to side with her father clearly required Olympic-level mental gymnastics to justify her decision to do so, and it made me both incredibly angry and just so sad at the same time.
Not every relationship worked for me. The banter between Margot and Julia felt more antagonistic than affectionate, despite the book insisting they rarely fought and they loved each other deeply. Nevertheless, these moments didn’t dull the novel’s impact. If anything, they highlighted how messy, imperfect, and human these relationships are.
Lady X made me furious. It left me vibrating with moral outrage. And that is precisely why it’s so effective. This is a book about moral injury, about what happens when women give everything in good faith and are punished time and again for silence, politeness, and compromise. And it's also a story about the power of finally refusing to swallow that injustice. Margot’s ultimate reclamation of her voice is cathartic, earned, and unforgettable.
This is not a comfortable read. But it is a necessary one. And an extraordinarily powerful one.
There were some editorial mistakes that will hopefully be caught before the book is published!
I don’t know if a book has ever made me cry purely from uncontrollable rage before, so kudos to Molly Fader.
I know this story. All women I know know this story. We’ve lived it in one form or another, and we continue to live it. And yet, the intensity of my anger while reading Lady X genuinely shocked me.
From the opening, I felt sick to my stomach as Margot learns about Jack’s infidelity and despicable behaviour. The revelation lands even harder because the marriage is framed as loving and solid; the kind of partnership the public admires (literally! Margot's whole brand revolved around it). That contrast makes the betrayal all the more devastating. Watching Margot and her family find out alongside the rest of the world was brutal.
The novel’s dual timelines reinforce how systemic this harm is. The 1970s New York storyline feels horrifyingly real. It's a reminder of how little room women had to simply exist without harassment or threat. That historical rage bleeds seamlessly into the present-day story, where Margot’s sacrifices are rendered invisible. Learning that she studied biochemistry before giving up her education to support Jack’s ambitions, and keep a pregnancy she didn't initially want, made his later comments about her brand and making her question her worth all the more sickening. His entitlement is staggering, and the rage it provoked in me was visceral.
If the betrayal by men is enraging, the betrayal by women cuts even deeper. Noelle is, frankly, astonishing in the worst way. She's right up there with Nesta from A Court of Thorns and Roses for me. And anyone who knows my views on Nesta will understand just how damning that comparison is. Sleeping with her friend's (and boss’s) husband is bad enough, but filming Margot during an intensely vulnerable and emotional moment (a moment Noelle shouldn't have even been present for if Jack could learn to keep it in his pants) and using it as blackmail is just shocking. And I'm terribly upset she didn't get slapped in the face. Additionally, Ellen’s decision to side with her father clearly required Olympic-level mental gymnastics to justify her decision to do so, and it made me both incredibly angry and just so sad at the same time.
Not every relationship worked for me. The banter between Margot and Julia felt more antagonistic than affectionate, despite the book insisting they rarely fought and they loved each other deeply. Nevertheless, these moments didn’t dull the novel’s impact. If anything, they highlighted how messy, imperfect, and human these relationships are.
Lady X made me furious. It left me vibrating with moral outrage. And that is precisely why it’s so effective. This is a book about moral injury, about what happens when women give everything in good faith and are punished time and again for silence, politeness, and compromise. And it's also a story about the power of finally refusing to swallow that injustice. Margot’s ultimate reclamation of her voice is cathartic, earned, and unforgettable.
This is not a comfortable read. But it is a necessary one. And an extraordinarily powerful one.
There were some editorial mistakes that will hopefully be caught before the book is published!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
💋“No one is going to save us. No one is going to care. We have to do it ourselves.” Molly Fader’s newest, Lady X, is a powerful feminist novel following two women decades apart. It’s exciting, mysterious, and full of righteous feminine rage.
I love a good alternating timeline story, and this one does it so well. The chapters are quick and full of fast-moving events. And the undercurrent of feminine rage… so intensely powerful. I could feel the electricity jumping off the page, especially in Ginger’s timeline. Her story was fiery and exciting, and I just adored her friendship with Faye and Rachel. The NYC setting was just as electric as the plot, and was the perfect backdrop for the story.
Margot’s plot was a more modernized version of the same feminist anger—and a distinct reminder that while much has changed, some things are still the same. Much like her sister Julia, I wanted Margot to get angry so badly (her patience was honestly saintly), and it was so satisfying when she finally did. Her character arc was gratifying in the best way. I wanted more justice for her husband and a bit more resolution with her children, but I also understand that there’s only so many pages in a book.
A big thank you to Ballantine Books for the advanced copy! Everyone should make sure to grab this when it comes out—it’ll fuel your feminine rage in the absolute best, most cathartic way.
Quotes I saved:
💋A good marriage—a long marriage—didn’t just happen. It took physical and emotional work. Therapy sometimes. Forgiveness all the time. It was a constant balancing act between needs and wants and anger and kindness.
💋This wasn’t just a marriage. It was a life. And worse, it was a life in a fishbowl.
💋If there was one thing Ginger loved more than dancing, it was coming to the rescue.
💋They are scared. That we will do this hard thing and take this risk and that in the end we won’t fail and we will accomplish what they could not. Freedom. Happiness. On our terms.
💋For every woman who had been harassed, assaulted, raped, and silenced, Lady X was a goddamn hero. And for every man who targeted women, Lady X was a real problem.
💋Lady X is trying to tell us something. Why aren’t we listening? Why isn’t anyone asking these men what they did to deserve this?
💋If we want anything to change we have to talk about what men do to us in offices like that and then we have to stop leading one another into that bullshit like we don’t have choice.
💋Even when you think everything is destroyed. Something survives. Something always survives.
💋There was no justice. Not for women. Not right now.
💋My guess is plenty of women are made enough to get a little revenge.
💋Were women allowed to have two dreams? In 1977? In 2024?
💋I love you, Margot. But when the fuck are you going to get angry?
💋Lady X is the real fucking deal. She’s gonna change shit.
💋“We are all Lady X.”
💋The communal nature of it all, seeing in one another’s faces the same pain. The same rage. It was miraculous.
💋In the right moment, at the right time, anyone is capable of anything.
💋People do terrible things all the time. Loving a person doesn’t change their capacity to do terrible, awful things.
💋Not giving a shit was freeing.
💋You’re a phenomenon. You are a movement.
💋You know if you went around the city and asked men what they thought of Lady X, the ones who are angry, who feel called out or victimized, the ones who cal her a bitch or say she needs to be punished—they’re guilty. All of them.
💋It’s his mess. Don’t clean it up for him.
I love a good alternating timeline story, and this one does it so well. The chapters are quick and full of fast-moving events. And the undercurrent of feminine rage… so intensely powerful. I could feel the electricity jumping off the page, especially in Ginger’s timeline. Her story was fiery and exciting, and I just adored her friendship with Faye and Rachel. The NYC setting was just as electric as the plot, and was the perfect backdrop for the story.
Margot’s plot was a more modernized version of the same feminist anger—and a distinct reminder that while much has changed, some things are still the same. Much like her sister Julia, I wanted Margot to get angry so badly (her patience was honestly saintly), and it was so satisfying when she finally did. Her character arc was gratifying in the best way. I wanted more justice for her husband and a bit more resolution with her children, but I also understand that there’s only so many pages in a book.
A big thank you to Ballantine Books for the advanced copy! Everyone should make sure to grab this when it comes out—it’ll fuel your feminine rage in the absolute best, most cathartic way.
Quotes I saved:
💋A good marriage—a long marriage—didn’t just happen. It took physical and emotional work. Therapy sometimes. Forgiveness all the time. It was a constant balancing act between needs and wants and anger and kindness.
💋This wasn’t just a marriage. It was a life. And worse, it was a life in a fishbowl.
💋If there was one thing Ginger loved more than dancing, it was coming to the rescue.
💋They are scared. That we will do this hard thing and take this risk and that in the end we won’t fail and we will accomplish what they could not. Freedom. Happiness. On our terms.
💋For every woman who had been harassed, assaulted, raped, and silenced, Lady X was a goddamn hero. And for every man who targeted women, Lady X was a real problem.
💋Lady X is trying to tell us something. Why aren’t we listening? Why isn’t anyone asking these men what they did to deserve this?
💋If we want anything to change we have to talk about what men do to us in offices like that and then we have to stop leading one another into that bullshit like we don’t have choice.
💋Even when you think everything is destroyed. Something survives. Something always survives.
💋There was no justice. Not for women. Not right now.
💋My guess is plenty of women are made enough to get a little revenge.
💋Were women allowed to have two dreams? In 1977? In 2024?
💋I love you, Margot. But when the fuck are you going to get angry?
💋Lady X is the real fucking deal. She’s gonna change shit.
💋“We are all Lady X.”
💋The communal nature of it all, seeing in one another’s faces the same pain. The same rage. It was miraculous.
💋In the right moment, at the right time, anyone is capable of anything.
💋People do terrible things all the time. Loving a person doesn’t change their capacity to do terrible, awful things.
💋Not giving a shit was freeing.
💋You’re a phenomenon. You are a movement.
💋You know if you went around the city and asked men what they thought of Lady X, the ones who are angry, who feel called out or victimized, the ones who cal her a bitch or say she needs to be punished—they’re guilty. All of them.
💋It’s his mess. Don’t clean it up for him.
October 27, 2025
Thanks to the Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this eARC.
🕶️ Molly Fader’s Lady X is a fierce, layered novel that pulses with intergenerational rage, resilience, and revelation. It’s a story that spans decades and cities—from gritty 1970s New York to glossy 2024 Los Angeles—yet remains rooted in one timeless truth: the power of women to rewrite the narratives forced upon them.
🔍 Margot Cooper, a Hollywood wife with a crumbling marriage and a teenage daughter in tow, flees the paparazzi and scandal to her childhood home. But sanctuary proves elusive. In the attic, Margot discovers a box of clippings and photos tied to an urban legend: Lady X, a vigilante who targeted abusive men in 1970s New York. One photo—a blurry image of a woman who looks eerily like Margot’s mother—sets off a chain reaction of questions, secrets, and reckoning.
The novel unfolds in dual timelines: Margot’s present-day unraveling and the origin story of Lady X, told through fragments, memories, and hidden truths. Fader masterfully braids these threads into a narrative that’s both propulsive and emotionally rich.
💥 Lady X is a novel about resistance—not just political, but personal. It explores:
- The legacy of female rage across generations
- The cost of silence and the courage of truth-telling
- The blurred lines between justice and vengeance
- The complexities of mother-daughter relationships
Fader doesn’t shy away from the messy, contradictory emotions that define womanhood. Her characters are flawed, fierce, and unforgettable.
✍️ Fader’s prose is sharp and cinematic, with dialogue that crackles and interior monologues that ache. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, allowing space for emotional depth and thematic nuance. The Lady X segments read like noir poetry—gritty, stylized, and haunting.
👩👧 Margot is a compelling protagonist: privileged yet vulnerable, angry yet unsure how to wield that anger. Her daughter offers a Gen Z counterpoint—idealistic, impatient, and unafraid to confront hypocrisy. The real star, though, is Lady X herself: a myth, a memory, and a mirror. As Margot peels back layers of her mother’s past, she begins to understand her own.
⭐ Lady X is a bold, emotionally intelligent novel that blends mystery, memoir, and manifesto. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever felt silenced, sidelined, or underestimated—and for those ready to reclaim their voice. Molly Fader doesn’t just tell a story; she issues a challenge.
For fans of Brit Bennett, Lisa Jewell, or literary fiction with a feminist edge, this is a must-read.
🕶️ Molly Fader’s Lady X is a fierce, layered novel that pulses with intergenerational rage, resilience, and revelation. It’s a story that spans decades and cities—from gritty 1970s New York to glossy 2024 Los Angeles—yet remains rooted in one timeless truth: the power of women to rewrite the narratives forced upon them.
🔍 Margot Cooper, a Hollywood wife with a crumbling marriage and a teenage daughter in tow, flees the paparazzi and scandal to her childhood home. But sanctuary proves elusive. In the attic, Margot discovers a box of clippings and photos tied to an urban legend: Lady X, a vigilante who targeted abusive men in 1970s New York. One photo—a blurry image of a woman who looks eerily like Margot’s mother—sets off a chain reaction of questions, secrets, and reckoning.
The novel unfolds in dual timelines: Margot’s present-day unraveling and the origin story of Lady X, told through fragments, memories, and hidden truths. Fader masterfully braids these threads into a narrative that’s both propulsive and emotionally rich.
💥 Lady X is a novel about resistance—not just political, but personal. It explores:
- The legacy of female rage across generations
- The cost of silence and the courage of truth-telling
- The blurred lines between justice and vengeance
- The complexities of mother-daughter relationships
Fader doesn’t shy away from the messy, contradictory emotions that define womanhood. Her characters are flawed, fierce, and unforgettable.
✍️ Fader’s prose is sharp and cinematic, with dialogue that crackles and interior monologues that ache. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, allowing space for emotional depth and thematic nuance. The Lady X segments read like noir poetry—gritty, stylized, and haunting.
👩👧 Margot is a compelling protagonist: privileged yet vulnerable, angry yet unsure how to wield that anger. Her daughter offers a Gen Z counterpoint—idealistic, impatient, and unafraid to confront hypocrisy. The real star, though, is Lady X herself: a myth, a memory, and a mirror. As Margot peels back layers of her mother’s past, she begins to understand her own.
⭐ Lady X is a bold, emotionally intelligent novel that blends mystery, memoir, and manifesto. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever felt silenced, sidelined, or underestimated—and for those ready to reclaim their voice. Molly Fader doesn’t just tell a story; she issues a challenge.
For fans of Brit Bennett, Lisa Jewell, or literary fiction with a feminist edge, this is a must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 ⭐️
Lady X was a bold, dual-timeline tale where the rage of the past collided with the secrets of the present. Molly Fader wrote an intriguing feminist mystery that blended scandal, secrets, and the unstoppable legend of Lady X.
Lady X by Molly Fader wove together two timelines. In 1977 New York, three young women took justice into their own hands after one of them was assaulted which created the urban legend of Lady X—a masked avenger who fought back against men who hurt women. Decades later, in 2024, Margot fled her husband’s scandal and discovered a box of clippings that suggested her mother might have been involved in the Lady X movement. As the past and present collided, secrets surfaced and Margot began to see how her mother’s choices still echoed through her own life.
Lady X shined in the way it tied two timelines together, blended the gritty atmosphere of 1970s New York with the modern struggles of a woman caught in the fallout of a public scandal. The story explored themes of female rage, resilience, and generational secrets, giving it both emotional weight and cultural relevance. Fader captured how the Lady X legend became larger than life while it still grounded it in the real, messy lives of the women behind it. The dual timeline structure kept the tension high, and the mystery of Margot’s mother’s past added an engaging layer of intrigue.
On the downside, parts of the novel felt heavy-handed, especially when the social commentary overshadowed the characters’ personal arcs. Some of the pacing dragged, particularly in the modern timeline, where Margot’s reactions sometimes felt repetitive compared to the raw urgency of the 1977 storyline. While the mystery was compelling, a few reveals were more predictable than shocking. Still, the novel’s ambition, emotional themes, and feminist backbone outweighed these flaws, making it a thoughtful and layered read.
Overall I really enjoyed Lady X and found it to be both gripping and meaningful. The way Molly Fader wove past and present together kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated how the story highlighted women’s voices and the lasting impact of hidden histories. Even with a few slower moments, this was a powerful and thought-provoking read that left me satisfied and grateful to have received an advance copy from NetGalley and Ballantine—thank you!
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy thoughtful, layered fiction with a mix of suspense, history, and family drama.
Lady X was a bold, dual-timeline tale where the rage of the past collided with the secrets of the present. Molly Fader wrote an intriguing feminist mystery that blended scandal, secrets, and the unstoppable legend of Lady X.
Lady X by Molly Fader wove together two timelines. In 1977 New York, three young women took justice into their own hands after one of them was assaulted which created the urban legend of Lady X—a masked avenger who fought back against men who hurt women. Decades later, in 2024, Margot fled her husband’s scandal and discovered a box of clippings that suggested her mother might have been involved in the Lady X movement. As the past and present collided, secrets surfaced and Margot began to see how her mother’s choices still echoed through her own life.
Lady X shined in the way it tied two timelines together, blended the gritty atmosphere of 1970s New York with the modern struggles of a woman caught in the fallout of a public scandal. The story explored themes of female rage, resilience, and generational secrets, giving it both emotional weight and cultural relevance. Fader captured how the Lady X legend became larger than life while it still grounded it in the real, messy lives of the women behind it. The dual timeline structure kept the tension high, and the mystery of Margot’s mother’s past added an engaging layer of intrigue.
On the downside, parts of the novel felt heavy-handed, especially when the social commentary overshadowed the characters’ personal arcs. Some of the pacing dragged, particularly in the modern timeline, where Margot’s reactions sometimes felt repetitive compared to the raw urgency of the 1977 storyline. While the mystery was compelling, a few reveals were more predictable than shocking. Still, the novel’s ambition, emotional themes, and feminist backbone outweighed these flaws, making it a thoughtful and layered read.
Overall I really enjoyed Lady X and found it to be both gripping and meaningful. The way Molly Fader wove past and present together kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated how the story highlighted women’s voices and the lasting impact of hidden histories. Even with a few slower moments, this was a powerful and thought-provoking read that left me satisfied and grateful to have received an advance copy from NetGalley and Ballantine—thank you!
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy thoughtful, layered fiction with a mix of suspense, history, and family drama.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was an extraordinary book and once I started I could not put it down. It was riveting from the first page to the last. It is emotionally charged with intrigue, family drama, humour and most of all with woman who protect those they love.
It tells the story in two time lines. LA 2024 and NY 1977
Margot Cooper who life has imploded when her husband of 20 yrs, who is a #1 box office actor pictures of him showing explicit photos on the internet to young girls and she must get out of town, along with her youngest daughter to get away from the damaging publicity and try to find answers. They go to her childhood home. But what she finds when exploring some boxes is another shocking revelation about the notaries vigilante Lady X and could be her mother when she finds a picture that looks a lot like her mother... So her sister, daughter and she embark on a mission to find out the truth about who their mother really is and if she is in fact the notornis Lady X and who her friends really were.
In New York city in 1977 Ginger Daughtry is living by day in the dance studio and by night is a coat check girl in the infamous hottest night club in town. And she with her two best friends and roommates are able to help one another from the crimes against woman in New York until one of them is attacked and they get no help from the police and they decide to get a payback from the attacker and then things escalates and Lady X is born. But their are copy cats and things spiral out of control for the three woman and they must get control before one of them is arrested or worse...
This book was a masterful work of friendships, sisters , mother and daughters and so emotional charged with things that are taken right out of today's headlines you will be cheering on Lady X and wanting to get revenge for all the wrongs ever made against woman. I was cheering for both Ginger and her friends to get payback and for Margot to kick her sleaze bag of a husband to the curb. And don't get me started on who we really think are our friends...
Margot and Ginger are my heroes for standing up for what is right for woman who have been wronged.
It tells the story in two time lines. LA 2024 and NY 1977
Margot Cooper who life has imploded when her husband of 20 yrs, who is a #1 box office actor pictures of him showing explicit photos on the internet to young girls and she must get out of town, along with her youngest daughter to get away from the damaging publicity and try to find answers. They go to her childhood home. But what she finds when exploring some boxes is another shocking revelation about the notaries vigilante Lady X and could be her mother when she finds a picture that looks a lot like her mother... So her sister, daughter and she embark on a mission to find out the truth about who their mother really is and if she is in fact the notornis Lady X and who her friends really were.
In New York city in 1977 Ginger Daughtry is living by day in the dance studio and by night is a coat check girl in the infamous hottest night club in town. And she with her two best friends and roommates are able to help one another from the crimes against woman in New York until one of them is attacked and they get no help from the police and they decide to get a payback from the attacker and then things escalates and Lady X is born. But their are copy cats and things spiral out of control for the three woman and they must get control before one of them is arrested or worse...
This book was a masterful work of friendships, sisters , mother and daughters and so emotional charged with things that are taken right out of today's headlines you will be cheering on Lady X and wanting to get revenge for all the wrongs ever made against woman. I was cheering for both Ginger and her friends to get payback and for Margot to kick her sleaze bag of a husband to the curb. And don't get me started on who we really think are our friends...
Margot and Ginger are my heroes for standing up for what is right for woman who have been wronged.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lady X is a dual timeline story that aptly criss-crosses highly charged topics like female rage against unchecked misogyny with an emotional storyline of sisterhood, love and found family.
This historical fiction novel was a fast read - Molly Fader richly depicts 1977 New York City, where sexism is blatant and the emerging feminist outcries are on the cusp of a movement. Ginger and her roommates Faye and Rachel are disillusioned by a system that has ignored their literal and figurative cries for help against sexual assault in a pre MeToo world. They transform their rage into the vigilante Lady X, whose identity remains mythic and legendary. In 2024, where the MeToo movement in theory is holding men accountable, Margot, a seemingly happy housewife to an aging hunky movie star with her own lifestyle brand, is rocked by her husband's betrayal with women almost as young as her daughter. When she goes to her childhood home to escape the media frenzy, she discovers that her own seemingly fun loving mother, now in assisted living, may have been Lady X herself.
This well crafted novel compels the reader to ask oneself how much has changed in 50 years. Even with more public accountably in the last decade or more, it still feels like the onus is on the women like Margot to hold men accountable, to be empowered to confront their assailants and write their own future. Many gray lines are addressed in this story, and I think this accurately reflects the many ways rage, frustration and empowerment actually play out to this very day.
Much to think about after the last page and much for a book club to discuss. Highly Recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This historical fiction novel was a fast read - Molly Fader richly depicts 1977 New York City, where sexism is blatant and the emerging feminist outcries are on the cusp of a movement. Ginger and her roommates Faye and Rachel are disillusioned by a system that has ignored their literal and figurative cries for help against sexual assault in a pre MeToo world. They transform their rage into the vigilante Lady X, whose identity remains mythic and legendary. In 2024, where the MeToo movement in theory is holding men accountable, Margot, a seemingly happy housewife to an aging hunky movie star with her own lifestyle brand, is rocked by her husband's betrayal with women almost as young as her daughter. When she goes to her childhood home to escape the media frenzy, she discovers that her own seemingly fun loving mother, now in assisted living, may have been Lady X herself.
This well crafted novel compels the reader to ask oneself how much has changed in 50 years. Even with more public accountably in the last decade or more, it still feels like the onus is on the women like Margot to hold men accountable, to be empowered to confront their assailants and write their own future. Many gray lines are addressed in this story, and I think this accurately reflects the many ways rage, frustration and empowerment actually play out to this very day.
Much to think about after the last page and much for a book club to discuss. Highly Recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Molly Fader reminds us how our lives have changed thanks to courageous women.
In 2024, Margot enjoys a comfortable life together with a movie-star husband in Southern California. However, it falls apart quickly when she discovers his dark secret with pornography. What does she do? Takes off with her teenage daughter, Skye, to visit with her mother, Ginger, in Pittsburgh. She desperately needs comfort but she’s out of luck as her mother’s dementia has worsen.
However, on their visit, they help her sister, Julia, sort through their mother’s collectibles in the attic. Newspaper articles from 1977 are found in a box revealing a shocking past in NYC. Was Ginger known as Lady X who got the attention of the media focused on abusive men? Now Margot, Julia and Skye are on a search for what happened.
It’s mesmerizing with the two timelines. We have a good idea what’s going to transpire. However, it sends a message about the importance of gender equality and bringing about positive change. It wasn’t that long ago but much has been forgotten when women had to face tremendous situations of sexual abuse and harassment.
It was effective how the relationships of three generations were portrayed by focusing the attention on emotional issues. Margot was fortunate to have money in her back pocket. It definitely made a difference whereas so many others with similar situations have severe limitations. Yet, as the story points, out, the there are more issues ahead of us like making the men accountable involved in the Epstein files. This would be a good book for discussions.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of July 14, 2026. The views I share are my own.
In 2024, Margot enjoys a comfortable life together with a movie-star husband in Southern California. However, it falls apart quickly when she discovers his dark secret with pornography. What does she do? Takes off with her teenage daughter, Skye, to visit with her mother, Ginger, in Pittsburgh. She desperately needs comfort but she’s out of luck as her mother’s dementia has worsen.
However, on their visit, they help her sister, Julia, sort through their mother’s collectibles in the attic. Newspaper articles from 1977 are found in a box revealing a shocking past in NYC. Was Ginger known as Lady X who got the attention of the media focused on abusive men? Now Margot, Julia and Skye are on a search for what happened.
It’s mesmerizing with the two timelines. We have a good idea what’s going to transpire. However, it sends a message about the importance of gender equality and bringing about positive change. It wasn’t that long ago but much has been forgotten when women had to face tremendous situations of sexual abuse and harassment.
It was effective how the relationships of three generations were portrayed by focusing the attention on emotional issues. Margot was fortunate to have money in her back pocket. It definitely made a difference whereas so many others with similar situations have severe limitations. Yet, as the story points, out, the there are more issues ahead of us like making the men accountable involved in the Epstein files. This would be a good book for discussions.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of July 14, 2026. The views I share are my own.
October 11, 2025
"Lady X" is a novel that blends mystery, historical fiction, and impactful storytelling. Set in a dual time-line of modern day California and 1970's New York, the themes explored in the story are as relevant now as they were in the past.
Originally, I was skeptical about the dual time-line because historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but it was the perfect conduit to tell this story. The writing style flowed and each chapter was engaging. I was never bored.
The main theme of the book is about the marginalization of women. And although the zeitgeist of western society has changed and laws have been enacted to better protect women, there still seems to be an expectation of women to help clean up the mess even if they are the aggreived party. This is glaringly painful in the situation of Margot (modern day time-line), whose movie star husband cheated on her and needs her to help mend his fractured image. It is especially true of the women in the 70's time-line who are told after reaching out for help, to consider the reputation of the men that have hurt them and how the women's accusations will affect these men.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only criticism is at a couple of points in the book, the story segue was clunky and I had to go back because I thought I skipped a page. For example, one of the characters was photographed looking at an office. The next paragraph she was in the club collecting her check. The next paragraph she was in her kitchen.
This book is perfect for those who enjoy reading about strong women, mother daughter relationships, and historical fiction.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.
Originally, I was skeptical about the dual time-line because historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but it was the perfect conduit to tell this story. The writing style flowed and each chapter was engaging. I was never bored.
The main theme of the book is about the marginalization of women. And although the zeitgeist of western society has changed and laws have been enacted to better protect women, there still seems to be an expectation of women to help clean up the mess even if they are the aggreived party. This is glaringly painful in the situation of Margot (modern day time-line), whose movie star husband cheated on her and needs her to help mend his fractured image. It is especially true of the women in the 70's time-line who are told after reaching out for help, to consider the reputation of the men that have hurt them and how the women's accusations will affect these men.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only criticism is at a couple of points in the book, the story segue was clunky and I had to go back because I thought I skipped a page. For example, one of the characters was photographed looking at an office. The next paragraph she was in the club collecting her check. The next paragraph she was in her kitchen.
This book is perfect for those who enjoy reading about strong women, mother daughter relationships, and historical fiction.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.
September 17, 2025
★★★★ 4.5 stars
When Margot, a Hollywood wife, discovers that her famous weasel of a husband has been sending inappropriate texts and explicit photos to young women, she packs up and flees to her childhood home in Philadelphia with her daughter. Her sister, Julia, still lives there — and while digging through the attic, the two stumble upon a stack of old newspaper clippings about “Lady X,” a mysterious vigilante who once exposed predatory men.
Woven seamlessly into their present-day story is a rich and compelling 1977 timeline, following their mother, Ginger and friends, as young women coming of age in gritty New York City — navigating independence, danger, and the fierce bonds of sisterhood.
This one and had such a fun time. I was completely swept away by this book. The characters are vivid, flawed, and deeply human — I haven’t felt this emotionally connected to a cast in ages. The dual timelines were masterfully executed, with each chapter drawing me in further. The writing was immersive and beautifully researched; I felt transported right back to the late ’70s, and it brought back so many fun memories. Thoughtful, emotional, and deeply empowering — this one’s a standout. Absolutely fantastic! A page-turner packed with grit, heart, and vintage flair — I didn’t want it to end!
🌟 Went in blind, came out obsessed!
Dual timelines, fierce women, gritty NYC, and a whole lot of heart.
✨ Thoughtful, emotional, empowering — 4.5 stars from me!
💃📚 #HistoricalFiction #DualTimeline #BookLover #HighlyRecommend
When Margot, a Hollywood wife, discovers that her famous weasel of a husband has been sending inappropriate texts and explicit photos to young women, she packs up and flees to her childhood home in Philadelphia with her daughter. Her sister, Julia, still lives there — and while digging through the attic, the two stumble upon a stack of old newspaper clippings about “Lady X,” a mysterious vigilante who once exposed predatory men.
Woven seamlessly into their present-day story is a rich and compelling 1977 timeline, following their mother, Ginger and friends, as young women coming of age in gritty New York City — navigating independence, danger, and the fierce bonds of sisterhood.
This one and had such a fun time. I was completely swept away by this book. The characters are vivid, flawed, and deeply human — I haven’t felt this emotionally connected to a cast in ages. The dual timelines were masterfully executed, with each chapter drawing me in further. The writing was immersive and beautifully researched; I felt transported right back to the late ’70s, and it brought back so many fun memories. Thoughtful, emotional, and deeply empowering — this one’s a standout. Absolutely fantastic! A page-turner packed with grit, heart, and vintage flair — I didn’t want it to end!
🌟 Went in blind, came out obsessed!
Dual timelines, fierce women, gritty NYC, and a whole lot of heart.
✨ Thoughtful, emotional, empowering — 4.5 stars from me!
💃📚 #HistoricalFiction #DualTimeline #BookLover #HighlyRecommend
November 16, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book started off strong but began to drag within the first few chapters. I wanted to like the characters because they represented the feminine rage women endure each day, but the dual timeline just didn't work for me. The main character, Margot, was the definition of white privilege and extremely weathly, but still found ways to feel sorry for herself. While I understand the idea was for her to grow and figure out the power she carries as a woman, not only for herself but also for her children, I'm not sure she truly understood the oppressions her mother lived through, especially when she's able to purchase a "mansion" for herself and her children at the end. Maybe that's a wonderful happy ending for some, but I can't help but feel that the true injustices some women face in present day was a major oversight. Her struggles felt disconnected from the very real, visceral pain the book was trying to explore. Honestly, I almost DNF'd at 67% because Margot was so annoying. I pushed through, but it was a struggle. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had been set entirely in the '70s and focused solely on that timeline. The contrast between eras just highlighted how little Lady X's journey connected with Margot's present-day arc.
This book started off strong but began to drag within the first few chapters. I wanted to like the characters because they represented the feminine rage women endure each day, but the dual timeline just didn't work for me. The main character, Margot, was the definition of white privilege and extremely weathly, but still found ways to feel sorry for herself. While I understand the idea was for her to grow and figure out the power she carries as a woman, not only for herself but also for her children, I'm not sure she truly understood the oppressions her mother lived through, especially when she's able to purchase a "mansion" for herself and her children at the end. Maybe that's a wonderful happy ending for some, but I can't help but feel that the true injustices some women face in present day was a major oversight. Her struggles felt disconnected from the very real, visceral pain the book was trying to explore. Honestly, I almost DNF'd at 67% because Margot was so annoying. I pushed through, but it was a struggle. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had been set entirely in the '70s and focused solely on that timeline. The contrast between eras just highlighted how little Lady X's journey connected with Margot's present-day arc.
December 7, 2025
Lady X is a clever, compulsively readable braid of past and present, built on the tension between what women endure and what they refuse to tolerate. Fader moves cleanly between 1977 New York— grimy, disillusioned, and vibrating with barely contained fury— and 2024 Los Angeles, where the aftershocks of old resistance land squarely on a woman trying to rebuild her life after betrayal. The dual timelines feel symbiotic rather than gimmicky, each illuminating the other’s blind spots.
What Fader does especially well is render female anger with nuance. The book isn’t interested in easy catharsis. It’s about the emotional architecture of retaliation: the small humiliations that accumulate, the private justifications, the way ordinary women can be driven toward extraordinary action when institutions repeatedly fail them. And still, the story never tips into didacticism— there’s too much human ache, too much interpersonal complexity, to let the themes flatten.
If there’s a hitch, it’s that the novel occasionally leans on the momentum of its premise more than the intricacy of its characters. However, the emotional payoffs land, and the unraveling of the “Lady X” legacy is handled with a satisfying sense of revelation.
This novel is sharp, emotionally astute, and surprisingly tender beneath its grit. A commentary on inherited silence, the cost of speaking up, and the impossible question of how far you’d go to protect the women you love.
What Fader does especially well is render female anger with nuance. The book isn’t interested in easy catharsis. It’s about the emotional architecture of retaliation: the small humiliations that accumulate, the private justifications, the way ordinary women can be driven toward extraordinary action when institutions repeatedly fail them. And still, the story never tips into didacticism— there’s too much human ache, too much interpersonal complexity, to let the themes flatten.
If there’s a hitch, it’s that the novel occasionally leans on the momentum of its premise more than the intricacy of its characters. However, the emotional payoffs land, and the unraveling of the “Lady X” legacy is handled with a satisfying sense of revelation.
This novel is sharp, emotionally astute, and surprisingly tender beneath its grit. A commentary on inherited silence, the cost of speaking up, and the impossible question of how far you’d go to protect the women you love.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Margot Cooper wants nothing more than to go home and have her mother comfort her. Unfortunately, Margot's mother, Ginger, lives in a memory care facility. With her youngest daughter, Margot heads home anyway. To take their minds off of immediate problems, Margot, her sister, and her daughter clean the attic. Opening one box changes their view of Ginger forever and begins an investigation into the past.
Margot's happy life is shattered by her husband's actions. She needs time to process her emotions, but as a mother, she finds herself trying to soothe her children instead. Molly Fader ambitiously examines the family dynamics of betrayal, loss, and grief. It is deeply emotional to view the situation through the eyes of the betrayed. Margot's hurt and confusion are understandable. Focusing on the mystery of their mother's past provides the sisters with an opportunity to avoid obsession over Margot's life. Their bond is strengthened, and Margot finds the courage to take her life in a new direction.
Mystery and thriller fans will enjoy the quick pace of this story. As the story of Lady X unwinds, Molly Fader deftly manages past and present events, culminating in the reunion of old friends and forging of new bonds. I appreciate receiving the book from Ballantine Bantam Dell and NetGalley. I highly recommend this book.
Margot's happy life is shattered by her husband's actions. She needs time to process her emotions, but as a mother, she finds herself trying to soothe her children instead. Molly Fader ambitiously examines the family dynamics of betrayal, loss, and grief. It is deeply emotional to view the situation through the eyes of the betrayed. Margot's hurt and confusion are understandable. Focusing on the mystery of their mother's past provides the sisters with an opportunity to avoid obsession over Margot's life. Their bond is strengthened, and Margot finds the courage to take her life in a new direction.
Mystery and thriller fans will enjoy the quick pace of this story. As the story of Lady X unwinds, Molly Fader deftly manages past and present events, culminating in the reunion of old friends and forging of new bonds. I appreciate receiving the book from Ballantine Bantam Dell and NetGalley. I highly recommend this book.
October 18, 2025
I was given an ARC copy for a honest review
Where to start with this book..... The beginning is a little slow as all new books seem to be with the building of the characters. Once the story gets going and you get to know them it is so hard to put down.
We get to jump from modern day Hollywood to New York in the 70's. Margot has just learned that her beloved husband has been sending unsolicited pictures to women and not just women but some underaged ones as well. Her whole world explodes with this reality. After this Margot and her youngest daughter go to Pittsburgh to stay at her family home with her sister. Only to stumble on somethings.her mother has kept hidden.
This is where we meet lady X. Ginger (Margot and Julia's mom) lived in NYC and they never knew it. We get to meet ginger and her two roommates and the life they lead in NYC and the things they dealt with during this time. The three women become best friends and help each other thru things that no woman should have to deal with. They help to start a movement that sweeps thru New York with a fire! We eventually find out what pushed them to do the things that happened and we get to see how this bonded them together even closer. This is an amazing story and I can't wait to read more by this author.
Where to start with this book..... The beginning is a little slow as all new books seem to be with the building of the characters. Once the story gets going and you get to know them it is so hard to put down.
We get to jump from modern day Hollywood to New York in the 70's. Margot has just learned that her beloved husband has been sending unsolicited pictures to women and not just women but some underaged ones as well. Her whole world explodes with this reality. After this Margot and her youngest daughter go to Pittsburgh to stay at her family home with her sister. Only to stumble on somethings.her mother has kept hidden.
This is where we meet lady X. Ginger (Margot and Julia's mom) lived in NYC and they never knew it. We get to meet ginger and her two roommates and the life they lead in NYC and the things they dealt with during this time. The three women become best friends and help each other thru things that no woman should have to deal with. They help to start a movement that sweeps thru New York with a fire! We eventually find out what pushed them to do the things that happened and we get to see how this bonded them together even closer. This is an amazing story and I can't wait to read more by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lady X is a dual timeline story about strong women that refuse to be beaten down, literally or figuratively, by men. It starts in current-day Hollywood. Margot Cooper is the wife of Academy Award-winning actor Jack Cooper and has built her brand by being a loving wife and mother. In 1977, Ginger is an aspiring dancer who works the coat check at Orbit, THE club for the rich, famous and infamous. Their stories are linked, but it takes quite some time to figure out how.
I was equally captivated by each narrative. Margot: a crumbling marriage after her husband is caught sending nude photos to a variety of women. Ginger: bonding with roommates over how men have harmed them, and their desire to fight back.
It feels hard to say much without spoiling things, but suffice to say, I loved it. This book was hard to put down, fun (even though it also can make you sad and angry), and hope-invoking. I don't think the cover does it justice, even though I understand its imagery. This book reads more like a historical suspense novel than a trashy thriller (and for me, the cover looks more the latter).
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was equally captivated by each narrative. Margot: a crumbling marriage after her husband is caught sending nude photos to a variety of women. Ginger: bonding with roommates over how men have harmed them, and their desire to fight back.
It feels hard to say much without spoiling things, but suffice to say, I loved it. This book was hard to put down, fun (even though it also can make you sad and angry), and hope-invoking. I don't think the cover does it justice, even though I understand its imagery. This book reads more like a historical suspense novel than a trashy thriller (and for me, the cover looks more the latter).
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A horrific thing happens to Margo and her kids when every device is tuned into her movie star husband's bad behavior and public shaming. Overnight Margo goes from the perfect wife in a perfect marriage to the wronged wife on the front page of the tabloids. She does the only thing she can do - she grabs their youngest daughter and runs to her childhood home. When Margo, her daughter Skye and sister Julia discover a secret past that their cheerleader/cookie baker mom has kept hidden in the attic it takes their mind off the present and focuses it on their mom's involvement with a female vigilante who terrorized bad boy behavior in New York City in the late 70's. The three investigate to unravel their mom's past and the story behind the notorious Lady X and in doing so develop a sense of pride in their mom as well as giving Margo the strength she needs to deal with her current situation. Historical fiction with a healthy dose of women helping women and vigilante justice. I bet more than one female reader will wish their mom has a secret box in the attic. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fascinating intergenerational story, in which a woman in modern times (dealing with the fallout of her celebrity husband's infidelity) partners wither her sister and daughter to learn about her mother's similar encounters with misbehaving men in the 1970s.
The story is told in alternating chapters (the daughter's story in the present and the mother's story in the past). Both are compelling, but the mother's is more action packed as she meets two roommates, bonds with them, and (due to awful encounters they collectively experience) works with them to reign vengeance upon men who raped or abused women.
The story in the past keeps you guessing as to the exact identity of Lady X (and reinforces just how much bad behavior was permissible back in the 70s...indeed, we have made progress!) But the daughter's horrible situation in the present doesn't have much to do with the Lady X story and her scenes most consist of interviewing people, which created some pacing problems.
So, while not a bad book by any means, this was a bit hit or miss with me personally. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told in alternating chapters (the daughter's story in the present and the mother's story in the past). Both are compelling, but the mother's is more action packed as she meets two roommates, bonds with them, and (due to awful encounters they collectively experience) works with them to reign vengeance upon men who raped or abused women.
The story in the past keeps you guessing as to the exact identity of Lady X (and reinforces just how much bad behavior was permissible back in the 70s...indeed, we have made progress!) But the daughter's horrible situation in the present doesn't have much to do with the Lady X story and her scenes most consist of interviewing people, which created some pacing problems.
So, while not a bad book by any means, this was a bit hit or miss with me personally. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lady X was an entertaining and engaging read that blended mystery, intrigue, and character drama in a way that kept me turning the pages. I went in not quite sure what to expect, but I was quickly pulled into the story and invested in how everything would unfold. The atmosphere was well done, with a sense of secrets simmering just beneath the surface.
The plot had enough twists to stay interesting without feeling overly confusing, and the pacing generally worked well, even if a few sections felt slightly slower than others.
While it didn’t completely blow me away or surprise me at every turn, it was still a very satisfying read overall. The writing was solid, the characters were engaging, and the story held my attention from start to finish.
A strong four-star read and a good choice if you enjoy character-driven stories with mystery, secrets, and a touch of drama.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy. This is set to publish in Aug 2026!
The plot had enough twists to stay interesting without feeling overly confusing, and the pacing generally worked well, even if a few sections felt slightly slower than others.
While it didn’t completely blow me away or surprise me at every turn, it was still a very satisfying read overall. The writing was solid, the characters were engaging, and the story held my attention from start to finish.
A strong four-star read and a good choice if you enjoy character-driven stories with mystery, secrets, and a touch of drama.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy. This is set to publish in Aug 2026!
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