Liberty Island

by Virginia Hume

From the bestselling author of Haven Point comes a sweeping historical novel about the generations of a family that spends summers in a seaside enclave on the rocky Maine coastline, for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Beatriz Williams, and Sarah Blake.

1900: 28-year-old Anna Bradley spends summer days supervising three little girls, including her niece, Julia Demarest, on an island off the coast of Haven Point, Maine. There, the girls run free, pretending to be all the things society says they cannot: pirates and rum runners, treasure hunters and Roughriders.

A college graduate determined to remain unmarried, Anna is eager to establish herself independently. Inspired by the summer antics of Julia and her friends, Anna writes "Liberty Island"—a depiction of girls unshackled from the domestic sphere—under a pen name. Young readers are rhapsodic, and it is a runaway bestseller, but it’s not well received by the society matrons in her sister’s circle, who believe that books for girls should prepare them for their future as wives and mothers.

With "Liberty Island" growing in popularity, Anna’s secret is in peril, and when she’s suddenly thrown together with the former object of her affections, she must rethink everything she thought she knew about independence, marriage, and her dreams for her future.

1922: 29-year-old Julia Demarest was once proud of her aunt’s "Liberty Island" books. But as new, bohemian ideas take hold amongst her peers, she has come to see them as quaint, at best. In hindsight, her childhood summers on the island seem like more of an exile than a liberation, and her Boston Brahmin family—particularly her mother, Elizabeth Demarest—like relics of an unlamented past.

But in an effort to break free of expectations, she has ended up alienated from her family and heartbroken when a romantic entanglement with a free-spirited intellectual ends badly. When Elizabeth urgently calls her back to Haven Point, Julia is confronted by all the things she's been trying to escape, and forced to reconsider what truly brings her happiness.

A sweeping saga set in the first tumultuous decades of the twentieth century, Liberty Island is an ode to mothers and daughters, love, friendship, and the ways in which women define freedom on their own terms.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Summer

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Virginia Hume is a freelance writer and editor. Her early career was spent in politics and public affairs. She lives outside Washington, D.C. with her husband, their daughters, and one under-groomed dog.

Reviews

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time period for this book is the early 1900's & the setting is in affluent Boston & Maine. The story goes back and forth between the lives of Anna & Julia. Unmarried Anna lives with her sister's family and is trying to make a name for herself as a writer. One summer she is tasked with watching over her firecracker of a niece, Julia & three of her friends. Julia is a very high-spirited child who absolutely does not want to follow the norms for how a young girl should behave. I absolutely adored this little girl's spunk. She lead her friends on many adventures that were only allowed for boys to do. As a result of numerous arguments between Julia & her brother, their mother decides to have Anna take Julia & her friends to the other side of the island to carry on with their adventures separate from the boys. It is here that Anna comes up with the ideas for "Liberty Island," a book telling of the adventures carried out by 4 young girls. The book is adored by many but is criticized by the "old-fashioned" women of the times, who are appalled that any young girl should be acting like young boys. As Julia reaches her college years, she becomes enthralled with the Suffragette Movement, as well as other liberal social idylls of that time period. She becomes caught in the middle of the lifestyle she was born into and that of those who rebel against that very lifestyle. It takes a few unexpected life-altering situations to occur for Julia to find her footing & realize what is truly important to her. I am always enamored with coming of age stories and stories depicting women with ideas of equality that were ahead of their times. This was a very worthwhile read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Dkbbookgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely return to Haven Point

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liberty Island
By: Virginia Hume
Pub date: May 5, 2026
Publisher: St. Martins Press

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the 1900’s Anna is on an island off the coast of Haven Point, Maine. Her focus as watching over three little girls will they enjoy their summer.

She is college educated and decides to write a novel under her pen name. Her book “Liberty Island” has become a bestseller, but high society does not feel the book represents women who should be ready to marry and become mothers.

Things a dual time line forwarding to her nieces story.

I enjoyed that this books is located in Maine, the time period mentioning suffragettes, mother/daughter relationships and beautiful writing.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely lovely summer read. I adored this cast of women.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advance copy for review thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

What a lovely book. Warm and satisfying, with threads that follow through the story. I really enjoyed this book.

The only challenge that I had, and it's important to know before you start, is the beginning. For about the first third, I did like the characters but I had trouble keeping everything straight. I don't at all mind (and in fact prefer) timeline jumping, so it wasn't that, it was more that many characters were referenced and looking back I realize that some I wasn't meant to totally know yet and some I had forgotten so I spent the first third a little lost.

But then...either the introductions died down or I finally got it figured out but whatever happened, it was wonderful after that. I loved the characters. I appreciated reading about a time period that I haven't read a lot of fiction in before. Despite the absolute mountain of historical fiction around the world wars especially WWII, I've not come across a lot from the late 1800s / early 1900s, and particularly about the experience of women's suffrage slowly moving through the nation. Of course, we look back now and it's hard to believe that anyone would have been against it, but a lot of people were. Different people, within families, people you wouldn't expect. It was fascinating.

The book is about a family (and the surrounding characters) that summers in Maine. Growing up, the girls in the family went to a place dubbed Liberty Island to have adventures, and the aunt of these girls wrote a fictionalized book about them that, at the time, was quite scandalous. Girls, having adventures? Being involved with anything so immoral as playing imaginary pirates and treasure hunters? [Clutches pearls.] The timeline switch is between these girls as children and them as early 20s adults, plus all the relevant family / friends / lovers surrounding them. The author does a masterful job (though confusing, a little, at first, see above) of slowly revealing the relationships at play, how things would play out for the adults, and the true motives behind actions.

Despite it not being an epic family saga in length, it felt a bit like one in reading, in the best possible way. We see such character development, and so many changes over the years thanks to the timelines. I finished the book enthralled with the family, and also wishing to visit Maine in the summer.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction set in two timelines, the years immediately before and after the turn of the twentieth century and the WWI years and its aftermath, in Boston, Casco Bay (Maine), and Washington, DC.

The main storyline is about a family, the Demarests—and friends of that family—who summer on an island in Casco Bay, Maine, breaking with the tradition of Boston Brahmins, who usually summered in Newport, Rhode Island. I will say at the outset that I found the rapid introduction of so many characters quite confusing and it took me a long time in the book to keep the characters straight. I also found the characters rather two-dimensional, but the story was compelling.

This multigenerational story is a tale about the women’s suffrage movement and women’s desire for self-determination, and it traces the development of thinking women’s roles in society. That development is traced through grandmother Lillian’s beliefs that women have only a proscribed place in the home, to her daughters Anna and Elizabeth, who are navigating changes in society while being under the influence of their mother, and finally to Elizabeth’s daughter Julia, who is a rebel and refuses to accept the old way of thinking about a woman’s place in the world.

Elizabeth, trying to give her daughter more choices than she had, allows Julia and her friends to row to a small nearby island they dub Liberty, where they frequently camp out and have imaginative adventures. Her sister Anna, who at first glance is the more progressive, shunning marriage until later in life, misreads her sister’s intentions, thinking she is just trying to keep the spirited Julia, with whom Anna has a close relationship, out of her hair.

As I alluded to before, while I did think the story was good and I never found my interest flagging, the confusion with the characters at the beginning was somewhat off-putting, and I never really felt the characters were as fully developed as they could have been. A solid, engaging read, if somewhat flawed. Three-and-a-half stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Ms. Hume for providing me with an ARC of this lovely novel, with an expected release date of May 5, 2026.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I chose to request an advanced reader copy of this book mostly because I love any book set in Maine and I love an intergenerational family saga centered around women's relationships. This book was a slow start for me (WAY too many characters introduced in the first two chapters alone) but did start to pick up and ultimately I found a lot I enjoyed in it.

I really liked both of our main characters Anna and Julia, and the different ways they both were finding their place in the world, advocating for themselves and women's voices and freedoms, and also figuring out various relationships - friends, family and romance. I don't typically read about either of the time periods this book was set - late 1800s Boston/Maine society and late 1910s/early 1920s literary/young set figuring out their beliefs in the US around various movements including Socialism, Freudianism and other ways of pushing back on generations before them. The author clearly did SO much research, reading her author's note at the end I had such appreciation for how seriously she took her work. I love learning about the ways women have fought for freedom in any era, and thought the author did a good job of depicting how different women used their unique personalities to advocate in different ways (some more overly than others).

I do think perhaps there were just too many characters in this book, and I never felt the author really captured the setting in Maine like I was hoping for. I liked that there was some romance and wished there had been a bit more depth/lead up especially in one storyline but it was still rewarding. I think readers who enjoy Beatriz Williams may be drawn to this story, or anyone looking to learn more about this time period and loves generational stories that focus on mother/daughter and sister relationships.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What good would that do? becomes the quiet reflection of Liberty Island, a story of women’s roles and resistance across a multigenerational family spanning the late 1800s and early 1900s. With strong female characters, the story traces a powerful evolution in thinking: from Lillian, the grandmother’s rigid belief in a woman’s prescribed place, to sisters Anna and Elizabeth, who carefully navigate the changing environment with inner resolve, and finally to the youngest, Julia, openly rebellious and unwilling to accept the limits imposed on her.

The novel introduces a wide cast of characters that is confusing at times, though Anna and Julia emerge as its emotional anchors. Alternating as narrators of their personal struggles, aha moments, and growth, the story was much clearer and engaging.

At its core, Liberty Island is a story of women’s suffrage and self-determination. It delves into relationships: between men and women, mothers and daughters, sisters, and friends bound together by shared constraints and divergent dreams.

Hume’s writing is often strikingly beautiful, filled with thoughtfully crafted analogies on the progress of women and personal growth. I found this novel prompted my own reflections alongside the characters while cheering for the subtle yet defiant tone. It captures the complexity of a time when women’s expectations rarely extended beyond home and family and embraces the courage to imagine something more.

Thanks to the author Virgina Hume, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Goodreads giveaways for an advanced reader copy. I look forward to more of Hume’s work.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book four stars, but it’s really more 3.5 stars. I found the amount of different female characters to be overwhelming, so much so that I kept losing track of who they were. To be honest, I found myself asking which character is Judith, Pauline, Louisa, Elizabeth, Emmaline,…right through to the end. It kept me from thoroughly enjoying what ended up being a really good book.

The story is about a Boston Brahmin family that summers at Haven Point in Maine. It is told through two basic characters, Anna in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, and her young niece, Julia in that same time period and then again in pre- and post-WWI. These were times in which women were meant to be demure and well-mannered (in other words, docile and knowing their place). During the span of the story women started to rebel against those social restrictions and campaigned for the right to vote.

I can’t do justice to writing a better summary of the story than what is provided by Goodreads and Amazon so look there for a better idea about the story. I will say that, once I got further along in the story I thoroughly enjoyed this story of friendship, childhood adventures, mothers and daughters, and the important societal changes and opportunities for women. Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and the author, Virginia Hume, for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of historical books over the years, but this one felt different from most. The story was heavily shaped by the idea of “society”—a kind of unspoken code that seemed to govern everyone’s behavior and choices. What struck me most was how deeply these rules were ingrained, to the point that nearly every character, regardless of their personal desires or struggles, felt compelled to conform.

Even the children weren’t spared from society’s expectations. Their lack of freedom to imagine or express themselves gave the story a rigid, almost suffocating tone at times. It reminded me of that old saying about children being “seen and not heard.” The atmosphere made me reflect on how powerful social pressure can be, especially in certain historical settings.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about the book overall. On one hand, it was fascinating and thought-provoking; on the other, I found the constant emphasis on societal rules a bit unsettling. What I can say with certainty is that it was beautifully written—the author’s attention to detail and grasp of the period were impressive, making the story feel authentic and immersive, even when it was uncomfortable.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes think that I have a little adhd. I have trouble settling into a book if there are too many characters introduced in the beginning. And sometimes the attention deficit is more pronounced than the hyperactivity. I had trouble being inattentive in the beginning of this book for sure. I kept having to go back and see which timeline the characters belonged in. But about halfway through the book became very interesting and I didn’t want to put it down. It is about a family- mostly the women in the family- but a few of the men and how the three generations are different but the same. The grandmother was very stern, mean and almost unlovable. The mother and the aunt of the next generation were meek, mild and almost mousy to being lovable, and protective. The niece, in the youngest generation was daring, adventurous and loved by all- except the grandmother. This is a very disdainful opinion of a book that is actually pretty good. I would read another from this author and I will recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book within a book about adventurous girls who spend their summers having adventures on turn of the 20th century despite disapproval from some of the elders who summer with them. Julia is a highly spirited girl who reminds me a little of what Jo March in Little Women could have been. She is rebellious, strong willed as a child and later as a young woman. It's wonderful to see her from her earliest years grow up and become who she is meant to be. As some reviewers have said, there is a rather large array of characters described in varying degrees of depth. I would have loved a cast of characters at either the beginning or end of the book since I was sometimes flipping back and forth to get them straight. The book is largely establishing itself for the first third of the book before it picks up steam and was worth pushing past it for me because I found it very interesting after sticking it out. Historical events peek out here and there but do not overwhelm the reader. I received an advance copy as part of the Goodreads Giveaway. #Goodreadsgiveaway

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liberty Island has a lot going for it: an intriguing premise, a vivid sense of place, and an undercurrent of tension that kept me turning pages. Virginia Hume creates a story that feels atmospheric and thoughtful, with characters who are complicated in a way that feels true to life, especially when it comes to the choices they make under pressure.

For me, it landed at 3.5 stars because the pacing was a little uneven. Some sections felt slow or repetitive, while a few key developments moved quickly enough that I wanted more buildup (or a bit more payoff) before the story shifted gears. I also found myself wanting a deeper emotional connection to a couple of the characters. The bones are strong, but a few moments didn’t hit as hard as they could have.

Still, this is a solid, engaging read, especially if you like character-driven stories with a moody setting and a steady thread of suspense. I’m glad I read it, and I’d absolutely pick up more from Hume.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great romp of a book. Full of amazing women and how they lived their lives at the beginning of the 20th century. This book cleverly interweaves the tales of two women (aunt and niece) and a large, interesting, supporting cast. The island in the name was a refuge for four lucky girls where they could run and roam and let their imaginations run wild in a time when children's behavior was severely constricted by social mores. We see this girls grow up and make their way into society, with some taking the more traditional role of motherhood and others getting jobs. While in the background there is a whole other story line of what is expected of women and girls and the lovely tension that creates. My review is not doing this book justice as I don't want to give away too much but you should read this book, you won't be disappointed.

[Karen McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Liberty Island. Virginia Hume does a great job bringing coastal Maine to life — the setting feels vivid and immersive without slowing the story down. The island atmosphere adds so much to the mood and makes the whole novel feel grounded and real.

What stood out most to me were the themes of female empowerment and friendship. The women in this story are layered and believable, each trying to figure out who they are and what they want. Their relationships feel authentic, with all the complications and loyalty that long histories tend to bring.

The blend of past and present works well, and the historical elements add depth without overwhelming the narrative. Overall, this was an engaging, thoughtful read with strong characters and a setting that lingers after you finish the last page.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

was sent an early release of Liberty Island, and it honestly surprised me in the best way. The story feels grounded and emotional without being heavy, and Virginia’s writing flows so easily. I loved how she builds tension quietly -you’re drawn in before you even realize it. The characters feel real, the setting is vivid, and there’s this steady, thoughtful pacing that keeps you hooked without rushing anything. If you’re into character-driven stories with a strong sense of place and a little bit of mystery layered in, this one is definitely worth reading.

[Bobbie]

I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review an ARC of Liberty Island by Virginia Hume.
The main theme of the novel is women getting the vote and more freedom to choose their own lifestyle.
There are many distinctive characters we follow alternately between the 1800’s and the 1900’s.
Many of the characters are based on real people.
This is a enjoyable book but I sometimes find the constant change of dates and people confusing.
Liberty Island is scheduled to be published 05/05/2026.
This bood should appeal to women.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was one that I was reading had to keep connecting characters and the storyline together. I enjoyed the location of the story and once I settled in with everyone in the story I was taken into the how the women evolved and were able to tell the of their lives and connection of women. The timeline was one that made me think about how many choices were made during the era they lived in.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Virginia Hume for the Arc of Liberty Island. This is my persoanl review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this ARC on Goodreads Giveaway from St. Martin's Press.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction from the early 1900's. There are two timelines. The books two main characters are interesting women living in changing times. The island in Maine sounds like a great place. Washington DC, and New York City are also great settings as well.
I really liked this book and will be buying her other book to read as well.

[Melissa W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding why your parents do things they way they do really does transcend time. This look into the early 1900s shows that even when women were not necessarily the ones thought to lead their family, they did a lot more guiding behind the scenes. They didn't have to be loud, pushy and in the face of everyone to get things done the way they thought they should. This was also a good look into the history of our country, an early look into Fried and socialistic ideas.

[Frannie Burd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a suburb of Boston and spent my childhood summers on a lake in Maine, so I was excited for this novel. The story has dual timelines that centers on Anna, Julia and their lives in the early 1900s. I loved the addition of the early feminism of that time and what women were willing to endure to ensure that we have the freedoms we now take for granted. This is a good one, especially if you're a fan of historical fiction.

[Lauryn]

I gave Liberty Island a try, and while it wasn’t a bad book by any means, it just wasn’t the right fit for me. I ended up deciding to DNF it. The writing and story may very well resonate with readers who enjoy the genre, but I tend to struggle with period pieces, and this one didn’t quite hold my interest. I’m sure many readers will appreciate it more than I did—it simply came down to personal preference.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised! I received this ARC from Goodreads. It started out really slow and I was so bored by the pompous, wealthy people. But about halfway in, it became quite engaging. The historical plot lines emphasized the struggles women faced before they won the right to vote, and how little aspiration most women were allowed within the constraints of Victorian society and into the early 20th century. Recommended for those who love historical fiction.

[Hannah Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This surprised me by how good it was! It was not a super summer-y read (which I was glad for), but it was filled with very clever life observations and witty lessons. The characters seemed to either be good or bad, but became more nuanced as the story progressed. It ended up being a very cozy, nostalgic read about early 20th century New England. I’d recommend!

Thank you, Net Galley.

[Cindy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

This one started out rough. So many characters introduced, I found it difficult to keep everyone straight. In fact, I restarted the book after about 50 pages to re-review the cast of characters.

It's unfortunate the beginning is so clunky. This ended up being a lovely book with a great dual storyline. Would recommend this book!

[Stephanie Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. I expected to slide right into this one like I did with Haven Point, but alas that was not the case. It was a long slow intro - lots of characters up front and that felt chaotic. After it settled in, it was a reliable multi generational family saga with a Maine backdrop and an examination of how women and girls define freedom and carve out places and scenarios for themselves in times when freedom is not meant for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/5

[Tam📖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Finished this one as I have been in bed all day. And I really enjoyed my time at Liberty Island. Would be a great beach read for next summer! I had a hard time at first remembering who is who but at the end, I was able to appreciate and love all the different characters. Definitely read this one to keep them all straight though!

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

lyrical and impressive historical fiction work with fantastic characters and a story of freedom and being yourself. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau]

This book wasn't holding my attention. DNF.