Book Club Confidential: A Novel

by Julie Hatcher

Once upon a time, friends Tessa, Kate, and Hallie dreamed big. Now they’re all that’s left of a once-thriving book club, meeting weekly to drink wine, talk novels, and quietly wonder how their lives got so small.

Tessa, a lifelong people pleaser, excels at a corporate job she hates, while influencer Kate grows weary of chasing false perfection and true love. Meanwhile, independent Hallie drifts toward a wedding she never really wanted—nursing feelings she’s too afraid to name.

But out of their growing regret comes a decisive For one month, they’ll make every choice boldly, like they’re the protagonists of their own stories. The results are immediate, transformative…and chaotic. Careers stumble. Relationships fumble. Carefully crafted images start to crack.

It turns out, having agency is easier said than done. But with their friendship intact, they each come to grips with their new character arc—and discover what they’ll risk to find their happy ending.

Genres: Books About Books, Contemporary

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 1, 2026

About the author

Julie Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She has published more than fifty novels under multiple pen names since her debut in 2013.

Writing as Julie Anne Lindsey, Hatcher has earned many accolades for her work, including the 2020 National Readers’ Choice Award for Romance Adventure and the 2019 Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery/Suspense, among others.

When she’s not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, Julie can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life—and probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. But one day she plans to change the world.

Reviews

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Club Confidential by Julie Hatcher (Oct. 2026) [reading in June]
328-page Kindle Ebook
295-page ADC courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley

Genre: Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Rating as a movie: PG-15/R

Featuring: Bibliography for Julie Hatcher, Fictional Coastal Small-Town Virginia; University of Virginia Alumni, Tricenarians, Book Club, Corporate Administrator - VP at Marketing Firm, Social Media Influencer, Chef, Friendships, Divorcée, Unhappy Matron, Fiancée, Wedding Planning, Main Character Energy, Pact Trope, Self-Actualization, Raised by Single Father and Single Mother, Parental Expectations, Family Dynamics, Romantic Storylines, Toxic Workplaces

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½📚👭👩‍🍳👰🏼‍♀️

My thoughts: Page 206 of 295 Chapter Twenty-Three - I was wondering how this was women's fiction. It full sure is, but add in a drama disaster plot. These ladies will blow up their lives, then make them better. I would finish, but I'm just too tired to continue.

​I typically go into novels blindly. In my youth, I learned that reading blurbs often gives away 25% to 50% of the story, and I’d spend the entire first act waiting for those moments to happen instead of actually enjoying the narrative. So, I usually choose books based solely on the covers and titles.
​The cover of Book Club Confidential led me to suspect it would be a romantic suspense or a cozy mystery hybrid, but it was neither. It turned out to be women's fiction—a genre I didn't identify until I started drafting my review (which I always do before I actually begin reading).
​To be honest, I was disappointed. I love stories about deep friendships and the self-actualization journeys that define good women's fiction, but this story featured three women I just couldn’t get behind. There was something "off" about each of them, mostly their overwhelming passivity. They were all semi-bosses who somehow were also underachievers, and their problems felt so minute. It took them forever to resolve anything, and I don't think we ever really watched them go on a genuine journey of discovery and empowerment. Instead, we watched them twiddle their thumbs, make their situations worse, and bite their tongues—only for someone else to swoop in and reluctantly solve their problems for them. We didn't even get to see the growth; it all happened off-camera, and overnight they were magically better.
​It just didn’t feel realistic to me. For me to love a story, I have to feel it. Even if a premise is ridiculous, I need to feel like I’m on the journey with the characters, and I just didn't feel it here. Plus, Hallie absolutely irritated my soul.
​Ultimately, this was a three-star read for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. I liked the message it was trying to portray more than the actual story itself. Also, there really weren't enough books in it to justify having "Book Club" in the title!

​Recommend to others: I don't know. This book wasn't for me, but I can name about seven book friends who would probably rate it five stars if they had the opportunity.


Songs for the soundtrack: "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé, "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

Books and Authors mentioned: Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (aka Alice in Wonderland) by Lewis Carroll, Bridgerton by Chris Van Dusen [based on] Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Hatcher is back with another stellar women's fiction novel. Tessa is the protagonist, a marketing genius who has worked for a somewhat tyrannical boss for many years. Tessa and her friends, Kate and Hallie, go to a bar every month for their book club. They don't read the same book, but they all talk about the titles they're reading. With all three of them struggling in their daily lives, Tessa suggests a challenge: live as if they're the protagonists of their own books. After being snubbed for a promotion, Tessa prioritizes work-life balance. She also meets a handsome client, who becomes a tantalizing love interest. But it's not all sunshine and roses. Kate is losing followers from her influencer account, and Hallie is starting to realize she might need to leave her suffocating engagement. And when Tessa puts herself first, there are consequences at work.

Much like in NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Hatcher's characters get to live alternative lives, and their transformations result from those experiences. I wished Kate and Hallie could have had more page time, but Tessa was the main focus, so it was important that she shined. Tessa's confidence and determination are admirable, and her motivation propels the book into the page-turner it is. The title felt a bit off to me - "confidential" made it seem like they were sharing secrets or that there was something mysterious going on. The name of their book club, Main Character Energy, would have been a better title. This is a really fun and inspiring book, perfect for those moments when the patriarchy is exhausting.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for an Advance Reader Copy of this book! All opinions are my own.**

Tessa, Hallie, and Kate have been friends since college. The rest of their book club has moved on and moved away. They are still meeting to talk about books, life, and everything. They are stuck in the lives they’ve chosen for themselves, feeling like they don’t have a way out. Until Tessa comes up with a plan to act like the main character in her own story and challenges Kate and Hallie to do the same.

Hijinks ensue, and an authentic life is much harder than any of them anticipated. Tessa quits her job (that she’s REALLY good at) because of a toxic environment, Kate loses social media followers by the thousands, and Hallie questions her feelings — for her fiancé and her coworker.

There were some tense points in the story that brought growth in the characters and showed the authenticity of their friendship over the years. The struggles each had were met with humor and grace as they went through things that would fell lesser people. I loved the connection between (among) the 3 MCs and the lives they lived — connected while giving one another space to be themselves.

[Jacqueline Firkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt and emboldening story about three friends who make a pact to embrace the lives they want to live—or that the heroines of their stories would live—even if it means making big, scary changes and finding new ways of making a living. One is in an abusive and exploitive workplace but in a career she loves and excels at. One is an influencer peddling a lifestyle she no longer believes in but depends on for sponsorships. One is marrying a man she doesn’t love for the security his generational wealth provides. None of them know what comes next if they make big changes, but together, they support each other through the scary parts and find the bravery and persistence to become the women they most want to be. I loved that everything didn’t fall easily into place as the trio made changes. The challenges they faced felt realistic and relatable, while Big Exciting Dreams stayed just out of reach. There’s also a hint of romance as all three find new love, and Hatcher weaves in a delightful celebration of the small Virginia town they live in with its picturesque riverside parks, cute independent businesses, and strong sense of community. A great fit for readers who enjoy warm-hearted stories about female friendship, facing one’s fears, and reaching for the life you want.

[Janet Fiorentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always drawn to novels centered on friendship, and “Book Club Confidential” delivered exactly that kind of heartfelt connection. Tessa, Hallie, and Kate have been inseparable since college, bonded not only by their long-running book club, but by years of shared disappointments, insecurities, and hard-won wisdom. Now firmly in adulthood, each woman is forced to confront the unsettling realization that her life looks nothing like the one she once imagined.

Feeling stuck, Tessa proposes an unusual solution: what if they started behaving like the protagonists of their own stories instead of passive characters waiting for life to happen to them? That premise gives the novel its charm and emotional depth, turning it into a thoughtful exploration of friendship, reinvention, and the question of how much control we truly have over our own destinies.

While some plot points felt predictable, the emotional core of the novel kept me invested. The three women are relatable, flawed, and easy to root for, and I especially appreciated that the story places female friendship—not romance—at its center. For readers who enjoy character-driven fiction about self-discovery and the bonds that sustain us, “Book Club Confidential” is a satisfying read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 4 and 5 stars!

I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end! It pulled me in so quickly, and I became invested in both the characters and everything happening in their lives. The cast felt incredibly well-developed, especially Tessa, whose personal growth and journey felt authentic and meaningful as she started making major changes in her life.

One thing I especially appreciated was how realistic the story felt. The characters didn’t suddenly have everything fall perfectly into place just because they decided to make changes, and that added so much depth and honesty to the book. Their struggles, setbacks, and growth made it easy to root for them the entire time.

The pacing was also done really well. There was always something happening, but it never felt overwhelming or unnecessary because every moment added something important to the story or the characters’ development.

Overall, this was such a heartfelt and satisfying read. I genuinely enjoyed following these characters and found myself deeply invested in seeing them find happiness and figure out where life would take them next!

** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

**rounding up from 3.5**

This book felt like a refreshing take on a coming-of-age story, except instead of teenagers or twenty-somethings, it centers on three women in their thirties navigating the realities of adulthood. Each woman is dealing with her own set of challenges, from career struggles to complicated personal relationships.

As someone in a similar stage of life, I found a lot to connect with here. There’s something validating about seeing characters of this age who don’t have everything figured out, who are still growing, changing, and sometimes falling apart a little as they try to build lives that actually make them happy.

The premise, three friends who have been in a book club together since college deciding to start living their lives like book heroines, was both fun and meaningful to me. That said, the pacing didn’t always work for me. There were moments where the story felt a bit uneven or slow, which made it harder to stay fully engaged at times.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, relatable read about reinvention, friendship, and figuring things out later than you expected, but right when you need to.

[Beth Gerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

After enjoying Julie Hatcher’s Not Quite By the Book, I was glad to pick up Book Club Confidential as an ARC from NetGalley, and this ended up being a light, quick read that worked as a palate cleanser.

The concept of three friends embracing their “Main Character Energy” and trying to take control of their lives was fun, and I liked the friendship dynamics throughout the story. Hatcher’s writing style is very readable and easy to settle into, which kept me turning the pages.

That said, I did find myself wanting the characters to push harder for the lives they said they wanted. Some of the conflicts felt too passive for too long, especially when it came to standing up for themselves or voicing important feelings. By the time those moments finally happened, everything wrapped up pretty quickly, and the ending felt more expected than satisfying.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, easy read even if it probably won’t stick with me long term. Perfect for a light, book club-friendly vibe.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from Netgalley

Tessa, Hallie and Kate are in a rut. On paper they've built strong relationships, businesses, careers, but during their book club they realise they're background characters in their own stories. And that's about to change...

I've read quite a few similar novels where our main characters realise something has to give, and they make huge life changes. The difference with Book Club Confidential is that not everything that our heroines spin is gold; they show how difficult and scary it is to change your life and how it's still going to have downsides, even if it's better overall. The characters are nuanced, flawed and very relatable.

My only real comment on the novel is that the book club aspect feels like a conceit, occasionally mentioned but could definitely have more of a role in structuring the story. However this doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book.

Thank you again to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ninety percent of what she did every day was for someone else. Was she even a whole person if her whole life wasn't lived, at least half the time, for herself?"

Book Club Confidential by Julie Hatchet is about three-women-book club composed of Tessa, Kate and Hallie. After Tessa has familial issues and loses her promotion to Peyton (who was un-deserving the promotion) at her company gala, Kate no longer seeming to enjoy her job and Hallie marrying a man that she is unsure about, the trio decide to make bold decisions for a month like film characters do. This book is centered around their lovely friendship and the "main character energy" that they are having over the 30-day-period.

This book was a decent read and very easy to read. Would recommend for anyone who is looking for any easy read. It wasn't anything special and it did have it's flaws, yes. However, if you want something easy to read, this may just be for you!

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tessa, Kate and Hallie have been friends for a long time. Long enough to be well aware that they are each disappointed with how life has turned out so far. And to know that there is more to life than wine and musings at their regular book club meetings.

But how will they ever really know what that might be until they challenge themselves to step out of their comfort zones - which have become more like cages - and explore what is out there?

To that end, they decide to try something different for a month: to make brave choices instead of safe ones. The results are unexpected, unpredictable, and immensely entertaining for the reader. With relatable protagonists facing familiar challenges, this one earns 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Natasha Kirmse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting, warm-hearted, and a joyful reminder to live life the way you want to.

When three best friends who frequently meet to chat books decide life isn't quite as expected, they decide it's time to channel the energy of the characters they love. With a thirty day quest of Main Character Energy, each seeks to start living life as their heroines would. Of course, that challenge gets harder as they realize real life doesn't always equal immediate happily-ever-after.

You can truly feel the love and friendship between these characters, and their support for one another at all times endeared me right away. This book really speaks to found family, feminism, and eternal friendship - just what we ordered!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Jenny’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club Confidential by Julie Hatcher

A reverent story of three best friends Tessa, Kate, and Hallie dreaming big.We get an inside scoop on their backstories, the stress of projection by excluding your true self and people please doesn’t mean promotion with a book in hand despite the obstacles each character’s development has been authentically written to today’s world. Giving us cozy and joyful moments Julie Hatcher knows empowerment of woman’s struggles.

Quote 📚

“What are you doing today to become the heroine of your story?”

This kept me up at night and yes definitely I know my heroine is capable for more the empowerment, building strong relationships, businesses & careers. Books find us we don’t find them.

Thank you NetGalley & Julie Hatcher for this advance reading 📖

[Robin’s Nest of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for this arc. I really enjoyed this story. I was easily pulled into the story and really liked all of the characters. The story revolves around three friends who all feel like they need to start putting themselves first. They want to give more Main Character energy in their lives. They start making decisions and things aren't going as well as they would hope. Do they stay the course or do they revert back to their old ways? Overall I fully enjoyed this book. There were times that I wanted to shake and scream at them, well, mainly Tessa but they were so endearing and I found myself wanting to cheer them on.

I will definitely recommend this one to my followers and to my readers!

[Elaine Collingwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The story is about 3 best friends that realize through their bookclub that their lives are not what they dreamed of. Tessa works 80 hour work weeks at a Marketing firm trying to please everyone, Kate is a social media influencer who feels that her life needs to be "perfect" to keep her followers and Hallie who is an incredible chef but is stuck working in a cafe making other's recipes not her own.

The story follows the 3 women as they live their lives like their main characters in their novels for the next 30 days. What follows is joy and heartbreak and shows the women how strong their bond of friendship is.

[Mere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

Once I got through the first chapter, I LOVED this book!!! I'm all about Main Character energy!! The bravery it took for all of these women to change their lives was really fun to read about. I could feel myself cheering them on and wanting them to push through their challenges they faced along the way.

The best part about this story was that although it is a romance story, I felt like the emphasis on female friendships and female empowerment was the most important part. The falling in love parts were just fun extras!!!

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the true meaning of friendship, especially when they're in a book club. Also, it shows that there is something beyond the book club.

Three friends, Tessa, Kate, and Hallie, were the only ones in a book club. Their lives are separate from each other. Tessa made a point of managing her career. Kate's life revolves around pursuing both false perfection and true love. Hallie drifts into something that she doesn't want and nurses her feelings. Finding a means of dealing with so many things in their lives is a challenge for the three friends.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me up way too late reading because I became so invested in the lives of Tessa, Kate and Hallie as they conducted a 30-day experiment of exhibiting main-character energy. Though I sometimes had a hard time believing that so much was happening over a mere 30 days, I couldn't help rooting for each of the women in their attempts to lead authentic lives. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

[Havilah Normington-Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club confidential should have been named Main Character Energy! It is a sweet story about three friends who are each stuck in a rut and decide at book club to be the heroine of their lives like the heroines in their book club stories. I love the concept and the changes weren’t always easy but they were worth it! It was an easy read that makes you feel good. 3/5 🌟

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[KDRBCK]

Book Club Confidential by Julie Hatcher is a stand alone published by Lake Union.
A witty and fun, flirty summer beach read that gives all the feels.
Best friends forever Kate, Tessa and Hallie have it all it seems, but one day while attending their book club they learn all three of them took a on back seat. And that shall change.
Entertaining, well written, a delight to read, 4.5 stars.

[Amy Tarren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

A fun, light and easy read about 3 friends in a book club, whose lives start to shift when they decide to embrace a bit of "main character energy". It's an uplifting concept and makes you think that everyone could use a little more of that mindset!

Perfect for when you want something entertaining and not too heavy,

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. I loved this book from cover to cover and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Fantastic read. I seriously can't say enough about how great this book was and how hard it was to put down. I loved all the characters, loved all the ideas and building up of women. This. Was. Just. Amazing.

[Cindi Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, books, personal growth, and romance, what more could I want!

[Cynthia Ellingsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Club Confidential sparkles with main character energy, an engaging group of friends, and a joyful reminder that life is for living… and reading!

[Melly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club Confidential is light, easy to read, and exactly what I was in the mood for.

It follows three friends, Tessa, Kate, and Hallie, who realize their lives aren’t what they expected and start making different choices, even when things get messy.

The best part is how they talk to each other. It feels natural, like people who have known each other for a long time.

I stayed interested the whole way through, even when I didn’t agree with what they were doing.