Well written book about women who brought their experiences and secrets with them as they became the first women students at Oxford. Through their friendship they learn to trust, love, and become more confident as individuals.

DNF -- I couldn't get into this one. The way it starts out, introducing one girl, and then another, and then another, and then another, in rapid succession, does not make for good writing and only serves to confuse and bore the reader. I also couldn't tell what the plot was. It seemed like it wanted to be some kind of Mona Lisa Smile/Dead Poets Society type thing, which would be great if the author included any clear semblance of a plot in the first 30 pages or so.

Nevertheless, thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This was a great book about a really important and unique point in history - really showing the intersection of the impact of WWI alongside the fight for women’s equal rights in a variety of spaces. Throughout the novel, we dive deeper into the complexity of each of our main characters and learn of the multiple “battles” they are each fighting. I will admit that I found it difficult to keep them separate in the beginning of the book but I think this aligned well with “getting to know” them as the book went on, maybe even a slight reflection on society’s views of women. As an America, the often antiquated and British slang held me up a bit but I was grateful to find the glossary in the back! This was a great book and I’ll definitely continue to wonder what our Eights would have been up to after the story ended.

In *The Eights*, Miller skillfully navigates the intricate journeys of her characters as they confront the challenges of studying in a male-dominated environment. As the narrative unfolds, readers gradually uncover the secrets each character harbors. The four protagonists—Beatrice, Otto, Marianne, and Dora—are richly developed, both individually and as a cohesive unit. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the characters form a bond as friends, allies, and protectors within the confines of "The Eights," making their journey all the more compelling.

Miller effectively weaves historical context into the story, providing insight into the societal impacts of war and class, evoking empathy for the men who returned home broken and for the women whose lives were irrevocably altered. I was captivated by her ability to immerse readers in the academic atmosphere, which is vividly rendered throughout the narrative. Miller’s portrayal of Oxford’s historic grounds takes us back to a different era. This well-researched examination of a crucial moment in Oxford's academic history resonates profoundly, making the city feel both recognizable and enchanting.

Overall, this is a moving and inspirational read that left a lasting impression.

Thank you to Penguin UK and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions expressed are my own.

A sweet story but it left me wanting more. I think the book suffered from having four main characters—in the end it didn’t feel like any of them got their due, and the other characters were really undeveloped. The time period was really interesting but there could have been so much more psychological depth. And why were the mothers all so terrible?

A very atmospheric and engaging literary novel. I enjoyed the subject matter and following a group of women around Oxford. The characters all have unique quirks but they grow together and it makes me for an engaging read.

The writing style was consistent throughout and Miller does a fantastic job of transporting the reader to the time period. This was one of those books where it was so easy to feel everything that was happening.

I will say that this book took me a bit to get through- it’s lengthy and there’s lots to digest!

“I don’t think it’s possible for us to do anything that isn’t touched by the war.” This quote sets the tone for all the characters in The Eights by Joanna Miller. The setting is 1920 at Oxford’s in London. 4 disparate young women come together as members of the first class to accept women at this storied institution. The paths of their lives have different beginnings but they all find support and friendship with each other. Besides facing prejudice against women, each character has been touched by their experiences from the recently ended WWI. I love how each of these women is portrayed as strong, independent and intelligent. Each character has a back story that is wonderfully threaded into the main storyline. Although each character is unique, I did find myself confusing them at times. The author included a few twists and surprises that made the reading fun. I strongly recommend this to readers who like historical fiction and especially those who like wonderful women characters.

I thought the use of friendship in the time of World War 1 was the strongest element to this. The concept was everything that I was looking for in this type of story. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how they worked in this time-period. I thought Joanna Miller wrote this perfectly and glad I got to read this.

The way the author captures the camaraderie and struggles these women face in a male-dominated, post-WWI Oxford is both touching and empowering. The emotional depth of each character, from Dora’s grief to Marianne’s hidden truth, draws you in, while the rich historical setting makes the story even more poignant. This isn’t just a tale of breaking barriers; it’s about forging bonds that last through the darkest times. A moving exploration of friendship and the fight for equality, beautifully written and filled with heart.

I just read the best historical fiction book. The Eights was a wonderful story about a group of young women at Oxford. I loved it!

This was a pretty good book! It did focus a lot on the war so that part was a bit dull. But the story of the girls and their friendship and coming of age is good! The writing was interesting and kept me entertained, the secrets and the twists were a bit surprising, so I liked that!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!