I am a huge fan of Kristina McMorris - she is always delivering a well-researched historical fiction read that is also compelling enough to keep with me after I finish the book. I was so excited to get an early copy of The Girls of Good Fortune and I highly recommend it. We experience the hopes and dreams of young Celia as a domestic worker who is half-Chinese and passing as white to avoid anti-Chinese sentiment of the time. As tensions escalate we are drawn more into the tragedy of Celia’s circumstance, both as a woman and as a Chinese American. I learned so much about the violence against Chinese in Oregon and Wyoming - but also came to love and feel for Celia as she continued to fight for hope and to get back the life she deserved. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions are my own.

I DNF this book, I just couldn’t get into the story. Too slow moving for me. I have tried to read it two different times. Therefore, I will let other reviewers who enjoy this book promote it, so I will not be posting on social media or reviews on retail sites. That way, this book gets much deserved attention from those reviewers who loved it!

What an interesting novel about the mistreatment of Chinese immigrants in America. What these poor people went through! I had never heard of the Shanghai Tunnels or the Hells Canyon massacre and its really opened my eyes.
Learning about Chinese prejudice in the 1880s West was heart-breaking.
Powerful reading

Celia wakes up in a tunnel under Portland locked in a cell. It's 1888 Oregon and she's been kidnapped to be sold into forced labor. Half Chinese, passing as white, she gradually puts together what has happened to her and seeks not only escape but saving her daughter, possibly finding the man she loves, and rescuing her Chinese father from the horrifying work of an Idaho mine. The history of the time and the research done by the author are woven into the story seamlessly with Celia and her strength constantly at the forefront. A heroine to admire. A historical time to understand.

Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the copy of The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris. I’m glad McMorris was able to incorporate the mistreatment of the Chinese laborers in the 1800s into a compelling story because so many people have no idea what went on. While I think Celia’s story overshadowed some historical aspects, she was an interesting main character. The pacing was uneven and the story started so slow I almost gave up. I’m glad I kept reading because it got intriguing and I loved how near the end there was so much action. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

The Girls of Good Fortune weaves together a story that explores survival, identity and resilience.

I was rooting for Celia the whole way through this book. I could not figure out how both narratives were going to intersect but the suspense keep me reading to find out. I enjoy learning about lesser known historical fiction stories and this book was definitely eye opening.

While the ending may stretch plausibility, the emotional impact of the story more than makes up for it.

Thank you to the author, Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

"...the stories people tell, to themselves above all, were often what kept them going."

What a beautifully written book! My heart was with Celia as I read each page. Kristina McMorris grabs your attention from the first page! I loved books that not only entertain, but also give me knowledge and this is a perfect example. It is clear how much research was put into this book. We get to learn of the horrors done to Chinese immigrants and what many had to do to keep on going. Celia went through so much and I wanted to keep reading because I couldn't wait to find out what would come next for her. I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book!

The Girls of Good Fortune is a remarkable story that will leave you breathless. Set in Oregon in the late 19th century, the main character, Celia, is half Chinese at a time when racism toward Chinese Americans is rampant. Celia’s story is complicated and difficult as her life becomes one of survival and resilience. This riveting story takes readers on a journey through both the best and worst in people, in society, and even families. There is heart-pounding-action, too, in this novel of justice, strength, and love in all its forms.

This covered a really interesting period of history, and one I don't know enough about. The plot was gripping and I loved learning about the era. The writing is quite clunky, however.

It starts in the Prologue with the word: Pingshu. The author says it’s what the Chinese call the art of storytelling. And this is a good one with historical prejudice that has pretty much been buried.

Celia lived in Portland, Oregon in 1886 and was working for the Mayor and his wife as a nanny for their 13-year-old daughter. Celia tried to keep it secret that she was a “half breed.” However, it wasn’t possible for too long; life at times has a way of shaking things up.

The story made my heart ache for Celia who wanted goodness in the world even though she encountered a lot of emotional pain with the hatred toward her culture. It wasn’t easy to escape the racism against Chinese immigrants.

The author did a remarkable job pulling out pieces of the past to write accurate descriptions and dialogue of the characters. I like how Celia was strong, independent and not afraid of standing up for her people. The chapters were short and it was a quick read for me with the curiosity of what would happen next.

While the story presented images of sad conditions people endured, it ended with something sweet. The author included recipes used in the story of lemon snaps and a silver cake with lots of egg whites along with a delicious frosting. Perhaps she was thinking that a plate of these goodies with her Reading Group Guide would be spot on for book clubs.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 20, 2025.

Atmospheric while simultaneously both beautiful and painfully haunting. I was not informed about the Shanghai tunnels, so this was educational for me, with a compelling storyline.

I love dual-time line historical fiction and although this was a bit confusing at first, once I figured out where the story was going I really enjoyed it. It's a tough subject matter to read about but so crucial-even more so in this divided political climate where people are unwilling to recognize the very real consequences of racism. It introduced me to aspects of history-like the Shanghai tunnels-that I was not aware of-this is a book you can tell was very well researched. It's a bit confusing, and at times the story is lagging, however the strong character development helps the uneven pacing.

This book showcased the struggles of Chinese immigrants in America after the gold rush, something I was not aware of occurring and made for an enlightening read.

We see the main character go from a promising future to suddenly being thrown off track and has to struggle to make a living on her own. While the story takes multiple twists and turns, I found that it lacked depth with both the story and the main character.

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Excellent storyline and research.

We see Celia in the opening chapter drugged and in a cell with no idea how she got there.

We then meet Celia as a housekeeper in a wealthy family and a predicament that has her being removed from the home.

THE GIRLS OF GOOD FORTUNE takes us back and forth from Celia's time before the imprisonment and during the imprisonment at a time when there was anti-Chinese sentiment.

It is a bit confusing at first with the two timelines, but both are so well done that they pull you right in.

This is another Kristina McMorris gem that you won't be able to put down, and you will feel for every heartache Celia endures.

I do wish Celia would have made different decisions with some of her predicaments.

Don't miss this one even though it is a bit of heavy reading and at times intense, but an excellent historical fiction read that will keep you glued to the pages. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Received this as a netgalley arc.

This book gives a very real and raw glimpse at the racism faced by the Chinese immigrants.

Pacing felt off at times but the deeper meaning and core to the story was never lost. The material in this book was heavy at times and the end left me wanting more. Hoping for a clearer outcome.

I recommend this book for anyone seeking insight.

Really engaging story about the treatment of Chinese people in Oregon in the late 1800s. Very compelling historical novel. A part of American history that most people probably don't know anything about.
Very good character development. Not everyone who seemed good was and some who didn't seem good initially actually came through.
Another very good book by Kristina McMorris.

This was interesting and emotional historical fiction. I liked the feistiness, compassion and quick-wittedness of the main character throughout the entire story. She had many trials and tribulations and she mostly handled them well.

This covered a lot of ground and touched on subjects that I knew very little about - I always enjoy feeling like I’m learning something along with reading a great story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

So well written so engrossing an author who I look forward to reading more by.If you enjoy historical fiction a wonderful saga this book is for you.#netgalley #sourcebooks

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advance copy of The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris.
I really enjoyed the first half of this novel, but felt a bit bogged down and bored with the second half. I do question some of the choices the FL made, and the story seemed to jump forward a few times not quite so seamlessly, and the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, I did enjoy the story and the history it provided. Overall rating 3.5

The story of Chinese-Americans in the United States is often left untold, and works of fiction that explore this facet of history are seldom seen. "The Girls of Good Fortune" constitutes an intriguing offering into this theme. Author Kristina McMorris blends actual history with the story of Celia, a young working-class woman who must navigate an unexpected pregnancy and the tragic death of her father while cloaking her Chinese heritage in late-19th Century Portland, Oregon. The novel depicts some obscure yet harrowing real-life events, namely the Rock Springs Massacre, the Hells Canyon Massacre, and the subsequent trial, which intersect with Celia's story and highlight the themes of identity and racial injustice. If you never learned about these events in history class, McMorris' portrayal of them illuminates the trials and tribulations faced by the earliest Asian Americans.

I have to admit, the choice of title is still somewhat unclear to me, even after reading the complete novel, for Celia's fortunes are not necessarily "good" during pivotal moments of the novel. Without giving too much away, readers are kept in gentle suspense as Celia lands in situations that entail varying degrees of peril as well as overt racism. It makes for a page-turning read punctuated with social messages to give readers pause. I was quite impressed with Celia's characterization: Even though her circumstances were often difficult, and she routinely acknowledged how difficult they were, she maintained a sense of hope that kept her going, along with her love for her daughter and her daughter's father. I found Celia's ability to hold all of these contrary thoughts and emotions simultaneously highly relatable and realistic. The chapters set in Chinatown, on the ship, and on the train inject a sense of adventure into the novel. In all, "The Girls of Good Fortune" is an entertaining, emotional, and thought-provoking read for anyone with an interest in historical fiction about female protagonists.