Book Review: The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller

 

Women ahead of their time, living in a world that doesn't accept them, forging new paths that change the world for future generations of women, is the story you find in Vanessa Miller's The Ladies Hall. 

When Mary Church Terrell and Anna Julia Cooper enter Oberlin College, they soon learn the promise of equality doesn't match reality for Black women on campus. Mary and Anna enter the men’s academic track and immediately face resistance from classmates and faculty who doubt they belong. Joined by the quiet and steady Ida Gibbs Hunt, the three women navigate academic pressure, social hostility, and the unspoken rules of the Ladies Hall, where every interaction tests their resolve. Their shared fight for dignity and opportunity transforms them from isolated students into a united force, proving that progress is built through courage, intellect, and sisterhood.

What an amazing story. Vanessa Miller’s The Ladies Hall is a compelling blend of history and heart, offering readers an intimate look at three Black women determined to claim their place in higher education during the 1880s. Miller’s storytelling shines in the way she balances fact with emotional depth, giving Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julia Cooper, and Ida Gibbs Hunt distinct voices that are authentic and deeply human.

The novel’s greatest strength is its portrayal of sisterhood. Through moments of quiet support, shared frustration, and hard‑won triumph, Miller shows how these women shaped one another as much as they shaped history against the vivid backdrop of Oberlin College and the Ladies Hall. Their progress is constantly tested, making every victory resonate. 

For lovers of character‑driven historical fiction, you will find a touching story of three women who come together against odds they refuse to let defeat them. The Ladies Hall is an inspiring novel that is rich in history. It’s the kind of story that you won't be able to put down and won't stop thinking about even after you've turned the last page. 

• Publisher: ‎ Thomas Nelson
• Publication date: ‎ August 11, 2026
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎ 1400351103
• ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1400351107

I downloaded a copy of this novel from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, and I have not been compensated in any way.

Shelf Control - June 17

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves sponsored by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up!

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. Here's how to jump on board:

• Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
• Add your link in the comments!
• Link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your own post.
• Check out other posts, and…

This week I am featuring a Kindle freebie from my TBR pile.

BLURB: The four MacLeod sisters are no strangers to sisterly rivalry and with one of them about to be married, there are bound to be fireworks. Perfectionist Natalie wants the 'wedding of the year'. Harassed mother, Milly, just wishes her bridesmaid's dress wasn't the size of a tent. Career-obsessed Avril secretly moons over a married man and world traveler. Hazel, the youngest, yearns to be taken seriously. Forced together for the first time in years, and with an unexpected guest stirring up old resentments, squabbles are inevitable. But when tragedy strikes things really fly apart - as some shocking skeletons emerge rattling from the crowded MacLeod closet...

DATE BOUGHT: 8/30/16 (Only a little while ago, right?)

WHY I BOUGHT IT: I like sister stories. I have sisters and we haven't always gotten along. Emotional and intense sister stories are good, but a lighthearted one can fit the bill sometimes.

Have you ever read this book? Do you like sister stories? What is a book from your shelf you want to read soon?

New Release: Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra

The timeless classic Little Women inspired this heartwarming modern tale of four sisters from New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

The March sisters—reliable Meg, independent Jo, stylish Amy, and shy Beth—have grown up to pursue their separate dreams. When Jo followed her ambitions to New York City, she never thought her career in journalism would come crashing down, leaving her struggling to stay afloat in a gig economy as a prep cook and secret food blogger.

Meg appears to have the life she always planned—the handsome husband, the adorable toddlers, the house in a charming subdivision. But sometimes getting everything you’ve ever wanted isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

When their mother’s illness forces the sisters home to North Carolina for the holidays, they’ll rediscover what really matters.

One thing’s for sure—they’ll need the strength of family and the power of sisterhood to remake their lives and reimagine their dreams.

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Berkley (December 3, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593100344
ISBN-13: 978-0593100349

Purchase here!

Bargain Kindle: The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

NO ONE EVER SUSPECTS THE GOOD ONE.

Brett and Kelly have always toed the line between supportive sisters and bitter rivals. Growing up, Brett was the problem child, in the shadow of the brilliant and beautiful Kelly. In adulthood, all that has changed. Kelly is a struggling single mother and Brett has skyrocketed to such meteoric success, which has been chronicled on a reality TV show called Goal Diggers.

When Kelly manipulates herself onto the show and into Brett’s world, Brett is right to be threatened. Kelly, and only Kelly, knows her younger sister's appalling secret, and it could ruin her.

Still, when the truth comes out in the explosive final weekend of filming, neither of them ever expected that the season would end in murder.

File Size: 2870 KB
Print Length: 385 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 15, 2018)
Publication Date: May 15, 2018
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
Language: English
ASIN: B075RVX7DB


Purchase here!