Happy Release Day!
Congratulations Shelley
on the release today of
The Sisters of Book Row!
The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble
Historical Fiction, Books about Books, 384 pages
Published March 3, 2026 by William Morrow Paperbacks
A thrilling and timely historical novel of books, banning, and the women who helped save New York’s famed Book Row, from bestselling author Shelley Noble.
1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First lines—"A breeze dances among the leaves of the olive trees that cast their shade over the walled courtyard."
I went into this story not knowing anything about it or about the events that took place during this specific time period. The cover that was filled with books is what drew me in.
Three sisters, each different in her own way, are left to run their family-owned bookstore after their father passes away. Times are tough and each sister has her own agenda and idea of the life she wants to live. I was struck by how different each sister was from the others and how they all wanted unique things out of life. As troubling events were thrown at them, they learned about what and who were important and how they could all manage to be happy.
I really enjoyed The Sisters of Book Row and learned a lot about Anthony Comstock, the Comstock Laws, and the threat all of that was to small booksellers and the rights of the common people. The writing was superb which made for a very enthralling story. Highly recommend it!
I received a ARC of The Sisters of Book Row and this is my honest opinion.
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About the author
Shelley Noble is a multi published fiction author whose books have been translated into seven languages. She writes women’s fiction as Shelley Noble and is also the author of several amateur sleuth mystery series, written as Shelley Freydont.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.
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