Review of 'The Club For Rebellious Ladies' by Siobhan Durham

Review of ‘The Club For Rebellious Ladies’ by Siobhan Durham

Release date: July 8th , 2026

Publisher: Bookouture

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REVIEW

I’ve loved every book of Siobhan Curham’s I have read. Although The Club of Rebellious Ladies is a little different from her usual World War novels, it is still stunningly brilliant and emotionally powerful. It contains epic family secrets with a huge mystery at its core. As the plot unveils its clues, the characters are revealed. While watching events unravel, my mouth constantly fell open in shock and surprise at the many unexpected twists and turns. This compelling story kept me engaged from the first sentence to the last. I was transported effortlessly back and forth in Provence from 1918 to 2025 and never once found the transitions awkward. Everything flowed and was stitched together perfectly for a grand finale.

This beautifully delivered dual timeline is led by Elodie of the WW1 era and Rae in 2025. Their two worlds connect through the clifftop manor and the families who dwelt there. Elodie is a brave, determined and, according to her era, rebellious young woman who fights for individuality in a man-centred world. After she is sent by her parents from Boston to a special finishing school for socialites in training in Provence, she teams up with friends Genevieve and Lucille to become The Wildflowers Club. The concept was inspired by some daisies growing through a crack in the wall of the conservatory— to be everything the school is not. “The Wildflowers will grow wild, and stride not glide, and our stems will bend exactly how they please. And most of all, we will create lives so sensational Oscar Wilde would be proud!” A quote by Oscar Wilde is given in the Epigraph at the start of the novel. He mentions he never travels without his diary. This is also Elodie who writes in hers of the many challenges in her life. And this will reappear in 2025 with the new owner of the manor.

Another quote to mention in the epigraph is by French novelist George Sand. She fought against the prejudices of a conservative society and championed women’s rights and passion. This reference is an apt inspiration for this novel.

This small group the Wildflowers want to break free from the confining expectations of their time. They don’t want to be wallflowers and their vows reflect this. They want to be strong, not shrink to accommodate other’s wishes, to learn for the joy it, to do things that make them feel drunk on life, their yearning is a compass to show them the way and they need to follow their North Star. To remain steadfast to their core values. This novel shows how that looks in a life lived through these women. And we cannot help but admire them for their efforts and success but also weep with them when they encounter dire conflicts and mountains of opposition.

In the future timeline, Rae Morgan is the new owner of the crumbling clifftop manor. She has just left California behind after a bad relationship that ended in divorce and she wants to start fresh. So she chooses France after hearing a conversation in an elevator! She meets elderly Madame Devereaux who wants her to buy the manor over another local figure. Once in the place, she learns there are many secrets hidden in the walls and the story that will come to light, will shock and inspire. But she meets opposition in the fellow who wanted to buy the property and he makes life difficult for her. But she is strong and will not shrink from her mission to restore the old manor. To see it become a retreat centre for women: a place to relax, revive, get inspired and be empowered. In many ways, she very much reflects the Wildflower women of the past and desires to honour them. Her research journey brings to light some amazing information and even when she thinks she has figured out many pieces of the mystery puzzle, the truth she learns in the end will be a huge surprise (as it is for those of us reading the book!).

There are so many things to love about this story: for one it is a wonderful example of female resilience. The art aspects of the plot are also very interesting and it is obvious Siobhan did a lot of research through various avenues and also visited the area (as she tells us in her author notes).

Another message in the novel is that we cannot always judge a person by appearance. People and their actions don’t always line up. Identities are altered and facades are needed for protection and some wicked twists launch that you won’t see coming!

Although there are dark topics of violation, death, fear and powerlessness— there are also beacons of strength, life, love and overcoming the odds. I really appreciate the voice the author gives women who have been trodden on and forgotten—and how she provides encouragement in the face of adversity. And boldly conveys a lasting message of hope. We are reminded that we can all be wildflowers moving as we see fit, and never having to settle at being a wallflower— powerless and defeated. 5 Cheers to Siobhan for delivering such an important and triumphant message for women everywhere, past and present. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.