The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon follows Martha a midwife and healer as she navigates motherhood, her career, secrets, and murder in 1789 Maine. She pursues the truth, speaks her mind, and is fiercely loyal!This has been on my TBR for so long and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it. I read it in one sitting and was absolutely captivated.There are heavy subjects in this but there was also love, compassion, and family. The relationship between Martha and her husband was so heartwarming. They were meant for each other.I cannot recommend this enough. Especially if you love historical fiction, mystery, and a kernel of truth as this was inspired by a real woman in the 18th century.

I just finished “The Frozen River”.Overall rating: 4/5This was a historical novel set in colonial Massachusetts. It follows a midwife, in first person, as she details, her life and the happenings of the town.The main drama and plot of the novel is a rape case, which is a capital punishment during this time. Martha, the midwife that the novel follows, writes numerous journal entries detialing her days. Each section has a few chapets thatt flashback to when Martha Is younger and shows her back story.This book was extremely engaging and interesting. After reading the book, I read the author’s note and many other articles online to see the amazing true historical details of the novel, people, and trial. I believe that the author captured this historical even in a captivating and authentic manner. I was left wanting just a little more about some of Martha’s children and Rebecca.Note** this book talks about rape, and sometimes in detail. It is easy to skip over those parts without missing out on any details of the plot.Chapter length: shortPace: fastPerspective: first person (FMC)Genres: historical fiction, murder mystery, court drama, [minority] romancePlot: 5/5Writing style: 4/5Characters: 5/5Historical authenticity: 5/5Introspection: 3/5Spice: 0/5Poetic writing: 2/5

I have been in a slump lately when trying to find a good read. I started and stopped several books. I switched genres. I was desperate and re-read a couple of ones again. So I didn't have any great hopes when this was recommended. The first 20-30 pages were slow going as I kept getting interrupted by life in general. So one evening, I was determined to read at least an hour. Which, I will stay up all night for a book I really like. Once I was able to get into it, of course, I was sold on the story. You think you have all the answers for the ending, but you really don't. I highly recommend this book. Well written with great characters. The time frame and setting provide an interesting backdrop.

I had never heard of Ariel Lawhon before but I'll definitely keep her on my radar now.Martha was a great protagonist: smart, witty, driven and had no problem inserting herself into any situation (though, there were a few times where I had to suspend disbelief). On top of that, many of the characters felt distinctive. A few women did blend in a bit but that had more to do with the time period, as most were homemakers and wives.This isn't a murder mystery full of twists where you're trying to play detective. Instead, it's interesting because of Martha's dogged ability to keep searching for answers, despite her role as a woman being a detriment at the time. I found the writing snappy and would pick up the book, even if I only had a few minutes.It's very enjoyable and I'd recommend to any who like books with strong female leads.

Historical fiction isn’t usually my go-to, but I could not put this one down! This story blends history, fiction, and mystery so well. Inspired by the real-life diaries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife, the book follows her as she uncovers the truth behind a man found frozen in the Kennebec River.I was completely drawn in by Martha’s strength and conviction—she’s a woman who isn’t afraid to speak up for what’s right, even in a time when that was unheard of. Her fierce dedication to her patients and her refusal to be silenced made her such a compelling character.The mystery kept me engaged, and there were so many emotional moments that really tugged at my heart. It’s powerful, atmospheric, and a beautiful tribute to an often-overlooked historical figure. Highly recommend, even if historical fiction isn’t typically your thing!

I'm not a historical fiction girlie but I really enjoyed this read. The heart befing the main characters is awesome and to do what you love and to do it to help people, means so much. The perspective at the end of the book related to real.life events was so cool to piece together.

Really enjoyable retelling of Martha Ballard’s life. If you enjoyed “A Midwife’s Tale”, this is a must read. It is much less daunting book to tackle than the biography and very enjoyable.Trigger warning for sexual assault- but I found the distasteful topic handled in a tempered way that I didn’t need to skip pages or paragraphs.I personally loved the connections to raising children and allowing their mistakes while guiding their next steps.

I absolutely loved Frozen River! The author did an incredible job of showing an empowered woman even during a time of great oppression for women. I appreciated how she wove in historical facts and brought the time period to life. The inclusion of diary entries made Martha’s story feel so real and personal. It was an intriguing read and easily one of my favorites in a long time!