Came for the title, stayed for the feminism and sass.

Full disclosure, I chose this as our book based on the title, without looking much at the content. And in comes Bernadette Swift, a brilliant copyeditor in 1963 New York, determined to fight for a promotion she rightly deserves. Her dream is to become the first female CEO in publishing, although that is still very far off in the future.

It starts off as expected, as a celebration of language and grammar, but the historic context – the real storyline – quickly comes through.

Eliza Knight’s book is a work of fiction, including Bernadette, her workplace Lenox & Park Publishing house and her colleagues. While the characters and specific events are fictional, they are set within very authentic historical context.

The hero – in the true sense of the word – is Bernadette Swift, who brings joy to our lives through the book. Her, and her Great Dane Frank that is, who gets his own entertaining point of view in the book.

Together, they live their life in New York, Bernadette fighting chauvinism and sexism on a daily basis, but with a smile on her face and warm, supportive friends. It’s her optimism and hope that carries us through the book as she faces real-world issues of sexism, equal pay, workplace harassment, and Vietnam draft anxiety, which once again anchors the story in its historical setting.

Of course, at times the storyline may seem a little idealistic and rushed, but in its essence, it captures the gender politics of the 1960s and, while fictional, Bernadette has certain similarities with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Rather than focusing on the negatives, this is a book about feminist empowerment and the support women (can) give each other to grow and rise together rather than putting each other down. (It also avoids generalising and does include a few men who were fighting along for women’s rights.) It’s an uplifting and joyful look at history and female rights and empowerment.

Putting it all into context and leaving you with a smile as you finish the book is the epilogue… but I won’t spoil that for you!

Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight due for release 10th July 2025, published by Sourcebooks Landmark. ISBN: 978-1464238239

Witty, charming, and full of bookish fun ✒️👑. Confessions of a Grammar Queen is a delightful, laugh-out-loud story for word nerds, romance lovers, and anyone who’s ever been corrected for a misplaced comma. Eliza Knight blends quirky characters, laughable grammar disasters, and a swoony love story into a perfect feel-good read. I adored the humour, the heart, and the unapologetic celebration of words.

If you have a Lessons in Chemistry shaped hole in your life, then I’d highly recommend picking up this empowering and uplifting novel! Whilst it’s not quite as dark or tragic as Lessons in Chemistry, this still has all those strong feminist vibes (and even a talking dog, which was probably the only part I wasn’t so sure about, although I did love Frank!).

It’s also set in the publishing industry (specifically the copy-editing department) in 1960s New York, so perfect for readers and grammar perfectionists. And the most satisfying ending to leave you cheering 🙌

In this book, we follow Bernadette Swift, a young copyeditor at Lenox & Park Publishing, who is determined to become the first female CEO in the publishing industry. But we are in the 1960s and first she will need to convince her sexist boss that she is as good as a male editor, while trying to keep her attraction for colleague Graham hidden.

This was a really fun read. This book is begging to be adapted into a film or TV show, as the writing is so visual and the author really captures the settings and the characters' clothing. I found myself rooting for the characters struggling to find their place in a man's world. The MMC was a little too perfect and the end of the book wrapped everything up neatly, which some may find annoying, but it did make it a feel-good book for me.

A recommended read for fans of Lessons in Chemistry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After landing a job as a copy editor in 1960s New York, Bernadette’s dream of one day becoming the first female CEO of a publishing house doesn’t seem quite so far out of reach. But in a workplace where overt misogyny, unkind pranks and myriad microaggressions are the norm, Bernadette is surviving not thriving. Impelled to take matters into her own hands, she joins the movement to effect social change for a better future for herself and other women.

It was extremely frustrating to read about the lack of equality in workplaces of the 1960s, yet this book retained a feel-good energy which made it hard to put down. In the face of adversity, Bernadette’s fighting spirit rarely wavered and she stayed true to herself. Her tenacity in continuing to show up for work and excel was as inspirational as the Eleanor Roosevelt quotes she looked to when she needed to bolster her own strength. Chapters from the point of view of Bernadette’s dog, Frank, were a delight to read. Frank has faced his own setbacks; after starting out in life as a search and rescue dog, he’s now on a new mission to protect Bernadette and their neighbourhood in the city.

Eliza Knight‘s engaging novel exposes the inequality in 1960s society. Shocking and unacceptable behaviours are laid bare and it’s not just men who behave despicably; the novel showed how women could be equally culpable. Fortunately, there were rays of hope in Bernadette’s life and it was reassuring to read about male characters who were far more enlightened and progressive than her vile boss. From a historical standpoint, it was interesting to see that even as women’s rights groups gained momentum, the anti-women’s movement was also rallying support and I liked the way that the story showed how the small actions of many people coming together could overcome the naysayers to effect positive and lasting change.

This novel felt similar in tone to Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry. The novel was humorous and feel-good while giving women a voice and handling the complex issues of feminism, discrimination and sexism in the workplace.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks UK and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

brilliant. perfect. smart. clever. strong and filled with strength. exactly what we all need right now. oh and before all that there is a blooming fantastic dog there for her so ermmm thats an automatic winner for me!
Bernadette wants change. but she doenst just come with a want, she comes with everything she needs to succeed in said wants. because this lady is smart, she has courage, and she has a support network now behind her. we are though in a 1960s publishing house and this is a 1960s world and all that comes with it for a woman, especially a woman trying to be where she wants to be. no, no where she deserves to be.
well step inside this book and watch the magic. the magic of friendship, wanting justice for just existing and a dog. the dogs name will also make you smile!
this whole book will make you smile.

Thanks, @netgalley , the author and publishers for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It's all about the publishing world in the 1960s and is extremely entertaining! It's funny and lighthearted but shows the challenges faced by women in the workplace during this time, although in some parts, things still rain the same today, sadly!
This is definitely a book to add to your tbr lists this year!

Quick-witted and ambitious Bernadette Swift is determined to work her way up to the top of Lenox & Park Publishing, and one day dreams of becoming the very first female CEO of a publishing house. Starting as the first female copy editor in her office, Bernadette battles everyday with her male coworkers who don’t respect her, and her extremely bigoted boss, who makes her every achievement feel redundant. With the help of her closest friends from her ‘secret’ feminist book club, an absolutely handsome and brilliant senior editor and her faithful Great Dane, Frank, Bernadette is set on getting the respect she deserves and for her male-dominated workplace to finally realise women are more than the people who make their coffee and take stained shirts to the laundromat.

This was an absolute delight from start to finish. It’s an enthralling story of pushing boundaries, of breaking down walls, the importance of female friendships, the power of words, and of strength, even when continually thwarted. Bernadette was such an inspiring character, so sweet yet strong, and so kind even when she had every right not to be. Especially to her boss. She was courageous and admirable in every way. She made the book shine. I adored her dog, Frank. It was so fun having his perspective alongside Bernadette’s. It reminded me so much of Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons In Chemistry in that way. Eliza Knight delivers such a witty and insightful book showcases the beginning of societal change in 1960s US, when women fought to find success in other vocations other than motherhood and to earn pay equal to their male counterparts.

And, as for the icing on the cake, the romance sub-plot was endearing. It never impeded Bernadette’s career goals, and neither did Graham ever make her question her abilities to meet her goals. He was supportive and respectful and just all together wonderful. Just what Bernadette deserved.

I absolutely loved this book, and I’m so happy I got to read it early.

If you loved Lessons In Chemistry or you’ve loved Taylor Jenkins Reid’s more recent historical fiction books, then I can guarantee you’ll love Confessions of a Grammar Queen.

Thank you so much to @sourcebooksuk for the eARC!

Confessions of a Grammar Queen is out on June 10th.

Loved this book …. The era it’s set in the fight for equal rights for women in the workplace make for a really interesting book that gripped me from the first page. The characters Bernadette and Frank plus all their friends and family are great and I’d recommend this book which I could see being made into a tv mini series