REVIEW: Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight

In Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight, A lover of words and all things literary, it was only natural that Bernadette Swift earned her English degree from Barnard College and began working her way up the rungs at Lenox & Park Publishing in NYC. Currently she is the only woman in the copyediting department. She hopes that changes soon as she knows many smart women who deserve a job in the literary world. Bernadette also has a specific goal for herself: to become the first female CEO of a publishing house. And in today’s world, in 1963, with the Equal Pay Act just enacted and the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, it seems the perfect time to put her plan into place.

‘There was something inside her that burned to take up the lighted flame for women in the workplace. And all the Tom Walls in the world weren’t going to be able to stop her.’

First step for Bernadette is to surround herself with like-minded women–not the sexist, demeaning men she must work with daily, which includes her smarmy boss, Mr. Wall. Joining a feminist book club seems just the right thing. And she immediately feels a bond with the ladies who are open and honest about the struggles they face in their own lives. Bernadette is soon coming up with ideas about how to fight back (peacefully) against misogyny with marches, walk outs, by working smarter, and standing up against bullying and unwanted inappropriate attention. With the help of her group of friends, her fearless, loyal Great Dane Frank, a few key men at Lenox & Park, Bernadette knows the sky is the limit for them all. But only if they stay strong and continue to hold each other up.

“We’re going to start a revolution.”
“That’s right, ladies.” Bernadette suppressed a whoop and stood. She thrust her arm out, wiggling her fingers. “Who’s with me?”
Eight hands landed on top of hers.

A timely novel of women’s rights, proving your place in the world, following your dreams, and even a swoony, sweet romance, CONFESSIONS OF A GRAMMAR QUEEN is an absolute gem.

‘Bernadette Swift was made for the city, made to lead, and ready to take on the world one book and one broken-down wall at a time.’

CW: View Spoiler »Misogyny, sexism, workplace harassment: unwanted advances & propositions, verbal & emotional abuse « Hide Spoiler

Eliza Knight’s newest novel, CONFESSIONS OF A GRAMMAR QUEEN, will hold a special place in my heart for quite some time to come. And not just for the surprising and captivating bonus POV included. Set in 1963, the themes echoed some of what is going on in the States today in regard to women’s rights and civil rights. I felt every single moment of frustration, dejection, anger, but ultimately triumph that Bernadette did thanks to Knight’s evocative, deeply emotional writing. It was an immersive experience, reminding me of the perceptions and misogyny when I first entered the workplace–as well as noticing how some things have changed while others have not over the years.

I had to admire Bernadette’s tenaciousness. She was a go-getter and was whip smart. The only woman in the copyediting department, she had a keen eye for mistakes and ways to enhance a story. Her aspirations to become the first female CEO of a publishing company might have seemed natural to her. However, her boss and coworkers couldn’t even fathom that taking place. I loved that Knight showed Bernadette in all her perfectly imperfect glory. She owned up to any mistakes. She at times struggled to find the best way to combat abuse of power or unwanted attention. And Bernadette was brutally honest in the moments where she broke down, having too much piled on her at one time.

But through it all, Bernadette kept after her dreams. And the best part for me was that she included her friends, her book club ladies, as well as other female workers in her corner of NYC, lifting them up alongside herself. They were stronger together, even if they were fully capable of taking care of themselves. That camaraderie is what spurred Bernadette forward. It didn’t hurt that she had the support of a few key men at work, particularly her love interest, Graham. But that was truly all they were: support. Because she and her wonderful group of women were the trailblazers who set NYC on (figurative) fire and forged their own way.

QOTD: Bernadette LOVED words. The more unique the better. Do you have any favorite words you like to sneak into conversations?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: June 10th, 2025 | Sourcebooks Landmark |

There are no female publishing CEOs in 1960’s New York. And that is exactly what savvy, ambitious Bernadette Swift plans to change.

Bernadette Swift, a young copyeditor at Lenox & Park Publishing, is determined to become the first female CEO in the publishing industry. But first she needs to take the next step up that ladder with a promotion that her boorish and sexist boss wants to thwart. Seeking a base of support, Bernadette joins a feminist women’s book club at the New York Public Library, and soon, she’s inspiring her fellow members to challenge the male gatekeepers and decades of ingrained sexism in their workplaces and pursue their personal and professional dreams.

And that is precisely what Bernedette does on a daily keeps her eye on the prize—equality for women in the workplace, and a promotion—while fending off the ire of her boss and the sabotaging efforts of a jealous coworker. With the support of her book club buddies and a certain charismatic editor at Lenox & Park who has completely fallen for her, maybe, just maybe, Bernadette will prove able to claim victory for herself and the young women coming after her.