Q&A: Brigitte Dale, Author of ‘The Good Daughters’

We chat with author Brigitte Dale about The Good Daughters, which is a moving and vivid story of three suffragettes in London and the battle for equality that tests the strength of their will and the bonds of their friendship.

Hi, Brigitte! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I’m a debut author, an editor, and snuggler-in-chief to my rescue mini goldendoodle, Darcy (named, of course, after Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice). I live in coastal Connecticut, and when I’m not reading or writing, I love dancing, traveling, and exploring cute New England towns with my husband.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love reading books—stories have always delighted and inspired me. In fourth grade, I wrote a poem in school and my teacher told me I should be a writer. That was the first time it ever occurred to me that being a writer was a thing I could tangibly aspire to. Her comment stuck with me, and for years I wrote short stories and kept a journal, though it wasn’t until after college that I sat down to actually try writing a novel.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: As a child, I was obsessed with the Madeline books. Other childhood favorites include Junie B. Jones, The Tale of Emily Windsnap, and The Doll People.
• The one that made you want to become an author: My passion for historical fiction started with reading the American Girl Doll books. When I got a bit older, novels by Lauren Willig and Kate Quinn showed me how that love could translate into books for adults. In recent years, Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead, The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan, and The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai reminded me how transporting and powerful historical fiction can be.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Pride and Predjudice. There’s a reason my dog is named Darcy!

Your debut novel, The Good Daughters, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Women who risk it all.

What can readers expect?

It’s a story about friendship among wildly different young women at the frontlines of the battle for women’s suffrage in London. While the historical setting makes for a dramatic background, this is ultimately a story that is deeply relevant today, and the young women you’ll meet, and I hope, come to love, encounter the same questions we all face: how can I build a meaningful life? Who will stand beside me? How much are we willing to risk to fulfill our dreams and fight for a better future?

Where did the inspiration for The Good Daughters come from?

I studied women’s history in my undergraduate and master’s programs, and did on-the-ground research in London’s archives to uncover the story of the suffragettes, much of which had been forgotten or lost to the footnotes of men’s stories. When I decided to write The Good Daughters, I knew I wanted to draw on that research, and although my characters are fictional, their experiences are based on real historical figures and events.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I fell in love with all four of my main characters. Charlotte is independent and bold, Emily is quietly fierce, Beatrice is unexpectedly daring, and Sadie is deeply passionate. But if I had to choose a favorite, I think it’s Charlotte: she embodies the bravery and fearlessness I sometimes wish I had more of myself.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Sending drafts into the abyss and hoping for a yes from literary agents and editors was terrifying. But I reminded myself how much this story matters to me—how my characters’ stories deserve to be told—and that buoyed me enough to keep going in the face of rejections. Also, it’s healthy to have a good cry!

What’s next for you?

In my day job as a book editor, I’m lucky to work with extraordinarily talented authors every day. I’m always excited to dive back into my inbox and seek out incredible new stories and voices to publish.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up in 2026?

This year, I loved The Austen Affair (which I edited, but my unbiased opinion is that it’s fabulous!) and The Eights (historical fiction set just after WWI and a great partner read with The Good Daughters).

In 2026, I highly recommend The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown (a gripping dual-timeline historical novel I edited) and Lady Tremaine (a retelling of Cinderella from the perspective of the not-so-evil step-mother).

Will you be picking up The Good Daughters? Tell us in the comments below!