The Frozen River and the Power of Women Who Stand Together
by Ariel Lawhon
April 23, 2026 · 5/5
There are certain books that don’t just tell a story… they settle into you. The Frozen River is one of those for me.
From the very first pages, I found myself drawn not just into the plot, but into the steady, grounded presence of Martha Ballard, a woman who moves through her world with a kind of quiet authority that doesn’t need to announce itself. And I loved her for that. Truly. There is something deeply comforting (and, if I’m being honest… a little exhilarating!) about reading a story centered on a strong, capable, independent woman who is not a young heroine finding her way… but a woman who already knows who she is. A woman my own age. A woman who has lived, observed, endured, and chosen her path with intention.
