An utterly addictable historical novel, telling the story of women who dared break off the tie of the institution of marriage by setting up residence in Reno, Nevada. Highly recommended!

Many thank yous to the publishers and NetGalley for this advance copy of The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird in exchange for this review!

I thought the premise of this one sounded so unique and interesting, but unfortunately this one had virtually no plot, underdeveloped characters and felt very sluggish with pacing - I kept waiting for something to happen! I don’t mind stories that lean towards literary, but with a lack of plot, you hope for really well-described and dynamic characters (and vise versa) - this one unfortunately didn’t deliver on either, so it wasn’t very enjoyable.

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC - this one is available for purchase now!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fine, but I definitely wasn't blown away by it by any means. The story follows Lois as she goes to a divorce ranch in Reno to stay for 6 weeks so she can get divorced. While she's there, a new guest named Greer comes to stay at the ranch. Lois becomes fascinated by Greer and the two increasingly push the boundaries during their stay.

I hadn't heard of divorce ranches before this book and I definitely wouldn't mind learning more about them. But that was probably the most interesting part of the book for me. It's more of a slower paced story, which I usually don't mind, but something about this book just didn't really grab me the way I thought it was going to. I enjoyed the ranch, and learning about the different girls who stayed there while Lois was there, but I didn't care too much about Lois and her friendship with Greer. It's entirely possible I just wasn't in the right headspace for this, and I didn't hate it, but I don't know that I would go back to it again.

The description for this book really drew me in and the premise had a ton of promise! But I found the execution of this one lacking. Lots of forgettable characters I just could not find myself interested in, and there wasn't that sense of relationship and friendship. It felt unnecessarily catty and backstabby.

Overall, there wasn't much of a story, the plot was fairly weak and amorphous, no characters to really care about. I wanted this one to be good, all the elements were there, but it was a miss for me.

Book review: The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird

I appeciate the opportunity to read this book via NetGalley and publisher Flatiron Books.

This was a tough one for me. I was very interested to read it because my own mom traveled to Reno back in the early 1950's to get a divorce. Although she never spoke of the experience, she stayed the requisite 6 weeks and ultimately married father afterwards – they were together until he passed away.

In The Divorcees, we meet a few interesting and varied women who, desperate for divorce and unable to meet the "grounds" required in their home state, travel to Reno, Nev., to establish residency at the Golden Yarrow ranch for six weeks — and ultimately file for divorce. In this period novel, Lois Saunders is our main character. She struggles with the process and her insecurity, exacerbated by both her father and her husband, who treat her like a child that doesn't know what's good for her. I found Lois to be both a sympathetic and weak character who, in her first experience alone and being allowed to make her own choices, falters.

Initially, Lois proceeds carefully in her new environment but tries to impress her co-divorcees and makes up details of a glamorous life in an attempt to fit in. The other women are not fooled. When the sophisticated, beautiful and mysterious Greer Lang arrives, Lois is captivated. Lois becomes obsessed with Greer, her bruised face, and is desperate to befriend her. In the ensuing adventures, Lois steps out of her comfort zone to fit in, but ultimately she makes bad choices and faces betrayal and disappointment.

It was an unexpected and interesting book.

Quick and Dirty
-literary historical fiction
-slow and purposeful
-highly character-driven
-reads like a Film Noir
-debut author

“Lois Saunders thought that marrying the right man would finally cure her loneliness. But as picture-perfect as her husband is, she is suffocating in their loveless marriage. In 1951, though, unhappiness is hardly grounds for divorce―except in Reno, Nevada.”

What Worked
I’m 100% convinced this book was written for readers like me. People who love slow stories where everything and nothing happens all at once. The kind of novel that unfurls like a flower, one petal at a time, giving readers the opportunity to explore their reactions to what’s happening (or isn’t happening) in the story. Lois, our main character, is the perfect vessel for a story like this. She’s relatable enough that readers can see some aspect of themselves in her, yet odd enough to make us feel slightly uncomfortable. The tension in the story is sometimes palpable, pulling tight like a rubberband just about to break. It’s a fever dream of a novel that I personally loved. And the ending was EXACTLY what I wanted: reflection, redemption, and revelation all in one.

What Didn’t Work
Are there issues with this book? Sure, no book is perfect. I think some readers will want MORE (action, plot, purpose, etc.), but they might be missing the point. Again, like a film noir, this book explores the grey side of life, highlighting the dichotomy between right and wrong and everything in between. People who appreciate a neat, clean story may struggle with the messiness Beaird creates in her characters.

Read This If
Anyone who loves Classic Hollywood Film Noir, femme fatales, and fever dreams will probably love this one!

Interesting, character driven period story about divorcees living on a ranch in Reno in the 60s for the 6 weeks of residency needed to be granted a divorce in a time when it was very taboo and the system did not work in women's favor. A bit slow, but I did enjoy the mystery of Greer and how Lois got sucked into it. I mostly enjoyed how Lois didn't have a true horror story. She was simply a woman who wanted something different than her mother's fate. Not quite a thriller due to the pacing, but still a fun read.

Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

Rowan Beaird's "The Divorcees" is a character-driven work of historical fiction spotlighting the Reno, Nevada "divorce ranch" culture of the 1950's. Through meticulous research and a strong grasp of the social climate, Beaird peels back the curtains to explore a kaleidoscope of women's issues. The characters who arrive at the Golden Yarrow for a six-week residency that ends in a "quick" divorce all introduce unique complications to the ranch. As the relationships between the women takes center stage, the storyline takes a fantastic dive into toxic femininity.

I thought the concept of this novel was very interesting and I loved learning about the concept. I would have liked even more about the history personally. Thank you Flatiron for the ARC

I really wanted to enjoy this book, the description of it really caught my attention but I felt like the story moved so slow with not a lot actually happening at the same time.
Through backstory we learn more about Lois, the main character, her marriage and what led her to the divorce ranch but the entire time I felt nothing but boredom when it came to her and her story.
Greer had more uumph to her that made me want to keep reading, but the entire friendship with Lois baffled me, with the petty crimes and dares mixed in that just made me more irritated with Lois.


In the end, nothing wowed me about the story or the characters and just ended up not enjoying it.

This book was very promising. I was pretty engaged in the story until about 80% and the ending just fell flat.

I was so thrilled to read this, but honestly it fell a bit flat for me. It was very character driven and felt a slow. I think the author did a phenomenal job with the actual writing, but the story wasn't as intriguing as I'd hoped. I think the setting and idea is so interesting, and I did enjoy learning a little more about the Divorce Ranches. I'd say if you are a big fan of women's fiction or character driven stories, this would be a great read for you!

I will say, the audiobook was truly wonderfully done and went a long way towards making the slow story more enjoyable!

Its always fun to find a new to me author - Rowan Beaird is that for me.

Synopsis: Lois Saunders thought that marrying the right man would finally cure her loneliness. But as picture-perfect as her husband is, she is suffocating in their loveless marriage. In 1951, though, unhappiness is hardly grounds for divorce—except in Reno, Nevada.

The year is 1951 and the only way for a woman to get a divorce in the United States was to travel to Reno, Nevada. By staying in Reno for six weeks and expressing their intention of living there, a woman could get divorced. Lois Sanders is one of these women - trapped in a loveless marriage she has left her husband, so her father, despite being displeased by her actions, pays for her to stay at The Golden Yarrow, a divorce ranch.. There are several other women staying - each has nice rooms, their food provided and they spend their days by the pool or shopping and their evenings in bars or the casinos. When Greer Lange arrives a few days after Lois, Lois is instantly captivated. She is different from the other women with an air of mystery about her, taking her food in her room and sporting a huge bruise on her face.

My thoughts: The Divorcees is a story about independence, trust and the restrictions place upon women. I hadn't heard of the divorce ranches before this read. Lois is an awkward character, not really knowing what she wants for a lot of the novel and then not knowing how to go about it. She cares a lot about what others think and overanalyzes the looks and comments from the other women.

As a women who was shocked 26 years into a marriage when my husband suddenly announced he wanted out, I understand being stunned and confused on where to go and what to do. It does take a while to get your footing. While my divorce was very difficult for me, It I am reminded how far we've come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron books for sharing a place in time and reminding us that friendships exist even during difficult times.

did you know that if you wanted to get divorced in the 1950s you had to go live on a ranch in reno, nevada? it was known as the “reno cure” & thousands of women flocked west for a quickie divorce. when lois arrives at golden yarrow ranch, she meets other divorcées but none as interesting at greer lang. she’s like the cool girl in school that everyone wants to impress and soon they form an almost thelma-and-lois-like friendship. i loved the premise of this book but found it hard to get into the characters. lois wasn’t really likable & her tendency to lie distanced herself from the rest of the girls. three quarters of the book centered around their six weeks on the ranch—eating breakfast, lounging by the pool & going to the casino at night—but it wasn’t interesting enough to make you want to continue. thank you netgalley for this arc!

I really enjoyed this book at every turn until the abrupt ending. I personally dislike endings that leave interpretation to the reader’s choosing. I want to know more about what happens. Does she get into acting? Does she find Greer? I want to learn more about the revenge she seeks.

The story is totally relevant to what’s going on in the world currently in terms of women’s rights. The language used kept me on the edge of my seat hungry for more! The story is set in mid century when women had to have “good reason” to divorce their husband and even then could only seek divorce in certain states. This one takes place in Nevada where Lois is wanting to divorce her controlling mysoginist husband. Her father sends her to a ranch for divorcees where she meets several other women in the same position.

“Greer” joins the group mysteriously staying isolated for quite some time, giving her celebrity status as a result. Greer won’t be controlled and surfaces finally with a shiner. We never find out how she gets the black eye and we never find much out at all about her. She eludes questions by shifting the focus back to Lois or the other girls every time. Greer causes division between Lois and the other girls, making her think she’s special as Lois is perceived to be a loner who struggles to form friendships. Turns out Greer takes advantage of that and uses Lois.

I almost gave this 4 stars, putting it up there with many of my favorites. The abrupt ending was not satisfying at all!

Thank you Flatiron Books for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! I always appreciate it! What drew me to this book was a historical point about which I did not know anything. I did know that in the 1950s divorce was frowned upon, but I did not realize that there were actual ranches where women would go to stay while waiting for their divorce to get finalized. And this is what the majority of the book was about. It was not a fast-paced book, but it held my interest most of the time. Where I started to get frustrated was with the main character, Lois. Perhaps I missed the point, but she seemed so easily swayed by any outside influence-her husband, her father, and then her friend, Greer, at the ranch. I felt bad for her because she lost her mother at a critical age, so maybe this was the reason, but it was hard to root for her in my opinion. I also really did not enjoy the ending. I kept thinking there would be more, but then it was finished.

I did enjoy the writing and like I said, the historical aspect of the story, so I gave this book 3 stars.

An interesting look at the Nevada “divorce ranch” system of the 1950s, which provided women with a residence while they waited out the six-week requirement for a divorce. The historical aspects of the book are quite interesting, but I felt the characters were pretty broadly defined. I felt like I liked the idea of this book more than the actual book itself.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I had high hopes for this book. I was fascinated to learn about “divorce ranches” as I had never heard of such a thing. While this was a part of the story, Lois’s relationship with Greer was the main focus. I felt like the storyline went nowhere and it was almost a DNF for me.

Thank you @netgalley and @flatiron_books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

I’d love a real place like this, but the book dragged quite a bit. I couldn’t get through it easily. "The Divorcées" by Rowan Beaird is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and the complexities of starting over. Set against the backdrop of a small Southern town, this novel follows the intertwined lives of three women as they navigate the challenges of divorce, self-discovery, and new beginnings.

The story centers around protagonists Margo, Georgia, and Ruby, three friends who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives after their respective marriages come to an end. As they lean on each other for support and solidarity, they embark on a journey of healing and self-reinvention that will test their bonds of friendship and redefine their sense of self.

Beaird's writing is warm and evocative, capturing the unique charm and eccentricities of small-town life with authenticity and humor. The characters are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, each grappling with their own insecurities, desires, and regrets. From Margo's determination to reclaim her independence to Georgia's struggle to find love again and Ruby's quest for self-acceptance, the characters' journeys are both relatable and empowering.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of female friendship and solidarity. As Margo, Georgia, and Ruby lean on each other for support and companionship, they discover the power of sisterhood and the importance of having a strong support system during life's most challenging moments. Beaird's depiction of their friendship is both heartwarming and authentic, celebrating the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity.

While "The Divorcées" tackles weighty themes such as love, loss, and redemption, it does so with a light touch and a sense of optimism that ultimately makes it a hopeful and uplifting read. Beaird balances moments of humor and levity with moments of genuine emotion and introspection, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is insightful.

Overall, "The Divorcées" is a charming and engaging novel that celebrates the power of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming storyline, this book is sure to resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Rowan Beaird has crafted a touching and memorable tale of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of friendship that will linger in readers' hearts long after they've turned the final page.

The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird is an original novel about Nevada divorce ranches established for women in the 1950s and 1960s. The characters, as expected, are wealthy, self-centered females. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction.