This novel is, in one word, boring. The characters are all just one dimensional. This plot had so much potential but fell flat. I honestly can't think of one thing I liked about this story,

I really loved the setting of this book! It takes place in 1951 at a hotel in Reno primarily occupied by women who are counting down the days until they can file for divorce. Ultimately, the plot moved a little too slowly for me. Readers who enjoy a sense of place more than a fast-paced plot will definitely enjoy this unique historical fiction book.

I found this story truly fascinating. While it might seem like there's not a lot of action, and truth be told there's not, its everything that simmering just under the surface for the cast of characters we're introduced to.

As a debut novel, I think Beaird did a stunning job. Told through the lens of Lois, a divorcée who doesn't have the traditional reasons for divorcing her husband, we're introduced to a number of other women who have traveled to Reno for the same end: a divorce.

All the women in this story have their hands tied by society. They cannot get the divorces they want or so desperately need under traditional circumstances, so they must become legal residences of Nevada. This is just one of the fascinating aspects of this story.

The women, slowly coming undone by the freedoms afforded to them by their new circumstances, and by the arrival of a new and mysterious divorcée, are bright pictures of the women of the time. They each represent a microcosm of the female experience and are given such rich lives. Those women are the heart of this story and it almost didn't need the strange side plot or side quest that was introduced about 3/4 of the way through. In some ways, it makes a little sense. But in other, and looking at it now that i've completed the story, it wasn't necessary. There were other ways for Lois to learn her ultimate lesson, which, to me, was to stand on her own two feet no matter the cost.

Rich in female characters, female friendships, and female behavior (the feeling of being an outsider, of talking too loud of wanting too much really resonates in a cast of all female characters) are the heart and soul of this book. I hope more enjoy it and I hope Beaird writes more.

1950’s housewife Lois finds herself fleeing to a divorce ranch in Reno for 6 weeks while she works to obtain a divorce. There she meets other divorceés, including Greer, whose influence on the rest of the women slowly starts to unravel the ranch.

I loved the concept and setting of this book, but it just fell flat. The timing was very slow for most of the book, so the actual action towards the end felt very rushed. I felt like there were a few too many unanswered questions at the end.

The characters felt like they were only half formed, and none of them left much of a lasting impact.

It just was a little disappointing.

Nonetheless, thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book was so intriguing to me as I had never heard of the divorce ranch setting before - however, I was left wanting a bit more than what I got. The characters didn't develop enough for me to really care about any of them and the pacing was quite slow. Perhaps if Greer had been introduced sooner I would have been hooked more quickly? I liked the ending but overall this wasn't my favorite.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on March 19, 2024.

In the 1950s, divorce is hard to obtain for women. Lois thus finds herself in Reno at a divorce ranch where she will spend six weeks, to establish residency, before being able to file for divorce. Soon, she founds herself pulled into another guest's orbit. Greer is mysterious but Lois is intrigued. However, maybe there is more lurking behind her new friend.

I think it took too long to get to Lois and Greer's friendship. I think Beaird could have sprinkled breadcrumbs in earlier even if she didn't want to fully introduce Greer early. For instance, she could have had a prologue about meeting Greer or something. Additionally, I was expecting this to be more of a thriller based on the synopsis, but it is not really that.

After telling her husband she no longer wants to be married, twenty something Lois heads to Reno where young women can procure divorces more easily in the early 1950s. While you might expectyy the other residents of the "Divorce Ranch" where she's staying to be more independent or free-thinkers, most of them just want to get remarried and are living off their parents money. Lois doesn't have such a generous father, in sentiment or wallet. The ranch is inhabited by a fun cast of characters, and Lois begins to slip into a routine. Then the mysterious Greer arrives at the ranch, owning every room she walks into and quickly becoming a ringleader on the girls' nights out to bars and casinos. Her hold on Lois grows stronger, and Lois begins to side with Greer in the slowly building tension in the house. What will Lois do to hold on to Greer's friendship and the rebellious, independent idea of herself she sees in Greer's eyes? I enjoyed this book, while the story wasn't groundbreaking, I was surprised a time or two and felt the ending was satisfying.

More like 2.5 stars but I am being nice and rounding up . . .

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, but unfortunately it really missed the mark. I love women's fiction and historical fiction, so this novel was right up my alley. I also like the 1950s as a decade for book settings, and I had never heard of "divorce ranches" before, so I was intrigued by the premise. For those unfamiliar, since divorce was difficult/impossible in most states except Nevada, women would go and vacation on these ranches for 6 weeks to establish residency, after which time they would be legally entitled to a divorce.

This all sounds great, but the execution was lackluster. Lois, from the Chicago suburbs, goes to stay at the ranch. There, she meets a handful of women, one of whom is the mysterious Greer, an alleged Manhattan socialite escaping an abusive marriage. The book blurb promised me a "riveting page-turner and a dazzling exploration of female friendship, desire, and freedom," but there was actually minimal character development or female friendship. Also, the pace was quite slow until the last quarter of the book. Lastly, the novel hinted at a wlw romance between Lois and Greer, but nothing ever panned out in that department either.

I think with some major editing, this could be a great book. I could also see it rewritten as a screenplay and made into a compelling TV miniseries via something like Reese's Hello Sunshine.

Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and author Rowan Beaird for audiobook and e-book arcs in exchange for my honest review.

Following a cast of women in the 1950s, the Divorcées follows what it was like to be a woman in that period. The main character, Lois, goes through a journey of self-discovery and pushing the limits of society when she and her husband decide to get a divorce from their loveless marriage.
While the topic of this book is interesting and unique, I found a lot of the characters to be bland and unmemorable while the pacing of the book was a tad slow for me. Towards the end, as Lois is connecting more and more with Greer, the story really picked up, and I found myself satisfied with the ending.

Rowan Beaird's "The Divorcées" takes place in 1950s Reno, Nevada, where The Golden Yarrow, a "divorce ranch," offers women a chance to leave their old lives behind and start fresh. Lois is a housewife who wants more than societal expectations dictate, but she is not quite sure how to have a place in the world as an independent woman without the help of a man.

Lois's story is both relatable and empowering. She embodies the quiet courage of countless women of that age trapped in unfulfilling marriages, yearning for the freedom to define their own happiness. Unlike the typical divorce ranch clientele, Lois isn't fleeing infidelity or abuse; she simply craves a life beyond the confines of domesticity. This nuanced portrayal resonates deeply, reminding us that liberation can take many forms.

Enter Greer, a charismatic whirlwind who shatters Lois's carefully constructed world. With a touch of mystery and a dash of rebellion, Greer embodies the potential for self-discovery and unapologetic self-expression. Their tumultuous friendship forms the heart of the novel, highlighting the complexities of female camaraderie and the transformative power of challenging each other's perspectives.

While seemingly idyllic, The Golden Yarrow harbors secrets, and Greer's true motivations cast a shadow over Lois's newfound confidence. As things take a dramatic turn, Lois is forced to confront not only Greer's deception but also her own naivety. This pivotal moment becomes a catalyst for her growth, propelling her towards a future where she embraces her independence and pursues her dreams.

"The Divorcées" transcends the typical historical fiction label. It's a nuanced exploration of societal constraints, female friendships, and the courage to redefine oneself. Beaird's skillful writing paints a vivid picture of the era, transporting us to the sun-drenched ranch and the smoky casinos, where whispers of freedom mingle with the clinking of glasses. Yet, it's Lois's transformation that truly shines. Her journey from hesitant housewife to self-assured woman is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the beauty of blooming in unexpected places.

If you're looking for a novel that combines historical insight with a compelling coming-of-age story, look no further than "The Divorcées." It's a tale that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that true freedom lies in embracing our authentic selves and chasing our dreams, no matter the odds.

The Golden Yarrow is a divorce ranch in Reno, Nevada in the 1950's. This is a place where wealthy women can go for 6 weeks (to establish residency), and then obtain a divorce as nowhere else in the country allowed women to file. Rita, the owner of the ranch, provides daily structure for the women who cycle in and out of the ranch yet are there long enough to form bonds with one another. Various background stories emerge - some true, some not. The reasons for seeking divorce range from extreme abuse to unhappiness. The women discuss the "after" with most needing to return to their parents' homes until they are able to remarry.

This was an interesting read; not what I had expected, but in a good way. I enjoy reading about the past and reading about what women had to do to get a divorce during this time was informative. The plot line was easy to follow and the author did a decent job with characterization. Some characters I grew into, others I never did learn to like. I wish the ending was different. I felt like there was all this set up with Greer, but then….nothing. It was such a let down. I would have liked more closure with Rita as well. But overall it was a good story with a few page turning events; an easy read. One you don’t have to think too much about. I would raise to 3 1/2 ⭐️

Thank you for the ARC for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me around 65%. I really wanted to like it, because the setting itself just feels compelling — a 1950s Reno ranch for high-society women seeking a divorce? Sounds amazing, right? Alas, I did not find the characters likable, and their interactions were flat and tedious for me. I did like learning about the "rules" surrounding divorce and its societal implications in the 50s though. Hopefully you'll enjoy it more than I did!

Hopefully, if you read this novel, you will like it much more than I did. After all, so many reviewers gave it very high marks. I seem to be in the minority. Maybe I missed something that everyone else understood?


I rarely do not finish an ARC. After all, the author and publisher are relying on me to give an honest opinion. Most people feel that they can't give a review unless they've read the whole thing. Also, once I start a book, I don't put it down to read something else. I did with this novel. I made it to 50%, and that was enough to tell me that I couldn't do it. I could not finish it; it made me too depressed to keep reading.

Do you really need to drink the whole gallon of milk to tell that it is spoiled? I think not!

I have never read a book in which the characters are just boring, tedious - to each other, and just plain blah, especially for the reader. The best I can say is that this book was filled with interesting information about divorce ranches and that I doubt that any of them were really run this way. But what do I really know? This book was set in the '50s, as the blurb explains. The blurb was the most interesting part of this novel.

I thought we would pick up a little when Greer made her debut at the ranch, and we learned more about her, but no matter how much I read, I learned nothing new except that I doubt if she could be trusted. Perhaps later in the book, we actually learn about Greer and her divorce, or if that was even why she was there!

The main character, Lois, seems to have a girl crush on Greer, and I thought that would be explored- maybe it was at the end of the book, but I didn't stick around to find out.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Flatiron Books/Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

loved this premise of this book! it definitely a slow burn to get to the action which I wish was sped up a bit. Also with so many characters to play with I wish we saw their personalities shine a bit more. Lois as a main character I thought was a little confusing but I loved Rita and Bailey and how they ran the ranch. The historical elements too I thought were so fascinating and I wish we go to talk more about the history of places like that and what was going on in the world at that time.

The Divorcees is an extraordinary look at Nevada's divorce ranches in the 1950s, coupled with a really intriguing plot and cast of characters. Rowan Beairdis an incredible writer, with a flavor for setting a scene, and her debut novel a knockout. Thank you to Net Gallery and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read this terrific book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review. The Divorcee's tells the story of a group of women sent to a divorce ranch. Before I read this book I had never heard of such a thing. The cover was what drew me into this book. I found the first 3/4 of this book to be entertaining but by the last bit of the book I was a little bored. I saw that Bailey Carr is doing the narration for the audiobook so I may listen to that when it is released. It still was an interesting story about female empowerment and relationships. i would probably consider another book by Rowan Beaird in the future.

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I enjoyed this book so much…until it got slow. The idea and concept for the story is different. This book is for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid—and for historical fiction readers of all kinds. I’d never heard of divorce ranches and it was kind of cool learning about them from the many voices within the book. I’m eager to read more from Rowan Beaird.

I really enjoy historical fiction and I did not know about the divorce ranches in Reno. I enjoyed learning about these. However, the story was slow without the closure I was hoping for in the end. Three stars.