I LOVED this book, it was well written and made me once again thankful for all that women in the 60's managed to do to get themselves more fulfilling roles that paved the way for al women today.
The characters were realistic and each had such different experiences but they all wanted 'something more' and managed to get enough traction to follow their passions.
Imagine having six children and being pregnant with the seventh and then going to work. WOW, amazing.
Such a great read and I can't wait to see the movie!

"The Book Club for Troublesome Women" was an INCREDIBLE read that I have already recommended to my book club. Reading about the lives of these women was inspirational, often funny, and so dang relatable.

Four suburban housewives start a book club where their first read is Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. The book follows how their lives unfold after starting the club and after reading a book that changes their way of thinking.

The book was entertaining, the characters were well written, and the setting was believable. It has some references to american items and goods from the 60s that I had to Google, so I think it will be even more immersive for the american audience. It fits the genre and is also a typical "lost histories" book with female voices. It's an overall good book, and it fits very well into our time with everything happening to women's rights.

Such a fun read! This is the story about a group of traditional housewives in the early 60s who come together to form a book club. Their first book selection is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The book opens their eyes to many new ideas, and each character is spurred into her own transformation. The ladies form strong bonds of friendship and start calling themselves The Bettys. This book is a celebration of the power of friendship among women. It's a great reminder of how far women have come and how far they have to go, and also delves into how both men and women have been impacted by expectations and traditional roles. It captures a specific moment in time when society as a whole was undoing some momentous changes. I really enjoyed it!

Marie Bostwick’s *The Book Club for Troublesome Women* is a heartwarming celebration of friendship, resilience, and the power of finding your people when life takes unexpected turns. With her signature wit and emotional depth, Bostwick creates a tapestry of relatable characters and compelling stories that come together in a way that feels like sharing a glass of wine and a laugh with old friends. It’s a novel that reminds us how transformative the bonds of community can be.

The story centers around four women—each at a crossroads in their lives—who are brought together through a book club that quickly becomes much more than just a discussion group. From career upheavals to relationship struggles to finding a sense of self after years of putting others first, these women navigate the joys and messiness of life with humor, honesty, and unwavering support for one another. Bostwick masterfully weaves their individual stories into a cohesive narrative, showing how their friendships become the anchor each of them needs.

What makes this novel shine is Bostwick’s ability to create characters that feel authentic and multidimensional. Each woman has her own unique voice and set of challenges, yet their connections are universal. Their conversations are raw and real, often peppered with sharp humor that lightens even the heaviest moments. The interplay between vulnerability and strength in their interactions is what makes their dynamic so compelling.

The book club itself serves as a metaphor for growth and rediscovery. Through their shared love of books, the women find parallels between the stories they read and their own lives, leading to moments of insight, courage, and transformation. Bostwick doesn’t shy away from tackling tough topics, but she does so with grace and a light touch, ensuring the story remains uplifting even when it’s delving into life’s harder truths.

The pacing of the novel is just right, giving readers time to connect with each character’s journey while maintaining a steady momentum. Bostwick’s writing is warm and accessible, with vivid descriptions and heartfelt reflections that draw readers into the world of these “troublesome women.” The small-town setting adds to the charm, serving as both a backdrop and a character in its own right, with its quirks and sense of community.

*The Book Club for Troublesome Women* is a feel-good novel that will resonate with anyone who’s ever leaned on a friend during tough times or found strength in unexpected places. Marie Bostwick has crafted a story that’s as much about personal growth as it is about the bonds that help us along the way. Perfect for fans of women’s fiction, book clubs, or simply stories that make you laugh, cry, and cheer all at once, this novel is a five-star celebration of friendship and the magic of shared stories.

Being a kid in the early sixties this book really hit home for me. The four women in this book were each very different but they formed a book club which helped them get through their daily lives. Reading the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan empowered them to realize there is nothing wrong with wanting more from life than just being a housewife. As the author chronicled the times I had flashbacks to the time period not fully realizing the limitations placed on women for example just what it took to open a bank account. The tight friendship of these women enabled them to envision their future and strive to fulfill their dreams. The author’s writing made these women come alive and you couldn’t help rooting for them. I received an advanced eGalley of the book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheBookClubForTroublesomeWomen #MarieBostwick #NetGalley

OMG. Thankyou Marie. Such a privilege to be able to read this book.
What a story. I’m a big fan of the Cobbled Court series but this standalone book is my new favourite.
Four women create a bookclub, calling themselves the Betty’s after the author of their first read The Feminine Mystique.
A truly eye opening story about women living in the 1960’s and how they did not have their independence and how they grew their friendships through the hardships and joys at that time in the USA.

I love books that take place in the 1960's, and I love books that include strong female characters. Let me rephrase that - I like books about female characters not knowing that are strong, but those who search for the means to emerge strong. This new novel by Marie Bostwick checks off both of those elements as it explores the societal role of women in our country in the 1960s.

Maggie, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte all find themselves plopped into Concordia, a cookie cutter Washington DC suburb where the HOA has their nose into everything, not only landscaping, but also the lives of all of the women in the neighborhood.

In an attempt to break away from the monotonous boredom, Maggie invites the other three to join a book club. This book club forges an unlikely friendship with this quartet of ladies that will end up spanning decades. They dub themselves The Bettys in homage to Betty Friedan, author of the newly released book, The Feminine Mystique, which becomes their first read and then somewhat their theme song.

Besides the development of the delightful females leads, I really liked the pop culture and historical references of 1963 that were woven into the plot. These actually made the reader feel as though you had stepped back into the pages of history as each of these ladies' lives unfolded,

If you enjoy strong female characters and a walk down memory lane, to a time in our country's history where rights of all minorities (including, especially in this story, those of women) were a constant battle, then pick up Marie Bostwick's new book when it hits shelves on April 22, 2025. Thank you, NetGalley and HaperCollins Focus / Harper Muse, for this captivating little slice of our country's history that is too often ignored.

I liked this book so much . It is an exploration of women’s roles in the 60’s and how they are evolving and changing
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Thank you to Harper Collins publisher and NetGalley for my free digital copy of this book, in return for an honest review. I have to say I liked it but didn’t love it, though that isn’t a reflection on how well it’s written, more that the book wasn’t to my taste. For me it lacked depth, felt too slowly drawn out and I didn’t really gel with any of the characters. I didn’t get drawn in and therefore didn’t get past half way through, but didn’t want to leave less than 4* because I really think it’s me, not the author.

On the surface, Margaret Ryan is the quintessential housewife, but her inner discontent feels like a quiet rebellion waiting to spark. Her encounter with the enigmatic Charlotte Gustafson ignites that spark, leading to the creation of a book club that becomes so much more than a literary gathering. With The Feminine Mystique as their catalyst, Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv embark on a journey of self-examination and collective empowerment.

The strength of this novel lies in its characters, who are richly drawn and complex. Margaret’s yearning for something beyond her white-picket-fence life, Bitsy’s struggle with societal expectations, Viv’s sharp wit, and Charlotte’s unconventional allure form the heart of this beautifully rendered story. Each woman brings a unique perspective, and their dynamic—marked by shared laughter, hard truths, and deep camaraderie—feels authentic and profoundly moving.

The novel captures the era’s culture with meticulous detail, from glossy magazines dictating the ideal woman’s role to the simmering undercurrent of the feminist movement. Yet, its themes resonate universally, offering a timeless look at the courage it takes to question norms and redefine one’s place in the world.

Bostwick’s prose is sharp and tender, balancing humor with poignant reflections. The group’s transformation from dutiful housewives to self-assured individuals is inspiring, and their nickname, “The Bettys,” serves as a tribute to Betty Friedan and to every woman who has dared to want more.

This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who has ever felt the stirrings of something more just beyond their reach. It is uplifting, empowering, and unforgettable.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four women in the 1960s form a book club and their first book is Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique (which I can't believe I've never read and have now added to my TBR). Sparked by the book and the friendship among the women, each of them goes on a journey to find their own power and strength. As a book junkie, I do wish there had been a bit more book/book club content, but I enjoyed seeing the women grow. Had the potential to be a five star read (think The Women meets The Reading List) but was missing that extra spark to put it over the top.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Expected date of publication: April 22, 2025

Marie Bostwick is a new author for me, somehow, her other titles did not catch my attention. I quite liked this one, The Book Club for Troublesome Women.
The story involves a book club, formed among neighbors, in one of those suburbs that looked like odes to conformity back in the 50's and 60's. The book club ends up reading The Feminine Mystique for their first selection and things begin to change for all of the women.
There are multiple storylines to follow, but all of the women are so different from one another, I had no trouble following what was happening to whom. I liked the characters, and was there for the struggles and changes. I could have used a little more book-talk, but in the end, it was probably more realistic that they did not all read the book.
I have to confess that I have not read The Feminine Mystique; if this book club is staying true to the message, I must take author's word for it. I think what was clear from the women's stories was the general struggle against conformity and societal expectations. I was very engaged and interested in the different ways each character dealt with this struggle. The men were, surprisingly, treated pretty empathetically (some of them at least).
This one surprised me, there is more to it than you think.
Some of the narratives could be tightened up a bit, but overall, a very solid read.
Recommend.

Four Suburban house wife’s read the new book The Feminine Mystique and realize in the changing world that they actually do have options and they can choose to work outside of the home and not just be a plain Suburban woman who stays home and takes care of the family and house. The friendship they form and the support they give each other is life changing in so many ways for the four of them. They begin to take jobs outside of the home and realize that they have options that can make a difference to others.
This book is based in the 60’s era which was when I was born and grew up. I can personally relate to this story and the challenges that we as women have faced and overcome as going to the bank and doctors office and needing your husbands permission for an account or prescription.
Well done Marie!! Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Housewife Margaret has just moved into her dream house in suburbia. However, something is missing in her life. When the glamorous Charlotte movies into the neighbourhood, Margaret creates a book club to have something to invite her to. Charlotte agrees, but only if they read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. Margaret agrees and the Bettys bookclub is born. Over the course of this book the Bettys – Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv – read feminist literature and we see how what they read both reflects and influences the changes in their lives.

This is a very sweet and well-meaning book. It does highlight some of the indignities women experienced in this '60s and the consequences of these. Viv, for example, gets pregnant after her doctor refuses to prescribe her the pill without her husband present at the appointment. But then Viv's husband is fine with it, it doesn't affect their household finances at all, and Viv is not only able to keep working while pregnant, she is one of those lucky women who gets more energy while pregnant. Honestly, spare me! For many women in the '60s, unplanned pregnancies had real and terrible consequences, like death or serious poverty, so presenting this sanitised 1960s where the injustice women experienced is actually just an inconvenience is some pretty hardcore revisionism. The patriarchy and racism cannot be beaten by a bunch of galpals meeting up over vodka stingers, even though it would be nice if this were true.

However, the book's heart is in the right place, even if its accuracy is perhaps not great.

The Book Club of Troublesome Women centers around four women in 1963, who live in an upscale new neighborhood in Northern Virginia. The views of the women in this book begin to change when they come together at a book club and read Betty Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique, then a controversial book that raised issues relating to women’s roles at home and in society to national consciousness. The author does a wonderful job of portraying certain aspects of life in the 1960s. The characters are also very well developed. Although the book raises many topics with regard to women’s issues in the 1960s, the arc of each woman’s changes and the resulting changes in their lives are less than realistic. Still, many will find this an engaging read. With thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Given its references to The Feminine Mystique and the 1960’s suburban setting I knew that The Book Club for Troublesome Women could either be really great or completely tone deaf (and to no fault of its own, the recent election could have exaggerated its missing the mark). Lucky for me, and all future readers, this was an excellent book whose only downside is that I felt we are leaving the women in the book club, the Bettys, disappointed.

Set in the 60’s in Virgina we see Margaret, a bored mother and housewife with dreams to write, organize a book club to get closer to new neighbor Charlotte. Charlotte is intriguing, also a mother and housewife but unlike anyone Margaret has know for a long while given her boldness and drive to be an artist (and take no s**t). Rounding out the book club is Bitsy, who is newly married and struggling to have confidence in herself, and Viv, who is eager to get back into the workforce and starts out with the most mutually respectful relationship of all the ladies. The Feminine Mystique starts a conversation for them I imagine may not have gone so smoothly in other book clubs at the time, but in this case it helps form friendships that bond these women, brings realizations and confidence, and helps form a support network that they would all need as the plot continues.

I enjoyed reading this, for multiple reasons that also included the callback to events and the climate of the 60’s, including some rights (and a more generally casual set of societal expectations) that I take for granted. I highly recommend this for women and men, and while it wraps up very well for all involved, it still gives you a look at a society where women had one destiny in mind by the many around them, from a privileged view point, that has been muted and not often discussed by many but should be remembered at this time.

Hats off to Marie, this book was excellent!! As I devoured every page, I thought to myself how far women have come and then I thought I hope and pray I don't see the trend of falling back. I saw so much of my mother's generations life in this story, no checking account with a man's signature, no birth control without the husband signature, the wifey things but the story wad well written of these 4 women's lives, how they intertwined, she made you care, you fell in love with them.I hope you Give this book a whirl, I loved it from the beginning, I will tell my book lover friends.. I hope it touches your soul. Thank you Netgalley for sharing this read with me.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is the engaging story of the four women who comprise the titular book club. The group is made up of Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy, each a compelling character in her own right, and tells of the struggles and triumphs each women faces as a women in the early sixties, commencing in the year 1963.

All of the women are married. In addition, Margaret is a mother and sometimes writer, Charlotte, mother and aspiring artist, Viv, mother and part-time nurse and Bitsy, a stable hand. Some of them face troubles will spouses, others worry about finances and some worry about their career choices. All have very full lives, but their differences don’t stop them from coming together to form a book club and reading The Feminist Mystique, Betty Friedan’s manifesto about being a woman and sometimes feeling a wanting of more in their lives. Can what they want be found at home, or is it more than their quaint, planned Virginia suburb can offer them?

I really enjoyed this book. Marie Bostwick knows how to weave together a compelling narrative filled with interesting, multi-layered characters. The action was virtually non-stop and left me guessing at what would happen next, which is supreme praise from me on a work of fiction. I never found myself wondering when the book would be over or checking my percentage read as I have been known to do on books I feel are boring or dragging on too slowly. A delightful book that i wholeheartedly recommend.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

This was a fabulous peek into the past - although so many of the issues that the women faced feel still relevant and still problematic... The pace was slow but suited to the storyline. I enjoyed the smaller details, like clothing styles and the food at their gatherings, as they really brought the period to life for me. I would definitely have joined the Bettys!