Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the opportunity to read The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, who cannot be surpassed in Historical Fiction writing. The characters are beautifully and fully written, each of whom possess personality all their own; complex and believable. One of the best books I've read tis year.

In "The Book Club for Troublesome Women," Marie Bostwick delivers a charming and heartfelt tale that beautifully intertwines friendship, resilience, and the power of community, women, and literature. The storyline follows four housewives in the 1960s who, despite their diverse backgrounds and personal struggles, come together to create a book club that quickly evolves into a support system for tackling life’s challenges. They call themselves "The Bettys" based on their first book choice - "The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan.

While following the lives of Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy, I found the story so fascinating and timely for women of today. It's a red flag reminder of where we, as women, have come from, the progress made, and that the progress we see now only really occurred just a short time ago. For example - one of the housewives, Viv, goes to the doctor for her prescription of birth control pills. Her doctor refuses to give it to her without her husband there to sign off on it. I did a little research on this, as I found it to be crazy. This was indeed true up until the 1980s! It made me sick to think of it - that I would have to have my husband sign off on my prescription!

There are many other historical references in the book, such as Margaret being unable to cash a check in her own name or open a bank account without her husband signing the bank card, as well as historical events surrounding JFK and Dr. Martin Luther King. The way each of the women fights for their own independence while also supporting their family and, in some cases, seeing things from their husband's perspective too makes this such an interesting read. It is not at all a book about bashing men or husbands.

Bostwick’s vivid character development helped me connect deeply with each group member, from their insecurities to triumphs, laughter, and tears. The story explores themes of empowerment and self-discovery. It encourages the characters to embrace their imperfections and to take bold steps towards change in the role of women in the home and workplace - all of which made it a truly inspiring read to me.

As the four women navigate their respective life hurdles (like adultery, unfulfillment in marriage, divorce, and problems conceiving), they learn more about themselves and each other. I think I learned more about myself from this book as well.

Overall, "The Book Club for Troublesome Women" is a fantastic, thought-provoking book!

Thank you, #NetGalley, #MarieBostwick, and #HarperCollins, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marie Bostwick’s *The Book Club for Troublesome Women* resonated deeply with me. Set in the 1960s, it follows Margaret Ryan, who seems to have the American dream—a family, a home, and a stable life in suburbia. But beneath that polished exterior, she feels stifled and incomplete. Her world shifts when she meets the bold and intriguing Charlotte, inspiring Margaret to start a book club with neighbors Bitsy and Viv. Their first book, *The Feminine Mystique*, opens the floodgates to raw conversations about misogyny, societal roles, racism, and their buried dreams.

What made this story special to me is how Bostwick captures the complexity of women’s lives and the longing for “more” that so many of us feel. As a mom of six who balances family life and a business, I deeply connected with these characters' struggles to find themselves while juggling countless responsibilities. The book club becomes their sanctuary, reminding us of the power of friendship and honest conversations to inspire change.

This book beautifully blends humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt moments, leaving readers hopeful and validated in their own journeys of self-discovery and resilience. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt torn between who they are and who they’re expected to be.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a delightful read that I can't wait to share with own book club/friends.

Friends Margaret, Viv, and Bitsy who live in a planned community in Virginia in the early 1960's and seem to have it all, but in reality they all feel guilty that the "everything" they have doesn't feel like enough. They form a book club with Charlotte, their new neighbor from New York who is eccentric, artsy, and a burgeoning feminist who introduces them to Betty Friedan's, The Feminine Mystique..

I loved every character and could find something in common with every character in this book. I cheered when they found themselves, discounted and ignored the patriarchal men who just wanted to control them, and very much enjoyed how they grew throughout the book.

As a housewife myself with no kids at home, I can understand the absolute sheer boredom that can come with it and how a book club can be a way to connect and find "your people".

I can't recommend this book highly enough and really can't wait to buy a copy when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book tackles timely issues like misogyny, racism, and the constant judgment of women, set against the backdrop of the 1960s. The four main characters struggle with the societal norms of the time, highlighting how much control women truly had over their lives. The message, echoing President Kennedy’s quote about the rights of one being tied to the rights of all, feels especially relevant today.

However, I found the neatly wrapped-up happy endings a bit unconvincing. The characters’ resolutions seemed more a result of serendipity than hard-earned change, which made their conclusions feel less impactful compared to the raw, complex struggles portrayed. Still, the book provides an insightful look into the challenges women faced during this era.

Although this book was set 60 years ago, I could still relate to the women and story within. I am a wife and mom of 3 which I absolutely love, but I’ve always felt like I needed “more” so I also run my own small business. The struggle of keeping all of the balls in the air is real but at the end of the day, also very rewarding. Anyone in a similar position will likely enjoy this book as well. I love how the author wrapped everything up with the updates at the end!

Really like this author but for some reason I found this one a bit slow. Might just be me though. Would recommend on the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review!! The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a charming and uplifting novel that focuses on a diverse group of women who come together to form a book club. As they navigate personal challenges, their shared love of reading helps them bond and grow. The characters are well-drawn, each dealing with their own struggles, but they find strength and support in each other. The story explores themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery, with a good balance of humor and heartfelt moments. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read about the power of literature and the importance of connection.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four friends are forever changed by reading a book, The Feminine Mystique. This is about housewives in the 1960’s who become closer through motherhood, community and feminism. Fans of uplifting historical fiction will love this book. I was cheering for Charlotte as she overcame a bad marriage and outsmarted her controlling father. I was rooting for Bitsy that she would see her worth and value. One thing that I appreciated was the acknowledgment that The Feminine Mystique was written for women of privilege who were manipulated into having a lesser role. Other women were already working multiple jobs out of necessity. These women got an “allowance” and were treated like children. It’s a book that reminds us why we read.

Thanks to @netgalley and @Harpermusebooks for the ARC. Book to be released April 22, 2025.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

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A book full of timely topics!

Apparently, President Kennedy said 'the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened' which should've been 'human' instead of 'man,' but very a theme very much alive these days with the world being on fire. This book is also about being-good-enough, misogyny, racism, women being judged, and their lack of control.

And yet... with the four main characters and their lives, struggling with all the difficulties of the 60s, I am miffed with the happy-endings. All four of them tied up in a neat bow.
These women were not that much in control of their lives, whatever made those happy-endings possible was serendipity. It was not raw nor tragic, as apparently The Feminine Mystique Betty Friedan is.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse
Pub Date: 4-22-25

Thank you @netgalley, @harpermusebooks, and @mariebostwick for this eARC.

Over several months in 1963 four women build strong bonds when they form a book club and begin to share their lives with each other.  The first book they select to read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. 

Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv - forevermore to be known as The Bettys - live in a new suburban development in Northern Virginia.  Each is married. Not all have children.  Each wants more in their relationships and their lives.

I was swept up in the lives of these four women.  A story set in a time that makes me thankful I was born in 1970 - needing your husband to sign to allow you to open a bank account, needing your husband to go to your doctor appointment to approve your birth control prescription.  Only the tip of the iceberg, I know!

“I just joined a book club,” Bitsy offered. “Maybe I’ll find friends there. We’re reading The Feminine Mystique. It’s interesting."

"And controversial.” Mrs. Graham nodded appreciatively. “I like these women already.”

#thebookclubfortroublesomewomen #mariebostwick #harpercollinsfocus #netgalley

Like so many stories set during the 1950s and 60s this one was frustrating due to being so well written — I really felt like I was a part of this group of housewives, so I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and angry with the way they were treated by their husbands and the world. It was engrossing to see the women step into a sense of self and independence in different ways, and how books and writing helped to bring them there. There was four women at the center of the story but each felt unique, with their own struggles and joys of womanhood, making it easy to keep them distinguished.