This book gave me major Lessons in Chemistry vibes, which I loved.
Margaret, Bitsy, Charlotte, and Viv are an increasingly progressive book club. The women grow disatisified with the social expectations of being a woman in the 50s/60s. Do they continue to go with the flow, or do they shake things up in their marriages, social circles, and dreams?
Being a member of a book club that has feministic/equality views myself made me identify with each of the characters in different ways. Definitely must read this!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for a chance to read this ARC. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thought I knew the restrictions on women when my mother was newly married, but this book opened my eyes to many more. They seem so unreal, so close to happening in my lifetime. I'm grateful for this book, which inspires me to ask my mom more about her experiences from those days. The characters are interesting, and I like how the different marriages are shown - not all the husbands are restrictive and controlling. As a librarian, I'm pleased this book conveys that books can change lives and shouldn't be restricted - for anyone. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and everything I learned about a more recent time.

Set in 1963, four women create a book club that started with feminist Betty Freidan’s controversial book, “The Feminine Mystique.” All four of these women sought to be more than what women were expected to be at that time and forged a friendship for the ages. They referred to themselves as the “Bettys.” I thoroughly enjoyed these 4 women and their shenanigans. And even though I was born a couple of years later, I enjoyed going back to that time period.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Muse for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

By 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan is living the American woman's dream. She has a husband, three children, a station wagon, and a home in Concordia--one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. On paper, she has it all. So why doesn't that feel like enough? Margaret is thrown for a loop when she first meets Charlotte Gustafson, Concordia's newest and most intriguing resident. As an excuse to be in the mysterious Charlotte's orbit, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites two other neighborhood women--Bitsy and Viv--to the inaugural meeting. As the women share secrets, cocktails, and their honest reactions to the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, they begin to discover that the American dream they'd been sold isn't all roses and sunshine--and that their secret longing for more is something they share. These four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments--and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.


Thoughts
Oh I loved this book. Four women in different parts of their lives and marriages come together to read books that are challenging the status quo. It reminded me of the quote “here’s to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” I love a good book about the strength and determination of women and this delivered.

Having come of age in the late ‘60s, this novel was a trip back in time. The author truly captured the budding discontent of women with their treatment in the workplace and the expectations of them in their homes and communities. The characters, for the most part, feel genuine and their struggle to feel fulfilled is real. Because the women are different ages with different marital situations and home lives, the story manages to feel inclusive of the climate of the time. This would be a great bookclub choice!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC to read and review.

El Club de Lectura para Mujeres Problemáticas ofrece una conmovedora visión de la vida de las amas de casa suburbanas en los años 60, luchando contra las expectativas sociales y los primeros indicios del feminismo de segunda ola. La novela captura de manera hermosa el poder de la amistad femenina, con el club de lectura accidental de Margaret Ryan sirviendo como un refugio para el autodescubrimiento y la rebelión silenciosa. Los temas del matrimonio, la identidad y la libertad personal resuenan, haciendo de esta una lectura sincera y nostálgica.
Sin embargo, a pesar de su prometedora premisa, la novela tiene dificultades con la ejecución. El ritmo es desigual, a menudo se arrastra en momentos que deberían sentirse más impactantes. Aunque los temas son importantes, se vuelven repetitivos, y los personajes, aunque cautivadores, a veces parecen más arquetipos que individuos completamente desarrollados. Los conflictos se desarrollan de manera predecible, y al final, queda una sensación persistente de que la historia podría haber ido más allá, entregando un mayor peso emocional.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a poignant novel about four women, and their developing relationship and support of each other as they seek for more choices and control in their lives that, in the 1960s had little of either.
I found the book slow for the first half, and considered setting it aside; I was happy that I didn't surrender to that urge. The 'Bettys' as the women call themselves, face challenges in their lives and families, and in facing them with courage and grace become inspirations to generations that follow them.
Bostwick examines the lives of her characters and the challenges they face with a realism that, even decades later, women reading her book will empathize with and understand. I was born one year after this book is set, and still experienced some of the difficulties that the Bettys set about to correct.
I am glad that I stuck with this book; it is a meaningful read.
Thank you for the ARC of #TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen to #NetGalley.

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of @harpermusebooks The Book Club for Troublesome Women and I loved this book!

The title instantly captivated me, especially with “Book Club” in it, and it truly delivered! This novel follows the journey of four women in the early sixties who decide to invigorate their housewife lives by forming a book club and reading “The Feminine Mystique.” Though they came for the books, they gained so much more through the bonds they created over literature.

Each character grapples with her own struggles and triumphs as they seek balance and understanding of what it means to be a fulfilled woman today. In a time when women couldn’t even open a bank account, they felt guilty not embracing every aspect of homemaking.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Charlotte, Viv, Margaret , and Bitsy, each adding unique perspectives to the narrative. Many pressures they faced in the past resonate with us in 2025, prompting us to question if we are enough, doing enough, or making the right life choices. We often juggle countless roles while striving to “have it all,” as society dictates.

This book fostered deep human connections, providing a poignant snapshot of suburban housewives during that era. It instilled hope as I witnessed these women navigate societal restrictions, a challenge we still face today regarding women’s rights and uplifting each other. The author expertly illustrates the progress of the feminist movement while shedding light on how much still needs to be done. I reflected on my grandmother raising children in the 60s, feeling a profound connection to the women who came before us and the transformative power of a book to broaden our lives and perspectives!

This comes out April 22nd and I highly recommend it to fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn and Historical Fiction lovers! I also think it makes a wonderful bookclub book read and discussion ☺️. Thank you so much @harpermusebooks for this ALC/ARC and to Marie for writing such a wonderfully written book!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you NetGalley & Harper Muse & Marie Bostwick for a copy of this amazing book.

4.5/5 stars! Wow this book actually was so binge worthy. I am obsessed with it!

I totally fell in love with this story. Both the physical book and audio reading of this book really was wonderful. One of the main reasons why I loved this book is just reading how life was for house wives back in the 60s. Life has changed drastically since then for women. As a girl who was born in the late 90s and growing up in the 21st century … just reading about the differences in eras of time is so interesting.

I loved reading and learning about each fo the different characters and how they each started to think for themselves and feel confident in who they were individually as women.

As a gal who also started a book club born out of a passion of reading, and wanting to gather with friends, it’s so fun reading about something similar. This book is PERFECT for your book club as well!

Below is the synopsis of the book ~
“Four dissatisfied sixties-era housewives form a book club turned sisterhood that will hold fast amid the turmoil of a rapidly changing world and alter the course of each of their lives. By early 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb, suburban housewives in a brand-new "planned community" in Northern Virginia, appear to have it all. The fact that "all" doesn't feel like enough leaves them feeling confused and guilty, certain the fault must lie with them. Things begin to change when they form a book club with Charlotte Gustafson--the eccentric and artsy "new neighbor" from Manhattan--and read Betty Friedan's just-released book, The Feminine Mystique. Controversial and groundbreaking, the book struck a chord with an entire generation of women, helping them realize that they weren't alone in their dissatisfactions, or their longings, lifting their eyes to new horizons of possibility and achievement. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv are among them. But is it really the book that alters the lives of these four very different women? Or is it the bond of sisterhood that helps them find courage to confront the past, navigate turmoil in a rapidly changing world, and see themselves in a new and limitless light?”

4.75/5

Enlightening, empowering, and enraging. This book made me feel every emotion on the spectrum. A fantastic story of 4 women and their different lives as they navigate their families, jobs, and their budding friendships. This book was raw and honest; it made me cry on numerous occasions. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

10/10 no notes. This book was wonderful and I didn't want to put it down.

Set in the early 1960's, we have women who call themselves the Betty's. These women are married and homemakers and mothers. As a new women comes to town, the women invite her to join their book club. She only joins if they read "The Feminine Mystique." The women decide and the book changes their lives. These women decide to stand up for their rights and be their own person. Bostwick intertwines the narrative from the different perspectives, so you really see what is going on behind the scenes in these women's lives.

I've realized that I enjoy a good historical fiction novel when it is centered around women fighting for their rights as human beings. I recommend this for everyone to read. Another hist. fic. at the top of my favorites list!!

I was excited for the topic and the premise, but ultimately the concept of the novel was superior to what actually ended up on the page. It didn't do much to differentiate itself from other novels from this time period. and some slow pacing took away from other more interesting parts of the story. The writing was easy to read, but the up and down plotting and characterization left me wanting more. I think it will be a hit with some readers, but not a standout.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women
Marie Bostwick
April 22, 2025

The women who lived and grew up in Concordia, Virginia were housewives in a tight circle of newly developed houses. Upper middle class and conservative ladies that raised their children and became close friends with their neighbors. When Charlotte moved in, the women in their local group decided to form a book club. Margaret was nominated to venture down to the new sector and ask the newcomer if she would like to attend. By the end of their discussion Maggie had let Charlotte pick the first novel - The Feminine Mystique. It was an unusual selection for the women to read however, each who joined the group attempted to read it.
The Book Club for Troublesome Women will be published on April 22, 2025 by Harper Muse of HarperCollins Publishing. I was able to read and review Bostwick´s latest novel via NetGalley. Having not read a synopsis of the book, I was pleasantly surprised. As I read the first chapters of Maggie and the Bettyś comradery I was impressed with Marie Bostwick´s story telling. I found myself remembering my own early life of living in a new area of town where houses were being built and neighborhood women were all becoming friends. The idle talk was so similar to the Concordia gossip.With each chapter I became more involved with the story and the memories of how we grew and our momś manner of living adapted with the development of our nation. For readers who grew up in the 60s this book will ring a true cord in their memories. Marie Bostwick has given women a test in remembering how protected life once was. We have traveled a long road these past fifty plus years. I challenge readers to come along with ´The Bettys´ and enjoy the journey.

I was not alive during the Sixties, and I do enjoy reading about the culture and expectations. I can't speak to the accuracy, although the reasons the women join the book club are appropriate and align with their experiences. The author does a great job of bringing the reader into the decade and using The Feminine Mystique as a backdrop to move the plot. Recommend for lovers of women's fiction, pop culture, feminism, and simply wanting to a good look into the lives of women in the 60's.

When I first read the description of "The Book Club for Troublesome Women", I saw that it was inspired by a conversation Marie Bostwick, the author, had with her mother regarding a 1960's book entitled "The Feminine Mystique". The author's mother told her, "That book changed my life."
Through the conversation, Marie Bostwick says that she knew what her next book would be about.

"The Book Club for Troublesome Women" is set in the 60's and follows the lives of 4 women who become friends and develop a support system spurred by reading "The Feminine Mystique", the book that was stirring up all manner of controversy during that time.

This was the first book that I have read by Marie Bostwick and I loved her writing.
The characters were very well fleshed out.
I felt what they were feeling.
I celebrated their successes.
I loved watching the women grow, stand up for themselves, call out injustices, discover things about themselves.
Even recognizing in some ways, that many of their behaviors were formed as a direct result of the actions of men in their lives.
Watching them have the honesty and the strength to begin the battle against their own behaviors was inspiring.

This story was, for the most part, an uplifting read.

As a women who has lived the life of "The Cinderella Syndrome", raised in middle class America in the 60's, where I was told that I needed to be sweet and pretty so I could find a husband to take good care of me, this book really spoke to me in the context of the messages imbedded in girls and women during that time.
Personally experiencing a transformational change during my late 30's early 40's, I became an independent woman who relied only on herself for long enough to know who I am deep down. This lead to knowing exactly what I wanted and what I would never tolerate again.

The story of The Bookclub for Troublesome Women was so realistic in the setting and attitudes of these 4 women.

The more I read, the more I realized that these young women were not "troublesome" at all.
They simply wanted something contrary to what others wanted for them.

The males were very strongly against a book that would "empower" women. All they could focus on was the next hot meal served to them by their subservient wife.

The older generation of women were aghast to think that young women would even be interested in something so radically against the role that women had always played in society. "Who will take care of my son?" "What will my friends think?"

The bottom line for me was that we, as women, should have the choice to be who we want to be.
Not because of what society says we should be.

It was about having the freedom of choice to be able to pursue the things that fulfill US and make us happy.
This doesn't have to be a high-powered career, or holding down a job to make us feel like we are contributing to society in that way.
It can also be feeling content and comfortable staying home and caring for the family and home, without shame or feeling you are not as essential as a career woman.

The point is: I get to choose.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good story sprinkled with inspiration along the way.

Thank you to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the privilege of reading the ARC of this book.

4.5 which I will gladly round up to 5 as I could not put the book down.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a captivating and compelling read that captured my attention from the first to last page.

Four neighbours who become life long friends bond over the book Feminine Mystic by Betty Friedan and for its time for it was very controversial.

The ladies decide to form a Book Club and they call themselves The Bettys.

There is Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Vi. All different personalitis and all have their own problems.

I absolutely loved how their friendship developed and how I wished I could join The Betty's Book Club.

The four ladies are their for each other no matter what through thick and thin.

I cried with these ladies, I certainly laughed along with them and I cheered them on.

Times are changing and its not so much a "man's world" as it once was. I thought of my Mum and how she too would have been in this era.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women will no doubt be a Book Club choice for many Book Clubs.

I highly recommend you grab your copy and I will warn you its hard to put down.

I will miss The Betty's.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse for the privlege to read and review The Book Club for Troublesome Women.

I could not love this book more than I do. Imagine a gang of 1963 housewives getting together, forming a book club, and a book changes their outlook on everything. I fell in love with every single character and simply did not want this to end. I kept picturing this as a movie or limited series. Right now, it is my favorite book of 2025.

I did both the audio and ebook and both were outstanding. Please read this book.

3.5/5 stars

A very interesting premise. I liked the setting and the subtle details that seem to stick very true to the time period. The characters have bursts of progress in their storylines which kept it interesting. I would’ve liked to know more about Earlene and her world. While the pacing was not the best for me, I enjoyed the book overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick
a MUST READ book.
Yes, the four lead characters are female and white and married… BUT they could be any gender, any color, and any other different you can think of. It is a story of 4 people learning to find what makes them happy, glad to be alive, and happy to get up and live another day (not just face it). They do not ‘Have To’ accept someone else’s (society’s) vision of what should make them happy. Or, you can read this book just because it is a really good story. Marie’s best so far. Happy Reading ! !

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. In a time where the rights of women are being threatened and society has begun the momentum of backpedaling, it was nice to be reminded of the many positive changes that have come about and stayed since the 1960s.

Pulling from real-life inspiration of her own mother, author Marie Bostwick writes poignantly about four women in a popular suburb who accidently create a book club, starting first by reading The Feminine Mystique by Betty Freidan.

All four women have been something, a somebody, before marriage and children came along. While seemingly content on the outside, the housewives begin to question their lives.

I was enthralled. I loved the historical glimpses into the past. I liked how these four women, so different from each other, formed long lasting bonds.

This would make a fantastic book club pick!