Omg! I can't begin to express how much I loved this book. I'm part of 2 book clubs and the book club from this book is all I've ever dreamt of. Female friendships between the lost improbable of characters, deep connection and personal growth. Also, the historical setting that makes us realise how far the feminist cause has come as well as is still lagging behind... I'll gather my thoughts in the next few days and try to do this book justice. For now, just know you should run to buy it as soon as it comes out.

A very enjoyable listen with the issues of the day neatly intertwined with a heartfelt story of friendship amongst women. It’s good to be reminded that the issues of the 1960s, told in this way, can indeed be described as historical fiction and yet were those confronted by our mothers, aunts and grandmothers. It should give us hope that things can change for the good.

This felt dated and out of touch. I wasn't surprised when Betty Friednan's "The Feminine Mystique" emerged as the centrefold for the group of privileged white ladies and their book club. Everything speaks "second wave feminism" and I found myself asking "why?" What more do we need to learn from this period of time? What stories are left untold?

Not these, I think. We have bored housewives, cheating husbands, glass ceilings, imposter syndrome, sexist bosses, internalized sexism and conformity ... and a dawning awareness that women deserve more and better. All things we already know. And centred on privileged white ladies from a time long past ...

... Or maybe an era about to re-emerge, given the Trump election and apparent bamboozlement of a critical mass of Americans. Hm, maybe this one <em>is</em> timely, after all. The idea fills me was sadness and dread. We've not stepped back; we've fallen down the stairs.

I listened to the audiobook. The narration by Lisa Flanagan is superb.

What a sweet novel of four newfound friends who joined together to form a bookclub and nicknamed themselves “the Betties” after the author Betty Friedan who wrote The Feminine Mystique. This Nobel follows tremendous growth and empowerment of each Betty. Though set in the 60s a lot of these themes sadly ring true today. No matter the time or the obstacle, there is no limit to how much we can accomplish together as women ! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this delightful story!

Historical fiction isn’t typically one of my interests, and while this book may classified as such, its theme of women’s empowerment, female friendships and relationships is relevant and relatable today. I literally gasped out loud when basic choices related to contraception, working outside the home and opening a bank account without your husband’s permission were called into question. I often wonder about ‘simpler times’ and think back to the 50s and 60s but this book made me realize that they may not have had the same challenges of today, they had their own and it was in no
way easier. I loved this book and could help but feel pride for the women that helped to make the choices and rights I have today possible.

*As a side note I’d like to include that I listened to the audio book and Lisa Flanagan was perfection!

Thank you to #netgalley #harpermuse #mariebostwick for an ARC!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women uses Betty Friedan’s [book:The Feminine Mystique|17573685] as both a catalyst and a framework to explore the reality of women’s lives in 1960s suburban America. Set in Virginia, the book introduces a group of women who come together to read Friedan’s groundbreaking work and, in the process, begin to redefine their own identities, expectations, and futures.

Firmly rooted in a pre-women’s liberation era, the novel highlights the societal limitations placed on women—where opening a bank account required a husband’s signature, career ambitions were often dismissed, and domestic responsibilities were non-negotiable. Through the lens of these four women, we see the slow unraveling of these restrictive norms as they learn to articulate their frustrations, claim their independence, and support one another in ways they never imagined possible. Some of the men in their lives rise to the challenge, others can't be bothered, but the women themselves evolve, in small but meaningful ways.

The characters’ transformations don’t hinge on one defining moment but rather on a series of small realizations, each nudging them forward. The inclusion of real-life figures like Katharine Graham and Jackie Kennedy adds a layer of authenticity, grounding the story in historical reality.

With so much feminist historical fiction out there, you might wonder—do we really need another one? But books like this matter. They remind us that these struggles weren’t that long ago, that a lot has changed, and yet, so much still feels relevant today. Maybe it won’t become some timeless classic, but if it makes us stop, think, and see things a little differently, maybe that’s more than enough.

I received this ARC as an audiobook, so let me quickly note that Lisa Flanagan has a very nice voice to listen to and makes the book really come to life with her voice changes for different characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily

I just know that this book will be showing up on a lot of people’s reading lists this year; it seems very timely despite the fact that the story takes place over eight months of 1963. Betty Friedan’s landmark book, The Feminine Mystique, has just been released.

There are three main characters to the story: Margaret, a woman completely overtaken with how she and her family appear to everyone else. Endless amounts of time is spent creating the perfect looking home, perfect meals, and perfect looking family. She’s also got a terribly horrible husband that came out of 1950s central casting. As you can imagine, she’s very superficial and very judgmental of everyone. However, throughout the story, with the aid of her book club friends, she blossoms into a much more caring and empathetic person.

Charlotte is a bit over-the-top and wholly unlikeable at the beginning of the story. As for Viv, she is portrayed as a not-so-typical woman during these times: she’s independent and strong and pushes back on society’s standard of normal for a woman. Bitsy does not feel her worth and value as a woman. Their stories are also very interesting, with Charlotte’s arc being the most satisfying and uplifting, although all the women’s stories are great.

I think now more than ever, we need stories like this, especially in the United States, where a sect of people think women should go back to these times, when they couldn’t open their own checking account without their husband’s signature, even if the checks are written out to them. Women also couldn’t get their own credit card if they were married. Through the stories of the book, you can feel the women’s conflict over pushing back from their suffocating confines. We women are pushing back to prevent this from happening again despite what the regime in power wants. We will not go back.

I thought a lot about my mother when listening to this book, because she lived through these times. I thought the narrator of the book, Lisa Flanagan, did an admirable job of creating distinct voices for each of the characters. I would listen to something narrated by her again.

Ultimately, this book shows how important it is for women to read! This would make a great book club read. Highly recommend!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a heartfelt and compelling read that stirred a whirlwind of emotions in me—happiness, sadness, and even moments of pure rage. The pace is a bit slow at times, but it allows for deep character development and gives the story space to breathe. The complex emotions and the way Bostwick captures the struggles and triumphs of the women in the book really stuck with me long after I finished it. This is a fantastic pick for a book club, as it offers rich themes and plenty of discussion material, from women's friendships to societal challenges. I didn’t love every moment, but overall, it’s a thoughtful, engaging read that I’d recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ALC in exchange for this review.

This book was so special.
I love a good 60’s era story. This one shed light on how hard it was to be a woman during that time, and the expectations they dealt with on the day to day. These smart and capable women were told what they were best for was supporting their husbands from the home. Now, I am an old fashioned girl at heart, but watching these characters navigate the times was emotional and difficult.
The characters were layered and complicated and beautiful and the friendship they form over the book club is more beautiful still. Love this book. Will read more Bostwick for sure.

3.5 stars-This book was just what you think it will be--a story about a group of women in the 1960s who come together and read The Feminine Mystique and other feminist books and what happens to them and their lives after that. The book covers all of the women, whose deferred dreams range from being a veterinarian to an artist, but focuses primarily on the perspective of one of the women, Margaret, who expresses herself through writing.

I enjoyed each woman and their stories, though I do think that there weren't a lot of surprises. (I basically felt that the outcome for each woman was what I would have thought it was going to be when I "met" them.) The book does cover a lot of serious topics and digs into the complexity and tradeoffs that women at that time experienced when balancing family and their own needs and goals. I did care about the characters and want the best for them, though there was something about the tone that never made me feel too worried about them in the way that I would in other things I've read. I think this is probably a good thing for people looking for this kind of book--it felt interesting and meaningful but not stressful!

Thank you to Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC for review.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I enjoyed this "historical fiction" I loved all characters and was invested in their lives. Narrator was great= storyline was great.

Maybe a 5?

The book started out slow, it felt like the plot was TOO straight forward and I wasn’t sure how I felt about any of the characters.
As I continued on the characters all grew on me. This book felt like a 1960s take on Sex in the City- four girls who all have different ideals, goals, and outlooks on life and womanhood, but grow and nurture each other through friendship (and a good book).
I really enjoyed this book and it was such a great reminder of what the feminist movement really is all about: giving women choices and the rights to choose their own path in life, whether that’s to join the work force, marry, have children, be a stay at home mom, or do it all.
Thank you Harper Muse Audio for the ALC.

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.

Such an easy, enjoyable, yet so thought-provoking and full of heart. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv are all such interesting and distinctive characters, each so very well fleshed out. Their friendship felt very natural and authentic, and it was a joy to follow. It was so easy to care for these women, and to find yourself rooting for them through everything that happened to them. It was such a great deception of women's struggles at the time, and it definitely didn't hold back when it came to that, which I liked. It's a celebration of womanhood and female friendship, and it's so beautifully done. I also really enjoyed how it wrapped up, I found myself tearing up as it neared the end, but it felt very satisfying in a way, and I loved watching where these characters I cared for so much ended up,

I listened to this, and it was absolutely fantastic. The narrator did an incredible job bringing each of these characters to life and making the story even more engaging than it already was.

Many thanks to Harper Muse Audiobooks & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Vivian are each individually stunning characters. The breadth of each one of their stories is both enchanting and captivating. I listen enraptured to each one's story as it unfolded in this marvelous historical fiction. The 1960s were a difficult time in American History for lots of disparaged minorities. Each woman faces setbacks in their journey to discovering who they are in a society that only values women in Motherhood. I love that the book club finds it's bearings in The Feminine Mystique! Marie Bostwick brilliantly faces the topic of women being second class figures in society during this time-frame. It felt balanced that she honored the Civil Rights Movement also occurring in that time.

The audiobook is excellent! Charlotte's character came through vividly.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this Audio ARC!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows the lives 4 housewives in the 1960. "The Bettys", as they call themselves, grew on me more an more throughout the novel. Each of them is in a different place in their lives and going through something different, yet they are able to find a connection in one another through reading the ground breaking novel The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan.

Marie Bostwick paints an accurate picture of live for the average housewife in 1960s America. Even when they wanted to change things in their lives, their wasn't much they could do without money and the support of a man. I enjoyed rooting for "The Bettys" and their growth into independent women during a time when such a thing was discouraged.

This novel seems to start off a bit slow, but the pace of the storytelling throughout is more of a stroll, which suits the plot. Don't give up on it. It's a worth while read. This is the first novel I have read by Marie Bostwick and will be looking for more.



*Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an ARC audio copy in exchange for my honest review.*

Oh Marie Bostwick, you’ve done it again. The Book Club for Troublesome Women was an absolute amazing read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Lisa Flanagan does a fabulous job making the story come to life with her narration!

Its the 1960s and four suburban housewives from different walks of life form an unbreakable bond through their book club, forever altering the course of their lives.

I loved that the first book that the women read is the The Feminine Mystique which focuses on the core issue of these housewives and their dissatisfaction with domestic life. With the radical socio and economic changes headed their way, the reader gets a front row seat into the characters lives as they face motherhood, community and feminism. The Bettys are very likeable and relatable. This is a fast paced and entertaining read!

Highly recommend!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women was my first read by Marie Bostwick and I really enjoyed this one! This is a new historical fiction releasing in the spring (April 2025) and I really enjoyed the audiobook.

This book follows a group of four dissatisfied 1960s housewives who form a book club turned sisterhood. They start off by discussing the controversial, new release of The Feminine Mystique. This groundbreaking book helped a generation of women, including the women in this book, realize they weren’t alone in their dissatisfactions or their longings and dreams. It helped lift their eyes to new possibilities. But is it the book that truly makes this happen, or the women’s bond and influence on one another?

I really enjoyed the audio for this! I loved the different women we follow and seeing their hopes, dreams, struggles, realities, relationships, and everything in between. The 1963 northern Virginia suburb setting felt super raw and real. I liked the conversation about books and how they don’t always change your life, but they can send you on a search for a better life and bring people into your life. I kinda felt that way about this book, while I enjoyed their story, the book as a whole and the reading experience of it just made me think and wonder about and have a different appreciation for the women who have come before.

I received an audio ALC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a charming, feel-good novel that delivers exactly what it promises—a heartwarming tale of friendship and empowerment.

The novel is uplifting and easy to read, with likable characters and plenty of moments that will make you smile. The themes of female friendship and personal growth are inspiring, and the book carries a cozy, comforting tone throughout. However, at times, the story feels a bit too sugarcoated—conflicts resolve a little too neatly, and the characters’ struggles never seem too overwhelming. While this makes for a pleasant escape, it also makes the book less memorable in the long run.

That said, if you’re looking for an entertaining, feel-good read with a positive message, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a solid choice. It may not leave a lasting impression, but it’s a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Format: Audiobook (ALC)
Genre: Historical fiction

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC and ALC for this book. All opinions are my own.

This book follows a group of women in the early 60s who are adjusting to post-war life and considering their place in the world. We see them wrestle with their desires and dreams in a culture that allowed them a bit of freedom when their labor was useful during the World Wars, but now that men have returned home, they were expected to go back to their subservient home-making roles.

Though the themes of this book and the core feminist ideas are nothing revolutionary for historical fiction, this book excels with its characterization and plotting. It does a couple things that I really loved. First, it shows a variety of womens’ wants and goals. There are women who want to be homemakers, women who want careers, and women who want a mix of both. The narrative and the characters didn’t demonize any of these choices that women might make. I also appreciated the array of men and the relationships that the women have with the men in their lives. Some of the husbands are giant pieces of garbage that I despised, but we also got representation of men who grow and change and strive to do better in how they treat their wives and families. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the harmful impacts of the patriarchy, but it also doesn’t demonize all the men in the story. They felt like real characters whose actions have been influenced by being raised in a patriarchal society.

The note at the end that provided context to what was fact vs. fiction was lovely to listen to and the audiobook overall was excellent. I enjoyed the narration and think it’s a great method to read the book.