Wow! What a fascinating read! THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN is a historical novel that skillfully transports you to the early '60s, exploring the societal limitations imposed on women during that time. It follows Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte, four discontented housewives navigating the monotonous rhythms of suburban life as they decide to form a book club. Their first book is The Feminine Mystique (I am so curious about this one now!) by Betty Friedan, and it changes their lives and marriages.

I fell in love with the troublesome women and their journeys, and I appreciated the encouragement to go after your dreams. Each woman brings her unique background and experience to the group, none of which aligns with the domestic confines they currently inhabit. It is hard to believe women were so limited then. The character development is fantastic, and there is always so much to learn! The book concluded in a perfect way, leaving me with a lot of food for thought.

The audiobook narrator, Lisa Flanagan, deserves special mention for her outstanding performance. Her distinct voices added an authentic touch to the characters, and their ability to convey depth and emotion made me feel as though I was right there with them. I will miss them.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus / Harper Muse for providing me with the audio copy of THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN in exchange for an honest review. Marie Bostwick, I sincerely thank you for crafting such a captivating story! Your storytelling prowess is genuinely remarkable, and I am looking forward to reading some of your other books.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is my favorite novel by Bostwick to date. This historical novel follows four suburban housewives as they discover the new feminist movement and go through big and small changes in their lives and marriages. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are quite different from each other, but they bond over Betty Friedan's newly-released book, The Feminine Mystique. This historical fiction goes down easy and Bostwick did a great job with her research. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for an audiobook review copy.

Set in 1963, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte—four women who form a book club called The Bettys, with The Feminine Mystique as their inaugural read. While the novel centers largely on middle-class, privileged white women, Bostwick does include a nurse of color, offering a brief but meaningful glimpse into the realities faced by women of color during Freedom Summer and the March on Washington.

Bostwick skillfully explores the societal limitations imposed on women in the early ‘60s, even those with wealth and social standing. The author’s strength lies in her character development. As The Bettys open up to one another, their friendships deepen, revealing their true selves in a way that feels authentic and rewarding.

Lisa Flanagan’s narration adds an extra layer to the experience, as she expertly differentiates each character’s voice, making the audiobook an engaging listen. While Charlotte is the only one who truly lives up to the "troublesome" label, all the women wrestle with societal expectations in their own ways, making for a compelling read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced audiobook! Four friends four lives changed by a book! I love historical fiction and this one hit! I love that one book can change the outcome of your mindset, thoughts and live overall. Each woman dealing with issues of their own have to make some decisions. Talk about how characters change and grow... all because of a book.

4.5 ⭐️ Marie Bostwick’s name is one I was familiar with though this is my first novel by her. I remember she came to a local bookstore and chatted about one of her previous books. It then hit me she maybe local when she mentioned Tacoma, WA in The Book Club for Troublesome Women, a quick glimpse at her author bio I see she lives in WA… and I love to support a local author so I will be diving into her backlist!

The title and nostalgia of the cover captured my attention immediately! It follows four suburban housewives in the 60s… each very different but struggling individually in their personal lives. Charlotte the artsy new neighbor from Manhattan picks The Feminine Mystique for the newly found book club and the ladies lives begin to shift. You follow each one managing the day to day tasks and frustrations. Shifting POVs keeps the books pace moving and I enjoyed the ease of how it felt very conversational. My jaw dropped multiple times hearing what women had gone through and the reality that the 60s were not that long ago?! I loved the headlines of pivotal moments during that time sprinkled throughout. I’m glad she ended it like she did… I can already see myself in a few weeks still thinking about these characters.

I enjoyed this fresh narrative in the HF genre!

Thank you Uplit Reads & Harper Muse

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I really enjoyed this book… following along with the Betties as their friendship grows and their own personal journeys was heartwarming. It wasn’t the “feminist revolution” browsing readers might be expecting, but it’s a great story about women’s finding their way in life. A beautiful narrative to remind us how far we’ve come… and how much we still have to go!

I love the idea of more feminist historical fiction set against the backdrop of the second wave of feminism. It is essential to recognize how far women have come while also acknowledging how much work remains. During this period, many women were fighting for civil rights, the right to work, and reproductive rights. Today, many advancements, such as not facing discrimination in college admissions or being able to fill a prescription for birth control at the pharmacy, are often taken for granted. It's important to remember that these rights would not exist without the brave women who fought for them. I do wish this novel had been released during Women’s History Month. However, I am grateful to have the opportunity to preview it early and to offer my recommendation to other women and champions.

Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are four discontented housewives navigating the monotonous rhythms of suburban life just outside Washington D.C. Each woman brings their unique background and experience to the group, none of which aligns with the domestic confines they currently inhabit. Their lives, once full of ambition and dreams, are now constrained by the expectations of marriage and motherhood. Each one of them experiences varying degrees of support, or lack thereof, from their spouses.

The arrival of the groundbreaking book, "The Feminine Mystique," serves as a catalyst for change, marking the beginning of their monthly book club meetings. For many white, middle-class suburban housewives like them, this powerful text sparks a profound awakening into their dissatisfaction.

These women are now poised to challenge the societal expectations that have confined them to their current roles. While they embrace their identities as housewives and mothers, a deep yearning for something greater stirs within each of them. In homage to Betty Friedan's groundbreaking contributions, they adopt a new collective name: the Bettys. This powerful act of rebranding marks the beginning of their journey as they embark on a quest for personal fulfillment. Each woman takes meaningful steps to redefine her life, gradually dismantling the invisible barriers that have held her back. With courage and determination, they begin to shatter their individual glass ceilings, paving the way for a newfound sense of freedom and self-discovery.

I appreciate this novel and the effort and research that went into bringing it to life. One challenging aspect is the overall lack of diversity in the book, which is a valid concern. However, this issue also applies to Ms. Friedan’s famous work and previous leadership of NOW, which has faced criticism for lack of diverse representation. While her book may have sparked a movement for change, it wasn't intersectional or inclusive. I don’t hold this novel accountable for its representation of those most affected by the issues it addresses, but I hope we can read such works while also acknowledging the women whose voices were omitted. Recognizing how their perspectives might have differed can help us understand how much better our society could be if their wants and needs had been heard.

In celebration of this month and in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, I encourage women and their supporters to read this work and reflect on how we can ensure that this modern movement is more inclusive of all voices. The only way forward is to participate actively in the solution. In alignment with International Women’s Day, I support #accelerateaction.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this was an enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This surprised me. I really enjoyed it. The dynamic of the individual women and then their friendships together was so well written and so accurate to the time frame (and even sometimes now). It showed very different women coming together for one shared thing, and how their growth stemmed from that. M

Catherine was my favorite but i also loved Margaret. They all had qualities that made them all strong and unique.

Thank you to @Harpermusebooks and @netgalley for the ARC of The Book Club for Troublesome Women in exchange for feedback.
The book is set in the 60s in the small town of Concordia, where 4 women friends form a book club.
The first book they choose to read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, the controversial book that gave voice to what women were feeling in the early 60s. Women could not open a bank account or get on birth control without the signature of their husband!
The book group consists of Margaret, a want-to-be writer, Bitsy, a horse caregiver, Charlotte, an eccentric want-to-be artist, and Viv, a nurse with six children. They each want to do something worthwhile but must navigate society and their family responsibilities.
The book is historical fiction, I like how the author weaves in real life characters like Jackie Kennedy and Katherine Graham. I found myself cheering for each of the ladies, Bostwick was able to develop the characters over the course of the book in a way that the reader could understand the times they lived.
I would recommend the book, actually the July pick for book group I am in.

two weeks ago i started this audiobook and connected immediately with the characters. this is set in the early 1960’e and each of the four fmc’s is struggling with something in her personal life that she feels embarrassed to admit. they have all been raised to be housewives and support their families, no matter the result it may have on them. they decide they need more time outside the home and start a book club together! not only do they get time for themselves, but they share stories with one another. the more they share, the more they realize they are not alone in their feelings and build a strong support system. whenever they world feels like it’s falling apart, they are there for each other in any way they can!

while in the middle of this book, i watched a movie with my sister (virtually) which ended up being mona lisa smile. i knew nothing about the film but i know i love me some julia roberts! the more i watched the more this felt just like my book! a teacher of an all girls college teaches the women they are more than a future wife/homemaker. they are strong, intelligent women who can choose their own path.

once I finished up this book i could not stop thinking it was a combo of mona lisa smile meets sex and the city🩷 here is who i envision for each character in the book

a heart warming book and a great reminder in my busy season of work.
- i’m not alone
- i’m stronger than i think
-hard work does pay off

thank you NetGalley, Marie Bostwick, and Harper Muse for providing this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review! i adored the whole experience

Woman bonded by literature. I’d love to have a book club with my own friends. Bond over books, your daily lives & the goings on in this crazy world. The perfect read to help me escape to a different time with different worries.

Historical fiction (is not always my jam) and this book may be classified as such, I suppose the 1960's is now historical fiction! It is about four housewives and their journey through believing in more of themselves. It is about women’s empowerment, female friendships and relationships, which good or bad is still relatable today. I don't think it was anything particularly new or groundbreaking, and it feels like a book women my mom's age will love (70).
As a 41 year old, I am not a dummy and I know that things were much more limited for women in the 1960's but it always interesting to read about it again and be grateful that I am not forced into a life I don't want.
I think that this book is an easy listen, the narrator does a great job, she is pleasant to listen to and it is a pleasant reminder to live for yourself, treasure your friends, and support other people. We all need to lift each other up and support each other in any way we can. It has always been that way and we will continue to be so.

I enjoyed listening to this book so much!!! Four women, from different walks of life, came together for a book club that brought them very close. I loved the camaraderie the women shared and the ups and downs that came with it. It took me into the past when women were supposed to be doing 'this or that' during this time of the 1060's, and actually some things were shocking. to hear about. Women have come a long ways, for sure. This story took place during the time when my mom was raising my siblings and me, so it gave me a lot to think about. The narrator had a pleasant voice so listening to it was delightful. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this, and I will definitely look for more books by this author.

4.5 star read. I fell in love with the troublesome women and their journeys. They all grew and changed in tremendous ways during the story. Centering around a book club inspired by The Feminine Mystique, these troublesome women all, over time, learn their worth, while reading additional wonderful books together.

Set in the 60’s where women were really struggling to make their way in the world, still very much put down by “the man”, their journeys are inspiring.

I received the audiobook as an ARC and really enjoyed the narration and voice actor!

The Book club for Troublesome women is very well written. The story grabbed me quickly and I really enjoyed all the quirky women. The book club they started and the friendships that were created were fun and cute. I love the transformations for so many of them. Of course hearing about the civil rights movement is so interesting. I highly recommend this book! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Historical Fiction lovers and Book Clubbers will eat this book up. It is a story set in an important moment in American history, post-WWII 1960's. A group of women decide to read "The Feminine Mystique" in their neighborhood book club and it changed all their lives. It showed them to want more than being a housewife, and I appreciated the encouragement to go after your dreams. It's hard to believe women were so limited then - they couldn't get a prescription or even open a bank account without their husband! Each woman's character was nicely developed and I felt like you really got to know them. I especially enjoyed the developing bond they all shared and how the book club provided a safe space to share their woes and their dreams. My book club has become one of my prized groups of friendships and I felt that in the book - the love these women had for each other.

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

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an engaging, insightful, and emotionally resonant read that delves into the complexities of women’s lives in the 1960s suburban America. Through the eyes of Margaret Ryan, a seemingly content housewife living in the quiet town of Concordia, we are introduced to a group of women who begin to question the very idealized life they’ve been told they should lead.

The novel begins by painting a picture of Margaret’s life, which, on the surface, is everything a 1960s woman could hope for—a comfortable home, a husband, children, and a perfect neighborhood. However, Margaret’s internal struggles and the sense that something is missing are palpable from the start. The arrival of Charlotte Gustafson, an intriguing new neighbor, propels Margaret into the orbit of a group of women who slowly come to realize they are not alone in their dissatisfaction. The formation of their book club—intended as an innocent get-together—becomes the catalyst for profound change as they read The Feminine Mystique and begin to confront their shared longing for something more than the life prescribed to them.

The heart of this novel lies in the personal journeys of Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv. The friendships that evolve over the course of the year are beautifully portrayed, with the women’s vulnerabilities and desires unfolding layer by layer. The dynamics of their book club, their discussions of feminism, identity, and personal fulfillment, and the moments of catharsis they experience together make for both an absorbing and deeply human story.

What I particularly loved about The Book Club for Troublesome Women is how it expertly captures the tensions of the time. The women’s journey from comfortable suburban wives to women seeking personal freedom and self-empowerment is compelling and thought-provoking. The writing is rich with details that bring 1960s suburban life to vivid life, and it highlights the struggles of women in an era when their roles were so narrowly defined.

However, while the novel is full of heart and strength, it does occasionally feel a little predictable in its narrative arc. There are moments when the progression of events feels a bit too neat, and some character developments could have been more complex or nuanced. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise compelling story that offers both historical reflection and timeless insights into personal growth and the bonds that sustain us.

In the end, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a celebration of friendship, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to challenge the norms that confine us. Fans of historical fiction and stories about women finding their voices will find much to love here. It’s a warm, heartfelt read that resonates long after the last page is turned.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore themes of feminism, personal liberation, and the power of literature to spark change.


You said:
I really enjoyed that, but can you add my cricisms that I wanted more drama and it seemed to drag on? And add that i liked the narrarotr
ChatGPT said:
Review of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Valerie Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an engaging, insightful, and emotionally resonant read that delves into the complexities of women’s lives in 1960s suburban America. Through the eyes of Margaret Ryan, a seemingly content housewife living in the quiet town of Concordia, we are introduced to a group of women who begin to question the very idealized life they’ve been told they should lead.

The novel begins by painting a picture of Margaret’s life, which, on the surface, is everything a 1960s woman could hope for—a comfortable home, a husband, children, and a perfect neighborhood. However, Margaret’s internal struggles and the sense that something is missing are palpable from the start. The arrival of Charlotte Gustafson, an intriguing new neighbor, propels Margaret into the orbit of a group of women who slowly come to realize they are not alone in their dissatisfaction. The formation of their book club—intended as an innocent get-together—becomes the catalyst for profound change as they read The Feminine Mystique and begin to confront their shared longing for something more than the life prescribed to them.

The heart of this novel lies in the personal journeys of Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv. The friendships that evolve over the course of the year are beautifully portrayed, with the women’s vulnerabilities and desires unfolding layer by layer. The dynamics of their book club, their discussions of feminism, identity, and personal fulfillment, and the moments of catharsis they experience together make for both an absorbing and deeply human story.

I especially enjoyed the narrator’s voice, which felt both grounded and insightful. It provided a real sense of intimacy with the characters and helped me feel connected to their personal journeys. The narrative tone is warm and approachable, making it easy to immerse yourself in the story.

That being said, the novel did leave me wanting a bit more. I was hoping for more dramatic moments or greater tension between the characters. The stakes felt relatively low throughout, and there were times when the story seemed to drag on without much forward momentum. Some of the character arcs also felt a little predictable, and I found myself wanting more twists or emotional intensity in their individual growth.

Still, these are relatively minor critiques in an otherwise well-crafted story. The novel’s exploration of feminism, self-discovery, and the bonds of friendship is powerful, and the historical context adds an extra layer of depth. It’s a warm, heartfelt read, and despite my wish for more drama, the emotional payoff and the friendships between the characters made it well worth the read.

Overall, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a celebration of friendship, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to challenge the norms that confine us. Fans of historical fiction and stories about women finding their voices will find much to love here. It’s a thoughtful and satisfying read that resonates long after the last page is turned.

I loved this story. I listened to the audiobook arc and enjoyed every minute of it. The characters personalities, struggles, and relationships are easy to
Identify with in one detail or another.

I think you can identify with the friendships, the relationship with their partners, and the relationship the characters have with herself as relatable - it was easy to see myself or understand what the character was going through at least once throughout the novel. The personal growth and strengths of the women were entertaining and inspiring.

I thoroughly enjoyed the wit, humor, and determination of each of the main characters. The book gave me Lessons in Chemistry vibes from multi-POVs.

Thank you NetGalley and Harpers Collins Focus for the advanced audiobook.

WOW WOW WOW WOW. This had me hooked from the beginning as the novel chronicles the lives and book club of four women who are each facing different challenges/stereotypes posed against women in the 1960s. They all lead very different lives, marriages, and careers, but the thread that weaves them together is their will to fight for what they each deserve.

It seamlessly flows from one story to the next over a course of years and you are truly rooting for each one to succeed. What I found most interesting is the secondary characters who either fully redeemed themselves - or messed up so badly there was no going back.

The author’s note at the end sharing that she felt this book was different was beautiful as you can feel a sense of pride in what she’s accomplished here … and she should. I will recommend this book to everyone, including my own book club.