I was immediately sucked into the world that Marie Bostwick created by the narrator Lisa Flanagan. Her talent shone through as she brought to life not only each of the character's personalities and fun little quirks, but she did an impeccable job at captivating me as the story came to life. Not only was the narration perfection, but the story itself was one I truly adored.

Author Marie Bostwick did a phenomenal job at carefully crafting a beautiful story about a group of women (the Bettys) who read a certain book that opened their eyes to new possibilities that changed the course of their lives and, along the way, formed an unbreakable sisterhood. The bond the women had was truly touching, making me smile, laugh, and at times brought tears to my eyes.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an amazing, thought-provoking book about a sisterhood of friends navigating life together while rooting each other on in the early 60s and briefly touches on many different subjects that were problematic during that time and is a book I highly recommend.

My first Marie Bostwick novel and I was very impressed! This is a gentle sort of "feminist" historical fiction story.

It's 1963 in suburban America. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are all neighbours in Concordia. They form a book club and their first book is a new controversial one called,"The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Frieden. The book makes them question their lives, hopes and dreams at a time when women were very much at the mercy of their husbands. They soon start to refer to themselves as, "The Bettys" in honour of the author. The women all form a close bond and we follow all their lives for many months.

I listened to this on audio and it only elevated my experience. It was very interesting to enter the world of 1963 where women were expected to keep the house clean, take care of the children and cook homemade meals every night. On the other hand many women were hooked on tranquilizers, stuck in loveless marriages, and could not even open a bank account without their husband's permission. Also weaved into the story were some real life events like the Martin Luther King March, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Even the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy made an appearance (loved that!)

I could very much see this book being made into a limited series. It sure would be fun to watch!

Publishes on April 22, 2025

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for granting me access to this Advanced Listening Copy.

‘The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a heartwarming and insightful exploration of female empowerment and the impact of literature on the lives of suburban housewives in 1963. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society, the novel follows four women who come together through their reading of Betty Friedan's ‘The Feminine Mystique’ - a book that challenges the traditional roles of women in post-war America.

Bostwick masterfully brings to life the era's societal pressures, capturing the constraints of gender roles and the unspoken labor that defined many women's lives at the time. The historical details, from fashion to cocktails, add a rich texture to the setting. The novel's emotional core lies in the bond these women form, creating a supportive sisterhood that empowers them to question their roles and discover new parts of themselves.

The premise is compelling and the narrative is uplifting and the novel is a valuable and thoughtful read, particularly for those interested in historical fiction centred around female friendship. The feminist undertones, combined with well-developed characters and a poignant look at the lives of women in the early '60s, make ‘The Book Club for Troublesome Women’ a delightful and rewarding read, and the audiobook narration is engaging and clear, with each character easy to differentiate.

The novel offers a deeply engaging narrative that shines in its portrayal of female solidarity, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of character-driven historical fiction.

Four housewives come together to start a book club and it ends up changing their lives during the 1960's. This book shows how a simple book club can evolve into a movement of personal empowerment. Highly recommend reading! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF - I had high expectations for this book, but after starting it, my attention was not grabbed in the way I prefer. This is not necessarily a bad book, but I'm not interested in finishing it at this time.

4.25 stars.

Set in the 60s, about a book club, female friendships, and revolves around women finding their place in the world. Check, check, check, and check. Marie Bostwick's formula for The Book Club for Troublesome Women first called to me when I saw the cover but the description only furthered my desire to read it. I am such a sucker for a story like this and I'm elated to say that I wasn't disappointed.

Margaret Ryan is our main protagonist but each character had enough presence and development to make it feel like they were all front and center. Although Viv Buschetti and Bitsy Cobb were wonderful characters in their own right, Charlotte Gustafson (and her Samantha Jones demeanor) was my personal favorite.

It was a joy to observe such a deep bond blossom between these four women who couldn't have been more different from each other. Female friendships are always important but especially so during a time when women weren't allowed to do much of anything without permission from a man. Although The Book Club for Troublesome Women is rooted in the past, it is very relevant to our current climate and I believe that made it all the more important.

I was also delighted to be able to be able to listen to the audiobook version as well as read a digital copy. The audiobook brought even more life to the story through Lisa Flanagan's incredible narration.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Novels force you to think, to make your own conclusions about characters and themes and decide if they’re valid, true or good or maybe somewhere in between.”

This book really did make me think, it made me angry as well, realising how unfair women were treated back then, but also realising that though we’ve come a long way, we still got a long way to go. It also made me feel proud of the women in this book.
I really enjoyed following the women’s stories and transformations throughout the book, and I loved seeing them make choices for themselves and come to the realisation that deserve to do just that.

I enjoyed the themes of the book, the feminism & friendship, the fact that its a book about books always hits.. The writing was good and the narrator was very pleasant to listen to.

Though the women might not seem like the most conventional friends at first, I love how they find each other, can relate to each other and cheer each other on despite the hardships they endure, and that even when they go through their own rough periods, they find their way back to each other and themselves as well.
I really liked seeing their personal identities as well their friendship develop.

It’s not a story that hasn’t been told before and I had an idea of where the story was going to go. But that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed listening to the book.
It was easy for me to picture the story play out, and it gave me a good idea of what life looked like in the 1960’s from the perspective of these women. Which of course I’ll never really know what it was like, but the author did a good job with making me feel what it would be like to be in the shoes of these women, even if just for a moment.

Although set in the 1960s, the timely themes within this novel (feminism/women's rights) are still relevant today (unfortunately now more than ever), making this an important and illuminating read. I loved learning about the different obstructions women faced at the time as well as the book choices selected by the book club (starting off with The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan).

I will say, at times, I had a little trouble keeping the four FMCs straight (except for Charlotte who was the most vivacious and memorable to me),

If you enjoyed THE WOMEN ON PLATFORM TWO, THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT or LOOKING FOR JANE then I would highly recommend adding this book to your tbr!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for access to the book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent audiobook! Set in the 60s, a group of dissatisfied housewives start a book club to add a little excitement into their lives. What they end up getting is lifelong friendships, and the reality that you are not alone with your feelings of discontent. That you are more than just a mom.

👩🏻‍🤝‍👩🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻Female friendships
🚫 Societal restrictions
🍹 Historical references

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an inspiring, character-driven novel set in 1963. It delves into the silent dissatisfaction of suburban housewives who discover their strength through literature and camaraderie. The premise, which examines the influence of The Feminine Mystique on a group of Virginia women, is not just compelling but also uplifting.
Bostwick skillfully captures the societal pressures of the era, from the strict gender roles to the unseen labor of housewives, while also acknowledging the limitations of Friedan’s work. The historical details, from fashion to cocktails, enrich the setting. However, the pacing at times slows, and the promise of “troublesome” women is not fully realized, with only Charlotte truly pushing boundaries. Bitsy and Margaret’s arcs, in particular, seem too reliant on their husbands’ actions rather than their own agency.
While the book’s message is potent, some of the social commentary may feel a bit heavy-handed. The ending ties up neatly, perhaps too neatly, and the lack of diverse perspectives is noticeable. Nevertheless, the novel provides a thoughtful insight into women’s struggles in the early ‘60s, making it a worthwhile, if somewhat predictable, read—especially for those who appreciate historical fiction that revolves around female friendship.
An 'A' for the narration!
And, thank you to NetGalley, for the opportunity to listen.

Thank you to Marie Bostwick, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
(Please check the trigger warnings before reading this book)

The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows Margaret Ryan, a housewife living in the idyllic town of Concordia during the 1950s, as she decides to start a book club for herself and her fellow housewives. This leads to a unique friendship group, where these women come to realise the many ways in which life is unjust for women of their time.

I enjoyed this novel a lot. It offered such a refreshing perspective on a Womans experience during this period, and I found the character development particularly interesting as the women began to recognise their own oppression. As a feminist living in the 21st century, I’ve always been aware of the struggles faced by women before us, but I had never considered the process by which these women, in real-time, would discover the limitations placed on them.

That said, I did feel that the story began to drag a bit towards the end. Perhaps this is a result of being a Brit, but I also found the commentary on JFK's death somewhat unnecessary and overly patriotic.

Overall, however, I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to others without hesitation.

With a title like this I knew I had to give this book a listen! I enjoyed the audio version and I feel that the production team did a great job. The narrator read at a steady pace and was easy to listen to and understand. Great plot line that wasn’t overly complicated.

I had the pleasure of receiving an advance copy from NetGalley of The Book Club of Troublesome Woman. I enjoyed the storyline and plot. There were moments of confusion having multiple characters and trying to remember which person was married to which. It did have moments that carried a slow pace, but I did enjoy the narrators voice and the multiple characters she was able to show the different pov.

Rating 4.5

AMAZING!!! What a nice surprise! This book is perfect for those who enjoyed The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and even The Women by Kristin Hannah 💜
This book reminds me of the friends I made because of my own Bookclub and it made me very happy.

Loved the Audiobook version! Very good narrator

I had the opportunity to listen to an Advance Reader Copy of the audiobook version of The Book Club for Troublesome Women. While my review is highly positive, I want to emphasize that it is in no way influenced by the free preview.
This was my first experience reading a novel by Marie Bostwick, and I was thoroughly impressed by her creativity and intelligence, which shine throughout the book. She skillfully intertwines historical fiction, women's issues, and personal growth, setting the story in Northern Virginia during the 1960s.
The novel follows four women—Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy—who come together for a book club centered around The Feminine Mystique. Inspired by the book’s author, they affectionately nickname themselves "The Bettys." Each character is distinct, and their experiences within the club shape them in different ways. The story spans the course of a year, incorporating discussions of multiple books along the way.
I found the characters engaging, though at times, both character and plot development felt somewhat superficial. That said, Bostwick handles thought-provoking themes with a well-balanced mix of humor and insight, ensuring the novel never feels overly heavy or moralizing.
Overall, I rated this book 4.25 stars. The storytelling was compelling, the audiobook narration was enjoyable, and I even discovered a couple of new book recommendations within the story. The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read—definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I liked this book. It was a real eye opener as to what life was like in the 1960s. If you were married you were expected to stay home and tend to your husband's every need, clean house, raise the kids and have meals on the table when he got home. Back in the day, you could not even open your own bank account with your own money without your husband signing off on it....WHAT...no thank you! So needless to say when a new neighbour moves to the neighbourhood and suggests that the ladies start a book club they are excited to get out and meet new friends. Then the book is chosen for the first meeting and it is the controversial book by Betty Friedan called The Feminine Mystique. Four ladies who become a close group of the friends start to see what life could be like based on the information outlined in the book. A good read and it was a nice change of pace from what I normally read.......Enjoy!!!

The author’s dedication to her mom was touching. I knew when her mother said that The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan changed her, this was going to be a great book.
This was a heartfelt and engaging novel about friendship, resilience, and personal transformation. The story follows a diverse group of women who come together to form a book club, only to find that their shared love of literature leads them to confront their own life challenges and societal issues.
The characters are well-developed, humorous and relatable, each bringing their own unique perspective and struggles to the story. Margaret, Bitsy, Viv and Charlotte all faced different challenges. The dynamics within the group highlight the importance of friendship and support, particularly when facing adversity. I laughed and cried along with them.
As the women open up to one another, they begin to see their own strength and potential and encourage one another to confront their challenges.
This book further enlightened me as to how women were treated in generations before me. In 1963, my own mother was a high school sophomore.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5/5

Although it did not at first seem that any of the 4 white women in this suburban book club were actually very troublesome by today's standards, the fact that they were pushing against what was expected of them in their time and community probably would have labeled them as troublesome at the time. Their book club read books that encouraged them to question their current situation, while their friendship gave them the support and safety net to share their own struggles and push the boundaries around them.

The book sometimes felt like it was trying to hit a checklist of obstacles that would have blocked women from jobs, bank accounts, bodily autonomy, and opportunities. The book did not always seem to flow. It was almost like many short stories with their own story arcs that addressed conflict, climax, and resolution before moving on to the next problem women faced in the 1960s. Almost all problems found a solution that was favorable for the woman struggling in the situation, which, while satisfying, was also unrealistic. Most of the obstacles were predictable if you know of the history of women in that time.

I found it ironic that the author was recognizing how The Feminine Mystique was targeted to middle-class white women while writing a book that was also reflecting on the lives of the same demographic. In Bostwick's book, there were mentions that poor people do exist in relation to the medical office, and also a strong smart Black nurse that we meet for about 2 pages to hear her story who later attends a rally with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No one has to escape a phsically abusive relationship, however they are all talked down to and emotionally manipulated in a variety of ways.

If this book were part of any of my current book clubs, I feel like it would give us many topics of discussion. There are discussion questions already in the book version, and the author mentions she will be adding recipes and more on her personal website. But even without those things, the book lends itself to many discussions about what life was like for these women with varying challenges in the 1960s and comparisons of experiences of women in current times.

Even though I had some issues with some of the book, I did enjoy it and was invested in the women, their journeys, and the bond between them that made each more courageous to stand up for themselves.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick explores the lives of four housewives in the 1960s.The four women bond over Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique, and start a book club called the “Betties.”

The title of the book is a bit deceiving. The Book Club itself takes a backseat to the other events happening in each of the women’s lives. And perhaps “pushing boundaries” is a better description of what happens in the book versus “troublesome.”

Ultimately, the book was a good exploration of what life was like for women in the early 60s. It was fun to see how much has changed and a bit sad to think about how much has not.

After reading this book, I plan to add The Feminine Mystique to my TBR list.

I listened to The Book Club for Troublesome Women’s audiobook. The narrator did a great job of giving life to four distinct characters

I love a book based on a book with books scattered throughout. The Book Club for Troublesome Women is centered around a group of women who read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. The Feminine Mystique, published in 1963, is a groundbreaking manifesto that gave voice to women's belief that institutions were working to stifle their creativity and intellect in an effort to keep them at home {aka "the problem that has no name"}. That being said, the book was problematic in that it focused only on middle class white women and ignored Black women, women of color, and women who had to work in order to support their families. This is the world that is inhabited by Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv.

I found the Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv to be relatable and charming in their own way. The character growth was not what I expected. Many of the choices made by the women were in reaction to decisions of the men in their lives. I would've liked to have seen more autonomy on the part of the women. For example, Bitsy could've left her cad of a husband when he was disrespecting her, rather than waiting to find out he had a pregnant side piece. Still, the way the women supported each other was well written. 

The supporting characters were well written and provided a nice break in the drama between the women. These characters also filled in the gaps that were glaringly obvious in Friedan's original work. Additionally, there were historical events and a running list of books that also added to the story and helped challenge the circumstances of the women's lives.

My greatest takeaway from this novel is that women need a support system that is comprised of other women. We absolutely cannot make it through this world on our own. The relationship that develops between Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv is relatable and aspirational. We watch them go from strangers who meet by happenstance to framily {friends + family} who are deeply devoted to each other individually and collectively. Even the women's families come to rely on the women for support and intercession when needed. 

I loved that the author's note at the end of the book contained important historical information relevant to the lives of women, such as the fact that women weren't able to benefit from the Equal Credit Opportunity Act until 1974 or that women required their husband's permission in order to receive medical care {side note: I was a corporal in the U.S. Army and a mother of three who needed my husband's permission to have a tubal ligation. This was in 1996.}. 

This novel is a nice counter to the "trad wife" trend that seems to be taking shape online.