Interesting book about a time in history that I am not very familiar with. I had trouble with the narrator at first and it took me a while to get used to her cadence, but once she started getting into the characters in their lives it improved. Interesting premise and good character development.

In The Book Club for Troublesome Women, the author weaves a rich tapestry of historical fiction, I won’t lie when the first thing that caught my eye was the title. Any book centering around a book club- I am in! These four incredibly distinct women who, despite their differences, are brought together by the shared challenges they face. Each woman’s unique personality and background shine through, making them equally compelling in their own right. The way these characters navigate their respective struggles is both moving and empowering.

The beauty of the book lies in its portrayal of the complexity of women’s experiences, blending history, personal growth, and friendship. As the narrative unfolds, readers are invited into the lives of these fascinating individuals, learning about their triumphs, fears, and dreams.

The writing itself is engaging, and the pacing keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. What stands out most is how the author gives each character space to grow, making their journey both relatable and satisfying. It’s a celebration of diversity in thought, experience, and voice. Perfect for book club discussions, this book offers plenty to reflect on regarding the power of camaraderie, resilience, and self-discovery.

If you enjoy a blend of historical context and vivid character development, this is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for providing an ARC to review!

Set in the early 1960s, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb—suburban housewives in a brand-new planned community in Northern Virginia—who appear to have it all by society’s standards. Yet, they can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. When their new neighbor, Charlotte Gustafson, an artsy and independent woman from Manhattan, introduces them to Betty Friedan’s groundbreaking book, The Feminine Mystique, their perspectives begin to shift. But is it truly Friedan’s book that changes their lives, or is it the power of female friendship that gives them the courage to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving world?

I am absolutely the perfect audience for this book. As the daughter of a woman who came of age in the ’60s and fought some of these very battles so I could have more rights as a woman in a productive society, this story resonated deeply. As a Gen-X woman, I watched these archetypes persist into the ’80s as that generation of mothers aged, and while some barriers were broken, others stubbornly remained. This book also took me back to my early reading experiences—devouring Erma Bombeck’s humorous columns about the realities of being a wife and mother. That nostalgia hit hard, even though I wasn’t from this generation.

Beyond nostalgia, this book also made me reflect on my own experiences. When my husband and I married in 1992, I remember how frustrating it was trying to get his name removed as the guarantor for my medical bills—even though I had my own insurance through my employer. It took countless phone calls to fix something that should have been simple, and it made me think about all the women before me who had to fight even harder for basic autonomy. This novel has an incredible ability to evoke memory and emotion, and anytime a book can do that, it deserves major accolades.

I loved each of the female characters in this book and found myself relating to them in different ways. Even the secondary characters, like Erline and Viv’s boss, were well-developed and interesting. Marie Bostwick did a phenomenal job making each woman feel real and distinct, and I was completely engrossed in their journeys. The character arcs were so compelling that I found myself squeezing in listening time at every opportunity. I finished this audiobook in just a few days, and now that it’s over, I genuinely miss these characters.

If you read this book, don’t skip the author’s note at the end! She shares important historical context, including the fact that women weren’t able to benefit from the Equal Credit Opportunity Act until 1974. That’s within my lifetime—and it’s wild to think how recent some of these fundamental rights are. Parts of this book will enrage you, amaze you, and leave you with a deep appreciation for the women who fought for equality.

“You can have it all, just not all at the same time.”
― Betty Friedan

A special shoutout to Lisa Flanagan, whose narration was absolutely outstanding. She gave each of the women in this book a distinct voice and personality, making it easy to tell them apart. Her ability to bring even the male characters to life with unique, natural-sounding voices is no small feat, and it elevated the entire listening experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to and review this fantastic audiobook.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women did what I was not expecting. I think it handled a place in time filled with difficult moments very well. Taking on the lens of women's troubles in the 1960s.

It features real issues that existed and still do exist today that we sometimes forget about and let sink into the background. This book pulls to the surface the importance of community and self-assurance. How we have nothing if we do not have our own self. I thought all the discussions around the times were handled much better than I expected.

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. The narrator is clearly very skilled, and the book is written in a style that benefits from a storytelling type of consumption.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this Audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick and narrated by Lisa Flanagan is a wonderful novel of friendship, self-exploration, and ultimately, self-actualization. Set in the early 1960s, a group of women—housewives in an up and coming suburb—come together as friends through a bookclub. They had no idea that the first book that they would read, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan would have such a profound change on all their lives. In fact, they started calling themselves “The Bettys” after the author. This is a story that clearly illustrates how far American women have come in such a short time. Young women today really should never forget what their grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to do so they can enjoy the freedom they have today.

The characters are believable and the story line kept me hooked right up until the very end. I also enjoyed the author’s epilog at the end of the book as well. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful book. My opinions are my own.

I honestly didn’t think I was going to love this book as much as I did. I picked the book up not really knowing what to expect but it was wonderful. You follow four friends and the lives that they have built for themselves. It was moving, it was tough, and as a wife myself, certain parts were still a bit relatable.

NetGalley also gave me a chance to listen to the audiobook, so following along with the ebook made the experience more vibrant. I really liked the narrator, she did a good job of bringing each character more animated. The audiobook was good, the narrator was perfect and clear to understand.

Pub date: April 22, 2025

A group of 4 housewives start a book club in their cookie-cutter DC suburb neighborhood in the 1960’s. They form a deep friendship and bond and each grow in their way after their first read - The Feminine Mystique. I was interested in each of the main women, there was a SATC vibe to the variety of the characters. The historical notes were interesting, this book captured a very particular time in American history. Fans of Kristin Hannah & Kate Quinn might enjoy this book, although I didn’t shed any tears like I might in any KH book.

The audio narrator did well balancing the characters and the pace was good. Overall I enjoyed this book and think it would make a good book club pick.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've been fascinated by The Feminine Mystique both in its own right and as a cultural artifact since college. I love a book club, and I love troublesome women. I found this group (who call themselves The Bettys) to be totally endearing. I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley for review, and I'm so glad. I will be recommending this to many of my reading friends, especially my book club!

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: The early 1960s in Concordia, a planned community in Northern Virginia
Genre: Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Book Club for Troublesome Women offers a touching glimpse into the lives of suburban housewives in the 1960s, grappling with societal expectations and the stirrings of second-wave feminism. The novel beautifully captures the power of female friendship, with Margaret Ryan’s accidental book club serving as a safe haven for self-discovery and quiet rebellion. The themes of marriage, identity, and personal freedom resonate, making for a heartfelt and nostalgic read.

However, despite its promising premise, the novel struggles with execution. The pacing is uneven, often dragging in moments that should feel more impactful. While the themes are important, they become repetitive, and the characters—though engaging—sometimes feel like archetypes rather than fully realized individuals. The conflicts unfold predictably, and by the end, there’s a lingering sense that the story could have gone deeper, delivering more emotional weight.

While The Book Club for Troublesome Women has moments of warmth and insight, it ultimately falls short of its full potential. Readers who enjoy stories of female camaraderie and historical reflection may still find value here, but those seeking a more nuanced or dynamic narrative might be left wanting more. #NetGalley #thebookclubfortroublesomewomen

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an audio advanced copy of this book!

4.5⭐️
As an avid romance reader, historical fiction is usually a bit of a struggle for me. Yet, The Book Club for Troublesome Women pulled me in relatively quickly and kept my attention! It took me maybe 20% of the book to get the characters down and remember who was who but after that I was free sailing and fully engrossed.

I particularly liked the ties to real life events that were happening at the time. I felt like it really grounded the story in reality for me. Even though the characters and their stories were made up, they COULD’VE been real.

The audiobook was an excellent experience in particular and I highly recommend consuming the book that way!

I loved this audiobook! Lisa Flanagan delivered a brilliant narration, but the true star was Marie Bostwick’s story—a powerful, heartfelt tribute to friendship, feminism, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Set in 1960s Virginia, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows Margaret Ryan, who never intended to start a book club… or spark a feminist revolution. When a new neighbour, Charlotte Gustafson, arrives in Concordia, Margaret seizes the chance to bring women together, hosting a book club that tackles The Feminine Mystique. Alongside Bitsy and Viv, these four women—the Bettys—find themselves questioning the roles they’ve been assigned and discovering the strength to want more.

Bostwick captures the era’s microaggressions and societal limitations with nuance and honesty, making me cheer for Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy as they push against expectations and claim their space. The themes of self-discovery, sisterhood, and resilience are woven beautifully throughout, making this both an empowering and emotional read.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is humorous, thought-provoking, and utterly absorbing. If you love books about strong women finding their voice, the power of friendship, and the courage to challenge the status quo, this is a must-read. Highly recommended!

This was my first Marie Bostwick novel and it was a good one. I enjoyed how she wove different viewpoints on woman hood into different "classes" of women in the time period.

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?

Great historical fiction that develops themes of friendship and feminism. Touches on problems that women faced back in the day over all very interesting read.

This novel is set in the 1960s, and follows four traditional housewives. They formed a book club together, and the books they read challenged their perspectives of the world, their roles as women, and what they can be. The book follows these women's stories as they change, grow, and take steps towards their own autonomy. It was a good glimpse into the struggles of that day. A good reminder of how much we have to be thankful for the work feminists have done to bring us to where we are today.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Marie Bostwick's *The Book Club for Troublesome Women* is a humorous and thought-provoking novel set in the 1960s. The story follows four suburban housewives who form a book club and discover the transformative power of Betty Friedan's *The Feminine Mystique*. As the women grapple with their personal struggles and societal expectations, their bond and the book spark significant growth and change in their lives. Bostwick's engaging writing style and well-developed characters make this a compelling read that explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of postwar American womanhood.

I listened to the audiobook, the performer bought the variety of characters to life.

I recommend this to fans of historical fiction and stories about female empowerment will find much to appreciate in this wonderful story.

This book is exactly what you think it should be, and it’s absolutely perfect! The wit of the women coming together is genuine, sassy and definitely bad-assy.
It’s sad to think, that the ideas in this book still have a role in our world 60 years later. Women must always stand together and come together for a greater cause.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity with this ALC!

Four women read The Feminine Mystique and take action in their lives as they think on and process what the book means to them and how it can effect or change their lives.

This is an excellent beach read! It was light, a good story (love these “book club” books), and included some WW2 history. However, it did feel a bit corny, wrapping up feeling a little too perfect and there is a tiny blurb to acknowledge intersectional feminism but thought they could have added a little more to that sorry line.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. This was a fun read! I was honestly worried it would be very very liberal feminist book, but at times it was but I was happy with how the author incorporated how men were expected to have a good job and all the weight on their shoulders to support a family etc. I did like the female friendships and how they all came together and bonded and became such good friends and how encouraging they were to one another. I read this book in a day as I could not put it down. I was also talking to my mom not to long ago who was a late teenager at the time this book takes place. And she remembers how hard it was for a woman in some areas even though she is pro housewife stay at home and always took care of us kids while my dad went to work and provided for the family. I highly recommend this novel! It was a fantastic read! The narrator did a great job!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.
The book was ok, I don't think anything extreme happened so it just didn't do it for me.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a thought-provoking and still highly relevant exploration of women's rights, set against the backdrop of the 1960s. The story follows four dissatisfied housewives who are grappling with the struggles of not being able to access birth control without their husband's permission, needing their husband's signature to open a bank account, and generally feeling undervalued for the constant work they do.

I absolutely loved this book! While it shines a light on the challenges these women face, it also beautifully highlights the power of communication, friendship, and love. It's a powerful reminder of how far we've come and how much further we still have to go.

An excellent read that blends history with emotion and reflection—highly recommend!

The narrator, Lisa Flanagan, performs perfectly and adds much to the story!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.