“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” reminds us how far women have come and how far we still have to go. It’s 1963 in Concordia, a Stepford-esque suburb of DC when Maggie Ryan starts her book club almost by accident as a way to befriend the new mysterious neighbor, Charlotte. Plucked from her life in Manhattan, Charlotte is not embracing her new role as suburban housewife. Ensuring the book club is not another vapid bore, Charlotte picks “The Feminine Mystique” as their first book to read and “The Betty’s” (aptly named for author Betty Friedan) are born. Maggie, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv may have been u likely friends but they form a lifelong bond cemented in their 1963 awakening. Set in the backdrop of a pivotal year in American history, readers follow The Bettys as they struggle to carve out their own place in a man’s world. They can’t open a bank account or receive birth control without their husband’s permission. Lovers of historical fiction and women’s fiction will enjoy this book. Marie Bostwick delivers a powerful message in a quick, relatable, entertaining read. 4.5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book. 4.5 stars. This book focuses on the trials, tribulations, joys, and successes of a dynamic group of women as they build their book club along with a strong support network. The majority of the book takes place in suburban Virginia during the 1960s.

I listened to the audio book and feel that the narrator did a perfect job. It flowed so nicely, her voice added to the story and never detracted in any way. The characters were well developed and I loved how supportive the women were of each other, even when they disagreed. I did feel that it all wrapped up a little too perfectly after the majority of the book seemed quite realistic.

I am very glad I read this book and highly recommend it. I don’t often listen to historical fiction. This was done well because the characters felt real, not written in a stuffy one-dimensional way like some books writing about past events. The author researched the time well and included a lot of details that I heard my mom talk about. A beautiful story of friendship, family, and being brave enough to believe in yourself.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC. #TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen #NetGalley

I did think there would be more "book clubbing" in this book than there actually was, but I do realize that there weren't a ton of options for literature back then. I liked how each woman's story played out, and I think that each was given equal "page" time. I knew each character equally throughout the novel, which kept me invested in their lives.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women, written by Marie Bostwick, narrated by Lisa Flanagan, is a novel that transported me back in time to the 60s, an era where women couldn't open a bank account or get a birth control prescription without their husband's approval. The female friendships depicted on the page, however, are familiar and relatable. I absolutely loved this peek into the past and these women's lives. The narrator was fantastic, giving each character's voice their own distinct pitch and tempo. Highly recommend!!!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick follows the lives of four women that live in the same neighborhood, but all lead very different lives. They become fast friends when they all take part in a neighborhood book club. Their first choice of novels is the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The book changes the framework of their lives and the roles they play within their homes. Maggie turns to writing and finds herself being offered an opportunity she never thought possible. Charlotte is stuck in an unhappy marriage and is struggling with her lack of confidence in the art world. Bitsy and her husband have struggled to start a family making her wonder if a family is really what she wants. Viv has been a stay at home mom of 6 and is finally ready to go out in the world and find purpose.

I found the characters in the novel to be enjoyable. They work through their wins and their struggles together and all become Bettys for life. It is an eye opening book about the life and expectations of the modern woman in the 1960's and how their lives after all this time are still relatable today.

I received a free copy of the audiobook, The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a thoughtful, heartfelt look at four suburban women in 1960s Virginia who are quietly rebelling against the roles they've been boxed into. They start a book club centered around The Feminine Mystique, and what begins as a reading group turns into something much bigger—a space for these women to find their voices, challenge the expectations around them, and support each other through real personal growth.
Each character feels distinct, and you really get to see them evolve especially Margaret and Charlotte, whose arcs were particularly compelling. Bostwick does a great job of capturing the era and the quiet strength of women navigating it. Yes, some moments wrap up a little too neatly, but the emotional payoff is still satisfying.
If you're into stories about female friendship, personal transformation, and reclaiming identity especially with a historical lens-this one's worth your time. Think Mona Lisa Smile meets The Feminine Mystique, with a warm, empowering tone..

A story about much more than a book club. This story is set in the early 60's and has many housewives as characters. At first glance you think it's going to be one outstanding woman. However, I was surprised to love all of the characters for different reasons as they work through their own triumphs and issues. These dreamers gave me a distraction during our current environment. Would be interested in reading something else from this author based on this book.

I was first drawn to this book because of its STUNNING cover, and was really intrigued by the historical setting as the 1960s was a significant time for social changes and political unrest. The fight for equality is ongoing, but it’s hard to believe what women were up against just 60 years ago and how far we’ve come. I’m grateful for all of the changes women have pushed for and truly believe there’s nothing stronger than women who come together in solidarity to fight for what they believe in.

I enjoyed this overall message, though I found that the plot dragged on in several parts causing me to intermittently lose interest. I needed a little more. Though I will say that Lisa Flanagan did a fantastic job with the narration.

Although slow plot wise, the character development was done well. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Margaret, Viv, Bitsy and Charlotte. They were all strong, smart and creative women who had bigger dreams than society wanted them to have. I loved seeing them open up and become vulnerable with each other, forming an unbreakable sisterhood. In some ways, it reminded me of the friendship between the women from Sex and the City, but in a very different time. I actually think this book could lend itself well to a tv series.

I believe this had a lot of potential. While there were things that I enjoyed, this fell a little short for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse Books, and author Marie Bostwick for the audio ALC. The book will be released April 22, 2025.

First I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

This book is largely set in 1962-3 and follows a cadre of tradtional housewives on the same street as they form a book club and later forge life long friendships. Think Desperate Housewives of the sixties, but they were desperate for attention, equal pay, and opportunity that women had to fight for during this time.

This book was very slow in the beginning, it picked up halfway through and that is when drama, suspense, and the women coming into their own happened.

I enjoyed following the four women and their families, especially Margaret and Viv who struck out on their own to seek employment. I felt bad for Bitsy and Charlotte, who were trapped in their mismatched marriages.

I loved Charlotte's character arc, as well as Bitsy's. Both had a lot of growth.

I found the ending to be a little too neatly resolved, and I found the epilogue a little predictable.
I would give this a solid 3.5-3.75.

A worthy read, I just do not think the title matched the book until the later half.

I had high hopes for this book. As a history teacher of women in American history this seemed right in my wheelhouse. I waited months for this book. The book disappointed me in so many ways. It felt cliche and poorly researched. The characters were what modern women think is the stereotypical women of this period without understanding women fully during this time. The writing was mediocre. This book was a struggle.

What I liked the most about this book was how different each woman's home life was and how each woman still had societal expectations and restrictions during this time period. Even the character that had the most supportive, loving husband, still had limitations that the men in society did not have. I also enjoyed this book because it is a good reminder of how hard women have fought and how far we have come (and still have further to go). The story was a tiny bit on the long side, but on the other hand it did have 4 different perspectives and though the women intersected throughout the story, they each still had their own unique circumstances and stories. This would be a great book club pick!

I really enjoyed this one. The friendships, the quiet rebellion, the 60s setting, all of it just worked. It hit that balance between emotional and empowering without being too heavy. I loved how each woman had her own arc, and the book club theme tied everything together so well.

Also, the audiobook narrator was perfect, made the story feel even more personal.

Definitely recommend if you’re into character-driven stories with heart.

Thanks to @netgalley and @Harpermusebooks for the audio ALC. The book will be released April 22, 2025.

I found this book to be an uplifting historical fiction and loved it. I realized 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.

This book gives insight into what our mothers and grandmothers had to endure to ensure we got the rights and privileges we have today (hopefully we continue to keep them in our future). It activated my feminine rage without a doubt. This book was so heartwarming and feisty that I couldn't put it down!

I received an early copy of this audiobook and really enjoyed it! It had all the women’s group feels - Steel Magnolias, First Wives Club, etc. The women lifting other women up and supporting each other when no one else will. As someone who studied Betty Friedan in high school and whose grandmother was a direct response to this time and place, I thought it was a fun and somewhat touching glimpse of the lives of so many.

The “Bettys”—a suburban book club named in honor of Betty Friedan and her groundbreaking The Feminine Mystique—seem to have everything the 1960s idealized: loving families, beautiful homes, and successful husbands in Northern Virginia. But Margaret, Vivian, Bitsy, and Charlotte know the truth: something vital is missing.

Margaret, a gifted writer, dreams of becoming a journalist. Vivian, a former war nurse, longs to reconnect with the purpose and intensity of her past career. Bitsy, with her gentle spirit and love of animals, yearns to become a veterinarian. And Charlotte, a bold transplant from New York City, aches to make her mark as an artist. Society tells them they’re foolish for wanting more—but their hearts won’t listen.

Through shared frustration and secret ambitions, their book club becomes a lifeline. As they discuss Friedan’s radical ideas, these women begin to realize they’re not alone—and they’re not wrong. The “Bettys” evolve into a sisterhood, championing one another as they push against expectations and pursue the lives they were meant to lead.

Full of heart, humor, and fierce determination, this story of friendship and feminist awakening is perfect for fans of Marie Bostwick. With richly drawn characters and a vibrant historical backdrop, it celebrates the everyday revolutionaries who dared to ask for more—and got it. Five big stars from me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Focus, and of course the author Marie Bostwick for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Book Club for Troublesome Women is out on April 22nd. All opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free audio copy prior to publishing. This was a very well done historical fiction from early 1960’s where women could not obtain birth control or open a bank account without husband’s consent. Four suburban wives create a book club and read a book that will change their lives. Enjoyed learning more about their different backgrounds, dreams and trajectories their lives took while becoming fast friends..

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

This was an inspiring journey! It often amazes me how one person’s words can inspire so many.

A small group of women gathered to discuss a profound book and it changed their lives.

All from different backgrounds and circumstances found a family of women that learned so much about themselves. Through so many significant life changes they encouraged and challenged one another and championed their causes.

I absolutely loved reading this journey of women finding their way and supporting one another in ways no one could imagine.

This is told from multiple points but only to characterize the journey.

In the 1960s, four housewives found a gold mine with the sisterhood they formed with a book club. They live in a “planned community” and appear to have it all.

Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, Bitsy Cob and Charlotte Gustafson come together discussing the controversial “The Feminine Mystique”. They call themselves “The Bettys”.

The book introduced them to the possibility of what could be, and planted hope among their frustration and dissatisfaction as they navigate a world of change, their sisterhood carries them into the future.

This is historical fiction covering women’s rights, Jackie Kennedy, and more.

I loved it! Four women, four friends take on the world after reading an inspiring book! 5/5⭐

I would like to say Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the ARC of both the e-book and the audiobook. Both are phenomenal!

The narration is excellent!

Margaret is the definition of a 1960s housewife. She stays at home to look after her three kids, cooks and cleans the house. But she is bored, and feels as though her life is lackluster. She finds camaraderie amongst the other women in her neighborhood, who experience similar feelings to her. When Charlotte moves in, she stirs things up by starting a book club with the first read being about not repressing yourself as a woman.

I love the theme of female friendship and how it can be so uplifting. The women in the book club all have their own struggles and lean on each other to begin to find some independence. I liked how they were all in different places in their lives, and the time period added a lot to the cultural context of the story. I did find it a bit similar to other books I have read, with the writing not particularly standing out. However, I did enjoy it.

I was really intrigued by the premise of The Book Club for Troublesome Women, but ultimately the book was "just okay". The plot tells the stores of four white women in NOVA living typical lives and they start a book club together. I didn't find anything about the women or their actions to be "troublesome" so I felt the book title was a bit misleading. I think the plot would have vastly improved if there had been differences amongst the women: class, race, education, *something*. The four characters were just ordinary women living ordinary 1960s lives.

I enjoyed the audio narrator and didn't find any qualms with the narration. The narrator had the same tone of voice for each character, which some might find issue with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Focus, and Harper Collins Muse for the advanced copy. The Book Club for Troublesome Women hits shelves on April 22, 2025.

Huge thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks for allowing me the opportunity to listen to The Book Club for Troublesome Women. This book was wonderful from start to finish. I was immediately drawn to the characters and their lives as women during the 1960's. Each woman had their own unique situations that made them endearing and led the reader to root for them. This novel reminds us how far we have come and how far we still have to go in the fight for women's rights.