What a lovely group of women. Can I join this book club?

I received an advance audiobook of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick.

This was a heartwarming, heartbreaking, fun book to listen to. I really enjoyed The narration.

The characters are well written with great character development. You can really feel their struggles and growth and all the emotions.

A 5 star historical fiction.

This book follows four 1960’s housewives: Margret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy as they navigate life after reading The Feminine Mystique and are forever changed by it.

I would give The BookClub For Troublesome Women 4.5 stars. This was an uplifting and easy-read historical fiction! I loved the camaraderie of these four friends. I found myself rooting for each of these characters as they were balancing being a housewife and pursuing their passions. I loved watching each lady grow and overcome their own adversities. I appreciate how this book touched on many of the injustices of women and Black Americans at that time. I appreciate how Bostwick acknowledged the main audience reading The Feminine Mystique were privileged women who were being constricted by society and that not all women had the opportunity or means like those readers. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and getting a glimpse into these four ladies' lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audiobook ARC of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and performed by Lisa Flanagan. All opinions in this review are my own. Expected publication April 22, 2025 #NetGalley #TheBookClubForTroublesomeWomen #HarperMuse

This book broke my heart in all of the best ways! This is a beautiful work of historical fiction that will resonate with many readers. As you follow the lives of the four core women, you see the highs and lows of their everyday lives. These women are wonderfully created, and you will walk away with so much about family, friendship, feminism, and the power of a good book. Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy navigate so many difficult topics from fertility to adultery, even what it's like to feel unfulfilled in your life. The theme of feeling unfulfilled radiates throughout the book, whether it's being unfulfilled in their marriage, in the world at large, in the workforce, or in motherhood. No matter what you've been through or are going through, you will find someone or something to connect with in this book.

Come to this book for the love of literature and how it can bring us together, stay for the power of friendship and resilience of women.

In The Book Club for Troublesome Women, Marie Bostwick transports us back to 1963, when four women decide that a suburban life of casseroles and conforming to their husbands’ every whim just isn’t cutting it. And what better way to shake things up than to start a book club, with Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique as their fiery inaugural read? These four housewives—Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy—who become known as “The Bettys,” are in for a wild ride that’s about as rebellious as you could get in the ’60s without burning your bra.

The Bettys begin as typical housewives of their time, navigating strict gender roles and overbearing husbands. But a few chapters into Friedan’s masterpiece, they’re hit with the shocking realization that maybe, just maybe, life shouldn’t revolve around ironing shirts and packing lunchboxes. As they dive into the world of second-wave feminism, each woman finds herself questioning everything, from birth control (that their husbands need to “approve”) to their access to bank accounts (also only possible with hubby’s signature). You know, real liberation vibes.

What follows is a blend of personal awakening and the chaos that comes from housewives growing a spine. Margaret, for instance, goes from perfect PTA mom to questioning why she ever traded her dreams for a “weekly allowance.” Charlotte, the artsy New Yorker of the group, practically hands out permission slips for rebellion and becomes the de facto feminist icon of the group, though still at war with her own controlling father. They even try to walk a mile in their husbands’ loafers—minus the golf outings and unchecked authority.

If the book’s focus on themes of independence, societal expectations, and female friendship sounds uplifting, that’s because it is. However, Bostwick doesn’t go light on the reality check. The sheer absurdity of having to fight for birth control or needing a signature to cash a check is enough to make you laugh, cry, or both. Sure, the “neatly wrapped up” happy endings might feel a bit idealistic, but hey, it’s nice to imagine that breaking free from patriarchy can occasionally come with a nice little bow.

Ultimately, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a celebration of women who, despite being cast as side characters in their own lives, find their voices through the radical notion of reading a book. Bostwick blends nostalgia with an edgy critique of the ‘60s, showing us just how “troublesome” women can be with a little nudge—and the right book. So, if you’ve ever fantasized about rebelling against the patriarchy, one cocktail hour at a time, consider joining The Bettys.

Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read/listen to this book.
If you enjoyed housewife 49 then this is for you.
It follows a woman called margaret and her life in the 60s.
A very inciteful look into how she grows to being independent even though her husband is against her working.
Her get together with the ladies of her bookclub and their stories.
Brilliantly written and beautifully narrated.

This was like a 1950s desperate housewives and I loved it! Not at all what I was expecting but different. A bookclub I could join! Loved the characters. And the narrator is one of my very favorites!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you for letting me listen to an advance copy of this audiobook! I enjoyed both the audio narration of the book and the book itself. I saw somewhere that it was listed as good for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and I completely agree due to the time in which the book takes place and the women within who struggle for equality. I am a fan of books about books and this scratched that itch without being over the top (and without being a turnoff to those who don't care for that category).

This wonderfully narrated audiobook talks about how life was in the early 1960s, it reminded me of the television show 'Leave it to Beaver'. This story takes place in a DC suburb, 4 women, neighbors, decide to form a book club. And, when they read Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique', they all want more out of life aside from being a wife and mother. I love hearing them talk abour ordering pantyhose for the first time from the Sear's catalogue. This is the time period when many of us, myself included, helped glue green stamps into books for prizes and we had a milkman deliver dairy. It was also a time period when fur coats were status symbols, you could rent a typewriter for $7 a month, wives were getting an allowance from their husbands, and it wasn't until 1974 that a married woman could open a bank account for herself. This story is about the power of female friendships, the friendships that can change your life for the better. Along with the author, I also loved her characters.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a nostalgic journey through a pivotal year in American history, celebrating the power of sisterhood and the courage to challenge the status quo. It's an inspiring read for those interested in stories about strong women finding their voices and the enduring impact of friendship

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and Marie Bostwick for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You know it’s a good book when you forget that its story is fictional. The way that I connected with Charlotte, Margaret, Viv and Bitsy felt seamless, like if I were to show up to their book club to talk about The Feminine Mystique I would be welcomed without a bat of an eyelash. Finding yourself as a woman in 2025 can be hard - finding yourself in 1960 as a woman that can’t even open their own bank account without their husband’s permission… just puts in perspective how far we have come in the last 60 years, but the work is also far from done.

This book was about navigating life, breaking social norms and finding empowerment within yourself. If Concordia, Virginia were a real place - sign me up to be a new resident, just so I could join the “Betty’s” and their book club.

Also, thank you for adding the part about Charlotte having power windows in her car, because I would have never googled when they became a thing - and would have never known they were invented in the 1940s.

I am absolutely enamored with "The Book Club for Troublesome Women"! From start to finish, I adored every moment spent with these characters, and now that I’ve finished, I find myself missing them dearly. I didn’t even want to finish the book because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

Marie Bostwick is such a talented writer—her storytelling feels effortless, and she crafted an incredibly authentic world that pulled me right in. I absolutely loved that this book was set in the 1960s; it made me nostalgic for a time I never even experienced. It was such a fresh take on historical fiction, especially since so much of the genre focuses on World War II. In her author's note, Bostwick mentions how hard it was to let go of these characters, and I felt the exact same way. It truly felt like I was one of the Bettys. Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy will stay with me for a long time, and I already can’t wait to read more from Bostwick.

As for the audiobook, Lisa Flanagan’s narration was phenomenal. She has been one of my favorite narrators ever since "The Shoemaker’s Wife", and she is just as excellent here. Her precise pronunciations and dulcet tone brought every character to life in a way that made this book even more special.

This is, without a doubt, my first five-star read of 2025, and I cannot recommend it enough—especially in audio!

Thank you to Marie Bostwick, Lisa Flanagan, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed listening to this book! The stories of the Betty's were so entertaining! So many bits of history intertwined that are so important to know about today! The characters and the books they read brought everything together!

I love the “Betty’s”! It’s the 1960’s and a women’s place is to be the little woman and take care of the home. The four main characters come from different walks of life living in the same neighborhood. They start a bookclub. The first book chosen is “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan. The book is an awakening for these women and their families. A good story with the narration well done.

Thank you#NetGalley, #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse, #MarieBostwick, #LisaFlanagan and #TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen

A story of four very different women who come together with the purpose of hopefully being friends through starting a book club. The first book was a very controversial for that time, The Feminine Mystique. As the women get to know each other better and bond between them develops they each realize that they do have other hopes and dreams than just being a housewife and mother. Some believe that reading the book has opened their eyes to other possibilities.
The story is set in 1963 and really opened my eyes. I was only 8 years old and never realized how hard it must have been for my mom at that time. She worked and raised 4 kids, but couldn’t open a bank account in her name? I was very interested in that part of the story. The actual plot did seem to drag on a bit. The narrator was very good and I did enjoy listening to her. I just think it could have been shorter.

This is the story of 4 women in a upper middle class subdivision in VA in 1962 and 1963. They start a book club based on Betty Friedans ground breaking book ”The Feminine Mystique”. Naming their book club “ the Bettys” they take on all of the challenges of modern womanhood, and the conflicted emotions and discontent that accompanies it.
Firstly, Im not a violent person- but this book makes me want to punch someone in the throat- the men in the book. How they talk down to the women, even those they love and treat them like children. There is a scene at the bank where one of the characters earns some money, and tried to open up her own account. Nope, she needed her husbands signature. She also needed his permission to get birth control pills. No wonder this generation of women were all drinking , smoking and taking pills to help them cope.

The story deftly covers several themes beside women’s oppression. I especially liked how men in this time were also trapped into jobs they hated- they were the sole support. Women had to choose men that could be counted on to be reliable breadwinners, as they had little opportunities to earn their own money, especially after they had children.
I listened to the audio version and the character of Charlotte’ surely was channeling Samantha ( from SITC). Loved them all , but especially loved her. These are the ‘ride or die’ friends you want around you.
I see echos of the theme rearing its ugly head today- our choices are being eroded, and many would like to go back to those days, where women married because they had no other options.
Recommend- this would be a great idea for a book club to discuss.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved The Book Club for Troublesome Women! This book was engaging, compelling, and, most importantly, inspiring. The story wonderfully captures the complexities of female friendships and personal growth, weaving together humor and emotion in a way that feels both authentic and uplifting. The narrator, who did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Their pacing and tone was spot-on.

The book tackles the complicated roles women have overcome but done it in a way that also showcases love, heartbreak, found family and the shifts of society. I enjoyed getting to learn the different characters and the varied paths they took but how one bookclub brought them together. It was beautiful

The book in general was really well written and enjoyable. The pacing was good as the storytelling from the author. The story gives humor and seriousness while also giving the reader a positive ending. The women are well rounded characters. Each character learns and grows for the better in this book. I would recommend this book. I really enjoyed listening to it, though it does come in print/ebook form. Be sure to pick it up when it comes out in April 2025.

This was such an interesting read about a group of women who did not feel like they fit in just being housewives taking care of the kids. They wanted more in life and they all started sharing this with each other when they read the book The Feminine Mystique in their bookclub where the called themselves "The Bettys." This story focused on things that women in the past used to deal with such as having the husbands signature to sign off on them opening bank accounts or for them to get birth control. I can't imagine how they felt experiencing that. I did enjoy the different paths that the women were on and each of their stories. I also enjoyed one of the husbands, Walt, and how he was supportive of his wives desire to get out of the house and write even though he wasn't the most supportive at first.

3.5 ⭐rounding up to 4⭐
Following WWII there was a push felt by women to return to the home and find complete fulfillment as mothers and housewives. <i>The Book Club for Troublesome Women</i> covers a matter of months in 1963 ending around the time of JFK's assassination. The story demonstrates some of the issues and discrimination women encountered but stays on a lighter note and maintains an uplifting message. I've known women who had to run for their lives during this time period because spousal abuse wasn't taken seriously. Their stories are always in my mind when I read about these moments in history.

This was my first time reading Marie Bostwick and I enjoyed her easy conversational style. Here we are brought into the lives of four North Virginia housewives each desperate for more than what they've been told their capable of having. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charolotte each have differing opinions and unique voices representing dreams that women were denied based on gender and marital status. The fact that a wedding band rendered women intellectually incapable in the eyes of the majority was a fact. The idea that women had to have their husband's written permission to open a bank account or access birth control was the norm. I can't imagine how it must've felt to earn my own check and need my husband's permission to have an account. The thought of having to seek anyone else's approval for my own medical needs fills me with disgust, but this was the reality women faced.

Margaret begins an impromptu book club with the hopes of befriending a new neighbor Charlotte who has just moved into their quaint neighborhood from Manhattan. Charlotte is outspoken and larger than life. Margaret feels a drive to get to know this audacious woman. She invites Viv a mother of many who misses her nursing career and Bitsy a young wife to an older doctor who is bent on becoming a father ASAP. Bitsy had aspirations of being a veterinarian, but her gender became a roadblock to pursuing her education. When these women dive into Betty Friedan's <i>The Feminine Mystique</i> it makes them feel seen. Each character felt distinctive in her goals and grievances.

The storyline takes some obvious turns and resolves a little too neat in some regards, but there is great potential for discussion making this an ideal choice for buddy reads and book clubs.

The pacing was all over the place, but I stayed engaged. I longed to see these women be their own catalyst for change and found it unfortunate that most changes happened at the hands of other characters.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lisa Flanagan and her talent brought the story to another level. I enjoyed her narration so much I wouldn't listen to this before falling asleep because I would stay awake not willing to turn the book off.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing an Advance Listening Copy for review. All opinions are my own.