The 60s were a challenging time for women, and no one exposed and elevated the discontent of the white suburban housewife quite like Betty Friedan in her groundbreaking book, The Feminine Mystique (1963). In this novel, four women in a planned suburban neighborhood form a book club and their first selection is Friedan’s book. They decide to call themselves “The Bettys” and become essential in each other’s lives. The author did a good job of building four very different characters with different reasons for marriage and very different husbands. From a rake to a feminist, the men are at times dismissive of or supportive of their wives’ growing awareness that there could be (SHOULD be) more to their lives than shopping, kids, and housework.
In those days, bank accounts, jobs, and even medications (including birth control) had to be signed off on by the male head of household. It’s sobering to believe that was the norm just two generations ago. And yet there is still so much more to be done. The author also addresses some of the weaknesses of Friedan’s seminal work by including a (minor) female character of color, and by recognizing that there are and were men who “got it” early on in the struggle for equal rights.
The story is less about a specific plot line and more about the different chapters in our lives, and the importance of having a support group. Naturally, it would make a great reading selection for a book group. The author and publisher have helpfully provided reading guides and questions on the author’s website.
I enjoyed it very much and look forward to discussing it with my own “Bettys” once it is available (22 April 2025).
My thanks to the author, publisher, Harper Muse, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen for review purposes.

Marie Bostwick is a modern-day Mary McCarthy. I adored The Betty's, their trials, tribulations and the enduring friendship between them. ‘The Book Club for Troublesome Women’ really illustrates, and brings to life, the times (and misogynistic restrictions) my Mother lived through. It feels like a sad, timely reminder. Let us never, ever go back. I look forward to more from this author, and I enjoyed Lisa Flanagan’s audiobook narration.

I love a great book where women work together to effect change and this one fit that criteria. A group of women who do a book club around "The Feminine Mystique" in the 60's. Back when women could not do anything without permission from their husbands. They could not get birth control, get a bank account or have a credit card without their husband's permission. The unlikely book club of four discuss so many topics that seem foreign to women of 2025, but I just remember my own mother sassing that she really did not have any other options. After reading this book, I understand her problems in life.

Each woman has her own problems and challenges and the way the book tells the story and makes it all come to life only 60 years after this happened, was enjoyable and thought provoking. I loved the way the women stood up for what they believed in and at one point, they all come together to help one of their own. Now this is a book club I would love to join. I have decided that I want to be Charlotte when I grow up. The narration was great and I appreciate #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I think this book held a potentially interesting take on white women’s lives in the 1960’s, but ultimately nothing that “troublesome” occurred.

We follow 4 women who find themselves in a book club, but of course it’s so much more than that. They all have their own individual stories that lead them to essentially breaking the boarders on what men, society, and even themselves have placed them into.

Charlotte was my favorite character by far.

Overall, while I did enjoy the narrators voice/depiction of characters, the book fell flat.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audio copy!

I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it. It was enjoyable enough, but I had a hard time keeping the different women straight. None of them really stood out to me in anyway, and I worry that a few of them would stay flat through the whole story. Fortunately, this was not the case. As I read more, and as these woman developed in progress, I grew to love each one of them in the journey I shared as reader. This was an audiobook, and I really enjoyed the narrator. Thank you, NetGalley and McMillan audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

It's 1963, and housewife Margaret Ryan has just inadvertently started a book club. Her fashionable new neighbor, Charlotte, suggests that they read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, and Margaret invites her neighbors Viv, who has six school-age kids and is finally hoping to return to nursing, and Bitsy, a young wife who dreamed of being a veterinarian but is now temping as a stable-hand. The women have different reactions to the book, but as the year unfolds, each woman's life changes in drastic ways and the "Bettys," as they call themselves, credit Ms. Friedan's book as the catalyst for recognizing their own unfulfilled desires and giving them courage to reach for them.

I really, really enjoyed this novel; I'm a sucker for feminist literature and this book most certainly qualifies. The four characters' perspectives are compelling and each does not necessarily go in the direction you'd expect. The author manages to bring in factual details about women's lives at the time, like how married women could not open checking accounts without their husband's permission, without these details feeling shoehorned into the plot to make a point. The mix of these facts and subtle integration of real-life individuals, like Katharine Graham of the Washington Post, made the book feel almost biographical at times, even though these main characters are purely fictional. The narrator was excellent and gave each woman a brilliant voice and style--I am so glad I had the opportunity to listen to this one. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for a complimentary copy for review purposes; the opinions expressed in my review are my own.

Excellent narration. Enjoyed following this group of women and the development of their own personal stories and friendships.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a delightful read that I can't wait to share with own book club/friends.

Friends Margaret, Viv, and Bitsy who live in a planned community in Virginia in the early 1960's and seem to have it all, but in reality they all feel guilty that the "everything" they have doesn't feel like enough. They form a book club with Charlotte, their new neighbor from New York who is eccentric, artsy, and a burgeoning feminist who introduces them to Betty Friedan's, The Feminine Mystique..

I loved every character and could find something in common with every character in this book. I cheered when they found themselves, discounted and ignored the patriarchal men who just wanted to control them, and very much enjoyed how they grew throughout the book.

As a housewife myself with no kids at home, I can understand the absolute sheer boredom that can come with it and how a book club can be a way to connect and find "your people".

This audiobook, narrated by LIsa Flanagan was amazing. Ms. Flanagan captured the characters and the essence of their friendship perfectly and it was joy to listen to.

I can't recommend this book highly enough and really can't wait to buy a copy when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

Wow!!! The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a powerful and heartwarming tale set in the early 1960s, giving readers a glimpse into what life for women might have been like during that time. The story follows four women who come together through a book club, forming a bond that goes beyond friendship. Throughout the novel, the women support each other, share in each other’s triumphs, challenge one another, and even have their disagreements. It’s a beautiful, raw portrayal of the complexities of female friendship.

As the story unfolds, we watch these women grow and evolve. Though they start off as strong and confident individuals, they become even more determined and empowered as they navigate their personal journeys. Their resilience and drive to carve out their own paths are inspiring and add depth to the story.

The narration of the novel is truly outstanding. Each character is perfectly portrayed, making them feel real and relatable. The author skillfully brings the women to life, capturing their personalities and emotions with such authenticity. This strong character development, combined with the rich, immersive setting, makes The Book Club for Troublesome Women a deeply engaging read from start to finish.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about friendship, empowerment, and personal growth. It’s a beautiful celebration of women supporting women and the strength that can be found in community.

This story offers a distinctive perspective on a typical white American home in the 1960s. The husbands are the primary earners, while the wives take care of the children and manage the household until the arrival of "The Feminine Mystique" sparks significant change. Set in a Virginia suburb, this historical fiction places a groundbreaking feminist book at the center of transformation within a tiny book club.
The book club is founded by Margaret, a housewife and mother. Margaret is a writer but put her dreams on hold while her husband, Walt, climbs the corporate ladder.
Margaret first recruits her new neighbor, Charlotte, into the club. Charlotte is a mysterious type, living off generational wealth and soon to send her oldest child off to college.
Bitsy and Viv are the final in this group, who affectionately call themselves “The Bettys.” Bitsy is a very young, newly married woman who gave up her dreams of being an equine veterinarian after marrying a veterinarian. Viv is a former army field nurse that has the largest brood of children in The Bettys.
Throughout this story we have the pharmaceutical industry impacting women with the abusive overprescription of Miltown (a.k.a. “Mother’s Little Helper”), cocktail parties, infidelity, and the enduring strength of the daughters and granddaughters of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The narrative sheds light on some progress we have made, reminding us of the struggles women faced, such as needing approval from their father or husband to open a bank account, lacking access to birth control without husband’s consent, and facing barriers to jobs and careers due to societal expectations that were reaching them via all sources of media.
I found I could relate to different aspects of each of The Bettys, and I also saw reflections of my mother in their stories, as they represent her generation of women. The author skillfully incorporated significant events and historical figures from American history, helping us connect with the era. Notable references included the rise of Martin Luther King Jr., the assassination of JFK, and the remarkable newspaper publisher Katherine Graham.
I believe this is a story I will revisit in the future and one that I will definitely recommend to my daughter. It explores a broad range of societal psychology, highlighting the sexism and racism of the era while also reflecting on the impacts of WWII and the Korean war upon the homes of the previous generation. I really only have one complaint about the story and it is the ending. I’m a sucker for happily ever afters but do not need that to wrap up the characters to the ends of their lives. Beyond that, this is an absolutely gorgeous story displaying the resilience, strength and tenacity of women.
This story is narrated beautifully by Lisa Flanagan. Flanagan is able not only to keep the listener on track between four leading women but also their husbands and a full cast of characters including children, in-laws, neighbors and more. She gives us a slight taste of a Kentucky accent in Bitsy, and an upper class mid-Atlantic sound in Charlotte. Flanagan kept me engaged in this rather long and windy story that I would have become restless with if I was reading it with my own eyes. I very highly recommend this audiobook experience. I received a copy of this Advanced Listeners Copy and am leaving a voluntary review.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved all the characters and how the books made them best friends. I loved the message that women can have dreams outside of being a housewife. It made you think, laugh, and sometimes cry. Thank you so much for the advanced copy!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

To begin with, I found the audiobook a little overwhelming with so many characters being introduced and their backstories being told. But soon, I found myself getting to know these women and their characters came alive.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a thought-provoking book which follows four women in the 1960s as they struggle with society’s expectations. They want more from life and are willing to fight for it.

This was a fascinating book that followed the various trials of four housewives as they navigate life and fight for a better future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this ARC

Thank you, Harper, for the review copy! I was eager to dive into a historical fiction read—especially one that, despite its setting, still feels timely and relevant.

I’ll admit, historical fiction isn’t my go-to genre, but I’m always drawn to stories about women’s lives, especially those featuring bold, rebellious female characters. Add a 1960s backdrop, feminist themes, and strong female friendships? I’m all in.

I really enjoyed The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick. Lisa Flanagan’s narration was fantastic—well-paced and nuanced, bringing the characters’ intersecting stories to life.

My one critique is that, at times, the plot felt a bit familiar. Perhaps that’s intentional, as these stories—about women’s bodies, mental health, marriage, and self-discovery—remain just as relevant today. Despite this, I still found myself deeply connected to the characters and their personal growth.

A great pick for fans of The Women by Kristin Hannah and similar reads, this novel would make an excellent book club selection with plenty to discuss.

This was a sweet story about suburban women in the 1960s. The four friends meet and form a book club after reading "The Feminine Mystique". The narrative follows each of the four women showing their unique struggles, needs, dreams, and relationship as they start to think differently about their roles in the world.

Although a teensy bit saccharine, all the characters have a bit of a June Cleaver feeling to them, I still really enjoyed reading it and felt like it highlighted some really important issues of that specific time and place. The Women are not really all that Troublesome - in fact, other than Charlotte, I feel like they were all fairly well-behaved. I would have loved to see at least one character with a little more edge or a more difficult plight in life. Although the friends all shared some struggles, they didn't really amount to anything too serious overall. I do appreciate that was sort of the point - even the mundane housewives get to want for MORE!

Overall, I felt the audio was very well done. The ending was especially poignant.

3 1/2 Stars Rounded up. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ALC.

The book club of troublesome women, is such a great book! Four suburban housewives of the 1960s begin a book club. Starting with Betty Fredian s the female mystique. This book and these friends, change each others lives. I can’t wait for this book to come out so our book club can do this

This book was such a great novel for women supporting women! These women are eachothers support system proving that you don't need anyone but your friends.

Set in the 1960s, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows four women neighbors who form an exclusive book club, The Bettys. With guidance from a local bookshop owner, they select books that explore women’s roles in society and the struggles they have long faced. As they dive into these discussions, they see their own lives often mirror the themes in unexpected ways, pushing them to examine their personal aspirations, relationships, and the fight for equality.

I have a deep appreciation for historical fiction that highlights the resilience of women, particularly in this era. This novel beautifully captures the complexities of balancing family, ambition, and societal expectations. I found myself inspired by the strength of these women as they navigated both personal and collective struggles. However, the pacing felt slower than I prefer, and I think the story could have been more concise without losing its impact. That said, the depth of character development kept me engaged.

Margaret’s ambition and social justice mindset, Bitsy’s quiet confidence, and Viv’s unwavering dedication to her family and career as a nurse made them standout characters for me. Even Charlotte, who was my least favorite at first, won me over as her journey unfolded. By the time I reached the final stretch of the book, I was fully invested in all four women and their triumphs.

Overall, while this wasn’t a five-star read for me, it’s a compelling story of friendship, empowerment, and the power of literature to ignite change. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction and character-driven narratives.

A heartfelt thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks, Marie Bostwick, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Set in the 1960s - four women created a strong relationship, a sisterhood through a book club.

The book was really amazing and I did like the characters in the story. This was a delight to read, thought provoking novel about women, acceptance and equality.
The narrator was really good and gave life to the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher HarperCollins Focus/ Harper Muse for an amazing book - ARC (audio).

I am a historical fiction girlie, so I loved this. Women in the 1960s were “destined” to be housewives. When a collective group of housewives form a Bookclub and read The Women’s Mystique, they become more bold and realize they want more out of life. This is a very light hearted women’s lit with a historical background. You are left routing for each character and their story. This would ironically make for a great Bookclub pick!

Thank you so much to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC of The Book Club for Troublesome Women!

What a surprise this book was! I went in completely blind and found out that it's a historical fiction book about four incredibly strong women, their friendship and being female in the 1960s. Each one of these women had a completely different background and life circumstance, but they all came together to lift and hold each other up. This is probably one of the best books I've read about adult female friendships.

The narrator, Lisa Flanagan did a splendid job of giving a unique voice and register to each character. The way she voiced Charlotte was my favorite! She maintained an even pace throughout the book and she kept me engaged and eager to listen.