The Book Club for Troublesome Women

Although this book was set 60 years ago, I could still relate to the women and story within. I am a wife and mom of 3 which I absolutely love, but I’ve always felt like I needed “more” so I also run my own small business. The struggle of keeping all of the balls in the air is real but at the end of the day, also very rewarding. Anyone in a similar position will likely enjoy this book as well. I love how the author wrapped everything up with the updates at the end!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the opportunity to read The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, who cannot be surpassed in Historical Fiction writing. The characters are beautifully and fully written, each of whom possess personality all their own; complex and believable. One of the best books I've read tis year.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and what a treat it was! Set in 1963, it is story of four women, who read The Feminine Mystique in their book club, become firm friends and make their way in life. The depiction of life in the 1960 s was really interesting, with details like Margeret not being able to open a bank account in her own name without her husband’s consent. What especially impressed me was the recognition that not all women have the power to make choices, and that often this applies to men too. Walt was a gorgeous character, who acknowledged his shortcomings and tried to do his best. The idea of other women helping others to get a leg up in life was wonderful. The part about Jackie Kennedy was so moving, and the joyous ending was delightful. Many thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read this thought provoking book.

OHHH! This is good!
I was brought back to the sixties where four wonderful friends could have been my own mother and her friends!
When women were housewives, and did not have a voice. They managed their homes and the children, but received a weekly allowance for groceries.

This story centers around four neighborhood ladies who decide to start a book club.
The very first novel they read, (The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan) creates a curiosity for each, and they start to wonder why they cannot go into the community and work to help their family and enjoy time outside of the home?
Well... why can't they?

This is a delightful, historical fiction journey that really had me rooting for these amazing women while bringing me back to my own mom's kitchen!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @HarperMuse Books for this neat ARC and allowing me to review. Well done!

This is my kind of historical fiction! The cast of characters in The Book Club for Troublesome Women captured my heart and kept me turning the pages. This is the kind of book that you have to set aside when you finish and just let it sit with you for a while. I reacted similarly when I read Lessons in Chemistry, Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Personal Librarian, and Frozen River. All of which are some of my favorite books. This is a great book club book and one I think lots of readers will enjoy.

Great book. Read it in 3 days. 4 women staring a Book Club and their friendship for many years. This book is great for any book club, lots of tropics for discussion with this book.

This book was entertaining and, for me, a walk down a nostalgic lane. I was a high school sophomore in 1963, so the context of the story is very real for me. The political and social historical elements are artfully woven into the story that features four women who join ranks in a book club inspired by Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique.” I loved that these women, from diverse backgrounds, find inspiration in their friendship in a wealthy suburb. While none of the woman emerged as a public figure for the revolutionary trend of women’s rights, each, in her own way, added her voice and her actions to the paradigm shift of the time. We all owe a debt to the “troublesome” women who refused to be satisfied with the status quo. This novel illuminates in a personal and relatable way the challenges they faced.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I loved this novel SO much and will be giving it out as gifts as soon as it is available in paperback! I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of all four of the main characters, and appreciate how the author gently introduced each one so as not to confuse me. It was a fascinating look into the lives of 30's-40's women in the 60's. I was in my early teens at that time, and the characters' stories has helped me to understand what my mother and grandmother had been going through when I was growing up. This is not only women's fiction at its finest, it is also excellent historical fiction. I learned a lot!

Thanks to Netgalley, and the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is the engaging story of the four women who comprise the titular book club. The group is made up of Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy, each a compelling character in her own right, and tells of the struggles and triumphs each women faces as a women in the early sixties, commencing in the year 1963.

All of the women are married. In addition, Margaret is a mother and sometimes writer, Charlotte, mother and aspiring artist, Viv, mother and part-time nurse and Bitsy, a stable hand. Some of them face troubles will spouses, others worry about finances and some worry about their career choices. All have very full lives, but their differences don’t stop them from coming together to form a book club and reading The Feminist Mystique, Betty Friedan’s manifesto about being a woman and sometimes feeling a wanting of more in their lives. Can what they want be found at home, or is it more than their quaint, planned Virginia suburb can offer them?

I really enjoyed this book. Marie Bostwick knows how to weave together a compelling narrative filled with interesting, multi-layered characters. The action was virtually non-stop and left me guessing at what would happen next, which is supreme praise from me on a work of fiction. I never found myself wondering when the book would be over or checking my percentage read as I have been known to do on books I feel are boring or dragging on too slowly. A delightful book that i wholeheartedly recommend.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Hats off to Marie, this book was excellent!! As I devoured every page, I thought to myself how far women have come and then I thought I hope and pray I don't see the trend of falling back. I saw so much of my mother's generations life in this story, no checking account with a man's signature, no birth control without the husband signature, the wifey things but the story wad well written of these 4 women's lives, how they intertwined, she made you care, you fell in love with them.I hope you Give this book a whirl, I loved it from the beginning, I will tell my book lover friends.. I hope it touches your soul. Thank you Netgalley for sharing this read with me.

Four Suburban house wife’s read the new book The Feminine Mystique and realize in the changing world that they actually do have options and they can choose to work outside of the home and not just be a plain Suburban woman who stays home and takes care of the family and house. The friendship they form and the support they give each other is life changing in so many ways for the four of them. They begin to take jobs outside of the home and realize that they have options that can make a difference to others.
This book is based in the 60’s era which was when I was born and grew up. I can personally relate to this story and the challenges that we as women have faced and overcome as going to the bank and doctors office and needing your husbands permission for an account or prescription.
Well done Marie!! Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

On the surface, Margaret Ryan is the quintessential housewife, but her inner discontent feels like a quiet rebellion waiting to spark. Her encounter with the enigmatic Charlotte Gustafson ignites that spark, leading to the creation of a book club that becomes so much more than a literary gathering. With The Feminine Mystique as their catalyst, Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv embark on a journey of self-examination and collective empowerment.

The strength of this novel lies in its characters, who are richly drawn and complex. Margaret’s yearning for something beyond her white-picket-fence life, Bitsy’s struggle with societal expectations, Viv’s sharp wit, and Charlotte’s unconventional allure form the heart of this beautifully rendered story. Each woman brings a unique perspective, and their dynamic—marked by shared laughter, hard truths, and deep camaraderie—feels authentic and profoundly moving.

The novel captures the era’s culture with meticulous detail, from glossy magazines dictating the ideal woman’s role to the simmering undercurrent of the feminist movement. Yet, its themes resonate universally, offering a timeless look at the courage it takes to question norms and redefine one’s place in the world.

Bostwick’s prose is sharp and tender, balancing humor with poignant reflections. The group’s transformation from dutiful housewives to self-assured individuals is inspiring, and their nickname, “The Bettys,” serves as a tribute to Betty Friedan and to every woman who has dared to want more.

This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who has ever felt the stirrings of something more just beyond their reach. It is uplifting, empowering, and unforgettable.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.