Following a cast of women in the 1950s, the Divorcées follows what it was like to be a woman in that period. The main character, Lois, goes through a journey of self-discovery and pushing the limits of society when she and her husband decide to get a divorce from their loveless marriage.
While the topic of this book is interesting and unique, I found a lot of the characters to be bland and unmemorable while the pacing of the book was a tad slow for me. Towards the end, as Lois is connecting more and more with Greer, the story really picked up, and I found myself satisfied with the ending.

Rowan Beaird's "The Divorcées" takes place in 1950s Reno, Nevada, where The Golden Yarrow, a "divorce ranch," offers women a chance to leave their old lives behind and start fresh. Lois is a housewife who wants more than societal expectations dictate, but she is not quite sure how to have a place in the world as an independent woman without the help of a man.

Lois's story is both relatable and empowering. She embodies the quiet courage of countless women of that age trapped in unfulfilling marriages, yearning for the freedom to define their own happiness. Unlike the typical divorce ranch clientele, Lois isn't fleeing infidelity or abuse; she simply craves a life beyond the confines of domesticity. This nuanced portrayal resonates deeply, reminding us that liberation can take many forms.

Enter Greer, a charismatic whirlwind who shatters Lois's carefully constructed world. With a touch of mystery and a dash of rebellion, Greer embodies the potential for self-discovery and unapologetic self-expression. Their tumultuous friendship forms the heart of the novel, highlighting the complexities of female camaraderie and the transformative power of challenging each other's perspectives.

While seemingly idyllic, The Golden Yarrow harbors secrets, and Greer's true motivations cast a shadow over Lois's newfound confidence. As things take a dramatic turn, Lois is forced to confront not only Greer's deception but also her own naivety. This pivotal moment becomes a catalyst for her growth, propelling her towards a future where she embraces her independence and pursues her dreams.

"The Divorcées" transcends the typical historical fiction label. It's a nuanced exploration of societal constraints, female friendships, and the courage to redefine oneself. Beaird's skillful writing paints a vivid picture of the era, transporting us to the sun-drenched ranch and the smoky casinos, where whispers of freedom mingle with the clinking of glasses. Yet, it's Lois's transformation that truly shines. Her journey from hesitant housewife to self-assured woman is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the beauty of blooming in unexpected places.

If you're looking for a novel that combines historical insight with a compelling coming-of-age story, look no further than "The Divorcées." It's a tale that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that true freedom lies in embracing our authentic selves and chasing our dreams, no matter the odds.

The Golden Yarrow is a divorce ranch in Reno, Nevada in the 1950's. This is a place where wealthy women can go for 6 weeks (to establish residency), and then obtain a divorce as nowhere else in the country allowed women to file. Rita, the owner of the ranch, provides daily structure for the women who cycle in and out of the ranch yet are there long enough to form bonds with one another. Various background stories emerge - some true, some not. The reasons for seeking divorce range from extreme abuse to unhappiness. The women discuss the "after" with most needing to return to their parents' homes until they are able to remarry.

This was an interesting read; not what I had expected, but in a good way. I enjoy reading about the past and reading about what women had to do to get a divorce during this time was informative. The plot line was easy to follow and the author did a decent job with characterization. Some characters I grew into, others I never did learn to like. I wish the ending was different. I felt like there was all this set up with Greer, but then….nothing. It was such a let down. I would have liked more closure with Rita as well. But overall it was a good story with a few page turning events; an easy read. One you don’t have to think too much about. I would raise to 3 1/2 ⭐️

Thank you for the ARC for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me around 65%. I really wanted to like it, because the setting itself just feels compelling — a 1950s Reno ranch for high-society women seeking a divorce? Sounds amazing, right? Alas, I did not find the characters likable, and their interactions were flat and tedious for me. I did like learning about the "rules" surrounding divorce and its societal implications in the 50s though. Hopefully you'll enjoy it more than I did!

Hopefully, if you read this novel, you will like it much more than I did. After all, so many reviewers gave it very high marks. I seem to be in the minority. Maybe I missed something that everyone else understood?


I rarely do not finish an ARC. After all, the author and publisher are relying on me to give an honest opinion. Most people feel that they can't give a review unless they've read the whole thing. Also, once I start a book, I don't put it down to read something else. I did with this novel. I made it to 50%, and that was enough to tell me that I couldn't do it. I could not finish it; it made me too depressed to keep reading.

Do you really need to drink the whole gallon of milk to tell that it is spoiled? I think not!

I have never read a book in which the characters are just boring, tedious - to each other, and just plain blah, especially for the reader. The best I can say is that this book was filled with interesting information about divorce ranches and that I doubt that any of them were really run this way. But what do I really know? This book was set in the '50s, as the blurb explains. The blurb was the most interesting part of this novel.

I thought we would pick up a little when Greer made her debut at the ranch, and we learned more about her, but no matter how much I read, I learned nothing new except that I doubt if she could be trusted. Perhaps later in the book, we actually learn about Greer and her divorce, or if that was even why she was there!

The main character, Lois, seems to have a girl crush on Greer, and I thought that would be explored- maybe it was at the end of the book, but I didn't stick around to find out.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Flatiron Books/Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

loved this premise of this book! it definitely a slow burn to get to the action which I wish was sped up a bit. Also with so many characters to play with I wish we saw their personalities shine a bit more. Lois as a main character I thought was a little confusing but I loved Rita and Bailey and how they ran the ranch. The historical elements too I thought were so fascinating and I wish we go to talk more about the history of places like that and what was going on in the world at that time.

The Divorcees is an extraordinary look at Nevada's divorce ranches in the 1950s, coupled with a really intriguing plot and cast of characters. Rowan Beairdis an incredible writer, with a flavor for setting a scene, and her debut novel a knockout. Thank you to Net Gallery and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read this terrific book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review. The Divorcee's tells the story of a group of women sent to a divorce ranch. Before I read this book I had never heard of such a thing. The cover was what drew me into this book. I found the first 3/4 of this book to be entertaining but by the last bit of the book I was a little bored. I saw that Bailey Carr is doing the narration for the audiobook so I may listen to that when it is released. It still was an interesting story about female empowerment and relationships. i would probably consider another book by Rowan Beaird in the future.

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I enjoyed this book so much…until it got slow. The idea and concept for the story is different. This book is for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid—and for historical fiction readers of all kinds. I’d never heard of divorce ranches and it was kind of cool learning about them from the many voices within the book. I’m eager to read more from Rowan Beaird.

I really enjoy historical fiction and I did not know about the divorce ranches in Reno. I enjoyed learning about these. However, the story was slow without the closure I was hoping for in the end. Three stars.

This is an interesting debut that showcases how a woman could get a divorce in the early 1950’s without a lot of problems. A woman could go to divorce ranches in Reno, Nevada for a 6 week stay and leave single. The author introduces us to various women and their personalities as they live and wait out their stay. We see their growth as they come to terms with their independence. When Lois meets Greer her whole world changes for both the good and the bad. The good news is she examines her life and what she wants and needs for her future. #TheDivorcees #RowanBeaird #NetGalley

I was intrigued by the concept of this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found it interesting to learn about that time period.

I think this is a very interesting concept for a book. Having ranches where women can go to get a mess free divorce is such a concept that I never knew existed. Knowing that women had access to these types of options though was so much fun to learn about. I really wanted to enjoy this story. I love how Greer really challenged Lois to get outside of her comfort zone and showed her that always being the good girl wasn’t necessary. Yet the relationship was very unhealthy, and I am kind of glad it ended the way it did. However, I do feel bad that Lois was put in the position that she was. Yet if she had never met Greer she would not have been able to figure out how to function on her own. So, I appreciate Lois’s character development throughout the book. The book itself though was incredibly slow and I guess I was hoping for a bit more from it.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

Lois Saunders is an only child whose mother has died and she lives with her father, who doesn't seem to have much interest in her, and the housekeeper, who seems to be the only one who cares about her. She thinks marrying this man who is a little older will solver her loneliness problem, but she feels worse. In 1951, the only escape she sees is divorce and her father sends her to a "divorce ranch" in Nevada, the state with "quickie divorces" in only 6 weeks on the ranch.

I went into this book pretty blind and I would sure recommend not reading a lot about it. I was reading and wondering where this story was going and getting more invested in these women and their lives at the ranch. It wasn't until about 2/3 or 3/4 in that it got really interesting, and that is all I'll say!

This is a debut author and I did enjoy this story and love the cover which all has meaning in the book.

My thanks to Net Galley and Flat Iron Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

I love an original setting and this novel gave me that! Lois goes to a divorce ranch in the 1950s near Reno. She must stay there for 6 weeks so she can get her divorce. She has always struggled with fitting in with others and she continues to find it difficult to make connections with the other women at the ranch. This begins to change with the arrival of Greer who begins to include Lois in the casino and bar visits. I was surprised with the path the story took. I really expected to read about snobby women with too much money but that was not what this book was about.

These women all had different stories but all shared the stigma of divorce. The novel included an interested cast of characters. At times I had trouble connecting with Lois but one got to hear her inner thoughts. Thank you net galley for the chance to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. This was an interesting read, although is did slightly fall flat for me.

I had to DNF. I was incredibly intrigued by the blurb and the unknown slice of history this was about but, honestly, it was drab and boring. Since it was an ARC, i tried pushing through and skimming it, but it just isn’t the book for me. I found Lois about as interesting as wallpaper and the storyline moved too slowly.

I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if it had been a multiple POV of all the women at the divorce ranch and their backstories.

I loved the premise of this book. The setting - a Reno, Nevada divorce ranch - were the first thing that hooked me. I also really enjoy historical fiction when it isn’t the “usual” timeframe (WW2, I’m looking at you). This book follows the six weeks that Lois spends at Golden Yarrow Ranch. Lois makes a fast friend once Greer arrives and the book follows their (mis)adventures. I don’t know that this book is one that’s going to stick with me, but I enjoyed it enough to finish it.

Lois Saunders is in a loveless marriage, but in the 1950s, unhappiness isn't grounds for divorce....except in Reno, Nevada. She finds herself at Golden Yarrow ("divorce ranch") where she is for the six weeks that is the only requirement for divorce. When Greer Lang arrives, her world is shattered. She begins to push against previous limitations. But how much can she really trust him?