Marie Bostwick's latest, THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN, is a compelling and nostalgic novel about female friendship and empowerment, featuring four homemakers in the 1960s who form a book club that changes their lives.

Empowering women through history and literature!

About...

Early 1960s: Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb are suburban housewives who have moved to a new planned community, Concordia, in northern Virginia, with their husbands.

However, they are unhappy in a world and time when they do not feel like a person, just a wife, a homemaker, and a shadow of their husband, with no voice. They are struggling with the societal expectations of being a perfect wife and mother, the lack of personal identity, and the feeling of being trapped in their roles.

Things change when they form a book club led by Charlotte Gustafson, the new neighbor from Manhattan, who is both eccentric and artsy. They start with the newly released book, The Feminine Mystique.

These women, realizing they are not alone in their dissatisfaction, form a bond of sisterhood. This bond gives them the courage to confront their past and take a stand in a changing world for women, inspiring readers with their bravery.

My thoughts...

Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, I adore books set in that era and can recall my working mother from that time. I probably did not appreciate the challenges she and other women faced at the time. Marie's research was spot on, and I immensely enjoyed all the fun, nostalgic references I am familiar with, which made me smile and reminisce.

It wasn't much better in the early 1970s when my husband and I built our first home. I had a full-time income, but the mortgage companies wouldn't count mine because I was in my childbearing years.

THE BOOK CLUB OF TROUBLESOME WOMEN is brilliantly written, thought-provoking, with vivid descriptions of time and place, and the rich characters come alive on the page.

At first, it just surfaces talk, but as we dive into the book and form a close friendship, the women share their secrets, cocktails, and honest reactions to the controversial bestseller.

The women soon discover that the American Dream isn't all it's cracked up to be, and they want more. They want a voice.

THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN is a charming, humorous, and nostalgic tale of sisterhood and self-discovery. It explores the historical roles of women, the challenges they faced in society during this time, and the transformative power of books, leaving readers feeling empowered by the women's journey. 1963 was truly the beginning of the feminist movement. As modern women of today, we can thank this generation of courageous women.

Several novels from the 1960s explored themes of female empowerment and challenged traditional gender roles, contributing to the burgeoning feminist movement of the time. Key examples include Doris Lessing's "The Golden Notebook" (1962), Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" (1963), and Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" (1963), which gave voice to the experiences of women feeling stifled by societal expectations.

Friedan's book exposed the limitations of the "cult of domesticity" and inspired women to challenge their traditional roles and seek fulfillment beyond the home. This non-fiction work is widely recognized as a catalyst for the second-wave feminist movement, exploring the widespread unhappiness experienced by American women in the post-war era.

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett (2009):
Although published later, the book's setting in the 1960s and its focus on the struggles of African American women servants in the American South qualify it as a work of women's fiction, exploring themes of resilience, resistance, and female empowerment.

Audiobook...

As a reader, I had the privilege of experiencing both the book and the audiobook. The audiobook, narrated by the super-talented storyteller Lisa Flanagan, was a delight! Her voice, which has brought over 300 audiobooks to life and earned numerous awards, was the perfect fit for this group of ladies. Her excellent pacing draws you into the world of women in the 60s, making for an engaging and entertaining listening experience. I highly recommend the audio version to all readers.

Recs...

THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN is for fans of the author and those who enjoy thought-provoking historical novels about women, book clubs, nostalgia, and female friendship. The story is also for fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn, Patti Callahan Henry, and Ellen Meister..

Special thanks to Harper Muse for a gifted digital ARC and ALC via Netgalley for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 22, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded to 5 Stars
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Engaging characters and a heartwarming story frame a very interesting exploration of the impact of Freidan's landmark feminist work!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completed my own.

I confess it look my a while to really get into this book. The lives of 1960s housewives didn't seem all that interesting when I finally cracked it open and began reading. After a few chapters though, I became invested in the lives of Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte in a way that I think only other women can, despite the differences in decades. They faced challenges of equality, and searching for something "more" outside of societal and gender norms that can easily be identified with today.
I was really rooting for all four women to find their happiness, whatever that meant for each of them, and was so happy that they stuck together through thick and thin throughout the years to come!
This novel really just goes to show you how important a single book or idea can be!

This book could not come at a more appropriate time. As women in the US face the loss of rights that didn't even exist for these characters in the 1960s, this novel serves as a reminder of how far we have come, and how hard we need to fight to ensure we keep these rights. The characters were all well written, and I enjoyed how each one had a completely different relationship with themselves, their partners, their children, and society.

Calling this a 3.5 star read!

This is a story of a group of neighborhood, 1960s housewives' reaction to and formation of a book club surrounding Betty Freidan's new book at the time: The Feminine Mystique. I loved the premise of this book: four women (Margaret, Bitsy, Charlotte and Viv) who spend time together discussing a book that supposedly would change their lives. 
Overall: each of the female characters were likeable, and really enjoyed how the friendships were portrayed on page during both fun times and hard times, and that we essentially had happily ever afters. 
However, I found there to be really only one "troublesome," woman in the story (thank you Charlotte). That said, I can appreciate Bostwick's inclusion of women who were relatively happy in their marriage. Despite the era and the societal restraints on women of the time, there were likely MANY women who were not overall unhappy with their married/home life. 
One of the main points of closure really depends on the reader believing Walt (Margaret's husband) when he eventually says he'll change, but I suppose given his experience spending time with his newly widowed mother being the catalyst for said change, I went with it...
Other thoughts:- I did love being able to curate a list of feminist books from the time, thanks to the setting's local bookseller Helen at Babcock's books! - I felt anxious/ragey/claustrophobic reading the experiences of these  women not being able to cash a check made out to her from her employer, and another unable to get a prescription without their husbands signing off/agreeing to it 
Good, enjoyable book that I would recommend for historical fiction fans who like a little feminine rage with their stories of female friendship. I'd also compare this a little to The Briar Club, given the descriptions of book club nights, menu planning and adult beverage time for the girls!

I ADORED this book about four friends who form a book club (calling themselves “The Bettys” after the author of their first book). All four are housewives who want “more.” The meaning of that varies for each of them, but their common bond is feeling like what they have isn’t enough and wanting to explore more. I think it’s a common thought that many women grapple with - I’ve always wanted a husband and children and my life looks perfect, but I don’t feel fulfilled. Each one explores that in her own way and they come together at their book club to support one another as they face relationship challenges, work requirements, and just the general hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, The Astronaut Wives Club, and even The Help, you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

Wow. This was so good and incredibly timely.

Set in the early 1960s, it follows a group of women who start a book club and choose The Feminine Mystique as their first read, sparking a powerful awakening. As they begin to question the limitations placed on their lives, from needing a husband's permission to open a bank account to being denied access to birth control without their husband approval, they also uncover how these societal expectations impact men as well.
Through books and friendship, these women find strength, solidarity, and the courage to fight for their rights and reimagine their futures.

Pacing is a bit slow, it's a long book but I highly recommend. Thank you @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful historical fiction book by Marie Bostwick, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Lisa Flanagan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Set in the 1960s, we meet four women – Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv – living in an exclusive Virginia suburb. Margaret starts a book club, and their first pick is The Feminine Mystique. As the women get closer, they realize that they all secretly share the feeling that they aren’t as happy and fulfilled in their lives as they should be. They seem to have it all, but it doesn’t feel like enough. They nickname themselves The Bettys, after author Betty Friedan, and begin forging a tight bond.

I adored this book! I started reading it digitally but quickly switched to the audiobook because Lisa Flanagan perfectly captured the different women’s voices and personalities. This book has it all – humor, nostalgia, sisterhood, self-discovery. It’s still jaw dropping to realize that in this time period, women couldn’t open bank accounts or get birth control without their husband’s permission. I admired how these women provided strength for each other when needed, and highlighted how important standing up for ourselves and others is. Plus, it isn’t total man bashing as I loved Walt! This is the absolute perfect book club pick, and I highly recommended it!

This one had a unique premise! It was set in the 1960s, where 4 very different housewives start a book club where they first read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. They deem themselves “The Bettys” and support each other through new life changes inspired by this book and their new friendship. I loved getting all four of their perspectives and how it showed the different hardships faced by women in the 1960s. I think I was looking for a little more action (or “trouble”) based on the synopsis and I did feel like some sections moved a little slow for my taste. But I loved the way the story ended and really enjoyed the strong friendships forged between Margaret, Viv, Charlotte, and Bitsy.

I enjoyed this one more than I was expecting to! Each of the characters was likable in their own way, and they each grew in new directions as the book progressed. It was eye opening to see what life was like for these women because it made me think about my grandmothers who were also raising children during this time period. Read when you want to join a book club full of women who help each other find their way and support each other through it all.

While I enjoyed myself reading this historical novel about four different women discovering their path in life, I wasn't blown away. It's jarring to read about this period in time, following these housewives. I mean it's an interesting time period, rife with sexism and inequality.

I feel like this tried to touch on so much, it wasn't able to delve deeper into certain themes. For example, I would have loved to see more about Martin Luther King Jr. We kind of get a mention, a build up, only for one of our MCs to see a friend on TV at one of his speeches. We're also right there, in the time period of JFK's assassination. Yes, one of our MCs met the First Lady just two days before the event, but that's it. I get that the author couldn't not mention these very important recognisable historical facts, but it kind of reads like they were put in there as an afterthought. The book also actually points its lack of intersectionality once or twice, but doesn't really do anything with it after.

In short: the writing was good and the characters and topics were interesting, but I wanted a little bit more from this.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the 1960s, this book follows a group of housewives living in a small town who come together when they form a book club. I found this relatable with a lot of parallels to women's lives today who also struggle with trying to balance marriage, motherhood and their own dreams.

The first book the women choose is Betty Friedan's classic, The feminine mystique, which was a new release at the time and quite controversial. Okay on audio read by Lisa Flanagan, I did wish that there had been a full cast of narrators to help distinguish each of the main characters better for listeners.

Recommended for fans of books like The Martha's Vineyard beach and book club by Martha Hall Kelly. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Four Virginia suburban neighbors join in a book club to discuss Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique and become “The Betty’s”. They reveal their real lives behind the suburban 1960’s housewife masks and grow to a tight unit that supports each other through struggles. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this advanced copy for an honest review.

It’s the 1960s, and although Margaret has a husband, three kids, friends and a home in an exclusive suburb, she doesn’t think it’s enough. There has to be more to life than this, but she can’t figure out what. When she meets an intriguing new neighbor, she forms a book group and invites Charlotte, and two neighbors, Bitsy and Viv, to join. The first book they read is The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan… and life will never be the same for any of them.

Maybe because when my kids were small, I struggled to find meaning in being a stay-at-home mom (although I dearly loved being able to stay at home with them!), but this book really struck a chord with me. I could easily put myself in the shoes of these women, but I think I identified most with Margaret. The women’s attempts to establish even a bit of independence was met with varying degrees of disgruntlement by their husbands, which is to be expected when suddenly their wives are unhappy with what should be “enough.” I cheered the women on and cried with them at the life-changing events that some of them faced.

Once again, this author has proven why she is one of my must-read authors. Her characters are real people, their situations are realistic, but mostly, their friendships are important, sometimes even lifelines… just life in real life. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next, and only regret that it will be another year or so before that happens.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Concordia, one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. is home to Margaret Ryan. By 1960's standards, Margaret is living the American dream - she has a husband, 3 children, a station wagon and a beautiful home. So what if they can't afford to furnish it, or if she is feeling a bit....unfulfilled. Then Margaret meets Charlotte Gustafson; her new neighbor is everything she is not - glamorous, exciting, interesting. On impulse, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites Charlotte to join. She agrees, as long as she gets to pick the book - the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, Margaret, Charlotte, and two other neighborhood women--Bitsy and Viv, meet and enjoy good food, conversation, and then as she cocktails begin to hit, they begin to share secrets as well. Each woman is feeling unfulfilled in their marriage in some way, and this book, along with this group of women, is the key to helping them change their destinies. Nicknaming themselves the Bettys, after the book's author Betty Friedan, these four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments--and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.

This book was so good. This book took place before I was born, and I am so glad that things had changed by the time I had grown up and gotten married. The thought of having to get my husband's permission & signature in order to open a bank account or get birth control pills seems ludicrous. However, if things keep heading in the same trajectory as they are today, we may be back there all over again. I absolutely adored each one of these women. They all felt so real, everything about the book seemed real, like I was watching it all unfold. If you love historical fiction, then this needs to be at the top of your TBR pile. You are going to love it!

A book club is formed by four suburban women in the 1960’s. The connect and become close friends after reading their first book, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Freidan. This book is life changing for each of them in different ways. They support one another and their individual growth as they become empowered, finding that they can have more options as women. It’s easy to understand the characters in this time period. As historical fiction, many events of the time period are woven into the story. It sure made me recognize how lucky I was to grow up about twenty years after these woman did and have so many more opportunities. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the challenging lives of women during this time period. Thanks for an advanced reader's copy of this book.

Right away you fall in love with the women characters in this book. There is Margaret who is married to Walt and is a writer. There is Viv who is married to the dreamy Tony and is a nurse. There is Bitsy who dreams of being a horse vet. Then along comes Charlotte with her fashionable outfits and who smokes like a chimney and thinks she is an artist. The time is the 1960's when women could not get birth control or open a bank account without a signature from their husband. You think these women have it all. But do they really. You find out that they are very unfulfilled in their lives. Margaret has read Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique and she wants to talk about it. She starts a book club with her four friends. They call themselves The Betty's. It is a great group where they come together, drink together, smoke together, discuss the book among other things. They build beautiful friendships that will last a lifetime. But the one thing they have more in common is their feeling of not being good enough. Of being, less and they want to be more. The author goes into the struggles these women faced in the 60's. They were supposed to have dinner on the table at a certain time, the kids in bed, breakfast on the table. The cooking and cleaning and sewing and taking care of the house. But they wanted a job that they could relate to and help with family finance. They wanted more. This is a great book. Most of it is in the 60's but the end takes us farther into the future. It does get a little slow at times but because you love the characters it really doesn't matter. Things happen, some good, some not so good but in the end it is a great nostalgic read.
Thanks to #netgalley, #harpermuse and @mariebostwick for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a thought provoking glimpse into the life of women in the 1960s, but more specifically traditional housewives. As these four women come together to dive into what was a controversial book, they form life long friendships and urges each other towards breaking the molds they’ve been told their whole lives to live within.

I found this story fascinating and eye opening to the ways of cultural norms in the 1960s. Their friendships were honest, supportive and I loved the way the characters challenged one another. That said, I was still left wanting a little more from the characters in their development. It felt a bit inconsistent in the characterization and I felt Charlotte was the only one that really pushed the boundaries.

I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you are curious about the trad wife, their lives in the 1960s or just an inspiring story about the power of female friendships, this would be a great read for you!

I loved many aspects of this book. I think what will stay with me is the character building. Each woman and her family were incredibly nuanced. I appreciated Bostwick gave different views on marriages in the 1960s. As a bookworm, I loved reading about what the women were reading. It made me want to read all the same books. Overall, it was an enthralling read.

This book was extraordinarily healing for myself and I really enjoyed it. The Book Club For Troublesome Women in my eyes, is an ode to femininity and the bonds of female friendship. This book highlighted what resistance looked like for women in the 1960's, and how women during this time needed to quietly pave the way to challenge such shackling norms, as well as their own comfort zones. It was never easy, but fierce nonetheless. The tale is set when a group of women expected to conform to such societal expectations go against the grain and create a book club. The tale slowly unfolds, and you begin to love each of the women, championing them for their life choices and their decisions.

The characters are richly drawn—flawed, funny, and fiercely human. Maggie, Beth, Sarah, Connie and Amber in the tale have differential circumstances, but as they invest time to get to know one another, their bonds strengthen and they help one another, becoming each others family. With just one conversation and the power of words, the women created a support system which healed and shielded them from their life's woes. This book for me is a celebration of women being true to their nature- bold, courageous and loving. Cradled by banned books, the characters highlight that even in silence and restriction, people can find their voices—even when the world tells them not to.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.