The Book Club for Troublesome Women

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you NetGalley & Harper Muse & Marie Bostwick for a copy of this amazing book.

4.5/5 stars! Wow this book actually was so binge worthy. I am obsessed with it!

I totally fell in love with this story. Both the physical book and audio reading of this book really was wonderful. One of the main reasons why I loved this book is just reading how life was for house wives back in the 60s. Life has changed drastically since then for women. As a girl who was born in the late 90s and growing up in the 21st century … just reading about the differences in eras of time is so interesting.

I loved reading and learning about each fo the different characters and how they each started to think for themselves and feel confident in who they were individually as women.

As a gal who also started a book club born out of a passion of reading, and wanting to gather with friends, it’s so fun reading about something similar. This book is PERFECT for your book club as well!

Below is the synopsis of the book ~
“Four dissatisfied sixties-era housewives form a book club turned sisterhood that will hold fast amid the turmoil of a rapidly changing world and alter the course of each of their lives. By early 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb, suburban housewives in a brand-new "planned community" in Northern Virginia, appear to have it all. The fact that "all" doesn't feel like enough leaves them feeling confused and guilty, certain the fault must lie with them. Things begin to change when they form a book club with Charlotte Gustafson--the eccentric and artsy "new neighbor" from Manhattan--and read Betty Friedan's just-released book, The Feminine Mystique. Controversial and groundbreaking, the book struck a chord with an entire generation of women, helping them realize that they weren't alone in their dissatisfactions, or their longings, lifting their eyes to new horizons of possibility and achievement. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv are among them. But is it really the book that alters the lives of these four very different women? Or is it the bond of sisterhood that helps them find courage to confront the past, navigate turmoil in a rapidly changing world, and see themselves in a new and limitless light?”

4.75/5

Enlightening, empowering, and enraging. This book made me feel every emotion on the spectrum. A fantastic story of 4 women and their different lives as they navigate their families, jobs, and their budding friendships. This book was raw and honest; it made me cry on numerous occasions. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

10/10 no notes. This book was wonderful and I didn't want to put it down.

Set in the early 1960's, we have women who call themselves the Betty's. These women are married and homemakers and mothers. As a new women comes to town, the women invite her to join their book club. She only joins if they read "The Feminine Mystique." The women decide and the book changes their lives. These women decide to stand up for their rights and be their own person. Bostwick intertwines the narrative from the different perspectives, so you really see what is going on behind the scenes in these women's lives.

I've realized that I enjoy a good historical fiction novel when it is centered around women fighting for their rights as human beings. I recommend this for everyone to read. Another hist. fic. at the top of my favorites list!!

I was excited for the topic and the premise, but ultimately the concept of the novel was superior to what actually ended up on the page. It didn't do much to differentiate itself from other novels from this time period. and some slow pacing took away from other more interesting parts of the story. The writing was easy to read, but the up and down plotting and characterization left me wanting more. I think it will be a hit with some readers, but not a standout.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women
Marie Bostwick
April 22, 2025

The women who lived and grew up in Concordia, Virginia were housewives in a tight circle of newly developed houses. Upper middle class and conservative ladies that raised their children and became close friends with their neighbors. When Charlotte moved in, the women in their local group decided to form a book club. Margaret was nominated to venture down to the new sector and ask the newcomer if she would like to attend. By the end of their discussion Maggie had let Charlotte pick the first novel - The Feminine Mystique. It was an unusual selection for the women to read however, each who joined the group attempted to read it.
The Book Club for Troublesome Women will be published on April 22, 2025 by Harper Muse of HarperCollins Publishing. I was able to read and review Bostwick´s latest novel via NetGalley. Having not read a synopsis of the book, I was pleasantly surprised. As I read the first chapters of Maggie and the Bettyś comradery I was impressed with Marie Bostwick´s story telling. I found myself remembering my own early life of living in a new area of town where houses were being built and neighborhood women were all becoming friends. The idle talk was so similar to the Concordia gossip.With each chapter I became more involved with the story and the memories of how we grew and our momś manner of living adapted with the development of our nation. For readers who grew up in the 60s this book will ring a true cord in their memories. Marie Bostwick has given women a test in remembering how protected life once was. We have traveled a long road these past fifty plus years. I challenge readers to come along with ´The Bettys´ and enjoy the journey.

I was not alive during the Sixties, and I do enjoy reading about the culture and expectations. I can't speak to the accuracy, although the reasons the women join the book club are appropriate and align with their experiences. The author does a great job of bringing the reader into the decade and using The Feminine Mystique as a backdrop to move the plot. Recommend for lovers of women's fiction, pop culture, feminism, and simply wanting to a good look into the lives of women in the 60's.

When I first read the description of "The Book Club for Troublesome Women", I saw that it was inspired by a conversation Marie Bostwick, the author, had with her mother regarding a 1960's book entitled "The Feminine Mystique". The author's mother told her, "That book changed my life."
Through the conversation, Marie Bostwick says that she knew what her next book would be about.

"The Book Club for Troublesome Women" is set in the 60's and follows the lives of 4 women who become friends and develop a support system spurred by reading "The Feminine Mystique", the book that was stirring up all manner of controversy during that time.

This was the first book that I have read by Marie Bostwick and I loved her writing.
The characters were very well fleshed out.
I felt what they were feeling.
I celebrated their successes.
I loved watching the women grow, stand up for themselves, call out injustices, discover things about themselves.
Even recognizing in some ways, that many of their behaviors were formed as a direct result of the actions of men in their lives.
Watching them have the honesty and the strength to begin the battle against their own behaviors was inspiring.

This story was, for the most part, an uplifting read.

As a women who has lived the life of "The Cinderella Syndrome", raised in middle class America in the 60's, where I was told that I needed to be sweet and pretty so I could find a husband to take good care of me, this book really spoke to me in the context of the messages imbedded in girls and women during that time.
Personally experiencing a transformational change during my late 30's early 40's, I became an independent woman who relied only on herself for long enough to know who I am deep down. This lead to knowing exactly what I wanted and what I would never tolerate again.

The story of The Bookclub for Troublesome Women was so realistic in the setting and attitudes of these 4 women.

The more I read, the more I realized that these young women were not "troublesome" at all.
They simply wanted something contrary to what others wanted for them.

The males were very strongly against a book that would "empower" women. All they could focus on was the next hot meal served to them by their subservient wife.

The older generation of women were aghast to think that young women would even be interested in something so radically against the role that women had always played in society. "Who will take care of my son?" "What will my friends think?"

The bottom line for me was that we, as women, should have the choice to be who we want to be.
Not because of what society says we should be.

It was about having the freedom of choice to be able to pursue the things that fulfill US and make us happy.
This doesn't have to be a high-powered career, or holding down a job to make us feel like we are contributing to society in that way.
It can also be feeling content and comfortable staying home and caring for the family and home, without shame or feeling you are not as essential as a career woman.

The point is: I get to choose.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good story sprinkled with inspiration along the way.

Thank you to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the privilege of reading the ARC of this book.

4.5 which I will gladly round up to 5 as I could not put the book down.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a captivating and compelling read that captured my attention from the first to last page.

Four neighbours who become life long friends bond over the book Feminine Mystic by Betty Friedan and for its time for it was very controversial.

The ladies decide to form a Book Club and they call themselves The Bettys.

There is Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Vi. All different personalitis and all have their own problems.

I absolutely loved how their friendship developed and how I wished I could join The Betty's Book Club.

The four ladies are their for each other no matter what through thick and thin.

I cried with these ladies, I certainly laughed along with them and I cheered them on.

Times are changing and its not so much a "man's world" as it once was. I thought of my Mum and how she too would have been in this era.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women will no doubt be a Book Club choice for many Book Clubs.

I highly recommend you grab your copy and I will warn you its hard to put down.

I will miss The Betty's.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse for the privlege to read and review The Book Club for Troublesome Women.

I could not love this book more than I do. Imagine a gang of 1963 housewives getting together, forming a book club, and a book changes their outlook on everything. I fell in love with every single character and simply did not want this to end. I kept picturing this as a movie or limited series. Right now, it is my favorite book of 2025.

I did both the audio and ebook and both were outstanding. Please read this book.

3.5/5 stars

A very interesting premise. I liked the setting and the subtle details that seem to stick very true to the time period. The characters have bursts of progress in their storylines which kept it interesting. I would’ve liked to know more about Earlene and her world. While the pacing was not the best for me, I enjoyed the book overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick
a MUST READ book.
Yes, the four lead characters are female and white and married… BUT they could be any gender, any color, and any other different you can think of. It is a story of 4 people learning to find what makes them happy, glad to be alive, and happy to get up and live another day (not just face it). They do not ‘Have To’ accept someone else’s (society’s) vision of what should make them happy. Or, you can read this book just because it is a really good story. Marie’s best so far. Happy Reading ! !

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. In a time where the rights of women are being threatened and society has begun the momentum of backpedaling, it was nice to be reminded of the many positive changes that have come about and stayed since the 1960s.

Pulling from real-life inspiration of her own mother, author Marie Bostwick writes poignantly about four women in a popular suburb who accidently create a book club, starting first by reading The Feminine Mystique by Betty Freidan.

All four women have been something, a somebody, before marriage and children came along. While seemingly content on the outside, the housewives begin to question their lives.

I was enthralled. I loved the historical glimpses into the past. I liked how these four women, so different from each other, formed long lasting bonds.

This would make a fantastic book club pick!

I loved this story of four housewives from different backgrounds and statuses who join together to form a bookclub. We then follow them through their ups and downs during the year of 1963.
All the lead characters had worthy storylines and reflected the different issues that women faced at the time. An eye opening read that highlights the frustrations and many limitations that were imposed on women at the time.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollinsFocus for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse and Marie Bostwick for giving me an ARC! I loved this book, it may be my favorite read of the year! The characters were lovely and well-developed. Their backgrounds helped round out the story and added depth to the broader stories being told. I loved them all and despised some of their spouses, and was so pleased with the way their stories were wrapped up at the end. I love historical fiction and this fit the bill in every imaginable way. Serious, informative, transformative, and just an all around well-written novel. Can't say enough and will be recommending this to others!

Fun, nostalgic read centering on 4 women in the 1960’s era. Women were limited in life choices, corralled into being housewives and mothers, serving the needs of others. Having been a young child in the ‘60’s, I enjoyed the reflections of the color of appliances then ( yellow), plastic covered kitchen chairs ( plastic was kind of new and was used everywhere then ), and of course books being published at that time… Betty Friedan’s book playing a significant role in this book.
I’d categorize this a light fiction, or women’s fiction… more than a beach read but not intense or triggering.
Not my usual type of genre but I enjoyed the book.

The title of this book really caught my attention. After a bit of a slow start, I became very invested in the four women friends, brought together in suburban Virginia in 1963. The first book their book club read was the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan and it forever changed the trajectory of these women's lives. Historical fiction, set in the 1960's, pre-women's lib, the book highlights many of injustices women faced at that time - like not being able to open a bank account or getting birth control without a husband's consent.

Although the ending was a bit expected, I did like how the characters' friendship grew throughout the book. It really spoke to the strength of women and the impact one generation has on the next. I will definitely be recommending this to my own book club.

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

A friendship develops between women who are struggling with various issues back in the 50’s. Housewives, who aren't just satisfied with being homemakers and mothers. They are ok with that but want more out of their lives. When they first start the book club they are strangers but through the books, bonding and growing together they find a special friendship that helps them all. Each woman has a different struggle and each one wants to encourage and help the other. They are no longer just a book club they are stronger and going after their own goals and aspirations while maintaining their self, families and what is right for them. Well written by Marie Bostwick
I read the book and listened to the audio.
The story is heartfelt and gives you a look into what women had to go through back in the 50s if they wanted more than a husband and children. Many wanted that and a career which was not the norm in those days. It was slowly evolving. Truly a good book to show awareness on how life for women evolved to choices opening slowly for them in work and career opportunities.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the eARC of The Book Club for Troublesome Women. I do recommend this book as a good read it's informative accurate and heartfelt. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for the early read in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is set in 1963 against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the shifting landscape of women's rights. The story follows four suburban housewives—Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte—who form a book club to explore literature challenging societal norms. Beginning with Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, they examine women's societal roles and the cultural expectations of the 1960s, inspiring them to imagine new life paths.

As they engage in discussions, the women confront personal challenges: Charlotte navigates a toxic marriage, while Bitsy seeks self-worth amidst societal pressures. The book club becomes a supportive space where they form strong bonds and empower each other to pursue their desires and aspirations.

I loved how the author gave each woman their own story and voice. Although the story started a bit slow, I couldn't put it down once their lives began to intertwine! I have been on a historical fiction kick lately, and this one didn't disappoint!

Quotes I loved:
"You know what Eleanor Roosevelt used to say: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water."
"You can have it all, just not all at the same time."
"Things have a way of working out when and how they're meant to. Youll see."
"Acquaintances abound, but true friendships are rare and worth waiting for."
"It is a man's world. And there's not a thing we can do about it"

This was a lovely historical fiction about a group of strong women growing together through a book club in the 60s. I loved all the characters and everyone's arc. The book dragged at points though and I was bored quite often, but it was heartwarming how everyone's story wrapped up.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the arc :)

This was a phenomenal read! Margaret, Bitsy, Charlotte and Viv were the epitome of what a book club in the 1960s would look like. Faced with real life issues, in and out of the household, these four women find friendship, support, and a place to share their personal thoughts and feelings that society had led them to have long kept to themselves.
This book was the whole package. It's very rare that I finish a book and don't have a single thought of what I wish was done a bit differently, but this book was absolutely an exception. Very well-written, moderately paced, and full of juicy gossip that kept me wanting 'just one more chapter'