Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Given its references to The Feminine Mystique and the 1960’s suburban setting I knew that The Book Club for Troublesome Women could either be really great or completely tone deaf (and to no fault of its own, the recent election could have exaggerated its missing the mark). Lucky for me, and all future readers, this was an excellent book whose only downside is that I felt we are leaving the women in the book club, the Bettys, disappointed.

Set in the 60’s in Virgina we see Margaret, a bored mother and housewife with dreams to write, organize a book club to get closer to new neighbor Charlotte. Charlotte is intriguing, also a mother and housewife but unlike anyone Margaret has know for a long while given her boldness and drive to be an artist (and take no s**t). Rounding out the book club is Bitsy, who is newly married and struggling to have confidence in herself, and Viv, who is eager to get back into the workforce and starts out with the most mutually respectful relationship of all the ladies. The Feminine Mystique starts a conversation for them I imagine may not have gone so smoothly in other book clubs at the time, but in this case it helps form friendships that bond these women, brings realizations and confidence, and helps form a support network that they would all need as the plot continues.

I enjoyed reading this, for multiple reasons that also included the callback to events and the climate of the 60’s, including some rights (and a more generally casual set of societal expectations) that I take for granted. I highly recommend this for women and men, and while it wraps up very well for all involved, it still gives you a look at a society where women had one destiny in mind by the many around them, from a privileged view point, that has been muted and not often discussed by many but should be remembered at this time.

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.

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.

This was a fabulous peek into the past - although so many of the issues that the women faced feel still relevant and still problematic... The pace was slow but suited to the storyline. I enjoyed the smaller details, like clothing styles and the food at their gatherings, as they really brought the period to life for me. I would definitely have joined the Bettys!

It was fascinating to read a story about women set in the sixties. I found there was so much I didn't know about this part of history. The relationships between the characters was the highlight for me. Although the historical aspects were enlightening, I didn't think the author quite found the right balance between conveying the history and keeping the novel focused on the plot and the characters. I imagine it's very difficult to integrate the affairs of the time into the story without it sounding like a list of facts. I enjoyed the direction that the women's lives went in and I liked how each woman was so distinctly individual.

I rounded this one up from 3.5 stars. It was definitely a timely novel, and it hit a bit too close to home. At times it was enjoyable, and other times it became repetitive. I think the message was a good one though!

Betty Friedan's the Feminine Mystique centers this heartwarming tale of 4 women trying to find their own way in the suburbs of DC. An artist, a nurse, an aspiring writer, and an aspiring vet are married to men who at times mean well and at other times are just well, mean. The four start a book club and start calling each other the Betty's as they each take Friedman's messages to heart. There are ups and downs but the Bettys stick together, as one would expect in this kind of story. It's a fresh take though, using the Feminine Mystique, and the characters are well developed. Well done!

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.

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.

Particularly during this time in history, this was an excellent reminder read. Set in the 1960s, this story is about a book club who calls themselves “the Betty’s” after their first book is The Feminine Mystique. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy and Charlotte all have their own personal revelations during the book and the last chapter had me weeping at the change we have seen for women in the last few decades. A very good reminder that we cannot go back… there were a lot of “wtf” moments.

This was a really nice story about female friendship, set against the backdrop of a book club and a group of women who decide to read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. It was a really interesting story about ambitious women, the people who inspired them and the challenges they face. I would recommend!

I, thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for entrusting me this book. I enjoyed it!

This book really made me think about the power of friendship and personal growth. The four women at the center of the story had such a strong bond, supporting each other through challenges. It reminded me of Sex and the City, but set in the 1960s, when women’s roles were much more restricted. Watching them push against those boundaries was inspiring.

What stood out most was how their friendship fueled their individual growth. Each woman took bold steps toward a life that felt more authentic because of the support they gave each other. The author’s writing kept me engaged, though the pacing slowed a bit toward the end. Overall, the book reinforced the power of sisterhood, ambition, and books to break free from societal limits.

If you enjoy stories about women finding strength in each other, this one is worth reading. It’s a great reminder of what we can achieve with the right support.

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.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is an uplifting story about friendship, community, and the power of literature as the four protagonists share the highs and lows of life during the 1960's when women didn't have a voice. I enjoyed how they supported and fought for each other to seek their own fulfillment in a world dominated by men. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

In The Book Club for Troublesome Women, Marie Bostwick transports us back to 1963, when four women decide that a suburban life of casseroles and conforming to their husbands’ every whim just isn’t cutting it. And what better way to shake things up than to start a book club, with Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique as their fiery inaugural read? These four housewives—Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy—who become known as “The Bettys,” are in for a wild ride that’s about as rebellious as you could get in the ’60s without burning your bra.

The Bettys begin as typical housewives of their time, navigating strict gender roles and overbearing husbands. But a few chapters into Friedan’s masterpiece, they’re hit with the shocking realization that maybe, just maybe, life shouldn’t revolve around ironing shirts and packing lunchboxes. As they dive into the world of second-wave feminism, each woman finds herself questioning everything, from birth control (that their husbands need to “approve”) to their access to bank accounts (also only possible with hubby’s signature). You know, real liberation vibes.

What follows is a blend of personal awakening and the chaos that comes from housewives growing a spine. Margaret, for instance, goes from perfect PTA mom to questioning why she ever traded her dreams for a “weekly allowance.” Charlotte, the artsy New Yorker of the group, practically hands out permission slips for rebellion and becomes the de facto feminist icon of the group, though still at war with her own controlling father. They even try to walk a mile in their husbands’ loafers—minus the golf outings and unchecked authority.

If the book’s focus on themes of independence, societal expectations, and female friendship sounds uplifting, that’s because it is. However, Bostwick doesn’t go light on the reality check. The sheer absurdity of having to fight for birth control or needing a signature to cash a check is enough to make you laugh, cry, or both. Sure, the “neatly wrapped up” happy endings might feel a bit idealistic, but hey, it’s nice to imagine that breaking free from patriarchy can occasionally come with a nice little bow.

Ultimately, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a celebration of women who, despite being cast as side characters in their own lives, find their voices through the radical notion of reading a book. Bostwick blends nostalgia with an edgy critique of the ‘60s, showing us just how “troublesome” women can be with a little nudge—and the right book. So, if you’ve ever fantasized about rebelling against the patriarchy, one cocktail hour at a time, consider joining The Bettys.

This was such an empowering read about four women in the 1960s who start a book club. Their first pick? ‘The Feminine Mystique’ by Betty Friedan. This book lights a fire in them, pushing them to question the societal structures that confine them and to imagine a life beyond the role of a housewife.

As they each set out to pursue more, I found myself inspired to do the same. What stood out most was how their friendship and unwavering support for one another became the true catalyst behind their growth. Their bond gave me Sex and the City vibes—only for housewives in the 60s.

I was rooting for every one of these ladies as they collectively took bold steps to overcome the restrictive patriarchy of their time. Marie’s writing style was powerful and passionate, though I thought some parts could have been a bit more streamlined—especially toward the end. Still, this is a wonderful story about the power of female friendship, books, and ambition.

You’ll love these women. I’m still processing it myself, but I’d recommend it to every ambitious woman navigating a man’s world.

P.S. I’ve made a mental note to pick up The Feminine Mystique for myself!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from @harpermusebooks and @netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars

I just finished this book with tears in my eyes, so frustrated with our country after last week’s election and the glaring realization of how little advancement there’s been for women since 1963.

This is an inspiring story of the power of books to change lives. It's the tale of four suburban women in 1963, nicknamed The Bettys, who become fast friends after reading Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. Each of them took lessons from the book as how to find meaning in the narrow and confining gender roles of the time period. I liked how each of them took a different path to fulfillment.

There were a few times when I felt like the story got off course and delved into unimportant minutia. I did enjoy the "cameos" from real-life historical figures like Katherine Graham of the Washington Post, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, and none other than Jackie Kennedy. Overall, though, it was powerful and eye-opening.

This book is inspiring me to start my own group of Bettys - a book club for women who are frustrated by how much has changed for women, and at the same time, so little. That glass ceiling is still firmly in place.

Thank you to Harper Collins Muse for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

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.

We’re back in the 1960s when 4 neighbors form a book club. Their first book is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan so they call themselves The Bettys. The women are all very different but soon form a bond, seeing each other through life situations. It was fun reading the 60s references.

The story kept me interested and I like that the ending didn’t leave me hanging, but it told what had happened to the women, however, it did feel a little too perfect. Still a very good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you for this advance copy NetGalley and publisher. The title was a bit off for me but the story rang true. It appears we as women will be reliving some of this but hope we are blessed to have similar characters to deal with.