The Book Club for Troublesome Women is extremely timely right now (February 2025) and while I didn’t need this book to fuel my ire, it still helped to remind me, particularly with lines like this.
‘“Had we waited for men to give us the vote, it never would have happened. We had to demand it for ourselves and do the work to see it though.””

This succeeded in keeping my interest and kept me turning the pages til the end; I enjoyed my reading of this and it’s a definite recommendation from me.


*****Margaret, what type of monster buys a gift, has it gift wrapped, and then places it on a person’s pillow 🤢 Maybe it’s my ocd but the thought of anything other than my head on my pillow strikes me as intensely germ laden.


Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of both the audio and the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

TL;DR: first half of this was four stars, then the second half had it dropped to three, and the end dropped it again to two stars. What started as a really fun premise ended up being overly didactic and a bit trauma-porn-y. The characters are great. The plot was not so great.

I feel a lot of feminist feelings lately. My husband and parents are probably sick of me ranting about it. So this book - a book about books and feminist literature and the 1960s - seemed like a super solid choice for me.
The audiobook was great. I preferred it to the ebook because the narrator was good and the characters felt more real. I loved Charlotte and Bitsy and Viv; Margaret who is arguably the MAIN main character didn't work as well for me, but I guess that's because she felt a bit generic. Otherwise the characters were wildly entertaining and the best part of the book.

The writing is decent and a few scenes actually were brilliant. But at other parts, chunks of information seemed left out (like someone standing up, and then standing up again two pages later - did they sit down again and it was just never stated?). This isn't totally Bostwick's fault but it's indicative of a lazy edition job and it did irritate me. I just couldn't stop noticing these little things once I'd noticed it once, and it happened often enough that I started gritting my teeth halfway through.

Speaking of halfway through, the character development and plot seems to start meandering there. The ending was actually so annoying and didn't track with the rest of the book, which was irritating. The tone of the story about halfway through starts to feel a bit like an Aesop's fable with hit-you-over-the-head-with-didactic-morals and less like something that could be discovered or analyzed. I was fascinated by some of the info within the story, and yet I was annoyed by how obvious it was written.

If you're looking for a relatively lighthearted historical fiction with some good characters and research, you'll probably enjoy this. If you need something a bit deeper, or if you'd get easily annoyed by an ending that straight up doesn't track with the rest of the story, skip this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this digital ARC.

This book was cute. Nothing too groundbreaking or offensive. An easy read. Four neighbors in the 1960s who are all women all searching for "something" in their lives, create a bookclub inspired by The Feminine Mystique and become dear friends in the process. They support one another through divorce, births, deaths, new jobs and political upheavel. The characters are a little one dimensional and the book was pretty predictable but I enjoyed it. Three stars.

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

A warm, compelling tribute to the power of books, friendship, and questioning the status quo. With multiple perspectives that keep the story fresh and engaging, it never feels stagnant. Each woman’s journey unfolds with just the right balance of heart and complexity. Their book club may start as a simple gathering, but it quickly becomes something more: a catalyst for change, a space for rebellion, and a lifeline in a world that expects them to stay quiet. And really, who doesn’t love a novel that celebrates the transformative magic of reading???

I have really been loving historical books lately and this one did not disappoint! I love that it was set in the sixties, it gave me such a fun feeling. It was a beautiful story of women and friendship! The characters were beautifully written and I could really relate to them!

Margaret Ryan was getting ready for the first meeting of her new book club. What to serve? Her daughter Beth told her mother to just make oatmeal cookies and be done with it. Margaret wanted it special.

Even though big changes don't happen all at once, reading their first book, The Feminine Mystique, made this group feel something. It was important to them to find their sense of self, their future, and their worth.

It's always a little scary, right? Meeting new people and letting them get to know you? That was the rub about starting a book club in their neighborhood. The women were nervous about being judged but excited to get together. They wanted fellowship.

This story was set in a northern Virginia suburb called Concordia. Its premise is based on a controversial book titled The Feminine Mystique. The book didn’t solve problems but helped create a lively discussion at their first book club meeting. The discussion highlighted the women's shared experience of isolation, powerlessness, and a lack of voice. There had to be more to life than raising children and taking care of their family.

Who’d ever guess that four friends with their impromptu book club would change their lives and those around them forever? I highly recommend this book for your book club. It will bring lively discussion at your book club meeting. There are a few cuss words sprinkled about, which felt natural, with closed-door romance. This story takes place in the 1960s, when people drank and smoked in public. I’ve never read a book by this author before. I’ll be checking out more of her books. This is a must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Four dissatisfied housewives walk into a book club…
The Book Club For Troublesome Women is a brilliant, timely work on the challenges and joys of being a woman. When Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and new neighbor Charlotte form an unlikely book club with Betty Friedan’s ever-controversial The Feminine Mystique at its center, none of them could have possibly predicted the lives they were about to rattle and the ceilings they were soon going to break. Each woman brings her own set of grievances to the table: a few unhappy marriages between them, poor employment opportunities, shattered dreams, and the intense pressures of being the Perfect Homemaker. As the tides of modern feminism are slowly beginning to change on the national front, their book club meetings quickly become a savior for each of them: a place to complain, to celebrate each other, to dream wildly without fear of being chastised or ridiculed by the patriarchy. Their budding friendship and relentless ambitions are irresistible and make this book such a pleasure to read. I loved getting to know these women and have certainly been impacted by their presence.

The plot is lovely and the title is striking, but I did find the pacing a bit inconsistent. Overall a trivial complaint compared to a bright, brilliant story burning to be read. Don’t skip this one.

i loved the way we got to see so much from each character. took me a minute to get into this one but when i did it was really good!

Thank you Net Gallery for the chance to read this book. Having grown up in the 60's I found this a fascinating and interesting read. It captures that time in history very well. The characters are well flushed out and the story is believable. My only negative feedback is that the facts toward the end of the book are not always accurate. However, I would recommend reading it.

For a book set in the 1960s, this book is certainly relevant to current events and culture. Contemporary women will see familiar patterns

Star Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Genre: Historical Fiction
📕: @netgalley @harpermusebooks
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My Review: I received an advanced reader copy of The Book Club for Troublesome Women (release date: 4/22/25) through @netgalley and @harpermusebooks in exchange for my honest review. I had the opportunity to read both the Kindle and audiobook versions, and I truly enjoyed this book.

From the striking cover to the heartfelt story, this novel captivated me. At its core, it’s a celebration of female friendship, resilience, and the power of a book club that becomes so much more. I loved the dynamic between the women—their unique personalities, unwavering loyalty, and shared desire for something more in their lives. The “Bettys” and their book club felt so authentic and inspiring, offering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and empowerment.

Brief Synopsis: Set in the 1960s, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows a group of women who find solace, strength, and sisterhood in their unconventional book club. As they challenge societal expectations and support one another through life’s struggles, they prove that being “troublesome” might just be the best way to live authentically.

I gave this book four stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves stories about strong women, friendship, and the power of books.

#womenworthknowing #thebookcluboftroublesomecreek #newhistoricalfiction #historicalfiction

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is exactly the type of book we need given today's climate. What started out as an innocent idea for a neighborhood get together quickly became a call to action as the women started reading The Feminine Mystique. Margaret's book club became an activist bookclub by accident but she's absolutely pulled into the neighborhood's newest resident's orbit. Charlotte has a dizzying affect on everyone she meets and is the catalyst so to speak. As the women open up with each other and share honest tidbits about their lives and longings, they realize not everything is as it seems and realize it's ok to want more and better for themselves and each other. This was a very cathartic book to read but also somewhat sad to realize we're still dealing with a lot of the same issues all these years later. I'd still highly recommend this book and loved it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for this ARC!

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing felt too slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. While I appreciate the writing and concept, it just didn’t pique my interest the way I had hoped.

I absolutely loved this novel. I enjoyed the time period (beginning in the early 1960’s) and following these wonderful characters during this period in time. Book clubs will surely enjoy discussing this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the early ARC!

“From those whom much has been given, much is expected.” And boy do I get more than I was expecting. I devoured this book and the characters were so well flushed out. I loved Bitsy, Charlotte, Margaret and Viv and their Betty book club. “They make the best martinis- four parts vodka, two parts atmosphere, and an olive.”


Get me a truth serum ASAP and add this to your TBR! Loved the Jackie Cameo!

A story of four very different women who come together with the purpose of hopefully being friends through starting a book club. The first book was a very controversial for that time, The Feminine Mystique. As the women get to know each other better and bond between them develops they each realize that they do have other hopes and dreams than just being a housewife and mother. Some believe that reading the book has opened their eyes to other possibilities.
The story is set in 1963 and really opened my eyes. I was only 8 years old and never realized how hard it must have been for my mom at that time. She worked and raised 4 kids, but couldn’t open a bank account in her name? I was very interested in that part of the story. The actual plot did seem to drag on a bit, I just think it could have been shorter.

"The Book Club for Troublesome Women" is such a timely read, even though (or maybe because) it's set in 1963. Following four suburban housewives who start a book club and end up sparking their own quiet revolution, this story perfectly captures both how far we've come and how frustratingly far we still have to go. The historical details are fascinating and often infuriating - imagine needing your husband's permission just to open a bank account! - but what really shines is the friendship between these women as they support each other through their individual journeys of self-discovery.

While the pacing occasionally meanders and some might find it a bit light on plot, the rich character development more than makes up for it. Each of the "Bettys" feels distinct and fully realized, from aspiring writer Margaret to free-spirited Charlotte. Their growing friendship and determination to carve out lives beyond what society expects of them will have you alternately cheering and reaching for tissues. This is perfect for anyone who needs a reminder of the power of female friendship and the importance of fighting for what you believe in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story of friendship, feminism, and self-discovery. Set in a suburban Virginia neighborhood in the 1960s, it follows four women—Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy—who come together for a book club formed on a whim. Their first selection, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, sparks a realization that the idealized role of the suburban housewife may not be as fulfilling as they once believed.

As they explore the book’s themes, the women, affectionately known as “The Bettys”, begin to have candid conversations that will challenge their marriages, identities, and ambitions. What starts as a simple book club soon becomes a catalyst for change, pushing them toward a newfound sense of purpose and freedom. The Book Club for Troublesome Women speaks to the strength of female friendship and the bravery it takes to redefine yourself.

I found the characters to be well developed and a setting that illustrated the struggle between tradition and change. I would recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and feminist literature.

This was like a 1950s desperate housewives and I loved it! Not at all what I was expecting but different. A bookclub I could join! Loved the characters. And the narrator is one of my very favorites!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and Marie Bostwick for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You know it’s a good book when you forget that its story is fictional. The way that I connected with Charlotte, Margaret, Viv and Bitsy felt seamless, like if I were to show up to their book club to talk about The Feminine Mystique I would be welcomed without a bat of an eyelash. Finding yourself as a woman in 2025 can be hard - finding yourself in 1960 as a woman that can’t even open their own bank account without their husband’s permission… just puts in perspective how far we have come in the last 60 years, but the work is also far from done.

This book was about navigating life, breaking social norms and finding empowerment within yourself. If Concordia, Virginia were a real place - sign me up to be a new resident, just so I could join the “Betty’s” and their book club.

Also, thank you for adding the part about Charlotte having power windows in her car, because I would have never googled when they became a thing - and would have never known they were invented in the 1940s.