“For your information, it’s not about you! Of course I shouldn’t be surprised, because men always think everything is about them.”
— Marie Bostwick, The Book Club for Troublesome Women

The Book Club for Troublesome Women gives us a glimpse into the lives of four women who seemingly “have it all”, but in reality feel deeply unfulfilled. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv - all very different people, facing very different personal struggles, navigate the societal restrictions of the early 1960s. Their friendship, sparked by the creation of a book club (and Charlotte’s suggestion of reading The Feminine Mystique) is a catalyst for change. I’m not usually a huge fan of historical fiction but this book completely won me over. While the issues they faced - like not being able to open a bank account or getting a prescription for contraceptives without husband’s signature - might not be relevant in most places today, I still found so much to relate to. As someone living in Poland where women STILL don’t have full body-autonomy, the sexism obviously made my blood boil.. and yet this was actually such a comforting read. More than anything, this is a story about sisterhood and the power of female friendship. I adored each of these women with all my heart, and it made me feel SO grateful for the female friendships in my life.

If you love feminist fiction with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters, this one’s a must-read.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women was a book on two levels. It was an entertaining story about women and the power of friendships, but it is also a good read for young women today that don't appreciate where women's lives and rights stood some sixty years ago. Having said that, there is nothing preachy about the book. It's a story of four women, navigating life as they come together in their suburban Virginia neighborhood and form a book club.

Margaret, the chief protagonist in the book, has just moved into her planned community and wants to reach out to new neighbors. She, Viv, and Bitsy decide to form a book club, and she goes to ask the glamourous new neighbor, Charlotte, if she would like to join. Charlotte is none too happy that her husband moved her from the vibrant art scene in New York City to this provincial neighborhood. She tells Margaret she will join if they read Betty Freidan's new book (published in 1963), The Feminine Mystique. Although some of the women don't know what to make of the ideas expressed in the book, its message will eventually instigate dramatic changes in their lives.

I enjoyed the trip back to the early 1960's when I was a little girl. This was the story of my mother's generation, and while there are a lot of fond memories, there were definitely inequalities for women. One memory that stands out clearly, the husband of a woman in our church left her and their son to marry his secretary. I remember the women whispering about it, and it seemed like for some reason she bore the shame, not him. Divorce was pretty unheard of in the early 1960's at least in the South.

The main theme of this story was the power and support of women friends, and how they can be there for you in both good and bad times. I really enjoyed the read, and for those thinking this is a diatribe about women's equality, I found the author presented both sides of the story. It was made clear that being a mother and wife was just as valid of a choice as pursuing a career, provided that it is your wish or goal, and is not forced upon you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marie Bostwick, and Harper Muse for allowing me to read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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. I loved the written words of this book and loved the characters. I loved how the concept of feminism is true in that it is a choice to do what a woman chooses to do: from traditional to progressive. But growth abounds in all of them, regardless of their paths. 4.5 stars for me!

Got a kick out of this book in some ways! Took me back in time to my growing up years.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

We’ve come a long way, ladies! If you are needing that reminder, this is a book to read.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a tale of four women, similar yet different. All of them are married and at various stages of marital satisfaction/dissatisfaction. All of them have a connection to motherhood that is depicted in different forms and levels of contentment. However, at the heart of this story is the desire to feel more. It hits at the desire to foster one’s skills and passions to achieve a different level of fulfillment. Perhaps we (mothers and fathers) all feel varying levels of this at some point in our parenting journey. It definitely resonated with me. I appreciated the balance of humor, shock, empowerment and despair created by Marie Bostwick. I closed this book with a sense of motivation and pride. We females really are a force!

Thank you Harper Muse for this story via NetGalley. The opinions are entirely my own. If you enjoyed reading The Eights by Joanna Miller, I think you will really enjoy this one (or vice versa) too.

This book was a pleasant surprise. What began as just another episode in the lives of the desperate housewives evolved into an engaging work of women’s historical fiction. It provided insight into the daily struggles of housewives in the 1960s, highlighting how many of them often felt unaccomplished and overwhelmed in a male-dominated world.

The story centers on four women from remarkably different backgrounds and with contrasting personalities. Despite their differences, they all share a sense of unfulfillment and suffocation in a society designed to oppress them. Their lives take a transformative turn when they come together to form a book club, and the first book they read inspires them to take charge of their lives and take action.

I enjoyed the premise, especially the writing style. Very well-written! The pace was slow yet steady, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 🌟.

TW: Suicide, Assassination, Depression, Miscarriage and Misogyny/Sexism.

Was really expecting to love this one a lot more than I did. I just failed to really connect or get invested like I wanted to.

I really love historical fiction and learning about women in different times. I enjoyed the characters but did not really connect with any of them. It felt a lot like preaching.

Marie Bostwick gives us a delightful look into the 1960's and the restrictions faced by women. A group of women come together to read The Feminine Mystique, which leads to all sorts of interesting topics.

Although I would have liked to see a bit more of the troubles women faced at this time, I thought the author did a good job of representing the hardships while also creating a story that people will want to read and characters that felt believable.

This empowering 1960s walk through women's roles in the home reminded me of a TV show that came out in 2020 on Hulu called "Mrs. America", starring Cate Blanchett and Elizabeth Banks. Just like this book, "Mrs. America" dug deep into the core of women like me who grew up believing that their thoughts and actions were often unheard and unseen.

"The Book Club for Troublesome Women" tells the story of Margaret Ryan, 1960s-1980s, who intentionally begins a book club and unintentionally begins a revolution in her perfect suburban neighborhood. Margaret immediately asks her best friends, Bitsy and Viv, to join the book club. There's a new face in the neighborhood - Charlotte Gustavson. She's quite different from what Margaret is used to - bold, daring, and captivating. She soon prompts Charlotte to be a part of her book club, upon which Charlotte says the only way she will join is if their first book is "The Feminine Mystique". This book enlightens these four women to take a look at their own homes, where they fit, and how they can begin to be heard. It's not long before their four stories take new turns toward following old dreams.

This book is magnetic and personal. Each female character had a full arc with diverse pathways. Bostwick is brilliant in creating the historical world for women of the 1960s, such as the character of Margaret being unable to open a bank account without her husband present. The writing thoroughly follows Margaret, Bitsy, Viv, and Charlotte through to the 1980s, providing the reader with a multitude of ways in which women suffered and the possibilities of triumph or injustice through it all.
I am grateful for writers like Marie Bostwick who continue to tell the truth about history.

A special thanks to Netgalley, Marie Bostwick, and Harper Collins Focus for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've been a Marie Bostwick fan for years, first reading her Cobbled Court series (featuring a quilt store and the friends who run it), then more recently her stand alone contemporary novels. I thought my favorite title would always remain THE SECOND SISTER which is set in Door County, WI, but THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN knocks all her previous titles out of the water. Set in suburbia Washington D.C. in 1963, this story follows four wives who despite living in a "perfect planned community" envied by many, find themselves unsettled and dissatisfied. They agree to meet and discuss the recently published, highly controversial book THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE and find within those pages thoughts all have had, but never given voice to. Suddenly they begin to see, not beautiful newly built colonial houses with perfectly landscaped yards, but barriers to creativity and fulfillment. Each woman forges a path that somehow changes herself and her family. I was a high school freshman in 1963 so I was an eye witness to what would follow. To women that never knew a time when females could not open a checking account or take out a load without a husband's signature, I highly recommend this book.

Marie Bostwick's novel, The Book Club for Troublesome Women, is a historical fiction novel that takes place in 1963 suburban Virginia - just right outside of our nation's capital. Four women gather in their new subdivision to discuss Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique. Not everyone finishes each of the assigned books - but they do share their thoughts on the concepts of life as women in the 1960s. Each women brings something different to the discussion, Viv is a happily married former army nurse with 6 children and one more on the way. Charlotte is an aspiring artist from a wealthy family. Margaret is a housewife trying to find her purpose, and Bitsy is a young wife trying to conceive a child but with aspirations to be come a veterinarian. The women call themselves The Betty's. Through the novel we watch their friendship go beyond the book club - as each member of the book club grows and evolves after their first meeting - and experiences the ups and downs of regular life.

The character development is phenomenal and the historical details were on point. The concept of friendship and purpose that women seek still ring true today. I highly recommend this book as an inspirational read to women everywhere seeking out their purpose.

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

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a feminist book showing the importance of reading and the influence it can have to enact positive change or empowerment. It reminded me a lot of Lessons in Chemistry in themes and time period, but it was more of a joy to read. I loved the relationships between the Bettys and how different each of them were and their struggles, yet they were all brought together by this book club and became great friends. It was quite an easy read and the pace moved us along quickly, yet it packed a punch, I really enjoyed it!

Fun nostalgic story about friends who become sisters in power in their own situations. Kind of reminded me of a culmination of movies on the topic about that era, and would make a good film too. I liked it, but wanted the story to go deeper and darker. It seemed a bit safe. Still enjoyed.

The story takes place in early 1960s suburban Virginia, and the author did a fantastic job of setting the ambiance of the time.
Many of the themes discussed such as equal rights, gender roles, and free speech are still incredibly relevant today.
Beneath the surface, these women were struggling—and it was books and real connection that helped them break through and grow.

You will grow to love the characters in this book and be anxious to see what happens next in their lives. And yes, women really did experience the kind of discrimination and limitations described in the book.

The theme of women supporting women is a universal theme that all women can appreciate. Thank you to Marie Boswick for giving me a better understanding of the discrimination women went through in the 1960's.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.

This book has an engaging premise, focusing on suburban women who form a book club around Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique.
It is March 1963, and the planned community of Concordia, VA, just outside Washington DC, is welcoming new families to one of its four model homes, each with its own required color scheme and landscaping. Margaret Ryan, 33 and mother of three, seeks friends beyond the neighborhood coffee klatch that has quickly sprung up.

She is interested in – even intrigued by - three other women, and approaches them with the idea of starting a book club. The wealthy, iconoclastic (and often caustic) Charlotte, 39, mother of four, suggests the Feminine Mystique – and the rest is herstory.

In addition to Margaret and Charlotte, the group includes newly married Bitsy, 23, animal lover married to an older man, and Vivian, 41, a happily married former combat nurse, pregnant with her seventh child.

Through the following year, these women challenge and champion each other as they read what would become known as “consciousness raising” books, and reconsider their choices and behaviors. They also come to critique the narrowness of The Feminine Mystique, seeing how it does not address the situations of women who do not have choices to work or stay at home, nor does it consider the expectations and traps into which men also fall.

There are cameo appearances by publisher Katharine Graham, reporter Susan Stamberg, and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, just before that fateful November trip to Dallas.

The story is absorbing, but the outcome of fairy-tale endings for all four friends make it less impactful. That is why I gave this
quick, thoughtful read the four star rating, rather than five.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the book club setting. The storytelling was engaging and explored a number of themes, such as deep friendship and an empowering message. The women were relatable, and I appreciated the balance of humour alongside the poignant moments. The book had a strong sense of place, and I enjoyed the small-town setting. The women are all imperfect, but they support each other, creating a powerful bond. Sometimes the pacing felt a little slow.

I received a copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

If you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, this may be the book for you! Set in the fifties, stereotypical housewives learn to make changes in their lives. I was invested in each character, and cheered for them (and was enraged on their behalves at times). There are ties to historical events which became more personal for me while reading this book. I highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book helps you understand a different time of women’s opportunities. These women, though, were strong and resilient and worked together to fight for what they wanted and deserved in life and out of the husbands surrounding them. All because of a book club! It was fun to root for these ladies!

Four suburban housewives in the 1960s find unexpected courage, purpose, and friendship when a book club—and a bold new neighbor—opens their eyes to a world beyond the picket fence.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a heartwarming story of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of change. This book completely exceeded my expectations—it was heartfelt, powerful, and beautifully written. I fell in love with all four women, each on her own journey of rediscovery and empowerment. Set against the richly detailed backdrop of the 1960s, their struggles felt deeply personal and achingly real as they dared to reclaim long-buried dreams in a world that expected them to settle.

The strength of their friendship, forged through honesty, books, and unwavering support, became the heart of the story. I especially loved how they challenged one another to grow—even when it wasn’t easy. By the end, I didn’t just admire the characters—I felt like I was a member of the Bettys. This was my first book by Bostwick, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’ll definitely be checking out her backlist!

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.