Thank you to Harper Collins Focus and NetGalley for this ARC. Marie Bostwick has written another amazing story! I loved everything about this. Four women from the 1960's with many different lifestyles get together for a monthly book club. This story is about so much more than the book club, though. It's about standing up for yourself, standing in for your friends, and so much more.

The narrator did a great job telling the story in her words and tone. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys fiction with a bit of historical fiction thrown in.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I really enjoyed this one and loved all the different characters and their stories. Definitely a worthwhile read!

The narrator kept me interested and focused on the story. This is a story about how women come together and help and care about each other even when they haven’t all known each other for years. It’s also about one woman’s courage to start a book club all because of one book. I have purchased this book for my library but not the audio yet. I have recommended it several times.

I absolutely adore historical fiction when it’s about women discovering their inner rebel.
The four FMCs are fascinating, and scratched the itch I’ve had for decent female leads since reading Evelyn Hugo. The feminism woven throughout was inspiring and I loved that the character arcs weren’t always predictable and hum-drum.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 1960’s vibes from start to finish.

My only issue - which really did knock a couple of stars off my overall rating - was the lack of presence of the book club from the title. I wanted to get my teeth into the books, seeing the stories light a fire under these very different women as they learned and fiercely debated the ethics and circumstances of the characters in literature.

All in all it wasn’t what I had hoped but I would still recommend.

3.5⭐️
it's been a while since i enjoyed a historical fiction and this story just pulled me in. the first thing that won me over was narration. Lisa Flanagan was perfect for this book, i definitely found a new favorite narrator. thanks to her, even though sometimes the pacing was a bit slow, my interest for the story was still there.

in terms of the plot, it isn't a new concept but it's written in a very lively manner that makes the reading very engaging. we have a group of women from the 1960s who start to engage with feminist literature and that empact their thoughts, ambitions and way of life. i loved how every character had very distinct voice and a story of their own.

the book does go a bit unrealistic an idealistic route at the end but i prefered it this way. sometimes we don't need realism but hope that everything would get better.

Quiet, reflective, and powerful. This isn’t a fast read, but it’s a meaningful one. A tribute to how far women have come, and how far we still need to go.

::DESCRIPTION::
Set in the 1960s, The Book Club of Troublesome Women follows a group of women defying the roles they were handed. Through friendship and courage, they reclaim their right to want more and to go after it. It’s not flashy or fast, but it’s honest and moving.

::WHAT I LIKED::
👉 A gentle but profound reminder of the progress women have made
👉 This one made me reflect on womanhood, motherhood, partnership and on how important it is to keep making space for everyone to live fully as themselves.

::WHAT I WONDERED ABOUT::
👉 What expectations still silently shape our choices
👉 How much cultural baggage we pass on without meaning to
👉 What it really means to be “free” in our day to day lives

::YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU…
👉 Are drawn to stories about women’s rights and personal growth
👉 Enjoy slower, character-driven fiction with emotional weight
👉 Want a reflective, affirming read with generational resonance

::BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS::
👉 How did the 1960s setting inform the story’s message?
👉 What kind of “troublesome” woman do you want to be?

::QUESTION OF THE DAY::
💭 If being “troublesome” means being true to yourself, what kind of trouble are you proud to make?

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an advanced copy for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Book Club for Troublesome Women. It’s set in the early 1960s and follows four suburban housewives who start a book club, reading The Feminine Mystique. What I loved about this story was how it captures that moment when these women start questioning the roles they’ve been handed and begin exploring who they really want to be.

The characters felt super relatable—each dealing with their own struggles and doubts, but finding strength and friendship through the book club. The way their relationships evolve felt real and heartwarming, and the story does a great job showing how personal growth can be sparked by a simple shared experience. It’s a nice mix of nostalgia, friendship, and empowerment without feeling preachy. If you’re into stories about women supporting each other and quietly challenging the status quo, this one is a really comforting and inspiring read.

Final thoughts: It’s a perfect pick if you want a book that’s thoughtful but easygoing, with characters you’ll root for and themes that still resonate today. Great for fans of historical fiction and stories about friendship.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5


emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5


Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5

I’d like to officially join The Book Club of Troublesome Women please—and never leave. 💅📚
This was such a bold, bookish delight! I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook, and both formats brought the fierce female friendships and rebellious heart of the story to life.
4.5 stars for this witty, empowering, and totally charming read! 🌸💖

What I loved💕
💕Authentic, complex female characters
💕women finding their voice at any age
💕Female friendships endure
💕Exposes historical sexism
💕The power of reading

Not my cuppa tea ☕️
☕️Lacks racial diversity due to time period

Ideal reader ⭐️
⭐️ Reader looking for a book about female friendships
⭐️ Reader who likes Apple TVs ‘The Buccaneers’

Audiobook 🎧
🎧 Easy to listen to narrator
🎧narrator embodies each character

Thanks to the author @mariebostwick , the publisher @harpercollins @harpercollinsnz
for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence

This book helped me understand this generation of women, including my mother, better.

Set in the 1960s, Margaret Ryan thought she had the perfect life. The husband, the kids, the station wagon and a house in a popular suburb. But when she forms a book club to impress her mysterious new neighbor, Charlotte, she begins to understand why she's still not satisfied. Four women, Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv, form a sisterhood around the controversial book, The Feminine Mystic. As their eyes are opened, their lives begin to change.

this book was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! I loved the themes of the power of books (words) and sisterhood. I loved these characters who were all very different but worked so well together. They all had growth through the story. I could not put it down once I started reading. It would be a great book club book because there's a lot to unpack.

Thank you to Netgalley, I listened to this mostly on audio. The narrator was Lisa Flanagan, and she did an excellent job. I was pulled in at the beginning and could not stop listening!

I had the pleasure of meeting @mariebostwick and listening to her speak in Huntsville, AL in May. She was fantastic and really funny. This was my first book I had read of hers, but it will not be my last!

The Literary Fiction genre is so hit or miss for me, mostly misses; however, this one was a true hit. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Set in the 1960s, 4 housewives with nothing in common except for location and being disappointed in their roles in life, start a book club. They read an eye opening gender bending/feminist book that triggers a change in all of their lives.

The "Bettys", their group name, become the sisters they never knew they needed. Through every joy and heartbreak, they are there for each other no matter what, no questions asked.

You will love and hate and love and hate some of the characters in this book. There are very serious topics discussed but they are closed door or are done lightheartedly. While this book is about empowering women, it doesn't scream feminist and it's not political.

If you enjoy stories of friendships and books, this is a must read.

This book gave me the same vibes as Love & Saffron by Kim Fay and The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams. If you haven't read either of these, I highly recommend them.

I absolutely loved this book. The audio drew me in from the first chapter and I loved all the characters. I loved the way they came together and formed friendship regardless of their background and expectations. I made me wish I lived in a neighborhood to hopefully form a group like this.

I have been recommending this book since I finished it.

Thank you Netgalley and Uplit reads for a gifted physical and audio copy.

I read, immersive read, and listened to this book in different chunks, and I would venture to say that I almost liked the audiobook better than reading the text. The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing life to all of the characters and her tone/voice were super dynamic throughout. While I did really enjoy the book-- it was thought provoking, heart warming, frustrating, and, at times, funny-- it did also leave a bit to be desired. The pacing felt off: it was drawn out in the first half and then rushed in the second half, and some of the characters' actions and thought processes didn't seem plausible to me. Overall, I appreciated Bostwick's exploration of the oppression of women at the time and the ways that they made an effort to break free of it, including the real historical events and cultural references. I just wish there was more plot to go with that exploration so that, for a relatively short book, it didn't feel so long. Regardless, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to womens' book clubs open to potentially difficult discussions!
Sincere thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review!

A very interesting, feminist narrative that transcends generations. I appreciate the way it analyzes the role various women play in the social construct of western society.

Set in the 1960s suburban Virginia, this character-driven historical fiction follows four housewives who form a book club dedicated to reading The Feminine Mystique and other feminist literature of the era. As they gather monthly, they open up about their dreams, frustrations, family, and the societal roles that constrain them. Without a central plot, the novel instead focuses on the intertwining of lives as ideas and friendships begin to reshape their worlds.

The novel excels at portraying each woman’s emotional journey from the pressure of being the “perfect” suburban wife and mother to the quiet rebellion of seeking more from life. Each character is given their own space to grow as we move from woman to woman, subtly showing how their family roles and societal expectations conflict with their desires, and ultimately, their changes throughout the book.

At its heart, the story is a testament to female solidarity. The book club becomes a crucible for transformation, where shared books, honest conversations, and emotional support forge enduring bonds.

The only complaint I have is that this very much reads as white woman feminism. While there are brief mentions of what is happening in the world around them, none of these topics are deeply delved into. I still enjoyed this read and would recommend for those who enjoy historical fiction, but I’d also suggest to mix in more inclusive literature in this same era to get a more wholistic view of the world and the true struggles existing then and now.

Ultimately, this is a homage to middle-class 1960s women discovering their voices. It warms with the strength of evolving friendships and the small, profound moments of personal revolution. A great read for any book club typically enjoying other stories that blend historical detail with emotional resilience. I would definitely suggest!

This was not a book for me, the writing was not up to the standard I enjoy, telling and not showing and very much not trying to be literary. I'm sure other readers will love it, but I DNFed this as it was poorly constructed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Warm, nostalgic, and empowering—The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a heartfelt tribute to friendship, feminism, and finding your voice. A charming story of four women who discover that sometimes, a book club can change everything.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen!

I was a little nervous this would end up being a cringey white feminism take on the early ’60s, especially with the opening chapters. But as the story progressed, the characters gained depth and complexity, and the themes expanded to explore the nuances of the harm of our patriarchal systems.

I was pleasantly surprised how the story became inclusive of recognizing the role of racism, capitalism/consumerism, etc. It ended up being more down to earth than it appeared at the beginning, which I appreciated.

📚 Title: The Book Club for Troublesome Women
Author: Marie Bostwick
Genre: Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction / Friendship

“Acquaintances abound, but true friendships are rare and worth waiting for.”

A nostalgic, empowering story of four suburban women finding courage, voice, and each other in the 1960s—and igniting quiet revolution through books. In 1963 Northern Virginia, Margaret starts a book club with three neighbors—Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte—centered around The Feminine Mystique. As they read and debate, their lives begin to shift. From household frustrations to secret dreams, this “Troublesome Women” club becomes a lifeline in their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment

Mood: 📚✊👯‍♀️🌅
📚 Books fueling ideas and change
✊ Quiet rebellion, solidarity, and feminist awakening
👯‍♀️ The deep bonds of sisterhood
🌅 Hope, fresh starts, and new horizons

Warm, nostalgic, and richly feminist, this is a love letter to the power of female friendship and literature. Think Lessons in Chemistry meets suburban sisterhood—uplifting, smart, and deeply satisfying.

I really liked the premise of this book. I struggled to get through it though, it started really strong and then fell flat for me. Strong plot lines, but I felt like the development of it dragged.

📚 The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
Sometimes, all it takes is one good book and a few brave women to change everything.

Set in 1963 suburbia, this story follows Margaret—a picture-perfect housewife who’s quietly unraveling. When a new neighbor, Charlotte, arrives with bold ideas and a copy of The Feminine Mystique, Margaret finds herself at the heart of an unexpected revolution. Enter the Bettys: a book club that becomes so much more than talk over coffee.

This is a warm, empowering story of friendship, finding your voice, and rewriting the rules—one page, one choice, one woman at a time. If you’ve ever felt like you were made for more, this one’s for you.