What a fascinating read! The title alone had me engaged but the story hooked me in. The four women, the protagonist’s in the story couldn’t be so diverse but their friendship binds them together. These ladies experience life and events together and yet remained loyal to one another despite of it. I will never forget the Betty’s and makes me happy be part of a bookclub the way the Betty’s were. For any book lover who is also part of a bookclub I highly recommend this book.

I want to thank @NetGalley and @harpermusebooks for the ARC

This story follows four women coming to terms with their position as women during the tumultuous 1960s. The women form a book club to discuss Betty Friedan’s The Feminie Mystique and the book follows each character as they discover their place in a world not quite ready for strong, independent minded women. I really enjoyed this book. I found each character to be well thought out and was invested in each storyline. Overall I would recommend this book and it would make a great book club read!

I really enjoyed the look back to the not so distance past. This book seems particularly fitting during our current policial environment. The Betty’s as their troublesome book club is called are four women stuck on their own island of loneliness until they come together and with each other boost each other up. I really enjoyed this book.

Marie Bostwick has hit a homerun with this historical novel. Along with the narration of Lisa Flanigan, life of the sixty's and how women navigated their way is truly brought to life. I enjoyed this complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was too much of a slow burn for me. I found it dull and too slow in places and almost didn’t want to finish it, but the end did pick up and Im glad I pushed through.

This was full of details and reflections that activated my feminist rage and I want to share this with all of my friends and their daughters and sons to gain a perspective that we have seem to have lost in this current political era. Women are a range and deserve to chart their own paths without society telling them how or what to do. The historical details were impactful and the story wove itself through the lives of four white women. The focus was narrow on women that had options, but it did address those that didn't have the choice to stay home and also lightly touched on women of color. I think the focus was on this perception of 1960s idealism and the impacts of the patriarchy on society and women. Obviously, I don't have to say "all men", but the misogyny was so prevalent then and it is still now.

Loved it. Feel good, uplifting book about friendship. Built on books, but the relationship of the ladies in the book club is so much more. They are there for each other in ways no one else could be and it’s so incredibly beautiful.

Advanced listener copy provided by Harper Collin’s Focus but all opinions are my own.

Well, this historical fiction novel sure feels timely right now. The Book Club for Troublesome Women does an excellent job of showing how far we've come and how far we have left to go. I thought it was beautifully written and thoroughly engaging, the story tracks one of the most meaningful relationships in the world - the connection among adult women. I thought it did a great job reflecting the times while reminding the readers that there is definitely more work to be done.

If you love Desperate Housewives, Lessons in Chemistry and historical fiction then this is the audiobook you need!!

This journey follows Margaret, who starts a book club with the local housewives, Bitsy, Viv, and Charlotte. After their first book read by Betty Friedan, they become known as the ‘Bettys.’ Through their book club discussions, cocktails, and gossiping, they discover that the American Dream and propaganda aren’t what they aspire to as women. As their lives unfold, they experience loss, arguments, and significant emotional transformations. Despite these challenges, the Betty’s remain steadfast in their friendship and support for one another. Their book club evolves into a platform for nurturing their bond, fostering loyalty, and providing a sense of freedom. They never sway from what bought them together originally - books - they continue to choose a new book each month no matter what!

I really loved this audiobook, the narrators expression kept it fresh and easy to distinguish the different characters.

The book brought a lot of comfort in that these women were truly supportive in times of fear and loss. The first half of the book was really well written and their personalities were individual and clear of who brings what to the table.

The book began to slow down with not much happening at all, however there were deep conversations around women’s rights whilst they attempted to push the barriers of their freedom doing normal errands we would do today. It opened my eyes to how much they struggled with the simplest of things.

Overall a really good read, just think it could have been shorter or a quicker pace in the middle chunk of the book.

“You know... I don't think so. I'm going to go let my friends
in. This is my house now."

"Calling the shots. And I have to tell you, Edna. It feels good."

“Because I want to. Because you'd do the same for me. Because you're my group."

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick.

If you enjoyed The Chilbury Ladies Choir, this is right up your alley. It's a cozy, yet thought provoking story, set in the 60's, about an unlikely group of women who gather together for a book club. But each woman has a unique challenge in their life, mostly centered around living in a patriarchal system in the 60's, and everything that they do to overcome it.

This book was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable to read. It's good to remember where we come from, where we are now, and how far we still have to go.

This is a story of four 1960s era housewives who start a bookclub and choos the Feminine Mystique as their first group read. The book ends up helping them forge lasting friendships and strengthens each of them as they find their true identities in and outside the roll of housewife.

I ended up loving every single one of these women and the uplifting friendships and support that is the main theme was everything I didn’t know I needed. It’s a historical fiction that gives insight into a time I know very little about and I always appreciate that about the genre. Definitely a fun, heartfelt, and entertaining listen that I recommend to those who enjoy strong female friendships and the journey of forging the path less traveled.

Thank you Harper Muse for the alc via Netgalley

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Pub day April 22

A slow burn for the first 10-15%, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it but then the characters grew on me and I was invested in their lives.

Following the four women as they struggle to navigate married life (some with kids, some not), their role in the home versus their own wants and needs. It is set in the 60's where the role of the dutiful mother and wife is challenged. Women wanted more, to feel like they were worth more, to be able to still have a career, have their own bank account or go on birth control without the husband's permission.

Through all the ups and downs, their friendship is the shining star to me. Women need other women who believe in them, elevate them and who are there for them in their hour of need. Female friendships are more important than I think people realise. This band of women were there for each other and it was wonderful to see their journey.

"...sister travellers on parallel roads with different destinations."

An enjoyable read. I listened on audio and the narrator had a lovely voice. Very calming to listen to.

A poignant, relevant, and moving story about a group of women from the 60's who find a book that challenging their roles as housewives in a time of revolution. Each of the lead characters are faced with their own search for meaning at various stages in their married life.

I went into this book without reading much about what to expect and I was moved to tears by the end. Such an uplifting reminder of how hard the women who came before us had to fight to get the most basic of rights. And here we are again, fighting against a patriarchy that doesn't believe we have the right to our own choices. What a beautiful reminder that it was not that long ago that women and POC were considered second class citizens. And how those very rights are under attack today.

Usually I let ARC's simmer for a day before I write a review. Not today. I feel motivated and invigorated by these characters, fictional or not. There was entire generations of women who were stifled and diminished. We wont go back. And we won't go down without a fight. This book has made it to my top 10 and it's only February. 10/10 Will recommend to my book club.

5 stars.
I received this Audio book from NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, and Marie Bostwick for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook.

<i>The Book Club for Troublesome Women</i> is a work of historical fiction that feels deeply rooted in the realities of second-wave feminism. The struggles, friendships, and evolving perspectives of the characters make for an engaging read. Lisa Flanagan’s narration adds warmth and authenticity to the storytelling, enhancing the immersive experience.

While the novel does a great job capturing some of the struggles women faced during the 60's, its focus on white suburban housewives left me wanting a more diverse perspective. The inclusion of historical events, such as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., acknowledges the broader social landscape, but the story doesn’t fully engage with voices outside of its central demographic. It offers an insightful yet familiar take—one that scratches the surface rather than breaking new ground and doesn't offer much in the way of 'trouble'.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read for those interested in historical fiction centered on women’s rights and personal transformation. However, readers seeking a more nuanced and untold perspective may find it lacking.

This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review. Rating: 3.5/5

4/5 stars

Trigger Warnings: (from Storygraph) Graphic: Sexism, Infidelity, Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Infertility

I really enjoyed this book! The narrator was great and I felt invested in the story. I recently saw a play called 'A Taste of Things to Come' and since then, I've wanted to learn more about Women in the 1960's and how they grew as wives, mothers and friends through a book club.

This book is set in the 1960's and spans 8 months. It started with the release of the book 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan, and ending with the November assassination of JFK. I really liked how Bostwick brought in real life events to this story to add to the historical aspect.

The characters were a bit confusing at first but after a bit, I got to know more about them and what they each did. I enjoyed learning about their challenges and how they worked to overcome them. I would highly recommend this book for a book club that enjoys female friendship books. Now I want to read more by Bostwick. It would be fun to read a sequel to see where they are 10 years later.

Thanks to @netgalley and @Harpermusebooks for the ARC. Book to be released April 22, 2025.

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

This audiobook was exceptional. If you loved the themes of Lessons in Chemistry; you will love The Book Club for Troublesome Women.

Margaret is feeling a little lost in her life and marriage and crosses paths with the eccentric and fabulous Charlotte. Margaret decides that she must meet her. She shows up at her house with dessert and an offer to join her book club. Charlotte rejects her boring book but says she will commit if they are willing to read The Feminine Mystic.

What starts as a book club becomes a life long friendship between four bold women. They support each other through infidelity, fertility issues, mental health challenges and finding themselves in a world where women have limited rights. Margaret, Charlotte, Betsy, and Viv are will keep you entertained from start to finish.

First, a huge thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher. This book spoke to me on so many levels. Every character, every moment felt intentional and incredibly powerful. While the novel acknowledges its own limitations and lack of full intersectionality, and I love that the author chose to simply acknowledge her privilege instead of trying to write a narrative she couldn’t understand. The characters are so full and complex that there were times I forgot that this was fiction and not a memoir. This is the kind of book that thirty years from now, students will be studying in a woman’s lit class and recognizing it for the classic it is destined to be.

I’ve come to the realization that any book with “library” and “book” in the title is immediately going on my to-be-read list. (Hazards of being a librarian, I guess). That was the case when I first laid eyes on this book. A story about a book club? Yes, please! With troublemakers in the club? Definitely sign me up! One thing I know for certain after reading this story is I could never have been a housewife in the 1960’s. I’m much too stubborn to conform to the standards from that era where a woman’s place was supposedly in the home and nowhere else. Oh yes…I would’ve rebelled against every bit of that nonsense.

This was my first time reading Marie Bostwick’s work, and I really enjoyed it. The four main characters - Margaret, Viv, Charlotte, and Bitsy - are unique individuals with very different personalities, and I liked that I was able to get to know all of them. There’s not a prominent character here. Each woman has their own personal struggles, and they each play a special part in weaving this beautiful story together. I have to say that Charlotte was my favorite, and Christine Baranski lived rent-free in my head the whole time I listened to this audiobook because the narrator sounded just like her. If someone turns this book into a movie and they don’t have Christine Baranski playing Charlotte I will be highly disappointed. If you enjoy stories about the power of friendship and solidarity between women, then you’ll love The Book Club for Troublesome Women.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick was my first read from her, and I really enjoyed this book, it’s one of those books I won’t stop thinking about. It is set back in the 1960s and follows a group of housewives that are living in this new “planned community”. They started this book club and their first book they planned to read was The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy and Charolette meet and bond over afternoon cocktails and their books. These four women created a sisterhood from this bookclub, their friendship feels authentic and following their stories made me sit back and think just how lucky women are now compared to the 1960s. These ladies would discuss all the controversies of their first read, this book was so groundbreaking for women in that generation. It helped them see that they were more than just housewives while their husbands worked and they stayed home and were homemakers and mothers. The book highlights alot of historical events taking place during this time including the civil rights movement. It was really eye opening to see just how few things were able to do, I know how many more rights women have due to this time of our history. I loved that this wasnt like other historical fiction books, it was more real and raw. I was appalled reading that before 1974 a women wasn’t able to have their own bank account without their husbands signature. I fell in love with these women and I so wish I was part of a book club like theirs. I will not stop recommending this book to every single female I know. This is one of those books that you won’t forget. I highly recommend listening to this audiobook.

* Historical Fiction
* Women’s fiction
* Women’s rights during the Civil Rights Movement
* Literary Fiction

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus and Marie Bostwick for allowing me access to this advance copy of this audiobook.

Oh my gosh, loved this book. Loved how it takes place close to where I live and in an area and time filled with history. Love how some of that history was brought into the story.
I loved these women. Loved their group. Loved their friendship.
Loved hearing how they were coming into their own lives in a time when women had no lives besides their family.

Would definitely recommend this book over and over.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.