I am wary of books about books, book stores, book clubs — knowing it’s an easy ploy to appeal to book lovers but that doesn’t necessarily make it good.

I’m pleased to report that this one *is* good! It’s about a group of women in the sixties who end up reading feminist classics and applying them to their own lives, giving them language and validation and frameworks for their own oppressions and malcontentments.

Could have been edited down 5-10% (and the last couple of chapters I found superfluous). Excellent narration. Highly recommend.

(ALC provided by NetGalley) this was fabulous! Strong women writing about strong women is always special. This book kept my attention the entire time and I really enjoyed it. The narrator was also fabulous and the perfect pick for this story. Highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys reading about female trailblazers.

I love reading books about women empowering each other and that's exactly what this was!

Set in the 1960s, this book follows a group of women of varying ages - <i>the Bettys</i> - as they go about their lives and the happenings between their book club meetings. This book covers many topics: love, loss, life changes, infidelity, social injustices, social reform, inequality, and so much more.

I enjoyed how different Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv were from one another. There's something so beautiful about watching a group of characters bond over reading and brainstorming ways to integrate what they've read into their lives to make a difference. I felt like the honorary fifth member of the Bettys, witnessing their growth, their ability to stand up for themselves, and their efforts to make the world a better place. I felt honored to immerse myself in these women's stories, for better or worse.

This was an easy 5 stars for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Marie Bostwick for the advanced copy of the audiobook!

The book club for troublesome women follows the lives of four 60's wives who start a book club that becomes the catalyst to bringing them together and we get to read about these characters from alternating pov's that go back and forth between several characters, mainly focusing on our four main ones. The book reads in a sort of domino effect way at first. Spontaneous event x leads to event y leads to this and this and that. And because it's a suburban setting it's more prominent and I thought that was a nice way of unfolding the story at the beginning. It also suits the 60's vibe.

Nothing really earth-shattering goes on from that point forward, and yet I was way too invested in what these women were doing in their day to day lives. like yaas queen tell me where you got this new fruit punch recipe I wanna know too. I think the narrator helped bring a lot of it to life and my enjoyment of this book wouldn't have been the same without it.

That said, I thought the story a bit limited at times. Both in its depiction of the era and the way things happen. You're kind of getting exactly what the description tells you. And while I enjoyed the inner conflict these women had throughout the book I thought some of the commentary was too on the nose. It felt a bit forced and I found myself crinkling my nose a bit. Like okayyy we get it. But yeah, still an enjoyable read overall. I would've preferred more messy situations but that's just me.

Wow! What a fascinating read! THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN is a historical novel that skillfully transports you to the early '60s, exploring the societal limitations imposed on women during that time. It follows Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte, four discontented housewives navigating the monotonous rhythms of suburban life as they decide to form a book club. Their first book is The Feminine Mystique (I am so curious about this one now!) by Betty Friedan, and it changes their lives and marriages.

I fell in love with the troublesome women and their journeys, and I appreciated the encouragement to go after your dreams. Each woman brings her unique background and experience to the group, none of which aligns with the domestic confines they currently inhabit. It is hard to believe women were so limited then. The character development is fantastic, and there is always so much to learn! The book concluded in a perfect way, leaving me with a lot of food for thought.

The audiobook narrator, Lisa Flanagan, deserves special mention for her outstanding performance. Her distinct voices added an authentic touch to the characters, and their ability to convey depth and emotion made me feel as though I was right there with them. I will miss them.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus / Harper Muse for providing me with the audio copy of THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN in exchange for an honest review. Marie Bostwick, I sincerely thank you for crafting such a captivating story! Your storytelling prowess is genuinely remarkable, and I am looking forward to reading some of your other books.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is my favorite novel by Bostwick to date. This historical novel follows four suburban housewives as they discover the new feminist movement and go through big and small changes in their lives and marriages. Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are quite different from each other, but they bond over Betty Friedan's newly-released book, The Feminine Mystique. This historical fiction goes down easy and Bostwick did a great job with her research. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for an audiobook review copy.

Set in 1963, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte—four women who form a book club called The Bettys, with The Feminine Mystique as their inaugural read. While the novel centers largely on middle-class, privileged white women, Bostwick does include a nurse of color, offering a brief but meaningful glimpse into the realities faced by women of color during Freedom Summer and the March on Washington.

Bostwick skillfully explores the societal limitations imposed on women in the early ‘60s, even those with wealth and social standing. The author’s strength lies in her character development. As The Bettys open up to one another, their friendships deepen, revealing their true selves in a way that feels authentic and rewarding.

Lisa Flanagan’s narration adds an extra layer to the experience, as she expertly differentiates each character’s voice, making the audiobook an engaging listen. While Charlotte is the only one who truly lives up to the "troublesome" label, all the women wrestle with societal expectations in their own ways, making for a compelling read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced audiobook! Four friends four lives changed by a book! I love historical fiction and this one hit! I love that one book can change the outcome of your mindset, thoughts and live overall. Each woman dealing with issues of their own have to make some decisions. Talk about how characters change and grow... all because of a book.

4.5 ⭐️ Marie Bostwick’s name is one I was familiar with though this is my first novel by her. I remember she came to a local bookstore and chatted about one of her previous books. It then hit me she maybe local when she mentioned Tacoma, WA in The Book Club for Troublesome Women, a quick glimpse at her author bio I see she lives in WA… and I love to support a local author so I will be diving into her backlist!

The title and nostalgia of the cover captured my attention immediately! It follows four suburban housewives in the 60s… each very different but struggling individually in their personal lives. Charlotte the artsy new neighbor from Manhattan picks The Feminine Mystique for the newly found book club and the ladies lives begin to shift. You follow each one managing the day to day tasks and frustrations. Shifting POVs keeps the books pace moving and I enjoyed the ease of how it felt very conversational. My jaw dropped multiple times hearing what women had gone through and the reality that the 60s were not that long ago?! I loved the headlines of pivotal moments during that time sprinkled throughout. I’m glad she ended it like she did… I can already see myself in a few weeks still thinking about these characters.

I enjoyed this fresh narrative in the HF genre!

Thank you Uplit Reads & Harper Muse

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I really enjoyed this book… following along with the Betties as their friendship grows and their own personal journeys was heartwarming. It wasn’t the “feminist revolution” browsing readers might be expecting, but it’s a great story about women’s finding their way in life. A beautiful narrative to remind us how far we’ve come… and how much we still have to go!

I love the idea of more feminist historical fiction set against the backdrop of the second wave of feminism. It is essential to recognize how far women have come while also acknowledging how much work remains. During this period, many women were fighting for civil rights, the right to work, and reproductive rights. Today, many advancements, such as not facing discrimination in college admissions or being able to fill a prescription for birth control at the pharmacy, are often taken for granted. It's important to remember that these rights would not exist without the brave women who fought for them. I do wish this novel had been released during Women’s History Month. However, I am grateful to have the opportunity to preview it early and to offer my recommendation to other women and champions.

Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are four discontented housewives navigating the monotonous rhythms of suburban life just outside Washington D.C. Each woman brings their unique background and experience to the group, none of which aligns with the domestic confines they currently inhabit. Their lives, once full of ambition and dreams, are now constrained by the expectations of marriage and motherhood. Each one of them experiences varying degrees of support, or lack thereof, from their spouses.

The arrival of the groundbreaking book, "The Feminine Mystique," serves as a catalyst for change, marking the beginning of their monthly book club meetings. For many white, middle-class suburban housewives like them, this powerful text sparks a profound awakening into their dissatisfaction.

These women are now poised to challenge the societal expectations that have confined them to their current roles. While they embrace their identities as housewives and mothers, a deep yearning for something greater stirs within each of them. In homage to Betty Friedan's groundbreaking contributions, they adopt a new collective name: the Bettys. This powerful act of rebranding marks the beginning of their journey as they embark on a quest for personal fulfillment. Each woman takes meaningful steps to redefine her life, gradually dismantling the invisible barriers that have held her back. With courage and determination, they begin to shatter their individual glass ceilings, paving the way for a newfound sense of freedom and self-discovery.

I appreciate this novel and the effort and research that went into bringing it to life. One challenging aspect is the overall lack of diversity in the book, which is a valid concern. However, this issue also applies to Ms. Friedan’s famous work and previous leadership of NOW, which has faced criticism for lack of diverse representation. While her book may have sparked a movement for change, it wasn't intersectional or inclusive. I don’t hold this novel accountable for its representation of those most affected by the issues it addresses, but I hope we can read such works while also acknowledging the women whose voices were omitted. Recognizing how their perspectives might have differed can help us understand how much better our society could be if their wants and needs had been heard.

In celebration of this month and in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, I encourage women and their supporters to read this work and reflect on how we can ensure that this modern movement is more inclusive of all voices. The only way forward is to participate actively in the solution. In alignment with International Women’s Day, I support #accelerateaction.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this was an enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This surprised me. I really enjoyed it. The dynamic of the individual women and then their friendships together was so well written and so accurate to the time frame (and even sometimes now). It showed very different women coming together for one shared thing, and how their growth stemmed from that. M

Catherine was my favorite but i also loved Margaret. They all had qualities that made them all strong and unique.

Thank you to @Harpermusebooks and @netgalley for the ARC of The Book Club for Troublesome Women in exchange for feedback.
The book is set in the 60s in the small town of Concordia, where 4 women friends form a book club.
The first book they choose to read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, the controversial book that gave voice to what women were feeling in the early 60s. Women could not open a bank account or get on birth control without the signature of their husband!
The book group consists of Margaret, a want-to-be writer, Bitsy, a horse caregiver, Charlotte, an eccentric want-to-be artist, and Viv, a nurse with six children. They each want to do something worthwhile but must navigate society and their family responsibilities.
The book is historical fiction, I like how the author weaves in real life characters like Jackie Kennedy and Katherine Graham. I found myself cheering for each of the ladies, Bostwick was able to develop the characters over the course of the book in a way that the reader could understand the times they lived.
I would recommend the book, actually the July pick for book group I am in.

two weeks ago i started this audiobook and connected immediately with the characters. this is set in the early 1960’e and each of the four fmc’s is struggling with something in her personal life that she feels embarrassed to admit. they have all been raised to be housewives and support their families, no matter the result it may have on them. they decide they need more time outside the home and start a book club together! not only do they get time for themselves, but they share stories with one another. the more they share, the more they realize they are not alone in their feelings and build a strong support system. whenever they world feels like it’s falling apart, they are there for each other in any way they can!

while in the middle of this book, i watched a movie with my sister (virtually) which ended up being mona lisa smile. i knew nothing about the film but i know i love me some julia roberts! the more i watched the more this felt just like my book! a teacher of an all girls college teaches the women they are more than a future wife/homemaker. they are strong, intelligent women who can choose their own path.

once I finished up this book i could not stop thinking it was a combo of mona lisa smile meets sex and the city🩷 here is who i envision for each character in the book

a heart warming book and a great reminder in my busy season of work.
- i’m not alone
- i’m stronger than i think
-hard work does pay off

thank you NetGalley, Marie Bostwick, and Harper Muse for providing this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review! i adored the whole experience

Woman bonded by literature. I’d love to have a book club with my own friends. Bond over books, your daily lives & the goings on in this crazy world. The perfect read to help me escape to a different time with different worries.

Historical fiction (is not always my jam) and this book may be classified as such, I suppose the 1960's is now historical fiction! It is about four housewives and their journey through believing in more of themselves. It is about women’s empowerment, female friendships and relationships, which good or bad is still relatable today. I don't think it was anything particularly new or groundbreaking, and it feels like a book women my mom's age will love (70).
As a 41 year old, I am not a dummy and I know that things were much more limited for women in the 1960's but it always interesting to read about it again and be grateful that I am not forced into a life I don't want.
I think that this book is an easy listen, the narrator does a great job, she is pleasant to listen to and it is a pleasant reminder to live for yourself, treasure your friends, and support other people. We all need to lift each other up and support each other in any way we can. It has always been that way and we will continue to be so.

I enjoyed listening to this book so much!!! Four women, from different walks of life, came together for a book club that brought them very close. I loved the camaraderie the women shared and the ups and downs that came with it. It took me into the past when women were supposed to be doing 'this or that' during this time of the 1060's, and actually some things were shocking. to hear about. Women have come a long ways, for sure. This story took place during the time when my mom was raising my siblings and me, so it gave me a lot to think about. The narrator had a pleasant voice so listening to it was delightful. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this, and I will definitely look for more books by this author.

4.5 star read. I fell in love with the troublesome women and their journeys. They all grew and changed in tremendous ways during the story. Centering around a book club inspired by The Feminine Mystique, these troublesome women all, over time, learn their worth, while reading additional wonderful books together.

Set in the 60’s where women were really struggling to make their way in the world, still very much put down by “the man”, their journeys are inspiring.

I received the audiobook as an ARC and really enjoyed the narration and voice actor!

The Book club for Troublesome women is very well written. The story grabbed me quickly and I really enjoyed all the quirky women. The book club they started and the friendships that were created were fun and cute. I love the transformations for so many of them. Of course hearing about the civil rights movement is so interesting. I highly recommend this book! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.