✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

📖 THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostwick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flashback to the 1960’s. Large floral patterned couches. Color palettes in tangerine, egg yolk yellow, and avocado green. Matching appliances with Formica countertops are all the rage. Captain Crunch has just hit the cereal market and is a must try from seeing it on t.v.

In March of 1963, Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte are women living in a Northern Virginia suburb called Concordia. These four women get together and form a book club, called the Betty’s. The first book the women read is the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, recommended by Charlotte.

The four women find themselves sharing much more than one evening discussing this book. A strong bond is forged. This first book club read inspires each of the women, beginning to pave the way for individual freedom, independence, accomplishing goals, and achieving dreams.

Each woman had a personal road block to overcome. The sharing of these road blocks helped foster this sisterhood, and the novel, The Feminine Mystic, changes their lives in ways they could not imagine.

I listened to the audiobook of The Book Club for Troublesome Women written by Marie Bostwick and narrated by Lisa Flanagan. I absolutely loved each of the character’s storylines and was rooting for them to overcome their struggles during this time period. Lastly, the author’s message at the end of the audiobook is one not to be missed!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Muse for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. This is out now! #harpermuse #thebookclubfortroublesomewomen #mariebostwick #lisaflanagannarrator

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

When a book group is the kind of shake up you didn’t know your life needed… It’s the 60s and being a wife and mother is all women are expected to want… When Margaret decides to start a book club… She invites her new glamorous neighbor… She said she would join but only if they read the feminine mystique… It brings the women closer together and the best out of each other…

UGH this book was the best I’ve read in a long time. I felt like I would have fit right in with these ladies and I love books that invite me in this way. All the women are from different backgrounds, have different personalities and they all love and support each other in the best ways. Sometimes you have to be honest, even when you know it will be hard.

The pace was slow and methodical but I loved it. I was sucked right into the book. The narrator did a brilliant job of bringing these amazing women to life. I’m really picky with my historical fiction books and this one nailed it. The writing was perfect and I loved every single character.

5 stars

I was on the fence about this book initially. Even as someone who runs a book club, I found the concept of ~a book club that changes everyone's lives~ a little trite.

And it was. But it was still a fun and enjoyable read. I saw one other reviewer say this would have really slapped in the 2015/2016 girlpower era, before Trump was elected, and I totally agree with that assessment. This feels very white feminism.

At the same time, it's striking to see how little power women had in the 60s and how stuck we were in rigid gender roles. It seems like our country is backsliding now which is terrifying, but hey, at least I can still get a credit card and open a bank account without my husband's approval... for now.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio copy of this title. Four suburban women in the D.C. area form a book club initially to read The Feminine Mystique. This book leads them to open up about their lives, their hopes and dreams, and the possibility of achieving them. There are interesting revelations, and some of the backstories and relationships are not what you are expecting from the ancillary characters. This was a very enjoyable listen!

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

Historical fiction is not usually my jam, but this book may have changed that. I LOVED the characters and what they stood for in this book. Margaret, Bitsy, Viv and Charlotte are the kind of friends I think most women dream of having. After forming a neighborhood book club and reading The Feminine Mystique, the ladies set out to change their lives (to their husband's chagrin at the beginning, though some of them come around to the idea).

Marie Bostwick did a great job capturing what it was like to be a woman in the 60s (I asked my grandma a lot about the events in this book), as well as events surrounding the time period (JFK's assassination). I loved seeing the women come out of their shells as the book went on, ESPECIALLY BITSY!!! Bitsy was my favorite character in this book. I wish we saw a little bit more of her. This book made me turn inwardly a lot, and think about the role I want to have in my own life.

Lisa Flanigan did a phenomenal job as the narrator. I felt completely immersed in these ladies' world as I listened to the book.

4/5 stars.

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 ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 🌟.

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

"What must it feel like to be like that, a woman who wasn’t afraid to make demands or stir up trouble?"

Four housewives in the 60s have it all, but they still feel like something is missing in their lives. When a new neighbor, Charlotte, moves in, they start a book club that changes their lives. The first book they read is The Feminine Mystique, dubbed controversial, and sets in motion life changes and friendships forever.

These characters were so loveable - and I just kept thinking of the videos that say, "She probably needed a hug," and then these women just went and did the damn things. It was endearing, heartbreaking, and induced some mild-rage at times. It was stifling to read some of the things these women weren't able to do without their husband's consent. I joke with my husband about how I wish I was born in these times, so I wouldn't have to work, but this book explored lots of examples as to why I'm very happy I was born when I was. It's a book of women supporting women. I definitely wished I could have had more of Viv's storyline because I loved her. The ending dragged out, but overall, it was definitely a win.

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.

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. Lisa Flanagan is the perfect voice actor for this genre. She gives each female character a full arc with diverse characterization and voicing. 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.

Just a fantastic premise for historical fiction! A group of suburban women in Virginia in the early 1960's read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. The book and their friendship changes each of their lives in unexpected ways. Bostwick's writing is fresh, unencumbered by sentimentality. The women come to life on the page and though the excellent narration of this audiobook. A terrific ending as well.

I read both the ebook and audio books for this in tandem and they were so good. The narrators did a great job and added a lot of life and interst to the story that the ebook lacked a bit. This would obviously be great for bookclubs and ladies groups.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women written by Marie Bostwick and narrated by Lisa Flanagan is a historical fiction that follows four women through various stages of life in the 1960s. I found a piece of each woman I could relate to at different points in their stories. Everyone needs a group of Bettys. Lisa Flanagan was spectacular at narration.

So I received an ebook arc of this book and heres what I thought
The author Marie Bostwick has written over twenty "uplifting" historical and contemporary novels. This is one of them that frankly had the opposite effect. A group of women form a book club in a suburb with the first selection being The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. This is the sixties where women cannot get a bank account without their husband's signature. Timely in its look non at women's rights for the current political arena, choices limited in all eras. The first half is a bit on the boring side but things start happening after that. Love the book references.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Being a good wife and mother was supposed to be all that a woman of the 1960’s should want in life, but what about her dreams of doing more? Why did women have to give up everything just because they were females and that’s what was expected? What if they desired more fulfillment in life, and if given a chance, could contribute in ways beyond that of just being a wife and mother?

I loved how all four women in the book club were in different places in their lives, yet they found common ground as wives/mothers/women. As they started meeting regularly to discuss the controversial book they were reading, it opened their eyes to different possibilities, and what it would mean to pursue them. Bookclub became more than just a gathering to discuss books; it became a support group of sorts. Cheering each other on and being there to support each other through the tough times, made this group of new friends more like a sisterhood. It was a bond between all four women that they didn’t realize was missing from their lives, but became a lifeline of support and encouragement for all of them.

I really enjoyed this audiobook and thought that the narrator, Lisa Flanagan did a fantastic job! Thank you very much to #netgalley and #harpermuse for the opportunity to read and review #TheBookClubForTroublesomeWomen, written by #MarieBostwick.

THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostwick

Thank you to Harper Muse for my gifted ALC.

📖 Set in the idyllic 1960s suburb of Concordia, Virginia, this novel follows four friends whose lives are forever changed after they form a book club. Their first read, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, sparks bold conversations and sets them on a path of self-discovery and rebellion.

💭 I really enjoyed this! With lively, engaging storytelling and a strong cast of characters, Bostwick delivers a compelling historical fiction novel that captures what it might have been like to discover feminism in the 1960s, when women were still treated as second-class citizens. I loved the inclusion of The Feminine Mystique as the catalyst for these women’s personal awakenings. The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a heartfelt, humorous, and highly entertaining story of sisterhood.

🎧 The audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Lisa Flanagan, is a standout. With four main characters and several side roles, she had her work cut out for her! But Flanagan manages to give each woman a distinct and memorable voice. Wonderful performance!

📌 Worth noting: This is very much a story of upper-class white feminism. Though the narrative touches on the broader social issues of the Civil Rights era, it is not intersectional in any meaningful way. This isn't necessarily a criticism; not every book is meant to tell every story. But I thought it was worth mentioning in my review 💕

4.5 rounded up

This book is the perfect story of women uplifting women and how women's friendships really can change their lives for the better. It carries such an important message about women's history and the battle that they faced in society for, what should have been, their human rights. Following the four friends stories and how each of them faced different things that happen everyday to women made it so emotionally easy to connect to. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the friendship/book club dynamic. Easily a 6 star read for me.

I enjoy stories about women, and women's history, and this is by far one of my favorites that I have read. Maybe it is because I love books so I connected with these women in a book club. I also love the books that they discusses in book club and feel that authors like Virginia Wolfe has played such a huge role in women being able to write books. This story felt deep, meaningful, and easily should be a book everyone reads. Thank you!

I really enjoyed this book! The audiobook edition felt very immersive, and I liked this narrator quite a lot. I was first drawn to this book because the cover caught my eye, but I was hooked when the cover copy compared this book to Lessons in Chemistry (which I loved), and I think that is an accurate comparison! This was an informative and entertaining book, yet it is also aware of its limits, which I appreciated. For all the discussion of the restrictive societal expectations imposed on women at this time, the characters are cognizant of their privilege as middle-class and wealthy white women and that people of color and people of other financial/social backgrounds were fighting a completely different battle at this time. This book covers a lot of ground, switching perspectives among four main characters who all have families and careers of their own, but this meant that the characters were not quite as fleshed out as I hoped. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, I loved reading about the growth of their friendship through this book club and the way these women showed up for each other despite their vastly different family lives and circumstances. I plan to seek out more of this author's work and other titles read by this narrator!

Thank you #Harper Muse Audiobooks & #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio book.
I really enjoyed this book. It had great characters with solid development. The exception was one character was given too much unnecessary airtime, which was out of step with the other main characters back stories and inner dialogue. The author captured the historical time of frustration for smart, ambitious women. I am so thankful for the women clearing a path for today's modern woman. Despite the current USA administration, may we never go back to those days of women being treated as the lesser of the species.

The author also does a beautiful job capturing the complex dynamics of women friendships. Only the ones that love you the most can hurt you the deepest. But nothing is more grounding than having an unconditional friendship of trust and selflessness. “Sometimes our friends know us better than we know ourselves”

The narration was excellent. I can't go all the way to 5 stars, but it's close

Set in suburban Virginia in the early 1960s, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows four housewives who seem to have it all—on paper. But when they start a book club and dive into The Feminine Mystique, everything begins to shift. Through honest conversations and unexpected friendship, these women start to see their lives (and themselves) in a whole new light.

I loved the exploration of what it means to want more—even when you “should” be happy. Watching these women struggle with guilt, dissatisfaction, and a deep desire for independence felt so real and so relevant, even decades later. This book gave me First Wives Club vibes at times, especially in those “yes girl!” moments where women stand up for themselves, walk away from husbands who treat them like crap, and learn to fight for the lives they want. I’m all about stories that center female empowerment, growth, and the messy, beautiful path to finding your voice.