There is so much power in female friendship. And female friendships in literature? Wow.

I think I first realized this when I read Anne of Green Gables, reveling in the trials and triumphs Anne and Diana faced. It really hit home in high school when I first read Rebecca Wells’ Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and saw the lengths those women went to for each other. And it’s shown up so many times since then—from Sex and the City to Big Little Lies to Everything I Know About Love (and so many more in between).

It’s meaningful. It’s timeless. It’s so very important.

This book was not only wonderfully entertaining, but it was touching and enlightening. Centering around four housewives in the early 1960s, it looks at opportunity, femininity, power, prosperity, education, and what it means to be a woman in a changing world.

I’ve read Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, but now I want to go back and read it again, just to make The Bettys proud!

I appreciated the varied characters in this book (both male and female) and the different awakenings they have throughout the story. I listened to an ALC of this book, and the narration was truly enjoyable, adding to the story’s impact. Listening to it really felt like a night at book club with my best friends (and how could I not love a book that referenced both Pollyanna AND The Music Man?).

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is one of those books that you think about the characters long after finishing it. Set in the early 1960's, this story follows four women as they come together to form a book club. What starts out as just a book club becomes far more as the women become friends. I really enjoyed the different women's stories and experiences. The audio version was well done and I couldn't stop listening. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful historical fiction book by Marie Bostwick, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Lisa Flanagan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Set in the 1960s, we meet four women – Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv – living in an exclusive Virginia suburb. Margaret starts a book club, and their first pick is The Feminine Mystique. As the women get closer, they realize that they all secretly share the feeling that they aren’t as happy and fulfilled in their lives as they should be. They seem to have it all, but it doesn’t feel like enough. They nickname themselves The Bettys, after author Betty Friedan, and begin forging a tight bond.

I adored this book! I started reading it digitally but quickly switched to the audiobook because Lisa Flanagan perfectly captured the different women’s voices and personalities. This book has it all – humor, nostalgia, sisterhood, self-discovery. It’s still jaw dropping to realize that in this time period, women couldn’t open bank accounts or get birth control without their husband’s permission. I admired how these women provided strength for each other when needed, and highlighted how important standing up for ourselves and others is. Plus, it isn’t total man bashing as I loved Walt! This is the absolute perfect book club pick, and I highly recommended it!

Synopsis: Four 1960s housewives form a book club to read The Feminine Mystique and begin to cause some good trouble amidst the changing social landscape of the time.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed getting to know the four women featured in this book! Each of them has a compelling story and relatable problems. Their powerful friendships are the highlight of this story - I love to see women building each other up and cheering one another on. The insight into the daily lives of women during this time in history made me very thankful for the freedoms I have today and made me feel even more strongly about fighting to protect those freedoms for my daughters. If you want to read a story about regular women making a difference in each other’s lives, this one is for you! The audio narration is enjoyable as is reading the physical copy - can’t go wrong either way!

Read this if you like:
👗 historical fiction
👗 female friendships
👗 strong fmcs
👗 1960s
👗 book clubs

I enjoyed this one more than I was expecting to! Each of the characters was likable in their own way, and they each grew in new directions as the book progressed. It was eye opening to see what life was like for these women because it made me think about my grandmothers who were also raising children during this time period. Read when you want to join a book club full of women who help each other find their way and support each other through it all.

Set in the 1960s, this book follows a group of housewives living in a small town who come together when they form a book club. I found this relatable with a lot of parallels to women's lives today who also struggle with trying to balance marriage, motherhood and their own dreams.

The first book the women choose is Betty Friedan's classic, The feminine mystique, which was a new release at the time and quite controversial. Okay on audio read by Lisa Flanagan, I did wish that there had been a full cast of narrators to help distinguish each of the main characters better for listeners.

Recommended for fans of books like The Martha's Vineyard beach and book club by Martha Hall Kelly. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this Audio ARC of "The Book Club for Troublesome Women" by Marie Bostwick @mariebostwick.

Audio Review ~
I give 5 stars to any narrator who takes on the challenge of voicing multiple characters. I truly appreciated her dedication and the depth she brought to each character, bringing them to life.

Thoughts ~
Marie Bostwick is a new author for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in the 1960s, it offers an enlightening perspective and serves as a reminder of the progress women and society have made. I appreciated the story of these women and how their friendships blossomed, showcasing their courage, strength, support, and mutual questioning, which ultimately led to significant personal growth and deep connections.

I wanted to love this book, but it felt like very introductory/surface-level feminism to me. None of the women were especially "troublesome," and they were all white and seemingly pretty well-off. I actually found some of the side characters more intriguing, like Charlotte's daughter Denise, and wish we had gotten more of their stories. It also felt pretty unrealistic at times (I know, it's fiction) with how quickly the women became friends, subscribed to Friedan's ideas, and began pushing back on the men in their lives. There were also passing mentions of several historical events like MLK's March on Washington and the JFK assassination that could have provided great context for the novel, but were not fleshed out enough to really add anything to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with the audio arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love reading about book clubs, book stores and libraries. So I was extremely excited about receiving an advance audio copy for this book. I absolutely loved it! Already ordered a finished copy. This is definitely a book. I would recommend to my friends and family.

Meet Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv or "The Bettys" as they are know around town. Four women who share one thing in commen - their love of books. What starts as a typical book club for ladies turns into friendships that last a lifetime. These four women go through so much after they meet and their only way to cope is to read books and, eventually, learn to lean on one another. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel written during the Sixties as it adequately portrayed what women went through during that time period. It's unfathamable to me that I would need my husban'd permission to open a checking account! Although I knew this, it was still just one of many interesting tidbits the author included. I loved learning about these characters and watching them grow into to strong, beautiful women.

Title: The Book Club for Troublesome Women
Author(s): Marie Bostwick
Narrator(s): Lisa Flanagan
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Date Published: April 22, 2025
Date Read: April 5-6, 2025
Format: Audiobook
Free?: This book was received as a an eARC audiobook courtesy of NetGalley.
Overall Rating: ★★★/5

Setting Rating: 📍📍📍/5
Conflict Rating: 💣💣/5
Tear Rating: 💧💧/5
Humor Rating: 😆/5

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🔍 TL;DR
⤷ In the early 1960s, three suburban housewives and an unconventional newcomer form a book club that challenges their views and awakens a deep sense of dissatisfaction with their seemingly perfect lives. As they read The Feminine Mystique and share their personal struggles, the women form a powerful bond that helps them navigate the cultural upheaval of the era. Through friendship and self-discovery, they each begin to redefine what fulfillment means—and what they’re truly capable of becoming.

📣 Favorite quote
⤷ Acquaintances abound, but true friendships are rare and worth waiting for.

🎥 Synopsis
⤷ In a Northern Virginia suburb of the early 1960s, three housewives—Margaret, Viv, and Bitsy—seem to have everything, yet quietly grapple with a sense of emptiness they can’t explain. Their lives take a turn when Charlotte, an artistic and unconventional newcomer from Manhattan, moves in and suggests they start a book club. The group’s first read, The Feminine Mystique, opens their eyes to a shared, unspoken dissatisfaction and sparks a journey of questioning, growth, and solidarity. As the women confront personal struggles and societal expectations, their bond deepens into a transformative sisterhood. Together, they discover that real change doesn’t come from a book alone, but from the courage to reimagine their futures—and support each other through it.

📋 Review
⤷ This novel painted a hauntingly sad—and beautiful—image of women fighting for their place in the world in the 60s in their own ways, from financial independence to equal partnerships to respect and fair treatment in the workplace.

⤷ The story was at times difficult to read, as the issues they faced were trying and infuriating (like, you couldn’t open a bank account without your husband’s approval?).

🌟 I wish…
⤷ I wish the pacing had been more consistent. The ending felt both rushed and overstuffed with events, compared to the rest of the book’s slower pace. I also felt that some issues the women had with their spouses/partners blew over much more quickly than was realistic, though maybe that’s due to my perception of the world now versus what it was in the 60s.

👍🏻 Recommend?
⤷ Mostly, yes. If you enjoy a historical fiction set in the 60s, of suburban housewives itching for women’s liberation while struggling with their own personal traumas and life’s ups and downs, then I would recommend this book.

I’ve been telling everyone to read this book. It’s historical fiction set in 1963 in an early planned community not far from Washington, DC.

Four women that live in the neighborhood form a book club and the first book they read is
THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE by Betty Friedan. THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE captured the frustration (such as a married woman unable to open her own bank account without her husband’s signature) that the 4 women in this book are feeling.

I loved each of the four main characters in this book. Each woman is different. They are going through different things, but they begin to stand together to support and nurture each other’s dreams.

This is such a great book for discussion. Even if historical fiction isn’t your normal genre, I think it’s an important book for women to see exactly how life was for a woman that would be your parents or grandparents age.

I also at least want to look through THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE to see what caused such a stir 60 years ago.

This was a heartfelt story where you could really feel connection to the characters. Beautifully written and well narrated. Thank you!

The premise of this is phenomenal, but I think it didn't 100% stick the landing in a few regards. For one, the title had me excited to see a bunch of 'troublesome' women, but in my opinion most of our gals only really changed as a result of the decisions of their MEN and I think because of that the wind left my sails a little.

I think this book did execute a lot of great food for thought but that it didn't entirely deliver on the premise that it advertised.

As a professional woman who has benefited from the struggles of generations of women before me, I found this audiobook fascinating. It's nearly impossible to believe that just a few short decades ago, women could not get in to medical / veterinary schools, open bank accounts or seek birth control pills without the consent / involvement of their husbands. The author adeptly weaves her message of equality into a story about 4 women in the 1960s, each with different skill sets and family situations. Each of the four women is extremely likable in her own way. As a female physician, I especially liked a few of the side characters - for example, the character of Francesca, a lady doc ahead of her time. I also really liked the character Helen, the bookstore owner. There's also a cameo by someone famous, which was really enjoyable - no spoilers though.

Each woman has a husband, and these men are bound by the constraints of societal and cultural norms. Each of them responds differently as their wives start to become more and more empowered. It was fascinating to see how this all played out. We still have a ways to go in order to truly be equal, but we have come a very long way already.

Regarding the audiobook in particular, I found the audiobook narrator's tone a little bit "preachy" at times (for lack of a better term), but she did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Very enjoyable, and I'd definitely recommend the book!

I love historical fiction, but I don't read many books set during the 1960s. I usually pass those on to Susan, but since this one had a book club in the title, I thought I would give it a try. (I've been on this kick of reading books about books, libraries, book stores, and book clubs lately.)

There wasn't anything groundbreaking about this novel. The characters are stereotypical of housewives in the 1960s. They want more from life than just being wives and mothers. I liked that they aren't extremely radical. They aren't burning their bras. But at the same time, they don't just accept that this is their fate.

This book is definitely all about the characters, and I liked the characters. Whenever Charlotte appeared in the story, I pictured Phryne Fisher from the British detective television show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. The book is equally about the 4 women, but I think it focuses a little more on Margaret. It could be because she is seen as the leader of the Bettys (that is what they call their book club).

I thought their lives were a little easier than what many of the women in their position experienced. Margaret's and Viv's husbands are pretty progressive for the 1960s. While it seemed like Margaret's husband would be difficult in the beginning, he recognized and voiced what he was feeling, and they worked through it. Viv's husband was always on the same page with her - whatever made her happy, he was supportive of. Charlotte's and Bitsy's husbands are largely off the page, so we really only know what Charlotte and Bitsy tell us about them. If you've seen the television show Mad Men, I think Charlotte's husband would fit right in with them. I felt like Bitsy's husband was there just because she needed a husband (which I guess is true for Bitsy in that she married him because she needed the security of a husband after her father died, and King was willing to marry her).

In a world where women are often competitive with one another, it was nice to see four women form a true friendship where they are supportive of one another.

This is an easy book to listen to as an audiobook. Lisa Flanagan did a great job with the voices. Bitsy is from Kentucky, and she had a bit of a southern twang. Viv had a bit of a Brooklyn accent. It helped to distinguish the characters but also fleshed them out a little more.

This is the first book I've read by Marie Bostwick, and I will definitely keep an eye out for more historical fiction from her.

I think this would be a great book to read with friends or to take on a vacation with you - maybe a girls' weekend!

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/04/the-book-club-for-troublesome-women-by.html

1960’s housewives, Margret, Viv, Bitsy and Charlotte start a book club by reading the Feminine Mystique. For those that don’t know, this book was a well-known novel that created a second wave of feminism because it explored the gender roles of staying at home and raising kids and how not all women were fulfilled by doing so. This book would change the lives of these four women forever. I love historical fiction and this was a good one. Each of the women changed and grew throughout the story. Some of their spouses were not OK with the change and others were. The writing was wonderful and I quickly became absorbed into the story. I loved the sisterhood shown and the women in the story that became strong and learned how to stand up for themselves in what they want in life.

I was able to listen to this book thanks to Netgally. Going into this book blind, I expected it to focus in on the lives of the bookclub members, but I didn’t realize just how much I would fall in love with the characters. The story was told through multiple POVs and you see the character development through each. It helps you to understand what it was like to be a woman in the time period and the outrageous sexism. Listening to this unfold was so great.

I first heard about this book because of the author event at Powell’s. The title drew me in as I love a book about books. The central read is The Feminine Mystique and the time is the 1960s. While I appreciate the historical fiction component (Kennedy presidency), I don’t think this adds much to the era’s plight and told experience of the housewife. This story follows four women and feels a bit fragmented and all over the place. A few moments were poignant, for example, “She hadn’t even left a note, only a full refrigerator.” Many moments felt scripted around expected hurdles and conflicts, causing the story to drag on a bit. I listened to the audiobook via an ARC from NetGalley. Lisa Flanagan’s narration was fine. This was solid but maybe a bit underwhelming for my high hopes- 3.5 stars.

A thoughtful, timely read that had so much power—until the ending dropped the ball.

Set in 1963 Virginia, this follows four women who form a book club and read The Feminine Mystique. What starts as small talk over books turns into a full-blown awakening. Each woman wrestles with identity, lost dreams, and the crushing expectations of being a "good wife" and "good mother" in a world that wants them quiet.

The pacing picks up once they start reading Friedan. I devoured the second half and wanted to cheer—and scream. I adored all four women and loathed (deeply) some of their husbands.

But the ending? Way too rushed, with real-life historical figures shoehorned in and an unnecessary fast-forward that didn’t land. The story didn’t need a tidy bow—it deserved the messiness of real life.

What hit me most was how relevant this 1960s story feels in 2025. We're still fighting the same fights. Still shrinking women's dreams. And that’s the scariest part of all.