This brilliant and eye-opening novel blends historical detail, sharp insight, and heartfelt storytelling. It is set against the backdrop of mid-20th-century America, and reminds us just how much has changed and how far we still have to go when it comes to women’s rights and equality.

The story starts in a planned community outside of Washington DC, in 1960, where four women decide to start a book club. Margaret is mid-to-tale 30's and a wannabe writer, Bitsy is 23 and working in a stable because when she married she didn't finish college, Viv is a former war nurse with 6 kids and another on the way, and Charlotte is a wannabe painter from a wealthy background with both an overbearing father and husband. All but Bitsy have children, all are unhappy to a degree. I'd forgotten how "sheltered" women were in the 1960s -- I wasn't yet a teenager -- where they couldn't work, couldn't get a bank account or a credit card in their own name, couldn't even continue on to college -- without a man's approval. So what's the first book they read? Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique". There's a strong sense of community, friendship, and small rebellions.

Historical context is a big part of the story, as are historical people. The Civil Rights Movement, Jackie Kennedy, JFK, Helen Thomas, Katherine Graham are all part of the timeline, as is, of course, November 1963's events. The women, and their men, have different reactions to these events (the women are often helped along by vodka stingers!)

The narration was also well done on this audiobook. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARL.

I found The Book Club for Troublesome Women to be a fun, easy read overall—enjoyable in parts but not particularly memorable for me personally. The premise is charming, and the themes of friendship, resilience, and reinvention are well-intentioned and heartwarming. Bostwick does a solid job of developing the characters, and readers who enjoy stories about strong women coming together to support each other will likely find it uplifting. I think what was hard for me was the length of the book, mixed with it being slow at some parts.

This felt like 1963 Lite.

As a teacher, I love teaching the complexity of 1963. With a novel set entirely in that tumultuous year combined with a title promising "troublesome women," I expected a grittier book. This one was like a TV movie version of that year: a fairly pleasant read, relatable scenarios, likeable main characters, and even a suggested 1960s [white] feminist reading list weaved in as the Betties' monthly reading picks. I accepted early on that this book wouldn't have much diversity since it does focus on middle to upper middle class white women in suburbia. The civil rights movement was just something the characters saw on TV and had fleeting opinions on; it didn't really affect them, so they didn't really think about it much. What I did struggle with was the pacing. I enjoyed reading up to 75-80% of the book... and then the story dragged through the end. So, overall, a fine book. The audiobook narrator was engaging. If you want 1963 without too much stress or too many complications, but some moments to complain about the patriarchy, this book's for you.

Margaret, Viv, Bitsy and Charlotte are housewives in the 1950s. Margaret wants to start a book club and suggests a book she read in high school. Charlotte suggests The Feminine Mystique instead. The friendships and their new perspectives on life challenge all 4 women to stretch their limbs and try new things.

I loved this book! I wanted to be friends with all 4 main characters and I loved how they started to ask new questions and re-think their perspectives after reading the book and discussing it with each other.

I want to be a Betty!! I belong to a longstanding bookclub so this read hit home hard for me. Not to mention the relevance to the focus on women’s rights and feminism during these times when those are being threatened. Each of the characters were well developed and unique in their own ways as Marie Bostwick tried to create real women that readers could relate to even though this book is set in the past. While it took me a moment to get hooked into the story, once I was in - I was full on in! I actually miss Margaret, Viv, Charlotte and Bitsy whose lives I got snapshots of on my morning drive to work. Would love if Marie Bostwick wrote a book about Charlotte’s daughter Denise as I think there’s a tale there too. This was my first listen/read of Marie Bostwick and I will look eagerly for more. I really enjoyed the narrator, Lisa Flanagan, whose narration added to the story.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women really resonated with me on a deeper level. The way literature becomes a bridge between these women—and between the past and present—is such a powerful theme. Books like this not only entertain but also offer a lens into how much progress has been made, and how much of that was built on the courage and quiet defiance of women who dared to ask for more. Thank you @netgalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a brilliant and eye-opening novel that blends historical detail, sharp insight, and heartfelt storytelling. It’s easily one of my favorite books of the year. Set against the backdrop of mid-20th-century America, it reminds us just how much has changed and how far we still have to go when it comes to women’s rights and equality.

What struck me most were the everyday injustices women faced, which now seem almost unthinkable: not being able to open a bank account or access birth control without a husband’s signature, or being a top student yet overlooked for veterinary school simply because of gender. The women’s work was belittled as “job-ettes,” and their desires for more freedom, farther education, greater respect were often dismissed or even pathologized. I never thought about how hard it might be to find a female psychologist or therapist not hung up on Freud at the time! They bore tremendous responsibility at home with little or no recognition, and those who spoke up were sometimes sent to therapy just for wanting a different life. I can understand why “ mommy’s little helpers” were so popular!

The book does a fantastic job weaving personal stories with historical context. It touches on significant moments like sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement, the early journalism career of Jacqueline Kennedy, JFK’s presidency, and the deep national grief following his assassination. These historical layers added so much depth, reminding readers how these women were navigating both personal and national upheavals.

And yet, amid the struggles, there’s community, friendship, and small acts of rebellion that feel incredibly powerful. I loved the mention of vodka stingers “the ideal drink to cement new friendships or to celebrate old ones” and now I want to try making one myself and my girlfriends. The book also inspired me to finally read The Feminine Mystique, which is referenced as a cultural turning point as well as “camera girl” from the author’s after notes.

Ultimately, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a tribute to the strength, intelligence, and resilience of women who dared to want more and a reminder that while we are still far from true equality, we’re moving in the right direction thanks to the efforts of those who came before us.

I truly loved the characters in this audiobook and it makes me want to reach out to old friends because it reminds you of how important those friendships are!

I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of a group of unlikely friends in the early 60s. While the theme is most assuredly the hardships and discrimination women faced in this not-so-distant time period, I didn't feel like it was just angrily barking out a narrative the whole time. No one can dispute the facts of the way women were treated and the strides we have made since. But unlike some recent very popular books surrounding this same topic, Bostwick's story includes likable characters with some depth. They are trying to figure out new opportunities and are just beginning to buck the system while not having to say that marriage and motherhood are oppressive stereotypes at the same time.
The narration was also well done on this audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a captivating and heartwarming novel that combines humor, self-discovery, and a touch of rebellion. Set in the 1960s, it follows Margaret Ryan, a seemingly perfect suburban housewife who, despite living the "American dream," feels like something is missing from her life. When Margaret meets the mysterious Charlotte Gustafson, she starts a book club as an excuse to spend more time with her, unwittingly sparking a revolution. As the group of women reads The Feminine Mystique, they begin to question the roles they’ve been assigned and the unspoken longings they all share. The women, nicknamed the Bettys after Betty Friedan, form a bond that helps them navigate a year of self-discovery, challenges, and triumphs. Through secrets, cocktails, and candid conversations, they find the courage to defy societal expectations and pursue their own happiness. With its nostalgic setting, sharp wit, and thoughtful exploration of sisterhood, The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a delightful and empowering read that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned the status quo.

Every so often you come across a book that speaks to you and makes you feel all these complex emotions. Happiness, sadness love hate and the feeling of nevwr really knowing where you fit. This book had all of that in spades. I loved being in the 1960s and meeting and becoming friends in my head with these wonderful complex woman. I connected with this book as a woman but also as a mother and one that stays home and raises her child I connected with the feelings of happiness but also as if as much as it is enough you still want something for you. Something that makes you special all on your own. I have that with my writing and really connected with Margaret for much if the same reason. I felt such unfairness and anger for what these incredible woman had to go through at the time and what was expected of that regardless of what they dreamed or wanted for themselves. At the same time though this was a story if courage and love and above all friendship and believing in yourself when no one else does or when a important few do. The writing was beautiful and I found myself laughing smiling and crying all within these beautiful constructed pages. I loved this book and think it might be one of the best things I've read this year if not the best. As a woman a writer a mother and a 34 year old still trying to figure and make all my dreams come true thank you for this fantastic book.

It's the early 60's and four women looking into being more than just a "housewife" form a book club and the first book they read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. To say this groundbreaking book struck a chord with women is an understatement. These 4 women, with different backgrounds knew they wanted more than what they currently had in their lives. whether it was more education, a job, or being in charge of their lives instead of having to defer to their husbands in most things.
I enjoyed reading about the different pathways each of them took to find their place in their world where they could achieve what they wanted. It also made me wonder if my mother who was a "housewife" during this time period had dreams and aspirations that were never fulfilled. I am also thankful to live in a time where women can go to school, and/or work, have children if they want and make decisions about what they want in their lives.

I wish the title was different though, It is so similar to the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Richardson so I hope readers don't get confused by this title thinking it's about the book by Kim Richardson.

This is probably my favorite book I've read this year so far.

I received an ARC and was so excited to read this book.

This book is based in the 60's and follows a group of women, the Bettys, through life and all their differences and similarities. They start a book club and read the book "The Feminine Mystique" hence the name the Bettys.

You follow Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv as they build friendships, go through heartbreak, realize the dreams they've been putting off, and learn to use their voice. This book is a good representation for what life was like in the 1960s for women and the gender bias that existed. It also covered the experience women in the suburbs experience based off of the expectations of a housewife.

I read both the ebook and listened to the audio book. The narrator of the audio book did an amazing job of bringing the piece life. A good narrator is a big deal, especially in a story like this where there are multiple main characters.

The book was beautifully written and I will be looking into more of Marie Bostwick's writing.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is set in one of my favorite historical periods, the early to mid 1960s when the women's movement is just starting to flourish. I liked the premise of starting with The Feminine Mystique and bringing together several suburban women with very different life experiences and current situations. It occasionally fell into a bit of caricature as all the "classic" issues of early women's liberation are revealed and discussed, but my reaction might be colored by the fact that I've written about this era and know a lot about it. For others, these plot points could prove very revealing of the time period. I thought the writing was good in terms of both character development and pacing, the the narration of the audiobook was excellent. I'll definitely recommend this to readers interested in a not-too-heavy historical fiction read.

Womanhood and identity and friendship with a touch of rebellion. This book was beyond what you could listen to. Each character was developed so beautifully. The reader knew every emotion that they felt. You were quickly immersed into the story.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for an amazing audiobook.

I adored this book! It gave a wonderful insight into what life was like for most women during the mid-20th century, and yet it was still entertaining to read. I loved how each character's story ended, and found the overall book interesting and enjoyable!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick was wonderful. The main and supporting characters were multi-faceted. In a suburb of D.C., four women enter into a book club, there first being the controversial book, The Feminine Mystique. Through the club and friendships,their lives ebb and flow.

A heartfelt, funny, and frustrating novel set in the 1960s. Four housewives start a book club, and the first book on the menu? The Feminine Mystique. This book gets all of their thoughts racing to places some of them didn't dare go before. The ladies become close and call themselves "The Bettys" in honor of the book that brought them together.

I enjoyed listening to the four women's life stories. From their marriage, children, desires, and work life. I felt furious towards 3 out of 4 of the husbands in the book at some point or another. It's amazing to see how far women in society have come since the 1960s. I found myself tearing up and laughing throughout.

The narrator did a great job, she was easy to listen to and kept the story exciting. Her use of tone made it easy to understand how the characters were feeling. I also felt like she gave each of the women their own stylized voice, which in my opinion is pretty impressive! Overall a great listen. I would definitely recommend it to people that enjoy historical fiction.

It’s the 1960’s and a group of women living in the same neighborhood and are dissatisfied with their lives decide to form a book club. It’s a very diverse group of women and each bring a different perspective and struggle with them to the group. Maggie, Bitsy, Viv, Charlotte first meeting doesn’t go smoothly but they do learn a lot about each other and their bond starts to form as they discussed the book and what is going on in their lives amd the world around them. The book club quickly becomes so much more than just about the books as it soon becomes a support system for the ladies as the navigate the life of a housewife in the 60s when men were still considered superior. Through the support of the group the women each find their way to inner strength and the power that comes from female friendships especially when the world wants to keep you down.
This book was insightful and reflexive of the times and yet reminds us how important it is to know who youve got in your corner. And also, it’s a book about books, obviously. There were some slow spots and stretches that could probably have been left out, but overall it was enlightening and enjoyable and another solid read by this author.

The narrator did a great job of keeping me engaged and entertained throughout. I will look for her narrating other books in the future.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! This book is set in the 60s and focuses on the lives of four women who form an unlikely friendship because of a book club. I feel like Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, Viv and I are all in the same book club. I was completely invested in their lives. The 60s weren't that long ago, and I can't even imagine what these women had to go through. Things we take for granted today. Margaret couldn't open a bank account without her husband's signature ... just can't imagine. I loved how they were real with each other, sometimes using tough love with hard truths. And then at other times, just having each other's back. The book was well paced. I listened to the audiobook, and I highly recommend it. Lisa Flanagan was the narrator.

Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. FABULOUS!

This is one of my favorite books and I will be giving as gifts this year. I identified with each of the Betty's in a different way. The book kept my attention until the very end. I love how this book gave the whole story until the very end of each of their lives.