This has not yet been released!!! Look for it on April 22, 2025!!

What an absolutely delightful book!! Especially if you are a woman! And, especially if you have some experience with the goings on of 1960's America!! Luckily, I am both, and my Mom was most definitely in this category, and in my opinion...so ahead of her time, so this book definitely resonated with me, throughout!!!

Margaret, Bitsy and Viv all live in this new-ish suburban community in Virginia...not far from D.C.
Supposedly, they have it all! A nice home. A lovely husband. Community...what else is there? Some have kids. Some do not. And then one day, a new couple arrives in one of the biggest homes in the community...from NYC.

And so, Margaret sets out to meet her, and welcome her to the neighborhood. HOWEVER, when Charlotte opens the door, Margaret realizes that what she was about to say is never going to work. You see, she was going to invite her to be a part of their monthly coffee klatch...where they catch up on happenings. Instead, she decides to invite her to their book club (which by the way they don't really have, but she's ok with starting one to have Charlotte be a part of it!) Charlotte seems to have no interest whatsoever, but then asks 'what book are you reading?'... and when Margaret comes up with what she thought was a great answer, Charlotte declines. Instead, she hands Margaret a book to read! One that she says is wonderful...speaking of new ways for women. "The Feminie Mystique"... and if they decide to read this one, she will come!

This now not only sparks up conversation among the three friends, but also sets the stage for new friendships and beginnings all around. And as they start to explore each other, as well as the entire world around them, they realize that the world is their oyster... and there are so many opportunities out there.. if only you CHOOSE to search them out, and NOT give up along the way!

This was like a breath of FRESH Spring Air! Once you get a whiff, you want to keep going!

Lovely to read about the strong relationships that were formed, yet upsetting to re-visit the stark contrast to living in today's world. I mean, women back then couldn't even open up a bank account in their own name, without the husband co-signing and PERMITTING them to do so. Even if they were working and earning their own money!! Unbelievable... but true!!!

Also, so nice to see women rooting for each other, and working hard to try to promote self-appreciation, instead of tearing others down... as is so common nowadays....

Absolutely LOVED this one!!!
All the stars for me, and then some!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫💫

#TheBookClubForTroublesomeWomen by #MarieBostwick and narrated beautifully by #LisaFlanagan.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperCollilnsFocus, #HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is 4/22/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves soon!! ***

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Wow, what an amazing five star read! This book connected with me so much. I didn't expect to love this book so much due to the setting being in the 1960s! I laughed, sobbed, and felt seen as a woman. I wish I could have been a part of their book clubb i would love to be a Betty!

A book club affectionately called the Bettys made up of four women living in a brand new subdivision in the surburbs of DC inthe 1960s. Margaret, Charlotte, Viv, and Bitsy reading their first book, the Feminine Mystic by Betty Friedan. I loved the characters in this book.

This book touches on women's struggles, daily life, and rights. Even though this book takes place in the 1960s, many of issues feel relatable and relevant today.

I enjoyed the narration of this novel. It was narrated by Lisa Flanagan.

Marie's book has influenced me to add the Feminine Mystic and Virginia Woolf's books to my tbr.

Takeaway: the importance of a community of women to hold each other up in all ways -triumph, challenges, and every day support.

"Thanks girls, thanks for everything"

The title drew me in since I am a librarian who has facilitated book clubs and personally I've been a member of a book club for 36 years! I loved that this was set in 1963 and the author kept it relevant with references to what was going on in the news at that time.

I love the idea of women going to a local bookstore and getting great suggestions from the owners. It was also a great group of women who lived in the same neighborhood but were each quite different.

This is a book that I'll continue to think about for a while. Thanks for the opportunity to listen to this wonderful story!

It's the sixties , four woman form a bookclub and from there they grow into the women they are meant to be , rather going to school, writing or nursing these women define the era of women changing for the better . Great read ! ,I really enjoyed the narrator ,as well .

It's the 1960s and a group of suburban women are starting a book club, the first book being the Feminist Mystique by Betty Friedan. The book, as well as their discussions open their eyes to the inequities that they had already been stewing about and this new forum allows the women to open up to each other in ways that they may not have felt comfortable with before. Each woman has a story and a journey and the book club becomes a sanctuary for them, and the women their sisters in the struggle.

I really enjoyed both listening and reading this novel. I know history and the issues women have had with lack of freedom and autonomy in the past (and ahem, now as well) however this novel brought those issues to the surface through the characters’ struggles and it didn’t feel overdone at all. I would have thought (or hoped) that by 2025 these issues wouldn't exist, but unfortunately that is not the case. The women in this novel are each dealing with hurdles keeping them from attaining their dreams and it's due to their gender and how society and the men who hold the power control them. I thought this was a creative way to tell that story, remind us that the fight isn't over while creating a wonderful plot line with characters that I would gladly welcome into my book club. The audiobook narrator was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one (I read about 1/3 and listened to the rest because I found the audiobook so good).

4.25 stars

Thank you to HarperCollins Focus Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review

Thank you so much Net Galley for the advanced audio of THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN. this novel centers around 4 women who -obviously-start a book club. The first book that they read is Betty Ferdan's THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE and after discussing it, and encouraging those who hadn't started, become fast friends. The first novel read affects all of the women in different ways and really shows them how unfair the world--most especially men--are to their gender. Though most of the things mentioned happened before I would be affected, I do remember some things such as my mother using my father's credit card. This novel really gave life to that time period and putting myself in that time period I could really feel for the characters. I enjoyed the narration and felt they really gave good voice to all of the characters.

I actually read this one after realizing I had downloaded the audiobook. Enjoyed the text format! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

I love a book about books and about book clubs and this one did not disappoint!

It is a story set in the 1960s and is about female friendships and empowerment. The right friends are always going to support your empowered self!!

The characters in this book are really well written - I understand the 1960s through their eyes - their challenges and their hopes/dreams. As book lovers - we understand as these women come to find out that books can change our perspective and sometimes our lives.

I listened and read this book at the same time - I recommend both - the narrator Lisa Flanagan truly brought this story to life!

I received an ebook ARC of this book, and I had the pleasure of listening to an early audiobook copy (thank you, Net Galley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse).

I love reading historical fiction set in the 1960's. This book hit the mark for me and I found it deeply moving. The female friendships and self discovery were superbly written.

The story centers around four women - Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv (such southern names) who come together to form a book club. The club ends up becoming a catalyst for their own personal transformations.

I really enjoyed how each character is richly developed and grapples with their own issues. The camaraderie among them is beautifully portrayed.

If you are looking for a book that celebrates resilience, the search for identity with the power of literacy and friendship, I highly recommend this book. It's a very uplifting read.

Wow! I’ve been entertained, immersed in history, and felt the joy of comic relief by the books I’ve read in recent years. However, I was moved and touched by Marie Bostwick’s most recent novel - “The Book Club for Troublesome Women.” I know that much of my pull to the story is how relatable it is to the time and circumstances of my own parents.

In 1963 (when most of the novel is set), I was the youngest (at age 5) of my parents’ three children and both of my parents were 34 at that time. My mother could have easily been the a member of this neighborhood book club. She was a gifted (although not published) writer and a strong reader. In particular, I remember how she loved Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “Gift From the Sea” - one of the books selected for the book club in the story. I can also imagine my mom advocating for my performing arts preference with an Assistant Principal in the same way the character Margaret Ryan did for her daughter. There were so many realistic scenes from the 1960s in this beautiful story that I was often brought to tears. (No, I’m not usually such a sentimental reader but this book really opened the door to my childhood past.)

I highly recommend this novel to all my fellow readers, regardless of whether you’re of the “baby boomer” generation or not. It is a love story to everyone who fought - and are still fighting - for women’s rights. (Thank you, mom, for all of the League of Women Voters committees you served on as well as your example in speaking up and voting on critical issues!)

I listened to the audiobook, which was expertly narrated by Lisa Flanagan. I am always amazed at narrators, such as Ms. Flanagan, who can seamlessly bring out the unique voices and nuances of several different characters. In this story, there were four primary women characters, their spouses, children, coworkers, as well as other personalities that made an appearance. Brava, Ms Flanagan, for a wonderful reading of this special book!

Much gratitude to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ve enjoyed Marie Bostwick’s insight and encouragement as a member ot “The 10 Minute Book Talk” interviews (a regular podcast she participate in with her writer friends Katherine Reay and Rachel Linden) and have intended to read her publications as a result hearing the show. This book (“The Book Club for Troublesome Women”) sealed the deal for me and I’ll be working through her backlist very soon.

Thank you Netgalley & Harper Collins Focus for an arc of this book!
The summary of this really pulled me in. It's set in the 60's and it is basically about a group of women who create a book club and their life throughout the years as they grow closer and go through life together. I enjoyed the overall plot and themes. Some themes include: feminism, societal pressures, gender roles, emotional maturity, and racism.
However, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Not sure if it was their language or the events of the book but it never clicked for me. I did enjoy Bitsy and Viv's relationship though.
The author's connection of this book and her mother is touching. I'll be interested in checking out future works by her!

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC. I'm glad I wasn't an adult woman in the early 60's. These women's careers were destroyed when they got married & had children. Your husband was head of the household. Just an example: A woman's husband had to sign for her to get Birth Control. I truly enjoyed "The Betty's" book club. They formed a friendship and bonded over books. I will make sure our book club reads this one and may even read " The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedman.

I found The Bookclub for Troublesome Women to be one of those reads (or listens, in this case) that left me thinking about the characters repeatedly, even after I had finished it. Each of the four female main characters was so uniquely different, and incredibly loveable in their own ways, and it was so incredibly easy for me as a listener to connect with their stories and the overall messages this novel conveys.

Lisa Flannagan was new to me as a narrator, but I think the way in which she narrated this story was perfectly paced, and she added such a distinct charm and personality to each character. Listening to the lives of these 1960's suburban housewives felt so immersive to the point where I was laughing and crying along. This book is such a testament to the importance of friendship and the power of female support and comradery.

Cannot wait until this is published, so I can pitch it to the local bookclub I attend - 100% certain it will go a treat

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Harper Muse Audiobooks for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for a review

Thank you HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and Netgalley for ALC

This is an excellent audiobook; Lisa Flanagan does a superb job capturing the characters and the era.

Audiobook rating: 5 ⭐️

Novel rating: TBD

I love historical fiction with strong female characters. This was such a fantastic read. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship. The narration was excellent too.

While this was not so much about a book club like most book clubs are not I really enjoyed the book overall. I did get confused at the beginning about who was who as far as characters. This book takes place in the 1960s and I really felt transported to that time. The women are treated so much differently and not in a good way by husbands, co-workers, most men. The female friendship between all the women was refreshing and I also liked how the women stood up for themselves throughout the book. Each woman was so different and I liked getting to know each one. I look forward to the author`s next book and am going to go back and read her earlier books too.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a witty, heartwarming, and refreshingly honest celebration of female friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet rebellion of living life on your own terms.

From the first few chapters, I instantly fell in love with the narration and how the story was going. 

Margaret Ryan has it all. She lives her American dream—she is a housewife, has kids and lives in the best suburb. She must be happy. And she must not be ungrateful nor desire for more. But deep inside, Margaret believes she wants more from her life. 

She starts a book club and invites her other housewife friends, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv.  Soon the women realize they have far more in common than a love of reading.

Each character arrives with her own set of challenges: there is a career burnout, a recent divorcee, a woman facing retirement, a single mom juggling too much, and a free spirit searching for meaning. Their stories unfold with humour, vulnerability, and resilience, weaving together a rich tapestry of modern womanhood.

We must keep in mind that this is 1960s America, where women were fed with a dream that they were considered blessed if they were full-time housewives and that their men were the providers. 

As a woman, I do not think that this is a hundred percent bad idea as when you have babies, you are needed as a full-time mother. If you have a job, it gets extremely overwhelming for a woman to handle both sick babies and whining bosses, with a man (husband) who expects you to smile on dinner table. 

I believe this was the point historically when women decided that if we are doing all the household work and not even being acknowledged for it (a simple thank you works, too!), what is the point of doing all this when you are not even getting paid? For every transaction, as minor as a magazine subscription, you have to face and answer your husband. This is the point when a woman decides to take charge of her own decisions and make her own financial choices. 

Some of the dialogues in the book are something many women can relate to. Like, a man asking: What else do you want? I provide you. Or... I am the one who works. I am tired. What have you been doing all day? Just sit home?

What men don't see is that being a homemaker is also a full-time job. Looking after kids, feeding them, addressing their tantrums, managing groceries, cleaning the house, doing their laundry—it is an exhausting and yet unpaid and thankless job. And for what? You get to hear: What have you been doing all day? 

Bostwick’s writing is warm, witty, and filled with emotional honesty. She explores themes of reinvention, resilience, and the importance of showing up for yourself—and for others. The book club becomes more than just a place to talk about literature; it becomes a lifeline. What makes this novel especially compelling is how the author balances depth with levity. The issues the women face—grief, betrayal, identity, aging, self-worth—are real and relatable, but the author handles them with such grace and wit that the novel never feels heavy. Instead, it’s uplifting and empowering, reminding readers that it’s never too late to change your life or embrace who you truly are.

Marie Bostwick’s The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a warm, witty, and life-affirming novel that celebrates the power of female friendship, personal reinvention, and the healing magic of books. It’s about women refusing to be confined by the roles society assigns them—whether as wives, mothers, employees, or caretakers—and instead embracing their own agency and individuality. The title itself is a nod to this rebellious spirit: being “troublesome” isn’t a flaw but a badge of honour.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins, for providing me with an Audio ARC.

Expected release date: 22 April 2025

#TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen #NetGalley

What a great story about friendship, feminism, and chasing dreams. Although it felt a bit long at times, I loved this book! The Betties were an inspiring group of women pushing the limits during misogynistic times and it was so heartwarming seeing all four of them grow as individuals and as friends. This book would make a really great movie!! I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a piece of historical fiction taking place in the 1960's. This novel tells the story of a group of women called the Betties. I loved this group of women and their bucking of the gender norms of the 1960's and the way they support one another. Many of the men in this book made me angry because they are so dismissive of their partners and the women in general which I know was just "the way it was." I am so glad that I did not live in this time. There were also many references to literature that would be reminiscent for many.

I enjoyed the narration and feel that it added to the enjoyment of the novel.

Thank you Net Galley, Marie Bostwick and Harper Collins Focus for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
The Book Club for Troublesome Women is expected to be released April 22, 2025. Put this on your TBR!

The Bookclub for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a historical fiction set in the 1960’s about four women, living in the same community, who start a book club reading the controversial “The Feminine Mystique.” The four women grow close and develop long-lasting friendships as they navigate their lives within a rapidly changing world.

I really enjoyed this one! It had a bit of a Lessons on Chemistry vibe to me. It’s basically a slice-of-life character-driven story with themes of women’s rights and empowerment. It was a good reminder about the social expectations of women were like in the 60s. I typically enjoy historical fiction and this was no exception and also a bit refreshing and easier to read because it wasn’t focused on wartime.

The audiobook is narrated by Lisa Flanagan and she did a nice job telling the story and portraying the characters.