𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑶𝑶𝑲 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑩𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑴𝑬𝑵 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌 is out from @harpermuse this week, and I was so lucky to be a part of @uplitreads book tour for this fantastic historical fiction! I began able to add the audio via @Netgalley and it was a wonderful addition, narrated by Lisa Flanagan, who did a great job capturing each character in this story!

This is a story that brings Margaret Ryan and her perfect traditional wife role into examination. She loves her husband, her three children, and her lovely home, so why does she feel like there is something missing? When She meets Charlotte, a new resident of this enclave, she creates a book club in an effort to entice this intriguing woman to become friends, along with two other women, Bitsy and Viv. The women choose a controversial book, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan as their first choice and then call themselves the Betty's, while opening up about the secret longings they all share.

This is certainly a friendship book that touches on the roles of women, but it is also a book of self-discovery. I loved how the women came alongside each other in this tumultuous year, each helping the others in their own unique paths. Each woman brought a strength to the group that they all needed, and I was made so grateful for the women in my life who do the same for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

(Possible spoiler here, so pass the rest of this paragraph if you want to be surprised by a character!) I have to also give a shout out to Margaret's husband. He had his struggles with this new direction for his wife, but in the midst of so many insecure men, it was great to see one who didn't feel like his wife's success would take away from own, but would add to it. I feel lucky, again, to have married one like this.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook. The narrator was superb.
I love a good book about books and Troublesome did not disappoint. I want to read all the books! The 60s was the decade before I was born and I'm thankful for this generation of exceptional women who pushed back. Bostwick created characters that I wanted to hang out with. Happy endings are hard to pull off, we think we want them but then it all wraps up a little too neatly. I was almost at 5 stars, but I drifted a bit at the end. Overall great read and I would definitely recommend!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant novel set in 1963, following four suburban housewives who seem to have it all—husbands, homes, routines—but feel an aching dissatisfaction they can’t name. When they read The Feminine Mystique together, their book club becomes more than a casual gathering—it becomes a catalyst for personal reckoning and change.

Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte each bring unique struggles and perspectives to the group. As they talk honestly about their lives, frustrations, and longings, they begin to question what’s expected of them as wives and mothers—and whether it’s enough. The novel captures the limitations placed on women in mid-century America and the quiet courage it takes to challenge the status quo.

Bostwick’s writing shines in her portrayal of friendship and the small but significant rebellions that can change lives. There’s warmth, humor, and heart in how these women evolve and support one another. However, the pacing lags at times, and some character resolutions feel a little too tidy for the story’s weight. The book club itself plays a smaller role than the title suggests, which might disappoint some readers hoping for deeper literary discussions.

The audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, adds another layer of richness to the story. Campbell captures each character’s voice with authenticity and brings out the emotional undercurrents beautifully. If you enjoy audiobooks, this is a strong one to experience that way.

Overall, this is a moving, imperfect, but ultimately powerful tribute to sisterhood, courage, and self-discovery.

I finished this audiobook in one day. It’s about a group of suburban housewives and mostly in the early 60’s with the struggles women went through trying to care for their husbands, children and their own mental wellbeing in a time when women were expected to give their all to their families with complete disregard for anything they might want.
This is historical fiction but it felt real. The struggles these women went through were very realistic. One woman trying to open a bank account couldn’t without her husband. I know a woman who couldn’t get her own credit card without her husband in 1970, well after most of this book takes place.
This book is very well written and the characters really came to life. I was sad to reach the end although it wrapped up nicely.
I received this book as a free ARC and am submitting this review voluntarily.

I was so excited to pick up a historical fiction novel that takes place during the early 1960s, a time period I've never encountered but often wonder about.
This book tells the story of 4 suburban housewives who form an unlikely friendship circle after starting a book club to discuss the controversial book "The Feminine Mystique." Each woman is navigating her own path of needs and wants, and trying to remain true to her self while also meeting the needs of her family.
A tale of friendship, marriage, loss, strength, and resolve, this had me cheering for each character as I read through the book.

The storytelling had a Jennifer Chiaverini feel to it, and I appreciated the fact that while there is a predominant narrator to the story, we also get to see inside the thoughts of each of the 4 women throughout the story.

My only critique is that the book felt a little too drawn out. I was ready for it to wrap up about 70% of the way through. I did feel a little more sympathy for the length after reading the author's afternote.

All in all a fun read with relatable characters that takes place in a fresh time period. My grandmother was a working mom raising my dad during the same years, so it was a fun insight into what their day-t0-day lives might have looked like.

I couldn't stand the narrator. She sounded too young and immature . I did not finish this book. I was reviewing to add this to my library's collection, but I will not be until I can read a copy in print.

Historical feminist fiction about a group of housewives who start a book club, with the first book being The Feminist Mystique. It follows the characters as they start to break gender roles and push boundaries. Fantastic read! If you liked The Briar Club, you’d love this!

This historical fiction novel is about four kindred spirits who find comfort and become the anchors for each other in a society that continuously isolates and oppresses them. An enduring tale about the beauty and importance of female friendship set in a time that was unaccommodating for women. The book club for these women was "...a place to share conversation and companionship with people who were curious about the kinds of things she was curious about, an island of ideas amid a sea of conformity." I am familiar with Betty Friedan's seminal text and the second wave of feminism because of my school's sociology textbook as well as my very passionately feminist professor; still, this novel offered such a tender and uplifting tale set in that era that it captured my full attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an arc of this audio book. I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. I really really it and could not stop listening. I loved the characters and their stories.Not my typical read but i definitely recommend. The audiobook was just perfect I really enjoyed the narrators as well. If you are a woman i definitely recommend picking up this book about women in the 60’s and what was and wasn’t expected of them. ❤️

I truly enjoyed this book. It’s amazing what women go through to get us where we are in life today. This was definitely a book of sisterhood friendship, and support of other women. I really wish I could give it more than five stars.

The Bookclub for Troublesome Women

I have to start by saying that I LOVE these women! I loved all 4 FMCs - Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte and thought each one brought a special something to the story line.

Such a transitional period of time where women were pushing for change and seeing the inequities in society between men and women and being in a position to start the transition. I love how these women first got together for their book club, then started reading a controversial book called The Feminine Mystique as recommended by socialite Charlotte, who is new to the area. This book brought to light how dissatisfied the characters were within their own lives and then started to boost each other up to strive for more. I enjoyed some of the historical aspects of the book and it felt like the lives of these women were real.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this, and I thought it was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of this book and the surprising contrast to today. However, the storyline felt a bit flat to me, so it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was still an interesting read though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

As four suburban D.C. women in 1963 read the “The Feminine Mystique,” the bestseller that challenged societal views of women’s roles, they begin to rebel against the norms of the 1950s and seek personal fulfillment beyond being housewives and mothers. Interspersed are tales of their mothers, daughters, and events of the time, providing an even fuller view of the dramatic shifts occurring during the early days of the women’s movement. This is a captivating book that will engage you in the lives of the Bettys, as they nicknamed themselves after the author of their book club inspiration, Betty Friedan. (Recommendation will be sent to subscribers of WordSmarts email newsletter)

I am always drawn to a book with books scattered throughout the story and The Book Club for Troublesome Women has the added bonus of also being centered around a group of women who come together through those books.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

I really appreciated how this book highlighted how
women need a support system that is comprised of other women. We absolutely cannot make it through this world on our own. The relationship that develops between Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv is relatable and aspirational. We watch them go from strangers who meet by happenstance to found family who are deeply devoted to each other individually and collectively. Even the women’s families come to rely on the women for support and intercession when needed.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Female friendships
1960s
Books bringing people together
The realities of motherhood and marriage
Lack of women’s rights

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

I m enjoyed listening to this novel and Lisa Flanagan’s narration of this story was superb. She expertly captured the unique personalities of the four FMCs by imbuing them with distinct accents and vocal intonations.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow burn

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

This book would make an excellent choice for book clubs as there are a wide variety of topics to discuss: women’s issues, family relationships, race relations, maternal health, veteran care, and so much more.

Thank you Harper Muse for this gifted copy.

Have you ever read a book that is ruined by another book you read that was similar? This is the second book I have read that takes place (at least partially) in the sixties and is about a group of suburban housewives that form a neighborhood book club. Sadly, not everyone has the humor of Lorna Landvik. Despite my constant mental comparisons between the Bettys and the Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, this is a pretty great historical fiction.

Four women form a bookclub in their neighborhood and read The Feminine Mystique. This controversial book leads them to new places. Margaret, the unhappy wife, begins writing a column and expressing herself, causing massive changes in her marriage. Viv decides it is time to resurrect her career as a nurse, even if she may be expecting baby number seven. Bitsy is going to stand up to her older husband and work toward her dreams, rather than doing as told. And Charlotte, the most outspoken of them all, will discover that she is stronger than she or anyone even knew.

The ups and downs of these women is enthralling and at times made my blood boil. How far we have come, and yet some want to take us right back there, or even further.

The narration was excellent and really brought a lot to the story, despite not having a cast for each of the changing viewpoints.

Thank you to Net Galley, Harper Collins Focus, and Harper Muse for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

*4.25 star*

What a delightful, powerful read! The Book Club for Troublesome Women completely swept me off my feet. It had all the ingredients I love in a story—female friendship, a tight-knit book club, a little rebellion, women empowerment, and strong sisterhood. I’m so glad the author brought all these elements together and turned them into such an excellent, heartfelt book.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The characters felt so real, so layered—I was genuinely interested in every single one of them. I couldn’t put the book down! It was inspiring to see their stories unfold, and I found myself rooting for them at every turn.

What really struck me was how many of the issues these women faced in the 1960s still echo in our lives today. It made me angry, yes, but also hopeful—because stories like this show how far we've come and how far we still have to go. I also appreciated that a few of the male characters had meaningful growth throughout the story. It added a thoughtful balance and made their journeys just as engaging.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. It’s a beautiful reminder of how powerful a book—and a book club—can be in opening minds and creating change. Highly recommend!
Bettys, I will remember you will always be cherished.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for providing me the ARC for my honest feedback.

This just skims the surface of Women’s Rights only venturing as deep as you could expect a full cast of white bred middle-class all-American women to delve. The story unfolds predictably, and we add a few key ingredients that exactly every story of this type has. The pacing is uneven and the middle portion falls flat, that being said, the clear winner here is for friendship, camaraderie, and sisterhood among women. It’s enjoyable enough when taking it for the one-dimensional story it is.

4.5 stars- This is one of my favorite historical/literary fiction so far this year. While the genre itself tends to be slower paced, I didn’t think there were any plateaus in pacing nor any added fluff. I liked all 4 main characters and their individual stories. I liked that that they all had unique challenges but were still able to find common ground from the books they read and developed great friendships. The ending made me emotional, which shows I was really invested in these characters and their stories.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. From the beginning, I was hooked. I could relate to the characters, and their feeling of being 'stuck'. I love what they did for themselves and the effort they put forth to make their lives what they want it to be. I loved how they progressed in the story. I cheered them on when things were difficult. I became more angry at men, and felt frustrated at times, as there were struggles I could relate to. I loved the ending, and the 'epilogue' that told us how these women progressed. I have nothing negative to say

THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostwick

This was a wonderful story of female friendship, sisterhood, and empowerment set in 1963 Virginia.

Margaret Ryan, Charlotte Gustafson, Viv Bushetti and Bitsy Cobb live in a suburban planned community in Virginia. They seem to have it all, but do they really? They start a book club, naming themselves ‘The Bettys’, after reading “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedman. It’s through these meetings that the women rediscover parts of themselves they’ve lost touch with.

I really loved how the women’s friendships grow as they get to know each other and realize they’re not so different despite age differences or life stages. The characters felt real and were relatable; I was rooting for all of them at the end.

Recommend if you’re in need of an uplifting, feel-good yet timely read.


Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Pub Date: 04.22.25

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & HarperMuseBooks