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.

What a beautiful piece of historical fiction! This story follows a group of women, each at different life stages, with unique personalities - who all find themselves living in a newly developed planned community in Northern Virginia. When Margaret suggests they form a book club, their first read is The Feminine Mystique (a real book published during that era). As they gather for their meetings, deep friendships begin to form. Through honest conversations, humour and hearing different perspectives, they each begin to realize a shared sense of discontent with their seemingly perfect lives - and they start to see how the systems around them are stacked against them.
The novel weaves in key historical events and explores the real struggles women faced during that time, such as needing a husband’s approval to access healthcare or finances. Many had to marry simply for security, which often meant sacrificing their own education and careers. Through the intertwined stories of Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv, we see how powerful a strong sisterhood can be. These friendships give each woman the courage to confront past traumas, face new challenges, and support one another in pursuing the lives they truly want.
Their bond moved me to tears more than once. The way these women created a safe space outside of family expectations, where they could be fully themselves, share their experiences, and feel truly heard - was incredibly touching. It reminded me how vital and healing those kinds of friendships can be.
This book beautifully captures the rhythm of everyday life. The women's journeys through marriage, motherhood, and personal growth felt deeply authentic and validating. While many of the legal and social challenges they faced have changed, some of the limiting societal expectations and sentiments still linger today. But throughout this story, the enduring strength and beauty of female friendship shines through - it made me feel deeply grateful for the women in my own life. There is so much beauty to be found, even if life doesn't always unfold the way we imagined.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

This book follows the lives of women in the 1960s who are housewives feeling like an unnamed something is missing. They come together to form a book club and their first book, The Feminine Mystique, sets them on a trajectory of self discovery and as a result, transform their families lives and their friendships.

As a feminist, I have heard about certain rights that women were denied and ways in which women’s power were diminished. It was nice having a story that (although mostly fictional) showed how these lack of rights affected real women and families. But it didn’t stop there, it also touched on how the limit to women’s rights also pigeonholed men into certain roles as well. The idea that fighting for women’s equality and rights overall is good for everyone, men and women alike, was a theme that I appreciated.

I also appreciated that some of the issues raised in the books are some that still have not fully resolved. I liked the building of community and lifting up other women. These elements gave me some hope and inspiration to keep the fight for equality alive.

I listened to the audiobook, specifically. The narrator was easy to follow and pace was good. I imagine that your reading experience would be comparable however you choose to read this story (ebook, physical copy or audio).

4⭐️

Curlers in, coffee poured, and one radical book in hand. Four friends are about to turn the '60s upside down.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick follows four suburban housewives, Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte, who start a book club to read The Feminine Mystique and begin questioning their traditional roles. As their friendship deepens, each woman is pushed toward self-discovery, empowerment, and the courage to face personal struggles in a rapidly changing world.

This novel challenged me in the best way as it wasn’t my usual escapist fantasy, but something that kept me grounded in real life. As a homemaker, I saw so much of myself in the characters, especially Margaret, who balanced writing and family life. I really related to the Bettys’ quiet longing for something more, while being grateful for the lives they already had. Margaret’s boldness inspires me to keep pursuing my dream of turning book reviewing into something more professional.

I’d recommend this book to stay-at-home moms and traditional wives who need the reminder that it’s okay to want more. Our identities go beyond our roles as wives and mothers.

Narrator Lisa Flanagan does a wonderful job bringing the Bettys and their world to life. She crafted a unique voice for all the characters that helped me understand clearly whose narrative I was in at any given moment. I really enjoyed her narration in collaboration with Bostwick’s novel.

This book works well in both audiobook and print, but if you like audiobooks I would recommend you listen to this one. It really adds to the experience of immersing yourself into 1963 Concordia.

Content Warnings: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infertility, Suicide, Infidelity

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this complimentary advance listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a lovely read! The book club ladies and their stories and backgrounds are varied and dynamic, and I really enjoyed watching their relationships with each other and their families grow and change throughout. I'll admit that at the beginning, I thought that the storyline and family dynamics were feeling a bit forced and obvious, but I enjoyed where Bostwick took us from that starting point.

It was a great blend of historical and informational subject matter plus increasingly nuanced characters with complex desires that you get to see them work out in real time. I particularly loved the intergenerational pieces, where we got to hear about the mothers and daughters of our main group as well -- it really added an extra dimension for me.

In true "women's fiction" fashion, everything gets tied up in pretty neat little bows at the end, so don't go expecting anything super deep or layered on that front, but I felt like it fit nicely with my expectations by the time things were wrapping up. I definitely enjoyed myself and would recommend!

It is 1960, and Margaret Ryan seems to have it all. But the house, husband, three kids, and prestigious neighborhood don't feel like enough for her or her friends Viv and Bitsy. Margaret decides to start a book club as an excuse to meet their newest neighbor, Charlotte, and soon they discover that they want more from the life they have been told is the American dream.
I could not wait to read this book and it did not disappoint me. I loved the relationship between the women and I love the fact that it starts with a book club. It is uplifting to see positive and supportive female relationships. I have been loving historical fiction novels this year and this one is a must-read. The audiobook version of this book was a delight to listen to #gifted

I knew I was going to like this book, but I didn't expect to love it so much.

As the title suggests, it's about a book club filled with troublesome women, but honestly, it's more than just a book club. These women have their own struggles in life, so their stories go way beyond that setting. Even though it takes place in the 1960s, it nails the challenges of being a woman. We often see women as someone's wife, mother, or daughter, but they each have their own unique identities, stories, and potential.

This book is a fantastic exploration of womanhood, female friendships, and how women support each other. It dives into the struggles they face in society while also emphasizing the importance of accepting and nurturing your true self.

I seriously loved this book! Plus, it gives us a glimpse into a specific historical period that adds another layer to the story. Each woman in this narrative is portrayed as strong and resilient, and their development feels so real that it’s like watching everything unfold right in front of you. Everything about this book is worthy of praise, and the audiobook narrator did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

I’m giving it a solid five stars. I loved the women of this book so much because the way they represent how amazing female friendship can be is the most wholesome and lovable thing ever. This one’s definitely going to stick with me for a long time, and I can't wait to read more from this author. Big thanks to HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for giving me an advanced listening copy of this gem!

It is 1960, and Margaret Ryan seems to have it all. But the house, husband, three kids, and prestigious neighborhood don’t feel like enough for her or her friends Viv and Bitsy. Margaret decides to start a book club as an excuse to meet their newest neighbor, Charlotte, and soon they discover that they want more from the life they have been told is the American dream.

Why Kirsten loves it

Women supporting other women is always a theme I love to see in literature. In a time when a woman couldn’t open her own checking account without her husband’s permission, that theme is crucial for each of these women. As they individually deal with stepping into the limelight and out of the shadows, collectively they support and uplift each other when each stumbles.

I loved the peek into the past and comparing it to how far we’ve come as a country towards women’s rights (a trend I hope doesn’t backslide.) The friendships, drama, and descriptions in this story kept me riveted. It’s one of my favorite books of the year for sure!

If you’re a fan of inspiring historical fiction with a dash of rebellion, you’ll love The Book Club for Troublesome Women! Marie Bostwick spins a vibrant tale of four suburban housewives—Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte—who, after diving into The Feminine Mystique, decide they’ve had enough of the 60s status quo. Set against a raw, real 1963 Northern Virginia backdrop, these ladies—affectionately known as the Bettys—discover friendship, fierce self-discovery, and the courage to fight for their rights and chase their dreams.

The audiobook, narrated brilliantly by Lisa Flanagan, had me hooked from start to finish. Her lively narration perfectly captures the women’s hopes, struggles, and the spark of rebellion in every chapter. Fun, humorous, and thought-provoking, this audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who loves strong women and a good fight for a better life. Highly recommended! The book releases April 22,2025. I gave this 4 ⭐️Thank you to Harper Muse Publishing , and NetGalley for the Advanced Listening Copy of this book. These opinions are my own and were given freely .

THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostwick (Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly) is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Bostwick has created another work of historical fiction, focusing on the early 1960s and the suburbs of Washington, DC. Four main characters form a book club and become close friends, calling themselves The Bettys in homage to the first book they read together, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Readers meet Margaret Ryan who aspires to be a writer and helpmate to her accountant husband, Walt. Charlotte Gustafson is wealthy, creative and unhappy, trapped in a loveless marriage to Howard. Viv Buschetti adores supportive husband Tony, but she yearns to put her nursing skills to work as she manages six (make that seven!) children. Bitsy Cobb is younger and less sure of herself (except for her love of horses) and is married to an older man, Kingsley, a veterinarian. Each woman faces questions about her purpose, a possible career, and the state of her marriage and family, especially relative to societal norms. As Bostwick writes, "They had been raised to believe that the road to a happy, successful adulthood was well defined but extremely narrow, and that deviating from the path was not only irresponsible but wrong, a quick route to certain disaster." Yet, these four quickly grow to support each other and Bostwick delves into personal crises with historical details as background (e.g., remember "the underground currency of American housewives," S&H Green Stamps? And who knew that a married women could not open a bank account at that time without her husband’s signature?). Facing adversity, these four women learn together to appreciate what Eleanor Roosevelt used to say, "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN would be a marvelous book group selection as there is much to consider and discuss here. Katherine Graham and other Washington socialites make cameo appearances. AUDIOBOOK: Lisa Flanagan's narration is excellent and definitely worth a listen.

In its starred review of THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN Library Journal says, "Bostwick's latest is ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry, Kristin Hannah's The Women, or Kate Quinn's The Briar Club, which explore the historical roles of women and the challenges they faced within a society structured to define and limit their roles in and out of the home." Highly recommended. Book groups may also enjoy some of the other selections that the Bettys considered: The Group by Mary McCarthy; Herland (1915) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman; A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute; short stories by Flannery O’Connor; Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis; Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates; Dearly Beloved or Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

Women's Historical Fiction at its finest! The Book Club for Troublesome Women reminded me of all of the best parts of Desperate Housewives WITHOUT the nasty drama and backstabbing.

Set in an idyllic Virginia suburb, this book sheds light on the lives of four very different housewives brought together to read the highly controversial book, The Feminine Mystic. As the women get to know each other and one another’s joys and frustrations, the reader learns about the restrictions women in the 1960s encountered and how this even created restrictions and pressures on men, albeit to a much smaller degree. These feisty woman band together and find that inner strengths emerge when woman support and lift up other women.
Marie Bostwick has masterfully developed these characters, and by the end of the eleven hour audiobook, I felt highly satisfied yet sad that I was saying goodbye to women I had come to love and admire.

The narrator, Lisa Flanagan, did a wonderful job bringing the author’s words to life and making me feel like I was hanging out with friends.

A huge Thank You to Marie Bostwick for writing such fantastic Women’s Historical Fiction, and to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the joy of being able to enjoy this book before publication!!

I loved this Audiobook. Just started listening and couldn’t stop. It was terrific. 4 Women living in the Virginia Suburbs seem to have it all, yet feel that something just isn’t right. There is a lacking in their life. So, the new neighbor from Manhattan, Charlotte will only join Margaret’s book club if they will read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Two other friends, Viv and Betsy join, too.

Times are changing and the book affects each woman differently. Yet, the magic here is the friendship these four different women form. True and Real Friendships are always difficult to find. We long for that connection, but often don’t have it. The women do all make changes in their lives, but the reason they happen is because of the sheer force of love and backing by their friends. It makes them feel ok being different and able to stand up for themselves. Each knows her other 3 friends will support her with any decision she makes.

Loved that message. Loved the wonder of growth and change. Loved the Excitement of Women’s Lives getting Brighter and having Deep Meaning. I am going to hear Marie Bostwick speak and am really looking forward to this so much.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for a copy of this Audiobook. I always leave reviews of books I read.

Oh my gosh! The Book Club for Troublesome Women is my first book by Marie Bostwick and I cannot wait to read more of her work.

This beautifully written, thought provoking piece of historical fiction shows how far we, as women, have come since my childhood and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

The narration by Lisa Flanagan gives each of the very different women of the book club a distinct voice and made listening an absolute pleasure.

This was a good historical fiction about a book club where women can come together and bond. I think this will be a popular pick this year.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women, by Marie Bostwick, is a superior story of a group of women in 1963. It explores the obstacles women of the time faced while also setting the stage for the time. Margaret Ryan, homemaker, mother of three, college graduate, and aspiring author, feels stifled by the neighborhood coffee klatch and gossiping in her brand new community outside of Washington DC and is seeking deeper friendships. Viv Buschetti, homemaker, mother of six, registered nurse, and World War II veteran, has befriended Margaret as has Bitsy Cobb, who left college just a few months before graduation to marry large animal veterinarian Dr. Kingsley Cobb after her father passed away. Having dreamed of becoming a veterinarian herself perhaps the closest she will ever come is working at the stables and maybe helping King. The newest neighborhood resident, Charlotte Gustafson, mother of four, obviously from money, and a bit much with her chain smoking, intense drinking, and forward ideas, is the fourth lady included by Margaret n this group.

These ladies are Margaret’s folks and on the spur of the moment she decides to have a book club and take on the scandalous Betty Friedan book The Feminine Mystique. This book will not only bring the group together but will also have far reaching impact on each woman in very different ways.

This book is not only engaging and entertaining, but it is also a piece of actual women’s history at a time when so much history is being obliterated. With this in mind, I might even consider this book to be one of the most important I’ve read lately. I very much enjoyed reading this historical novel and I do recommend it!

I’m always drawn to stories about book clubs and this time period. The multiple point of views was a bit challenging with an audiobook.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a story that takes place in the 60’s of a group of house wives the decide to read “the Feminine Mystique” and like some book clubs, the book isn’t really talked about, but instead a bond is formed.

The narrator does an amazing job giving each character their own voice that helps flush out their personalities. Being able to see each character and what they go through really shows that no one ever really knows what someone is going through, unless they let you know.

While interesting I did find it hard to stay engaged the whole time, and would be best for someone who is interested in the time period as well.

I was drawn to this book because it’s about a book club and the timing. I love reading books about women in the 50s and 60s and their desire to be more than a mom and a housewife. To be their own person and the how they preserved to achieve that. This story gave me that and I was pulled into it from the start. I love all the main characters for different reasons. And now that I’m finished the book, I’m going to miss being part of their world.
Well done!

Narration was fabulous! I definitely recommend listening to the story.

Thanks very much NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. It had already been on my TBR when I requested it! So happy to have read it!

Great historical fiction. The book takes place in 1963 and centers on a group of women who decide to read "The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan, a book was that was groundbreaking and controversial for it's time, a precursor to the "Women's Lib" movement. The 4 main characters, the "troublesome women", are transformed during a time when the roles and status of many women evolved. I read this after reading "Expect Great Things!", a history of the Katharine Gibbs School. and it nicely dovetailed with it, reflecting the perception of women in the early "60s.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy.