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

Here we have a book club that is formed by 4 housewives, that turns into a sisterhood, where we watch them individually open up about the challenges that are facing, supporting each other and wanting to change the world for future generations. It’s a story around changing the future for our daughters, to give them a world with more freedom, acceptance and encouragement.

I really wanted to like this more than I did, but unfortunately it just seemed to go on and, with many lulls where very little was happening and it would leave my brain wandering elsewhere. It just needs a little bit of work to make it more engaging.

It is set in the 1960’s and I liked that I gave us a glimpse into what life was like as a woman during this time - I was shocked to find out that a woman couldn’t open her own bank account, without the permission of her husband.. even if she earned her own money 🤯

I also liked that I showed a male partner who had a path of growth and bettered his ways towards the opposite sex, by listening, opening up and learning with his wife.

Thank-you NetGalley, Harper Collins and Marie for an Audio Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows four housewives in 1960s in 1960’s Virginia who start a book club and friendship blossoms. Bitsy, Charlotte, Margaret and Viv seem to live perfect lives and live in guilt wanting more out of life. When they read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, everything begins to change.

I loved that it mentioned other books in this story like Revolutionary Road, Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman are just a few to name. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but I honestly didn’t mind the story’s unique perspective and historical setting kept me engaged. definitely added a few titles to my TBR list. I listened to the audiobook and read the book together.

I received a complimentary copy of this book/audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The sixties were a time of change and transition. Women were challenging traditional gender norms and wanting to be more than wives and mothers. The Book Club for Troublesome Women offers a fantastic representation of this time through the lives of the "Betties"; 4 housewives living in a master planned neighborhood, who, upon reading The controversial book, The Femine Mystique, are inspired to take charge of their destinies! These women strut off the page, looking for purpose, for change, refusing to be pigeonholed into traditional roles any longer. Excellent story and the narration by Lisa Flanagan made the personalities of the characters shine for an enjoyable listening experience.

Margaret, Viv, and Bitsy are living a typical suburban life with their husbands in the early 1960’s. Their lives revolve around their spouses and their kids. One day, Margaret invites their new stylish and artsy neighbor, Charlotte, to join a book club. And that’s when things start to change for them.

Charlotte suggests they read a new controversial novel called “The Feminist Mystique” by Betty Friedan. As they read the book and bond together, they realize that perhaps they want more from their lives than just being a mother and a wife. As each of the women faces new challenges in their lives, they take it on with a new sense of purpose, confidence and the support of their friends.

I liked the premise of this novel but keep in mind this book tackles the challenges of privileged white women in the early 1960’s. While their struggles were real, they also don’t represent the obstacles that women of color or those in lower socioeconomic classes or even in abusive situations might face. This is a snapshot of one type of life experience and I appreciated it for what it is. I enjoyed the audiobook as I listened and read both versions interchangeably.

Thank you to @harpercollinsfocus @harpermusebooks for an advanced digital copy and @librofm for the #gifted audiobook of this novel.

It's books like this that remind me how much I enjoy historical fiction. I found this to be a captivating and original story with really well-written characters. I particularly enjoyed the perspective Bostwick adopted to represent women in the 1960s - giving them voice and autonomy while still reflecting the nuances of gender roles during this time.

I'm a fan of Botswick's writing style, and I thought that it lent itself well to an audiobook format. The diversity of relationships and personalities in this book was a large part of what made it so interesting, alongside strong feminist overtones that I always love reading about in a historical context.

I did feel that the ending of this one was a little long-winded and perhaps could have been a little more open-ended (this is personal preference). I also found a couple of the male characters a little inconsistent in their behaviour and at times perhaps too idyllic to be realistic.

Overall, I really enjoyed listening to this book and would absolutely recommend it to historical fiction readers or anyone looking for a female-centric read with feminist themes. Make sure to check TWs before reading. 3.5/5