The Book Club for Troublesome Women

A Novel

De: Marie Bostwick

Narrado por: Lisa Flanagan

Margaret never really meant to start a book club . . . or a feminist revolution, for that matter in this bold and plucky novel from New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick.

"Ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry." --Library Journal, starred review

"Readers will cheer." --Kirkus

"Perfect for those who love book club, nostalgia for the 1960s, and stories of female friendship." --Booklist

"A feel-good beach read with . . . elements that spark a revolution." --Southern Review of Books

By 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan is living the American woman's dream. She has a husband, three children, a station wagon, and a home in Concordia--one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. She has a standing invitation to the neighborhood coffee klatch, and now, thanks to her husband, a new subscription to A Woman's Place--a magazine that tells housewives like Margaret exactly who to be and what to buy. On paper, she has it all. So why doesn't that feel like enough?

Margaret is thrown for a loop when she first meets Charlotte Gustafson, Concordia's newest and most intriguing resident. As an excuse to be in the mysterious Charlotte's orbit, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites two other neighborhood women--Bitsy and Viv--to the inaugural meeting. As the women share secrets, cocktails, and their honest reactions to the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, they begin to discover that the American dream they'd been sold isn't all roses and sunshine--and that their secret longing for more is something they share. Nicknaming themselves the Bettys, after Betty Friedan, these four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments--and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a humorous, thought provoking, and nostalgic romp through one pivotal and tumultuous American year--as well as an ode to self-discovery, persistence, and the power of sisterhood.

©2025 Marie Bostwick (P)2025 Harper Muse

Reseñas de la Crítica

USA TODAY BESTSELLER

SOUTHERN INDIE BESTSELLER

A BRENDA NOVAK BOOK GROUP PICK

GLOSS BOOK CLUB PICK

THE GIRLFRIEND BOOK CLUB PICK

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2025 (SheReads)

The struggle women had in that time.

The things we take for granted today that could not happen without a man's consent.

I’m sold!! Joining the book club!!

What a wonderful story and an incredible group of characters. I feel like I traveled back in time and met some wonderful new friends.

60’s Women of courage and determination

The support and honesty amongst the women within the book. Their growth! Memories of the struggles for women before the 1970’s.

Surprisingly detailed and beautifully written

I really liked how the story chronicles a time just before i was born. I really could relate to the feeling of the time. One of the things I disliked about my parents is that they were always trying to new things like vegetarian food and leaving their religion. This book echoes the challenges in the 60’s and why things changed so dramatically. It was difficult to take some of the abrasive dynamics between men and women. I think that Bostwick was accurate about how women were treated as second class citizens then. She wrote about how lmen and women won the battle in a myriad of ways. I love this author. I think this is the 10th book I have read of hers. All of her books are great!

Historical fiction highlighting female friendships

I adored this story. It highlighted complex societal change, relationships that may feel similar to l relationships even in today’s world, and focused on the power of female friendships. You can’t help but love each of the women and some of the husbands too.

The characters

This story was very relationship oriented. It reminded me so much of our book club, and how we are always there for one another. People change, but the memories they make remain to make them stronger. The ending was lukewarm but the other 30+ chapters kept me engaged. Great book and great writer.

Book club for troublesome woman

This book was the best book I have listened to in a long time. I loved it and I think any woman to read this would love it too. It was amazing. The story was superb. I enjoyed it a lot, and I recommend it to all my friends.

I relate to Troublesome Women

This storyline resonated with me even though we are 40+ years after the setting. Women have an important role in this world and though this is a fictional book, the experiences of these women are not. I’ve never spent a lot of time thinking about traditional gender roles as I’ve generally marched to the beat of my own drum, but this book brought me to a deeper understanding of what, historically, women have faced to have a voice. This book captured beautifully the determination of individual women, but also how powerful and important it is when good friends come alongside you to elevate and encourage you to forge paths you might not otherwise. Thank you, Marie Bostwick, for writing a beautiful book that speaks to women.

I might start another book club for this book!

Marie Bostwick is the queen of creating community among women - strong friendships, support systems, and real life.

The Bookclub for Troublesome Women doesn’t disappoint - and does it in an era of tumultuous social change.

Proved me wrong

I read this book as part of a book club. It’s 100% not my jam if I were picking books to read. However I am so glad the book club picked this book. For me it had a slow start and I wasn’t sure I’d get into it… but then it just caught me and I was hooked. I became invested in the characters and rooted for each of them! I wasn’t ready for the book to end and I do wish it would have gone on a few more chapters before ending, but overall I really loved it and would 100% read it again.