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The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel

Author:
Marie Bostwick
Read by:
Lisa Flanagan
Read Read Own Own

Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
130
Narrator
74
Release Date
April 22, 2025
Duration
11 hours 10 minutes
Summary
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) · 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.
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Reviews
Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2025

Brilliant beginning till the end!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2026

I love the story line. Well then and it is a good point/topic to discuss as a family as well.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Oct 2025

Excellent book! Very relatable.

Profile Avatar Megan M. Oct 2025

Great book

Profile Avatar Carol M. Sep 2025

Great story. I didn't realize the women's struggle from an adult point of view. I was a child at the time. I can't believe how recent our rights as women are.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jun 2026

I appreciate the friendship of the 4 main characters and their struggles against the norms of the early 60s. The story was somewhat predictable however, I enjoyed it to the end when we learn about the characters decades later.

Profile Avatar PATRICK W. May 2026

Excellent’!

Profile Avatar Lisa R. May 2026

Lighthearted fun read!

Profile Avatar Anonymous May 2026

Rating: 8/10 Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, it vividly captures a time when women were struggling to be more than just what society expected them to be. The heart of the story is all about four women who start a book club and discover themselves and the power of female friendship and solidarity along the way What I loved most was how the book highlighted that taking brave steps, no matter how small, truly makes a difference. It was such a great reminder that small wins eventually lead to much bigger victories if we just keep at it and keep trying. While it did feel a few chapters too long and hit a few predictable beats along the way, the spirit of the book kept me hooked.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2026

Every woman needs to read this. Teenager on up!

Profile Avatar Debbie H Apr 2026

Good book. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Mar 2026

Great characters, good story flow, enjoyable to read. A bit predictable.

Profile Avatar Saba A. Feb 2026

Light and sweet! As much as they make it hard for us but ohh how lovely it is to be a woman

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2026

The characters were well developed but The book was very monotone with no climax and stayed that way until the end.

Profile Avatar Tyla Dec 2025

Loved the story and characters.

Profile Avatar Cindy P. Sep 2025

Really enjoyed this! Reminded me of my mom..

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2025

I loved fact that women characters and feminism played strong roles. Hard to find that in fiction these days.

Profile Avatar Amanda M. Sep 2025

Enjoyed it all the way through.

Profile Avatar jamie Sep 2025

Really enjoyed the last half

Profile Avatar Amy J. Aug 2025

So, I liked the book at the beginning. It was intriguing and I liked the characters. I was rooting for them. But near the end, the book became more of a historical fiction, almost like a young adult book, where I felt the author was trying to educate me about important events in American history. Not really what I was expecting at that point in the book. And then, the book seemed to switch again. Almost as if someone was reading it and told the author, you're really making this anti-man, you need to really make one of these guys a hero. So then we learn the long drawn out history of one of the characters and her husband's life until past retirement. I honestly grew bored. I think this book was about an hour or so too long. It could have neatly wrapped up before the historical fiction part. Not terrible, but not an intriguing ending whatsoever.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Aug 2025

Interesting read. Kept my attention. Great characters & tidy ending

Profile Avatar Anonymous Aug 2025

A great character driven story!

Profile Avatar Nancy S. Jul 2025

It is inspiring and although set in a particular time, timeless is it's message for individuals to pursue their dreams and goals.

Profile Avatar Lynx H. Jul 2025

A great read for all the troublesome women struggling to find their place in the different chapters of life. I added it to my list of re-reads, and the narrator was outstanding. Can't praise it enough!

Profile Avatar Ellis G. Jul 2025

It's just meh. Meandering storyline that doesn't really build to anything.

Profile Avatar Ginacosta6 Jun 2025

First read in a long tome that didn’t have me wandering. A good girl- power read.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2025

fabulous book

The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel

The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel

Author: Marie Bostwick
Read by: Lisa Flanagan
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