The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

What happens when four suburban housewives discover that the American dream they’ve been sold isn’t quite what it promised? Set against the backdrop of 1960s Northern Virginia, this USA TODAY BESTSELLER and SOUTHERN INDIE BESTSELLER tells the story of Margaret Ryan—a woman who seems to have it all, yet feels like something’s missing.

When the enigmatic Charlotte Gustafson moves to the exclusive suburb of Concordia, Margaret seizes the opportunity to start a book club. What begins as a simple gathering over cocktails and Betty Friedan’s controversial The Feminine Mystique becomes something far more powerful. These four women—Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv—dub themselves “the Bettys” and discover they’re not alone in their quiet yearning for something more than station wagons and coffee klatches.

New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick delivers a humorous, thought-provoking tale that Library Journal calls “ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry.” Kirkus promises “readers will cheer,” while Booklist notes it’s “perfect for those who love book club, nostalgia for the 1960s, and stories of female friendship.”

Through tears, triumphs, and transformative conversations, these troublesome women discover the power of sisterhood and self-discovery. It’s a nostalgic romp through one pivotal American year that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt the pull between who they are and who they’re supposed to be. The perfect pick for your own book club—troublesome or otherwise.

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