This one reminded me so much of Lorna Landvik’s Angry Wives Eating Bon Bons—strong women, suburban setting, and a whole lot of heart. Set in early 1960s Virginia, The Book Club for Troublesome Women follows four women who start reading The Feminine Mystique and suddenly start seeing their own lives in a new light. From tea and cake to personal revolutions—it escalates quickly.
The real beauty of this novel is in the friendships. Margaret, Bitsy, Charlotte, and Viv are flawed, funny, brave, and loyal. Their bond feels authentic, and their individual arcs show how liberating (and scary) it can be to start dreaming again after years of playing it safe.
That said, I found the tone a little heavy-handed when it came to the men—some definitely deserved the heat, but not all. And the ending? A bit too neat and fast for my taste. Still, I was shocked to read that in the early ’60s, women needed their husband’s permission just to open a bank account. That kind of detail makes this book hit harder.
A great pick for fans of historical fiction, feminist themes, and stories about reclaiming your life—one book club meeting at a time.
Rating: 4 stars
** Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for a comp of this audiobook. The opinions are my own.