Well Behaved Wives

This book really does take you back to the 60s and 70s when women were not valued and struggled if they had ambitions outside the home. Amy Sue Nations shows us what it was like to be a woman trying to find her own path and feel valued. But she also showed us the norm of the time; the Stepford wife trying to achieve domestic perfection by devoting herself entirely to her husband and family. The kind of woman who takes etiquette lessons and works on having the perfect wardrobe so she is always ready for any occasion.

It's not an intricate plot, but it's satisfying, delving into some sensitive topics, like domestic abuse and in-law relationships. There's also a lot of focus on female friendships and bonding, which I always love reading about, and it's done well in this book. Another thing I liked was the writing style, which was effortless, and the characters, which were human and flawed.

My final thoughts? Although the attitude towards women has changed by leaps and bounds- there is still a ways to go.