Great book although very different from what I usually rad. Would have liked a better ending but would still recommend the book!

I knew nothing about divorce ranches in Reno, Nevada so this was a fascinating and immersive read!

In order to qualify for a divorce, women must reside in the state for six weeks and agree to stay there afterwards (even though hardly anyone does remain there!).

The main protagonist, Lois Saunders, who was in a loveless marriage and wants a divorce from her husband, Lawrence, is staying at the Golden Yarrow. The women at the ranch spend their days hanging out around the pool, relaxing and riding horses, then spend their evenings gambling at the casinos and flirting and drinking with cowboys.

The owner, Rita, keeps a close eye on the women and guides and advises them when they need help. They can be a bit cagey as they suss each other out and share their histories.

When Greer Lange arrives at the ranch, she has a rather unsettling effect on all the women and causes issues with the others. She takes Lois under her wing and starts to influence her in various ways, some more positive than others!

I enjoyed learning more about glamorous 1950s Reno and gradually getting to know all the other women who were staying at the ranch at the same time as Lois. They're all rather vulnerable and want divorces for varying reasons.

This was an intriguing and atmospheric, if a little slow, read and very character driven. I enjoyed spending time at the Golden Yarrow with all its residents!

Actual rating: 3.5

I'm afraid I didn't like this book at all. I found it incredibly slow and the characters were all pretty unlikeable. I'm sorry, it just wasn't for me.

I can see what this book was trying to do in jumping on the Don’t Worry Darling bandwagon but I just found it hard to connect with the characters.

Novel set around Reno, Nevada

3.5*

Divorce ranches were a key player in Nevada’s once-thriving divorce industry. For decades, legally married women from across America would check in for the stipulated six weeks and would leave with their divorce papers in hand. They were contracted to remain in Nevada after their stint, but few did. The book is set in the 1950s and in those days there were only a few reasons that would facilitate a divorce, such as extreme cruelty, drunkenness, impotency, felony and insanity… The divorce ranches helped Nevada out of the years of depression by boosting the state’s economy.

We first meet Lois on the train, heading West to Reno and on a mission to secure her divorce. Her father is bank-rolling her stay on the ranch, The Golden Yarrow. We soon learn that she feels like “a girl with no story“, someone who is insignificant and awkward. She nevertheless is savvy enough to get a grip on the subtexts and personalities underpinning this community of women. Of course, there are women who are in the inner circle, and others like Lois who are largely on the outside looking in, so reminiscent of school playground dynamics.

Lois has decided on this course of action because she is married to Lawrence, who is a coercive controller and who has removed her contraceptive device. He wants her to get pregnant but she is determined that she doesn’t want to become a mother, and once she establishes she is not pregnant, she takes off for Nevada. Once there, she discovers that her marital experiences are commonplace and perhaps even at the mild end of the abuse spectrum.

A new woman descends on the ranch. The anticipation in the ranch is great, as her arrival is cloaked in secrecy. Could it be several times divorced Bette Davis? It turns out to be a wealthy woman named Greer, who is a strong personality.and is set to stir up the group dynamics. Greer and Lois spend time getting to know each other by the ranch’s pool, where Lois plunges in almost to expunge memories of her former life, honing her body becoming more sleek and toned with each day. And of course they read Rebecca, a natural choice, perhaps, given their circumstances and the subject of many of their conversations. Gradually they become so used to the way of life and their routines that the prospect of life beyond the walls of the ranch feels quite strange. Six weeks is a good period of time to begin to feel institutionalised.

The women – as a group – often head into Reno in the evening, to have a good time. They are also on the look-out for celebrities, who can be found there indulging in the “lush clubs and casinos..”. Imagine one evening spotting Clarke Gable!

The humdrum existence with evening highlights in town is, however, soon shattered…

I was looking forward to reading this, given that it is such an extraordinary subject, but I didn’t feel I really got to know the women, and the descriptions – although well written – of their quotidian lives felt quite monotonous. A great concept, good writing and storytelling but I just felt it was overall too slow and a bit ponderous.

was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and I am so glad I was. I really enjoyed this and thought the author skillfully captured the place and time so vividly.
After a couple of years, Lois has realised her marriage was a mistake and Lois can't continue in her suffocating loveless state and makes the decision to leave before having a child as that will keep her there. In 1951 divorce wasn't easily accessible in the US unless you reside in Nevada and so Lois has to travel and stay in a "divorce ranch" for six weeks to meet the legal requirements to have her divorce granted.. While there she meets a number of other woman in the same situation. The divorce ranges offer a more elegant form of divorce and the woman can horse ride during the day and flirt with cowboys in the bars of Reno at nighttime.
When glamourous Greer arrives at the range, Lois is bewitched by her as she is not like anyone she has known before and soon the two strike up a friendship and Lois begins to plan for her future.

I really liked this. I loved the pace and reading about this time. The characters aren't always likeable but they are so well captured , I was fully drawn into their lives. This is a really well written exploration of female friendship and dynamics and of personal freedom and choice. A beguiling and fascinating read. Recommend.

This was like nothing I’ve read before, great character development and I truly felt like I knew the characters personally. The plot was fantastic and it was such a page turner. A really unique and different read for me.

The Divorcées
By Rowan Beaird

Divorce in 1950s America isn’t easy to come by. However, if you have the means and the freedom to do so, you can move to a ‘divorce ranch’ in Nevada for 6 weeks and then go to court to end your marriage. The Divorcées tells the story of such a ranch. I found the concept really interesting and enjoyed the story. I found the characters to be a little too predictable for my liking and the pace was a little slow but having said that, The Divorcees is an engaging and interesting book and one that is sure to be seen by many a poolside this summer. I love the cover!

Many thanks to @netgalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.

If it hadn’t have been for a book of the month read via Facebook this would probably have been a book I wouldn’t have noticed, only because it wasn’t my usual type of read. I’m glad I chose to take part because I enjoyed it a lot.

Definitely character driven and even though there were not many characters it was a first time that I had an opinion on all of them. Some had many issues, some had gone through a bad experience but all were excited about their future and were enjoying their time at the divorce ranch. And especially their time in the casino. They didn’t always get on with each other but apart from Lois none of them seemed to worry about it. They were just making their plans for the future.

Some I could take or leave, mainly the minor characters but there were a few who left their mark. Lois, the lead character trapped in a loveless marriage, a father who she had no feelings for and her dead mother who she adored. Her memories of their love of the cinema meant a lot to her. But she wasn’t always honest and this caused her issues within the small group. Especially when the manipulative and loathsome Greer joined them. I detested her immediately, I could see how she used everybody to get her own way. There was only Rita, the owner of the ranch, who didn’t believe in her and was concerned over the way she manipulated people, in particular Lois. She was my favourite character in the book and I could quite happily read more about her in another book.

I’m sure I won’t be the only one who googled divorce ranches in Las Vegas, I had never heard of them. From what I could gather they seemed to be similar to aholiday camp where women could gamble, horse ride and have the time of their lives as long as they didn’t leave for six weeks. Absolutely bizarre!

Such a fantastic read, really slow novel to begin with but I stuck with it and towards the end I was hooker. Highly recommend and would definitely read this author again.

What a fun story!
Years ago, in the 1950's, women of.a certain means were afforded divorces when they spent time in Nevada. The Divorcées details a in depth story of Lois's 6 week adventure a the Golden Yarrow Ranch as she awaits her full 6 weeks of residency to meet the requirement for divorce. Lois has trouble fitting in and isn't quite sure of what to make of the other girls.

When Greer Lang arrives, everything that Lois believes is put into question. Greer pushes boundaries, and chooses Lois to be her friend. What happens next is surprising and compelling. A true adventure novel for anyone stuck in a rut.

The Divorcees

A slow paced novel which reminded of just how far views and laws had changed. The history of a divorce ranch in Reno had a lot of scope and I would have liked more detail about the other characters.
Interesting how characters changed as they became influenced by 1 strong person and at times reminded me of teenagers being influenced by their peers.
Looking to read something different? This is different novel

Such a fantastic read, really loved every page and every character and every word. Highly recommended and definitely an author to watch out for.

Thanks to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found the book slow paced and was waiting for something to happen..
The divorce ranch was interesting and I liked Greer as a character more than Lois.

I was first drawn to The Divorcées by its beguiling cover; I stayed for the 1950s Nevada setting and the classy writing. This is a coming of age story, except that the protagonist has already been married and is still finding out who she really is.

This slow-paced debut novel is an atmospheric story about Lois Saunders and a group of women spending six weeks on a ranch in Reno, Nevada, while they wait for their divorces to come through. Divorce is hard to come by in 1950s USA, and Reno is a refuge for women fleeing abusive and unhappy marriages.

The women’s uneventful stay is upended when Greer Lang, a sophisticated and charismatic woman arrives at the ranch. Greer and Lois form an instant bond that deepens over the weeks as they plan for life after the ranch post-divorce.

The story takes some unexpected turns but maintains its languorous pace throughout - don’t expect a thrilling ride. It’s elegantly written though and perfect if you’re a fan of period feminist fiction at a slower pace. Bonus points for the Thelma and Louise vibes. 3.5-4/5 ⭐️

*Many thanks to the author, publisher Manila Press and @netgalley for the arc. As always, this is an honest review.

Loved the atmospheric setting Rowan Beaird carefully creates. The bond between Lois and Greer is deftly captured, it all heads towards a satisfying ending. Loved it!

When I read any book I try to take into account the following:
Was the story engaging? Do I like the writing style? Are the characters plausible/relatable? Am I interested enough in the plot to continue reading? Is the subject matter something I am familiar with or am I learning something new? and The Divorcees is a YES to all these questions.
Now, if YOU only read fast paced, suspense thrillers then this book is NOT for you and I wouldn’t even expect you to read the rest of my review. But, if you do enjoy literary or contemporary fiction then you may enjoy The Divorcees.
Set in the early 50’s divorce laws in many states were quite restrictive and often faced lengthy waiting periods and stringent grounds for divorce, but in Nevada the laws were different. As long as the couple established residency and resided in the state for six weeks, they could obtain a swift divorce. A “Divorce Ranch” was a place where individuals stayed to establish their residency for the required six weeks, whilst enjoying the daytime outdoor activities and glittery nightlife of Reno and socialising with other guests in the same situation.
Lois is the main character. In her mid-twenties, she has been married to wealthy Lawrence for four years, but she has never been happy. Finally, she has found the strength to walk away and is sent to the Golden Yarrow, a divorce ranch for the rich and affluent by her disappointed father.
I thought Lois was a fascinating character. Her insecurities and flaws brought her to life in my mind. Reading about her childhood, the loss of her mother, the emotional abandonment of her father and the desperate marriage to Lawrence made me feel very sorry for her and her bravery in finally walking away from her marriage despite the stigma gave me hope that she might find happiness eventually.
Personally, I enjoyed the book. I thought it was atmospheric, and the author described Reno with such depth and vivid clarity that I could feel the heat and oppression of being in the desert. I could imagine myself sitting by the pool with Greer and Lois listening to them chatting.
Sometimes it’s nice to take a step away from the crime and embrace other genres. Overall I would give this 4 stars as it ticked all my requirements in a book.

It’s 1950s America and Lois, in her 20s, is making her way west. Stuck in a loveless marriage, Nevada’s laws will allow her a quick, clean divorce. All she has to do is be resident there for six weeks. So she spends her weeks at the Golden Yarrow, one of the more upmarket ‘divorce ranches’ on the outskirts of Reno, lounging by the pool or in her room. She has always had awkward relationships with the women around her, and things are no different here, as she finds herself shunned, an outsider; until beautiful, magnetic, elusive and carefree Greer arrives, taking Lois under her wing, drawing her into the fold and out on the group nights to the local bars and casinos. But Greer’s defying of convention stretches far and, as Lois’ need for Greer’s approval grows, Lois finds her limits being put to the test.

Despite the slow building, character driven nature of the story, it’s a quick read, broken down into short chapters. Beaird’s descriptive and evocative writing beautifully captures the small details of dress, the interiors, the Nevada landscape, climate and desert nightlife, but it’s Lois’ evolution, and the developing dynamic between the women, that is the heart of the story. All here for a shared reason, even if travelling on different paths, we see the small ways they uphold each other, and the small ways they kick each other down when at their most vulnerable. All on the cusp of leaving an old life behind and striding into a new one - some simply a new version of the previous one - initially the women still judge each other, exploring what being a divorcée means to them. Lois astounds the others by sharing that she envisions her new life without a man by her side.The story is a portrait in Lois’ personal journey; in how Greer, completely comfortable in her lack of convention, has a transformative effect, for better for worse, on the more timid Lois who, in her own quiet way, has also made her stand against settling and accepting an unfulfilling life purely for security or convenience. Exploring friendship and betrayal, loneliness and agency, the identities we create in our present and the future versions of ourselves we strive towards, this was an immersive read and highly enjoyable debut.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC.

In 1950s Nevada, a wealthy woman can obtain a divorce by becoming resident after a six week stay at a 'divorce ranch'. Lois comes to stay at the Golden Yarrow and struggles to fit in with the other women until Greer arrives. But her impact on Lois and the other guests has wide-ranging repercussions.

What a fantastic book! I'd never heard of divorce ranches and found the whole story absolutely fascinating. Added to that the characters of Lois and Greer were really complex and intriguing. I raced through the book and really loved the ending. The time period (especially clothes), Nevada desert setting and the fabulous story all lend themselves to a Netflix series I think! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Loved this!!!
Lois Saunders has always been an outsider, having married to fit in she has now found the courage to divorce her husband and heads to the Golden Yarrow divorce ranch in Reno - paid for by her father with strict conditions applied. After the late night, mysterious arrival of a new guest Greer, Lois starts to find her true self.
A story of female friendship and finding who you are.
If you are looking for a book to read on the beach I would highly recommend this.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Divorcees.