Title: The Divorcées

Author: Rowan Beaird

Genre: Literary Fiction

Publisher: Manilla Press

Publication Date: 28th March 2024

Rating: 4/5

Cover:

Summary:

Lois Saunders thought that marrying the right man would finally cure her loneliness. But as picture-perfect as her husband is, she is suffocating in their loveless marriage. In 1951, though, unhappiness is hardly grounds for divorce – except in Reno, Nevada.

At the Golden Yarrow, the most respectable of Reno’s ‘divorce ranches’ Lois finds herself living with half a dozen other would-be divorcees, all in Reno for the six weeks’ residency that is the state’s only divorce requirement. They spend their days riding horses and their nights flirting with cowboys, and it’s as wild and fun as Lake Forest, Illinois, was prim and stifling. But it isn’t until Greer Lange arrives that Lois’s world truly cracks open . . . 

Gorgeous, beguiling, and completely indifferent to societal convention, Greer is unlike anyone Lois has ever met – and she sees something in Lois that no one else ever has. Under her influence, Lois begins to push against the limits that have always restrained her. But how much can she really trust her mysterious new friend? And how far will she go to forge her independence, on her own terms?

Set in the glamorous, dizzying world of 1950s Reno, THE DIVORCEES is a dark, riveting page-turner and a dazzling exploration of female friendship, desire, and freedom.

Review:

I’ve been really excited to read The Divorcées, in part because of the amazing aesthetically appealing cover and in part because it sounded fantastic! Happily I can confirm that the book completely lives up to its cover and promise. Now, if you’re looking for an action packed, edge of your seat thriller, then this is not that book. The Divorcées is a tense, simmering and elegant novel which is thick with atmosphere and style. It covers a topic I knew nothing about, divorce ranches in 1950’s Nevada, where unhappy wealthy women could go for the six weeks required to obtain a divorce. It’s a fascinating concept and what Beaird does masterfully is create a dead on evocation of a particular time and place. The Divorcées makes the reader feel like they are right there, feeling the heat of Reno and the societal pressures on women in the 50’s. I’ve seen it likened to Patricia Highsmith’s books and there is definitely something quite Ripley-esque about the atmosphere, which I absolutely loved. The Divorcées is full of sharp, dark, stylish glamour and twisted, compelling characters. If you like your books heavy on mood and ambience then I would highly recommend picking this one up.

★★★★

Thank you so much to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising it. I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

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