The Divorcees

The Divorcees

Author: Rowan Beaird

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publish Date: June 6, 2023

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lois grew up in a loveless home in Chicago. Her father, the wealthy owner of a meat packing industry, had no affection for her whatsoever and was grateful to marry her off to a lawyer. Her mother, having died earlier, was also unloving. Lois felt the marriage might supply her with the love she had always wanted. However, she soon found herself in a loveless marriage as well. In 1951, leaving a marriage on grounds of unhappiness was unheard of. The only way to get a divorce was to go to Reno, Nevada.

Her father, furious at Lois for choosing to divorce her husband, sends her to a Divorce Ranch in Reno for the six weeks needed for the divorce. Run by a woman named Rita, the Golden Yarrow provides a place for women awaiting their divorce in Reno. At the time, divorce was shameful and the women on the Ranch were often in a precarious state. It was thought unacceptable for a woman to live alone. She must stay in a rooming house or live with a roommate. The goal of most of the women, therefore, was to remarry as soon as possible.

Lois doesn't go out at night to the Casinos and Clubs with the others and keeps mainly to herself. She plans to move into a place of her own and has no plans to remarry. This choice, alone, sets her apart from them. She lounges by the pool during the day, which is where she meets a new, mysterious guest at the ranch.

Greer has come to the ranch awaiting her divorce. She has a giant bruise on her face, which the others whisper about. Choosing not to take meals with the others, and not allowing maid service, Greer remains in the shadows of the Golden Yarrow.

One day, while lounging at the pool. Lois meets Greer. The two form a friendship and soon, they are going out with the others to the Casinos. Greer is independent and encourages Lois to follow her dreams. Unlike the others, Greer thinks every woman should follow her own desires and not become merely a man's accessory. 

As Greer begins to have more influence over the others, she and Rita become at odds. Rita sees Greer as a troublemaker. The others see her as a sort of leader, giving them new ideas about life.

But is Greer who she seems to be? What dark past sent her to the Golden Yarrow? When tragedy happens and the others find out the truth, will it be too late?

This story keeps you guessing. I rooted for Lois to the very end. I can not imagine the courage it took her to leave her marriage and search for her own happiness in a world that saw her as nothing but a housewife. A must-read for modern women, this novel is a stark reminder of how far women have come.