It's 1954 in Massachusetts, and 4 very different young women arrive at Radcliffe from towns across the US for their first year at Radcliffe College, Harvard University. They live together in the dormitory and become unlikely friends in spite of their differences in background and personality. The one thing that unites all these young women is their struggle against endemic discrimination against women and widespread chauvinism. Not only do they have to struggle against ingrained sexism from society and their own parents, but they often have to face outright anger and misogyny from the males around them. The four girls, Evie, Tess, Merritt and Caroline, find a friend and mentor in the local bookshop owner and proprietor, Alice, who begins to broaden their perspective by introducing them to works of literature in a monthly book club. But before the year is out, life changing events will occur and all four girls will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves.

I hadn't read any reviews before beginning this novel and didn't know what to expect. It started rather slowly and I didn't feel there was going to be much excitement in it. I was wrong! As Alice introduces the girls to thought-provoking novels and asks questions that challenge their staid and conservative upbringing, she cracks open their reserve, and emotions run high. Then a traumatic and life-altering event occurs and the true colours emerge. Each of the girls has to decide for herself whether to slide into the expected roles of wife and mother, or to challenge the status quo and blaze a trail of her own in a world that wants to keep women in their place. A provocative and engaging read! Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for offering me this ARC. I will be purchasing a hard copy when it comes out in June.