The Beantown Girls is a novel set in Europe toward the end of WWII. The plot follows a group of three friends from Boston who volunteer to be Red Cross clubmobile girls. They join to help with the war effort and to find out information about one of the girls’ missing-in-action fiance. The story follows their adventures, in war and love, as they continue their mission on the front lines.

The book is loosely based on the true story of the Red Cross clubmobile girls, who travelled around Europe offering coffee and donuts to Allied soldiers. It sounds a bit frivolous, but once you get deeper into the book it’s obvious that these ladies played a pivotal role in brightening the spirits of the soldiers when they most needed it.

Although it took me a few chapters to become invested in the girls story, Healey finds a good rhythm and made this a difficult book to set down. This is a dialogue heavy, plot driven, historical fiction novel with a side of romance. The author does a great job of making it feel like you were right there in 1944 with the girls, using language and cultural references that feel right out of the wartime era. I don’t read many light hearted historical fiction books like this one, but in the end I was drawn into the story of these three friends and their adventures in Europe. Although the book is about WWII and there are sad parts (yes, I cried!), it is ultimately an uplifting book about bravery, friendship and love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of The Beantown Girls. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This story takes place in 1944 during WWII. Fiona Denning thinks she has her life all figured out, but then her fiancé is reported missing in action. In an effort to find him, she and a couple of her friends join the war as workers in the Red Cross Club mobile program-delivering coffee and doughnuts to soldiers as well as just letting them see a familiar face from home. The author does a brilliant job of incorporating the horrors of war into this story, and these women learn so much about themselves. I had never heard about the women who volunteered to do this so it was just a fascinating story for me. Highly recommended!

The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!

Author Jane Healey brings another group of girls to life in her sophomore novel, The Beantown Girls. Focused on the little-known Clubmobile Girls of World War II, this novel explains the motivations, training, experiences, and impact of the women who joined the Red Cross war effort.

We meet the three main characters -- Fiona, Viv, and Dottie -- as they travel to England after their initial training. While the first half of the book focuses on their training and time in England, we get to know many of the other characters, including the young soldiers to whom the Clubmobile Girls are like older sisters. The real highlight of the first half of the novel was watching true friendship develop between the Beantown Girls and the young soldiers who's spirits they are trying to lift as they travel from base to base throughout England, as well as seeing the relationships between the the various cohorts of Clubmobile Girls and the relationship between Fiona, Vivi, Dottie and their respective love interests.

Once the Beantown Girls travel to France and are thrown into the war, the novel really picks up -- the stakes are high, the danger is real, and the girls are pushed both mentally and physically. I couldn't put the book down once I was into the second half. Heavily researched, the novel does a great job of showing the realities of friendship and love in a time of war. Whether it's sleeping on the ground with the sounds of battle not too far in the distance, cold showers, of getting trapped behind enemy lines, Healy has brought the war to life for the Clubmobile Girls!

Highly recommend for fans of World War II historical fiction!

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. It allows me to experience a time that I know little about and I always learn something. This book tells the story of the Red Cross's Clubmobile girls who were recruited to increase the morale of the American troups in WWII. The girls were originally assigned to make donuts and coffee for the soldiers. But it turns into so much more as they find themselves in many unanticipated situations. This is an entertaining and interesting read that takes you on the adventures of this group of young women and let's you experience the war from their unique perspective. If you are a fan of historical fiction, give The Beantown Girls a read.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read Beantown Girls by Jane Healey. The story of the Red Cross ClubMobile Girls was amazing and one I had not heard of before. The way Ms Healey wrote about them in this book made them come to life and the fact much of the book is based on real incidents makes it all the more riveting. Once I started the book, it was hard to put down.

The only criticism I have is that sometimes the dialogue got in the way of the book and tended to read like a sitcom, however, as I read the book, I could visualize the events like I was watching it play in my head.

Thank you again for the opportunity to preview this book.

The Beantown Girls was wonderful! I enjoyed the way that the novel was written. I liked the way the women were portrayed, their relationships and what they experienced during the war. Fiona and her friends, Viviana and Dottie, decide to volunteer to be Red Cross Clubmobile girls. They will travel to different countries where the officers are during World War II. They, along with the other Clubmobile volunteers, will provide coffee, doughnuts, and cheer to the officers. Fiona’s fiancé has been declared missing and she hopes to find out what happened to him while they are overseas. The story is full of beautiful writing that describes the emotions of the girls’ experiences so vividly. I felt swept into the girls’ days - the joyful days, the difficult days, the new friendships, the losses, and the romances.

3.5 STARS - Even as an avid reader of WWII Historical Fiction I was surprised that I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls and their influence on the war effort. This was a group of young, educated American women who were sent overseas to bring a little bit of home to the men on the front lines. While their main duties included serving donuts and coffee to the men, their morale boosting presence was what benefitted the soldiers the most.

The story is well-researched and benefited from the author's use of journals from real Clubmobile girls. While the story deals with war, The Beantown Girls is a lighter Historical Fiction read so readers who don't want too much violence and gore, and don't mind a few sweet, sentimental moments, should enjoy this book.

Through her charming characters, who go from naïve to knowledgeable to independent and brave, Healey broaches topics of sexism and gender roles in war as well as friendship and the sacrifice that so many gave to end the war. Healey's writing style had a casual feel but felt like it relied too heavily on dialogue to fill the pages. A lot of 'she said this' kind of thing which isn't my favourite style.

Overall, The Beantown Girls is an interesting read that gives readers a look at another aspect of WWII (with a clearly American perspective) that focuses on a small group of women who helped in the war effort. It's Historical Fiction, with a strong romantic focus but it's also a book about friendship, sacrifice, loss and hope in the bleakest of times.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Another wonderful historical fiction novel. I am always amazed that despite reading quite a bit of WWII fiction, I am constantly learning new stories. The Beantown Girls centers on the lives of three Red Cross Clubmobile Girls and is equal parts friendship, romance, and heartache.

I enjoyed that this book was from the women’s perspectives and their experience being near the front lines. I shed a few tears during this book as some parts were so emotional it felt like you were transported to the field. The strength of the soldiers who were involved in the war shines in this book, especially the women who made the choice to go overseas. I received an ARC of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to this book, I plan to learn more about the early history of the Red Cross. In 1944, three 25 year old best friends apply for and meet the rigorous demands to become Red Cross Clubmobile girls, whose job it is to help raise morale of the men fighting in the war. Fiona wants to make it to France because her fiance was shot down over Germany months ago and is missing in action. Becoming a Clubmobile girl will get her closer to her fiance, if he is still alive, and give her a chance to do something for the war effort, as she waits to hear any new about him.

First the trio has to learn to drive heavy vehicles, make donuts with the explosion prone donut machines, learn to maintain and repair vehicles, learn first aid and how to don gas masks and prove they can keep a smiling and happy demeanor for the shell shocked soldiers, no matter how they are feeling and how their day is going. Fiona, Viv, and Dottie have very distinct personalities and looks so it's easy to follow their path through this time, along with the other Clubmobile girls they meet along the way. Through all of this, it's necessary for Fiona to put aside her heartache and worry about the fate of her fiance and put the welfare of the men fighting the war, ahead of how she is feeling.

The sacrifices that these women make are incredible, even during a time when women couldn't be soldiers. These woman end up facing the fact of bombs being dropped all around them and living in tents, on K rations, so far from home, giving their all to help the men who've lived the horror of war. There are memorable side characters, both real and fictional and I especially liked reading about Mrs. Tibbetts, whose three sons were at war while she opened her home to Clubmobile girls. Then there is Jimmy English, who has already lost so much in this war but still serves, as a driver and helper to the Clubgirls. The book is both funny and sad and I'm so glad to have learned about these brave women who gave their all to help others during the war.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I adore historical fiction. I think it’s so important to put faces and stories to the many who suffered during the dark times of war. I particularly enjoy stories of light and hope in the midst of such darkness. This wonderful novel was no exception and I absolutely loved it!
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Fiona has her whole life mapped out with her fiancé until life derails and her fiancé is declared missing in action. Determined to help the war efforts and find out what happened to her fiancé, Fiona heads overseas with her best friends to become Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Clubmobile girls were tasked with bringing hope, treats, and encouragement to the men overseas.
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I loved reading about the Clubmobile girls for the first time and learning about this aspect of the war. This was a beautifully written novel about hope, courage, and love in the midst of darkness. The characters were well developed and the setting details extraordinary. This fantastic story will run you through the gamut of emotions and leave you closing the book with a smile on your face. Thank you @amazonpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

Historical fiction at it's finest. I loved this book and learned so much about these brave women, their amazing friendships and the Red Cross Club Mobiles in WWII. There are so many unsung heroines in history and this author shows us a wonderful crew of them. You'll want some kleenex handy in the best of ways. The imagery and historical research are fantastic and you'll be thinking about his book for a long time to come. Bravo, Jane Healy. It was a treat.

I love historical fiction and this novel did not disappoint. I learned a lot about what the Red Cross did during the war. This was a dazzling tale of love, friendships, heartbreak and transcendence. Harley has written a novel that sparkles with vitality and truth. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and Lake Union Publishing.

The Beantown Girls is a novel about the strength of friendship during traumatic times. Three women set off to become Red Cross Clubmobile girls in World War II. One is determined to find her MIA fiancé and her friends join her to be able to do something to help the war effort. Of course, as the story develops, the girls make friends, meet servicemen, fall in and out of lust and love.

This fully researched, historically accurate novel is detailed without becoming muddled. Romantic without melodrama. Emotional and heartfelt. An excellent read.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended. #thebeantowngirls

This is a hard review for me to write. It's not that I didn't like the book...I just didn't enjoy it...if that makes sense. And I really wanted to love it. It was interesting to learn about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls and their importance in helping the morale of the fighting men. The characters were charming and full of personality. Where I had issues was the writing style..and the issue is, after careful reflection, just personal choice I think. And its hard to explain why I had issues, it was kind of the descriptions of things..like they were mundane or overdone maybe? but it took me 3 weeks to read. Everyone else raved about this book, where I found it painful to read. And I really feel bad about it..but there it is. So, I sadly give it 3 stars. I might give this another look later in the year.

I have heard great things about Jane Healey’s last book and was so excited to read The Beantown Girls! I really loved Healeys writing - it transported me into the lives of Fiona, Dottie and Viv - who volunteered to become Clubmobile Girls in 1944. Hailing from Boston these girls bring coffee and doughnuts to our men on the front lines but soon find their roles require so much more... I felt The Beantown Girls provided a great service bringing the Clubmobile girls and their service to light. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to my friends and family. I
Received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

While this book is fiction the author obviously did plenty of research into the club mobile girls working for the red cross. In fact I found this book very educational without being preachy in the least.

This is the story of Fiona Viv and Dottie three Boston girls who met all the criteria that the red cross set over 25 and college degree not many met all the criteria they had to be a special type of woman. These women not only served coffee and donuts to the soldiers but gave them a taste of home allowing them to fight the battles ahead and while some men don't want the women so close to the front others where given a boost to fight with them there. You will laugh and cry with these women as they fight along with the men on the European front.

This book was simply marvelous. Like most, I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls in World War II, but I guarantee, after this novel, I will never forget them. These women volunteered to go to the frontlines and give the troops a piece of home. These women were inspiring, and Jane Healy created wonderful characters that pay tribute to their real-life inspiration. The three main characters are best friends, and when Fiona volunteers hoping to find news of her fiancé who is missing in action, her two best friends are with her all the way. Their journey not only deepens their friendship, but uncovers strengths and friendships they may never have found if they had stayed in Boston.
This is my first encounter with Jane Healy’s writing and I thoroughly enjoyed both her style and her character development. This was a well-researched novel that will draw you in and keep you immersed until the very end. There will be laughter and tears, and Fiona, Viv, Dottie, and the rest of the Clubmobile Girls will stay with you long after you read the last word.
#TheBeantownGirls #JaneHealy #LakeUnion

Favorite Quotes:

Ready or not, we’re on our way to England. We just went through six weeks of training for these jobs. I had to learn to play badminton, for the love of God. There’s no turning back now.

I realized I was in a much better mood than when I arrived. I was supposed to be the one boosting their spirits, but instead that’s exactly what these men had done for me. Sometimes morale was a two-way street.

…my heart was aching in ways that felt very familiar and yet so different. It turns out you can care for two men at the same time, but you never care for them in the exact same way.

“We’re off the coast of a place where thousands of American men died. And we’re dancing,” she said, squinting and tilting her head, looking out across the water. “It feels a little off, don’t you think?” “I’ve thought about that,” I said, nodding, leaning over the railing. “But honestly? I think any of the men killed here would say, Damn Hitler! Play that American music and dance. It gives these men some hope and cheers them up. Helps them fight another day.”

The beach was a haunted obstacle course of foxholes, concrete pillboxes, and debris… “The captain was right… You can feel the ghosts.” I got goose pimples on my arms again when she said it, because it was true. There was a heaviness to the air that had nothing to do with the dust.

Dick kept talking as we drove, in a trance, giving us the play-by-play of all that had happened to him, like a confessional. We couldn’t have stopped him if we had tried. And from the way he was going on, I knew that he would be haunted by the images of that day until he was an old man.

The ‘front’ is all around us; it’s not one straight line marked by barbed wire and a big sign.


My Review:

In addition to top-notch entertainment, this book was eye opening and surprisingly educational. I had no idea that Red Cross volunteers performed these functions. It sounded rather frivolous at first – driving around in trucks to cook and serve doughnuts and coffee to soldiers in battlefield and training encampments – however, they did so much more than that. Heinously nicknamed Doughnut Dollies, they assisted the soldiers in writing letters; entertained them with music; provided a welcome break from the horrors of war with snacks, candy, and hygiene supplies; provided a kind personal touch while talking and listened to them about their experiences and news from their families at home; provided comfort and gentle reassurance to those coming off the battlefields and POW camps; helped them exchange information to their friends between compounds; although they weren’t nurses they willingly helped in a pinch with the wounded; and anything else they could possibly do to lift morale.

I was thoroughly engaged with this adventurous, poignant, profoundly moving and thoughtfully written story and was not surprised at all to learn that the author had performed a massive amount of research and had based her manuscript on actual events and archived writings of the brave and intrepid women who dared such hazardous feats. The storylines were beautifully crafted and expertly paced. I adored these spunky characters and greatly admired their grit and sacrifice. Ms. Healy’s writing was frequently emotive and tapped all the feels multiple times with considerable agility, yet was easy to follow and totally transportive. I instantly fell into a 1944 time machine and was completely immersed in their story - living and working right beside the three brave Bostonians Fiona, Viv, and Dottie. I could feel the rumble of the bomb blasts as well as their bone-weary fatigue, hear the jazz music playing, and smell the pungent and permeating scents of their cigarettes as well as the endless batches of doughnuts they tirelessly created. The author’s magical word skills were deft yet oceans deep; I also felt their excitement, fear, and profound heartache. My eyes stung and my throat constricted more than once at the horrific losses and moving encounters they exchanged with their new friends and frightened soldiers. Any writer who can move my cold heart to such extremes deserves a ten-star rating.

Beantown Girls, though a historical novel, is an extraordinary look into the contributions made to the allied soldiers fighting in Africa and Europe by the Red Cross Clubmobile women during the Second World War. We tend to consider them non-combatants and perhaps thrill seekers or simply bored with life in war-time America. Not. The criteria for becoming a Red Cross Clubmobile woman were stringent = single, college graduate, over the age of 25. Of those who qualified and applied, only one in six met the necessary physical, emotional and and social requirements to be accepted into the program.

Our focus is on three Boston ladies who were close friends through college and beyond. Fiona was the first to consider joining the Red Cross effort after her fiance Daniel went missing over Germany late in 1943. Viv and Dottie thought it sounded like a good plan, and wouldn't let her go without them. From the time they boarded the Queen Elizabeth at the dock in NYC on July 14, 1944 through the end of the European Theatre of Operations in June 1945 these ladies worked their fingers to the bone serving and encouraging allied soldiers, traveling near and occasionally too close to the front lines. Despite personal trials and tribulations they managed to face the troops with a smile and an encouraging word to go with the donuts and coffee they served from the back of a ten ton truck. Which they had to drive from place to place. Of course, being from Boston with it's wonderful public transport systems, these ladies didn't drive when they boarded the QE. But it's wasn't long until they could.

Their contributions to the war effort were without price. Jane Healey paints us a clear picture of the war from the aspect of these ladies, in a story that will grab your head and heart immediately. In the author's note she indicates the parts of her novel that are based on fact - I wish I had read that at the beginning instead of the end. This is a book I am happy to refer to friends and family.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Jane Healey and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.