One of my favorite books so early in the year and it's a historical story. It's beautiful, lyrical and haunting. I became emotionally attached to the characters right away and the blend of plot and romance was perfect. Pick up this gem of a book and prepare to be dazzled. It's a story that will stay with you long after the last page. Happy reading!

During the years that World War II raged, there were brave women who volunteered as Red Cross Workers. Follow the story of three friends as they brave the horrors of war and the many different emotions that they come across.

This story was amazing. It was raw, it was real, and it brings to the front the story of some brave women who volunteered for duties that held unimaginable heartbreak. This book drew me in and refused to let me go. Fabulous and amazing.

I've read my fair share of World War Two HF and I'm always eager to see a new spin on things, so when I read the description of this and realized I had never even heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls I was excited! The idea of these young women volunteering to help out during such a scary and unsure time was fascinating to me and their bravery was so inspiring.
Historical accuracy is so important to me, even when reading fiction and Healey did an amazing job at staying very close to true events. Her dates were pretty spot on and her attention to detail was impeccable, and yet she still managed to make this an engaging and fun read despite maintaining historical accuracy. Sometimes when I read a HF I can get bogged down with the details but there was none of that here. I was wholly invested in Fiona, Viv and Dottie's lives and this is due to the authors ability to create such vivid and vivacious characters that leapt from the pages.
This was an emotional read, Healey didn't shy away from the horrors of war and the girls were right in the thick of the action so there were some somber scenes. Overall though, this was an ultimately uplifting read and one full of hope, but I did experience a wide variety of emotions while reading. Recommended for fans of HF and especially those who can't get enough of WW2, also the whole concept behind the Clubmobile Girls was so interesting, their sole purpose was to bring some joy and happiness to soldiers far from home, so cool!

THE BEANTOWN GIRLS by Jane Healey is a compelling work of historical fiction that tells the story of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls that served in the European Theater of Operations during the final months of World War II. I have read many historical fiction novels set in Europe during this time, but I had never heard of these amazing unsung heroines that left their comfortable lives at home and volunteered to be sent overseas where they ended up at the front as the tide of war was just starting to shift in favor of the Allies. The story is told from the single perspective of Fiona Denning, a young woman from Boston whose fiancé has been reported shot down and missing in Germany. Feeling like she must do something to help the war effort, Fiona and her best friends, Viv and Dottie apply to be Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Little do they know the danger they will face and the strength and courage it will require to carry out their tasks in war time. This book was meticulously researched and the author brought the story to life with her vivid descriptions of the settings and the emotions of the characters. The perfect balance of history, suspense and emotion kept me engaged from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed this captivating story of friendship, love and commitment and highly recommend it. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction account of World War II told from the perspective of three women friends from the Boston area who volunteered for the Red Cross Clubmobile program. They made donuts and served coffee to the troops stationed in the war zones. They were even on the front lines providing a little touch of home to the soldiers. This is a heart-warming story of friendship, courage, and the uncertainty of wartime life.

Another part of WWII history that I never even knew about! The Red Cross Clubmobile Girls helped raise morale during the war handing out coffee, making doughnuts, pitching in wherever help was needed in order to aid the soldiers.

I loved The Beantown Girls so much! Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie were the three beauties who were friends since college, and decide to enter this next adventure together, to help the soldiers overseas.

Never in the world had I heard of a Red Cross Clubmobile. There are so many novels about WW2 out there, but not a single one from this perspective that I have come across before. A very original take on history if you ask me. Because of the fact that you follow the three main girls, Fiona, Dottie and Viv, while working as Clubmobile girls at the front of WW2 you get a look into their life in the early 40s as well as a clear overview of the historical events happening in the background. This is a nice mix of two completely different types of events.

The characters in the book were also very recognisable to me. The girls in the book are about the same age that I am right now, so it’s interesting to read about the things that they have to deal with in life and quite confronting to see that we still face a lot of the same issues that people in the 40s struggled with as well. A recurring plotline is that of Fiona searching for her missing fiancé in the war. The heartbreak and tension that this brings with it are very noticeable and still relevant today. I had no problems at all sympathising with the girls and imagining myself in their shoes. On a side note: many things also happened to them that I have no clue about and I’m truly happy that I can say that. Being involved in a war is rough, even if you’re not a soldier.

Finally I would like to say that I did question the whole idea of sending young girls to a war front to serve doughnuts and coffee a lot. I realise that many of the American soldiers were very happy to see the girls and it most certainly boosted morale among the troops, but it was also a very dangerous situation to put them in. My own moral compass had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that this actually happened and that girls died while working this job. I’m still not sure if it was worth it. That doesn’t take away from that fact that I adored this novel, though.

The Beantown Girls is an intriguing book about the American Red Cross Clubmobile girls that headed to the frontlines during WW2. I had absolutely no idea that a morale building program during this daunting time of our world history. Essentially, the program selectively interviewed and then trained young American women to send overseas. These women were to make and serve the soldiers fresh coffee and hot donuts, all from the back of a truck. This program was brilliant for the time, but today, there’d be considerable flack regarding sexism and gender roles. Personally, I love coffee and donuts so I’d be thrilled to have them at any time, given to me by any person!

Healey skillfully created a story around three main characters that made me laugh and cry. Her extensive research allowed her to draw characters that were loosely based on the actual women that once served as Clubmobile Girls. Most of the antics, incidents, and daily life came from the these women’s journals, letters and other non-fiction books. Check out the author’s Pinterest page if you want to see photos and information. I’ve attached two of my favorites below.

The scenes that depicted the men on the frontlines were well captured. Their sense of gloom, loss of their comrades, their fragile bravery, homesickness and risking their lives every day undoubtedly took its toll. I could feel their joy at the sight of these girls and the companionship they offered. It proved how a small kindness of a homemade treat and some music could completely change someone’s demeanor. I went to Youtube to look up and listen to Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree by The Andrew Sisters after learning how popular it was during the 1940s.

The writing was quite simplistic and I worried it wouldn’t work in a book about war and relationships. Fortunately, it didn’t matter at all and the plot didn’t suffer. It almost added a charm that brought to life the naivety of these young girls as they adapted to the war. There were some predictable parts as well as a few twists that I didn’t see coming.

This book touches on friendship, romance, war, sacrifice, POWs, courage, guilt, independence, the Red Cross, WW2, love and hope. Most people that don’t like historical fiction tell me its because they’ve never read it or because they assume it’ll be too much history and read like non-fiction. If that’s you, or you know someone like that, I suggest this book. It’s a fast, easy to read story that will hold your interest until the end.

The Red Cross Clubmobile Girls were volunteers chosen for their education, friendliness, and beauty to give out doughnuts, coffee, friendship, and other comforts of home to soldiers fighting in WWII.

When Fiona's fiancee goes missing, she recruits her two best friends as Clubmobile Girls in order to feel useful and try to find some news about her fiancee. It's an intriguing premise based real, little known stories of these girls.

The friendships in the story felt real, both the existing ones between Fiona and her best friends and the ladies they meet along the way. The book doesn't steer too far into heartbreaking territory - sad things happen, but the violence and sex are minimal. There are times when it skewed a little too saccharine for me, but overall it was an easy read that taught me about something new. Your book club will love this one.

Did you know the Red Cross sent young women, known as Clubmobile Girls, to Europe during WWII in trucks with donut makers so that they could pass out doughnuts and coffee to soldiers? I didn't. Fiona's fiancé Danny, an aviator, was shot down and is missing, prompting her to leave her job at City Hall in Boston (hence the Beantown) and join the Red Cross along with two of her friends, Dottie and Viv. They quickly make additional pals once they get to London for training and then onward to the Continent. This is a tale of friendship but also of love- there are love interests and then there's Fi's continued hope that she will find Danny alive. It's not too deep and while there are a few mistakes (women didn't wear "blush" - maybe "rouge" but not blush- or pink lipstick at the time), it's a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Perfect for historical fiction fans.

The story opens with Fiona, Dottie, and Viv on board the Queen Elizabeth heading to England as part of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls in the summer of 1944. You quickly find out why Fiona wanted to volunteer. Her fiancée, Danny is missing in action. She volunteered to try and find out what happened to him. Her two best friends also volunteered because they weren’t going to leave her alone. I had never heard of the Clubmobile during the war and reading this book sent me down a Google rabbit hole. The story itself is engaging and interesting. There are details on the training and inner workings of the Red Cross Clubmobile. You went from England to the front lines and felt that you were with the girls every step of the way. I both laughed and cried during the book. It was well written and even though part of it was hard to read I was sad when the book ended.

Once I started reading The Beantown Girls, I could not put it down. This book is absolutely amazing. I love all of the characters so much, They are all full of fire and life, even amidst the tragedies that war brings. The rollercoaster of emotions that I experienced while reading The Beantown Girls was definitely a ride. One of my favorite historical fiction novels so far!

"THE RED CROSS CLUBMOBILE GIRLS: BRINGING A BIT OF HOME TO THE TROOPS AT THE FRONT."
I am such a big fan of historical fiction because of the many new things I learn from reading it. Beantown Girls is a fantastic novel that fits right in with this scenario. I have never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile or the Donut Dollies before I picked up this book. What a fascinating read!
Jane Healey has a great way of taking the facts surrounding the history of the Clubmobile and weaving a story around actual events that happened when the Donut Dollies were serving in Europe. She took me right to the middle of the conflict and I experienced "living" with the characters who selflessly put themselves where they "were more than just spectators observing the tragedies of war."
The women voluntarily accepted the challenge of going to the war zones because of their desire to bring a little bit of "good" to the grueling hardships that are part of conflict. These women by no means had it easy. They didn't have the luxuries of a warm, comfortable place to bunk. They were cold and wet quite often. There were challenges beyond belief, tragedy that broke hearts, but there were times that made it more than worth the sacrifices they gave to bring a little comfort from "home" to the fighting men.
The journey with the main characters of Fiona, Dottie, and Viv was one I'm so glad I took. The characters are so real. Going through the process of becoming a Red Cross Clubmobile girl was challenging but also so rewarding. There were acts of courage that came because of dangerous situations, there were times of giving more than they knew they had, there were times of loss that tore my heart out but also there were times of making new friendships, of finding romance and a future.
I love this novel. It's the first one I've read by Jane Healey and I'm hooked! I know I look forward to reading more of her astounding work. I want to thank her and Lake Union for the honor of reading and reviewing this five star book!

This book is the epitome of why I love historical fiction!! I was just thinking that maybe I needed a break from WWII books, and then Jane Healey gives me this gem, and oh my stars, I could not read it fast enough!

Fiona Denning applies to be a Red Cross Clubmobile girl after learning her fiancé has gone missing in the war. Her two best friends, Dottie and Viviana, join her, and they are sent off on an adventure. During WWI the Clubmobile girls served coffee and donuts to the soldiers, befriended them and provided them company while they were at war. Dottie is reserved and shy, but plays the guitar and sings, she just is not comfortable getting up and doing so in front of groups of people. Viviana, or Viv, is known as the outgoing one, and is quite the charmer. Fiona, or Fi, is also very personable, making friends easily, but cannot shake that her purpose is to find her fiancé, even as she begins to unwittingly win over a certain Captain named Peter....

The trio set off on their adventure, hoping to end up in Germany, where Fiona’s fiancé was last seen alive. Along the way they meet many new friends, have wonderful (and not so wonderful) experiences, and each have their own personal struggles that they are forced to deal with. This was truly friendship at its finest, flaws and all, and even though they were in a war, I desperately wanted to be right there with them.

I knew nothing about these girls that served during the war, and was blown away to know these roles existed. Jane Healey paints such a vivid picture – the scenery, interactions of the characters, the war, everything. Loved, loved, loved! I will warn you to have a tissue box nearby, but it’s such a good story, you won’t mind.

A huge thank you to Get Red PR and NetGalley for the electronic ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Release date is 2/5/2019, you DO NOT want to miss this one!!

4.5 Stars to Jane Healey’s novel of love, loss and extreme courage in World War II. Fiona Denning’s life is uprooted when she learns her fiancé Danny has gone missing in Germany. Determined to get answers, Fiona and her girlfriends Dottie and Viv sign up to become Red Cross Clubmobile girls and head overseas themselves.

There is so much heart in this story from the friendships to the romance and the family and Healey’s writing really makes these women come alive. From learning how to make donuts to serve the soldiers as well as driving lessons, there are moments where you will burst out laughing and others where you will be fighting back tears. I loved getting to know The Beantown Girls and I’m sure you will, too.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved Jane Healy’s The Beantown Girls! Before reading this book, I knew nothing about te Red Cross Clubmbile Girls wise job was to. Make doughnuts and serve coffee to soldiers stationed in Europe during WWII. I loved how Healey weaved the story. of three friends. from Boston joining the Clubmobile Girls with actual events in WW II. Healey does a masterful job of making the reader feel what Viv, Dottie, and Fiona feel as they Lear lots about themselves while eloping the soldiers. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this story. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I have read quite a lot of books in this category, especially WWII books, which makes it a little hard for me to be surprised and intrigued with the content of another book in this genre. “Beantown Girls” was an exception...I’ve actually learned quite a lot about Red Cross Clubmobile Girls (I’ve never heard of them before *gasp*) and their role in WWII. This book was a refreshing and surprising read about friendship, bravery, companionship, and love. Fiona, Viv, Dottie, Blanch, Frankie, and Martha touched my heart, and I felt like I was one of them, sitting in the Clubmobile, making doughnuts, while having some girl talk. The witty conversations and captivating descriptions of Europe’s landscape during WWII made this novel a real treat to read. Yes, I shed few tears and felt a little beaten down by some of the events in the story, but the beautiful writing, engaging characters, and a history lesson (for me!) in this novel made this book very enjoyable read. I would like to read more books from this author soon. And I hope it is another Historical Fiction! :)
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Healey, and Lake Union Publishing for a chance to read this great novel!

This story of the women who volunteered to serve with the American Red Cross during World War II is a can’t-put-down emotional roller-coaster. Fiona, Viviana and Dottie are three Boston college friends who sign up to serve in the Red Cross Clubmobiles. Brought on board to bring a touch of home to the soldiers serving overseas, the women find themselves close to the front lines of the war. Three women and hundreds of soldiers; this is a romance novel at heart, even though many of those men, and some of the women wouldn’t come home.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read Jane Healey’s first book THE SATURDAY EVENING GIRLS CLUB and really enjoyed it – gave it a 4-star rating. But THE BEANTOWN GIRLS I absolutely LOVED – 5-star review (and more if I could). I was torn between wanting to know how things turned out for each of the girls and not wanting to leave their world. These girls were my friends for a few days – and today had to let them go.

This is a compelling read that takes the reader to the European Theatre of Operations in the last days of WWII. And for those who do not like alternating times and/or perspectives, you will like this one – straight timeline (1944) and one perspective (Fiona’s).

Healey tells the story of Fiona Denning whose life is running smoothly until her fiancé is reported missing after having been shot down in Germany. She can’t just accept not knowing his fate so she, along with her friends Viv and Dottie, volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl. Viv is outgoing, beautiful, and a talented artist. Dottie is a very shy music teacher and astonishes everyone with her beautiful singing voice. Healey takes the reader through the training and deployment of these young women. Fascinating read!

These charming girls never imagined what their deployment would really be like. They make new friends, they lose friends. There is romance, there is heartbreak. Celebration, devastation. They learn their own strengths and the value of friendship. None of them will go unchanged by their experiences.

I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Jane Healey did extensive research of these little known heroines of WWII. How had we never heard of them! I loved the story even though it was somewhat predictable. But while reading it, I felt the emotions the characters were feeling. I rejoiced with them and cried with them. A beautifully written page-turning read.

I loved this book!! Honestly, I never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobiles before reading this book. I found it so interesting. What an adventure these women had serving coffee and doughnuts to the soldiers. I loved the Historical Note section at the end explaining which parts were based on facts. Much of what happened to Fiona, Dottie and Viv happened in real life. Hopefully, Unsolved Mysteries helped the German boy find the soldiers.

The book centers around Fiona, Viv and Dottie. Fiona's fiancé is declared missing in action after being shot down over Germany. Fiona wants to find out what happen to him. She volunteers to be a Red Cross Clubmobile girl, along with her best friends, Viv and Dottie. The girls do more than just serve coffee and doughnuts. They make new friendships, find themselves close to the front lines and even fall in love.

I loved the characters, story and writing style. Who knew doughnut making could be so hard? I'm surprised more of the doughnut makers didn't explode. I loved Jimmy English and his cat Vera Lynn. Then there was Mrs. Tibbetts and all her animals roaming the house. I loved getting to know all the girls and the reasons that brought them to volunteer. I was sad the book was over and wanted to keep reading about the girls.

I definitely recommend the book, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Jane Healey, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.