It amazes me that each time I read a book with the setting of the world wars, it always shows me another aspect of the wars which was unknown to me.

Most times poignant and emotional, it also shows human beings at their best (and worst). The Beantown Girls depicts a group of young women - fresh out of college, no experience of life or the world thrust into the grim reality of war on a scale that would be unimaginable to them from the homes they came from and the country they came from.

The stories of Fiona, Viv and Dottie who volunteered for the Red Cross, joined the Clubmobile group all with the idea of bringing cheer and support to the American troops on the ground are inspiring. Never faced with hardships, never having made to go without they led comfortable lives and now find themselves in an atmosphere of hard work, uncomfortable living conditions and still expected to be bright and cheery.

I loved how the stories panned out, each finding love (it had to be with the shortage of girls on the ground in comparison to the men!) but it also brought out the way each of them met their obligations of their jobs, not shirking from what was expected of them.

The characterizations were spot on, the settings were descriptive and the story was a good one.

If one can rate a book on story alone I would give The Beantown Girls 5 stars without hesitation. The plot is compelling; it is pretty straightforward and the story moves along at a fast pace. Basing her novel on fascinating historical facts about the Red Cross volunteers in WWII who drove so-called Clubmobiles to offer donuts, coffe, candy, good cheer, and a piece of home to the many brave men serving in the US military, Healey rewards her readers with a fascinating story. But alas, novels should be more than their stories. They should help the reader understand their characters and their motivations and their settings should serve as additional character, if you will. And it’s here that The Beantown Girls falls short. The story is narrated by Fiona, but everything she describes, including her own feelings, seems two dimensional. I doubt that there’s another main character in literature who more often expresses her feelings as being queasy or wanting to throw up. Her descriptions of joy, tension, sorrow, grief, even illness seem to come not from her inner self but as if she’s describing someone else. And because we never really penetrate the skins of any other character we’re left with empty shells. Their stories are fascinating but they seem much too removed from normal reaction. Similarly, although the setting changes from the ship taking them to Europe and to various locations in England and the Continent, the descriptions seem to be at arm’s length. Fi, for example, often is cold or In need of a shower, but the cold and dirt don’t penetrate into her being. She’s just cold or dirty and needs to warm up or take a shower, even when covered with someone else’s blood. Her range of emotions is so limited as to be created from cardboard. The Beantown Girls is a wonderful book for readers looking for a good story. Regretfully, it misses an opportunity to offer us so much more.

I love reading about little known parts of history and The Beantown Girls delivers on that. The story centers on Red Cross Clubmobile girls in WWII. Three friends from Boston join up and get sent off to Europe to boost morale of the troops while delivering coffee and donuts. Fiona has an ulterior motive for joining, she hopes to find out what happened to her fiance who is listed as MIA. The characters were all so well written and realistic. I loved their distinctive personalities. Dottie, a talented musician who overcomes her shyness to entertain the servicemen while working hard as a Clubmobile girl. Viviana. a plucky former secretary whose personality and looks have all the guys falling all over themselves to catch her eye, but will she fall for the Brit who's a Cary Grant look alike? You'll have to read to find out the girls adventures. I loved how the tension built as the girls end up close to the the action on the front. There's just a touch of romance to round things out. Thank you to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

This book was wonderful. The author really captured the essence of these women, as well as the servicemen, who served their country during WWII. The story was heartfelt and poignant, leaving me in tears at times, but also making my heart happy in other moments. It was wonderful to watch these women as the evolved, losing their naivety along the way, but gaining strength and courage. The Beantown Girls is compelling and well-paced, a book which will keep readers involved emotionally from the first page until the very end.

Loved loved this book sat down to read a few pages sank into the story and hours later finished and was sad to see it end. tithe Red Cross Mobile Girls their lives loves friendships joy happiness sadness..I will be reading more by this author and recommending to everyone.#netgalley #beantowngirls #lakeunionpublishing,

I need more stars!! Jane Healey does a truly amazing job telling the history of the Red Cross Clubmobiles during World War II. Never knew about these amazing women and the crazy support that they gave to the soldiers everywhere including the frontlines. Wow just wow. Healey's writing takes you through the challenges facing the women in the Germans and Allies who didn't believe that the women belonged there. I really felt the like I was riding along with the women. Tears were shed. This book will haunt me for a long time.......joy and tears.

I read a lot of WW2 books and this was one of the best I have read. I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girl volunteers. Fiona and her two very best friends join the Red Cross Clubmobile and go to Europe. They encounter many obstacles but also they realize how very brace they are. I loved the characters in this book. From Fiona trying to find out what happened to her fiancee, Viviana who wants adventure, and Dotty who goes to be with her friends. All three girls find themselves while being a Red Cross Clubmobile girl. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its wonderful characters. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions are my own.

how many ways can i say i loved this book. look i've read a LOT of historical fiction and i generally like it - i mean my degree is in history and i like to read so. . .but this book - i really loved it. I'd never heard of the red cross doughnut girls -- how, HOW HAD I NEVER HEARD OF THEM!?!?
I loved the story line, I loved their bravery, I loved their sweet, shy, or sassy character.

I generally reserve 5 stars for books I will read again and I feel very strongly that I will read this book again.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book (thank goodness or i may have never heard about them!!). All opinions are my own.



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There are lots of fiction books about WWII and sometimes it seems like they tell the same story with different characters. The Beantown Girls looked at the war from the perspective of women who were part of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. I have never read a book about this group of brave women who went to Europe during the war to help the morale of the soldiers by providing doughnuts, coffee, cigarettes and mostly a pretty American girl to talk to. This is a story about bravery during war time, friendship and love.

Fiona, Dotty and Viviana were best friends in Boston. They decided to join the Red Cross group for different reasons but they joined together and were able to stay together. Fiona's fiance was missing in action and she wanted to try to find him, Viviana wanted more out of her life and Dotty went to be with her friends. They were chosen for their strength and their beauty but were soon faced with unexpected challenges from how to drive the truck to the process of making doughnuts. They encountered lots of problems but were able to help so many soldiers and make so many new friends that they all felt they had made the right decision. As the three friends begin to understand the real reasons they all came to the front, their courage and friendship will see them through some of the best and worst times of their lives.

This was a wonderful well written and well-researched books based on a real women who joined the Red Cross and went to Europe during WWII. The book made me laugh and it made me cry and had three main characters who I won't soon forget.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Well, I am totally in love with this story. I smiled and shed a few tears, as I got to know Fiona, Viv and Dottie. Then Blanche, Frankie and Martha join the group and it’s off to London and training for the “donut dollies” of the Red Cross
Clubmobiles, during WWII.
Jane Healey, developed beautiful, likable women, that volunteered and served the American troops in Europe, millions of donuts, coffee, cigarettes, gum and lifesavers, while also helping them write letters home, dance with them at service clubs and bring some enjoyment into their lives, during war time.
I never knew they existed, until I read their stories, in this very well researched novel. This one will stay with me for awhile. I also enjoyed the references to the big bands and music of those years, music that brought thoughts of home to these young GI’s in far away countries.
I want to thank the author, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley, for my ARC.
I hope my review does justice to this wonderful novel.

Fantastic story! I've read a lot of books that took place during WWII, but never one that focused on the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. I admire the fact that these women voluntarily left the safety and comfort of their homes to travel to a war zone to bring some comfort and joy to the soldiers. I thought the author did a wonderful job with the characters - especially the 3 main characters, Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie. Their friendship and dedication to each other and to the Red Cross was admirable. While there were many serious parts that addressed the stresses of war, there was also humor in the story - I especially enjoyed the driving lessons that the women had to pass so they could drive the clubmobile! I highly recommend this book - it was a wonderful read!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

I loved this book!!!!!! What a wonderful story of the Red Cross girls helping soldiers out!! Heartbreaking at times but this is such a great story!!! The hardships these girls and guys faced in the time of war was so sad!! Loved how everything came together !

This story provides a glimpse into the role women played as volunteers of the Red Cross Clubmobile during WWII. I enjoyed this historical fiction because it dove into a part of our history during WWII that I wasn't aware of. It always makes me want to do further research to find out more. I thought these women were so brave to be so close to the front lines to help keep morale up for our soldiers. As one Captain said in the book, "you volunteered to come here, where I was sent here".

A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.
Wow, this book is full of feels. Laughter, suspense and tears. I really knew nothing about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls until I saw them mentioned on The Great British Baking Show and was fascinated by the story. When I saw this book was being published I was immediately interested.. The author does a great job of explaining all the training and requirements of these women. It is certainly much more than doughnuts.
I felt the book did an excellent job of making you feel how it felt to be in the middle of a war and find love. Highly recommend this to all that love WWII, historical fiction genre and to all that love a great story.

"Living in the midst of war was its own reality. And all of us that were living in it longed for intimacy and connection, however fleeting, because it reminded us of what mattered most."
Historical fiction based on real events during World War II is the setting as Fiona, Dottie and Viviana from Boston decide to join the Red Cross Clubmobile with other women to provide coffee, donuts and friendship for the troops in battle.
Along with being on the front line and seeing things nobody would ever want to see; these ladies find allies, heartbreak, truth and a strength that cannot ever be imagined!
Yet- they moved forward each day in deplorable conditions to assist these men fighting to defeat the enemy.
It is well written, and definitely well researched.
I found myself crying many times throughout this novel. The words pulled me right in to 1944, grateful and rooting for each person that was present during this war!

It's 1944, and there is a war, and those topics alone typically stop me from reading certain books. SO MANY TIMES I've started reviews with, I'm not a "historical fiction fan but....." BUT, THIS BOOK. This has officially turned me into a HUGE historical fiction fan. I adored every character, I looked forward to reading it every night and rushed to get back to it. And I am SO MAD that it had to end. The emotions in this one are so easy to feel - I found myself laughing out loud, and my husband kept asking if I was getting sick. Oh the sniffles! I NEVER cry at books! What is happening to me!

Oh, AND ... my all time most favorite thing on the planet: Food Trucks! Yes, my friends, World War II food trucks.

I loved Band of Brothers, I will drop everything to read/watch/talk about it. It's not often I get really into war stories, but when you flat out fall in love with the characters - it's easy. And this book, a sort of Band of Sisters, but Red Cross girls, is something I really got into - and although I might have teared up during some really tight spots in the story, I flat out bawled when this book was over. It's real, it's gritty, it's relatable, it's full of all the feelings. A new favorite for sure!

Fiona Denning is the caption of The Beantown Girls, a group of Red Cross Clubmobile girls that drive a (yes!) food truck throughout the war bringing doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes, but most of all - much needed morale - to the soldiers on the front lines of the war. Fiona thought her life was all put together and headed in a pretty secure direction, when her fiancé Danny heads off to war and soon becomes missing in action. In the blink of an eye her entire life plan has changed. Along with her two best friends, Dottie, as shy musician, and Viv, an outspoken diva of sorts, the three Boston girls join the Clubmobile program and their entire lives change.

For Fiona, she wants answers. What happened to Danny and where is he? And is he still alive? For the other girls, it's about finding themselves, a little adventure, and wanting to do something for those who are sacrificing so much. What they find is all of that and more - love, danger, friendship and just learning to live in the moment.

I cannot even stress how great of a story this is. It's easily my favorite historical fiction book to date. The girls and the soldiers are forever embedded in my list of favorite casts of book characters. The story is at times terrifying and heartbreaking, but also so much fun as the girls are so easily lovable. The writing is fresh, and enticing and I devoured every word and wish there were more! Bravo Jane Healey!

This is the first book of Healey's that I have read and this will not be my last.

The book started out a little slow for me and then picked up to the point that I accomplished nothing else today but reading this book. I have read plenty of WW2 books and had never heard of this group of women with The Red Cross. I found this story fascinating and amazing that The Red Cross would send in civilians to do the job that they did.

This story is a great story of friendship, service to country, bravery and so much more. The interaction with the POWs brought tears to my eyes as did the story many other times.

loved how the author disclosed what parts of the story were true events and where she embellished.

EXTRAORDINARY!

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey is EXTRAORDINARY! It is the type of book that envelopes you, takes you captive and holds on to your heart and soul long after you’ve read the final word. Healey boldly takes readers on an unforgettable journey with Fiona Denning and her two best friends, Viviana and Dottie, as they volunteer as Red Cross Clubmobile girls to serve overseas during WWII. The three have very different motivations. Fiona’s plan is to get to the Continent and discover her fiancé’s fate. Viviana just wants a to leave the ordinary and experience adventure. Dottie wants to be able to use her musical talents to bring cheer and hope to the guys on the front lines.

In reality, what they find are three women they never knew existed. Women who learned quickly, who had no time for pettiness, who learned to live with little and appreciate the smallest things, who learned to appreciate the skill sets of others, who were bonded together for life after all they endured together and women who looked death straight in the eye on more than one occasion and still didn’t crack under pressure.The three women do obtain their original goals. But, oh the LIVING that it took to obtain them!

The Beantown Girls is one of the most captivating books I’ve read in a long time. When I finished, I felt as though I had been on the Clubmobile with those girls! I had lived their story and it was exhausting but it was also exhilarating! I couldn’t help but think about all the characters in this book and reflect on the REAL heroes who fought for our freedom. They truly were The Greatest Generation. Where would we be without them?

I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishers. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.