I enjoyed reading this book. Told from two parallel times - the current time and during the civil war - it was interesting to see how similar things are in spite of the time difference. It is a very touching book - one that I found difficult to put down. I would like to read this book again - more slowly this time - so that I could appreciate the nuances of the time periods. I did not know that women we forced to imitate men if they wanted to enlist in the army in the civil war.

Not only was this book entertaining and heart-warming, I learned a lot from it. That made it exceptional, in my opinion.

I was instantly grabbed by the cover of this book. The premise had me curious...between the two, I just had to read it. I'm so glad that I was able to read an ARC of this book, so thanks go to NetGalley, the publisher and the author.

The main plot of this story was pretty gripping in itself, I couldn't turn away from Larkin's struggle to heal. But then the secondary plot reeled me in too, and before I knew it, I'd read this in two sittings.
Damn real life for interrupting my reading time!
The characters are compelling, even the secondary ones. The places felt so real I could have spit sand and tasted the wine. I wanted to hold Larkin's hand and tell her that she would eventually heal.

The secondary plot was real too, and very well-written. Made even more captivating by the fact that there were numerous women that did just what Em and Willie did. I really admired the way the secondary plot was so integral to the primary.
The book is a masterpiece, and one I'm sure my partner is tired of hearing me gush about. But this book deserves every ounce of praise.
It's just that good!

Today We Go Home is more than a story of a two women fighting in wars....this is the story of after. The guilt, the PTSD, the nightmares. Larking Bennett is a former military officer, trying to recover from her time in Afghanistan. The recent tragedy of losing her best friend Sarah adds to her PTSD. Larkin finds an old family diary and meeting Emily - a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War.

War books/military books are not really my thing - that said...this is a wonderful book. Kelli Estes writes with honor and respect towards female soldiers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes. I really liked reading the diary 📔 of Emily Wilson. I never knew that women disguised themselves as men to fight in the Civil War so the story was interesting, spellbinding, and so sad all in the same breathe. I loved the way the author tied Larkin’s story in with Emily’s. Though I must admit I could not wait to get back to the diary of Emily Wilson. Some surprising things happen that you will just have to read the story to find out. If you like the Civil War time period you will like this story. Is sad that women were and still to this day not really appreciated in War.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

Written in dual timelines, Larkin Bennett was wounded in Afghanistan and is now back home and recovering. At the start of the Civil War, Emily Wilson joins the fighting disguised as a man.

We get a look at the effects of war from the different eras and the side effects are very similar; from depression to survivors guilt, nightmares to addiction.

3☆

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review! I love a book with a past and present story line. I think that having both Larkin's view and Emily's helped give the story depth that it wouldn't have before. This is a new area of history for me and I really enjoyed learning more about the Civil War, but even more so about the women who disguised themselves to be able to contribute. I love a strong female character and this gave it such a fantastic twist.

A thrilling and heartfelt story; draws you in very quickly and doesn't let go. Excellent character development. Highly recommended!

CW: PTSD, death in combat/war, suicide, Afghanistan war, Civil War

Today We Go Home is a dual time frame historical, that includes narrative about each main character with little actual storyline or plot overlap between the two. Larkin is the modern day MC, an army veteran who has been medically discharged with severe PTSD. She lost her best friend and comrade, Sarah, in an attack, and blames herself. Going through Sarah's things, Larkin discovers a Civil War era diary written by one of Sarah's ancestors, Emily. Emily is the second MC, with her story told both through the diary entries and normal third person narrative. Emily joins the Union Army disguised as a male, in order to stay with her brother, Ben.

Throughout are themes related to the roles of women and the service of our veterans, especially our female veterans. The roles of women have always been defined by men, not by the women themselves. Through it all, women have continued to do more and different things than they've been given credit for. Emily is our Civil War era example, with several other secondary characters who were similar women making their own way in a man's world. I think Estes is successful with this theme for Emily's character, because Estes is able to show in real time how limiting it was during the 19th century to be a woman, especially a woman without a man. But people see what they expect to see and Emily is able to succeed with her disguise for a long time. This is Emily's whole storyline, her choosing her own path..

Larkin's story brings us back to veterans and is centered on PTSD. We do not do enough for our veterans and the struggles are real and devastating. We have to do better. Estes does a great job putting us into Larkin's emotions and mental state as she deals with flashbacks, OCD behaviors, nightmares, and efforts to just stop hurting so much. Larkin's whole story is about how she moves forward from the Army and into life. Researching the story of Emily is a huge part of Larkin's journey. It is an unflinching look at PTSD and life after the Army for Larkin.

I thought both main characters were sympathetic and well detailed. This is not a book with a meet the characters, here's a conflict, this is how they get out of it - plot line, like in most genre fiction. But the narrative is nicely paced and I wanted to continue to read to see what would happen next. Will Emily be discovered? How will Larkin deal with PTSD, will she get help or continue to spiral? There isn't so much an ending all tied up with a bow, as a coming together of the two storylines in a way that made sense.

The history is done well, as told through Emily's eyes. For me, an historical fiction that leads me to want to know more about the history, is a successful read, and that happens here. I definitely ended it wanting to read more about other women in the 19th century, ones like Emily who fought in the war and other women who defined their own roles. Note that Estes also marks the mixed reasons for enlisting and fighting, that occurred amongst Union Army members. Estes allows Emily to realistically learn and grow throughout her time in the Army.

Historical fiction fans who enjoy dual time frames, should give this a try.

A very good historical fiction. The writer did a good job at working on two storylines and creating something interesting and engrossing.
There's a lot of character development, I couldn't help rooting for the two heroines, and the plot is entertaining and kept my attention.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I really enjoyed this book on two storylines I haven't read a lot about recently. The first story line was a combat veteran in modern day times suffering from post-traumatic stress after serving in Afghanistan. As someone with a family history of active duty in the armed forces, I thought this was an important story. The author poignantly and truthfully described what it is like for far too many of our servicemen and women returning from the long war. The second story line was that of a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Civil War. Both stories were very compelling and kept my attention. There were a few details that didn't get wrapped up as well as I would have liked in the end, but overall this was an excellent novel.

This was such a unique premiere of a book, I loved reading it from beginning to end. The two timelines are interesting and each leading lady in the timelines are great.

Kelli Estes is a great storyteller! Today We Go Home is an interesting story taking place during the Civil War and the war in Afghanistan. I had no idea that during the Civil War there were women who actually joined up to fight. The story is based on real women who actually disguised themselves as men and fought for their country in 1861. It talks about soldiers and how they suffer and cope in society after war is over. I love Estes first book The Girl Who Wrote In Silk and look forward to reading future books written by her. I’m hoping maybe she will do a sequel to Today We Go Home, I would love to know what happens to Gabriel, Isaac and Nellie. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of Today We Go Home. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction during the Civil War. I rate this a solid 3.75.

A moving and heartrending story of two women, one a soldier in the Civil War pretending to be a man and the other a vet with tours in Afghanistan. The parallels between their lives are life changing as history is relived and connections with the present are made. Wonderfully told.

I was honoured to receive an ARC for this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Having had read Kelli Estes’ first novel, I was excited to read her second one, as I absolutely LOVED the first, and knew that I had to get my hands on the second! Upon first reading this book, I was entranced with the story right away, which featured a dual timeline, and a focus on two different women, each of them fighting a battle of their own.

One view focuses on Emily Wilson, a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight alongside her brother, Ben, in the American Civil War of 1861. The flip side features Larkin Bennett, a soldier who fought for the United States in Afghanistan. As the book begins, Larkin is experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), specifically in relation to the death of her friend, Sarah, and the other dramatic experiences associated with war.

It was intriguing to note that women were allowed to disguise themselves as men, and become enlisted in the Civil War, it was something that I didn’t think existed! I loved reading about Emily’s bravery, especially when it came to the number of deaths she witnessed, and the assault she experienced as a woman, something that she came to hate once her time in the war had ended. I also loved how Emily finally found ‘her place’, and knew that once she was in the area she wanted to be in, she became a settled woman, focusing on how her experiences could benefit others.

In terms of Larkin’s story, I truly felt for her, wanting to hug her tight, and tell her that everything was going to be okay in the end. I felt sorry for the symptoms that Larkin was experiencing, while trying her best to settle them without getting any of her family involved. Based on the terrors that she experienced on a daily basis, I couldn’t imagine living in that sort of way; she truly was a brave and honourable woman to have served her country in such a way.

Kelli Estes did a fabulous job of describing the difficulties that both Emily and Larkin experienced when fighting, both in the war, and on a personal level. Emily was forced to hide her PTSD, as it was uncommon for it to be well-documented during her time-period. However, Larkin was given the support needed, first by her family, then by her community as a whole, whom included her therapist, someone that she relied on heavily in the end. I was surprised to read about how women fighting in the Civil War was a common occurrence, paving the way for women to become soldiers on a regular basis in the present time-period.

Overall, a well-researched and heartbreaking story of how war can take away the most vital parts of one’s human soul, while also giving them the courage to become stronger then they thought they could be. Kelli Estes really knows how to write, and I enjoyed how well-scripted and beautifully-written this book was; in my mind, another grand hit!

Today We Go Home is the story of two women soldiers, Emily Wilson, who fought disguised as a man in the American Civil War, under the Union Army, and Larkin Bennett, who was deployed to Afghanistan twice by the US Army. Emily joined the Union Campaign because her father and eldest brother were both killed fighting for what they believed in, and she did not want their deaths to be in vain, Larkin joined the army because of "Gramps", who fought in the Korean War, and because of the trip she'd taken with him to Washington DC, in junior high, when she'd learned that women were in the military. Sadly, during Larkin's last deployment she lost her best friend Sarah Faber, during a routine patrol, as a result of a suicide bomber. While Larkin suffered from PTSD after losing Sarah, Emily suffered from what was called back then "melancholia", but despite the different names, they were both suffering the from the same thing: nightmares and flashbacks from what they witnessed. Today We Go Home, is the story of how, both Emily and Larkin, make their own ways "home", not necessarily to a physical home, but a feeling of home, after the trauma of war.

Kelly Estes dedicated this book "to all women, past or present who have served in the military. Thank You."

"Home isn't where our house is,
But wherever we are understood."
- Christian Morgenstern in Stages:
A Development in Aphorisms and Diary Notes.

5 stars to Kelly Estes for this most informative and important read.Thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC of #todaywegohome.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sourcebooks, Inc. through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story’s chapters go back and forth between current day and Civil War era. Current day’s character is Larkin, who lost a best friend, Sarah, in a battle in Afghanistan, and Larkin suffers from PTSD. Reference is made throughout the book to PTSD and the impact on soldiers and their families.

The Civil War character is a woman, Emily, who loses family members to the Civil War. She disguises herself as a man and joins the army. I especially enjoyed the storyline of the Civil War. Women disguising themselves as men to gain access into the Civil War was frequently done but not often shared. The challenges women faced is also shared.

Woven throughout the book that ties the two times is Emily’s diary. Larkin has Emily’s diary from Sarah and there is a touch of a mystery trying to identify the relationship with Sarah and Emily.

If you enjoy a story about history, relationships, PTSD, survival, women in battle, or a touch of romance, this book will meet your needs. It also gives the reader insight into the way of life of Afghani people. The book starts slow but stick with it. It is well worth it. The book is well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

I didn't expect to cry so much. I am a fan of military novels, with Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" always landing in my list of all-time favorite historical fiction novels. However, there has been little for books from the female soldier's perspective. Kelli Este's book explores this perspective by alternating the perspective of a modern-day female Afghanistan war veteran with PTSD with that of a woman who enlists in the Civil War by pretending to be a man. Both women deal with trauma, and both discuss the unique challenges their femininity introduces. I absolutely recommend this book.

Thank you Kelli Estes, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the advance release copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

Today We Go Home, by Kelli Estes, tells the powerful story of two women separated by two hundred years but connected by their experiences. Emily Wilson lives during the time of the American Civil War. After losing her father and eldest brother to the Confederate guns, she and her younger brother enlist in the same regiment. But Emily must hide her womanhood in order to serve her country and follow in her father's footsteps. In the present time, Larkin Bennet has returned home from her second deployment in Afghanistan, bruised in both mind and body. After losing her best friend to a suicide bomber, Larkin must find something to live for. She finds it in Emily’s diary. The two women discover their strength and purpose as they wade their way through war, loss, trauma, and life in a man’s world.

I knew I was going to love this novel when very quickly tears were brought to my eyes. Estes’ writing is powerful, moving, and incredibly real. While I don’t have PTSD, Larkin’s struggles were written so well I forgot for the majority of the novel she wasn’t a real person. But of course, she is real, in a sense. She, and Emily, are representatives of all the women who have served their country. I thought the description of Emily’s trauma was well done and suited the time period. As Larkin discovers, PTSD was not diagnosed as such back then and there was little support for it. But in both cases, the women are able to find a purpose to focus on and get the help they needed.

The flip between the 1800s and present time was flawless. I loved the way Larkin would read a diary entry, and the following chapter would typically be Emily’s point of view version of the entry or just leading up to it. I have read some novels where the flip is quite clunky, but am happy to say this is not one of those novels.

Overall, I must say I’ve read few novels as powerful as Today We Go Home. I don’t think it’s too “feminist” for anyone to enjoy, as I worry some may think the theme is pandering to recent events. Regardless of whether Larkin is a man or woman, or if we focus on Emily or Jesse, the story is about two soldiers who find their strength in an extremely volatile time and place. I applaud Estes’ research and her way of making sure that no one woman’s story was left unsaid through her encouragement to the reader. With flawless writing, relatable characters, and an important message, Today We Go Home is a must read.

And I feel it necessary to thank those who serve their country, both men and women. But especially those who often get overlooked. As Estes says in her parting words: “See her. Hear her. Thank her.”

What an enjoyable and exciting read. We get a bonus, the book contains two great stories of two special female war veterans. Larkin Bennett is our present day hero, serving two deployments to Afghanistan. Her life has ended as she knew it. She has moved in with her grandma to recover and try to deal with the PTSD. While going through her best friends Sarah's things, which were left to her, she finds an old diary. The diary belongs to Emily Wilson. A young woman who disguises herself as a man, so she can fight in the Civil War next to her younger brother. Kelli Estes intertwines contemporary and historical settings flawlessly.
This book was one I read long into the night. I could not but it down. Due to the time period, there are some very dark situations during the war. Kelli Estes has a special way of bringing light out of the darkness. I was given a copy of this book by Sourcebook Landmark through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is an interesting story told in both the present and the time of the Civil War. After being discharged from the Army< Larkin Bennett suffers from PTSD and her guilt over the death of her best friend Sarah, which she feels at fault for. While going through Sarah's possessions she finds the diary of Sarah's ancestor, Emily. Emily posed as a soldier to follow her brother into war. This story alternates between Larkin's troubles and Emily's story, through which Larkin is able to find some peace and a purpose. A very engaging book and a thoughtful look at women in the military in the past and present.