As I read this, I kept wondering how this group of Smith College graduates managed to do so much in France during World War I. The fictional characters are based on real people. Willig did a lot of research in letters written by the 17 women, most of whom grew up in luxury, find themselves raising chickens, nursing people and providing stability for several small villages in France during the Smith College Relief Tour. While all 17 women in the group are given voice, the story is told from the point of view of two of the women. Kate Moran is the only one of the “Smithies” who didn’t grow up with money and the fact that she can’t pay her way is a major frustration for her. Emmie, her Smith roommate grew up in a well-known wealthy New York family with a mother who was an ardent Suffragette but ignored her own family. This band of sisters grew into tough, determined, courageous people who made a real difference for French “peasants” during the war. As always, Willig has done a lot of research when writing historical fiction. The afterword is a must read to discover who the real band of sisters were. Julia Whelan did a excellent job of narration. Her ability to distinguish the voices of the many characters in the book. Without her expertise, the story could have become an audio muddle of confusion.

This is a terrific story from one of my favorite authors. Willig tells the story of an ill-assorted group of Smith alumni who head to France during World War I to help restore civilian villages. High-minded and well-intentioned, the Smith girls find themselves perilously close to the front lines of the war, facing deprivation and tragedy at a scale they couldn’t have imagined. While struggling to cope with the job they have taken on, and the maturity it demands from them, they still manage to support each other and form a true “Band of Sisters”.

The audiobook was a delight. Julia Whalen does a great job of providing individual voices for the characters that distinguish them and highlight their personalities. Kate’s slightly husky alto contrasts with Emmie’s higher, breathier tones.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Centered on the true story of a group of Smith College Relief Unit women who went to France during WWI. In 1917, eighteen alumni of Smith went to France to help where they could, unaware of what was ahead of them. I hadn't heard of these amazing women until I took up this book and I'm obsessed!! The writing was wonderful and really did a great job of introducing characters and defining each separately. It was really easy to keep track of the women and that's sometimes hard when I'm doing the audio version.

Speaking of the audio, narration was on point! I finished this book 3 days ago and still have book hangover and haven't been able to start something else. Really loved it and would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction and women led books.

Thanks to William Morrow for my review copy. All opinions are my own. This is an incredible novel about the women of Smith College who went to help French war victims on the war front. The band of 15 women in this novel is based on the 18 real-life heroes of Smith College.⁣
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These ladies started from scratch to help those ravaged by war only to have the war come back and destroy the lands around them again. But they never faltered in their quest to help the war-torn villages of women and children impacted by the war.⁣ ⁣The book gives a well-rounded feeling of what these women needed to do to save the lands and the people. ⁣ 5 stars.

I love stories of strong women who contribute in unique ways to our world. In Band Of Sisters by Lauren Willig, we see the role of a group of Smith College alumni who gather together and play a significant role in France during WWI. This historical fiction book is both inspiring and engaging.

The novel is based on the author’s extensive research into the unit and includes several actual letters written by members of the Smith College relief unit to their families back in the U.S. The main character is Kate Moran who, unlike most of the other Smith women, attended the college on a full scholarship. The book also focuses on Kate’s college best friend Emmeline, who comes from a family of wealth and strong social standing. These women were all volunteers and wanted to play a role which reached out and helped French communities that experienced the decimation left by the Germans. What this unit endured and accomplished was, simply said, remarkable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am not one to gravitate to historical fiction set in times of war, but I found this book to create the setting without too much gore. I loved the inclusion of actual letters and the level of research about this unit. With a large cast of characters it can be difficult to keep all their stories straight, but I did not find this to be much of a challenge with this book. I appreciated the personal changes in these women as the story progressed, especially seen through the lens of Kate’s character. What had been a group of strangers from different family backgrounds brought together for a common purpose, truly turned into a Band of Sisters who gave wholly of themselves to support one another and those around them.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book which was narrated by one of my favourite performers, Julia Whelan. I appreciated her tone, articulation and pacing of this story which assisted in keeping me engaged throughout. I listened to the book at my usual 1.25x speed and found this to be a comfortable listening experience. I would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version of the book to those that appreciate this format.

Thanks to Harper Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig
Pub Date: March 2,2021
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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This audio book copy is from #Netgalley and #harpercollins in exchange of an honest review.
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Based on real events carefully researched from archived letters, journals and diaries of the Smith College Alumni who went to war in France during the WWI, this beautiful historical fiction was narrated by Julia Whelan has captivAted my heart! Band of Sisters has served me with everything a perfect historical fiction a person can ever have. Fascinating history facts paired with graphic and dynamic description of the war in the front lines gave me chills and fear. A fictional representation of the characters inspired by the real unit members of the Smith College Relief Fund has the exceptional collection of complex characters, genuine personalities and most of all, badass girl power that left me so inspired! I believe there were good people everywhere but these women were fit for sainthood. The selfless contribution despite differences in class, social standing, religion, family background but shared the same common ground of being a Smith Alumni and the yearning to do good in the midst of such inhumane situations brought by war. The skills and strength they develop overtime, the compassion for others, the selfless commitment to help and the loyalty of friendship was very moving, heartening, encouraging with a high level of inspiration. It was written with intricate care and beauty and I love it so much! Kate Moran’s letter to her mom for Mother’s Day was my absolute favorite and has sealed the deal for a five star rating!
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Thank you @laurenwillig for giving us this kind of experience made possible by your work. Thank You Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy and Thank You Julia Whelan for a very spectacular narration!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Band of Sisters is a great historical fiction book. This is the first book I have read by this author. Band of Sisters is about a group of women from Smith College that formed the Smith College Relief Unit during WW1. It is made up of a group of women who want to do more than just the minimal work from afar. They set sail to France to aid women and children. They are sent closer to the front lines than they originally anticipated.

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
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Description from NetGalley...
“A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith’s Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation.

When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit.

Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions—all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned.”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @harper.audio for the ALC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
I wished I listened to the author’s note first, because it changed my perspective toward the book as a whole. Initially, it felt a lot of pages were used explaining the relationships between the women, Kate’s self-confidence issues and the “Smith Women” coming together and the general misunderstandings between the women that caused tensions. But, as I thought about it, it told of complexities of the female friendships. As the author shared, aside from the “social drama” of the author’s fictional characters, if something occurred in the story, it actually occurred in the unit. The book is based from a collection of letters the author found in a memoir and although all the women were fictional, they were closely inspired by the original women of the Smith Unit. It was a slow book, but the narrator was really good that brought to life the reality of survival, hardship and fear even while helping others.

I enjoy learning about history and reading about historical times. It seems I always learn something new. I had never heard of the Smith Unit before this book. There were so many who sacrificed in many ways we are still learning about during those times. Thanks to the author for researching and sharing the stories of these ladies.
I am thankful for the opportunity to read and advanced copy.

** I Received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
A story about a group of Smith college relief unit women recruited to help in France during WW I. They were not prepared to be so close to the line. They struggle and persevere.
Although there was so much that was interesting but overall, the book was dry. I found it hard to stay interested in each individual as a here was little personality on the page.

I received this audio book for a honest review. To my knowledge, I have never read or listened to any book by this author. It is based on WW1. I enjoyed this book. It is about a group of women (late teens/early twenties) that went close to the front lines to help the people in that area. I wondered about the characters and how the author came up with this idea for a book. At the end of the book, she explained that she came across some letters and that's how this book was born. It is a good book. Drags a little bit in the middle, though. Of course, there's arguments but everything works out. I did enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel. I have read many novels that take place during World War 2, and I have never read one about the Smith unit. I was so glad to learn so much about this piece of history, and I also loved all of the strong female characters in this novel. This is a must for fans of historical fiction!

Kate joins the Smith college Relief Unit in 1917 to help the French. They get there and realize that these people and this situation is way worse than they thought it would be.

Despite all they go through as a unit in France and among each other, they come together to make a difference and make lifelong friendships. In a time of war, they found each other and were the rock that each needed to lean on. This story made me want to call my "band of sisters" and catch up! It was a GREAT book!

A little too long. Although the story was good, a lot was lost by how long it was. Also most of the action happens at 75% into the audio. The characters were very unrelatable/unlikeable.

I loved this book- great stories and character development. Though it starts off slow at first, stick with it- when they get out of Paris, the story gets going. I did find Kate and her “pride” to be annoying- but I could imagine how she felt that way. I really loved Emmy and would want to be her friend. Julia- well we all know someone like her.

The author did extensive research and used actual correspondence of Smith college women to develop the story. I found it especially fascinating that just about all of the events in the book were real, and happened to the real women of the Smith College relief unit.
When there is danger some run from it and these ladies ran towards it. The story had touches of wry humor, romance and danger in the mix, but mostly it had heart- as a group of disparate women became first colleagues, then friends and in the end sisters.
Though I image that all of them have since passed away, they continue to inspire with their bravery and ingenuity. There are people in France today who owe their lives to these ladies (who saved their parents of grandparents). They left their comfortable lives to work in the mud and filth, to make a difference, and make a difference they did.
I listened to this as an audio book and it was excellent.
Highly recommend.

In 1917, a group of alumnae from Smith College departed for France to provide assistance to French citizens reeling from German invasion. This was their story, and it was amazing! I loved that it was a story about WWI; so many more historical fiction novels are written about WWII. I loved the narrator for her ability to narrate each character with a different voice and personality. Highly recommend!

I could not get into this book. I started listening to it several times and I couldn't get past a few minutes. I'm just not intrigued enough to push through and get into the content.

auren Willig has written many novels including those in her Pink Carnation series. This title is based on true events; during WWI a unit of Smith College graduates traveled to France to offer aid and assistance. These real life volunteers are acknowledged at the beginning of the novel.

The book’s protagonist, Kate, was a scholarship student at Smith. This experience left her with an excellent education and some feelings of insecurity despite her friendship with the wealthy, Emmie. A few years after graduation, Emmie recruits Kate to be one of the fictional band of sisters of the title. These “sisters” include the married woman in charge of the volunteers, two female physicians and the other Smithies. Their experiences in France and the interrelationships of the characters form the basis for the story.

This book has an interesting premise and the story is well told. I especially enjoyed the letters that begin each chapter. My only quibble was that, at times, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the characters. Many, but not all, had a trait or relationship that helps the reader to keep track.

Willig includes information at the novel on her historical sources and the ways in which her own education led to the writing of this title.

Of note: I alternated between listening to the audio of this title and reading it. The audio was well produced and engaging. It is so nice to be able to follow a story by doing both. Also, I note the beautiful cover of the novel; it drew me in.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my ow

Based on a true story, Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig, follows a group of Smith College graduates who have volunteered to help French civilians devastated by the Germans at the height of World War 1. These women leave their jobs to go abroad without much foresight into what they'll actually be doing there. This story was a beautiful tribute to the intricacies of female friendship including bonds, betrayal and forgiveness. The narrator of this audiobook, Julia Whelan, was incredible, as always. I absolutely love her narrations. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

Thank you Lauren Willig, Julia Whelan, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy this book, which is set to be published on March 2nd.

What initially drew me to this book was both the fact that it is historical fiction, and that Julia Whelan is the narrator. Since listening to her narrate The Great Alone (Kristin Hannah) she's been my favorite. Her ability to convey emotion and her timing is unparalleled.

Band of Sisters is an endearing story about friendship, bravery, trust, and discovering your true self. I had no idea about the relief unit from Smith College. I am always shocked at the level of information that isn't common knowledge about women's involvement in WWII. I immediately loved Emme and admired her commitment and sweetness. I eventually warmed to Kate and came to love her as well. She has such a chip on her shoulder. I also loved Julia- Emme's poor cousin who rises up and becomes a DOCTOR in spite of being a woman. She's a badass for sure.

Lovely descriptive writing! Excellent all around! I will be adding the Smith College Relief Unit to the long list of things I want to research!