This book was good!! I truly enjoyed it. I will say that it felt a little too long. Towards the end I felt ready for it to be over. But the story was captivating and I did enjoy it

If anyone told me that I would read a book focusing on the Vietnam War, I would have said they were crazy. I abhor graphic scenes of war and all the heartache that goes along with it. But then again, The Women is written by one of my favorite authors, so I gave it a whirl. Boy, am I glad that I did. This book took my heart and crushed it not once but several times. Nobody does it better than Kristin Hannah when it comes to developing multifaceted, well-developed characters. As far as I am concerned, The Women is the largest jewel in Kristin Hannah's crown. Will I forgive Hannah for not having Frankie end up with the guy I wanted? Hmmm... it may take a while or at least until her next book is published.

Frankie has always wanted her picture on her father’s hero wall in their home, but only men can be heroes. After her brother loses his life in Vietnam, Frankie joins the army as a nurse. Once she arrives she realizes she has no idea what she signed up for. She makes two lifelong friends who help her find her way. After she comes back home she is treated just like the men who have returned. Yelled at, called names and spit on. Her parents act like she hasn’t been to war and her father refuses to consider her a hero. The story reminded me of the tv show China Beach.
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Kristin Hannah does it again. From the moment I started this story, I could not stop reading it. Even though it was a 450+ page novel and historical fiction, which while I like, is not one of my top genres, this book is unputdownable. The characters, the plot, the stories, the historical details keep your attention the entire time.

I loved every single moment i spent with this book.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Women by Kristin Hannah was an incredible book.

The Women is the story of Frankie, a young American woman wanting to make a difference during the Vietnam war. She becomes a nurse and decides to enlist as an army nurse. From the moment she gets to Vietnam her life changes, she meets the best of friends, has to do a job she is not quite trained for and falls in love.

The story continues with Frankie going back home and dealing with serious PTSD and trying to get her life back on track when so much has changed in America.

I loved this book for so many reasons. The main character was flawed but likeable. Her story was graphic but necessary. Her life was complicated but captivating.

The Women is a book that will stay with you. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Frankie McGrath stares at the Wall of Heroes in her family home, photos of male family members who have served their country. When Rye, her brother’s classmate, points out that women can be heroes, she nurtures this idea and signs up as an Army nurse with the intention of following her brother Finley to Vietnam and possibly joining the family Wall. Finley is killed in action and Frankie faces two tours of horror and loss, seizing occasional moments of happiness. She forms deep friendships; some leading to heartbreak. She returns home, greeted by cursing, spitting and shouts of public hate. Her father denies her service; everywhere she turns, she hears disbelief that there were women in Vietnam. The years that follow bring alcohol and drug dependency, more heartbreak and loss of a career. Once again Kristin Hannah sheds light on a period in America’s history filled with shame and disillusionment. We read of demonstrations, accusations and attempts to help the forgotten POWs. Once again her readers experience a roller coaster of emotions through the characters and are enlightened along the way.

The Women
Author Kristin Hannah
(This review is based on an ARC sent to me by NetGalley)
Once again Ms Hannah has delivered an emotional story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage defines a generation of the Vietnam war.

When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these unexpected words, “Women can be heroes, too.” it is a revelation. Raised on idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl.
1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different choice for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
We follow a 20-year journey with Frankie, spanning two terms of her life as she struggles to save herself. She is thrown into chaos in the ER in Vietnam but quickly adapts as young GIs are delivered dying or badly wounded.
When she returns home her biggest disappointment is that she is regarded with disdain and not as a hero as the men are. Her family do not discuss the war and seem to be embarrassed by her.
Frankie’s battle with addiction and the disrespect she encounters is vividly portrayed by the author. We live through her emotions, vulnerability and much much more.
This is a hard book to put down but for historical fiction readers this is a must read.

This novel gutted me. I literally sobbed the way only Kristin Hannah can do. Thank you @stmartinspress for my early copy of Hannah’s upcoming new release.

THE WOMEN follows the story of Frances (Frankie) McGrath and her involvement in the Vietnam War. The novel goes DEEP into the throws of war, and spares no detail nor expense as Frankie’s life is starkly altered by death, destruction and the world of differences during her time in Vietnam.

The beginning takes us on Frankie’s tour of Vietnam, the friendships and unbreakable bonds she builds, but the utter devastation and heartbreak that is a war ravaged nation. I could NOT stop reading during this part of the book. Seriously flying through the mortar shells, monsoon seasons, and MASCALs she experiences. Kristin Hanna is the ultimate historical researcher, while at the same time a master at building fictional characters. Combined, she really can’t be topped.

The novel then follows Frankie’s life upon returning to the States, to a country that doesn’t believe she was in the war (can’t tell you how many times she was told “women don’t go to war.”) doesn’t want to talk about her experiences, and sadly doesn’t want to help her. This was infuriating to me, as we watch Frankie struggle and grasp at ghosts and straws to seek solace in her places of comfort, rather than getting her the help she needs.

The final 3rd of the novel, set into Frankie’s future as she continues to find herself and the end of the novel absolutely gutted me in both a beautiful way, and unexpectedly. I had a moment of “I knew it!” and then another SHOCKING moment I wasn’t expecting. LOVED IT!

While the novel spans almost a couple decades, it felt like Frankie and I were just taking a walk around the neighborhood, talking about life. Such a beautifully written story about an incredible character, this has become my new favorite Hannah novel.

Thank you @stmartinspress for the #gifted copy of this e-arc!

I have such a hard time putting into words how much I loved this book. Did Kristin do her usual tear my heart out…stomp on it…wait I’m not done yet let me rip it out and stomp on it some more…oh wait a few more just in case?! Yes, yes she did. Would I have it any other way? No, no I would not. This book should come with a box of tissues for sure!

Ok, ok so what is it about? A woman named Frankie who heads off to Vietnam to serve her country. It’s the story of her saving lives as a nurse through love, loss, betrayal and heartbreak. It also explores the after effect of that war and her struggle to make ends meet when she returns home. It was quite eye opening and shocking to see how the country treated the returning veterans. I don’t want to give too much away from the plot perspective but let me just say it was intense.

Thoughts: Frankie broke my heart over and over and over. Her loss was palpable and I cried so many times in this damn book because it felt real. Thank you Kristin for giving Frankie her two best friends. Without them, I am not sure I would have survived this book. Their unwavering love and loyalty for each other was so heartwarming to see. I had so many feelings of sadness, despair, happiness and anger that I was quite shocked I ran the whole gambit of feelings in this one. This is hands down, not a doubt in my mind a 5 million star book. Do yourself a favor people and add this book to your list to buy for yourself, your mom, your neighbor and all of your friends. Thank you Kristin, do we really have to wait 3 more years for your next book? Please say no! 🤣

With her last three historical novels (The Nightingale, Four Winds and now The Women), Kristin Hannah has emerged as a master storyteller with great insight and empathy - illuminating not only past, but also contemporary issues relating to women. All three books are among my favorites. This current novel touched me deeply – not only by the author’s evocative word crafting, but also because it parallels some of my own experience as a nursing student/nurse during this turbulent era.

Frances McGrath naively joins the only branch of the military that will accept a newly minted nurse for combat duty. As a member of the Army Nurse Corps, she is horrified by the terrifying, primitive conditions she encounters at an Evac hospital in Vietnam. The first half of the book covers her “In country” experiences and the latter half addresses the challenges of re-entering society after the trauma of war. Her character is easy to embrace as wholly believable and sympathetic in her idealism and disillusionment.

The author mentions that she was in grade and middle school during this period and noted that she delayed writing the book until she felt she was mature enough to do it justice. She has obviously done a stellar job in her research (including the music references), and I applaud her wisdom in waiting for the appropriate timing. This is the type of powerful writing that changes perspective and lives. I highly recommend it.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

There should be a 10-star option for this book!
I am in awe of the talent and brilliantness of Kristin Hannah. Her ability to tell a story is sublime and immersive and I feel hollowed out yet optimistic after reading The Women. I cried so much reading the first part of this novel - Hannah's skill with words is incredible. Frankie's experience of Vietnam was haunting, beautiful, joyous and horrific and the reader was drawn into every MASCAL and downtime experience. I raged at the injustice of being a veteran returning home from the Vietnam War to civilians who spat on them rather than show compassion and gratitude. My heart broke for Frankie for every loss she suffered. Women were in Vietnam and they were heroes too.
Every human on the planet needs to read this book.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I am humbled to have read this extraordinary piece of writing.

Can you go wrong with any Kristin Hannah book? No, you cannot. This book continues with her typical engrossing writing style, and it was hard for me to put the book down. Loved every single second of this story and 10/10 recommend for everyone!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book and it was SO GOOD! I was immediately drawn in to the stories of the heroic women who served in the Vietnam War. Hannah writes a compelling story about real female characters and the pain and struggle they went through while serving the US Army as nurses. Once I started this book, it was hard to put down and I highly recommend this spectacular title!

Kristin Hannah is at the top of her game with this sweeping epic novel, centering around the nurses who came to Vietnam to aid the war effort and were largely forgotten or ignored by history.

Francis aka "Frankie" is a wealthy California girl with a future that inevitably will flow seamlessly into marriage, children, country club membership, and charitable activities. However, Frankie feels that she is destined for so much more than the status quo. When her beloved older brother Finn decides to sign up to go to Vietnam, she is inspired to follow his path and put her nursing skills to the test by joining the Army Nursing Corps. Her conservative, wealthy parents are horrified by her decision as much as they were pleased by her brother's "heroic" decision to enlist.

Frankie is unprepared for the horrors that await her in Vietnam. It becomes abundantly clear that what is being reported in the media sharply differs from reality. Frankie's friendship with fellow nurses Barb and Ethel sustain her as they initiate her into nursing on the front lines and show her how to survive in the midst of war. She also experiences romantic relationships for the first time in the form of a dedicated doctor and her brother's best friend whom she encounters on an unexpected outing.

When her tour of duty has ended, Frankie returns to a politically divided America that largely abhors her involvement in Vietnam. Without the support of her Barb and Ethel and largely misunderstood by her family and friends, Frankie struggles to find purpose and peace in this strange new world.

Hannah's novel spans twenty years and takes us through all of the stages of Frankie's personal journey to reconcile the past and look towards a more promising future. Hannah is a master storyteller that holds the reader enthrall with this work of historical fiction. The emotionally charged ending will thoroughly satisfy the reader.

As a long-time reader of Hannah's body of work, The Nightingale has always been my favorite novel-but The Women may now compete with it for the top spot.

This is a book not to be missed.

Kristin Hannah certainly knows how to make a story move and her latest book about women volunteering as nurses in Vietnam will hold readers' attention. Frankie McGrath comes from a well-off California home but decides to honor her brother who is killed in the early years of the Vietnam conflict by becoming an army nurse. Frankie makes it through basic training but is woefully unprepared of the horrors of a combat field hospital. She struggles to succeed and does with the help of veteran nurses Ethel and Barb. Hannah shoehorns in many horrific scenes in the operating rooms and we feel the exhaustion of the nurses and doctors who self-medicate with alcohol. Frankie does make it home but her life is in shambles as she turns to heavy drinking and drugs. There is some repetitive writing with Ethel and Barb showing up each time Frankie stumbles. A romance covering years of war seems contrived and a bit hokey but the author's fans will forgive that in favor of a story about a woman pulling herself out of misery and life-threatening habits.

🤩 Many thanks to St. Martins Press, NetGalley, and Kristin Hannah for this advanced copy of the book!
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Kristin Hannah is one of my absolute favorite authors. She knows how to develop storylines and characters that stick with you long after you finish the book. Much like her other books I've read over the years, this book will remain in my heart and mind for a long time. Why? I resonated with the protagonist, Frankie, a woman and a nurse who wanted to do life on her terms despite what societal norms dictate, and she wanted to make a difference in the world by helping others. As a woman and a nurse, I found myself thinking a lot about my life and the choices I've made along the way and wondering often if I'm leaving my stamp on the world. Frankie endured so much between when she signed up to serve as a nurse in the army and when she returned to the States after her overseas tours. It was an incredible story of resilience, self-discovery, believing in oneself, and learning from mistakes. I also loved the friendships that she formed throughout this book. Every friendship taught her something about life. Her relationship with her parents was also interesting and highlighted the honest thoughts people had about women serving in the military that were held during the Vietnam War. If you love historical fiction like me, this book is a must-read!

I admit. This book sat for a long time after I received an arc because while I love Kristin Hannah, and her books are always a hit with me- they also emotionally gut punch me and I feel so sad for days - there are still books that I will randomly think about while shopping. Reading something else. Talking with friends- and most of the time, it’s one of kristins. This is an amazing feat, and yet I don’t want to get attached- because I know I will get attached. I wanted to slowly read this- as the topics hit close to home this time around. When I dove in, I dove in deep and I felt rage at the very end - “her government did this to her” is written, and man- the punches!

Thank you Kristin, for shining a light.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this beautiful, impactful book.

If you’ve never read a Kristin Hannah- read this one. However, know you will be feeling for days with this one.

Incredible, as always. Hannah writes the story of the women who serve as nurses in the Vietnam war, and the aftermath of returning home for the veterans. I learned so much, was devastated and heartbroken all along the way. Healing from trauma is a tremendous task, and the way Hannah tackled Frankie’s PTSD was so immersive and sad. The stories that emerge from true history are so important.

This book did well at making me feel angry, sad, enraged, and disgusted over women’s roles during the Vietnam War being ignored and disrespected. There were a lot of cliché, cringey lines and moments and unnecessary plot that felt like filler. However, I really appreciated the portrayal of PTSD and perspective of women’s experiences during and after the war. The Vietnam War isn’t something I have read a lot about so I enjoyed learning more. My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so important, and it is possibly my favorite historical fiction book I have ever read.

Kristin Hannah writes the gripping story of Frances McGrath, self-proclaimed “good girl” who has always done what her parents wanted… until she volunteers to become a nurse in Vietnam. What follows is a girl’s journey to womanhood with the backdrop of war, loss, grief, love, friendship, togetherness, and hope. I loved following Frances on this journey. Her experiences, both overseas and back in America, made me feel the whole range of emotions; I cared about her so much. I also loved the portrayal of female friendships. The relationship between Frances, Ethel, and Barb is unforgettable. This is such an important story told with tenderness and care. Kristin Hannah is truly a master at what she does.

I am very grateful for being able to read an advanced copy of this book!