this book was incredible and only kristin hannah can write a book about the vietman war that I’ll love. this book spanned so much time yet I never thought it felt rushed. the most successful part of this novel, in my opinion, was the development of main character, frankie. I grew to really love her character and felt her pain so immensely when reading. I experienced such a range of emotions throughout this novel and while there is definitely some difficult content (would issue a tw), everything is drawn together in such a beautiful way. overall, such a job well done.

I experienced a heaviness and profound sadness throughout much of the book. Yet I believe this to be an accurate depiction of how women and Vietnam veterans were treated. I’ve been to the Vietnam War memorial in D.C. and wished I would have read something like this first to fully appreciate & grasp the realities of the Vietnam war and all the stories behind each name on the wall.
We (women) were there -indeed!!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review an advanced read copy.

Kristin Hannah has brought another time in history to the written page. This time it’s Vietnam and the war that changed so much. Frances McGrath decides to join the military as a nurse after her brother leaves for service. She comes from a wealthy, staunchly traditional family where women are supposed to get married and have children. Her news of going to war is not well received by Mom and Dad. Part 1 of the book deals with her life as a nurse in Vietnam and all the horrible things that she sees while also meeting her best friends and the people who will change her life forever. Part 2 of the book tells about how difficult it was for Frankie and other soldiers to return to civilian life. PTSD, drug use, alcoholism and depression was rampant throughout the lives of soldiers returning from war. Protests, demonstrations and animosity from the citizens made their recovery and assimilation even more difficult, Even male veterans don’t accept the women of Vietnam service. They say, “No women went to war,” Frankie finds a way to “recover” and help other women of the Vietnam war to recover too. This is a beautiful book about the strength of women, their resilience and heroism.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is another beautifully written historical novel, which we've come to expect from Hannah. This time she follows Frankie McGrath who joins the Nursing Corp after her brother ships off to Vietnam. Her life through the 60s and 70s, her time at the front lines and her life as she returns from war are personal and devastating as the world treats the men with disdain and dismisses the women who served, saying there were no women at the front lines. The women is a deeply loving novel, no matter how you felt about the Vietnam War. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced copy!
I absolutely devoured this book. I love Kristin Hannah's writing. If it can go wrong it will! I thought the characters were very likeable, even the male ones. Frankie was a wonderful main character and carried the book well. I learned a lot about the Vietnam War. Due to the subject matter, the book tackles a lot of difficult subjects and I thought that was done well and with respect. I definitely recommend if you like historical fiction!

This will most likely be my favorite read of 2023! I was never a big history fan in school, but this historical fiction novel was captivating to the point I did more research in the Vietnam War after reading this. Reading a women’s POV of the war and what it was like in the 60’s was a great perspective. Being told there weren’t women in the war is clearly untrue and the women who served should be celebrated too. “Women can be heroes too.” Frankie’s story was one I couldn’t put down. Such an emotional story but one that I won’t forget.

The Women by Kristen Hannah ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I enjoyed this book about female nurses in Vietnam, especially the first half. That was my era & it was good to read about this awful war that has all too often been ignored & veterans dishonored for being there. I felt as though I was right there with them & was rooting for them. The second half after coming home from overseas was more difficult to read, but also a realistic view of PTSD. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

I’m not really sure where to begin. I don’t want to put out any spoilers. But wow. What a story. Tragedy. Hope. Heroism. Redemption. Kristin Hannah is gifted in her craft. I was fully immersed in Frankie’s story from the first page. From a good girl from a wealthy family to army nurse in the most horrific circumstances, to a broken woman, to a hopeful end, I couldn’t stop reading. In a nation that refused to see the Vietnam veterans as heroes, women were treated even more harshly, as if they weren’t even there, holding the hands of dying men, saving lives. I rooted for Frankie to find love and family throughout the story, but something even better happened, she found herself. Well done Mrs Hannah. Well done.

I don’t normally read historical fiction, but this topic intrigues me, and I totally trusted this author because I read many of her books over the years. I found Frankie’s story riveting, emotionally relevant, brilliantly written and more than all of that…. This book is important. I was a young teenager during the years of the Vietnam war in my memories of it all are very hazy. The story of the nurses in Vietnam brought me clarity as to what the war’s ramifications were.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely my favorite book of 2023, I devoured it. Kristin Hannah has done it again! This is a story chock full of sacrifice and survival, but also about love. The love that supports individuals through dark and hard times. Love from friends, family and most importantly, from within. I want to shout out to my nursing friends, to my friends who lived through losing friends or family to the war, and so many others READ THIS BOOK!

Having grown up during the Vietnam Era, I saw first hand much of the pain and division that Hannah so deftly describes. As a nurse, I have cared for many veterans and the author perfectly captures the emotional effects of war that they experienced. Young Frankie, newly out of nursing school, impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corp to follow her brother to Vietnam and to hopefully gain her father's respect and a place on her father's 'hero wall' in his study. What follows is Frankie's tumultuous time in Vietnam, and her return home with no hero's welcome, parades, or respect. In fact, straight off the plane she was spat on and bullied for being a part of the Vietnam War.

In the second half of the novel Frankie returns home and struggles with reintegration to civilian life while dealing with grief over a fellow soldier and lover who was shot down weeks before being returned home. She is shamed by her countrymen for participating in the war and not recognized as a veteran because she was a woman. "There were no women in Vietnam." But most of all, she does not receive recognition or respect from her father.

Frankie's character development was phenomenal, from a young, naive nurse to a hardened and emotionally wounded veteran. Frankie's struggles had me constantly rooting for her, and she was definitely a hero, both in the war, and as a person. Her painful journey was artfully portrayed by the author and I literally felt her emotions. I cried, I got angry, I had to put the book down and walk away at times. Without giving away any more of the story, I will end with one of my favorite lines from the book: "Trying to forget trauma only gave grim memories a fecund soil in which to grow."

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

We all know that the Vietnam vets came home to a terrible reception, with fellow Americans spitting on them and screaming hateful things at them after they gave their service to their country. Is it any wonder that so many vets suffered from drug and alcohol addiction and unrecognized PTSD? Yet we never hear about the women. Here at last is an incredible novel describing what it was like for the nurses in the field hospitals of Vietnam and the issues they dealt with upon their return.

Hannah uses her ability to immerse the reader in the scene of her novels, to put you right in the pre op tent, the OR, and the officers club as well as inside their heads to experience the complicated emotions of her characters. This is a story of friendship, forgiveness, finding yourself, as well as about the ravages of war.

As a woman who grew up in the 60's and 70's this novel brought back so many memories of the TV news, the protests at Kent state, the release of the POW's, and the silver bracelet I wore all through middle school with the name of an unreleased prisoner of war. It also gave me a better understanding of why both my uncles who served came back with life long mental health issues and my brother in law still struggles with the side effects from Agent orange. I've loved almost all of this authors books but this just topped the list as my favorite.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for providing me with a digital review copy in return for an honest review.

I just this minute finished this remarkable novel by Kristin Hannah. The research that was done on this story was outstanding. I found myself living and breathing these words, sometimes holding my breath, sometimes yelling out loud and many times having to start sentences over because the tears were flowing steadily. The story of Frankie McGrath, her volunteering to go off to war, and her experiences were so very, very real. I could feel the heat, the soaking rain, the smells, that was how powerful the descriptions were. It would be a great asset if this became required reading for every class that is studying the Vietnam War. I have to say, The Women, is one of the most powerful novels I have ever read.

Thank You to NetGalley, The Publisher, St. Martin’s Press and the Extremely Talented Author Kristin Hannah for allowing me to read this very important, moving novel. Well Done!



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I liked this book. A lot. But it was not my favorite Kristen Hannah book
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While the book was interesting and my attention was captured immediately as I got to know the story. I felt it dragged and was a bit redundant. Overall it could have been shorter

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the pleasure of reading Kristin Hannah's new novel. As with all of her writing, I truly felt immersed in the story. In this case, n the experiences of Frances McGrath and her fellow women who served in the Vietnam War and came home to a nation who would not acknowledge her service. This novel was told beautifully and handled delicate subjects such as war service, PTSD, addiction, and more. I would highly recommend this book to others!

The Women” by Kristin Hannah offers a poignant and engaging narrative set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s, seamlessly weaving together the personal journey of a young woman and the societal upheavals of the era. The author, known for her masterful storytelling, delivers yet again with this tale of courage, sacrifice, and self-discovery.

Hannah’s portrayal of twenty-year-old nursing student Frankie McGrath is both intimate and relatable, as we witness her transformation from a sheltered young woman to a brave Army Nurse Corps member. The story brilliantly captures the emotional conflict Frankie faces as she navigates the chaos and destruction of the Vietnam War while also grappling with the changes and divisions in her homeland.

The novel’s overarching theme, “Women can be heroes, too,” resonates powerfully as Frankie’s journey unfolds. The author skillfully shines a light on the often-overlooked stories of women who, like Frankie, ventured into harm’s way to serve their country. This tale of sacrifice and commitment, set against the backdrop of a politically divided America, reminds readers of the forgotten heroism of those who put their lives on the line for the greater good.

Kristin Hannah’s prose is nothing short of exquisite, painting a vivid picture of both the emotional turmoil of war and the societal shifts of the 1960s. The depth of insight and the lyrical beauty of her writing draw readers into Frankie’s world, making her an unforgettable heroine whose ideals and courage epitomize a generation’s spirit.

While “The Women” is undeniably a moving and emotionally charged narrative, some readers may find certain portions of the story to be overwhelming due to its unflinching portrayal of war’s horrors. Additionally, the intertwining of personal and historical events may occasionally lead to a sense of disjointedness.

In conclusion, “The Women” is a novel that pays tribute to the strength and resilience of women who have played pivotal roles in tumultuous times. Kristin Hannah’s storytelling prowess shines through as she crafts a compelling narrative that touches both heart and mind. While not without its challenges, this book is a valuable addition to anyone’s reading list, offering a fresh perspective on a defining era and the unsung heroes who emerged from it.

Rating: 4/5 stars

I love historical fiction, simply for its ability to make events accessible. We connect to stories, not dates and war treaties. While reading this I would get teary. Remembering uncles who served in Vietnam, Polaroids hung up of old friends in the garage. My own friends and family served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The mirrors between the two conflicts were striking for me. Our government still lies. The world still doesn’t make sense, as much as we feel that it should.

Overall, I liked The Women. The plot was well done, with good pacing. It makes me want to go down a Vietnam rabbit hole and rewatch MASH, which is a sign that a historical fiction piece has done well in bringing that period to life. My only complaint is Rye’s character. I feel Frankie could have had her development in Part III without him, or with just his loss remaining in Vietnam. The drama surrounding him felt unnecessary and very much a plot device to me. I want to know more about Barb and Ethel. The ending was okay, I liked the way things wrapped up overall.

OMG! I predict that “The Women” by Kristin Hannah will be a best seller and one of the most influential books 2024. I am so grateful to receive an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, and I have a reader hang-over from this powerful novel. I am a fan of Kristin Hannah and highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel. The genres for this book are Historical Fiction, Adult Women, Sisterhood, and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this novel centers around the Vietnam War and the women who participated and were forgotten. This was a highly unpopular war, which resonates with me as I lived during this time. Many young men taught in particular New York City areas to avoid the draft. When I first started teaching, there were more male teachers. The music of the time, folk songs, “Hair,” and protests still make me think of this time.

Kristin Hannah is a fantastic writer and storyteller who visually describes everything. The author uses our senses to depict the war and lifestyle: we see it, feel it, smell it, touch it, and taste it. The author describes her dramatic and colorful characters as complex, complicated, courageous, and flawed. Many young people who volunteered or were drafted were innocent and unaware of what happened during the war. The story’s protagonist, Frances “Frankie” McGrath, volunteers to serve as a Nurse after her brother is killed. The Army is the only branch of the government to accept her. Frankie makes lifetime friendships with other women.

Frankie and these other women heal and comfort soldiers torn apart physically and emotionally during dangerous and risky times. Women weren’t recognized as being in Vietnam during and after the war. The author discusses the effects of war on the participants, their lives, and their families.

I recommend having some Kleenex nearby, as this is such an emotional story. Kudos to Kristin Hannah for the hours of research and writing about an era that has been forgotten. I highly recommend this amazing book.

Kristin Hannah takes on the vast topic of the Vietnam War, specifically women in the Vietnam War. As a child of the 70s myself, the Vietnam War was in the news and affected family members in my family. But WOW, I had no idea what went on over there. Or how Americans treated the Vietnam Vets when they returned. Hannah does a fabulous job of making the reader feel like they are there in the action and at times, it’s a lot to take in. Overall, the story of Frankie McGrath and her family is written seamlessly with the War in the forefront. It was sad but the ending left me satisfied. Thank you for the chance to read this story.

No notes. It’s amazingly heartbreaking and empowering and moving. The description of the setting and the feelings are crystal clear, almost unbearably so. I loved this book and recommend to everyone.

"The Women" is an absolute gem of a book that left me profoundly moved and inspired. This novel takes you on a remarkable journey through the tumultuous 1960s, offering a unique perspective through the eyes of Frankie McGrath, a brave young nursing student turned Army nurse. From the tranquil shores of Coronado Island to the chaos of the Vietnam War and the tumultuous homecoming in a divided America, Frankie's story is one of resilience, idealism, and unwavering courage.

The author's ability to bring to life the emotional depth and complexity of Frankie's character is nothing short of remarkable. Frankie's transformation from a sheltered, good girl to a strong and determined woman who puts herself in harm's way to help others is both compelling and heartwarming. Her journey mirrors the struggles and sacrifices of countless women who have often been forgotten in history.

"The Women" is not just a novel; it's a tribute to the unsung heroes, the women who served their country with unwavering commitment and grace. The storytelling is poignant, the prose is beautifully lyrical, and the insights into the human spirit are both searing and profound.

This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling, well-crafted characters, and a deep exploration of the human experience. It's a reminder of the extraordinary strength that can be found in ordinary individuals when faced with extraordinary circumstances. "The Women" is a timeless and touching masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.