I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

A bit of an emotional roller coaster but another excellent read from Kristin Hannah!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This book gave me all the feels!! It was so refreshing to read a female driven war story that was about the Vietnam war. It was such a tumultuous and scary time for our country. Hannah took us from beginning to end with Frankie and I felt everything she went through. Very few writers can do that for me. A must read!!! Highly, highly recommend.

Omg! What an amazing book! I've read several of Kristin's books and loved them! The Nightingale has always been my favorite but this one has bumped it out of first place! This book is an important read, all Americans should read it. Not just those who lived through that time in history but everyone, because the things that happened during and after the Vietnam war have affected all of us in some way. Having grown up during the time span this book covers, I got goosebumps reading it. So many little things that touched my memories, down to smells and tastes remembered. Kristin really did a good job re-creating memories of that time. The feelings that are portrayed by the characters triggered so much for me. She took me right back to a time in my life, and things I went through that I had forgotten. I went through a range of emotions just like the main character. Tears, some laughs and some anger at the injustices against women. This book will show readers just how far women have come. Such an important book about an important time in our history.

When I was approved by NetGalley for this book, it immediately became a high priority read for me! And as always, Kristin Hannah did not disappoint! This one feels so personal, and although fiction, you will know it is truly the story of many women who served in Vietnam. Born in 1962, I was very much on the peripheral only vaguely hearing of older cousins awaiting their number to be called. I grew up surrounded by a father and uncles who served in WWII and like Frankie, that patriotism was what I knew. It wasn't until I was older and my social circle expanded that I really knew anyone who served during Vietnam, and it wasn't anything any of them freely spoke about.
In The Women, Hannah tells Frankie McGrath's gripping story. Raised by parents who touted the heroism of serving in the military, when her brother leaves for his tour in Vietnam, Frankie impulsively joins the Army Nurses Corp to also serve, be with her brother and make her parents and country proud. Thrown into the fire, she sees things that cannot be unseen and Frankie comes home a changed women to a changed country.
This is a profound novel, that calls to attention the many women who selflessly sacrificed so much for so little thanks. They were the lifeline for the lives whom they cared with compassion, and their touch was the last felt by too many. As Hannah masterfully does, I cried with Frankie in her grief, her frustration and her anger. Such a powerful story so beautifully and intimately told.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Kristen Hannah for entrusting me with this moving arc. And thank you to Kristen Hannah for bringing this story to light. I very highly recommend!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress & @kristinhannahauthor herself for allowing me early access to this book! It publishes next year on February 6th.

If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. Kristin Hannah outdid herself here. I didn’t think she could write another feminine-focused war story that would top The Nightingale, but guys, this one just may have done that.

Part 1 focuses on FMC, Frankie, who volunteers at the ripe age of 21 to ship out to Vietnam and become an Army Corps nurse. Hannah constructed this so brilliantly that I felt like I was in the thick of it right alongside her. It was gutting reading about the wounded coming in and the nurses doing everything in their power to save them – all while trying to stay safe themselves.

Part 2 is about Frankie returning home, forever changed by war, and trying to rebuild her life. Guys, this was rough. Frankie faced so much heartbreak and loss all while battling her undiagnosed PTSD. Even knowing Hannah’s emotional writing... I was unprepared.

Kristin Hannah gave a voice to *the women*, something she continues to do in all her historical fiction novels. Her books are always beautiful, educational, and eye-opening – some of the many reasons why she is my favorite author.

I’ll probably have to reflect on it for a bit, but this very well might be my favorite KH novel to date, and that means that it will become one of my all-time favorite books, period. I truly can’t recommend it highly enough. READ THIS BOOK!!

The Women

“How was she supposed to put the pieces of her life back together when she kept breaking apart?”

This is now my fourth book written by Kristin Hannah and may just be her best yet. I am incredibly grateful to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. This will be a long review, please bear with me.

France “Frankie” McGrath has lived a privileged, sheltered life on Coronado Island in California. She is now a young nurse, still living in her parent’s mansion on the beach. As they celebrate her brother shipping off to fight in Vietnam, his best friend’s words strike a chord- “Women can be heroes, too.” Tragically, her brother is killed in action, prompting Frankie to enlist as an Army Corps Nurse, effective immediately.

First and foremost- this read is not for the faint of heart. The ruthless guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Viet Cong army, coupled with the use of napalm and indiscriminate violence employed by the US army- casualties and injuries were gristly and plentiful. As a nurse, Frankie is treating both American soldiers as well as the Vietnamese civilians (typically children, women and elderly) who are caught in the crossfire. These scenes are important and show the depth of these women’s courage, but are absolutely brutal to experience through Hannah’s carefully chosen words.

While her wartime experience is harrowing, where my heart ultimately broke for Frankie when she returns home. I am choosing to be intentionally vague but the way this country has and continues to treat veterans, and especially those dealing with PTSD is devastating. As in any Hannah book, there is romance. And just like any other Hannah book- these romances find new ways to break readers’ hearts. The Women shows three important romantic relationships which both help to break up and add to Frankie’s trauma and heartache.

However, as evident in the title, it is the women in Frankie’s life who prove to be the most influential. Barb and Ethel, her first and best friends made during her deployment, truly shape and define who Frankie is and will become. Who continue to show up for Frankie even when she can no longer show up for herself.

Hannah covers so much ground in The Women without ever feeling overreaching. The settings are so immersive. From watching the sunset over the Pacific ocean in Coronado Island, to the OR in an EVAC hospital in Vietnam, to the anti war protests of the 70s- I was enthralled feeling part of the action.

This book physically made my heart ache. I felt both extremely proud of these women and also so angry over their continual mistreatment. The Women also prompted important conversations between my husband and our parents about their experiences being children living in the US during Vietnam.

This will hands down be one of the best books I’ve read in 2023 and am sure it will be a huge hit when it releases in 2024- I strongly encourage all readers to read The Women.

“We were there.”

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Readers of “The Great Alone” will absolutely love this book as well. This is a story of the unnoticed heroes of Vietnam…. The nurses.

Frankie makes a decision to go to Vietnam to serve as a nurse but with that comes heartache, brokenness and eventually renewal. She meets two fellow nurses and they form an unexplainable bond that can never be broken. They are there for each other through thick and thin.

Along the way she meets Jamie, Rye and Henry—all who bring her tremendous joy at different parts of her life.and also bring pain.

Join Frankie on her journey, you won’t be disappointed.

Wow I had to take the day and really process my thoughts after finishing “The Women.” Kristin Hannah created another masterpiece. “The Women” follows Frankie and her time spent as a volunteer Army Corps nurse during the Vietnam War. She initially joins to follow her brother but finds a bigger purpose within herself after she experiences the lows of the lows and the highs of the highs. I’m telling you my girl Frankie was going THROUGH IT. I cried, I laughed, and I was so sad when it ended. You never really hear about the women in Vietnam. I’m so glad I read this one. 5/5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kristin Hannah for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a fan of Kristen Hannah's work, I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of The Women. Having grown up in the 70's the subject matter really hit home. I recall those turbulent times with the protests of the Vietnam War and the reality of veterans coming home and being treated so poorly, certainly not like the WW vets. The story of the nurses, who were truly in combat, and the lack of recognition of their significant part in the war was enlightening. I appreciate the focus Hannah has provided for those who served during this very difficult period. I highly recommend The Women!

This book is:
-Waking up with a broken heart
-The waves hitting the sand
-Your best friend holding your hand


I was fairly certain before, but this book cemented it for me. Kristin Hannah is my #1 favorite author of all time.

I've read many of her books, and each one leaves me feeling raw and awakened in a different way. Multiple are in my "top books of all times" list. This book was no different. I binged all 480 pages in less than 24 hours. This will likely be my favorite book of 2023.

The Women broke my heart, opened me up, and then put me back together again. In the months leading up to reading the eARC of this book, Kristin Hannah kept posting on Instagram how this was her favorite protagonist she's written. I think I have to agree. Resolute, real, and relatable, the protagonist of this book, Frankie, is a character that you can't help rooting for. Each of the characters and their relationships with Frankie are explored beautifully, and the thematic message of the power of female friendships hit close to come.

I haven't read many books about the Vietnam War, and it is so clear to me that Kristin Hannah did her research. It's hard to write about something so ugly in such a beautiful, poetic prose but, once again, Hannah's done it. And the ending...I can't put into words its perfection.

Devastatingly beautiful, this book provides an inside look at the Vietnam war from a woman's perspective, and the political, social, and personal impact it had.

The Women is a captivating read the tells the stories of the women who served as nurses in Vietnam and the world they returned home to. Tragic, emotional, and intense. Kristin Hannah crafted a novel that really makes the reader feel like they are in the story. A page turner that had me hooked from page one. I was always eager to pick this up and dive back into the story and it will stay with me long after I’ve finished.

Another good Kristin Hannah read. I am always excited to read her latest book as I love historical fiction and her writing. I can’t recall a novel I’ve read that was set in Vietnam. The war scenes felt real and were hard to read. Some parts of the story were predictable and it felt a tad like she threw in the kitchen sink of everything that went on with Vietnam vets and I still highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release.

Love Kristin Hannah and this book did not disappoint. Love the strong bonds of women and Frankie was beautiful. She found a way to bring attention to a taboo topic. Was rooting for her to have a family but thrilled with the ending. Thanks for the ARC (Netgalley) and thanks to Kristin Hannah. Reminded me of her Homefront.

This book was amazing! It pulls you in and never lets go, even after you are finished. The story was written perfectly. It makes you feel every emotion intensely. The characters are people you can connect with on so many levels. A must read for everyone! Every one needs to understand this piece of history!

Every single time I finish a Kristin Hannah Novel, I turn the last page and think to myself that there’s no way there will ever be a book as good as this one.

And then she writes another book.

And here we are again. Just like with all of her previous novels, I am an absolute emotional wreck – in the best way – after reading it. And just when I thought my tears had dried, I reached the last paragraph of the acknowledgements which brought me to my knees.

Kristin Hannah writes of women in the direst of circumstances and tells the stories of their determination and grit to not only survive but to help others along the way. This is no different. It’s the journey of a woman through tragedy and triumph and all those harrowing steps between.

I absolutely recommend this one with my highest praise. It’s an absolute must read. Don’t miss it.

My thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

This was Kristin Hannah at her best. Gripping prose that left me unable to tear myself away. The Vietnam war is a time I know little about. Hannah took this terrible time in history and created a heroine that is unforgettable. Frankie and all her damage worms her way into your heart. This is a book about women their strength, their resilience and their love for each other. What these women went through and then to come back to a world were they were unrecognized and unhelped is just tragic. This book will stay with you long after you read the last page. Glimmers of hope and love amid tragedy will keep this book at the top of my list this year!

First of all let me say that I was teenager during the Vietnam War so I have a fairly firsthand reference point for the young Frankie. It is entirely believable that she could have been so naïve at the beginning. That being said, the rest of the book with her descent and survival is written in such a “telling” rather than “showing” manner, that it makes me wonder if this was authored by the same person who wrote the magnificent Nightingale. The Women deals with a tough subject and it felt like Hannah just wanted to get through it as quickly as possible.

I’ve read and loved many of Kristin Hannah’s novels. This one did not disappoint! While (spoiler alert) Frankie loses many of the men in her life, she becomes keenly aware of her own strength and determination. I especially loved the ending. Her desire to forge her own path to serve and honor the unrecognized nurses of the Vietnam War was admirable.

Amazing! I was in junior high and high school during the Vietnam War and I was near tears if not in tears through much of this novel. Kristin Hannah brought the period to life. This was a time when women’s accomplishments and abilities were so undervalued and went without recognition. Hannah is an amazingly gifted storyteller. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This novel is definitely destined to be a best seller in my opinion.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Net Galley and Kristin Hannah for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I love Kristin Hannah's books. Every time a new book is coming out, I know one thing: I'll be spending time reading a great plot, learning things about humans and sometimes history, and will come away better than I was when I started the book.
The main point of the plot is that Frankie, a young woman from a San Diego family. They are wealthy, and her dad puts a lot of pride into his "Wall of Heroes," from their family. As the Vietnam war begins, Frankie wants to do her part. The amount of research that goes into the author's books shows in every sentence. You feel like you have experienced what's happening, you feel for these wonderful characters. You get angry on their behalf. I cried for thes soldiers, I cried for the women who didn't get the credit they more than deserved.
She also described PTSD so well, I am certain she talked to veterans of these times. This book wasn't a downer; to me it was more about resilience, family, expectations and more. I am not doing a good job with this review, which sometimes happens when I love a book this much. 5 stars---more if I could,
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