Wow! What an emotional, page gripping read. I enjoy historical fiction, but I mostly steered away from "real life" fiction especially war stories. This book had me reading long into the night and every free moment I had. I've read a few other books by Kristin Hannah, but mostly contemporary. I've definitely been missing out. The Nightingale is now on my TBR. As a young student I learned about the Vietnam war, watched movies, but this book is a whole other experience from the medical side and the lives lost and saved. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me have the opportunity to read this unforgettable story. Frankie is a character that will stick with me for a long time.

I have only read Kristin Hannah's newest (and buzziest) reads, but there is a reason that she is so widely loved and acclaimed. I actually put off reading The Women for almost a full year both because I was looking forward to it so much and because I knew it would be sad! And I was correct-- it was worth the wait and also so heartbreaking! I appreciate Hannah's willingness to write so candidly about difficult situations and scenarios; she doesn't shy away from taking the easy road out of a topic in the story. I will admit that I don't think I've ever read a historical fiction set during the Vietnam War, and that I don't know a ton about the war itself beyond surface level knowledge and/or preconceived notions. Reading a historical fiction set during this time but from the perspective of a female protagonist was eye-opening. I had no idea that for so long many people, including veterans that fought in the same war, were in denial that women served over there as well. I personally have very mixed feelings toward warfare in that I do not support warfare at all but do think that the treatment of veterans should be better, and I really liked that Hannah fully addressed the horrors of how America treats its veterans. There is a lot of heavy material within this story, but at its core, it is still such a wonderful read due to the complexity of Frankie as a character and of the beauty in her sisterhood with Ethel and Barb. I appreciated the diversity of characters and how Hannah truly wrote about all sides and experiences of being an Army member and veteran during this time. There is a lot of food for thought here, and reading it definitely made me want to do more research on the history of this time period. It was not my personal favorite Kristin Hannah book simply because I don't love war stories as a whole, and I did think parts of the romance were a bit melodramatic. However, if you are a fan of her writing, this is another slam dunk and a story that will stick with me for a long time to come.


I received an ARC of this book last year thanks to NetGalley, Kristin Hannah, and St. Martin's Press!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy.

If there is one thing I’ve learned about Kristin Hannah‘s books it’s that she’ll put your heart back together in the end, but first she’s gonna shatter it to a million pieces! I haven’t read all of her backlist, but I’ve read more than a handful, and let me tell you … this one hurts, y’all! Probably more than her others.

After surviving reading through Frankie’s account of the Vietnam War in part one, I thought part two would lead us into some more positive storytelling terrain. But in some ways, the heartbreak found there was even heavier … or maybe it’s because it just kept piling on.

This story was powerful, moving, heart wrenching, inspiring, eye-opening … the list goes on. I will recommend it as a top book of my year without a shadow of a doubt, but I will certainly recommend reading with caution. There are content and trigger warnings galore.

This is a story of a Vietnam nurse — her experiences during the war and coming home afterwards. All topics hit extremely deep, and there is nothing that poor Frankie doesn’t endure. (See additional details below.)

CW:
death (descriptive war scenes on page, including children), miscarriage, infidelity, attempted suicide

The Women - well done. I loved Kristin Hannah’s take on women in Vietnam. “There were no women in war”. Another tear jerker and true embodiment of every emotion. I can’t say enough good things about Hannah’s work and research. She covers topics of racism, discrimination, romance, deceit, grief, therapy, mental health. You name it, this books got it and it was very well done. I’ll read anything she writes.

The easiest five stars ever. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. Kristin Hannah just has a way with words. She understands how to take a complex theme and make an interesting, digestible story. I read the second half of this book on a plane ride.. and I do not recommend. I was an emotional wreck.

Being a nurse myself, this book hit me hard. Reading about Frankie's journey as an Army nurse in Vietnam.. it really made me reflect on myself and what I would have done if I lived at this time (spoiler alert.. I don't know if I could have done it). But I felt to connected to Frankie and her friends. I also learned to much about the war. My grandfather was a fighter pilot in the war so I grew up hearing about the Vietnam war but there was still so much I didn't know. I am very grateful I read this book because it lead to some very great conversations with my grandfather.

This book was absolutely phenomenal and I would recommend to absolutely everyone.

absolutely amazing book by Kristin Hannah! She never disappoints! This book really captivated me and I felt for these women. Highly recommend!

Gah! This story was so great. I curled up on my couch with a cup of tea and in typical Kristin Hannah fashion was instantly transported. The characters who were all so real that I felt like I could actually lean over and talk to them. I stayed in the story for two sold days. The best book.

This book was not a favorite for me. Soapy and unbelievable. I finished it, but really did not enjoy it.

I appreciate the varying time periods represented in Hannah's books. This one gave me new perspective as to the state of the world when I was a child. As always, the characters were well-developed and multi-faceted. The setting, while foreign to me, became familiar because of the detailed descriptions that included all senses. I have suggested or gifted this title to many friends.

Another winner from Kristin Hannah! I knew very little about the Vietnam War so these women's stories were very impactful. I enjoyed the different perspectives and following people's lives after the war too. Hannah’s historical fiction is always so well-researched and center the women’ experience during critical moments in history. This was a favorite read of the year and I recommend to all, especially those interested in better understanding the complexity of the Vietnam War.

This was an excellent book!! I enjoyed the character development as well as how the plot was developed throughout the story. The author was able to to do a good job with all aspects of the story. I would recommend to others.

A really powerful and well written story, I always really like and connect with Kristen Hannah’s writing - I just don’t think her books need to be as long as they are

Another Winner for Kristin!!!
This is a win for all women to read! Very Powerful!!
You will not be disappointed.

Fantastic read! I haven't read this author before, but the story she told was eye-opening, heart breaking, and hopeful all at the same time.

This was my favorite book of 2024 one of the best historical fiction books I’ve ever read and she is an auto author for me!

"Women can be heroes."
“The women had a story to tell, even if the world wasn’t quite yet ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. We were there.”

5 Stars = Standing Ovation!
Incredible book, one of my favorites of 2024! And my Book Club ladies loved it also!
We (Book Club) loved The Women so much that it was our Favorite Read of 2024!

Personally having read all of Kristin Hannah's books, Hannah’s writing has matured much like a fine wine. Each of her stories becoming richer, more complex, multi-layered. Incredible! Hannah masterly develops a character from a young naïve girl, to a professional combat nurse, to a veteran returning home.
This story and it's characters stayed with me and made me truly appreciate our service men and women. Especially women.

This novel focuses on 20-year-old Frankie McGrath, who decides to leave her idyllic life as a dutiful daughter and sister in Coronado, California, and enlist in the Army Nurse Corps. What Frankie finds in Vietnam is very different from what she had imagined. The horror. The exhaustion. The endless hours trying to save lives.
Part of the novel is set in Vietnam but Frankie's heart wrenching journey continues after her service. Ashamed by her family and broken by war. The story covers romance, tragedies, casualties, trauma, addiction, PTSD, civil rights, and women's rights. As with other returning soldiers, they are forgotten by all... especially the women.

The best parts of the book for me where the parts when I learned something new.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for an ARC of this book, which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own.

Kristin Hannah is an automatic author buy for me. I could not wait to read this book, the description alone had me hooked.
The first half of the book we follow Frances aka “Frankie” to Vietnam after she leaves her comfort and sheltered life of Southern California. She is a fresh nursing student who decides to follow her brother to the war torn country. We read Frankie’s journey as she is overwhelmed, terrified and second guessing herself on the daily. Frankie forms relationships that feel like they will last forever.
The second half of the book brings us back to Southern California.where we continue to follow Frankie after her return from Vietnam. We learn of her sadness and heartbreak and her attempt to get her life back on track.
If you have read a Kristin Hannah book before than you know there is some twist. I highly recommend this book, it is an emotional roller coaster with moments of brilliance.

“The Women” was an outstanding book. I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, but 9/10 times if Kristin Hannah is the author, then I’m a fan. It was informative as I’m not used to fiction tackling the Vietnam war in addition to being an addictive story. I found myself really rooting for the protagonist and entrenched in these scenes with her. My emotions were all over the place as her story developed. It probably could’ve been a little bit shorter, but nonetheless this was one of my top three reads of the year. 5 stars ⭐️. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

I had no idea.

Thank you, Kristin Hannah for telling us what our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers went through.

I cannot imagine what it was like to research this topic and listen to all of the stories and not want to include each one. And maybe that's why so many hardships befall Frankie- to not tell each story was in a way denying it.

Nothing else can be said about the book that hasn't already been said.

One of the best of 2024.

I always know that Kristin Hannah's historical fictions are going to pack an emotional punch and this one is no different. This is the story of Frankie McGrath and her experience as a nurse in the Vietnam War and the aftermath once she is back home. Frankie starts off innocent, unknown to the world at large after being sheltered her whole life by her affluent parents. She soon learns what the realities of war are like and relies on those around her to get through the experience. The war follows her once she returns as she battles PTSD and has no one to talk to about her experience as many dismiss her experiences claiming that "there were no women in Vietnam." Kristin Hannah does an incredible job of portraying not only Frankie's experiences, but also her emotions and her journey throughout the book. The book spans about 20 years during Frankie's life and I feel like as the reader, we really got to see what Frankie goes through during this time. I felt so many emotions while reading, from fear and despair to rage at the way Frankie was treated at times.

I read this via audio, and I felt that Julia Whelan's narration really added to the reading experience. My only critique is that I wish some of the ensemble cast, specifically the experiences of the women around Frankie during the war and after, were more fleshed out so the reader gets more than one perspective. Regardless, I'm glad we got glimpses of these other stories through Frankie. Overall, this was a really great historical fiction and I look forward to reading more of Hannah's upcoming and backlist works. I would definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction, keeping in mind that there are several TWs.