It’s only February and I already know this will be one of my top books of the year and one of my favorites of all time. ❤️

I know this book was a labor of love for @kristinhannahauthor and my goodness did her due diligence pay off. This book was so emotional, powerful and had the most inspiring message.

One thing I love about @kristinhannahauthor writing is her ability to write such resilient female characters. In this novel, we follow Frankie’s story from her brave decision to enlist as a nurse in the army in the Vietnam war, to her adjusting to life as a civilian and all her hardships in between. Although I never went through what she went through, Kristin writes in a way that makes you feel so connected to her characters.

I learned so much while reading this book. I never knew how involved women were during the Vietnam war and how their pain and suffering was just as valid as those who served on the battle fields. Blow after blow Frankie endured so much and ultimately fought for the mental health of women during that time.

I truly can’t express how much I loved this book and how deeply it impacted me. I became educated, I cried, I was inspired and found myself in complete awe of Kristin’s talent.

Thank you so much @kristinhannahauthor @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻

I would probably have given this five stars, but I lose patience with characters who continue to do stupid, self-destructive things when they know better. Not to mention poor-little-rich girls who live off Daddy’s dime, taking all they’ve been given as an expectation. Having said all that, this was a powerful book and I’m glad I read it. 4 stars.

Wow! This book was absolutely amazing! One of the heaviest books I've read in years. It was hard to put down, but at times I just had to put it down and take a breather as the subject matter was so heavy and raw. Easy 5 stars!

One of the best novels of the year! We read this as a group and we were all speechless by the end. An incredibly powerful story with an incredible powerful narrative.

This was one of the most important books I've read this year. Being younger than the main characters in this book, but having an older brother who went to Vietnam and thankfully returned, I was drawn to this book to learn more about his experiences. It was eye opening to say the least. It was sad to read about how the women were treated during that period and not given the credit for their service like the soldiers. I have recommended this book to many people and my bookclub read it and loved it! This was an important story to tell and Kristin Hannah did it beautifully.

Incredible. This story and the narration are at the top of my list for this year. Kristin Hannah is such a talented writer. I’m on a quest to read all of her books and this one was my favorite so far.

Thank you for an advanced copy of this book.

Unpopular Opinion:
The writing was superb! Kristin at her finest - and the subject matter was extensively researched (some of the details horrendous to read about!)
For me though, the actual storyline fell flat.

We have a young and very naive MC who goes into combat's way (in nursing) to prove a point to her dad. She gets involved with a married man and yet another man and it's at this juncture where the authenticity of the story she's trying to tell, wears on me. Most of us from this gen and just after, know of the unfair and unjust conditions these service members came home to, but this part of the storyline was so repetitive, also became tiresome (make the point and move on.). Then finally, while home, the disastrous decisions just keep banging their head on a wall and I keep thinking, STOP already! So at this point, the ending felt too much for me.

I LOVED the side characters -- everyone needs friends like the ones in this book.
I LOVED the author's note at the end of the novel. Kristen is amazing to tell this tale

Just overall, the actual fictional part was not for me

Kristin Hannah does it again with The Women. While I knew a bit about Vietnam, I had no idea how the women were treated upon their return to the states. It was heartbreaking and gut wrenching in many parts of this novel. And while Frankie and her friends stories may not be actual people, their experiences were those of real women who faced that rejection.

4.5 stars

Another case of “why did I put this book off for so long”? Silly silly me!!

I assumed I’d love this, and I’m happy to report that I was correct!

I have a lot of personal connection to this book with family members that served in Vietnam and I also worked at a VA hospital in the mental health section! So I’ve seen what war can do to people.

I definitely still learned a lot from this book! I thought it was very well done, and so so sad.

I did start to get a little overwhelmed by the end- our poor girl Frankie needed a break!! The first half was a little stronger than the second half, but I really enjoyed this overall!

Is there anything that Kristin Hannah can't do? No seriously, does she write any bad books? The modern queen of historical fiction takes on the subject of women during the Vietnam War. I'm embarrassed to say as a former historian, I didn't even know much about the role women played in Vietnam. This book is incredibly powerful not only as story about the horrors of war, but the triumphs and strengths of women in male-dominated spaces. Frankie is a strong MC and this is a book that will stick with you for a long time.

Wow….just wow! This was maybe the best book I’ve ever read. I will NEVER forget this amazing story. I was transported to Frankie’s side throughout this whole book and felt like she was like a sister to me and watching everything she went through was absolutely gut wrenchingly heartbreaking. I sobbed several times. My heart broke but was put back together as best it could be by the end. I didn’t know too much about the Vietnam War before reading this and now I feel so much more educated. This was truly an incredible read, and I thank Kristin and NetGalley so much for the copy to read. Thank you so much Kristin for writing this book. It is so important and everyone needs to read it!

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This was an excellent, informative, and heartbreaking story. It was so interesting to read about women's experiences in Vietnam as nurses and the horrors they exhibited while there as well as when they returned home and the additional discrimination of the women. It was heartbreaking to read about all the loss, addiction and lack of understanding of PTSD at that time. This book was clearly well researched and written. It was difficult to read at times, but I could not put it down. I felt a new understanding of the Vietnam veterans - men and women. Kristin Hannah has written another great novel.

Historical fiction has slowly become my favorite genre! Most likely has to do with the wonderful authors I’ve read, especially Kristin Hannah! Women's perspective has been missing from key points and history, and I’m so thankful to be able to read superb writing that shares these necessary stories.

Everyone was reading this and gushing over it, so I stayed away for a long while. However, I recently read it and loved it. Such an intense and emotional portrayal with fantastic character development. I was a little girl when Vietnam was occurring so I don't have much memory of the war, but this story was so detailed and emotional that I know I won't be forgetting Frankie and her experience for a very long time.
It's a story like only Kristin Hannah can write!
Thank you for my review copy. Did it live up to all the hype? Yes.

I had heard so many things about this book by the time I actually got to read it. I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype, but I was wrong. I felt like I was there. I learned so many things about the war in Vietnam that I didn't know. I know it was a work of fiction, but so much of it was crafted in actuality. It hurt to read at some points. Once a certain idea was introduced, I couldn't wait to see which of the characters it was about, though my heart was set on a certain someone. I know people who don't typically read books like this who loved it.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is historical fiction, realistically detailing the lives of the women who served as nurses in Vietnam during the war. Hannah's depiction of what the women went through in Vietnam and when they came home rang true. As the widow of a Vietnam veteran who suffered from PTSD and who developed Parkinson's disease as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange, I saw first hand many of the things described in this novel. The fact that these women were so long ignored by even the VA is shameful. The love interests , however, were unnecessary and too coincidental .The story would have been better left without these contrived situations..I recommend The Women by Kristin Hannah to anyone who wants to learn more about the women who served as nurses in the war in Vietnam.

#thewomen
#kristinhannah
#vietnam
#nursesinvietnam
#historicalfiction

I am already a huge fan of Kristin Hannah, but this book addresses a time period and piece of history that I really knew very little about, so I feel like it was a timely, necessary, and important work to highlight an area of our nation's history that often went ignored or swept under the rug. Her writing, as always, is stirring, and she has the power to pull you into the moment with her, feeling what her characters feel. I was gripped by this story and absolutely could not put it down. I have recommended it to everyone I know since finishing it. Her work continues to shine, and her characters are the kind that sit in your memory and your heart for a long time to come.

Kristin Hannah does it again! This book is equal parts heartwrenching and encouraging. However, it just seemed SO SAD.

WOW! I cant even begin to describe how amazing this book was! How does Kristen Hannah do it every single time! Aside from Nightingale, this is by far my favorite book of hers and also my favorite book of the year! Loved every single thing! I will be recommending this book to everyone i know!

*The Women* by Kristin Hannah is a powerful and deeply moving novel that shines a spotlight on the often overlooked experiences of women during the Vietnam War. Hannah masterfully weaves together a story of courage, resilience, and the quest for identity, centering on the journey of a young female nurse who bravely serves in a war-torn land. The narrative is gripping, filled with vivid descriptions and emotional depth that transport readers to the heart of the conflict. Through Hannah's nuanced storytelling, the protagonist’s struggles and triumphs are brought to life in a way that is both poignant and inspiring, making it impossible not to be moved by her story.

Kristin Hannah excels at capturing the complexities of human emotions, and *The Women* is no exception. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the search for purpose amidst chaos, highlighting the strength and resilience of women who were often dismissed and forgotten. Hannah’s meticulous research and attention to detail lend authenticity to the narrative, while her compassionate portrayal of the characters makes their experiences resonate deeply with readers. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction that celebrates the unsung heroes of the past, offering a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of women in the face of adversity.