Thank you so much Netgalley for this wonderful ARC from one of my favorite authors. Kristin Hannah has done it again. I rarely enjoy historical fiction, but when this woman writes about history, I can’t get enough. The writing is beautiful, a story about a war that had so many divided and the nurses who saved countless lives while serving their country and putting their own lives at risk. I loved Frankie from the first chapter. Young and naive, she enlists to find her brother, not realizing the hell she’s about to endure. While saving lives, she falls for not one, but two men. After the war, she’s left to pick up the pieces of her existing life, but she’s not the woman she once was. Struggling with the aftermath, she must come to terms with hard truths and seek help to overcome all of the heartbreak. I’ll stop there because I don’t want to ruin it but the author definitely had me reading all day until it was finished.

What an amazing, page turning read. It portrayed the life of individuals who served in Vietnam, and the life they lived after. Frankie's story of her journey was stunning. The battles she fought, loves she lost, addictions after serving, and the turn around she creates for herself.

The Women pulled me in from the first page. I felt a connection and cared about the characters (specifically Frankie) immediately, and couldn't wait to see where her story went. It was such a heavy and emotional book, but it had enough hopeful and uplifting experiences (especially her friendship with Ethel and Barb), that it was still such an enjoyable book. I loved how Kristin didn't shy away from the horrors of war and showed how tough it was for the men and women to come back and re-integrate into society. I honestly loved every minute of it (even when it completely wrecked me!), and am so thankful for this eARC.

I’m still reeling from the kaleidoscopic of emotions this novel has evoked. Not surprised at all as this author continues to be one of my favorites. From the beginning chapter to the last paragraph in the acknowledgments this draws you in and holds on. Once completed the reader realizes that you’ve not only just read this but have experienced this novel deeply.

There are no words that can adequately portray this in a review. Parts of this were very personal for me, as our family here in Southern California lost a loved one in 1966, similarly to what the main characters family experienced when her brother is killed over there. It made me realize how our Jimmy must have felt just before his life was taken, and it brought forth emotions that I thought were long buried, but weren’t.

This is not an easy read, but a vital one. Everyone should read it. It’s heart-wrenching throughout most of it, but accurate in the descriptions and locales of where the Army Core Nurses were sent and what they experienced administering to the wounded and dying. This is a very well researched novel took the author many years to write. In her acknowledgements she states the accuracy of the historical events and dates, but the fictional story about the women is such that it’s easy to believe in their stories of what they felt and experienced.

The women that were there were not recognized as having served there for many years. Many citizens and vets stated and believed “there were no women in Vietnam” after they returned home from “In Country.” They were treated atrociously when they tried to get help for their PTSD. I felt shame for how our so-called citizens and politicians failed them. I was a kid then but still remember losing our Jimmy and what our country was going through in the 60’s.

The novel presents a good balance of the tragedy with vigorous doses of patriotism and hope from the characters perspectives. The music of the 60’s delight. The love stories and backstories of the characters pre-war lives, both female and male, gets the reader personally invested in each and every one of these characters. The bantering and dialogue between them seems realistic and refreshing and is what gets them through this horrific time of their lives..

Do not miss this powerful novel. It will be one you won’t ever forget. Release date coming up February 6, 2024. I’m thrilled that Warner Bros have picked up the movie rights. I hope they do it justice.

Heartfelt thanks for the pre-published copy for my review goes to:
#netgalley #stmartinspress #KristinHannah #TheWomen

I am not a huge historical fiction fan, but I was riveted by the story of Frankie, an idealistic nurse who served in Vietnam and her reentry into civilian life. Women are often written out of the story and I appreciated Hannah's care and research in bringing this to life and ensuring what happened isn't forgotten. This is a painful and poignant read. My only critique is it felt a big long in the middle.

4.5 stars but rounding down.

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy.

When I finished this book a couple weeks ago, I knew it would be hard to review. This is one of the most honest and touching books I've read on the Vietnam War. I am too young to have memories of this time period, as I was born in 1976, but I have always heard little statements here and there about how horrible it was. If you notice, I said "little" statements. People don't talk extensively about it. It was so traumatic to so many that people are afraid to acknowledge it. Kristin Hannah has bravely written a story of one woman who chose to go to Vietnam to proudly serve her country. Through this story we are enlightened of the horrors that generation had to endure at war and at home. I was not aware of a lot of the things that happened, especially how the veterans were treated upon coming home. Not only male soldiers, but the women who served as nurses coming home being told that "there were no women in Vietnam" and were offered no support, even from the war administration and Veterans Affairs. I am not going to forget this story. It is hard to face the very real truths, from the graphic scenes to the heartbreaking losses and the lack of a "happy ending" but I feel these types of books are so important. Kudos to Kristin Hannah for enduring the weight of this difficult content and giving us such a powerful story. Highly recommended!

Kristen Hannah has created another book that seems as if it was always meant to be written, just waiting on the perfect author to do it justice. Her ability to weave fact and truth into fiction, producing something in between, is amazing. Every. Time. But here, especially, it will still hit close to home for many. Because it’s history, but not that far gone yet.

“There were no women in Vietnam.” If that lie persists today, well, let’s let a brilliant piece of Historical Fiction impart some Non-Fiction and heavy doses of reality to the masses. Sure, the fictional threads also create entertaining and addictive plots in between, but the core of this book is very real. Emotional, political, psychological… it’s harrowing but accessible.

If you’re old enough, you’ll know the general tone(s) surrounding the Vietnam War, and you’ll appreciate this story. And if you’re too young, then you’ll have an eye opening experience that you’ll also appreciate. And among all that is the love, loss, grief, and resilience of Frankie and the women. Smart and passionate, dramatic but grounded. This is one of the year’s must read books.

Beautiful, heartbreaking book on female nurses serving in the Vietnam. Will be one of the best books of the year and will highly recommending it.

Kristin Hannah is known for writing female-centric stories full of adventure, love, and grief. I fell in love with her writing with Nightingale and The Great Alone, and while the Four Winds and Firefly Lane did not move me as much, she has become an auto-read author for me.

The Women is one of my most anticipated books of the year and you don’t have to worry because this one did not disappoint. This hefty novel focuses on the service of a combat nurse, Frankie McGrath in the Vietnam War. What she sees and experiences in Vietnam is both heart and gut-wrenching, as she witnesses and treats lives after lives due to the conflict.

This does not compare to the reality of returning home, when both her service and her PTSD is denied. She experiences tremendous mental health hurdles, in which she must navigate in a world that does not understand or empathize with soldiers.

As always, the novel is extensively researched. Because Hannah wrote this book with her vivid memories from this time, she includes many personal touches that add and expand the story. Her author’s note was especially inspirational to read.

“Men lie and they die.”

It’s only January and I’ve already got a top read for the year under my belt, but are we surprised, it’s Kristin Hannah. I don’t have many words for the perfection that this book is, and you absolutely MUST read it when it comes out in a couple of weeks (Feb 6). The Women focuses on those women that served in the Vietnam War, specifically Frances “Frankie” McGrath. She is a fantastic protagonist, encapsulating all that I’m sure women went through while serving over there, and I’m telling you she went THROUGH it. From the shocking events she had to cope with upon arrival in Vietnam, to the struggles she went through upon coming home, this was a wonderful and heartbreaking read that I was engrossed in from the moment it started.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the advanced copy to review.

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. It touched me so deeply. It was gut wrenching, it was difficult to get through the story, it was heartbreaking. And it was real. Everyone knows how difficult it was for the men and boys who came home from Vietnam. But the women? Most people thought that there were no women there. But they were there and they were traumatized. They came home to "a world where Vietnam Veterans were supposed to be invisible, the women most of all."

It's the story of an army combat nurse while in Vietnam. Her desire to be patriotic and a hero. It's the story of an army combat nurse, trying to fit back into polite society after her world had been shaken and blown up.

I cried so many times while reading this book, and even more when I finished it. I know that this will be one of my favorite books of my lifetime.

I got an advanced copy of this book and I can't express how unbelievably written it is. Kristin Hannah opened my eyes to the years of the Vietnam War and the tension our country experienced during that time. I was blown away by the storytelling of Frankie and her journey as a Vietnam Army nurse. Kristin Hannah has a way of building strong female protagonists, who don't always experience that "tied up with a bow" experience. I felt all of the emotions through this book, happiness, sadness, anger, triumph. Frankie's journey and her relationships with others left me thinking about her constantly, wondering if she was going to make it. This is truly one of the best Kristin Hannah books I've read to date. It's an amazing story and will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished.

Life changing. I have no words truly for how powerful this book is. "War" isn't one of my typical reads I'll be honest, but this book had me from the get go. It captured me and I couldn't put it down. To the point where to finish it I read from 2am - 5am. It was amazing. I view every single person that came home from war so much more differently. I already held them at the utmost regard but this was truly eye opening. Kristin truly has a gift at painting the book's picture and putting you exactly where they are. The details are at another level. You can tell how much hard work and dedication went into this book. I cried. I laughed. I wanted more. I want the ending to go on! Can there please be a sequel? I would give this book 10 stars if we were able to.

✨THE WOMEN✨
Rating: 5 ⭐️ - I LOVED IT

There are no words that can fully describe how much I loved this book - this story was an absolute masterpiece in storytelling - and a story that took KH DECADES to write?!

THE WOMEN follows Frankie McGrath - a nurse during the Vietnam war - but it’s so much more than that.

❤️ this book is so much more than a story of a young girl going to war to make a difference - it’s about sacrifice, grief, loss, healing, growth, love, strength, understanding - the war was only 40% of the book and the rest? A story of life.

❤️ oh FRANKIE, how I wanted to give you a big hug - the strength you and other women who served in Vietnam? Indescribable and heartbreaking.

❤️ there are few authors who can write characters that can cement so deeply in your heart - Frankie, Barb, Ethel, Jamie, Finley, Harp, Rye, Henry - you all have a piece of my heart forever

❤️ the HISTORY - while this one’s so much more than a historical fiction novel, there’s a TON of history about the Vietnam war I never knew and incredibly eye opening

❤️ I didn’t think I’d say this about almost a 500 page book - but it’s BINGE-WORTHY - I finished this book in 3 days

❤️ I loved savoring this one as a physical read - but the audio is narrated by @Julia so you can’t go wrong with either format!

I never thought a book could come close to how I feel about THE GREAT ALONE - but this one does.

I’ll say this now, but this will likely be my TOP BOOK OF THE YEAR?!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Where do I start?? This book was amazing It will, no doubt, be a best seller.

Frankie and her brother grow up in the 60's on Coronado Island in Southern California. When Frankie's brother ships out for Vietnam, Frankie decides that she will put her schooling as a nurse to good use and joins the Army. Once she gets there, she see things that no person should have to see. She becomes best friends with two other nurses, Ethel and Barb.

Over the course of the course of the next decade, Frankie learns what it means to hit rock bottom with PTSD and slowly learns to make her way out of the darkness.

This book was fast paced and left me wanting more. I can't wait to see the movie.

This was not an easy book for me to read, and I suspect most others will feel the same. Not only is the subject matter extremely disturbing, but I have a family connection to this time period. My uncle was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and was KIA. I never got to meet him, but I grew up with his family and the repercussions back home. It has always been a struggle between how enormously proud our family is of his (voluntary) service and how horribly the returning veterans and families were treated by the rest of society. My heart broke constantly for Frankie as I read about her mental struggles to create a new life after returning from the war, Hannah painting vivid pictures that made it easy to put yourself in her shoes and empathize. The characters in this book are so well drawn and developed – they jump right off the page. The relationships were often frustrating but were so real and so complex.
It is a story that is easy to get lost in and I am so glad Hannah highlighted this time period and these people so the world can gain a little bit more understanding.

It's only January, but I have a feeling this will be the best book I'll read all year. Frankie McGrath comes from a wealthy family in California, and seems to be bucking the system just by becoming a nurse. After her brother enlists in the Vietnam War after graduating from the Naval Academy, Frankie follows by signing up as an army nurse. Her parents are horrified. Arriving in Vietnam is a real shock for Frankie, but she makes friends with her fellow nurses, and survives the horrors of war. Coming back to America after her tour is over, seems to be another hurdle to overcome. No one wants to hear about her time in the army, and she struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and PTSD. But Frankie is strong, and a reminder that not only men served in the Vietnam War. This was a tough read, but I'm so glad I finished it. The Vietnam War was never covered in any of my history classes in high school or college, and I'm so glad I'm more informed. Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many things that I loved about this book. I really appreciated the story being told of the women who served, the struggles they faced during service and on returning home. I was immediately drawn into the story and felt connected to Frankie. I felt invested in her happiness and found myself wanting to read faster at times, hoping she would find it. The first half of the book read very quickly for me while the second half was a lot harder to read (because of the subject material). Frankie’s resilience was incredible to me, she faced to much and different types of struggles throughout her story. I do wish that we got to read more of Frankie’s story when she found peace/happiness, but otherwise I loved this book!

Great characters, well written and has so much depth. I will be recommending this to many book clubs. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the egalley.

Wow - what a book. I'm a huge fan of Kristin Hannah, and I think this may be her best work yet.

Frankie McGrath at 21, an RN with only a few months of hospital experience, decides to sign up as an army nurse and go to Vietnam. Her brother had been drafted only a short while before, and Frankie wants to support the troops.
We follow Frankie through two tours of duty, as she makes life long friendships, deals daily with the horrific violence of war, suffers unimaginable losses, and then attempts to return to the real world.

This book was a roller coaster ride of emotions from the first page. I couldn't believe how angry, sad, amazed, happy, angry again I felt as I read it. Ms Hannah created such real, flawed characters, and gave us such an intimate look at the effects of war on the people who serve, support and also wait at home for their loved ones.

While I had read the news stories of the reactions of the public to the returning troops, I had never really 'felt it' until I read this book. The treatment of the women who nursed, and who's service was just completely ignored once they returned home, left me feeling so angry.

The depth of friendship between women who served together, shone out from the book, and I loved the heartwarming moments too.

All in all a fantastic read, and no hesitation to give this book a 5 star rating. This one will stay with me for a long time.