"Women can be heroes, too."

This amazing book follows Frankie McGrath, who with wide-eyed naiveté, arrives in Vietnan as an Army Corps Nurse unaware of what working in a war zone will require of her. When she returns home, she is unprepared for how she is treated by her family, friends, and country.

Yes, there were women in Vietnam.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the ARC of this superb book. I cannot wait to discuss this, one of the best books I have read this year, with my book club.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, & Kristin Hannah for the ARC. This was an amazing book from start to finish. I truly enjoy all of Kristin Hannah's work but this one is definitely one of her top books. I did however have a hard time reading some of the depictions of the people who were wounded during the Vietnam War, readers beware it is graphic. Overall, Kristin Hannah has done it again. 10/10 reccomed this book!

I was honestly hesitant to request this book. I LOVE the author but am not a big fan of war books and was worried I would not be able to get into the characters like I typically do. I was wrong and even before 10% in I was invested.

Trigger warning, there is a lot of medical gore. A situation with a child’s arm was almost too much but I pushed on.

This is a heartbreakingly emotional journey of an innocent young girl to a woman who grew up too fast without support or help to process what she endured in country. Then couldn’t find a place where she fit after homecoming. You’ve heard “they weren’t the same after they came back” but now you understand why.

Honestly I am ashamed to say I didn’t know much about the Vietnam war but I have a new view and empathy for what those who served went through. It’s inspired me to learn more.

KH always does and amazing job with character development but she took this to a new level. Much respect to the time she invested in ensuring The women’s stories were told.

This has been posted to Goodreads.

Having been part of America that “welcomed” home the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War, this book expanded my grasp of the era. While those at home were protesting what they felt was an unjust war, there were many suffering with the consequences of a very true (however controversial) war. Hannah covers these aspects well, you can feel the characters grow and change through the story.

This book brings to light the heroism of the women of the war (it was often said there were no women in the war). Kristen Hannah brought in many aspects of the war that continued in the lives of those that were fighting for America. The aspects of alcoholism, addiction, PTSD, surviver’s guilt and sexism are all part of the core of the story. Frankie was a victim of the time.

I gave four stars as the story dragged somewhat in the middle and some of the romance felt a little staid. That being said, it would make a great book club choice.

Once again, Hannah has delved into a subject that deserves more attention--nurses who served in the Vietnam War. Other than a TV show called China Beach (in the late '80's), I don't think I knew anything about the women who manned the makeshift hospitals in Vietnam. The details about the conditions these nurses worked in was extraordinary. And to learn these brave woman came home and faced the same distain as their male counterparts is hard to imagine. However, I just really didn't like many of the characters and felt parts of the story were a bit like a soap opera.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for the ARC.

Kristin Hannah tells the forgotten story of the women in Vietnam, the nurses who risked their lives.

There were times this was going to be a five star book for me: it was engaging and moved quickly and something exciting was always happening. But, like, did every man who interacted with her need to fall in love with the main character? And the book ended up being more predictable than I would have liked.

Overall, this was a good book: I appreciated that Hannah is telling this story and that this was clearly a passion project for her, and I’d recommend it to others. I just didn’t find it quite at the same level as The Nightingale.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press!

I thought this was a powerful novel. I don't normally read war novels, but I like the author's work, so I read this. I learned a lot about the Vietnam War. I was in middle school at the time, so I didn't know a lot about what was going on. These women were so much braver than I am. I could not have lasted one tour, let alone, two. This is a very emotional novel which I think needs to be read.

This book takes us on a journey to the past, "back in the day" if you will. The story centers around the Vietnam war and the women who served (even though "society" denied that women served.) The characters and situations are so vividly portrayed, you believe you are experiencing them yourself. I told my husband I was reading a book about Vietnam. He said, "I will talk to you about anything, but not Vietnam." He served in the army.
Two other things: the author reminded me about the clothing and decor at the time. Somethings are better forgotten -
The other is this. None of the other reviewers that I read mentioned being "triggered" by some of the graphic details. I guess that's good, but I think someone who is sensitive, should be aware of potential emotional issues.
I highly recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley for an arc of Kristin Hannah's #thewomen.

Kristin Hannah, queen of historical fiction, delivers a masterpiece with this latest work. Conceiving the idea in her early writing days, Hannah patiently waited until she felt equipped with the courage and strength to do the narrative justice. The result is that she knocks it out of the park!

Frances "Frankie" McGrath, hailing from a lineage of war heroes, grapples with her identity as her brother is deployed to Vietnam. Seeking purpose and greater meaning, she enters the Army Nurse Corps, thrust into the harrowing reality of a war zone. The narrative unfolds tragically and heartbreakingly, providing a poignant glimpse into the demands and challenges of working amidst conflict. Amidst the chaos, Frankie forges enduring friendships and indelible memories.
The book expertly transports readers into Frankie's isolated world, contrasting sharply with the misleading American political landscape that downplayed the war's true toll. The narrative skillfully navigates the disconnect between the grim reality of the war and the sweeping peace and hippie movement back home.

While I did not personally experience the Vietnam Era, this book effectively weaves together the collective understanding of the post-war struggles faced by those who served. It sheds light on the public's ignorance and disdain toward returning soldiers during a time when PTSD and other trauma disorders were not well understood, depriving them of crucial mental health support. The narrative also poignantly highlights the erasure of women's contributions, leaving returning female soldiers facing a heartbreaking lack of recognition, understanding, and empathy. The collective unawareness of their service adds another layer to the profound challenges these veterans endured upon returning home, a reality that is both sobering and heart-wrenching. You must read this book.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy.

This book is such a beautiful tribute to the women that served in Vietnam. I am not going to lie though, it wrecked me emotionally the entire time I was reading this book. As a child of a Vietnam veteran and a Vietnamese woman, I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as possible. I felt everything Frankie felt and saw what she felt - it gave me a different viewpoint of the war and all the people involved. Frankie was an amazing character and survived so much. I could have kept reading about Frankie forever. Thank you Kristin Hannah for this book! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc of this title.

I’m gutted. I’m so many ways. I’m frustrated beyond belief when I think about how we didn’t learn ANYTHING about the Vietnam war in school. How veterans were treated when they got home. How women served and were never recognized. KH told a fictional story here but it opened my eyes to the real events. A beautifully written novel. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

I have such mixed feelings about this book. It started off great.. I really enjoyed getting to see Frankie come into her own in Vietnam and learning about the experience from the nurses’ POV. The friendships she made really carried the story for me. The first 50-70% of the book kept me engaged and wanting more. Then came a particular plot point (I won’t spoil it here) that just completely derailed the rest of the story. It started to spiral out of control and became just a tad over the top for me, with just a few too many unnecessary twists thrown in.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Attention! Attention! I urge readers—especially those who grew up watching MASH—to pre-order Kristin Hannah’s latest! One of my favorite novels of the past year, this book contains everything I love—history, an exotic locale I know little about, romance, friendships, twists and turns—all wrapped up in a compelling story.

It’s 1966, and Frances (Frankie) McGrath longs to be among the photo collection in her father’s study—photos of heroes in the well-to-do Southern Californian family. With little to no training—like the wounded men she fights to save—Frankie blossoms into a top-notch surgical combat nurse in Vietnam. Returning home from war, Frankie faces a nation that doesn’t appreciate her service or sacrifice.

This novel gave me a greater understanding of the environment our courageous men and women encountered, the unspeakable hardships many endured, and the nation’s response.

This book is an incredibly written story of the women who were heroes in the Vietnam war. The story focuses on Frankie who signs up with the Army Nurse Corps after her brother was killed in action. She arrives in Vietnam and quickly finds her strength in a completely different world while seeing some of the worst casualties of the fighting. The second half of the story shares Frankie's story once she returns home- the shocking realization that her efforts are not recognized or appreciated, and how hard it is for her to manage her memories and new life.

Hannah's writing is extraordinary. As a reader, you are immediately drawn into the setting - feeling the tension of the fighting, feeling the adrenaline of Frankie and her team when they didn't have time to rest, and feeling the overwhelming emotions of each character. This story will hit you in the gut and the heart at the same time and will be a story that always sticks with you.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a thought provoking read about the unsung sheroes of the Vistnam War, the nurses. Many of us remember the men who bravely served, yet came home wounded, lost, addicted, and the 58,000 who died in what many deem a senseless war. We may remember the servicemen being belittled or spat upon as they returned- never receiving the hero's welcome that they so deserved.
We very rarely think about the 10,000 women who were stationed in Vietnam, the majority nurses, and the horror they witnessed everyday. The Women bring these women to life primarily through the stories of 3 very different women, united in a purpose, healing the wounded. The book is powerful and moving, at times I was moved to tears; I had to pause at times to reflect on the atrocities they observed and the passion and determination that sustained them. Sadly things were very difficult for them as they returned home as they were not viewed as "soldiers. "
Kristin Hannah wrote: " stories of the nurses have been too often overlooked or forgotten;" in The Women she gives them the recognition they earned, increased awareness of what they endured and how some suffered and some triumphed. The Women touched my heart and has stayed with me long after I finished it; I highly recommend The Women.
Thanks to NetGalley I received an ARC of this book, that in no way impacted my review. 4.5 Stars

I have been a Kristin Hannah fan for quite some time and I loved her previous novel, The Four Winds. She set a high bar with that one, but managed to completely exceed it with her upcoming historical fiction novel, The Women. It was so well-written and kept me engaged the entire time.

Kristin puts her main character, Frankie, through a LOT. However, it is so easy to get caught up in Frankie's life and feel her emotions. It's a harrowing story but so hard to put down. It reminded me of one of Kristin's earlier novels, Home Front, in some ways. Especially with how veterans are treated. I was only able to guess at one thing that happened in the story, but everything else was a surprise to me and I had no idea what to expect.

I didn't have much knowledge about Vietnam, other than what I got from Miss Saigon, Forrest Gump, and This is Us. So this novel was especially eye opening to what happened over there and how things were for people after they returned. I had no idea there was so much vitriol for those who fought in Vietnam. The story really captured the feel of that time period.

This was such an incredible novel and I can't stop recommending it. You MUST get The Women when it releases in early February. In the meantime, read Home Front, which another favorite of mine by Kristin.

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Frankie: Millie Brady
Ethel: Morgan Kohan
Barb: Logan Browning
Jamie: Alexander Koch
Rye: Chandler Massey
Henry: Justin Baldoni

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TW: suicidal ideation, substance abuse, miscarriage, war injuries, infant death, PTSD, war trauma

Wow. What an amazing, well balanced, enlightening read!
I was enthralled with Frankie and how her life transforms throughout the novel. It really put into perspective the lows of Vietnam of everyone involved.
A must read!

I was amazed that I got to read this book before publishing date.. I was super excited to hear she was coming out with a new book..I have always been interested in Vietnam. Probably because I grew up in that era. But to get a chance to read from Women point of view was exciting..
I read Danielle Steele Message from Nam ,years ago.. Please read this book when it comes out.
I realize she had a lot of followers but if anyone reading this review hasn't read any of her books, pick it up immediately.
I will also will be putting my review up on Amazon and Goodreads..

Kristin Hannah keeps knocking them out of the park. I feel like all of her most recent books within the last 8 years have been 5 stars for me, and this one definitely didn't disappoint.

We first meet Frankie McGrath at the going away party her parents are throwing for her brother right before he leaves for Vietnam. A few weeks later spurned on by tragedy, Frankie herself has enlisted as an Army nurse and touches ground in Vietnam too. At first, she wonders why she made such a rash decision and if she is actually cut out for nursing in a war zone. Immediately thrust into some of the darkest aspects of the war, she becomes a strong nurse that others can depend on and begins to gain confidence in her abilities. She falls in love more than once and makes friends that last a lifetime.

Once back at home she tries to pick up the pieces of the shattered existence she has as a result of PTSD on top of an ungrateful nation that refused to acknowledge that women were even involved in the Vietnam war. She quickly unravels and beings to rely on substances in order to escape the pain she can't let go of. After hitting rock bottom she begins to make peace with her time in Vietnam and the scars it left behind. She works to see change and acceptance for other vets, especially for women vets.

Such a touching and poignant read. This book definitely made me emotional. This book is fiction but was based on the real lives of women nurses that were the reason many men were able to come home and live beyond Vietnam. Because of this book I have been inspired to research more on my own to learn about the women that served in Vietnam.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the E-book in exchange for an honest review.

A much-needed fiction story about a woman who served as a nurse in Vietnam. Readers get a clear picture of who Frankie was before, during, and after her service. Words will never begin to describe how much I treasure this novel by Kristin Hannah.
As a child, my family and I lived on Okinawa while my father served In Vietnam. I have a clear picture of what it was like for the wives of the men serving because I lived it. I saw first-hand how my father and other males who served were treated while we were there and when we returned. I encountered nurses when we went for medical check-ups or were sick, but not combat nurses. Reading this novel gave me a glimpse of what life was like for them.
Hopefully this will lead to other authors sharing was experiences and stories from a woman's point of view. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a fair review.