This book will probably end up being my favorite if not one of my favorite books published this year. The pacing was excellent, the research very well done, and the story pulls you in and exposes the fact that there were women in the Vietnam War.

The first half of the book explores our main character, Frankie, choosing to go to Vietnam and what it was like for her while serving as a nurse. The pacing is quick and action-packed as she adjusts to life at war. She hones her nursing skills, builds her confidence, and makes life-long friends. The juxtaposition between her attending to the wounded and dying, and finding moments to unwind are nicely displayed.

The second half of the book explores Frankie trying to adjust to civilian life after the highly-scheduled, busy life as a nurse in war. Since she went to Vietnam at such a young age, she still has to figure out who she is and what she wants to do with her life. She has to face the public's distaste for the war, her family’s embarrassment for her military service, along with her trauma and PTSD, while trying to find the help she needs. When she goes to the VA, they won’t even acknowledge that there were women in Vietnam! She is able to find herself and make a better life, but it’s quite a journey.

There are some beautiful themes of resilience, love, friendship, and loss explored throughout the story. This is such a worthwhile read and a great look at how America viewed the Vietnam War and how this changed over time.

Five out of five stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

I just finished this book and just when you think this author can’t top her last book she writes a new one that you know you won’t forget.

What can I say, I read my first Kristin Hannah book some years ago and since then she’s one of my favorite authors and thanks to her Historical Fiction is a genre I learned to love. An epic story about survival, history, family and love. All the stars.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 by Kristin Hannah releases today February 6, 2024.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This story, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s, is a story of love, loss and joy. It’s a hard read, filled with heartbreak, yet so beautifully balanced with moments of laughter, and the incredible strength of friendship. This follows Frankie, a nurse who served during the Vietnam War. The time spent in Vietnam is graphic, and the terror, exhaustion, and relationships felt very real and unforgettable. Then when it should have been a relief to come home, it was shocking for her to be shamed and/or ignored. She spirals into PTSD when no one will talk about her experience and she is turned away when she does look for help.

Julia Whelan’s narration captivated me from start to finish, bringing this narrative of a nation in turmoil and a woman in pieces to life. There were many moments that were shocking, a couple made me emotional and one specifically made my jaw actually drop. After really struggling with Four Winds, I was hesitant about this one but happy to say that although it was sad, it is reminiscent of my favourite of Kristen Hannah’s books.

Thanks to @macmillan.audio for my early audio copy, this book is out today!

"Just forget about Vietnam."

"I was there!"

These three words, "I was there," break your heart every time Frances "Frankie" McGrath screams them when told she can't get help for her pain because "there were no women in Vietnam." In the gripping heartbreaking massively important The Women, by masterful historical fiction author Kristin Hannah, we not only learn about the women who saved so many lives in Vietnam but the aftermath of their enormous sacrifice.

At 17, a handsome soldier, who will be a major consequence in her life, tells Frankie, "Women can be heroes." She becomes a nurse and enlists to help save lives. Landing by helicopter in the dangerous jungles of Vietnam is the start to the naively brave Frankie losing her innocence, her heart and often her stability.

In between all the heartache there's undescribable camaraderie amongst the nurses where Frankie makes life long friends. She also finds love but can it be real among the violence and death that's part of every day?

The gifted prose of the writer and the emotionally draining acting of voice actress Julia Whelan demand and deserve your attention and every award.

The Vietnam War wasn't the romanticized heroics of WWll. The author gracefully brings this hurtful, let's not remember, painful period in our history to life with realistic storytelling.

Frankie's suffering is visceral and how her feelings are so easily dismissed is a frustration that I'm still not over. If you've never listened to an audiobook start with The Women; do it for the heroines who lived this war.

Favorite line: "She learned quiet was the perfect camouflage for pain."

I received a free copy of this audiobook from #macmillanaudio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

“𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧—𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙑𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙣𝙖𝙢—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝙒𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨, 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚.”

If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a must read! I highly recommend the audio as Julia Whelan brings this story to life like no other. Kristin Hannah writes in such a way that you feel like you’re in the middle of war. This was such a fast, immersive read that I got completely swept away in.

The first half details Frankie McGrath’s experiences as a nurse in the Vietnam war. I absolutely loved her, Barb and Ethel. Their special friendship stood the test of time and war. The second half of the story explores Frankie’s tumultuous return from the war and the aftermath of such a harrowing experience. It’s so real and raw and Hannah doesn’t shy away from the trauma women faced when they returned from serving in a war they were told women were not a part of. It’s a hard read, but in the best way. I felt every emotion and I can’t recommend this book enough.

Content: fade to black, detailed descriptions of war injuries

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for gifted copies. My thoughts are my own.

Nurse Frankie McGrath patriotically volunteers to enlist as an Army nurse - "Women can be heroes too" her brother's best friend has told her. On-the-job training in a brutal environment as catastrophe's follow her path. After her tour Frankie returns to an anti-War USA and tries to cope with life. For lovers of the old "MASH" tv series- the nurse's view of the realities of war.

— Pat Fowler

I didn't think I could ever love a Kristin Hannah book as much as I loved The Nightingale, but The Women is definitely giving that thought a run for its money.  This book!  I haven't felt so attached to characters in a really long time.  I stopped counting the number of times I audibly gasped or wiped tears before I even got to part two.  This book is a great story of resilience, sacrifice, love, friendship and truth behind the history we were taught.  It has a little bit of everything and is a stunning piece of historical fiction.  Highly, highly recommend!

Tough topic so well written you will understand everything about the veterans returning in body, mind and spirit.

A little political but Frankie stayed true to her beliefs and helped the reader understand and accept everything from these tough years and future troubles.

This book wasn’t really my cup of tea but I enjoyed getting an education in how to wake up each morning with hope and anticipation to be the best after having lived through Vietnam and the return to a USA home that wasnt understanding of the difference between those who served and those who ordered participation in the war.

It’s good reading, something that will stay with you for a long long time.

Happy pub day to Kristin Hannah! Today's the day her powerful new novel, The Women, hits shelves!

Frankie is a young Californian nurse who, driven by a desire to help and inspired by the bravery of her brother, joins the Army Nurse Corps to serve in Vietnam determined to make a difference. In Vietnam, she is able to find herself amidst the chaos and heartbreak of war. However, war leaves its mark, and Frankie's journey doesn't end when she returns home.

Frankie undergoes a transformative journey alongside other remarkable women as they collectively face the horrors of war and navigate the challenges of returning home to a changed world.

This isn't your average war story. This is a story about the brave women who served as nurses in Vietnam, facing the horrors of war with unwavering strength and compassion. It’s a story about courage, friendship, and resilience.

The Women is more than a historical fiction; it's a tribute to the often-overlooked sacrifices of women in war, giving them the voice they deserve. ️Kristin Hannah's writing style is evocative and immersive, transporting you directly into the heart of the story. I learned a lot of things I didn’t know from this book, which is why historical fiction is my favorite genre.

If you loved The Nightingale or The Four Winds, you NEED this book in your life! Grab your copy today and get ready to be swept away by this wonderful story.

And if all of this wasn’t enough, the audiobook is narrated by the amazing Julia Whelan, who brings Frankie's story to life with her captivating narration. I was completely immersed in the story thanks to her talent! Thank you @macmillan and @netgalley for the gifted audio copy of The Women.

Thank You to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristin Hannah for the free eARC.

I was so excited to be approved for this gem. First, I had read one other Kristin Hannah book and thoroughly enjoyed. I had also enjoyed the tv series Firefly Lane based on her book. I couldn't wait to read this one. It was an intriguing topic women in Vietnam, growing up in California and then during the Vietnam in country. Returning home to a country that didn't believe women were in Vietnam, people didn't talk about their Vietnam experience, riots and protestors to stop the war. and telling people they weren't heroes.

The narrator was very good at creating the different voices. The pacing was great and I loved listening to her voice. I would definitely would listen to her again.

I was a little kid while all this was happening and did not know much about it. As I got older and learned more about Vietnam and learning my uncle had been in Vietnam, it became an interesting topic. He talked very little about it. Until one night at a family gathering, he put up a screen, and a viewer and started showing us pictures he had taken and got quite a personal first hand account.

In The Women, the main character, Frances, Frankie, McGrath grows up in idyllic Coronado, CA. Her family is a proud military family and she joins up thinking she will get to spend time with her brother in Vietnam, who had also enlisted. What happens is not all Frankie believed it to be. Growing up in a world away and getting by with a little help from her friends both there and when she comes home and is battling PTSD, dramas, family strife, and so much loss in her life.

I loved the main character, her friends, and almost all the other cast of characters. Kristin Hannah does well at developing them and I felt like I knew them personally. I will admit I did need some kleenex from time to time. I would say this is my favorite one of hers. I didn't want to the book to end.

Narration Review: Julia Whalen could read me the ingredients on a shampoo bottle and I’d listen. She adds so much to a story as a narrator.

Book Review: I’ve read everything Kristin Hannah has written, and this is hands down her best yet. I listened to the authors note at the end about how she has wanted to tackle this topic for a long time, but knew she needed more writing experience. I don’t know what this story would have been like for her in her early writing years, but it was a flawless story.

I struggled with how to rate this, though. The story itself felt like perfection to me. There is no happy spin that could be put on the Vietnam War, or the aftermath when the soldiers returned. There is no happy brush that it can be painted with. I knew this going in. But because life is hard anyway, I’ve taken a break from historical fiction. I’ve chosen uplifting happy books for my own mental health. And there really wasn’t much that was uplifting or happy about this story. But it was a story that needed to be told, and she told it with perfection.

This was amazing. I learned so much and Julia Whelan was the perfect narrator. I would have read/listened to 100 more pages. My new favorite Kristin Hannah!

Kristin Hannah does it again with another moving, heart-wrenching novel shining a light on women in history. "The Women" is a beautiful tribute to the brave women nurses who served in Vietnam and is an important reminder that women can be heroes. This book will break your heart over and over again, but Hannah's incredible storytelling will keep you coming back for more. Frankie is an extraordinary heroine who you will root for through all of her ups and downs. Her story was not an easy one to read, but I am so glad I did.

I listened to the audiobook read by the queen of narration, Julia Whelan. As always, she told the story so beautifully and enhanced my reading experience. Her tone and pacing were on point, and she did an amazing job bringing Frankie's story to life. Highly recommend this one on audio!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness. I literally could not put this book down once I started. Kristin Hannah has done it again!

This was a completely heartbreaking story about the female nurses who served during the Vietnam War. I have never read a book from this era and learned so much from reading the account of these three women who served their country, but were completely forgotten and left to fend for themselves afterward.

I loved viewing this through Frankie's eyes, and her bond with Barb and Ethel was such a beautiful example of female friendship. Her love interests were interesting, but Frankie and her struggle were the true stars of the story.

This was a beautiful book that tackled so many difficult subjects with such care.

Synopsis: The Women follows Frankie’s journey as a combat nurse in the Vietnam war. It tells a powerful story about the sacrifices she and other women made that were often over looked or forgotten.

My thoughts: Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator so I was unbelievably excited for this Netgalley approval! When I set a goal to read more historical fiction this year, of course, that meant more Kristin Hannah. I’d recommend this author to anyone who doesn’t mind shedding a tear or two (or twenty😢). Her stories are tragic but so so beautiful.💔🥹😭 The writing and character development, as always, is top tier. The loyalty in the female friendships really made the story come alive. I love that The Women pieced together Frankie’s whole story - from the heroic qualities she displayed as a combat nurse to what she faced in the aftermath of war trauma. It felt messy and real. I didn’t think anything could surpass The Nightingale but The Women is right up there with it. I know it’s early in the year, but I’m confident in saying this one will make my favorites of 2024. Check triggers as the content is emotional and heavy but it’s such a powerful and important story that you won’t want to miss.

true story... I am not done with this book yet because Kristin Hannah is a very tough author for me to read.
I know... she is going to rip out my heart and I won't even be 30% in the book. My first book by Hannah was " The Great Alone" it was such a heavy book I had to stop reading it and take a break...
Then I read "Four Winds" I can still feel the atmosphere of "The Great Depression" and the "Dust Bowl" with the dry crops and starving people. Hannah is very, very thorough in her research. She seems like the type of author who counts the grains of salt in the shaker before mentioning in her story.
"The Women" is a story set during the Vietnam War . She has counted the grains of salt... She does not miss one description. I have to stop and take a breath because it is very emotionaly heavy and heart wrenching.
I have not finished reading the book yet...but I will. I just can't read her in one sitting. Hannah gives me too much to think about and ponder. I did not give this book a fiver star because I don't trust Hannah...I am hoping that she doesnt rip my heart out and does right by Fankie.

I know her fans will absolutely love this book.
Kristin Hannah (Author, Narrator), Julia Whelan (Narrator) are amazing narrators. I felt all their words, had to take deep breaths and felt every emotion in their voice. Really truly outstanding.

“I left a patriot and came home a pariah.”

As someone who only knew about the Vietnam War through history books in school, I realized I understood so little. I remember it being called a senseless war and the movements to end the war. What I had never considered deeply is the effect the lack of support for the war had on the veterans returning home. Especially the invisible women of the Vietnam War who had mental health concerns but were refused veteran services.

Kristin Hannah takes the reader through so many raw and awful circumstances and feelings, but she does it with such authenticity that Frankie felt like a real person. My heart broke for Frankie multiple times as she tried and failed and tried again and again to find her way back to herself. The Women will stay with me and remind me that many were never thanked for their service when they needed it most.

Let me start this review by saying two things. 1 I hope there isn’t a word cap. 2 there is nothing I can say that would even be worthy of this book. I’m an avid reader. All of my free time is spent in a book. I’ve read some great ones. Ones I thought would never be topped. I was wrong. This book by leaps and bounds is the best book I’ve EVER had the privilege of reading. It’s a first by this author but will not be my last. Normally I’d move right on to the next one on my list. But seriously how? How do I move on from THIS??? I feel like it will be days before I’m ok enough to read again. Then it just will not be the same. That’s how impactful this book was. If you don’t feel like your soul was torn right out of you, then you my friend don’t have a pulse. I mean that in the best way possible. You should be prepared to feel all the emotions a human is capable of feeling! And I do mean all! This story is one I know I will never ever forget. I will always remember these characters as if I myself lived through it with them. Why? Because that’s the way it feels. I have never in my life had this kind of deep soul searing connection with a book. So thank you for writing this. Thank you for shining light on the women who were mistreated. Who were told to forget. Who were treated like they didn’t matter. Who were taught to be ashamed. Who were told they didn’t see battle but in my opinion faced it head on everyday. Without them there would only have been death. Thank you for saying they matter! They were there! They did serve! Thank you for the women!!! It’s been an honor and a privilege being able to read your work! As I said previously there are no words I can say good enough for this book, so let me say again, THANK YOU!!!!!
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2C6I8Z97CREZB/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Every emotion was felt while reading this. It was so well written, researched and descriptive. While I knew some of the Vietnam War, I didn't fully grasp the depth of it. This will truly open your eyes.
"The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm's way to help others. Women whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has all too often been forgotten. Women can be hero's, too"
Seriously you need to keep this book on your radar for it's February 6th debut!
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins press for my ARC.

“All the pain, the loss, the lost, the shame.”

“…thrust back into a world where Vietnam veterans were supposed to be invisible, the women most of all.”

“Women can be heroes.”

“We were there.”

Kristin Hannah takes on the Vietnam War with a poignant pen. From the beginning, she pulled me into this era, capturing the overwhelming nature of the time. The first part focuses on Vietnam and the life of a combat nurse (Frankie) and the many casualties of war, both US and Vietnamese. The second part focuses on Frankie’s return home. I immediately wanted to read this book, because of the author, but also to read about an era less often covered in historical fiction.

I was deeply moved in many respects. The gritty, in your face descriptions of the kind of trauma witnessed as a combat nurse. It was intense. I was sickened but I do feel it added to the perspective. And then, the return home…no heroes welcome, no acknowledgement, no interest. To have gone through Vietnam and to return in a confused state of shame and be unsupported, was just staggering. The pain, the PTSD. The author does a tremendous job of capturing all the emotions. There were two things I hadn’t considered that really stuck with me: (1) the adamant denial that women were in Vietnam and (2) that they considered their time in Vietnam as “the best of times, the worst of times”. So much to unpack with those thoughts.

Surprisingly, and I hate that this is the case, I’m not 100% sold on this book. It’s too long, there are too many incredible coincidences and stretches, it’s way too neatly wrapped up in the end, it gets melodramatic when it’s not necessary, the love interests are just awful and the main character was just unlikeable. For a book titled “the women”, I would have liked more stories of the women. I wanted more of her friends, Barbara and Ethyl. Definitely needed less of Rye (although I did get caught up in that drama, it really was an unnecessary side story.)

While there are aspects that bothered me, it was really emotionally gripping overall and will stay with me. Kristin Hannah is skilled at getting to the heart, and writing with a female lens. It’s not my favorite of her books, but worth a read. She shines light on the forgotten.

There are a million triggers in this book. It probably needs to come with warnings.

I know they are already looking at a movie based on this book…. That’s going to be amazing!

I both read the book and listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Julie Whalen was great as usual!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!! It was an honor to both read and listen to it.