I decided to try my first Kristin Hannah book after hearing amazing things and because my girl Julia Whelan narrates this one. And, well, I am converted! This was such a heartbreaking story with well written characters. It is clear that Hannah is an expert researcher as the details were so strong throughout. She handles extremely hard topics with excellent care. I highly recommend the audiobook - there were lots of car tears for me during this one!

Kristin Hannah does not disappoint in her latest novel, The Women. The characters are real, and their stories are very relatable, especially for Vietnam vets. Frank McGrath, grows up in affluent Corando Island with it's influence of naval pride. When she decides to enlist as a nurse, both the Marine and Navy turn her down for lack of experience. Not to be deterred, she goes into the Army recruitment office in spite of the heckling from protesters outside to the center.
After she enlists, you follow her harrowing ordeals as she navigates war, love, discrimination and fear. This is on par with the Nightingale, and a book not to be missed.

Pub Date: February 6! Run, do not walk to the bookstore!!

Frankie McGrath comes from a line of military heroes. But she doesn't know she can be one. At her brother, Finley's, going away party for Vietnam, his friend Rye tells Frankie that women can be heroes too. This statement starts a journey. Frankie commits to the Army Nurse Corps to follow Finley to Vietnam.

Saving lives on the front lines in Vietnam changes Frankie's life forever. She finds love and loss and friendship and camaraderie. She finds herself only to lose it when she comes home to politically divided country with no resources to support veterans. After all, there were no women in Vietnam, according to everyone.

This is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Hands down. It is so deep and layered and beautiful and tragic. Kristan Hannah brought everything to this one. It is an era that I have not read a lot about and I felt like I was beside her through the whole journey. It's about mistakes and trying to do the right thing. It's about politics and mental health. It's about your ride or die people. I wanted Frankie to find peace and happiness, but I did not want the book to end! It's been a while since I stayed up all night to finish one.

Thank you also to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for an advanced audio copy. Julia Whalen is the narrator and, as always, she was fabulous!

This book was devastating start to finish. I cried the whole way through. There was a lot of rawness, and the author didn’t shy away from harsh realities - without being gory or sensational about it. I’d recommend a million times.

I love a sweeping story like this and KH writes so beautifully. The first half of the book is a solid 5 stars for me. I was transported to Vietnam, from the remote hospital to the vacation spots. The book just hooked me. The second half took some turns I didn't expect and also just didn't love.

Part of me was waiting/longing for an ending that included Frankie's photo on her father's hero wall - that was a missed opportunity.

A few loose ends weren't tied and could have been... in place of the ultra downward spiral chapters.

I'm still a huge fan and immensely enjoyed this book.

This was my first Kristen Hannah novel and it will definitely not be my last. This story was really interesting and I learned about female medical staff in the Vietnam War which is a new topic for me. My heart broke for Frankie as she served her country then found nothing but obstacles when she arrived home. The themes of mental health and substance abuse were addressed masterfully and the friends that stuck with Frankie through good and bad added so much to the story. I was so glad Frankie got reconnected with her Mom & Dad and that they became so supportive of her after a fraught relationship. And that ending! I loved it! Frankie found her true love after getting done dirty by Rye not only once, but twice. What a jerk! I will be looking forward to reading more from Hannah’s back catalog.

The narrator was fabulous and I enjoyed listening to her read. I would listen to more books she narrates.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this wonderful story.

Julia Whalen is such a queen! This story was fantastic, I loved this way more than The Four Winds. The first 70% was great, the last 30 went a bit off the rails/a little all over the place but overall this was fantastic and will be in my top 10 of the year.

Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @macmillian.audio for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book made me feel all the feels. It made me happy, mad, and it made me cry. I cannot get enough of Kristin Hannah’s books and this was no different. I could not put it down. I love Frankie and following her through Vietnam and then coming home. I felt each of her losses and disappointments and rages as much as her joys in each step of her life. Hannah is an amazing storyteller.

I also loved the message that Women can be heroes too. Such a great reminder!

This book is narrated by Julia Whelan and was perfectly executed. She immerses you into the story so that you experience what’s going on along with the characters. I felt the emotions along with the sense of urgency that moved the storyline forward.

5 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #netgalley #goodreads #ltbreaderteam #thewomen #kristinhannah

#fivestarfriday

The Women by @kristiinhannah
Available February 6, 2024

Many thanks to my friends at @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.

Impactful. Eye opening. Drenched in emotion. Women are heroes, and war is hell.

This book has consumed my thoughts since finishing it.

There’s no doubt that Hannah has written many books about significant timeframes and overlooked female heroes. But this one, it’s quite possibly her most important to date.

As a milspouse, this book hit particularly hard. I’ve seen the impact of war first-hand. And in this novel, Hannah gets it agonizingly right.

It’s gut wrenching and raw. It’s, “how can a person handle any more?!” It’s sobbing tears and choking pain. It’s being home and yet not free.

Walking in Frankie’s shoes was an immersive experience. To encounter such trauma and then to be overlooked and discounted. It ripped my heart out. I wanted better for her.

It’s worth noting that Hannah utilizes two of my most detested tropes. I wanted to hate it. Instead, I realized the brilliance in their execution. They masterfully showcased the traumatizing, life altering effects of combat. A person… irrevocably changed into something different, unrecognizable.

It’s not all heartbreak and turmoil though. There is deep, abiding, life impacting friendship. There is hope and overcoming. There is honor and recognition. I was so proud of Frankie in the end.

And there are the real women behind this fictional account. True heroes deserving a spotlight.

A definitive must read, and a necessary lesson for us all.

But grab a friend (like @books_and_biceps9155 ) and a box of tissues first!

🎧 Narrated by the incomparable Julia Whelan, the audiobook is a richly executed, immersive experience. Whelan fully embodies Frankie, bringing powerful emotion to life while also propelling the narrative with a sense of urgency.

This book CONSUMED me! I literally could not think of anything else after the second I started reading it and was so immersed. The chokehold that Hannah has over me with the way she tells such heartbreaking yet powerful stories is truly unparalleled.

I applaud her her steering off the beaten path and writing about a less typically told war story. I found myself yelling at my book at the disgusting treatment these poor women received upon returning home. No matter what capacity you served in, anyone serving abroad should always be considered a veteran. I’m so happy that Hanna could bring to light these women and their untold stories. Frankie was a remarkably brave and inspirational protagonist and heroine.

Women can be heroes
And these women are now mine.

While this one might not have evoked the same type of emotions and response out of me as The Nightingale, these women and Hannah deserve all the stars!

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a bold story about a woman who volunteers to be an army nurse for the Vietnam war. The main character, Frances "Frankie" McGrath was raised in a family were the men were revered for their military service. However, after volunteering herself, she quickly is confronted by the reality that it is only deemed an honor for the men. Despite the protest of her family, she bravely set off to Vietnam were she quickly had to learn the skills and strength to survive in a brutal combat zone. Then even after the war, she is faced with the reality that there will be more battles and trauma to face back at home in the United States when navigating a society that doesn't want to recognize the service of those from Vietnam at all- especially the women.

This is a powerful story that illuminates an important and under discussed history of the United States. It is moving tale of a woman who was a nurse, a patriot, a trauma survivor, and a voice that could easily be lost to time.

I highly recommend this book to all readers, but especially those interested in learning more about the Vietnam War and the care of veterans, fans of historical fiction, fans of Kristin Hannah, and nurses. In even just the week since I have finished this book I have talked about it with so many people because of how relatable and important the topics it includes are even today. Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Hannah, and Macmillan audio for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kristin Hannah is one of the most well respected writers of her generation; and she has earned every amount of respect she has- her work especially in the last 15 years is unparalleled and the highest of quality.

THE WOMEN is no exception; and I believe it to be one of the most powerful novels written in the 21st century... Yes, high flowery praise I know; but I wept, hard, for these characters; and I learned more than I ever thought possible. I am ashamed to admit that I was not extremely familiar with a lot of events of the Vietnam War before reading Hannah's novel, but after reading the journey that {the fictional} Frances McGrath and her fellow female army nurses experienced in the pages of this novel; I have gained the highest amount of personal respect for the nursing profession, and all those that served in the Vietnam War.

This was truly a powerful emotional read for the ages, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone with the emotional depth and courage to tackle these 480 something pages. I promise you won't regret it; the audiobook was sublime and recorded to perfection- the narrator just totally became the character and made me not want to turn it off. It was one of the best audios I've received.

<i>Women can be heroes.</i>

Kristin Hannah is my favorite author so there’s no surprise this was my most anticipated read for 2024. I was a little nervous going into it because I’ve actually never read a book set during Vietnam, but rest assured, there was nothing to be nervous about. Hannah wrote a beautiful story set amidst such turmoil and conflict. I loved the story of The Women who served in Vietnam, and I learned a lot about this war and what the vets went to after returning home while reading it.

The Women tells the story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath and her decision to join the Army Nurse Corps after her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam. When Frankie arrives there after minimal training, she’s overwhelmed by the chaos and horrors that face her. She meets two other nurses while she’s there, Barb and Ethel, who remain her friends even after they’re discharged.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that Hannah not only told what it was like to be in Vietnam, but what it was like after returning to America. She showed the way the vets were treated in a heartbreaking manner, and it really opened my eyes to the struggles these men and women went through. One thing I didn’t realize was how hard it was for these nurses and the other women there. How people kept telling them they weren’t vets or in Vietnam.

It broke my heart reading Frankie’s story. I cried throughout this book. Some tears were sad while others were happy. Hannah has a way of evoking so many feelings within her readers, and this book was no exception to that. It was so emotional yet I didn’t want to put it down.

I listened to the audiobook, and I’ve mentioned many times that Julia Whelan is my favorite narrator so it’s no surprise I loved listening to this story. She voiced all of the characters beautifully and made me feel so much compassion for what Frankie was going through. I highly recommend listening to this one.

The Nightingale has always been my favorite novel by Kristin Hannah, and I’m surprised to say this one might even be better! Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars - Kristin Hannah has done it again!

In her latest novel, Hannah has tackled our nation's least popular war, Vietnam, and used her masterful and emotional storytelling abilities to help us understand this war and the lasting and traumatic effects of PTSD on our veterans.

The reader follows the life of Frankie McGrath, a sheltered recent graduate of nursing school in the 1960s, as she idealistically enlists as an army nurse to join the Vietnam war effort, following the footsteps of her older brother. Without giving too much away, she quickly learns the harsh realities of war, and returns home after 2 years of service to a nation that shows animosity toward Vietnam vets and worse, refuses to believe that there were even any women serving there. This dismissal and denial of her experiences and sacrifices leads Frankie, and many other Vietnam vets, to struggle with substance use, mental illness, and the lasting physical effects of Agent Orange on their bodies.

I found myself rooting for Frankie throughout the novel and hoping for a happy ending for her. The book teaches us, however, that traditional fairy tales endings don't exist for most, but it is still possible to cultivate a life of meaning and resilience in the face of repeated pain and trauma. Most of all, the bravery and sacrifice of The Women of Vietnam should never be forgotten.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook to review!

The term "tour de force" is at times used indiscriminately, but Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN deserves it wholeheartedly. Frankie McGrath is young, idealistic, and ready to take on the world when she signs up as a nurse to follow her beloved brother to Vietnam. All that enthusiasm is blown to pieces as the reality of the war and its horrors consumes her. THE WOMEN is Frankie's story, but the noun chosen is plural, and Frankie's account chronicles not only the women whose service was often discounted or ignored, but also the pain of the American mothers left without sons (and sometimes daughters), the women and children in country who were collateral damage, and the wives, fiancées, and girlfriends left behind whose lives were turned upside down by forces entirely beyond their control. THE WOMEN is not an easy book to read or listen to (although the narration by Julia Whelan was, as always, magnificent), and there are a few moments when Frankie's romantic entanglements slow down the book's momentum, but the novel is one that jumps out of the time and place constraints of the Vietnam War and the turbulent 60s and serves instead as a reminder of the unintended consequences of war anywhere, anytime and begs us to pay attention to the flesh and blood people behind the statistics. As hard as it was to be immersed in the pathos of THE WOMEN, I was devastated to reach the end and have to say goodbye to Frankie.

I enjoyed this book as an adult, but if referring to young women (high school age), I think that the last third of the book was not moving very quickly. Many of my students would have quit 2/3s of the way through.
The history of the time was accurate and very interesting.
The ending came out of the blue. I felt that the author should have had some forewarning of Jamie being alive. Frankie could have had feelings of Jamie being around her, or talking to her, or some other foreshadowing.
The last third of the book seemed a bit like it was rushed.

📖: The Women
✍️: Kristen Hannah
🎙: Julia Whelan
⭐️: 5 of 5
🎧: 5 of 5

I honestly don't know what to say. Kristen is such a talented story teller and paired with Whelan's phenomenal performance, it was simply perfection. This one left it's mark on my heart. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

The Women was the most powerful book I have read in a long time. It tore my heart to shreds and built it back again and again. The story of Frankie, a nurse serving in Vietnam, and the aftermath of war from her perspective, was absolutely gut wrenching. I cried multiple times throughout the novel and then again at the end. The story was beautiful and raw, leaving the reader with a deep understanding of just how awful Vietnam was in more ways than one. This book is something that all Americans should read - to better appreciate those who go to war, to help them heal when they return, and to hopefully never have a repeat of something as horrifying as Vietnam. This story has settled into my soul and is not one that I will forget.

The narrator of the audiobook, Julia Whalen, did an amazing job with the voices, intensity, and pacing of the story. She made it easy to get drawn in and not want to stop listening.

-5 stars

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacMillanAudio for an advance audiobook copy of #TheWomen by #KristinHannah narrated by #JuliaWhelan
All views expressed are my own.

Wow. Just wow. I am literally the biggest baby when it comes to some emotions. I will literally cry or be holding back tears any time I read and see people working together, standing up for others, being treated badly, anything like that. So this one was an emotional roller coaster.

I honestly went into this one relatively blind. I've been wanting to read a Kristin Hannah book so when I saw this one I immediately requested it. I don't think I actually read the blurb, and I know I didn't look for any trigger warnings either. So be warned it is relatively graphic with some hospital scenes during an active war, alcohol and drug abuse, death and injury, talk of suicide, shame and resentment, miscarriage and more. This was a heavy book. But so, so worth it 💕

This is inspired by true events and experiences of the women in Vietnam. The way the author brings in the reader is just amazing. I felt like I was living Frankie's life with her, through the triumph, the heart ache, the confusion and frustration. I felt it all.

Also, this narrator was the best choice. She portrayed each character perfectly and her emotional change for the amount of tension in a scene was beautiful.

A riveting tale of the complexities and destructive nature of war. The beautiful saving grace of sisterhood, layered nature of family dynamics, realities of mental health struggles, and true love in unexpected places. This book has it all! Kristin Hannah draws you in and keeps you reeled in until the very last word. The characters are rich and deeply relatable on a human level. I absolutely loved this book. I’m only sorry that I’m done reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for advanced listening for my honest review.