I loved this book. I haven't read many books set during Vietnam. Frankie's story was full of love, bravery, heartbreak, and hope. I will definitely recommend this book. I love Kristin Hannah's work!

Kristin Hannah’s meticulous research shines in The Women, with some scenes reading like nonfiction. I was particularly captivated by the first half, detailing Frankie’s Vietnam tour, while the latter part skillfully explores her post-war life. There are so graphic scenes and multiple triggers so I recommend reading the content warnings on StoryGraph as there’s too many to mention. The author’s captivating storytelling and fresh perspective on a rarely discussed topic were eye-opening, especially in portraying Frankie’s post-Vietnam experiences with her family and friends. One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing Frankie, Barb, and Ethel supporting each other which truly highlights the value of friendship. The only part of the book I had a difficult grappling with were the romantic connections and some of the twists that related to that, but I understood why these had to be written into the story. Overall, this has to be one of my all-favorite books from Kristin Hannah and is my first 5-star read of the year! As someone who rarely reads historical fiction, I highly recommend this resonant read.

Kristin Hannah has penned another remarkable book! This story is so gripping. You laugh and you cry but most of all you develop a deep respect for the women (mostly nurses) who were brave enough to go to Viet Nam and come home to a country divided. This book holds you captivated from beginning to end. I know this is early to say but authors are going to have to come up with some incredible material to knock this book out of the top spot for me this year!!! If I could I would rate it with ten stars!!! The narrator has an amazing voice and her reading of the story is outstanding.

A beautifully written and narrated book about the resilience and courage of Frankie, a young nurse stationed in Vietnam during the war. Frankie is an unforgettable character, and this book sheds light on a topic many people don't know much about. As for many affected by war, there is no fairy tale ending for Frankie, but in the end she's at peace with her life and helps others to find peace, too.

Stunning! This book took hold of me from beginning to end. It is the story of an idealistic nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath. She grew up on Coronado Island near San Diego and its naval base. Her brother graduates the Naval academy and is off to Vietnam. Frustrated with the nursing work she is doing and hoping to make her father proud, she impulsively enlists as an Army nurse. It is 1966, the war is fully raging and she is unprepared for the scenes she sees while working in a field hospital. The first half of the book covers her time in Vietnam. The second half focuses on her return and the aftermath. As harrowing as the work in Vietnam, Frankie knows she is skilled and has saved lives. But her return is gut wrenching to me. The country is at odds with the war, and little is known about the PTSD in women because as she is told “there are no women in Vietnam”.

This is a powerful story told by a master storyteller. I love the music references and know most of them. I love that her two best friends were there for her over and over. They never judged and stood with her in solidarity. Personally I was a child in the 60s, and have vague memories of the protests and the returning of soldiers from the war. I have been to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC dozens of times, always looking for my father's cousin's name and running my fingers over the engraving. And I remember when they added the beautiful statue to honor the nurses who were there. I will be highly recommending this to my book club and my friends.

I received a copy of the audiobook narrated by the amazingly talented Julia Whalen and a copy of the ARC. Whalen seamlessly brought characters to life. I alternated between listening and reading the book. I can recommend either or both depending on your preferences. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook.

What an emotional ride. I know very little about the Vietnam War, and even less about the role women played. This novel intrigued me and then broke my heart. I know this is historical fiction, but this is a story that needed to be told. These veterans deserved more. I think this is a timely novel that everyone should read.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

What a book! What a story! What an honor it was to get an advanced copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley & MacMillian Audio.

The book follows Frankie a California girl who enlists in the Vietnam War as a Nurse. Honored to serve her country, you follow her as she learns the ropes in a hospital in the middle of a war, makes friends, starts to thrive in her environment, and then comes home to a country not in support of the war and refusing to acknowledge a woman was even serving in the first place.

This book was a rollercoaster of emotion for me. I cried for Frankie and all the men she detailed she saw injured or dead, I was angry for the way Frankie and the other woman were treated by her own country after serving in the war, I longed for Frankie to find the love, support, and peace she so desperately needed and wanted. I was engulfed in this story and have never wanted to hug a fictional character more in my life.

This book inspired me to look into the Vietnam war a bit more. I asked my mom her experience and read a number of articles trying to understand the history around this story. I can only imagine the pain the vets who served in Vietnam felt coming home to a country divided and angry and unwelcoming.

** this book deals with some very heavy topics: *war/combat*gruesome surgical descriptions*death of children*alcoholism*miscarriage**

This book. I don't even know what to say. It was SO good, and had me feeling all the feels. It is not for the faint of heart, to be sure, but is more than worth it! I have a relative who was a nurse on a Navy ship in Vietnam, so this story really hit home for me. It also brought back memories of the project I did in high school where I interviewed five Vietnam veterans to get their perspectives on the war and their experiences upon returning home. It was eye-opening for sure. This novel takes "eye-opening" to a whole new level. It is gripping, gritty, and dark in places, but there is hope there too. The narrator of the audio version did a phenomenal job. Whether you choose to listen or read, do NOT miss this book!

I was eager and excited to get this advanced copy from NetGalley. To read about nurses during Vietnam War - I'm in. And Kristin Hannah, of course!

The main character wasn't as likable as her other strong women characters. Frankie seemed more self-interested than Hannah's other characters. And since the book is titled "The Women" and almost 500 pages, I really thought we would get multiple POVs, but that wasn't the case.

The book was entirely predictable as well. The plot lines focused on love were eye roll-worthy.

It's a decent book and worth a read, but not a fave.

As usual, Kristin Hannah's writing is magnificent. She describes the scene so perfectly that you feel like you are transported there. "The Women" is a roller coaster of emotions that will keep you wanting more. Just when you think things will go Frankie's way, Bam!, another twist. I think I cried at least three times and then again at the end when Kristin Hannah was thanking the people who helped her with this book. This is a must read!!!
If you are listening to the audio book, it is also a must, as Julia Whelan is just as perfect at narrating as Kristin Hannah is at writing.

Kristin Hannah has never disappointed me, but to say I loved The Women is a complete understatement. It's only January and this will be one of the top three books I read this year - Frankie might be one of my favorite characters of all time. We are with Frankie in Vietnam after she enlisted as a nurse - I felt her exhaustion, smelled the blood, and felt the heat through Hannah's writing. We are with Frankie when she returns home - I felt her anger and understood her frustration. We are with Frankie through heartbreak, and there with her when her two best friends lift her up - I felt the sadness and friendship. This book is a journey, and it was a spectacular book. I wish I could give it more than five stars.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of The Women by Kristin Hannah Narrated by Julia Whelan; Kristin Hannah in exchange for an honest review. It publishes February 6, 2024.
First off, Julia Whelan nailed this, as always. She's the queen for a reason!
Secondly, KH brought it yet again. This book broke me. I had to take breaks, and I still finished it in less than a week, because I could not stop DEVOURING it.
I learned so much about the Vietnam war that I had never even imagined before. I am so grateful for the research done and that it was presented in such a raw and real way.
I really appreciated the way things in the US were portrayed, I thought that was so important, and I just really appreciate the way both sides of the coin are looked at and explored. I felt like veterans were very much respected by this story, but not excusing the war itself. It can be hard to separate the war from the warrior, and that can be so damaging.

Wow, just wow! Kristin Hannah's The Women does a fantastic job bringing a voice to a forgotten group of women. I personally have never given much thought to the women who sacrificed for their country during such a tense time in our nation's history. The layers of complexity in Frankie's journey from combat nurse to reintegrating herself back into civilian life is so well written. The story leaves the listener experiencing so many emotions - sadness, anger and joy. The book is full of twists and turns, making you wonder if Frankie will ever get a happy ending. Well done, Kristin Hannah!

"You know, women can be heroes too." This sentence, said by Finn McGrath's best friend to Francis (Frankie) McGrath, sparks an immediate fire in Frankie to be a hero. As Finn heads off to fight in the Vietnam War, making his father very proud, Frankie also decides to enlist as a nurse in the war.; Nursing in Vietnam is nothing like Frankie expected, but she quickly rises up the ranks to become one of the best surgical nurses in her unit. But what happens when soldiers and nurses return from war? This is where Frankie begins to struggle. Haunted by nightmares, unappreciated by the country she served, and her service ignored by her family, Frankie struggles to find a path for herself. This book was wonderful and focused on Frankie's struggles once she returns to the States. I listened to the audio book. Julia Whelan was the narrator for the audio book and I absolutely love listening to books by her. Her pacing is excellent and she brings the characters to life. I would give this book four stars. Everything is so well=written. The only minor criticism I have is that the story drags a bit after Frankie returns from Vietnam, but the ending is so good that it makes up for the slower section.

**5 BIG stars for "The Women"!** This is easily my favorite book by Kristin Hannah and the pairing with Julia Whelan is absolute perfection.

Frankie, a sheltered 20-year-old from Southern California, embarks on a transformative journey when her brother's Vietnam deployment inspires her to join the army as a nurse. Thrust into the heart of a Vietnamese jungle hospital, naïve idealism gives way to raw reality. With little training and soldiers pouring in wounded, Frankie is forced to step up, her character blossoming in the face of adversity.

Frankie's growth is truly captivating, and the powerful female friendships she forms with two fellow nurses are the heart of the story. Their unwavering support and solidarity in the face of unimaginable hardship are a testament to the strength of sisterhood.

The book masterfully evokes the horrors of war and the oppressive heat of Vietnam. But it doesn't end there. Frankie's homecoming is met with unexpected hostility, not just from a war-torn nation but also from her own family. The societal disdain towards female veterans adds another layer of complexity to her struggles.

Frankie's battle with PTSD is heartbreaking, highlighting the lack of support for returning soldiers and the particular challenges faced by women. Thankfully, her female friends become her anchor, reminding us of the importance of strong support systems.

This is a story about finding your place in the world, weathering loss, and ultimately, finding the strength to rise again. As a picky historical fiction reader, I was absolutely engrossed. Every word, every page, every minute kept me hooked.

And of course, Julia Whelan delivers a phenomenal performance. Their voice breathes life into the story, adding another layer of depth and emotional resonance.

**Overall, "The Women" is a powerful and moving tale that will stay with you long after the last page. Highly recommended!**

***Big thank you to Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy of this book, all opinions are my own.***

I fell in love with the characters of this book! Frankie, the main character, seemed so genuine and grew so much throughout the book. I felt so many different emotions while listening to this book! The narrator did a phenomenal job. There was a lot of character development as the plot moved along. Some historical fiction books can be too detailed and have a slow pace. This book had enough details for you to understand the historical context, but the book kept a good pace. So much historical fiction focuses on WWI or WWII, but it was really interesting to read about the Vietnam war. I learned a lot about that time in history. This book will be one of the top books of 2024!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.

Here is a piece of history that needed to be written, the women of the Vietnam war. I cannot fathom what it must have felt like to return after the war only to be told that were no women in the war since you weren’t in combat. Their service was discounted. The author does an admirable job recounting the story of the women both while in Vietnam, and upon the return to the US. The plot is propulsive. One of the love stories seem gratuitous. The love story between the nurses was the heart of the book.

The narration was fantastic. Many thanks to MacMillian audio and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy.

The Women was a fabulous novel to listen to! Kristin Hannah is a master at showing important moments in history through the perspective of the women who lived through it. I loved Frankie McGrath. Her desire to make her life count by wanting to contribute is relatable. The way in which her service is minimized and treated as something other than heroic is infuriating, but sadly accurate to the times. The contrast between how Frankie and her brother's service in the same war is striking, as is the way her service is erased. by those who were convinced no women were in Vietnam.

About 1/2 the story follows Frankie through her time as a nurse in the war. We see her assigned to a medical unit that most readers will relate to because of the TV show MASH, but the conditions were nowhere near as stable or fun. Still Frankie develops lifelong friendships with the women she serves with, and also gets her heart broken, not once, but twice, She rises above her fear to comfort the injured and does everything she can to save those who have a chance of survival by becoming a field surgical nurse.

The second half of the story follows her return home and aftermath. As bad as war is, the overall attitude of folks at home about the war is infuriating and adds to Frankie's stress and trauma, Here, Hannah pulls no punches in displaying how difficult it was for so many to come home fundamentally changed only to be disregarded or demonized by the public as opposition to the war progressed. I was so moved by how every area of Frankie's life was touched by this and how even when she went to seek help, her service did not count enough to even allow her the counseling and resources male combat soldiers received. While her downward spiral is hard to watch, Hannah's storytelling is compelling and keeps us rooting for Frankie. Julia Whelan's narration performance adds even more to the experience, and helps bring Frankie's pain and experience's alive to the listener.

This story of one of America's most problematic wars and the disdainful way in which those who served were treated after still finds a way to be uplifting in the end. It is powerful, but not negative. It portrays depression and PTSD compassionately, and with hope, and it gives voice to the stories of so many women who gave of themselves to serve something greater.

Thanks to MacMillian Audio and Netgalley for access to an ALC of this novel!

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre ~ Historical Fiction
Expected Publication date ~ February 6, 2024
Audio length ~ 15 Hours
Narrator ~ Julia Whelan
POV: Single 3rd person
Setting ~ California, Vietnam, Virginia, Montana

I'll start this review by letting you know I have read several books by Kristin Hannah. Some of them were absolute 5 stars for me, while some others left me underwhelmed. Because of this, I pick and choose which stories I'd like to invest some time in and not merely by the author who wrote it.

"The Women" by Kristen Hannah grabbed my attention for a few reasons. I was captivated by another of Hannahs books, "The Four Winds" as I felt it gave me an intimate look at a period of history known as the Dustbowl Era. When a fictional novel also provides a history lesson in which you get to experience the emotions of the people involved, you know you've just absorbed a double gift. When I read that her latest book takes place during the Vietnam War, I hoped this would be the case again. Another aspect that piqued my interest is that the main character is a nurse, and the book focuses in on the nurses of Vietnam. Naturally, this nurse couldn't wait.

Believe the hype surrounding The Women. It is THAT good! I loved every minute of it whether it pulled my heartstrings or left me sickened with the horrors of Vietnam. I came away with a better understanding of this period in our history and for that I thank you, Kristin Hannah.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary advanced audiobook of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are authentically my own.

Thank you to NetGalley. St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 STARS

Kristin Hannah monopolized one of my weekends AGAIN with this gripping, gut-wrenching, addictive story that was impossible to put down. I've never been more thankful to have an audiobook to accompany me all weekend because when I couldn't read it on my Kindle I was listening to it on the go!

The Women by Kristin Hannah tells the story of those brave women who volunteered in the Vietnam War. They were there and they served a pivotal role. Imagine giving up years of your life to volunteer in a war as a nurse and upon your return home people continue to stress that "there were no women in Vietnam!"

The story The Women is told in two parts. Lieutenant Frances McGrath recruits herself into the Army Nurse Corps after her brother, Finley heads off to war. The first part is about her experience in Vietnam and the second part is about her return to life in the US after she is done serving.

Friends, you will LOVE this story. It will stay with you and you will want to grab a copy on Feb. 6 when this book launches. It is beautifully written, you will need tissues and I also felt like you will learn a lot about these amazing women who served such a pivotal role.