I'm sorry you have to wait until February for this, but go and put it on hold at your local library or pre-order a copy from your local independent bookstore RIGHT NOW. This is essential historical fiction - captivating characters, heartbreaking moments, impactful writing all set in a time in American history that hasn't shared the women's stories like this before.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @Macmillan Audio and @NetGalley for an advanced audio version of The Women by Kristin Hannah. I loved it! Of course, you've got a hit when Julia Whelan is your narrator! She is the perfect voice for this story. Full disclosure, I've yet to read a Hannah book I didn't like. "Women can be heroes, too." When Frankie McGrath, 20 years old and a nursing student, hears those words she has a revelation. Why shouldn't she enlist in the Army Nurse Corps and follow her brother to Vietnam? It's 1965 and women are expected to stay home and learn to be a wife and mother. But privileged Frankie chooses a different path and it changes her life forever.
I was fourteen when the Vietnam War ended. I remember the POW bracelets we wore and the almost daily headlines about the war and the horrible way the soldiers were treated when they returned home. I didn't know anything about the women who served and how differently they were treated. A common reply when Frankie tells people she served is, "There were no women in Vietnam". Even though Frankie suffered the same despair and had similar issues as the men who fought, she could not get help at the VA or other places that helped veterans. The hospitals she worked at in Vietnam weren't shielded from the horrors of the war or the damage to the Vietnamese people.
Five stars to this book! Frankie's story is both heartbreaking and hopeful. We watched her grow up and participate in a world that was falling apart, but the people she met, loved, and lost along the way made this story unforgettable. Thank you Kristin Hannah for bringing these brave women into our lives!

The Women by @kristinhannahauthor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An incredible story about the women who served in Vietnam and life afterwards - from denial about women serving in Vietnam at all to PTSD, suicide, and more. A worthy read. I listed to the ARC audiobook on @netgalley for free thanks to the author and @stmartinspress.

#netgalley #thewomen #historicalfiction #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof24

My thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio for an advanced copy of this e-book and audiobook. The narration by Julia Whelan was fantastic.

This story of Frankie McGraff , a young woman who goes to nursing school after high school. Her brother is drafted to serve in the Vietnam War making their father proud to put his picture on their wall of heroes at home. But when he is killed, Frankie signs up to serve as a nurse in the Army, much against her parents wishes. They feel nice girls work until they marry the "right" man. She hoped her father would put her picture on the wall of heroes before she shipped out.

Frankie ships off to Vietnam and is completely overwhelmed as a new nurse seeing the horrific wounds and casualties of war. But with her fellow nurses helping her, she quickly becomes a very good nurse and eventually a surgical nurse. This part of the book reminded me of the old TV show MASH, about a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in the Korean War. Frankie not only served one tour, but two tours in Vietnam before going home to face another kind of war - a country she didn't recognize. One where she was spit on and attacked when wearing her uniform. She was shocked and hurt and angry. Only her fellow nurses who were back fully understood her.

The story brought me back in time to the music (the Beatles, Bread and Tony Orlando's "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree"), the fashion (bell bottoms, hot pants, and gunny sack dresses), and hair styles (ironed hair straight with a center part). I remember wearing the silver cuff bracelet with the name of a POW on it to remind us to never forget these men. I was completely immersed in this book and this awful time in our nation's history. So many were cruel to those who were drafted and served in Vietnam; yet the war continued when back home with a war from their own countrymen as well as the war that went on their own head.

"Some women had worn love beads in the sixties; others had worn dog tags."

Kristin Hannah does such a great job bringing history to life, as a former case manager to homeless vets, I’ve seen first hand the trauma and difficulties with reentry that plagues many veterans. So many of those struggles that I’ve heard voiced time and time again were represented through the character of Frankie and Kristin Hannah did a phenomenal telling this story!

As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran (a Marine), I was immediately drawn to this book, especially with Kristin Hannah as the author. I found this novel to be heart-breakingly beautiful. Our protagonist, Frankie, presented a picture of war that most people never see. Her trauma from being a nurse in Vietnam, as well as the PTSD she dealt with after being home, was something that I could connect to. My dad, who was finally diagnosed with PTSD in the early 2000s, but he never spoke about his time in Vietnam, which is part of why I was eager to dig into this story. The representation in the novel of how veterans of the Vietnam War were treated after arriving home was something that my dad spoke about while I was growing up. Kristin Hannah clearly did her research to make sure that Frankie's story was historically accurate, no matter how hard it is to read about. Thank you to the publishers for allowing me early access to this audiobook. I will definitely be recommending this book!

“Women can be heroes.”

Marriage and motherhood. That was what was expected of women. Trained "to iron buttonholes to perfection, how to precisely fold a napkin, how to set an elegant table ."

“No fear, McGrath .”

“There were no women in Vietnam .”

Francis “Frankie” McGrath was very close to her brother Finley. He went away to war in Vietnam. She wanted to serve alongside him the best way she could. She joined the Army as a nurse and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. However, before she was sent to serve, her family received tragic news of Finley's death. Even though she wanted to change her mind, she had no choice but to go. So, Frankie takes on her commission.

Even before the news of Finley's death, Frankie's parents were not happy with her decision. In fact, her mother rebuked her. However, Frankie did go, and during those last years of the Vietnam War, Frankie gave everything she had. She not only tended to soldiers, but to the many who were orphaned during the war. But, that is only the first half of this stellar book…

This compelling read opened my eyes about the women that served during the Vietnam War. It was impossible not to relate to Frankie’s strength, vigor and sorrow. PTSD was real for those Vietnam Veterans, and Frankie was a perfect example of this.

On a personal note, I remember when my grandfather returned with the POWs held and tortured for years. He lived with us upon his return to the US and while in the eighth grade, I was able to do a current events based on his tragic experiences. It was because of these memories of my grandfather that I felt a very strong connection to this book.

Frankie’s experiences, while dealing with PTSD, but not recognized for her honorable service, were utterly heartbreaking and I was brought to tears more than once in this amazing book by Kristin Hannah. Her struggles grew day after day as she tried to adjust to civilian life. Addiction became her crutch. It was her method of coping, as she struggled to gain footing as her life went on. However, as a pillar of strength, Frankie truly impressed me, from the beginning of the book, through her challenging struggles, and as her life found fulfillment.

480 pages as an audiobook went in the blink of a eye. One of my favorite narrators, Julia Whelan, did a superb job with this book. Her narration made this winning book that much better. Kristin Hannah’s style of writing will make any reader feel every emotion Frankie feels, and this book made me feel at times that I was living Frankie’s story. Definitely my favorite book of January, and this just might end up my favorite read of 2024.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

What a heartbreaking, moving story. An immediate 5 star that I know I will be thinking about for months to come.

This is undoubtedly my favourite Kristin Hannah book! So incredibly written. I could not stop reading it, and did not want it to end all at the same time. Just WOW!!

So much devastation and emotion to unpack. The service and sacrifice and how I know and unrecognized it was. What a misdoing!

The power of women and their friendships is such a heartwarming tale woven throughout the story. “We were there”.

The last 10 pages. I could not slow down time enough. I do not have words!!!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Cannot wait for discussions on this book!!

Narration was great! Enjoyed listening to the story

I completely devoured this one!

This book was educational about the truths of the Vietnam War, completely immersive into its world, and impossible to put down due to the incredible plot and main cast of characters.

Frankie’s story broke and mended my heart about 200 times — there were several times I asked myself while reading “can we please let this woman catch a break?!”

I admire the ambition of Kristin Hannah to take on a project of this size — it’s my first books of hers and it has definitely inspired me to pick up more!

Finally, Julia Whalen is my favorite and one of the best current audiobook authors. Her narration added to my love of this story.

4.5 stars, docking 1/2 because the pacing toward the middle was a bit too slow, or maybe it could have just been a little shorter. The plot twist at the very end also caught me really off guard and I’m not sure I liked it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

Thank you to @NetGalley for letting me listen to the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Another 5 star read from Kristin Hannah! Wow.

Kristin Hannah brings to light the topic of the forgot veterans, the women. These women were denied their right to even call themselves veterans to the government and even friends and family, because they didnt see combat. She included what it was like trying to get help, or what people had to do/did to feel a sense of normalcy while trying to survive day to day.

This book is heart warming, heart wrenching, and everything in between. This is the story of Frankie and her life pre, during and post Vietnam War. This powerful story described the struggles of being at war, trying to survive and afterwards, trying to adjust to life back state side. The book goes into great detail the inner demons that Frankie suffers with, but also the countries turmoil around the war and its veterans.

Its clear that Kristin Hannah did her research of not only real events but societal expectations and ideas during this time period. It is well thought out, well written and the character development was fantastic. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this book. I loved it.

I don't want to give really anything away so just add it to the top of your tbr for 2024.

Some CW some people might want to know ahead of time miscarriage, attempted suicide, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, gore/explicit details of injuries/death, lastly death of babies/children.

I absolutely loved "The Women" by Kristin Hannah – a powerful portrayal of courage and sacrifice during the Vietnam War. The quote "I died in Vietnam and I just didn't know it" captures the emotional depth of the narrative. The story of Frankie McGrath and her journey through war, friendship, and the challenges of returning home is both moving and thought-provoking. A five-star read that beautifully highlights the often overlooked contributions of women in times of conflict. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

I can honestly say I had no idea what this book was about (except that it featured women) and was written by Kristin Hannah. Kristin Hannah could write the instruction manual for a remote control and I would jump in line for a copy. Needless to say I was extremely excited when I received an ARC from @netgalley to listen to the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan.

The Women is the story of three combat nurses during the Vietnam War and their bravery during and after the war. Written in two parts, the crux of the story is part 2 when they deal with coming home from war and rebuilding their lives after being part of an unpopular war and the denial of a nation for the physical, mental, and emotional support for the overlooked women of the war.

Although maybe it wasn’t my favorite of Kristin Hannah’s books (The Nightingale is one of my all time favorites) I am so glad I read this book.

Themes: 👩🏽‍⚕️☢️🎗️

My thoughts: 😭😤🫣🤔🥲😀

@netgalley
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Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
Frances “Frankie” McGrath lives in Southern California where she has a fairly sheltered life with wealthy conservative parents. But when her brother goes to war, Frankie decides to follow in his footsteps and become an army nurse. Part 1 of this novel is Frankie in Vietnam where she is fighting for her country.

Frankie’s real battle lies in part 2 of this novel when coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

Thoughts:
I love Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novels because they open my eyes to topics I was unaware of.

Loved all the women in The Women and their dedication and commitment to each other.

Without giving too much away, The Women shows how hard it is coming home from war without the resources veterans need.

In true Kristin Hannah fashion, this novel is filled with emotion, heart, history and vivid characters that shine a light on this era.

I already know this is going to be one of my top books of 2024, highly recommended.


Kristin Hannah’s authors note is also so heartfelt and shows how sensitive she was with such an important yet difficult topic as war and PTSD.

While I generally like historical fiction, I have never really been drawn to this time period. I am really into it though! You can just see the hardships Frankie has gone through as she is trying to get her life back in order.

A few things I didn't like - when Finley died I figured that he would end up being a POW. I was wrong on the person, but I still feel like I called it correctly. Also, why can't something good happen to Frankie. She deserved someone who loves her like Henry.

The Women was an emotional and unforgettable story!

The story follows Frankie McGrath, a young women who signs up to be a nurse in Vietnam. Through Frankie, Kristin Hannah sheds light on the experience of all the women who served in Vietnam.

As the story unfolded I kept thinking”how much heartbreak can one person take?” Frankie experiences so much pain as a result of her time in Vietnam and the way her family and country treated her upon her return. I admired her strength and bravery and how she finds the courage to pick up the pieces and move on.

I listened to the audiobook. It is narrated by the amazing Julia Whelan. As always, her portrayal of the characters was spot on.

The Women is a compelling and moving story that I highly recommend to any fans of historical fiction!

Kristin Hannah does it again! Don't pass this book up because you think you have no interest in war or Vietnam in particular. This character-driven plot demands your interest, but not with politics or opinion driven narratives. Instead it is full of emotion and truth about the causalities of war that happen on and off the battlefield. Our main character Frankie is a good Catholic girl who has spent her whole life being groomed to be a good wife and mother who can navigate the country club scene with grace and style. But her pursuit to win her father's admiration and become the first woman in the family to earn a place on the "hero wall" in her father's office, lead her to Vietnam as an Army combat nurse. The first half of the book chronicles her time in Vietnam and the second half follows her after she returns home from war. If you think this means the book slows down in the second half, you are very wrong. We quickly learn from Frankie that the war that rages inside as we find our place and battle our demons can be just as devastating as gunfire and mortar attacks. There is truly something for everyone in this book: the bond between soldiers, the faithfulness of strong female friendships, love between a man and a women on many different levels, and the relationship between parents and children. Love, loss, friendship, survival, overcoming,...these are all themes woven throughout this masterpiece of a book. I listened to the audio book version and the narration was excellent. The story has good flow and I never felt like the story dragged on or felt like it had unnecessary filler. You do NOT want to miss this one! Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for allowing me to review this book in advance.

In her remarkable novel "The Women," Kristin Hannah weaves an enthralling story of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of female friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Hannah transports readers to a vividly portrayed era, immersing us in the lives of three extraordinary women.

Through the eyes of Vivian, a French resistance fighter; Audrey, a young American wife; and Anneliese, a brave German woman, Hannah skillfully explores their personal journeys and the challenges they face during wartime. Each character is complex and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their struggles and triumphs.

Hannah's writing is as beautiful as it is heart wrenching, capturing the resilience and strength of women against the backdrop of a turbulent period in history. With every turn of the page, readers are drawn deeper into the lives of these fascinating women, feeling their joys and sorrows as if they were our own.

"The Women" is a testament to the power of friendship and the indomitable spirit of women. Hannah's storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers captivated until the very last word. If you're seeking a compelling historical novel that celebrates the enduring bonds of sisterhood, this is a must-read.

As someone who was born after the Vietnam War, I did not know much about the war other than it was controversial. This book was such an eye opening book that had me googling right along side the book to learn more about the war. This book is at the top of. my list right now as books that I loved. It was a devastating and heart breaking book and learning what it was like for American Heroes when they came back from the Vietnam took my breath away. How the women of the war were treated was disgusting. Kristin Hannah, once again, has done an amazing job telling a story about Frankie McGrath and what life was like for her after the war. 5 stars and highly recommend!

This book had me from page 1. I don’t usually like war novels,but this one was different. You aren’t just reading it,you feel like you are there with her. I didn’t want to put it down. All the things she went through. How far she came. It really makes you think about what all vets go through. What the women went through.

I loved this book! I'm a huge fan of Kristin Hannah. I've read several of her books, and they are always amazing. This one did not disappoint! It's full of the tragedy and heartache that you expect from her. I thought that choosing to write about Vietnam and the struggles of those coming back was a great choice. I, honestly, did not realize how much denial from the American government went on regarding the war, and I love when I read a book and learn something new. My only critique, which is always the same with this author, is the length. Her books are just a little long for me, but I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to any historical fiction fans. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.