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: 😭😤🫣🤔🥲😀

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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.

Loved this book! Honestly I love absolutely everything I read by Kristin Hannah! This book was heartbreaking! It made me feel absolutely everything! The MC was so strong and never gave up through every challenge, heartbreak and defeat she faced. Thank you NetGalley for this Arc

The Women by Kristin Hannah
A phenomenal novel!!! The best book I have ever read about Viet Nam. Read to learn the roles of and the effects on the women vets during this historic war. It is only January, and I can already say this is going to be on my list of the best novels published in 2024. A definite 5-star read! P.S. I also wore a POW/MIA bracelet with a brave soldier's name as a middle school student learning about the war in real time.

What an absolutely remarkable book!

Heart-breaking. Heart-wrenching!
Full of Love, Fear, Trauma, War, Family, Friendships, Terror, Rage, Lies…and so much more…

Frankie McGrath (Frances) is a young woman in nursing school. Her brother enlists in the Navy, and she decides to join up herself when one of his friends suggests that women can be heroes too!

She’s at his going away party, when she hears this…and it sparks something in her. Something she never knew was there!

BUT…Women are not in Vietnam…or so she is told, over and over. Even after she served TWO tours there!

This story tells about the grueling experiences of the soldiers, and of the medical people, Doctors and Nurses, who helped them through it…sometimes getting them home, and sometimes just holding their hand when nothing else can be done.

I cannot even tell you how many times I just broke down, SOBBING, while reading this. It is THAT realistic. It is that emotional. It is that gripping of a story…

Ms. Hannah, all I can say is that you’ve absolutely done it again! This is a true treasure. This one is pure gold…

I was just a child when this war was fought… but my older brother was drafted. Thank God, his number was never called. The war ended just before he was called up to serve…but I clearly remember so much of this. The bracelets sold at school. Saying prayers for those who were MIA, POW or KIA.

But, hearing firsthand of the stark reality that these men and women went through there, and when returning home, that was really tough for me. I can only IMAGINE what it must’ve been like for each of them.

Thank you for sharing this story with the world. It will be long remembered by me!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released next month, on February 6th.

#TheWomen by #KristinHannah and beautifully narrated by one of my absolute faves, #JuliaWhelan.

5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me!

Check out all my upcoming reviews and PRE-views on Goodreads, IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or my new FB Book Club #BookReviewsWithElaine.

Happy Reading! 📚📖

Thank you to Kristin Hannah (author), Julia Whelan (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader/listener copy of "The Women: A Novel" for an honest review.

After years of hearing about Hannah's work and watching two or three different titles circulate widely as popular and well-reviewed/awarded over the last few years, I decided to take the plunge with this one as my first and was not disappointed at all. This novel is a harrowing, unflinching look at how women's service and work were erased from the ledger of the Vietnam War and how one woman went about refinding herself and her voice.

This book is as beautifully written as it was heartbreaking to read. I absolutely felt for all the characters, and what they went through, for the different people in different generations wrestling with different ways they were raised or acted. I thought it portrayed so well how much truly was changing so fast in America at that time. I absolutely think this book should be read by everyone, and I'll be giving out copies as gifts to close friends next year.

Oh. My. Heart. So many emotions reading this book—happy, sad, frustrated, disappointment, angry, angst, anxious—seriously, all the feels. What an incredible story and way to bring these unsung heroes of the Vietnam War to the forefront of a new generation. The author makes several recommendations for other reads in this genre during the Author’s Notes.

Frankie forever has my heart, respect, and admiration.

I listened to the audiobook and was so excited that my favorite voice actor did this novel. Julia Whelan is the GOAT!

Highly recommend this book, particularly in audiobook format, too.