Julia Whelan and Kristin Hannah are a winning combination for me and I was thoroughly captivated by Whelan’s narration of the “The Women”.

This powerful and moving book sheds light on the little-known (at least to me) experiences of women who served in the Vietnam War. Like the author, I was in elementary and middle school for much of the Vietnam War but I vividly remember the protests against this very unpopular war. Kristin Hannah is a masterful storyteller and brings the experiences of surgical nurse Frances “Frankie” McGrath to life, in vivid detail.

Frankie enlists to serve in the Army as an idealistic young woman who wants to serve her country and make her family proud. She returns home to a changed America, and to her own a battles with PTSD and deep trauma.

Frankie forges lifetime friendships during the war which will become her lifeline after she returns “to the world”. The author explores the aftermath of the war on the veterans who served and their families. This is a fascinating and unforgettable story of the brutalities of combat and of the brave women who proudly served our country. Highly recommend!

Leave it to Kristin Hannah to research an embarrassing time in our nation’s history and have it come to life through the eyes of the women who served, mostly as nurses. Their stories are not told often but she tells this story in a way that stirs emotions of anger, sadness, and disbelief. She tells the story of a young woman who became a nurse in order to go to Vietnam. Her story is gripping and emotional as she did two tours there. My own father talked to me about being spat on when he returned from Vietnam. Our country did not treat them correctly and this story really talks about how hard it was on them to return. Thank you McMillan audio and #NetGalley for the ARC. It was an amazing book.

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Oh my goodness, anyone that has ever read anything by Hannah knows that she can write a STORY. I read Four Winds a few years ago and that story still lives in my blood.

This was a brave undertaking, something that she acknowledges in her author's notes in the end. The Vietnam war was such a polarizing issues, and a stain on our history to this day. To take on such a nuanced and sensitive topic with such a well written and richly laid plot would be a stark undertaking, but IMO Hannah nails it.

As clearly indicated in the title, this is a book about the women who served primarily as nurses in the war, but then completely forgotten about and disregarded from citizens and fellow vets when the war ended. But their trauma and harm from the war lived on. However, atrocious the experiences of all of these vets those, Hannah takes such good care of you by incorporating romance, friendship, activism and reluctant awareness from the country. Was it a touch formulaic, sure, but was it also eye opening, awe inspiring, as well as down right angering, absolutely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Women by Kristin Hannah
Narrated by Julia Whelan

Twenty year old Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a nursing student, wanted to get to be somebody like the men in her family. She wanted to do something that would gain her a place on her father's "heroes wall". Of course, her parents expected her to make a good marriage and have babies, even her nursing work was just a placeholder until she got down to being a wife and mother. There would never be a place for a woman on the "heroes wall".

But Frankie wanted to follow her brother overseas so she signs up with the Army Nurse Corps. Finding out too late that her brother had been killed, his body missing, he'd never be coming home, she'd never get to serve overseas with him, off naive Frankie goes. Everyone was naive back then, not realizing what this war meant and would mean later, what it would do to the nation, how it would change the country and its people. Frankie sails through her basic training but once she lands at her posting, she is thrown into the middle of bloody chaos and war. Just as with the others before her and the others to come after her, there was no preparation for the never ending death and destruction that she and her fellow medical professionals would face.

For decades I've been interested in the Vietnam war and what those who were there went through during and after the war. For many, maybe most of those who made it through their time in Vietnam, their war never ended. Unlike past wars, most of those who served came home to a changed world, not as heroes but as those who were vilified and hated. For the women who served, in whatever capacity they served, they came home invisible, as if they were never there, had never suffered through the horrors the men suffered through. It's true that they weren't there as combatants but so many of the women who were in Vietnam suffered their own kind of personal war, overseas and then at home. They were right there being bombed and bloodied and then were expected to never speak of the experience once home.

There are triggers galore with this story and it seems Frankie gets hit by about everything along the way. This is a long story that covers almost two decades and Frankie's struggles ring true to me although I know she may have had it easier than others would have had it, since she came from a moneyed family. Still, money can't fix everything and the PTSD (completely unrecognized for the women coming home), drug, and alcohol abuse, can bring anyone down in a way that can be impossible to overcome. There is a bit of a Mary Sue in Frankie (the bestest nurse everywhere she went and men falling at her feet) but overall the story got to me so much I just had to give it 5 stars.

I appreciated getting to read/hear directly from the author at the end of the book. She lists so many people I want to know more about and books I want to read. Julia Whelan does a fantastic job with the narration of the audiobook and I had trouble putting either book down despite the long length.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow, just wow.
I am truly shocked at how much I loved this book. I am almost too stunned at the fantastic storytelling and experience I had with the Women for me to to write this review. There was so much Hannah did that touched all the “things” an author tries to achieve when writing a novel.
I will say it now: I Loved Frankie.
Sure, she was a flawed character and even spirals into dark times, but I think this displays Kristin Hannah’s ability as a writer. Is it weird to say that her character was so well written I felt like I was Frankie, I was in ‘Nam, I was there for her first love, when her parents felt the shame of her service and when she found herself in a place she never tought she would be. So yes I loved Frankie. I loved how she transformed from a country club catholic school girl into a brave nurse (VETERAN) in some of the most dangerous parts of Vietnam.
Frankie wasn’t the only character I became “friends” with, but it was even her loyal fierce Friends. The women she surrounded her self showed the strength and sisterhood us women need during war and life’s battles.
The men, while yes they were typical “men” but when I spoke to my parents about the social situation of the time, I honestly don’t think Hannah went to the extreme. They were “real”.

In addition to well penned characters, the plot and writing was stunning. I don’t know how else to say it. But it was stunning. She is able to describe a scene without being “flowery”, but I could smell every sweaty/moldy uniform and blood soaked operating room. I could even HEAR the bombs.
What sends this book to the upper echelon of novels is the fact that Julia Whalen is the narrator. Her voice transcends all other narrators , I cannot recommend listening to this audiobook enough, it is a masterpiece.

The only negative I can pull out is there is a bit of a trope that occurs twice in this book that was a little too much, but guess what ladies, you know you loved it.

One last thing I would like to say is how intrigued I was by the topic of this book. MOst historical fiction seem to focus on WW1 and WW2 and how women were used as spies/secret agents and things of that nature. But finally this book was about a war that I am shamefully embarassed to say, did not know much about, Vietnam. It was refreshing to read something NEW. What I love about reading is this sparked great conversation between my parents and me, and my dad gave me a quick run down of the events that transpired surrounding this war. It also caused me to do my own investigting and research. Wow, I love reading, so just think about it. This author put out a book, informed me about a lesser known topic in the Vietnam war (the Women veterans), the war itself and the state of our great country. From there it opened up great conversations, research and me learning something (And also tuning in to watch MASH-yes I know its about the Korean war, but it is a take on the Vietnam War)

All this to say, I gaurentee if you read this book, you will gain a best friend, learn something and 100% need a box of tissues

Thank you NetGalley, Kristin Hannah and Julia Whalen for this advanced copy audiobook of The Women. I was not influenced or paid for my honest review.

If you read one book in 2024, make sure it’s “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. Holy smokes, I could not stop listening to this audiobook! My listening marathon was partially because Julia Whelan is my favorite narrator. I’d listen to her read the phone book.

But I couldn’t stop listening mostly because Kristin Hannah is a phenomenal writer. I became a Hannah fan after reading “The Nightingale.” Every subsequent Hannah book release is an automatic must-read for me.

The author has a knack for submersing her readers in specific places in time. I can smell the stink of feces. I can picture the wounded soldiers with their gruesome injuries as they’re brought into a makeshift emergency room in the middle of Vietnam. I can feel the red clay and blood on my skin.

Hannah is skilled at pushing the plot forward with rising action at the right moments. Tears prick my eyes every time Frankie must face another challenge.

I often held my breath as I listened to Julie Whelan tell me about another seemingly insurmountable issue. I was immersed into this world, and at no time did it feel flat, hollow, or unbelievable.

I see so many similarities to the political and cultural shifts that were happening in the 1960s and today. They said history repeats itself if we don’t be careful. Please read this book. You won’t regret it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. 5/5 stars and perhaps the best novel of 2024.

Kristin Hannah has woven an incredible story set in a turbulent time in our history. At times it has the humor and camaraderie of MASH and also as emotionally challenged as Born on the Fourth of July. Very well researched and chronicled to bring you into the life of a combat nurse’s time serving in Vietnam and coping with returning home to a divided and unfriendly nation.

Julie Whalen does an excellent job narrating.

Thank you Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I received an early copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and feedback.

***Possible light spoilers ahead.***

This book is tragically beautiful. It is honest, raw, emotional, and eye opening.

I was hooked from the start. Frankie’s story begins just after she’s finished nursing school and she decides to follow her brother Finn to Vietnam becoming an Army Combat Nurse. From there we follow her journey through the war. We are with her as she learns to function in the traumatic chaos of the war. We are there as she grows into herself as a top combat nurse. We are there through love and loss. Then when we think the war for Frankie is over we are there with her as she fights her own personal wars when she returns home to the United States.
Hey story is a story closely lived by so many women who weren’t allowed to process their experiences.

This book is an absolute must read! I knew it was going to be a 5 star book the moment I started reading it.

While this story isn’t an actual true story it helps to educate people that WOMEN WERE THERE! Women suffered and then were forced to endure the life long damage in silence.

We need more women to stand up and shout that they were there! People need to know!

The only thing I wished the book had was maybe some true short stories or photos of actual women who had served!

“Women can be heroes.”

Kristin Hannah takes us back to the mid sixties- JFK shooting, Vietnam War and the turbulence that took over the USA during the next two decades.
The protagonist, Frankie McGrath, joins the Army Nurse Corps after her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam. As a reader, we get to experience the war zone through the naive eyes of Frankie and grow with her through all the trauma and unimaginable circumstances Vietnam experience puts her through. The first part of the book focuses on the chaos and destruction brought on by the war and Frankie's time in the service. Kristin captures the story of the women in Vietnam at the heart of this war. These are brave, selfless souls who tirelessly did their service to the country and supported the men in combat. The women in this war served in the same vein as the men but received no recognition or respect upon their return even from the Veterans Administrative.

The second half of the book commences on Frankie's return post her service. It brings to light the rage, fear, trauma and shame that Frankie and her fellow vets experience with their return to the American soil. The book talks about the grueling experience millions of Vets struggled to forget and overcome as they dealt with the physical and emotional repercussions of an unpopular war as they come home to public outrage. The world she once knew feels alien to her, and to her surprise she is alienated by the Veterans of Vietnam groups as well, considering she's a woman. "There were no women in Vietnam" is what Frankie hears instead of gratefulness for her service.
Emotionally and physically traumatized, Frankie struggles to make sense of the world around her. She once again finds herself through the beautiful bonds she had formed in Vietnam during her service. The Women from Vietnam are pillars of support for each other and keep each other afloat through the war and beyond.

This book is emotionally draining, it will shake you and break you with each page. For the fans of historical fiction, if you read one book this year, let it be The Women by Kristin Hannah.
It's a beautifully captured story of the most disturbing experiences, for those who remember and for those who have forgotten the ugly face of war.

The reader of THE WOMEN coveys the struggles of the soldiers thrust into the mess of the Vietnam War. I appreciate the single narrator because it keeps the focus on Frankie and the other women. Initially, the narrator sounded too old to read the story of a 19-year old with the best of intentions. However, the voice fits Frankie as she grows up too quickly and her world viewpoint changes. My only gripe is the speed of the reading is too slow when there is chaos in the plot. Fortunately, this is fixed by adjusting the playback speed.

I've read only three Kristin Hannah novels, and this one just sounds... different. I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first, but after giving it some thought, I've come to realize that she is telling the story of female caregivers in a war that people back home protested. When discussing any war, we talk about the men and their contributions, but we never think about this other part of the population and how important their work was. Anyway, Frankie is a character I found easy to cheer for. Her heart is in the right place, as she experiences the harsh realities of war and navigates what she wants with who she is fundamentally.

Wow, this book was inspiring and heartbreaking. It was so interesting to hear a story about the women who went to Vietnam as nurses.

I enjoyed following Frankie’s story. How she settled into life and work in Vietnam. How she developed lasting friendships and even love.

It was hard to hear about her homecoming. How she wasn’t given support because people didn’t believe women were in Vietnam. It is clear Frankie is dealing with PTSD. She tries to pull herself together but over the years she devolves until one event finally gets her the support she needs.

There were times I felt like some of the post war time could have been cut down, elements were a bit repetitive. But overall this book was beautiful.

Kristin Hannah is a force, and she is going to wow the world with this one. I predict very big things for this story of the women in Vietnam. Historical fiction isn’t usually my jam, as you may know by now, but war stories are an important part of our shared history, and I applaud any writer who tackles them.

In her prologue, Hannah mentions she’s been thinking about writing a Vietnam story for a long time, but she hasn’t been ready to tackle the subject as a writer until now. For this reader, it was worth the wait. Hannah tells the devastating story of Frankie, a nurse in Vietnam, and how serving in that war impacted her life for years to come. As I’ve come to learn, many Americans never knew there were women serving in Vietnam, and when they came back to the U.S., they were often shut out from support services designed for veterans.

Hannah is such a talented writer and storyteller - I will be shocked if this book is anything but an epic success. I was lucky enough to receive both digital and audio editions, so I got to listen and read eat the same time. Both are phenomenal.

Thanks to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and @macmillanaudio for the advanced copies, both digital and audio. The Women will be out February 6 - would make a great pre-order!

QOTD: The music of Vietnam is heavily featured in this book. Is there music from a certain era you return to? For me, it’s all about the 90s emo and pop punk. Those were my teenage years.

Heartbreaking story of one woman’s journey of service during and after the Vietnam war.

Spanning 1966 to 1982, this story follows Frankie McGrath, a combat nurse who served during the Vietnam War.  Frankie’s story shares her experience joining the Army Nurse Corps, the chaos of war in Vietnam, her return to the US during the protests, and her family and friends' reactions to her service.  We followed her struggle with loss, PTSD, alcohol and drugs as she tried to acclimate back into civilian life.  

The story had me in tears as we witnessed Frankie struggle with the impacts of war and the after effects. The treatment of the women who served in Vietnam, or really the lack of recognition for their service.  Her spriral downward and her fight to tackle her demons. 

Once again, Kristin Hannah has given us a novel that will leave an imprint on our hearts.  Julia Whelan’s narration brought the emotion to this story.  Amazing job to both the author and the narrator.

I would highly recommend this book. Put it on your TBR and pre-order today.  The book will be released on February 6, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, the author for the audio ARC.

The Women by Kristen Hannah takes us on a poignant journey through America in the 1960s, a time of division and turmoil as the Vietnam War rages on. At the center of this captivating story is 20-year-old Frances "Frankie" McGrath, who embarks on a path of bravery and self-discovery that will forever change her life.

The novel begins with Frankie, a newly graduated nurse, facing the harsh reality of being treated as a mere candy striper at the local hospital. However, a chance encounter at her brother's send-off party ignites a fire within her, urging her to pursue her dreams and prove that women can be heroes too. With a newfound determination, Frankie joins the Army Nurse Corps, following her brother to Vietnam, hoping to make him proud.

The Women is a tale of the forgotten and the brave, shedding light on the sacrifices made by women who served their country during a time when their contributions often went unnoticed. Kristen Hannah's meticulous research is evident throughout the book, painting a vivid and emotional picture of the war and the experiences of those involved.

Hannah's writing style is nothing short of exceptional. She pays meticulous attention to detail, bringing every scene and character to life with precision. The reader, or in my case, the listener, is transported into the heart of the story, feeling as though they are standing right alongside Frankie and her fellow nurses.

The characters in The Women are beautifully developed, and Frankie's journey serves as a powerful coming-of-age exploration. As she navigates the horrors of war, she finds solace and strength in the camaraderie of her fellow nurses and doctors. Their unwavering support and resilience become a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

Kristen Hannah's ability to delve deep into the human psyche and evoke profound emotions is truly remarkable. The Women is a testament to her passion for character exploration, as each individual is brought to life with authenticity and depth.

In conclusion, The Women is an extraordinary novel that shines a light on the forgotten heroes of war and celebrates the indomitable spirit of women. Kristen Hannah's precise writing style and her ability to make her books come alive are reasons why I am an ardent fan of her work. Whether read or listened to as an audiobook, The Women is a gripping and emotionally charged story that will leave a lasting impact on its readers. Five stars.

5 ⭐️ MUST READ Kristin Hannah has delivered another epic novel with bounds of research which brought realities of war to life. Frankie McGarth’s is a character I believe every woman could relate to at one point in their lives. She enlists as a nurse in the Vietnam war against the wishes of her parents. She’s scared, determined and oblivious to the reality of Vietnam. The characters we well developed and your heart becomes tangle in the hardships and tragedy they endured. Kristin Hannah’s novels stay with you long after you’ve read them and you return to them again while you wait for her next big hit. Thank you Kristin for another remarkable novel! Julie Whelan must also be mentioned for her spectacular deliverance. This dynamic duo make the best audiobooks. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced audiobook.

*wipes always tears to write Goodreads review*
I lost count on how many times this book had me tearing up or full on crying. It’s really such a good story.
I was struggling the second half with the main character and feeling annoyed by her but reminded myself the point of some of the story is seeing how someone struggles after war so still gets a 5 star rating for me.
The ending 🥹It’s like Kristin Hannah read my mind for what I wanted to happen. Despite all the tears I am a happy girl cause loving a book is the best. Can’t wait to see my fellow peasants (people who didn’t get arcs) reviews. This author did it again 👏never doubted her

Another triumph by Kristin Hannah! This heartfelt tale accompanies nurse Frankie on her journey to Vietnam and back home. Hannah skillfully delves into themes of family, friendship, mental health, misogyny, social justice, love, and the haunting realities of war. Her writing is exquisite, vividly capturing Frankie's unraveling, her futile attempts to seek help, and ultimately, her courageous rebuilding of life. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of women's friendships during such a bleak period in history. While a few situations may be somewhat predictable, they do not overshadow the overall narrative. Moreover, Hannah's depiction of the 60s and 70s ambiance is exceptionally well-executed.

And, of course, Julia Whelan delivers an exceptional audiobook, her storytelling truly captivating.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for this sincere review."

My love for Kristin Hannah's writing is what made me read The Women, Vietnam is not a place I visit in my HF reading. I am very glad I read this book, it was an eye-opener to say the least.

Frankie is a naïve 20-year-old raised with privilege, an impulsive decision sent her to nursing school and then she enlisted in the army. The author didn’t hold back on what transpired in the war, from the brutal conditions, the violence as well as the friendships that develop.

I was very thankful that the publisher gave me a digital arc along with the audio book. I found myself listening to the audio following along on my Kindle - it wasn't the type of story that I multitasked with but sat and absorbed it. The story was compelling and gripping.

I'll confess that there were times I have visions of Mash (the tv series) in my brain, but with more primitive conditions. It’s after Frankie comes home that the story becomes more heartbreaking and emotional. It’s during a time when PTSD was not really a thing and the fact that nurses were not considered Vietnam vets, making any type of help unavailable to her.

I’m also thankful also that my copy included the author notes with the authors inspiration, her numerous sources, and her strong desire to get this story out.

The Women is a well written strong historical story, it is a story of friendship, heartache and family along with addiction and longing. I think Kristin Hannah’s best book to date. One that will stay with me for a long while.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies. The Women releases on Feb 6, 2024.

The Women by Kristin Hannah was hauntingly sad and beautiful. Kristin Hannah has an ability to pull you into her books and make you emotionally connected to the characters. It was so really to life - you can imagine this story can be true because humanity of the characters and the realistic challenges that they faced.

Kristin Hannah has done it again. This story was absolutely heart breaking and emotional. The first part revolved around Frankie’s time in Vietnam as a nurse. Some of the things she saw were atrocious and I had no idea it was that bad. Frankie just kept on through heart breaks, and emotional pain. The second half is about her trying to integrate into society after the war. This opened my eyes to so much information about Vietnam. America lying, and turning on its own citizens. The constant “women were not in Vietnam” said over and over again. Nurses are just as important as combat veterans. They saw the same pain, and destruction that combat vets saw. PTSD was shown so well in this book. This book is everything.
5 stars!