This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I couldn’t get enough. The writing and narration are flawless. I have nothing but praise for this book. Perfection in every way. I knew nothing of Vietnam, and was shockingly very interested.

Thank you @stmartinspress for an ebook and also to @macmillan.audio for the audiobook! I absolutely recommend the audio narrated by the most amazing @justjuliawhelan
———
It’s books like these that remind me how lucky and privileged I am to be a bookstagrammer reading an early copy. As an immigrant to the USA, I have very rudimentary knowledge of the Vietnam war and this book was so educational, shocking and baffling about how the women contributed to saving soldiers’ lives and yet were completely ignored and even mistreated by their countrymen upon their return. My husband, a born and raised American, was also not privy to some of the content in this book.

Kudos to the author for accurately portraying the suffering from PTSD, a mental health condition that was not officially a diagnosis until much later. So when the women experienced PTSD, nobody was able to help professionally or even understand their condition. Without disclosing too much, I also enjoyed how the MC, Frankie, defied all types of resistance against women of her era and came out stronger in the end.

Finally, I also want to add how so many aspects of the war such as the government not providing accurate details of the war, is still applicable to this day which also makes the book utterly frightening to read…that so much remains unchanged from the sixties.

I absolutely cannot wait for people to read this book and give their inputs! Five glowing stars from me!

Thanks to the Publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Much of Vietnam happened before I was born, and my history classes never covered it, so before reading this book, my knowledge was almost zero.
The author once again has written a compelling story that brings the reader right into the action, with all the joys, the heartbreaking tragedy and trauma of war.

I listened to an audio version of this book and it was excellent and unputdown-able. The author did a fabulous job of making us care about the characters of the story.
It's probably wrong to say I "enjoyed" a story about human suffering- so Ill just say I was sucked in and needed to hear how everyone turned out-
Especially main character Frankie. Her heartbreak became mine, and thanks to Ms Hannah I feel like I was able to walk in the shoes of another, even if just for a few days. So much of this story made me angry- how much everyone was lied to, the senseless loss of life and how little support the returning veterans received and especially the bravery of the women who volunteered .
Im so glad I read this book- I’m a bit more educated about soldiers and what its like to return home after witnessing the worst in humanity. We They have my eternal gratitude for their sacrifice.

Wow.

I read The Women back in August. I thought it was a powerful read, detailing the experience of the unknown Vietnam War casualties - the women who served as nurses and in other roles "in country" and came back shattered. The Women focuses on the story of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a young woman who grew up in a privileged family that revered military service. However, upon her return from 2 years in combat hospitals, seeing the worst of the worst, Frankie finds that her family's hero-worship does not extend to women. Not only her parents, but all of society ignores the sacrifices - and the trauma - of the women who served in Vietnam. Frankie has to hit rock bottom to finally get help. Her struggles will break your heart so many times, but as they say, time heals all wounds!

The book was amazing, but the audio pulls even more of a punch. Julia Whelan's narration brings this story heartbreaking, gut-punching life. I'm in awe of how she was able to capture the essence of so many different characters without making any of them seem like stereotypes or caricatures. So well done!

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this audio in return for an honest review.

Breathtaking! This is a book I won’t soon forget as it touched me deeply. Fantastic story telling and well researched.

Kristin Hannah books have a track record for making me cry...so, when I saw this book was about a combat nurse (I'm a former RN) and about the Vietnam War (my late father fought in that war) I knew these connections were a recipe for tears. AND IT WAS.

This story impacted me so deeply on so many levels. I think many readers will feel this way. I appreciated the depth of the characters and the extensive research that Hannah did to create this historical fiction story. The main character was honorable, brave, and all the things that make a strong woman so inspiring. Not only did this book touch on the war, but it also addressed women equality and how society viewed and treated female heroes.

The Vietnam War was brutal and tragic and Hannah handled it with the tenderness a story about it deserves. My father felt the war was not one America should have been fighting and that our soldiers did not belong there, and the author shared this sentiment well through the feelings of her characters and how they reflect on the destruction around them and process the trauma that followed their service.

Also, Hannah really got the abundance of rats right. My dad had many harrowing stories about those critters...among other things as you can imagine a 19 year old boy drafted to fight two tours deep in the jungle would...

Overall, this is a novel I won't forget easily. It was expertly crafted and I have so much respect for Kristin Hannah and her work. I highly recommend this for fans of historical fiction or anyone wanting to learn more about the Vietnam War. Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the early read and listen.

🎧 The audio was expertly done. Julia Whalen is my favorite and she did not disappoint. I would highly recommend this as an audiobook. I valued the artistry that her reading brought to this well written story.

Rounded up from 3.5
When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, Frankie impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. When she gets there, she's overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America.
This historical fiction was so frustrating at times. The fact that people kept on saying that there were no women in Vietnam when they so clearly were. And to see the impact of going to war and coming back had on these women and men. I did feel like it was dragging at times, maybe it was a little bit longer than it should have been, but Kristin Hannah once again presents beautifully written and well-rounded characters. I do, however, have to say that addiction triggers me, so this entire part was really hard for me to go through.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow Kristin Hannah. The way she tells stories blows me away. This book was an emotional roller coaster of a journey but I loved it and it got me interested in a topic that I wasn't particularly excited to read about. I appreciate the focus on the WOMEN that served in Vietnam and how they were forever changed by the war. Despite this being a fictional story, the topic was well researched and thoughtfully portrayed. It is hard to fathom the highs and lows of war and what our veterans went through - but I felt like I could glimpse it through Frankie's story. As a heroine Frankie was relatable, compassionate and tenacious. I could not believe how the veterans were treated after returning from war which this book certainly highlighted. SUCH a powerful story- 5 stars.

I also have to recognize the amazing work of Julia Whelan who narrated the audiobook and truly brought all of the characters to life.

The Women
Kristin Hannah

This was without a doubt my most anticipated 2024 release, and I am so grateful to SMP for my physical ARC and my digital ARC, and to Macmillan Audio for my ALC. ❤️ Thank you, #partners.

About: Frances "Frankie" McGrath is a brand new nurse, living on Coronado Island with her wealthy, conservative parents. At her brother Finley's goodbye party, (he's headed to 'Nam), a seed is planted by Finley's friend Rye, that "women can be heroes" too. Working an unsatisfying job changing bed pans and feeling that her life should have more purpose, Frankie makes the compulsive decision to enlist as well. Maybe she'll even get to see her brother! When she's turned away by other arms of the military, she eventually enlists with the Army Nurse Corps.

But things backfire when Frankie receives some devastating news, and much to her surprised disappointment, her parents are against her enlistment. Now she's off to war, illprepared for the atrocities that await her, and feeling completely alone. It's not long before Frankie is thrust into the center of conflict, working in surgery, seeing death and disfigurement around every corner. Forming friendships and companionship with her fellow servicemembers is the one thing that keeps her sane.

When Frankie returns home, she's faced not only with the complete erasure of her experiences by her fellow Americans (most don't even realize women were in Vietnam), but also the trauma she carries with her from what she witnessed. Spanning over a decade, readers take this journey with Frankie as she grapples with the aftermath of Vietnam. Dealing with a myraid of issues, but with a lack of resources (she's a woman, after all), Frankie suffers immensely, struggling to carve out a post-war life.

Thoughts: I remember a conversation with my bookclub a couple years ago about how many WWII books we'd read, and how we wished there were more historical fiction novels about other U.S.-involved wars. I personally mentioned Vietnam, and how much I craved this story. I even went on a deep dive seeking historical fiction set in Vietnam. It's slim pickins, friends. So when I heard that the brilliant Kristin Hannah had written this story, I gasped. This is the book. This is the one I was waiting for. It's just breathtaking.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for Hannah for tackling this topic with nuance, care, and grace. There was a time, while reading, that I doubted the direction she was heading. After all, the U.S.'s role in Vietnam was unethical, with literal war crimes commited, and I was hoping Hannah would touch on this. She does, and I was able to breathe. But in addition to the historical accuracy in which she portrays the Vietnam War itself, I sooo appreciate the way she writes about the aftermath, specifically as it impacted women. I knew very little about women's roles in the war - you just don't hear the stories - so learning that while women may not have been infantry, they were very much in conflict zones and they absolutely saw war. I love the inclusion of friendships and love interests, and the turmoil and growth within the McGrath family. I could go on forever, but I'll stop here, as nothing I say will do this book justice. This is without a doubt one of Hannah's very best and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

🎧 I am a long-time Julia Whelan fan (she's actually the narrator who got me into audiobooks), and though I realize she's narrating much less now, as she's focusing on her own writing, I check periodically to see if she has any upcoming audiobook narrations. Months ago, I saw The Women as an upcoming book and knew I needed to listen to this one. Whelan's narration is second to none, and she elevates any story she reads. I had initially read this with my eyes, but the day it became available on NetGalley, I started it over with my ears. I'm so glad I did, because Whelan really performs her heart out here. Absolutely brilliant. She really captures the emotion of the story and the essence of Frankie. 100/100 stars. I'm so glad she chose to work on this project. Just perfection!!!

This was my first Kristin Hannah novel. I now understand the appeal. Within these pages I felt like I lived in this novel. I was in Vietnam with Frankie. I saw what she saw, I felt what she felt. I was gutted, wrecked, but I felt the hope that Frankie felt. This atmospheric novel, is the perfect text to grasp just how resilient the human spirit is. Despite all of the atrocities that Frankie witnesses, the loss she endures, and the heartbreak, she finds her way to a place where she can believe in herself and her own capibilities. Frankie is the quintessential feminist. I loved this novel, and though there were times when I audibly moaned, because "how many things can this one woman go through", I didn't want it to end.

This was a great audio performance!

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy audiobook of "The Women!" I loved it! Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators and she did a great job brining Frankie's story to life! This was one of my favorites of Kristin Hannah and if you were a fan of her from the beginning, you will love this story! Go ahead and buy that pre-release! I will be recommending this to readers of all ages.

The Women

How do you rate a book that is so interesting in its concept, but the execution was of the worst kind?

Frankie is a fierce, young woman who, after her brother died in Vietnam, decides to join the Army as a nurse and serve her country to make her parents proud. There she’s met with the carnage and chaos of the war, although she’s not fighting with ammunition. She also finds their love and friendship. When she came back home, the whole world seems to change. She’s shamed and pushed into silence not only by hearing “there is no woman in war” but also by her own family who rather pretend nothing happened. And Frankie struggles.

I hope that by now you noticed the conflict between the title and premise. This novel is not about women. Is about Frankie. I wish she was a more likable character, yet every interaction she has is about her.

Frankie and her need to prove herself.
Frankie and her relationships with men who worship her, and she seems to enjoy attention more than commitment.
Frankie has friends who would do anything for her, yet she’s free to fall apart and use up all the effort that is poured into her.
Frankie, who doesn’t even give a time of a day, thinking how difficult it was for other women who served with her.

And Barb…
Here I wanna talk about Barb. I adore Barb, and I want more of her. She was the only black nurse serving with the protagonist. She could have been force with so much power and fire, but she was made small for her friend. Why? Because the plot cannot go on without Frankie. Barb didn’t have her agency. She was a narration tool to push the main character forward. She also had all the stereotypical traits of a Black woman that a modern one can have about her. All that on top of sheer ignorance of struggles Barb could have had due to the climate of the Civil Right movement, which was glanced over because it didn’t touch personally the main character. “The Women”? Nope, “The Frankie” Even better, Barb was able to fly across the country on a whim because her friend didn’t eat for days. Just like that. Don’t let me start on the issue of language. OMG. I was livid when they talked to each other. Pushing “girl” in every sentence. Not only my sense of verisimilitude was shattered, but also that was completely unnecessary.

In the end, I was completely annoyed and fed up with Frankie. She could have been a heroine who was relatable yet struggled. Likeable, admired in her fight with the world and herself. The novel could have been detailed and more placed in a historical context. Especially, when the author admits herself making an effort to research and interview women who served in Vietnam. Yet, everything fell flat, Hollywood-like, and unrealistic.

Not that I have any knowledge like I would live in those times. But yet, in contrast with all non-fiction or even other fiction movies, it ends up bland, untrue, and completely romanticized.

I can find myself praising the narrator of the audiobook because she did an amazing job. She worked hard with her voice to make the scenes of the bombing as fast-paced as the situation could have been, making the chaos of the events almost real.

I wanted to learn more about women in Vietnam. I wanted to cheer them and remember them. Have another Hidden Figures moment, where I would feel inspired. Not this time. With the strong beginning came a disappointing end. And for that, this book is not my best first interaction with Kristin Hannah.

Netgalley rating 3★
Goodreads rating 2★
The book comes out Jan 9th and I will post a review on my SM the same day.

“They’d been silenced, forgotten for too long, especially the women… The women had a story to tell even if the world wasn't quite ready to hear it. And their story began with three simple words: WE WERE THERE.”

Even writing out the quote, I have chills. This story was hands down one of the best pieces of literature I have read. Ever.

When I tell you I salivate for both Kristin Hannah and Julia Whelan each on their own, I’m not kidding. Together though?! What an absolute power team. Say less. I’m all in.

I can honestly tell you I know close to nothing about the Vietnam War and still, i *knew* this one would be a masterpiece. Kristin Hannah’s writing is so unparalleled. And Julia Whelan delivers this story with conviction and emotion and all the feels. I was so completely immersed in this story, in Frankie and all the emotions that came with it and I cried more times than I care to admit while going on this journey with Frankie. My heart has been obliterated.

Frankie’s family has had someone serve in the Navy for every generation, so when her brother Finley goes off to serve in Vietnam he is both serving his country and his family. Through their correspondence back and forth, Frankie is called to enlist as a military nurse in the army. Despite her family’s surprising disappointment, as they are a Navy family, she is shipped off to and literally thrown right into the thick of it.

Frankie has no choice but to learn quickly on the job; learning how to carry out daily human routines and how to be the nurse the men on the frontlines need her to be. Being overseas, she is thrust into things she never imagined, both personally and professionally. She finds women who become sisters, love interests that test her limits and becomes the most capable and competent nurse. Despite the circumstances of war, Frankie is crushing it.. Until she comes home.

Frankie comes home only to discover that she is not perceived as a hero, not even perceived as someone who served. She grapples with what her life is now that she has lost so much of who she was and what she thought her life was going to be. There were so many parts of this story that were uncomfortable to listen to, knowing what Frankie was dealing with. You can’t help but root for her despite the fact that she seemingly hits an obstacle at every turn. It is so disheartening and soul crushing knowing that fictional Frankie is not the only person who has dealt with such feelings, that there were in fact, so many real people that have been Frankie.

Through it all though, she perseveres and the pride I felt at the end, when Frankie finds her feet, finds her calling and becomes the bright light I knew she would; I couldn't stop the tears even if I wanted to.

Put this on your 2024 must-reads list. Kristin Hannah does it again, this book is an absolute masterpiece. Julia Whelan gave it the inflection and emotion it deserved. The dream team, if you will. I cannot say enough good things about this book, it changed me in the best way. February 6th come quick, I need this on my shelves.
Review: five shining stars (duh)

@netgalley I cannot thank you enough for this early copy of The Women. I’m not sure I could have waited another day to read this one!

This was nothing short of incredible. I have always been fascinated by this part of American history and Hannah did an excellent job telling the stories of those who are often forgotten.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

READ. THIS. BOOK. Add it to your TBR. Pre-order it. I am begging you. This book was so eye opening for me and I think this one will end up being my favorite book of the year. Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors, and The Nightingale has always been one of my favorite books. I can honestly say that I think The Women may be my new favorite! I have never read a book that I loved but has made me so angry at the same time. To be clear, this writing style, storyline, pacing, etc., were all excellent. I found myself angry at the mistreatment of women who served our country and have been essentially forgotten. Never has a book invoked such strong feelings in me as this one did. I know this will be a book that I read again and I will not forget The Women!

Frankie McGrath has always been taught to believe that her job is to be a good housewife, raise well-mannered children, and keep a clean house. Frankie comes from a family of heroes. In fact, her father has an entire wall in his office dedicated to family history and the heroes who served their country. Besides wedding pictures, no women were included on the ‘heroes’ wall. It wasn’t until a going away party for her brother, who was set to ship off to serve in Vietnam, that her brothers’ friend told her “women can be heroes.” No one had ever told Frankie that before, and it never occurred to her that a woman could have a place on her father’s office for doing something heroic or important. On an impulse, Frankie joins the Army Nurse Corps to follow her brother and his path towards being a hero.

As an inexperienced nurse, Frankie finds herself drowning admits the chaos in Vietnam. She witnesses death after death and gruesome injuries, and is often the last person someone will talk to before taking their last breath. With long hours working in horrible conditions, Frankie comes to find Ethel and Barb, two women from completely different walks of life, who end up being the best support for Frankie and one another. While this book is partially focused on Frankie and her time in Vietnam, and all of the love and loss that she experienced while there, it also largely focuses on her time after returning home. The treatment by Frankie’s family, other veterans, members of the VA, and medical professionals was absolutely repulsive. The second half of the book focuses on Frankie and her experience with the lack of support for women veterans after Vietnam. The Women does have a few love stories that are a main focus, but this book is so much more than a love story. It is a coming of age novel that is beautifully written about a very difficult topic. It is raw and bold and it is memorable.

Read If you Like Books About:
🚁Historical Fiction
🚁Female Friendship
🚁Mental Health Representation
🚁Women and Their Role in the Vietnam War
🚁Forgiveness

I love historical fiction, but have not read a lot that has focused on the Vietnam War. I can say that I learned so much from this book and I have found a new time period that I want to read more about. Hannah provides a list of recommended reading at the end of the book, and I will definitely be checking those books out because I WANT to read more.

🎧I loved this book so much that after I read it, I decided to listen to the audiobook. I HAD To experience this book again. I felt like I was living in a dream when I saw that this one was narrated by Julia Whelan. Could you ask for a better author/narrator combination? Julia Whelan is a favorite of mine, and as expected, she NAILED it. The pacing was perfect, her emotions were perfect, everything was perfect. This may be my favorite book that Whelan has narrated. I also want to mention that Kristin Hannah also narrates her authors note and acknowledgements. I always love when authors play a role in the audiobook, and it was such a special touch to hear Hannah while listening. I HIGHLY recommend this audiobook. I HIGHLY recommend this book. This is a MUST read/listen!

Favorite Quotes:

“Women can be heroes.”

“No fear, McGrath. You can do this.”

“The war no one wants to remember.”

“You know, I wasn’t afraid to go to war, and I should have been. I am afraid to go to the memorial, and I shouldn’t be. People made us think we’d done something wrong, shameful, didn’t they? We were forgotten; all of us Vietnam vets, but the women most of all.”

“Maybe, like so many things, it began simply with words. Speaking up, standing in the sunlight, coming together, demanding honesty and truth. Taking pride. The women had a story to hell, even if the world wasn’t quite ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. We were there.”

Posted on Goodreads on December 19, 2023: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Mini Review - December 2023 http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- February 6, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on February 6, 2024
**-will post on designated date

The Women is my third novel by Kristin Hannah and she is officially an auto-buy author for me. I never pegged myself as a historical fiction reader until reading her work. The way she writes just pulls you in so quickly. There are never spots that lag or draw out for too long. And it's pretty much a guarantee that you are going to cry once if not several times throughout the duration of the story.

And what could make a Hannah book better, but having it narrated by Julia Whelan. It's a win-win. I enjoyed every minute of this book and am so happy to see some light shed on the women who have been involved in wars.

Writing this review, I am emotional. I’ve always loved Kristin Hannah’s books (minus firefly lane). She is a great writer who brings events I never lived through to life through the forgotten women who saved the day. Women are forgotten, even now when it comes to world events, wars, and even being moms. I’ve always been able to connect with our past through her novels.

Growing up, I was always taught the Vietnam vets were treated terribly and we never should have been there. We didn’t learn about the substance abuse, the emotional trauma and the lackluster performance of the American people as they returned.

Bring your tissues when reading this book! The realism and emotionally raw writing allows you to feel like you were there with them. You are in the trenches, plugging up the wounds, being the last person the dying see. The emotional turmoil our FMC goes through in 8 short years is more than a lifetime of trauma for most. The growth, the twists, the emotional ride this book took me on- I’m not sure I’ll recover. The beauty in the writing and the story are something that will stick with me. I’ll always remember “there were women in Vietnam”


10/10 would recommend diving into a world most of us never lived through and were rarely taught about. This may be her best book yet. Thank you NetGalley and Kristin Hannah for this pre-read. It is perfection

"Women can be heroes too."

Good Lawd! This book broke me. It. BROKE. Me! And I know that's absolutely nothing compared to the brokenness our soldiers experience after fighting in wars and coming back home. This story focuses on the women who fight for our country. And it's no surprise that even in the military the women always end up getting the short end of the stick.

Note: This is a very heavy read with a lot of trigger warnings, so be sure to do your research before diving in.

Sheltered good girl Frances “Frankie” McGrath decides on a different path for her life and impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps, following her brother to the Vietnam War. She was not prepared for the amount of chaos and destruction she was quickly thrown into, despite her lack of experience. But she was even less prepared for the lack of respect and recognition, lack of resources available and the political unease and hostility surrounding America upon her return in the 70's.

Only Kristin Hannah can write such a badass MC and draw you into this devastating yet beautiful story with such beautiful and well-researched storytelling. This book is emotional, heartbreaking and infuriating, but in true Hannah fashion, hope, grit and determination prevail. Phew... I need a drink!

I was incredibly fortunate to receive both an ARC and an ALC for this book. Needless to say, Julia Whelan knocks it out of the park with her narration yet again. It was superb!

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and the wonderful Kristin Hannah for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

And to "The missing. The forgotten. The brave. The women...." who selflessly serve in our military, Thank You from the bottom of my heart!

I am a huge Kristin Hannah fan, so I was so excited to get the opportunity to receive an ARC of The Women. Thank you so much Kristin Hannah & St. Martins Press for this opportunity.

This is my new favorite Kristin Hannah book. This is an easy 5 star read! The emotion she packed into every single page. If you’ve read The Nightingale or The Four Winds you will absolutely love this book.

The courage that not only Frankie(MFC) showed in the book, but the courage, strength, and bravery of the actual women who stepped up to serve their country during this time is outstanding.

The narrator did an absolute amazing job. I would listen to every book read by her.

“The Women has a story to tell, even if the world wasn’t quite ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. We. Were. There.”

Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for providing an audio ARC i exchange for an honest review.

Somehow, I have gone this long without reading any Kristin Hannah, and after hearing patron rave about her for years, I figured it was time to jump in.

The concept isn't a bad one; young women in the late 60s joining the war effort in Vietnam as nurses and get an education in the horrors of war, then come home. The parts of the book set in Vietnam ae well written and interesting, if a bit overblown with regard to the romantic relationships, but I'm assuming that sort of thing has greater intensity in the fog of war.

The trouble comes in when our MC, Frances Grace "Frankie" McGrath, comes home and struggles to regain her humanity. Her service marks her out as a pariah, a "baby killer," and other vets keep telling her that "women didn't serve in Vietnam," or her service doesn't count since she didn't see combat and was just a nurse. That stuff was interesting, but Frankie living every cliche of being a returning veteran is a bit tedious to read. She becomes an alcoholic, takes up with a man she doesn't love (but who loves her), starts having problems with pills, and so much more -- not to say that it couldn't happen, and didn't happen to plenty of returning nurses, but it starts to feel like a cataloguing of woes and missteps rather than a book with a protagonist I'm rooting for. It's too much like a soap opera, as if Hannah wants to represent ALL of the issues that could befall a damaged young trauma nurse and heaps them all on one character instead of spreading them across, say, Frankie's nurse friends, who fly to her side immediately whenever she has a problem.

The ending, which arrives after a looooooong meander into Frankie moving away from her protective Irish Catholic parents and finally carving out healing, beggars belief esp. when combined with other "but I thought they were dead" moments that assail this book. It feels a bit like a) Hannah didn't know how to end the book, and b) she wanted to grant Frankie a happy ending after all she'd suffered.

Voice acting by Julia Whalen is very capable, and she handles multiple accents with ease. No notes lol.
3 stars after pondering 2.5