'Two Wars and a Wedding' is one of Lauren Willig's best novels. It's classic Lauren Willig: writing about a lesser known historical event/figure, adding fictional characters we'll come to adore and letting the story take us. The two wars mentioned in the title are the Greek/Turkish conflict of 1896 and the Spanish American War, only two years apart, both of which I knew next to nothing about. While this is historical fiction, Willig devotes so much time and care into getting the facts right and melding it with an entertaining story. The romance was of course my favorite part, as it always is with this author, and this was one of her best. Betsy and Holt are great characters individually but together they shine. I really, really enjoyed this and it's got me determined to catch up on the rest of Lauren Willig's work. She never disappoints!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing jaunt through history that will open your eyes to two wars and the harshness and realities that took place.

Historical fiction is my favorite and this author truly draws you into the narrative and characters, to feel you are there.

A heroic woman, following her calling from school, ends up taking a different route and finding herself in conflict, emotional settings, while finding friendships and love. Excellent

I’m a longtime fan of Lauren Willig; this was one of my favorite of her recent historical novels. The time period and historical events were interesting to read about (and have been written about much less than WWI or WWII); the characters compelling and the period details rich and fully realized. Recommend for any fans of historical fiction. Thank you to William Morrow and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

Lauren Willig’s dual timeline novel is set during the 1896 Greco-Turkish War and the 1898 Spanish-American War. Betsy Hayes, a Smith College graduate, and aspiring archaeologist is denied a place on the excavation team at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The director suggests she become a librarian instead. This ignites Betsy’s quest to prove that women can indeed, dig and involves “two wars and a wedding.”
These two wars are the backdrop for Lauren Willig’s coming of age story. Through reams of research Willig sinks readers into the prejudices true to the late 1800’s. Main character, Betsy Hayes is an amalgam based on real life women Harriet Boyd Hawes and Janet Jennings. At the emotional core of the novel are Betsy, her best friend Ava, and aspiring journalist, Kit. Willig focuses on how these American women are striving to take their place in the world and how each responded socially and politically to war. Keeping readers aware of the timelines and actions are the especially appealing openings of each chapter; Kit’s dispatches to the St. Louis Star or Betsy’s letters to “Darling Ava.”
Adept at conflict that reveals winners and losers Willig exposes political conflict between the U.S. Army and Clara Barton. Compelling details of dire situations on ships and battlefields, supported by newspaper accounts and reports by doctors who traveled with Clara Barton and the American Red Cross, are seamlessly woven into the narrative. Amazing, true accounts of Clara Barton being snubbed, turned away while soldiers were dying, or told women didn’t belong in the field were taken from the historical record. Willig’s meticulous research also documents the Rough Riders and Roosevelt in various battles depicting the experiences and confusion of the men in the field during the Spanish-American War.
Lauren Willig masterfully tells the story of women fighting for what is right by sharing a saga of friendship and love woven through Two Wars and a Wedding.

Whenever I pick up a Lauren WIllig novel,. I know that it's going to be meticulously researched. Her subject matter is always fascinating, and Two Wars and a Wedding only cements that opinion for me. Her portrayal of strong women and the friendships they make always speak to me. Betsy Hayes is an amazing fictional character doing incredible things, and, if you only pick up one historical fiction novel this year, it should be this one. Thanks so much for the opportunity to review!

Betsy is an ambitious archaeologist. She knows she can do the job she is just struggling with the men which think she can’t. Then she has a love interest which is not to her best advantage. But, this does not stop her. She falls for him hard and fast. This changes her stars and her complete direction of her life and dreams.

There is a lot I learned in this novel. I had no idea about many of the issues during the Spanish-American war. And the incompetence of the army medical teams really set me off! Betsy managed this like a pro and I applaud this character and her tenacity.

This is not my favorite book by this author and for the life of me I don’t know why. The setting is very unusual with the war in Cuba and the archaeological digs in Greece. Plus, Betsy is a very strong female character. She is amazing! So, it has all the earmarks of a 5 star read for me. I just felt something was missing. I will be honest, it has a lot of detail and the fluctuations between time periods could have been better. But you need to read this yourself and let me know.

Need a unique historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I just finished an ARC of Two Wars and a Wedding by Lauren Willig. This book hits bookshelves tomorrow, March 21, 2023.

The historic fiction novel is one nurse’s heroic adventures through the battles of two wars (the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and the Spanish-American War of 1898). The battles of the main character are both armed and personal conflicts. Betsy Hayes personifies compassion, bravery, humor and chutzpah. This dramatic novel also introduces a group of women who always bring their A-game and challenge the status quo. They fight for what is right; they fight for each other.

The book seamless bounces between the two war timelines offering a refreshing glimpse at true friendships, affairs of the heart, and coming-of-age during constraining times for women. I love the letters and reporter posts that open each chapter and set the stage for the reader on what is to come. These letters and posts also reflect the personal growth of the two women writing them.

I loved the main character, Betsy Hayes (inspired by real life Founder of the Smith College Relief Unit, Harriett Boyd Hawes). She was a spunky, outspoken, challenger of the status quo. She was one of only two American women selected to live in Athens Greece at the American School of Classical Studies in 1896. She sacrificed so much for her friend-Ava, her love-Charles, and for the countries she loved.

Being a history major, I loved every second learning about the two wars I had barely heard about. The detail and cruel surprises in the novel bring the wars right into your living room.

There are some shocking twists that stop the reader in their tracks. You become so invested in these women and their journey that you forget to sleep and eat.

Read it! 4 stars

Full of historically rich detail and entertaining, I enjoyed Two Wars and a Wedding. Set during two wars; the battle between Greece and Turkey and then the Spanish-American war in Cuba, Betsy was a well -developed character who lived a very exploratory life. She was adventurous, well-educated, funny and I felt like I knew her at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Two Wars and a Wedding is the newest wonderful historical fiction novel in Lauren Willig’s body of work.
This is a well-researched and poignant tale of two women involved in two wars—the Greco-Turkish conflict in 1896 and the Spanish-American War in 1898. The story is well-told and illuminates the origins of some of America’s well-known figures of the time, like Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and Clara Barton’s American Red Cross.
The protagonist, an archaeology student Betsy, is strong and likeable, and the broader cast of characters is colorful and interesting. I enjoyed the plotting and attention to detail that this author brings to whatever historic period of which she writes.
This is strong historical fiction about courageous women, brave men and a couple of long-ago but significant conflicts.
Highly recommend!

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I read Band of Sisters by this author and really enjoyed it--and particularly the connection to Smith College which is located near me. So I was curious to see what adventures the Smithies got into in this latest book.
If anything, this one was even better. Willig novelizes real events that were new to me. It was fascinating to read about how wounded soldiers survived, or did not survive the war during this time period. And the settings of both Greece and Cuba were fascinating. But most of all, the characters are endearing and the reader will find herself cheering for them.
Solid writing, good story, satisfying romance and a bit of an education. This all makes for fine reading!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I look forward to reading more.

Two Wars and a Wedding by Lauren Willig is an ambitious historical novel. Covering the time period between 1896 to 1898, it follows the character of Betsy as she attempts to be taken seriously as an archaeologist, becomes a nurse in Greece, travels back to the United States to become a nurse during the Spanish American War and has not one, but two love interests. The book tries to tackle too much and ends up only superficially covering most of it. Willig is at her best when the story moves to the Spanish American War. A linear story instead of a dual timeline would have been a better choice to show the character growth of Betsy from a self-centered to a more selfless woman. Fans of Willig and this time period will be the readers most likely to enjoy this novel.

This is the story of Betsy, an American college graduate, who in 1896 goes to Greece to help excavate the ruins. After not being allowed near the ruins since she is female, she travels into war in Greece to help the injured soldiers. She returns to America and travels with Clara Barton and the Red Cross to help nurse the soldiers in Cuba in the Spanish American War saving many lives. I received an ARC from NetGalley and William Morrow for my honest review.

Betsy Hayes was a college graduate in 1896 when she headed to Greece to excavate at one of the many archeological sites. But despite her qualifications, she was repeatedly told that archeology was not a field for women. So she trained as a nurse and volunteered in the war between Greece and Turkey. Not long after, she hears that her best friend Ava is headed to Cuba to nurse soldiers fighting in the Spanish-American War. In order to spare Ava the horrors of war that she's well acquainted with, Betsy decides to volunteer in Ava's place.
Betsy is a woman who delights in speaking truth to power. She is based on the lives of two women, and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read!

I love any book that includes archaeology, it takes me back to my days of digging in the hot sun. Crusted in a fine layer of dirt, not knowing what the next layer of sediment in your screen might bring. A pottery sherd, point, cache of shells and fish bones, giving you some insight on what these people were eating hundreds of years ago. This book started off a little slow for me. I could not connect with Betsy or any of the other characters. However, at the halfway point everything changed. I became completely immersed and could not put the book down. You watch the main character blossom from a privileged young woman, who can be a little self-centered at times. To an astonishing, inspirational nurse who you want in your corner. The descriptions will transport you to Greece and Cuba. The hot, dusty heat of Greece, to the intense humid air of Cuba. You will be able to visualize the horrifying conditions that the soldiers encountered as they were trying to heal and get help with their injuries. This book will take you on an astonishing, incredible journey of a young woman forced to grow up under intense circumstances.

Betsy Hayes is an aspiring archaeologist who is a Smith College girl and is ready to take on the world. She will not let anything stand in her way of her dream, to actually dig in Greece. She is taking in all of the new wonders of Greece and trying to convince the professors to allow her to go and take part in the excavations. But at every turn she is told no, not surprising since it is 1896. She is stubborn, will not take no for an answer, finding others to take her to these phenomenal sites. After a time, she cannot take anymore and decides to take a nursing course. Flinging her first into the Greco Turkish Wars and then onto the Spanish American War. She will blossom under deplorable conditions and in turn take control of her life. Thank you to Lauren Willig and William Morrow for my gifted copy of this truly fantastic tale.

Lauren Willig produces a unique look of an often over looked time. Excess, opulence, and personal freedom are juxtaposed by self sacrifice, death, and societal expectations. As always Willing produces flawed and strong characters that make you want to grow yourself.

I loved Lauren Willig's Band of Sisters so I was very excited to receive an ARC of Two Wars and a Wedding.

Two Wars and a Wedding focuses on Betsy Hayes (from Band of Sisters) and her experiences during the beginning of the Greco-Turkish War of 1896 and the Spanish American War of 1896: both of which I knew very little about. Smith graduate Betsy is in Greece hoping to pursue her love of archaeology by participating in a dig. Unfortunately, she faces roadblocks -- all because she is a woman in a "man's field". Frustrated Betsy volunteers for the Red Cross and thus begins her "nursing career".

This story is told in dual time lines (of the two wars) which I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned so much about the two wars, the lack of training nurses received, and the horrendous conditions nurses, doctors, and soldiers faced during both wars. Willig did a wonderful job with this "coming of age" story; she creates complex and strong female characters who will not be defeated.
I greatly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more of Lauren Willig's work.
Thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Lauren Willig for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Two Wars and a Wedding's publication date is 3/21/23 - you don't want to miss it.

This book cycles between two different storylines and timelines, thought they are only 2 years apart. In 1896, Betsy is in Athens, hoping to participate in significant archeological digs. In 1898, Betsy enlists as a nurse in the Spanish-American conflict, and is hoping to find her friend Ana who has also enlisted.
This book was slow going for me and had a hard time holding my attention. I did not feel a strong connection to the main character. Learning more about the Spanish-American conflict was interesting.

Lauren Willig introduces you to Betsy Hayes and the journey she goes on. What starts out as a desire to go an archaeological dig through her school leads her to enlisting with the Red Cross as a nurse. From there, she finds herself on the front lines of two wars. Betsy is faced with all the emotions, loss and anger that comes with war. The highs and lows that come with war. When fear becomes reality despite all your efforts to prevent it. Within the pages of this book you see a determined, feisty woman rise above the overwhelming and come out the other side a completely different woman. You will journey with Betsy all over the emotional map. I found myself heartbroken every time her heart broke, angry whenever she was delt a blow to her dreams, and cheering on her every victory- no matter how big or small- because there weren't enough of them. You read as a naïve woman is shaped by the biggest of losses. You watch a feisty girl become a driven woman who makes the world a better place for all who are among her.



Betsey's dream in life is to go on a school dig. She sees no reason why a woman can't do such a thing, though the faculty involved see plenty of them. This leads her to achieve her dream in a different way: if she comes back from a war a "hero", the school will have no choice but to let her go. So, she enrolls in the Red Cross to learn how to be a front lines nurse. Not only does Betsy get to the front lines of a war, but she quickly realizes how in over her head and unprepared she is. But, Betsy is blessed with helpful coworkers.

During her time in Greece and during that first war, Betsy falls in love with the most complicated of matches. Love overrules logic and she falls head first into a romance that will forever change her life.

Betsy finds herself involved with the Cuba/Spanish war by accident. Her intentions were to prevent friend, Ava, from going. However, life had other plans and to the frontlines she goes. Once again, the realities of war await her. This time the fight isn't just involving gunfire. Often times the nurses are under supplied and overwhelmed with soldiers. Battling wartime injuries gets even harder once Typhoid and Yellow Fever come into play- taking out nurses and soldiers alike. But it's during this war that Betsy not only finds love, but the guts to be the fighter you know she is. You watch Betsy step up to the plate in an inspiring way. She fights for her soldiers with everything she has. She is determined to not let history repeat itself and you cheer her on every step of the way.

By the time you turn the last page and have read the end of Betsy's story, you are emotionally exhausted. But you are so proud of her. Like I said, as you read her story, you fight with her, cry with her, cheer her on and applaud her take no prisoners attitude when it's necessary. You are so proud of the woman she becomes. While you don't wish to live vicariously through her, as some historical fiction stories, you are inspired by the bold fighter you watched come to live before your very eyes.

In Two Wars and a Wedding, Lauren Willig explores two wars which don’t get a ton of attention in fiction – the Greco-Turkish war of 1896 and the Spanish American War. Both are seen from the PoV of a single woman who finds herself nursing troops while also fostering her dreams of being an archeologist.

After gaininging her degree in archaeology from Smith College, Betsy Hayes has recently gained her degree in archaeology from Smith College. She heads to a dig in Greece, where she immediately runs into sexist politics that threaten to curtail her work. In the face of this misogyny, there appears to be no way forward for Betsy, but she is determined to keep at her dream. When conflict breaks out between Greece and Turkey, Betsy volunteers to work as a nurse for the Greek side, and at the same time, embarks on a difficult romance with a married man. She finds herself dealing with the horror of war, the glory-free aspects of battle, and the nightmare of being understaffed and undersupplied. She hopes her best friend, the poorer-of-means Ava Saltonstall, might be able to join her in the field, but when Ava arrives things become strained, especially when moral and class struggles set in…

By the time of the Spanish American War, Betsy has joined the troop of nurses trying to protect Cuban soldiers from Spanish invaders – and is world-weary. A chatty, ambitious reporter from St. Louis, Katherine “Kit” Carson, and “Hold ‘Em” Holt, one of Teddy Roosevelt’s battle-scarred Rough Riders, are among the new faces she encounters. Betsy had set out intending to keep Ava from arriving on the island as a volunteer, especially after the traumatic experiences she’d endured in Greece, and finds herself clashing with officials and dealing with the collateral damage from her experiences in Greece – including severe PTSD. When she ends up working on the Seneca – understaffed, under-supplied, and ruled over by drunken officials – all seems lost. Will Betsy make it out of Cuba alive?

We do indeed get a wedding in Two Wars and a Wedding, though it doesn’t make it onto the page. I won’t spoil the revelation as to which of the girls gets married and why, but before that there is a greatly tragic romance, followed by one of great equals. Indeed, the book’s greatest love story is arguably between Betsy and Ava, whose friendship is a storied thing that goes through peaks and valleys and centers much of the book until it shifts to focus on the bond between Betsy, Kit and Holt. But as always, the trip is engrossing and wonderful to read, with realistic research into the hell of pre-World War I battlefront living and nursing. Lauren Willig writes such well-researched, breathlessly told historical fiction it’s easy to get caught up in.

Betsy is not a perfect person by a long shot, and her flaws are realistic. While Ava fears taking a real chance with her life due to her poverty and responsibilities back home, spoiled Betsy has to learn the hard way that shirking her lessons and ignoring warning signs are not a good idea. Betsy grows up throughout the book and it’s wonderful to follow her on that journey.

The book is filled with the incompetence of officials who seek to undercut and smugly underplay the women around them, so if you want to escape sexism this isn’t going to be the book for you. Incompetent soldiers blaming their foolishness on “female hysteria”? Male doctors who think women can’t be doctors or archeologists? Check. All realistic and well-handled, and combatted by the brilliance of the women in this book.

But there’s one little bit that keeps me from giving a flat-out A grade. The dual timeline, told out of order and alternating between the past and present, is absolutely unnecessary – there’s barely a year lost between each war, and the Spanish-American war chapters only serve to conceal things that need not be kept from the reader’s eye in an effort to preserve surprise. Instead of alternating timelines it could have easily been a story told in order to maintain the book’s strong pace, but the timeline switches aren’t confusing, just irritating.

Otherwise, as always, Willig is a marvel. Two Wars and a Wedding is a two-hankie affair worth its salt water.

I really liked this! Alternating timelines, historical fiction, war and romance, it really has everything (and much of that you can guess from the title alone) 
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These were two wars I know almost nothing about, so that was really refreshing to read a war-based historical fiction that wasn't about WWII! I really enjoyed Betsey and how she grew as a character, and found her very relatable as she fought for equality for women in multiple theaters. 
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My biggest critique is that the two wars and two stories didn't really feel entirely connected, and plot points did not always seem necessary to get to the ultimate conclusion. After reading the author's note and learning that Betsey was based off of two very distinct women, that made sense, but I think this would have been more powerful with just one focus. 
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I still very much enjoyed it and glad I read it! Thanks to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the early copy!