This book was terrific!If you love historical fiction ,you will want to read this.I t takes place during WWII and tells the story of 3 Boston girls who join the Red Cross,They go overseas and this story tells of their adventures.You will laugh and cry.It was a great story.

"The Beantown Girls" is a nice read with a simple, easy flow and an unforgettable storyline - which left me thinking "this would make for a great movie too"! I recommend this piece to any romantic and/or WWII enthusiast who is looking for a delightful, captivating story. I agree with many other reviewers in the way this novel offers a unique perspective on WWII through the eyes of the brave, charismatic Red Cross Clubmobile Girls.

I am not especially a fast reader yet I finished this book in only three days, partially due to the quick pace of its plot and being snowed in on the weekend. The chapters themselves were rather brief yet each one held a surprise, allowing the reader to break up their reading if necessary and sustain interest in the plot as a whole.

This book is clearly not a single true story but it is "based" on a collection of several people's true stories. At the very end of the book, I appreciated how Jane Healey clarified which pieces of the plot were true and which were embellished by her imagination.

This book satisfied my hunger for a good read and left me emotionally inspired (keep the Kleenex nearby) as well as informed on the impact of Red Cross Clubmobile Girls during WWII. Add this book to the top of your reading list!

I really enjoyed reading this book!! The girls personalities reminded me of the girls from one of my favorite shows "The Midwifes". What started out as a search for one of the girls fiancee that is declared missing in World War 2 turned into a life changing adventure for each of the girls and the lives they touched. The author Jane Healey really described each of the characters so well she had me worried and cheering for each of them.

This would make a great movie or series!!! I would love to find out how the girls lives continued after the war. 5 stars!!!!! Thank you to Netgalley and the Author and Publisher of this book for my free copy for my honest review.

What a great book!

I am a huge fan of WW2 historical fiction because I love how many aspects of the war there are to read about and learn about. This book follows Fiona and her best friends Viv and Dottie, three women who sign up voluntarily to join a small group run by the Red Cross called the Clubmobile Girls, who drove around in big trucks over in the UK and Europe, serving coffee and donuts to the soldiers in order to help boost their spirits. In all the books I’ve read so far, I’ve never come across anything about the Clubmobile Girls and had no idea they even existed, so it was really interesting to read about them and their role during the war and how something as simple as coffee, donuts, and music helped brighten the spirits of these war torn men.

I really enjoyed seeing how the relationships between the different characters grew throughout the book. There are beautiful friendships, both old and new, as well as romantic interests throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed the romance plot lines because it was easy to see how the romantic feelings and conflictions experienced by the characters could easily have happened back during the war when lovers were separated.

Overall, this is a lighter historical fiction. It’s set during the war but doesn’t get very gruesome with details. That being said, it did still tug at my heart strings at time. And I enjoyed reading about the war from a unique perspective, particularly since it was mostly focused around the Red Cross workers and the US soldiers. Definitely a great read and one worth picking up if you’re in the mood for a lighter historical fiction.

Thanks to Jane Healey, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book; it was like watching a vintage WWII film, with Glen Miller or the Andrews Sisters music in the background. Three friends from Boston, Fiona, Dottie and Viv, join the Red Cross Clubmobile units to help raise the morale of soldiers fighting in Europe. With wartime romance, losses and deepening friendships, this book has it all. Highly recommend.

In July 1944, Fiona, Dottie, and Viv, best friends from Boston, make the cut for the Red Cross Clubmobile standards and find themselves aboard the troop transporter on their way to London for training. It's not long after their arrival they are introduced to "buzz bombs." Their Red Cross mission is to help raise morale among the troops, remind the GI's of home, provide a break, a snack, some swing music or jazz, and a pack of Chesterfields, Lifesavers, donuts, and coffee. Thousands of donuts.

They are watched, judged, graded, and then sent to the Continent to provide the same boost of morale as they had in the U.K., except then they are subject to far worst conditions than buzz bombs. And they are ill-prepared for just how bad it would get. This narrative is heartbreaking as it is emotionally inspiring. The author creates such a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, you are drawn in quickly and invested heavily in the three friends and their Clubmobile buddies.

Each of the three has their own reasons for entering the program. Fiona knows that her fiancé was shot down, but doesn't know if he survived or is lost or a prisoner of war, but she's determined to find out. Dottie is an extremely talented musician and soloist, but painfully shy. Viv (Viviana) is the most outgoing, almost outlandish, but instantly creates a connection to the GI's who mob the vehicle wherever it goes.

The author meticulously researched accounts that collectively created a beautiful, engaging story from beginning to end. The ladies manage to exhibit extreme initiative and bravery when the situation demands and somehow they prevail. It's a story of deep friendship, love, loss, and triumph of the human spirit in the face of ultimate depravity.

I was excited to receive this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read for my unbiased opinion. And I honestly loved it! Heartily recommend to all, whether historical fiction fan or not. It is an important and soul-satisfying story.

“The Beantown Girls” by Jane Healey is a fabulous historical fiction novel focusing on several women that volunteered with the Red Cross in their ClubMobile program.
The write did a fantastic job weaving the fictional main characters: Fionna, Viv, and Dottie into the true stories of the later years of WWII and the program itself.
Ms Healey did a great job creating realistic women that you could care about and wanted to be friends with, all the while creating real-world inner and outer conflicts that were a part of their lives.
This is a great book with a sweet and touching ending. A must read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this gem in exchange for my honest review.

This is an excellent book. I love the way it portrays women. The story not only told about the wonderful accomplishments, but also explained the struggles. I would read and think there is no way I would make that choice. It was interesting how their relationship with the men they met was not typical. I found myself thinking how could you just leave that relationship and go straight into another.
The notes at the end of the story discussing the real events was one of my favorite parts. It was like getting a behind the headlines look into world war 2 from a woman’s perspective. I would recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the digital ebook for review.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres - and throughout the years I've spent a fair amount of time reading books set during or in World War II. Jane Healey's novel, The Beantown Girls, is a new favorite for me. I absolutely loved this book and its incredible cast of brave women and their experience in the European Theatre during the war and it's one that I know I'll read again.

In all my reading, I had never come across the Red Cross Clubmobile trucks or the women who ran them. Often the Red Cross conjures images of nurses or other civilians assisting with the war effort - for some reason I always think in terms of the medical field - so I was absolutely enthralled by these women whose job it was to drive outfitted trucks to military camps bringing little comforts in the way of hot doughnuts, coffee, cigarettes and candy to the men stationed there.

Jane Healey's fictional account of three women who join the Red Cross to serve in the Clubmobile in Europe is a wonderfully written account of friendship, love and bravery. I loved following Fiona, Dottie and Viv as they travelled throughout Europe boosting morale of the soldiers fighting there, finding love and experiencing loss. Together they experience the tragedies and triumphs of the war - I so loved their friendship, the hopefulness they exuded and their hard work in a very bleak time and place. This book was well researched and expertly paced, I couldn't put it down.
It's a beautiful portrayal of the brave ladies who wanted to make a difference in war that brought so much loss and heartache. I loved it.

The Beantown Girls was like a history lesson to me that I knew nothing about. It was beautifully written and I found myself rooting for the three main characters, best friends from Boston who volunteered to go overseas as Red Cross Clubmobile girls during WW II. I enjoyed the book very much and didn't want to put it down, wondering what might happen next. From friendship, danger, action and being downright scary at times it really held my interest! I strongly recommend this book.

A trio of American girlfriends who volunteer with the Red Cross during WWII will win your heart in the newest novel by Jane Healey. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I was instantly intrigued by this widely unknown aspect of these women who served at the front lines in Germany. Viv, Dottie and Fiona are the Beantown Girls, friends from Boston who have various reasons for coming to the front. They apply to be Red Cross Clubmobile girls, sometimes nicknamed Donut Dollies, to serve coffee and donuts while playing records, boosting morale and chatting up the servicemen. They were selected based on their strong character and good looks, not really knowing how much courage and sacrifice was required of them. The trio encounter tremendous dangers as they move closer to the front lines, even earning Bronze Stars for their service. Through it all they forge new friendships, discover budding romances, grieve and console one another, navigate their futures and set new dreams. For fans of Lilac Girls, The Nightingale, and The Alice Network, you'll love this heartwarming story and memorable characters! Thanks to @netgalley and @lakeunionpublishing for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey is another wonderful contribution to this sub-genre of women’s contributions to the WWII war effort. The Red Cross Clubmobile initiative sent young American women to areas where Allied military were deployed, including the front, to distribute donuts, coffee, cigarettes, etc. in order to raise morale. Although it may sound frivolous, it was often hard work and dangerous, depending on where the women were sent.

Healey allows the reader to see how the women change and grow as they work together. Each develops new skills and strengths as they perform their duties. The author also makes crystal clear the random horror of the war, in which any moment can become a question of life and death. Several times, my breath caught, and my eyes teared up.

This novel is liberally seasoned with romance. Fortunately, it does not overwhelm the story of the women’s mission, and in fact, may add to it. I highly recommend this book and thank the author for bringing to light a new aspect of the war effort.

Thanks always to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A group of young Boston women wanted to do their part to help Britain in their fight for their island. They were not happy to find themselves making doughnuts for canteens where soldiers came for the company and a break from combat. in the end, they did find they had a purpose after all. A simple story about a tragic time.

4.5 stars
Three best friends from Boston, sign up to be Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Clubmobile girls travel to different military bases to boost morale through music and food. Fiona sees this as a chance to travel to Europe to try and find her MIA fiancé. Viviana wants some adventure before settling down. Dot is hoping that being a Clubmobile girl will help her be more confident around adults. Their friendship helps them survive the realities of war. I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel, the characters were likeable and interesting. I also learned about the Red Cross Clubmobile program. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will want to read Beantown Girls.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 rounded up

I don't read a whole lot of historical fiction, but man, The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey is a MUST read if you are a historical fiction fan and are interested in reading about World War II.

What it's about: Based on the Red Cross Clubmobile girls, The Beantown Girls focuses on 3 friends that decide to join - Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie. Fiona's reason for wanting to join is different from her friends, her fiancé Danny has gone missing in the war and Fiona is determined to find out what happened to him any way she can. These 3 friends will see a lot and go through a lot, but the happiness they bring to the men on the front lines, and the friendships and relationships they will foster may just help them make it through the war.

I have so much love for this book. The story was amazing, and I bawled my eyes out more than once. I really don't know enough about history, and reading historical fiction like this just truly opens my eyes to the past. I had no idea the Clubmobile girls even existed and I loved reading about what they did for the war. They were right in the middle of everything, and I can't imagine how brave all of those girls must have been.

The story is told only from Fiona's POV, but it worked very well for this novel. Her search for what happened to her fiancé was heart-wrenching, but I loved how her friendships helped to get her through.

Final Thought: The Beantown Girls is sad for sure, but it also has wonderful moments that made me laugh out loud and overall was very inspiring and positive. I would highly recommend to any historical fiction fan! Healey has become an instant auto-buy author for me, and that is really saying something when HF isn't what I read the most of.

“...because he was my soldier.” For me this quote sums up this wonderfully emotional journey of The Beaton’s Girls by Jane Healey. The story of these women who served our soldiers and nation in World War II is emotional, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at the same time. To read their journey has only propelled my new found enjoyment of historical fiction and Jane Healey’s vivid writing pulls you right into the war torn 1940’s ! I had no idea the ClubMobile Girls of the Red Cross even existed, now I just want to read more about them!

The Beantown Girls is a novel set in Europe toward the end of WWII. The plot follows a group of three friends from Boston who volunteer to be Red Cross clubmobile girls. They join to help with the war effort and to find out information about one of the girls’ missing-in-action fiance. The story follows their adventures, in war and love, as they continue their mission on the front lines.

The book is loosely based on the true story of the Red Cross clubmobile girls, who travelled around Europe offering coffee and donuts to Allied soldiers. It sounds a bit frivolous, but once you get deeper into the book it’s obvious that these ladies played a pivotal role in brightening the spirits of the soldiers when they most needed it.

Although it took me a few chapters to become invested in the girls story, Healey finds a good rhythm and made this a difficult book to set down. This is a dialogue heavy, plot driven, historical fiction novel with a side of romance. The author does a great job of making it feel like you were right there in 1944 with the girls, using language and cultural references that feel right out of the wartime era. I don’t read many light hearted historical fiction books like this one, but in the end I was drawn into the story of these three friends and their adventures in Europe. Although the book is about WWII and there are sad parts (yes, I cried!), it is ultimately an uplifting book about bravery, friendship and love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of The Beantown Girls. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This story takes place in 1944 during WWII. Fiona Denning thinks she has her life all figured out, but then her fiancé is reported missing in action. In an effort to find him, she and a couple of her friends join the war as workers in the Red Cross Club mobile program-delivering coffee and doughnuts to soldiers as well as just letting them see a familiar face from home. The author does a brilliant job of incorporating the horrors of war into this story, and these women learn so much about themselves. I had never heard about the women who volunteered to do this so it was just a fascinating story for me. Highly recommended!

The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. It allows me to experience a time that I know little about and I always learn something. This book tells the story of the Red Cross's Clubmobile girls who were recruited to increase the morale of the American troups in WWII. The girls were originally assigned to make donuts and coffee for the soldiers. But it turns into so much more as they find themselves in many unanticipated situations. This is an entertaining and interesting read that takes you on the adventures of this group of young women and let's you experience the war from their unique perspective. If you are a fan of historical fiction, give The Beantown Girls a read.