This is a hard review for me to write. It's not that I didn't like the book...I just didn't enjoy it...if that makes sense. And I really wanted to love it. It was interesting to learn about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls and their importance in helping the morale of the fighting men. The characters were charming and full of personality. Where I had issues was the writing style..and the issue is, after careful reflection, just personal choice I think. And its hard to explain why I had issues, it was kind of the descriptions of things..like they were mundane or overdone maybe? but it took me 3 weeks to read. Everyone else raved about this book, where I found it painful to read. And I really feel bad about it..but there it is. So, I sadly give it 3 stars. I might give this another look later in the year.

I have heard great things about Jane Healey’s last book and was so excited to read The Beantown Girls! I really loved Healeys writing - it transported me into the lives of Fiona, Dottie and Viv - who volunteered to become Clubmobile Girls in 1944. Hailing from Boston these girls bring coffee and doughnuts to our men on the front lines but soon find their roles require so much more... I felt The Beantown Girls provided a great service bringing the Clubmobile girls and their service to light. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to my friends and family. I
Received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

While this book is fiction the author obviously did plenty of research into the club mobile girls working for the red cross. In fact I found this book very educational without being preachy in the least.

This is the story of Fiona Viv and Dottie three Boston girls who met all the criteria that the red cross set over 25 and college degree not many met all the criteria they had to be a special type of woman. These women not only served coffee and donuts to the soldiers but gave them a taste of home allowing them to fight the battles ahead and while some men don't want the women so close to the front others where given a boost to fight with them there. You will laugh and cry with these women as they fight along with the men on the European front.

This book was simply marvelous. Like most, I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls in World War II, but I guarantee, after this novel, I will never forget them. These women volunteered to go to the frontlines and give the troops a piece of home. These women were inspiring, and Jane Healy created wonderful characters that pay tribute to their real-life inspiration. The three main characters are best friends, and when Fiona volunteers hoping to find news of her fiancé who is missing in action, her two best friends are with her all the way. Their journey not only deepens their friendship, but uncovers strengths and friendships they may never have found if they had stayed in Boston.
This is my first encounter with Jane Healy’s writing and I thoroughly enjoyed both her style and her character development. This was a well-researched novel that will draw you in and keep you immersed until the very end. There will be laughter and tears, and Fiona, Viv, Dottie, and the rest of the Clubmobile Girls will stay with you long after you read the last word.
#TheBeantownGirls #JaneHealy #LakeUnion

Favorite Quotes:

Ready or not, we’re on our way to England. We just went through six weeks of training for these jobs. I had to learn to play badminton, for the love of God. There’s no turning back now.

I realized I was in a much better mood than when I arrived. I was supposed to be the one boosting their spirits, but instead that’s exactly what these men had done for me. Sometimes morale was a two-way street.

…my heart was aching in ways that felt very familiar and yet so different. It turns out you can care for two men at the same time, but you never care for them in the exact same way.

“We’re off the coast of a place where thousands of American men died. And we’re dancing,” she said, squinting and tilting her head, looking out across the water. “It feels a little off, don’t you think?” “I’ve thought about that,” I said, nodding, leaning over the railing. “But honestly? I think any of the men killed here would say, Damn Hitler! Play that American music and dance. It gives these men some hope and cheers them up. Helps them fight another day.”

The beach was a haunted obstacle course of foxholes, concrete pillboxes, and debris… “The captain was right… You can feel the ghosts.” I got goose pimples on my arms again when she said it, because it was true. There was a heaviness to the air that had nothing to do with the dust.

Dick kept talking as we drove, in a trance, giving us the play-by-play of all that had happened to him, like a confessional. We couldn’t have stopped him if we had tried. And from the way he was going on, I knew that he would be haunted by the images of that day until he was an old man.

The ‘front’ is all around us; it’s not one straight line marked by barbed wire and a big sign.


My Review:

In addition to top-notch entertainment, this book was eye opening and surprisingly educational. I had no idea that Red Cross volunteers performed these functions. It sounded rather frivolous at first – driving around in trucks to cook and serve doughnuts and coffee to soldiers in battlefield and training encampments – however, they did so much more than that. Heinously nicknamed Doughnut Dollies, they assisted the soldiers in writing letters; entertained them with music; provided a welcome break from the horrors of war with snacks, candy, and hygiene supplies; provided a kind personal touch while talking and listened to them about their experiences and news from their families at home; provided comfort and gentle reassurance to those coming off the battlefields and POW camps; helped them exchange information to their friends between compounds; although they weren’t nurses they willingly helped in a pinch with the wounded; and anything else they could possibly do to lift morale.

I was thoroughly engaged with this adventurous, poignant, profoundly moving and thoughtfully written story and was not surprised at all to learn that the author had performed a massive amount of research and had based her manuscript on actual events and archived writings of the brave and intrepid women who dared such hazardous feats. The storylines were beautifully crafted and expertly paced. I adored these spunky characters and greatly admired their grit and sacrifice. Ms. Healy’s writing was frequently emotive and tapped all the feels multiple times with considerable agility, yet was easy to follow and totally transportive. I instantly fell into a 1944 time machine and was completely immersed in their story - living and working right beside the three brave Bostonians Fiona, Viv, and Dottie. I could feel the rumble of the bomb blasts as well as their bone-weary fatigue, hear the jazz music playing, and smell the pungent and permeating scents of their cigarettes as well as the endless batches of doughnuts they tirelessly created. The author’s magical word skills were deft yet oceans deep; I also felt their excitement, fear, and profound heartache. My eyes stung and my throat constricted more than once at the horrific losses and moving encounters they exchanged with their new friends and frightened soldiers. Any writer who can move my cold heart to such extremes deserves a ten-star rating.

Beantown Girls, though a historical novel, is an extraordinary look into the contributions made to the allied soldiers fighting in Africa and Europe by the Red Cross Clubmobile women during the Second World War. We tend to consider them non-combatants and perhaps thrill seekers or simply bored with life in war-time America. Not. The criteria for becoming a Red Cross Clubmobile woman were stringent = single, college graduate, over the age of 25. Of those who qualified and applied, only one in six met the necessary physical, emotional and and social requirements to be accepted into the program.

Our focus is on three Boston ladies who were close friends through college and beyond. Fiona was the first to consider joining the Red Cross effort after her fiance Daniel went missing over Germany late in 1943. Viv and Dottie thought it sounded like a good plan, and wouldn't let her go without them. From the time they boarded the Queen Elizabeth at the dock in NYC on July 14, 1944 through the end of the European Theatre of Operations in June 1945 these ladies worked their fingers to the bone serving and encouraging allied soldiers, traveling near and occasionally too close to the front lines. Despite personal trials and tribulations they managed to face the troops with a smile and an encouraging word to go with the donuts and coffee they served from the back of a ten ton truck. Which they had to drive from place to place. Of course, being from Boston with it's wonderful public transport systems, these ladies didn't drive when they boarded the QE. But it's wasn't long until they could.

Their contributions to the war effort were without price. Jane Healey paints us a clear picture of the war from the aspect of these ladies, in a story that will grab your head and heart immediately. In the author's note she indicates the parts of her novel that are based on fact - I wish I had read that at the beginning instead of the end. This is a book I am happy to refer to friends and family.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Jane Healey and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

One of my favorite books so early in the year and it's a historical story. It's beautiful, lyrical and haunting. I became emotionally attached to the characters right away and the blend of plot and romance was perfect. Pick up this gem of a book and prepare to be dazzled. It's a story that will stay with you long after the last page. Happy reading!

During the years that World War II raged, there were brave women who volunteered as Red Cross Workers. Follow the story of three friends as they brave the horrors of war and the many different emotions that they come across.

This story was amazing. It was raw, it was real, and it brings to the front the story of some brave women who volunteered for duties that held unimaginable heartbreak. This book drew me in and refused to let me go. Fabulous and amazing.

I've read my fair share of World War Two HF and I'm always eager to see a new spin on things, so when I read the description of this and realized I had never even heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls I was excited! The idea of these young women volunteering to help out during such a scary and unsure time was fascinating to me and their bravery was so inspiring.
Historical accuracy is so important to me, even when reading fiction and Healey did an amazing job at staying very close to true events. Her dates were pretty spot on and her attention to detail was impeccable, and yet she still managed to make this an engaging and fun read despite maintaining historical accuracy. Sometimes when I read a HF I can get bogged down with the details but there was none of that here. I was wholly invested in Fiona, Viv and Dottie's lives and this is due to the authors ability to create such vivid and vivacious characters that leapt from the pages.
This was an emotional read, Healey didn't shy away from the horrors of war and the girls were right in the thick of the action so there were some somber scenes. Overall though, this was an ultimately uplifting read and one full of hope, but I did experience a wide variety of emotions while reading. Recommended for fans of HF and especially those who can't get enough of WW2, also the whole concept behind the Clubmobile Girls was so interesting, their sole purpose was to bring some joy and happiness to soldiers far from home, so cool!

THE BEANTOWN GIRLS by Jane Healey is a compelling work of historical fiction that tells the story of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls that served in the European Theater of Operations during the final months of World War II. I have read many historical fiction novels set in Europe during this time, but I had never heard of these amazing unsung heroines that left their comfortable lives at home and volunteered to be sent overseas where they ended up at the front as the tide of war was just starting to shift in favor of the Allies. The story is told from the single perspective of Fiona Denning, a young woman from Boston whose fiancé has been reported shot down and missing in Germany. Feeling like she must do something to help the war effort, Fiona and her best friends, Viv and Dottie apply to be Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Little do they know the danger they will face and the strength and courage it will require to carry out their tasks in war time. This book was meticulously researched and the author brought the story to life with her vivid descriptions of the settings and the emotions of the characters. The perfect balance of history, suspense and emotion kept me engaged from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed this captivating story of friendship, love and commitment and highly recommend it. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction account of World War II told from the perspective of three women friends from the Boston area who volunteered for the Red Cross Clubmobile program. They made donuts and served coffee to the troops stationed in the war zones. They were even on the front lines providing a little touch of home to the soldiers. This is a heart-warming story of friendship, courage, and the uncertainty of wartime life.

Another part of WWII history that I never even knew about! The Red Cross Clubmobile Girls helped raise morale during the war handing out coffee, making doughnuts, pitching in wherever help was needed in order to aid the soldiers.

I loved The Beantown Girls so much! Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie were the three beauties who were friends since college, and decide to enter this next adventure together, to help the soldiers overseas.

Never in the world had I heard of a Red Cross Clubmobile. There are so many novels about WW2 out there, but not a single one from this perspective that I have come across before. A very original take on history if you ask me. Because of the fact that you follow the three main girls, Fiona, Dottie and Viv, while working as Clubmobile girls at the front of WW2 you get a look into their life in the early 40s as well as a clear overview of the historical events happening in the background. This is a nice mix of two completely different types of events.

The characters in the book were also very recognisable to me. The girls in the book are about the same age that I am right now, so it’s interesting to read about the things that they have to deal with in life and quite confronting to see that we still face a lot of the same issues that people in the 40s struggled with as well. A recurring plotline is that of Fiona searching for her missing fiancé in the war. The heartbreak and tension that this brings with it are very noticeable and still relevant today. I had no problems at all sympathising with the girls and imagining myself in their shoes. On a side note: many things also happened to them that I have no clue about and I’m truly happy that I can say that. Being involved in a war is rough, even if you’re not a soldier.

Finally I would like to say that I did question the whole idea of sending young girls to a war front to serve doughnuts and coffee a lot. I realise that many of the American soldiers were very happy to see the girls and it most certainly boosted morale among the troops, but it was also a very dangerous situation to put them in. My own moral compass had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that this actually happened and that girls died while working this job. I’m still not sure if it was worth it. That doesn’t take away from that fact that I adored this novel, though.

The Beantown Girls is an intriguing book about the American Red Cross Clubmobile girls that headed to the frontlines during WW2. I had absolutely no idea that a morale building program during this daunting time of our world history. Essentially, the program selectively interviewed and then trained young American women to send overseas. These women were to make and serve the soldiers fresh coffee and hot donuts, all from the back of a truck. This program was brilliant for the time, but today, there’d be considerable flack regarding sexism and gender roles. Personally, I love coffee and donuts so I’d be thrilled to have them at any time, given to me by any person!

Healey skillfully created a story around three main characters that made me laugh and cry. Her extensive research allowed her to draw characters that were loosely based on the actual women that once served as Clubmobile Girls. Most of the antics, incidents, and daily life came from the these women’s journals, letters and other non-fiction books. Check out the author’s Pinterest page if you want to see photos and information. I’ve attached two of my favorites below.

The scenes that depicted the men on the frontlines were well captured. Their sense of gloom, loss of their comrades, their fragile bravery, homesickness and risking their lives every day undoubtedly took its toll. I could feel their joy at the sight of these girls and the companionship they offered. It proved how a small kindness of a homemade treat and some music could completely change someone’s demeanor. I went to Youtube to look up and listen to Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree by The Andrew Sisters after learning how popular it was during the 1940s.

The writing was quite simplistic and I worried it wouldn’t work in a book about war and relationships. Fortunately, it didn’t matter at all and the plot didn’t suffer. It almost added a charm that brought to life the naivety of these young girls as they adapted to the war. There were some predictable parts as well as a few twists that I didn’t see coming.

This book touches on friendship, romance, war, sacrifice, POWs, courage, guilt, independence, the Red Cross, WW2, love and hope. Most people that don’t like historical fiction tell me its because they’ve never read it or because they assume it’ll be too much history and read like non-fiction. If that’s you, or you know someone like that, I suggest this book. It’s a fast, easy to read story that will hold your interest until the end.

The Red Cross Clubmobile Girls were volunteers chosen for their education, friendliness, and beauty to give out doughnuts, coffee, friendship, and other comforts of home to soldiers fighting in WWII.

When Fiona's fiancee goes missing, she recruits her two best friends as Clubmobile Girls in order to feel useful and try to find some news about her fiancee. It's an intriguing premise based real, little known stories of these girls.

The friendships in the story felt real, both the existing ones between Fiona and her best friends and the ladies they meet along the way. The book doesn't steer too far into heartbreaking territory - sad things happen, but the violence and sex are minimal. There are times when it skewed a little too saccharine for me, but overall it was an easy read that taught me about something new. Your book club will love this one.

Did you know the Red Cross sent young women, known as Clubmobile Girls, to Europe during WWII in trucks with donut makers so that they could pass out doughnuts and coffee to soldiers? I didn't. Fiona's fiancé Danny, an aviator, was shot down and is missing, prompting her to leave her job at City Hall in Boston (hence the Beantown) and join the Red Cross along with two of her friends, Dottie and Viv. They quickly make additional pals once they get to London for training and then onward to the Continent. This is a tale of friendship but also of love- there are love interests and then there's Fi's continued hope that she will find Danny alive. It's not too deep and while there are a few mistakes (women didn't wear "blush" - maybe "rouge" but not blush- or pink lipstick at the time), it's a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Perfect for historical fiction fans.

The story opens with Fiona, Dottie, and Viv on board the Queen Elizabeth heading to England as part of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls in the summer of 1944. You quickly find out why Fiona wanted to volunteer. Her fiancée, Danny is missing in action. She volunteered to try and find out what happened to him. Her two best friends also volunteered because they weren’t going to leave her alone. I had never heard of the Clubmobile during the war and reading this book sent me down a Google rabbit hole. The story itself is engaging and interesting. There are details on the training and inner workings of the Red Cross Clubmobile. You went from England to the front lines and felt that you were with the girls every step of the way. I both laughed and cried during the book. It was well written and even though part of it was hard to read I was sad when the book ended.

Once I started reading The Beantown Girls, I could not put it down. This book is absolutely amazing. I love all of the characters so much, They are all full of fire and life, even amidst the tragedies that war brings. The rollercoaster of emotions that I experienced while reading The Beantown Girls was definitely a ride. One of my favorite historical fiction novels so far!

"THE RED CROSS CLUBMOBILE GIRLS: BRINGING A BIT OF HOME TO THE TROOPS AT THE FRONT."
I am such a big fan of historical fiction because of the many new things I learn from reading it. Beantown Girls is a fantastic novel that fits right in with this scenario. I have never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile or the Donut Dollies before I picked up this book. What a fascinating read!
Jane Healey has a great way of taking the facts surrounding the history of the Clubmobile and weaving a story around actual events that happened when the Donut Dollies were serving in Europe. She took me right to the middle of the conflict and I experienced "living" with the characters who selflessly put themselves where they "were more than just spectators observing the tragedies of war."
The women voluntarily accepted the challenge of going to the war zones because of their desire to bring a little bit of "good" to the grueling hardships that are part of conflict. These women by no means had it easy. They didn't have the luxuries of a warm, comfortable place to bunk. They were cold and wet quite often. There were challenges beyond belief, tragedy that broke hearts, but there were times that made it more than worth the sacrifices they gave to bring a little comfort from "home" to the fighting men.
The journey with the main characters of Fiona, Dottie, and Viv was one I'm so glad I took. The characters are so real. Going through the process of becoming a Red Cross Clubmobile girl was challenging but also so rewarding. There were acts of courage that came because of dangerous situations, there were times of giving more than they knew they had, there were times of loss that tore my heart out but also there were times of making new friendships, of finding romance and a future.
I love this novel. It's the first one I've read by Jane Healey and I'm hooked! I know I look forward to reading more of her astounding work. I want to thank her and Lake Union for the honor of reading and reviewing this five star book!

This book is the epitome of why I love historical fiction!! I was just thinking that maybe I needed a break from WWII books, and then Jane Healey gives me this gem, and oh my stars, I could not read it fast enough!

Fiona Denning applies to be a Red Cross Clubmobile girl after learning her fiancé has gone missing in the war. Her two best friends, Dottie and Viviana, join her, and they are sent off on an adventure. During WWI the Clubmobile girls served coffee and donuts to the soldiers, befriended them and provided them company while they were at war. Dottie is reserved and shy, but plays the guitar and sings, she just is not comfortable getting up and doing so in front of groups of people. Viviana, or Viv, is known as the outgoing one, and is quite the charmer. Fiona, or Fi, is also very personable, making friends easily, but cannot shake that her purpose is to find her fiancé, even as she begins to unwittingly win over a certain Captain named Peter....

The trio set off on their adventure, hoping to end up in Germany, where Fiona’s fiancé was last seen alive. Along the way they meet many new friends, have wonderful (and not so wonderful) experiences, and each have their own personal struggles that they are forced to deal with. This was truly friendship at its finest, flaws and all, and even though they were in a war, I desperately wanted to be right there with them.

I knew nothing about these girls that served during the war, and was blown away to know these roles existed. Jane Healey paints such a vivid picture – the scenery, interactions of the characters, the war, everything. Loved, loved, loved! I will warn you to have a tissue box nearby, but it’s such a good story, you won’t mind.

A huge thank you to Get Red PR and NetGalley for the electronic ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Release date is 2/5/2019, you DO NOT want to miss this one!!