4.5 Stars to Jane Healey’s novel of love, loss and extreme courage in World War II. Fiona Denning’s life is uprooted when she learns her fiancé Danny has gone missing in Germany. Determined to get answers, Fiona and her girlfriends Dottie and Viv sign up to become Red Cross Clubmobile girls and head overseas themselves.

There is so much heart in this story from the friendships to the romance and the family and Healey’s writing really makes these women come alive. From learning how to make donuts to serve the soldiers as well as driving lessons, there are moments where you will burst out laughing and others where you will be fighting back tears. I loved getting to know The Beantown Girls and I’m sure you will, too.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved Jane Healy’s The Beantown Girls! Before reading this book, I knew nothing about te Red Cross Clubmbile Girls wise job was to. Make doughnuts and serve coffee to soldiers stationed in Europe during WWII. I loved how Healey weaved the story. of three friends. from Boston joining the Clubmobile Girls with actual events in WW II. Healey does a masterful job of making the reader feel what Viv, Dottie, and Fiona feel as they Lear lots about themselves while eloping the soldiers. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this story. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I have read quite a lot of books in this category, especially WWII books, which makes it a little hard for me to be surprised and intrigued with the content of another book in this genre. “Beantown Girls” was an exception...I’ve actually learned quite a lot about Red Cross Clubmobile Girls (I’ve never heard of them before *gasp*) and their role in WWII. This book was a refreshing and surprising read about friendship, bravery, companionship, and love. Fiona, Viv, Dottie, Blanch, Frankie, and Martha touched my heart, and I felt like I was one of them, sitting in the Clubmobile, making doughnuts, while having some girl talk. The witty conversations and captivating descriptions of Europe’s landscape during WWII made this novel a real treat to read. Yes, I shed few tears and felt a little beaten down by some of the events in the story, but the beautiful writing, engaging characters, and a history lesson (for me!) in this novel made this book very enjoyable read. I would like to read more books from this author soon. And I hope it is another Historical Fiction! :)
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Healey, and Lake Union Publishing for a chance to read this great novel!

This story of the women who volunteered to serve with the American Red Cross during World War II is a can’t-put-down emotional roller-coaster. Fiona, Viviana and Dottie are three Boston college friends who sign up to serve in the Red Cross Clubmobiles. Brought on board to bring a touch of home to the soldiers serving overseas, the women find themselves close to the front lines of the war. Three women and hundreds of soldiers; this is a romance novel at heart, even though many of those men, and some of the women wouldn’t come home.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read Jane Healey’s first book THE SATURDAY EVENING GIRLS CLUB and really enjoyed it – gave it a 4-star rating. But THE BEANTOWN GIRLS I absolutely LOVED – 5-star review (and more if I could). I was torn between wanting to know how things turned out for each of the girls and not wanting to leave their world. These girls were my friends for a few days – and today had to let them go.

This is a compelling read that takes the reader to the European Theatre of Operations in the last days of WWII. And for those who do not like alternating times and/or perspectives, you will like this one – straight timeline (1944) and one perspective (Fiona’s).

Healey tells the story of Fiona Denning whose life is running smoothly until her fiancé is reported missing after having been shot down in Germany. She can’t just accept not knowing his fate so she, along with her friends Viv and Dottie, volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl. Viv is outgoing, beautiful, and a talented artist. Dottie is a very shy music teacher and astonishes everyone with her beautiful singing voice. Healey takes the reader through the training and deployment of these young women. Fascinating read!

These charming girls never imagined what their deployment would really be like. They make new friends, they lose friends. There is romance, there is heartbreak. Celebration, devastation. They learn their own strengths and the value of friendship. None of them will go unchanged by their experiences.

I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Jane Healey did extensive research of these little known heroines of WWII. How had we never heard of them! I loved the story even though it was somewhat predictable. But while reading it, I felt the emotions the characters were feeling. I rejoiced with them and cried with them. A beautifully written page-turning read.

I loved this book!! Honestly, I never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobiles before reading this book. I found it so interesting. What an adventure these women had serving coffee and doughnuts to the soldiers. I loved the Historical Note section at the end explaining which parts were based on facts. Much of what happened to Fiona, Dottie and Viv happened in real life. Hopefully, Unsolved Mysteries helped the German boy find the soldiers.

The book centers around Fiona, Viv and Dottie. Fiona's fiancé is declared missing in action after being shot down over Germany. Fiona wants to find out what happen to him. She volunteers to be a Red Cross Clubmobile girl, along with her best friends, Viv and Dottie. The girls do more than just serve coffee and doughnuts. They make new friendships, find themselves close to the front lines and even fall in love.

I loved the characters, story and writing style. Who knew doughnut making could be so hard? I'm surprised more of the doughnut makers didn't explode. I loved Jimmy English and his cat Vera Lynn. Then there was Mrs. Tibbetts and all her animals roaming the house. I loved getting to know all the girls and the reasons that brought them to volunteer. I was sad the book was over and wanted to keep reading about the girls.

I definitely recommend the book, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Jane Healey, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

I read a lot of historical fiction and had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile. The Beantown Girls is a heartbreaking yet inspiring glimpse into World War Two and those who served. Jane Healey's beautiful and descriptive writing made me feel as if I was there with the girls. Be prepared when you read though...a box of tissues close by and a book hangover when finished! I highly recommend The Beantown Girls!

Three young women from Boston, Massachusetts volunteer to serve their country in World War 2 and find themselves changed by the experiences they have. Set in London, France, and Germany during WWII, this book is a creative look at the women who served our country during the war. I had no idea that the Red Cross Clubmobile existed before I read this book. I've read a lot of historical fiction books set during WWII, and this was perhaps one of the more entertaining, as well as educational, ones I've read.

Jane Healey does an incredible job of making the characters - and the story - come alive with her words. I could FEEL the emotions they felt, I could SEE the things they saw, it's almost as if I was watching a movie play right before my eyes. I love when an author can paint pictures in such vivid detail that it's almost as if you're looking at a painting rather than reading words, and Healey does just that in The Beantown Girls.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Jane Healey's meticulous research impressed me and I feel as though in addition to reading a good story, I learned a lot.

The Beantown Girls has a combination of friendship, love, humor and the realities of war is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching.

Fiona Denning and her two best friends, Dottie and Viv, volunteer for the Red Cross to become Clubmobile girls and help in the war effort during WWII. Fiona’s reason for willingly entering a war zone to serve donuts, coffee to help lighten the hearts of the soldiers is different than the other Clubmobile volunteers. Nearly a year before volunteering Fiona’s fiancée, Danny, disappeared when he was shot down in battle. There is no indication whether he is alive or dead and living in a state of limbo is tearing Fiona apart. She hopes that being closer to the action she’ll be able to discover his fate and move forward one way or another. While she holds onto the hope that he’ll return to her there are times when she is overcome with the reality that he may already be gone. Dottie and Viv understand why Fiona chose to volunteer and decided to accompany her in support of their friend, but they each have their own reasons for joining the frontlines as well. Viv isn’t appreciated at work and wants to do something that matters to her while Dottie wants to push herself past the shyness that at times paralyzes her and holds her back.

The girls arrive in London for training and learn that being a Clubmobile girl is more complicated than just serving coffee and donuts. They have to learn to make donuts using a potentially dangerous machine if not used properly, drive a massive Clubmobile vehicle which is more than difficult for city girls who have never driven in their lives, and find ways to lighten the soldiers moods when they are being faced with the shocking realities of war themselves. The trio find themselves overwhelmed and struggling to impress the field director who will determine whether they can move to the frontlines and allow Fiona to a reach her ultimate goal of finding Danny.

This book was intriguing from the start. I hadn’t heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls before reading the description for this story and was fascinated by the idea of women volunteering to go to a war zone to serve coffee and donuts to soldiers so they could provide hope during the devastation of war. It was amazing to read about how these woman put themselves in danger to help in even the smallest of ways which ultimately had a large impact.

Jane Healey created characters who were real, relatable and made me want to know them more. I felt for Fiona and her struggles. I love how she grew throughout the story. She had an inner strength and determination that is commendable. Viv and Dottie were different in how they handled the emotions of war and it was interesting to read how they each dealt with the stress. It was also wonderful to read a story that was so focused on the friendships of these women. The interactions felt believable and these are girls I would love to spend some time with.

I honestly tend to avoid historical fiction that takes place during WWII because many of the stories I’ve read in the past tend to be difficult for me to read given the heavy subject matter. However, while this story dealt with the terror of war in a way that felt realistic and respectful it also had a lightness to it and was filled with enough humor that I really enjoyed this story. I am rarely moved to tears by a book but this story had me choked up on multiple occasions as well as laughing out loud more than a few times.

If you’re looking for a story that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster, is filled with love and friendship, and shares a unique look of women in history then I’d highly recommend The Beantown Girls.

This is a really good book. The author says it is a work of fiction based on true stories of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. These young ladies served in the European Theater of Operations in WWII. in this story Fiona, Vivian and Dottie were three friends from Boston that signed up together to be Clubmobile girls. The story is about how hard it was at that time being a female overseas and yet how much the soldiers came to depend on them. I laughed and cried with these women. Parts of the book were difficult to read but it was a good story. I will recommend this book to family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review of this book.

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Beantown Girls” by Jane Healey, Lake Union Publishing, February 5, 2019

Jane Healey, Author of “The Beantown Girls” has written an intriguing, intense, heart-breaking, emotional, enthralling and captivating novel. The Genres are a marriage between Fiction and History of World War Two, and the role of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. Kudos to Jane Healey for the hours of research, interviews, and authentication of the time period and the Red Cross ClubMobile Girls. The author vividly captures through her amazing writing skills and descriptions the destruction of the War and morale of the soldiers, and the hard task and danger of the women from the Red Cross bringing some comfort, donuts, coffee and conversation.

When Fionna Denning learns that are fiancee is missing when his plane is shot down in Germany, she is determined to find out what happened. Fiona and her two friends Viviana, and Dottie leave Boston and volunteer with the RedCross ClubMobile Girls, in Europe to bring comfort to the soldiers at the frontline of the war. The girls would make donuts, coffee, and have candy for the men. I don’t think I will ever think of a donut in the same way after reading this book. It was dangerous and difficult work.

I appreciate that Jane Healey discusses the importance of sisterhood and friendship. I learned how courageous and brave these women were. Music, dancing, singing, and entertainment were important to cheer everyone up at this devastating time. Be warned, keep your Kleenex close at hand. This is also a story of love and hope. I would highly recommend this amazing novel to those readers who look forward to reading about World War Two. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Five Amazing Stars! Jane Healey is a very talented and gifted author. Her writing puts you right into the Clubmobiles and have you riding along with Dottie, Viv, and Fi! You feel the experience and see the amazing things these Red Cross volunteers did for the soldiers. You will live the history and at times find it hard to read through the tears, but read you must!

Fiona, Dotty and Viviana, three best friends from Boston have all volunteered to be Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. It is 1944 and as the allies come closer to winning the war these three, smart and brave women want to do more than send care packages - they want to make a difference in the lives of the men who had no choice but to fight. College educated and bubbling with enthusiasm the girls are shipped to London for training. From there they will take their van to designated areas and army bases to serve the men donuts, coffee and more importantly shower them with hope and a little bit of home. In addition to the task at hand, Fiona is determined to find out more about her fiancé who has been missing in action for the last year. She cannot move on or even fully grieve until she knows what happened to him when his plane went down. These vivacious women become a shining star traveling the British coast, finding new friends and even some romance. It is not until they prove themselves that they dare to cross over to France where they are much closer to the frontlines and face danger, tough decisions and their own futures. This very easy to read novel filled with friendship, loyalty and history was an absolute pleasure. I had never heard of the wonderful Clubmobile Girls! Their story that began with distributing donuts tells us so much more about these very young troops, their patriotism and the unsung heroines who helped them. Highly recommend this latest novel by author Jane Healey, who I must thank for writing a beautiful story and posting incredible old photos of actual events.

I’m a sucker for a well written WWII novel, and The Beantown Girls is certainly that. While it plays on the familiar theme of a lost young woman pining for her soldier love, it quickly grows into much more. It’s a story of sisterhood, of shocking hardship in the face of war, and also of the feeling of needing good times to be had when everything else is dark and tumultuous. I’ve often wondered how people could fall in love so fast or forget about a sweetheart at home so quickly in exchange for another’s arms. This book answers those questions without being scandalous or seedy. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I really enjoyed reading this book, staying up way too late to finish. I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile, and this was a great introduction. I did take a break from the book to go down the internet rabbit hole and I'd definitely recommend you doing the same. This is a fascinating piece of history. I particularly enjoyed Healey's notes at the end explaining some of the historical events and changes she made (and why). Thank you for introducing me to this piece of history.

I am not a huge fan of historical fiction, nor am I a book crier. The Beantown Girls changed that. I asked for an ARC from Netgalley because this just looked like a fun read. Boy, was I wrong!

The Beantown Girls had me at the first page and when the end came around, I just wanted more. I wanted to know what happened after the war. I cried in a couple of places ~ in public no less ~ and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. I had never even heard of this program, but I got on board quickly.

I love books where the author's research is evident and it definitely was here. There were all kinds of facts that while blending seamlessly with the story, still managed to teach me some things. These characters and situations spoke to me and made me wish I could go volunteer to be a Clubmobile girl.

Read this book. That is all I will say. Read this book. You will love it and want to tell everyone to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for approving my request for an ARC. My thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

2/5 stars, with 1 star added for the idea and research.

I wanted so badly to love this book. The description was fantastic, all the ideas were there, but the execution was lacking. The writing seemed stilted and forced from the beginning, and although the characters DID grow throughout the war, they all (particularly Fiona) were shallow and repeated themselves endlessly throughout the book. The exceptions to this were Jimmy and Mrs. Tibbetts who had real backstories and motivations. Several of the plot points, too, seemed forced, as though the author had several ideas she wanted to string together before wrapping up the novel almost too neatly. Overall, I loved the idea and I did learn about the "Doughnut Dollies" and the involvement of the American Red Cross in WWII, but the book itself was unsatisfying.

I found this to an enjoyable, well-plotted historical fiction novel. I’m a sucker for a female-centric WW2 novels, and this was a fairly good one, especially focusing on a group of women that aren’t as frequently featured as heroines being, the Red Cross doughnut ladies. I found the quality of writing to be quite good, at times feeling very cinematic. Overall, I feel this a worthy read in the female-centered WW2 genre.

What a unique perspective about WWII that I hadn’t heard of before! Of all of the books I have read on WWII, this was the first time hearing about the Clubmobile. I love the concept of it and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Beantown Girls, especially since I am from, and still live in, the Boston area myself. Their personalities were spot on, as were the references to the area. Those girls were feisty, charismatic and strong-minded and strong-willed! Though it did touch upon the depressing and tragic times, and there were certainly sad and heart-breaking scenes, the overall tone was more upbeat as the author focused on the liveliness of the characters and their role during the war. The soldiers loved these girls and it is easy to see why, they are simply delightful and lovable. This is one of my most favorite books ever, I devoured every page and wish it didn’t end. I would love to read more about these girls and see what happens next in their lives. Love, love, love Beantown Girls!