A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.
Wow, this book is full of feels. Laughter, suspense and tears. I really knew nothing about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls until I saw them mentioned on The Great British Baking Show and was fascinated by the story. When I saw this book was being published I was immediately interested.. The author does a great job of explaining all the training and requirements of these women. It is certainly much more than doughnuts.
I felt the book did an excellent job of making you feel how it felt to be in the middle of a war and find love. Highly recommend this to all that love WWII, historical fiction genre and to all that love a great story.

"Living in the midst of war was its own reality. And all of us that were living in it longed for intimacy and connection, however fleeting, because it reminded us of what mattered most."
Historical fiction based on real events during World War II is the setting as Fiona, Dottie and Viviana from Boston decide to join the Red Cross Clubmobile with other women to provide coffee, donuts and friendship for the troops in battle.
Along with being on the front line and seeing things nobody would ever want to see; these ladies find allies, heartbreak, truth and a strength that cannot ever be imagined!
Yet- they moved forward each day in deplorable conditions to assist these men fighting to defeat the enemy.
It is well written, and definitely well researched.
I found myself crying many times throughout this novel. The words pulled me right in to 1944, grateful and rooting for each person that was present during this war!

It's 1944, and there is a war, and those topics alone typically stop me from reading certain books. SO MANY TIMES I've started reviews with, I'm not a "historical fiction fan but....." BUT, THIS BOOK. This has officially turned me into a HUGE historical fiction fan. I adored every character, I looked forward to reading it every night and rushed to get back to it. And I am SO MAD that it had to end. The emotions in this one are so easy to feel - I found myself laughing out loud, and my husband kept asking if I was getting sick. Oh the sniffles! I NEVER cry at books! What is happening to me!

Oh, AND ... my all time most favorite thing on the planet: Food Trucks! Yes, my friends, World War II food trucks.

I loved Band of Brothers, I will drop everything to read/watch/talk about it. It's not often I get really into war stories, but when you flat out fall in love with the characters - it's easy. And this book, a sort of Band of Sisters, but Red Cross girls, is something I really got into - and although I might have teared up during some really tight spots in the story, I flat out bawled when this book was over. It's real, it's gritty, it's relatable, it's full of all the feelings. A new favorite for sure!

Fiona Denning is the caption of The Beantown Girls, a group of Red Cross Clubmobile girls that drive a (yes!) food truck throughout the war bringing doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes, but most of all - much needed morale - to the soldiers on the front lines of the war. Fiona thought her life was all put together and headed in a pretty secure direction, when her fiancé Danny heads off to war and soon becomes missing in action. In the blink of an eye her entire life plan has changed. Along with her two best friends, Dottie, as shy musician, and Viv, an outspoken diva of sorts, the three Boston girls join the Clubmobile program and their entire lives change.

For Fiona, she wants answers. What happened to Danny and where is he? And is he still alive? For the other girls, it's about finding themselves, a little adventure, and wanting to do something for those who are sacrificing so much. What they find is all of that and more - love, danger, friendship and just learning to live in the moment.

I cannot even stress how great of a story this is. It's easily my favorite historical fiction book to date. The girls and the soldiers are forever embedded in my list of favorite casts of book characters. The story is at times terrifying and heartbreaking, but also so much fun as the girls are so easily lovable. The writing is fresh, and enticing and I devoured every word and wish there were more! Bravo Jane Healey!

This is the first book of Healey's that I have read and this will not be my last.

The book started out a little slow for me and then picked up to the point that I accomplished nothing else today but reading this book. I have read plenty of WW2 books and had never heard of this group of women with The Red Cross. I found this story fascinating and amazing that The Red Cross would send in civilians to do the job that they did.

This story is a great story of friendship, service to country, bravery and so much more. The interaction with the POWs brought tears to my eyes as did the story many other times.

loved how the author disclosed what parts of the story were true events and where she embellished.

EXTRAORDINARY!

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey is EXTRAORDINARY! It is the type of book that envelopes you, takes you captive and holds on to your heart and soul long after you’ve read the final word. Healey boldly takes readers on an unforgettable journey with Fiona Denning and her two best friends, Viviana and Dottie, as they volunteer as Red Cross Clubmobile girls to serve overseas during WWII. The three have very different motivations. Fiona’s plan is to get to the Continent and discover her fiancé’s fate. Viviana just wants a to leave the ordinary and experience adventure. Dottie wants to be able to use her musical talents to bring cheer and hope to the guys on the front lines.

In reality, what they find are three women they never knew existed. Women who learned quickly, who had no time for pettiness, who learned to live with little and appreciate the smallest things, who learned to appreciate the skill sets of others, who were bonded together for life after all they endured together and women who looked death straight in the eye on more than one occasion and still didn’t crack under pressure.The three women do obtain their original goals. But, oh the LIVING that it took to obtain them!

The Beantown Girls is one of the most captivating books I’ve read in a long time. When I finished, I felt as though I had been on the Clubmobile with those girls! I had lived their story and it was exhausting but it was also exhilarating! I couldn’t help but think about all the characters in this book and reflect on the REAL heroes who fought for our freedom. They truly were The Greatest Generation. Where would we be without them?

I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishers. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.