Today We Go Home is a historical fiction book about two women returning home from war, the Civil War and Afghanistan and what these brave women faced. Emily the soldier that fought in the Civil War had to disguise herself as a man to fight along side her brother, Larkin who was accepted into military service without having to lie about who she is, both faced many problems, some very similar even though centuries apart.

Both faced sadness and returning home was hard for each. PTSD, survivors guilt and suicide are all prevalent in both era's and this book shows just how hard it is for a soldier to learn to deal with the horrors that they see in a war. I really liked the Emily character and the setting as I know I wasn't paying attention in school when we learned about the Civil War. She seemed like a spitfire and I felt like I was right along side of her in those parts of the book. Larkin didn't seem as emotionally connecting for me although I can't imagine what it would be like to go to war and fight for your country and then to come home and have to deal with the things that she did.

All in all, I enjoyed the book a lot and I enjoyed the author's writing so much that I purchased her first book too. Can't wait to see what Kelli writes next.

My knowledge of American history is scant. I think this was a good one for me. Set in 1861 and present day times, we deal with women (and to a lesser degree men) involved in the military not in a supporting role of nurses and carers but both front line soldiers.

We have Emily who after the death of her father and brother, joins hands with her surviving brother Ben to join the Army to fight not as a woman, but disguised as a man. She goes through several skirmishes, and when she is found out she is demoralised to see that her achievements as a soldier are not taken into account - only the fact that she disguised herself as a man. The story of "Jesse" and her brother Ben in the heart of the Civil War fights and how the only survivor was Jesse is remarkable. Because she maintained a diary which was found by Sarah who was one of her descendants and this in turn came into the hands of Larkin, our present day soldier.

Larkin has her own devils to contend with. A survivor from Afghanistan, she carries the overwhelming guilt that she was directly responsible for the death of Sarah, her best friend and Anahita a girl she befriended in Afghanistan. Suffering from PTSD and unwilling to seek counselling or therapy Larkin is battling it alone, with just the help of her grandmother and her cousins.

Till Larkin comes to peace in her own mind with Sarah's death, she knows she will have no solace at all in her life.

What must be a common problem amongst many soldiers, unable to bear the overwhelming guilt of death - whether to friend or foe is dealt with, with empathy in this story. The personal lives of both Larkin and Emily and how they cope with their worlds is handled delicately. The history of both periods are also detailed well and gives one an inside view of life on the ground in both situations.

Today We Go Home, follows present day Larkin Bennett as she adjusts to life after returning from Afghanistan and Emily Wilson from the civil war. Both women deal with similar stigmas about their gender and their ability to server their country in the armed forces. After returning Larkin discovers Emily's diary in her best friends belongings. She finds healing through reading it.

I thought originally that Emily's part of the story would be in journal format, but we did get more of her perspective than just what she writes in the journal. I was glad of that because I don't think the journal gave enough of her experience by itself. Both women were very strong characters. I found Emily's story more interesting, that might have been in part because Larkin spent a lot of time involved with the journal. Another difference in the two women is we see Emily during the fighting and Larkin after.

After finishing Today We Go Home, I realized this book is about not only dealing with war but dealing with after you get home. I liked seeing a female narrated story about this. I will be recommending this book to friends and family the story was well written and I cared deeply for the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy for review.

Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes at first appears to be just another book to add to the historical fiction stack that has been done so much lately but the more you read, the more you realize that it is so much more. This story follows the time line of a present day soldier that was released for medical reasons and a soldier in the Civil War area that disguised herself as a man in order to be able to serve her country. The way Estes connected these two stories is incredible and it showcases not only the struggles that women had to deal with back then and still now, but also how time and again, women show their strength and resilience despite of the obstacles in their lives they are forced to face. Estes tackles the difficult topic of PTSD in a way that makes it a little easier to understand though nobody that has not had to deal with it themselves will ever be able to fully understand the terror of it. This book is a great example of strength, resilience, growth, and the importance of knowing who your family, your circle is (whether by blood or not).

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for the e-ARC of Today We Go Home in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!

*omitted description for NetGalley, see blog link for full review!*

So everyone that knows me knows that I am a huge Civil War reader, and this book was an obvious choice for me. I have read a few nonfiction books about women in the war, but nothing from a fictional perspective.

I honestly didn't care much for Larkin, although she made a lot of excellent points about women in the military and society's perceptions of them. I also felt like there was a statement about mental healthcare for veterans in the book, somewhere, as it seemed like a suicidal veteran shouldn't have been discharged from treatment as early as she was, and/or the program she was in was lacking effectiveness. The themes of suicidal ideations, suicide in general, grief, loss, and coming to terms with traumas were handled fairly lightly as Larkin found an interest, purpose, and then connection to Emily Wilson - the Union army soldier. I thought Emily's traumas were handled even lighter, I would have loved to know (as did Larkin) how Emily coped.

I loved Emily though, she was a spitfire. When she squared up and said she WAS a soldier, I just about put my phone down and clapped for her. I feel like the author got a lot of camp details right, but there wasn't a lot of historical information in the book itself. That said, there is a fantastic annex of resources in the book for additional reading that I highly recommend checking out.

One thing that threw me off was how the historical time period was presented in the ARC: some times Larkin would be reading the diary, then sometimes the chapter would be written as if the Civil War period was present day. Otherwise I did find it to be a really quick and interesting read

I rated it 3 stars because I really loved Emily's chapters, while feeling indifferent towards Larkin's. I would totally recommend for anyone interested in women in the military, historical feminism, historical fiction, and good fiction in general!

Thank you again so much to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the early read! The book released September 3rd so by all means check it out if it seems up your alley!

“I’ve read there were hundreds of women who fought in that war, most of them disguising themselves as men, although it is impossible to know exact numbers since those known were either women who were discovered or outed themselves in newspaper articles or memoirs written after the war. The rest kept their secret hidden or were killed in battle without being discovered. Some bodies have been exhumed and found to be women.”

You know how every so often you can come across a book and it just ticks every one of those boxes for you? Today We Go Home is one of those books for me. A dual narrative set in both the present day and during the American Civil War, I found both eras and storylines equally as compelling and appreciated the way the author linked these two centuries apart women.

“I wonder, when I die, will I see the face of the person who kills me and feel only pain and hatred toward him? Or will I see the face of God as his welcoming arms surround me and feel nothing but his love, as Aunt Harriet says happens in Heaven? Does God welcome those who have taken the lives of others? I took a man’s life today. Possibly more than one, but one I know for certain because we were face-to-face and if I hadn’t killed him first, I would not be here writing these words. He was young. He was a person with a family waiting at home. When I sleep, he is there. Taunting me, laughing at me, begging me to spare him. Blood, screams, terror, all the horrors of battle fill my dreams and make me wake often. I feel covered by that man’s blood. I love most things about being a soldier, but I despise the killing.”

This novel pays homage to the military service of American women across the centuries. It’s a novel that doesn’t sugar coat the immense sacrifice of both women and men who have given parts of or their entire lives to the US military. It digs deep into PTSD and veteran suicide. I really appreciated the honesty of this novel as well as the realistic portrayal of what being a woman in the military is like. I particularly liked how the author shed some light on lesser known issues, such as the invisibility of women’s service.

“Even now, over a hundred and fifty years later, female veterans faced many of the same challenges that Emily did: being seen as inferior because of her gender, not being able to find work after being discharged from the military, earning less than men, becoming homeless.”

I am by no means in favour of war, but I certainly am pro respect the military and what they’re shouldering for the rest of us. Anti-war sentiment should never be extended to those who are laying their lives on the line. Their sacrifice goes beyond a tour of duty. This novel is an outstanding reflection of this and reiterates the need for understanding, compassion, and greater resources for assisting military personnel during and after service. Veterans in America have a suicide rate 50 percent higher than those who did not serve in the military; in raw terms, this equates to 22 veteran suicides per day. That is beyond shocking.

“Soldiers got home and realized they’d changed, yet their loved ones expected them to be the same. As if facing mortality on a daily basis was normal. As if watching friends die was normal. As if dedicating your life to your country and that service changing who you are at your very core was normal.”

The civil war history woven into this story made for compelling reading. Emily was a character I found much to admire about. Her courage and conviction, her yearning to be free – all entirely relatable. There are some really great themes explored throughout this novel. Today We Go Home is top shelf fiction that I don’t hesitate to recommend.

Thanks is extended toSourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Today We Go Home for review.

Kelli Estes helps us understand PTSD and its effects on today’s soldiers with her vivid description of lead character Larkin Bennett’s thoughts and reactions. Larkin is a wounded warrior attempting to function in normal daily routines after her traumatic time in Afghanistan. She also brings to life the amazing history of women who fought in the Civil War thru her diary excerpts and story of Emily Watson, a young girl in Indiana during the outbreak of the war in 1861. Reading “A Note from the Author” after finishing this emotional book gave me new insight and great respect for the work Kelli did prior to and during her writing. This is a well-thought-out book flashing back and forth almost 200 years with so many similarities between these two women caught in a war, not of their choosing, and yet doing their patriotic best to serve the country they deeply love. Not all books can have happy endings, but Ms. Estes ends this in a sensitive and endearing way. This was truly a compassionate and thoughtful read.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks / Landmark and NetGalley for making it available.)

This story is of two women who are connected in ways that time has no influence, Emily who disguises as a man to fight for the Union, and Larkin who was in the army, having done two tours in Afghanistan before having to medically 'retire.' She still deals with the issues that women facing in the military, and not just the hardship of a life as a woman in the military but the ire of civilians who just don't seem to understand.

This story had such an important message and I appreciated the work and research that Estes put into it.

I really enjoyed the parts with Emily and her part in the Civil War but I really couldn't find myself invested in Larkin. I could never possibly fathom what she went through but it all felt a bit dramatized as if I were watching an episode of Army Wives. As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the ex-wife of a Marine who did a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, I was very respectful of the fact this novel was highlighting PTSD in a way others seem to shy away from. Not to mention, all too often, we forget our women in the forces. Still, the ending felt very rushed as if pushing toward a resolution and it didn't fit the rest of the novel, in the end, though it was still such an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book to honestly review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Larkin Bennett returns home from Afghanistan suffering from severe PTSD after the loss of her best friend Sarah. While going through Sarah's things, she finds an old diary of Emily Wilson, who posed as a man to fight in the Civil War. Reading Emily's account of her service and her own struggles with PTSD help Larkin recover and let go of her loss and guilt. She creates a blog to share the stories of past and present female soldiers.
This book sheds light on women in combat throughout history and their struggles with the right to serve their country, survivor's guilt, and the very real problem of PTSD. I loved Emily's story, both the diary entries and the chapters covering her story. I didn't really connect with Larkin's character until the end of the story when the reasons for her survivor's guilt and disconnection with life were better explained. Overall it's a great read!

Today We Go Home surprised me! It snuck up and grabbed me and wouldn't let go. It's an emotional look at what military women face during and after their years of service. The story follows two women...Emily who during the Civil War had to disguise herself as a man to serve and Larkin who served in Afghanistan and is battling her own demons. Using alternating points of view and time the author tells the very real story of sexism in the military and sheds light on the pain of PTSD that so many suffer from. Ultimately Larkin and Emily both are able to forgive themselves and find a path to happiness. Initially Larkin's story interested me much more than Emily's, but her bravery and tenacity drew me into her story. I knew that there were women who fought as men in the early wars but this was the first time reading about them and what they went through. I wholeheartedly recommend this book...I also recommend reading the author 's very insightful afterword when you are finished with the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing journey this book takes you on as you move between present day and the Civil War. As the two stories evolve, you are rooting for them to cope with their individual struggles. The use of a diary from a Civil War soldier is a fascinating way to help an Afghanistan soldier deal with her PTSD and grief from her time in the service. It brings to light how so many attitudes about females really haven't changed in over 150 years! The effects of war are devastating, and Kelli Estes does an amazing job showing how our female soldiers deserve tremendous respect! Great read for a bookclub discussion group!

Dual timeline novels combining and past and the present aren't anything new, but -- for me -- a dual timeline of a present-day military woman and a woman during the Civil War wasn't something I'd ever seen before. And, I really like that combination. I also tend to gravitate toward the "woman disguised as a man" trope. So this novel was right up my alley. I really enjoyed it, flying through the pages as each story unraveled. There was some repetition (the diary content in Larkin's chapters often repeated in Emily's chapters) but I found the stories very engaging, the ending very satisfying, and I enjoyed learning more about the civil war era. In fact, I'm so happy to see another 19th century novel hitting shelves. 20th century historical fiction, especially wwII seems to be fan favorites (and I like 'em too!), but after devouring novels like A Well-Behaved Woman, Girl in Disguise, Carnegie's Maid, Caroline, and Marilla of Green Gables, I'm always on the lookout for more great 19th century settings. I found that in Today We Go Home!

I really enjoyed this Historical Fiction novel. I hadn't read historical fiction for a while and this book has reignited my love for it, and that's always a good thing.
The story was fantastic. As you can tell from the synopsis, it's set in two different times. Both were absolutely compelling. Each story was so interesting, I loved reading both parts. I also loved that Larkin was discovering Emily's story as the same time as the reader, it just connects you to the story and the characters.
What really shone throughout this novel were it's characters. I loved both Emily and Larkin. It's was so interesting to read Emily's journey. She had such spirit. I love that her circumstances didn't destroy her. Everything she went through was terrible, but it didn't break her. Larkin's journey was absolutely heartbreaking to read. I've read a lot of historical fiction over the years and PTSD isn't often dealt with, but in this book it's been done in a real, honest way. Her arc was fantastic and I was willing her to get better.
Now, my fellow book worms, you know I love a book that teaches us something and this one certainly did. I had no idea women pretended to be men so they could fight in the Civil War, and the wars after. It was fascinating yet infuriating to read the injustice they faced, just for wanting to defend their country the same as a man. You can tell a lot of research has gone into this novel.
The writing was fantastic. Both stories were dealt with in such a classy, emotive way. They also blended together seamlessly. Both characters were written with such emotion. I loved them. Also, I loved Ben and Willie. Their story was a real highlight.
I can't recommend this book enough! It was a great historical fiction novel! It's a time that's not written about often.

Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes

This book runs parallel stories of women in the military. Larkin Bennett is just home from Afghanistan, while Emily Wilson’s wish is to serve as a soldier for the Union in the U.S. Civil War. Over one hundred years separate them, but their tales have similarities.

Many war battles are described, as well as nightmares and flashbacks of events each woman has suffered. Much time is spent on Larkin struggling to reassimilate into civilian life including “clearing” her house and parking lots for IEDs and the enemy. PTSD is mentioned often. Emily spends a lot of time hiding that she’s a female, and being the protectorate of her brother Ben, who is in the same army unit.

Estes restates her story every few chapters, so there’s no guessing you may have misunderstood her tale or interpreted anything for yourself. Because of this and the lack of complexity in the writing, I think this book would be best as a YA read for girls interested in the military.

I was SO thrilled when I got approved for this book, as I have also read Kelli Estes' first novel, The Girl Who Wrote in Silk. I didnt realize it was the same author until I read reviews after requesting (but before approval). As a military wife, I don't often read much military fiction. The experiences of Larkin and of Emily ring pretty true to the experiences of a lot of the enlisted women I know, and other veterans with post-war difficulties. Its clear that Kelli took great care in writing this novel and getting it RIGHT for Larkin's life story. No book is perfect, but this one is really good. If you like civil war history, and women's fiction in general, I think you'll like this. The transitions between Civil War Era and modern times are easy and natural, and the stories of Emily and Larkin are ones I was pleased to get involved in.

This book draws the reader into the lives of two individuals during two different time periods. They connect in that they served in a war and the effect it had on them. The reader get alternating points of view of an Afghanistan female war veteran and a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the civil war. The impact of the wars can affect these individuals long after they return home. I enjoy historical fiction and getting a glimpse of what it was like for a woman fighting in a war that doesn't accept women can really be heart-breaking as well as losing several members of one's family to a war. The character that returns home from Afghanistan is suffering from PTSD and needed to grieve the loss of a fellow soldier. I thought this book was heartbreaking and hopeful.

DNF
Stopped at 43% [Read the last 5 chapters as well]
8.30.2019

I need to start this review by saying that this is a perfectly okay read - if you don't read a lot of historical fiction or if you are a lighter book reader, this book [even with it's serious topics] will be perfect for you and you will more than likely love it. The two alternating main characters are likable and strong and you have to admire them both. Even the dual POV is easy to follow [unlike some books] and I cannot complain about that. That said...

This book was boring for me [the two star rating is for the characters and the CW part of the story]. Very, very, boring. The writing is so light. For the subject matter, I expected grittier writing and passages that would both wreck me and leave me with what I now term "mid-book hangover". None of that was happening. When I got to a particularly tough part of the story, I felt nothing [and was shocked to realize I was not even remotely emotionally upset]. That speaks volumes to me about how bland the writing is. I have read many books about both the Civil War and the War in Afghanistan [both NF and HF] and have bawled my way through many of them. I just finished an amazing book about refugees from Syria that wrecked me. Completely and utterly wrecked me. I <i>SHOULD</i> be feeling something here and I am not, and I can only attribute it to the writing. Because I do like the characters and the Civil War story is particularly good [and probably the strongest part of this book], but it is NOT enough to make me want to try and finish this. I am so very disappointed, because this has such great potential for me. I am sorry that it fell short. I know it didn't for many [and will continue to not fall short for many] and that was my struggle in deciding to finish it or not, but in the end, I wasn't engaged enough to keep going on.

**A Note: Some of the best of the book comes at the end and with the author's note. I recommend looking up both the people she talks about and the books listed there - it is one of the many ways we can honor all the women that have served, both acknowledged and unacknowledged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful, yet long tale-it took me four days to read through, and admittedly I liked Emily/Jesse’s chapters better as they were far more interesting to me, but overall there were quite a few things I liked about both women characters. I should note warnings for PTSD, typhoid/detailed sick scenes in hospitals, civil war battle scenes, attempted suicide, and sexist assholes scattered throughout the story. There’s a mindfield of triggers scattered throughout for anyone whose ever been involved in war, or has a sibling/relative that was in the war, so take caution in reading this book, please.

But it is an important book, as the story shows that women aren’t just willing to be shoved aside, and treated as simple creatures. They’re willing to stand up for what they believe in is right, and won’t take no for an answer. They can fight with guns, crawl through mud just as well as a man can, and I admire these women in this book, because they are badasses.

My one complaint is the dual character pov, alternating between past and present. But the author handled that so well, that it’s a minor complaint, so. I’m giving this book a 4.5/5 stars, and rounding it up to a solid 5 because it’s well deserving of it. I plan on buying a copy to add a physical copy to my shelves here at home, it’s that lovely of a story. There are several sad scenes scattered throughout, so be prepared for a box of tissues when reading this book. Trust me, you’ll need them if your heart isn’t made of stone.

Fascinating! This well written and researched novel bridges two eras with two women who served their country. Lark is back from Afghanistan and suffering from PTSD and a huge case of guilt. She's carrying with her the remains of her friend Sarah, as well as a Civil War era diary written by Sarah's ancestor Emily. Emily disguised herself as a man and with her brother Ben joined the Union Army after her father was killed and her brother died. War is a horrible thing but Emily and Ben met Willie, who helped to bond them as a unit. Lark, struggling with all of her issues seeks out Sarah's estranged brother, which does both of them a world of good. This is unflinching in its approach to PTSD and unflagging in its support of women in the military, especially notable because Estes has not served. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is terrific (and educational) historical fiction that will engage you immediately and keep you reading. There's a mystery here and answers are revealed at the end- no spoilers. Take the time to read the author's notes. Highly recommend.

Today We Go Home is a sad, beautiful, and inspiring novel of two female soldiers' lives, lived and fought centuries apart. In the present day, Captain Larkin Bennett is a traumatized veteran of the war in Afghanistan who was discharged from the Army for mental health reasons. Even in the safety of her grandmother's house, she's haunted by flashbacks and nightmares and turns to alcohol to drown her memories. However, she has the diary of another soldier in her possession.

During the Civil War, Emily Wilson joined the Union Army alongside her brother. Unlike Larkin, she had to disguise herself as a man to do so. She maintained a diary of her experiences. Larkin reads it and decides that the stories of soldiers like Emily Wilson deserve to be told to a wider audience.

The novel alternates between Larkin's and Emily's stories. Both women ended up traumatized and angry due to their service. The reader will root for them to find a happy ending. Trauma, sexism, adjustment, and addiction are addressed.

Read this and thank a woman for her service.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.