This historical fiction novel provides insight into the events of and lives affected by the Vietnam War. Its focus is on the women who served as nurses during the war. As the author reminds readers quite frequently and dramatically, American women were not thought to have been in Vietnam during the war. The first part of the story focuses on Frankie McGrath’s traumatic time in Vietnam; the second half covers her difficulties coping once she returns.

The story is interesting and informative, but I had a few problems with it. The title implies that the story is about women, plural, but we really don’t learn much about the other nurses or any other women. Most of the characters are cliches: the handsome pilots with chiseled features and aviator sunglasses, the black nurse who becomes an activist, the small-town nurse who goes home to the farm, marries her boyfriend, and raises a family. Frankie is the poor little rich girl who returns home to her completely oblique and cruel parents who don’t understand her but nonetheless provide her with a cottage near the beach to reside in rent free. No one understands her. She spirals downward as a result of PTSD, but her plight lacks tension because the plot feels flat. This happened, then that happened, followed by this. The events are supposed to be dramatic and emotional, but that’s the issue. Hannah creates drama through the never ending tragedy of events rather than realistic characterization. And many of those plot points require an excessive suspension of disbelief. Some of the historical details lack credibility, too. The way that her friends of little means are able to fly cross-country at a moment’s notice is not typical of the time, and some of the dialogue doesn’t ring true.

Overall, The Women is readable. The recreation of the time period is interesting and important. But the cliched characters and unbelievable storyline are distracting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.

While I enjoyed "The Nightingale", I'm beginning to wonder if it was written by someone else, b/c the writing in "The Women" is fairly cliched. Not a fan of this outing by Kristin Hannah.

I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan, which made it even better. Such a powerful and heartbreaking story.

I know that Kristin Hannah has a cult following, but this is my first book of hers! I may try “True Colors” next (there’s a horse on the cover, duh). But I am looking forward to a deep dive into her backlist of absolutely epic sagas.

All I knew about this one going in is that it is about female nurses in the Vietnam War. I believe that’s all you should know, too. “The Women” truly has it all and is genre defying, with touches of family drama, romance and historical fiction. I was riveted within the first few pages, and this book never relinquished its hold on me. There was a point about 90% through that I was worried I wasn’t going to like the ending. But! I was being hasty. The ending was fantastic, and this book is absolutely one of my 2024 favorites.

“The Women” reminds me of a Judy Blume novel or “Where the Heart Is” by Billie Letts. It’s such a BIG story full of characters who feel real, who you’ll think about for a long time after the last page.

US pub date: 2/6/24
Genre: historical fiction
Quick summary: Nursing student Frankie wants to make her military family proud, so she enlists in the Army Nurse Corps. Unfortunately, they aren't as enthusiastic as she had hoped, and both her work in Vietnam and her post-war return to the States aren't any easier.

This is a tough review to write, as I really appreciate Hannah drawing attention to the previously overlooked nurses of Vietnam. I enjoyed the first part of the story as it became clear how much of a fish out of water Frankie was, and I liked seeing her bond with her fellow nurses and gain strength from them. Unfortunately, this book was too long and overdramatic for me - it didn't need to be 480 pages. At some points in the second half of the book, I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster a la Colleen Hoover or a Lifetime movie, and it just didn't work for me. That being said, the book has a 4.69 on Goodreads, so clearly lots of people liked it more than I did!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing! Kristin Hannah never disappoints (with the exception of The Four Winds). Up there in my top three favorite of hers.

This book is an absolute must read. I can't recommend it highly enough. So powerful and thought provoking. Frankie McGrath comes from a wealthy, conservation family in California. She is a nursing student. Her brother doing his duty, is serving in Vietnam. Frankie decides to join the Army Nurse Corps to follow in his . She makes deep friendships while serving, but. is overwhelmed by the chaos, fighting and destruction. Upon returning home she sees just how divided the country is and how it wants to forget the Vietnam vets. The book shine a light on all the women that bravely served.

This book was perfection and I didn't want it to end! I've always been interested in reading more about the Vietnam War and not many historical fiction books ever take place during this time period.

It was such a tragic yet somehow hopefully story and I felt extremely connected to the characters, I very often love Kristin Hannah's novels and this may be my new favorite!

This has been an extremely difficult book for me to get through. Ms Hannah sure knows how to pull at the heart strings. I will say that I have read many of her books and have loved them. The Women has been difficult for me. Is it the topic of Vietnam? Is it the women that we meet serving in Vietnam? Is it the incredible loss that we experience in this book? All of that and so much more...

My husband served in Vietnam. He was one of those 'boys' that Frankie may have met. He is only, just now beginning his PTSD journey. It is all so difficult and I can only say how sorry I am to all our soldiers, both men and women (boys and girls) that have served and are now serving. My heart is breaking.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book released February 6, 2024.

THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah is primarily set in Vietnam, focusing on the experiences of the too-often overlooked medical work of women during the Vietnam war. If soldiers were generally maligned for their service, women were unknown/unforgotten, although they, too, were surrounded by trauma and attacks and suffered afterwards.

Frankie enlists somewhat naively to serve as a nurse and is somewhat surprised when her parents are not proud of her but uphold her brother's military service. This expansive book covers the complexity of love and loss in wartime and the experience of veterans who chose to actively protest the war upon their return.

This historical fiction can shine a lens on a poorly remembered time and offer context and nuance.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

This is a tough book. It was tough to read. It was tough to rate.

I will start of by saying that Hannah certainly knows how to research a topic and bring it to life. I felt like I was in Vietnam right alongside Frankie. It was hard to read through her experience there as well as her experience as a Vietnam Vet. There were some really poignant scenes that I will remember for years to come. Hannah’s writing was just as exceptional as ever. I love the way she her descriptions transport me. The ending left me satisfied in a way I didn’t think was possible.

I think the reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars is for the fact that other books of Hannah’s have touched me more. I was openly sobbing through a few of her other works such as The Nightingale and The Four Winds. While I did tear up a time or two during this story, it just didn’t have the same emotional punch those books did. I also felt at times that there was quite a bit of info dumping or telling instead of showing going on, especially towards the end.

Hannah still remains a favorite author of mine.

What an amazing book. As a nurse I love my profession and what we do.
I loved reading about those who served in the Vietnam War. Loved Frankie and her friends.
It was brilliantly written.

Heartbreaking and enthralling at the same time.. many of the twists were predictable but I loved it anyway.

I loved this book and stayed with me long after it was over. This story is about the forgotten hero’s of the Vietnam War and their heroism and challenges.

I am a fan of Kristin Hannah, but this one is such an incredible story. As a reader, I was frustrated things weren’t going better for Frankie, but I know how realistic her return was and how hard it was to find support (especially as a female vet) & live an “ordinary” life again. The story Kristin crafted was heartbreaking yet hard to put down, equal parts horrifying and endearing. Sadly, a true reflection of the time.
Once this was released, I recommended it to my book club and it was loved by all,

Gritty, heartbreaking look at the Viet Nam war…particularly the part that nurses played. Realistic glimpse of the horrors endured and the unwelcoming “welcome home” received by the veterans. Every conceivable tragedy/obstacle was included here, which made for gut-clenching drama…which sometimes teetered over to the side of soap opera-ish melodrama (specifically the romance arcs). Despite that, this was a compelling story, on a very worthy topic.

What an amazing book! Once I started reading/listening to it I could not stop and I finished it in 2 days. I fell in love with Frankie and her friends and my heart ached for all that she went through. There are not enough books that depict what those who served in the Vietnam War went through. This is definitely a 5 star read for me and it is officially now my favorite book by Kristin Hannah!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 06 February 2024.

such an impactful novel about the nurses of Vietnam and how they had to make their own voices stand out when returning home. full of love and heartbreak, it shows that finding your own path can be harder than it seems. Frankie proves that it's okay to not always be okay and asking others for help can make you stronger.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kristin Hannah for this eARC!

Raw, real, and remarkable- this one will stay with me always.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Press for the ARC of The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Wow!! Just wow! This book was so interesting and well done. I’m not often a fan of historical fiction, but when done well I can really get behind them and this one was. You really become invested in learning about the experiences that Frankie is facing and all the parts of war she thrown into. And then she comes home. Plus layer in the friendships and relationships that occur. Not to mention the psychological impacts of what the veterans face. Did I say wow?!? This book is so well done and interesting. I’m not a die hard Kristin Hannah fan, but I’ve enjoyed her books. I’d been a bit in the fence about this one knowing it had to do with Vietnam War, but I’ve never been so glad to read a book as this one. Having had family who served in Vietnam, it left me wishing I had more time with them to ask them questions and talk to them more about it.

Full, solid 5⭐️!!! Definitely worth the read.