This was an amazing read. An acknowledgment of the amazing women who served in the Viet Nam war and were barely recognized for their service and their devotion to their country for so many years. You can get the gist of the story from the editors blurb, but this book is so much more that it conveys. We meet Frankie, who when her beloved brother enlists in the Navy wonders why women cannot be heroes too. When his life is lost, she signs up and then we go on a twenty year journey with her. It’s painful, emotional, sad, beautiful, tough story filled with love, loss, respect, pain in trying to reintegrate into life when she (and all of those who served) returns home to so much hate and vitriol, PTSD, addiction, friendship, the lingering impact of her parents not respecting her choices, missing her beloved brother, health issues both mental and physical that last a lifetime and so much more. I was drawn in from paragraph one and drank in every page. Though a fictional story, it is clear that the author did amazing research and showed incredible respect and empathy for these incredible unsung heroes who deserved so much better. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Though early in the year, it is on my list of best reads. A very emotional read that will require a lot of tissues.

5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Frankie McGrath is a young, affluent nursing student from Southern California when her brother ships out for Vietnam. Feeling lost at home and eager to earn a spot on her father’s “hero wall,” Frankie impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps in an attempt to follow her brother into war. Frankie is woefully unprepared for the brutality of war, but the powerful bonds that she forms with her friends and colleagues buoy both her spirit and her skill. Frankie survives Vietnam, but nothing could prepare her for the battle that awaited her back on American soil.

Kristin Hannah does it again. This was such a beautiful book. Heartbreaking, but beautiful. Not only does the character of Frankie give voice to the thousands of women who served in Vietnam, she also shines light on the predicament that many combat soldiers find themselves in when they return from war. Frankie is isolated, underutilized at work, and lacks support (to put it mildly) from her family and fellow veterans. She is utterly lost in a world that, after two years “in country,” feels foreign to her. This was such a rollercoaster of a book. I was sad, I was angry, and I was in love. Incredible story by an incredible writer. 10/10 recommend.

Kristin Hannah's books always grip the reading and this historical fiction was no exception. Taking place in the 1960's this book weaves the tale of a woman coming of age in a time of dreamers and war. It is impossible for the reader not to bond with the main character and feel everything she does. The story and the setting are well research and incredibly believable and the message that woman can be heroes too, is one that will resonate with a lot of readers.

Another epic read from Kristin Hannah. Frances aka Frankie McGrath is a young adult when the Vietnam war begins. Her brother serves in the war and she decides to follow using her skills as a nurse to be part of the war effort. As with any Kristin Hannah novel, the writing is beautiful, the topic is well researched, and she always gets me crying.

The first half of the book is all about Frankie’s experience in the war and the friendship between her and two other nurses Barb and Ethel. The book is graphic with its descriptions of war injuries which only demonstrates the author’s research on the topic. I was riveted by the first half.

The second half of the novel deals with Frankie’s return to home, PTSD, nightmares, and hatred from Americans who don’t approve of the war. This part dragged a bit for me. I think it could have been pared down a bit but I get what the author is trying to show us.

Things I loved:
The friendship between Barb, Frankie, and Ethel.
The action packed first half.
The author’s writing style.
The highlight of the service of women in the Vietnam war.
The relationship between Frankie and her family.

Things I didn’t love:
For me, the novel dragged a bit in the second half.
Frankie McGrath comes from a very wealthy family. Her wealth made it possible for her to do certain things and I think the experience would have been a lot different if Frankie came from a poorer background.

Overall, I loved The Women. I learned a lot about the Vietnam war that I hadn’t known. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction novels and stories of women’s strength and accomplishments during times of adversity. I am sad The Women is over but looking forward to the next Kristin Hannah novel.

Possible trigger warnings for violence, graphic descriptions of injuries, miscarriage, drug and alcohol use.

Thank you Netgally and St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📖My Thoughts📖

Wow. Just wow. I don’t know how describe what I just read. I am completely blown away. I have never, and I mean never, read a book that actually physically brought tears to my eyes. It doesn’t even stop there. I felt the hurt and pain Franky experienced. It was so intricately detailed that I literally felt like I was living the story. It was hands down one of the most heart wrenching and powerful works of art that I have ever read. I love how descriptive Kristin Hannah is in her writing. It really puts you right in the front seat of it all. I learned a little bit about the Vietnam War when I was a kid in school, but I honestly had no idea how awful the whole thing was until I read this. My uncle was in Vietnam. He didn’t talk about it much at all until I got older, but didn’t talk about the bad things he witnessed and experienced. While reading this, there were a couple of times that the shock of what I had read resulted in a ‘gasp with the simultaneous hand covering the mouth’ reaction. I think what hit me the most was the scenes from the OR. I work in the OR, and reading about the conditions in which they worked in, the amount of casualties that just came completely bombarding them, the countless hours they worked with no sleep, no food or really much of a break is just mind blowing to me. Granted the book takes place in a different time (and place at that), but I just can’t even imagine what they endured during or even after the fact. There were a lot of triggers throughout the entire book, ranging from death of a loved one, alcohol and drug abuse, pregnancy loss, war and more, so please be aware when reading this book. In a nutshell, this book was one of the most powerful and intense books that I’ve ever read. You’re transported back in time and submerged in the nitty gritty of the Vietnam War. Living in a time where women that were nurses in the military weren’t even recognized. People would commonly say that “there were no women in ‘Nam” or that they didn’t need any help because they ‘didn’t see any combat’ completely dismissing the fact that not only did they see more than their fair share of trauma, but also that they worked so hard to save as many lives as possible. It’s sad that so much time lapsed before they were finally recognized for their efforts and dedication. I can’t recommend this book enough. Make sure you have a box of tissues close by when you read it. You’ll definitely need them. I think this book will be one that stays with me for a long time.
Thank you Netgalley, Kristin Hannah and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kristin Hannah books always hit me hard in the emotion’s. But being a female vet this story hit extra hard. I felt I was right there with Frankie and some of what she went through hit home, and brought back memories from when I served. I think this is a book everyone should read, especially women because even though it’s set in the past, some things never change, especially for women.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation.

This was my first Kristin Hannah book but it sure will not be my last. The way that she can make you feel so many emotions and so deeply is amazing. This book is about VERY heavy topics and you will cry your eyes out.

I was not alive when the Vietnam war was going on and did not know what our veterans had to endure when coming home. It was even harder for the women veterans who were basically told you are lying because there were not women in Vietnam or that they did not matter since they did not see combat. It breaks my heart that they had to endure all that after their amazing sacrifice.

Thank you Kristin for writing this incredible book and teaching me more about a time in our history that is not talked about near enough.

This was an emotional book that was so interesting and I learned from, which is one of my favorite types of books to read. It followed twenty year old nursing student, Frances as she volunteered to serve in Vietnam with the Army Corps and the challenges she faced after returning home. Her painful journey over the years was tough to read, but very insightful to what veterans from Vietnam faced and the challenges that women also had. I have not read much about women in Vietnam and I found this very informative. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Kristin Hannah is a must-read author for me but I also know going in to her books she is probably going to rip me apart along the way and just hope I don't leave the world she creates utterly destroyed. The Women made me feel all of the emotions and fully immersed me in the setting and story of the book. It was a tough read to know this was real-life and to be able to see the struggles of the women of the vietnam war.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would not be triggered but fully realize this book is one that may be too vivid for some.

Holy cow! I’m not sure why I slept on this one or Kristin Hannah for so long. Even if you don’t like war stories or blood like me, people should still read this book.

I loved this book and read through it very fast after not not picking it up for a bit. I remember being destroyed by Firefly Lane and then not knowing what to expect years later when I picked up my first Kristen Hannah historical fiction. This was such a good book that covers a topic that is not covered much. I've read few if any historical fiction books about the Vietnam War let alone from the point of view of a woman. Hannah did an amazing job of showing Frankie's resilience, adaptability and pain throughout the book. It was interesting to see the women who served being denied the right to be seen even by the men who were fighting that same battle. Frankie's battle to be seen and recognized by some of those closest to her was especially heartbreaking. A must read for any one interested in this topic or who want to learn more.

OK so I waited a while to start this - it’s just very hit or miss with this authors work (for example I just could not get thru the Four Winds but loved the Nightengale and the Great Alone) so I was apprehensive to start this. BUT
WOW WOW WOW!

I really loved this and totally devoured it in one night - who needs sleep?! I keep picturing MASH episodes (I KNOW - wrong war but still!) and I really liked Frankie. And all these incredible nurses who served in Vietnam. The book was so powerful. I learned a lot, I laughed, I cried, and I was pretty angry at times too. Just read it - it’s incredible

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my review copy.

Heart wrenching. I cried multiple times reading this book. This is my new favorite Kristen Hannah book after The Nightingale and Winter Garden.

I really enjoyed The Women! I loved Frankie as a protagonist and especially enjoyed learning more about what life was like as a female nurse during the Vietnam War.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Kristin Hannah's extraordinary new novel about the unsung heroes of the Vietnam War. In The Women, Frankie enlists as an army nurse in an attempt to make her family proud and to follow in her beloved brother's footsteps. The atrocities that she sees in the operating room leave her emotionally wounded, but when she returns home after serving two tours she is repeatedly told that there are no women in Vietnam. She reaches out for help and is denied at every turn. Even Frankie's father refuses to acknowledge that she served her country, instead telling everyone that ahe was studying in Florence.

Frankie's two best friends from Vietnam, Barb and Etnel, are always willing to fly across the country to support her as she sinks deeper into despair and depression. Their sisterhood gives Frankie the strength that she needs to slowly rebuild her life after years of heartache and devastating loss.

This is an unforgettable tribute to the women who worked tirelessly behind the combat lines to save the lives of countless soldiers.

My 5 star rating for this book has made me rethink all my other 5 star ratings. This book about the nurses in Vietnam is incredible! I have been recommending this newest offering from Kristin Hannah to all my students, family and friends and have purchased multiple copies for my high school library. Thank you NetGalley!

Such a strong female lead, I loved the entire story and was very surprised by the last 30%. Can't rave about this story enough

Another outstanding novel by Kristin Hannah. The story of Frankie is one I will not soon forget and the friendships will last a lifetime. That time in history although heart-wrenching, is very important. I truly recommend this as a 5-star read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Kristin Hannah’s The Women transports readers to the 1960s as one brave nurse sets off to serve her country during the Vietnam War.

The Women continues Hannah’s tradition of writing emotionally evocative historical fiction. As readers follow protagonist Frankie from naïve recent nursing school graduate to full combat nurse to life after the war, Frankie’s experiences are rendered in their full humanity. Frankie grapples with adjusting to war, readjusting to civilian life, romantic struggles, and family expectations.

Hannah expertly navigates the nuances of the Vietnam war, all through Frankie’s perspective. As Frankie comes to terms with the reality of war, and the particular reality of this war, she begins recognizing the stark differences in the news back home and how it differs from her daily reality. What I like about this book is that Frankie isn’t passing judgment on her fellow servicemembers, but is instead learning to see many angles of an event. She is frustrated by the misreported casualty numbers and heartbroken for soldiers she cares for and the Vietnamese people she meets in villages while offering free medical care and immunizations. This book isn’t pro- or anti- Vietnam War propaganda, but rather a nuanced examination of the history as it pertains to this one fictional character.

At the heart of Frankie’s service is a desire to fulfill family expectations, and butting up against the gendered aspects of those expectations creates much of her interpersonal conflict. Frankie dealing with the sexism of her time, and especially in the military, is just one of the examples of intersectionality present in The Women.

Frankie’s community during the war is her first real taste of sincere friendship. Thanks to her fellow nurses, Barb and Ethel, she adapts and learns how to be a combat nurse, and a great one at that. The way Frankie, Barb, and Ethel show up for their patients with care, tenderness, and compassion balances out the heavier aspects of the plot during her war years. The doctors, staff, and community at her evac hospital locations demonstrate the importance of community. The absence of this community after the war, for Frankie and Vietnam veterans in general, adds to the mental health crises of re-entering civilian life.

After Frankie’s tour is complete, she returns to her wealthy family and hometown. Feeling out of place and shocked at the way returning veterans are being treated, Frankie struggles to build any kind of normal life for herself. When undiagnosed PTSD wreaks havoc on her life, she turns to the VA for help, only to be told women weren’t in Vietnam.

What ultimately saves her are the friends she made during her tour. Ethel and Barb become an integral part of her life, her safe place. Together, they work on healing themselves and each other, each finding their own way to who they want to become.

The mental health and substance abuse representation is well done, and an overlooked aspect of life during a time period that is so often skimped over in history classes. The Women showcases intersectionality- showing what life was like for women, for veterans, for Black women- and how each character’s experiences depended on their intersectional identities.

This heavy story is told with heart, care, and tenderness. Overall, it is an important and often overlooked story of the women who served in Vietnam, came home to the same hardships as the soldiers they cared for, and couldn’t receive the support they needed from their veteran community. It is about friendship, healing, and deciding who you want to be.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for an e-ARC such that I could share my honest opinions.

Kristin Hannah does not miss!! I have loved every book of hers that I have read, and this was no exception. This was a powerful depiction of the female heroes of the Vietnam war. We don't often get stories about what they did and went through, but this was amazing. Frankie may very well be my hero!