In "The Women," we meet Frankie McGrath, a nurse with a bit of a sheltered life who decides to join the Vietnam War. She does this to honor her late brother and make her family proud, even though they’re not too thrilled about her choice. As Frankie dives into the chaos of war, she faces some tough realities, forms strong friendships, and even explores love. But when she returns home, she has to deal with the heavy weight of PTSD.

The book shines a light on the Vietnam War from a perspective that often gets overlooked—the stories of women, especially the brave nurses like Frankie. Their bond is beautifully portrayed, making you appreciate the depth of their experiences. That said, some parts of the story felt a bit repetitive, and a savior complex seemed to come through in the different storylines. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on a challenging time.

Like almost everyone else in the world, I loved The Nightingale and was so excited to read this new one by Kristin Hannah. Admittedly, I knew very little about the war in Vietnam prior to reading this - other than the way everyone usually speaks about it negatively and as a mistake. This book was so incredibly compelling, and the very best kind of historical fiction in the way Hannah gives a voice to the people that experienced the tragedy firsthand. I couldn't put it down - I cried, and recommended it to everyone I know. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC - this was one of my favorite books this year!

Kristin Hannah’s “The Women” is a captivating and emotional journey that beautifully captures the strength and resilience of women during the Vietnam War. The characters are richly developed, and their stories are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction with a powerful, human touch.

OMG. This was my favorite book from Kristin Hannah - sad I am writing this review late. I cried and laughed while reading this book and I can't wait till this is adapted into a movie. I am excited for her next book!

I really enjoy Kristin Hannah's writing, but I was not excited to start this one. I knew the topic was going to be tough and I felt a bit of a sense of dread about starting something that would likely be such a difficult read. I'm so glad I finally read it. I was correct that parts of it were going to be very difficult, but Hannah somehow manages to pull us through with her ability to mix in a few lighter anecdotes and create characters we care about. I listened to a little of this as an audiobook and Julie Whelan is (as always) fantastic. A book about war is never sunshine and rainbows, but just read it. I don't think you'll regret it.

This book lives rent free in my mind.

"The Women" by Kristin Hannah is a masterpiece and one of my favorite books of 2024! I didn't expect to love the war scenes as much as I did but they were suspenseful, caring, and heart wrenching. After reading the digital arc I purchased a physical copy because I needed it on my bookshelf. Everyone needs to read this 5 star novel!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my digital arc in exchange for my review.

Frances McGrath knows she wants to be a nurse. At the age of 21, she didn't expect to be a combat nurse in Vietnam. A story told over two decades, The Women, takes you along with the women who quicky forgotten when it came to this war. Who struggled with PTSD, not only from what they encountered in Vietnam but also by the way they were treated when they returned.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this story.

I don't think that I have ever read a book about the Vietnam War. And if I have, it was nothing like this. I'm not a big fan of historical fiction, but Kristin Hannah writes about it in a way that puts you right tin the story. That's how I felt about this book, like I was right there along with Frankie, Ethel and Barb as they made their way through, over and out. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. I was in tears by the end.

I highly recommend this book.

100% the best historical fiction book I’ve ever read. This was my first book by Kristin Hannah and it definitely wont be my last. I finished in just over 2 days because I couldn’t put it down. Her writing makes you feel all the emotional. She does not gloss over anything in the details and descriptions. I felt like I was there. Truely an amazing book that deserves all the stars!

Thank you St Martins Press and netgalley for an arc.

Jodi is an auto buy author for me. I just love her thorough research for her books. Even though there was so much pain in this book, it was real and eye opening! One of the best books I’ve read this year!

Kristen Hannah painted such an emotional story about an era that I’m too young to have experienced and only hear horror stories from. This was shocking insight into an era often overlooked.

No one can get me to read an almost 500 page story in one day like Kristin Hannah. Wow. There's nothing I can possibly say that others haven't already. This is a beautiful story of the women of Vietnam, the nurses who were on the front lines and who cared for the men who were injured. I'm too young to know about the struggles that these soldiers endured, but Hannah has created an entire new picture of this conflict for me. I left the book broken, but hopeful, which is something only Hannah can do. The writing and characters immediately sucked me in and would not let go until I finished this story. Frankie, our main character, was developed so fully that I can now consider her someone I know. I felt all of her struggles and cheered for her triumphs. This book is one of the best reads of this year, and will stick with me for a long time to come. It is an important one for everyone to read. I felt especially touched being a nurse myself. I couldn't recommend this book any more, READ THIS BOOK!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

My favorite book of 2024. I loved how Hannah draws the reader into the story and jerks us around a bit. Such a harrowing story of war and death and survival. This book was an emotional rollercoaster, but I learned so much about Vietnam and the women who served as nurses.

Kristin Hannah never disappoints. I’ve been a little fatigued with WWII historical fiction. This story around the women who served in Vietnam really hit me emotionally. My birth father died in Vietnam when he was just 23 and didn’t even know my mother was pregnant. The hardship and struggles by everyone impacted by this war is so touching. This author took a hard subject and layered the story with characters you will root for.

It took me 10 days to read this, but it was 10 days of savoring and processing.

Hannah is at the top of her craft here. She is careful with the topic, yet gives the veteran nurses the respect they deserve.

Highly recommend.
I think this may be my favorite Kristin Hannah book

Thank you to the author, publisher and net galley for the arc of The Women. I absolutely loved this book by Kristin Hannah and have recommended it to many people. I enjoyed that it was a historical fiction novel set in a time period that I haven't read a lot about.

I will probably be the only person you hear from that didn't LOVE this book. My book club was 13-1. I love Kristin Hannah and have enjoyed every one of her books except I have to give "The Women" a solid "C." As a reader of a certain age, I grew up watching every episode of M*A*S*H - the novel felt like a complete rip-off of the TV show or the show "China Beach." Frankie's family is so stereotypical it was painful. I did appreciate the women's friendships, but believe only in fiction can your two best friends, that live a continent away, are able to be at your side in hours. Sorry, I stand alone.

One of the best story tellers of our time. Her writing keeps getting better. This was a time period that I had never read and the characters and her struggles will live in my head rent free.

📖 BOOK REVIEW

📱 THE WOMEN by @kristinhannahauthor
5 stars

Genre: historical fiction
Did I cry: does a bear shit in the woods
Published in 2024

💭: i don’t think there are enough words to accurately portray this book & how i felt about it. This was my 18th KH book & it has been so amazing to watch her continue to outdo herself with each succeeding novel she puts out. The way that she’s begun to use her talent to highlight overlooked portions of specific periods in history, this one being the women of the Vietnam War, specifically the nurses.

This book began tearing my heart to shreds at around 18% and only continued as the book went on. The characters are all so integral to the story. They’re complex and show true human nature especially at time of conflict — both on a global scale and on an individual level. I know I’m going to run out of space in this caption so just know that the characters, the setting, the writing, the plot, the pacing, everything was perfect. I have never had such visceral reactions to books before. I was so emotionally invested that the anxiety i was feeling caused me to have to put the book down at times. But that’s how you know a book is so good.

I had a tiny bit of beef with a part of the ending. I know why it was the way that it was but I almost wish for a slightly different version of events at the end of the book. But in retrospect, I’m glad that it was the way that it was & really hammered home the message of the book. If you haven’t, this book is an absolute must read.

This is a moving story about the women nurses in Viet Nam and the aftermath of what it was like to come home to a country that didn't recognize them as heroes often not even by other Viet Nam vets and the toll that took on them. They were expected to come home and act like nothing happened even though they also endured trauma like the men did. It was like watching one of the characters from "China Beach" come home and have to re-enter the regular world. Kristen Hannah has become one of my favorite authors I appreciate the research she did for this book. Parts of the book did feel a little melodramatic to me, especially when she returns from the war but it was still a great read that I highly recommend.

Love, love, love. Surprisingly my first Kristin Hannah book (though I have had all her historical fiction on my to-read list for quite a while) and I will absolutely be reading her others as soon as possible. The writing was so engrossing and the setting was very vivid, I never wanted to stop reading.