To put it succinctly, The Women is phenomenal. I think it will be one of the most popular books of 2024, and I can't wait for everyone to get a chance to read this powerful and educational novel.

From the opening chapter, I felt myself strapping in for an intense ride. Kristin Hannah is such capable and competent writer. She almost immediately introduces the stakes for the protagonist and fairly quickly immerses the reader (and Frankie, a female nurse sent to Vietnam) into a world of startling violence and extreme stress.

Of course, I was familiar with the way that soldiers returning from Vietnam were treated when they came back to the States. But this novel really drove the situation home for me in a way that I will never forget. And, it was even more brutal for the female veterans, whose story is even less well known and respected.

This is one of those books where I thought about it all day every day until I could finish it. I was completely wrapped up in the story on every level! I truly appreciated the afterword where I was made aware of the level of research and care that Hannah infused into her work on this story..

The only thing I would note is that this book is extremely graphic in its medical details. It's not for the squeamish. However, I know exactly why Hannah wrote it the way that she did. It's important to the plot.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Women is the story of Frankie McGrath, a girl who grew up privileged in Coronodo Island, CA in the fifties and sixties. She was raised to become a wife and mother- that was always the goal. Except, when Frankie's brother goes off to Vietnam, Frankie feels moved to do something more. She gets her nursing license and volunteers to go to Vietnam as an Army nurse.

What follows sets the course of the rest of her life. The book follows Frankie to war, detailing the horrors she experienced there. She also finds love and hearbreak and makes some amazing friends. When she returns to America, it is not the same country she left. Frankie must deal with the changed landscape of the country, and the changed person she is.

The story is very moving and in typical Kristin Hannah fashion, explores the strength of women who experience unimaginable pain. It is also an interesting story not often explored, of the women who served in Vietnam and how they dealt with their experiences.

4.5 Stars

I don't know what it was with this book or what magic this author used, but I was trapped. I first thought that it was going to be a 'did not finish' novel for me. I didn't like Frankie all that much throughout the entire novel, but I understood her. At times, I thought I was going to need some "mother's little helpers" to get through the pain, grief, and horror that was Frankie's time spent in 'Nam. But let me tell you, the war wasn't even the worst part.

I am so ashamed of how the public looked upon the returning Vets. I can understand it, but I am still ashamed. I was very young as this war was being waged, so I understood nothing until I read the historical novel. 20 years this war was fought (1955-1975), and like most wars, for what? But that is neither here nor there.

I could not put this book down. The troubles that Frankie faced with only the help of her fellow nurses were intense. I could see that it was PTSD, but there was really not such a thing back then.

Her love life issues -gah! I just wanted to do something really nasty to Rye, I really did, and I wouldn't have blamed Frankie one bit if she had done something nasty to him!

Eventually, Frankie does overcome her PTSD and helps others.

I really don't know how to express my feelings for this book. It just sucked me in and wouldn't let me go until the final page was read.

When 20-year old Frankie's brother ships out for the Vietnam War and is revered a hero by the family, she is told "Women can be heroes too" and that sentiment really sticks with her. She decides to enlist too as a combat nurse . much to the dismay of her conservative, well-to-do parents, who want her settle down and find a husband. When she arrives in Vietnam, she is overwhelmed by the state of things, the chaos of daily life, and the horrors she witnesses to fellow soldiers, but also at the hands of her country. She finds, and loses love, and makes lifelong best friends along the way.

Part of the book starts with Frankie's return from war and her treatment by everyone, including her family. With obvious signs of trauma, PTSD, and flashbacks, but none of the options for help men were offered, Frankie begins to spiral.

Does every book by Kristin Hannah wreck me like this? Yes. But will I continue reading every book she releases? Of course. These books are out of my typical genre, but they reel me in every time. I loved the messages of the book surrounding women being heroes and loved the strength of the main characters to rise above all the doubts and discrediting because "women weren't in Nam" and use it all for good. Frankie especially was imperfect, but felt so realistic. And more than anything, I loved the friendships of this book and how those changed and developed over the years in the most beautiful ways.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a young nurse, had lived a charmed life in southern California. Her brother Finley made their parents very proud when he was shipped off to Vietnam. After he is killed, Frankie seeks greater meaning, enlists in the Army and is immediately working tirelessly to save lives as a steady flow of wounded men and local Vietnamese are brought to her hospital ward. Frankie, along with fellow nurses Barb and Ethel, form a tight bond and are transformed by their experiences. When reassigned to Pleiku, near the Cambodian border, the danger is worse than ever, and death is continuous. Once Frankie returns home, she is shocked at the way she and other veterans from Vietnam are treated. And even worse, the support available to Vietnam Vets is denied to her as nurses were not considered to be veterans and she is repeatedly told “there were no women in Vietnam”. Frankie is a heroine who is not acknowledged for her service. A tough road lies ahead.

Kristin Hannah has written some of the finest historical fiction books. All are deeply moving and incredibly well researched. In The Women, Hannah has brought her skill to a tough time in American history which many of her readers, including me, remember all too well even if it was through the eyes of a child. The tragedy of war and the impact on those who valiantly served, is presented excellently through Frankie's experiences. Grab your Kleenex box.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
I have been sitting with this review for a few days now because I don't know how I am going to adequately explain how much I loved this book and how important it is. Hannah tackles the topic of the Vietnam war, and the aftermath - especially on the women in this book. I was drawn into Frankie's story right away - from her sheltered upbringing, to having no idea what war meant, to struggling to reacclimatize to civilian life while everyone around her wouldn't acknowledge what she'd been through. I was never taught about the Vietnam War, so I applauded Hannah in her ability to capture such history that made me dig deeper into the horrors that were going on during this time. There's always such depth when it comes to her writing, and I felt it in every aspect of this story. I think this is such an important story to be told, and I hope it gets into the hands of so many readers because this is history that needs examined, especially when it feels like some of it is running parallel to current events. This is also a book about the power of female friendship, familial issues, and longing for love. There is a lot going on but each thing is balanced beautifully. It's a story I know I will come back to in the future.
Julia Whelan is the perfect narrator for this kind of story - and she performed this story so well.

Kristin Hannah has proven herself time and time again that she is the master of a drama. I thought that The Women would be mostly about the Vietnam War- as in the actual war but it's really so much more. As a child growing up amongst so many Vietnam vets, this book hit hard. I love that the story didn't shy away from anything that happened and felt true to the events and feelings of the time. This is a beautiful story and I was so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Kristin Hannah knows how to make me sob every time. Just another heartfelt, gut wrenching novel that leaves me gutted and hopeful all at once. No notes. Beautiful.

This book is the kind of book that I will remember long after finishing. I absolutely devoured Kristin Hannah's latest; I felt like I was immersed in a different time and a different place. While the entire book is incredible, the parts that take place in Vietnam actually made me feel as though I were in Vietnam. The imagery, the intensity, the suspense...I loved all of it and couldn't put the book down. This is one of Kristin Hannah's best!

I struggled between a 4 & 5 star review but settled on a 5 star because both my grandfather's were in Vietnam & this book is so historically accurate , I wish they both could read this & although I've heard about this time period from history books & my grandfathers who were both there I just can't get past the similarities between then & now . It was eerie reading . Def kept my interest throughout.
&& although Frankie wasn't my favorite main character & her reason for joining the war was stupid , in the end she was a Vietnam vet regardless of what was between her legs & she deserved better .
Henry was one of favorite characters. I love him ❤️
& Barb ❤️❤️❤️ love that woman !!!
I don't want to say more because I don't want to give anything away . This book is hauntingly beautiful. I recommend it to everyone.

Kristin Hannah is a genius & I absolutely love all the research she puts into a historical event before just writing whatever about it.

Thank u #NetGalley for this Arc . ❤️
Absolutely loved it !

3.5⭐️ The story was engaging and made me cry. I enjoyed learning more about life in Vietnam, about wartime nursing and about life after the war for vets. The plot itself drove me crazy and was predictable at times, but I think the author was effective in communicating the messages and themes she wanted to through it. I would have liked to have more than one character/perspective, especially since I didn’t connect with the main character, but it was decent overall. It’s definitely not a satisfying read, but the author wasn’t going for that. I appreciated the redemption and closure that she did bring to certain struggles and plot points.

The Women by Kristin Hannah might just become my favorite book of the year. This one left me in tears. As the daughter of a two-tour Vietnam veteran who served on the frontlines in the Airborne divisions, I wished my whole way through reading this story that my father could also still be alive ot. read it. Although the main character is a female, I think my father had a very similar wartime experience as a combat soldier. Everyone must read this book to understand that the trauma of war doesn't occur only to the soldiers, nor does it end when the participants return home. Such a heart-breaking novel. Read and savor every page.

Kristin Hannah does it again! Frankie is a nursing student who decides to follow her brother’s lead in serving in the Vietnam war. She’s surprised, however, when she returns to a divided country who would rather just forget about the war altogether. This tale of female friendship and found family is amazing. The author consistently writes characters that are immersive and I loved the satisfying ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Hannah and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me an ARC of The Women. In exchange for the advance copy I offer my honest review.

Reading this book was extremely difficult for me. I don’t think Kristin Hannah had any idea just how relevant a book set during the Vietnam War would be in 2024. At times this novel was too relatable, as I’m watching a nation divided and experiencing a world so divided. I had to take many breaks during my reading and sit deeply with my feelings in order to get through certain chapters. I appreciated all the historical details from the music and clothes mentioned, to real life people & events. Kristin Hannah did an incredible job of representing the women who served in Vietnam alongside the men, and the sacrifices they made as well as the experiences they suffered before, during and after the war. This will make an AMAZING choice for book club discussions!
Book available on February 6, 2024. Make sure you pick up a copy!

Fantastic! When I pick up a book by Kristin Hannah, I know that I may not like the characters (or agree with their decisions) but that I will get swept away into a story that will not let go until the very end. This was no exception. Frankie has hard a tough time with PTSD after Vietnam and help was hard to come by. I had no idea the struggles the nurses (and other personnel in Vietnam that didn’t see combat) had upon return and the spotlight the book shines on their service and sacrifice, only to be told they were less than once they sought help. I had hoped there would be more focus on the other two nurses since the title alluded to more than one point of view. Highly recommended for a wonderful story of friendship, strength, resilience, and learning from your mistakes.

The Women is the story of the forgotten women who served in Vietnam, in this case specifically the nurses. That alone should tell the reader that this is going to be a tough read. It covers many hard topics - combat hospitals, PTSD, Vietnam War politics and protests, drugs, and alcoholism.

Despite all these tough topics, I really got sucked into Frankie's story. My favorite part of the book were her friends, Barb and Ethel. I loved that they could call each other and they'd be on the next flight to help each other. Their bond was so special! Frankie's story was an emotional roller coaster, and I was cheering for her the entire book to be able to find some peace and happiness.

The only part of the book that I really struggled with was her relationships. It was so hard to see her make bad choices and fall for the wrong guy over and over.

I am grateful to the book for the glimpse into this time period and the knowledge I gained about this terrible, controversial war. I recommend this book, especially if you've already read books by Kristin Hannah and know that you'll be emotionally wrecked by the end!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristin Hannah for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Frankie McGrath, a young woman living in Los Angeles, didn’t want to be ordinary; she aspired more for herself. After doing some research and hearing women can be heroes too, Frankie decided to enlist in the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam war.

I know I have said this many times before but KRISTIN HANNAH CAN DO NO WRONG! This story was simultaneously empowering and heartbreaking. Frankie was such a beautifully written character. I was so vividly wrapped in this story that it literally felt like I was right there.

This is a story about courage, hope, heartbreak, sisterhood, and perseverance. So many topics are explored in this book and I have to say the author did such an amazing job.

One thing I love about KH is that she 👏🏼 does 👏🏼 her 👏🏼 damn 👏🏼 research. The way she tackled grief and PTSD (amongst other topics) was absolutely graceful. In addition, the research and time that went into making sure things were told correctly from a history’s POV was amazing. Again, her research is impeccable - this is what makes her a top tier writer.

I loved every second I spent reading/hearing this book. Frankie’s growth during and after the war was so powerful. Indeed, a loving character during any point in her life.

This book was a beautiful tribute to all those wonderful and strong women that served but were not even acknowledged to have been there. They were there. They matter.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. You don’t want to miss reading this one!
Pub date: 02/06/24

Find me on IG: @coffeebreakwithrachel

Absolutely and totally engrossing. Frankie McGrath went to Vietnam as a nurse. Vietnam came alive - the scenes were vivid and unforgettable. The role of the nurses in Vietnam was central to the book, but there was so much more - in particular, the treatment of the soldiers upon coming home. I’m so grateful to have read this. I grew up during the Vietnam years - there was so much I had forgotten - or even ignored in my immaturity. It was moving and heartbreaking, but with a little hope. I highly recommend this book.

This book is probably the best book I have read in a long time. I took an entire class in college called “Vietnam War as History”, that was the title of the class, and I don’t think we talked about women in the war at all. But I mean, yeah of course they were there, and of course they saw devastating things. But do we talk about them? No. Are they really recognized? Also, no. This, is, not unlike many things women do, are just overlooked.

While this book is historical fiction, it is obvious that it is well researched, and many things are true. For instance, there are 8 women who died in Vietnam, and are shown on the Vietnam War memorial. Now no, out of 58,000 men, this is not a huge percentage, but women were present at the war too, and still were present, despite many being told otherwise.

I loved this story of Frankies life, from naïve teenager signing up for this horrific war, to seasoned nurse coming home from the war. The war didn’t magically end for her, or many others when she got home, and neither did the horrors, they just took a different form. I’m not usually one for coming of age, or life stories, but this book was just fantastic, and I felt so strongly for Frankie I wanted to know how things turned out for her.

The friendships in this book were pivotal. I don’t think that Frankie would have made it through the war without her friends, and she wouldn’t have come out the other side without them either. After the war the friendships didn’t end, they just took a different form, and they evolved. I loved that Frankie had these women in her life, and this book highlighted how important female friendships can be, and are.

This is one of those books that will make you feel sad for history, glad for how far we have come for women’s rights and give you an idea for how far we need to go. This book invoked so many strong feelings in me as I was reading it. Despite it being almost 500 pages, I didn’t want it to end, and I didn’t want to put it down, it was that good. Kristin Hannah is my go-to historical fiction author, and for good reason, her books are fabulous, and this one is no different.

This book is going to stick with me for a long time. I don’t normally order books that I have already read, as I don’t re-read, but I’m making an exception to this one. This is probably going to be one, if not the one, top read of the year. It’s worth owning. Buy it, read it, learn more.

This is a book that I will be recommending for years to come. It’s a must read.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press, @Stmartinspress and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com on publication day.

Publication Date: February 6, 2023

The Women" narrates the compelling story of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a dedicated nurse who served during the Vietnam War. Beyond focusing on Frankie's personal journey, the narrative extends a poignant tribute to all the women who played crucial roles in the war effort. When Frankie's brother prepares to deploy to Vietnam, she spontaneously decides to enlist as well, despite her limited nursing experience.

Upon reaching Vietnam, Frankie faces the harsh realities of war, encountering gut-wrenching and sorrowful experiences. The losses she endures are profound, echoing the struggles shared by many Vietnam veterans. Unfortunately, like countless others returning from the war, Frankie doesn't receive a warm welcome home, even from her own family. Amidst these challenges, she grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that was still a nascent diagnosis at the time.

Reflecting on the concluding days of the Vietnam War, the narrative captures the memories of prisoners of war (POWs) returning to U.S. soil after years of captivity. Through its evocative storytelling, the book encapsulates the complex array of emotions associated with the Vietnam War, providing a poignant portrayal of the era.