How does this author do it? Every book I’ve read by her is just so touching and memorable. I remember the characters long after I’ve turned the last page. She creates characters you feel you know intimately and you have to remind yourself these people aren’t real! Come on, you do that too, right?

The Women is Hannah’s latest historical fiction novel set against a Vietnam War era backdrop. It’s dropping next month and will be everywhere for a while. Deservedly so. It’s a book about war, loyalty, courage, heroism, patriotism, female empowerment, and so much more.

Do not miss this one. It should be read far and wide. For the women who served in Vietnam.

Thank you NetGalley and StMartinsPress for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this one may be Kristin Hannah’s best one yet. It was very interesting to learn about the women involved as nurses in Vietnam and how they weren’t recognized as being there. The main character is so well drawn, and I really felt empathy for this character and all her trials. One of the best parts was the friendships that were made with the two other nurses that carried and sustained her after the war. I knew about the protests about the war and that the vets did not receive the hero’s welcome they deserved, but I didn’t realize how mean people were to them for being a part of it and how people really didn’t grasp the horror of what they had been through. This book really tugs at your heart, but it is so worth it and will keep you turning the pages to see what’s next. I read this book, but I have also heard that Julia Whelan does a remarkable job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.

I am not sure where to start with a review for a book that told such a powerful story. This was an epic story of coming of age, friendship, and survival. Frankie joins the Army at 21 years old, broken after her brother’s death in Vietnam and her story just unfolds from there. Her friendship with Ethel and Barb is truly a beautiful sisterhood. My heart broke over and over for Frankie watching her struggle after coming home from the war and her attempt at finding her place in the world. Very heavy themes throughout but a profound story that needs to be told to bring awareness in a fictional way.

This was my first Kristen Hannah book and I truly don’t know why I waited so long. I’m not one for historical fiction but this drew me in immediately and never let me go. I think this a story that will stick with me for a very long time.

Another 5 star read from this author. The storytelling is chef’s kiss. Fmc is incredible and we are basically transported to active war Vietnam. I’m beyond excited that all of America is going to fall in love with women veterans.

Another banger from Hannah. Good God can this woman tell a story. I read Historical Fiction a LOT and truly love the genre for opening my eyes to things I don't always know a lot about. I have a lot of respect for the amount of research that has to go into something like this in order to make it true to the reality of what happened. Even more so for this story, I can imagine, as so much was hidden and lied about regarding the Vietnam war. I appreciate how Hannah included the darkness and the difficulty after coming home and didn't sugarcoat the truth of all the servicepeople had to deal with upon their return. I also appreciated the way the Civil Rights movement and adja ent turmoil in the States was not glossed over. A lot was tackled in this novel and I think it was done excellently.

Wow! I read this book in a day! I think this book might be her best book yet. It is by far my personal favorite, and I plan to buy a copy when it releases.

Frankie is a young, naive nurse who enlists in the Army to go to Vietnam. She wanted her father to be proud of her AND follow her beloved older brother. However, shortly after enlisting, her brother’s death is reported. It’s too late for her to change her mind, so off she goes for her year.

One year turns into a second year and second tour. Frankie finds two best friends, Barb and Ethel, and she loves for the first time in her life. But, her return isn’t a hero’s welcome either by strangers or her parents. She finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life.

This book is well researched and the characters are all well drawn. I cried some as I thought of the women who served despite everyone saying there were no women in Vietnam.

This was honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Kristin Hannah has never done me wrong and this feels like one of her very best. I was absolutely glued to the pages, transported in time to Vietnam, and emotional throughout. Frankie is a resilient character who goes through so much both in Vietnam and even more so when she comes back home. Her story was emotional for me and not something I will forget any time soon. I learned a lot about this war and the treatment of veterans.

I can’t say enough good things about this book and I cant wait for everyone to get to read it when it publishes.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic! You'll laugh, cry; feel anger, and joy. This is a book with characters that I will remember for awhile to come. I loved the mentions of the songs from the time period also, because I grew up listening to those songs with my dad. This brought up issues surrounding Vietnam that I wasn't previously aware of, since I was born after that time period. I highly recommend this book, and will tell all my friends to read it too!

Easy 5 stars and a clear front runner for being a 2024 favorite!

This is one of those stories that will stay with you. If you’re someone who reads 100+ books a year and doesn’t remember a lot of them, I guarantee you won’t forget the story of Frankie McGrath.

I cried tears of sadness and tears of joy. This is a HUGE endorsement from my icy, cold heart that rarely sheds a tear from the books I read. I can’t remember a book where I’ve cried tears of joy.

That said, this book is brutal, graphic, and not for the faint of heart. Frankie McGrath was naive about the war when she landed in Vietnam, and I probably was as well before I opened this book.

My only criticism is that there are some big plot points that happen SO quickly in maybe the last quarter or so of the book. The first half is so well-developed, and then after that there’s some plot points that happen so quickly you might miss them if you accidentally skipped a page.

But even with that, this is still an easy 5 star read. Highly recommend anyone pick it up, even if you have no interest in historical fiction or the Vietnam War.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Frances “Frankie” McGrath has lived a sheltered life right up to when her beloved brother enlists with the Navy and heads to Vietnam. At his going away party, a close friend of her brother’s tells her that women can be heroes, too. She graduates early from college and, without telling her parents, enlists with the Army Nurse Corps. Needless to say, they are not very happy.

Frankie finds herself in a world she would never have been able to imagine. She grows and she becomes one of the best nurses serving. She forms lifelong relationships with two other nurses. She also finds love, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers.

The Women is packed with emotion, trauma, and a true depiction of how hard it was to be part of the Vietnam War and how hard it was to come home. This novel tells the story of unsung heroes, the women who served.

This is not a lighthearted novel. It’s graphic and hard to read at times. Also, I found myself not feeling immersed in the story at times. Kristin Hannah is a superb writer, and I loved the topic but did not enjoy this book as much as others that she has written.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

Hannah returns in excellent form with this harrowing and thorough look at the experience of women in the Vietnam War. The research present in this novel is extensive and clear and Hannah pays honest homage to the survivors and the lost men and women of this horrific part of American history.

While the book could have been trimmed, and the ending wrapped up a bit too neatly for a war epic-this is a modern classic and should be a must read for all Americans unfamiliar with this era of history.

1966-1982 Vietnam & California

If you know a Vietnam Veteran, you know this isn't going to be a roses and rainbows kind of story. The first half of the novel is about time in country and the second half about returning to the "world".

Frances "Frankie" McGrath comes from an affluent family. She's been raised to marry well and run her home and family with class. When a friend of Frankie's brother tells her women can be heroes too, that gets her mind started in a different direction than the expectations of her parents. She enlists in the Army to serve as a nurse. Frankie's intent is to serve in Vietnam.

I could feel the humidity and deplorable conditions in Vietnam. The author brought the time and location to life. There was humor too due to Frankie's lack of skill and knowledge.

It was the return to the United States that was perhaps more painful. Returning to a country that largely doesn't appreciate Vietnam soldiers and having to find a new path after serving in an intense setting was difficult. Very difficult for some.

Another well written novel that brings history to life. I hadn't really given thought to the women that served in Vietnam. Hats off to the author to bringing this to light.

A very easy 5 stars - The Women is a phenomenal book! Kristin Hannah takes us on an incredibly heart-wrenching journey throughout this book. You’ll laugh a little, you’ll cry a lot, and you’ll appreciate the theme of friendship, strength, and self-discovery that binds this story together.

Frankie McGrath is fresh out of nursing school in 1965 when her brother is shipped out with the Navy to serve in Vietnam so she joins the Army Nurse Corps to follow him. Leaving her luxurious Southern California life behind, she embarks on a journey she finds herself very unprepared to survive. With the help of her bunk mates - Ethel and Barb - Frankie learns the ropes and becomes an excellent combat nurse who helps to save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians. After two tours, Frankie heads home to find she’s even less prepared to survive a world that is very different from the one she left. Without the support of her two best friends, parents that are ashamed she served in the war, and a world that is protesting the war - Frankie finds herself lost and struggling to find a path forward.

This was a well researched and beautifully written book. It hooked me right away - fast paced and tough to put down. I also enjoyed the Vietnam War setting as it’s not written about as often as other points in time.

Thanks to #NetGalley, Kristin Hannah, and St Martin’s Press for the e-ARC of #TheWomen in exchange for an honest review.

"Women can be heroes too"

Frances "Frankie" McGrath joins the Army Nurse Corps and goes over to Vietnam to work as a nurse.She is so overwhelmed by the chaos of what she witnesses, the unexpected number of casualties that come as well as the trauma.
Watching Frankie grow stronger as she continues to learn the ropes to help in surgeries for the wounded men.
Love, anger, loss friendship with her roommates. So much heartache as she cares for the wounded.
When she does go home she has to deal with depression, alcoholism and struggle with PTSD. Many women had to deal with these as well as nightmares and flashbacks.
They did not get the help needed like the men did.
This was an emotional read as opening my eyes to what I never knew.
First book I have read about women in Vietnam and obviously seems it is something we were told very little about.

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

ALLL THE STARS for this gritty, gut wrenching, emotional, infuriating, but finally, hopeful story of an American Vietnam War nurse. This one just shot up to my favorite Kristin Hannah novel yet. READ IT! But be sure to have the kleenex on hand. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. Thank you SO much to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for allowing me to read in return for an honest review. And thank you #KristinHannah for sharing your knowledge of the war through this story, I now am searching for more Vietnam fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
Frances “Frankie” McGrath lives in Southern California where she has a fairly sheltered life with wealthy conservative parents. But when her brother goes to war, Frankie decides to follow in his footsteps and become an army nurse. Part 1 of this novel is Frankie in Vietnam where she is fighting for her country.

Frankie’s real battle lies in part 2 of this novel when coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

Thoughts:
I love Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novels because they open my eyes to topics I was unaware of.

Loved all the women in The Women and their dedication and commitment to each other.

Without giving too much away, The Women shows how hard it is coming home from war without the resources veterans need.

In true Kristin Hannah fashion, this novel is filled with emotion, heart, history and vivid characters that shine a light on this era.

I already know this is going to be one of my top books of 2024, highly recommended.


Kristin Hannah’s authors note is also so heartfelt and shows how sensitive she was with such an important yet difficult topic as war and PTSD.

I absolutely adored this book! Kristen Hannah never fails to disappoint and this book was no exception. I hope this book gets picked up for a tv series or movie. SO GOOD

Holy cow! A book has not hit me like this in a long time. I loved the women in the story, they were selfless, strong and brave and went through so much. I’ve never read about the Vietnam war before so I learned a lot, but this was an emotional roller coaster. An amazing story by an amazing author. Kristin Hannah keeps getting better!
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the digital ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

At a going away party for her brother, who was recently drafted to Vietnam, Frankie McGrath learns that women can be heroes, too. Frankie decides to enlist in the Army Nurse Corps so that she can serve her country. What follows next is the ten-year+ story of a young woman who serves her country, falls in and out of love, and fights for veteran's rights. It is a story of love, loss, betrayal, addiction, and friendship.

Kristin Hannah knocks this one out of the park. Vietnam was an ugly war. Hannah does an excellent job of portraying the war and the lack of support many of our soldiers faced when coming home. I recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction or any of Kristin Hannah's previous novels. I am excited to see the impact this novel has on its readers once it's released.

I was thoroughly invested from start to finish. And fully sobbed for the last 50-75 pages - it hit me directly in the gut. I haven’t been jelling with historical fiction recently but Kristin Hannah knows EXACTLY how to hook a reader and I’ve loved almost everything I’ve heard from her. Definitely recommend.