My knowledge of the Vietnam War is minimal, only knowing about the protests against the war, the damage done by Agent Orange, the post-traumatic stress resulting from the war, the atrocities committed by both the North Vietnamese and the Americans, and a bit about the creation of the Vietnam Memorial. I did not know much about the women who served as military nurses, so I knew I would read the story when The Women was offered as an advanced reader's copy.

The Women is about a young woman, Frankie, who recently graduated from nursing school and comes from an influential family in southern California. Frankie is sheltered in her early years and knows little about the world except within her sphere. When her brother ships out to Vietnam and is shot down in his helicopter, Frankie feels the need to serve the men in Vietnam and enlists, with minimal experience, as an Army nurse. Not only does she want to serve because of the loss of her brother, but she also wants to make her father proud by continuing a family legacy.
When Frankie lands in Vietnam, she knows very little about the country or the war; the news stateside consistently reports on the wins but nothing about the spoils of war. Frankie arrives at the first base to receive her orders and learns quickly that the war is not what she expected. She gets sick from drinking the water, has difficulty with the oppressive climate, and is terrified by the gunfire and bombings. Readers will follow Frankie to her first unit, where she befriends Barb and Ethel, two seasoned army nurses. With their guidance and support, as well as the army doctor, Jamie, she muddles through her first few months of service. Frankie is horrified by the devastation she witnesses from the young men she aids. She has the ability to walk young men to their deaths by holding their hands and writing their mothers about their final moments. Her abilities grow as a surgical nurse, and Frankie learns how to perform procedures alone due to the sheer number of wounded coming in and the lack of medical capacity to aid them. She also learns how to have fun during the war, waterskiing and having beach parties during the downtime between incoming casualties. Then, Frankie is given new orders and serves as a nurse in an abysmal base in Vietnam, located in the deep jungle where the unit is also under a barrage of enemy fire. Readers can feel the suffering of not only the wounded but also the medical personnel and all that they witness in the heinous injuries from war.
The novel evaluates not only the conditions of the war setting but also what Frankie endures when she arrives home after two tours. Frankie is shocked when people scream at her and spit on her when she lands in California. Her parents don't acknowledge her service, instead choosing to orchestrate a lie that she was never in Vietnam. Readers will witness the post-traumatic stress that Frankie endures, from night terrors to treating herself with alcohol and drugs. Her mental state is fleshed out and demonstrates how war impacts veterans. And Hannah does a tremendous job illustrating the contributions military nurses made to save lives.
I empathized with Frankie and her journey during and after the war. It was horrifying to read and brought tears to my eyes.
One criticism I can convey is that I did not know some of the acronyms used or some of the military language. The book would benefit from a short appendix with this language.
Overall, a tear-jerking look at what military nurses experienced in Vietnam and how evil and devastating the war was for all involved.
Potential readers: there are numerous triggers in this book, including suicidal ideation, substance use, miscarriage, gore, war violence, and adultery.

Another masterpiece by Kristin Hannah. Bringing forgotten heroes to the front center, Hannah's The Women vividly paints the life of Vietnam nurses and the different kinds of trauma that war leaves behind.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I haven't read any other Kristin Hannah novels but her reputation sure precedes her so I had high expectations for this book. Well, I can report that every expectation was met and I was still blown away by how phenomenal this book was. Her writing 100% deserves all the love and hype it gets. I am so in awe of authors who write historical fiction books, or really any book that requires a great deal of research to write. Because these authors not only have to have the ability to construct a good story, but they also have to know their facts. So I was extremely impressed with Kristin Hannah and this book. I went into this book totally blind to the subject, and once I began reading I realized how ignorant I was to the subject. This book is about the women who were there in Vietnam during the war. It is a gripping, captivating read that will have you thinking about things and places and events in history that you've never thought of before. I had a paradigm shift while reading this book and I"m grateful for the insights it brought me.

I loved the characters in this book. I realize more and more that I'm easily annoyed by female protagonists in books. But I adored Francis, the main character in this book, and I loved her friends as well. I was dying to figure out what happened and where everyone ended up, but I also didn't want to read too fast and sacrifice being able to savor the story.

I think everyone needs to read this book. Dare I say I think this book should be considered as one that schools require students to read? It covers such important parts in American history that are usually not discussed. I had no idea women played such an important role in war, and I'm now going to be diving down rabbit holes to learn more about the women that aren't talked about enough.

I really can't say enough good things about this book or author. I am now officially on the Kristin Hannah train and I probably will be forever. I don't know how her other books can beat this one, as I already know this book will have a lasting affect on me, but I'm excited to read them.

Thank you, Kristin Hannah, for the years of research and for all the effort you put into constructing this masterpiece. It was time well-spent for this book is one of the best I will ever read.

*A huge thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to review and advanced copy of this book. I loved it.*

I had such high expectations for this newest Kristin Hannah book, but unfortunately it just did not live up to her previous novels that I have read for me. As a Canadian, it was very interesting to learn more about the war in Vietnam and the attitudes surrounding it in the states during that time. It was especially interesting to learn how the women who served were treated. With that being said, there were numerous plot points that I found predictable and frustrating. I will be reading more Kristin Hannah in the future, this one unfortunately just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”

I've been sitting on this review. I loved the first part and felt fully immersed in the early 1960's. Vietnam War is a war I knew little about, but every time I fact-checked the events mentioned in this book, sure enough, it happened. Between losing their loved ones to downplaying the reality of the war, Kristin Hannah nailed the pain and anger of everyone involved.

It was the return from the Vietnam War that this book took a nose dive into unbelievability for me... not regards to events around the war, but in character storylines. Several eye-roll, yea right moments.

I expect hardships and strong women when reading her books, but happy endings are not always necessary. Not to say this was an happy ending, yet it felt like the author was reaching for a way to end it. IYKYK. No spoilers, dm if you want to discuss more. This book is why I love the @aotmbookclub buddy reads so much.

DETAILS: Kristin Hannah // February 6, 2024 // 480 pgs // Gifted: @stmartinspress @Netgalley

Frances “Frankie” McGrath is twenty years old when her brother Finley ships off to Vietnam. Growing up in beautiful Southern California, they shared a charming childhood, surfing at the beach and riding bicycles throughout their bucolic neighborhood. Their father spent his time at work while mother doted on them between martinis and lunches at the club. Now, out of nursing school Frankie is determined to make a difference. She shocks her family by enlisting with the Army Nurse Corps. With little experience, Frankie is instantly overwhelmed. Upon arrival at the hospital tent, her two roommates quickly become mentors and sisters. Through countless exhausting nights filled with the blood curdling screams of injured soldiers, Frankie becomes a top surgical nurse executing procedures she never imagined. At the same time, her compassion is endless - understanding that sometimes holding a patients hand through his last moments is all she can do. After two tours she returns to California a different person. The public is protesting the war as they spit on the returning Vietnam Vets. Frankie is left with parents that do not recognize her sacrifice and hard work, who will not accept that a woman could contribute. Frankie suffers through excruciating nightmares. As a nurse she recognizes her PTSD but with no-one to help her navigate the pain she turns to pills and alcohol, a slippery slope to the bottom. This novel highlights the heartbreak of war for those who serve, their loved ones left behind and the hardship veterans face upon returning to civilian life. Sadly, a history that continues to repeats itself. Well researched and expertly narrated, author Kristin Hannah’s latest novel releases February 2024.

Kristin Hannah has written many great novels but this is her most important book yet. This is the story of Frankie McGrath a young nurse who enlists to go to Vietnam to gain experience in Nursing and to serve her country as her family tradition. Her time in Vietnam is traumatizing yet it is the returning to civilian life that is the most difficult. Although a work of fiction, Hannah has captured the experiences of many women veterans. Read this book and thank a veteran for their service,

“Women can be heroes, too.”

When her brothers friend says the above line, Frankie almost immediately decides that she wants to be on her fathers Heroes wall with the men from her family. Sure, she can’t go to Vietnam to fight, but her nursing degree means she can serve in a different capacity. She has always been the perfect daughter, so while her parents don’t love that she signed up, Frankie wants to make a difference in the world. What she doesn’t expect to find a vastly different experience than the one being portrayed by the news to America. Nor does she expect to be despised for her service upon return…

By chapter two I already knew this was going to be a five star book. Ever have that feeling where you can just tell right away? I am glad to say that this book held onto that initial feeling and blew me away. I will admit that I didn’t know a ton about Vietnam going into this book. I mean obviously I knew the basics, but this book taught me so much more about the effects it had on our country and the men and women that served. I feel the need to start by saying that I despised Frankie’s father. He infuriated me so much throughout the book, I just wanted to smack him. He certainly wasn’t the only man I felt that way about though I won’t give spoilers! I have seen some people say they wish that Frankie didn’t come from such an affluent background, but I think that really added to the story for me. To take someone that privileged and have them come home to people truly hating them for their service made such an impact, and I think it helped to see how truly devastating the effects of the war were on the veterans when they came home, even the ones that had all the privilege in the world. Not just in people being against what they fought for, but also not having the services they needed to help with their PTSD. If one more person said “women weren’t in Nam” I was going to scream. The women are so often forgotten when we think of wars, and I am so glad that Hannah dedicated a book to them and their service. I want to discuss so many things about this one but it’s all from the second half so dm me if you have read and want to chat further! This book was Kristin Hannah at her absolute best. There was one tiny thing in the end that I didn’t feel was necessary, but it was so minor that it didn’t take away from the book for me. I think you will know exactly what it is when you read this one. Anyway, go preorder this book! You will want to dive in the second it hits your hands!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

Kristin Hannah really does make you feel all the feels. Keep some tissues handy when reading this one.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The book is so fast paced and just the right amount of detail. I always find Kristin Hannah is the queen of research and you really can tell in this book again.

Even if you are not interested in history about Vietnam war I promise you will love this book. Highly suggest picking this one up.

4.5 rounded down. Kristin Hannah’s The Women is a much-needed book on the role women played in Vietnam and their lives as veterans in a time when public opinion in the US of the war left them as pariahs.

A largely unknown fact, women did serve in Vietnam. I don’t think there has been much written on them. When they came back to the US, male veterans didn’t see them as veterans and gaslighted them - saying no women served in Vietnam. I appreciated that the book showed the turmoil many serving as soldiers or nurses experienced in fighting a war they soon came to disagree with. And, not just turmoil, the actions many took to protest the war they served in. I’m glad the book addresses PTSD, which was, at the time, not as widely understood.

Frankie’s romantic relationships were where I struggled and why the book isn’t rated as a five - I won’t go into detail for fear or spoilers. An event at the ending also was highly implausible. The interactions with Vietnamese were cursory, but I understand that there wasn’t time or space to build out that subject line.

Kristin Hannah is like a Grim Reaper of historical fiction. “The Women” will rip your heart out, replace it, rip it back out, in a heartbreaking cycle. Keep some tissues handy…especially when you least expect it.
We are captivated by Frances “Frankie” McGrath as if she is a real person telling her story right next to you as you are reading (even though she is a masterpiece of fiction). Our journey with Frankie is over about 20 years. Frankie follows in her family footsteps by enlisting as a nurse in the military during the Vietnam War. Kristin Hannah envelops you in the events of the Vietnam War though vivid descriptions. Frankie flounders miserably but though strong friendships and events that align to actual events of the war, her character shows what an integral part of survival in Asia women were. Women played a major role in the Vietnam War and Kristin Hanna dives deeply into real issues and dynamics during that time.
Upon returning, we continue our journey with Frankie through struggles, PTSD, and life spiraling out of control. She is far from perfect…but who wants to read about a perfect character? I often found myself wondering about “WWFD” or “What Would Frankie Do?” AFTER finishing “The Women.” I’m not sure I wouldn’t make some of the same decisions as Frankie. We can never know how someone will respond to tragedy unless in similar circumstances.
“The Women” is another 5 STAR Kristin Hannah read! I feel like I am still experiencing this amazing read!

If you’ve read this, you’ll understand the importance of telling a Vietnam Vet thank you for their service.

Frankie McGrath’s story has touched me and consumed me. This is a story especially for the women who served in Vietnam that were told “there were no women in Vietnam” after coming home from their tours.

We don’t talk about the Vietnam War nearly as much as we should and I’m so glad that Kristin Hannah wrote this book. We need more historical fiction set in this era, about the men and women who served and did or did not come home.

The instant you start this book you’ll be hooked. You’ll love the cast of characters (well, MOST of them) and become immersed in Frankie’s world and life over the span of 20+ years. PTSD is a massive part of this novel as well, giving an insight into what veterans both then and now face when they come home. It was really hard to read painstaking sentence after sentence of Frankie’s struggles, so know going into this book that there are going to be really graphic descriptions of wartime trauma that will haunt you as much as it did her.

I can’t wait to have my hands on a print copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc of this fantastic novel.

This book ripped my heart out in the best way possible.
Kristin Hannah, I love you so much.
I always become so invested in the stories and the characters that Hannah writes because they are so vivid and riveting. I can always feel exactly what the character is feeling, deep in my soul. This one in particular--the story of Frankie McGrath and the women who served as combat nurses in the Vietnam war--had me on the edge of my seat. I really could not put this down and it had me visibly freaking out on an airplane while the women next to me were leaning over me and sampling a bunch of perfumes from the flight attendant.
Like Hannah's other historical fictions, The Women is incredibly immersive in the Vietnam War era with the descriptions of the scenery, the culture, the politics. It sheds light on a side of history rarely talked about, which is the women in the war. It is equally inspiring and frustrating to learn about. But at the core of all of this is a story of women's friendship. To me, that was the most touching part.
It is a beautiful story that I will never forget, but warning: it is very upsetting so prepare the tissues. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for a review.

Knocked it out of the park again, Kristin Hannah! Any fans of hers are going to love and devour this novel. Set during the Vietnam War, a conflict I don't know much about, this is the tale of Frankie, a young woman who decides to enlist in the Army as a nurse and goes overseas. This book spans her service years and her post-war years, where she struggles. There is drama, as there usually is with Hannah's books, but its realistic and emotional. I couldn't put this down!

Oh, Kristin Hannah gets me every single time. I was invested in "The Women" as soon as I started reading. There were a few melodramatic plot points, but nothing that kept me from staying up late to finish chapter after chapter.

Absolutely amazing novel! I learned so much about the conflict in Vietnam and the suffering endured by the veterans and all those involved. Frances was a good girl, brought up with morals, from an upstanding family. To them reputation was everything. Frances was hoping to join her brother Fin who was in the navy in Vietnam. Just as she joined, Fin was killed in action. I can’t adequately describe her experience in Vietnam but I felt as though I was there too. The experience changed her as I am sure it changed many who served. But after her tour, when she returned home, she was not able to find help. No one believed she was a vet, she was a woman and no women served in combat. The book did make me quite angry because of how she was treated a lot of thought and research obviously went into this book. It was simply amazing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Women
Kristin Hannah
5⭐️

“Women can be heroes, too.”

Kristin Hannah truly is a master storyteller, and she absolutely delivered with her newest novel.

Set during and after the Vietnam War, The Women is a profoundly emotional story that shines a light on women’s heroic stories that have often been forgotten or overlooked. It was educational, eye opening, frustrating, and utterly heartbreaking.

I don’t read a ton of historical fiction, and to be honest I don’t know an abundance about Vietnam however I was instantly absorbed into Hannah’s impeccable writing. The story flows so perfectly and reads so realistically you almost forget it’s a work of fiction. The vivid descriptions and situations were mind blowing and gut wrenching. I was immersed and felt like I was right next to Frankie, experiencing every thing and every emotion she was.

The cast of characters were fully fleshed out, realistic, and full of depth. Hannah has a knack for creating truly beautiful and strong female friendships. Next to Firefly Lane, these are amongst some of the best I’ve read. The way they supported each other, loved each other, and showed up when needed was heartwarming. #SquadGoals

What I loved;
🚁 Historical Fiction
🚁 Thought Provoking
🚁 Mental Health Rep
🚁 ALL The Feels

Pub Date 2/6/2024. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. And many, many thanks to Kristin for this labor of love. It is sure to be one of the top reads of 2024. I look forward to rereading with the audio and cannot wait to get my hands on a gorgeous finished copy.

👩🏻‍⚕️🪖💉🇺🇸🌴💣

Kristin Hannah has done it again.👏🏼 She is absolutely the queen of historical fiction.

<i>The Women</i> is an emotionally gripping tale about one woman’s service in the Vietnam conflict and all of the bonds, personal growth, and heart ache that come with it.

Frankie McGrath joins the U.S. Army as a nurse after graduating college with hopes of making her patriotic parents proud and of serving along side her brother, a Navy officer, in Vietnam. By the time she arrives in country, it is immediately clear that she was young and naive, and that she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Thankfully, two fellow nurses (Barb and Ethel) take Frankie under their wing. Once Frankie gets into the swing of things with Barb and Ethel at her side, she quickly excels and becomes passionate about nursing and her service to her country.

The first 50ish% of this book details Frankie’s time in Vietnam and it moves at the perfect pace. I had such a difficult time forcing myself to stop reading and tend to other responsibilities during these parts. As a fellow female military veteran myself, I relate to Frankie and her service so much, especially since I was a medic so I too have experience in military hospitals. Kristin Hannah did a phenomenal job accurately describing what all of this is like. Likewise was her use of military rank, slang, acronyms, etc.

The back half of the book spans many years after she returns home. It’s not the friendly welcoming party she was expecting—in fact, it’s quite the opposite. She’s let down by almost everyone once she gets back home, and experiences nearly every sort of heartache a woman can. My heart broke right alongside hers each and every time, which is a sure sign of an amazing book for me.

4.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The ONLY reason I’m not rating it as five stars is that I did get a little bored around 65-70%. It quickly picks back up though, so don’t let this deter you from picking up a copy when it comes out (06 February 2024).

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

“The Women” is an eye opening story about the female heroes of the Vietnam War, the nurses who made sure the soldiers were given the absolute best possible care. Frankie McGrath loses her brother in Vietnam and decides that women can be heroes too. While she is ill prepared for the war itself, she quickly finds her way thanks to her bunk mates, Barb and Ethel. The unlikely friends handle everything together and must lean on each other through love and loss, and the return home to an America that does not believe women were considered veterans. As Frankie navigates the war and post-war California, she must decide if she wants to forget the part or force the people around her to acknowledge her time in Vietnam and how it affects her. A gripping novel that kept me up late wondering if Frankie would be ok, it is a truly eye opening piece of historical fiction.

This book should come with tissues. The truth of the Vietnam War is devastating. It’s a time in American history that needs examination. Kate Quinn does a magnificent job focusing one woman’s experience and the path she takes to wholeness after serving her country as a battlefield nurse. For younger readers, this book will feel impossible. For those of us who remember Vietnam, it’s heartbreaking and honest, a reminder.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.