“The Women” is as beautiful and emotional as one would expect from a Kristin Hannah book. A story about war, a story about strength, a story about sisterhood, I wasn’t prepared for the depth of emotions I felt throughout this book. There are so many things that I want to say about this story, about the journey that Frankie takes before, during and after her time in Vietnam, but my favorite part of this book is the bond between Frankie, Ethel and Barb. Having a life changing shared experience, these women use that connection in war to form a friendship that could outlast anything, and seeing how they step up for each other and support each other was just beautiful. Their relationship is the star of this book by far. There were so many bonds that Frankie forms in Vietnam that really helped tie the reader to her experiences. From the Vietnamese civilians she encounters, the doctors she works with and the soldiers she treats, KH humanizes events and situations that otherwise horrific. As someone who wasn’t alive during this time period and only really knows about Vietnam and it’s aftermath by what she’s read in history books, this book was also eye-opening to just how hard it is to be a veteran, battling internal and external battles trying to get back to a normal life after living through something no one should have it. It gave me a new appreciation for how strong the men and women who serve are and how much more respect and help we should give them. There is so much more that I can mention here, many other characters that captured my heart. I couldn’t put this book down, and dreamed about what I hoped would happen next while reading it, so to say I was utterly captivated would be an understatement. This is a book I won’t forget any time soon. ** A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kristin Hannah for the advanced copy of this book**

I literally could not put this book down and then when I forced myself to go to bed, scenes from the book continued to run through my mind. This is a realistically told and emotional novel about the Vietnam War era and how the lives of people were changed.Frankie McGrath is a sympathetic character who wants nothing more than her beloved father's approval, so when she volunteers to be a nurse in the war zone, she had no idea what she was getting into. Young, innocent and patriotic, Frankie quickly has her eyes opened to the brutality of war.The research in the book is impeccable, transporting my mind completely to that troubled time and the years afterwards when the veterans of the war were ridiculed rather than welcomed. The characters were all dynamic and realistically flawed. The plot moved along quickly, keeping pace with the action on the front lines. This is a remarkable story that needs to be read and is written in such a brilliant way that it held my attention and caused me to cry, cheer and get outraged, sometimes all within the same chapter. With a tight plot and the signature style of a master of historical fiction, this book deserves many kudos for embracing a topic that is thought-provoking and complex. There is so much to love about this book, but I must warn readers that it can be disturbing with the realistic details of war and the wounded and dying. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book...this book...it is wonderful and awful and thought provoking and something everyone should read. I was a young teen during the time period at the beginning of this book.. I LIVED the memories that Ms. Hannah talks about through her character, Frankie McGrath. I remember some of them fondly. I wondered why we were fighting a war and why. I remember riots and protests and feeling unable to really wrap my head around what was happening to my country. Mostly I just went to school and watched it happening on TV. The Women brought me back to that time, drawing memories back to the top of my consciousness, and realizing what a time of change this was for America. How we treated our Veterans when they came back. Blaming them for mistakes made in Washington and coloring every person coming home as a monster...when they were just doing the job America had asked them to do. I was wrecked by a few parts in this book. Keep some tissues handy. I cried about the incredible loss of a generation of young men. I laughed at the gallows humor that allowed medical personnel to continue just doing their jobs. I've been there. The different attitudes about men and women in country.. The lies told to the American people about the Vietnam War. The difficulty making the switch from being shot at as they left Vietnam, and being spit upon when returning to America. The issues of mental health, PTSD diagnosis, and how to handle just being safe. Where did they belong? What had they done that was so wrong? The issues Frankie faced as she returned to her family and to the United States were heart wrenching. A top of her game trauma/surgical nurse, begging for a job once stateside since no one believed there were women in Vietnam. Being turned away by the VA when she knew she needed help, since there were no women in combat. Finally, after falling low enough to be hospitalized for issues brought on by her time in country and her inability to return to the girl she was, she found herself through helping others. This is a worthwhile book for those of us a little to young to serve, but have the memories of those times.. For those who did serve and perhaps would rather forget.. For young people to realize the turbulent times that went on then. I won't soon forget the characters Ms. Hannah introduced us to in this book or the things we still need to do for our veterans...and for women in general. We seem to be slipping down the same muddy path. After 50 years, I don't think we've learned near enough. The ending was perfect.

I am in awe. This is the first book I’ve ever read from Kristin Hannah, given I’ve always been drawn to her stories. This book here! Is absolutely stunning and grabbed my attention right from the beginning! This audio book truly was amazing and I highly recommend both the book and audio versions. I was constantly jaw dropped and gasping 🫢 so much so that my husband was asking if I was okay 😂 What’s crazy is every time I thought the story was going to take a breather I again was in shock of what happened next! I legit was walking my dog this morning covering my mouth and screaming at some things toward the end of the audiobook 😂 I’m truly at a loss for words knowing I can never read this for the first time ever again! Frankie is an amazing young lady that is so excited to make her family proud, they all have a history of serving the country exceptttttt they aren’t so thrilled with her leaving when women “aren’t actually serving”! She leaves and She is thrown right into combat. So much happens Love Loss PTSD Family and found family And Betrayal Protests Hippies Black panther And yes women fighting to be heard in the most iconic way! If u want that special book to give you that 5 star feeling! This is for you