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bookapotamus's review against another edition
5.0
It's 1944, and there is a war, and those topics alone typically stop me from reading certain books. SO MANY TIMES I've started reviews with, I'm not a "historical fiction fan but....." BUT, THIS BOOK. This has officially turned me into a HUGE historical fiction fan. I adored every character, I looked forward to reading it every night and rushed to get back to it. And I am SO MAD that it had to end. The emotions in this one are so easy to feel - I found myself laughing out loud, and my husband kept asking if I was getting sick. Oh the sniffles! I NEVER cry at books! What is happening to me!
Oh, AND ... my all time most favorite thing on the planet: Food Trucks! Yes, my friends, World War II food trucks.
I loved Band of Brothers, I will drop everything to read/watch/talk about it. It's not often I get really into war stories, but when you flat out fall in love with the characters - it's easy. And this book, a sort of Band of Sisters, but Red Cross girls, is something I really got into - and although I might have teared up during some really tight spots in the story, I flat out bawled when this book was over. It's real, it's gritty, it's relatable, it's full of all the feelings. A new favorite for sure!
Fiona Denning is the captain of The Beantown Girls, a group of Red Cross Clubmobile girls that drive a (yes!) food truck throughout the war bringing doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes, but most of all - much needed morale - to the soldiers on the front lines of the war. Fiona thought her life was all put together and headed in a pretty secure direction, when her fiancé Danny heads off to war and soon becomes missing in action. In the blink of an eye her entire life plan has changed. Along with her two best friends, Dottie, as shy musician, and Viv, an outspoken diva of sorts, the three Boston girls join the Clubmobile program and their entire lives change.
For Fiona, she wants answers. What happened to Danny and where is he? And is he still alive? For the other girls, it's about finding themselves, a little adventure, and wanting to do something for those who are sacrificing so much. What they find is all of that and more - love, danger, friendship and just learning to live in the moment.
I cannot even stress how great of a story this is. It's easily my favorite historical fiction book to date. The girls and the soldiers are forever embedded in my list of favorite casts of book characters. The story is at times terrifying and heartbreaking, but also so much fun as the girls are so easily lovable. The writing is fresh, and enticing and I devoured every word and wish there were more! Bravo Jane Healey!
Oh, AND ... my all time most favorite thing on the planet: Food Trucks! Yes, my friends, World War II food trucks.
I loved Band of Brothers, I will drop everything to read/watch/talk about it. It's not often I get really into war stories, but when you flat out fall in love with the characters - it's easy. And this book, a sort of Band of Sisters, but Red Cross girls, is something I really got into - and although I might have teared up during some really tight spots in the story, I flat out bawled when this book was over. It's real, it's gritty, it's relatable, it's full of all the feelings. A new favorite for sure!
Fiona Denning is the captain of The Beantown Girls, a group of Red Cross Clubmobile girls that drive a (yes!) food truck throughout the war bringing doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes, but most of all - much needed morale - to the soldiers on the front lines of the war. Fiona thought her life was all put together and headed in a pretty secure direction, when her fiancé Danny heads off to war and soon becomes missing in action. In the blink of an eye her entire life plan has changed. Along with her two best friends, Dottie, as shy musician, and Viv, an outspoken diva of sorts, the three Boston girls join the Clubmobile program and their entire lives change.
For Fiona, she wants answers. What happened to Danny and where is he? And is he still alive? For the other girls, it's about finding themselves, a little adventure, and wanting to do something for those who are sacrificing so much. What they find is all of that and more - love, danger, friendship and just learning to live in the moment.
I cannot even stress how great of a story this is. It's easily my favorite historical fiction book to date. The girls and the soldiers are forever embedded in my list of favorite casts of book characters. The story is at times terrifying and heartbreaking, but also so much fun as the girls are so easily lovable. The writing is fresh, and enticing and I devoured every word and wish there were more! Bravo Jane Healey!
louetta's review against another edition
3.0
This is a hard review for me to write. It's not that I didn't like the book...I just didn't enjoy it...if that makes sense. And I really wanted to love it. It was interesting to learn about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls and their importance in helping the morale of the fighting men. The characters were charming and full of personality. Where I had issues was the writing style..and the issue is, after careful reflection, just personal choice I think. And its hard to explain why I had issues, it was kind of the descriptions of things..like they were mundane or overdone maybe? but it took me 3 weeks to read. Everyone else raved about this book, where I found it painful to read. And I really feel bad about it..but there it is. So, I sadly give it 3 stars. I might give this another look later in the year.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
DNF…I mostly read this seeing as I was in Boston, but it doesn’t feel like the time or place for the story (which is really ironic, all things considered). I plan to revisit this because even though I only made it 5 chapters in, I enjoyed the camaraderie of the characters and the hidden history of the Red Cross during this time!
maymay24788's review against another edition
5.0
So good!!
One of the best books I’ve read in a while. I cried both tears of sadness and happiness throughout this story. It so so well written!
One of the best books I’ve read in a while. I cried both tears of sadness and happiness throughout this story. It so so well written!
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
What an engrossing read! I was captivated from the beginning and absolutely loved all the historical details. This was such a well-researched story, but beyond the history and the story, I just CARED so much about the characters and what would happen to them. Totally cried near the end. Must-read historical fiction!
malford's review against another edition
4.0
It was a great story about the impact women had in WW2. Enjoyed the characters and the love stories. It was fun to learn about the clubmobile girls!
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a little slow and very predictable, but it was still an enjoyable read.
However because it was slow, it did take me quite some time to get through it.
Fiona, Viv and Dottie, are three friends from Boston who volunteer as Red Cross Clubmobile girls being sent to France and Germany to boost morale among the soldiers. Fiona volunteers in hopes of finding out what happened to her fiance Danny after his plane was shot down in Germany.
This book was interesting when it came to the Clubmobile service, a topic I looked into after I was done the book. But the actual story of these three women, was not as captivating as I thought it would be based on the premise of the book.
A little too predictable, I would have enjoyed the book more if it focused more on the war, the soldiers and their stories, and less on Viv's nails and falling in love.
However because it was slow, it did take me quite some time to get through it.
Fiona, Viv and Dottie, are three friends from Boston who volunteer as Red Cross Clubmobile girls being sent to France and Germany to boost morale among the soldiers. Fiona volunteers in hopes of finding out what happened to her fiance Danny after his plane was shot down in Germany.
This book was interesting when it came to the Clubmobile service, a topic I looked into after I was done the book. But the actual story of these three women, was not as captivating as I thought it would be based on the premise of the book.
A little too predictable, I would have enjoyed the book more if it focused more on the war, the soldiers and their stories, and less on Viv's nails and falling in love.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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Amazon had a special on this book last month. It was only a couple bucks, and so was the audio book, so I couldn't resist. It was money well spent. I listened to the audio book at work this past week.
Fiona Denning of Boston and several other young ladies from her city have joined the Red Cross during World War II. Her plan is to help out, for sure, but also find out what happened when her fiancé, Danny, who was reported missing after being shot down in Germany.
Fiona becomes a Red Cross Clubmobile woman, and has her two best friends by her side. Viviana is a former secretary who was all too happy to explore the world, and Dottie, a music teacher who is really shy about her gifts. They raise morale for the troops by providing donuts and coffee or tea to the troops.
And of course, there are many men that the Beantown Girls meet, some more interesting than others. There's a Cary Grant lookalike, a Clark Gable lookalike, and a boxer, who is really kind and shy at heart.
It is hard for Fionna sometimes, trying to focus on her work and wondering when, if ever, she could get stationed in Germany to further her search for Danny. But now there's the added complication that she's developed feelings for Peter, the boxer and serviceman.
The women live in somewhat the same condition as the soldiers, living in tents, eating rations, bombs going off nearby, being homesick for "Beantown." There's sadness when someone they knew dies, but there is plenty of joy to go around, too, like when Glenn Miller's orchestra performs for the troops.
In the final days of the war, the Clubmobile with the Beantown Girls lands itself in Germany as POW camps are liberated. Finally, Fionna gets some answers about Danny. I have to say I totally saw the ending coming, but what do you expect from a historical novel with a little romance?
Amazon had a special on this book last month. It was only a couple bucks, and so was the audio book, so I couldn't resist. It was money well spent. I listened to the audio book at work this past week.
Fiona Denning of Boston and several other young ladies from her city have joined the Red Cross during World War II. Her plan is to help out, for sure, but also find out what happened when her fiancé, Danny, who was reported missing after being shot down in Germany.
Fiona becomes a Red Cross Clubmobile woman, and has her two best friends by her side. Viviana is a former secretary who was all too happy to explore the world, and Dottie, a music teacher who is really shy about her gifts. They raise morale for the troops by providing donuts and coffee or tea to the troops.
And of course, there are many men that the Beantown Girls meet, some more interesting than others. There's a Cary Grant lookalike, a Clark Gable lookalike, and a boxer, who is really kind and shy at heart.
It is hard for Fionna sometimes, trying to focus on her work and wondering when, if ever, she could get stationed in Germany to further her search for Danny. But now there's the added complication that she's developed feelings for Peter, the boxer and serviceman.
The women live in somewhat the same condition as the soldiers, living in tents, eating rations, bombs going off nearby, being homesick for "Beantown." There's sadness when someone they knew dies, but there is plenty of joy to go around, too, like when Glenn Miller's orchestra performs for the troops.
In the final days of the war, the Clubmobile with the Beantown Girls lands itself in Germany as POW camps are liberated. Finally, Fionna gets some answers about Danny. I have to say I totally saw the ending coming, but what do you expect from a historical novel with a little romance?
jsultz3's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
illidia316's review
5.0
Once I started reading The Beantown Girls, I could not put it down. This book is absolutely amazing. I love all of the characters so much, They are all full of fire and life, even amidst the tragedies that war brings. The rollercoaster of emotions that I experienced while reading The Beantown Girls was definitely a ride. One of my favorite historical fiction novels so far!