An Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestseller.
A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.
1944: Fiona Denning has her entire future planned out. She’ll work in city hall, marry her fiancé when he returns from the war, and settle down in the Boston suburbs. But when her fiancé is reported missing after being … fiancé is reported missing after being shot down in Germany, Fiona’s long-held plans are shattered.
Determined to learn her fiancé’s fate, Fiona leaves Boston to volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl, recruiting her two best friends to come along. There’s the outspoken Viviana, who is more than happy to quit her secretarial job for a taste of adventure. Then there’s Dottie, a shy music teacher whose melodious talents are sure to bring heart and hope to the boys on the front lines.
Chosen for their inner strength and outer charm, the trio isn’t prepared for the daunting challenges of war. But through it all come new friendships and romances, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected dreams. As the three friends begin to understand the real reasons they all came to the front, their courage and camaraderie will see them through some of the best and worst times of their lives.
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I loved Jane Healy’s The Beantown Girls! Before reading this book, I knew nothing about te Red Cross Clubmbile Girls wise job was to. Make doughnuts and serve coffee to soldiers stationed in Europe during WWII. I loved how Healey weaved the story. of three friends. from Boston joining the Clubmobile Girls with actual events in WW II. Healey does a masterful job of making the reader feel what Viv, Dottie, and Fiona feel as they Lear lots about themselves while eloping the soldiers. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this story. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read Jane Healey’s first book THE SATURDAY EVENING GIRLS CLUB and really enjoyed it – gave it a 4-star rating. But THE BEANTOWN GIRLS I absolutely LOVED – 5-star review (and more if I could). I was torn between wanting to know how things turned out for each of the girls and not wanting to leave their world. These girls were my friends for a few days – and today had to let them go.
This is a compelling read that takes the reader to the European Theatre of Operations in the last days of WWII. And for those who do not like alternating times and/or perspectives, you will like this one – straight timeline (1944) and one perspective (Fiona’s).
Healey tells the story of Fiona Denning whose life is running smoothly until her fiancé is reported missing after having been shot down in Germany. She can’t just accept not knowing his fate so she, along with her friends Viv and Dottie, volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl. Viv is outgoing, beautiful, and a talented artist. Dottie is a very shy music teacher and astonishes everyone with her beautiful singing voice. Healey takes the reader through the training and deployment of these young women. Fascinating read!
These charming girls never imagined what their deployment would really be like. They make new friends, they lose friends. There is romance, there is heartbreak. Celebration, devastation. They learn their own strengths and the value of friendship. None of them will go unchanged by their experiences.
I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Jane Healey did extensive research of these little known heroines of WWII. How had we never heard of them! I loved the story even though it was somewhat predictable. But while reading it, I felt the emotions the characters were feeling. I rejoiced with them and cried with them. A beautifully written page-turning read.
I read a lot of historical fiction and had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile. The Beantown Girls is a heartbreaking yet inspiring glimpse into World War Two and those who served. Jane Healey’s beautiful and descriptive writing made me feel as if the girls were my besties and I was right there with them. Be prepared when you read though…a box of tissues close by and a book hangover when finished! I highly recommend The Beantown Girls!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Beantown Girls” by Jane Healey, Lake Union Publishing, February 5, 2019
Jane Healey, Author of “The Beantown Girls” has written an intriguing, intense, heart-breaking, emotional, enthralling and captivating novel. The Genres are a marriage between Fiction and History of World War Two, and the role of the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. Kudos to Jane Healey for the hours of research, interviews, and authentication of the time period and the Red Cross ClubMobile Girls. The author vividly captures through her amazing writing skills and descriptions the destruction of the War and morale of the soldiers, and the hard task and danger of the women from the Red Cross bringing some comfort, donuts, coffee and conversation.
When Fionna Denning learns that are fiancee is missing when his plane is shot down in Germany, she is determined to find out what happened. Fiona and her two friends Viviana, and Dottie leave Boston and volunteer with the RedCross ClubMobile Girls, in Europe to bring comfort to the soldiers at the frontline of the war. The girls would make donuts, coffee, and have candy for the men. I don’t think I will ever think of a donut in the same way after reading this book. It was dangerous and difficult work.
I appreciate that Jane Healey discusses the importance of sisterhood and friendship. I learned how courageous and brave these women were. Music, dancing, singing, and entertainment were important to cheer everyone up at this devastating time. Be warned, keep your Kleenex close at hand. This is also a story of love and hope. I would highly recommend this amazing novel to those readers who look forward to reading about World War Two. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Five Amazing Stars! Jane Healey is a very talented and gifted author. Her writing puts you right into the Clubmobiles and have you riding along with Dottie, Viv, and Fi! You feel the experience and see the amazing things these Red Cross volunteers did for the soldiers. You will live the history and at times find it hard to read through the tears, but read you must!
I am not a huge fan of historical fiction, nor am I a book crier. The Beantown Girls changed that. I asked for an ARC from Netgalley because this just looked like a fun read. Boy, was I wrong!
The Beantown Girls had me at the first page and when the end came around, I just wanted more. I wanted to know what happened after the war. I cried in a couple of places ~ in public no less ~ and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. I had never even heard of this program, but I got on board quickly.
I love books where the author’s research is evident and it definitely was here. There were all kinds of facts that while blending seamlessly with the story, still managed to teach me some things. These characters and situations spoke to me and made me wish I could go volunteer to be a Clubmobile girl.
Read this book. That is all I will say. Read this book. You will love it and want to tell everyone to read it.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for approving my request for an ARC. My thoughts are my own.
This book was wonderful. The author really captured the essence of these women, as well as the servicemen, who served their country during WWII. The story was heartfelt and poignant, leaving me in tears at times, but also making my heart happy in other moments. It was wonderful to watch these women as the evolved, losing their naivety along the way, but gaining strength and courage. The Beantown Girls is compelling and well-paced, a book which will keep readers involved emotionally from the first page until the very end.
I read a lot of WW2 books and this was one of the best I have read. I had never heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girl volunteers. Fiona and her two very best friends join the Red Cross Clubmobile and go to Europe. They encounter many obstacles but also they realize how very brace they are. I loved the characters in this book. From Fiona trying to find out what happened to her fiancee, Viviana who wants adventure, and Dotty who goes to be with her friends. All three girls find themselves while being a Red Cross Clubmobile girl. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its wonderful characters. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Well, I am totally in love with this story. I smiled and shed a few tears, as I got to know Fiona, Viv and Dottie. Then Blanche, Frankie and Martha join the group and it’s off to London and training for the “donut dollies” of the Red Cross
Clubmobiles, during WWII.
Jane Healey, developed beautiful, likable women, that volunteered and served the American troops in Europe, millions of donuts, coffee, cigarettes, gum and lifesavers, while also helping them write letters home, dance with them at service clubs and bring some enjoyment into their lives, during war time.
I never knew they existed, until I read their stories, in this very well researched novel. This one will stay with me for awhile. I also enjoyed the references to the big bands and music of those years, music that brought thoughts of home to these young GI’s in far away countries.
I want to thank the author, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley, for my ARC.
I hope my review does justice to this wonderful novel.
Fantastic story! I’ve read a lot of books that took place during WWII, but never one that focused on the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. I admire the fact that these women voluntarily left the safety and comfort of their homes to travel to a war zone to bring some comfort and joy to the soldiers. I thought the author did a wonderful job with the characters – especially the 3 main characters, Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie. Their friendship and dedication to each other and to the Red Cross was admirable. While there were many serious parts that addressed the stresses of war, there was also humor in the story – I especially enjoyed the driving lessons that the women had to pass so they could drive the clubmobile! I highly recommend this book – it was a wonderful read!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
This story provides a glimpse into the role women played as volunteers of the Red Cross Clubmobile during WWII. I enjoyed this historical fiction because it dove into a part of our history during WWII that I wasn’t aware of. It always makes me want to do further research to find out more. I thought these women were so brave to be so close to the front lines to help keep morale up for our soldiers. As one Captain said in the book, “you volunteered to come here, where I was sent here”.
A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.
Wow, this book is full of feels. Laughter, suspense and tears. I really knew nothing about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls until I saw them mentioned on The Great British Baking Show and was fascinated by the story. When I saw this book was being published I was immediately interested.. The author does a great job of explaining all the training and requirements of these women. It is certainly much more than doughnuts.
I felt the book did an excellent job of making you feel how it felt to be in the middle of a war and find love. Highly recommend this to all that love WWII, historical fiction genre and to all that love a great story.
“Living in the midst of war was its own reality. And all of us that were living in it longed for intimacy and connection, however fleeting, because it reminded us of what mattered most.”
Historical fiction based on real events during World War II is the setting as Fiona, Dottie and Viviana from Boston decide to join the Red Cross Clubmobile with other women to provide coffee, donuts and friendship for the troops in battle.
Along with being on the front line and seeing things nobody would ever want to see; these ladies find allies, heartbreak, truth and a strength that cannot ever be imagined!
Yet- they moved forward each day in deplorable conditions to assist these men fighting to defeat the enemy.
It is well written, and definitely well researched.
I found myself crying many times throughout this novel. The words pulled me right in to 1944, grateful and rooting for each person that was present during this war!
EXTRAORDINARY!
The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey is EXTRAORDINARY! It is the type of book that envelopes you, takes you captive and holds on to your heart and soul long after you’ve read the final word. Healey boldly takes readers on an unforgettable journey with Fiona Denning and her two best friends, Viviana and Dottie, as they volunteer as Red Cross Clubmobile girls to serve overseas during WWII. The three have very different motivations. Fiona’s plan is to get to the Continent and discover her fiancé’s fate. Viviana just wants a to leave the ordinary and experience adventure. Dottie wants to be able to use her musical talents to bring cheer and hope to the guys on the front lines.
In reality, what they find are three women they never knew existed. Women who learned quickly, who had no time for pettiness, who learned to live with little and appreciate the smallest things, who learned to appreciate the skill sets of others, who were bonded together for life after all they endured together and women who looked death straight in the eye on more than one occasion and still didn’t crack under pressure.The three women do obtain their original goals. But, oh the LIVING that it took to obtain them!
The Beantown Girls is one of the most captivating books I’ve read in a long time. When I finished, I felt as though I had been on the Clubmobile with those girls! I had lived their story and it was exhausting but it was also exhilarating! I couldn’t help but think about all the characters in this book and reflect on the REAL heroes who fought for our freedom. They truly were The Greatest Generation. Where would we be without them?
I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishers. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.