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mbenzz's review
5.0
Man, I loved this book. Fiona, Viv and Dottie were so much fun! There's definitely some tear-jerker moments in this book though, so be warned. The boys (kids really) that they sent off to fight in WWII were just scared young men, and it broke my heart reading about so may of them never made it back.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for them to be plucked from their hometowns, many fresh out of high school, forced to leave behind their parents and sweethearts, just to end up dying on some foreign battlefield.
Prior to reading this, I never knew anything about the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. I of course knew of the Red Cross, and that many women volunteered their services overseas to help with the war effort, but the Clubmobiles in particular were new to me. What a wonderful, yet completely crazy idea on the part of the Army. I can see how it would be a great morale boost, and I commend the women who gave their time to serve soldiers before they headed off to fight, or going out to meet them on the front lines, but what a dangerous job! I bet those women had some amazing stories.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book. I loved it, and while I did feel the ending was wrapped up a little too nicely in it's perfect bow with everyone having a wonderful happily-ever-after, I can overlook that for how great the rest of the book was. So glad I found this!
I can't imagine what it must have been like for them to be plucked from their hometowns, many fresh out of high school, forced to leave behind their parents and sweethearts, just to end up dying on some foreign battlefield.
Prior to reading this, I never knew anything about the Red Cross Clubmobile Girls. I of course knew of the Red Cross, and that many women volunteered their services overseas to help with the war effort, but the Clubmobiles in particular were new to me. What a wonderful, yet completely crazy idea on the part of the Army. I can see how it would be a great morale boost, and I commend the women who gave their time to serve soldiers before they headed off to fight, or going out to meet them on the front lines, but what a dangerous job! I bet those women had some amazing stories.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book. I loved it, and while I did feel the ending was wrapped up a little too nicely in it's perfect bow with everyone having a wonderful happily-ever-after, I can overlook that for how great the rest of the book was. So glad I found this!
bargainsleuth's review
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?
knod78's review
5.0
This book started off a little slow and I thought I wouldn't get into it and why was i reading another WWII historical fiction novel. But then, it just picked up. I was hooked. I basically finished 200 pages in less than three days. I was so enthralled with the characters and the plot. I even got teary on a couple of areas towards the end. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
But i really need to find other historical fiction/fiction novels set in a different time period other than WWII. Maybe a change of venue...
But i really need to find other historical fiction/fiction novels set in a different time period other than WWII. Maybe a change of venue...
taraw's review
3.0
This was a nice, quick read. I enjoyed it but there were a few too many cliches and predictable plots.
duchessofreadin's review
5.0
During the years that World War II raged, there were brave women who volunteered as Red Cross Workers. Follow the story of three friends as they brave the horrors of war and the many different emotions that they come across.
This story was amazing. It was raw, it was real, and it brings to the front the story of some brave women who volunteered for duties that held unimaginable heartbreak. This book drew me in and refused to let me go. Fabulous and amazing.
This story was amazing. It was raw, it was real, and it brings to the front the story of some brave women who volunteered for duties that held unimaginable heartbreak. This book drew me in and refused to let me go. Fabulous and amazing.
nikkissaw's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and enjoyed the writing. I laughed and I cried and I’d definitely recommend it, especially if you enjoy historical fiction.
cspak428's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
bramsay55's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
cindy264's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75