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gwalt118's review
3.0
My IRL book club chose this historical fiction novel for our May session. The novel follows three childhood friends as they become Clubmobile Girls during World War 2. I had never heard of Clubmobile Girls until I read this novel. Overall, though, this one felt a little too light on the history and a little too heavy on the fiction for my tastes with this particular genre.
There was just too much coincidence throughout the novel for me - the same soldiers and volunteers running into each other all over Europe seemed farfetched. I thought almost all of the women were a bit vapid and vein, perhaps volunteering for a war effort simply to find a husband. Fiona, the main protagonist, was a bit less so, but even so - the premise of her volunteering for a war to find out what happened to her missing-in-action fiance is just about the epitome of naive.
At times, this book read more like a historical romance novel. It felt like the romance became the core of the plot, which frustrated me at times because I'm not sure that was the most important aspect of the storyline. I wanted much more than what I got from this novel.
Everyone else in my book club absolutely loved it, though -- so I was definitely THAT person at book club this month!
There was just too much coincidence throughout the novel for me - the same soldiers and volunteers running into each other all over Europe seemed farfetched. I thought almost all of the women were a bit vapid and vein, perhaps volunteering for a war effort simply to find a husband. Fiona, the main protagonist, was a bit less so, but even so - the premise of her volunteering for a war to find out what happened to her missing-in-action fiance is just about the epitome of naive.
At times, this book read more like a historical romance novel. It felt like the romance became the core of the plot, which frustrated me at times because I'm not sure that was the most important aspect of the storyline. I wanted much more than what I got from this novel.
Everyone else in my book club absolutely loved it, though -- so I was definitely THAT person at book club this month!
treparker73's review against another edition
3.0
Nice Listen
Cute story. Listened to on Audible. Biggest thing I got was how Glenn Miller died. Sad to hear that and just makes you appreciate the sacrifice everyone makes during wartime.
Cute story. Listened to on Audible. Biggest thing I got was how Glenn Miller died. Sad to hear that and just makes you appreciate the sacrifice everyone makes during wartime.
culinaryjules's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Nice story but a little predictable. It was neat to learn a little about the Red Cross Clubmobile Service!
Nice story but a little predictable. It was neat to learn a little about the Red Cross Clubmobile Service!
cherese's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I've been stuck in a reading slump lately, bogged down by some slow, dense books. This was exactly the kind of breezy novel I needed to get excited about reading again. The drama kept the pages turning and the little bits of history were fascinating.
So if you're looking for a serious, intellectual read, this probably isn't it. But if you want an engaging story with likable characters and a fun glimpse into the past, give The Beantown Girls a shot. It won't change your life, but it'll definitely entertain you for a few hours! Sometimes you just need a book like that.
⭐️ could have been a DNF 10/10 don't recommend
⭐️ could have been a DNF 10/10 don't recommend
⭐️⭐️ It was meh
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was good but...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really liked it. Doesn't live rent free but comes to visit every now and then.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obsessed! It will live rent free in my head forever and always
susanp's review against another edition
3.0
A World War II book where three Boston friends go to Europe to serve as Red Cross Clubmobile girls, this was more chick lit than historical fiction. While it was historically interesting, I found the characters and the book quite shallow.
littletaiko's review against another edition
5.0
This was just the book I needed. Set during WWII it focus on three friends who want to do their part during the war so they sign up for the Red Cross Clubmobile. Fiona is using this as a chance to find out more about her missing fiancee, Viviana is ready for an adventure, and Dottie who wants to go along because her two best friends will be there. Loved the characters and quietly wept my way through a good portion of the book.
jyaremchuk's review against another edition
3.0
Chicklit, not historical fiction, but interesting background....
sommerthe1st's review against another edition
3.0
I want to be clear: this isn’t a bad book, but its not the best, and after reading Goodbye From Paris, I can only give this one a 3. You can definitely see how Healey grows as an author. This is the second book I’ve read about club mobile girls, and this was definitely to the better one considering the other was a DNF for me. This book was full, lemme explain: I just read 2 books of similar sizes, but this one made me slow down. There was just so much going on on every page that you do have to slow down and process all of it. No offense to Katee Robert, but they’re just not on the same level. Anyways, there was the usual laughs, tears (I cry at anything I read), serious moments. All of it. It’s a good book, but not a great one.