A review by ladykatka
The Women by Kristin Hannah

emotional reflective tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

I really struggle to rate this book because other than Frankie's love life it's a solid five. Description of war is a 5. Her PTSD struggles is a 5. Frustration with returning to civilian life is a 5. Her love life/love affair thing was just a mess that leaned so hard into soap opera territory that it enraged me and took me out of the story.
Rye coming back from the dead, the extra marital affair, him lying about his wife and getting a divorce was so unnecessary that it cheapens the message about war and PTSD.
and as long as we are on the subject
bringing a past love back from the dead
soap opera trope. This book did it not once but TWICE and in the last few pages. That wasn't necessary at all. It could have been a beautiful and emotional ending without that reunion, it felt forced and cheap and for what a happy feel good ending? This book didn't need a happy ending like that. Just her, the hero wall, and her family group hug. That would have been lovely.

Also I agree with whoever suggested a better title would have been "We Were There"
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