The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey
Narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 11 hours and 14 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: February 5, 2019
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 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.
Thoughts
I first saw this book when Elizabeth reviewed it. I am usually not one to step out of my comfort genres, and really don’t read books of any kind with a war theme, but Elizsbeth’s review was so positive and upbeat that I thought maybe, just maybe, I’d like it too. And I did. I loved it!
The book is very well written and the story has a great flow. I enjoyed all the characters, every one of them. Fiona, Viv, and Dottie were all braver than I think I would have been, volunteering overseas as Red Cross Clubmobile girls and risking their lives. Although this was a new way of daily living for the girls, they adjusted quickly. Some of the soldiers were not very happy that they were there, at least at first, but once they met them and got used to the treat of getting donuts and coffee etc. from them the were very happy they were there.
The book is happy, sad, scary, and even has some love ad and entertainment in it. The author describes the area where the girls go, their clothes, what they do, and the war so that you can see it in your mind. I don’t think she left one detail out.
The narrator was so easy to listen to, she did a great job! This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author but if she can make me love a book centered around that time/war, I would read anything by her. I give this a 5*!
You can read A Brief History of Red Cross Clubmobiles in W.W. II HERE
