Kristin Hannah's Home Front: A Gripping Story of Love and War

Heather Panico: I have yet to read a Kristin Hanna book that I have not loved. She is fast becoming my favourite author. This book is no exception, it is so good. It is beautifully written. I don’t really understand the draw of serving in the military but I can definitely see the why others choose this lifestyle. This books delves deep into PTSD after deployment and loss of your fellow soldiers. Wars are not pretty, so many innocent lives lost or injured. This books pulls you into that world and helps you understand better what those soldiers feel coming home.

United States on Oct 14, 2023

Den: "They are heroes, our soldiers, the men and women who go into harm's way to protect us, our way of life. It doesn't matter what you think of the war, you have to be grateful to the warriors, of whom we ask so much. To whom we sometimes give too little."

Great book by a great author

United Kingdom on Oct 05, 2023

Karen Gale: Being a military family and mom, I wondered what this story would bring to the surface, was worried if it would truly represent us and, of course, how the outcome would leave us…..it was amazing in the answers. The twist of the female going to war and the male staying behind really gave good grasp to the realities of the unknowns of the military family. The heroes, and there are many, all fit in with the theme of the book, war affects everyone, honesty is the only help and the work and journey are harder than anyone ever thought possible. The book was happy, sad, crushing, hopeful, real and worth the time. I was thoroughly engulfed in the book, the theme and the reality represented within the pages.

United States on Oct 02, 2023

Alli: This was an ok holiday read but a bit too sugary and fluffy for my liking. Not a patch on Nightingale, Four Winds or The Great Alone.

For me, the kids were the most annoying brats ! At 12 years old Betsy needed some discipline. Her sulky moods were pandered to and she needed to take responsibility. She never lifted a finger to help with chores and just moaned all the time. Lulu the youngest was also out of control. Both parents and the grandmother indulged them too much, and why can’t a 12 year old return from school to an empty house ? Plenty do and it teaches them responsibility.

When Jolene returned from Iraq with her injury, their father was worse than useless in not preparing them for how vulnerable she would be and how careful they had to be not to bang into her and hurt her.

The start of her depression and moods was inevitable but they way in which after just a few therapy sessions she was all of a sudden “fixed” was unrealistic and unbelievable. It seemed the story was rushed at the end for a sugar coated happy ending .

This wasn’t anywhere near the brilliance of her other novels and didn’t even seem like the same author.

Hope...

United Kingdom on Oct 02, 2023

Akshee Shivam: It gives a detailed idea of the trauma caused by war on our soldiers. Their fear and vulnerability are often neglected by the society. This book gives a detailed account of Jolene 's war loss and her trauma which affects her family too.

India on Sep 24, 2023

Kathleen: The story caused me to contemplate how many layers wounded people use to run from their pain. Kristen Hannah writes with such insight into the heart and soul of her readers.
The protagonist in Home Front, Jolene is a Helicopter Specialist in the army who loses a limb during a rescue mission in Iraq. This loss devastates her; she believes she failed her mission and caused her best friend and young crew member their lives. The silver lining to this grave loss is also the event that heals her from her tragic and painful childhood. The love of her family and the powers of strength that reside within Jolene offer her a new life. One without walls that she internally used to protect her from deep pain. Facing pain is her path to finally having a meaningful and loving life.

United States on Sep 20, 2023

BobJac: Jolene is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, who is married to Michael, a defense attorney. They have two daughters, 12 year-old Betsy and 4 year-old Lulu. Jolene is very dedicated to her family but is also dedicated to her role as a pilot. Her next door neighbor and best friend, Tami, is also a pilot. They trained together and fly together.
Michael is anti war and doesn’t like his wife’s military job. He is dedicated to his job defending alleged criminals and leaves the bulk of the parenting and running of the house to Jolene. Michael has taken on the defense of Keith Keller a marine who was accused ok killing his wife. Keith admitted to Michael that he committed the crime and couldn’t understand why Michael was defending him. Research showed that Keith had done two tours of Iraq and was suffering from PTSD, which became Michael’s defense.
When Jolene and Tami are deployed to Iraq, Michael was angry that she had to be involved in a war he did not believe in. Their marriage appeared to be on the rocks, but in Jolene’s absence he had take on the role of full time parent, something he no experience in. As Michael struggled with his new role, Jolene was heavily involved...

United States on Sep 12, 2023

Sharyn SA: Wonderful! Couldn’t put it down! Love her writing!

Canada on Sep 11, 2023

Bonnie: A touching story of how a young military mother deals with the many losses she experiences during and after her service in the Iraq war. Gave me a better understanding of PTSD and the struggles soldiers endure trying to get their lives back and get the support they need from the military and those they served.

Canada on Aug 25, 2023

KATE B: The bond, closeness and absolute meeting of the souls that Jolene and Tami have had since they were 18 and the only women in their boot camp and at Fly school. These women flew Blackhawks they were warriors, their strength far more mighty and wiser than any man’s because she’s fought 10x harder to earn respect, recognition and the acceptance of the men she’s been training with and flying with in National Guard. Jolene, a mother of Betsy 12 and Lulu 4, lives right next door to her best friend and fellow fly girl, Tami who is a mother to Seth 12. These mothers are called to serve in Iraq shortly after 9/11. Their tour requires their service for 1 year. The atrocities, harrowing fear, unbelievable and undeniable bravery, fierce loyalty and love for the other 3 soldiers who fly with their on their missions is unwavering and inspiring. Kristin Hannah does an outstanding job of portraying the perils, graphic ugly terrifying haunting hellish moments a solidier is forced to endure every moment they are called for duty. While in Iraq these women were never safe were under fire from the minute they got off their plane and in their trailers where they sleep they are pummeled with...

United States on Jul 29, 2023