Our Tomato reviewers have three novels to recommend this month. Set during the Vietnam War era, The Women resonates deeply with those who lived through that tumultuous time. Step into the cozy embrace of The Lost Bookshop, where books hold secrets and time weaves its threads. Blank by Zibby Owens is a delightful debut novel that blends humor, self-discovery, and family dynamics.

Surprising Plot Twists That Will Keep You Hooked

The Women by Kristin Hannah, a novel of historical fiction, will truly resonate If you lived through the Vietnam War era, and will draw you in with evocative details if you did not. It is meticulously researched and offers an accurate reflection of when life changed in America – when, divided by war, we went from a cohesive, patriotic population to a partisan, questioning one.

The protagonist, Francis “Frankie” McGrath, went to war as a nurse, in a time when women didn’t do that. When her brother ships out to serve in Viet Nam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows him, defying the future her conservative, unyielding parents envisioned for her – a life of protective privilege and predictable outcomes.

Frankie is unprepared for what she discovers in Viet Nam, a personal, internal strength to heal and serve amidst the daily gamble of life and death. Hannah jumps right in and introduces us to the theater of war with glaring realism, reflecting the sights, sounds, and emotions of deadly combat. Brutally graphic descriptions depict both the battles and the operating tables, the harsh living conditions, the toll of the war on body and soul.

With the intensity of lives held in balance under fire, and the relationships that develop, Frankie learns that friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

Here the book becomes a page-turner, a fascinating look at a young woman’s journey as she navigates a society she no longer understands and parents who no longer relate to her. Frankie’s veteran sisters become her lifeline as repercussions of the war continue to assault her.  Surprising plot twists will keep you hooked to the very end! GET THE BOOK.

~Joan Pagano, NYC, Joan Pagano Fitness

 A Whimsical Journey Through Time and Imagination

Evie Woods invites readers to step into the cozy embrace of The Lost Bookshop, a place where books hold secrets, and time weaves its threads through the yellowed pages. This enchanting novel blends elements of romance, historical fiction, and magical realism, creating a delightful tapestry that lingers in the heart long after the final chapter.

Opaline Lambert, a young woman seeking solace from life’s disappointments, stumbles upon the titular bookshop nestled in the heart of Paris. The shopkeeper, Mathilde, is no ordinary bookseller. She possesses an uncanny ability to match readers with the perfect book—one that whispers to their souls. As Opaline immerses herself in the shop’s labyrinthine shelves, she discovers that the books themselves hold memories, dreams, and even love.

Whether you’re a bibliophile, a romantic dreamer, or simply seeking an escape, The Lost Bookshop beckons you to its hidden alcoves. Prepare to lose yourself—and perhaps find something magical—in its pages. GET THE BOOK.

~Cheryl Benton, The Head Tomato

An Exploration of Motherhood, Marriage, and Friendships

Blank by Zibby Owens, is set in a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.  The main character is Pippa Jones, a wife, mom, and an author.  I really love the name Pippa, so this book had my attention from the first page.  Pippa is a big name in the book world, her debut novel, Poppies was made into a movie.  She is in a two- book deal, so she needs to produce another book as soon as possible.  She is busy raising two children and has found limited time to write.  Pippa is also feeling like she and her husband are drifting apart, she can tell something is off in her marriage.  She is finding it harder and harder to focus on her writing and get another book out.

Pippa receives a call from her agent telling her she needs to turn in another novel as soon as possible or pay back her advance money she had received.  She is in a panic now because that money has already been spent on an office renovation.

Pippa has decided to take an idea her son had:  What if she wrote a book that was intentionally empty?  A novel called Blank, full of blank pages; it could highlight the fakery of the publishing world.  This could show how ridiculous it is that some books succeed regardless of the content while other really great books hardly get noticed.  She is very aware that this idea will either make or break or career, but willing to take the risk.

Blank is Zibby Owens debut novel.  I love how Owens explored motherhood, marriage issues and friendships.  I think she did an excellent job with her book.  For the most part this was a fun and entertaining book, with only one sad part.  I cannot wait to see what Zibby  writes next.  I also loved this gorgeous book cover.  This is a five-star read for me so I am highly recommending it to everyone. GET THE BOOK.

~Francene Katzen, Richmond, Virginia, advocate for parents who have children with drug addictions.