Looking for an unforgettable collection of books similar to The Women by Kristin Hannah? As an award-winning author and veteran blogger, I’ve spent over a decade analyzing and recommending the most impactful books that reveal the complexities of long-term female friendships and the deep impact of trauma on their lives.
You’ll find detailed reviews of more than a dozen of my favorites in the roundup below. In all of these novels, you will find deep female friendships and characters in intense, often traumatic, situations. Not all of them are historical, but I’m confident that you’ll love these books if you liked The Women!
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Why It’s like the women
Sexism & strong female in historical context
What it’s about
A female chemist struggles to make her way in a male-dominated STEM environment and finds herself in funny situations, as well as academic and workplace sexual harassment.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Because while stupid people may not know they’re stupid because they’re stupid, surely unattractive people must know they’re unattractive because of mirrors.” ― Bonnie Garmus from Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is one of the best books I've read in a while. It made me laugh out loud on many occasions. Elizabeth Zott has a direct and no nonsense practicality about her that is so lovable. Her dog, six thirty, makes a delightful sidekick. That she teaches him almost 1,000 words (and the author gives him a point of view) is beyond wonderful.
Elizabeth's struggles for equality in a male-dominated world were poignant and emotional. She demonstrated great restraint and composure when it wasn't deserved. I felt grateful to women of her generation for the opportunities I enjoy today in the technology workplace.
If you related to the plight of The Women in war-torn Vietnam in the 1970s, you will find Elizabeth Zott irresistible! Lessons in Chemistry is an inspiring, page-turning, and important historical book about women.
Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood
Why It’s like the women
Sexism & strong female in historical context
What it’s about
A woman steals her 2-year-old daughter from a state-run institution and flees across state lines in a fight to be able to keep her.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“A body forgets, but the heart remembers.” ― T. Greenwood from Keeping Lucy
Inspired by a 1971 article about horrific conditions at the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded, this thrilling historical novel by T. Greenwood explores the powerlessness of women at that time, society’s response to handicaps, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.
After seeing an expose about the school where her daughter was taken at birth, Ginny decides to visit and see for herself. She is so shocked by the conditions that she checks out her daughter, who she is seeing for the very first time and who has Down Syndrome, and she flees with a friend to Florida. In the thrilling journey that follows, the two women are chased, have car trouble, take shelter in a seedy motel, and run out of money.
I loved the way the author portrayed the challenges Ginny faced. She’d never driven a car in her life. Any access to money came through her husband, who expected her to follow along and not ask questions.
If you’re looking for books about sexism like The Women, check out this one, where a mother kidnaps her daughter and resists her overbearing father-in-law and husband to do the right thing.
Purge by Sofi Oksanen
Why It’s Like The Women
Historical context, violence against women, generational shame
What it’s about
Set against the Soviet occupation of Estonia during WWII, a powerful and epic historical story about two women and how their lives are intertwined by human trafficking.
Why I Love It - Book Review
"The only thing left alive was the shame." ― Sofi Oksanen from Purge
I picked up Purge to add to my list of YA books about human trafficking, but this novel is pure literature, a stunning international masterpiece that spans decades of history, generations of pain, and dark twisted family secrets.
Set in Estonia and bouncing between 1941 and 1992, two protagonists tell their tales in a long and dizzying narrative that weaves between present terror and past horror. These women are bound to each other in multiple ways. Their mutual distrust them unreliable narrators, so that only the reader really only has the full picture, and sometimes even that picture is murky.
As I think back on each of these women's experiences, I see so many parallels in what happened to each, even though the details are very different on the surface. For example, both are raped. Both are silenced. Both are shamed. One is betrayed. One is a betrayer.
This is the kind of epic novel that I can think about for a long time and even read again. I missed things and know that I would see even more in a second reading because the book is so sweeping and full of such meaningful symbolism and detail.
If you loved The Women by Kristin Hannah and want another sweeping historical novel, be sure to add Purge to your TBR pile.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Why It’s like the women
Strong female challenging societal norms, historical context
What it’s about
Set in New England during the early days of America, a midwife finds herself in the middle of solving a rape and murder.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It’s an unimaginative accusation and one that I am frankly tired of hearing. Witchcraft. As though there is no other explanation for a woman who excels at her work.”― Ariel Lawhon from The Frozen River
What a wonderful book! Historical fiction isn't my usual genre, but the cover and the accolades for "The Frozen River" made me give it a try.
On a high level, this mystery is about a midwife named Martha Ballard. The body of an accused rapist is found frozen in the river, and after examination, Martha says that the victim was murdered. She becomes a key witness in a trial for the woman who was raped because she treated the woman's wounds after the assault. The other accused man is a judge.
This novel has many layers. Beyond the mystery, there is the social commentary on women, family, sexual assault, and society during early days of America in New England. Paul Revere is mentioned as a friend of the family. The author depicts a rich setting of cold winter, warm homes and hearts, young love and pre-marital relationships, and the early court system. I couldn't put it down.
Fans of The Women by Kristin Hannah will love this one.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Why It’s like the women
The impact of the Vietnam War on families
What it’s about
An epic story about a young girl growing up in a remote homestead in Alaska in the 1970s with a father who is an unstable and abusive Vietnam veteran and former POW.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Love and fear. The most destructive forces on earth. Fear had turned her inside out, love had made her stupid.” ― Kristin Hannah from The Great Alone
Leni is 13 when her parents decide to relocate to Alaska. It’s 1974. She’s used to moving around a lot and not fitting in, so her expectations about this place aren’t very high, either. Children of all ages share the same schoolhouse, and there is one other kid her age. A boy, Matthew Walker. They become fast friends.
Alaska is beautiful and beautiful. Although the new homestead is wonderful at first, the descent of winter and darkness brings out her father’s abuse. A former POW from the Vietnam war, he is now a violent, alcoholic, and paranoid man whose rage targets his fragile wife.
So many good and terrible things happen in this sweeping novel. Leni is a compelling character, and in fact, there is a whole cast of interesting people in Alaska who care for one another. Survival depends on community in The Great Alone.
If you loved The Women by Kristin Hannah, especially the impact of the Vietnam War on POWs and families, you will love this story by the same author.
The Cutting Edge of Friendship by Khristina Chess
Why It’s like the women
Trauma, young woman who wants to serve military
What it’s about
Two best friends (one who dreams of being a marine helicopter pilot) hide dangerous secrets—one about sexual assault and self-harm, and the other unknowingly walking into the predator’s trap.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Elana and I had always been as different as horses and helicopters. In an interview for our school paper last year, she described me as a reckless adventurer—audacious, fearless, and running on pure adrenaline—and herself as a hopeless romantic who dreamed of nothing more than a family as big and boring as the Brady Bunch.” ― Khristina Chess from The Cutting Edge of Friendship
Absolutely gripping! For readers who felt drawn to the deep emotional pain that Frankie suffers in The Women, The Cutting Edge of Friendship is for you. This realistic novel explores the wounds of self-harm, shame, and redemption following a sexual assault. Sadie’s resilience is fierce and unforgettable, and the book’s raw, unfiltered pain hits hard. This story doesn’t shy away from the truth—it reveals, with painful honesty, how self-harm can become a desperate response to trauma.
From the very first page, it’s clear that although Sadie and Elana have always shared everything, now they’re keeping secrets that could destroy them. On the night of the fireworks, something terrible happened to Sadie—something she can’t even name. Instead, she turns to cutting, the only way she knows to cope.
But Elana has secrets too. She’s been texting Hunter, making plans to meet in secret, and never questioning why he insists on hiding their relationship.
As their lives spiral deeper into danger, Sadie must find the strength to fight back—not just for herself, but for Elana—before a predator can strike again.
I wholeheartedly recommend this poignant novel for readers who loved The Women by Kristin Hananh. It’s definitely worth a look.
Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood
Why It’s like the women
Survival & resilience in historical context
What it’s about
Based on a true story from 1948, an 11-year-old girl is kidnapped by a pedophile and held for two years before escaping.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“How sad was it that grief had a shelf life, he thought. It’s only fresh and raw for so long before it begins to spoil. And soon enough, it would be replaced by a newer, brighter heartache - the old one discarded and eventually forgotten.”―T. Greenwood from Rust & Stardust
I never read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and after reading Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood, I never want to.
Both novels are based on the real abduction of 11-year-old Sally Horner in 1948. T. Greenwood's book, "Rust & Stardust," depicts the events primarily from Sally's viewpoint over the two years of her captivity. What horror. What evil. It's unspeakable. Indescribable. I kept turning pages, hoping for it to be over, hoping for her to escape, but it just went on and on.
There are other characters, including her mom, her sister, her brother-in-law, and others who met Sally along the way, suspected something wrong, and sometimes tried to help her. Rescue her. The whole thing is heartbreaking, for everyone, but especially for dear young Sally.
At the end of the book, the author includes two pictures of the real girl, a "before" and an "after." I stared and stared into her eyes. I hurt so much for this little girl and the trauma she experienced at the hands of Frank Lasalle, a 50-year-old mechanic and pedophile. Sally was not his only victim. And this same despicable creature, Frank Lasalle, inspired the narrator of Lolita. No thank you.
But Rust & Stardust is a deeply moving novel and worth the read if you liked this historical and brutal aspects of The Women.
The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
Why It’s like the women
Strong female challenging societal norms, historical context
What it’s about
An enterprising teen in Nazi Germany is drawn into a mystery about a girl in a blue coat who is missing.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“When things come to an end in a way you didn't expect, in a way you never could have imagined, do they really come to an end? Does it mean you should keep searching, for better answers, for ones that don't keep you up at night? Or does it mean it's time to make peace?” ― Monica Hesse from The Girl in the Blue Coat
The Girl in the Blue Coat hooked me from the very beginning. It's a historical mystery, set in Amsterdam during WWII, and the protagonist is a teenage girl who trades black market goods to support her family. One of her clients asks her to help find a missing Jewish girl. Hanneke is good at finding things, but this isn't her kind of thing.
Still, she is drawn into the mystery and can't help herself from searching. As the pages unfold, we learn about Hanneke's lost love, meet new friends, and see her grow as a person.
Sometimes, young Hanneke seems bratty, singularly focused, and unfeeling, but at the same time, her instincts have helped her stay alive this far. If you enjoyed The Women by Kristin Hannah, I think you will love this one too.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Why It’s like the women
Historical context (WWII), strong women
What it’s about
Inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff (the greatest maritime disaster in history), a group of refugees fleeing the Nazis find their lives intertwined by fate and horror.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I wept because i had no shoes, until i met a man who had no feet.” ― Ruta Sepetys from Salt to the Sea
Going in, I had no idea what this book was about, except that lots of people were reading it and it won awards. For sure, I had no prior knowledge of the historical event at its heart.
The multiple viewpoints and short scenes took a while to hook me. I didn’t like Alfred from the beginning, but the stories of the others pulled me in, the secondary characters as well as the main ones. All of them had compelling secrets. I wanted everyone in the group to escape, to be the handful of refugees to survive that horrific war.
Graphic details created a vivid backdrop. I could see the horses entombed in the ice with the people. I could see the starving cow, its udders burst in the cold. The dead and dying. War.
If The Women left you breathless, you will love Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Why It’s like the women
Strong young female in historical context
What it’s about
Set in New England around the time of the American Revolution young girl fights for freedom after the death of her owner.
Why I Love It - Book Review
I have read several of Laurie Halse Anderson's books, and I found this one to be ambitious, compelling, and heartfelt. I learned things about slavery during the American revolutionary war that were new since most literature I've consumed has been during the later period of the civil war. The author’s research into the book made it rich and come alive.
Readers who liked The Women by Kristin Hannah will love this amazing historical YA book about friendship, class difference, race, and slavery in early American history to your reading list. In fact, Laurie Halse Anderson is such a great author that she’s on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she’s all-around amazing!
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Why It’s like the women
Strong young female in historical context
What it’s about
A classic literary novel about a young girl growing up in New York at the turn of the century.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“If there was only one tree like that in the world, you would think it was beautiful. But because there are so many, you just can't see how beautiful it really is.” ― Betty Smith from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
I first heard about this book from Oprah Winfrey and picked it up during the book club years. A classic YA novel published in 1943, before YA was really “a thing,” A Tree Grows in Brooklyn tells the story of a poor young girl growing up in Brooklyn, a child of struggling immigrant parents.
This classic historical YA book about immigration, class, and poverty, and Francie, has remained with me for decades. There’s a reason why this novel has stood the test of time. If you liked The Women by Kristin Hannah, you’ll devour this one.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Why It’s like the women
Historical context (WWII), strong women
What it’s about
A young girl in Nazi Germany befriends the Jewish man her parents are sheltering in the basement.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I am haunted by humans.” ― Markus Zusak from The Book Thief
No list of historical novels like The Women would be complete without including The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. How could you have missed this one? It has been at the top of the best seller lists for years—and with good reason!
In this historical novel set in Nazi Germany, we meet a young foster girl named Liesel. She’s an orphan. She loves books. She and her foster parents are sheltering a Jewish man in their basement. He also likes to read. A friendship develops between them.
The writing is lovely. Zusak paints Liesel’s world of poverty, anxiety, fear, and grief in shades of stark contrasts. He is both a poet and a novelist.
What a wonderful, heartbreaking, haunting, and gripping story! It makes you really ask deep questions. It’s so beautiful. It’s transformational. It’s the reason why I love books. Fans of The Women by Kristin Hannah will devour this one.
We Walked the Sky by Lisa Fiedler
Why It’s like the women
Historical context, strong women & identity
What it’s about
A girl runs away and joins the circus in 1965, and decades later, her granddaughter follows a parallel path.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“The show must go on, even when it's not the show you expected to be in.” ― Lisa Felder from We Walked the Sky
Fiedler's multi-generational novel really captured and held my interest. Two parallel stories are running: the grandmother, Victoria, is a 16-year-old who runs away and joins the circus in 1965, and her granddaughter, Callie, is a teen who has followed in her circus footsteps, but now finds herself in a new place.
There are mysteries to unravel and friendships to develop. I loved all the circus lore and animals and characters. Really, it was an enchanting story. I want to read more by this author.
When compiling the list of amazing historical novels like The Women, be sure to add this one.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Why It’s like the women
Strong female challenging societal norms, historical context
What it’s about
Set in America during the great depression and dust bowl, a woman faces sorrow, poverty, and the struggle to survive with her children.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Courage is fear you ignore.” ― Kristin Hannah from The Four Winds
In Texas 1921, a sickly, ugly young-ish (25) woman named Elsa sneaks out of her house and meets a young man, and this tryst leads to an epic life journey as a farmer’s wife during the dust bowl in the 1930s. Famine and health eventually drive her and her children to California in search of work, food, and stability. But California is no paradise for the migrant workers who end up there.
It sounds easy enough, but The Four Winds is an epic novel that reminded me of Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath in the way it portrayed the brutal hardships of the depression and drought that destroyed so many lives. I loved Elsa’s grit and hopefulness despite so many things working against her. I loved how she turned her mother-in-law’s initial antagonism into real love and family kinship. I loved her friendship with other women at the migrant camp, as well as her second chance at love.
As with all of Kristin Hannah’s novels, I learned some unexpected things about this time period through Elsa’s story. For example, the most severe dust storms were black blizzards of grit and dirt that blocked the sun, permeated everything, and even caused “dust pneumonia.” Imagine!
Wonderful book. Great read. Pick it up today!
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Why It’s like the women
Strong females in historical context (WWII)
What it’s about
Set in occupied France during WWII, two sisters contribute to the war effort in different ways, each heroic in its own right.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Vianne didn’t hesitate. She knew now that no one could be neutral—not anymore—and as afraid as she was of risking Sophie’s life, she was suddenly more afraid of letting her daughter grow up in a world where good people did nothing to stop evil, where a good woman could turn her back on a friend in need." ― Kristin Hannahe from The Nightingale
The Nightingale starts slowly. It takes its time with characterization and setting, but when the Germans invade Paris, the plotting picks up and doesn't stop. Two sisters give their perspective on events as they unfold. Isabelle, the impulsive one, has a heroic story to tell about saving airmen, while her older sister Vianne takes another route that is ultimately heroic in its own right. These women have a complicated family relationship, both with each other and also with their father.
For the last 150 pages, I curled up and cried and cried. Not since Elie Wiesel's "Night" have I been so horrified by the atrocities that the Nazis committed. Kristin Hannah does not flinch as she shows readers the brutality that Jews, French citizens, and allied fighters experienced during World War II. It's unfathomable that humans can inflict such evil on one another. That individuals rose up with such courage is astonishing. Isabella was not even twenty years old when she began her fight. Her sister had much more to lose, as did all the other French citizens who found ways to resist, to save Jewish children as their parents were forced onto trains, and all the others who didn't give up even with starvation, sickness, cold, and great loss.
Okay, that’s my last Kristin Hannah recommendation. I can see why books by her novels top the bestseller lists! The Nightingale was my introduction to this author, and it’s one of those books that will keep me thinking for a long time.
Other Books You’ll Devour If You Liked The Women by Kristin Hannah
If you’re looking for other books like The Women by Kristin Hannah, Goodreads also offers a great book list: Readers Who Enjoyed The Women.
You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads.
Author Bio
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.
In a recent interview from her alma mater, she described how her experience in the creative writing program prepared her for success.
