From the opening pages of the story Hannah has taken what could be ordinary and turned it into unique and page turning. Jolene, who grew up in an alcoholic family and was orphaned in her teens, has turned to the military and that lifestyle to give her the regiment that she craved and never received. Michael grew up knowing that he was loved, and that someday he would take his place alongside his father in the family law firm, so not only doesn't understand the structure that Jolene needs so desperately, but also doesn't understand the war that is taking such a toll on so many, and why his wife simply doesn't tell the powers that be that she won't go when she gets deployed to Iraq.

Jolene does what she can to prepare her family for her departure, but there are hurt feelings on both sides, and rather than coming together and talking things out the upcoming deployment causes a gap so large it may never be bridged.

While Jolene is in Iraq doing her part for the safety of those she left behind Michael is asked to take on a murder client who is an Iraq War Veteran. It is as he attempts to build a defense for his client that he begins to understand more about Jolene and her needs than he might have ever understood.

However, the true test of their commitment to each other and their family comes when Jolene returns home and has trouble acclimating to life after Iraq.

For me personally, the war in Iraq is something that I hear about on the news but doesn't have an impact in my day to day life as none of my immediate family are serving and I have no close friends or members of their families serving, however as I read Home Front I couldn't help but believe that Kristin Hannah was bringing the war to my doorstep. The words she put on paper helped me bring it quite clearly to the forefront of my imagination, and I could almost feel as though I was there with Jolene hoping and praying for safety with all my might.

Do not read HOME FRONT expecting an easy carefree read. However, don't read HOME FRONT expecting a dark intense read either. Read HOME FRONT expecting what I feel is an honest exploration of one family's experience with war, and the impact it has on them before during and after. Tissues will be a requirement while reading as eyes will at least get teary if outright crying doesn't occur. With the closing of HOME FRONT the respect I have for the military members who sacrifice so much grew, and for that I have to say thank you to them for their sacrifices and to Hannah for portraying what surely is a difficult subject with simplicity, honesty, and a beautiful story.

Book Summary