When We Had Wings is a collaboration between three popular women’s fiction authors, one of whom (Kristina McMorris) has written several heartwarming WWII-set stories. That alone had me excited to read this novel and the fact that Susan Meissner, a personal favorite, is another contributor was the cherry on top for me. Perhaps my resultant expectations were too high but this book wound up being very disappointing.Eleanor Lindstrom needs to flee Minnesota. She’s fallen for a man whose heart belongs to another and now her only choice is to leave the country and start over, as one apparently does after such a mistake. When she becomes a Navy nurse and is transferred to Manila, she feels extremely lucky. Not only is she literally on an island paradise, she’s made two terrific new friends who have helped her (somewhat) recapture her joie de vivre.

Penny Franklin has suffered enough tragedy to last a lifetime. Joining the Army nursing corps is her chance to begin again and she is thrilled when she is transferred from her home state of Texas to beautiful Manila in the Philippines. She’s confident she can escape the pain of her past in the festive, lively atmosphere of the lovely island.

The loss of her parents had left Lita Capel, a beautiful Filipina, a virtual orphan. Becoming a nurse and working at a U.S. armed forces hospital is her ticket to a better life. Eventually, she’ll be able to join her sisters in the States, find a career path she enjoys more than her present one and perhaps even find love. For now, however, she is just glad to have good friends like Penny and Eleanor to help her get through the hard days until her dreams come true.

The Pacific Theater was supposed to be the safe, secure part of the war-torn world. The Americans had been confident their entrance into the conflict would ensure a swift Allied victory. As the old saying goes, pride often goes before the fall. Which is exactly what happens to the Philippines – U.S. armed forces find themselve forced first to retreat, then evacuate the islands as they fall into enemy (Japanese) hands, leaving many nurses, support personnel, civilians and troops behind.

I have to laud the authors for tackling what has now become a familiar time period in a fresh way. Most WWII tales concentrate either on the European front, primarily England and France, or on the ‘war at home’ in the U.S, so it’s nice to see a representation of the Pacific Theater. I also have to give full credit to their historical research; while I am by no means an expert on this subject, the information given in the text is plentiful and matches the non-fiction accounts I’ve read about this arena.

But while the location and historicity offer a chance for some rich storytelling, the authors have missed that opportunity. Instead of the past providing a lush, exciting backdrop for the tale, this reads like a treatise on the horrors and the atrocities of the war. Fictional narrative as well as character and relationship building are often brushed aside to make room for events and details of daily life that add little to the story except to remind readers of the violence and terrible conditions of PoW camps. The viewpoint of these events is also extremely myopic – the story is told very much from the American nurse/military viewpoint. Even Lita’s portion of the novel contains no uniquely Filipino perspective; we do see how the Japanese treated the island natives slightly better than European civilians and armed forces personnel, but never really explore what their lives were like. All we really observe (until close to the end) is Lita helping her American friends or being concerned with the Allied cause.

There are romances here but they are also subsumed by the detailed exploration of what is happening overall, as opposed to what is happening to the characters. The ladies spend very little time with the men they fall in love with and the guys are mere outlines rather than fully fleshed characters. In fairness, the three female leads aren’t much more than that themselves.

Another stumbling block is having the Filipina character be on “Lita time”. The early part of the story makes gentle mockery of the fact that Lita is always late. I expected this to become some sort of plot point – that her lateness saves her life or causes her to discover a big, important secret but instead it’s just dropped halfway through the narrative. Given that this particular critique is often lobbed at people of color in a racist manner, bringing it up and then doing absolutely nothing with it felt peculiar and frankly, made me uncomfortable enough that I thought it worth mentioning.

An additional irritant is how often the issue of bowing comes up in the story. In many cultures, even today, a light bob is seen as an act of courtesy, a deeper bow, a gesture of respect to someone in authority over you. The text makes it sound as though there is something inherently wrong with this custom.

One trigger warning – there are threats of rape and talk of exchanging sex for favors, which is pretty typical of a female-centric war tale. None of this is explored in detail.When We Had Wings reads like an odd amalgamation of real-life accounts of armed forces life in the occupied Philippines with some romance thrown in. It never really reads like women’s fiction and contains barely enough storyline to qualify for historical fiction. In spite of the unique subject matter, I can’t recommend this book.

I have read tons of WWII historical fiction books, but I have never read anything quite like this book, which follows three young nurses serving with the American military who become prisoners of war in the Philippines during the war. We are first introduced to Elinor Lindstrom, a nurse from small town Minnesota, who joined the Navy Nurse Corp to escape a failed love interest back home. Next, there is Lita Capel, a native of Manila, who becomes a nurse with the American military after the sudden death of her mother. Finally, Penny Franklin is an U.S. Army nurse struggling with her widowhood and strained relationship with her family.

The book quickly moves from the vibrant days before the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the chaos that happens after, during the Japanese occupation of the country. The women, in alternating chapters, experience the horrible effects of war, bombings, poor living conditions, stolen possessions and endless work in subpar conditions and limited resources. The writing is vivid and powerful. You will follow the women during moves to different camps and connection and disconnection from friends and lovers. You see the women face the ever changing unknown with braveness and fortitude.

Five stars for moving historical fiction. Thank you Harper Muse and Netgalley for this early review copy.

"When We Had Wings" deals with an interesting part of WWII history and I liked learning more about what these women went through, but the novel still left me rather disappointed: the characters were underdeveloped, the romantic subplots felt shoehorned in, and the ending was rather saccharine.

Another great historical book written by not one but three awesome authors. Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner. All of these authors are good and together they are great.

This book is set in the Philippines, 1941, during WW2. Three nurses met and become the very best of friends. They endure a lot and this book takes you into each of their lives. Eleanor Lindstrom is a US Navy nurse. Penny Franklin is a US Army nurse. Filipina nurse Lita Capel. They are all trying to escape something in their pasts. They feel as though they are in paradise. Until it's not longer that. When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor they know it's just a matter of time before the US strikes back and then their paradise will become a war zone.

There is a lot to learn in this novel. A lot that I had no idea about. What these women go through is horrible. They help each other and the other nurses too. Each is strong in ways they didn't know they could be. There is not a lot about this part of the war so this book really brought to life things that needed to be written about. Things that I had no idea existed. The story pulls you in and keeps you wanting more. You will cringe and shed tears. It's so realistic and heartbreaking. The way these three authors pulled together to tell this is amazing. They are all such good authors alone yet together they have written a book that was a long time coming. History is something we all need to keep on the forefront of our minds so it can't be repeated.

Thank you #NetGalley, #ArielLawhon, #KristinaMcMorris, #SusanMeissner and #HarperMuse for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

5 huge stars and the highest recommendation. You have to read this one.

The Philippines, 1941. When U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, they believe they’re living a paradise assignment. All three are seeking a way to escape their pasts, but soon the beauty and promise of their surroundings give way to the heavy mantle of war.

Caught in the crosshairs of a fight between the U.S. military and the Imperial Japanese Army for control of the Philippine Islands, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and, ultimately, endure captivity as the first female prisoners of the Second World War. As their resiliency is tested in the face of squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, the women strive to keep their hope— and their fellow inmates—alive, though not without great cost.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC, in exchange for an honest review*
Something about World War I &II novels seems to draw me. Those types of books will have you reaching for tissues every time, yet you can’t seem to put the book down. When We Had Wings was one of those books, a story I can still get out of my head. I love reading books that feature strong women and tell the story from multiple points of view—telling the story from numerous points of view, giving you a chance to know each of those characters better. For example, I loved reading Penny, Eleanor, and Lita’s stories; their emotions were so vivid that I could feel their fear, anger, and hope. On every single page, I found myself hoping that this war would end, for a chance for the three of them to be rescued. Even though I couldn’t begin to imagine what it must be like for them during the war, reading the book, I felt as if I was transported there, experiencing everything they were going through.

When I came across the book on Netgalley, I felt that it would be a challenging novel to read. Yet, I wasn’t prepared how hard it was going to be. If it weren’t for all the testing and assignments at school the past few weeks, I would read it within the first week of starting the book. Multiple times I had to force myself to put the book down because I had school in the morning or had to study for a test. I couldn’t wait for a chance to pick up the book so I could see what would happen next. I wondered about the title when I first came across the book, but now it makes sense; it fits the story perfectly. I have read a few books in these genres about strong women, but I haven’t read books about women like Penny, Eleanor, and Lita. I loved that despite what was happening and what they were dealing with, they were always there for each other, always thinking about one another. I loved that none of them gave up, even though I knew that sometimes it was hard not to give up.

Penny, Eleanor, and Lita’s friendship are my favorite. Their friendship is the type of friendship that lasts a lifetime. The friendship between the three reminds me of one between me and some of my best friends. I did feel like the last couple of chapters of the book were a bit slow; it felt as if it dragged on a little, but I loved the rest of the book. I have read a few books by Susan Meissner and recently read one by Kristina McMorris but I haven’t read any by Ariel Lawhon, but now that I have read this book, I am curious about rest of her works. I would highly recommend this book to any historical fiction fans. I hope that the three of them will write another book together.

This story is a fictional telling of 3 friends who are nurses in WWII in Manila, but is based on the true stories of the "angels of Bataan". - the small but important group of nurses assigned to the area. US Navy nurse Eleanor is running away from a failed romance at home; US Army nurse Penny wants more than a small-town life, and Lita, is a Filipina nurse trying to follow her sisters to the US. Thinking they would enjoy working in paradise on the Philippine Islands, things quickly change as the war progresses and the Imperial Japanese Army takes control of the island. As they are moved from place to place with less and less supplies and support, their stamina and devotion to their patients is admirable and inspirational. A story of resilience and friendship, this novel sheds light on a little-known but important part of our history. Thanks to Netgalley for ARC of this book; all thoughts stated about are my own.

I love historical fiction and I’m a nurse. I thought this was the perfect book for me. Unfortunately it was not. I was pretty bored right from the beginning. I never connected with any of the characters and couldn’t wait until I finished it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

Three nurses in 1941 Philippines become friends and stay in touch if possible during the Japanese occupation of the islands. Enduring horrific deprivation and torture, the friends suffer much under their captors, hoping against all odds to survive the war and continue that important friendship. Recommended reading.

When We Had Wings
An amazing story of the war in Manila. Reasons for going off to war and returning, all different. A lot of research went into this book considered historical fiction.

Three great authors/storytellers come together to write a fantastic historical fiction book that takes place in the Philippines during WWII. It is based on true events of nurses, known as the "Angels of Bataan.'

In this story, three nurses, Penny Franklin, Eleanor Lindstrom, and Angelita Capel, cross paths and immediately connect to form a lasting friendship. They are nurses with different stories, but together they serve in combat and later are POWs in this war. They are given separate assignments, and hang on to the hope of seeing each other again. Eventually the Japanese Army takes control of the Philippines and these nurses are captured and sent to POW camps as the first female prisoners of war. The Japanese Army failed to comply with the Geneva Convention for wartime treatment of prisoners and they suffered greatly from horrible living conditions, starvation, and physical brutality.

A heartbreaking and compelling story of how the tortures of war impacted their lives. You will be inspired by the perseverance, bravery, hope, friendship, love, and strength of these nurses throughout their journey. Find out what happens after liberation. The authors did a fantastic job drawing you into the story to feel all the emotions!! I would recommend this book for reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperMuse books for a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

So many World War II novels have been set in Europe that we tend to forget about the Pacific warfront. Now three of our favorite historical fiction authors have come together to tell the story of the brave nurses who were imprisoned by the Japanese in the Philippines. The intersecting stories of Elinor, Penny and Lita reflect the horrors these young women faced as they did their best to serve their patients under very trying circumstances. It is a book that will stay with you long after you read the final page. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advance copy to read and review.

Three authors skillfully weave together the stories of three different nurses caught up in the conflict of WWII in the Philippines. Told from the viewpoint of three nurses who meld a strong bond of friendship that witnessed some of the worse depravity shown by mankind, but also the greatest acts of courage.
Their stories, though fictional, mirror the untold stories of real nurses, the Angels of Baatan, who valiantly cared for the prisoners the POW camps from 1941-1945. Readers will quickly become immersed within the atmospheric setting of the Pacific Theater, at times overwhelmed by the reality of the harshness and brutality that was faced by the POW's but also inspired by the unquenchable hope that rose from the ashes.
Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Nurses Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Franklin, and Angelita Capel meet in the South Pacific where they have been assigned to serve. Their expectations of a time in paradise are soon destroyed as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and they are thrust into the midst of war. Each woman has a past to overcome and unimaginable challenges as the war intrudes into their lives on the most devastating ways.
Stories of the horrors of war, devastation, and most importantly unrelenting strength and determination to serve their patients show what true heroes these women are.
Recommended for readers of historical fiction. This novel is based on true stories from the nurses serving in and around Bataan and engaged in the battles for the Philippines. Well-researched and well-written.

Three authors detail the story of three nurses who were caught up in the WWII front in the Philippines. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom signed up to serve in an attempt to escape a broken heart. Penny Franklin is a newly widowed Army nurse who is nursing her own broken heart over the loss of her husband. Lita Capel is a half-Filipino nurse who struggles for acceptance. Because she’s not fully Filipino, she faces disapproval from all sides. But when the three nurses meet, they instantly form a bond.

Over the course of the war, the three young women are sent to different regions and assignments. They do cross paths at times, but none of them have it easy once the Japanese invade. Now the women must endure the deprivations of hunger, lack of medical supplies, poor accommodations and treatment that does not meet the conditions of the Geneva Convention. The Japanese are heartless and unapologetic in their treatment of POWs, including children and civilians.

The bravery of the women who put the welfare of others above their own, stands out. They are tireless in their dedication to healing. But there’s also a personal story for each of them involving some romance and even a delightful, willful child. The nurses continue their friendship, despite their separation, and they each share in the real story of the “Angels of Bataan.”

The three authors are all established writers of historical fiction. Working together they have created a moving tale of the bravery of women in a war that generally showcases men. Each of the central characters is richly drawn and demonstrates the resiliency of women under duress. This is another strong addition that lovers of historical fiction will be delighted with.

WHEN WE HAD WINGS: A Story of the Angels of Bataan by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris & Susan Meissner

As a first-gen Filipina 🇵🇭 I was excited to receive this ARC because I have not come across many historical fiction novels set in my birthplace of Manila, Philippines.

Based on first hand accounts of the 77 US Army and Navy nurses who became POWs during the Battle of the Philippines in WWII. The story follows US Army nurse Penny Franklin, US Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom and Filipina nurse Angelita “Lita” Capal.

Eleanor meets Penny and Lita at the ANC (Army Navy Club) and the three become fast friends as they bond over their troubled pasts and the “light duties” of their jobs.

After bombing Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Imperial Army begin their attack on the Philippines. Penny, Lita and Eleanor are captured and transported to different internment camps. There the women and their fellow nurses continue to treat the sick, injured and dying all the while battling various diseases, suffering from malnutrition and the brutal treatment of the Japanese army.

I fell in love with the major and minor characters. The women’s backstories and narratives were relatable and compelling. The pacing and action kept me interested and I read well into the wee hours. I also appreciate the addition/inclusion of a native Filipina nurse’s perspective during this time period as it helped with context.

The story is well researched and a seamless collaboration by three authors. Yes, this story recounts the horrors of the war, but it’s also about friendship, sacrifice, perseverance and love. Highly recommend!


Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

Pub Date: 10.17.22 (available now!)
#WhenWeHadWings #ArielLawhon #KristinaMcMorris #SusanMeissner

**ARC courtesy of @NetGalley & @HarperMuseBooks

Such an amazing story! One that will stay with me for a long time.

The authors are new to me, and I hope to read more of their books. The writing was flawless and kept me interested in the story. I had a hard time putting it down. The story took me to one of the many places where my Dad served in the Army during WWII...the Philippines. When I read the synopsis, I thought oh wow a historical fiction book placed in the Philippines I haven't read a story based there during WWII. The story was brilliant, and I had so many emotions hit me during the reading of this book. I was happy, angry, disheartened, and man did I cry.

There were so many characters I have to say that it is hard to pick a favourite so I'm not going to pick just one. I'm going to pick 3 Penny, Lita, and Eleanor. They were the main protagonists for When We Had Wings. Each a nurse Penny was Army, Eleanor was Navy and Lita was a Filipino nurse. Each had their trials and tribulations to go through and at times it was really hard to read. Their bravery when the Japanese took the Philippines, and they became POW's. It nearly broke my heart the way they were treated. Each one of them was taken to a different camp and sometimes they were moved, and their paths crossed but not often.

When We Had Wings has become one of my favourite books this year. I really wish I could give it a higher rating than 5 stars...I don't say this often but in this case, it is true! A truly exceptional story from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for allowing me to read a digital copy for an honest review. These are my words and my words only.

The ability of people to endure the unendurable and find light and hope in the darkest of times forms the central theme of this story of three nurses caught in the occupation of the Phillipines by the Japanese Army in World War II. Wanting to put as much distance as she can between herself and a hopeless love, Eleanor Lindstrom joins the Navy Nurse Corps and accepts duty in the Phillipines. A widow leaving behind a tragic past, Penny Franklin joins the Army Nurse Corps and is stationed in Manila, where she strikes up a friendship with Fillipina nurse Lita Capel. The three become friends, vowing to meet once a month at the Army-Navy club to compare notes. Those plans are swept away by the conquest and occupation of the Phillipines. Through transfers to prison camps and detainment centers, the three struggle to maintain their bonds, hanging on to their friendship for each other and their calling as nurses to aid the sick and injured. For some, the terrible conditions of internment are brightened by the light of unexpected love; for all, weathering the loss of independence, the privations, cruelty and starvation of wartime occupation require every bit of their courage and stamina. Based on true stories of the “Angels of Bataan,” this novel is sometimes difficult to read but always inspiring.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

The three authors did an excellent job of writing about WWII in the Philippines. The story is about three nurses who become close friends and their differing experiences during a horrible time. We learn how the conditions in Manila went from paradise to hell when the Japanese invaded just after Pearl Harbor. Everything was effected - the lives of the people, food, water, hospitals.

Although they were in different areas of the country, the three women tried to stay in contact as much as wartime situations allowed. We see what these nurses had to contend with as they tried to care for the sick and wounded. We learn of their loves and losses, hopes and dreams for the future.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

When We Had Wings
by Ariel Lawhon; Kristina McMorris; Susan Meissner
Pub Date: 18 Oct 2022

This book centered around three nurses who bonded and became friends during World War 2. It is written by three different authors giving each nurse a different voice. The book was well written and showed a deeply dark and traumatic season of our world. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I didn't feel quite fully connected or invested in the characters and storyline. It probably is just the mindset I was in when reading it because truly there was nothing wrong with the writing. I will admit, however, I have read similar books that I was in fact riveted and more emotionally invested in.

I have tremendous respect for all three authors who collaborated on this one, which prompted me to ask for an early copy from NetGalley. This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. I loved the detailed descriptions of the setting, as well as the friendships that formed between the women. Although difficult to read sometimes, I appreciated the in-depth insights into the global conflict and the forces at work during this time in human history. Reading When We Had Wings was a learning experience for me. Having said that, the pacing for the novel was a bit slow for me in the middle. Overall, the characters' determination to fight evil with good, to pursue love and connection despite the horrors of war, and to keep moving forward no matter how what was all incredibly inspiring.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions shared here are my own.