I liked this not only for the story of Lana Hitchcock but also for the insight it gives into life on the Big Island at the start of WWII. Lana, who has been estranged from her father for many years, returns home to Hilo because he's ill- only to find that he's died. She discovers that he's sold his house to the neighbors, a German couple with two girls and a Great Dane named Sailor. And then it's 7 December. When the couple is taken into custody, Lana takes the girls, dog, two geese, her father's Japanese fisherman friend, and his adopted son and heads for the volcano, where her father has built a house. It's easy to forget that it gets cold- really cold- in parts of Hawaii and that's only one of the challenges. The US military and the FBI are rounding up those of Japanese origin, Lana's accused of kidnapping the girls, and the house is not complete (although it has a secret). Of course, there's a romance- with Grant, a military officer and "former" cowboy. They bond over horses. There's so much here to enjoy. There's wonderful atmospherics on the volcano (so much fog!) and with the local people who keep Lana safe. There's great storytelling and it hits a sweet spot for fans of historical fiction- a snapshot of life on an island other than Oahu after the attack. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I very much enjoyed this. Highly recommend.

This book was more of a historical romance drama than a strict historical.That said I loved this story. It has all the feels. It pulls you in and gets you caught up into the lives of the characters. You just want to keep reading and not put it down. Set in Hawaii around the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Lana returns home to reconcile with her estranged father before he dies. She gets caught up in events and ends up caring for his neighbors two daughters after they are taken to a camp for being of German descent. Many other issues are woven into the story as you get further into the story..
Thank you to Net Galley, Sara Ackerman and the publisher for this ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman

Brief Summary: In the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lana takes the daughters of her arrested German neighbors, a Japanese fisherman, and his son to her father’s hideaway in the mountains of Hilo. Her decision to run with these individuals is quick with only thoughts of their safety. However, she quickly realizes that she must keep their identities and existence a secret or face dire consequences. This is my second book by Sara Ackerman and I was really excited to get my hands on an ARC given how much I loved her previous novel.

Highlights: Every time I read a book by Sara Ackerman she has me wanting to book a trip back to Hawaii. Her vivid descriptions capture the beauty of Hawaii so perfectly. I have not been to the big island where this story is set but it’s now on my list. I also loved learning about post Pearl harbor Hawaii; Ackerman captures the uncertainty of the scary time when you didn’t know who you could trust. I did know about the Interment Camps from other historical fiction novels, though it was interesting that the children were not imprisoned. Romance was a bigger part of this storyline then I would have preferred. I was very focused on keeping the characters safe and out of trouble.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5; this was an easy to read and engrossing novel that I really enjoyed. I definitely recommend this for historical fiction and travel aficionados

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

A great story, beautifully written.

Following the attack of Peal Harbor, suspected sympathizers are being rounded up and placed in interment camps, in many cases you were considered a sympathizer based on where you were born, and not your political loyalties. When Lana returns to her fathers home following his death, she has a young German family with two small daughters on one side, and an elderly Japanese man 'Mochi' and his adoptive son on the other. When the German couple is detained Lana decides to take the girls and go to a hide away house her father has in the rain forests. Mochi, knowing he will be arrested despite having lived in Hawaii his whole life asks Lana to take him and his son with her.


This was a newer take on WWII for me, as I have never read a WWII book based in Hawaii, which is shocking considering the impact the Pearl Harbor had on the outcome of the war.
But it was enjoyable and informative as much as a romance-y, historical fiction book can be,

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin- Trade Publishing( MIRA) for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Based on real events in Hawaii during WWII, Sara Ackerman details the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in which many Hawaiian people of Japanese and German heritage were rounded up and placed in internment camps. The main protagonist, Lana Hitchcock, returns to her childhood home after the death of her father. Fleeing from an unhappy marriage, Lana soon becomes the caregiver for two young girls when their parents suspected of being secret Nazis are arrested by the American military. Lana, It also offers a safe haven for two Japanese friends. But if Lana's secrets are discovered, there could be very devastating consequences.

Easy to follow, Red Sky over Hawaii is a novel that features historical parts that are fascinating but the book does suffer at times from the protagonist becoming a little too interested in her love life. Also, I found there was a lot of horseback riding/cycling and perhaps not enough time illustrating how fear was infecting the daily lives of the inhabitants. For my personal reading experience, I tend to like WWII dramas that are a little heavier in content.






Goodreads review 24/05/20
Expected Publication 09/06/20

An enjoyable and engrossing read about Hawaii around the time of the Pearl Harbour attacks. A found family discovers love in togetherness and the positivity and power of nature.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 4.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

Lana Hitchcock left her home to go to the Big Island when she finds out her dad's health has taken a turn for the worse. As she lands, she finds out she is too late and he has left clues for her that she finds as Pearl Harbor is taking place and these clues will help her with her future.

Lana was an amazing character to follow. She was true and honest and not perfect which I appreciated. I loved her natural flaws and the ups and downs she took in this book. She really leapt from only caring for herself to really caring for three children and an older gentleman and in extreme circumstances.

I have said this often on this blog, but my favorite thing about historical fiction is the ability to learn something new but in a fun and enjoyable way. I have read a few books and seen a movie or two about the events of Pearl Harbor, but I didn't know about the time in Hawaii specifically after the events. And I didn't know about the Japanese population specifically in Hawaii. I know there are stories about that population and the affects of these events on them in California and other states, but to hear about them in this particular state was really interesting as Pearl Harbor happened in their backyard and I also wasn't aware of the size of the population that lived in that state.

This book was one of those historical fiction books that a reader can get swept up in character, time and place and get transported and forget everything for a few hours. I honestly read this book in one day in a few increments and I couldn't believe how quickly I read it completely.

This was my first Sara Ackerman read and I am excited to see she has a bit of a backlist for me to dive into while I wait for her next release!

Very compelling story. Red Sky Over Hawaii grabbed me from the first few pages on- the world changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and this book brings it to life from the human standpoint.

Lana Hitchcock's life has been turned upside down in a matter of days. First, she arrived back home too late to reconcile with her estranged father, and then an attack at Pearl Harbor leaves her stranded. Once her neighbors start being taken by the government as suspected sympathizers, Lana takes it upon herself to shelter two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. Lana discovers a secret property her father had tucked away, and the group hides away hoping for everything to blow over. They soon learn that this hideaway is more than meets the eye.

When a detainment camp sets up shop right near their secret house, Lana finds it increasingly difficult to keep those in her care safe. Especially when she strikes up a flirtation with one of the soldiers. As the days go by, Lana begins to understand a new meaning to the word family, and how trust and love will get you through even the darkest of times.

I love historical fiction, especially when it's inspired by true events, so I was hoping to really enjoy this. Overall, while I did like it, I felt like it was missing something. I did enjoy Ackerman's lush writing and all the imagery which really captures the wild beauty of the island. The found family aspect was lovely and heartwarming. That being said, I did find the beginning to be a little confusing with jumping between days, and I felt for the length of the book, not a lot happened. If it focused more on the actual history of Pearl Harbor and less on the romance, which didn't feel very real to me, I may have liked it a bit more. While I didn't love this, I'd still recommend if you're a fan of the genre.

There have been many books written on WWII, but not many set in Hawaii. It was refreshing to read a book on a subject I've read many times, but in a completely different part of the world. I would have liked to have read less romance and more of the history. But I did enjoy the book.

What a gorgeous cover! This is an interesting story that revolves around the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Lana heads home hoping to see her father before he dies and gets caught up in helping another family’s girls.
I thought the story was good, it had some other issues going on along the fringes. It kept my attention to the end
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

Red Sky Over Hawaii is a historical novel set in Hawaii from the days just before Pearl Harbor through 1943. This is the story of Lana Hitchcock, who returns to her old home to reconcile with her father. Sadly, he passes and she is unable to, although Pearl Harbor brings her a new family -- two young German girls whose parents are detained, an elderly Japanese man who was her father's friend, and that man's son. As they settle into a secret house her father built, Lana's life changes, including ongoing safety concerns and a tentative romance with a military officer, Grant, who is working nearby.

I wanted to read this novel because The Lieutenant's Nurse by Sara Ackerman was one of my favorite reads last year. I was intrigued by the World War II/Pearl Harbor/Hawaii setting.

Initially I found this novel a slow read and it took me several chapters to get into the pace of the book. There are multiple storylines and a number of characters in the book and most were introduced early on. It took me a while to really engage with the characters.

However, as Lana's makeshift family settled into her father's house, I found I really cared about what happened to them, and I especially felt concerned for the safety of the children/teens whose lives were uprooted by the war -- the young German girls Coco and Marie and the young Japanese boy Benji.

I also really liked Lana as a protagonist. She is a wounded person in many ways, but she tries to be strong for others and acts with tremendous compassion and courage. Granti is a wonderful addition to the story, and I loved the slow building Lana-Grant love story.

There is an element of magical realism that appears midway through the book. It was the least appealing aspect of the story for me, and I found it rather detracting.

The historical elements of this book were exceptional and Sara Ackerman does a beautiful job at evoking early 1940's Hawaii. Her descriptions were lovely and really helped set the scene.

I recommend Red Sky Over Hawaii for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys fiction set during the 1940's. I also highly recommend the author's earlier novel, The Lieutenant's Nurse. Although the books are not connected except by the 1940's Hawaii setting, I think they would be a lovely back-to-back read.

This review is based upon an advance copy provided through NetGalley.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, Red Sky Over Hawaii is told through the eyes of Lana Hitchcock. It starts when Lana receives a call from her father to come home because he is dying. Lana and her father have been estranged for several years for a reason that is disclosed later in the story. Upon arriving to Hilo on December 6, 1941, Lana rushes to the hospital, only to learn that her father has passed away. Reeling from the missed chance of reconciliation, Lana goes to her father’s Hilo home. There she meets Fred and Ingrid Wagner, their two daughters, Marie and Coco and dog Sailor. The next morning during breakfast with the Wagners, Pearl Harbor is attacked by Japanese planes and the United States is launched into war.
On the heels of the attack Fred and Ingrid are taken by the FBI for questioning due to their German ancestry. Lana takes responsibility for the girls, Sailor and her father’s geese. On blind faith, she takes them, plus her father’s Japanese friend Moshi and his adopted son Benji, to a home her father has built near the community of Volcano. Trying to keep them safe and prevent Moshi and Benji from being taken away are responsibilities that weigh heavily on Lana’s shoulders. Lana’s chance meeting with Grant who is an Army Major at the detainment center being set up in Volcano only complicates matters. As all of their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family, and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.
I found this story to be a compelling read. The author’s characters are full of the love, fear, sorrow and uncertainty which all of us face at one time or another. This made for very relatable characters who will live with you long after the story ends.
#netgalley #redskyoverhawaii #saraackerman

Set in the early days of WWII on Hawaii, this charming story follows Lana Hitchcock as her life is turned upside down in the days following the attack on Pearl Harbor. When Japanese and German neighbors are taken into detainment camps for being suspected sympathizers, Lana takes it upon herself to care for two young German girls who live nearby as well as a Japanese friend and his son.

There was a lot to love about this book, from the incredible descriptions throughout the story to the feeling of suspense created by all the various mysteries about Lana's life and what will happen to her and the people now in her care during this time in the war. As is the nature of this type of book, there were a lot of sad moments...but they only added to the poignant nature of this book. There are also lots of very quotable moments about life, not giving up, and more!

On the whole, there were only a few things that really detracted from the story for me, one of which was the strange inclusion of "magic" or "unexplained phenomena" (as Lana's dad Jack called it). It just seemed kind of odd and unnecessary to the story, maybe especially because I wasn't expecting it since it wasn't mentioned in any descriptions I read about the book. I also thought that the ending wrapped up too tidily/quickly, completely changing from the pace of the book throughout the rest of the story. But other than these two small issues, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Red Sky Over Hawaii!

This book could have been great but for the weird magical aspect. It didn't really add to the story and sort of took away from the seriousness of the situations. It was also very odd that the Japanese man she was hiding just suddenly appeared at the camp far away from where he lived and everyone was just like...okay! So, the few implausible aspects really took away from what could have been a great story and learning more about an interesting time in history. There was a ton I learned about Hawaii and WWII from this book but the odd tidbits really were a distraction.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Lana and her experiences of love, kindness, and overcoming regret after the death of her father and the events of Pearl Harbor. This is the first book I’ve read from this viewpoint of how life changed on the islands after the attack. The writing was done very well. The author draws you in and makes you feel just like a part of the small family they build in her father’s reclusive home.
If you are wanting a book describing the actual events on that fateful day, this is not a depiction of the invasive, you will need to look elsewhere. But if you are looking to see how some of the inhabitants of the islands were treated such as the Chinese or Germans, with a heartfelt story of how one woman opened her heart and her home, then this is your book. Enjoy.
I want to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest unbiased opinion. Well worth the read, it’s a 5-star book.

Set in Hawaii during WWII. I enjoyed the setting but found the mix of characters confusing and underdeveloped. Overall, just an okay read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Lana flies to her fathers side only to find out he passed away a few hours before. This was days before Pearl Harbor and the attack occurs as she is sorting out her fathers affairs. In the aftermath, the US was taking away anyone that was suspected to be involved in the attack, including the parents of a family that was great friends with her father. Lana takes the children to a safe place to watch over them.

I loved this story. The story is based on a history that I have never heard of. I am a fan of historical fiction and this book fits the bill. As you read you can feel the fear the characters have and the uncertainty of the situation. I will definitely be reading more of this authors work!

I received an ARC for a fair review of the title. I did not receive money and all opinions are my own.

Red Sky Over Hawaii brings the focus of WWII women’s fiction books to the Pacific theater. This is the first book I have read by Ackerman. Her writing is beautiful at times and tugs at the heart strings. I loved how she built a family from people who had little in common.

At times the writing was overwrought and melodramatic. There were a lot of different threads going on and she might have been better served picking one or two and delving deeper.

Fans of her work would likely enjoy this book and readers who can’t get enough WWII women’s fiction.