Beatriz Williams’ latest book, Her Last Flight, will not disappoint those who have come to love her strong-female character driven stories told in historical settings. Here, we have two protagonists. The first, Irene Foster, is a young woman who discovers a passion for aviation in the late 1920s, and falls madly in love with Sam Mallory, her mentor and flight partner. The two become a worldwide sensation with their daring escapades. Nineteen years later, Eugenia “Janey” Everett, a war-weary photojournalist, is traveling the globe in an effort to research and write a biography of Mallory, whose plane disappeared several years before.

The book’s narrative flips back and forth between the two women’s perspectives, but their stories weave together and converge to a very satisfying ending. To reveal too much of the plot would give away several surprising twists and shocking secrets each woman is hiding. I am comfortable in saying that this is my favorite Williams book to date.

I love historical fiction, and enjoy learning about different chapters in American history. Her Last Flight focuses on American aviation from the 1920’s through the 1940’s, and is told through two fictitious women, Eugenia Everett, a photojournalist, researching a book about Sam Mallory, an infamous pilot of his time, and Irene Foster, famed aviatrix and sometimes partner of Sam Mallory. The author perfectly captures the excitement of the time, and had me sitting on the edge of my seat, when describing various races and rescue missions. The 2 female characters are strong, gutsy women ahead of their time. Highly recommend!

It’s funny how a half star can make so much difference when it’s not an option. That being said, I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. I love the authors way of bringing you in and then creating climax that leaves you going “How did I not see that?” This review is based on the fact that I absolutely devoured The Golden Hour. I felt like when I started this book I instantly knew a few of the outcomes. My rating is based on the fact that it shouldn’t have been that easy. The story itself was enjoyable. Learned some new things and the writing did have me looking back at what it must have been like when flight was brand new. I loved one of the very much unexpected twists that comes along. My issue lies in that twist which I feel (the character) was not nearly as developed as I would have liked. I think the writer fell short (when I totally believe she could have done it VERY well) in developing that character. So maybe a little rushed? I did enjoy the story. My rating is based on the fact that this could have been more.

Loved, loved, loved this book! Williams intertwines the stories of two women, one a famous pilot believed dead and the other a wartime photographer. Both are linked with the charismatic aviator, Sam Mallory. Irene Lindquist was Mallory's tutor and some say love interest. Janey Everett wishes to write a biography about Mallory detailing his life and uncovering his disappearance. The two women's worlds collide when Janey discovers Irene alive and well on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. One woman wants to explore and share the details of Mallory's life and death, the other wants to keep the past private. I enjoyed how the author moves seamlessly back and forth between the two women's stories. I also enjoyed the several plot twists along the way. This is a story about adventure, love and family.. An excellent read!

I am torn on this one.
I have read several of Beatriz Williams' novels and collaborations and it always takes me a little time to get into them, her female characters are always complex (love that!) but as a reader, I don't fall in love with them immediately. Her twists and turns are always worth it in the end. Also, I wanted to love this because of the combination of surfing (which I love) and female pioneering pilots (I mean, my daughter is named Amelia, after all.)
My struggle comes from a different place - Maybe I've read too much about Amelia Earhart so my background is clouded by the encroachment upon her life's story. I have enjoyed other historical fiction novels featuring real people who take a wide left off their true-life track and explore the 'what ifs' and spin an entire alternate history. Yet here, Williams creates a "fictional character" based on a real person (or at least 50% of her is), so my mind is struggling whether to imagine Irene or image Amelia for a good part of the book.
By the end, I enjoyed the progression of the plot and the resolution of things. I guessed some of the spoilers earlier than their 'reveal,' but there was still a twist or two that I didn't see coming, though the clues were there.
Overall, I would give this a 3.5 star, but maybe on a second read I would hop up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC and William Marrow Publishing.

im sorry I just couldn't get into this book thanks for the opportunity to read it early though..... I don't know if its just whats going on in the world, but I couldn't keep the characters straight and none of them really caught my interest. I usually love this authors books, so maybe ill try again at a later date

There is just something about Ms. Williams' books that so easily pulls me into the story and allows me to see everything through the eyes of her characters. Her Last Flight is just another example of what a truly gifted author she is.

I love the dual timelines, the fascination of the glory days of flying, the role women played in this historic time, and this complex yet really simple story .... love.

Eugenia aka Janey is a character full of strength and independence yet she's still human and has her faults & weaknesses. As much as she denies herself making - and keeping - connections, it's truly what she is looking for.

From California to Spain to Hawaii, Her Last Flight is full of adventure, heart, pain and love.

Now, Ms. Williams .. what did Janey whisper to Leo?!?!?

I first would like to thank The Book Club Girls for offering this book. Thanks! This book was excellent. The author does her research when writing. I was hooked from the beginning of the book until the end. I do not like to give reviews of the book that tells about the story, that ruins it for others that want to read the book. Just when I thought I knew what was going on in this book, there was a surprise. That surprise kept me reading. The author gets you invested in the characters, and makes you want to learn more about them and be apart of their lives. No criticism of this book, it was excellent.

I loved this book! It was such an interesting topic and I love the woman having a pilot job. I like how it went back and forth between the past and present. It made me want to keep reading!!

Her writing is so good it drew me right in to the story. I was glad I hadn’t read any descriptions or reviews first so I didn’t have certain expectations or comparisons in mind. The Story alternates chapters between supposed chapters of a book called Aviatrix by Eugenia Everett that take place in the late 20’s and early 30’s with chapters told by Eugenia in the late 40’s. It’s the story of a woman aviator(Irene)and her partner in the air(Sam) who is a daring fly boy. Both disappear and now years later Eugenia a photojournalist is trying to find the story of what happened. She first finds Sam’s downed airplane and then finds Irene under an assumed name with a new life. What other secrets does she hold? And what ties Eugenia to their story? (less) Her descriptions of war countered with descriptions of lush Hawaiian islands seemed like putting that little bit of comedy in a drama giving you a place to breathe.

My first book by Beatriz Williams and WOW! Last year I discovered my love for historical fiction. I've read several GREAT books in this genre and others that were so-so. "Her Last Flight" started off slow, but after a couple of chapters, I was hooked. (Note: this was the first ebook I ever finished reading on my phone. The advanced copy was only available in ebook version.)

Each time there was a twist in the plot I was eager to read more. I can usually make a prediction of the ending, but I certainly did not see this ending coming (well one part of it I did, I won't spoil it, I'll just say LEO). Great read, the story developed nicely as did the characters. A must-read for any historical fiction fans.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. Found a few grammatical mistakes, I do some proofing, if you ever need a fresh pair of eyes, let me know.

This book was mesmerizing. The first chapter was not as captivating as the rest of the book. I could not put it down. The characters were enticing and the author made me feel like I was a character in the book. I usually can predict what will happen next, Not true of Her Last Flight.

EXCELLENT READ!

Her Last Flight is yet another Beatriz Williams masterpiece. At its core, it's the story of Irene Foster, a female celebrity pilot, who disappears during a round-the-world flight in 1937 and whose whereabouts have remained unknown. It's also the story of Irene's one-time flying partner, Sam Mallory. Desperate to know what happened to Sam, photojournalist Janey Everett arrives on a remote Hawaiian island after stumbling onto a clue as to the possible whereabouts of Irene.

From the book dedication to the men and women who take to the skies to the first sentence of the book: "The airplane lies in the shadow of a plateau, half-buried in sand and scrub.", Beatriz Williams brings the reader in and doesn't let go until the final page. Her Last Flight is historical fiction at its absolute best. Part love story and part mystery of what happened to Sam and Irene, it's filled with storylines and sub-plots that draw the reader in, making them feel completely immersed in the story she has created. I couldn't put this book down, and Williams has one again proven why she is a must-read, must-buy, binge-worthy author.

Thanks to Beatriz Williams, William Morrow Books, and Netgalley for providing me with my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Amazing. I have not met a Beatriz Williams book that I didn’t like, but she really outdid herself with this book. In this book.,We are following the lives of 2 women, one in 1937 and the other in 1947. How do their lives intertwine? I loved both storylines and I thought the character development was great. The author showed the strengths and the flaws in both the main characters as well as secondary characters.
As I was reading I felt like I knew what was going to be happening next, I didn’t even care when I was right! The story unfolded perfectly.
Thank you Net Galley and Book Club Girl for the opportunity to read this book early and provide my honest review.

I’m in love with this book! Loosely based on Emilia Earhart's life, this is an amazing work of historical fiction with a shocking twist I promise you won’t see coming. Fans of the Aviators Wife will enjoy!

Irene Foster meets Sam Mallory, famous Lindbergh-ish pilot, on a California beach. He is immediately smitten and realizes her spunk. When Irene expresses an interest in flying Sam takes her under his wing (*wink wink, see what I did there) and she quickly becomes his flying partner. They’re an immediate media sensation, but when they become stranded on the first flight to Australia, the media attention explodes.

I promise you’ll have a hard time putting this one down!

The publisher denied early access but thank you Book Club Girls for acquiring this ARC. So glad I did get to read this book. I love most of Beatriz Williams stories. Loved this one too. Something about her writing style and the way the characters speak just draws me in and keeps me wanting more..

I’ve read most of Beatriz Willians novels and think this is one of her best. I liked these characters and the ending plot twist was a surprise to me. There was a good mix of romance, thrill and history to grip my attention and make me want to sit down to read the story.
I was surprised that the Schuyler family wasn’t part of the plot as I thought one of them lived in CA - I believe this is the only book without a reference to her other characters.
I continue to tell friends about the author and hope her books are picked up for a Netflix type series.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers and The Book Club Girls for an advance copy of Her Last Flight in exchange for an honest review.

I looked forward to reading this book but I had no idea how this novel by Beatriz Williams was going to capture me. The time line jumps back and forth from the 1920’s to the 1940’s and that confused me somewhat until I got my feet wet into the book. Then I was so absorbed in the characters, the detailed descriptions and the love of flying an airplane for work, for pleasure and in war. But, this story is so much more than flying an airplane. It’s adventure, it’s a love story, it’s passion, it’s drive and it’s a story of casualties of war and of love.

I highly recommend this book. I had read some of Ms. Williams’ work and now I want to read even more.

What can I say.. @authorbeatriz has done it again. #HerLastFlight is definitely a trip you want to take. This is a must read for any historical fiction fan. ..... and there’s a definite 🤭what!!?? moment in this novel! @netgalley @williammorrowbooks

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. This is the first standalone of Beatriz Williams I've read and I am in awe!! I love to read. Reading is an escape for me so fiction is my choice. The author weaves two story lines from different time periods. I loved this book and can't wait to try another of her books.