This is one of my favorite books that I've read this year.

This book begins in 1947, when Janey Everett, war photojournalist confronts Irene Lindquist (aka Irene Foster) in Hawaii, a famous pilot who went missing on an around-the-world flight. Janey is writing a book about Sam Mallory -- a famous stunt pilot who taught Irene how to fly -- and promises she won't reveal Irene's location if she answers questions for the book. That book, Aviatrix, forms the alternate chapters for Her Last Flight.

I really liked the structure of this book, and found that jumping between the timelines just enriched the story. This way, the author was able to explore the characters' motivations more deeply and allowed the reader to know and understand them better.

I also really liked the writing style in this book, especially the chapters written from Janey's perspective. Usually, writers are much more formal, but here,.Janey felt like a real person, especially with her asides to the reader, like she was actually talking to us instead of just writing a story.

And the story itself was very well imagined. There were a few different surprises for the reader, and each one made me smile. I highly recommend this book!

Thank to NetGalley, Book Club Girls, and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book. It has not influenced my opinion.

I received an electronic ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange For my honest review.

Irene Foster meets Sam Mallory on a beach in California. He takes her to her first air show, where she immediately falls in love with the idea of flight. Sam and Irene become a team, and together undertake amazing and dangerous flights, pushing the limits of their machines and winning accolades worldwide.

Janey Everett is a photojournalist on a mission to discover what happened to Sam Mallory after he disappeared. She manages to track down Irene Foster, now living in Hawaii under the name Lindquist, and denying she is the once famous aviatrix.

This story kept me engaged all the way through it, with its many twists and turns. I kept trying to find the thread that tied the characters all up together, but did it realize where the story was going until almost the end of the book. Part romance story, part adventure, part mystery, all good.

Thank you to the author, Beatriz Williams and the publisher, William Morris for the opportunity to review this book.

I am a huge fan of Beatriz Williams and anxiously await each of her books. I love the way she takes specific moments in history and brings them to life through complex female characters who challenge what was expected of them during these times. From Lily Dane in A Hundred Summers to the Schuyler Sisters of The Secret Life of Violet Grant, Tiny Little Things and Along the Infinite Sea, Williams writes women who are determined not to be constrained by the limitations of their gender and who, in their own ways, never give up on love. Her Last Flight features two such women - Janey Everett and Irene Foster - in my favorite book of hers yet.

Janey is a photojournalist in 1947 investigating what happened to famed aviator Sam Mallory who flew in the Spanish Civil War and never returned. She ends up in Hawaii in search of Irene Lindquist, whom Janey believes is the legendary Irene Foster, Sam's protégé and flying partner whose own disappearance a decade earlier during an around-the-world flying race remains one of the world's biggest mysteries. The story is told in alternating timelines, from Janey's POV in 1947 as her search for Sam unfolds, and through excerpts from her future book which tells Sam and Irene's story from the 1920s-1930s.

Both Janey and Irene are amazing characters, strong and fierce women who go after what they want, and the supporting cast - from Irene's publicity-obsessed manager and Janey's Spanish paramour during WWII to Sam's manipulative wife and Irene's alcoholic father - is equally as colorful. Williams has a true gift for writing dialogue - I couldn't get enough of Janey's snappy comebacks and witty turns-of-phrase which were at times laugh-out-loud funny and at others, just devastating. I also loved all of the details about the early days of aviation - from how dangerous and expensive it was to how the pilots had to keep topping themselves to stay relevant - and was surprised and excited to learn what happened to Octavian and Sophie Rofrano from Williams' earlier book, A Certain Age.

There are two plot twists in Her Last Flight that literally made me gasp out loud - I didn't see them coming AT ALL - but they both made perfect sense looking back on the story builds. I could not put this book down and read it in the course of two nights which was both good and bad - while I couldn't wait to see how it would wrap up, I also didn't want it to end.

This is my first 5-star read of the summer. Pick up Her Last Flight. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my unbiased review.

“I’ll tell you something, the facts are the least important thing about a person.” “Oh? So what’s important?” “The fictions. The lies we tell to other people, the lies we tell to ourselves. The stories we make of our lives, the heroes we fashion of our own clay. The myths of our own creation. Those are the real stuffing of a person, in my opinion. What makes each one of us different from the other fellow.”

Nothing says summer reading like a big, thick page turning novel. Love. Intrigue. Deceit. Mystery. Dynamic Female Characters. Honor -- Beatriz Williams has done it yet again with this tale of two strong throw-convention-to-the-wind women.

As in any of Beatriz Williams’ books, she does a fantastic job of sweeping her readers back to another time and place. I absolutely loved the suspense, the romance, the mystery of it all as the story is told from the point of view of two narrators and time periods.

In 1947 Janey, with her outlandish behavior boldly takes on the research of the dynamic life of Sam Malloy, stunt pilot extraordinaire. The story begins in Spain where Janey discovers Malloy’s crashed plane (where he aided in the Spanish Resistance) and his body. Hidden behind his body is Malloy’s own personal journal that leads Janey further into Sam’s mysterious last days. In order to learn about Sam’s real past, Janey must find presumed to be dead and even more famous pilot Irene Foster. Janey believes that Irene is the only person who can shed light on the true story of Sam. Her hunt brings her to Hawaii and the island of Kauai where Irene Lindquist, who runs local flying tours, is revealed to be the long lost Irene Foster.

Flash back to 1928 and we see how the story of Irene and Sam meet and become a flying duo. The story of Irene and Sam is told in the form of a draft of a book that Janey is writing. The growth of Irene and Sam’s relationship, their amazing flights, and their tragedies are told in a dynamic, fascinating and truthful fashion. We see Irene’s star in aviation and the media rise as she becomes a worldwide sensation and the most famous woman in the world.

The plot throughout is engrossing, the story fascinating, the dialogue filled with witty banter, and the setting luminous and vivacious, but the real draw of the novel is that feisty, zingy, complicated, pour that bourbon neat while giving the gossip voice of the narrator, Janey. The reader will know after approximately 1 page with Janey that they will devour the next 400 pages just to lean a little closer and hear the story, mystery and research she has to share. This is the main reason I’m so drawn to Williams’ books. Her characters are steeped in truth and they carry their own real flaws just like we the readers.

I loved following Janey’s story as she worked to find out what really happened to Sam Malloy, his true relationship with Irene Foster and the true cause of his death. As soon as I read last the last page I wanted to start over from the beginning. If I didn't have a stack of books waiting to be read on my night stand I would be fully immersed in Janey and Irene’s stories all over again. I hope to hear more from them!!

“Life is not divided neatly into good people and bad people, good parents and bad parents. We are all of us human and scarred with sin. We make mistakes, some small and some terrible.”

I’m so thankful to HaperCollins and Netgalley for this advanced copy of Her Last Flight.

eARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Book Club Girl.

This was my first Beatriz Williams book and I regret not picking one up sooner. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and this book ticked all of the boxes for me.

The novel tells the story of two strong women, bound by history and circumstance and I was mesmerised from the first page. Usually I prefer one POV over another, but I loved both characters, although at times I could have shaken Janey! The secondary characters were so well written and fleshed out; I felt like I knew everyone. This made it so easy to understand their actions and reactions.

The writing was beautiful and so easy to read and become absorbed in. I simply loved reading this book and can't wait to see what Beatriz Williams writes next. I now plan on reading her backlist of titles.

Photojournalist Janey Everett has long been fascinated by legendary aviators Irene Foster and Sam Mallory who both disappeared in 1937. At the time of their disappearances, Mallory was fighting with the loyalist forces in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, while Foster was participating in an around-the-world aviation race before she vanished somewhere over Africa. A chance meeting with an RAF pilot in 1944 leads Janey to believe that Irene not only survived but that she is living in seclusion in Hawaii. Determined to write a photo-biography of Sam Mallory, Janey sets out to find Foster to fill in the gaps in Mallory’s story.

Very loosely based on the life of Amelia Earhart, author Beatriz Williams imagines a different ending for the famous aviatrix. Janey and Irene are both strong-minded independent women who work in male-dominated fields. Both had difficult childhoods, but Janey’s backstory is especially heart-breaking. Following dual timelines, Williams weaves the many threads of the story together to a satisfying and surprising conclusion. I much prefer her historical fiction to the historical romances that she writes with Lauren Willig and Karen White.

Like many people, I have always been fascinated by Amelia Earhart, and I keep hoping that someone will finally discover what really happened to her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in return for a review.

I love historical fiction and this book was beautifully done. So many amazing details about planes and the pilots.
Her Last Flight tells the story of Jane Everett, a photojournalist who is writing the story of Irene Foster, one of the first women in flight.
This book was full of love and surprises. So touching and heartwarming.

Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction. You can count on her to deliver a book with a strong thread in well researched history, female characters who are consistent in their fight for what's right and best for them and their lives, and a fun story of love and friendship along side the hard stuff. Her Last Flight totally hits those marks.

I loved this fresh perspective and view of a time period that hasn't been as widely written about. Irene and Janey are both strong and rough and perfect for telling their own stories in dual timelines. If you love history, strong female leads and tales of love and friendship through adversity, this one is for you.

I truly loved this historical fiction book. It was a gorgeous story. I loved both points of view and it just swept me away. And Sandy was just the best.

Beatriz Williams has written a well researched novel about the early days of female pilots. One thinks the story might be about Amelia Earhart, but we soon realize it is written about fictional female pilots of the 1920s. The 1928 chapters are told by Irene Lindquist, living in Hawaii and flying short island hops. The 1947 chapters are told by war correspondent and photographer Janey Everett. Janey is writing a book about Sam Mallory, who vanished during the Spanish Civil War. After a lot of research, Janey comes to believe that Irene Lindquist is actually Irene Foster, who was determined to fly and brave enough to do it. Her flying partner was Sam Mallory, who was a legend in his own right.

Foster disappeared during a round-the-world flight in 1937. At first Irene was unwilling to talk to Janey but once Janey tells her that she has found Sam's airplane in the desert, Irene begins to tell the story of her past.

This novel goes back and forth between time periods and both stories are extremely interesting. Both Irene and Janey are strong and determined woman who have worked very hard to fulfill their dreams.

4.5 stars

This was my first novel by Beatriz Williams, and I can completely understand why historical fiction readers, like myself, are drawn to her stories. This was one was certainly no exception.

This story, told in dual timelines, follows the fascinating lives of Irene Foster and Sam Mallory. Both were known for their daring international feats as well as their individual ability to master the art of flying. At one point, both Irene and Sam were the most famous and talked about flying duo in the world. Apart from flying, a lot of mystery surrounded their relationship with each other as many believed they were deeply in love due to their incredible chemistry.

Janey Everett, a budding photojournalist with a troubled past, is on a quest to uncover the details of Sam Mallory. His whereabouts remained a mystery for some time as well as his relationship with Irene. As Janey discovers that Irene is now currently living in Hawaii under a different name, more secrets begin to slowly unravel about what occurred between Irene and Sam.

It is evident that Williams conducted a lot of research in writing this novel. Oddly enough, I didn't love any of the female protagonists in this story, but I did respect the courage and strength displayed by both Janey and Irene. I also appreciated reading a story about two women in historically male-dominated fields achieve success. This one has many twists and turns that will catch you by surprise. Themes of love, betrayal, acceptance, and familial relationships are strung throughout this book. I am really looking forward to reading more of Williams' work!

Thank you to Harper Collins/William Morrow and NetGalley for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

What do you do when you meet someone who doesn't want to be found?

From the moment Janey, a photojournalist, finds Sam Mallory's plane partially covered in the Spanish desert, she knows she's found what she's looking for. Well, at least a part of it. Now she's traveled to Hawaii to find the missing aviatrix, Irene Foster. In an effort to learn everything she can about Sam Mallory, she just needs Irene Lindquist to admit her real identity and tell her all about her mentor, Sam.

Beatriz Williams flawlessly weaves two timelines, 1940's Janey with 20's-30's Irene as she tells the story of both women's lives. Their stories are raw, if not crude at times, and real as they work their way through a male-dominated world. Despite their differences, they are very much alike.

This is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction, combining romance, friendship, and history into one amazing journey. From the first page, I couldn't put it down.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion.

I received an advance Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. Thank you, NetGalley, for this exciting read!

I had not previously read a Beatriz Williams book. After reading Her Last Flight, I’m already seeking out my next one! Of her many highly regarded offerings, each of which is a stand-alone, how will I choose?

Williams most recent title, Her Last Flight, alternates between two women, Janey Everett, photojournalist, and Irene Foster/Lindquist, aviatrix. Janey is intensely in search of Foster, if she still exists, and the information Foster may have for Janey’s biography of Sam Mallory, forgotten aviator. She’s seeking information that will make Mallory’s life read like a whole new kind of biography. Facts that can make this biography read like a novel. Foster is the key to this endeavor.

In this historical fiction offering Williams is a master at creating alternating settings, character viewpoints, and time; always weaving the plot lines of the adventures of disappearing and reappearing pilots and their accompanying feline, Sandy, to the final twists and unexpected turns I did not anticipate!

Well, I need to close now so I can choose my next Beatriz Williams story I will gladly delve into! But don’t miss this one!

What a great read!
A primary theme of this book is how each person works to reconcile the past with their present. From Janey, a young journalist who can be a bit reckless, to Irene, who has suffered and is very cautious and doesn't trust people easily, we see how disconnected pasts can intertwine and merge. While Irene has already processed her past and now lives her life on her terms, Janey is still a work in process.
The story is very satisfying from beginning to end, full of characters who are just the right amount of complicated. As with every one of Williams' books I've read, I learn something new about history, and I learn something new about people.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

"Her Last Flight" was written in such a neat way that kept me intrigued and invested the entire way through. Readers follow photographer and war correspondent, Janey Everett, as she ventures off to a remote surfing village on the Hawaiian island of Kauai to do research for her upcoming biography on Sam Mallory. Williams moves the reader back and forth between two points in history and slowly pulls them together as the full story is revealed. The characters felt so real to me. In fact, about halfway through the story I had to look to see if they were fiction or not!

4.5 stars rounded up. I loved Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams! Ms. Williams just gets better with each book she writes. Her Last Flight is the story of Irene Lindquist (née Foster), an aviatrix in the early 20th century. Her story is told in 3 timelines, 1928, 1947 and another storyline that spans those times told intriguingly as an excerpt in a book being written by the other primary character, Janey Everett.

What I loved about this story: I adore historical fiction, it’s my favorite genre, and nobody sets an historical fiction tale in the depression, flapper, prohibition era better than Beatriz Williams. I also liked that there was an unfolding of events that I thought I had guessed at early on but that there was enough suspicion that I kept second guessing myself. When the reveal was made, I did yell “I knew it!” out loud. However, Ms. Williams is such a master storyteller that I did not see the reveal that would come later! I loved, loved, loved it!

What I did not love about this story; for me, personally, I’m not a fan of the three timelines that weave together. I just prefer a straight timeline. Picky personal preference, I know, but the three character, three timelines has been overdone now.

Overall, excellent story, masterfully told! I can’t wait for Ms. Williams next story! Thank you to #netgalley and #williammorrow for the advanced e-copy of #herlastflight.

I can safely say I finally found what I've been looking for in a historical fiction novel! A cast of likable characters, a slow burn romance, and plenty of action, adventure, and intrigue. Beatriz Williams has sewn together an intricate tapestry filled with one plot twist after another. Very loosely based on the life of Amelia Earhart, Her Last Flight is told from the perspectives of Irene Foster (our heroine/aviatrix) and Janey Everett (a tough, no-nonsense photojournalist).

While I enjoyed all the characters, Janey's was presented a little problematically at times. There's some rape/sexual assault that is just very much glossed over and that was a little difficult to read. I understand it occurred in the 1930s, when women didn't have much of a voice, but I still just wanted her to tell other people about it or for someone to be angry and indignant.

I love this book! I love all of her historical fiction novels and this one is no exception. The amazing story of two Heroic women, you will not want to put this down.

Beatriz Williams has done it again. History and mystery come together in this well-written tale that includes excellent dialogue, smooth exposition, and vivid descriptions. Once again, Williams has written a story that will keep readers engrossed until the end.
In Her Last Flight, there are chapters set decades apart that include different characters. This could have easily become quite confusing, but Williams tackled it smoothly. The author's clear writing style eases the transitions between the decades and characters, and sets up twists that remain a surprise until the moment of the reveal. Bravo to Beatriz Williams for another outstanding entry in the historical fiction genre.

Her Last Flight is new territory for Williams in some ways, although we do see a couple of familiar characters and the book is structured in her signature dual-timeline form. I enjoyed the story and will read anything Williams writes, even though I am quite weary of the dual-timeline trend in historical fiction. In this book, I feel like the two timelines and one of the twists/surprises kept one main character at a bit of an emotional distance and harder to connect with.