This book felt like I was reading a Martha Hall Kelly book and for that, I am forever grateful. This book was so interesting and written about women in a time period that focuses mainly on men and what men did for the country. This book was wonderfully researched and written in such a way that it was easy to understand. I will definitely read more from Sara Ackerman.

This is the interesting story of a group of women who were hired to replace men who enlisted as radar workers after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. They were taught to translate incoming messages about locations of planes and boats in the Pacific as well as track them all on a map.

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book.

Radar Girls is my 2nd Sara Ackerman book and it did not disappoint.
This book tells the story of the Women’s Air Raid Defense. Daisy Wilder is a horse trainer working on a big ranch, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, she is recruited to work for the military in the war effort.
Daisys story is a sweet one with low level romance but very rich relationships with her fellow WARDs. Rich Hawaiian landscape details and great storytelling with info about a little know part of how women helped in the war effort.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of Radar Girls!

Radar Girls is a poignant and heartwarming historical fiction novel, based on the true experiences of women in the Women's Air Raid Defense during WWII. The main character, Daisy, is somewhat of a tomboy, preferring horses and fishing to more "feminine" pursuits. She is struggling to support her mother after her father's tragic death, and she accepts a position in the super-secret new program to support the troops in Hawaii and prevent further Japanese attacks. For the first time in her life, she finds a group of female friends, and she also finds romance with her former employer's son. I really loved the way Daisy's character developed, and I especially loved her relationships with the other women in the program. The romance is sweet and doesn't overtake the other aspects of the book, which I appreciated a lot. I also loved learning about this particular piece of history, which I didn't know much about prior to reading this book.

Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists!

4.5
A well researched and fluidly written novel about war-time Hawaii. The characters and time period are accurately captured and the plot is varied and interesting. This was a throughly entertaining read - great for any historical fiction lovers!

Radar Girls is another novel I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of women’s contributions during World War II, along with such titles as Fly Girls and The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion, which focus on the WASPS. Like those titles, it opened up my eyes to a part of history that I was not aware of. Discovering the existence of these women who tracked ships and planes near Pearl Harbor to aid soldiers and protect citizens was fascinating to me. Along the way, you learn the process that they used, and you discover how intelligent and determined these women were. You also see just how much discrimination they faced, even though they were every bit as dedicated and capable as their male counterparts. While this was very enlightening, I was a bit disappointed that the book itself wasn’t more well-crafted. I felt like the focus was too often on the romantic relationships, which were important to the time period, but seemed to often take over the story. It made it difficult for me to know what the author’s purpose was. Was it a mystery? A romance? A historical fiction novel? All 3 plus several side stories? I just felt like it could have gone into so much more depth. Overall, an engaging story, but I wish it hadn’t tried to fit in so many subplots.

As a lot of you know I read tons of WWII historical fiction. Most all of which have been centered upon the European campaign. This is my first book that is set in the South Pacific, and dealing with Pearl Harbor.
I loved learning about the women who made up the WARDS (Women's Air Raid Defense). I had never heard about them until now. Learning the history of these women made the book worthwhile to me.
I also liked Daisy's character, she was strong and spunky, I didn't quite get her relationship though, especially after the truth was discovered. It seemed a bit off to me. But that is all I will say, I don't want to leave any spoilers.
The descriptions of the islands and the culture were wonderful, very bright and colorful, making it seem like I was a part of it.
Overall a good, quick, highly informative novel. A little more depth added to the supporting characters would have made this a 5 star read, it is definitely a solid 4 star!
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the free ARC of this novel, I am leaving my honest review in return.

What a great story, really pulls you in, learned a lot of history of the women who kept our military safe during WWII over Hawaii. Amazing, interesting historical fiction book with just enough romance to balance the history. Really enjoyed getting to know the characters and learning facts I did'nt learn before.

Radar Girls is an excellent fictional account of a little known force the WARD during World War II. It is very intense and has plenty of romance included that portrays the lives of service people during the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I couldn't't put it down until I discovered what happened with the Radar Girls especially Daisy and Walker.

This unique historical fiction takes place in Hawaii after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is a story about women and their roles in WWII. This is a story about a group of women doing a job to help fight the enemy. But it is also a story about young women discovering themselves and the world around them amid the global tumult, given the job of guiding planes using a plotting system and radar, the women were under pressure. In addition to the critical and stressful jobs, these were also young women still getting to know themselves and the world around them. This storybstory takes the reader on the journey of these young women performing difficult joba stessful time in history.


The story is told from different point of views; moving between the characters weaving a rich tale.The young women are not only dealing with harrowing war related responsibilities, they are still getting to know themselves.

The plot was interesting filled with friendships, danger, betrayal, and romance. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book. I was engrossed in the lives of the characters. The story kept me engaged and turning pages.

Daisy’s life takes a turn for the worse when her father dies. She becomes the caretaker to her mother who is unable to cope. She finds work at the nearby horse ranch and discovers her perfect job training horses. But she loses her job when her favorite horse is lost. Secrets have a way of finding their way out of the past as Daisy discovers while working on a highly classified government project during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Will the secret break her or make her stronger.

I love when historical fiction transports me to a time and place, and also teaches me about something I never knew, and entertains me with a heartwarming story and compelling characters. Radar Girls takes readers directly to Hawaii on December 7, 1941. At the time of the attack, Daisy Wilder is a bright young woman who takes care of horses on a ranch, living a hardscrabble life with her mother. After the attack, everything changes for Daisy as she joins the ranks of the Women’s Air Raid Defense. Daisy, who had always been a bit of a loner, now enters a sisterhood of women doing their part to keep their home safe. There are some heart-stopping moments as the country is swept up into war; there is a bit of mystery, a sweet romance, and growing friendships. I loved the camaraderie between the women, and I enjoyed watching Daisy grow in confidence, and finding her place in the world.

So much fiction is written about World War II and focuses on the Holocaust so it was nice to read a novel that was focused on the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific. I also like reading about events in history that I’m not that familiar with. This book focuses on a top secret government program that recruited young women to man the radar stations and guide pilots to safe landings while monitoring the skies over Hawaii for enemy aircraft.
The author introduces the reader to four women who were chosen for this program. These four women develop an instant bond with each other and come to rely on each other personally as well as professionally. There is also a romantic story line as well for those readers who like a little romance. The characters are well developed and the story itself is well written. The setting, of course, is in Hawaii and the author’s vivid descriptions of the beaches and lush backgrounds make you feel as though you’re there without ever leaving your sofa. I think this would make a great selection for a book club. I highly enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free electronic advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1941 WWII Hawaii, this brilliant historical fiction book is inspired by true stories the author found during her research including Shuffleboard Pilots which I am going to read. The historical details are incredibly interesting and drew me in right away. So did the story itself which is about love, loss, friendships, togetherness and trust.

Daisy Wilder knows her planes! She also loves horses. In 1941 she joins in the war effort at a top secret job in the Women's Air Defense, Signal Aircraft Warning Regiment to help the pilots. Her brain is a sponge and she quickly masters her duties such as vectoring, learning detailed maps and plotting radar reports. Her friends Fluff, Betty, Lei, Peg and Walker (and others) are crucial to her wellbeing, job and to each other. The man she falls for has secrets in his past, secrets that affect her. Working with colleagues as a team without hesitation is very important, especially where life and death decisions have to be made in an instant.

In addition to the story and the characters, I learned what an azimuth angle is, more about the RADAR acronym, various aircraft mentions, fuel rationing and the Dumbo Mission. Not only that but the beauty and fruits of Hawaii sound truly wonderful. Of course things were not wonderful during the war but the characters made the best of it. Romantic sparks fly and there is a story within a story which is written seamlessly. The bonds between friends is lovely.

Historical Fiction, General Fiction and Women's Fiction fans ought to read this.

My sincere thank you to Harlequin - MIRA and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this marvelous book!

Beautiful Story Of Life On Hawaii Between Pearl Harbor and Midway. This is one of those books where you almost audibly hear Faith Hill singing through parts, particularly the obligatory romance subplot - and particularly its later stages. Fortunately the romance subplot is well done yet mostly muted in favor of showing the women's bonds and work, which was an area of WWII I'd never heard of. Specifically, while college football player men were being rounded up to bolster island security forces, these ladies - both natives and those there because their husbands were already military - were being recruited (almost drafted, really) to man the very radar stations that had failed to realize what the Japanese were on that fateful morning in December 1941. It is actually on that morning that our story opens, with main character Daisy "borrowing" a horse and going skin diving for subsistence... when she witnesses an air battle directly above her. The story then spends most of its time in the next few months, culminating in the Battle of Midway from the perspective of these "Radar Girls". (And following with the obligatory post-war epilogue.) Beautifully written and full of heart, this is one that fans of historical fiction / WWII fiction will definitely love, and readers of all types should read even if it isn't normally your thing. Very much recommended.

Based on the stories of the women who served in the Women's Air Radar Defense (WARD) during WWII, this novel is filled with facts about this time period. I loved the strength and character of Daisy. Her common sense and leadership was encouraging. The rigorous training the women went through was amazing. This story brings to focus true patriotism. Recommended!

I had a hard time getting into this novel, mainly because I just did not feel any emotional connection at all to the main characters. I did find the historical aspect of this book interesting, however. I did not know anything about the radar girls and their important contribution to the war effort.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! I loved the friendships that developed between the women who worked together as WARDs. It was fun to see Daisy blossom with the help of good friends and superiors who believed in her. So many emotions are presented in this book: fear, anger, jealousy, hope, joy, but above all, love. This is a must-read!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set In Hawaii during the onset of WWII, Radar Girls explores the lives of women who become part of the Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD). As this is a part of history I’m not familiar with I was curious to read about it.

What I enjoyed:
*The history that was woven into the story regarding radar and it’s use. You can tell the author did her research and it is compelling!

*The setting - so incredibly beautiful and really set a tone for the book.

*The friendship between the women. It demonstrates the power of good friends.

What didn’t work as well for me:
*At times the story felt a little drawn out and a bit melodramatic. And Daisy’s relationship with Montgomery felt particularly odd after learning the truth.

Overall this was a solid read for me and who’s historical bent I enjoyed.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for a DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sara Ackerman’s Radar Girls is the U.S. based historical fiction novel you’ve been waiting for, and it does not disappoint. With amazing character development, a nail-biting plot, and incredible details, this novel sweeps you back in time and claims your attention to the final sentence.

The characters and setting are both the beating heart of this novel, with the setting practically becoming a character unto itself. Daisy Wilder has never felt like she fits in, as she prefers wearing pants and training horses to skirts and lipstick. She spends most of her time working and diving for fish to support her widowed mother, and still feels the tide of grief over losing her father. On the morning of December 7th, 1941, Daisy is out diving for fish when Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbor.

In the aftermath of the attack, Daisy is recruited into a top secret program, interpreting radar and tracking vessels for the U.S. military. As Daisy learns technical equations and codes, she also gets to know the other women in the program. From jealous squabbles to finding true friendship, Daisy is tested in ways she never knew possible.


Daisy and her fellow recruits are incredibly well developed, each individualized with unique backstories, motivations, attitudes, flaws and proficiencies. From optimistic Fluff to endeavoring Betty to persistent Lei, each character is relatable, lovable, and incredibly realistic. They’re the kinds of characters that you miss once you’ve closed the cover, the kind you want to return to again and again.

WWII era Hawaii is not a setting I’ve seen in other second world war fiction novels, and it became a character unto itself. From the vivid imagery to the unique terrain, the setting showed how Hawaii can be just as quick changing as the tides of war. Needless to say, it definitely made me want to visit Hawaii in the here and now, and yet also made me feel as though as I was really there, lizards and mosquitoes and all.

As with all war-set novels, the plot is nail-biting and intense at times. But it isn’t gratuitously violent, nor does it try to manipulate your emotions. It strikes just the right balance of realistic, showing the intense moments interspersed with the ways people found joy and happiness in between air raids.

The details are truly what set this novel apart. From technical details about radar that I never could have known to full on historical events I hadn’t heard of (and I am definitely a history buff and consider myself quite knowledgable about this era and arena; my grandfather was a WWII veteran stationed in the Pacific). There are numerous unique incidences discussed, from skirmishes to involving the FBI when lingerie was stolen from a clothesline, that were enlightening and educational. It’s these little details that really make this novel’s world and characters feel like you could reach out and touch them.

Radar Girls is a perfect choice for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls.

Radar Girls will be available July 27, 2021. Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Ackerman, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing an advanced copy such that I could write this review. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.