Cover Image: Flying Angels

Flying Angels

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Member Reviews

I normally do not read Danielle Steel, but this book captured my attention. I loved reading about these 5 nurses. I felt so connected to these nurses and felt so many emotions! This was a sad story but also very informative. Glad that I was able to read it.

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I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to read this book. This is a period of time that has always interested me. The book started out a little slow. It begins with Audrey, a young girl who is taking care of her mom and decides to go to nursing school so that she can care of her when she gets worse. At nursing school, Audrey meets Lizzie, a beautiful girl from Boston. Somewhere along the line, the book went from a book about Audrey to a book centered around Lizzie. I still enjoyed it. So many great other characters (Pru, Emma, Alex, and so many more!) This book takes you from the states, to Hawaii on the eve of Pearl Harbour, to working with the RAF in England. My only complaint is that so much happens in the last four or five chapters and then the book is over. I would love another book post war!

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Danielle Steel has her own unique writing style which is quite easily recognizable. It's a nice change for me and sort of feels like coming home. I'm glad she is such a prolific writer. This is not only an inspirational story of six girls who end up together in a Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron in England but somewhat of an historical novel, as well, taking place during World War II.

Being old enough to remember many things that were mentioned, it's still good to have a reminder of how horrendous war is and how much so many suffered.

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OMG a sad sad book. So much death. I know it is a true testiment of war time but so sad. Of course couldn't put it down because you are so hoping everyone survives.... but they don't. Wartime was awful and so much death. Well written about the tragedy of war. Hard time for so many families.

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Flying Angels is about five nurses from different backgrounds who enlist to fly in planes during World War 2 to evacuate and treat soldiers being transported to hospitals. Audrey, Lizzie, Emma, Pru, Alex, and Louise. They become close friends while rooming and working together. They lose brothers and boyfriends during the war. Audrey and Pru get killed in the line of duty. The war finally ends. Lizzie, Emma, Alex and Louise each find love and get engaged.

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I don’t know how Danielle Steel manages to release so many beautiful novels each year, but “Flying Angels” was one of her highlights this year, and I enjoyed it!

What’s different about this story is that it strays from the usual romance that the author is famous for writing. Instead, we get strong women who find themselves aboard the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron during WWII. The author depicted the scenes wonderfully, and it was clear that she had done ample research on the subject and how nurses operated during the time. The author also included the after-effects of the emotions that the warriors face realistically. For instance, I thought the scenes when Alex checks in on Petty Officer Stanley were well penned.

However, the highlight of the tale is in its characters, which the author shines in depicting. Whether it be Audrey, Pru, Lizzie, or Emma, the author wrote the backstory of all the characters wonderfully. Each of them faces various challenges, and it was inspiring to see how they survived and became stronger. Also, the author adds some shocking moments where some of the core members pass away, which I did not expect. Moreover, I loved the close bond between Lizzie and Alex and Pru and Emma. I also enjoyed the small moments where Audrey shares with her mother. However, Alex was probably my favorite of them all, as she leaves her posh aristocratic life to help others.

Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction, particularly regarding World War II, you should indeed check out “Flying Angels.” It is an emotional story that will make you reach out for the tissues.

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Like everyone’s live after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Audrey Parker’s life changes. Flying Angels follows the life of Audrey, her friend Lizzie and others that they met along the way as they join the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron. There service to the Army and Britain’s RAF is full of sacrifices, daring rescues, loss, friendship and life changing events as the women work to make a difference while waiting for World War II to end.
I enjoyed Danielle Steel’s “Flying Angels.” The storyline shifted between each of the women of the “Flying Angels.” More time was spent on some but each woman’s life and reason for being there was different. I usually do not like having that many main characters but each story was meaningful and had a purpose in overall story. There are a few places that I felt like I had just been told the background of specific characters twice but overall it was very enjoyable. As I finished reading, I realized not only did I get caught up in the story but I learned about a unique group of women who sacrificed, served and changed women’s role in the military for future generations. It encouraged me to look further into the actual women who were part of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron. Nothing to do with “Flying Angels” but I was shocked when looking at pictures of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron, many of the ladies are wearing heels instead of combat boots in the airplane. Not to add a spoiler but it makes you wonder if they had on heels as they worked their way back to base through the German territory.
Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

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I appreciate #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of Danielle Steel's Flying Angels. I always enjoy Danielle Steel's historical fiction books and this one was no different. Audrey and Lizzie meet at nursing school just as World War II was beginning. They lose parents and siblings throughout the war and ultimately enlist in the Army, where they are sent to England and assigned to a medical transport group evacuating wounded soldiers away from the front. While there, they meet other nurses, each with their own history, trying to make their way in a world that doesn't allow women the opportunities they yearn for. I enjoyed each of the women's stories and how their stories were interwoven into this book as they all ended up working in the same squadron.

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Blending historical with woman's fiction, Steel pens stories of brave women adhering to their internal call of duty instead of society's expectations. These 'Flying Angels' risked their lives to protect the United States during WWII."

Putting aside pearls and society's expectations, Alex, Audrey, Emma, Lizzie, Louise and Pru enlisted in the Air Force as aero nurses. Winging their way to the battle fields, they rescued wounded soldiers. While mending lives, the work gave theirs meaning.

Danielle Steel's description of the fighting, friendships and war romances created a powerful read. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #FlyingAngels in exchange for an honest review. Steel is renowned for romances but she shines at historical fiction. Overcoming obstacles and overthrowing society's rules to make a difference, her spirited characters connect readers with past so they can embrace the future.

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I just finished reading Flying Angels by Danielle Steel, and as always she does not disappoint. I found this particular story line to be a very interesting take on women and the role they played in World War 2. Danielle makes you fall in love with the main characters, and you will laugh with them, and grieve with the as well. Throughout the story there are subthemes, especially those of bias, with skin color as well as societal placement.

This is a quick book, and you will probably learn a thing or 2 about the time period and the Flying Angels.

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Wow! Just wow! An amazing story about strong women and their bonds with each other and family throughout a war that took so much from them. I was blown away by their stories and enjoyed it so much. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for review.

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I think that Flying Angels is an amazing book. I felt connected and attached to each of the six women in the book, which goes to show how much of a fantastic storyteller Danielle Steel is. Each of the women are so brave and resilient, which was inspiring to me as a reader. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because I felt that there was a lack of character growth and development for some of the women in the second half of the book. Throughout the book, you are introduced to all of the women but as the book continues, you don’t hear as much about them (Audrey, Louise, and Pru) and their lives for long periods of time. Even though the book is heartbreaking at times, Danielle Steel wrapped the story up nicely. Overall, I loved this book and I think that anyone who is a fan of historical fiction should read it. I would like to thank Random House Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ebook copy of Flying Angels in exchange for an honest review.

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Nice story and good characters. Typical Danielle Steele. I like told story of women’s role in war effort

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Danielle Steel has done a great job of crafting a historical fiction novel that gives us a peek into a topic not as popular in WWII historical fiction, that of the women flight nurses.

Audrey Parker is caring for her mother when she decides that she will pursue nursing as a way to better help her mother, who is suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Her brother is at the naval academy and will be pursuing his military career upon graduation. While in nursing school, Audrey meets Lizzie and the two become fast friends. When Audrey and Lizzie learn that the United States is at war, they decide to enlist and help serve their country.

Audrey and Lizzie are sent to England where they meet Louise, a bright young woman who has faced racial prejudice back in the states and is adjusting to a truly different atmosphere in England. They also meet Alex, a young woman who truly just wants to serve others and in doing so goes against what her well-to-do family wishes for her. Stationed with them are Emma and Pru. Emma is trying to overcome her own background while realizing that people that truly care about her do not care about her history. Pru, whose family is among the well-to-do in England, has turned their home into a refuge for children being evacuated out of harm's way. Pru's decision to serve is really not a surprise and she soon sets herself apart as a leader among her peers.

Through the story, these women sacrifice so very much and come to depend on and support each other As the war worsens, they take their own risks to ensure the safety of the men serving and trying to end the war. The alternating stories of each character quickly had me reading non-stop waiting to see what happened. I loved each character and as they grew and changed, their abilities and their hearts shined even more. I did not want this story to end. I cannot imagine the sacrifices these women made just to be able to serve during a time when women weren't welcomed on the front. I loved how a common mission broke barriers so easily because they were all concerned with saving lives.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Danielle Steel, historical fiction, and stories of women during war time. Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Steel, and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this title.

I used to love Steel's historical fiction novels, but this one is weak. There are too many "main" characters and very little focus to draw the reader in and hold attention. It's a common tactic Steel uses in her books of late, almost as if she knows she doesn't truly have enough material for a book.

This book is...okay. Six women become nurses in the late 30s/early 40s and decide to join the military during WWII. They join an esteemed air force unit in England and fly missions to save soldiers. It should be a story of strong, brave women but it devoles quickly about halfway through to a series of events that lead several of the women into rushed, wartime relationships. From there on, with the focus shifted, it weakened the story substantially.

All in all, not her best, but certainly not her worst.

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Flying Angels is an enjoyable read about a group of women who are flight nurses during WWII. I found myself enjoying reading about yet another role that women had in the war effort, but I felt the book lacked true emotion. Though there is plenty of heartbreak, death, tragedy and tears, the author’s style of writing kept everything very level, rather than writing to evoke the true emotion of the moment. As with all great historical fiction novels based on real people and events, I would have liked to read a note from the author at the end about real life “flying angels” and what the author found during her research. This is an enjoyable historical fiction read, nonetheless and provides a nice look at women and their role in the war.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This is the story of four nurses who who are doing air medic transports in England, flying to retrieve wounded soldiers and bringing hem back to be treated at the military hospital.

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Loved this book.
A great historical book.
Highly, highly recommend!
I am rereading it for my second time and it is just as enjoyable the second time through!
There are not enough books out there that highly women's accomplishments!
I give it 5 stars!

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Flying Angels by Danielle Steel is a historical novel regarding the brave women in the Air Force during WWII. The book reveals the lives of amazing nurses who volunteered to join a special force of aero nurses bringing back wounded soldiers to hospitals in England. At a time when there was much racial discrimination in the South, Louise can rise above it in England and become a member of the force. Lizzie and Audrey, best childhood friends face great lost during their service. Pru and Alex leave their aristocratic lives to pursue their dreams of being war nurses. All of these women faced death daily and some within their own families. Many of them also have experienced love and will experience great changes when they return home to the States after the war ..Thank you to Netgalley for providing me the opportunity to read Flying Angels before its publication.

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Finally! Danielle Steel has given us a novel worthy of 5 stars. The look into the lives of the young women who worked as flight nurses during World War II is compelling from the first chapter to the last. War makes fast friends and lasting memories and the realism with which this was accomplished was wonderful. I laughed and I cried and I was sorry when I finished the last page. I would love to know more about the difficulty of their lives following the end of the war. Meanwhile, this was a very satisfying read and I highly recommend it.

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