I love historical fiction books, especially those that take place during WWII. Suzanne Kelman has written several books in recent years that I have loved. I will say that this book was a disappointment. It was definitely more fiction than history. I loved getting to know Hedy Lamar and Judy Morgan. However, so much of the book is based on fiction. In reading the author’s notes at the end of the book, I discovered that she forced a connection between the two women in order to create the story. That does not appeal to me and is something I don’t appreciate. I don’t mind the random bits added to make a story interesting. But this one was based on very little fact.

I was a little disappointed in the overall book. But learning about these two women helped redeem the book so that I felt it worth rounding it up from 3.5 stars to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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As a woman of science, I definitely appreciate an author writing about women in inventions, etc. Remembering what some women contributed during the Second World War is especially important. This book is definitely a great example of it.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

I loved this authors others books but unfortunately I struggled to connect with the characters in this one and so it wasn’t one I particularly enjoyed. Sad but I will still give her future books a go

This book is a story about heartache, true love, and friendship that endures during World War II until the end of the characters' lives. It is based on the life of Joan Curran, a scientist that invented strips of aluminum to confuse enemies and worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II.

This book is well-written. The author knows how to express the grief and pain someone is going through. The writing often brought tears to my eyes. I loved the characters and the letters they wrote to each other to move the story forward. I enjoyed reading the little tidbits of historical incidents that people didn't know about or have forgotten over time. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

1997 Judy receives an award at Cambridge University, desperately hoping her former friend will attend the ceremony. 1937: Judy meets Hedwig Kiesler, a Jewish woman who has fled her husband and the Nazis. Hedwig reinvents herself as Hedy Lamarr, becoming a famous film star. She never forgets Judy but will their friendship survive the war?
When The Nightingale Sings is an historical novel set in Europe and America during the 1930s and 40s. It is based on the real life film star Hedy Lamarr which gives this an extra poignancy.
Judy and Hedy appear to be complete opposites yet their friendship is immediate. Judy completes her degree at Cambridge and then goes to work in a lab. But she is frequently undermined and dismissed by her boss because she is a woman. Hedy seems to have more power and opportunity in Hollywood. However she is passed over for serious roles and praised for her beauty rather than her intelligence.
Neither woman is satisfied with the roles that women are allowed. I felt really emotional at how they are judged and constrained by stereotyped gender roles of the historical period. Both women have extraordinary scientific minds and want to put them to use for the war effort. They have to fight for recognition in a male dominated world.
The book is written with alternating chapters from each woman to show the developments in their lives, some of which are tragic. Many chapters end with letters and telegrams between the two which give a more personal insight as they are direct and emotional commentaries on the events we have just read about.
When The Nightingale Sings is an excellently engaging and warm story of two women fighting for equality and recognition for their intelligence. I have previously reviewed Under A Sky On Fire by Suzanne Kelman.

I snagged this book as an ARC from @netgalley , although it’s now been out for a while. I typically love historical fiction, especially WW2 novels. This one just didn’t suck me in though.

I loved the concept of learning about Hedy Lamarr, as her inventions have had quite the impact on us all today; I even loved the idea of learning about one of the female scientists (Judy Jenkins) involved in the Manhattan Project. There is nothing inherently wrong with the book; it has the love interest, real life problems, plus some extreme drama- it just wasn’t my favorite. I did appreciate that they demonstrate just how chaotic working within the sciences during a war time is, as my family has heard plenty of stories from two relatives that were involved with the Manhattan Project themselves. This story displayed beautifully the conflicting emotions that arise during war, especially within people that are find themselves being asked to invent anything intended to help stop the war. I will admit though that I found myself unable to really relate with Hedy and Judy, though they deal with some situations that we still face (failing marriages, sexism within the science field, etc.). ✈️

If you love historical fiction or war literature, I would recommend giving this one a shot. There’s a good chance you’ll be more into this story than I was 🤷🏼‍♀️

What a beautiful, poignant and haunting novel. A heart wrenching story that is difficult to put down. Very highly recommended. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When the Nightingale Sings tells the fictionalised life of real-life scientist Joan Curran and Hollywood film star, Hedy Lamarr. The novel explores the senseless loss of life during war and how scientific developments meant for good can equally be employed for less righteous purposes.

Hedy, after escaping her manipulative husband, makes her way to Hollywood and fame, but her wish is to be recognised for herself and her scientific genius, which we must all thank for the wireless technology used in cell phones today. Judy Jenkins (a fictional version of Joan Curran) begins her career at Cavendish Labs in Cambridge, working on the proximity fuse, inventing chaff, and later assisting on the Manhattan Project, which causes a unbreachable rift in the women’s longstanding friendship. The novel takes readers through WWII, Judy living through dangerous times, and Hedy basking in the luxurious but superficial paradise of California and yearning for more.

The story is well told, often through letters, but I didn’t always feel a connection to the characters, and I would have preferred less one-off Hollywood name-dropping. There are interesting contrasts to observe: ordinariness vs. glamour, sunny California vs. damp dreary England, British shyness vs. American boldness. But Hedy (Hedwig Kiesler) was Austrian-born, so there analogies as well; both women are European and dedicated to seeing the end of Hitler’s tsunami of destruction, both have brilliant scientific minds, both want to be recognised and loved for themselves. Judy achieves this with her deep and lasting relationship with husband Tom, but in contrast, Hedy, married and divorced six times, sadly never found that elusive affection which could see beyond her physical allure. The author encourages readers to research both women’s remarkable lives: women ahead of their time and achieving recognition only after their deaths.

This was a deeply emotional story with characters Judy Jenkins (inspired by a real-life scientist) and Hedy Lamarr. The details of Hedy's life are well-known, though the friendship was fictional as were some of the bigger plot points in the story. I'm on the fence about that, but overall, the core of the book was about the friendship of these two brilliant women during a time when their intellect and achievements were passed over because of their gender. In particular, I found Judy's story so compelling because of all she lost during the war, and yet how she triumphed in the end.

Two women become friends at the height of WW2 - based on a true story but this is historical fiction - it's a story of friendship, one's an actress, the other a scientist, the plot is pretty fast paced and I appreciate that, we follow the story through heartbreak, tragedy and loss through a war of love and war, a strong friendship is a must.

Judy as a character is pretty well developed and I liked her over Hedy, plus I felt her role as a scientist was far more superior in the war however, she was working as a full educated woman but in a mans world, that must have been pretty tough for her. Hedy on the other hand tuned to be an actress despite this, she complies with the need to do her bit for her country and war effort in an academic way, which I applaud. These are the things that interested me most within the book, though they share a great bond in the book, I really appreciated reading about how the war affected them, their lives, and eventually their friendship. I really love reading about the war and how each experience although different can be replicated and related to by many people.

With thanks to Netgalley for the free arc in return for my review.

‘It was a very different time, when women were heralded more for cooking in their kitchens and staying home to raise their children than for inventing strips of aluminum foil to confuse our enemy.’

When the Nightingale Sings is a story based on facts: women who tried to break down the stereotypes and be accepted into the world of science, a field traditionally dominated by men at the time. The friendship is between two women during the ww2 and the decades that followed - one a scientist, one an actress.

Firstly there is Hedy Lamarr famed for her Golden years of Hollywood acting accomplishments but also an incredibly intelligent and pioneering woman (I knew of this thanks to Marie Benedict’s book The Only Woman in the Room which I highly recommend). The other character, Judy, is based on the scientist Joan Curran who similarly made scientific discoveries with little recognition. What the author attempts to do here is recognise and honour both women through a fictionalised friendship.

‘… friendships forged in the fire were the hardest to extinguish. They were the ones seared into your being, melded to your heart, a forever charred part of your soul.’

The significant discoveries made by these women would ultimately assist the Allies in WWII, however, they struggled to be taken seriously or recognised for their worth. I adore books that shine the spotlight on women from the past and applaud both the writer and the women discussed for providing such a tale of strength, resilience and courage.

Suzanne skillfully blends fact and fiction in this highly engaging tale. Any story that has you running to Google is one that has been successful in both entertaining and educating their reader. I am grateful that these unsung female inventors are finally being recognised. If you love rich historical fiction with a particular focus on women, then you are sure to enjoy this book.

“Listen,” said Judy, her eyes flashing open as she took Hedy’s hand again. “It’s a nightingale. Just like you.” “I thought they only sang at night,” whispered Hedy. “Only when they are lonely and don’t have a mate,” confirmed Judy. “When they’re happy, they sing in the day, too.”







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I saved a spot in my schedule for this unforgettable story about love, courage and devastation. It’s set in World War Two Britain, along with Hollywood and Pearl Harbor. *When The Nightingale Sings by Suzanne Kelman is based on two true stories of amazing ‘hidden women’ who changed the world.

A marvellous story of two lifelong friends who are courageous and passionate. Judy a Welsh scientist and Austrian Hedy an inventor turned actress turn their knowledge to help end the war. In a male-dominated world Judy fights to be known for her achievements, Hedy much the same.

But a cruel twist happens and something comes between the two friends threatening to destroy their friendship forever. Many years pass…..

It’s a strong emotional page-turner that is compelling as well as captivating. The story has been well researched and written by the author so it feels totally authentic of those times. Perfect for historical fiction fans! I found myself Googling the two women to learn more about their intriguing lives!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

his was such a wonderful story! I honestly didn’t know what to expect going in but I definitely enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

This story follows two women, Judy Morgan and Hedy Lamarr during WWII and what it means to be a woman in that era and in their respective fields. Hedy, who is a Jew, broke free from a loveless marriage to her German husband in Austria and flee to London in search of a better life. She ended up being a famous actress in America but she knows there is more to life than just entertainment in times of war. Judy Morgan on the other hand, has good academic credentials and wants a career in scientific research in Cambridge. Although she achieved her dreams, she then faced an ongoing struggle of being the only woman in a male-dominated field.

What do these two women have in common? Judy and Hedy coincidentally met in a museum and became fast friends. They found common ground in their struggles to make it as a woman in a male dominating era but also they are constantly supporting each other through different phases of their lives.

Although the pacing of the story can be a little slow but what made this a good story for me is the character development. You can see how Judy and Hedy had grown over the years and how they struggle to change the stereotypes of women in their respective fields. This is a beautiful story of strength and friendship. I am glad I picked this up.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the arc.

This was a very interesting take on WWII - one from a female scientist and the other a female actress in Hollywood. There are real people in the story as well as fictional and lots of different aspects of WWII - the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Manhattan Project, etc. Both of the main characters struggle with sexism and wanting things they can not have. Despite this, there are moments of beauty and hope woven throughout.

When the Nightingale Sings by Suzanne Kelman tells the story of an unlikely friendship of a Hollywood actress and a shy English scientist. This book is a good reminder that the experiences of WW2 stayed with people who lived through it, long after it was over and the powerful impact that brilliant women had, even though credit was not always given. This book spans several decades but the author does it in such an impressive way that you keep wanting to read to see where Hedy and Judy, the two main characters end up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

After starting this book and not being grabbed by the plot, I made the decision to DNF this one. I will continue to look for her books in the future but this one was just not for me.

'When The Nightingale Sings': 4⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to Netgalley, Suzanne Kelman and the publishers for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

As an avid reader of historical fiction, this book was high on my to-be-read list. It did not disappoint. A story of womanhood set in the World War II, between a scientist and an actress.
We follow them through their losses and their pain and a beautiful, powerful storyline! One I know I'll be mourning for years!

Just beautiful. Poignant. Haunting. Thought provoking. A must read. What a wonderful, heart wrenching story this is. Very highly recommended.

If you love WW2 themed books based on some truths you’ll love this. A storyline that keeps you guessing till the end. 2 women meet early in life but their friendship grows throughout the war both in England and America. Can however a major secret unite them or push them apart. You’ll have to read to find out. One is a famous American actress and the other an English scientist. Easy to read and manageable chapters. Thanks Suzanne Kelman, her publisher and NetGalley.

I was looking forward to reading this because I LOVED "A View Across the Rooftops" and "When We Were Brave." Unfortunately, this wasn't one of my favorites. It was OK and would give it 2.5 stars. I didn't realize Hedy Lamarr was a real actress. I had to google her. What I found on the Internet was more interesting than how she was portrayed in the book. I would have never guessed she actually had a child in the book. James was never with her. She travelled so many places and must have left him home with the nanny because he was never with her. I just couldn't get into the story and I love historical fiction. I didn't love the characters. There could have been a little bit more about Hedy and her first husband. He wasn't the best husband ever but I thought he would have been much worse for the way Hedy planned her escape. The way Judy and her husband talked made me laugh. They seemed liked teenagers just discovering the opposite sex. Their dialogue on their honeymoon was just too much. I would have thought something else would have destroyed Hedy and Judy's relationship. The reason behind the end of their friendship was ridiculous. Hedy blamed Judy for something she had no control over.

Definitely give the book a try. It just wasn't for me. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.