Who can resist a collaboration between Lawhon, Meissner and McMorris...not me! This is a good historical fiction based on real events about true friendship among a group of nurses amidst the horrors of WWII. I was not aware of "the Angels of Bataan" nor their heartbreaking story of strength and survival as female prisoners of war. It's fitting that I read this soon after reading The Women by Kristin Hannah about nurses during the Vietnam war. The books have similarities and if you enjoy one, you will like the other. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I finally had the chance to read this book. i just got finished reading SIlent Honor by Danielle Steel, about the treatment of Asians in America after Pearl Harbor. Really good book. This book is much more gut wrenching about a group of nurses in the Philipines during WWII. I love a well researched WWII novel and this one was very good!

I was really excited about having an early copy to read of this one as a nurse myself. Inspired by the true story of the "Angels of Baatan", three women looking to escape troubles in their real life, think they find themselves on a dream assignment in the Phillippines during World War 2, only for that narrative to change completely when Japan invades. They find themselves captive and strive to keep hope alive between themselves and the other prisoners.

Really grateful for NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to advance read this novel. My opinions are entirely my own.

When We Had Wings is inspired by the real-life “Angels of Bataan and Corregidor.” Seventy-seven American military nurses taken prisoner in the Philippines, provided lifesaving care to the civilian POWs in the Santo Tomas and Los Banos Internment Camps where they were held from 1942 to 1945.

The book is a collaboration between historical fiction heavyweights Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Eleanor Lindstrom, who leaves her Minnesota dairy farm for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, Penny Franklin, an army nurse escaping personal troubles in Texas, and Lita Capel, who has a Filipina mother and American father and works as a nurse near the base.

Their friendship develops over cocktails in the tropical paradise of Manila, but the Japanese invasion changes everything, leading them from military bases and local hospitals to internment camps and prisons.

Their unwavering determination to keep hope alive, not only for themselves but also for their fellow inmates, is at the heart of this gripping narrative. When We Had Wings is rich in historical detail, bringing the jungles and wartime experiences to vivid life. I was invested in the characters’ fates, sharing their joys, and shedding a tear or two along the way.

When We Had Wings struck me as reminiscent of Angels of the Pacific, which I read earlier. The beginning of the book was corny, but I was impressed as the story unfolded.

I alternated between reading the eBook and listening to the audio version. As always, narrator Saskia Maarleveld rocked it. Honestly, I prefer Susan Meissner’s and Kristina McMorris’ solo work, but this collective effort still tells an interesting story. 4 stars

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down! This book sheds light on fighting on the Pacific front. Eleanor (Navy), Penny (Army) and Lita (Filipina), three young nurses enjoying the south pacific. They become fast friends, meeting for happy hour, sharing their lives. But not long after Eleanor arrives, their corner of paradise is shattered by bombs as WWII comes to their doorstep. They are evacuated in different directions, each wondering if the other survived. They continued to perform their nursing duties as they are continually under attack. Eventually they become prisoners of war, but continue to care for those around them. This book sheds light on Americans fighting on the Pacific front.

I normally enjoy historical fiction and was looking forward to this book because it tells of the Philippines' involvement in WWII that I was unaware of. Unfortunately, after reading 30% of the book, I still didn't connect or relate with any of the characters and decided to put it down. In my opinion, there wasn't enough character development for me to get fully immersed in their storylines.

I don't think it's fair to review a book that you don't finish so I will not be posting a review on any of my normal review locations. Thank you for the opportunity to read it though.

Both touching and heartbreaking this book had all the feels. Humbling to read about the nurses that served during WWII. This was a well written and anyone who enjoys should give this a try. This is something that I did not know about and I did not want the story to end. Thank you for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review 4.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Books for the audiobook! All opinions are my own.

Based on the true experiences of nurses nicknamed "the Angels of Bataan," this story begins in the Philippines in 1941 at the Army Navy Club in Manila where U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship. They all think they have a cushy assignment on this island paradise, but they soon find themselves enmeshed in the struggle for control of the Philippines between Japan and the U.S.

This story follows them as they flow in and out of each other's lives through combat and imprisonment conditions as their physical strength and mental resolve are pushed to the limits.
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I really enjoyed this book. Written by some of my favorite historical fiction authors, it does not miss the mark as it examines the range of experience and emotions these nurses would have faced at this time. You get invested in each of their stories, and are delighted when the story weaves the separate plots together again.

This is a story about the power of friendship and the resiliency of the human spirit.

My only note is although I love Saskia Maarleveld, I would have loved a cast of three voices for this one. It would have helped, especially at the beginning, to set the storylines apart.

This subject of this book, as with many wartime stories revolves around some incredibly horrible circumstances and is not fast paced but it is so well written it was hard to put down. The three authors have created some strong and beautiful main characters and tell a very engaging tale. I have read stories before written by a collaboration of authors and always felt it obvious and distracting when the story switched from author to author. When We Had Wings is seamless. I have no idea who wrote what or when. It is a story of human suffering and pain but much more so one of friendship, perseverance and hope that beautifully pays tribute to the courage and selfless service of WWII Navy and Army nurses/POW’s. I highly recommend this interesting and heartfelt historical fiction.
Thanks to Net Galley and Edelweiss Publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

I did not finish the book because of the constant use of the Lord’s name throughout. I ammsorry as I would have liked to find out what happened to the three nurses and if they managed tobe set free.

I knew this book could hit my emotions. I have been reading about World War Two, for decades, after learning about it in school. Three nurses become friends during the early days of as two of them have been assigned to the Philippines in 1941. War breaks out and their friendship bond becomes stronger as they are absent from one another at various times during fighting between the Japanese and Allied enemies. Once Japanese military occupy the islands the three women and others they work or serve with endure horrendous treatment, conditions, lack of medical supplies, disease, starvation and more. Many of the things endured in this work of fiction are based on truth, were inhumane, and life changing for the inhabitants and occupants of Manila, Bataan, and Corregidor.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my unsolicited opinion. Information from the authors about the three nurses, Penny, Eleanor and Lita filtered through the prewar days as they got to know one another. It was enough for me to 'care' about what was happening with them once detainment, imprisonment, manipulation, mistreatment and torture took place. This is an emotional read particularly if the reader knows some of the history during that time. It is a work of fiction but these things and so much more did take place and what human beings can do to others can make your heart weep. I recommend the book to those who like to learn about the past by reading fictional accounts, especially those who enhance the reading with research into true accounts of what happened if interested. It's a book worth reading.

Thank you Netgalley for the Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Three authors sat together to write this wonderful book.
This book is about WWII, about three nurses Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Franklin and Lita Capel called the Angels of Bataan.
Stationed in the Philippines they lived in a utopia until WW2 butted in!
They were captured as war prisoners and sent to the POW camps.
This book is again based on true events, it shows the brutality and torture the people had to face during those days.
Very little is known about the angels of Bataan, this story is to be told to the current generation of women looking for role models.
Recommended 4.5/ 5
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A highly dramatic and narratively tense story about nurses in the Phillipines in WWII and what happens when they are captured -- a grim subject that doesn't get the attention that other aspects of that war do. I truly appreciated the uplifting / hopeful ending as they didn't need to include that. I'm a big Susan Meissner fan which drew me to the book, but I found the writing to be well integrated between the three authors (I couldn't tell who was writing what).

A WW2 story unlike one I had read before. I am always intrigued by ww2 stories that are set in parts of the world that I have no read about yet. This one was not an exception. It was good to read about the Philippines, and what people went through there. However, I think this book fell short slightly. The story was hard to get into and flow. Connecting Lita, Eleanor & Penny's stories seemed choppy. It took a while for good continuity between them. Overall, it was a good book. I just felt it could be executed even better..

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a good historical fiction book and this was right up my alley. Intriguing, and captivating, with a well-developed plot that had me excited to turn the page and sad to put the book down. A quick and easy read that I enjoyed and am excited to recommend to others.

"Sometimes love can break your heart,"Maude said. Penny looked at her friend. Tried to smile but couldn't. "In my experience it's the only thing that does."

I enjoyed this story of love, bravery, friendship and survival inspired by the real Angels of Bataan who became the first female POW's during World War 2. It was difficult to read at times but not gratuitous in any way. I found it a little long and slow moving but the wonderful writing and alternating between listening and reading made it a bit easier to get through.

As one from a family of nurses who served in the war, I am thankful that these 3 authors have taken the time to share stories that would otherwise be unheard.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review it!

An epic tale of nurses, both American and Filipina, during WWII, When We Had Wings ,tells a story of war and captivity that was unfamiliar but not surprising to me. Each of three main characters is written by one of three skilled writers of historical fiction so seamlessly that it is impossible to identify which author has created which character.

Pre war, Eleanor, a US Army nurse, Penny, a US Navy nurse, and Lita, a Filipina nurse meet at the Army Navy Club in Manila and become fast friends. Life is one big party on the beach Who would expect the Japanese to bomb Pearl Harbor and set in motion a living Hell from which there is no foreseeable escape?

The nurses find themselves taken as captives by the prevailing Japanese forces who refuse to comply with the terms of the Geneva Convention. Separated, mistreated, malnourished , in ever changing camps and prisons, the friends try to help others and not give up hope. Based on a true story, this book was an eye opener for me. I never understood the cruelty of the Japanese military occupiers on civilians and enlisted non combatants. When I read a book that teaches me an historical lesson, I am always glued to the pages.

Although each character was beautifully drawn, there were times I became confused by the ever changing people, locations and situations. I had to reread, turn back pages and concentrate very deeply to keep track of the story’s flow. That being said, this was clearly an important, interesting and compelling read. Four well earned stars for a book I recommend to fans of historical fiction , particularly those who enjoy WWII tales set in the Pacific. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing a copy of this book in return for my review.

Three young nurses, Elenor(Navy),Penny(Army), and Lita (Filipina), meet in the Officers Club in Manila on the eve of WWII. They are all seeking a fresh start to their troubled lives. Even though assigned to different bases, they become dear friends. When the Japanese invade the Philippines, they are nursing under horrific conditions. When the US surrenders they are placed in different camps, where hunger and disease are as as much an enemy as their captors. This is a story of friendship and courage, and ultimately survival.

This book is collaboration is from three authors, two of which I have read before. The story is told through three different characters point of views, and it was fun trying to guess which author wrote which character.

Our three main characters are all nurses; Eleanor a US Navy Nurse, Penny, a US Army Nurse and Lita, a resident Filipina nurse that are all living and working in the Philippines at the start of the USA entering WW2 during the Pacific Theater. They become fast friends when they meet during a training and make plans to get together once a month for a girls night.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they know their lives are about to change. All three become POW's when Japan takes over and occupies the Philippines. We follow these three different women through the harrowing years of being imprisoned by Japanese forces while trying to live by the codes they each have sworn to as nurses. Going through different stages of fear, starvation and grief while all being scattered in different parts of the island, with the occasional reunions. All three women dig deep and hold on to all the hope they can to try to give them the strength to carry on day in and day out.

While this book is a work of fiction it is strongly inspired by the true mostly untold stories of the real American and Filipina women that were imprisoned on the island and fought day in and day to treat all individuals they could. They also kept the spirits up for other prisoners and even became a part of the resistance that eventually led to Japan retreating from the Philippines. This is an emotional and touching read.

Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy E-book in exchange for an honest review.

This World War II novel was enjoyable - showcasing the lives of 3 nurses stationed in the South Pacific. Each woman had their own tale to tell, intertwined with a growing friendship that highlighted the fact that time, distance, and hardships can’t break their love for one another.

I did feel like this was a little longer than it needed to be and some parts did drag on. But I enjoyed the story and the character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy in exchange for an honest review - I give this 3.5 stars out of 5.