“When We Had Wings”

If you love WWII historical fiction, then you will love this book. I confess that with all of the reading I have done about the Second World War, almost none has been about the atrocities committed by the Japanese and I think that this is the first I’ve read set in the Philippines.

Despite being written by three different authors - Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner - the tale seamlessly connected and felt like one cohesive story. I enjoyed the perspectives of the three different nurses as they each struggled during combat and as prisoners of war, even as they worked to help others in the makeshift hospitals with very few medical supplies and little food.

Main characters Penny (Army), Eleanor (Navy), and Lita (Filipino nurse) each bring a different perspective to their situation and highlight varying injustices throughout the war. The enduring power of their friendship and the power of hope were important themes throughout this book. The complete disregard for the Geneva Convention, while not something new, particularly in the face of the Second World War, was really brought home as prisoners addressed their concerns on several occasions regarding the continual affronts to their rights - each time they were ignored or disregarded. The only thing I would have liked added to this book was an authors’ note sorting out fact from fiction and providing more information about the Philippines during WWII.

I read a few chapters in the ebook but primarily read #whenwehadwings via audiobook which was expertly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. I love Saskia’s narration style; in fact if I am debating an audiobook and see she is the narrator I immediately choose audio.

Thank you @harpermuse and @netgalley for digital copies of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Will pull at your heartstrings though out the book which means it's an emotional type read that's about friendship, heartbreak and hard times, and shows are Strong and brave the nurse was doing that that time.

The stories of a trio of young nurses in the Philippines during World War 2 is written by a trio of excellent authors in When We Had Wings. Written from the points of view of an Army nurse, a Navy nurse, and a young Filipina nurse, the parallel storylines work together to form the bigger picture of the war as its impact is felt throughout the Pacific Island nation. Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner have expertly woven these stories together with exquisite care to create relatable characters in situations that represent very real challenges faced by female nurses during wartime. With great skill for developing vivid settings, the authors bring readers into the world of 1940’s Manila and surrounding areas to experience the dramatic shift in the Pacific theater after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brings aggression to paradise. The primary characters are relatable and understandable, as are many of the supporting characters in this expertly crafted novel. The storyline is very well developed, and I thoroughly appreciate the importance of HAM day among the nurse friends, as well as the fierce determination that drives them all through horrific experiences to bring them to a beautiful and fulfilling ending.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

A story of friendship, heartbreak and hard times. Set in Manila during ww2 the story follows the lives of 3 nurses and their experiences as POW. I struggled to get into this book, I found it slow at the start and also throughout. I didn’t love the style of writing, felt confusing at times.
Wasn’t my favourite read but still interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are expressed are my own.

EXCERPT: A sultry and sweetly fragrant breeze swept across Manila Bay as Eleanor Lindstrom walked carefully down the gangplank of the just-docked naval transport ship, mindful that her land legs might be slow in returning. A band was playing a cheerful Benny Goodman tune as she and other disembarking servicemen and women stepped onto solid ground. Filipino nationals on the other side of a rope held up by stanchions were waving hello and hawking maps of the islands or taxi rides or paper bags of sweets or bouquets of aromatic frangipani blossoms. The late afternoon air was thick with their excitement but also with humidity that rivalled anything Eleanor had felt back home on a Minnesota midsummer's day.
The mood all around her was festive, despite the stifling heat, and she wanted to linger, to take it all in, and let the buoyant atmosphere energize her. Fortify her. Calm her. Crossing the Pacific, especially for a twenty-three-year-old Midwesterner who had never even seen the ocean before, had been challenging, yes, but it wasn't just the fatigue of travel that made her want to stop and fully embrace the novelty of her new surroundings. It was far more than that.
It was deciding on a whim to apply to the Navy and getting accepted so quickly. Leaving for training barely three weeks after signing on the dotted line. Saying goodbye to civilian life. Leaving her friends and fellow nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Hugging her parents and sister farewell and knowing a three-year overseas assignment meant it would likely be several years before she saw them or the family dairy barns again.
And all this change because she'd fallen in love with a man who loved another.

ABOUT 'WHEN WE HAD WINGS': The Philippines, 1941. When U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, they believe they’re living a paradise assignment. All three are seeking a way to escape their pasts, but soon the beauty and promise of their surroundings give way to the heavy mantle of war.

Caught in the crosshairs of a fight between the U.S. military and the Imperial Japanese Army for control of the Philippine Islands, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and, ultimately, endure captivity as the first female prisoners of the Second World War. As their resiliency is tested in the face of squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, the women strive to keep their hope—and fellow inmates—alive, though not without great cost.

In this sweeping story based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed the “Angels of Bataan,” three women shift in and out of each other’s lives through the darkest days of the war, buoyed by their unwavering friendship and distant dreams of liberation.

MY THOUGHTS: When We Had Wings is more a story of friendship and romance set against the backdrop of WWII than it is about surviving the war. It is not as darkly descriptive as I expected, and I don't know if I am disappointed or relieved by that, particularly as it is based on first-hand accounts provided by the Angels of Bataan.

I have previously read and enjoyed works by all three of the authors who collaborated on When We Had Wings and I find it impossible to tell who wrote what. They have captured the resilience of human spirit and used it to great effect as these three women face imprisonment, fear, violence, barbaric treatment and an uncertain future. And yet they kept going, day after day, doing their jobs in unimaginable conditions and putting their own lives at risk to save the lives of others, provide medical supplies and keep everyone fed.

Most nurses are dedicated and resilient, but we can add loyal, brave and determined (and occasionally foolhardy), to the list of qualities for Eleanor, Penny and Lita. Although they were often separated, they never gave up on one another. The themes of friendship and hope run strongly throughout When We Had Wings with a side dish of romance as an antidote to the horrors of prison camp life which, I am sure, in real life was a lot more brutal than what is described here.

⭐⭐⭐.7
#WhenWeHadWings #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHORS: All three are critically acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling authors.

ARIEL LAWHON lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, and black Lab—who is, thankfully, a girl. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.

KRISTINA MCMORRIS previously hosted weekly TV shows for Warner Bros. and an ABC affiliate, beginning at age nine with an Emmy Award-winning program, and owned a wedding-and-event-planning company until she had far surpassed her limit of "Y.M.C.A." and chicken dances. Kristina splits her time between San Diego and Portland, Oregon, where she’s the proud mom of two teenage boys who recently stripped her of her longstanding boast of being “tall for an Asian.”

SUSAN MEISSNER attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Muse for providing both an e-ARC and an audio ARC of When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner for review. The audiobook is superbly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. I enjoyed both formats.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I’ve not read another story about nurses in Manila during the war. This was such a story of bravery, determination and friendship. I loved watching the characters use their individual strengths to first, stay alive, and second, assist in the war efforts by nursing the injured using very little equipment and supplies. I really loved the ending!

I felt honored to read this book. This was my first time reading anything by Ariel Lawhon, and it definitely won’t be my last. The writing was excellent—immersive, lyrical, and deeply moving.

This novel is a beautiful tribute to the strength of friendship, the power of love, and the resilience of the human spirit. Even in the midst of war, in the darkness of pain and loss, the story offers hope. The authors reminded me that love isn't just about appearances. Even when you're tired, worn out, and surrounded by depravity, love can still find you. And not the fleeting kind—but real love, the kind that surprises you when you least expect it.

Though the story was long, I couldn’t wait to return to it each time I put it down. It gave me perspective. It reminded me how fragile and fleeting life can be—and it filled me with gratitude for the life I have, for my family, and for the friendships I sometimes take for granted.

This book stayed with me long after I turned the final page. And I have a feeling it will remain with me for a long time to come.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in the relatively unexamined Pacific theater. At times, the paving was a little slow, but I feel the amount of information I learned by reading this book was worth it.

What an intriguing and beautifully woven story crafted by three talented authors—Ariel Lawson, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner. While I initially found it challenging to separate the storylines of the three women, as the narrative unfolded, I became deeply connected to the characters. Their resilience and depth drew me in, and by the end, I didn’t want the story to end. Saskia Maarleveld’s narration added another layer of richness to the experience—she brought each character to life with nuance and emotion. A memorable listen from start to finish.

** Thank you, NetGalley, Harper Muse, Ariel Lawson, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner for an eARC copy of ‘When We Had Wings’.

When We Had Wings is a WWII fiction novel bring to life the suffering and trials of the Angels of Bataan. It is a very fast paced and captivating read that interestingly brings to life Manila during WWII through the eyes of three Nurses. Overall, I found the novel very hard to put down with an extremely well-constructed plot that keep me reading! My only complaint is that I felt some of the relationships between characters felt underdeveloped. Despite that I really enjoyed and would recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a copy of this book.

This was an excellent book of innocence, friendship, and growth. The saying, we don’t know what we have until it is gone, definitely fits here. I enjoyed reading When We Had Wings. The authors did a great job of making the characters human, as if we know them personally. Thank you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When We Had Wings is an exceptional read that was co-written by three phenomenal authors. Set in the South Pacific in 1941, we find ourselves with three Nurses Penny, Lita and Eleanor. We go through obstacles with them and hardships.
This is historical fiction must read. It is from 2022 am I late posting this review, but this story has stuck with me,
A solid four star, must read,

What a powerhouse of incredibly talented historical fiction writers! When We Had Wings was a powerful and stunning novel that I just cannot say enough good things about. These three authors wove their voices seamlessly through the pages of this unputdownable story. Memorable, inspiring, atmospheric, and compelling are just several words I would use to describe this WW2 story based on true events. This book offered a fresh perspective in the genre, based on "the Angels of the Bataan", the nurses in Manila during the war, and I couldn't have appreciated that more. Also, I loved the theme of the strength of female friendships throughout! A must read!

Many thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

When We Had Wings was by three of my favorite authors, Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. Their writing meshed so seamlessly well that it was difficult to tell who had written what. Together they were able to tell the story and pay tribute to the brave and courageous army and navy nurses who became the first time ever female inmates in Japanese POW internment camps during World War II. When We Had Wings was a historical fiction novel based on real events. Little had ever been written about these nurses who dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and wounded soldiers stationed in the Pacific while simultaneously being subjected to the atrocities of war the Japanese army inflicted upon them. The combined research that these three masterful authors gathered and included in this book was impeccable. Some of the characters and the places mentioned within the book were real. When We Had Wings was well plotted and included the day to day duties the nurses carried out regardless of their circumstances, the widespread starvation instituted by the Japanese that resulted in widespread malnutrition, the chronic illnesses like malaria and dengue fever that raged rampantly, the cruel and unjust punishment the Japanese army handed out, the formation of long lasting and treasured friendships and even some romances. It was perfectly paced and the characters were well developed.

Three young women had completed their nursing training and found themselves on Manila Bay. They were Penny Franklin who was originally from Texas and was an U.S. Lieutenant Nurse in the Army. Then there was Angelita Capel, better known as Lita, who was a civilian nurse and a product of a Filipina mother and an American missionary father. Last to arrive was Eleanor Lindstrom. Eleanor was from Minnesota where she had lived on a dairy farm. She was now a nurse in the United States Navy. All three of them, Penny, Lita and Eleanor, had signed on for their own personal and varied reasons. The night Eleanor arrived and they all had drinks in Salon B of the Army and Navy club they instantly bonded and became true and trusting friends. They made a pact to see each other as often as they could. They named their designated day to meet HAM day.

In the beginning, Penny’s, Lita’s and Eleanor’s nursing duties on Manila Bay were light. Manila Bay felt like a tropical paradise. The weather was beautiful and they had ample free time. Everything changed drastically though when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Shortly after, the Japanese began to bomb Manila. For the first time, the nurses were in the middle of real combat. They had not been trained to endure combat. The Japanese did not discriminate over where they dropped their bombs. Hospitals were not spared. The nurses were evacuated to different camps located within the jungle where they set up makeshift hospitals. While in the jungles, many soldiers fell victim to malaria and dengue fever. Shortly those camps fell to the Japanese as did the Philippines. For three long years, the nurses were kept prisoners of the Japanese army. They were starved and treated without mercy. They became so desperate for food that they resulted in eating grass and even bugs. The atrocities the Japanese army carried out were cruel and sadistic. Despite the starvation and weakened conditions Penny, Lita and Eleanor experienced, these brave nurses continued to care for their patients. Although, Penny, Lita and Eleanor found themselves separated during the Japanese invasion, they did wind up at the same place as each other even if it was only for a day or two. They constantly worried about each other. Lita became sick with malaria while they were in the jungle and although she recovered from it, the disease left her weakened and affected her limbs and her gait for her whole captivity. Penny, Eleanor and Lita endured three years in Japanese prison camps. They feared for their lives every day and those of the wounded and sick they nursed and all the children in their care as well. Penny. Eleanor and Lita also courageously helped the resistance by smuggling information out of the POW camp in any way they could. Information was also smuggled into the camps to learn about the Allied advancements. Would Penny, Lita and Eleanor survive the war to tell their stories and make the world aware of the way they were treated by the Japanese?

When We Had Wings was a story about committed, brave, resilient and courageous nurses that endured more than their share under the Japanese army during World War II. It was a story about friendship, devotion, bravery, dedication and even love. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and learning about what these heroic nurses endured. I listened to the audiobook of When We Had Wings that was performed very well by Saskia Maarleveld. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for October 18, 2022.

Got busy IRL and ran out of time to finish reading this book a while back. But I did get a physical copy and my goodness this book was amazing.

The book had hope and joy… and was upsetting at times. Through the suffering the characters had they all had hoped to see each other again (family/friends).

A historical novel based on the nurses known as “the Angels of Bataan” in Manila during WWII. The protagonists Penny, Eleanor and Lita give all of the emotional aspects of being a nurse, a woman and a prisoner of war. As a fan of historical fiction and the three authors, I enjoyed this book about a difficult time in history and the reality of the hardship these women went through. I loved that a large theme was female friendships and lifting each other up. I have purchased a copy of the book to give as a gift to a female nurse friend.

Thank you #NetGalley, #HarperMuse, #ArielLawhon,#KristinaMcMorris, #SusanMeissner and #When WeHadWings for the e-book for my honest review.

Overall I thought this was a good collaboration between three historical fiction authors. It was definitely part of WW2 history that I wasn’t as familiar with and it was heart wrenching. I read the book and also listened to the audiobook. The narrator used is one of my favorites.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

THE GOOD:
Sweet novel of friendships forged and that last a lifetime. Also a story of adversity overcome time and time again as these nurses face different aspects of the WWII scene in the Pacific. Based on the true stories of these inspiring, fun, lively, and heroic ladies. Amazingly told via the alternating perspectives of each leading lady, each voice told by one of the three authors, which made for both brilliant authenticity and unique characters for all three.

THE BAD:
Nothing! Other than a small personal complaint that the Philippines are north of the equator, so in the North Pacific, not the South.

CONCLUSION:
Highly recommend! Will be a special favorite of Book Clubs and WWII Historical Fiction fans.

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!