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’.

Readers of historical fiction and especially WWII themed historical fiction will truly enjoy this novel based on fact. Opening in 1941 the reader is quickly immersed in the wartime on the Pacific and it was a welldone story about the nurses there on the front. I wasn't crazy wild for it as I felt some parts moved slow and were a bit repetitive but yet did advance the story of their imprisonment during that time. Three gifted writers crafted this one very well - enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Strong women and a different perspective on WWII. During the war many books and discussions surround the European front but often the war in the Pacific is overlooked. WWII historical fiction novel which is based on true events. This focuses in the Pacific with the war with Japan, the prison camps and the poor treatment. The story of Eleanor, Penny, and Lita had me feeling a gamut of emotions. There was joy and hope, despair and anger. I was all over the place. Our main characters are all nurses: Eleanor with the Navy, Penny in the Army, and Lita as a native Filipino. They meet in Manila and until Pearl Harbor are enjoying their assignments. The reality of war transforms them from nurses on assignment to nurses in combat and then to POWs. These nurses would later be dubbed “the Angels of Battan” in our history books, although their story has been left untold, until now. This novel brings it alive as well as the sounds, feel and impacts of war. I would recommend this novel and story. Thank you NetGalleythe authors and Harper Muse.

I chose this book because it had a some of my favorites. One of the authors, the narrator, the setting, and female-driven stories are some of my favorites. I was impressed with all of the incredible research done for this book. I'd expected a historical fiction with a close narrative, and was surprised that it read more like a narrative nonfiction.

When We Had Wings is a WWII Historical fiction novel following three nurses in Manila as they deal with the actions and consequences of war in the Pacific Theater. Overall, this is a very interesting and engaging read! It especially shines in its plot and the three main characters who each have a fantastic arc throughout the book. This book was also very well written and has a momentum to its plot that makes it a very fast read. Though I do think in many ways it is not much different than your standard WWII novel it stands out thanks in large part to its setting in Manila that is captured well throughout the novel. My only major criticism would be in the development and changing of relationships. I will say this might be a personal criticism of mine due to me being a character focused reader, rather than it being an objective criticism of the book. By this criticism I mean that because of the large time jumps we would jump from point A in a relationship to point B with not much on paper development of how we got from point A to point B. This made it slightly difficult to connect with and feel invested with the characters as much as I usually am. Despite this I really enjoyed my time with this book!

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

A beautiful story of love, loss and resilience despite ut being a historical fiction of war time.

The story follows three nurses finding themselves in WWII, each coming to the war from different places and different reasons, but throughout finding solace in one another.

It was very interesting to read the point of view from the nurses and knowing it was based on true events and women. To learn about their experiences and conditions as nurses, then female prisoners of war, the violations of the Geneva Rules of War were sad, heartbreaking and yet so filled with hope.

The underlying theme throughout was the hope they carried, inspiring courageous women of the 1940s.

I appreciated the after the war, where and how they went on in their lives after being impacted by all they endured.

Thank you to the authors for their research and sharing the story of the Angels of Baatan.

I have to say I never knew that nurses had become prisoners of war. This book is amazing and I love how it shares the lives of the three nurses during their imprisonment. I can not imagine what it must have been like and to then be paraded around the US after as if they were waiting to be rescued. The fact they they endured the same as the males in those encampments should be talked about. The story is amazing and I love how it talks about their lives and the friendship and how some times that's all that can get you through this life. A great historical story about amazing women and men.

I enjoyed this book. I ready it after reading The Women by Kristen Hannah. So interesting to ready the POV of the women who served.

U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel are serving in the Philippines in 1941 and become fast friends. With the Japanese fight the United States to take control of the islands, the women are forced to work under combat conditions and eventually become among the first female prisoners of war in WWII. As they face conditions that don’t meet the Geneva Convention’s standards, each woman holds on to hope that she will make it through the war.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about what life was like for nurses in the Philippines during World War II. I loved the focus on the friendships the women had. Even if you are tired of WWII historical fiction, I highly recommend checking this book out! The only thing that would have made the audiobook better would be to have a different narrator for each of the three main characters; however, Saskia Maarleveld did a fantastic job with the audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

3.5/5 stars

The switching from character to character doesn't always line up. However, the story as a whole was fascinating and I loved the "new" aspect of World War II.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my gifted copy of When We Had Wings. This is a historical fiction novel written by three fantastic authors who come together to write one character each. I loved getting to know Eleanor, Penny and Lita through the multiple POVs provided. Their friendship and time working through WW2 and life was filled with challenges and emotions and it was exciting to read as their journey unfolded. This is one that everyone should read and I am recommending to everyone.

I love a good historical fiction book! This book was captivating. For historical fiction fans this is a great one based on the true stories of nurses in the Philippines in 1941.

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.

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 story was not what I expected when I started this book. I did learn quite a lot about the history of the setting during World War II. I felt there were some scenes that could have been left out without taking away from the story. With regard to the audio version, it was often difficult to distinguish between the characters and made it confusing as to who was talking at times. I picked this book because I was familiar with one of the authors. Based on this book, I will probably not choose to read another book by the other two authors.

- Really loved the ending. While it was sappy it also brought a tear to my eye.
- Three person point of view historical fiction means for slightly too long novel. I wish it was slightly shorter and had a little more overlap between the characters.
- Learned a lot about a lesser known WWII event and liked the Pacific theater setting.

A very enjoyable listen, especially for those interested in the experiences of women during WW2. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse. I would recommend this audiobook.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, Harper Muse, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is three nurse women who become friends in the Philippines prior to WWII: Penny, Leda, and Eleanor. After the Japanese attack of the Philippines, the three women are imprisoned in different prison camps. This is a tough story with very realistic situations. The prisoners deal with torture, starvation and witness executions. They see children struggle for survival. The book is outstanding in enlightening the reader of life during this difficult time. The story brings the women together, return to the U.S. and the book nicely ties up all loose ends. It is a great historical fiction book with different insight of nurses during this difficult situation. If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, this book is for you!

Three authors come together to write this book. Set in the Philippines in World War II, 3 nurses become prisoners. This novel is based on the true experiences of "the angels of Bataan". This novel is about friendship, courage and bravery.

One of my favorite genres of books is historical fiction. And when it is set during WWII, it is a big draw for me. This amazing story, while about WWII, focused on a different aspect than those I’ve typically read. This book was set in the Pacific conflict ... specifically the Philippines. It also dealt with the little known story of the military nurses who served during this time. Words cannot describe the horrors they endured and the evil they witnessed. However, the friendships that developed were cherished and helped them face another day. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the dedication the women displayed in such difficult circumstances, the strength of character, and their determination to survive. This is definitely one to put on your to-be-read list. It is heart wrenching but has you cheering them on hoping they will survive and be rescued.

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

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