This was a beautifully written story of three separate nurses during WWII on the Philippines. I think the authors did a wonderful job capturing what nurses may or may not have been feeling during these circumstances. I really enjoyed the different look on WWII on the Asian continent. I think sometimes the Philippines is forgotten on the roles it played in the war and how beneficial they were on the side of the Allies

I really enjoyed the history and view point of the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor. I had much more interest on the Corregidor side and when we were with the nurse in the Malinta Tunnel, as I have visited and toured the area. The romance element I could have done without. It felt somewhat forced and it seemed to stall the storyline at times. Otherwise, if you enjoy WWII historical fictions you will likely enjoy this book.

I knew this was going to be a great read with this powerhouse author lineup, and I loved it so much!

WHEN WE HAD WINGS is a 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.

The story centers around three WWII army nurses, stationed in the South Pacific, who form a strong bond as they find themselves as the first female prisoners of war.

The audiobook was fantastic, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who has also narrated many of my favorite Historical Fiction stories. While the storyline was heartbreaking, as each woman endures the physical and emotional traumas from being held as prisoners during war, but I just loved the friendship that forms at the center of it all.

*many thanks to Harper Muse for the gifted copy for review

I finished this book a few weeks ago and am STILL thinking about it! We travel through a few years of WWII with three brave young military nurses in a story loosely based on the Angels of Bataan. As with most HF books for me, I learned more about history, brave men and women of history, and felt like I traveled with these three main characters as they struggled in prison camps.
The three authors did an amazing job of weaving their writing together, and I found myself trying to guess who wrote which parts and characters.
You'll cheer for these young nurses and admire their spunk and perseverance. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley (and the narrator, who did a fantastic job) for providing me a copy of this must-read!

When We Had Wings is set in 1941 in the Phillipines. It is the story of a group of nurses that are taken prisoner by the Japanese and their struggle to not only survive, but to carry out their duties to help keep others alive as well. This book is based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed “the Angels of Bataan.” It is the narratives of three of these women, U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel who met Army Navy Club in Manilla and became friends.

This is a time and events that I have read little about, so was interested in this story and wanted to learn more. The nurses were all happily working together, when the worst happened and the Japanese Army invaded the Philippines. They were all there to escape tragedies in their past, but they had not idea what was to come. I am always surprised when multiple authors write one book together. Each of the authors wrote one of the main character's stories and they were seamless. Eleanor, Penny and Lita are sent to a series of different internment camps, and their lives will change forever. They endure and witness inconceivable hardship, they treat patients with little or no medical supplies or medicine. They all suffer physical and mental abuse, tropical diseases and malnourishment, yet their resilience is amazing. Yes, this is a story set during the war with terrible things happening, but it is also a story of friendship and bonds between the nurses, their will to survive and the courage and love they had for each other and the patients they cared for in the camps. It is an inspiring story, to see what they suffered, lived through and watched happen and yet they persevered and survived to meet again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who liked historical fiction, especially those books set during WW2. The audiobook was well narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She was able to bring all the women to life with their own voices, expression, accents and emotion. I recommend this book in either format.

When we Had Wings, by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner, is a riveting story about the first female prisoners of war during World War II. It follows three women and is told from each point of view. Penny lost her husband and child, then joined the army as a nurse to get away. Eleanor got her heart broke and joined the navy as a nurse, while Lita was a local Philopena woman. The three women bonded before war broke out and the story follows their stays in prison camps working as nurses to assist the other prisoners. At times hopeful, other times heart-breaking, the story will leave you wishing to hear more, while also being grateful that the war ended. Each time I read a new story about WWII, I learn of some other horrendous event that reminds me to be thankful for our many many good blessings now.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version and the narrator did an excellent job. I would gladly listen to more!
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher. But thank you most of all to the brave men and women who fought for the future that I now have.

When We Had Wings is a historical fiction novel written by three accomplished writers in the genre. The story revolves around three World War II nurses, stationed in the South Pacific, who form a strong bond despite difficult circumstances. 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 in 1941. When the Phillipines are caught in the crosshairs between the United States military and the Imperial Japanese Army, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and eventually become captives of the Japanese Army. Separated and made to endure deplorable conditions, will the three friends survive and reunite at the end of the War?

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld does a good job of emoting and expressing the thoughts and feelings of the characters in this book. That being said, I was not blown away by When We Had Wings. I wanted to like this novel, as it told the story of strong women with good survival instincts. The biggest problem with the book was the length and repetitive nature of the plot. All of the elements were there, but the story never transported me to the Phillipines during the height of World War II. The history just does not come alive, perhaps because the book was written by three people. Overall, I was more enthralled by looking up the history of the time period in a search engine than I was by this novel. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend When We Had Wings to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to read When We Had Wings by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to review this publication was entirely my own.

When We Had Wings- A Story of the Angels of Bataan is written by not one, not two, but three authors - Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. It was based on the true story of The Angels of Bataan. These were nurses who were prisoners of war in the Philippines during WWII. I have read many books about the topic, but this was my first about the Pacific Front.
This was a story about friendship and learning what you are capable of. I listened to the book on audio. The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, had a pleasant voice. Many thanks to the author, Harper Muse and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I couldn't get too into this audio book. I think there were too many stories at play! Perhaps I will try to read the physical book as I do love historical fiction.

I recommended this book to others before I even finished it. What a good book.
This historical fiction book taught me things about WWII that I did not know and have never thought about. The characters are well developed with different lives that bring them together during the war. There are of hardships and danger but that are also moments of relief, joy and love. Once I got involved with the characters I found it hard to stop listening. I have never really read a book about this location and the way the Japanese treated people during the war. I am so glad I had the opportunity to listen to this book.

When We Had Wings is a great historical fiction based on true events by the talented authors of Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. Though this is set in WWII and involves Bataan, it is a beautiful story of friendships and endurance. Highly recommended.

I received this audiobook ARC from NetGalley.

I really enjoy any historical fiction or first hand accounts of WWII.

What is different about this story line is that it focuses on three nurses that are serving in the Pacific theater.

Many time people do not think of the nurses, doctors and aids that took care of wounded service members during the war.

I enjoyed the narrators of this audiobook - sometimes that will make or break it for me.

The focus is this book is friendship and love during the war. Many books from this genre focus on Europe, but this has a different and unique perspective. It also tell the story of the first female POW’s of the war, which again, is a unique perspective.

I enjoyed the three main characters and their varied backgrounds. I liked that this book is based on first hand accounts and I think that gives it more substance than just a random retelling of what could have happened during the war.

I also like this book was a collaboration between three authors.

I recommend this audiobook and I want to purchase the book to read again in book format.

This is definitely a good audio book. The narrator's voice is perfect for this story. I really like how the author introduces the three main characters and how they all met. It's a very beautiful story from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

Working as a military nurse in Manilla, in early 1941 seemed like a dream post at least it did for newbie U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom and her two best friends, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel. Everything changed the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, the women were inundated with injured Americans and the Philippines became a battle ground for Japan, eventually falling under its control. Even though they became separated, serving at various hospitals, became some of the first female prisoners of war, and suffered horrific conditions they never lost their friendship or their hope in a brighter future.

This historical fiction was told through the point of views of the three women and was written by three of the genres best writers: Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. I found this to be a very interesting way to tell the story as each character had a separate voice. I have enjoyed many historical fiction novels centered around WWII but this was a fresh perspective on a group of women I had never read about before. Their stories are captivating and heartbreaking and needed to be told in such an exemplary way.

I had the audio version read by Saskia Maarleveld who did an extraordinary job capturing the three women and their individual story.

Audiobook received for free through NetGalley

I’m so glad I came across this audiobook. I was swept up in the characters and their perseverance. Written extremely well and liked the narrator too.

A remarkable story that follows 3 nurses as their lives are forever changed.
This historical fiction is one that will stay with for forever. The story is a beautiful yet sad at times to see what the women and others went through as prisoners of war. The stories of Eleanor Linstrom, Penny Franklin, and Lita Capel are extraordinary and truly shows how amazing all nurses are.

Three women, Eleanor, Penny and Lita, become great friends as they are nurses in the US military. But, things change quickly in the Philippines as WWII rages around them. They become prisoners of war under the Japanese Army. Every day is a day filled with terror, hunger and death.

A lot of the books set in this time period of WWII are about the tragedy of the Jews. But, you forget how awful the Japanese were. This book brings that to light. And let me tell you, it is heartbreaking in so many places. I could not stop listening to it.

What these women went through…and I do believe the authors softened their mistreatment! The strength and resilience of these characters will have you cheering in one breath and crying in the next!

The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, is amazing! She kept the emotions at just the right tone and all the voices…WOW! What a fantastic job!

Need an intense, emotional historical fiction you will not soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I enjoy reading historical fiction stories about World War II and this one did not disappoint! It was a piece of the war that I haven't read about before; being near Pearl Harbor and nurses on base being put in camps and still having to provide nursing services in such an impacted way. The bravery of the men and women that were put through such horrible events always amazes me. This was written well with good characters! 4 stars!!!

I know World War ll novels are plentiful, but I will always be willing to try them, especially if they cover lesser known aspects of the war. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the audiobook, When We Had Wings. I’ve read and loved all of Ariel Lawhon’s novels, and I know Susan Meissener is beloved in the historical fiction genre, so I was very excited to read their collaboration with Kristina McMorris. 
 
This novel follows the story of three nurses, one from the American army, one from the American Navy and one from the Philippine Army, who meet in Manila just before Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor. The women are soon taken as the first female POW and continue to serve as nurses in different Japanese run internment camps in the Philippines. The situations are dire as starvation, disease and lack of supplies make their jobs nearly impossible. These women are known in history as “The Angels of Battan”, and I have never before heard their story.  
 
For as emotionally charged as the content was, I found the overall story to be a little slow, but I’m attributing much of that to the narration. I think I would have preferred a print copy for better orientation to time and location. (Is there a petition I can sign to clearly label chapters of audiobooks when multiple POV are involved?) Overall, a solid story and one that fans of the subject and genre will enjoy.  
 
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

FAVORITE THING ABOUT BOOK: It is wonderful to read a WWII historical fiction book that centers of the Philippines.

PROS/CONS OF WRITING: The writing is outstanding. The three characters stories are told simultaneously so that they are interwoven even though the characters may not be physically present in the same part of the Philippines for an extended period. The narration is perfect for the story. The listener finds themselves involved in the action and forgetting that they are listening to an audiobook.

WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS BOOK: Historical fiction lovers; People looking for WWII stories placed in other areas such as the Philippines.


I received an ARC from Harper Muse through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

A sweeping saga about WW2 nurses in the Philippines as told through the stories of three women. Penny, a US Army nurse, Eleanor, a US Navy nurse and Lita a Filipina nurse who works at the Army hospital. Set during some of the most fearsome fighting during the war, all three endure horrendous conditions working in the tunnels of Corregidor, the bombed out city of Manila, and as POW’s living under cruel and inhumane treatment by the Japanese. Despite the hardship and deprivation, all 3 women find strength and solidarity in each other and men they encounter. Heartbreaking and engrossing, WhenThey Had Wings opens up a little known chapter in history in a deeply personal and emotional manner. I loved this book but I was wrung out at the end.