The story was about three nurses from different background who meet during WWII. The nurses become fast friends and, as with war, everything changes in a heartbeat. The horrors of war and hardship of what they had to endure while still remaining friends.
Thank you NetGalley, publisher and authors for the opportunity to listen to the audio.

A unique and true story based on the real account of the Angels of Bataan, a group of 66 United States Army Nurse Corps and 11 United States Navy Nurse Corps stationed in the Philippines at the outset of the Pacific War. We follow three nurses all stationed in Philippines who are eventually captured by the Japanese. I really enjoyed this book, it’s a perspective I personally don’t see a lot written about, especially from a female POV. We follow two American nurses and one Filipina nurse who develop a deep friendship. This book really dives into how American nurses and Filipina nurses were treated differently for doing the same work. Heart-wrenching, the authors do an incredible time diving into the physical and mental abuse imprisonment from the Japanese.

To be honest, it took be a while to get into this book because of the narrator. I found the voice tone quite monotone. However, once the plot of the story picked up I could not stop listening to this audiobook!

This historical fiction novel weaves the stories of 3 women stationed in the Philippines during WWII. U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel are caught in the crossfire between US/Japanese armed forces as they fight for control over the Philippine Islands. This story is fascinating and heartbreaking, as it is based off real life events of the first female prisoners of war in WWII.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley & Harper Muse for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story told here is very compelling - of 3 nurses from 3 different backgrounds who meet and become friends at the outset of WWII. One is a Navy Nurse, one an Army Nurse and one a local Indonesian Nurse. They are separated and periodically reunited as the war progresses. It is refreshing to have a WWII novel relay the events in the SE Pacific, and to show how necessary and strong the nurses were in the war effort.

However, I must add that the story development is a bit weak at times, and a bit redundant at times. At the beginning, there isn't much development of the friendship - not much to describe how the 3 become such steadfast friends. Somehow I felt as if they continuum of the story was weak and hard to follow.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audio book.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc. I really enjoyed the different perspective of World War II that was presented through three different main characters. I liked the narrator that was chose and thought she did a nice job, but would have found it beneficial to have three separate readers, one for each character. It was somewhat hard to keep each person straight, and this might have helped (or may be easier in the physical book format). Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I could not get into this audiobook as it did not hold my attention for any length of time.

DNF - no rating.

NetGalley Audio provided but archived before I could get through it.

To be honest, it could be that I was distracted but I really didn't feel pulled into it either? I had to keep rewinding because I would zone out listening to it.

in support of the ongoing HarperCollins Union Strike, i will not be reviewing this book nor will i be providing links for this title.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful and tragic story of three nurses working with the U.S. military in 1941. Assigned to the beautiful and tropical Philippines, three nurses become fast friends and in an instant everything changes. Japan invades Pearl Harbor and the very next day, the Japanese begin to bomb the Philippines changing their once paradise into a war zone. So many of the World War 2 era books explore the European theatre of fighting, this was a unique look at the experience of nurses who find themselves in enemy territory of the Pacific theatre. The horrors of war and the unfathomable hardships endured by the POW's are the back drop of each of their stories as these three women deal with love, loss and the unimaginable horrors of war, all while their friendship helps to sustain them.

This is a must read for all fans of historical fiction.

*I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

It took me a little while to get into this audiobook, but that could have been because of the narrator (she's not my favorite). I'm not sure "enjoyed" is the most appropriate word to use when describing how I feel about this book, which is about three nurses in Japanese camps in the Philippines during WWII. I mean, how can you really enjoy that? But this was a good book, and I've already recommended it to a few people.

Of the three nurses, Penny was my favorite. Don't get me wrong--I liked Lita and Eleanor, too. They were all admirable, capable women, and the bond they formed at the beginning of the book was akin to sisterhood. There were other characters for whom I developed a fondness as well: Charlie Russell, Laura Cobb, Maude, David, and even Reina (forgive any misspellings, as I listened to the book rather than reading it). I only wish I knew ages of the main characters and a few others (always something on which I tend to fixate).

I cannot imagine experiencing the things they were forced to endure throughout the four years the main portion of the book spans (the epilogue take place in 1951, six years after the rest of the book ends). Having read Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken a few years ago, I was not surprised by the conditions in the Japanese camps nor by the treatment of the prisoners (not only military but civilians who just happened to be in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded). But that didn't make it any less horrific. Whenever I read a book like this, I can't help wondering what makes people capable of doing such horrible things. But there are also glimmers of goodness and hope, like the Philippine people who offered what they had to the prisoners when possible.

This is my second book by Ariel Lawhon, and I guess I'm just going to have to read more of her works.

Note: Some swearing. War violence, torture, inhumane conditions and treatment of prisoners.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld

This is not my first book narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, and she remains on my "okay" list. I don't know what it is about her, but something about her voice just doesn't appeal to me. And why did she sing "God Bless America" to the tune of "Nearer, My God to Thee"?

A story of commaraderie, friendship, courage, bravery, love, loss, fear. A look into war in the South Pacific during WWII through the eyes of women - nurses. A variety of personalities and their common experience. I really enjoyed listening to this novel. Saskia Maarleveld did a great job narrating. I thought the characters were well thought out. I felt that you really got to know them and their story - how and why they came to be nurses in the war - and their drive to survive. Through a sad and negative event, these three characters brought hope and positivity.

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.