I wanted to love this book. Alas, I think the moment passed before I got a chance to read it. I was DYING to read it when I requested it, but then it took quite awhile to get approved. By the time I was able to review it, I wasn't in the right mood for this type of book anymore.
I read the first few chapters and it didn't grab me. Nothing wrong with the writing or the story, just not the right book at the right time. Hopefully, I'll be able to come back to it in the future when it will hit right.

This was my fourth book by Sara Ackerman.

It wasn’t my favorite by Ackerman. It I still really enjoyed the book.

I liked the dual timeline used in The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West. I enjoyed Wren’s character and watching her unravel the truth about Olivia’s life. I was invested in figuring out the truth about Olivia and her flights.

This was just so well written and I look forward to more books by Sara Ackerman.

What I loved about this book:
1. Love a historical fiction book with strong female characters.
2. Learned something new - wasn't aware of the Dole Express Race.
3. Loved the descriptions of Hawaii - beautifully done!

What I wished was different:
1. Had some slow parts that might need editing.
2. Not really a fan of dual timelines but this one did work by the end of the book!


I received a copy of The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West by Sara Ackerman from HarperCollins and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction at its finest! This book was a merge of fact and fiction with a real-life deadly transatlantic race and an imaginary female navigator. Heroine Olivia West’s story was so believable, I was shocked to discover that she wasn’t based on an actual person. That was disappointing because I was invested in her and wanted to learn more about her background. She kept pursing her dreams at all costs and that was admirable. It was bold of the author to write about a totally fictional character based on a true event. The plot was fast-paced and the characters engaging, which kept me turning the pages. Another winning book by this talented author. I can’t wait to read more of her works!

A huge mahalo to Harlequin Trade Publishing and author Sara Ackerman for an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

The Uncharted Life of Olivia West
Sara Ackerman

1927 Dole Air Race ~ Dual timeline ~ Historical fiction ~ Strong women ~ California ~ Hawaiian Islands ~ Inheritance ~ Dogs ~ Love ~ Pilots ~ Adventure ~ Romance ~ Death ~ Well-written characters ~ Beautiful settings ~ Macadamia nuts ~ Inspired by real events ~ Highly Recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately I couldn’t really get into it like I wanted to. I found the dual storylines awkward at times and think the Wren storyline was not really needed at all. Just having Olivia’s would have been enough in my opinion. Sorry but I can’t recommend this one as much as I wished I could.. it is worth the read if you’re interested in this bit of aviation history.

This story was engaging as you followed the path of both Olivia West and Wren. Olivia was on a race team for the Dole Derby race to Hawaii. That part of the story was set in the 1920s. Wren is a modern woman who has inherited the estate of her great aunt. Wren's story is set in the 1980s. Wren is an artist who makes lighting fixtures. As she says, they are fantastic, but they don't provide a steady income. She supplements by waitressing and other odd jobs. On the Big Island of Hawaii, she finds part-time work at an assisted living facility and she grows to enjoy the residents.
Thanks to Sara Ackerman for a fun story which is based on a true event.

With dual timelines and perspectives, THE UNCHARTED FLIGHT OF OLIVIA WEST tells the story of two women separated by generations, but with an unlikely connection. The past timeline is set in 1927 and features navigator and pilot Olivia West. She participates in the Dole Air Race (Olivia's character is fictional but the race took place in real-life) from California to Hawaii. I loved Olivia and enjoyed this past timeline so much more. This book probably would have been four or five stars had it been strictly historical fiction. But, I did enjoy how past and present eventually collide and the stories wrap up.

The Dole Air Race is something I knew nothing about so it was interesting to learn about and I would like to read more about it. So I appreciate the author bringing the event to my attention!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wonderful historical fiction read about second chances, pushing boundaries, passionate women, finding your family roots, romance and stunning Hawaiiani landscapes.

This book was inspired by a plane race from the west coast to Hawaii across 2,400-miles of the Pacific Ocean in 1927. The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West is a dual timeline story about two women - Livy West, an aviator in the 1920s on the West coast and Wren Summers who inherits land on the big island of Hawaii in the 1980s.. There is a big contrast in the lives of these two women. Livy is very passionate about flying and that is all she wants to do. Women flying planes in the 1920s was not widely accepted by the public. In contrast, Wren seems lost and is just trying to find herself.

The two stories come together as you read the book. For me the ending was really special. I also enjoyed reading about Wren as she uncovered the family she did not know. You need to read this one.

I loved how the characters were connected in this story. This is full of found family. women rising above, and discovering our true power. I highly recommend to any historical fiction fans!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was an amazing book that kept me on edge, weaving stories through time that brings two timelines together. A great read and it should be a movie.

I don't know if this book hit me really hard because I was arguing with my grandma or because I was on my period, but this had me so emotional. I love historical fiction, especially ones that rewrite history focusing on female innovators. While Olivia West wasn't real, learning her story, her determination, her love, her passion. All of it made me swell with intense joy and tears.

I highly recommend picking this up if you need a book that is simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking. You will also learn quite a bit about aviation and the Hawaiian language which was really fun.

I have read and loved every book Ms. Ackerman has published. She is without question an auto-buy author for me. Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me and I did DNF it about 40% of the way through the book . As with all her novels, Hawaii is the focal point, but this time we've left WWII. Learning about the Dole race was interesting, but my lack of interest in planes and the slow pace of the novel was more than I could handle. If you enjoy planes and aviation history, or are just looking for a light novel with a bit of history, as I hesitate the call this a true historical fiction, I would highly recommend.

This was a good story, and about something I had no knowledge on. I flew through the audio book but just didn’t get attached to Wrens story. I loved Olivia’s though, and loved learning about the early days of flying.

I love reading historical fiction books based on real badass women, and this was another one of those inspiring books.
I also enjoyed the connection between Wren, a young woman struggling to find her way in the world, and Olivia, the spunky aviator clawing her way into a man's world.
Interesting and entertaining read! Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a copy.

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I didn't love or hate this book. I think it just wasn't for me. The writing was just okay to me, and I didn't feel drawn into the book very much.

This was my first novel by Sara Ackerman and won't be my last! I love a duel timeline novel featuring women characters, and this novel is based on a true story I wasn't aware of being reading it! Looking forward to more from this author.

This was an unexpected delight for me! What worked for me: 1. The dual POV of two females. Both were strong women who fought for their own skills, talents, and rights to be recognized. 2. The history of the pilots, especially female pilots, and the Dole Derby, of which I knew nothing of, and I was more than slightly disappointed to read the author's note and find that Olivia West was fictional. 3. The honor given to the elderly in the living facility 4. *spoiler* the girls get their boys! 5. Relationships went through rough, honest things but lasted 6. The overall feels of this book- positive, inspiring, and hopeful.

I will be looking for more from this author and enjoyed this book!

Quick and Dirty
-dual POV historical fiction
-1920s early aviation theme
-fearless female lead
-fast-paced, action-packed read

What Worked
What a fun adventure that was! Anyone looking for their next great female-led adventure novel should look no further than this book. Is it perfect? Nope. But is it fun with lots of ups/downs/tailspins? Yes indeed! I really loved the 20’s air race timeline most of all, but the modern (80s) timeline with Ren reinventing herself and embracing her heritage was equally as engaging and entertaining. Olivia, our main character, is spunky, smart as a whip, and eager to make her mark on the aviation world. And nothing, not even unresolved feelings for her first love, will stand in her way! I love a strong female lead more than anything, and Ackerman has a knack for creating tough yet vulnerable FMCs that are easy to love. The novel ended on a high note despite some heavier themes/situations. And overall the fast-paced, action-packed (short) chapters made this novel fly by! (pun intended)

What Didn’t Work
My only real beef with this book is that it reads a bit like a YA novel at times. There are some adult themes briefly mentioned, but overall it felt more like New Adult Fiction or Upmarket Fiction in terms of the prose.

Read This If
Anyone who enjoys a lighter-hearted, pulse-pounding adventure with lots of feel good vibes will enjoy this book!

This historical fiction is told in dual perspectives and timelines. Set in California and Hawaii. This story was interesting about a female pilot and based on a true event. I have also enjoyed other books by this author.