You won't find an audio much better. These narrators were awesome. They will draw you in and have you hanging on for dear life. I look forward to listening to them again in other books.

This was an unexpected delight. I've not read anything about being a stewardess before and this was so good and so well researched. You could tell that a lot of love went into writing this novel. It was a book that will stay with me a good while.

Two women who could not be more different. Both wanting to escape their lives. Their pasts. One from an abusive tyrant of a husband. The other from her overbearing father.

Judy was married to man who loved to put his hands on her. He didn't want her to have any friends or family. Not even children. As that would take away from him. Her life was to revolve completely around him and what he wanted out of the marriage. She had to give up all of her hopes and dreams. He was a smooth talker when wooing her. He captured her heart completely and then changed after they married...

Beverly came from wealth. She never lacked for anything. Other than the love she craved from her parents. It was like she was an accessory for them rather than their child. At times her mother could be warm but for the most part she just seemed to ignore her daughter. Her father had her life all planned out. Get married to a rich man and let them combine power. Beverly had other ideas.

Both young women wanted to become Pan Am Stewardesses. Each for very different reasons. They become the very best of friends in their journey. Claiming to be sisters even though they were not related. They were both only children. Both wanted to find a better kind of life. One with happiness and real love.

This book gave me so many good feels. A little bit of tears too. Ok a lot of tears at one point. Deep love that would last a lifetime. I laughed and cried. I felt such hope for these two young women. They were the perfect match. They rooted each other on no matter what lay ahead. They complimented each other. They both found love and happiness. Then tragedy hit. One was lost...

This story is told from each ladies point of view. You get to know them well. This book was so good. So emotional in every way. I learned a lot about being a Stewardess for Pan America in the sixties. The author did a great job of researching and letting you know in her Author's Notes at the end. Don't miss that part.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LakeUnion, for this ARC.

The time is 1962 and Judy Goodman is going to escape from her abusive husband Henry. She took the train and interviewed for a job as a Pan Am stewardess. Back then there were not many career options for women, and this was a way for her to escape. Her neighbor Ronell gives her the right plan and means to get away. Beverly has grown up as the daughter of the king of Wall Street. She is a wonderful and loyal friend who wants to have a life of her own and see the entire world. Meeting each other in their training group will change both of their lives forever.

We get alternating POV chapters from Beverly and Judy, almond with shorter interludes by a present-day unnamed octogenarian, we aren’t sure of her identity until the 3rd act.

This is a classic “women’s book club” historical fiction book, with criticisms of the patriarchal culture of the time while still indulging in the nostalgia for the time period. This was very respectfully done. The ending was quite emotional. I would love to read this in the lobby of the TWA hotel, this is a classic aviation travel setting. There is a wonderful playlist on Spotify someone made called TWA hotel. It would be perfect to listen to as you read.

The audiobook narrators had good performances with intonation and pacing. It was easy to follow on audio.

As for me, I was gifted the audio version by NetGalley/lake union/brilliance audio. This was in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published 2/18/25