Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book! This book was phenomenal and I couldn’t put it down. Soraya is a masterful storyteller and one who takes the reader into the story alongside her. Her latest book follows Evelyn, Vita, and Dot, newly minted nurses as they join the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron (MAETS) in Italy during WWII. The girls are sent with 23 other members to evacuate servicemen when their plane crashes and they have to learn to survive, not knowing where they’re at or who’s friend or enemy. I had a knot in my stomach for most of the book as I eagerly turned pages to learned what would happen with our three leading ladies. One of the things I love about Soraya’s books is how she bring the characters together and this book is no different. Evelyn, Vita, and Dot all come from different backgrounds but they bond together because of the situation they’re in. The sisterhood component is one of my favorite parts about this book! This is an absolute must read and I highly recommend it.

What a thriller! This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering if these three nurses would beat the odds and make it home. I loved the medical aspect of it, and Ms. Lane did a wonderful job at the historical medical accuracy during WWII. This book was a survival story, and showed that physical survival is determined not just by your circumstances but by the quality and grit of your mental strength. The three characters were likable, courageous, and patriotic, and I was rooting for them all. Ms. Lane has a wonderful story-telling ability, and her writing will draw you in. This book was unputdownable because I had to know what would happen next. Very highly recommended!

I liked this book. It is great historical fiction and the author is talented, creative, and weaves a fabulous story. I did not want to put it down and that is saying quite a bit as I read hundreds of books each year. The characters were likable, and I hoped the best for them. Historical fiction at its best. Looking forward to more of the same from this author. Good job. Well done...

“Under a Sky of Memories” by Soraya Lane tells the previously mainly unknown WWII story about a military airplane carrying medical personnel going down behind enemy lines in occupied Albania. This story follows three nurses - Vita, Evelyn, and Dot - exploring their relationship with each other and their will to survive in Albania.

One of the things I really enjoy about Ms. Lane’s books (and I’ve read a number of them - and eagerly look forward to her next one) is that she shares WWII stories that are usually unknown or have very little written about them. Her author’s notes always include where she received her inspiration for the story - along with what she changed from the “facts.” Ms. Lane’s books also contain characters from different backgrounds, but she has them melding together and working together (sisterhood!), sometimes after a few rocky bumps along the way. For that reason, I really enjoy Ms. Lane’s books.

For some reason, something just didn't quite click for me about this book (though, having said that, I did read it in a few hours). I’m not sure if it was because none of the main characters (with the exception of James) really appealed to me - or if I wanted to know more about the actual trek to the coast (though reading a book about trudging through unknown forests with little to eat in muddy conditions over 600 miles does not really make for a rather interesting book … ). I did find the epilogue a nice wrap-up for the characters. A solid 3.5 stars, but rounded up to 4 because, let’s be honest, I’m awaiting Ms. Lane’s next WWII adventure and am looking forward to reading it.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read most of this authors books, I was delighted to have a chance to read this book.
As always another beautiful cover and a rather intriguing title, and once you read the book makes great sense.

3 individual girls offering up there services to be nurses and make there country proud is the tale that is going to be unfolding , its intriguing its heartbreaking totally bizarre at points but it keeps you turning the pages your heart is in your mouth at many stages, willing them on I can not praise this book enough and highly recommend.

Evelyn, Vita and Dot are American nurses who have completed a specialist flight training program, and are now qualified members of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron. After being wounded in action, to increase the soldiers chances of survival, they needed to get to a hospital for treatment and quickly. The solution, planes specially fitted out to carry around twenty six wounded patients, with one nurse, a medic, and a surgeon aboard to look after them during the flight.

The nurses leave for their first overseas posting, the destination is all very hush hush, and everyone’s feeling nervous. Dot, Evelyn and Vita become best friends, and they come from different walks of life. Evelyn’s mature of her age and sensible, her mother passed away when she was a teenager, she looked after her father and three younger sisters. Dot was orphaned at a young age, she was raised by her elderly grandparents, and she’s quiet and rather shy. Vita comes from a wealthy background, she’s confident and looks like a movie star.

They arrive in Sicily in 1943, a group of twenty six people are selected for a special mission, flying in a big Skytrooper and they come under enemy fire. The plane’s pilot Bobby Redfern, manages to preform an amazing crash landing, and they have no idea where they are? The crew’s behind enemy lines in Albania, with no form of communication and completely stranded. Local partisans come to their aid, not knowing if they can trust them, still in extreme danger and the nurses are scared.

Constantly on the move, having to stay one step ahead of the Germans, with few supplies, sleeping rough, and it doesn’t take long for everyone to struggle physically and mentally. Evelyn, Vita and Dot have all experienced tragedy in their lives, they’re much stronger than they think, it takes every ounce of courage, determination and effort for them to keep going, continue to believe they have a chance of being rescued and despite the terrible odds.

Under a Sky of Memories is a brilliant wartime story about three brave nurses, a handsome American pilot, a British agent and a local man called Stefa. I was totally hooked by the narrative after the first chapter, with a cast of gutsy characters, it’s a story about survival, in a brutal and remote place. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review, Soraya M. Lane at her best, a perfectly balance story, with a little romance, and five stars from me.

I have read some books by this offer and I was so glad to see it on netgalley. First and foremost, thank you Netgalley, the publisher and also the author for letting me read this.

I’ve been a historical person since I was 10 years old. I’ve read just about every book there is to offer on nurses during WWII. Trust me, there’s not a lot.

They’re all American nurses that met in basic. They’re all firecrackers for sure.

What makes this book so special is the sisterhood these three ladies have. They have some extremely wonderful moments and sad ones. Ones you expect to see in a book of war. It is kinda like “This is our life now whether we like it or not.”

Evelyn, Vita, Dot…they were all so special. Never giving up on faith.

Another thing…I liked that this was based in south Europe. You never see books based in south Europe during WWII even though that is where a lot of things happened.

I cried. I laughed. I cried some more.

The ending, even though I did want it to end, was just the chefs kiss to wrap it up.

On the surface, they couldn't have been more dissimilar - Vita, the beautiful heiress; Evelyn, who'd held her family together for years following her mother's death; and brokenhearted Dot, who longed for a family more than anything.. But as they worked their way through training, to be inducted into the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron (MAETS) as nurses, they became inseparable...until a plane crash behind enemy lines leads one of them to be parted from the others. Based on the true story of a planeload of MAETS nurses and medics that crashed in Albania during the war, "Under a Sky of Memories" tells the stories of three remarkable women, and introduces you to the men they fall in love with during the course of their harrowing adventure. Will they all survive? I'm not saying -- you'll have to read the book to find out!

Under a Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane is a fabulous WWII-era historical fiction that tells a gripping tale inspired by a true story of the disaster, survival, and rescue of a group behind enemy lanes in Albania. It is wonderful!

I have been a HUGE fan of Ms. Lane for quite some time and have read literally all of her books. This has to be one of my most favorites yet.

I had no clue about this true story of American women that were part of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron whose plane crashed into Albania during WWII. The story gives us insight into their accident and their survival until their final rescue. It is stunning that we know so little about this until recently. Their courage, determination, passion, drive, and heart just blew me away. The author’s ability to bring this story to life with such drama, suspense, detail, and emotion made me feel as if I was right there with them.

I also enjoyed the Author’s Note that gave us context on what was true and what was fictional. It was very informative. I loved every moment of it.

Cannot recommend this enough!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Amazon Publishing UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately ( as of 11/24/21 no BB listing has been created and link will be updated when it is available )and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/11/22.

Under a Sky of Memories tells the story of three strong women, WWII nurses, who are ovecoming obstacles in their personal lives while helping the war effort. Dot is struggliing to get over a broken engagement, Evelyn has been surrogate mother to her younger siblings since their mother died, and Vita wants to do more with her life than be a debutante and marry a man her wealthy family approves of. All three women become a part of the MAETS - Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron - helping to airlift injured soldiers to safety. All three women find meaning in their lives - and this book has the satisfying ending that I love so well. Soraya M. Lane is becoming one of my new favorite authors! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Evelyn, Dot, and Vita all join up to serve in a new medical transport initiative during World War II. Each having their own reasons for volunteering despite how their families feel, the women form a tight bond as their training ends and their duty begins.

One medical mission they were sent on had multiple medics and nurses to transport a large number of injured soldiers. En route, transportation between the pilots and control towers was nonexistent because the pilots didn’t have the code to let the towers know they were not the enemy. Encountering turbulence and German planes, the transport plane crashes in an unknown area. When Evelyn and Vita leave with two of the pilots to find help for their twenty-six crew members, they encounter a resistance fighter who informs them that they are in Albania. He takes them to a shelter until they unexpectedly have to leave due to German soldiers nearby. When the group scatters and then meets up the next morning, some of the women are missing, including Dot. Not wanting to leave the area, but knowing that Germans were looking for them, the group makes the tough decision to push ahead in hopes of being rescued.

On the run in the mountains of Albania, they come across a British SOE who was also looking for them. The hopes of the group finding the missing nurses and getting out of Albania are met with obstacle after obstacle. What will happen to the group? Will they find Dot alive?

Strong female characters are at the core of this novel. This is my second Soraya Lane book, and I will be reading more. Like the first one of her books I read, I completed it in a day and found myself lost in the mountains with them, hoping and praying to get out alive. Lovers of WWII historical fiction will love the story. 5 ⭐️

#netgalley #arc #underaskyofmemories #sorayamlane

UNDER A SKY OF MEMORIES by SORAYA M LANE is based on something that happened in 1943 when a group of American nurses and medics set out from Siciy to ferry injured soldiers to hospital and ended up crash landing in Albania, where they suffered incredible hardship for 63 days before being rescued.
The fictitious characters the author has brought in add real interest to the story, as we get an idea of what these brave people went through, together with the danger that they brought to the villagers who helped them. I like the way the author has given us some insight into the country of Albania and her people at that time in history.
Three young women, Evelyn, Vita and Dot, train as nurses and become part of the Medical Air Evacuatiin Transport Squadron, based in Sicily. They become close friends although they come from different backgrounds and each has her own reason for joining up. They set off on a mission to save even more wounded sodiers than usual, and end up stranded in Albania. As they, together with the other nurses, medics and pilots, struggle through unfrendly, occupied territory, we see their incedible strength of character.
There is some romance in this unlikely situation……..and that is all I am going to tell you for fear of spoiling the read for you!
I enjoyed the book, finding it exciting, inspiratinal, and really hard to put down.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Amazon Publishing UK. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

MAETS - Medical Air Evacuation Squadron. It’s amazing all the things you don’t learn in history class but can learn from reading historical fiction. Though the story itself is historical fiction, the things that brave men and women of the 807th squadron did are all real. These squadrons evacuated soldiers from field hospitals and got them to hospitals where they could get the medical treatment they needed.

We follow three very brave, very different women from the 807th, Evelyn, Vita and Dot. For everything these women go through within this story, it will leave your heart pounding and wanting more. From the horrid conditions they endured to the lifelong friendships developed you will devour every last page of this book.

Soraya Lane writes incredible historical fiction about the women of WW2 that if it has her name on it, it’s a definitely a MUST read. Her descriptions pull out your emotions as well as the vivid descriptions taking you to the places within the story.

Thank you #netgalley, #amazonpublishing and #SorayaLane for allowing me the opportunity to read this incredible story.

I just love books by this author!!! Once again, she has me captivated! This book quickly engaged me and kept me turning pages! If you like historical fiction, this is for you! Thank you to the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I previously read a book by Soraya M. Lane and enjoyed it, so when I saw this I was looking forward to requesting it. I’m so glad I did, because it was an absolutely fantastic book, and easily one of my favorite reads this year.

Nurses Evelyn, Dot, and Vita meet while training to become members of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron during WWII. Once they get to Sicily, al three are one a plane that gets lost and then crashes when the plane malfunctions during bad weather. When they discover they ended up in Albania, where they’re not only fighting against the Nazis, but also essentially fighting a civil war, the nurses, medics and pilots quickly realize the danger they’re in. When things start looking bleak, British SOE agent James Millard finds them. What comes next is a story of endurance and strength.

This was such an incredible read, even more so because although the characters are fictional, the story of the plane crashing in Albania and their subsequent plight was real. These women in particular were amazing, and as a reader, I was rooting for them to survive, realize their inner strength, and see them happy in the lives and their romances that were building up throughout the story. Soraya M. Lane wrote it perfectly, making these characters seems so real with their determination and she was able to convey the suspense and heartbreak these characters felt while still maintains the heart and goodness of our main characters. I enjoyed all 3 romantic interests, but this story for me was really the beauty of friendship between Evelyn, Vita and Dot.

I highly, highly recommend this, even if you don’t usually read historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy reading Soraya Lane's war books. They are always interesting and somewhat based on a little facts. Unlike a lot of war books hers are easy to read which is a plus for someone like me where history isn't my favorite genre. I love that hee books focus on the women during war.

This was my first Soraya Lane book, but it will most definitely not be my last. I read A LOT of WWII historical fiction, but I try to get outside of the France/Germany area. This took me to whole new country: Albania. In all my reading, fiction and non-fiction, I've never even heard of these nurses/medics and what they endured. It's sad that it's taken so long, but I love that these stories are finally being brought into the light. Without authors like Ms. Lane, they may never go beyond scholars and I believe by presenting them as a historically-inspired fiction story these authors are helping make sure these heroes aren't forgotten. This book had a bit more romance than I would typically enjoy in my historical fiction, but it was written so beautifully that I actually found myself rooting for one of the potential couples, I won't say which though! I can't wait to read more of Ms. Lane's works!

Absolutely loved this story about 3 friends, tested to the limit during the war. A great story that takes you to another world and another time. Definitely one to recommend

Under a Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane was a wonderful book. It is the story of three American nurses in the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron. Their job is to be on the planes that retrieve those injured soldiers from the front lines and transport them to a safe hospital for recovery and rehabilitation.

This story is based on a true event that occurred during the war when a large contingent of nurses and medics were flying to pick up wounded after being grounded by weather for days. The plane went down and this group of medical people was stranded behind enemy lines for over a month. This fictional account conveys the hardships and fear that these brave souls endured, not knowing if they would be rescued or remain stranded, and trying to escape being captured by the enemy.

I could not put this book down. Even though I knew it was a fictional account, I was riveted by the story. I always enjoy Ms. Lane’s writing and her books are among my most treasured. I highly recommend this book to those readers interested in novels about the war.

A beautiful book based on a true event .. a story of three American nurses. Three women with different backgrounds and different reasons to join the Medical Air Evacuation Transport unit. The book is written very well .. characters are well developed. A story of friendship, courage, and sacrifice. My first book by this author - I am definitely going to read more books written by her.
**
Thank you to the Author, @netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an Advance Reader Copy.

Are hope and love enough to sustain you through war torn lands?

Soraya Lane's "Under a Sky of Memories" is a transformative novel about 3 American nurses who are part of the first Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron in WW2. Three different women, all with different reasons for joining this mission, are brought together and fighting for their lives when a rescue trip crash lands them in occupied Albania. Along with the other medics and their pilots, Vita, Dot and Evelyn struggle to find their way to safety and, hopefully, back home.

Soraya has a way of writing that truly brings the characters to life. I was on the edge of my seat living through these months in Albania with Vita, Dot and Evelyn. Not only were the main characters beautifully flawed and wonderful in their own ways, the side characters were built in ways where the story would have gaping without them. I was rooting for all them, in survival, in love and in their futures.
As a history nerd, I loved the clear research and detail that Soraya put into this book. While Vita, Dot and Evelyn were made up, the real members of the 807th MAETS including 13 nurses, 13 medics and 2 pilots survived across Albania through 1943 before being rescued in early 1944. In the authors note at the end of the book, Soraya talks about the real members of that unit and the Albanian underground who not only helped this Americans survive, but also refused to turn over their Jewish neighbors and friends and became a refuge for those who could it make it to them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, war torn love stories and survivalist tales.
I cried tears over this book, both happy and sad. It's clearly a labor of love and the story is so beautifully told. I look forward to reading more of Soraya Lane's books in the future!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author so I had no expectations.

What I enjoyed about the book was that it highlighted a part of WWII I had no prior knowledge of. So it was very interesting to read about the medical teams. And I enjoyed the different characters. They all had their own strength.

I have to be honest and say that after a while I skimmed the middle parts about them being stuck in Albania. It was a lot of walking and being hungry. The first and last parts were great reads. Lots of tension about what was about to happen.

The Crash

An emotional and heartbreaking story that will stay with you for a long time. It is based on an actual event that took place during WWII although it is fiction with fictional characters. I really enjoyed the explanation of the event and how it was fictionalized to write this novel at the end of the story. I always love learning about historical events of which I know nothing. The crash of the transport plane carrying nurses and medical staff in 1943 was an event that I knew nothing about although I have read about the Air Evacuation Transport which consists of nurses and medical staff air flights of injured soldiers from field situations to medical facilities.

The story is of the nurses and medical staff aboard this medical transport which was thrown off course during a storm, was shot down by the German Army and crashed in Albania. It is the story of the survival of the staff aboard the plane and their two months of hiding and running from the Nazi's to try and return home.

It features three nurses, Evelyn, Dot and Vita. they trained together and fight to survive this strange country they have come to find themselves in. Vita is the pampered rich girl defying her parents to become a nurse, Evelyn leaves her family behind which she has cared for since the death of her mother, and Dot is an orphan fleeing from a broken engagement.

To make it interesting we throw in a carefree fun loving pilot, a hardened SOE officer, an Albanian boy and his family and a medic trying to make it home to his wife and child. Along with all the other's these are some featured characters.

This is quite a story and I will think of it long after reading the book. The courage, the determination and the heartfelt friendships that developed among these nurses is commendable. The story was well written and I loved the characters and the description of the country, the people and the customs.

It was a good read and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Soraya M. Lane for writing a great story, to Amazon Publishing U.K. for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a great historical WWII fiction set in Albania. Three nurses are part of a medical evacuation team and crash in enemy territory. This is a tale of their journey and it is well written and researched. I enjoyed each of Vita, Dot and Evelyn's personalities and backgrounds. A great read!

Under a Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane was such a beautiful sad story. This book was based on a true story. the story of how 26 Air Force nurses, pilots crash landed in Albania and through lots of hardships made it back to the United States. A true love story. If you love historical fiction read it.

This book is based on a true story about nurses and medics crashlanding in Albania during ww2. It is about their struggle to survive. It is also a cute lovestory in all the darkness. I highly recommend this book

Firstly I must thank The publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read read this advance copy.

I really enjoyed this historical novel, after reading a variety of books that were un-impressive. It was so nice to be able to finally read a novel that started at the beginning and worked through the story without any interruptions for flashbacks. The fact that this novel is a blend of fact and fiction made it even more enjoyable. This provided an insight into the amazing strength of character of the women’s contribution to the war effort, their commitment, resourcefulness and camaraderie. The contrasting background of the three nurses is well scripted as it unites these strangers. An excellent read. Thank you.

I enjoyed this one massively, as I knew I would. The characters were crafted with such care and consideration and the history was incredibly interesting. Lane always has me falling in love and crying throughout her novels and this was no different. Another brilliant read, so grateful I got a chance to read it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this amazing book. Under A Sky Of Memories is amazing! This book is expertly researched and so very well written. The book is based on an amazing event during World War 2. This is a story that will stay with you long after you finish.

Wow, what an amazing story based on a true event during WWII. A plane load of nurses and medics are being flown in to assist in transportation of wounded soldiers. Unfortunately the plane crash lands in Albania in an area held by Nazis. The book tells the story of the entire group but centers on 3 nurses and follows them from begining till end, thru the crash, journey to be rescued and freedom. Cut off from communication or assistance from the squadron, they have to depend on each other and assistance from the local resistance when possible. They go thu terrifying dangers and events while hiding from the nazis and making their way to the coast and a chance of rescue.
I loved that Soraya was able to blend true events into such a great story using actual events woven skillfully into the story. You will want to keep reading to find out what happens and how it turns out.
Thank you to Net Galley, the Author and Publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

This book is beyond amazing. There's a little humour, some sadness,
moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I put this book down,
I could think of nothing else but to get back to it.
These three women were the best of friends even though they were very
different from each other. Each of them had a little something to hide that kept
me wondering when the truth would come out.
This is an excellent writer! She really builds up this story to make you
care for and fear for these characters' lives.
At this point, I'm very interested in reading everything she has written!

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Soraya M. Lane, and your publisher for allowing
me to read and review this early copy. It's phenomenal.

Wow! A sweet and wonderful adventure back in time lovers of WWII fiction won’t want to miss! This is the story of three nurses who find love and adventure after a plane crash in Albania.

Soraya Lane's World War II Historical Fiction novels are some of my absolute favorites. I love how she find some amazing women to learn about in her books and Under A Sky of Memories is no exception.

I'm a history person. I love reading non-fiction about women during WWII, especially those who served in the WAVES, WAC, code breakers, pilots and I just found out about the coolest group those who served as Flight Nurses in the MAETS. MAETS is Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadrons and they helped with air evacuations of those wounded.

In Under A Sky of Memories we meet 3 flight nurses - Vita, Dot and Evelyn as they meet after training as they were heading to Italy. They quickly become friends and after a few flights where they were the nurse in charge of the care for the wounded men they were picked to serve on a special mission. When their transport flight crash lands in enemy occupied Albania will they find their way home?

YES, this is based on a true story of the 807th MAETS Squadron where 26 nurses and medics crashed in Albania in November 1943. How is this the first I'm hearing of this remarkable story of survival.

I love Soraya's writing style and this book is no exception. She combines the history with wonderful characters that you love, a little bit of drama and romance.

Even if you're not a WWII historical fiction fan you should read Under a Sky A Memories!

In her latest novel, Soraya M. Lane brings history back to life with an actual event that occurred during WWII. Under A Sky of Memories tells the captivating tale of the 26 rescues following the crash of the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron in 1943 in Albania.

I loved learning more about such an important event I did not know happened. The characters’ friendships and sense of courage, determination, passion and resilience were impressive. The storyline was captivating, and the characters were crafted with such details and care. The author brings light on the role of women, and especially nurses in the medical corps during WWII were incredibly insightful and empowering.

I very much enjoyed the first half of the book, being a little more fast-paced and plot-driven than the latter half. A beautiful and enjoyable story I recommend to every WWII historical fiction enthusiast.

UNDER A SKY OF MEMORIES by Soraya M. Lane is a beautifully-written and powerful story of three brave American women who trained as nurses and became part of Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron that was formed to airlift wounded soldiers from the battlefields to hospitals they wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach. Evelyn, Vita and Dot all have strong reasons to leave their lives behind and enlist to serve their country overseas. Although very different, these three woman unexpectedly become the closest of friends. During a critical mission with twenty-three other medics aboard, their plane crashes in German-occupied Albania behind enemy lines. With no way to communicate their location, they face unthinkable danger and hardship with only local Albanian partisan fighters to assist them. The courage and resilience of this group as they struggle to survive was awe-inspiring. I love when I learn something I never knew about World War II. This story is inspired by true events and real people. The records were only recently de-classified and the author’s extensive research as well as the fictional aspects she wove in truly brought this story to life. Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end for even more insight. I really enjoyed this compelling story of friendship, love and survival and recommend it most highly. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Visceral, Harrowing, And Heartbreaking. Yet again Lane manages to take an event out of WWII, fictionalize a story into it, and show just how real and relatable it must have been to have been the real people involved here. The motivations for our three primary women here are distinct but relatable, and their journeys through the tale are seemingly all too real - so many times, you're going to find yourself dreading that the worst is about to happen. In the end, you will likely shed tears of both happiness and heartbreak - and particularly when joined with the resources in the Author's Note, you'll likely learn a few things too. As in, despite both mine and my father's life long "obsession" with WWII (in his case due to how it shaped his father and in mine due to how it shaped *both* of my grandfathers in dramatically different ways), even I had never heard of this particular event that Lane bases the story around here. Once again a very fine piece of researched fiction from Lane, and very much recommended.

On November 8, 1943, a plane full of nurses and medics from the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron boarded a Douglas C-53 transport in Sicily for a 90-minute flight to the Italian mainland to pick up wounded soldiers from the front lines. Unfortunately, the mission didn’t go as planned and the plane crash-landed in German-occupied Albania. This is their story.

I’m so glad author Soraya Lane chose to retell this recently declassified account as I love her ability to instantly bring readers into the action. She is able to give us a taste of what it must have been like for these heroic nurses and medics of the 807th squadron. Lane highlights the crash landing, the toll of surviving in a country rife with danger, living with the knowledge that there was no way to communicate and possibly no way to get home and the harrowing attempts at reaching the evac transport on an airfield overrun with Germans!
Honoring Vita, Dot and Evelyn’s experience, Lane writes about the enduring power of female friendship. You’ll feel the bond between the characters and know that surviving for months and making it out of enemy territory alive would be miraculous and a real test of their friendship. Will the Albanians come to their rescue? Will the British special operations lieutenant be able to find them?

This survival against all odds five-star historical fiction story needs to be on your reading list come January 11, 2022.

I was gifted this advance copy by Soraya Lane, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Loved this book! Full of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat (not surprising since Soraya Lane is a master at writing suspenseful scenes), I enjoyed immersing myself in this fictional account of a true event that happened during WWII in Europe. There are three points of view here. All of them are from American nurses who meet during their training to support the troops fighting against the Nazi forces. They subsequently become fast friends. Their job is to provide care for soldiers injured in battle as they are evacuated in planes flown out by Air Force pilots. A harrowing job not all are cut out for which is why they are so meticulously trained and then hand-picked for suitability. I was astounded that I hadn't read about what happened before now, but after reading the author's notes at the end, I understood. There is so much in this book besides the actual events though. There is love and heartbreak, uncertainty and fear. But mostly, there is a fierceness among the main characters that exemplifies the extraordinary bravery they had to maintain even when they didn't think they could. Putting this book down for bare necessities (such as sleep) is almost not an option. You will want to find out what happens, page by page. Thank you to Soraya Lane and NetGalley for my early copy. Pub date is January 11, 2022.

How I enjoyed this historical fiction novel! Ten stars!
World War ll is in full swing and in need of nurses to assist with medical transport planes and aid the medics to bring home wounded soldiers.
Three women who become the best of friends, similar, yet very different take the challenge to sign up for this dangerous mission after completing nurses training.

Things don't go the way they are planned and they crash on enemy territory. Will they survive? Can they ever make it back home?

Strength, determination, heartbreak, heartache, and shear terror are portrayed in this story that is based on true facts.
You will be on the edge of your seat as you travel with this amazing group of nurses and share in their experiences.
It is a well detailed story that will definitely stay with me a long, long time!

Are you looking for a great historical historical novel with wonderful characters? Then look no further! Filled with wonderful friendships and a little romance, this book treats us to the tale of 3 friends who are nurses in a new type of unit. These women are part of a unique unit that flies in to field hospitals and transports by air the wounded to a more permanent hospital that can more successfully treat their wounds. This is a great book from a wonderful author!

This book is an amazing work of historical fiction, one of the few 5 star reviews I've granted this year.

Evelyn, Vita and Dot are Americans from different walks of life who signed up during the war to be trained as flying nurses. After training, they were sent to Italy as part of the 807th MAETS, a squadron that flies medics and nurses into war-torn areas and picks up the wounded for transport to hospitals.

During a one of a kind assignment, 13 nurses and several medics are sent on a large plane to pick up a large number of wounded. Tragedy strikes, and the group is left on their own to survive. I'll stop there because I don't write spoilers, but will say this is a story of heroism, strength, resiliency and love that will stay with you for a long time after you close the book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, but my opinions are my own.

Review - Under a Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane
This was a remarkable story about three women serving as flight nurses in the Medical Air Evacuation Flight Squadron during WWII. Their mission: to transport, triage and manage pain for soldiers who are in the most dire of circumstances. Their plane comes under attack and crashes behind enemy lines. Who will survive and will they make it to safety? This was a quick and easy read but also a highly engaging read. This book checked so many boxes for me!
✔️daring mission
✔️dangerous rescue
✔️page turner
✔️action and suspense
✔️friendship
✔️romance
✔️bravery
✔️tear jerker 😢
✔️heartwarming 🥰
Well done @sorayalaneauthor 👏🏻
Coming January 11th, 2022
Thank you to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for this review copy. 🥰
#bookstagram #canadianbookstagram #underaskyofmemories #sorayamlane #netgalley #amazonpublishing #bookadoration

(Actual rating 3.5/5)

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the chance to read and review this book before publishing!

This novel focuses on three nurses-Evelyn, Vita, and Dot-who become best friends during training for a special squadron in WWII. Throughout the book we experience the tragedy of this situation from each of the main characters while simultaneously learning about their lives before the war.

I had a hard time figuring out a rating for this simply because the synopsis was incredibly misleading. The synopsis lead me to believe this was going to be action packed the whole time (kind of like The Alice Network or The Nightingale) but it really wasn’t. It was much more of a light introduction to WWII fiction with a heavy subplot of romance. If I knew that going in I likely wouldn’t have picked it up BUT putting my expectations aside, I did enjoy this book a lot!

I really loved seeing how each of their lives before WWII influenced their relationships and the actions they took while in such a dire situation. There were many parts in this book that got my heart pounding with anticipation and equally as many that warmed my heart. I truly enjoyed seeing each of these women grow throughout the book and confront the insecurities of their pasts. These women were definitely strong and capable but their reactions to the tragedy felt much like what any person would feel if they crash-landed in enemy territory in the middle of a war.

This book wasn’t as intense as some WWII fiction I’ve read so if you’ve been meaning to try it, this might be a good place to start! Although Under A Sky of Memories isn’t categorized as romance I would say romance is definitely the subplot. Historical fiction/romance lovers might want to check this out as well. I was definitely rooting for the love interests throughout the book!

Under A Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane was based on the true and harrowing experiences of the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron (MAETS). Their terrifying ordeal was kept classified for decades after it first occurred. Soraya M. Lane was able to recount the details of their ordeal in this historical fiction story that was inspired by actual true historical events. Her research was impeccable. As in all of her previous books, and in this, her newest book, Soraya M. Lane’s primary characters were female, strong, determined and independent. Even the male characters were authentic and likable for the most part. Many of the actual occurrences that she incorporated in Under A Sky of Memories were written to closely resemble the real events or people. That included the vigorous training the nurses of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron underwent, the actual crash of their plane, some of the villages in Albania and even the local partisans closely resembled the type of people they portrayed. Under A Sky of Memories was about three women nurses. Each was so different from the other but despite their differences they each forged beautiful friendships with the other.

Vita came from a privileged background. She was vivacious, always put together just so and fun. Vita had lost her older brother in the War and was determined to do her part for the war effort. Her mother, on the other hand, was set on having Vita marry the “right” boy. Vita wanted nothing to do with helping her mother carry out her plan so she ran away and trained to become a nurse for MAETS. Upon her leaving, her family threatened to cut her off from her inheritance. Dot was an insecure, shy and quiet young woman. Her close family members were all dead. She was all alone. She desperately wanted to fall in love and acquire a new family. She had thought she had found that person in Peter. His family felt that Dot was beneath them. As desperately as she tried, Dot could not win them over. Peter ended up breaking off their engagement the night before Dot left for her nursing training. Too embarrassed and heartbroken by Peter’s abandonment, Dot continued to wear his ring around her neck and pretended that she was still engaged. Evelyn had recently lost her own mother. She had stepped right into the role of mother and caretaker without hesitation. Her father was lost without her mother and her younger siblings needed her. She had no choice but to assume that role. Evelyn was best described as practical, determined, a motivator and a leader at times. She wanted to do something helpful for the war. When Evelyn told her father her plan he was proud of her and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. All three women met during their training to become nurses for MAETS. Although, they were from very different backgrounds, had personality traits that were so different from one another and decided to train to become a nurse in MAETS for different reasons, they ultimately became the best of friends.

Vita, Dot and Evelyn were all part of the 807th Squadron. Each one had been on several missions already to help transport badly injured servicemen to nearby hospitals with the help of their assigned medic and pilot. Rumors were spreading that the best nurses and medics were going to be chosen for a one of a kind mission. Instead of sending one nurse and a medic to attend to the most critical cases, twenty-six Army Air Force flight nurses and medics were going to be chosen to rescue a record breaking number of servicemen at one time. Despite all the careful planning and selections, no one had anticipated or had been aware of the severe weather headed their way, changes to codes needed for clearance or enemy planes in the area. With everything working against them, the plane was forced to crash land. All twenty-six nurses and medics plus the crew survived the crash. They had landed in Albania, an occupied country. Their ordeal was just about to begin.

Under A Sky of Memories was an exceptional work of historical fiction. It was an engrossing story that centered around strong women, friendship, hope, humanity, bravery, determination trust and even love. I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters were memorable and have stayed with me even after I finished reading their story. I knew nothing about the ordeal these brave women and men faced in Albania until I read this book. It is hard to imagine that those brave nurses, medics, pilot and crew were sworn to secrecy for so many years. They could not share the events of their ordeal with anyone. Soraya M. Lane has become one of my favorite authors and I eagerly await her next book. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this advanced digital copy of Under A Sky of Memories by Soraya M. Lane through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As a first time reader of this author, I look forward to reading more of her novels. Based on a true story during WWII, the author tells a story of courage, determination and survival. Readers will follow three nurses, part of MAET as they train to support the wounded being flown out of Italy. The endurance of a crash and survival in Albania was amazing. Loved learning about this little known part of history. Highly recommended!

I’m a little bit speechless. I absolutely loved this novel - a solid 10/10 🌟

A historical fiction based on true events, set during WW2, and told through 3 POV’s.
It’s the year 1943: Evelyn, Vita, and Dot have trained to be nurses and are members of the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron. After facing a setback, a larger crew of 26 nurses/medics are rounded up to make up for their lost time transporting wounded soldiers. One plane crash later, and they find themselves deep in enemy territory in Albania.

This novel features female friendship, growth, survival, and romance. Very well written - the author gave us a story set during the war without it overly screaming WW2 or feeling like a history lesson, if you get what I mean.
The epilogue had me looking like: 🥺

Overall, thoroughly pleased and surprised because this is normally not a subject I’d like to read about.

[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC]

Based on the GR average rating, I am in the minority on my opinion on this book. I give it a 3.5 stars. While it was an overall good story, it wasn’t quite what I expected after reading the synopsis, and I found myself having a hard time staying with it. I am not sure what the disconnect was for me but maybe I will pick it up and try it again at a later date.

This story follows three women in 1943 — Evelyn, Vita and Dot, who have agreed to go on a dangerous mission. After their plane goes down, leaving them in danger and without a lifeline, they begin their journey to try and reach help, while trudging through occupied Albania. They’re constantly having to try to stay one step ahead of the Germans and think quick and fast on their feet. Peril could be just around the corner.

Pub date is January 11, 2022. Again, I appear to be in the minority, so if the story line sounds interesting to you, I’d recommend picking it up and judging for yourself. It wasn’t that it was bad or not worth reading, it just wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

This book is a master class on the ability to weave the horrors of war with the enduring hope of the human spirit. Soraya M. Lane exquisitely examines the often forgotten strength of ordinary women during the most arduous of times in history. This gut-wrenching tale will stay with you long after you read the final words.

I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. I know nothing about this part of WWII. This book was very well written and I loved getting to know the 3 nurses and what they went through. This is not your typical WWII book, it talks about Albania and how the war was in that country.

Wow! What an exciting, edge of your seat story. Based on true events, Under a Sky of Memories gives an account of three American nurses and their fight for survival behind enemy lines. Evelyn, Vita and Dot became fast friends at the beginning of their journey and I felt apart of their friendship and sisterhood. The story was fast-paced and I found myself holding my breath at times! I also found myself googling Albania, a country I don't think I have encountered in a WW2 story yet. Excellent read, I've added a few more Soraya M Lane books to my TBR!! Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this advanced copy.