This well-researched (Soraya Lane writes that she was inspired by real-life experiences.) historical romance opens with the horrific bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941. Through flashbacks we gradually discover the back stories of the four main characters: sisters Grace and April, their childhood friend, Poppy and new companion, Eva. All four nurses are enjoying the idyllic setting of Hawaii when they experience first-hand the brutal bombing of 1941 which brings America into the Second World War - with traumatic consequences for each of the girls.

Each chapter switches between the four girls and is told from their individual perspective. Through this is revealed their distinct personalities, and motivations for signing up.

Much of the story focuses on the trio’s subsequent posting to Africa and details their wartime nursing experiences, dealing with heartache, bereavement, shattered relationships and their attempts to heal and find new meaning and love in peacetime. I would recommend this book as a holiday or ‘light’ read. It is enjoyable, interesting (from a historical perspective) and undemanding. Thank you for the ARC.

The Girls of Pearl Harbour by Soraya M Lane is a beautifully written story about four nurses facing the bombing of Pearl harbour. Sisters Grace and April and their best friend Poppy and new friend Eva.
When they first arrive at Pearl Harbour, they think that they are all on a long holiday and that America will not go to war and they will be just fixing cuts and bruises. They spend their downtime on the beach and chatting up the GI’s. But they couldn’t be more wrong when Sunday came and Grace April and Poppy walking in the sunshine hears a rumble. Suddenly they realise the planes flying towards them are not American but Japanese. The planes are so close they can see the evil smiles of the pilots when the planes are flying by. They realise they are at war. They lose a lot of people that day, even people close to them and they realise that their lives are going to be different from now on.
This is the first book from the author that I have read, and it won’t be my last. This is a moving story of four nurses in WW2 at Pearl harbour and then moving to Africa. The story showed not only what the nurses had to go through but also the atrocities that the soldiers had to go through in the war and who died and who lived. It was quite heart breaking. This had a great story line and very likeable characters. I loved it. I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor follows sisters Grace and April and their friends as they work as nurses during WWII. I wanted to read this book, as I am always interested in reading about women's experiences during the war. Unfortunately I found this book mostly disappointing. The writing was a bit too twee for my tastes, the constant mentions of, "oh, nothing bad will ever happen in Hawaii in 1941!" at the beginning of the book were so obvious and heavy handed, and a character mentioned that she felt "like a hot mess" at one point, which was really strange. I don't think women would have referred to themselves in those terms in 1941. The ending wrapped things up way too nicely and happily, which felt unrealistic, given the fact that the book was set during a war. However, it was a mostly entertaining read, and would be good for those interested in nursing and romance.

This was a very enjoyable read. I found it fascinating and informative. We see the story of 4 WW2 nurses and their journey. It is a little disjointed at times but it was very good. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor
By Soraya M. Lane
I enjoyed this book but felt the ending was a little rushed. I enjoy reading historical fiction because although I know the story is not real, I imagine it was perhaps close to someone’s life. Reading about someone’s life and how they react to situations is always interesting too. I prefer Christian books in general because I appreciate and learn from the character's choices. Although this is not in the Christian fiction genre it was clean enough for me.
I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as the story of Grace, April and Poppy joined the US Army Nurse Corps and experienced WWII. The characters were spunky and developed well throughout the book. From fun to grief and finally to the future this story developed and allowed the reader to experience the emotions of what war looked like beginning to end.
I was provided with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For more book reviews visit my blog: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

This is a beautifully written story about the human cost of World War 2. It was an interesting story which felt real.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Descriptive-Great Female Lead Characters-Plot Line That Developed Well Over The Course of the Novel

I am admittedly a huge historical fiction buff. This novel is a great addition to a genre which is growing in popularity. The novel is atypical because its plot centers around the lesser known heroes of Pearl Harbor and the destructive war which inevitably followed - the female nurses who were present on both land and at sea on December 7, 1941. It was quite refreshing to have such strong female lead characters and I felt very connected to them all (not even one over another as usually happens to me when I read!) as their stories developed.

The novel follows the nurses as the United States enters World War II after Pearl Harbor and readers are taken on a descriptive journey by train and ship to the United States's theater in Africa. The way the author is able to weave multiple stories into one cohesive novel really worked for me as a reader. It also feels as though the author "did her homework," so to speak, on the conditions, local customs, clothing, etc. of the African theater, which I sincerely appreciated as a WW2 historical fiction lover.

Overall, this was an excellent read. I did not give it 5/5 stars because the transitions between story lines and time periods (the day of the attack, peacetime to wartime, Pearl Harbor to Africa, etc.) felt a bit disjointed to me. However, I recommended this to my Bookstagram followers and will do the same here!

This is the 3rd book of Soraya’s books I have read and it was amazing!!! This book grabs you right from the beginning and takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride!! Highly highly recommend!!!,

A group of young nurses enjoying the beauty of Hawaii are suddenly thrown into the terrifying attack on Pearl Harbor. The story tells of their bravery and stamina. Their friendships carried them through the long days tending to the severely injured and the beginning of the many years looming on the horizon.

Becoming a part of history in a novel is one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much. Ms. Lane has done an amazing job in taking me back into the historcal events of what happened at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese flew in and started bombing. I know from history what took place but "living" this through the characters in this book had my heart pounding and my stomach churning with them. I was in the thick of these events right along with these characters.

Three best friends plus one, embark on what they think will be the adventure "as the best time of our lives" in the US Army Nurse Corps. This is the story of April and Grace, two sisters, and their best friend, Poppy. Their "plus one" is a fireball of energy, Eva, and they fast become treasured friends with each other. Their first assignment is based in Hawaii, a paradise that will never have it's pristine beauty and peaceful living disturbed.....until that fateful day and the vicious attack on December 7th.

Ms. Lane's narrative of the attack is heart-stopping action that I felt I was experiencing right along with these characters. I was in shock and unbelief right along with Grace as she was witnessing the horrific events. The ear splitting blasts of gun fire, the stench of smoke and death, the ghastly sight of all those injured and dead bodies was so realistic. I cried and wanted to scream along with the nurses as they ran for cover. As the awful events of that attack start to settle down, there's unbelievable tragedy that made me cry so much. "How did we go from having the time of our lives here to losing everything."

Now that America has been pulled into the war, the nurses are faced with a new assignment. They are going to work in Mateur, Tunisia. I traveled along with them and when we stepped off the train, it was definitly a foreign country like none other. "Grace's heart beat fast as she looked around, amazed all over again at how a regular girl from Oregon had somehow ended up on the other side of the world, in a place so different she couldn't have even imagined it in her wildest dreams." The living conditions were such a challenge, not to mention the loosly termed "hospital" these nurses worked out of. It was under almost impossible conditions for them. The heart they had for helping the wounded and suffering soldiers was truly a sacrifice of love. They gave their all and cared for each soldier with every breath they had.

There were also the personal stories of each character woven throughout this book. Each one touched my heart and endeared them to me. I became attached to them in ways that I didn't expect and pulled for them to fight their way through the horrific conditions, the heart breaking decisions, and the situations they encountered outside of the caretaking they put everything into. I lived their stories in the words and pages of this fictional, but realistic account of what the nurses in the USANC endured. I learned so much about their strength to complete their missions and of their love for their country and the patients they cared for.

I want to thank Lake Union, Netgalley, and Ms. Lane for the kindle copy of this historic read that took me back to this time and event. I have a new found admiration for the nurses who served in this time in history. I give it 5 plus thankful stars!

This is a new to me author. The story begins with four nurses, Poppy, Grace, April and Eva, stationed in Pearl Harbor a month before the attack. They were so happy to be there, felt like they were living in paradise. Every night was a party and the injuries were minor. Then the attack happened and nothing was ever the same again. I absolutely loved this story. I loved the fact that it focused on the nurses and their point of view. The details were so vivid that I could envision the attack. I also liked the fact that the second part of the attack took place in North Africa. So much focus is placed on the war taking place in Europe that I'm embarrassed to say that I really don't know that much about the battles of WWII in Africa. This story made me admire nurses even more than I already do. This was an amazing work of historical fiction. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The opinion is all mine.

What a story this one is so moving and emotional, but showing the strength these woman had and what they went through in times that rocked the world, beautifully written, there were tears aplenty but there was also smiles along the way. Make yourself comfy as you get to know these woman and the men that came into their lives.

Three woman two sisters April and Grace and their best friend Poppy sign up to be nurses and are sent to Pearl Harbour, here they meet another nurse Eva and together they are enjoying life with parties, the beach, very handsome soldiers what more could you want and then that all changed on December 7th when the Japanese attacked.

April the big sister and mother figure, so very serious and she wants so badly to help people be a nurse but she also has dreams of more in her career.

Grace, younger sister and who relies on her sister so much but loves to have fun, meet new people, nursing is not her first choice of career but she wanted to be with her sister.

Poppy, bright, bubbly and always fun and very much in love with her boyfriend Teddy.

Eva engaged to Charlie, strong but with problems at home and a very good nurse, she is on the ship The Solace.

December 7th changes their lives forever, what they went through and had to do will leave them different people forever, stronger yes, heart-broken yes, but they move on because that is what they must so. They find themselves in Africa meeting new people, helping to save lives, also finding themselves, opening up and finding love.

I loved this story MS Lane took me back to these times I felt their heart-ache and their joy, got to know these woman, this is a must read book, beautifully written, not put down able. I cannot highly recommend this one enough, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come, I loved it, and it is such a fabulous compelling read.

I love a good WWII genre book and this was one. Great characters, lots of action and historical accuracy. I was not that aware of the war from the eyes of the nurses and it was very informative and especially when they move to North Africa. I recommend this one for all fans of historical fiction and definitely fans of WWII fiction.

Thank you to NetGalIey and Amazon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Girls Of Pearl Harbor is a historical fiction by Soraya M. Lane. It comes out September 10, 2019.
I loved this book! The author did such a good job making us, the reader, feel part of the story. I grasped while the battle raged and cried with the nurses when a friend was lost or their job became so overwhelming as injured after injured were brought in.
Every well written, keeps you engaged from the beginning. The scenery descriptions were amazing. I adored the characters! They were interesting and multidimensional.
I strongly recommend this book! Giving it a 5 star!

This was my first book by Soraya and I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed reading about wartime through the eyes of the female nurses.

The romance in each of the storylines were really sweet as well. I loved how Eva brought Art back to life after his debilitating injury.

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

Thank you to NetGalIey and Amazon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have always been fascinated by WW2 historical fiction, and have read quite a bit of it. However, this is the first historical fiction that I have read that takes place at Pearl Harbor. It was heartbreaking to read about these nurses and soldiers that were expecting a safe place to be stationed, and ended up being attacked so brutally by the Japanese and thrown into war.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor follows the story of two sisters, April and Grace, and another friend named Eva that they met in Hawaii. It starts about a month before the attack and then ends several years later after they were deployed to Africa. The chapters alternated between the three girls, and showed their personalities so well that I became quite attached to them by the end of the book.

I loved the vivid descriptions of everything they went through, from the attack, to personal issues, to their lives at the hospital and their deployment. I felt like I was witnessing it all through their eyes. I would love to see this become a movie.

I also enjoyed how the book wasn't just about the war, but also friendship, love, ambitions, and family. There was a little bit of everything and it made for a well rounded story.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, especially those interested in WW2 era stories.

Grace and April, two sisters from Oregon, join the nurse corps and are posted to Pearl Harbor in early 1941. It seems like paradise, but of course the reader knows what is coming. They meet up with another military nurse, Eva, and all become friends, bonding over many tragedies and triumphs. I found the plot somewhat contrived--they're supposedly in the military, but there seems to be very little mention of it. Grace is said to be squeamish around blood--wouldn't someone have noted that in her training and addressed it? I think I was the wrong reader for this novel. I love well researched historical fiction, and this seemed more like a World War II romance.

After Grace, April and Poppy join the US Army Nurse Corps, they are thrilled to find themselves in beautiful Hawaii. Grace and April are sisters and Poppy is their best friend. They also become friends with Eva, who they met at a party. All four nurses enjoy the beautiful weather and the parties. Most of their nursing is on football injuries and minor accidents and they can't believe how lucky they are to be in paradise. That all changes on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. All of a sudden they are faced with dead bodies, burned and mangled bodies and a great fear that the bombing will continue. As they face the destruction and loss of life, their nursing skills are greatly tested.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor takes you on a vivid journey through a tumultuous time in American history. The problems in their pasts no longer matter as these friends are thrust into difficult situations taking care of badly wounded men and putting their own lives in jeopardy. Will they be able to let go of their pasts and find out how strong they really are?

Thanks to the author for this wonderfully written and well researched novel about nurses and their importance in WWII.

RIVETING!

THE GIRLS OF PEARL HARBOR by Soraya M. Lane is riveting! Three young nurses (Grace, April & Poppy) join the US Army Nurse Corps and quickly befriend another seasoned nurse, Eva. They all join for different reasons but their first station is in beautiful Hawaii. They are enjoying all the tropical paradise has to offer until the infamous morning of December 7 when the whole world turned upside down. In an instant, life as the world has known it, changed completely!! The horrors these four women would face & endure would break most people. Yet, they remained and they grew from each close encounter with death, with each close encounter with critically injured people - soldiers, townspeople (young children as well as adults & senior adults) & each close encounter with their own feelings and emotions. They learn what true love is not but even in the midst of all the horrors of war they are able to learn what true love (lifetime love) really means. I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own and without influence.

For me, a great book is when the author can bring her characters to life right from the pages. When he/she can bring their reader into their world and make you feel as if you are right there, dealing with all the emotions and experiences that the characters are.

Ms. Lane has once again done that for me. I felt as if I was a nurse fighting alongside Grace, Eva and April. We know about what happened to the men who were fighting but history doesn’t lean towards educating us about all the other people who fought; even though this is a work of fiction, the research and attention detail that Ms. Lane puts into her books, I know that her stories could easily read as non-fiction....as a diary of you will.

Another fantastic addition to the historical fiction genre.