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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Not what I expected. It turned out to be a historical romance. Well-written, good characters and interesting information about female pilThe Spitfire Girls by Soraya M. Lane has readers traveling back to World War II. May Jones along with Ruby Sanders are members of the British Air Transport Auxiliary. These courageous women ferry new and repaired planes without radios or instruments for the Royal Air Force. Lizzie Dunlop has been trying to get the United States to implement a similar program without success. General Henry Arnold needs convincing and suggests Lizzie volunteer for the ATA to get experience. Lizzie is a confident and brash woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. She knows she is an excellent pilot, but Lizzie is not a team player. Lizzie attitude tends to rub the other pilots the wrong away along with her competitive spirit. As commander, it falls to May to get these talented female pilots to work together. These women must continually fight for fair treatment and respect from their male counterparts while dealing with losses and being away from their loved ones. Will these women succeed in their missions?
I like that The Spitfire Girls shows the role of female pilots in England and America during World War II. I enjoyed learning more about the WASPs and ATA. I thought the author accurately portrayed how women were treated during this time period. The powers that be may not have wanted the women’s help, but they needed their assistance (I can just imagine the discussions that took place). Of course, once the war was over, females were soon ousted from their wartime positions. May Jones was a strong female character with a hard exterior. She kept her emotions in check while fighting for the women in her command. It was hard for May to show weakness and open up to someone. Ruby Sanders is the petite beauty who lacks confidence. She is engaged to Tom who is under his society mother’s thumb and feels that women belong at home. Ruby is a good flyer, but she needs to believe in herself. Lizzie Dunlop is a talented flyer and lets people know it. She is big, bold and brash (from Texas). Lizzie feels that flyers are on their own in the sky and does not understand the team mentality. Each woman has a different issue that they need to overcome. I thought the characters lacked depth. Each lady finds the right man for her and they fall in love. The story played out in a predictable manner. The pace was steady in the first half and slowed down considerably in the second. I liked the author’s note at the end which provided additional information on the WASPs, ATA and female pilots from WWII. I can tell the author did her research for The Spitfire Girls. However, I wanted more depth, realism and emotion. Readers who take pleasure in reading light, historical romance novels will appreciate The Spitfire Girls.
ots during WWII.
I like that The Spitfire Girls shows the role of female pilots in England and America during World War II. I enjoyed learning more about the WASPs and ATA. I thought the author accurately portrayed how women were treated during this time period. The powers that be may not have wanted the women’s help, but they needed their assistance (I can just imagine the discussions that took place). Of course, once the war was over, females were soon ousted from their wartime positions. May Jones was a strong female character with a hard exterior. She kept her emotions in check while fighting for the women in her command. It was hard for May to show weakness and open up to someone. Ruby Sanders is the petite beauty who lacks confidence. She is engaged to Tom who is under his society mother’s thumb and feels that women belong at home. Ruby is a good flyer, but she needs to believe in herself. Lizzie Dunlop is a talented flyer and lets people know it. She is big, bold and brash (from Texas). Lizzie feels that flyers are on their own in the sky and does not understand the team mentality. Each woman has a different issue that they need to overcome. I thought the characters lacked depth. Each lady finds the right man for her and they fall in love. The story played out in a predictable manner. The pace was steady in the first half and slowed down considerably in the second. I liked the author’s note at the end which provided additional information on the WASPs, ATA and female pilots from WWII. I can tell the author did her research for The Spitfire Girls. However, I wanted more depth, realism and emotion. Readers who take pleasure in reading light, historical romance novels will appreciate The Spitfire Girls.
ots during WWII.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know what it was but I just couldn't get into this book. I usually enjoy reading WWII books. This one I did not. I found myself skipping sections in hopes of grasping what others had so positively enjoyed. I went back to the beginning and tried again. Unfortunately it didn't help
Tak tahle kniha mě dostala. Krásný příběh o silných ženách, které přese všechny překážky, nepřestaly být ženami. O ženách, které nám otevřely cestu k rovnoprávnosti a bojovaly za ni.
I received a copy of this ebook as a Goodreads Giveaway.
Historical fiction/romance, based on true events during WWII
The story revolves around three women (Lizzie - an American, May & Ruby, both British) who were instrumental in establishing civilian programs for female pilots to ferry planes for both US and British military during the war. This freed up male pilots to engage in combat flights. Each chapter focuses on at least one of the main characters, how their lives intertwine, and how each was affected by the war.
I read acknowledgements and afterwards in most of the books I read. The author's afterward gives a brief explanation of historical facts on which she based her story.
Historical fiction/romance, based on true events during WWII
The story revolves around three women (Lizzie - an American, May & Ruby, both British) who were instrumental in establishing civilian programs for female pilots to ferry planes for both US and British military during the war. This freed up male pilots to engage in combat flights. Each chapter focuses on at least one of the main characters, how their lives intertwine, and how each was affected by the war.
I read acknowledgements and afterwards in most of the books I read. The author's afterward gives a brief explanation of historical facts on which she based her story.
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers below. Maybe.
The Spitfire Girls was surprisingly good! Once I started this ebook, I couldn't put it down. Not even to do my actual work. The girls in this book were such bad asses and I love how they wouldn't let the manly nay-sayers make them stop doing what they love: flying planes.
Speaking of these wonderful pilots, we get to meet Lizzie, Ruby, May, and a bunch of other wonderful ladies. Now this type of lifestyle is a bit frowned upon because men are idiots. They just love to think they are more superior.. well maybe just in this book? Ha - we all know most men think they are better at anything and everything. So yeah, it happens a lot in this book plus in our every day lives.
For Ruby, it's her fiancé and his mother who seem to think that war is just for men. Pish posh, but yeah let's go with what Tom says for a second. Well, after seeing his beautiful and talented fiancé flying one gigantic plane (that the men in this book have only dreamed about being able to fly) he has realized what a douche canoe he is. Oh lord, I was about to punch him in the nuts until he finally redeemed himself.
Then there's Lizzie who likes to think highly of herself. Like she's better than any other female or male pilot out there. I mean, she is.. but she doesn't need to boast about it publicly all the time. It does suck that she gets severely pushed off of that little pedestal but it does make her a lot more likable. For the longest time, I just annoyed with her but towards the end I definitely ended up like her a lot more.
Heck, all of the girls in this book were lovable. They each had their own voice and I loved getting to see them improve their flying techniques as well as fall in love. Oh lord, the ending was freaking adorable. I loved the little reunion - it kind of reminded me of that one baseball movie.. like girls playing baseball because the men were off to war.
Oh lord, this is gonna drive me nuts.. what is it called..
Tom Hanks is in it I think?
Some blonde woman too?
WAS MADONNA IN IT?
Hold up, lemme google this shit.
HA - A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.
I knew it! Okay, I'm done!
Spoilers below. Maybe.
The Spitfire Girls was surprisingly good! Once I started this ebook, I couldn't put it down. Not even to do my actual work. The girls in this book were such bad asses and I love how they wouldn't let the manly nay-sayers make them stop doing what they love: flying planes.
Speaking of these wonderful pilots, we get to meet Lizzie, Ruby, May, and a bunch of other wonderful ladies. Now this type of lifestyle is a bit frowned upon because men are idiots. They just love to think they are more superior.. well maybe just in this book? Ha - we all know most men think they are better at anything and everything. So yeah, it happens a lot in this book plus in our every day lives.
For Ruby, it's her fiancé and his mother who seem to think that war is just for men. Pish posh, but yeah let's go with what Tom says for a second. Well, after seeing his beautiful and talented fiancé flying one gigantic plane (that the men in this book have only dreamed about being able to fly) he has realized what a douche canoe he is. Oh lord, I was about to punch him in the nuts until he finally redeemed himself.
Then there's Lizzie who likes to think highly of herself. Like she's better than any other female or male pilot out there. I mean, she is.. but she doesn't need to boast about it publicly all the time. It does suck that she gets severely pushed off of that little pedestal but it does make her a lot more likable. For the longest time, I just annoyed with her but towards the end I definitely ended up like her a lot more.
Heck, all of the girls in this book were lovable. They each had their own voice and I loved getting to see them improve their flying techniques as well as fall in love. Oh lord, the ending was freaking adorable. I loved the little reunion - it kind of reminded me of that one baseball movie.. like girls playing baseball because the men were off to war.
Oh lord, this is gonna drive me nuts.. what is it called..
Tom Hanks is in it I think?
Some blonde woman too?
WAS MADONNA IN IT?
Hold up, lemme google this shit.
HA - A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.
I knew it! Okay, I'm done!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I actually loved this book! It love WW2 era material and the behind the scenes of the female pilots was fantastic. (No this isn’t my normal Christian fiction so don’t be thinking it is)
The story made me tear up and get annoyed with a character (looking at you Lizzie) and that makes it earn 5 stars. ❤️
The story made me tear up and get annoyed with a character (looking at you Lizzie) and that makes it earn 5 stars. ❤️
Loved it! My favorite kind of story—adventure, romance, brave heroines, big-hearted heroes, WWII era, a story that celebrates sacrifice, nobleness, kindness & character. So, so good!
Really enjoyed this! While it is fiction, it has a factual background and is a very believable story. It's an easy read and while it touches on sad topics (as is expected with any book set during WW2) it is overall a positive and hopeful story.