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kimcheel's review
3.0
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
2.5 stars
This book promised more than it delivered. The storyline was an interesting, but it didn't go in enough detail to make me feel I was in the room with any of the characters. Every time a historically accurate description was added, it felt like the author was beside me saying, "did you catch that reference?" As a reader, I like to be given a little more credit than was given as the word was painted around me. The romance aspect was wanting, and I felt awkward witnessing their cringy-awkward, not cute-awkward stumbles toward love. There were needlessly gendered moments, the main character, Mattie was a Mary Sue,. and her big invention (which I won't mention here for the sake of spoilers) had been in use since 1916. I love reading books about female empowerment and bucking the patriarchal mould, but sadly, I really didn't find any of that in this book.
2.5 stars
This book promised more than it delivered. The storyline was an interesting, but it didn't go in enough detail to make me feel I was in the room with any of the characters. Every time a historically accurate description was added, it felt like the author was beside me saying, "did you catch that reference?" As a reader, I like to be given a little more credit than was given as the word was painted around me. The romance aspect was wanting, and I felt awkward witnessing their cringy-awkward, not cute-awkward stumbles toward love. There were needlessly gendered moments, the main character, Mattie was a Mary Sue,. and her big invention (which I won't mention here for the sake of spoilers) had been in use since 1916. I love reading books about female empowerment and bucking the patriarchal mould, but sadly, I really didn't find any of that in this book.
lornarei's review against another edition
2.0
A woman flyer in the early days of aviation? This had my name all over it. I SHOULD have loved it, but...I didn't. The overall story was good enough, but I can't manage even three stars for three reasons:
1. One character used the term "social construct". I really don't think that's a term that was really used in the 1920s. And I'm not sure a lot of the feminist rhetoric they bandied about was really true to the time. If it was, my apologies for doubting it, but it all sounded a little modern.
2. If Leo "jammed his hands into his hair" one more time... I guess it's his mannerism, but it was waaaaaaaaay overused.
3. WHAT is the obsession with eye color? Do people's eyes truly change color that often? Who really notices flecks in people's eyes? You'd have to be pretty close and one time I swear Leo saw Mattie's eyes (or flecks!) change color when he was YARDS away from her. Stop.
I did like her style of writing. She could set a nice scene without being overly descriptive. So there's that.
1. One character used the term "social construct". I really don't think that's a term that was really used in the 1920s. And I'm not sure a lot of the feminist rhetoric they bandied about was really true to the time. If it was, my apologies for doubting it, but it all sounded a little modern.
2. If Leo "jammed his hands into his hair" one more time... I guess it's his mannerism, but it was waaaaaaaaay overused.
3. WHAT is the obsession with eye color? Do people's eyes truly change color that often? Who really notices flecks in people's eyes? You'd have to be pretty close and one time I swear Leo saw Mattie's eyes (or flecks!) change color when he was YARDS away from her. Stop.
I did like her style of writing. She could set a nice scene without being overly descriptive. So there's that.
janbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty good read. Set in the 20s - amid speakeasies and flappers, the story revolved around a group of 'lady fliers' who have set out to earn respect for not only their skilled flying abilities, but as women who actually want more from life than the traditional roles. It touches on race issues, equal pay for jobs men routinely do, and being true to your dreams, no matter the obstacles in your path. A little romance but not the main thing. Would recommend!
dabutkus's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good. It follow the story of Mattie, a pilot in 1923, who family is having a hard time keeping up with the payments of their flight school. The day her life changes, she’s flying stunts in the field by her house when she meets Vera, a very determined businesswoman who is putting her very own all female flight circus. Immediately, Mattie is well aware this could solve her family’s problems and immediately agrees. However, she didn’t intend on Leo, her brother’s childhood friend, coming along for the ride. The entire book was amazingly written and more than once, I wanted to be a pilot as I read. The book is a good balance between flying and drama and it will suck you in quickly. Violet Marsh is a wonderful storyteller and I really enjoyed reading Mattie’s story. Highly recommend.
chulaisreadingromance's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book!
I feel it’s a book we all should read to be reminded of all the women who fought befor us to give us the chance to chase our dreams, just as any man would.
The courage of Mattie was inspiring, I loved how fierce she wad and how she never gave up on the goals she had for herself and for the good of her family.
Leo was so sweet, even though he sometimes came as overprotective. I felt for him and all the fears he had, and how much he wanted Mattie to be happy. I loved the fact that he never believed Mattie was incapable to do what she wanted, he just was scared and felt responsible for her.
I loved seeing both of them grow and learn together and slowly realizing the love they always had for each other.
The supporting cast was also wonderful, I loved seeing so many great examples of wonderful and talented women who wanted to prove how capable they were to achieve anything.
Thank you so much NetGalley and the Author for gifting me an early copy of this book.
I feel it’s a book we all should read to be reminded of all the women who fought befor us to give us the chance to chase our dreams, just as any man would.
The courage of Mattie was inspiring, I loved how fierce she wad and how she never gave up on the goals she had for herself and for the good of her family.
Leo was so sweet, even though he sometimes came as overprotective. I felt for him and all the fears he had, and how much he wanted Mattie to be happy. I loved the fact that he never believed Mattie was incapable to do what she wanted, he just was scared and felt responsible for her.
I loved seeing both of them grow and learn together and slowly realizing the love they always had for each other.
The supporting cast was also wonderful, I loved seeing so many great examples of wonderful and talented women who wanted to prove how capable they were to achieve anything.
Thank you so much NetGalley and the Author for gifting me an early copy of this book.
samsaj23's review
2.0
I was excited about the premise of this book and so wanted to like it! Unfortunately once I started reading The Aviatrix, I kept getting distracted by other more "exciting" books and kept having to drag myself back to my copy to actually finish it. It's an easy read, but very slow going. It has a contemporary vibe with 20's jargon randomly thrown in. The author's style of writing is personally too heavy handed for me. I wish the author had trusted their audience to understand the points they were trying to make. Subtlety would have allowed the book to flow so much easier without the jerkiness of obviously hitting their point during characters conversations. Overall, it's a cute book that I would recommend if you want a book that doesn't require 100% of your focus.
*I received a free Kindle edition via the Goodreads Giveaways. The opinions expressed are my own.
*I received a free Kindle edition via the Goodreads Giveaways. The opinions expressed are my own.
delightful_reading's review
4.0
This was a sweet romance! I loved the flying aspects (especially the flying circus!)
Leo Ward is a man who has taken on the mantle of the McAdams family's guardian angel, especially after the death of his best friend Alfred McAdams during WWI. Alfred's twin sister, Mattie McAdams, wants to fly without restrictions, so when she's offered a spot in a female Flying Circus, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, her friend-turned rival, Leo, is also invited to join. Will sparks fly between the two pilots? Or will the chance for something more crash and burn?
I loved the characters in this! Leo was a sweetheart and Mattie was the feisty red-haired pilot with something to prove. Vera Jones stole the show with her outside-the-box attitude and wit. Her comments towards Leo and Mattie made me laugh a few times. (I think she might be my favorite character because of her eccentric nature.) The other characters had their moments, too: Alice and John were sweet, Aida and her book were great, the twins Sadie and Lily were something else, and Carrie Wilcox was great. My only quibble is that there were so many flying circus performers (and other side characters) that it was sometimes a little difficult to keep track, but the characters were distinct enough that it is possible, with a little effort.
While this book isn't 100% historically accurate, I enjoyed reading the author's note about where she got the inspiration for this novel from. (I also learned about some aviatrixes and amazing historical ladies from the 1920s).
All in all, sweet book that has undercurrents of powerful messages. Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC! I really appreciate it!
Leo Ward is a man who has taken on the mantle of the McAdams family's guardian angel, especially after the death of his best friend Alfred McAdams during WWI. Alfred's twin sister, Mattie McAdams, wants to fly without restrictions, so when she's offered a spot in a female Flying Circus, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, her friend-turned rival, Leo, is also invited to join. Will sparks fly between the two pilots? Or will the chance for something more crash and burn?
I loved the characters in this! Leo was a sweetheart and Mattie was the feisty red-haired pilot with something to prove. Vera Jones stole the show with her outside-the-box attitude and wit. Her comments towards Leo and Mattie made me laugh a few times. (I think she might be my favorite character because of her eccentric nature.) The other characters had their moments, too: Alice and John were sweet, Aida and her book were great, the twins Sadie and Lily were something else, and Carrie Wilcox was great. My only quibble is that there were so many flying circus performers (and other side characters) that it was sometimes a little difficult to keep track, but the characters were distinct enough that it is possible, with a little effort.
While this book isn't 100% historically accurate, I enjoyed reading the author's note about where she got the inspiration for this novel from. (I also learned about some aviatrixes and amazing historical ladies from the 1920s).
All in all, sweet book that has undercurrents of powerful messages. Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC! I really appreciate it!
hannahecarey's review
4.0
There was a lot to enjoy about this story! The 1920s setting was fantastic and I loved the friendship and the camaraderie of the “Flying Flappers”. Leo and Mattis relationship took a little while to grow on me, but I was rooting for them by the end of the book. I enjoyed watching their relationship and partnership develop over the course of the book. This is a great read if you’re a fan of historical fiction with a good dash of romance!