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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
medium-paced
The book follows two timelines. In 1927 Olivia West is an excellent pilot and wants to enter the Dole Air Race to be the first to pilot a plane from the west coast of the United States to Hawaii. She is denied but allowed to be the navigator for another pilot. The adventure and recognition are important to her as well as the prize money which will help her replace her father's fishing boat. In 1987 Wren Summers is a struggling artist in Hawaii. She is unexpectedly left a piece of property on the Big Island and as she checks out the abandoned piece of land, she begins to understand herself and her unknown family history. Although the Dole Air Race did happen the main characters are fictional. I found the characters likeable and was interested to keep reading and find out how their storylines would cross over. I appreciated that the romance in the storylines was not the main focus.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
will re-read this bc life caught up to me and i forgot the plot after a while of not reading but i was really enjoying it
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well, this book has my whole heart!
Most of you know I’m not a huge reader of historical fiction, but somehow I was immediately drawn to this book - the story of a female navigator/pilot in the 1927 Dole Race. It is a story inspired by true events told by two narrators - the titular Olivia West, our navigator/pilot in 1927, and Wren, a woman in the 1980s who inherits family property in Hawaii and uncovers the tale of the (very real) Dole Race.
That’s too great a simplification, but I truly believe it’s best to go into this book without knowing too much. It unfolds beautifully between our two strong, unique, captivating narrators who are trailblazers in their own way, in their own time.
I listened to this on audio, narrated by Jennifer Robideau, and her voice truly made the story come alive. Her voice (and authentic-to-my-untrained-ear) pronunciations of the Hawaiian words, names, and places within added a special touch. I highly recommend the audio and I’ll be checking out more books she’s narrated for sure.
The story immediately grabbed me and never let go. I was enamored with Livy - a female pilot in the 1920s would be a rarity, and her chutzpah and determination made for a truly memorable character. I absolutely adored ever page of her story.
The history was fascinating, the nod to Hawaiian culture was beautiful, and this story has it all - mystery, intrigue, suspense, romance, and a nail-bitingly intense story of a trip across the ocean in a small plane.
I absolutely loved this book and won’t soon forget it.
4.5 stars.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was an unexpected delight for me! What worked for me: 1. The dual POV of two females. Both were strong women who fought for their own skills, talents, and rights to be recognized. 2. The history of the pilots, especially female pilots, and the Dole Derby, of which I knew nothing of, and I was more than slightly disappointed to read the author's note and find that Olivia West was fictional. 3. The honor given to the elderly in the living facility 4. *spoiler* the girls get their boys! 5. Relationships went through rough, honest things but lasted 6. The overall feels of this book- positive, inspiring, and hopeful.
I will be looking for more from this author and enjoyed this book!
I will be looking for more from this author and enjoyed this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Sexism
Minor: Infertility, War
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No