Finding Love Through Adversity
This novel is a romance set against the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It is a deeply emotional story that goes far beyond the romance angle. The author really captures the intensity of the moment and how good or bad, that intensity colors the memory of the moment forever. The reader should be aware that even though this book is a 'clean' romance, the account of the injuries suffered during the attack and the emergency patients at the hospital may be a bit graphic and gruesome for some. I loved this story. I will be making an effort to find other stories by this author to read. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

If you love historical fiction with some romance thrown in, you must read this book! I was drawn in from the very beginning and read the entire book in almost one sitting. It opens on a luxury liner to Hawaii and just gets better from there. Eva Cassidy is on that liner on her way to be a nurse at Pearl Harbor.

She has a fiancee from home waiting for her in Oahu, but she's more interested in the dashing Lieutenant Clark Spencer, and intelligence officer who has some disturbing information about potential Japanese movement near the Hawaiian Islands. They arrive in the islands just prior to Pearl Harbor being attacked. The description of that day is so well-written, you will feel like you were working in the hospital.

I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eva is being sent to Hawaii to be an Army Nurse. She is hoping to escape her past and to meet up with her boyfriend who is stationed at Pearl Harbor. On the voyage over she meets a Navy Intelligence Officer, Clark. Eva and Clark have a very strong connection. Even though she fights it tooth and nail, she just can’t stop her feelings.

Clark becomes aware of some Japanese communications. He tries to notify his superior. But somehow, someway, his information is never passed along. (You must read to find out why! NO SPOILERS HERE!).

I enjoyed the setting of Pearl Harbor and Hawaii. And when Pearl is bombed, I felt like I was right there. The author did a fabulous job with the destruction, tragic injuries, and the fatigue of the doctors and nurses. But, the bombing is not exactly what this book is about. Yes, it is a major part of the story. However, there is Eva and her past, Clark and his information, AND Eva’s boyfriend Billy.

This book has a little bit of everything. It’s part war story and love story with intrigue and espionage thrown in. Don’t miss this one!

I received this novel from Mira via Netgalley for a honest review.

I was incredibly excited when I was approved for an e - arc of The Lieutenant’s Nurse. The description of the book along with the gorgeous cover intrigued me. Unfortunately, this book and I were not a match. I couldn’t connect with Eva, the main character and struggled with her relationships with Billy and Clark. It simply felt over dramatic to me. I did enjoy the underlying story of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and those affected by it.

However, the beauty of books is that what doesn’t work for one may be a perfect fit for another so if a WWII book set right before, during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor then this may be one for you.

The opening third of the book is intriguing with interesting characters and a believable "what if" motive. What if someone caught wind of the Japanese plan to attack Pearl Harbor and might be able to sound an alarm? Then after the main characters arrive on Hawaii the tension mounts. What will happen with the intel that's been handed over? The attack on Pearl Harbor is horrific and riveting.

Then things begin to fall apart with Eva swapping out her nursing duties - which ought to have remained overwhelming with all those men injured but strangely seem to taper off enough for her to play Nancy Drew and another nurse to start flirting with a patient. And enough about the dog. I like dogs but this one became a secondary character who I thought was going to lead Eva to the well where Timmy had fallen in. The romantic chemistry and relationship that had started on board ship was lost too.

I finally gave up when the conspiracy theory went into full bore whack-out mode along with a badly injured man who had just survived two surgeries turning into a superhero.

Sara Ackerman, Author of “The Lieutenant’s Nurse” has written an intense, intriguing, captivating, and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction and Historical Fiction with the Author’s Interpretation. The time-line for this story is approximately 1941 and after. The story goes to the past when it pertains to the novels or characters in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated.

Eva Cassidy is a nurse that has some deep secrets and decides to leave Michigan and work as an Army Corps Nurse, in Hawaii. On the ship , Eva meets some interesting characters. Eva is attracted to Lt. Clark Spencer, who seem to harbor some deep dark secrets of his own. On the ship is talk of war with Germany, and talk of what happens when talks break down with the Japanese.

Once Eva lands, she meets other women that are nurses. The beauty of Hawaii is described by the Author. There seems to be tension, and warnings, in the background. When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, there is great distraction, but Eva and the other nurses are courageous, heroic, and go above and beyond to tend to the men who have been severely hurt. This is such a turbulent time in history, and devastating and heartbreaking.

I appreciate the author discussing important topics such as the sisterhood the nurses have, keeping up the morale of the soldiers, and assisting in so many ways. This is a story of war, love, hope and faith. I highly recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction during World War Two. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

The Lieutenant’s Nurse begins quietly aboard the SS Lurline, where we meet the heroine Eva on her way to her nursing assignment. One of the most striking aspects of this story is the rich imagery employed by Sara Ackerman. Little details about the ship and passengers give a delightful glimpse into the past that draws a reader in and before you know it, its two and a half hours later and you’ve finished the book. Readers are treated to historical details that Ackerman included. I fact checked when she described Clark’s scent as that of Old Spice and now I have a fun little trivia nugget to share during awkward dinner parties.

Eva was an interesting character. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow, becoming more assertive and self-assured in a male-dominated field, as well as the friendships she forms. Ackerman built a wonderful supporting cast. The Australian sisters that Eva meets aboard the SS Lurline brought a dash of color to the story. Their “living life to the fullest” antics made me laugh each time they appeared in a scene.

Then there is Clark, our swoon-worthy male lead. I can’t deny I adore the man. I wouldn’t say he has a secret, but he certainly does have a past and baggage like Eva. Ackerman’s descriptions of her characters truly brought them to life for me. The chemistry between Clark and Eva was perfectly written and getting a few chapters that included Clark’s perspective of his growing feelings for Eva as well as the mounting concern from the communications room added to the slowly growing tension.

The tension of the impending conflict slowly builds as the ship gets closer to Oahu and quickly erupts as the dawn breaks on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. The pace takes off making the story feel more like an action novel, and it some ways it is. And yet I was most impressed with the quiet strength that Ackerman wove into the female characters that had me cheering. The writing was beautiful even in the midst of carnage. Sara Ackerman has crafted a truly beautiful story of resiliency, love, and friendship with just a dash of intrigue.

I really enjoyed reading this book, which was provided to me by NetGalley. I've read several books set during the World War II time period recently, but none of them have centered around the attack at Pearl Harbor and the effects on the survivors. I couldn't put it down. I had to find out Eva's history and where her move to Hawaii would take her.

The Lieutenant's Nurse by Sara Ackerman
The Lieutenant’s Nurse is a love story set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor. Sara Ackerman does a superb job of developing the story in such a way as you feel you are there amidst the action. While the romance is a main theme there is also quite a bit of intrigue. The tale starts in December 1941 with Eva Cassidy embarking on a voyage to Hawaii to start a new life leaving her secret past behind. Aboard the Lurline, Eva meets Clark, a lieutenant who specializes in the Japanese language and decoding messages. The story continues once they arrive in Hawaii and through the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The rest, I will let you read but know this is a very good story and the characters are appealing and easy to empathize with.

An unforgettable tale of love, courage and bravery. Amid the hours of Pearl Harbor. You also feel the warmth and beauty of Hawaii. An excellent book.

What are the secrets that Eva is hiding? It is 1941 when nurse Eva Goes to Hawaii to work at the hospital. Although she is worried about her ailing sister that she left behind, she is excited to board the ship that will take her to such an exotic destination. She plans to meet her boyfriend, Billy, there. She is attracted to a handsome lieutenant aboard ship and he to her. Always hanging over her are the lies she told, and hiding her secrets from everyone. What Eva doesn't realize is Japanese ships and planes are on their way to attack Hawaii and begin World War II.

A very entertaining story with romance, mystery and adventure. Realistic and likeable characters make it an easy and fast read with an embellished version of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A favorite character is a mutt named Brandy.

#The Lieutenant’s Nurse by Sara Ackerman
I was intrigued by the title of this new novel by author Sara Ackerman. I enjoy historical fiction and historical romance, and I am a nurse. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.

Evelyn Olson/Eva Cassidy, the main character, is a strong female in a male dominated setting. She is crossing the Pacific Ocean on a luxury liner prior to the United States entering the war raging in Europe but in a time of tension between Asian countries. Her destination is Pearl Harbor. She has a “boyfriend” already stationed there, but is very attracted to a Lieutenant who works in Intelligence and is traveling on the same ship. They are both among the few passengers who are unaffected by seasickness on the crossing, so they are frequently in one another’s company.

Unfortunately, the plot thins instead of thickening. From the heroine’s falsified documents to a a complete lack of discipline in the heroine’s work as a nurse to the conspiracy theory that moves the story along, it simply wasn’t believable.

The Lieutenant's Nurse is the story of Eva. She is an army corps nurse who leaves Michigan for Hawaii only a month prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. She falls for a navy lieutenant who knows that American will soon be drawn into the war. The attack occurs on December 7, 1941. The story moves with these characters as they struggle to survive through this tragedy. It's well written, researched and informative. The characters are likeable and sympathetic. It's like you are there at times imagining what it must have been like. Such a sad tragic but important day in history. I recommend for anyone interested in historical fiction of the time period. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was so thrilled with this book that I ended up reading it all in one day, lying on my couch while the rain poured down outside. The story follows Eva as she sails off to Hawaii to work as an army nurse for a year at the end of 1941.. We know that Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese shortly after she arrived, so the reader can anticipate this happening and wonder how Eva will be involved. Half the book takes place, though, on board the ship, where she meets a mysterious man who steals her heart away from the boyfriend she is going to join in Hawaii. Of course, things are not easy for them, especially when added to the attack. And therein lies the tale.

I loved many things about this book. I loved the characters, the loving descriptions of the island, the edge-of-my-seat plot, and I particularly loved the detailed research the author did on the lead-up to the attack. I didn't know any of the behind-the-scene details, but I was confident that the author had done her research, so I could relax and learn. This was one of the finest books I've read about the Pearl Harbor attack. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction.

This portrayal of the attack on the Pearl Harbor kept me interested throughout. Sara Ackerman's blend of fiction with actual events in history proved illuminating. Her characters were interesting, bold, and impactful. The romance of the story went a bit awry for me in the middle and I was surprised at the twists it took. The beginning held a forbidden, mysterious element between the two main characters that was quite good and then it tapered off losing some of that lovely romantic element. Once the characters arrived in Hawaii the romance became muddled and the chemistry between the two was lost. Despite this, the journey of this female lead was admirable and intriguing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the woman she is, the risks she's willing to take, and the values in which she believes. In a terrifying time of much despair and uncertainty the bravery Ackerman portrays through her female characters is uplifting and unmatched. As strength's are tested, Ackerman relies heavily on the fortitude of the brave nurses during this time and punctuates that bravery with one woman who refuses to be tested. For that aspect alone, the story was a winner for me. The story gets detailed and a lot of characters come and go but overall I enjoyed this piece of historical fiction.

thank you Netgalley for sending me this digital Review Copy of The Lieutenant’s Nurse by Sara Ackerman. I read Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers last summer and really enjoyed it and this one was amazing too! Much like her first book, The Lieutenant’s Nurse takes place in Hawaii during World War II. But while her other book was about life in Hawaii post-Pearl Harbor, this book follows Eva, an Army Corps Nurse stationed at Tripler hospital just before the first Japanese fighter pilots attacked. So many nonfiction books are written about “the day that lived in infamy” and I love the way Ms. Ackerman takes a well-known piece of American history and plays it out through the eyes of someone on the ground, in the midst of the attack and the immediate aftermath that followed. World War II is one of my favorite periods of history to read about and she knocked it out of the park! It was a beautifully woven story full of mystery, drama, and romance that was obviously well researched. The only critique I have is the use of many military terms, code words, and operation names that can be confusing if you don’t have any knowledge of military language (which I don’t) but it gave me a good opportunity to look it up and learn something new! I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Stars. Pub date is March 5th, 2019! You can follow my reviews on Instagram at
#hungrybookwormreviews

It is late 1941 – the United States has not yet entered World War II, though many expect the United States to soon join the Allied Forces. Everyone expects the Japanese to launch an assault in the Pacific, but no one suspects that the attack will be to the US Naval Fleet that is stationed in Pearl Harbor…Following a tragic incident that has ruined her reputation and nearly her life, Eva Cassidy volunteers as a nurse for the Army Corps. Leaving everything behind in Michigan, Eva makes her way to Hawaii for what should be a relatively easy assignment. Eva is traveling across the Pacific on a luxury ocean liner. On board is an attractive lieutenant named Clark Spencer. While the two develop a romance, Eva questions her feelings for the man who is waiting for her in Hawaii and Clark is distracted by radio signals that place the Japanese naval fleet north of the Hawaiian Islands. Upon arrival in Hawaii, Eva and Clark go their separate ways. The attack on Pearl Harbor – and their knowledge that the Japanese were headed towards the Islands – pulls them back together.

The novel is told in the dual, third-person perspectives of Eva Cassidy and Lieutenant Clark Spencer. Eva’s sections in the novel include flashbacks to the incident back in Michigan that nearly ruined her life and was the reason she joined the Army Crops nursing division. Ackerman also includes real communications, headlines, and memos from before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the two main characters would not have known about any of these messages or memos, they do provide the reader with information about the events that took place. Like Ackerman’s first novel, ISLAND OF SWEET PIES AND SOLDIERS, THE LIEUTENANT’S NURSE is a beautifully written novel. The novel is rich in historical details, and Ackerman brings the time period and location to life. Ackerman does not bog the reader down with extensive details about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Instead, Ackerman focuses on Eva’s and Clark’s experiences throughout the attack – including many scenes that take place in the hospital, including surgeries and recovery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Set in Hawaii right before and during the Peal Harbor attack, this novel moves quickly and keeps your interest. The heroine, Eva, is a nurse bound for Hawaii on a cruise ship when she meets a handsome naval officer. Eva has run away from a scandal in her hometown and hopes to start a new life with her boyfriend, who is stationed in the Pacific. The naval officer she meets introduces many complications, both in her relationship with her boyfriend and with her sense of wellbeing. Did the higher ups in the military know about the imminent attack on Pearl Harbor? This novel explores that question.

I really liked this novel and read it very quickly. However, the last third of the book had a few too many things going on with the plot. I could have done without the backstory or the subplot involving the therapy dog. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

I loved this book about WW I l and the setting also.
I loved the main character and felt myself cheering her on. The author had a way of making you feel as though you were immersed in the setting and plot
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

A month before the United States is drawn into World War II, Eva Cassidy leaves her Michigan home to enlist as an Army Corp nurse where she trades a freezing Michigan winter for the balmy breezes of Hawaii. She finds herself falling for Lt. Clark Spencer, a navy intelligence officer who knows that the United States will be unable to stay out of the war much longer. On December 7, Eva and her nursing comrades are called into action, trying to save as many of the injured as they can. For Eva, life as she knew it is over, as she and everyone she knows must face a future that will demand the highest of sacrifices. Reading this book, I remember how I felt on September 11, and imagine that people must have felt much the same on December 7, 1941. Ackerman brings the anguish, terror and valor of those days