“The Girls of Pearl Harbor” is a WWII fact-based fictional account of four young women serving their country as nurses; three in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and one Navy nurse on the hospital ship, USS Solace, all stationed in Pearl Harbor. The girls can’t believe their good luck. It’s like a paid vacation in paradise until it all turns to sh*t on the “date that will live in infamy”, December 7, 1941 when the Empire of Japan carried out a surprise attack on the United States of America.

Of particular note are the accounts of the young women’s experiences and the events that test their mettle, their reactions and the bonds that form from such close quarter living and working together under oftentimes harrowing conditions. In addition to the combat scenes, the intense dramas that unfold in battlefield surgeries are especially riveting. How each character matures and evolves in response to their losses, and how they bounce back from adversity, the sisterly love they share and the romantic love each discovers is uplifting but never sappy. Seeing the historic events through the eyes of young women who were much less worldly than today’s generation is especially interesting.

Author Lane’s descriptions are vivid and hugely satisfying, the historical background well researched and the narrative is delivered in the third person voices of the three surviving women. I would’ve liked to have seen a smoother segue to the conclusion. The too quick and easy ending was a bit of a letdown after the intense drama that unfolded throughout the story. A bit like experiencing a whiplash. All told though, still a damned fine read. Four and a half stars.
My thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy) in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #TheGirlsofPearlHarbor #SorayaM.Lane

Starts Out Feeling Like The Movie, Becomes So Much More. Through the opening third of this book or so, when our central characters are at Pearl Harbor, it is very hard to break away from comparing the scenes here to the Ben Affleck / Kate Beckinsale movie from the turn of the Millenium. Which isn’t an overly bad thing – this reader loved that movie and it made a fair amount at the box office to boot.

And then we get to Dec 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. (Though I do wish Lane had included that particular phrase when showing some of Roosevelt’s speech the next day.)

At the actual attack, Lane does a superb job of getting us into the heads of these particular characters as the events and aftermath are unfolding. It is here that she truly sepatates her tale from the movie, and it is at this point that the reader never really thinks about the movie again until sitting down to write the review.

To go much in depth at all with the plot beyond this is to veer close to spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that for those that survive Dec 7, the book continues with the efforts to further support the war, this time in the Africa Campaign. Superb writing here again, though there *is* a rape scene that some may want to be aware of going into this. But Lane does an excellent job of expanding our scope in this section to see not just the soldiers and nurses, but the townspeople they are working among.

Overall maybe my one complaint here is that the ending is perhaps a bit too tidy, particularly after doing such an amazing job of showing the various horrors of war from the small and personal to the grand and international. Still, very much a recommended book.

I loved this book and it is so nice to read historical fiction from the point of views of women and nurses, in which the book is centred around their experiences in nursing soldiers during the war. This book centres on four young woman, sisters April and Grace and their friends Poppy and Eva. They are deployed to pearl harbour as army nurses, with Ava being a navy nurse on one of the vessels off the coast of pearl harbor. This book does come with some trigger warnings; sexual harassment and death (including that of infants) however it is just showing the true horrors of the war, and not sugar coating it too much. There is also a bit of sexism in this book that makes you realise just how much has changed since the war, in which April is reminded to "remember her place as a nurse and woman" I won't explain why...Spoilers.
For me the only negative I found about this book is that it actually is not based in Pearl Harbor for very long, yes we witness them being first posted there and the brutal attack, but then they move to Tunisia and the front line, finally returning home once the war has ended. Although I did really enjoy the ending to be honest. For me this book is 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Two American sisters and their friend travel to Pearl Harbour to continue their nursing career. They are met with paradise; the weather, the island, their freedom from the constraints of living at home with their parents and new friendships. Then comes the attack by the Japanese; their friend is killed and the paradise turns into a nightmare with all the horrors of war, the wounded and the dead.

Later they transfer to North Africa to help the war effort there. Conditions here are much worse. Although they work hard, April, Grace and Eva are still suffering from the death of their friend and we witness their struggles and their efforts to overcome their situation.

I was slightly disappointed in this book although I find it hard to put my finger on why. The plot was well constructed, the characters interesting and well-developed and I certainly found the Pearl Harbour sequence harrowing. Also, a big also, I did want to find out what happened to the girls and kept reading. Maybe I am being a bit harsh, but …

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for

The Girls of Palm Harbor was a wonderful and emotional historical novel. Well written and well developed characters. A must read.

Sisters April and Grace, along with their best friend Poppy are on an adventure. At least for now that is what it feels like. The girls have been close for years, and when April decided to follow her dream to become a nurse in the military, Poppy and Grace went along. They were far from dedicated in the beginning; Grace couldn’t even stand the sight of blood. But all of them made it through nursing school and enlisted. Their assignment was in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was 1941 and they seemed to spend more time on the beach than nursing, which was working out fine for Grace.

Then tragedy struck. Pearl Harbor was attacked. Life as they had grown accustom to was forever changed. People very close to them died that day and the wounded needed the nurse’s care more than ever before.

After the initial tragic days, it was evident the girls might not be staying in Pearl Harbor because they needed to be closer to the action to help our wounded soldiers. When April decided to go to Africa, her sister insisted on going also. They were needed there, but the living conditions were poor and the injuries were much worse than they encountered in Hawaii.

Their personal lives were in turmoil as well. Grace trying to be her own person and April always trying to mother her didn’t help. The girls love and depend upon each other, but even sisters have secrets they don’t want to share.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor allows the reader to enter an historical event from an angle different than most. All Americans as well as most of the world have heard about the attack that brought the United States into the war, but the characters bringing the reality to readers from each of their different perspectives was very interesting.

I also liked that choice of the girls going to Africa instead of the South Pacific as was expected. I didn’t realize that much fighting during the war was based there, as well as the brave nurses and other medical personnel that were needed to care for the wounded.

The characters were interesting and multidimensional. The growth in the nurses, as well as the way each of them handled their job as well as their personal losses, was an integral part of the plot and well done. The only thing that didn’t ring true was the amount of time they spent holding each other’s hands, grasping hands, clutching hands…it seemed as though they could not walk anywhere without all of them holding hands like toddlers. I even asked my aunt who lived on the base at Pearl Harbor while her husband was stationed there in the late 1940s if women held hands all the time. She answered no, they did not. I understand once in a while when someone is upset, but it got to be too frequent for me, taking away from the story.

Overall, The Girls of Pearl Harbor was very interesting and the characters likeable. I recommend it to fans of historical fiction and women’s fiction.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2019 Laura Hartman

The Girls Of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane. The Girls Of Pearl Harbor was a very well written historical novel. I loved all the characters. I lived in Hawaii and remember some of the places such as Tripler Army Hospital. I cannot imagine the places where some of the disasters took place like the air base and in the water at the Harbor where today stands the memorial. From beginning to end you stay amazed at the stamina of the doctors and nurses. I will definitely read more books written by this author.

***The Girls of Pearl Harbor, according to the author, was written as a tribute to all the nurses who served. The story focuses on two sisters and two friends, one of whom dies on December 7. It explores why each chose nursing as a career and follows the remaining three as they are sent to duty stations far away from Hawaii. While I love WWII stories, this particular book just didn’t keep my interest where I didn’t want to put it down. The simplistic and uninspiring writing failed to engage this reader into the story. Perhaps that was because so much of the writing seemed less about events and more about the characters’ emotions as they processed the events. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this book and need to find more by this author. The storyline was heart wrenching and really kept my attention until the end! I loved being able to grasp each of the characters personalities and story lines.

The Girls Of Pearl Harbor, is a wonderful book about three young nurses working in Hawaii, two sisters April and Grace are army corps nurses and their friend Eva is a nurse in the navy. In their spare time girls enjoy everything the island has to offer and it's a adventure in paradise. They enjoy going to the beach, swimming, and the attention of so many young handsome men.
Of course they have no idea their world is about to change, when on the 7th of December 1941 the Japanese army bomb Pearl Harbor, the three nurses lives are changed forever and nothing could prepare them for what happens during and after they attack. The damage to Pearl Harbor is massive, buildings, ships and planes are destroyed by bombs and are on fire. They had no warning about Japanese forces attacking the island, the girls are caught up in a battle zone of flying bullets, bombs landing, patients with terrible wounds, burns and the severe loss of life. They also feel very vulnerable after the attack, being stranded in Hawaii, they have no idea if the Japanese would return and attack the now isolated island?

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, America declares war against the Japanese and joins the Allied forces in WW II.
Grace, April and Eva decide to leave Hawaii and they volunteer to go to North Africa.
Here the nurses are working in very primitive conditions, the hospital is made up of a series of tents, the food is horrible, the water is foul, flies drive them crazy, they can't have a proper bath, toilet facilities are a long drop and it's also stinking hot.
All three women have their own personal issues to deal with, they have all experienced loss, grief and one had a difficult childhood. They're all effected by their work as nurses, the terrible injuries, soldiers with shell shock, the constant danger, a nasty doctor, lack of sleep, one very difficult patient and the poverty of the local people.
The Girls Of Pearl Harbor takes you on a emotional journey, it's a story about how friends can help each other cope during tough times, girls growing up and becoming strong independent women, once the war is over they will follow their dreams, one decides study to be a doctor and they fall in love.

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for my digital copy, Soraya M. Lane for writing another brilliant book as I have read and enjoyed her previous books; Wives Of War, Hearts Of Resistance and The Spitfire Girls.
I loved The Girls Of Pearl Harbor, I gave it 5 big stars and I will be sharing my review.

This book was slow going at first but then after a couple of chapters I couldn't put it down. I love these books that show what woman did for us in the war. I'm glad it was the Americans turn with this one.
The story was brilliant had me crying and laughing in the right places so glad that the 3 of them got home in the end and they didn't forget poppy.
The story made me gratefully that it's peace time now and how much we owe to these people for all their sacrifices they made.
Thank you for a brilliant book keep writing these books and I'll keep reading them and buying them.

What a great book! It really got into the devastating, horrors of the fighting on the front
lines. I really cared for the characters and what they are going through. The ending
was really good. Each of the three nurses grew up by the end of the book. This is the
first book I've read of Soraya M. Lane but I'm interested in reading her other books
after this one.

Thanks to her, NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read this one.

"America was most definitely at war now; the only uncertainty was what step they'd be forced to take next to keep their country safe."
When three young women decide to join the Army Corp and become nurses, they truly think they have hit gold when they land in Hawaii. What more could you want? A vacation!
Then..... War breaks out! So many die and are wounded and these girls must survive, and survive they do!
They make a difference in this war! They care and hope and help!
This is an intense novel and very descriptive in many instances. Soraya made me feel as if I was there too, caring for these soldiers!
Well done!

I have loved reading this book telling the story of Nurses at Pearl Harbour who thought they had arrived in paradise only to end up in hell when the Japanese attacked.April,Grace,Poppy and Eva form a friendship and enjoy their posting on this beautiful island untill their world is shattered with bombs and bullets flying everwhere.The young nurses have a battle on their hands to treat the men injured and to stay safe,they do everything they can to help anyone who needs them.I can honestly say i have really loved this book and i give it 5* and highly recommend it.Well done Soraya M Lane.

This was a well researched novel by Soraya Lane, that takes place during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and eventually moves to North Africa. Sisters April and Grace, along with their best friend Poppy arrive at Pearl Harbor, just prior to the attack. They meet a new friend and fellow nurse, Eva. It’s party time, beach fun, handsome GI’s and little nursing, until disaster strikes. Then they realize just what they are in for, as the horrendous truth of frontline injuries are experienced.
This is a story of tragic losses, and the brave and courageous women, fighting their own fears to save lives. These young women, just beginning their nursing careers are ill prepared to handle the gruesome outcomes they see on a daily basis. The author creates wonderful and likable characters that grow and mature throughout the story.
I received an ARC from #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishing for my honest review.
#TheGirlsofPearlHarbor

I really enjoyed this book. I usually am not a fan of books like these but I was apart of a book club and this book was recommended to me. I liked the time frame this book took place it reminded me of my grandpa because he fought in world war 2. The three sisters are different and seeing them make different decisions made took them on 3 different journeys. It gave the book an great dynamic depth.

WEE SMALLS
It was 2 a.m. in Cincinnati when I read this gripping WWII novel on the attack that changed America forever.

SOBBING
But I swear I heard the roar of Japanese fighter planes, felt my heart seize as I tried to outrun bullets, gasped as I saw severed limbs and lives — sounds and sights that won’t leave. I held my breath for chapters and when I finally broke free, I just wanted my husband to console me as I sobbed and sobbed.

HEART TORN
This heart-rending novel follows the lives and loves of four young nurses who’d thought their Hawaii assignment was Edenic until Hell opened up on December 7, 1941, during Japan’s stealth attack that propelled a reluctant U.S. into war. It has done more to educate me about the devastating impact of Pearl Harbor than any other book save BROTHERS DOWN, the true recounting of the deaths of 63 brothers aboard the USS Arizona that day.

FICTION VS. FACT
Sometimes fiction gives flesh to events in ways that pure history can’t and I found that to be the case with THE GIRLS OF PEARL HARBOR. I highly recommend this riveting novel for lovers of historical fiction and drama-laced romance with 5/5 Enthusiastic Stars!

Pub Date 10 Sep 2019.

Thanks to Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheGirlsOfPearlHarbor #NetGalley #SorayaMLane

The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane is a great historical fiction novel focussing on three women (sisters Grace and April and Eva) as they all make their way in finding themselves, their destinies, and each other during WWII. This sweeping novel starts a month prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continues onward.

I liked the main characters and the development, maturity, and changes they all go through as they experience trauma, stress, and the world. I enjoyed the interactions and relationships they developed with each other and others. The dynamics kept the book interesting. I enjoyed some of the plot twists and I felt that the ending was appropriate and comforting.
I think I like most of all that the characters were imperfect and slightly flawed, making them realistic and relatable, and that they were all strong and rose to the challenges facing them as the novel progresses.
I have to admit I have read all of Ms. Lane’s HF novels, and have enjoyed every one. This newest installment is also a winner and most certainly delivers.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

Sisters April and Grace, with their best friend Poppy, are nurses who arrive in Pearl Harbor a few weeks before Dec 7. There they meet Eva, another nurse, stationed on The Solace. A quick friendship is formed as the four women become as close as if they were all sisters. They explore the island together and enjoy evenings dancing with the local soldiers. However, with the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, all four will face death, injuries and horrors that will change the path of their lives forever.
This is a story of friendship and sisterhood. The drama is contained in the horrors they face, not character-driven. Before the attack, everything is so idyllic and perfect. It was a bit too much of a set-up, when readers know what was about to happen on Dec 7. The dialogue didn’t seem authentic, especially during the attack. The women's thoughts seemed trivial, given what was going on. Then the things they said aloud were the kinds of things one might wish they had said in hindsight. It didn’t ring true or reflect the gravity of what was going on. The story does get more substantial as the women mature in the face of war. If you like “historical chick lit” then this is a decent offering.