Member Reviews
I’m in love with this book! Loosely based on Emilia Earhart's life, this is an amazing work of historical fiction with a shocking twist I promise you won’t see coming. Fans of the Aviators Wife will enjoy!
Irene Foster meets Sam Mallory, famous Lindbergh-ish pilot, on a California beach. He is immediately smitten and realizes her spunk. When Irene expresses an interest in flying Sam takes her under his wing (*wink wink, see what I did there) and she quickly becomes his flying partner. They’re an immediate media sensation, but when they become stranded on the first flight to Australia, the media attention explodes.
I promise you’ll have a hard time putting this one down!
The publisher denied early access but thank you Book Club Girls for acquiring this ARC. So glad I did get to read this book. I love most of Beatriz Williams stories. Loved this one too. Something about her writing style and the way the characters speak just draws me in and keeps me wanting more..
What can I say.. @authorbeatriz has done it again. #HerLastFlight is definitely a trip you want to take. This is a must read for any historical fiction fan. ..... and there’s a definite 🤭what!!?? moment in this novel! @netgalley @williammorrowbooks
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. This is the first standalone of Beatriz Williams I've read and I am in awe!! I love to read. Reading is an escape for me so fiction is my choice. The author weaves two story lines from different time periods. I loved this book and can't wait to try another of her books.
Beatriz Williams has created a world loosely around the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. In her author's note, she clearly states that this is not a book about Amelia Earhart, but more inspired by her. Williams is masterful at creating plot lines that excite, and this one did not disappoint. It is a historical fiction novel that follows two women as the mystery unfolds.
I enjoyed the story, it's different from what she normally does, but every bit as enjoyable.
This remarkable historical fiction novel follows photojournalist Janie Everett as she seeks to uncover the truth about the notorious, deceased pilot Sam Mallory. In 1947, she locates the reclusive former aviatrix and Mallory's piloting pupil Irene Foster (now Lindquist) in Hawaii, in an effort to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle and author a narrative nonfiction book about him. The novel alternates chapters between Janie’s first person narration of her research and interactions in the late 1940s, and excerpts from Janie’s novel - titled Aviatrix - which takes place in the 1920s and ‘30s.
One might think that the character of Irene Foster is supposed to be Amelia Earhart, but that is not the case. While the author took inspiration from this real-life female pilot, it is not her. The other characters (other than the mention of Charles Lindbergh) are entirely fiction, though elements are taken from real events and people. I did find myself questioning this, since the characters were so vivid that it seemed entirely possible that they were real.
The format took a little getting used to at first, but after the first couple of chapters, I was able to get into the rhythm. And I’m so glad I did! This book was utterly remarkable, with fascinating characters and several unanticipated twists and turns. I really can’t do it justice with any sort of descriptions or critiques. Go read this! It was my first novel by Williams, and it will not be my last.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance electronic copy of this book!
This book was very well written. Beatriz Williams is a terrific author. This book highlights the life of Irene Foster a famous aviator. It explores the relationship between Foster and Sam Mallory from the 1940.’s. I enjoyed how the author developed such great characters. This was a great historical fiction, well written book. I truly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins Publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title.
Fans of the adventurous days of early aviation will love this book. Full of fantastic details & fictionalized characters just close enough to aviators we know & admire it feels familiar but fresh, & it's definitely exciting. Following two strong & independent women in two different timelines to give us a look at those early days of flight & their aftermath.
Irene Foster is a bruised human with a plan & a life laid out for her. When she meets aviator Sam Mallory her life of responsible behavior "flies" out the window. Trading nurses training for a flight suit she & Sam set out to make history but Irene quickly learns that changing the world is a pretty tall order & that fame comes at it's own cost. Years of being the darling "aviatrix" of the United States she disappears suddenly, & the world is shocked. It's an unsolved mystery for the ages ... or is it?
Janey Everett is definitely a bit damaged by the blows life has thrown at her but she is intrepid & a survivor. A renowned photojournalist covering WWII she makes connections that lead her down the path of the mystery of the missing Sam Mallory, a man she has searched for her whole life. Finding Sam's missing plane doesn't bring her answers, only more questions which lead her to Hawaii to confront not only her past but also her future.
Beatriz Williams is quickly becoming my favorite writer & a stand out in the (somewhat crowded) field of historical fiction. This book is just another testament to her skill. Where she excels is in the interweaving of multiple characters & time periods that seem unconnected and then bringing those threads of narrative all together to show you the big picture. A lot of authors attempt this & it feels forced at best & unfinished or confusing at worst. This book is a masterpiece of carefully crafted character & plot development because every player in the game is fully formed & the reader trusts that the author knows where the story is going even if you can't quite see it yet.
Ms. Williams also is a master of writing the strong woman. Both of her major protagonists were impacted by the men in their life, not always positively, but they battled through based on their own strength & motivation. They were not made more interesting because of their associations, they were forces of nature on their own & fascinating to follow. No unnecessary romantic entanglements here! Every romance was carefully thought out & integral to the advance of the plot & the growth of these impressive & admirable women.
As a lifelong fan of early aviation I found so many amazing Easter Eggs hidden in this story. There's a fine line between being original & being a fictionalized retelling & in this book those tidbits never overpowered the narrative or made the book feel anything other than original. There were parallels between aviatrix Irene Foster the true female aviation pioneers including Amelia Earhart, as well as characters that were obviously based on historical figures. These only added to the realism & strength of the book, making it rich, real, & difficult to put down.
It was also refreshing to have historical fiction that touched on WWII without focusing on it.
Beatrice Williams exciting and quite mysterious tale of Irene, Sam, and Janey keeps you in suspense until the very surprising ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel especially how cleverly Beatrice revealed the characters.
This book, about an Amelia Earhart-esque pilot who disappeared from worldview, was everything I could want in a book. The books opens gradually, seemingly about a hard nosed photojournalist trying to get to the truth of a mystery but turns into a great drama about love, family and loss. I was pleasantly surprised by all the twists and turns and it kept me guessing until the very end. My favorite Beatriz Williams books so far!
I will say that I did feel sorry for one of the characters in the end - I felt that he didn't deserve his fate.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this ARC.
This book was amazing! Irene Foster was was such a complicated, intriguing character and I really wanted her to be real! The flashbacks were so perfectly melded together that I never felt jarred or confused. This whole story was wonderful, heartbreaking, and such a revelation!
Let me start by saying I highly recommend this book. I am a fan of historical fiction, but you wouldn’t need to be to enjoy this book. If you enjoy adventure, romance, suspense, and incredibly good and clever writing, you might want to pick up this book and savor it.
The author weaves two story lines from different time periods (the late 1920s – 1940s) of two fiercely, independent, and fearless women who love the same man.
Irene Foster is a world famous aviator who disappears in 1937 right before winning a round-the-world flight race. Janey Everett is a photojournalist who has decided to write a biography on Sam Mallory, an aviation pioneer who taught Irene how to fly.
The two women meet in 1947 and from that point the story takes the reader on many twists and turns. At first, I thought this was a book I could enjoy while reading and put down easily, but after awhile I realized I didn’t want to put it down at all. It pulled me in and I found myself conflicted between wanting to see what would come next and at the same time realizing the book would end and I didn’t want that to happen.
The book goes on sale June 30th, and if you have the chance, get it. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
*Many thanks to NetGalley and the Book Club Girl Early Read program for an advanced copy of Her Last Flight.
I can’t stop thinking about this beautiful historical fiction novel. I almost gave up on it as it took awhile to set things up. I’m so glad I didn’t! I have read all of Beatriz Williams’ books and my favorite was A Hundred Summers until I read this one. It’s very impressive with how much research Williams did regarding aviation. This novel alternates between two different time periods with Janey Everett researching a famous pilot Sam Mallory and Irene Foster, a fascinating female pilot modeled loosely on Amelia Earhart. The two stories end up intertwining into an unforgettable novel of love, loss, and redemption. Thank you Net Galley and Book Club Girl for this ARC.
Thanks Bre3triz Williams for another impressive novel. Thanks also to Net Galley and Books Club Girls Early Read for the chance to read this Advance Reader's e-proof. Two strong women's lives and stories are woven together in this novel. A war corespondent photographer and a renounced female pilot lives are intertwined as a mystery from a decade ago is revealed. Love, mystery, intrigue make this an binge worthy historical novel.
Like every novel that I have read by Beatriz Williams, which is all of her work, this one does not disappoint. The intrigue behind the story of Sam and Irene, and their historic flights and potential love affair, made me keep reading until I finished the book in one sitting.
I’ve always enjoyed books by Beatrice Williams and this one was no exception. It tells the story of Irene, a celebrated first female aviator, and Janey, the woman who is investigating the story of Irene’s male partner. I found it a bit confusing in the beginning, but quickly got so that I couldn’t put it down. It had thrills, romance and unexpected twists...Great book
I am really struggling with this book. I was selected to read it before the publishing date. I feel this is just not well written at all. The writing is stilted, the characters are not believable, and the whole story line just doesn't come together.
Her Last Flight is a great read about aviation and a woman pioneer in the field. Irene Foster is a Amelia Earhart like character who is setting the bar for women pilots. I loved how the story went back and forth with Irene recalling her adventures. A great read.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
If you read ONE book in 2020, make it this one. I positively fell head over heels into this glorious story of a female aviatrix and her pilot soulmate-lover. The reader is taken to Australia and Hawaii by an outsider, an emotionally-hungry writer, who craves to write the true love story of these two aircraft pioneers. I thought Beatriz Williams’ writing was positively uplifting,, mesmerizing and rendered in a way that a close friend might give you access to the bones of her life. Seriously, 5 outstanding stars!
This book covers the history of women in flight from the 1920's through the 1940's. Alhough the story started a bit slow, it picked up and after that I had trouble putting it down. The characters and story were rich and well developed. There were a couple of plot turns where I literally gasped. It was a most enjoyable read.