Beyond the Horizon by Ella Carey is an historical fiction that tells the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. Eva Scott was determined to do something to help the war effort and joining WASP was an ideal way for her to serve. It was a wonderful story, well worth a read.

BEYOND THE HORIZON is a stirring tribute to the courageous American women who flew as WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) during WWII.

The author based her gripping narrative on true stories she unearthed through meticulous research.

We grow to care about Eva and Nina and the women who trained as flyers in 1943 in Texas’ searing heat and freezing sleet.

We feel their anger when they are belittled by male instructors, forgotten by society and denied military benefits. We share their grief when horrific accidents kill beloved friends.

We cheer mightily when Eva testifies in 1977 with other WASP to demand military benefits and recognition.

And we’re totally captivated by the emerging love stories, with an end twist that leaves you breathless. Highly recommended for fans of WWII fiction and romance à la Jennifer Robson and Soraya M. Lane.

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 26 Aug 2020

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#BeyondTheHorizon #NetGalley

It's 1977. Eva, a former member of WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), is struggling to remember what exactly happened in 1944 when her plane went down, killing the pilot in front of her. At the same time she is fighting to get WASP members acknowledged as military pilots. Eva tells the story of her training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, and her brief career at Camp Davis in Northern Carolina.
The young Eva grew up in Burbank, LA, together with Nina and Harry, her friends next door. They share a love for flying. Harry goes off to fly bombers during World War 2. Nina and Eva sign up for the WASP programme, when it becomes clear the army will need female pilots to free up men for warfare. At Avenger Field they meet Helena, Rita, Nancy and Bea, with whom they share a bay. Almost all of them graduate and are sent off to bases across the country. Eva is sent to Camp Davis together with Nina and Helena.
During one of the practice flights in 1944, Eva's plane crashes. Severely wounded, Eva is sent to the infirmary and after a while is discharged and sent home. She has lost all memories of the accident and nobody tells her a thing.
For all those long years, Eva is plagued by a feeling of guilt. Could she have prevented the accident? Did she do enough to save the other pilot? Was she in any way to blame? Her friends had not responded to her letters. Were they mad at her? Did they blame her?

Beyond the Horizon is a gripping story set in the heat of World War 2. It centres around strong young women doing what they felt was right during the war, aiding where they could, while being sneered at by numerous men. Even Eva's own mother thought women shouldn't be flying planes! It is a story of indestructible friendships, hardened by loss and grief.
It is also a story about love. Eva has had a crush on her childhood friend Harry for ages, but as he marries the fabulous Lucille, Eva settles for Jack, feeling ignored and useless after the war. Will she ever see Harry again?
This book is an emotional one that almost had me in tears several times during my train ride to and from work. I found myself being sucked into this story. Can you imagine what it must feel like when a friend's plane goes down? The not knowing, the hoping for the best, the worrying for your friend's life?
Author Ella Carey has written a beautiful story, even though the ending feels a bit rushed. I would have loved to read about a reunion of these WASP girls in the '70s!

Who is Ella Carey? She is an Australian author, who has published seven novels so far. Recently she signed a deal with Bookouture, who will publish all of her previous books in 2020 and a new series in 2021. First up: Beyond the Horizon!