This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a historical romance that combines the thrill of adventure, the excitement of the early days of flight, and the empowerment of strong, unconventional women, with a dash of romance and a soaring sense of possibility.

The Aviatrix
by Violet Marsh
A well written story . Entertaining show friendship hardship and romance. Great read about a woman pilot in WW2. Overall very good read though there odd parts where the story would drag a bit.

I really liked this book, but I felt that there were lulls in the story that needed some help.. However I found this to be really enjoyable and entertaining and would recommend.

I loved this romance so much. The friendship, the hardships that she has to get through to prove everyone around her that she is worthy and better and great at what she does and more so, the romance story. I loved her father for the truth he said and felt about her and their love story.

Beautiful beautiful romance

This was an exciting read from start to finish! I enjoyed learning about what it meant and what it takes to be a women pilot during the times of WWII. I enjoyed the characters and the romance was a nice added bonus to a wonderful story of aviation.

This book started with so much vibrancy. I was immediately hooked and desperate for more. I found though, once the romance reached its conclusion that the grip it had on me began to drift, and it was unfortunately a DNF. I’d love to give it another go though, as the first two thirds were magical

Violet Marsh has written an enjoyable and uncomplicated novel that I really enjoyed while trying to stay cool over the summer. I found myself pulled until the 1920s and this amazing golden age of flight, when women first took to the skies. Our heroine, Mattie McAdams, wants to become a stunt flyer and the backdrop is one of my favourite periods of history, turbulent and changeable. We’re still in the post-war period, when men were coping with the aftermath of war and women were fighting for equality in all things. This is also a time of growth, with huge advances in technology and building. The author manages to show this is a time of great excitement, but also touches on social issues like racism and prohibition. I really enjoyed the history of women pilots and the advances in airplane technology. I thought it was brilliant that she included women of colour within the other pilots and explored their journey too. I really fell in love with the sense of freedom the women get when flying. There’s a daredevil spirit in these women that I really admired.

Of course this is a romance so there must be the usual tropes to follow, but trying to be romantic and feminist at the same time is a difficult tightrope to walk. I think the author just about manages it. The obstacles are easily overcome - her need to fly, his PTSD and the fact that they are childhood friends doesn’t keep them apart too long. The main joy for me was in watching this young woman becom the stunt flyer she’s always wanted to be.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Delightful story of women aviators in the post WW1 period. Daring stunts and romance... what more could you want!!

Loved The Aviatrix by Violet Marsh! Set in the 1920's it deals with the early days of a flying circus and the brave men AND women that were a part of this. This is the kind of book you read and want to learn more about this! Mattie McAdams lost a brother in the war and her family is very protective of her and doesn't want her to do the daring stunts she desperately wants to try. She joins an all woman flying circus called the Flying Flappers and it's just so exciting to see what they accomplish in a time when this was something everyone thought only men could do. Really enjoyed this story!

This was such a fun look at the world of aviation and what it felt like to be a pilot and a woman during this time. The romance mixed with history was enjoyable. I loved these characters!

LOVED IT!
This story gripped me from start to finish, sweeping me up in the fight for women's equality, the glamour of the 1920s, the post-war pain and trauma, the exhilaration of flying and finding love.
Violet Marsh has authored a fun but not frivolous adventure highlighting some really big issues like women's equality, the sacrifices of war, racism, prohibition and the advance of both building and technology.
Mattie McAdams inspired me to keep fighting for equality and recognition, but also to stand on the shoulders of the women who have fought the fight before me, on whose shoulders I stand.
I also love a good love story, with a few villainous characters and careful twists thrown in, and I'm one of the thousands of people who stand enthralled at air shows even 100 years later than this book is set.
This story lacked nothing, but I would love a prequel or sequel so I could spend more time in the presence of the Flying Flappers, and the McAdams Family. My only criticism would have been exploring Leo's back story at greater depth, this did not dent the story but might have illuminated it.
It left me wanting to hang our with the flappers, enjoying life, pushing boundaries and destroying barriers. Wonderful!

Historical fiction with strong female protagonists? Oh heck yes. Sign me up. This is a wonderful historical fiction that transports its readers back to almost nearly 100 years ago. Not just a great summertime read but a great read for any time you want to root for well written characters who are smashing archaic societal norms. Recommended!

3.5 stars
A historical romance with a context you have not read any other book before! A first book for Violet Marsh and I am excited to see what she will write next.

The context with the flying circus is very entertaining and it does not feel like you already read this story in the past. I got transported in this book so easily, it’s such a positive story even with the struggles Mattie faces. Somehow, Marsh managed to talk about the misogyny present in society, feminist issues, personal growth without making it heavy.
The bonds between all the girls in the circus is great and an amazing example of positive feminine friendship.

Even if I would categorize the book as a historical romance, when I finished the book, it was not the only thing I remember from this story. Leo’s character development is great and he learns to manage being supportive and protective of the woman he loves.

This book can be read by a younger audience as much as a more adult audience since there are no sex scenes. The biggest thing you will read is that Leo is thankful for the current fashion as pants are not as tight as they used to be, so a bit more comfortable in the predicament he finds himself.

Mattie McAdams longs to perform her stunts in her families flying circus, standing in her way are her three over protective older brothers, and flying ace Leo Ward. Mattie meets Vera Jones, a very modern woman, and she plans to start a female flying circus, and she offers Mattie a job. Vera’s circus is called Flying Flappers, Mattie and Carrie are the two stunt pilots and Vera and Alice preform aerial acrobatics.

Leo Ward was a pilot in the Great War and he flew with his best friend and Mattie’s twin brother Alfred. Leo feels like he owes the McAdams family a lot, he feels guilty, he survived the war and Alfred was killed. So he’s very protective of Mattie, he cares about her a lot and doesn’t want her to get hurt. Mattie and Leo join the circus together, life in Chicago is amazing, she goes to her first ever speakeasy club, starts wearing modern clothes, has her hair cut, gains confidence and it’s all very liberating.

Mattie has an idea that could change the aviation industry, make flying safer, she needs someone to take her seriously and at a time when men didn’t listen to women! The Aviatrix is a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, it’s full of action and a cast of interesting characters. If you like a narrative about strong innovative women taking the lead and this could be the book for you.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, an enjoyable read and three and a half stars from me.

The Aviatrix was a novel that I really wanted to like. The theme is of great interest to me and it immediately made me think of « Wing » by Danielle Steel, a novel I absolutely loved! Unfortunately, the execution didn’t convince me. It wasn’t as engaging and riveting as I was expecting it to be. It is a disappointment because, like I said, it’s precisely the kind of female empowerment stories I love to read about. Too bad!

I absolutely loved this book!

I feel it’s a book we all should read to be reminded of all the women who fought befor us to give us the chance to chase our dreams, just as any man would.

The courage of Mattie was inspiring, I loved how fierce she wad and how she never gave up on the goals she had for herself and for the good of her family.

Leo was so sweet, even though he sometimes came as overprotective. I felt for him and all the fears he had, and how much he wanted Mattie to be happy. I loved the fact that he never believed Mattie was incapable to do what she wanted, he just was scared and felt responsible for her.

I loved seeing both of them grow and learn together and slowly realizing the love they always had for each other.

The supporting cast was also wonderful, I loved seeing so many great examples of wonderful and talented women who wanted to prove how capable they were to achieve anything.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the Author for gifting me an early copy of this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Aviatrix stands out as a unique historical romance, as while most are set pre-1900 (most set after are marketed as historical fiction), this one is set during the 1920s. It also piqued my interest as I love to read about historical women engaged in atypical professions and pursuits, and the fact that this one depicted a flying circus, a phenomenon that I had not heard of, but clearly was a source of entertainment at this time in history.

I generally liked Mattie as a heroine, and rooted for her as she pursued her flying ambitions. The fact that the other women in the circus were also centered was also a plus.

The relationship between Mattie and Leo took time to grow on me, but I liked it once it did. I did feel like Leo’s POV had less to offer than Maddie’s, as while he has a connection to Maddie due to him having served with her brother in the Great War and generally being a friend of the family, it felt like her growth as a person was more important.

This book also felt like a bit too slow of a burn, so I felt my investment flagging at times. There’s excitement when the circus puts on shows, but the pacing between those feels uneven.

This is a charming read, and while I did have issues with it, I still more or less enjoyed this book for what it has to offer. If you like historical romance, but want a different setting from the norm, I recommend trying this one.

What a fun read this is! Mattie is a flying genius but she's hamstrung from soaring in her family's flying circus by the attitude toward women in the 192os and their concern for her safety. As a result she joins an all female group- the Flying Flappers- and her world expands as they travel. And there's Leo, her twin brother's best friend. He knows Mattie can handle herself but he's protective of her and follows her on the Flappers tour. This is a good historical novel of strong women with a sweet romance as well. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The Aviatrix by Violet Marsh was an interesting historical that touched upon the role of women in the early 1920's, while also being a charming romance between two friends. Mattie is a really fierce character, she laments about show she has all the skills she needs to go out into the world and fly, but is held back by being a women. In this book we get great examples of her fighting that while also building strong bonds with the other women around her.

The romance between Mattie and Leo was sweet and light and was just cherry on top to this book. I loved seeing Leo learning how to support Maddie and vice versa for Leo. I loved the face that they were friends first.

My one issue was at some points I thought this book was saying that this was a feminist story while also showing it and it didn't need to be said all that much because that story showed through with the ideas that wanted to get across.

Strong, independent women in the 20s! Love the broody men and the planes!!! Sweet and thrilling. Exceeded my expectations by a long shot.