Fabulous historical fiction. I loved everything about this story and Ackerman does a phenomenal job of pulling the reader into the pages. I highly recommend this book

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Radar Girls</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Radar Girls</i> by Sara Ackerman is a poignant and immersive historical fiction novel that shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women during World War II. Set against the backdrop of Hawaii in the early 1940s, Ackerman skillfully weaves together a tale of courage, resilience, and camaraderie amidst the chaos of war.

<h4>The Details</h4>

At the center of the story is Daisy Wilder, a spirited young woman who defies societal expectations to join the Women's Air Raid Defense (WARD) as a radar operator. As she grapples with the challenges of military life and the uncertainty of war, Daisy forms deep bonds with her fellow WARD members, forging friendships that will sustain her through the darkest of times.

Ackerman's prose is evocative and atmospheric, transporting readers to a bygone era with vivid descriptions and authentic historical detail. From the lush landscapes of Hawaii to the bustling military base at Pearl Harbor, she captures the sights, sounds, and emotions of wartime with remarkable clarity.

What sets <i>Radar Girls</i> apart is its focus on the experiences of women on the home front, particularly those who served in roles traditionally reserved for men. Ackerman pays tribute to these unsung heroes, highlighting their bravery, resilience, and sacrifices in the face of adversity.

Through Daisy's eyes, readers are given a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life during wartime. As Daisy navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and duty, she emerges as a compelling and relatable protagonist whose journey resonates on a deeply personal level.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Radar Girls</i> is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel. With its compelling characters, richly detailed setting, and poignant storytelling, Sara Ackerman's novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

I really enjoyed this book. The pace was fast enough to keep me entertained, but not too heavy that I didn't want to keep coming back. It was such a unique perspective of the war and of Pearl Harbor, not one readers usually encounter. There was strong character development and the relationship between the two main characters developed at a realistic pace -- no "insta-love."

My two complaints are that there were too many side-plots that made the story a little disjointed (did we really need the plot with the horse?) and I wasn't expecting the Christian content (I'm not religious).

3.5 stars

I love historical fiction about the untold stories of women making a difference--and Sara Ackerman's books are excellent examples of that. Plus, they're set in Hawaii, one of my favorite locations to read about! I loved Daisy and the other women, and couldn't put this one down once I got into it. A great read!

Reading Sara Ackerman’s lovely novel Radar Girls was a delight. And I've read a lot of WWII books. The story begins on the terrible day of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. The main character, Daisy, sees the planes overhead while she’s diving and fishing along the shore. She hears the explosions and knows what it means. Soon, she’s recruited to learn to operate radar. The new technology will give the islands advance warning. The plot focuses on this young woman’s coming of age and discovering her intelligence and abilities after growing up poor in that beautiful land. A sweet romance is a delightful sub-plot. Daisy is charming and believable, and I loved her character! I would highly recommend this book!

Radar Girls provides a unique perspective on the lives of so many women involved in the war effort during World War II. Everything about this novel was great down to the character development, to the gut wrenching twists/stories and beyond. I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy WWII focus historical romances/fiction.

This novel is my first novel by @saraackermanbooks and I’m so impressed! This is Sara’s 4th novel, so I’ll be adding her other books to my TBR!

Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone for the first time.
Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies.

But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way.
With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail.

From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.

This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood.

I love books about strong and brave women and Daisy is definitely a shining example of this. I found this book so empowering and inspiring.

Thank you so much to @saraackermanbooks, @_mira_books, and @suzyapprovedbooks for my ARC copy.

3.5 stars.

“Seems like war has always been around, mostly because men are unable to come to agreement in other ways.”—Sara Ackerman, Radar Girls.

Daisy Wilder is a 23-year-old ranch hand who supports her sick mother and loves horses and Hawaii’s natural beauty. However, when the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor shakes their world, she not only loses her beloved horse but also her job.

Following the Pearl Harbor attack, Daisy joins Women’s Air Raid Defense. There, she learns to guide pilots in dark skies and track suspicious planes over the Pacific. Yet not everyone believes in the abilities of these women, despite the nation’s future hanging in the balance.

With unwavering determination and the man she's falling for at the front lines, Daisy is determined to prove herself. Amidst the challenges, Daisy and her newfound friends discover both romance and embark on a quest to find her missing horse. Through it all, Daisy’s self-esteem soars, and she uncovers love, courage, strength, and the power of sisterhood.

My feelings about this book are mixed. Although I enjoyed learning about women's contributions in WWII Hawaii, there were some cliches that caught my attention. The romantic subplot, though clean and suitable for all ages, followed a well-worn path: a woman resisting her attraction to a handsome man, a blossoming relationship, and a potentially relationship-threatening secret. 

I alternated between reading and listening to this novel. For those who prefer audiobooks, narrator Cassandra Campbell is among the best in the business. 3.5 stars. 

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy. The opinions are my own.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This is a really good book. it kept me interested until the end and I even felt like I learned something a nice bonus. Highly recommend.

Radar Girls By Sara Ackerman is a wonderful story of hope, courage and strength against all odds the women must prove themselves amongst the deadliest situations. If you love historical fiction and World War II stories of inspiration then this is a great book for you! Happy reading!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I loved this historical fiction perspective of the civilians living in Hawaii during and after the incident at Pearl Harbor. That made for a fun aspect to learn about and made me consider what life was like on HI then. The bravery and intelligence of the Radar Girls was really impressive.

A beautiful storyteller, one I'll definitely be reading more of! I'm looking forward to reading The Codebreaker's Secret!

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army recruits women from the Hawaiian islands to work in the Air Defense Command Center. Their job is to read the radar to keep skies and water safe and help pilots to land safely. This book is about their story.
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This is a fantastic read about Daisy and the group of women she works with. I was hooked from the very beginning of the story and didn’t want to stop reading! I learned a lot about the radar system and the courage it took to help pilots maneuver safely. I enjoyed the love story between Daisy and Walker and the tight-knit community of the radar girls. The book is full of emotion and action. It is perfect for historical fiction fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin- Trade Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I had no previous knowledge of these women before reading, and I really enjoyed reading about them! I think this book did a great job balancing the narrative with the history.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Loved this book! I am loving all the WWII-era fiction, especially about women aviators. Daisy was not a pilot, but this book introduced me to other ways women were involved with the war effort. I was not familiar with this aspect, but the book inspired me to learn more about the real women who did this work.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were engaging and likable, the plot was intriguing and I learned a lot about the role of women in manning radar operations in Hawaii after the U.S. entered World War II. I think the quality of the writing could be better, but that didn't take away too much from my enjoyment of the book.

Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman is a unique WWII novel with its setting in Hawaii. The story was inspired by the actual Women's Air Raid Defense (WARD), a civilian organization that worked with the military to provide air defense for Hawaii. It was formed in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and this event is described in the very first chapter.

Most of the man characters are women from a variety of backgrounds who answer the call to be WARDs, including military wives and local residents of upper and lower social classes. Readers follow along as they form friendships, learn their new roles, and find ways to relieve stress and have a little fun. Their interactions with the military pilots and officers were interesting since the program was new and unique. Of course there's a romance and happily-ever-after ending.

I read this on a cold, snowy weekend so the descriptions of lush Hawaiian landscapes and warm ocean breezes provided a delightful escape. It was so interesting to learn about the WARD and the role civilian women played in defending Hawaii. The audiobook is narrated by Cassandra Campbell, one of my favorites. I always appreciate having her voice in my ears, telling me another interesting story.

Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for the review copy of this title and the mini virtual getaway to Hawaii..

What a eye opening story about women replacing men in wartime,which had to be done in so many situations,every country that was at war with Germany and Japan..follow this team of women in Hawaii where they have a secret and it's a need to know situation . Follow their adventures,love and losses as they try to do their part to win this war! Fiction history plays a part as I learned so much more about this war and so will you!! The characters bring you into their world as they saw what was happening to them and their country!! Received from Net Gallery!! Sara Ackerman did a fantastic job on this story as she brings you again as I said into their world!!

WOW.

I feel bad that I took so long to read this book because it was such a great read!

I've read a bit about Pearl Harbor and I knew a bit but I had no idea about the women who were doing the radar. They are so fascinating and inspiring! I know these women are fictitious but the real women they are based on, dannng.

This story starts with the day of Pearl Harbor and continues from there. It centers around one woman but it encompasses the story of more than just her.

This is an excellent novel for those that want to learn more about parts of WWII that aren't often covered or who just need some YASSS GIRL energy in their life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.