Elizabeth Salzburg is on the precipice of living the life she has always wanted, when she falls into a stack of Spam cans and has a meet-cute with the Hollywood heartthrob, Everett Anderson, who is giving up life on the silver screen to be a pilot and fight for his country on the eve of WWII. The two quickly form a relationship that will have to endure the horrors of war. The story, as recalled by Elizabeth in present-day as her memory is fading away, will take you from the beaches of Oahu to the D-Day invasion, and finally to war-torn Germany.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. My husband and I were living on Oahu until recently and it was nice to be whisked back there and be reminded how lucky we were to live there. I read a lot of WWII fiction and one thing this book did a good job of was the pacing. Sometimes books will spend too long in one particular time and then rush through other more important parts, not this one, it clipped along at a good place and it sustained my interest throughout. The other thing I liked about this book was that it wasn't just about romance, it was also about family and friendship. It also goes into detail about what life was like after the attack on Oahu, it was mostly about the patients that Elizabeth was tending to, but also about the cleanup and how they had to adjust to a new world.

Lastly, there was one little thing that I didn't care for in the book. A few times Elizabeth thinks about pulling the "my father is the commander" card, and one time she actually does it. Just because he is the commander that doesn't mean that she should get any special treatment, or override nurses who are higher in seniority. But, hey, nobody's perfect and that was such a small detail that I didn't let bother me too much since I enjoyed the rest of the book so much!

This is a well done read about true love and the experiences of a young woman in WWII. Lizzie survived the Pearl Harbor bombing, and then joined the army nurse corps. This separated her from her new found love and sent her into the depths of war and dispair. Very engaging.

Last One Home is easily my favorite book of 2021. Something in it resonated with me, maybe it was the love story in its truest form there is something about romance in the 1940’s that I’ve always found intriguing, especially when those couples have lasted together for 50 to 60 years. Or maybe it was the attack on Pearl Harbor that got me, I lived on the beautifully island for a while and seeing all the memorials for the ones who lost their lives was devastating and seeing that part of our history does something to your heart. This book had to me from the beginning all the way to the end and I fell in love. It captivated my soul and I fell in this book and did not want to come out.
Elizabeth is everything you want in a Heroine of a book. She is smart, witty and fights for what she believes in, although everyone wants to treat her life her opinions do not matter. She is training to be a nurse and had not quite picked her job location yet when Pearl Harbor was bombed. In that moment she decides to enlist in the Army Nurse Corp against everyone’s protests. Elizabeth knows she has been training for this and does not want to see her talents go to waste.
Everett is everything you want in a book boyfriend; he is so caring and gentle and loves to a fault. He makes you want to fall in love. Everett was from Hollywood, a movie star who decided he needed something else in his life, so he enlisted in the Army. He became stationed in Pearl Harbor and was the talk of the island, movie star turned military.
This is where Elizabeth and Everett’s story begins as they embark on a forbidden romance. As they are just getting started Pearl Harbor is bombed and they must face the inevitable separation and whether they will come home to one another.
This story goes back and forth between present day and the 1940’s with Elizabeth’s memories. As her story unfolds you cannot help but become entwined with the characters and the story and go on the emotion roller coaster that is Elizabeth and Everett. You will believe in love.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Last One Home was such a good historical romance. I loved the setting (1940s/Pearl Harbor), the characters and the writing. I loved how the story was told in Lizzies point of view and told in different timelines (today and 1941). This story was heartbreaking but beautiful. I definitely recommend it!

Pearl Harbor 1941: Lizzie is finishing her nursing classes while balancing household duties after the death of her mother five years ago. While she tries to find her independence, she is up against her greatest challenge (at that time) of her commanding officer father who has eyes all over the naval base. When gossip in the grocery store mentions the presence of a good looking Hollywood star Everett Anderson being spotted, she faints. (Now, part of that was also the stomach bug that she was dealing with at work and for a nurse, she doesn’t do vomit!) Her friend, Audrey, tries to help her, but she also looks up to find the subject of the gossip lending a hand. This begins their discreet journey to live in spite of her father’s objections.

A few months after their meeting and on a morning where Everett takes her on a romantic sunrise breakfast picnic, they hear sounds that sent chills down their spines. The sound of planes with the markings of Japan. They quickly pack up and rush to the harbor to help, avoiding bombs along the way. After the traumatizing experience, Lizzie sees an ad for joining the Army Nursing Corps and feels it call to her. Audrey is worried for her because not only would she potentially be in the midst of the war, but Lizzie is also Jewish and Audrey fears it will land her on the wrong side if she is sent to Europe.

What follows is Lizzie’s journey to find her independence while helping save the lives of the wounded. Through her Army Nursing Corps training to Scotland, England, France, and Belgium, she learns her true strength while worrying where he love is as he flies into turbulent war zones. An amazing story of love and growth in a time of great conflict. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #lastonehome

From start to finish, this was a roller coaster of a book. I loved the characters, their story along with the family members. The strength in which they overcame situations and dealt will all of the time apart was inspiring. I'm not sure how well people today could deal with going through the same thing. This is a side of Pearl Harbor I haven't read nearly enough about but look forward to reading more.

Elizabeth Salzburg, daughter of a naval commander stationed at Pearl Harbor, is training to be a nurse. Everett Anderson is a former Hollywood heart throb training to be a pilot. When their paths intersect during the summer of 1941, neither could foretell the events the upcoming months and years would hold. Amidst destruction, death, and thousands of miles of separation as they each served their country, would their love survive? Filled with heart-wrenching details, this work of historical fiction would be a worthy addition to a World War 2 novel collection.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Last One Home' by Shari J Ryan. Unlike some historical fiction, the transition between past and present in the Last One Home felt seamless and left me wanting to read more, rather than confused, disorientated and misguided as I have felt with other books. I am guilty of often skim reading paragraphs that I find 'too descriptive' however the descriptions of places, feelings and smells used by Ryan left vivid and engaging images in my head. The Last One Home was difficult to put down and is the first book in a long time that I've stayed up late on a work night to finish, desperate to know how the Lizzie's story ends.
Without giving away any spoilers, I often felt conflicted as to what I wished Lizzie to do, follow her dreams or follow her heart?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I am a huge historical fiction fan and I read this genre all the time. I have to honestly say that this book was one of the most beautiful one I have read and a very long time. I loved the descriptive setting of Hawaii. The authors writing style is not only eloquent, but very visual, and I was able to see everything clearly in my mind as I read about it. I love the characters of Lizzie and Everett. At first I thought the fact that Everett was a movie star would annoy me a little bit, but his character grew on me. This was just an absolutely beautiful love story and I could not have imagined it ending better. The only thing I have to say is that it got a little repetitive in the middle of the book and probably could’ve been a little less written but I still give it 4.5 stars!

Last One Home by Shari J. Ryan is an engrossing historical fiction book which highlights life prior to and in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It also moves to the European front throughout the war years. The heroine, Elizabeth Salzburg, is twenty year old woman who cares for her father and two brothers who are fully entrenched in military life, Her father is a captain and much respected on their island. Elizabeth pushes the boundaries and finds an independent purpose in nursing and also a love interest in Everett. Both are pursuits her father would prefer were not undertaken by his daughter.

The story is told in flashbacks to Elizabeth as a young woman and an older woman struggling with dementia. Some events are in real time and others are related by the older Elizabeth to her family member. The older Elizabeth can not remember the present but her past is crystal clear.

I learned much about the true heroism of nurses in WWII. Elizabeth joins the Army Nurse Corps and even her modest retelling can not hide the true nature of the brave feats she undertook on behalf of others. It also provided a backstory to Pearl Harbor and the true devastation by the Japanese that was felt long after that fateful Sunday 12/7 morning,

Detailed and thoughtful characterization is done expertly by Ryan. The minor characters are also expertly woven throughout . We learn the backstories of both Elizabeth and Everett. The very real terror of this time period was made apparent. The bravery exhibited by nurses, paratroopers and others to combat the Nazi’s was showcased.

The mission of helping others and the struggle to give back at all costs was made real. These characters will become real to you, too. Despite their many challenges they found ways to defy the societal bounds and face their tormentors with courage. They were not looking for glory, just a chance to do something that was decent and worthwhile. What a legacy they left, you will be better after reading it. Their strength and determination should not be forgotten.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Shari J. Ryan in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

This is a beautiful piece of historical fiction wrapped up in a love story. This one is told from the perspective of a woman that is part of the Army nursing Corps and it is a moving story indeed! It is an easy read starting in Hawaii during WWII and moving throughout Europe... all under the memories of Elizabeth who served and is now sharing her story in her later years. I truly loved this story and I didn’t want it to end. Pick up this glorious piece of historical fiction - you won’t be sorry.

This was Sadly a dissapointing Read. I really liked both Lizzie and Everett’s love story and following their life. But Sadly The plot was not something amazing, I did enjoy it and it was enjoyable but very slow

This novel left me breathless, wanting more. The plot, characters, narrative, setting just brought the story to life.
I don't think there are any adjectives, other than breathtaking to describe this novel.
Ten worthy stars.

Last One Home
By Shari J. Ryan

Last One Home is a beautifully told historical fiction story that surrounds what happened that day on December 7th, 1941 in Pearl Harbor, which President Roosevelt said "was a date which will live in infamy" as Oahu was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

I love reading about characters that are nurses or in the medical field, so this story right away piqued my interest and I was glad to have read this gem. The story is focused on a twenty year old Jewish woman named Elizabeth Salzberg, a nursing student and whose father is the naval commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Oahu, Hawaii. As the daughter of the commander, everyone knows that Elizabeth is off limits to the men in the base, but that did not stop Lieutenant Everett Anderson, a former Hollywood actor who chose to serve in the army, from following his heart. Elizabeth and Everett's attraction is unmistakable and soon they engage in a secret relationship. However, the attacks on Pearl Harbor changed their focus and Elizabeth took the opportunity to join the Army Nurse Corp to answer her calling and find purpose against society's expectations of a woman's role and her father's wishes. What comes next is a heartbreaking and heart wrenching story of the courageous acts of the service men and women during that time.

I enjoyed the immersive storytelling and writing style. I was deeply invested in the characters and having the attacks in Pearl Harbor as the pivotal point of the story, was brilliant and something I have not read before and that really interested me. I had the opportunity to visited Oahu on Feb 2020 just before the start of the pandemic and really interested in that historical aspect of the time. I loved learning about the life in the base, the Army Nurse Corp, and the role of women in that time period. I thought it was deftly written that deeply engrossed me into this story.

I highly recommend this book for historical fiction fans. This is a must read.

I almost didn't request it because it was past the publication date, but I am so glad I did. It covers part of WWII that historical novels don't typically focus on - Pearl Harbor and the Army Nurses Corp. I loved reading this and was thoroughly enthralled in Lizzie and Everett's story. Rich in history and emotion it was a beautiful tribute to the Army Nurses Corp and the sacrifices they made to care for the soldiers. It was 100% clean and great to read.

‘Last One Home 👩‍⚕️👨‍✈️ 💕’ by Shari J Ryan
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5.
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Wow wow wow what a book 🤩🤩🤩 I haven’t read many historical fiction but one of my favourite films is Pearl Harbour so you can see how this one appealed to me!

I don’t think any words will do this book justice, it was powerful, emotional, breathtaking and just absolutely beautiful. The author describes the attack on Pearl Harbour so vividly that you feel as if you are there and experiencing the attack alongside Lizzie & Everett.

I adored the love story side of the book and the struggles Lizzie & Everett went through to be together. The author opened my eyes to relationships during this time, writing letters back and forth from different naval camps and unsure as to when you would hear from your partner again or if they would even still be alive. It was touching and heartbreaking at the same time! As a reader you kept intrigued and wishing for a happy ending, with both of them surviving and returning home to spend the rest of their lives together.

Lizzie was my favourite character and the author done incredibly well with showing how strong and independent she was. She was proud of her Jewish routes and even though it was incredibly dangerous for her to be in certain countries, it didn’t stop her from doing her job and helping the wounded.

A must read for historical fiction lovers! 📚💗
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Thanks to @netgalley and @authorsharijryan for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Shari Ryan transported me back to the 1940s in her recent historical fiction novel, “Last One Home.”

Elizabeth Salzberg is a Jewish nursing student who has an overwhelming urge to prove her strength at a time in history when equality was more important than ever. Overprotected, being the only daughter of the naval commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Oahu, Hawaii, Elizabeth is out to prove that she’s just as good as her brothers and can follow her dreams of joining the Army Nurse Corps. Her father, a widow, wants to control every aspect of her life and Elizabeth pushes the line every chance she gets. Nothing tests the boundaries more than a new pilot on the base, a Hollywood actor, who catches Elizabeth’s attention. When Pearl Harbour is bombed on December 7, 1941, keeping her forbidden romance a secret is the least of her worries.

It’s obvious that Ryan is an accomplished writer. I didn’t need to know that this was her 30th novel; her writing speaks for itself. In choosing the perspective for this historical novel, Ryan chose the first-person point of view. I love this perspective for historical fiction novels as it allows me to place myself inside the character as I read. I agree with Ryan – it is more authentic. In addition to the POV, the language used allowed me to slip back to the 1940s. The “doll face” and “kitchenette set” are reflective speech of this period. The romance, the emotion that goes with it, and the way the sweethearts communicated with each other is also representative of the times. It was an eye-opener for me to see how far society has come in the past 80 years.

This is a must-read for historical fiction lovers! Place yourself in the 1940s and see how you’d live through the experience.

I was gifted this copy by Shari J. Ryan and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Review pending

On first impressions, im incredibly excited to get stuck in to Last One Home. The description already creating a suspenseful atmosphere and setting the scene for a forbidden romance that really drags you in.

The cover is incredibly eye-catching (as a reader who is guilty of judging by covers) with its bright, tropical scene. The colours may be a juxtaposition to the story itself as the topic of pearl harbour is no doubt going to have some heartache for the reader.

Looking forward to a promising historical fiction/romance!

a gripping story based on the true events of Pearl Harbour and the war that followed. A young nurse and a fighter pilot boy friend, this book covers their struggles, being moved away from home to serve their country
not knowing if the other was still alive. And the horrible world they see in Europe..
You are kept wondering and hoping for survival, and being able to return home to some sort of life together..

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book takes place in Hawaii right before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The story centers around Lizzie, her twin brothers, her dad who is commander of the U. S. Pacific fleet in Oahu, and her boyfriend named Everett. Everett is a Hollywood Star who has enlisted in the army. Lizzie’s father does not trust him at first and forbids her to continue seeing him or any other man on the base. But in the meantime, a romance develops between Lizzie and Everett despite her father’s strict orders.
Everything changes with the bombing of Pear Harbor in 1941. Lizzie knows there is more to life outside of Hawaii and decides to join the Army Nurse Corps. She has a great desire to help the wounded soldiers who are fighting for her freedom. Lizzie and Everettt end up being sent to training in different parts of the United States but this story follows their struggles and hardships throughout. This book kept my attention throughout, I enjoyed reading about Pearl Harbor and various events that happened afterwards as well. Thank you Net Galley for an advanced preview of this book. I would highly recommend it.