Eyes Turned Skyward by Alena Dillon tells a tale of the brave women who joined the WASPs during World War II. These women were the first women to train and fly military aircraft. This historical fiction follows the story of one of these women as she finally shares her story with her daughter after 60 years of hiding her bravery. Told in alternating timelines—Peggy’s story from the 1940s and her daughter’s story of discovering who her mother really was—Eyes Turned Skyward shares the story of the women who learned to fly in order to train and help the men who were off fighting.

I enjoyed how the story not only told the wartime story, but shared how these women’s service went unrecognized for decades following the war. It was a very interesting story of history and I enjoyed Peggy’s story and how her service affected her future. My only complaint was that some of her daughter’s story was a little too detailed and made the story drag a bit. I would recommend to those that enjoy historical fiction, especially World War II.

3.5 * rating for me.
Eyes Turned Skyward is an interesting historical fiction dual timeline novel pairing life in 2009 with a focus on the Womens Airforce Service Program (WASP) during World War 2.
Kathy and Neil have been living a traditional middle class life in a Boston suburb. He worked and she was a stay at home mother. But their kids are now grown and living their own lives and Neil has lost his job. As the book opens in 2009, Kathy has to manage Neil's fragile ego to tell him she's returning to work as a nurse after a 20 year absence. Their story alternates with that of Peggy, Kathy's mother, who, unbeknownst to Kathy, was a WASP.
I wasn't aware of WASP and found that the most interesting part of the book, although the language and attitudes of the men serving with them was hard to take at times! The sexism present in the modern days side of the story was equally annoying.
The balance of the book was really about motherhood, mother-daughter relationships, and taking care of an aging parent. There were elements of these topics that I thought the author really nailed (like the dynamics between siblings as they become "grown ups"). For me, Kathy's story and her challenges weren't as well developed or interesting as the WASP sections.
I loved Ms. Dillon's earlier book, The Happiest Girl in the World, and give her credit for exploring such diverse subjects in her writing.
Thanks to HarperCollins, Netgalley and the Book Club Girl Early Read Program for the opportunity to read Eyes Turned Skyward.

This story of women pilots in WWII is by turns uplifting and heartbreaking. The two timelines with Peggy and her daughter make the story even more impactful. This is an important WWII story that should not be overlooked.
4.5 Stars

I learned quite a bit about the back story of the WASP’s by reading this historical novel. I wasn’t aware they were cancelled in 1944. I thought Dillon handled Peggy with Grace and style and understanding, although she was unlikable at times.
What I couldn’t tolerate was the carping against Katherine, but the free passes the sons received. It was assumed Katherine would care for her aged mother because she was the daughter. That made my blood boil and was obviously a sensitive spot for me.
It’s a really good read about bad ass women during WWII who answered their country’s call. It’s a great reminder that elderly, frail, and wrinkled were once vibrant, hearty patriots who didn’t feel the need to brag, although they should have!

A powerful story of a woman’s sacrifice gone unrecognized for decades and the many ways in which this reverberates through and shapes the rest of her life.

Peggy is a woman ahead of her time. In 1943 she joins the WASP program to help contribute to the war effort and proving that women are just as capable as men. In 2009 Kathy, Peggy’s daughter, is faced becoming her aging mother’s caregiver. This sets in motion a change in the life of both women that leads down a path of revealed secrets, emotional understanding and personal healing.

The dual timeline combined with the mother and daughter relationship was such a beautiful way to tell this story. This one is a page turner.

3.75 WASP stars

This book is a mix of historical fiction, mother-daughter relationships, and caring for aging parents.

Peggy learned to fly from her crop-dusting father, although neighbors wouldn’t hire a woman for the job. When an opportunity to help her country came up at the outset of WWII, Peggy signed up for the WASP program. She endured a rigorous training program and was trained to fly military aircraft as many other pilots were sent overseas. I loved this part of the storyline, reading about the training program, meeting the other women in the program, and learning some history!

The other timeline in the book focuses on Kathy, Peggy’s daughter. Kathy is going through some big changes, returning to the workforce as a nurse now that her children are grown, and her husband is unemployed. Peggy’s health has started to fail, and Kathy is the closest child so caring for her falls to Kathy.

An interesting thing is that Peggy never told her children about her past military career.

This writer did an excellent job with family dynamics as multiple generations realistically grappled with getting along during the holidays and having differing opinions about where Peggy should go when it seemed that staying at home was not a safe option anymore.

As Kathy learns the truth about her mother, their bond grows stronger as Peggy finally gets recognition for the service she did for her country.

Eyes Turned Skyward is a dual-timeline book, not my favorite way of writing, this one was so worth it!

1944
Peggy, an aviatrix who feels more comfortable in the air than on the ground, applies to and is accepted by the WASP corp during WWII. As we learn more about her time in the WASP, we see the trials these women went through because they wanted to serve their country. The discrimination they went though because they were women and somehow less able than their male counterparts. No real 'rank' in the military, even though they were doing the same thing as the men. No thank you, and no funds to even get home when discharged. Peggy is angry.

2009
Kathy, Peggy's daughter was a nurse,then a stay-at-home mom, then back to being a nurse when her husband loses his job. She has issues with just about everyone. Her grown children don't call. Her brothers don't keep in touch. Her husband is shattered that he is not the primary breadwinner of the family. Her mother has always been distant, then is injured and Kathy is the one tasked with her mother's care. Kathy is angry.

Then, Kathy finds out about her mother's WWII service accidently. Peggy is adamant she does not want to go the ceremony that will show the world they were valuable during WWII. Kathy is just as adamant that her mother MUST got to the ceremony. As Kathy learns more about her mother, she also learns more about herself. Peggy takes a look backwards and realizes she needs to find acceptance about her past, and look forward to the gifts she has.

I love books that make me keep looking up some of the facts in the book to see if it actually happened. I love books that have a moving story about family and how everyone connects to everyone else. I love books that make me think. I love books that stay with me.

I loved this book.

I really enjoyed the flashbacks of Penny going through the WASP program in 1943. The 2009 portion was hard to read as I thought Kathy was a whiny middle age woman who was in a big pityfest. I was done with Kathy within a fourth of the book. Penny was a hoot, both in the 2009 part and the flashbacks of her early 20s. Though I thought she had toed the line a bit, she demonstrated the grit and determination that generation of women had. Throughly enjoyed the WASP part and wanted more of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Peggy Mayfield was a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII. One of the first American females to fly military aircraft. As with most firsts, these women were subjected to discrimination, harassment and having to prove themselves to a degree not expected of their male counterparts. Yet, they were risking their lives to the same degree as men. The stories of what female pilots experienced was fascinating. They gave so much, and it took so long for their contributions to even be acknowledged. In fact, when the program abruptly ended, they weren’t even viewed as military and eligible for all the associated benefits.

It is 2009, and Peggy’s daughter, Kathy, one of four children, is currently responsible for taking care of her ailing mother. Kathy is also just re-entering the workforce as a nurse because her husband lost his job and hasn’t been able to find employment. We find Kathy dealing with her own self-confidence, her struggles with her relationship with her mom and resentment from her husband for being the breadwinner. It is during this time that Peggy learns of her mom’s secret past as a WASP, when she is invited to Washington D.C. to receive an honorary service medal. Because of the earlier treatment with the program, Peggy does not want to go and feels extreme resentment towards the military for their past treatment of female pilots. As Kathy pushes the issue, Peggy gains insight into how her secrets and expectations impacted Kathy’s life.

This is a wonderful work of historical fiction that explores the role of women in WWII and sexism plus delves into the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. This is definitely one not to miss.

Eyes Turned Skyward is a wonderful dual timeline story. Present day Kathy has a fraught relationship with her mother, Peggy. After an accident and illness forces her mother to come live with her, Kathy uncovers secrets of her mother's life during the WWII years as a WASP pilot. I particularly enjoyed Peggy's story of the exhilaration at becoming a pilot of military aircraft, what it took to get there, and the look at what the WASP's really accomplished. Kathy's storyline included some very insightful looks at family relationships, and how one generation unintentionally influences the next.

I liked this one quite a bit - many thanks to the Book Club Girls, NetGalley and William Morrow for the e-arc. Solid 4 stars.

This dual timeline historical fiction of a mother and daughter has family, illness, friendship, guts, determination, hope, and secrets. Kathy, one of four children, is an empty nester and has been a stay at home mom, but with her husband's recent lay-off, finances are getting a little tight. Kathy has come to the decision to return to work as a nurse, but almost as soon as she makes her decision, her mother, Peggy, has a fall and is taken to the hospital. Peggy is the only one of her siblings that lives close to her mother, therefore her siblings rely on her to become their mother's caregiver. Kathy is keeping the fact her husband was laid-off from work and the fact she is returning to work a secret, until her mother must come live with them.

Peggy's story is told from the perspective of her time as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot), As a young woman, Peggy is one of the first women to fly military airplanes during WWII, and her time with the WASPs is the backstory to the present day family drama. As Peggy breaks barriers, forges long term friendships, holds her temper in check, she makes history, however, she never received the recognition the WASPs deserve until many years later. When Peggy has had to move in with her daughter, she receives a letter in the mail inviting her to a ceremony to honor the WASPs after all these years. After Peggy's daughter Kathy finds the letter, she begins to unravel the secrets her mother has kept all these years and Peggy's strange behavior when Kathy was a child and her coldness towards her throughout her life begin to become clear.

This was an interesting read about the WASP program. I enjoyed reading about what those women were able to do and accomplish.

I wouldn't classify this as a fun or uplifting read. It was a bit on the sad/frustrating side. Sexism was a big part of both timelines. In the WWII timeline, there were losses and the abrupt, disappointing end of the WASP program. In the 2009 storyline, Peggy was nearing the end of her life. And I didn't like the way Kathy and her husband were treated by their kids or by Kathy's brothers. Near the end of the book, it seemed like some things might turn around more positively, but then the book ended suddenly without full resolution.

Still, I think this is a good read for anyone interested in women's history or flight history.

A dual timeline of mother and daughter. It is 2009 and we learn of Kathy who is forced back into the workforce as her husband has lost his job and is now unemployed. Kathy is also caring for her aged mother Peggy who was a member of WASP, the Women Airforce Service Pilots who were considered civilians, despite flying military aircraft to make sure they were safe for the male pilots. We learn of Peggy’s life in 1943 as a WASP.
This is a story of mother and daughter relationships with the expectations of a woman returning to the workforce and the demands placed on her while also caring for her elderly mother. I personally really enjoyed the story of Peggy and her role as a WASP. I loved the historical parts of the book and could have read more about Peggy’s life.
An interesting read.

Eyes Turned Skyward was a masterpiece. This historical fiction book follows the two lives of a mom and daughter, both with their own secrets. Using alternating timelines, Dillion captures the emotion, guts, friendship and loyalty of a dedicated family from WWII to 2010. It is a homage to the women of WWII and the efforts that were seen and ignored, the challenges that were overlooked by men, and the resilience that women had to keep going. It is also an homage to the women of 2010 and later years, balancing life, work, children, and family.

Dillion did a phenomenal job capturing every day life from 1944 and 2010, creating are relatable timeline and characters you could identify with. Overall this book was 4 stars. I loved reading it but some characters felt like they were too much and a little hard to follow. The concept and message were powerful and left me with the warm and fuzzies.

I was provided a copy of this ARC from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read about Wasp- each story gives me hope, courage and admiration towards these young women.
Peggy and Katherine a family built on expectations without support for each other til with age and through different eyes can they begin to accept and change.
Although I enjoyed the story, I did find it to be a little too wordy and long winded. But I would recommend with a big mug of tea and a few quite nights.

Kathy, an empty nester, is returning to work as a nurse after her husband’s layoff. She’s discouraged from working, battles sexism in the workplace, and all the sudden finds herself as the primary caregiver of her elderly mother. The appearance of a stately invitation dismissed by her mother begins to unravel secrets of her mother’s wartime contributions as a pilot. This historical fiction honors the heroism of the WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots, and all woman battling day to day glass ceilings and double standards. While I loved the stories of the WASP training and the relationships formed, I also sincerely appreciated the authenticity of the family dynamics in the book. Kathy’s awkward willingness to embrace change, try new things, and speak up for herself and others kept the book alive and realistic for me.

Thank you William Morrow, Alena Dillon, and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. #EyesTurnedSkyward #NetGalley

I really liked this book's take on the stories of a mother, Peggy, and her daughter, Kathy (Katherine). Most of Peggy's story takes place in the past when she was a WASP in WWII, but she also appears in the 2009-10 story of Kathy, as an elderly woman. Kathy's side of the story is one of an empty nester with an unemployed husband. She is returning to work for the first time in years while also having to care for Peggy, and discovers that Peggy has secrets. The author does a great job of linking the two together, but I would've been satisfied with just Peggy's past side of the story. I felt like I could've been there on the base with the others due to the good descriptions of the historical fiction parts. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been unsure about where they belong, and anyone who is interested in finding their place to soar.

Eyes Turned Skyward is a dual timeline novel, centering on Kathy in 2009/2010, and her mother Peggy during WWII. Kathy is an empty-nester, returning the to the workforce out of necessity after her husband is laid off, simultaneously dealing with caring for her aging mother after a series of health issues. Peggy is a member of WASP, a female pilot used by the Army Air Force to ensure planes were safe for male pilots to take to war.

This novel, while described as historical fiction, overall had a women's fiction feel to it for me. The storyline was more about the relationship between mother and daughter, especially as Peggy ages and Kathy deals with going back to work, and caring for her mother, balancing all the expectations put on women to work and manage a household. Peggy's timeline in the 40's was interesting, but not substantial enough in my opinion to qualify as a the center of the novel.

That said, this novel was well written with keen observations on aging as women, managing a home and children, and what it means to balance being the "bread-winner" and a wife.

This was a middling book, I'm rating it 3.5 stars, rounded up. I don't think it's a particularly memorable book, but I still enjoyed reading it all the same.

Thank you to Book Club Girl, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

A novel about learning about family secrets and learning that there was more to her ailing mother than meets the eyes. That before she was a wife and mother she was a WASP pilot during WWII.

This is a dual timeline story...that of Kathy in 2009 and her mother, Peggy in 1943. We read about Kathy who is going back to work while her husband is out of work. The interesting part of the story, is about Peggy when in 1943 she becomes a member as female pilot for the Airforce (wasp). These women were dedicated and brave who served proudly and helped win WW!!. For me, I could have done without the story of Kathy in 2009, as I was more involved with the historical nature of the novel. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.