I enjoyed this story of friendship and survival of three young nurses set in the Philippines during its history of Japanese occupation. What I enjoyed most:
- the highlight of a piece of history I did not know: Japan invaded the Philippines immediately after bombing Pearl Harbor. Army and Navy nurses along with many American civilians and Filipino citizens were taken as POWs.
- the heroism, bravery, resourcefulness, and mercy conducted by the nurses and the local people while they were held captive with little food and supplies for 4 years.

The story is told from three person POV and did feel a little repetitive and slow during the rescues. However, it ended with a well written epigraph.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Muse, and the authors for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Pub Date: Oct 2022.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Wow what a read. I am always interested in reading about the world wars and through When We Had Wings I learned more about a chapter of WWII that i previously knew nothing about. We follow three nurses from the US army stationed in the Philippines as they experience the Japanese invasion of the islands. The authours of this novel made me feel like I was right there with these women. If historical fiction is your thing or even if it's not give this book a read

This engaging, emotional, and well researched WWII saga follows the bonding friendship of three nurses during the Japanese takeover of the Philippines.
As we learn about how Eleanor, Penny, and Lita devote their time to caring for the sick and dying during wartime, we also experience their growing friendships, family dynamics, and romantic interludes.
The collaborative prose from these three fine writers made it hard to put this one down. I had a history lesson on the torturous treatment of civilians, as well as the hospital military, who were held captive in the numerous internment camps in the Pacific theater. The writing is so good that I felt as though I was right there in captivity alongside the three strong female characters experiencing the fear, anger, horror, and even small joys, during their captivity.

Get yourself a box of tissues and keep your phone nearby to order takeout because you won’t stop reading this one to cook!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

At once breathtaking and horrifying. Set in the South Pacific during World War II, this novel by three master storytellers features three, expertly drawn, dynamic and likable military nurses. The obviously well researched and well written tale is - like war - dark and harrowing and tragic. The authors chose not to romanticize the effects of the war but to depict relatively realistically its evils, savagery and the ensuing multitude of hardships, which makes for quite a difficult, utterly heartbreaking read. This is also, however, an ode to friendship, courage, perseverance and acting for the greater good, which adds dashes of hope and humanity to the story. Additionally, the novel importantly educates its readers regarding the Philippines and the critical roles played by Filipinos during WWII, which are not often explored in WWII fiction in my experience. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse the publisher and the authors for a story of three nurses looking to escape their pasts but end up being captured by the Japanese. The background is the Philippines , a paradise assignment they believed. What they experienced in the camps was unbelievable. They were the first female prisoners of the Second War. So well written shedding light on so many things we haven’t heard or thought of. We should we extremely proud of these women!

Unusual in that it has three authors, although it also has three main characters so perhaps they each wrote one part of the story arc. It takes place during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and leading through to liberation. Enjoyable read.

Epic storytelling in motion, this book had it all! I always feel like I learn so much from any book Kristina McMorris is part of and that I get a history lesson as well as inspiration for my day.

3 Bestsellerautorinnen haben sich zusammen getan, um einen historischen Roman zu schreiben, der auf wahren Tatsachen basiert – hörte sich spannend an. Zumal ich Susan Meissner als Autorin kenne und schätze, und daher habe ich mich sehr gefreut, diesen Roman vorab lesen zu dürfen.
Der Roman beginnt 1941, als sich als sich die 3 Krankenschwestern Penny, Lita und Eleanor auf dem US Stützpunkt in Manila kennenlernen. Alle drei haben unterschiedliche Motive, sich auf den Pazifik versetzen zu lassen, und haben gerade Wendepunkte in ihrem Leben erreicht. In den ersten Wochen erscheint Manila auch als tropisches Paradies, aber es ist Krieg, und irgendwann wendet sich im Pazifik das Blatt: nachdem die Japaner Pearl Harbour bombadiert haben, fallen sie auch auf den Philippinen ein, und es dauert nicht lange, und die drei Freundinnen finden sich als Kriegsgefangene wieder. Auf unterschiedlichen Standorten gefangen, erleben sie als die ersten weiblichen amerikanischen Kriegsgefangenen hautnah die Gräuel des Krieges und versuchen doch, ihre Menschlichkeit zu bewahren und als Krankenschwestern zu helfen, wo sie nur können. Und das ist nicht so einfach gewesen, denn in ihren jeweiligen „POW Camps“ haben die japanischen Besatzer die Genfer Konventionen schlicht missachtet, und die Lebensumstände in den Lagern waren geprägt von Nahrungsmittelknappheit, schlechten hygienischen Verhältnissen und militärischer Unterdrückung. Penny, Lita und Eleanor hält aber ihre Freundschaft aufrecht, auch wenn sie sich teilweise lange Jahre nicht sehen können.
Die Kapitel sind immer wechselseitig bei einer der drei Freundinnen, und wir begleiten sie insgesamt 10 Jahre. Die Kriegsjahre werden sehr minutiös dargestellt, und nach dem Krieg, nach der Befreiung, gibt es dann noch einen Epilog im Jahre 51, sodass wir als Leser wissen, was mit den dreien noch so passiert ist.
Ich muss jetzt sagen, ich fand es einerseits super interessant: die Einblicke in das Leben der Kriegsgefangenen und die Geschichte dieser Freundschaft haben mich gefesselt. Und für mich als Deutsche war jetzt auch dieser amerikanische Blickwinkel auf den Zweiten Weltkrieg spannend. Die kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen im Pazifik gehören bei uns nämlich nicht zum Allgemeinwissen. Also, für mich war dieser Roman auch eine kleine Nachhilfestunde in Geschichte.
Andererseits fand ich, der Roman hatte schon ein paar Längen. Der Alltag der Krankenschwestern in den diversen Camps wurde schon sehr detailliert beschrieben, und ich fand, es hat sich halt einiges wiederholt. Das ist allerdings auch mein einziger Kritikpunkt. Ansonsten hat mich die Geschichte emotional schon sehr berührt. 3 tapfere Frauen, inmitten sehr tapferer anderer Krankenschwestern, Ärzte und Zivilisten, plus ein wenig Romantik – mich hat’s abgeholt. Das war eine Geschichte mit grossen Emotionen.
Und ich habe nicht bemerkt, dass hier verschiedene Autorinnen am Werk waren, stilistisch hat man keine Brüche merken können – das ist eine wirklich gute schriftstellerische Zusammenarbeit!
Alles in allem eine packende Geschichte, die ich gerne weiter empfehle!
Allerdings sollte man abwarten auf das „normale“ Buch, das im Oktober erscheint: mein Vorab-Rezensionsexemplar war nämlich mit einem sehr nervigem dunklem digitalem Wasserzeichen versehen – auf jeder Seite in braun erschien quer über die Schrift das Harper-Muse-Logo, und das hat meinen Lesefluss echt gestört. So was hatte ich noch nie, und das macht echt keinen Spass.

The scope of World War II is mind-boggling. I tend to think if WWII in terms of the war in Europe but it was much more than that. Three nurses from different backgrounds are in Manila, working in the local
Hospital. Shortly after Pear Harbor, the Philippines are occupied by the Japanese and the women are separated and sent to various camps where they endure hardships that they never anticipated. All three women survived the war, but didn’t necessarily get the happy endings they saw for themselves. But the resilience of the human spirit is realistically portrayed here, as are the horrors of war. Well researched and well written.

This was an amazing book and I can not wait for it to come out so I can add a hard copy to my shelf. I knew with this powerhouse trio of authors that it would be good. It wasn't just good, it was amazing. I love reading historical fiction that not only entertains but teaches. I knew next to nothing about the events of World War II in the Philippines and after reading this book (with breaks to Google search up more info), I have learned so much. The 3 main characters are wonderfully developed and I instantly fell in love with all 3 of their story lines as they were all relatable in one way or another. This book is an absolute winner and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction novel!

I was interested in this book for a couple of reasons: that Susan Meissner was involved because she's one of my favorite authors, and it was a story about WWII with a POV from three nurses held captive in a Japanese prisoner camp, a premise I had never explored.

The idea of this book was good, but the story dragged along, especially in the middle. It would have helped if there was a fact or an occurrence that moved the plot along, but these were few. The sameness of the conditions under which the nurses found themselves, while horrible, were the same, day in and day out.

I think this book could be shortened a bit, because it would be that much more interesting to read. The characters were wonderfully drawn, and each had their own story to tell.

I am grateful to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the privilege of reading this well-written, historically accurate story.

A World War II story unlike any other I’ve read. Told from three different nurses perspectives, two who are in the military and one local Filipina about their service, triumphs, trials and struggles being a prisoner of war. They find love, heartache, death, and a very deep friendship that helps them survive the war. I did struggle with the beginning and keeping perspectives straight but glad I stuck with it!!

I have read many of Susan Meissner's novels, but this was a first for me by Ariel Lawhon and Kristina McMorris. When We Had Wings is the story of three nurses stationed in the Philippines as they serve and ultimately become prisoners of war. Their stories are separate, but also intersect throughout the novel. I have read many books set during the second World War, but they are usually set in Paris, Italy or elsewhere in Western Europe. This was the first one I have read with the plot centered in the Philippines. It was an interesting change as the country was occupied by the Japanese and not the Germans and I learned new things about the devastation and cruelties subjected on its people as well as the resistance efforts of the Americans and Filipinos living there. All three parts were well written, engaging and at times heart breaking. I'm not sure who wrote which parts but this book has made me want to look into reading more from Lawhon and McMorris.

For my clean reader friends, the book had a bit of language, and threats of sexual violence and depictions of torture.

If you enjoy WW2 fiction I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Harper Muse and Net Galley for the free DRC of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I have read WWII fiction about Paris, the Netherlands, the concentration camps, but When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawson, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner is the first I've read about the work of Army & Navy nurses in the Philippines. It was eye-opening and heart breaking to read what happened in the Philippines when General MacArthur left the islands, leaving thousands of soldiers, noncombatent nurses, American businessmen, tourists and their families for the Japanese to find.

Pamela, Eleanor, and Lita are nurses who spend years in various POW camps. While they try to care for others, they are mistreated, starved, and threatened. They saw priests and doctors killed when they were caught trying to sneak food and messages into the camps. The book shows both the worst and the best of mankind. It is not a light, easy read, but it was worth it to gain insight into this page of history.

I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Having fallen in love with stories by two of these authors already, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of “When We Had Wings” by Ariel Lawhon, Susan Meissner, and Kristina McMorris.

“When We Had Wings” tells the stories of three women in the Philippines during WWII: a Filipina nurse named Lita, an Army nurse named Penny, and a Navy nurse named Eleanor. As the Japanese attack and begin to occupy the Philippines, the women are bound by their duties to care for the sick and wounded - in makeshift hospitals and later in internment camps. Their intertwining stories of courage and survival frequently sent me off to Google the history that inspired these authors, knowing full well it would be rooted in deep research.

Prior to this book, I hadn’t even realized that the Philippines had been invaded and occupied by Japan. I’ve read so many WWII novels and most focus on the European conflict. I knew all about Pearl Harbor, but the conflict throughout the rest of the Pacific was new for me. It is one of my favorite aspects of historical fiction - especially by these authors - the learning that is inspired once I finish the book. I also cannot wait to learn more about how the three authors co-wrote this book - it felt seamless!

Thank you to @NetGalley and Harper Muse/Harper Collins for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this incredible story. All opinions are my own.

A remarkable novel from three very talented authors about three strong, relentless women. The Japanese prison camps during WWII isn't a topic/setting I've read too much about, but I felt I was in good hands as I experienced the hardships, heartbreak, and ultimately the hope of these resilient nurses.

Action-packed from start to finish! I love how this deeply touches me as a Filipino reading something that is close to my home.

"Every tightened knot in her belt was something to fear, not celebrate."

An inspiring novel of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The story follows three young women who are nurses in Manila before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Eleanor is a US Navy nurse from Minnesota, who joined up to escape a difficult situation at home when she found the man she loved was engaged to another. Penny at 26 is a young widow from Texas and Lita is a 'mestiza', having an American father and a Filipino mother. The three meet in a bar and a strong friendship is soon formed. Their mettle is sorely tested throughout the war years, as they are moved between different Japanese POW camps, struggling with food shortages, disease, squalid living arrangements, and the enemy’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, which the Japanese government at the time had signed but not ratified.

The story reminded me of the BBC series 'Tenko!', which was also about women POWs held by the Japanese, but that was on the island of Sumatra not the Philippines. The three nurses each has their own storyline, the POV alternating between the three, periodically crossing the path of the others. The pacing is steady and chronological, we do get a little of each nurse's backstory but in the main the storyline follows the path of the war. The characters are well fleshed out and we do feel the strong bonds between the women even though they are separated from each other for long periods. We also share their desperation, trying to be nurses, whilst deprived of essential medical supplies and subsisting on a scant diet.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

When We Had Wings was an exciting, thrilling ride through the Philippines during World War II and the Japanese occupation therein. I had realized the horrible treatment soldiers endured under Japanese occupation, but not the women! This has opened up my reading into the Pacific Theatre.

The characters were well-developed and the straits they were in were horrible--in so many ways. While I can't imagine surviving such a situation, I know the nurses in our war areas have always been courageous and had extreme grit, so it's not surprising that stories like this came out of the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines.

There is another World War II Nurses' novel on my TBR. Here's hoping they are all different stories.

Two nurses, one Navy and one Army, and one Filipina nurse stationed in Manila in 1941 form a friendship. Life is beautiful. When Japan bombs Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, their lives are dramatically altered. These noncombatant women became the first female prisoners of war of WWII. This book is based on the experiences of the 77 nurses in the Philippines known as the "Angels of Bataan."

These women endured extreme living conditions including starvation, deplorable housing, and lack of medical supplies as well as cruelty inflicted by the Japanese military leaders. Through all of this, they showed great courage and resilience as they performed their jobs.

I have read many WWII novels, but this was the first set in the Pacific. This book was an eye opener for me. After finishing this novel, I researched names and places mentioned so I could learn more about them. Ariel Lawhon, Kristina Mc Morris, and Susan Meissner have created an unforgettable book. I wish I could rate it more than five stars.

Thank you, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.