When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristian McNoriss, and Susan Meissner is a unique story set in the Pacific War during World War II. The story is told from three friends who are nurses as they face the military might of the Japanese army. Most World War II stories are set in Europe, so it was a nice change to see the war from a different perspective. The realistic elements of the war waging all around the characters rang true and horrific to the story. The heroines were wanting a little adventure when the story began, but as the story progressed, much more adventure awaited each individual woman. The writing is realistic, gritty, and horrifying. I had no issues with seeing what was happening. It was nice to put the characters in a realistic situation and show their real emotions as they deal with the horrors of what was happening around them. As for any romance, there was a slight thread, but nothing that took away from the horrors of the war and bombs flying everywhere. While the story is different and unique, the plot read like a documentary. Kind of dry with facts after facts listed. I had a really hard time staying focused as I read the plot. Wanted more personal fictionalized storyline to the story. Overall, When We Had Wings by Lawhon, McNorris, and Meisnner pictured a Pacific World War II story with plenty of realistic images, but I found majority of the story dry and did not capture my attention.

I received a complimentary copy of When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McNoriss, and Susan Meissner from Harper Muse Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In 1941 in the Philippines three nurses meet and become fast friends. The story is recounted in their voices: US Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, US Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel. The women are living in paradise until they must serve in combat and become prisoners of war. The women are separated, but their stories intersect. These are strong, resilient women who persevere through mistreatment, as well as food and medicine shortages during the Japanese occupation.

The Pacific theater received far less attention in fiction than the European theater. This book is an important addition to the genre. It will break your heart and horrify you as you learn about the angels of Bataan and Corregidor, however, you will be inspired by their hope.

An excellently told story, from 3 perspectives about the Angels if Bataan and Corregidor, the experiences of nurses on the Philippines during WW2.

Each woman featured in the book went thru so many horrific experiences as nurses and POWs during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the islands. There are stating to be more and more stories coming from WW2 in the Pacific where there have been so few prior, which is so valuable.

I loved how invested I was in each of the characters, Eleanor, Penny, and Lita, as I followed them thru what they felt, saw, and went thru. There was so much hope that was necessary during that time just to survive what their captors put them thru, and the authors displayed that brilliantly.

I also loved the friendship and encouragement each woman had, as well as the stamina, resilience and endurance all the women and nurses put into their patients, people they determined to save, and for each other during the worst of circumstances. Any story of women building up and fighting for each other is a story I wholeheartedly root for. And with their romances, it wasn’t a tied up in a bow ending which I also appreciated.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Comments and opinions are mine alone.

When We Had Wings is a historical fiction novel about 3 women (two enlisted nurses and one Filipino/American nurse) who were captured by the Japanese in WWII in the Philippines. This novel is about first US enlisted female prisoners of war.

The point of view alternates between the three women.

A very good novel about a slice of history that I was not aware.

Also recently read A Bright and Blinding Sun: A World War II Story of Survival, Love and Redemption by Marcus Brotherton (I read the advance read copy, but the release date was May 24, 2022). This is the story of Joe Johnson Jr who was also captured by the Japanese in the Philippines.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read both of these books within a short time span. They really are a great pairing. I believe that the convent that both books mention might be the same convent. I highly recommend both books!

Three authors (Ariel Lawhon; Kristina McMorris; Susan Meissner) co-write When We Had Wings. The author note does not provide details about how these three women accomplished this, I would love details regarding their writing process. They did a great job and their effort was seamless.

I read The Nature of Fragile Things and As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner, both highly rated and I thought they were both 5 star worthy. I was not familiar with the other two authors, but again ... I am thankful to NetGalley for introducing me to new authors.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read When We Had Wings in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the authors (Ariel Lawhon; Kristina McMorris; Susan Meissner) for writing and to Harper Muse for publishing When We Had Wings. Publication Date is Oct 18, 2022.

When we Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner was a powerful, beautiful and heart breaking story based on first hand accounts of the Angels of Bataan. The story is set in the Philippines in 1941 with the main characters being US Navy nurse Eleanor Windstorm, US Army nurse Penny Franklin and Filipina nurse Lita Capel, the three form a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, when the assignment is that of living in Paradise. Post Pearl Harbour, that all changes and the three are forced to serve under combat conditions and become prisoners of War. Their lives intersect over the course of the war but often they are separated and the chapters alternate their specific stories which outline awful living conditions, food shortages and the enemy’s disregard for the Geneva Convention as well as their work as nurses trying to keep their patients alive with little medical supplies and medications.

While I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction, this is my first time reading about the Angels of Bataan and it was a fascinating piece of history to learn about and an important story to hear.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the authors for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, would definitely recommend for fans of historical fiction.

I was so looking forward to reading this book. Three authors that I read consistently, so how could we lose!! Three strong women whose lives intertwined were all interesting in their own right, but seeing how their stories came together was very satisfying. Thank you!

What a powerful book! The book covers the real world of World War II nurses that continued to serve while being interned in Prisoner of War camps or Internment Camps in the Philippines. This is my first introduction to the “Angels of the Bataan”. The three authors are each well-known historical fiction writers of some note, and together they have woven together a tale of three nurses from the US Army, US Navy, and Filipina community nurses to bring us knowledge of what happened, where it happened, and how it must not happen again. The graphic details of the deprivations imposed on them by their Japanese captors is unimaginable. But the human spirit to survive is also shown by the resistance of the nurses, POWs, Clergy and the general public to try to help with assistance of food and communication between camps. I was not familiar with the Pacific theater of WWII prior to reading this book. Highly Recommended.

When We Had Wings: A Story of the Angels of Bataan by Ariel Lawhon; Kristina McMorris; Susan Meissner is a wonderful historical fiction that I truly loved.

I loved how each author focussed on one of the stunning women: US Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, US Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel. Each story brought its own style, artistic detail, point of view, and observations to the reader. However, despite three different stories, the authors’ ability to weave together each narrative into one fascinating and gripping book was impressive. These techniques can be tricky, but in this case, it was pulled off nicely.

My emotions went through the full gambit while reading this gem: fear, sadness, suspense, relief, optimism, and the feeling of pride to see such strong women fight for what is right, for survival, and for one another. I really, really liked this book and highly recommend it for anyone that loves strong female characters, WWII history, and a fantastic read.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/18/22.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about the brave nurses that served in the Philippines. Like all WW2 fiction set in concentration camps there were a lot of parts that were difficult to read. But there were also a lot of beautiful moments of friendship, heroism, and a little romance among the tragedy. I'm a sucker for well written historical fiction with strong female protagonists, and this book checked all my boxes. Recommended for readers of World War 2 fiction and historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for the purpose of review.

I am a huge fan of Susan Meissner, so I was very excited to read this collaboration with Ariel Lawhon and Kristina McMorris.

I knew very little of the events that happened in the Philippines during WWII. This book did an amazing job of teaching while entertaining. The story of the nurses was so inspiring, and each of the three perspectives really added depth to the story. I could NOT put the book down because I had to know what happened to these ladies and their fellow prisoners. Their bravery was inspiring and touching.

I always appreciate a historical fiction that immerses the reader into a moment in history, and this one did just that. For a book with multiple authors, it worked so well. I will definitely be looking for more books by these talented authors!

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, strong female characters, WWII fiction, and inspiring stories of bravery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and the authors for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

When We Had Wings is a beautiful story of resilience. The story takes place in the Pacific during WWII through three points of view - Eleanor, Penny, and Lita. The women meet on assignment as nurses during the war effort and forge an immediate friendship. Soon, they find themselves immersed in the dangerous war when the Japanese invade the Philippines and take everyone as prisoners. While separated, they find strength in their friendships and the hope of being reunited when the war ends. Each of the women had run away from something in their lives and this experience changes all of them and helps them find the courage to start over.

I really liked this story. The trio of authors did a really great job of building these characters and reeling us in hoping each of their storylines would eventually converge back together!

Thanks to #NetGalley, the authors, and Harper Muse for the e-ARC of #WhenWeHadWings in exchange for an honest review.

All historical fiction novels set during the Holocaust have encaptured my soul. I find myself drawn to them with emotional overload just praying something like this never, ever happens again.

When I saw this book listed on NetGalley, I immediately requested and was overjoyed I was granted a copy. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the honor of review this book.

This book is about 3 nurses, Eleanor, Penny and Lita who are taken prisoners during the war and their individual and overlapping stories. It will tear at your heart. It shows the unimaginable amount of courage and strength an individual had to have to come through such a horendous experience. Women like these true heros. May this never happen again.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Muse for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawton, Kristina McMorris, Susan Meissner is a mesmerizing tale of three nurses who use hope and perseverance to survive being POWs in Manila during WW2. I love these three authors and when I saw they wrote a book together, I knew I had to read it. As a fan of WW2 historical fiction, this story of friendships and survival did not disappoint. I was taken into the prison and internment camps and felt the tragedy and desperation of the nurses situations. The army nurse and navy nurse were treated better than the Filipino nurse but their friendship helped them get through the most difficult days. I was drawn in with the characters and descriptive settings and couldn’t put this book down. If you are looking for a different WW2 perspective story, give this one a read.

A wonderful heartrending and heartwarming story of nurses trying to survive as prisoners of war under Japanese occupation. In the Philippines. Anyone interested in what life was like as a woman under Japanese occupation will be interested in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early read. I loved everything about this heartbreaking, poignant story. Five stars for sure!

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

With three powerhouse authors, I knew that When We Had Wings would be a great read, and it was. Based on actual events, the novel explores the lives of two of the 77 Army and Navy nurses and one Filipina nurse who became POWs after the Japanese occupied the Philippines in May 1942, until their liberation in February 1945.

Based on extensive research, the authors have used first-hand accounts from survivors to craft the characters of Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, Army nurse Penny Franklin and civilian Filipina nurse Lita Capel. Other characters are real people, such as Chief Army Nurse Maud Davison. And while this book is heavy on history, it reads like the first rate novel that it is with finely crafted character development and gut-wrenching story lines.

As a nurse for nearly 50 years, my heart broke for my sister nurses who endured so much and despite near starvation, brutality and torture, managed to keep doing their jobs, caring for other POWs as best they could with little to no equipment or medicine. At the same time, I felt such pride to be a part of a profession that has consistently performed in the most adverse of circumstances.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Too little is known about these Angels of Bataan and Corregidor, all 77 of whom survived. Their story deserves to be told to a new generation of women seeking role models.

5 stars and 2 thumbs up!

What a beautiful, heartbreaking story!! I have become such a huge fan of WWII historical fiction over the last two years and one of my absolute favorite reads was Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon. So, I just had to read this one right away. It's a little long folks and I did not consider it to be a fast read, but the writing captured my attention so vividly that I felt like I was living among the characters and experiencing what they did. I really enjoyed it!!

When We Had Wings is a powerful story of hope, survival and the bonds of friendship. One that tells the tale of Eleanor, Penny and Lita, three women nurses who had become fast friends only to be separated and taken prisoner when the Japanese invade the Philippines. Their journeys will be told in alternating POVs and will detail the horrors and struggles that they encounter during their years of captivity. The strength, bravery and resilience of these women is admirable and remarkable. These nurses, based on the real Angels of Bataan, are true heroes.

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ---MaryAnne Radmacher

While I did enjoy this story, the alternating POVs and multiple other characters had me confused at times. It took me a little while to remember which characters belonged to each woman's story.

Thank you to the authors, Harper Muse and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of this ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical fiction that reads like real life...these authors have woven together a story of three nurses who practiced during WWII. Each of the stories is unique; all of the stories work together. The three women meet, become friends, and endure the hardship of the war. They are dedicated to what they are doing, nursing soldiers. This is a can't put down book...reaching the ending is important as it explains why each one did what she did...and why...and for whom...this is a book that I enjoyed...every page...even though the horrors of war were difficult to read about...that being said, this is a unique book in that it gives the reader three viewpoints all at once...don't miss this book. It was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review.