When We Had Wings

Authors: Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner

Kindle: 432 pages

Narrator: Saskia Maarlaveld
Audio: 13 hrs 4 mins


When We Had Wings is a historical fiction inspired by real events and the nurses who have come to be known as “The Angels of Bataan.” The “Angels” became some of the first POWs of the Second World War. The story is told through the perspectives of three women who become fast friends in Manilla during the pre-dawn of World War II. Eleanor is an enlisted Navy nurse, Penny with the Army and Lita a civilian Filipina nurse. Each is attempting to escape some past hurt and at first feel like they are living the life. Soon after the bombing Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Army of Japan fought to capture the capitol of the Philippines. The Philippines were a strategic holding in the Pacific Theater during the war between America and Japan. The lives of these three women are interwoven as the vagaries of the war separate and reunite them over the course of three years. Their resiliency is tested as they face the trails and indignities of war - working under the threat of fire, medical supply shortages, make shift hospitals, squalid living conditions, near starvation and the Japanese’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva convention. What is liked best about the novel was that the focus was on the everyday details of life and not the war campaigns. WWHW is a story of perseverance, sacrifice, and courage but especially of the kind of enduring friendship that saves one from giving up hope.

When I first saw that When We Had Wings was the collaborative effort of not one, but three super stars in the world of historical fiction, I knew I was in good hands. The novel reads seamlessly. This trio of accomplished authors, breathe life into each main character and give them believable and unique voices which provide a broader understanding of the time.

I had the privilege of reading both an ARC and ALC of this novel and I highly recommend both formats. A veteran narrator of historical fiction, Saskia Maarlaveld creates a cast of distinct voices that keep the reader fully engaged and skillfully captures the world of WWHW.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @HaperMuseBooks for the privilege of reading the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Three authors come together to tell us the story of three women, called the Angels of Bataan. It relates the story of Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Franklin, and Lita Capel.

Stationed in the Philippines, these nurses felt they had achieved paradise. The met at the Army Navy Club in Manila and formed a friendship. With all of their secrets, they were looking for an escape and the Philippines seemed to offer that.

However, World War 2 intervened and the three women do all they can, after being captured and confined to a POW camp to allay the sufferings of other prisoners and the children.

The brutality of the Japanese, long documented in books such as The Rape of Nanking, was brought forward in this story. However, the bravery of these women, their fight for their captors to follow the rules of the Geneva Conference while the women and all the prisoners suffer through hatred, starvation, deprivation, and cruelty They were all courageous and stalwart. These women saved many lives and gave of themselves without a thought about their personal safety and the losses they were suffering.

Truly a story of women who often seemed to have taken a back seat to the heroes who were men during this tragic time.

Thank you to Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for a copy of this heroic story. This book will publish on October 18, 2022

Happy Pub Day (Oct. 18, 2022) to When We Had Wings. I was fortunate enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC of the book and audiobook, respectively. Although #kristinamcmorris is a new author for me, #ariellawhon and #susanmeissner are both all-time favorites. These ladies wove together a wonderful story about three nurses serving in the South Pacific (Philippines) during WWII. The story centers around the lives of Eleanor (Navy), Penny (Army), and Lita (Filipina) both before and after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The book alternates between the three nurses and various locations, but I found it easy to track.

Each story was of equal interest. Their background stories lend understanding to their individual strengths and determination to serve even under conditions of Japanese occupation and ultimately as POWs. The Navy nurses who served in the Philippines during WWII were the first females taken into captivity during wartime. When We Had Wings is an excellent representation of those brave women. While the story does take place in part in internment camps, never pleasant, the story is overwhelmingly about survival, hope, enduring friendship, and a little bit of romance. The stories each had a satisfying and realistic conclusion. I look forward to more from the three authors.

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperMuse for the ARC/ALC. My opinions are my own.
#whenwehadwings
#netgalley
#harpermuse
#ariellawhon
#susanmeissner
#kristinamcmorris
#historicalfiction

This book is very heart wrenching. I have been listening to it and at times fear I cannot go on. The author has definitely grasped my attention. The images have been imbedded in my brain. The voice of the narrator draws you into the story. I have yet to finish the book but will continue and update my review. So far it is gripping, tormenting me in ways no other book has done.

As a nurse and someones whose husband is currently deployed in the middle east this was a difficult book for me to read at times. However, I got through it and I enjoyed though not as much as I had hoped I would. The author did a great job with character development and the subject was told in a respectful and intelligent way. I would recommend this book to others.

The three authors who have given us this gem of a book have all been favorites of mine. I had high expectations for this new release and I was not disappointed. The story of Eleanor, Penny, and Lita had me feeling a gamut of emotions. There was joy and hope, despair and anger. I was all over the place. Our main characters are all nurses: Eleanor with the Navy, Penny in the Army, and Lita as a native Filipino. They meet in Manila and until Pearl Harbor are enjoying their assignments. The reality of war transforms them from nurses on assignment to nurses in combat and then to POWs. This is not what they expected and while they are separated, each wonders if they will ever be reunited. The three are in different hospitals and prison camps and we are given a front row seat to the conflict on Bataan and the Philippine Islands. Through all the suffering and deprivation, they cling to the hope of seeing each other again and returning to their families. A spectacular story and one of my favorite books this year. If you want to read more about Bataan, try Angels of the Pacific: A Novel of World War II by Elisa Hooper, The Reckoning by John Grisham, or Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Diebler Rose.

A big thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When We Had Wings was another unique story of WWII. It followed the story of American and Filipino Army/Navy nurses turned POWs in the Philippines. If you enjoy stories of women who defy the odds, treasure friendship and historical fiction, add this to your list. It was a fascinating and yet difficult look at the nurses stationed in the Philippines when Pearl Harbor happens and the ensuing occupation of Japanese troops. I truly enjoyed the audio version of this book and I am thankful to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the chance to listen to this before it came out. All opinion are my own. I had read and loved historical fiction books from Ariel Lawhon and Susan Meissner in the past and was really excited to see them team up to write this book. Now I will have to read one by Kristina McMorris.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for accepting my request to audibly read and review When We Had Wings.

Authors: Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner
Published: 10/18/22
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Genre: Historical Fiction -- Women's Fiction

The world vowed never to forget the atrocities that led to and occurred during World War II. During my lifetime, I have read innumerable nonfiction and historical fiction accounts of this period. Is it possible that I have read too much, are authors simply repeating what has already been written, and when is it time to move on and not forget? I have read this story before. There was nothing new. I really wanted my time back.

This has three authors, one of which I was familiar with, Meissner. After searching I found I had read The Shape of Mercy which was a 3 star forgettable read.

The three nurses that the book draws attention to have different ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences. Everything is minimalized as if the audience was teen to young adult. I appreciated being spared rape scenes. I appreciated that the physical abuse was minimal throughout the story. I appreciated that the cruel acts of starvation were not stretched out.

If the story is to reflect a time in history we are not to forget or repeat, I do not think the authors explained themselves well. Most notably, the reason for the internment camps was not explained. I had a difficult time keeping up with the personal/romantic interpersonal relationships of the three nurses and the respective men. At one point, I thought there was an insinuation one of the nurses was not eyeing a man. But, at this point I wanted the story to end.

My disappointments were many, however, the biggest being three authors and sketchy character development in a story already told.

When We Had Wings largely takes place during WWII, but it is a different take on historical fiction of this time period. Three women, all of them nurses, meet in the Philippine Islands just prior to Pearl Harbor. They for a fast friendship that is interrupted by Japan invading the islands. Each of the three women is taken to a different internment camp. This book is the story of how they endure the horrific treatment physically and how their friendship endures even through unimaginably brutal circumstances.

5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audio ARC of this book.

My grandfathers both served in the Pacific. While there are many WW2 fiction books based in Europe, the Pacific Theater is vastly under represented. One grandfather served in the Philippines, so this book was of particular interest to me. The trio of authors blended well together. I enjoyed this partly on audio and part in print. Both were wonderful!

This was a book that has intrigued me since I saw the cover, and read the description! It follows three friends, from different backgrounds, all aiding as nurses in the war, and their journey in which they endure hardships, overcome enemies, romances, as well as planning their escape.

What I loved: The time period! I love a good world II war historical fiction! Each women had such an intriguing background and I found myself excited to learn more about them as the chapters progressed. I also really enjoyed learning about the war in the Philippines. It’s not something I know much about it, and it was a topic I was truly fascinated with. I can’t forget the narrator. She had an ease about her that made it effortless to listen to!

What I did not love: It was a really long book. So, as the chapters progressed, the more drawn out it was at the end. I found myself only listening to finish the book, not necessarily to find out what happens.

Overall, I gave this book 3 out of five stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!

When We Had Wings is a historical fiction novel based on a true story. It is unlike any other historical fiction book I have read.

In this story we get to know three nurses, Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Franklin, and Lita Capel. These three nurses form a friendship that will carry then through the war, the three years spent as prisoners of war, and love and loss while being prisoners of war.

I didn’t know anything about the first female prisoners of WWII. As the Japanese gained further control of the Philippine Islands, conditions for all prisoners rapidly deteriorated. These women were determined to use very limited resources to do all they could to keep as many people as possible alive. I can see why they were dubbed “the Angels of Bataan.” The result is a story that drew me in, breaking my heart at times, and teaching me so very much.

So much of WWII historical fiction focuses on Europe. This story took on a less common location and wrote about a part of the war not written about much.

The authors’ unique voices melded together into one unforgettable story that kept me absorbed the entire time. I can only hope they will write another story together in the future.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Harper Muse. All views are my honest opinion. hen We Had Wings is a historical fiction novel based on a true story. It is unlike any other historical fiction book I have read.

In this story we get to know three nurses, Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Franklin, and Lita Capel. These three nurses form a friendship that will carry then through the war, the three years spent as prisoners of war, and love and loss while being prisoners of war.

I didn’t know anything about the first female prisoners of WWII. As the Japanese gained further control of the Philippine Islands, conditions for all prisoners rapidly deteriorated. These women were determined to use very limited resources to do all they could to keep as many people as possible alive. I can see why they were dubbed “the Angels of Bataan.” The result is a story that drew me in, breaking my heart at times, and teaching me so very much.

So much of WWII historical fiction focuses on Europe. This story took on a less common location and wrote about a part of the war not written about much.

The authors’ unique voices melded together into one unforgettable story that kept me absorbed the entire time. I can only hope they will write another story together in the future.

Saskia Maarleveld did a fantastic job bringing the characters and this story to life. I loved being able to listen to the story and become lost in the events and setting.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Harper Muse. All views are my honest opinion.

When We Had Wings was by three of my favorite authors, Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. Their writing meshed so seamlessly well that it was difficult to tell who had written what. Together they were able to tell the story and pay tribute to the brave and courageous army and navy nurses who became the first time ever female inmates in Japanese POW internment camps during World War II. When We Had Wings was a historical fiction novel based on real events. Little had ever been written about these nurses who dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and wounded soldiers stationed in the Pacific while simultaneously being subjected to the atrocities of war the Japanese army inflicted upon them. The combined research that these three masterful authors gathered and included in this book was impeccable. Some of the characters and the places mentioned within the book were real. When We Had Wings was well plotted and included the day to day duties the nurses carried out regardless of their circumstances, the widespread starvation instituted by the Japanese that resulted in widespread malnutrition, the chronic illnesses like malaria and dengue fever that raged rampantly, the cruel and unjust punishment the Japanese army handed out, the formation of long lasting and treasured friendships and even some romances. It was perfectly paced and the characters were well developed.

Three young women had completed their nursing training and found themselves on Manila Bay. They were Penny Franklin who was originally from Texas and was an U.S. Lieutenant Nurse in the Army. Then there was Angelita Capel, better known as Lita, who was a civilian nurse and a product of a Filipina mother and an American missionary father. Last to arrive was Eleanor Lindstrom. Eleanor was from Minnesota where she had lived on a dairy farm. She was now a nurse in the United States Navy. All three of them, Penny, Lita and Eleanor, had signed on for their own personal and varied reasons. The night Eleanor arrived and they all had drinks in Salon B of the Army and Navy club they instantly bonded and became true and trusting friends. They made a pact to see each other as often as they could. They named their designated day to meet HAM day.

In the beginning, Penny’s, Lita’s and Eleanor’s nursing duties on Manila Bay were light. Manila Bay felt like a tropical paradise. The weather was beautiful and they had ample free time. Everything changed drastically though when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Shortly after, the Japanese began to bomb Manila. For the first time, the nurses were in the middle of real combat. They had not been trained to endure combat. The Japanese did not discriminate over where they dropped their bombs. Hospitals were not spared. The nurses were evacuated to different camps located within the jungle where they set up makeshift hospitals. While in the jungles, many soldiers fell victim to malaria and dengue fever. Shortly those camps fell to the Japanese as did the Philippines. For three long years, the nurses were kept prisoners of the Japanese army. They were starved and treated without mercy. They became so desperate for food that they resulted in eating grass and even bugs. The atrocities the Japanese army carried out were cruel and sadistic. Despite the starvation and weakened conditions Penny, Lita and Eleanor experienced, these brave nurses continued to care for their patients. Although, Penny, Lita and Eleanor found themselves separated during the Japanese invasion, they did wind up at the same place as each other even if it was only for a day or two. They constantly worried about each other. Lita became sick with malaria while they were in the jungle and although she recovered from it, the disease left her weakened and affected her limbs and her gait for her whole captivity. Penny, Eleanor and Lita endured three years in Japanese prison camps. They feared for their lives every day and those of the wounded and sick they nursed and all the children in their care as well. Penny. Eleanor and Lita also courageously helped the resistance by smuggling information out of the POW camp in any way they could. Information was also smuggled into the camps to learn about the Allied advancements. Would Penny, Lita and Eleanor survive the war to tell their stories and make the world aware of the way they were treated by the Japanese?

When We Had Wings was a story about committed, brave, resilient and courageous nurses that endured more than their share under the Japanese army during World War II. It was a story about friendship, devotion, bravery, dedication and even love. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and learning about what these heroic nurses endured. I listened to the audiobook of When We Had Wings that was performed very well by Saskia Maarleveld. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for October 18, 2022.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I absolute loved When We Had Wings. This beautiful historical novel is based on the true story of the “Angels of Bataan,” the US Army and Navy enlisted nurses who were in the Philippines on Pearl Harbor Day and were subsequently captured by the Japanese during World War II. The description of how these heroic women treated the sick and injured under difficult and sometimes inhumane conditions shined a light not only on this little known historical event, but on the backdrop of the war in the Pacific theater. I was totally entranced by this gorgeously written book, and look forward to reading many others by these three exceptionally talented authors. The narration was excellent. Five enthusiastic stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the ARC!

When We Had Wings follows the stories of three women: U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor, U.S. Army nurse Penny, and Filipina nurse Lita. All three become friends while working in Manila, capital of the Philippines. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese Army takes these women as prisoners, and they are forced to endure unimaginable conditions throughout World War II.

Saskia Maarleveld does a wonderful job narrating and kept me engaged in the novel throughout. A fantastic representation of three strong women.

All historical fiction fans need to read this book. The story is told from three POVs, three friends who are separated by war. Such a touching story of war, love, and friendship that stands the test of time. The things these women have to overcome will break your heart.
4⭐️

The treatment of the POW's in this book under the occupation of the Japanese during early WWII completely blew me away, and I have read a LOT of WWII novels and non-fiction. My father, a USMC sergeant, served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. His plane was shot down not far from the setting of this novel, so I was very interested in learning more about it from the perspectives and viewpoints of the nurses and POW's.

This novel, based on true life events and people, was written by 3 prominent female authors: by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner, and is set in Manila early WWII. It focuses on the lives of 3 female nurses who were some of the bravest women I've ever read about. These women meet in Manila before Pearl Harbor's bombing and they form close friendships as they provide routine care for islanders and US service men and women. There is Lita, a local Filipina nurse, Penny, a US Army nurse, and Eleanor, a US Navy nurse, all assigned to this area.

Within hours of bombing Pearl Harbor, the Japanese also began bombing and had ground troops deployed to invade Manila. US General Douglas MacArthur had been in command of this Asian-Pacific area but the Japanese defense was strong and he was recalled and forced to retreat.

The nurses were assigned to different hospitals in the Manila area, and sadly lose touch with each other. We learn of the outrageous aspects that each witnessed and were subjected to by the Japanese. The lives of the locals, US soldiers, and US nurses, changed drastically overnight and continued day to day as the patience and anger of the Japanese raged. Many POWs were imprisoned or died during mistreatment and death marches to camps. Others were regularly punished, starved and tortured; there were no codes of ethics in place for these POWs.

Chapters featured one of the 3 nurses, which gave us important and varied viewpoints. The plot and pace were very slow moving for at least the first third of the book and my interest waned at times. The action and drama that keeps the reader going is the outstanding nurses of the US Army and Navy Nursing Corps, POW's, who were repeatedly hurt and sexually abused, and the hopes of rescue by the allies. These women were later referred to as the Angels of the Bataan. (IRL, there were at least 60 of them held as POWs.)

As in most war stories, there were other courageous and brave people we learned about in the underground risking their lives to get food and medical supplies to the hospitals and camps and to feed starving children. This wasn't an easy read but an eye-opening and important one.

Thank you so much for the ARC audiobook from NetGalley and the 3 authors referenced above for my honest review here and on GoodReads.

Happy Publication Day to Susan Meissner, Ariel Lawhon, and Kristina McMorris for When We Had Wings! Wow, what a fantastic collaboration this was! I’ve read a lot of WWII novels in my time, but nothing like this one. The story follows three military nurses: Eleanor, Penny, and Lita who are all stationed in the South Pacific, and very excited about their idyllic placement. Unfortunately, it’s not the paradise that they had in mind. Shortly after arriving, the Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbor, and the Philippines are next. The women are caught in the crosshairs of combat, and become the first female prisoners of the Second World War. The living conditions are unimaginable, food is scarce, and their safety is threatened every single day. Your heart will break for these women, yet you’ll admire their strength and determination to survive. This beautifully-written novel showcases the power of female friendship through tragedy, hardship, and uncertainty. If you’re looking for a war story with a unique premise, then When We Had Wings is just the book for you.

The Philippines, 1941.U.S. Navy nurse, U.S. army nurse and a Filipina nurse become fast friends when they meet at the Army Navy Club. They believe their assignment is perfect until they are caught up in the fight between the U.S. military and Imperial Japanese Army. Their resiliency is tested and they must cling to hope.

This book did a beautiful job of outlining the resiliency of the main characters and the tragedy of World War II. The stories of the main characters Penny, Eleanor and Lita are diverse and gripping throughout the book. They are each relatable in their own unique way. I appreciated how their stories are told through their past trauma and their will to move forward. I really enjoyed that this story had the setting of the Philippines. Most WWII historical novels I have read take place in the U.S., Europe or Japan so I appreciated the different backdrop. Although this book does have 3 authors, their writing styles melded together smoothly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the advanced audiobook copy. This audiobook was received in exchange for an honest review.

I was soooooo excited to get my hands on this one! An amazing cast of writers, and World War II nurses. My grandmother and her sisters all served as nurses in WWII, and it’s one of my favorite topics to study.

Unfortunately, this book was pretty dull. The characters weren’t terribly remarkable, and the plot dragged. Unless you’re a rabid historical fiction fan, you can safely skip this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for my complimentary ALC.