This book was eye-opening, as I didn't know that this existed! There were Blacks that served during WWII, that is fairly common knowledge, but I did not know of this particular group of Black women who served. What a fascinating, and at times heartbreaking, fictionalized tale of their lives and experiences.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this historical fiction novel. I enjoyed this read about negro WACS in WWII who sorted mail. The struggles and experiences were well researched and brought to light here. I was expecting more to this novel overall and maybe a bit of romance. The time in the US seemed to drag in the novel which I'm sure was true in real life. A good read overall.

No Better Time is a historical novel about the little-known Black contingent of the Women's Army Corps during World War II. It's a fictionalized account of the only Black WACs to serve overseas during that time, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The novel follows two women, Dorothy, a Spelman graduate and librarian who is looking for adventure and an opportunity to use the French language that she studied, and Leila, a single mother who sees this as an opportunity to better her life as well as the life of her young son. Ms. Williams weaves an engrossing story of this forgotten piece of history. The author's style has a simplicity that makes it accessible also for young adults, but anyone interested in historical fiction, WWII, or the Women's Army Corps. It was a pleasure reading this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Amistad for the ARC.

An interesting story about a group of women who were responsible for sorting a backlog of mail (some 2-3 years worth) for the military. This mountainous task was given to a group of Black women who had joined the Army for various reasons. They were quite a determined and often times, humorous group of women who supported each other through thick and thin. The book outlines the discrimination they received and it is remarkable how they rarely let it get them down. I did feel the story seemed a bit rushed at times and thus my rating of 4 vs. 5 stars. With that said, I admire the author and thank her for sharing their story with us. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Pub. For providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.

This books story is something I didn't know existed during WWII. It is about a group of black women who decide to for various reasons, be it bored or for some $$, enlist into the army. It is an eye opener. Because they received discrimination from the white male soldiers and the army disregarded them. Their quarters left much to be desired. But, the eye opener is that these women stuck up for themselves and persevered throughout their time.

The story is told thru 2 black women Dorothy Thom, who went to college and spoke French, and Leila Branch who had a baby and no money or education. They became the best of friends.

They were eventually assigned to 6888 Postal Directory Battalion of the army. The job was to sort over 17 million pieces of mail stocked in various locations and which were in less than fair condition with illegible names and addresses. They started training in the Iowa and Kansas. The conditions and treatment of these women in a few instances got so bad they had to revolt to get the treatment or conditions changed.

They eventually went to Burmingham, England and Roen, France. It is here where they got to see and feel the devastating effects of war, the destruction and death. Yet, they had each other for support and maintained their
strength.
When they finally got home they brought with them a new meaning of love for their country. If your into women of strength stories and the war, give this a read!

An amazing story of two women serving with the 6888th Postal Unit during WWII. While not as detailed and alive as Women of the Post, this is still an enjoyable and arc to put down story!

I first learned of the Six Triple Eight when I read Joshunda Sander's Women of the Post, which I loved. I was excited when I learned of No Better Time being released soon, hoping it would be as good. I needn't have worried because this book is outstanding. Much of the book focuses on what these Black women faced in the U.S. Army, which didn't want women in their ranks in the first place and definitely didn't want "colored" women. Their treatment was beyond disgraceful but these women were resilient. I was outraged by what I read. It was such a contrast to the way women were treated in the British military in World War II.

It is unimaginable now to think of U.S. servicemen in the European theatre receiving no mail from home for 2 years! In January 1945, the women of the #6888 were sent to Birmingham, England to set up a sorting system. Awaiting them was a 2-3 year backlog of letters & packages to sort, repackage, and then forward to wherever the men were currently serving. (The food in those packages, now moldy or worse, from home, had also attracted rats!) The benefit of being overseas for these women was there was no segregation and little racism from the locals. They did face racism from many of the white American servicemen, unfortunately. The women of the 6888 Postal Battalion will inspire you and make you proud. I highly recommend this excellent book to everyone and will definitely be buying a copy for myself.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Amistad for the opportunity to read the digital ARC. All opinions & the review are my own.