I had never thought about the history of women in aviation. Heather Moore did a fantastic job of making history come alive with Lady Flyer. She follows the aviation dreams of Nancy Harkness. We get to see Nancy's story set against the great depression, war, Pearl Harbor and other historical events that shaped the lives of the entire country. Nancy had always dreamed of becoming a pilot and was a pioneer in women's aviation. Her grit, determination and unbroken spirit are moving. Her example, as told by Moore, are inspiring to anyone who dreams of soaring above societal expectations. The success she reached paved the way for countless others daring to dream big.

Fascinating true story of female pilots in WWII

Prior to this book I had no idea women flew war planes during WWII and didn’t know who Nancy Harkness Love is. The WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) ended in Dec 1944 and sadly didn’t receive militarization or veteran status until 1977. Heather B. Moore ensures these courageous women will not be forgotten. They deserve to have their story told.

Expect to be pulled into the story, meet characters you can’t help but root for and love, and receive interesting glimpses into the lives of other people - including the woman who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor from above and barely survived. I was surprised at how much rejection the women pilots received from various US military bases and felt outrage over the unfair treatment and the number of women pilot deaths, none of which were their fault. Of all the books I have read by Heather B. Moore, I enjoyed this one the most. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC to use for my review.

This book was so wonderfully done. I loved reading about Nancy's story. What an incredible woman! Heather B Moore has such a gift that helps bring each story to life in a way that makes you feel like you are a character in the story. Lady Flyer is filled with all the feels; joy, frustration, love, determination, etc. This is definitely of those stories that will make it to your "read again and again" piles!

A great historical Fiction book. Well-researched and well-written. Heather is a quality author who knows how to tell a story that keeps you interested.

Based on a true story, "Lady Flyer" is moving, poignant, emotional, powerful, and gripping. Full of history, heartbreaking times, heartwarming moments, romance, and so much more, Heather B. Moore brings to life the story of Nancy Harkness, a young pilot who pushed against societal boundaries at the time and fought for women's equality rights.

This deeply researched novel kept me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning to see what was going to happen next. Each and every relationship is so clearly written; from family, to friendships, to rivalry, to a beautiful love story between Nancy and Bob. Nancy truly was a woman ahead of her time in so many ways, and she stood up for what was right, for herself and other women as well.

I highly recommend this book for historical fiction lovers! I truly learned so much while reading, and so look forward to doing more research on my own time as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the e-ARC of this book, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for the physical ARC as well! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5* Heather B. Moore has a knack for telling human interest stories of remarkable people with a high level of historical detail in a readable and accessible narrative. In this book, she highlights the character of Nancy Harkness Love, her indomitable spirit, her strength received from a supportive husband, and her fellow women pilots who persisted through setbacks and barriers to progress. This is a beautiful story of women coming forward mad showing the world that they can do what was considered "men's work" and do it well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I've read and enjoyed a number of Heather B. Moore's novellas and fluffy romances, but never one of her Historical works and have clearly been missing out.

Lady Flyer examines the lives and careers of some of the earliest female pilots (focusing specifically on the passionate aviator Nancy Harkness) and her struggling role within WWII as a pilot. With quotes by female aviators to open each chapter (I loved that!), an eye for detail, and historical readability, the reader can't help but be elated with each step forward for women in aviation and indignant with the two or sometimes three steps many had to take to be part of the WAFS program.

If you love learning about inspiring women in history and are prepared to control some of the scoffs of disbelief at the ridiculous parameters women had to adhere to in order to fly (including but not limited to air restrictions around her menstrual cycle--yes, you read that correctly), check out Lady Flyer for your next bookclub book or just for yourself. It may not read as quickly as a fluffy romance but you'll get to opportunity to honor the memory of some of these amazing women by learning about them and their place in history.

A fascinating novel showing the journey and struggles of female pilots during WWII.

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

I enjoy reading history, especially WWII. I just find it fascinating. I jumped at the chance to read Lady Flyer, because the description captured my interest, plus I have really enjoyed the author's other books. This is not a fast-paced novel, filled with action and adventure. It is the story of one woman (and really, many other players) who fought for equal treatment of women pilots in the WWII era. It shouldn't, because I've read so many other books about how women were treated and viewed in the "olden days," but it still boggles my mind that they were treated as poorly as they were. Any time I read books like this, I realize how blessed I am to be living in a time when I am considered an equal. I am equally in awe at women like Mrs. Love who put everything on the line to fight for that equality, and kept on fighting, even when things didn't go the right way.

This is my 1st book by Heather Moore and it was quite an educational read, I learned so much about women and aviation.
It is based on the true story of Nancy Harkness Love and her love to fly beginning as a 16 year old (I know, right?) and her profound contributions to women's aviation, particularly during WW II. It is clearly a well researched topic, with lots of details about her family, education and lovely romance and marriage to Bob Love along with lots of aviation terms, plane descriptions and flight training, occasionally reading more as a biography.
While the book may have been aviation "techie" heavy in some places, and not as attention grabbing, it very evident how stripped down planes were and how dangerous flying really was, the loss of lives was staggering.
Nancy''s passion for flying drives her to try and have women pilots trained to the highest levels and be accepted into the military to support the men at war. The prejudices and challenges to that goal are well written and evoke the reader to feel the frustrations and disbelief that this existed, but especially at wartime.
I found the epilogue at the end a perfect ending, with pictures and more details, letting the reader know what happened to Nancy until her death.
If you enjoy a wonderful historical novel with an admirable woman lead, a camaraderie of brave women with great hearts, sadness at the tragic loss of lives, frustration at the system that is eventually overcome, this is your book. It's is a clean read with some war time tragedies without being graphic, a sweet romance, and underpinning it all together the determination and perseverance of a trailblazer in aviation.

A big thank you to Shadow Mountain publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

“Go get ’em, fly girl,”

I love the way Heather B. Moore brings history to life. Lady Flyer introduced me to a brand new heroine who is definitely an inspiration. Nancy Harkness Love was a true trail blazer in aviation and the role of women in the Air Force. This book drew me in and had everything I enjoy in a historical fiction novel: romance, rivalry, & enough facts woven in to make me want to know more.

Nancy Harkness was smitten with flying ever since watching Charles Lindbergh make history in Paris when she was 13 years old. Her first flight in a barnstormer’s plane when she was 16 sealed the deal and she began taking flying lessons. With an amazing aptitude for flying, Nancy quickly became a rising star. When she goes to work for Bob Love, the sparks fly. Their meeting doesn’t quite go as planned, but Nancy has a way of charming anyone she meets & Bob soon becomes an ardent admirer.

With the start of WWII, Nancy & her chief rival Jacqueline Cochran both propose ideas for incorporating female flyers into the war effort. In a seemingly uphill battle, these women fight for these female pilots to get the respect and benefits they deserve, often competing with rivaling programs. Many of these brave women risk death & financial difficulties as they serve in the war effort. Nancy’s tireless efforts eventually earn her a well deserved place in history.

Once I started reading, this story was so hard to put down especially when Nancy meets Bob. They had such a wonderful, supportive relationship & I enjoyed the way the author incorporated their love story. Nancy’s a feisty, daring, extremely brave woman who really came alive in these pages. I loved learning more about her life & her courageous battles not only in the war effort, but in paving the way for female pilots in the Air Force.

Highly recommend to historical fiction fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5 - 5 stars!

Nancy Harkness Love is a pioneer in Aviation. This is the story of her impact during WWII. She was a pilot from the time she was 16, encouraged by her brother, She loved flying and the freedom it brought her, I love that this is a dramatized true story, I loved the journey that came through her eyes and the introduction to other pioneers of aviation,

Nancy's husband is what a husband should be. They together supported each other's dreams, both the professional and domestic, The inspiration in this story comes from a woman who really did want it all and fought to get it, She knew there would be sacrifices and she and her husband made them, Overall, Nancy's goal with her group of flyers was to free up the men for combat and she worked to do that with the help of other elite female pilots.

As with any war and any life, Nancy experienced loss and setback, but her faith and her determination took her to heights that had not been reached before by women. She was the first to certify on some of the jet engines with the full support of the male pilots around her. The men she associated with supported her and they listened to her which seems a rarity in that time period?

Was this book amazing because it was about a woman pilot and women's efforts in WWII? No, the bigger story is who Nancy was and how she carried herself, It was what she fought for and the family around her, She was great, not just because of what she did, but how she did it.

I loved this book and Heather Moore did an excellent job in the research and in bringing Nancy's story to life, It was like I was reading a movie.

I received an early copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review,

Very interesting information about Nancy Harkness Love’s entire life story and all she accomplished. It was like reading a nonfiction, and very obviously well researched. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy, all opinions are my own.

I've come to love and admire Heather B. Moore's writing, especially her well researched historical novels. This one only increased my admiration for Heather's amazing research and ability to craft a tender and well loved historical story.

The novel is about Nancy Harkness Love, who began flying planes as a teenager. The novel goes through her high school and college years, and highlights the strong family relationships she had with her brother and her parents. It describes her courtship and her love of flying in her young adult years, then continues on into World War 2, after she is married and her contributions to the WASP program.

Here are a few of the "side stories" that I loved:
- The description of one pilot's birds eye view of the Pearl Harbor attack from Japan
- Nancy Love's battle with infertility
- The sweet love story between her and her husband

Overall this is a fantastic novel. The writing is tender yet moves the story along. Thank you to the author and the publisher for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

I am always so pleasantly surprised when I read a book about something I knew nothing about and fine that I need to know more! I love this premise and of course being based on a true story, as a history major, I loved it! I enjoyed learning about aviation’ at that time of the century! I am amazed at the advancement of women’s choices and autonomy in this well written story!

Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! All opinions ans thoughts are my own.

Nancy's story was such an incredible story! The book follows Nancy Love's life from her youth when she first dreamt of becoming a pilot to her experiences during WWII supporting female pilots. I love how Moore makes history come alive with this incredible story of love and the pursuit of one's dreams. The love story was sweet! It was refreshing and beautifully written! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

I absolutely love historical fiction and historical fiction written by one of my favorite authors is my favorite combination.

What I love most about reading about historical figures is that these events (though fictionalized) actually happened. These were real people. Real people that did amazing and courageous things, like Nancy (Harkness) Love.

I loved reading about Nancy Love through the author’s research. Nancy knew from her early teenage years that she wanted to fly planes. She truly was a pioneer from the beginning. What Nancy accomplished and faced, especially during the years of WWII was inspiring. I could feel Nancy’s frustrations with sexism and roadblocks, but she only pushed harder.

The author does an amazing job with the historical details and I was fascinated by the different terms and military ways that were mentioned. I also enjoyed the relationship between Bob and Nancy. This is very well done. Also the camaraderie and friendships with the other female pilots was uplifting. It was amazing to me that there were so many female pilots during that time.

This book is another triumph for this talented author.

Thank you to the publisher for the hardback copy and Netgalley approval.

I love how Moore finds little known historical events or individuals and brings their story to life. I enjoyed reading about early aviation and was in awe that a 16 year old could become a pilot so easily. It was fascinating. I was impressed with Nancy's drive to improve. She was a marvel. I sped through the first part, but the second part was a lot harder read for me. I appreciated the women's dedication and all Nancy did to help move things along, but I got bogged down with the politics and it took me a lot longer to finish than I anticipated based on the first half. However, I'm still really glad I read it and for everything I learned. Nancy and those other women were amazing and we owe them a lot. I'm glad their story is being told.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

The Lady Flyer is a telling fictional biography of Nancy Harkness (Love). I knew very little about women as aviators in WWI and the hurdles they had to overcome to be received and respected as legitimate pilots. This is a fictional biography that pulls heavily from actual letters, transcripts, and memoirs. Nancy was truly a woman ahead of her time who was just pursuing her love of flying. I adored her and Bob as a couple as there was so much love and mutual respect in every step and turn. Learning about the other women and the camaraderie they shared was fascinating as well. Nancy stayed strong to continue doing the right thing and so many lives were affected as a result. An enlightening and enjoyable read. The research was very well done and meticulous; it gives respectful homage to Nancy and the women who flew with her.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I feel like this book had everything I love in a historical fiction.

I didn’t know much about Nancy Harkness before reading this book. Nor did I know much about the role of women aviators in WW2.

This book was the perfect introduction to me. I loved how it started out with Nancy and her desire to fly as a young woman. I loved seeing her with her family and watching her grow up learning about aviation and choosing aviation, even though it wasn’t acceptable for women. Her college year stories were fun and watching her fall in love was beautiful. I loved how we got to watch she and her husband navigate the world of aviation during WW2 as a couple. Their support of each other was beautiful. The story wasn’t predictable, as real life rarely is. This was more than a story about aviation. It was a story about love, growing up, grit, grief, and overcoming obstacle after obstacle. Real life often feels like one thing after another and several overwhelming things all at once. This was the case for Nancy. Nancy was a true trailblazer for women in aviation and I loved reading about her experiences and reaction to heartache and setbacks. A beautiful example of a strong woman.