Five big stars for Noelle Salazar’s newest! I have read and loved two of her other books, so I had high hopes for this one — and it delivered!

Noelle has a gift for writing sweeping historical fiction tales that immerse you into the setting and the characters’ worlds. What I love most about her books is the emotional pull I feel while reading. The pacing is perfect, the flashbacks are well executed, and the story is engaging.

Everyone who loves historical fiction should add this one to their list!

Historical fiction is becoming one of my new favorite genres. This book drew me in right away. I was very interested in reading the POV of a flight nurse during WWII. When it comes to history there are so many things I never thought about. Like how do pilots fly injured people out of battle without getting injured themselves? Pretty wild.

Kate is such a wonderful character. I love the energy and passion she brought to the story. There is a lot of depth to her character and her backstory is excellent. I also quickly attached to other characters as well. Kate’s bunkmates added friendship and humor to the story, which helped during the tense moments. And what can I say about William? He is a great American soldier who has so much love for Kate. I can't imagine being in his position during the war. Not knowing if you're going to make it home and if the person you love is still alive.

There were a lot of tense moments throughout that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. The beginning started off slow but the ending really picks up. It was predictable at times, but it didn’t take away from the emotion of the story. This story was heartbreaking and wonderful.

Read if you like:
🪖 WWII
❤️ Romance
🤐 Secrets
❤️‍🩹 Caring for Others

Noelle has such a talent for writing amazing historical fiction novels that fly by in the matter of minutes. Gathering my thoughts for this but loved it!

I took a break from editing my own book to dive into one of my most anticipated reads of the year. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve picked up any historical fiction so this was a refreshing read. I love strong female characters, especially in historical fiction where it’s easy for women to become dulled, and this book delivered. In a market so saturated with WWII, the storyline and backstories were unique enough that it didn’t get lost in the noise of everything else.

P.S. Noelle Salazar also wrote the book The Flight Girls, and as a historian who spent months writing a historiography on the Women Air Force Service Pilots of WWII, couldn’t recommend that book enough.

The Lies We Leave Behind is a historical novel. In 1943 Kate Campbell is working as a flight nurse in the Pacific. When she is assigned to a post in Britain, her life changes.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and am particularly interested in the World War II time period.

This was an engrossing read. I found the work of a nurse in the Pacific interesting, and a topic I have not encountered often in historical fiction. I also liked the 2003 timeline and its connection to the earlier time period.

I recommend this book for other fans of historical fiction. It is a beautifully written book with strong characterizations.

Not my favorite by this author unfortunately. While still solid, her other books have been outstanding. Still, I appreciate the research that goes into her writing, as well as the blend of genres represented in her works.

When Kate, a military nurse, meets William, an injured soldier, while serving in England during World War II, she told herself that she shouldn't let her heart get involved. But the pair falls in love and they promise themselves to each other for the future and say good-bye when William returns to the battle front.

As Kate waits, she receives word of shocking news back home. She leaves England and suddenly finds herself in danger as she hunts for a family member whom she was led to believe died years ago. No matter how long she is away, she never stops loving William and vice versa.

Will William and Kate reconnect "forevermore"? Or was their love affair only meant to be for a season?

I'll be honest. I considered DNF'ing this book about 30% in because it moved so slowly. If it hadn't been an ARC, I would have. But I am SO glad I kept with it! The story picked up once Kate and William's stories were connected. There was one recent night that the plot was so thick with drama that I binge read till way past my bedtime.

One thing I didn't care for was the ending. It was very abrupt and I think it could've been been fleshed out a bit more. I closed the book wanting more that part of the story. However, I will say, one other thing I didn't love is that the book was incredibly long--416 pages is way too long for a book in my opinion. I think so much could've been cut out and we still would've had a fantastic plot.

Thanks to MIRA for the gifted copy of this book.

Following dual timelines of a flight nurse during WWII and 2003 Seattle, Noelle Salazar tells an emtional story of bravery interwoven with despair, love and separation, and *complicated* family dynamics to say the least. While this was not my favorite from Noelle and thought the pacing could have been better and Kate could have made much better choices, Noelle is still a go-to historical fiction author for me.

Noelle Salazar is fast becoming a favorite of mine. She writes books that hook you from the start and proceed to hold you captive. They pull at your heartstrings. Make you think. Give you hope.

This is a love story and a WW2 story about two people who are fighting. One fighting for the betterment of the world. The other fighting to keep the soldiers alive.

William is a soldier. He wants nothing more than to keep people alive. To give them the freedoms to live the way they wish. To practice their faith and live in their homes free from the worry of being sent to camps. Or killed and left in the streets. While there is not talk about this you just know that is why he is the way he is. He's a good man.

Kate is a nurse. A naval flight nurse. She flies with wounded soldiers. They are taken to the area hospitals and tended. Kate helps them. She is a good nurse. Dedicated to her life. To her part in the war. To helping as many as she can to survive. Kate has a few secrets but she's a good and very decent person. She's been through so much in her life already yet still keeps on giving.

When William and Kate meet it's magic. Kate fights her feelings but eventually she can't fight it anymore. They fall deeply in love and intend to marry. To move back to the US and start a life together. As soon as this war is over.

William goes back to war and Kate goes looking for her sister who she thought had died eight years earlier. What happens to Kate now is so sad. So hopeful. Kate realizes that she is pregnant and can't wait to tell William. But life gets in the way. Or war that is. On her quest to find her sister Kate has to go back to the home she lived in as a young girl. Face some demons. She goes through so much.

This book is told from two time lines. In 2003 by William. In 1944-1945 by Kate. You get to know each character and a few other characters along the way. You get a good look into each of their lives. How things happen the way they did and how it plays out.

As with most historical novels this one brought some big ugly tears to my eyes. I also had a couple of chuckles. I wanted things to be a certain way. Of course I did. But this author did such a good job. I was not disappointed at all. From start to finish this book held me. It moved me. It was excellent.

A must read.

Thank you #NetGalley, #HarlequinTradePublishing, #MIRA, for this ARC.

Five big stars.

Kate is an army nurse during WWII and she does not want to complicate her life with anything frivolous like love. She spends her days flying to the front lines to pick up the wounded and bringing them back to base. Then one day one she falls hard for William, one of the wounded soldiers, and sees a new future for herself; but then her past comes back to haunt her and she disappears into enemy territory to confront it. Can she make it back safely and can she still have the future she and William envisioned?

I will start by admitting this was probably not the best week for me to read a WWII novel, but that being said it did hold my attention and I was definitely into the story. However, while I enjoyed the novel I kept waiting for a little more, I’m not sure what I was waiting for - maybe a deeper darker secret from her past, more from the second part of the novel? This is not a historical romance, it really is historical fiction and I do always like learning about another way in which women helped the war effort and this was one I didn’t know about (the flights were treacherous). In the end the story keep me entertained but I’m not sure this is one that will stay with me. I really enjoyed her last novel so I look forward to her next.

3.75

Thank you to Mira, HTPHive and NetGalley for the ARC to review

The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar
Historical fiction
5 ⭐️

HIGH recommendation if you like war time historical fiction.

I wanted to read this one because I always love learning about the roles women played in war, and I was hooked from the first chapter, though that’s not where the “twists” stop. The introductory chapter includes a knock on the door and a character asking the homeowner "Did you know this person?" which is always a great hook, for me. The book is told in dual timeline and dual POV between Kate, and a veteran named William.

Kate Campbell is a nurse in WWII in the South Pacific shuttling injured soldiers from location to location when she, herself, is injured and sent home to recover. Eventually she returns the war to serve, and a wounded soldier captures her heart but then has to return to military duty. (Wait…Have I ever had a historical fiction book boyfriend!?)

I loved Kate: she was determined, and her love for her job of helping heal was very apparent.

I also rated Angels of the Resistance by Noelle Salazar highly! So I definitely plan to read more of this author’s backlist.

The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar is a gripping WWII novel. This is definitely one of my top 3 books of the year. I will be looking for more books by this author. It is an emotional, heartbreaking, captivating love story that kept me on the edge of my seat till the very last page.

Kate, a flight nurse during the war meets William, an injured soldier. They fall in love but Kate has a huge secret that could disrupt any chance at happiness. How will Kate's future be determined by her lies and choices?

I love this story and would highly recommend it to everyone but especially historical fiction lovers. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

This book might be my favorite of 2024! The lead character is Kate Campbell, a nurse during WWII. Initially stationed in the South Pacific, an injury sends her home to the States. She is then reassigned to England where there is a certain soldier . . .But then the past beckons and Kate answers the call - which leads to another incredible, scary, startling adventure. Any reader will be unable to put this book down once you start. My first Noelle Salazar book, and I promise - it won't be my last.

The Lies We Leave Behind is a sweeping and heartbreaking WWII novel. Kate, a flight nurse, although determined to do her job without distractions, meets and falls in love with an injured soldier, William. After he recovers from his injuries, he returns to the front and she gets some news about her sister in the heart of Germany that causes her to embark on a dangerous journey to try to bring her back to safety.

There is so much more to this story but without giving too many spoilers, I will just say that this story covers is much territory and describes the horrors that occurred during that time period.

There is a dual POV in multiple timelines as we are introduced to William in 2003 and return back to Kate in 1944. The writing style worked for me in this case, as it served as a way to tease out some of the stories main developments. I also loved learning more about the flight nurses’ job and the contributions of these brave women during the war.

Like most WWII stories, there are multiple devastating losses but also many beautiful redeeming moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

Y’all! This book is in the top 5 of the best books I have read all year. I have read every book by this author and this one is…hands down…my favorite!

This story follows Kate. She is a flight nurse in WWII. She starts out in the Pacific theatre. She ends up breaking her leg and she gets sent home to NYC to recoup. When she returns to her commission, she is sent to the English Countryside. She ends up meeting a wounded soldier, William Mitchell.

Romance is just part of this story. There is Kate’s past. This slowly unfolds throughout this novel and it is not what you think. And when her past catches up with her…oh Lordy…you need to read this to find out.

I loved the dual timelines, the mystery, the intensity and the drama! Do not miss this one!

Need a fantastic book which will give you intensity and emotions…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Which parts of yourself do you keep hidden? Perhaps unintentionally; perhaps afraid of showing who you are all at once so you protect yourself then worry later you should have shared upfront. Or perhaps you’re worried that someone will judge unfairly without first learning the whole story? The lies we hide, waiting for acceptance and healing are hauntingly beautiful, driving who we are though others cannot see our motivations.

Salazar’s latest book examines this and more questioning how far you’ll go to save yourself and the ones you love.

After reading, I found I reflected on the characters and their situations, relating and aching for them even more. Salazar writes characters as though she were really living their lives: with heart, heat, angst, fear, love, as well as in-depth relatably raw emotions. When main character William described his wife’s writing, it felt to me like he was in fact describing the magic that happens when Salazar writes: “She told stories like they were real life. Women and men alike saw themselves in her characters. She had a way of pulling you in, breaking your heart, and then building you back up with love and magical moments that… could feed you for weeks.”

Told in a dual timeline that moves seamlessly between William in 2003 and Kate from 1943-1945, “The Lies We Leave Behind” is a historical fiction WWII survival and love story that will transport you. Kate, a flight nurse taking wounded soldiers from the battlefield to safer medical facilities and soldier William who is under Kate’s care for a time will leave you hopeful, sighing, as you find the beauty during wartime and aching when the war inexplicably pulls them apart as they fight to survive the inexplicable while Kate is forced to reconcile her past and present to make things right. But at what cost?

A master of historical fiction, you can be sure I’ll be adding Salazar’s latest to my shelves on November 5, 2024. Thank you so very, very much Noelle Salazar for making my request for an advance ebook become a reality! And thank you @mirabooks and NetGalleyfor bringing this request to my phone.

Forevermore.

The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar is a historical fiction set during WWII. This is a heartbreakingI love story between a flight nurse and a soldier.
The story was so well-written, fast-paced. I could not put it down.
I would highly recommend this read for historical fiction lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.

This had a great premise and beginning but, it all started falling flat after the 50% mark. Everything was happening to fast after certain situations started happening and then it just avalanched into a underwhelming ending. Did apricate the plot twists and Kate's story through out the book.
<b><i>Trigger Warnings: war themes (WW2), antisemitism, blood depiction, graphic physical injuries, slight gore, child abuse (verbal and physical), death of a parent mentioned, murder, gun violence, mention of sexual assault of minor, concentration camps, medical experimentation, and birth</b></i>

Historical fiction readers will not want to miss this emotional story of Kate, a flight nurse during WWII. Follow in the footsteps of Kate as she flys in and out of daring situations to nurse battle wounded men, falls deeply in love with one and then faces her past as unlikely news arrives for her. I loved the relationships built within the unit. This book was hard to put down with its secrets, twists and turns. A complex story of a difficult time. Highly recommended!

The first half of this book could have been a great book all on its own, but the addition of everything that happens beyond that is what makes it even more moving and marvelous. I quickly became thoroughly engrossed in this emotional, yet captivating story. The love story between Kate and William was heartbreaking, but it was Kate's treacherous and shocking journey throughout the book, including her bravery and resilience, that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I loved Ms. Salazar's book "The Roaring Days of Zora Lily". Along with that book, I will now be recommending "The Lies We Leave Behind". This is sure to be a hit with all my friends, and fans of WWII historical fiction. I will be sending my review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble and will definitely be on the lookout for this author's next book.

My sincere thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.