Member Reviews

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!

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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.

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This was an enjoyable read.

This is the story of Kate, a flight nurse in World war 2 based on the island of Espiritu Santo. After she is injured on duty, she returns home to the US, until she is fit enough to return to nursing. She is sent to England to help with the soldiers returning from France, and there she meets and falls in love with William, a US soldier.

This is a book told from two view points, two timelines, and it is almost a book of two halves as well. In the first half, we get the first hand account of Kate nursing at both locations, and we get William's view point from the 2000s, when he is dealing with life after his wife has passed away. A stranger comes to visit him, and a whole window to his past opens up.

Kate, is not quite who she seems. She has a past she has been running away from, and news from Germany has her running back towards it.

The first half of the book was the stronger half for me, as the writing was excellent and I was swept away by the characters and life of the nurses during the war. The second half was a compelling story, but didn't quite seem to fit with Kate's character from the first half. I was still gripped by the story and anxious to figure out how it all would enfold.

I haven't read any other of Ms Salazar's books, but I will certainly try them after reading this one.

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Love and lies. This dual time line tale tells Kate's story- the story of a woman living a lie who serves the US during WWII as a nurse and falls deeply in love with William a soldier she meets when he's on a medical evacuation flight. William is used as the anchor for the present when a woman turns up at his door with a package of letters from Kate he never received. But it's Kate's story that's compelling- her time in the Pacific and then in the UK, all the time living a secret about her true name, her family, all of her life before she was 16. And her life comes tumbling down just as she and William become engaged. No spoilers because you really should discover everything for yourself. I note however how implausible some of it is and also was a really poor decision Kate made. That said, I also found this a page turner-I was swept up in her story and worried not only for her but also for the women she helps. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A very good read especially for fans of the WWII genre.

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“'You are selfless and brave, and have been since the day you split yourself in two to be who they wanted, but also who you wanted. Who you needed to be.'”

I stayed up late into the night finishing The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar because it was just that good! It was heartbreaking and full of emotions, but I couldn't put it down. I was an absolute inconsolable wreck at the end!

I've been a huge fan of Noelle Salazar's books for a few years now, and this one is the best yet! I was instantly captivated by the dual timeline of an older William in 2003 and Kate as a nurse during WWII. The story of how they met and fell in love had me absolutely giddy, and I couldn't get enough!

When Kate's past catches up to her, she decides to go right into danger to confront it. The secrets and lies start piling up, and she keeps William in the dark because she thinks it's safer for him. Little does she know, that choice will completely alter both of their lives forever.

This is a story that will stick with me for the rest of my life. At its core, this is a book about WWII and the dangers faced every day on the front lines, but it's so much more than that. Kate's story is about love, bravery, and doing the hard things for the ones you love.

This book gets released on November 5th and is available for pre-order now!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Oh my gosh! This book was so very good!!
This was a tragic heartbreaking love story.
Kate is a flight nurse during the war who isn’t looking for romance. At least not til she takes care of a wounded soldier.
It does seem like it was a long story. I found myself not wanting it to end, hoping for just a little more. I loved it!!

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A beautiful historical fiction novel by an incredible author. Kate and William touched my heart deeply and I was rooting for them throughout. This storyline is told from a dual POV and was packed full of multiple twists and turns. Loved everything about it!!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Thanks to MIRA and HTP for my advanced copy of The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar. I've loved her previous books so I was really looking forward to The Lies We Leave Behind. 

I loved the first half of this book about Kate a naval flight nurse stationed in the Pacific during World War II. I love books about strong women during the War, especially those who worked in such fascinating positions (I want to see more books about these naval flight nurses!)
But in the second half of the book, I was disappointed. I felt like I was reading two different books that were slightly related. I don't want to share too much about her secret past and what she does, but it just felt so unrealistic when the first half was so good. 

I'd recommend Salazar's other books over this, but if you want to read about Naval Flight Nurses the first half of this book was 5 stars. The Lies We Leave Behind comes out November 5th.

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I adored this book—I stayed up until 2 AM finishing it.

Kate Campbell is a flight nurse, transporting wounded soldiers from the WWII battlefield to a military hospital. She falls in love with one of the soldiers, but Kate harbors a huge secret that could disrupt any chance of happiness.

This beautifully written WWII fiction is filled with unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for an early read in exchange for a fair review.

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**ARC Review**
I LOVED this book!!! Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre & it’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a wwII book this much. I felt like it immediately pulled me in & I had to know what happened with William and Kate. They were both such likable characters & I kept reaching for this book to finish their story. Highly recommend The Lies We Leave Behind coming 11/5!!!

#theliesweleavebehind #noellesalazar #historicalfiction #arcreview

@the_ginger_book_dragon

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Kate wants to make a difference in the war and joins as a flight nurse who helps bravely transport wounded soldiers.  One of these wounded soldiers is William, who, despite her best efforts, she can't stay away from.  Kate's secret past and his duty as a soldier catches up with them and makes their future together seem grim.  Will they be able to concur all?

Thoughts 💭
Wow, what a story!  I finished this in two days, and it only took me that long because I had errands to run.  I had an idea of where the story was heading, but I didn't mind because I was so engrossed in the beautiful story unfolding before me.  I loved Kate, her bravery, her story, and her journey. There were a few times the story took place in the current day, and that helped tie into her story being told in the past.  I also loved how we were shown three different phases in her life, the time in the pacific, her time in England, and then after she leaves in search of family. It was heart-wrenching, deep, thoughtful, and well told.  If you're a historical fiction lover, then this book is a must-read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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While this story started out being interesting and had a neat looking cover, sadly it is not a book I can recommend due to a shocking amount of foul language and some inappropriate sexual content.

Language: there are many, many uses of sh*t and dam*, dam*it. Cr*p is used once, se*y and as* are both used a couple times.

I received a complimentary e-book from Harlequin Trade Publishing through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

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The Lies We Leave Behind weaves between the past and present as a brave flight nurse, Kate Campbell, goes back and forth to the front to bring back wounded soldiers. William, one of her charges (who we meet in the present day after he's recently lost his wife Olivia to cancer), instantly falls for her. While Kate is resistant at first, she eventually falls for him... the only problem is she can't tell him who she is or what secrets she's kept buried from, even those she calls her friends

This book will keep you ensnared until the very end (although some of the scenes detailing what Kate endures later in the book I had skim.) While the book was very engaging, and the characters of Kate and William are ones to root for, I found the ending bittersweet.

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It's 1943 and Kate Campbell is serving her country during WWII as a flight nurse in the Pacific. She spends long days and nights attending to wounded soldiers as they're flown off the battle field. A personal injury sees her reassigned to England where love and old secrets await.

I first discovered Salazar through The Flight Girls and immediately fell in love! She knocked it out of the park again with Zora Lily. She always finds a way to tell new, unique stories from the past.

I really loved the plot concept of this story. Always love learning about the roles women played in the war...especially ones I haven't heard before. I also really liked the unfolding of Kate's previous life.

However, the execution left me a bit wanting. I can't quite put my finger on it but something was missing...supporting character development, story flow or more detailed plot points. It felt a bit choppy and abrupt at times.

3.5 stars (rounded up)

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This is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to the tumultuous era of World War II. The story follows Kate, a fearless nurse who flies to the front lines to rescue wounded soldiers. The well-researched historical details bring the setting to life, making you feel as if you’re right there with Kate, experiencing the harsh conditions and emotional turmoil of wartime.

Kate’s character is deeply compelling, driven by a personal need to contribute to the war effort despite the dangers she faces. Her journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, especially as she navigates the complexities of love and duty. The romance subplot adds a layer of depth to the story, with Kate’s relationship with an injured officer providing moments of hope and tenderness amidst the chaos of war.
The writing is beautifully evocative, capturing the resilience and strength of women during this challenging period. The narrative is well-paced, keeping you engaged from start to finish. While some plot points may feel predictable, the emotional depth and historical richness more than make up for it.

Overall, The Lies We Leave Behind is a poignant and powerful read that will resonate with fans of historical fiction and those who appreciate stories of courage and sacrifice.

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This was a really, really good story. I loved the way it went from the present and then took you back to the time in the war. The characters were all great and the way they were detailed made me feel like I knew them.

This story had it all. Historical Fiction, love, grief, loss with a little twist of mystery figuring out Kate's past.

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.

#TheLiesWeLeaveBehind #NoelleSalazar #NetGalley

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If you like historical fiction with a side of mystery and romance, then you’ll love The Lies We Leave Behind. The book opens with William in the early 2000s. He’s a widower and grandfather. Next we meet Kate who is a flight nurse in WWII in the Pacific arena until she’s injured and invalided home. When she has recovered enough to return, she is sent to England where she meets William. Kate’s backstory is revealed piecemeal. The first transition to her storyline had me flipping back to seek the connection between the timelines. Otherwise, the novel held my attention from beginning to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Kate Campbell has lived and survived what seems four lifetimes in this fictional story inspired by a flight nurse in WW2 - her childhood, Pacific and England nursing injured soldiers, Germany trying to find her sister, South of France in retirement. Kate is fearless, intelligent, and strong as she navigates the Pacific theater flying injured soldiers to better medical facilities until she is injured. When she recovered, she was sent to England to fly soldiers from the battlefields in France back to England for better care. This is where she meets and falls in love with the badly injured William on a flight. I loved the first half of this book, but here I'm struggling with the Kate's motivation to find her sister and return to the family she did not like in Germany. She continued to be determined, brave, and strong to survive what life threw at her, but didn't feel her desire and connection to her mother and sister. William has his own storyline in this book as an older man who is visited by Selene with a link to Kate. William tells some of the story from his perspective and helps to fill in the missing pieces to his and Kate's story. The story's conclusion wrapped things up nicely, which allows me to give this a 4.5 stars.
I felt the nurses in this story were portrayed well as I could feel their dedication to their patients and their desire to blow off steam after a long shift. The author does such a phenomenal job crafting the settings and the feelings of the characters that I felt I was in the hospital, airplane, or English countryside. I was surprised by some of the actions and incidents that took place and it kept the story at a fast pace. There are many characters that you root for as the story progresses and I enjoy how the author makes care for the secondary characters as well.
If you are looking for a WW2 based story that includes nurses, strength, and courage, I highly recommend this book.
#TheLiesWeLeaveBehind #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review will be posted to Goodreads, BookBub, Twitter/X, Instagram October 6-7, 2024 and to Amazon and Barnes and Noble on pub day.

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Another really good WWII story with a different storyline, this time depicting the life of a flight nurse. I have read many books on WWII and I never thought of the nurses that cared for the injured men on their flights out of combat to the safe areas for treatment. The writing is excellent, the authors research was stellar. She has the ability to make you feel like you are on the plane with them.
I truly enjoyed the story, giving it 5*****. Not only is it a love story, but it has heart, family, dedication and sacrifice. Well done.
I thank Harlequin Trade Publishing along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review.

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The Lies We Leave Behind is a captivating read that will stay with you long af ter the final page.

Kate Campbell is a flying nurse during WWII and she like so many others put their lives at risk to fly into battlefields and tend to the wounded then transport them back to base.

All while under enemy fire.

It is there she meets William , an American soldier who is wounded and they are instantly attracted to each other.

Kate is strong yet fallible, she has a past that she shares with no one.

Fate intervenes and the couple are separated.

The story is told in a dual time line which works very well and gives both sides.

Nicole Salazar takes the reader on an emotional journey both during and after the war .

No spoilers here , it is a trip the reader must take on their own.

Highly recommend The Lies We Leave Behind. I hated the book to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin Trade Publishing?Mira Books for a fascinating read.

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