Nothing But Sky

I chose this book because I had nothing to read and now that I finished it I can say it was one of my favorites of this year. I’m a lot into aviation so I also knew this historical novel was for me.

I found barnstorming – I’d never heard of that – a very interesting way to attract readers like me and I also can say it was a good choice to focus the story. The characters were well constructed and I saw an evolution on each of them. I absolutely loved Grace and all her thoughts because she’s a strong woman and always fights against society stereotypes.

This isn't a quick story which you can read in a few hours but a story you should take with calm. Though, I wasn’t bored in any time. There’re lots of words related to aviation which can lead you to think it's a difficult read but it’s not. The author makes all that easier so we can enjoy the read. I can only say I will probably always recommend this book.

Book requested via NetGalley.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity.

A fun, fast read with lots of drama talking about the barnstormers who did stunts with old military planes. I didn't really know much about this period of history and learned a lot reading it, the author's obviously done her research. The love story wasn't one I got particularly invested in, which let the book down for me a bit, but the in-air high jinxes and threat of sabotage more than made up for it.

Grace is a driven young woman with a mind of her own, striving to succeed in a time where women were barely getting their foot in the door to be heard and valued. She struggles to be taken seriously by the men in her life, but she handles it pretty well most of the time. She's very strong in her sense of self, which I found to be a delightful surprise. I enjoyed the historical detail and the danger of barnstorming and planes as well. Well written and fun!

Considering the fact that I don't each for Historical Fiction (at all, if I'm honest), I am pleasantly surprised. This was such a fun book! It was quick, never boring and I fell in love with the characters. Grace's headstrong personality was never overbearing or annoying and Henry's patient attitude was endearing. And both of them together? They were perfect together. I liked the portrayal of PTSD from Henry's POV and how Grace helped him through it and was understanding. Overall, I'd definitely buy it when it comes out.

I really like to read stories about early airplane pioneers-I find it fascinating that an airplane can fly in this sky. This is the story of Grace, a barnstormer, who wants to go to the World Aviation Expo. I really liked the character of Grace. I think it took a lot of courage for her to perform all of the dangerous tricks. Also, it was not a time when women were accepted in this field. Great historical fiction!

This is a beautifully written and researched historical novel. The time period, setting, and world of barnstorming are presented meticulously, while the story and characters carry you along. Recommended!

Is it weird that I’ve always had a bit of a softspot for bi-planes and early aero-nautics? Anyway this was a fabulous book – historical fiction with a very sympathetic heroine, dare devil action, a page turning plot and just the right amount of romance. The hate to love angle made it even more satisfying. Really enjoyed this.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book and the main character, Grace is a spunky, strong heroine. The prohibition era/1920s is one of my favourite time periods and I loved the inclusion of real-life people alongside the fictional ones. The historical details are well drawn without being self-conscious.

Definitely reccommended!

I received this ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. So thank you netgalley and publishers.
This story is about wing walking, Not only was this just an amazing book but my great grandparents were wing walkers so this story was extra special for me ♡ It's also not something that people write a lot about, so this was very well done and I want to say a big thank you to the author for telling such a beautiful story but also giving life to my ancestors and what they might have done when they were wing walkers ♡♡   Grace was such a strong independent woman that was determined to do everything she could to make her dream come true so she could give her family a secure future. She was a little headstrong and stubborn but so is my family so it just made me picture my Great Grandparents even more ♡  Overall, this is a great book to read if you like historical fiction or just cute stories about kick ass ladies.I don't want to say much more so I don't give the story away but this was such a good book!
This was my first book from this author and I can tell you it won't be my last! Well done! 5 stars ♡

Amy Trueblood took me on a whirlwind adventure of barnstorming post World War 1. It was the Roaring Twenties. Time of speakeasies, home run King Babe Ruth and silent movie star Douglas Fairbanks. From chapter to chapter, the compelling tale remained focused, never straying from the storyline. There were no digressions to different scenes or time periods. A welcome relief being easily swept away in a narrative so easy to follow. The main characters were well drawn out. The author set me back in my chair with an ending that would not let go. Beginning to end - a great read.

Lincoln, Nebraska, summer of 22', eighteen-year-old wing walker Grace Lafferty, is the star of the show. The headliner of the troupe known as "The Soaring Eagles". Barnstorming. A Flying Circus. Her Uncle Warren was the pilot of a World War 1 army surplus plane known as a "Jenny". A biplane. They performed stunts and tricks to wow many audiences across Nebraska and neighboring states. Two other members, Nathan and Daniel, rounded out their team with another plane.

Back in the day, barnstorming like many other businesses had its competition. Grace was always in search of new tricks to outperform the others. The ones that stayed on top drew the crowds, made the money. Wing walking was a risky proposition. For some, it proved deadly. During the early years of barnstorming, there were no government rules or regulations. So anything went. There was just as great a risk of engine failure as there was for human error. Anything could go wrong.

The 1922 World Aviation Exposition in Chicago was just over two months away. The best Barnstormers from around the country would be competing. The only thing standing in her way, their way, was the $400 entry fee. Quite a piece of change back then. First prize winner would receive a one-year contract with highly recognized Palm Coast Studios of California. That meant steady employment for The Soaring Eagles. A first. It also meant their close knit group would be staying together. That was most important to her. They were like family.

Grace felt that she had to come up with a new trick that no one else had done before. Found it. Called it the Showstopper. That's entirely what it was. Total daredevil risk. Some might say bordering on suicidal. She figured that if they made to the Expo, they'd be a shoo-in with that new trick for first place. Before that could happen though, they'd have to hustle up some extra shows to make the bucks. Easier said than done. Time was running out.

This ARC was received from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Gratitude sent to North Star Editions - Flux for allowing this pre-release made available.

A good historical novel doesn't make you stop and want to look up things, or perhaps it does. There were several times that I wanted to know if the person in the story, that had just been introduced, was real, and was pleased when I found out they were. That is the best kind of historical novel, to me, spinning in real events, around your fictional story.

This is a story about wing-walking and barnstorming. These are feats done by men and women after the first world war, hanging from bi-planes, while people watched from below. That is the main plot, of Grace, who is a wing-walker, who performs these stunts in the midwest, in the 1920s. This part is all realistic, and a bit of fun. There is also a sub-plot involving her two waitress friends at the diner, who want to go to Hollywood, and are running from an arranged marriage.

The only problem I have with this book, and it is relatively minor one, is that while you can tell she did some amazing work on getting the barnstorming part of the story correct, she doesn't seem to have done as much research on the Hollywood part. And this probably won't bother most people.

But it bothers me.

You see, my grandmother worked for Disney and Warner Brothers. My father worked for RKO, (which became Universal), and Warner Brothers. There is some amazing history there, some amazing people, especially in the 1920s, when this story took place. If she can throw in real people in Chicago, why can't she throw in real studios in Hollywood? Why can't she name areas of Los Angeles? It would make the story just as real when it was in Lincoln, Nebraska.

So, good, strong protagonist, and good strong story. So, other than that minor thing with the movie studios, I would recommend this good, and exciting, and surprising story.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I have students that are low-level, high-interest...and many of them are also into aviation. This is going to be our class' new read aloud. It is age-appropriate, but still has mystery and intrigue...it also has a lot of history hidden within the story. As the teacher, I felt like I learned quite a bit! Overall, an excellent young adult read.

I'm a big fan of the 1920's era. The clothes, the glitz and glam, the wish to have fun and enjoy life after a devastating war; thinking of that vibe alone transports me to Hollywood or New York. But this was a different kind of setting for that era, being Lincoln, Nebraska. Not some place I particularly want to visit, but an enchanting setting for a fantastic historical novel.

My experience with the term 'barnstorming' is limited. AKA the goofy themed Barnstormer coaster at Walt Disney World. Never did I dream it was a way of life in the 1920's. And what a life it was, walking on the wings of an airplane five hundred feet above the earth and kicking in to a handstand. Fearless is the word that came to mind while reading this book, and that is exactly the word to describe Grace Lafferty. An 18 year old orphan with big dreams, Grace is a brave and stubborn character I adored. She knows what she wants and damn any man who is going to try and stop her. She is a character many of us women should aspire to be like in this day and age. In fact, a lot of the characters were very much likeable. Each one stood out on their own and had their part to play, which I appreciated. No wasted space. Even the villain was a neat character one wouldn't expect to find in Lincoln.

Historically, I saw nothing wrong with this book. You can tell the amount of research that went into this was astronomical. From aviation terminology, to the news of the day, prohibition, to the fashion and speak, it was like being inside an old movie. I was pleased to find that several characters mentioned were in fact real people and pioneers in the aviation field. Likewise, the emotions and feelings of those who had experienced war firsthand were heart-breaking and highly believable. The magic of the era shone through very easily, even if it was set in the atypical setting of the rural mid-west.

The plot itself was a delight. Considering how unique this premise is, I thought the story might fall into that usual rut of being predictable and boring, relying entirely on that magical premise to keep it afloat. That was not the case here. It moved along at the perfect pace and walked that line of being exciting and repetitive just right. Taking into consideration how much of the novel involves Grace in the air, it did not come across as boring. And I'm pleased to say that the major plot twist reveal at the end threw me for a loop. I never came close to guessing what would go down. The ending itself was a little too ... perfect, but that's Hollywood for ya, I suppose.

An easy 5/5 stars.

This book had me from the first chapter. Grace is the type of protagonist that I love, strong and daring, in a time when that was looked down upon. This was beautifully written, I loved the family dynamic and the love/hate romance and that it was unlike what I've been reading or ever have read.

Highly recommended.

3.5 stars

I received an e-galley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing But Sky is a story about Grace Lafferty who is a wing walker aka she literally stands on the wing of a biplane to perform tricks. The book follows her and her team towards the World Expo in 1922 where they want to win the grand prize: a Hollywood contract. With the help of their new mechanic, Henry, The Soaring Eagles begin their journey to Chicago and the World Expo.

This book has some great character development, especially regarding Grace. When we meet her, she is very stubborn and even a bit selfish. However, at the end of the book, <spoiler> she recognises her growth and takes into account her team's wishes.</spoiler> I always love to see some good character development since I want the characters I read about to grow into a better self.

Furthermore, this book has a great family element. The Soaring Eagles are Grace's family and she loves them. <spoiler> I loved Grace's relationship with her Uncle Warren. It was flawed but it felt natural since they were kind of forced upon each other. </spoiler> Furthermore, it is really nice to see male/female friendships in this book. Nathan and Daniel really took up some brotherly roles regarding Grace.

Moreover, this book has some great sexual tension. I personally love that so that was a huge plus for me when reading this book. The foundations for the romance are carefully laid down so there is no insta-love. The romance itself was very nice <spoiler> however, from the ending of the book, I gathered that it is only the beginning of Grace and Henry's relationship. </spoiler>

Since this book takes place just a few years after World War I, Amy Trueblood really did well, in my opinion, by portraying what the trenches did to the minds and bodies of the young men who fought in World War I. Henry, Nathan and Daniel all fought in WWI and all still carried those scars after they came home. <spoiler> Henry has a few PTSD episodes, and I was glad that the author went there. It is an ugly side of the war but it is what happened. </spoiler>

Overall, the author - as she said in her author's note - really took her time to research the era. This includes the clothing, the language, the mechanics of the planes, the aftermath of WWI, and of course she researched wing walkers and barnstorming. I really appreciate her effort and the time she took to do this. I think it paid off well in her story.

<spoiler> Finally, I want to talk about the betrayal. Trueblood really did a good job by making Henry the Red Herring. I doubted him many times although I thought he would have his excuses. Since he was new to the team, both the audience and Grace think he is the most likely suspect. Moreover, since Nathan and Grace go way back, both the audience and Grace do not doubt his loyalties. Therefore, the shock is all the higher when the truth comes out. I did not see it coming at all so that makes it, in my opinion, a well-done plot twist. </spoiler>

This book was something completely unexpected and wonderful. While it somehow manages to be under 300 pages it never feels rushed, in fact, I quite enjoyed the pacing. Overall, a very fun and pleasant read.

I LOVE this book, and I can't wait for it to be out in the world for everyone to read.

Until I read NOTHING BUT SKY, I had no idea crowds flocked to watch wing walkers in the 1920s, but I loved learning about it. That's what's so fantastic about historical fiction--you get to learn about pieces of history you had no clue existed. I read about these stunts with my mouth hanging open, and then I went to watch the YouTube videos she mentioned in the author's note to discover real people actually did this stuff. It's crazy but amazing and I wouldn't have known anything about it without this book.

The historical setting is so rich, with tidbits about popular music and film, fashion, the economy, and daily life sprinkled into the narrative. It's very well done. I love being sucked into another time.

I love how the romance develops in the story, with both Grace and Henry growing together. Just the right blend of tension.

I will be posting an interview and giveaway with Amy Trueblood on my blog the week before the book releases.

Grace is a strong, independent, daredevil, who has no fear. She is a young women with a love for performing daring feats with her team, whom she considers her family, as a Barnstormer performing for county fairs and special events. She feels most alive when she is walking on the wings of an airplane flown by her uncle. Her parents and sister died of the Spanish flu when she was a young girl so she was sent to live with her uncle in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The storyline was good, I didn’t really realize there were several young women that truly performed in these “Flying Circus” shows. The writing style was done well, the characters were developed with enough background to understand their lives. Grace’s main goal was to get to the World Aviation Expo in Chicago in the early 1920’s with the winner receiving a contract from a California movie company. I grew up not far from Lincoln Nebraska so I could easily imagine a county fair with a special aerial acrobatics show. This was a really quick read, I listened to it on my Kindle.
I thank Net Galley and North Star Editions/Flux for allowing me the opportunity to read this book for my review.

*I received a free copy of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a great book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I had never heard of barnstorming and wing walking before, so it was fascinating to learn about that part of history and the people who did it. Personally, I would be terrified of performing tricks on airplane wings, especially the ones that Grace came up with. I still can't figure out how the Showstopper worked without her losing all her teeth. Or, you know, falling to her death.

I really liked the characters. Grace (18) was strong and stubborn, but she wasn't infallible. I appreciated that she eventually recognized and admitted her flaws and then tried to overcome them. She reminded me a lot of Sonora in Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, to be honest. Henry (24) was both tender and gruff, which was understandable considering his history. He managed to be . . . I don't know, a damaged character without being a typical damaged character. He was still strong and whole, even though he may not have seen himself that way. The other characters (Uncle Warren, Daniel, Nathan, Rowland) were also well written and distinct.

Note: Can't recall anything bad.

My rating: 3.75 stars
Grace is an eighteen-year-old young woman who is a daredevil who walks on the wings of planes. This was a part of history that happened after WWI and was called Barnstorming and went on through most of the 20's. For Grace's story though while it is fiction it is based on several real-life women.
Grace, her uncle, Nathan, and Daniel are a team with two planes. Daniel and Grace are the 'stunt' people and they do amazing daredevil tricks. All the men are very protective of Grace and don't want her to do a lot of the stunts that she comes up with. Grace is determined though and doesn't let them stop her from achieving her dream of them getting a big contract that will provide them with some financial security. One problem, they need a new mechanic again... This is something that's a reoccurring problem for the crew and they are out of options it seems until Henry shows up and gets the job. Henry, Nathan, and Daniel are all war veterans and while only Henry talks about it it does affect the others as well.
Overall I really did like this book. I loved how strong of a character Grace was and how she didn't take anything from anyone. She knew what she wanted for her and her team and wasn't going to let anything stand in their way. And there was a lot at times, between the government, an opposing team doing everything they can to stop them, and financial troubles. I loved Grace's friendships though and how they had side stories as well. I do wish we had gotten to know more about Nathan and Daniel though and even the Uncle. Besides them being important parts of the team and very protective of Grace, I didn't really feel like we knew them at all.
I also really wasn't expecting the romance part of this book, and when it started to happen, I kept hoping it wouldn't. I didn't mind the characters together, I just wished it hadn't of become a bigger portion of the book towards the end.
I did like how the side effects of WWI were talked about with the PTSD episodes that Henry has.
I'm very interested to see what the author writes next as I did really enjoy learning about barnstorming.

I have never read a story centered around the world of barnstorming and bonus: set in the Roaring Twenties, but Nothing But Sky introduced that world beautifully. Grace is one of those characters where no one tells her what she can and especially cannot do and ends that sentence with an exclamation point by proving it. Loved her!

The relationship between Grace and Henry is a sweet one. The hate to love scenario is my biggest guilty pleasure and I got a little of it here (honestly wish there had been just a tad bit more, but that's just my preference). You can definitely see their relationship evolve though. Both go from questioning and doubting each other to becoming big advocates and support pieces for each other. Warm fuzzy!

I will say that it did slow down for me about half way/a little passed half way through and it had me concerned, but it didn't take long to pick back up again (thankfully!) and I was firmly invested through the end.

Enjoyable, sweet, and triumphant - definitely recommended!

I knew I needed to read this the second I read the description. Wing Walkers I mean that's pure awesome. This book did not disappoint. It was an adventurous historical fiction that kept my attention all way through. Very enjoyable! 5/5 stars.

A determined eighteen-year-old female main character with a backbone of steel, and the stubborn will to succeed. For Grace, there is no glory without risk; the safe life is far too dull to even contemplate.

Told first person perspective through her eyes, when male protagonist, Henry, steps onto the scene, it’s for the reader to question through her defensive viewpoint whether his behavior and reactions are of a chivalrous hero, or of “this is a man’s world” sexist-chauvinism.

Now, I am not a fan of in-your-face feminist agenda, and thankfully this story does NOT overstep that line. There is a good balance to the strength of Grace’s character in a historical timeframe where most careers beyond housewife, child-rearing, or office secretary were not considered fit for females—most especially a dangerous one such as wing-walking. She is not without her vulnerabilities and gentleness, but she admirably faces life’s challenges without dissolving into a helpless puddle of tears and despair either.

Henry quickly proves to be one of two extremes—the quiet mechanic going about his business or the short-tempered, opinionated war veteran. Although at first Grace and he seem destined to rub each other the wrong way, there is reason to his stubborn ways: He’s seen how mistakes cost dearly—and still faces the reminder through his PTSD. The subtle glimpses of his gentleness testify to his good intentions, even if they rarely seem to come across in the right way. This “flaw” in his character only serves to make him endearing and relatable. I liked him very much.

Grace seems determined to walk as close to the edge of danger as she needs to achieve fame. Henry admires her bravery and determination, but yearns to protect her. I loved seeing their relationship grow; how they learned about each other through conversation and circumstances—and were able to understand and respect each other as that relationship grew. The spark between them was realistically built, not on a shallow foundation of physical attraction alone, but on who they were as hoping, dreaming individuals each with their own past and future to face.

The softly growing romance between them takes the passenger seat through most of the book, in a story driven primarily by The Soaring Eagles performances in the sky, the competition with another team determined to destroy them, and Grace’s dream of securing her team’s future in those skies. The pace moves swiftly from location to location, following their shows around the country, with moments of character development and danger and intrigue in-between to keep the story moving and interesting. It was well-written, and the characters were believable and interesting.

The romance does build stronger and more intense later on. Some mild violence and a couple of swear words, otherwise it is a clean read that encourages the bond of family and the pursuit of dreams.

The title really says it all. For Grace, there is “Nothing But Sky.” But with great risks, dreams and trust come at a high price. People are complex and not always who they appear to be; their actions have reasons beyond the surface. The author did a wonderful job of showing this through good character development.

I finished this book feeling content and glad for the lessons learned and the strength Grace had to never give up. I would highly recommend it!

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

1922 and the war is over. Barnstorming has become popular and so has wing-walking, stunts done by both men and women, hanging from bi-planes while people below watched. These people risked their lives doing stunts on planes that are constantly being repaired. Grace Lafferty lives in this world. She is determined to make a name for herself in spite of her gender, in spite of the fact that she is a woman. More than determined, with a strong personality, she pushes herself to do more stunts, her goal to get to a competition in Chicago and win the prize that will get them to Hollywood.

Henry is a soldier back from the war who suffers from memories of that war, but also determined to attain his goal of owning his own garage. Hired as a mechanic to repair and keep her planes in working order, they immediately clash.

Of course, we have the villain who wants to take Grace down and prevent her from her goal. With a cast of characters the story is woven with all the necessary elements that make this a good novel. Well researched, well written I am glad to have received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommened as you step back into a time that no longer exists.

This novel is simply darling!

Nostalgically set in the 1920’ Midwest USA, Grace, a spunky female barnstorming girl ahead of her time, will make your heart soar.

Grace is part of “The Soaring Eagles” barnstorming team. Although she is only 18 years old, she is all daredevil up in the sky when she performs her stunts in 500 feet above the ground. She knows her biplane “Jenny” inside and out. Her uncle Warren has taught her all the mechanics involved and the tricks of the trade.

Warren and his niece share the same passion for biplanes and flying. This sport is not for the faint of heart. He has tried to keep Grace planted on the ground for as long as he could but soaring into the sky runs in her blood. He uses all his skill and experience from WWI piloting to keep her and himself safe. Grace’s dream is to attend and win the 1922 World Aviation Exposition in Chicago. In the next 2 months they need to come up with the entrance fee, new parts for the plane and a new mechanic.

The competition in barnstorming is fierce. Grace is receiving taunts and threats because she is a girl. Shouldn’t she just be a pretty girl? Wearing skirts instead of pants, boots and overalls? Well, not her! She is thinking up new daring stunts and dangerous maneuvers to perform at the Expo.

Warren in the meantime has hired a new mechanic and it takes Grace a long time to adjust to his approach of repairing things. Henry has a keen eye for every little detail and spots things amiss on the plane easily. He keeps an impeccable order in the shop and with time they become good friends. Henry gains Grace’s trust in his workmanship. He vows to keep her safe in the sky and as a team they work side by side for hours on end. But then, right before the Expo, the government safety inspector raises some concerns they were alerted to by another team. Will they still be allowed to compete? Is there sabotage at play? What chances and risks are they willing to take?

***

There are many moving parts to this novel. Since this takes place post WWI, most of the characters have backstories affected by the war in different ways. I did not include these intricacies in the review as they were well thought out and would make this review very long.

All in all, it is a very refreshing, clean well thought out novel with surprises and a hint of romance. It was very enjoyable to read. A breath of fresh air in the YA genre.

I want to mention that I very much appreciate the author’s note in the back of the novel. It always interests me where a writer’s inspiration stems from, what they have learned about the subject matter and how it has influenced their own life. I am so glad Amy Trueblood happened to stroll through the Field Museum that summer of 2013, that sparked her interest to write the novel we now can enjoy and share.

Historical fiction is usually not my thing, and when I say usually not my thing I mean I've maybe picked up 3 historical fiction reads in as many years. But when I saw Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood, I knew this would be one that I needed to try out. Badass female wing walker? Count me in.

This story takes place shortly after World War I, and follows Grace Lafferty, a teen obsessed with wing walking and her barnstorming team, The Soaring Eagles. Grace is dead set on saving enough money to get the team to the World Aviation Expo and a shot at a high-paying contract with Hollywood. But earning that money means coming up with harder (and more dangerous) stunts, and constantly risking her life for this goal. Throw in an opposing team and its owner hell-bent on getting Grace and her team out of the running, and Grace finds herself in danger more often than not. When push comes to shove, Grace's team is her family, both old members and new, and soon she has to decide what is worth more: the shot at a steady income she's always hoped for or her life and the lives of those around her.

I really liked how this story was laid out, identifying the date, location, and how many days were left until the Expo at the beginning of the chapter. I think this helped the reader identify with Grace's panic as the Expo approached. It was historical fiction, but I didn't get the bland historical fiction vibe that I've gotten from others I've read (you know the one, where it feels more like a school lesson than an exciting story). All the aeronautical terms were explained clearly and I wasn't confused at all. I felt fully immersed in the world of The Soaring Eagles.

As far as characters go, I honestly didn't like Grace. Her attitude, flippancy towards the fact she could die at any time, and the way she talked to her teammates really rubbed me the wrong way. I completely understand having a goal and working toward it, but you don't have to be a complete jerk to everyone around you in the process. I loved her friends, side characters Ethel and Mary, and they were the complete saccharine-sweet opposites to Grace's abrasive personality. But more than anyone in this story, I adored Henry and was completely enveloped by his character. I loved how he latched onto Grace to protect her when she was being too stupid to protect herself. I was pained seeing his PTSD and injuries from the war, but I think knowing this as his back story helped the reader understand him and his actions.

This was a solid read with a great plot, but unfortunately that was muddied a bit by my complete distaste for Grace.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

A big thanks to Flux for early digital access to this read. Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood releases next week, on March 27th, so be sure to pick up a copy!

OMG!!!!!!! This book has made me so happy! I'm so impressed and cannot be more thankful to Amy Trueblood for blessing me with such a thrilling read!

The story centers around an AMAZING heroine named Grace Lefferty. She is one of the rising female barnstormers in the Roaring Twenties, a time when pilots from World War I decide to continue flying and pursuing their dreams in Flying Circuses. She and her team, the Soaring Eagles, are saving up for Chicago's World Aviation Expo, and the prize is a multi-year contract with the famous Palm Coast Studios. And when the team recruits a new mechanic, Henry Patton, Grace starts to wonder if she can have both the life of a female wing-walker and have the love of a man who sees her as an equal.

I LOVE how Trueblood layers her characters!!!! I was so entranced and felt EVERYTHING the characters felt, almost like I was living out their stories with them. That's how you know a book is amazing, my friends.

The writing is also phenomenal. I was so impressed by how well everything was developed; the plot, characters, setting, EVERYTHING was so fleshed out and beautiful. Every time I had to stop reading, I was so excited to pick my book back up. The plot is a tad predictable and there were a few conversations that were a little cheesy, but I loved what little predictability and corny-ness (that's totally a word) there is. Honestly, guys, it's either unnoticeable while reading or it just made the story better, I can't tell which one.

I have to say, I struggle with getting out of my comfort zone, and books are no exception. YA fantasy and science fiction are my go-tos, but I know I should read more contemporary romance and historical fiction. I love romance and I love history... so don't ask me why I'm so dumb because I don't know why. But I am so glad that I received this book from NetGalley. SO GRATEFUL.

I can't stress to you guys how much you need to read this book! It's so frickin amazing and thrilling, but it's not just a light read - it's deep and sweet and just great.

Please, PLEASE, go get this book! Au revoir, my fellow bookworms.

Some stories are timeless-- which would include the story told in "Nothing But Sky." In this book, Amy Trueblood does a great job of making history relevant. The historical setting is unique and is what kept me turning pages.

As a native Nebraskan, it was pretty awesome to see Lincoln, NE represented in literature. I'd never read a book set in 1920s Lincoln before!

This story is as beautiful as it's cover. It sends the reader soaring through the clouds, takes us back down to Earth, and through the trauma of heartache. It is as much a love story about flying as it is about relationships.

The author transported the reader to 1922 and the world of barnstorming. The details of the planes and setting were incredible and I was fascinated to learn about this part of history. My heart flew as Grace's did every time the plane lifted off the ground knowing Grace represented actual stunt women.

But what I loved most about this story were the characters. Each one was so well developed with personality and his/her storyline, any one of them could star in their own novel. Grace, who kept everyone together with her strength, determination, and love, was the perfect main character. I was excited to read about a young woman who wouldn't let anyone or anything keep her from her dreams.

4 stars

Grace Lafferty is a wing walker after the Great War and she's determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, prove her scrappy team's worth, and earn a coveted Hollywood contract.

Henry Patton, a Great War veteran and mechanic, joins her barnstorming team and he questions her ambition, but Grace continues her test of the powers of the sky despite her attraction to Henry and others' urging.

I really enjoyed this one. Historical fiction is such a rare commodity just because I know a lot of people are not ready to go to that extra degree of intensive research.

I personally have grown bored of the 1800s etiquette and novels (Sorry, Jane Austen) and have moved my attentions to other periods in history, post World War I as one of these.

I could definitely see how much effort Trueblood put into shaping the era of this novel and it made the time period so vivid and rich for the reader. It definitely wasn't one of America's brightest moments in history, but it was like you, the reader, were plopped in that time period experiencing that thrill of sneaking alcohol.

It's a time period some people aren't too familiar with, but I think Trueblood did a great job of establishing the setting and customs without being too lush or descriptive.

I also thought that Grace was an admirable woman and her personal character growth, although not as easily detectable for most of the novel until the end, was a good story and a good lesson learned. She becomes a better person by the end yet still keeps her independence and ambition--the modern woman truly can have it all.

There were a few things I wasn't too peachy-keen on just with plot. The "government" was an antagonist for a good section of the novel and sometimes it almost felt like the government was a caricature--that's literally the only way anyone addressed an aviation regulation department, and I would have liked it to go more into how the people who work for the government aren't necessarily as evil as the government.

This idea of the government was just a little too simplified in my opinion.

Despite this, the other antagonists had a nice sort of redemption arc and I enjoyed reading about them because they didn't feel as cartoon-villain-y as the "government" did.

Also, for a large part of the novel, it did feel like not a lot was happening and all the characters were trying to do was get more money so they could finally get to that aviation expo Grace had been dreaming of.

Things definitely got a lot spicier at the end, but the beginning was a little slow for me even though there was a solid amount of character interaction and buildup.

I also thought the action scenes were a little short and not as thrilling as they could have been. It felt like they were over with one flip of the ebook page, but I wanted my heart to be pounding and Grace participated in death-defying tricks. I wanted to be scared and short of breath as I hoped she was okay.

I didn't really get that and although it keeps some of the mood, I was kind of expecting a little more excitement in the novel.

But one of the things I really loved was the portrayal of PTSD in this book. Henry and a couple others, like one of Grace's friends, experience this and it's depicted in the novel very nicely. I can't comment on the realistic nature of this, but I did think this was executed well and was not only interesting and tactful, but helpful for the reader to understand what a lot of people from that time were going through.

Overall, I really enjoyed Trueblood's debut, Nothing But Sky, as it is a well-written slice of what life was like after the Great War, as well as an overall entertaining and interesting novel. I would definitely recommend to those looking for historical fiction from less-written about time periods!

Making a living as a barnstormer in the early 1920s is rough—but Grace has a plan to stay in the air. All she and her team have to do is win the 1922 World Aviation Expo in Chicago—a shoe-in with the Showstopper, her death-defying new stunt. They just need the money for the entrance and hangar fees. But a rival stunt group keeps interfering as they try to lure Grace to wing-walk for their team, and their intimidation tactics are only growing more and more dangerous...

I love watching the old videos of wing-walkers and barnstormers, who pushed their rickety cloth and wood biplanes to the limits, so this book was a definite winner. Grace was perhaps the only downside to the story, as she is arrogant, self-centered and behaves in a way that just didn't seem true to the era (I'm not an expert, but she definitely wouldn't have stood out in 2018). She does have a learning curve towards humility and compassion, however, and slowly begins to learn that other people's dreams matter as much as hers, and that it can cause people to do crazy things.

All told, it's an exciting book with cameos from amazing historic figures like Bessie Coleman (omg).

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.