The Girls of Pearl Harbor

Sisters April and Grace, with their best friend Poppy, are nurses who arrive in Pearl Harbor a few weeks before Dec 7. There they meet Eva, another nurse, stationed on The Solace. A quick friendship is formed as the four women become as close as if they were all sisters. They explore the island together and enjoy evenings dancing with the local soldiers. However, with the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, all four will face death, injuries and horrors that will change the path of their lives forever.
This is a story of friendship and sisterhood. The drama is contained in the horrors they face, not character-driven. Before the attack, everything is so idyllic and perfect. It was a bit too much of a set-up, when readers know what was about to happen on Dec 7. The dialogue didn’t seem authentic, especially during the attack. The women's thoughts seemed trivial, given what was going on. Then the things they said aloud were the kinds of things one might wish they had said in hindsight. It didn’t ring true or reflect the gravity of what was going on. The story does get more substantial as the women mature in the face of war. If you like “historical chick lit” then this is a decent offering.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane is a great historical fiction novel focussing on three women (sisters Grace and April and Eva) as they all make their way in finding themselves, their destinies, and each other during WWII. This sweeping novel starts a month prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continues onward.

I liked the main characters and the development, maturity, and changes they all go through as they experience trauma, stress, and the world. I enjoyed the interactions and relationships they developed with each other and others. The dynamics kept the book interesting. I enjoyed some of the plot twists and I felt that the ending was appropriate and comforting.
I think I like most of all that the characters were imperfect and slightly flawed, making them realistic and relatable, and that they were all strong and rose to the challenges facing them as the novel progresses.
I have to admit I have read all of Ms. Lane’s HF novels, and have enjoyed every one. This newest installment is also a winner and most certainly delivers.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

WEE SMALLS
It was 2 a.m. in Cincinnati when I read this gripping WWII novel on the attack that changed America forever.

SOBBING
But I swear I heard the roar of Japanese fighter planes, felt my heart seize as I tried to outrun bullets, gasped as I saw severed limbs and lives — sounds and sights that won’t leave. I held my breath for chapters and when I finally broke free, I just wanted my husband to console me as I sobbed and sobbed.

HEART TORN
This heart-rending novel follows the lives and loves of four young nurses who’d thought their Hawaii assignment was Edenic until Hell opened up on December 7, 1941, during Japan’s stealth attack that propelled a reluctant U.S. into war. It has done more to educate me about the devastating impact of Pearl Harbor than any other book save BROTHERS DOWN, the true recounting of the deaths of 63 brothers aboard the USS Arizona that day.

FICTION VS. FACT
Sometimes fiction gives flesh to events in ways that pure history can’t and I found that to be the case with THE GIRLS OF PEARL HARBOR. I highly recommend this riveting novel for lovers of historical fiction and drama-laced romance with 5/5 Enthusiastic Stars!

Pub Date 10 Sep 2019.

Thanks to Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheGirlsOfPearlHarbor #NetGalley #SorayaMLane

This was a well researched novel by Soraya Lane, that takes place during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and eventually moves to North Africa. Sisters April and Grace, along with their best friend Poppy arrive at Pearl Harbor, just prior to the attack. They meet a new friend and fellow nurse, Eva. It’s party time, beach fun, handsome GI’s and little nursing, until disaster strikes. Then they realize just what they are in for, as the horrendous truth of frontline injuries are experienced.
This is a story of tragic losses, and the brave and courageous women, fighting their own fears to save lives. These young women, just beginning their nursing careers are ill prepared to handle the gruesome outcomes they see on a daily basis. The author creates wonderful and likable characters that grow and mature throughout the story.
I received an ARC from #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishing for my honest review.
#TheGirlsofPearlHarbor

I really enjoyed this book. I usually am not a fan of books like these but I was apart of a book club and this book was recommended to me. I liked the time frame this book took place it reminded me of my grandpa because he fought in world war 2. The three sisters are different and seeing them make different decisions made took them on 3 different journeys. It gave the book an great dynamic depth.

I have loved reading this book telling the story of Nurses at Pearl Harbour who thought they had arrived in paradise only to end up in hell when the Japanese attacked.April,Grace,Poppy and Eva form a friendship and enjoy their posting on this beautiful island untill their world is shattered with bombs and bullets flying everwhere.The young nurses have a battle on their hands to treat the men injured and to stay safe,they do everything they can to help anyone who needs them.I can honestly say i have really loved this book and i give it 5* and highly recommend it.Well done Soraya M Lane.

What a great book! It really got into the devastating, horrors of the fighting on the front
lines. I really cared for the characters and what they are going through. The ending
was really good. Each of the three nurses grew up by the end of the book. This is the
first book I've read of Soraya M. Lane but I'm interested in reading her other books
after this one.

Thanks to her, NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read this one.

"America was most definitely at war now; the only uncertainty was what step they'd be forced to take next to keep their country safe."
When three young women decide to join the Army Corp and become nurses, they truly think they have hit gold when they land in Hawaii. What more could you want? A vacation!
Then..... War breaks out! So many die and are wounded and these girls must survive, and survive they do!
They make a difference in this war! They care and hope and help!
This is an intense novel and very descriptive in many instances. Soraya made me feel as if I was there too, caring for these soldiers!
Well done!

This book was slow going at first but then after a couple of chapters I couldn't put it down. I love these books that show what woman did for us in the war. I'm glad it was the Americans turn with this one.
The story was brilliant had me crying and laughing in the right places so glad that the 3 of them got home in the end and they didn't forget poppy.
The story made me gratefully that it's peace time now and how much we owe to these people for all their sacrifices they made.
Thank you for a brilliant book keep writing these books and I'll keep reading them and buying them.

***The Girls of Pearl Harbor, according to the author, was written as a tribute to all the nurses who served. The story focuses on two sisters and two friends, one of whom dies on December 7. It explores why each chose nursing as a career and follows the remaining three as they are sent to duty stations far away from Hawaii. While I love WWII stories, this particular book just didn’t keep my interest where I didn’t want to put it down. The simplistic and uninspiring writing failed to engage this reader into the story. Perhaps that was because so much of the writing seemed less about events and more about the characters’ emotions as they processed the events. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this book and need to find more by this author. The storyline was heart wrenching and really kept my attention until the end! I loved being able to grasp each of the characters personalities and story lines.

The Girls Of Pearl Harbor, is a wonderful book about three young nurses working in Hawaii, two sisters April and Grace are army corps nurses and their friend Eva is a nurse in the navy. In their spare time girls enjoy everything the island has to offer and it's a adventure in paradise. They enjoy going to the beach, swimming, and the attention of so many young handsome men.
Of course they have no idea their world is about to change, when on the 7th of December 1941 the Japanese army bomb Pearl Harbor, the three nurses lives are changed forever and nothing could prepare them for what happens during and after they attack. The damage to Pearl Harbor is massive, buildings, ships and planes are destroyed by bombs and are on fire. They had no warning about Japanese forces attacking the island, the girls are caught up in a battle zone of flying bullets, bombs landing, patients with terrible wounds, burns and the severe loss of life. They also feel very vulnerable after the attack, being stranded in Hawaii, they have no idea if the Japanese would return and attack the now isolated island?

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, America declares war against the Japanese and joins the Allied forces in WW II.
Grace, April and Eva decide to leave Hawaii and they volunteer to go to North Africa.
Here the nurses are working in very primitive conditions, the hospital is made up of a series of tents, the food is horrible, the water is foul, flies drive them crazy, they can't have a proper bath, toilet facilities are a long drop and it's also stinking hot.
All three women have their own personal issues to deal with, they have all experienced loss, grief and one had a difficult childhood. They're all effected by their work as nurses, the terrible injuries, soldiers with shell shock, the constant danger, a nasty doctor, lack of sleep, one very difficult patient and the poverty of the local people.
The Girls Of Pearl Harbor takes you on a emotional journey, it's a story about how friends can help each other cope during tough times, girls growing up and becoming strong independent women, once the war is over they will follow their dreams, one decides study to be a doctor and they fall in love.

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for my digital copy, Soraya M. Lane for writing another brilliant book as I have read and enjoyed her previous books; Wives Of War, Hearts Of Resistance and The Spitfire Girls.
I loved The Girls Of Pearl Harbor, I gave it 5 big stars and I will be sharing my review.

The Girls Of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane. The Girls Of Pearl Harbor was a very well written historical novel. I loved all the characters. I lived in Hawaii and remember some of the places such as Tripler Army Hospital. I cannot imagine the places where some of the disasters took place like the air base and in the water at the Harbor where today stands the memorial. From beginning to end you stay amazed at the stamina of the doctors and nurses. I will definitely read more books written by this author.

Sisters April and Grace, along with their best friend Poppy are on an adventure. At least for now that is what it feels like. The girls have been close for years, and when April decided to follow her dream to become a nurse in the military, Poppy and Grace went along. They were far from dedicated in the beginning; Grace couldn’t even stand the sight of blood. But all of them made it through nursing school and enlisted. Their assignment was in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was 1941 and they seemed to spend more time on the beach than nursing, which was working out fine for Grace.

Then tragedy struck. Pearl Harbor was attacked. Life as they had grown accustom to was forever changed. People very close to them died that day and the wounded needed the nurse’s care more than ever before.

After the initial tragic days, it was evident the girls might not be staying in Pearl Harbor because they needed to be closer to the action to help our wounded soldiers. When April decided to go to Africa, her sister insisted on going also. They were needed there, but the living conditions were poor and the injuries were much worse than they encountered in Hawaii.

Their personal lives were in turmoil as well. Grace trying to be her own person and April always trying to mother her didn’t help. The girls love and depend upon each other, but even sisters have secrets they don’t want to share.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor allows the reader to enter an historical event from an angle different than most. All Americans as well as most of the world have heard about the attack that brought the United States into the war, but the characters bringing the reality to readers from each of their different perspectives was very interesting.

I also liked that choice of the girls going to Africa instead of the South Pacific as was expected. I didn’t realize that much fighting during the war was based there, as well as the brave nurses and other medical personnel that were needed to care for the wounded.

The characters were interesting and multidimensional. The growth in the nurses, as well as the way each of them handled their job as well as their personal losses, was an integral part of the plot and well done. The only thing that didn’t ring true was the amount of time they spent holding each other’s hands, grasping hands, clutching hands…it seemed as though they could not walk anywhere without all of them holding hands like toddlers. I even asked my aunt who lived on the base at Pearl Harbor while her husband was stationed there in the late 1940s if women held hands all the time. She answered no, they did not. I understand once in a while when someone is upset, but it got to be too frequent for me, taking away from the story.

Overall, The Girls of Pearl Harbor was very interesting and the characters likeable. I recommend it to fans of historical fiction and women’s fiction.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2019 Laura Hartman

The Girls of Palm Harbor was a wonderful and emotional historical novel. Well written and well developed characters. A must read.

I loved this book and it is so nice to read historical fiction from the point of views of women and nurses, in which the book is centred around their experiences in nursing soldiers during the war. This book centres on four young woman, sisters April and Grace and their friends Poppy and Eva. They are deployed to pearl harbour as army nurses, with Ava being a navy nurse on one of the vessels off the coast of pearl harbor. This book does come with some trigger warnings; sexual harassment and death (including that of infants) however it is just showing the true horrors of the war, and not sugar coating it too much. There is also a bit of sexism in this book that makes you realise just how much has changed since the war, in which April is reminded to "remember her place as a nurse and woman" I won't explain why...Spoilers.
For me the only negative I found about this book is that it actually is not based in Pearl Harbor for very long, yes we witness them being first posted there and the brutal attack, but then they move to Tunisia and the front line, finally returning home once the war has ended. Although I did really enjoy the ending to be honest. For me this book is 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Two American sisters and their friend travel to Pearl Harbour to continue their nursing career. They are met with paradise; the weather, the island, their freedom from the constraints of living at home with their parents and new friendships. Then comes the attack by the Japanese; their friend is killed and the paradise turns into a nightmare with all the horrors of war, the wounded and the dead.

Later they transfer to North Africa to help the war effort there. Conditions here are much worse. Although they work hard, April, Grace and Eva are still suffering from the death of their friend and we witness their struggles and their efforts to overcome their situation.

I was slightly disappointed in this book although I find it hard to put my finger on why. The plot was well constructed, the characters interesting and well-developed and I certainly found the Pearl Harbour sequence harrowing. Also, a big also, I did want to find out what happened to the girls and kept reading. Maybe I am being a bit harsh, but …

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for

Starts Out Feeling Like The Movie, Becomes So Much More. Through the opening third of this book or so, when our central characters are at Pearl Harbor, it is very hard to break away from comparing the scenes here to the Ben Affleck / Kate Beckinsale movie from the turn of the Millenium. Which isn’t an overly bad thing – this reader loved that movie and it made a fair amount at the box office to boot.

And then we get to Dec 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. (Though I do wish Lane had included that particular phrase when showing some of Roosevelt’s speech the next day.)

At the actual attack, Lane does a superb job of getting us into the heads of these particular characters as the events and aftermath are unfolding. It is here that she truly sepatates her tale from the movie, and it is at this point that the reader never really thinks about the movie again until sitting down to write the review.

To go much in depth at all with the plot beyond this is to veer close to spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that for those that survive Dec 7, the book continues with the efforts to further support the war, this time in the Africa Campaign. Superb writing here again, though there *is* a rape scene that some may want to be aware of going into this. But Lane does an excellent job of expanding our scope in this section to see not just the soldiers and nurses, but the townspeople they are working among.

Overall maybe my one complaint here is that the ending is perhaps a bit too tidy, particularly after doing such an amazing job of showing the various horrors of war from the small and personal to the grand and international. Still, very much a recommended book.

“The Girls of Pearl Harbor” is a WWII fact-based fictional account of four young women serving their country as nurses; three in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and one Navy nurse on the hospital ship, USS Solace, all stationed in Pearl Harbor. The girls can’t believe their good luck. It’s like a paid vacation in paradise until it all turns to sh*t on the “date that will live in infamy”, December 7, 1941 when the Empire of Japan carried out a surprise attack on the United States of America.

Of particular note are the accounts of the young women’s experiences and the events that test their mettle, their reactions and the bonds that form from such close quarter living and working together under oftentimes harrowing conditions. In addition to the combat scenes, the intense dramas that unfold in battlefield surgeries are especially riveting. How each character matures and evolves in response to their losses, and how they bounce back from adversity, the sisterly love they share and the romantic love each discovers is uplifting but never sappy. Seeing the historic events through the eyes of young women who were much less worldly than today’s generation is especially interesting.

Author Lane’s descriptions are vivid and hugely satisfying, the historical background well researched and the narrative is delivered in the third person voices of the three surviving women. I would’ve liked to have seen a smoother segue to the conclusion. The too quick and easy ending was a bit of a letdown after the intense drama that unfolded throughout the story. A bit like experiencing a whiplash. All told though, still a damned fine read. Four and a half stars.
My thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy) in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #TheGirlsofPearlHarbor #SorayaM.Lane

After Grace, April and Poppy join the US Army Nurse Corps, they are thrilled to find themselves in beautiful Hawaii. Grace and April are sisters and Poppy is their best friend. They also become friends with Eva, who they met at a party. All four nurses enjoy the beautiful weather and the parties. Most of their nursing is on football injuries and minor accidents and they can't believe how lucky they are to be in paradise. That all changes on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. All of a sudden they are faced with dead bodies, burned and mangled bodies and a great fear that the bombing will continue. As they face the destruction and loss of life, their nursing skills are greatly tested.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor takes you on a vivid journey through a tumultuous time in American history. The problems in their pasts no longer matter as these friends are thrust into difficult situations taking care of badly wounded men and putting their own lives in jeopardy. Will they be able to let go of their pasts and find out how strong they really are?

Thanks to the author for this wonderfully written and well researched novel about nurses and their importance in WWII.

RIVETING!

THE GIRLS OF PEARL HARBOR by Soraya M. Lane is riveting! Three young nurses (Grace, April & Poppy) join the US Army Nurse Corps and quickly befriend another seasoned nurse, Eva. They all join for different reasons but their first station is in beautiful Hawaii. They are enjoying all the tropical paradise has to offer until the infamous morning of December 7 when the whole world turned upside down. In an instant, life as the world has known it, changed completely!! The horrors these four women would face & endure would break most people. Yet, they remained and they grew from each close encounter with death, with each close encounter with critically injured people - soldiers, townspeople (young children as well as adults & senior adults) & each close encounter with their own feelings and emotions. They learn what true love is not but even in the midst of all the horrors of war they are able to learn what true love (lifetime love) really means. I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own and without influence.

Grace and April, two sisters from Oregon, join the nurse corps and are posted to Pearl Harbor in early 1941. It seems like paradise, but of course the reader knows what is coming. They meet up with another military nurse, Eva, and all become friends, bonding over many tragedies and triumphs. I found the plot somewhat contrived--they're supposedly in the military, but there seems to be very little mention of it. Grace is said to be squeamish around blood--wouldn't someone have noted that in her training and addressed it? I think I was the wrong reader for this novel. I love well researched historical fiction, and this seemed more like a World War II romance.

This was my first book by Soraya and I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed reading about wartime through the eyes of the female nurses.

The romance in each of the storylines were really sweet as well. I loved how Eva brought Art back to life after his debilitating injury.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalIey and Amazon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have always been fascinated by WW2 historical fiction, and have read quite a bit of it. However, this is the first historical fiction that I have read that takes place at Pearl Harbor. It was heartbreaking to read about these nurses and soldiers that were expecting a safe place to be stationed, and ended up being attacked so brutally by the Japanese and thrown into war.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor follows the story of two sisters, April and Grace, and another friend named Eva that they met in Hawaii. It starts about a month before the attack and then ends several years later after they were deployed to Africa. The chapters alternated between the three girls, and showed their personalities so well that I became quite attached to them by the end of the book.

I loved the vivid descriptions of everything they went through, from the attack, to personal issues, to their lives at the hospital and their deployment. I felt like I was witnessing it all through their eyes. I would love to see this become a movie.

I also enjoyed how the book wasn't just about the war, but also friendship, love, ambitions, and family. There was a little bit of everything and it made for a well rounded story.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, especially those interested in WW2 era stories.

I love a good WWII genre book and this was one. Great characters, lots of action and historical accuracy. I was not that aware of the war from the eyes of the nurses and it was very informative and especially when they move to North Africa. I recommend this one for all fans of historical fiction and definitely fans of WWII fiction.

Thank you to NetGalIey and Amazon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Girls Of Pearl Harbor is a historical fiction by Soraya M. Lane. It comes out September 10, 2019.
I loved this book! The author did such a good job making us, the reader, feel part of the story. I grasped while the battle raged and cried with the nurses when a friend was lost or their job became so overwhelming as injured after injured were brought in.
Every well written, keeps you engaged from the beginning. The scenery descriptions were amazing. I adored the characters! They were interesting and multidimensional.
I strongly recommend this book! Giving it a 5 star!

What a story this one is so moving and emotional, but showing the strength these woman had and what they went through in times that rocked the world, beautifully written, there were tears aplenty but there was also smiles along the way. Make yourself comfy as you get to know these woman and the men that came into their lives.

Three woman two sisters April and Grace and their best friend Poppy sign up to be nurses and are sent to Pearl Harbour, here they meet another nurse Eva and together they are enjoying life with parties, the beach, very handsome soldiers what more could you want and then that all changed on December 7th when the Japanese attacked.

April the big sister and mother figure, so very serious and she wants so badly to help people be a nurse but she also has dreams of more in her career.

Grace, younger sister and who relies on her sister so much but loves to have fun, meet new people, nursing is not her first choice of career but she wanted to be with her sister.

Poppy, bright, bubbly and always fun and very much in love with her boyfriend Teddy.

Eva engaged to Charlie, strong but with problems at home and a very good nurse, she is on the ship The Solace.

December 7th changes their lives forever, what they went through and had to do will leave them different people forever, stronger yes, heart-broken yes, but they move on because that is what they must so. They find themselves in Africa meeting new people, helping to save lives, also finding themselves, opening up and finding love.

I loved this story MS Lane took me back to these times I felt their heart-ache and their joy, got to know these woman, this is a must read book, beautifully written, not put down able. I cannot highly recommend this one enough, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come, I loved it, and it is such a fabulous compelling read.

This is a new to me author. The story begins with four nurses, Poppy, Grace, April and Eva, stationed in Pearl Harbor a month before the attack. They were so happy to be there, felt like they were living in paradise. Every night was a party and the injuries were minor. Then the attack happened and nothing was ever the same again. I absolutely loved this story. I loved the fact that it focused on the nurses and their point of view. The details were so vivid that I could envision the attack. I also liked the fact that the second part of the attack took place in North Africa. So much focus is placed on the war taking place in Europe that I'm embarrassed to say that I really don't know that much about the battles of WWII in Africa. This story made me admire nurses even more than I already do. This was an amazing work of historical fiction. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The opinion is all mine.

A group of young nurses enjoying the beauty of Hawaii are suddenly thrown into the terrifying attack on Pearl Harbor. The story tells of their bravery and stamina. Their friendships carried them through the long days tending to the severely injured and the beginning of the many years looming on the horizon.

Becoming a part of history in a novel is one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much. Ms. Lane has done an amazing job in taking me back into the historcal events of what happened at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese flew in and started bombing. I know from history what took place but "living" this through the characters in this book had my heart pounding and my stomach churning with them. I was in the thick of these events right along with these characters.

Three best friends plus one, embark on what they think will be the adventure "as the best time of our lives" in the US Army Nurse Corps. This is the story of April and Grace, two sisters, and their best friend, Poppy. Their "plus one" is a fireball of energy, Eva, and they fast become treasured friends with each other. Their first assignment is based in Hawaii, a paradise that will never have it's pristine beauty and peaceful living disturbed.....until that fateful day and the vicious attack on December 7th.

Ms. Lane's narrative of the attack is heart-stopping action that I felt I was experiencing right along with these characters. I was in shock and unbelief right along with Grace as she was witnessing the horrific events. The ear splitting blasts of gun fire, the stench of smoke and death, the ghastly sight of all those injured and dead bodies was so realistic. I cried and wanted to scream along with the nurses as they ran for cover. As the awful events of that attack start to settle down, there's unbelievable tragedy that made me cry so much. "How did we go from having the time of our lives here to losing everything."

Now that America has been pulled into the war, the nurses are faced with a new assignment. They are going to work in Mateur, Tunisia. I traveled along with them and when we stepped off the train, it was definitly a foreign country like none other. "Grace's heart beat fast as she looked around, amazed all over again at how a regular girl from Oregon had somehow ended up on the other side of the world, in a place so different she couldn't have even imagined it in her wildest dreams." The living conditions were such a challenge, not to mention the loosly termed "hospital" these nurses worked out of. It was under almost impossible conditions for them. The heart they had for helping the wounded and suffering soldiers was truly a sacrifice of love. They gave their all and cared for each soldier with every breath they had.

There were also the personal stories of each character woven throughout this book. Each one touched my heart and endeared them to me. I became attached to them in ways that I didn't expect and pulled for them to fight their way through the horrific conditions, the heart breaking decisions, and the situations they encountered outside of the caretaking they put everything into. I lived their stories in the words and pages of this fictional, but realistic account of what the nurses in the USANC endured. I learned so much about their strength to complete their missions and of their love for their country and the patients they cared for.

I want to thank Lake Union, Netgalley, and Ms. Lane for the kindle copy of this historic read that took me back to this time and event. I have a new found admiration for the nurses who served in this time in history. I give it 5 plus thankful stars!

This is the 3rd book of Soraya’s books I have read and it was amazing!!! This book grabs you right from the beginning and takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride!! Highly highly recommend!!!,

The Girls of Pearl Harbor
By Soraya M. Lane
I enjoyed this book but felt the ending was a little rushed. I enjoy reading historical fiction because although I know the story is not real, I imagine it was perhaps close to someone’s life. Reading about someone’s life and how they react to situations is always interesting too. I prefer Christian books in general because I appreciate and learn from the character's choices. Although this is not in the Christian fiction genre it was clean enough for me.
I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as the story of Grace, April and Poppy joined the US Army Nurse Corps and experienced WWII. The characters were spunky and developed well throughout the book. From fun to grief and finally to the future this story developed and allowed the reader to experience the emotions of what war looked like beginning to end.
I was provided with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For more book reviews visit my blog: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

This is a beautifully written story about the human cost of World War 2. It was an interesting story which felt real.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Descriptive-Great Female Lead Characters-Plot Line That Developed Well Over The Course of the Novel

I am admittedly a huge historical fiction buff. This novel is a great addition to a genre which is growing in popularity. The novel is atypical because its plot centers around the lesser known heroes of Pearl Harbor and the destructive war which inevitably followed - the female nurses who were present on both land and at sea on December 7, 1941. It was quite refreshing to have such strong female lead characters and I felt very connected to them all (not even one over another as usually happens to me when I read!) as their stories developed.

The novel follows the nurses as the United States enters World War II after Pearl Harbor and readers are taken on a descriptive journey by train and ship to the United States's theater in Africa. The way the author is able to weave multiple stories into one cohesive novel really worked for me as a reader. It also feels as though the author "did her homework," so to speak, on the conditions, local customs, clothing, etc. of the African theater, which I sincerely appreciated as a WW2 historical fiction lover.

Overall, this was an excellent read. I did not give it 5/5 stars because the transitions between story lines and time periods (the day of the attack, peacetime to wartime, Pearl Harbor to Africa, etc.) felt a bit disjointed to me. However, I recommended this to my Bookstagram followers and will do the same here!

This was a very enjoyable read. I found it fascinating and informative. We see the story of 4 WW2 nurses and their journey. It is a little disjointed at times but it was very good. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor follows sisters Grace and April and their friends as they work as nurses during WWII. I wanted to read this book, as I am always interested in reading about women's experiences during the war. Unfortunately I found this book mostly disappointing. The writing was a bit too twee for my tastes, the constant mentions of, "oh, nothing bad will ever happen in Hawaii in 1941!" at the beginning of the book were so obvious and heavy handed, and a character mentioned that she felt "like a hot mess" at one point, which was really strange. I don't think women would have referred to themselves in those terms in 1941. The ending wrapped things up way too nicely and happily, which felt unrealistic, given the fact that the book was set during a war. However, it was a mostly entertaining read, and would be good for those interested in nursing and romance.

The Girls of Pearl Harbour by Soraya M Lane is a beautifully written story about four nurses facing the bombing of Pearl harbour. Sisters Grace and April and their best friend Poppy and new friend Eva.
When they first arrive at Pearl Harbour, they think that they are all on a long holiday and that America will not go to war and they will be just fixing cuts and bruises. They spend their downtime on the beach and chatting up the GI’s. But they couldn’t be more wrong when Sunday came and Grace April and Poppy walking in the sunshine hears a rumble. Suddenly they realise the planes flying towards them are not American but Japanese. The planes are so close they can see the evil smiles of the pilots when the planes are flying by. They realise they are at war. They lose a lot of people that day, even people close to them and they realise that their lives are going to be different from now on.
This is the first book from the author that I have read, and it won’t be my last. This is a moving story of four nurses in WW2 at Pearl harbour and then moving to Africa. The story showed not only what the nurses had to go through but also the atrocities that the soldiers had to go through in the war and who died and who lived. It was quite heart breaking. This had a great story line and very likeable characters. I loved it. I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

This well-researched (Soraya Lane writes that she was inspired by real-life experiences.) historical romance opens with the horrific bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941. Through flashbacks we gradually discover the back stories of the four main characters: sisters Grace and April, their childhood friend, Poppy and new companion, Eva. All four nurses are enjoying the idyllic setting of Hawaii when they experience first-hand the brutal bombing of 1941 which brings America into the Second World War - with traumatic consequences for each of the girls.

Each chapter switches between the four girls and is told from their individual perspective. Through this is revealed their distinct personalities, and motivations for signing up.

Much of the story focuses on the trio’s subsequent posting to Africa and details their wartime nursing experiences, dealing with heartache, bereavement, shattered relationships and their attempts to heal and find new meaning and love in peacetime. I would recommend this book as a holiday or ‘light’ read. It is enjoyable, interesting (from a historical perspective) and undemanding. Thank you for the ARC.

If i could give more than 5 stars, i would. Absolutely enjoyed this book and couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Loved the characters and the bond that was formed between the girls. There were parts that i found myself reaching for a tissue. So happy how things turned out at the end. I am not going to write what the story is about, as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, but i do highly recommend. I shall be looking out for more books by this author.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, freely given.

Thank Net Gallery to read this book of the nurses who fought this war among all the other women and men and suffered their personal losses these three friends did. So many different stories but here we have nurses,and war and hospitals anywhere there was someonehurt. Great history to this well researched book I so much enjoyed reading and did some crying! You need to read this book!🙈

This heartbreaking tale tells the story of 4 nurses. This book has educated me a lot on the events of pearl harbour.
I highly recommend this for all fans of historical fiction

Grace, Eva, Poppy, and Alice are nurses recently stationed at Pearl Harbor. They thought it would be a great time and felt lucky they were there. Then the shooting began and their lives changed forever. They were thrust into the war and the only choice was to survive.

I have read many WWII stories and am very interested in this time in history. When I started reading the book it reminded me of the movie, Pearl Harbor, and I was a little disappointed because I had heard this story before. As I kept reading the nurse’s stories continue to the aftermath of the war. They are sent overseas while still dealing with the horror and immense loss of Pearl Harbor. I loved reading about the female view of WWII from the battlefield. I also loved reading about the characters as they grew both personally and in their jobs. I was fascinated by the book and highly recommend it.

Sisters Grace and April team up with friends Poppy and Eva in Hawaii after being stationed at Pearl Harbor. They luxuriate in the paradise spending their days by the water and their nights dancing with handsome soldiers, convinced war is far removed from their current situation. Until the infamous attack of December 7th, 1941.

I was surprised by how little the story covered the events of Pearl Harbor. There was little build up to really get a sense of the characters before the attack to feel invested, and the recounting of the event from the perspective of these nurses felt generic and uninspired. It seemed the answers to all medical intervention was morphine and tetanus shot or amputation of a limb. The time period language and views seemed stereotypical.

After the attack, the girls are transferred to North Africa. At this point I felt the story finally unravel and the characters seemed to become more well rounded.

The ending was wrapped up a little too pretty for my tastes. It just wasn't for me.

Even though this particular story wasn't my cup of tea, it was an interesting romance in the backdrop of WW2

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Naturally enough, when a book is about Pearl Harbor and the events surrounding the attacks there, it is confronting.

The author did a great job of describing how life was for the people stationed there, before the attacks, and I felt like I was right there in the 40's, with Poppy, April, Grace and Eva, who were enjoying their time in Hawaii as young, single women. I enjoyed the scenes that the author set, and part of me wanted to go back and live in that time period myself, when people got dressed up to go to dances and things were a little more innocent. However, there were some aspects of that time that I am glad we have left far behind us as well. Women didn't have much of a say nor did they have as many options as the young women of today, and I am glad about that. Good manners could make a comeback though, any time they like!

Then, of course, came the attacks and the horror of that day was described very well, as were the aftereffects which were horrifying also. Grace was a bit squeamish about blood so that was interesting, considering she was a nurse! I think nursing was a slightly different kind of profession back in those days, although I had a friend who fainted the first time she saw an operation being done, so girls not being entirely suited to their profession isn't an entirely new thing.

This book was an excellent snapshot in time in so many ways.

4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

I had read a previous work of Soraya Lane before, and thought it was a good read without being too light and fluffy. The Girls of Pearl Harbor also falls into this category. It's a well thought out, interesting read about nurses during World War II. Not only does it cover areas of death and sadness, it also covers what it means to literally pull oneself up by one's own boot straps and grow and learn.

I had a general idea of what army nurses went through during war thanks to shows like M*A*S*H and China Beach, but this book, I felt, had a deeper understanding than the latter with all the joy and humor of the former. You had a strong willed, intelligent woman, a girl coming into her own and growing up, and the woman who needed to escape, all forming a strong, family like bond like the military can give. The best part, though, is that it wasn't too twee or cute. Yes, there are relationships and marriages, but it's dealt with in a mature, not cutesy, manner.

Very good story about young nurses planning to have fun with handsome soldiers at Pearl Harbor. All that changes December 7th, with the bombing. Being trained as a nurse has not prepared them for the heartbreak and horror they will experience. It is a very well written historical fiction novel. the writing is vivid and powerful, giving the reader a vast array of emotions. It is the first book I have read by this author but certainly not the last.

My review is mixed on this one. I believe this is simply a matter of reader-novel mismatch occurring at the wrong time. When I requested The Girls of Pearl Harbor from Net Galley, I had two goals in mind: to learn the details of the events at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and to get more insight into the working lives of brave nurses during World War II. I really wasn’t satisfied on either count.

This novel is primarily a romance novel with World War II as the backdrop. There were several things I did like about the book. First of all, if you are looking for a light romance with some suspenseful nonromantic scenes, this book is for you. As a romance, it is fine, though a bit predictable. The three women protagonists are likeable and easy to root for. With the backdrop of the war, there are several well done intense scenes involving the women out in the field, which were the best parts of the book for me. I also really liked the scenes of the nurses tending to emergencies in the hospital. The fact that part of the book was set in North Africa was another plus—I had not read much about that arena of the war.

On the other hand, the facts of the attack on Pearl Harbor was given very little airtime in this book. This disappointed me as I was eager to read about this milestone event in American history. I wanted more detail about what went on in North Africa as well, but again, the focus is on the lives of the three protagonists. And this may sound picky, but there is way too much handholding and too many tears in this story for me. I did however enjoy seeing the women get through some difficult times and grow in character. And I never felt the urge to give up on the book. It was good entertainment.

I just want to add if one is interested in the struggles of a dedicated nurse and a young doctor learning on the job during wartime, I highly recommend The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason, set in Carpathian Mountains during World War I. For a wartime romance with more depth, I suggest Last Christmas in Paris, a wonderfully heartfelt epistolary (written in letters) novel by Helen Gaynor and Heather Webb.

So a mixed bag for me. I recommend this novel to those looking for a lighter historical fiction romance tale with a wartime backdrop. Most readers have given this book 5 stars, so there is clearly a great audience for this one. I will say that despite my so-so rating, I am open to reading more from Ms. Lane. I will just make sure I am in the mood for something lighter.

I wish to thank Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing UK, and Ms. Soraya Lane for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor alternates perspectives between four friends who are stationed as Nurses in Hawaii on the Day of Infamy. It can be classified as chick-lit and is a piece of historical fiction that will appeal to women. The story begins so care-free as all the young service men and women stationed in Hawaii mingle and enjoy the paradise around them. It quickly turns to embody all the terror and frantic moments that occurred on December 7th, 1941 as the island suddenly came under attack. This was such a pivotal moment in American History and I felt emotional reading it. One thing I was puzzled by was why the nurses were so focused on Tetanus shots rather than tourniquets. This baffled me as I assumed the men would have received those vaccines prior to going into service and emergency medicine would call for stopping the bleeding, not administering shots. Anyway, if you enjoyed the movie, Pearl Harbor, and want a new twist on it in book form then it’s worth picking up!

Such a great story of friends/nurses at Pearl Harbor and WWII. The great writing made me feel the tragedy of Pearl Harbor and the battlefields of WWII in a personal way. Such horrendous loss and suffering. 3 friends, 1 not even sure that they wanted to be a nurse, stationed in beautiful Hawaii, enjoying "the life" until that fateful day. We continue to follow them through the war and more loss, more tragedy along with professional growth and maturing. They find love and learn to pick up the pieces. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This is a well written book that holds your attention. It has action, adventure and romance and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Thank you Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand I liked reading about four girl friends who became nurses during WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor. On the other hand I didn't really like the romance aspect, but at the same time it wasn't to overdone. It was an entertaining light read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This is a story of four nurses who faced the attack on Pearl Harbor and their deployment to Northern Africa afterwards These women faced horrific situations, taking care of the wounded, and yet having the courage and bravery to endure. It was definitely an emotional read. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Lane, but look forward to reading others. My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite WWII historical fiction novels.

Grace, April and Poppy become nurses and are stationed in Hawaii. They see this as a grand adventure and a bit of a vacation. Shortly after arriving they met Eva, a nurse on the USS Solace. Eva quickly becomes part of their group. They enjoy dances, parties and the beach. Plans are tragically altered when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor.

The group volunteers to be sent to Africa. There they are faced with unbalanced soldiers, amputations, death and worse. They fully support each other as each one fights their own battles in and around the hospital.

This is an excellent WWII read. Many historical fiction books are being written in this era, but I found this one to be particularly satisfying. It examines nurses on the front lines. Each of the women grow as they face hardships and exciting adventures. The characters are full and complicated. The reader will laugh and cry with them. Even the minor characters are developed in such a way that they are important, as well.


I received an ARC from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley. That in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor was my first book by Soraya M Lane, but I am certain it will not be my last. I have read numerous books set during the Second World War but this was the first focused on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Sisters April and Grace, together with their best friend Poppy are working as nurses at Pearl Harbor, where the meet Eve, a fellow nurse stationed on one of the ships. In the early part of the book, they often discuss what will happen if America enters the war, but it seems like an unlikely prospect, and instead they are enjoying their freedom on Hawaii, dressing up for dances , and going for horse rides on the beach. One fateful day everything changes , the Japanese attack with devastating consequences and our brave crew of nurses must deal with horrific injuries and losses. Soon they find themselves working almost on the front lines, and challenged in ways they never expected.
While I am not a romance fan, this historical romance was surprisingly enjoyable, largely due to the skill shown by the author in crafting her characters. They are interesting and believable and I enjoyed seeing them grow over the course of the book to become stronger and more independent women, while maintaining the relationships that bind them together. The author also does not shy away from describing the brutality of war, from gory injuries and amputations to shocking deaths.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "The Girls of Pearl Harbor" by Soraya M. Lane, Lake Union, September 10, 2019

Soraya M. Lane, Author of "The Girls of Pearl Harbor" has written a captivating, intense, heartbreaking, intriguing emotional and thought-provoking novel. The Genre for this Novel is Historical Fiction and takes place during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the United States involvement into World War Two.  I appreciate that the author vividly writes and describes the tragedies and the camaraderie, and courage of the nurses, and servicemen and women.  The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, flawed, perhaps due to the dire circumstances. There are also supportive, brave and courageous.

When Poppy, Grace, and April first join the Nurse's Corp and are at Pearl Harbor, it seems like Paradise. They meet another nurse, Eva. Everything seems wonderful until the fateful day of Dec. 7, when they are attacked at Pearl Harbor.  The devastation and the horrors only get worse, as the nurses and doctors tend to hurt bodies.  There is so much destruction and death. There is also so much uncertainty and lack of man-power.

The medical staff and soldiers are transferred to even more difficult places and situations. I appreciate that the author discusses the horrors of war, but also stresses the importance of emotional support, protecting your country, the importance of friendship, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this story.

This is the second historical fiction book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoy how she writes such strong and independent women. The three women this story centers around all have their ups and downs, their moments of weakness and their times of strength. Through it all they are determined to make their mark on the world and help others.

I wasn’t sure if Grace was going to win me over because I had issues with her in the beginning. Rest assured, she does redeem herself. But in the first half of this story Grace was very egocentric. Every time I would start to like her and think she wasn’t as spoiled as I was making her out to be, she would do or say something to her sister that would make my blood boil. By the end Grace will not only redeem herself, but will even earn my respect.

Eva has the biggest climb out of despair after the Pearl Harbor attack, and she seems to take the longest. Through everything she has to come to terms with she is still such a nurturer. There are some things that have to do with Eva’s thought process in the beginning that I had issues with. I kept reminding myself that it was a different time and most women had far fewer options than what we have today. If some of the things Eva fears start to rile you I’ll tell you the same thing about her as I said about Grace, by the end you won’t really think of those earlier problems.

Now April I liked from the start. She could be a bit uptight and strict, but when you get to know her you realize that she came by those personality traits honestly. In other words, you can’t hold those things against her. Plus, they tend to serve her and the other women well. April is the strongest of them all and the most forward thinking, but she still feels the need to conform to the ideals of the time. She slowly starts to gain more confidence. There is something that happens with her that most readers will pick up on pretty early on but that she is oblivious to…once all of those issues come to light she will come through even stronger.

There are love stories throughout this book, but it’s truly about the strength of these women and how they support one another through many hard times. Don’t worry if you’re here for the love, there’s plenty of chemistry and sweet moments. There is heartbreak and things that will make your heart soar. I like that these women find love, but that you know they’ll be okay even if they don’t.

A historical fiction romance that starts off during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continues on to North Africa, a part of the war I was not very familiar with. This was a captivating and intense read and is one I enjoyed very much. A story of friendship, sisterhood, love, trust, loss and heartbreak. Very well written with likable characters. I have enjoyed Soraya Lane's historical fiction work immensely and always look forward to her next book. The Girls of Pearl Harbor is one I will be recommending to my friends.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

“America was most definitely at war now; the only uncertainty was what step they’d be forced to take next to keep their country safe.”

Loved it! 5 stars for this wonderful story of determination, loyalty and friendship!
When two sisters and their best friend join the Army Corp as nurses, they feel lucky to be stationed in beautiful Hawaii. They strike up a friendship with another nurse stationed on a nearby Navy ship. The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor soon after their arrival. The scene the author set of the destruction and deaths felt very real as if seeing it with your own eyes. These women stayed strong, showed kindness and gave hope to the injured soldiers in their care, even though they knew many wouldn’t make it.
The women were then sent to Africa to set up a medical hospital, once again the women are at the frontline being bombarded with bombs and gunfire “where the smell of death permeates the air.” Told in alternating storylines, we also see romance bloom under the sadness and terrible losses of wartime. The Girls of Pearl Harbor is a beautiful, heartfelt book I highly recommend. A fantastic story!

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly sharing a review copy with me. All opinions are my own*

#TheGirlsOfPearlHarbor #NetGalley

Of Love and Honor

What I really liked the most about this novel was how the author conveyed the feelings and thoughts of the characters. They were so real that I could feel when they were excited afraid, happy, horrified, confused and in love. I felt those feelings right along with each character.

The characters were all so realistic and well cast for their places in the story. The girls stuck together and refused to allow any of the others to feel down, or to give up. When times were hard they supported each other and shared in the pain. When one found love the rest were happy for her.

My favorite story in the book was the story of Poppy, Teddy and Grace. I also really liked the love between the two sisters April and Grace, and how they extended that love to include their friend Eve. The characters of Teddy, Harry, Art and Charlie were great as well. Even the Villainous characters of Dr Grey and Peter were well written

From the beautiful beaches of Hawaii to the war torn shores of Africa and finally the front lines the story was interesting, exciting and remarkably well written. I would definitely recommend it.

The book starts with April and Grace (sisters) and their best friend, Poppy, just arriving in Pearl Harbor in November 1941. Their reasons for being there are totally different, but they are all excited about being away from home and in a beautiful location. They meet Eva, a nurse stationed on one of the ships. The four become fast friends, but their lives all change significantly on December 7th.
In the second part of the book, the nurses have been stationed in North Africa. We see them adjust to living in tents, with hot weather, lots of bugs, and exploring their new and unfamiliar surroundings. The soldiers they treat are coming in from the front lines, and there are very little breaks. The girls form relationships with those around them and deepen their connections with each other.
Even though the subject matter was so serious, the book felt hopeful. Each chapter changed focus to one of the girls, and their distinct personalities were clear. I really enjoyed this great historical fiction book, and having the location shift was really interesting.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been wowed by so many incredible historical fiction books over the last year, but this one is by far is one of my absolute favorites! This particular story covers the nurses that served during WWII. The first half of the story covers the nurses that were serving at Pearl Harbor the day the Japanese attacked. The second part of the story follows three of these nurses as they are sent to Africa. The worst duty to be sent to. It was ordinary women, who did extraordinary things to do their part during the war.

Soraya Lane has written a story that becomes so real and vivid as you read that you can’t put this book down. The reader feels the emotions and feels the horrors of what these women saw and did during the war. I highly recommend you read all the way through the acknowledgements. Within the acknowledgments, you will come to understand the research and love Soraya Lane poured into every word of this story, and you will also come to admire and love Soraya Lane!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. No matter what genre you read, you will want to read this book. If I could give it ten stars I would!

Thank you #netgalley, #lakeunionpublishing and #sorayalane for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

I just finished The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya Lane. It does not disappoint. Lane captures the realities of war through the eyes of sisters Grace and April, early on Poppy, and another nurse Eva, who they meet when they are stationed in Pearl Harbor about one month before December 7. For one month, it is all fun and games. Everything changes the morning of December 7. Heartache and the need to do their duty is eloquently shown by the author. Each of the characters deal with insurmountable horror in a different way. I like that the story alternates point of view between the three main characters. I felt like I was in the room with each of them as the story progresses. Romance, grief, the need to put aside personal problems to help others is evident. The second half of the book takes the girls to North Africa. I think Lane presents a realistic picture of the horrors of war and the reality of saving lives and carrying on.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved The Girls of Pearl Harbor!

This book follows 4 nurses who are stationed at Pearl Harbor just weeks before December 7th. They are loving living in paradise and on a great adventure until tragedy strikes. As they try to save lives they are also dealing with loosing friends and loved ones. The book follows them as they end up in North Africa working in a field hospital.

The characters were real and the book was extremely well written!

I highly recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of a group of nurses sent to paradise or so they think. Paradise quickly turns to hell as the Japanese start to bomb them. We follow what happens in the aftermath of sisters Grace and April and their friend Eva. Once they are at War they are thrown in at the deep end. A well written book I definitely recommend.

I am a WWII junkie. I devour every book I can find that tells the story of the heroes of this time. A story written about the women of the war is always a must-read for me. The Girls of Pearl Harbor is a story about the nurses stationed in Hawaii before and then during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is the story of what happens to the friendships formed, the relationships made, and the lives of those who are now in an active war.

Grace, April, and Poppy join the US Army Navy Corps with the idea that it will be an adventure and a vacation in Hawaii. Little did they know that they would be part of one of the biggest parts of WWII and become part of history. I was amazed at the friendship between them, the strength that kept them together in good and tough times was wonderful. While reading you knew that these three would do anything for each other.

As the story continues on and after December 7th their friendship is put to tests, their love for each other never waivers, and they face life in a world that is so different than what they expected. I was so into their story that it felt like I was working right next to them in the military hospitals. I was able to picture the horrific things that they were forced to deal with and able to feel the wide range of feelings the ladies went through as they tried to understand what was happening in their world.

Soraya M. Lane wrote a book that I couldn’t put down. I was pulled in from the beginning, became invested in the characters, and enraptured by the storyline. The Girls of Pearl Harbor is a book I will rave about to my friends.

Wow. While reading The Girls of Pearl Harbor, I literally felt like I was right there with Grace, April, Poppy and Eva. The tragedy, the heartache, the bravery, I felt it all and I can’t imagine what it was like to actually be there living through it.

Following along with these girls and their journey through war was such an adventure. From the beautiful waters of Hawaii to the unbelievable living conditions when the Americans joined the war was such a shock.

I also think the author did an amazing job with giving you some true events mixed in with everything else. It gave me so much respect for the nurses during WWII and even the nurses that serve right now. They really do make such a difference and Lane really brought a highlight to it.

I loved watching all the characters grow while reading The Girls of Pearl Harbor. They were forced to be strong, to stand their ground and become women who have to make tough, quick decisions.

My love for historical fiction just keeps growing and growing and not only was this a great historical fiction novel but it also had lots of drama and even hints of romance which you know is just all together my cup of tea!

So if you’re looking for a great historical fiction novel with a little bit of jazz then The Girls of Pearl Harbor is for you! I defiantly recommend it.

This was a great piece of historical fiction that not only entertained, but educated the reader! I highly recommend it!

While I agree that The Girls of Pearl Harbor was light on historical facts about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the war, I was still able to enjoy the book. It was a remarkable novel about friendship, love, and loss sprinkled with some facts about the life of nurses stationed at Pearl Harbor. Told mostly in three alternating voices, I found each character to be likable, relatable, and easy to root for. Soraya Lane is a beautiful writer and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

I learn about history through fiction books. I was so drawn to this book and what the young nurses went through. This was an emotional read but I am glad that I was able to read this. So interesting and sad! I will definitely order this book for the library.

Another great book describing the roles of American nurses in the Second World War. They had to fight not only the enemy but the prejudices against women and their roles.
We read about their struggles, secrets, love and heartache also their experiences of being on the front line.
Through the words we can just about understand the pressures they were under, the blood, sweat and tears through fiction as well as facts.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor was a wonderful novel! I enjoyed the bonds between the women and how they were portrayed. The story captured what the nurses experienced during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. These women saw more injuries and death than they expected to see. They lost some of their own special loved ones. Along the way, they became stronger and learned to do what was needed even when it was difficult. This was a wonderful story about women, their friendships, loves, and losses.

Sisters April and Grace along with their best friend Poppy sign up for the US army nursing Corp and are having a whale of a time in Hawaii enjoying the party atmosphere and making friends with another nurse Eva when they are suddenly in the middle of the Pearl Harbour bombing and their lives change forever. The story follows the nurses through the war and their posting to North Africa and the tragedies that befall them.

Another good ww2 book by this author following the roles of women in the war, a good story with plenty of action and romance showing how they grew from girls to strong women and got through the horrors that faced them

I was drawn to this book because I enjoy historical fiction, and I lived very near Pearl Harbor. The book seemed to come from good research, but the three romances almost upstaged the historical parts. o

This was such an amazing read that I couldn’t put it down. It went everywhere with me. To the doctors office, the dentist, the eye doctor. IT WENT ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE. I was so sad when it ended that I immediately went and bought more books from this author!

I enjoy historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. The Girls of Pearl Harbor was my first book by Soraya M Lane, I am certain it will not be my last! I really enjoyed how she writes about such strong and independent women. Such a great story of friends that are nurses during Pearl Harbor and WWII.

The Girls of Pearl Harbour by Soraya M Lane is a beautifully written story about four nurses facing the bombing of Pearl harbour. Sisters Grace and April and their best friend Poppy and new friend Eva.
When they first arrive at Pearl Harbour, they think that they are all on a long holiday and that America will not go to war and they will be just fixing cuts and bruises. They spend their downtime on the beach and chatting up the GI’s. But they couldn’t be more wrong when Sunday came and Grace April and Poppy walking in the sunshine hears a rumble. Suddenly they realise the planes flying towards them are not American but Japanese. The planes are so close they can see the evil smiles of the pilots when the planes are flying by. They realise they are at war. They lose a lot of people that day, even people close to them and they realise that their lives are going to be different from now on.
This is the first book from the author that I have read, and it won’t be my last. This is a moving story of four nurses in WW2 at Pearl harbour and then moving to Africa. The story showed not only what the nurses had to go through but also the atrocities that the soldiers had to go through in the war and who died and who lived. It was quite heart breaking. This had a great story line and very likeable characters. I loved it. I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was very well written with realistic characters. It is the story of four nurses with the backdrop of war. The attack on Pearl Harbor was heartbreaking and the author’s description atmospheric.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Girls of Pearl Harbor" by Soraya M. Lane took me on a journey full of sorrow and courage. It was a story of four girls: Grace, Poppy, Eva and April, that were nurses at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941. The novel showed their different fates after the attack at Pearl Harbor. They faced death, heartbreak, danger, evil men and lack of sanitation. They were determined to save lives and do their work as nurses the best they could. Grace and April were sisters with some unsolved issues between them, but it was nice to see how their relationship matured later. The war destroyed their lives, but also made them see who they really were, believe in their abilities and become truly remarkable women.

There were also elements of romance in the novel, because Grace, Eva and April found their sweethearts during the war. I am glad that the author ended the book on a positive note. After so much death and misery it was amazing that these three girls managed to find love among the ruins of their old lives.

I received "The Girls of Pearl Harbor" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.

“The Girls of Pearl Harbor” by Soraya M. Lane was very good novel about the attack on Pearl Harbor in the eyes of three U.S. Army nurses. April and Grace are sisters and Poppy is their good friend. All three decided to become nurses and join US Army Nurse Corps before any military action takes place. They are stationed at Pearl Harbor ministering to the soldiers and sailors who are stationed there. April has always wanted to be a nurse. Her sister, Grace, hates the sight of blood and wonders why she thought she needed to follow her sister and best friend Poppy into the Corps.

All three cannot believe their good luck in being stationed in beautiful Hawaii and enjoying the sand and sea and beautiful country. All this turns around when they are attacked on December 7, 1941. They see the horror of the attack and live the aftermath of broken bodies, dead bodies, and destruction. April and Grace go on to serve in the African campaign and could never have imagined the horror and bloodshed of war.

I loved this book, as I do all of Ms. Lane’s books. I also love the historic era that she writes about. It’s my favorite

I love historical fiction and I really enjoyed this book. The title characters are nurses in Pearl Harbor, and when they arrived in Oahu they had a wonderful time in the tropics. Of course, we know what happened next and the nurses are stretched to the limit taking care of victims from the attack. It describes how their friendships got them through those hard times.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story of four nurses who faced the attack on Pearl Harbor and their deployment to Northern Africa afterwards. They lost people they loved, but had to find the courage to go on without them and treat 100s of wounded men in Africa. The story touches on the inequality of nurses to doctors and the relationship of sisters. The descriptions of the conditions they were in trying to provide help to horrifically injured soldiers and sailors in Pearl Harbor and Africa are incredibly moving.

It’s late 1941 and four nurses arrive in Hawaii to discover a paradise island where they feel sure they will be safe so far away from the war raging in Europe. Soon though their idyll is shattered, friends have been killed and they are faced with the true horrors of what bullets and bombs do to a human body. They soon discover what true devastation is, both physically and emotionally and each has to find a way to carry on, or give up.

This is one of the best, although graphic historical novels I’ve ever read and I simply could not put it down! It’s definitely one of my best reads of 2019 and I now can’t wait to read the rest of Soraya M Lane’s novels. Addictive, horrifying, heartbreaking, but brilliant. Loved it.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor was a historical fiction novel.
The storyline was unique, and easy to follow.
This was a story about sisterhood and friendships alike.
The characters were amazing. I found it easy to relate to them.
The book was a page-turner and unique.
I'd love to read more by this author.

This was a moving story and one I was hoping I would enjoy as I love stories set in the war and this one enticed me as it was around Pearl Harbour.
I was not disappointed. A moving and at times heart breaking historical read I found myself feeling the emotions the characters felt as I got to know them, the story starts off very simple but as the girls grow so does the story. A brilliant read.

A highly emotional storyline. I love reading stories about women who played such vital roles during wartime. Some parts were a bit predictable but overall it was a great story. I cried at parts and cheered the women on. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for this e-copy in return for my honest review. I love historical fiction and especially books set during WW2. A story about friendships and strength. Engaging, relatable characters.

An amazing story of nurses during the start of WW2, and the destruction of Pearl Harbor. The story is alive with the loves, lives and losses of a handful of nurses, and what they saw and lived through. Emotions abound.

Unfortunately I did not get on with this book and therefore cannot rate it very highly. I really struggled to connect with the characters and storyline.

A huge thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book!

Here is my review, as posted to Goodreads...

Loved, loved, loved this book! My grandfather was stationed at Schofield during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I grew up listening to his stories about how his idyllic service in Hawaii changed drastically during a pinochle game one day. He stood on the cliffs and watched the planes fly overhead, dropping their bombs, causing so much destruction, death, and heartache, and changing our course in history forever.
I really enjoyed reading about this from the point of view of the nurses who tended their patients in the aftermath of the bombing. It was hard for me to get through some of the nursing and surgery scenes...especially all the amputations...but beyond that I loved the dynamics between characters, their development, and the way the story links Pearl Harbor, North Africa, and Oregon. Such a well written gem of a WW2 novel, and very highly recommended!!!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

The story of Pearl Harbor breaks my heart so I really wanted to dive into a book that featured Pearl Harbor and I loved this book. The atmosphere was everything I wanted it to be. I loved the plot and storyline in the book. I loved the characters in this story. It gave me all the feels I was looking for when I started reading this. I highly recommend this author. I loved the writing. I will be looking for other works in the future from this author.

This was a wonderful historical fiction set during the days of the attack on Pearl Harbor. April and Grace are sisters who have a dear friend Poppy, and the girls go to Hawaii as nurses. They meet Eva who becomes a close friend to them, and Eva is also a nurse. Before long, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor and the girls face tragedy, loss, heartache, sadness and grief as they set out to be the best nurses they can be. Through the course of time some of them find happiness again after a long, difficult road.

I alternated between my Netgalley ebook and listening to the audio for this one. It's historical fiction, but it had a very prevalent romance element throughout the book. Some of the scenes in this book were fairly graphic in term of the injuries these nurses faced on the battle field and in the hospitals. It was even a little hard to read/listen to from time to time, but I do feel like that made the story more engaging and more realistic. The other major element in this book was the theme of strong women and female friendships - both elements that I typically enjoy in a book and this was no exception. I ended up really enjoying this one and look forward to reading more of Lane's books.

This is well done historical fiction that tracks three women who find themselves in the middle of WWII. You will root for them and for their loves but know that it's emotional and not always happy.

Finally a WWII book focusing on Pearl Harbor. After being a WWII fiction slump this book got me out of it. As it the setting was one I've been wanting for WWII fiction for years. I'm a sucker for WWII in the South Pacific and Hawaii. And this one was a page turner.

I really enjoy reading WWII historical fiction books. The focus of this book was interesting. The story of four nurses pulled me in and had me invested in their lives. These women grew emotionally as they faced tragedy. Their sense of bravery in the face of intense heartache was inspirational. This is definitely a book to put on your to-be-read list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this book.

This is the first book I've read by her and I will be reading her others too.

This was not an easy read since it's set in Pearl Harbor in 1941. Grace and April were sisters and Poppy was their friend who were all nurses heading to Hawaii even before the war. They met Eva who was a nurse on a ship and they all became friends. Tragedy happens to one of them but life goes on.

The atrocities of the war were everywhere and the make shift hospital was unbelievable with the soldiers with their war wounds. It was pretty graphic but I got through it.

Things happen along the way and April and Grace go to the front and it even gets worse.

However, there are happy moments and they all fall in love.

The ending was perfect.