Liz Nugent, this was an awesome book! I was immediately engrossed in the story and was kept guessing the entire way through. I was definitely in Sally’s Diamond’s corner the entire way through. She was so flawed, but yet wonderful in spite of all she had been through in her past.

Sally Diamond’s story begins when her father dies. She takes his instructions for death literally, which causes her to be thrust into the media spotlight. Luckily Sally has some people who look out for her and help her throughout the media circus and gently guide her as she finds out the harrowing secrets of her past.

Meanwhile, because of Sally’s name being in the media, a renewed search is on for the man who was responsible for the chaos of her life. Sally becomes afraid her will find out where she lives. Some men do find her, but it’s not who you would think.

The ending of the story was so creepy, but appropriate. And, clever Liz Nugent just might have left an ending that needs a sequel. I loved the book and noticed I have an unread book by Nugent sitting on the shelf, so I’m anxious to read that one soon!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, Scout Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am pleased to offer my honest review and recommend this to other readers who enjoy mystery/thriller and crime novels. ( )

In the Philippines in summer 1941, three nurses form a deep friendship as they enjoy life on the tropical island. All three are escaping from secrets in their past and are looking forward to their time in Manila. Then on December 7, their lives change radically when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and start an offensive that will bring them to the Philippines.

Eleanor is a U.S. Navy nurse, Penny is a U.S Army nurse and Lita is a Filipina nurse. After their first meeting, they make plans to meet once a month for drinks. Their plans only last for few months before the war starts and their duties as nurses puts them right into the midst of battle. When the Japanese land, the nurses become prisoners of war - the first female POWs of the war. What they had to endure during their time in captivity was unbelievable. Their resolve was tested daily with mass casualties, squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention. The women worked hard to keep their hope live despite what they were going though and to nurse the injured as best they could without needed medical supplies. As they are moved to different areas and separated, they hope and pray to see each other again and for the ultimate end to the war.

After the war, the nurses who were held prisoners of war become known as the Angels of Bataan for their dedication and hard work to treat the wounded in often squalid and dangerous situations. It's a different look at the war through the eyes of the nurses that were there. This book is based on real US nurses who were held by the Japanese during World War II. There hasn't been a lot written about them because when the women returned home, they were forced to sign an agreement with the US government that they wouldn't talk about their war experiences so most of their stories were kept hidden from the public.

This intense and well researched novel was written by three popular authors of World War II fiction. There was no way to tell who wrote what parts as the entire novel fit together seamlessly as if it had been written by only one author. This is a war story and in parts it is difficult to read, especially the treatment of the nurses by their captors but despite this, the prevailing theme is one of friendship and how it can overcome even the worst trauma and provide hope even during the darkest times. ( )

Like many others I chose this book because of the three amazing authors. The WWII genre did not attract or deter me from the story. The opening of the book set up the normal lives of the three young dreamers who were nurses. I learned why each one decided to exchange their world for the military nursing experience in the tropical Philippine Islands. Lawhon, McMorris, and Meissner wove their sections together so well. I started out trying to guess who was writing what, but quickly lost myself in the story. The three diverse fictional women represented the real nurses that were forced to grow into heroes and give the USA their all during a harrowing prisoner of war experience in the Pacific. Their initial bonding was during monthly meet ups at the officer's club, and they looked forward to helping each other unwind. But when the war landed on their tropical island they were shocked to be separated by realistic experiences that claim to be inspired through the research of the real nurses of Bataan. The thought process of these characters includes the development of a strong desire to endure hardship to stay with and serve the injured that surround them in the battles they experience. The thoughts and fears of what was happening to each other and how they could come back together was always on their minds. But old school military logistical tactics continually move the women to protect them instead of allowing them to do their job and help. And the enemy invaders tend to treat women as property, so the alternating stories include the ways they learn to slow down and hide, always staying in their groups for protection. The nurses who are Filipino are forced to endure additional hardships. The pace of the story matches the character experience and slows here, with alternating details of experiences at the separate fronts. I believe this slower pace is intentional, and found I was worrying about what was happening with the characters that were not in my present narrative. I was driven to push through and found a quickened pace at the ending. What happens to wrap up each character's story is more realistic than satisfying. You will not have to endure prolonged stories of romance or pointless details of sexual encounters. You will join the journey of the authentic experiences of pain that lead to the growth and strength we see and admire in so many heroic women that have experienced the trials and tribulations of war.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperMuse for this egalley in exchange for a fair review. Pub Date 10/18/22 ( )

Like many others I chose this book because of the three amazing authors. The WWII genre did not attract or deter me from the story. The opening of the book set up the normal lives of the three young dreamers who were nurses. I learned why each one decided to exchange their world for the military nursing experience in the tropical Philippine Islands. Lawhon, McMorris, and Meissner wove their sections together so well. I started out trying to guess who was writing what, but quickly lost myself in the story. The three diverse fictional women represented the real nurses that were forced to grow into heroes and give the USA their all during a harrowing prisoner of war experience in the Pacific. Their initial bonding was during monthly meet ups at the officer's club, and they looked forward to helping each other unwind. But when the war landed on their tropical island they were shocked to be separated by realistic experiences that claim to be inspired through the research of the real nurses of Bataan. The thought process of these characters includes the development of a strong desire to endure hardship to stay with and serve the injured that surround them in the battles they experience. The thoughts and fears of what was happening to each other and how they could come back together was always on their minds. But old school military logistical tactics continually move the women to protect them instead of allowing them to do their job and help. And the enemy invaders tend to treat women as property, so the alternating stories include the ways they learn to slow down and hide, always staying in their groups for protection. The nurses who are Filipino are forced to endure additional hardships. The pace of the story matches the character experience and slows here, with alternating details of experiences at the separate fronts. I believe this slower pace is intentional, and found I was worrying about what was happening with the characters that were not in my present narrative. I was driven to push through and found a quickened pace at the ending. What happens to wrap up each character's story is more realistic than satisfying. You will not have to endure prolonged stories of romance or pointless details of sexual encounters. You will join the journey of the authentic experiences of pain that lead to the growth and strength we see and admire in so many heroic women that have experienced the trials and tribulations of war.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperMuse for this egalley in exchange for a fair review. Pub Date 10/18/22 ( )

I’ve enjoyed these author’s individual novels, so to see them working together to tell the untold story of the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor, I was thrilled to have been chosen by HarperCollins to review this book.

This is a fascinating novel showing unsung heroes who found themselves in an unimaginable situation in WWII. In Author Notes, it states how they discovered these brave women. All the authors were surprised they’d never heard of these courageous nurses before.

One of the reasons nobody heard of this group was the fact that, ”the United States government forced these women to sign papers saying they would not discuss their experiences after the war.’ These authors were compelled to tell their story.

This novel is told from all three nurses POV, Eleanor Lindstrom, Penny Frank, and Lita Capel were good friends, all nurses and looked at their situation from a medical standpoint. Things needed to change, or they’d all be wiped out at the Internment camps in the Philippines.

The authors have themes of hope, survival, and explore the bonds of friendship. It’s an intriguing read and one that would work well for your book club. The authors have included fifteen discussion questions, allowing your discussion to go deeper.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
The Book Club Network blog ( )