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Island Of Sweet Pies And Soldiers
‘Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is a novel of courage and compassion that is sure to satisfy fans of WWII literature.’ RT Book Reviews
When her husband mysteriously disappears and rumors swirl about his loyalties, a mother must rely on the remarkable power of friendship in war-torn Hawaii.
It’s 1944, combat in the Pacific is intensifying, and Violet Iverson and her daughter, Ella, are piecing their lives back together one year after her husband vanished. As suspicions about his loyalties surface, Violet suspects Ella knows something. But Ella refuses to talk. Something—or someone—has scared her.
Violet enjoys the camaraderie of her friends as they open a pie stand for the soldiers training on the island for a secret mission. But even these women face their own wartime challenges as prejudice against the island’s Japanese population pits neighbor against neighbor. And then there’s the matter of Sergeant Stone, a brash marine who comes to Violet’s aid when the women are accused of spying. She struggles with her feelings of guilt but can’t deny the burning attraction—or her fear of losing another man when Stone ships out for Iwo Jima..
Set amid the tropical beauty of Hawaii, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers offers a fresh perspective on World War II as it presents timeless depictions of female friendship, the bond between a mother and her child, and the enduring power of love even in the darkest times.
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2018
600 people are currently reading
6285 people want to read
About the author
Sara Ackerman
9 books1,538 followersSara Ackerman is the Hawaii born, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and historical novels set in the Islands.
Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
August 19, 2019
Enjoyable story set on the Big Island of Hawaii during World War II. I liked main character Violet and her young daughter Ella, who are struggling to get by after the disappearance of Violet's husband one year ago. Violet thinks Ella may know something about what happened, but Ella's not talking. I enjoyed Violet's group of friends who really supported her and each other during tough times. Also really liked the soldiers who were training on the island and became regular visitors to Violet's and her friend's house. Roscoe the lion was an interesting addition, as well. And I absolutely loved the Big Island setting and the time period of WWII. There's mystery and romance in this interesting and entertaining read.
April 24, 2021
Quick thoughts:
A World War II historical set in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor is bombed, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers brings Hawaii to life during this time period. You can feel the author’s love for the island.
With equal dashes of mystery and romance, I enjoyed this one and have since read one more fantastic book by this author, The Lieutenant's Nurse.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
A World War II historical set in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor is bombed, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers brings Hawaii to life during this time period. You can feel the author’s love for the island.
With equal dashes of mystery and romance, I enjoyed this one and have since read one more fantastic book by this author, The Lieutenant's Nurse.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 5, 2017
I love this book! Set amongst the colorful landscape of Hawaii and it’s diverse racial makeup after the bombing of Pearl harbor during WWII. The characters and story drew me in as though I were a part of it all. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this ranks tops on my list~ think Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society set on a tropical isle. The alternating narrative of showing the war and racism through 10 year old Ella’s eyes is a brilliant addition though taking up less of the story line, it brought Ella’s struggle very near to my heart. Violet, too is a compelling character as she winds her way through her past and her guilt while falling in love with Parker.
The deep bond of fellowship and love the women of the story share reminds of the deep friendships I am blessed with in my own life, I so wanted to jump in and join their group! Sara Ackerman’s writing is full of wonderment and delight, she weaves a tale that shows her ability to create a magical setting partnered with characters so real (and unexpected, Roscoe!) one feels they are actually living and breathing the story.
I would love to see this tale brought to life in cinematic form for people of all ages and walks of life to enjoy and learn from. #BestBookEver!
The deep bond of fellowship and love the women of the story share reminds of the deep friendships I am blessed with in my own life, I so wanted to jump in and join their group! Sara Ackerman’s writing is full of wonderment and delight, she weaves a tale that shows her ability to create a magical setting partnered with characters so real (and unexpected, Roscoe!) one feels they are actually living and breathing the story.
I would love to see this tale brought to life in cinematic form for people of all ages and walks of life to enjoy and learn from. #BestBookEver!
May 29, 2018
This book, quite honestly, was a whole lot of nothing. It wasn't funny nor sad, heartwarming nor violent, charming nor connective. No feeling. The blurb says that it's about two friends who open a pie stand in Hawaii, to sell pies to soldiers, with one friend's husband having gone missing, and through that, friendship and family prevails. That's...semi true. The husband, Herman, (I think that's his name, but I can't remember, which, I guess, is sad) goes missing, and the wife, Violet, her daughter Ella, and her friend, Jean/Jane, (can't remember her name, either), do open a pie stand...more than half way through the book. They also find out what happens to Herman too, and that's basically the story.
I think that the story could have been touching, deep, and heart wrenching, if it had had a better writer. I don't mean to insult Ackerman, but her writing isn't subtle in the least. Maybe you like that, which is totally fine. However, I prefer a more nuanced type of story. I don't like being hit over the head with the author's messages every chapter.
The thing is, her messages were great! It was all about how awful the United States was to Japanese people living in America during the war, and to, you know, not be racist. Were they right to be suspicious? Yes. It's war. But to arrest innocent people, and lock everyone up in internment camps? Ridiculous. I agree with that part. But when you literally read, "the Japanese are great people! So much better than white people!! Americans are so stupid and wrong!" every third paragraph, it gets tiring. Plus, that's not hyperbole. You literally read, "the Japanese are so much better than white people," at least twice. Like, yes, they were treated horribly, but no race is better than the next. Let's get over this whole, "the Japanese did nothing wrong!!!!!!!" narrative. They also treated American troops horrendously during the war. It was hell on every single side. No one is better than the other.
Anyway, going back to the whole 'the writing could be better thing,' it could have been. If something happened in the past, it happened within the same paragraph, in the same dialogue. No line breaks, no clue that, all of a sudden, the story was ten years in the past. Then all of a sudden, you're thrown into 'present' day again. Besides that, I didn't connect to any character, I didn't feel for any character, even the characters in the book felt like they didn't relate to each other. I never got the sense that Violet and Jean/Jane were best friends. I had no clue what age Ella was until I looked it up (she's 10, but reads more like 6). Plus, she's just weird. She witnessed an awful thing, so I guess she suffers from PTSD, but it comes off more as Ackerman trying to make her "quirky". She doesn't like to talk to adults! She only relates to animals! She sometimes hardly talks at all! When she does it's all cryptic! She's also, quite literally, obsessed with Japanese people. It was just...weird.
Plus, I felt like the Japanese were kind of stereotyped through an American lens, if that makes sense? They're super quiet, Violet and Ella are in love with them, Ella wants to go to Japanese school because, again, the Japanese are soooooo much better than white people, they learn how to do origami in Japanese school, they're smarter, they sing Japanese songs, take care of plants, are super gentle and nice with everything, they're better looking than white people, their hair is nicer, their skin is nicer, etc. Maybe that was/is all true. Maybe that did all happen, but it felt kind of...gross, in an almost fetishistic way, without the sexual part.
Besides that, I hated the chapters that were in Ella's voice. I don't even remember what she talked about, except for the Japanese. Plus, because she knew what happened to her father, all her chapters ended with a trying-to-be-cryptic, "no one knows what happened to my father, but I do" sort of sign off. Like, great, kid. It's now been 240 pages. You think, I don't know. Maybe you could tell us, so I could stop reading that? Thanks.
The chapters in Violet's voice weren't that much better, either. Ella could do no wrong. She never parents her daughter. It was all, "I'm mad at Ella, until she looks at me, and then everything is 100% okie dokie fine!". She admits that she misses Herman as a parent. She never says she misses him as, you know, her actual husband. How did her and Jean/Jane even become friends? All I can remember is that Jean/Jane is very glamorous, said something to Violet, and then they live together.
I also felt like no one cared about Herman, and the fact that he was missing, for a year. Everyone seemed to go on with their lives. No one brought him up. Violet and Ella thought about him, but they never really tried to find anything out, until the last 50 pages. The police initially did a search, said they couldn't find anything, and that was it. You do find out what happens to him, but it was obvious and transparent. The event happens because he sees something he shouldn't. That's it.
I gave this book two stars because it's 100% clear that Ackerman did her research. A lot of research, actually. Plus, the descriptions of Hawaii sound incredibly beautiful. The truth is, though, without those things, this definitely would have been a one star read for me. It just...didn't feel like anything. There was nothing to feel. The characters weren't there, the writing wasn't there, the connections weren't there, and absolutely nothing had any sort of nuance or subtlety in the least.
I think that the story could have been touching, deep, and heart wrenching, if it had had a better writer. I don't mean to insult Ackerman, but her writing isn't subtle in the least. Maybe you like that, which is totally fine. However, I prefer a more nuanced type of story. I don't like being hit over the head with the author's messages every chapter.
The thing is, her messages were great! It was all about how awful the United States was to Japanese people living in America during the war, and to, you know, not be racist. Were they right to be suspicious? Yes. It's war. But to arrest innocent people, and lock everyone up in internment camps? Ridiculous. I agree with that part. But when you literally read, "the Japanese are great people! So much better than white people!! Americans are so stupid and wrong!" every third paragraph, it gets tiring. Plus, that's not hyperbole. You literally read, "the Japanese are so much better than white people," at least twice. Like, yes, they were treated horribly, but no race is better than the next. Let's get over this whole, "the Japanese did nothing wrong!!!!!!!" narrative. They also treated American troops horrendously during the war. It was hell on every single side. No one is better than the other.
Anyway, going back to the whole 'the writing could be better thing,' it could have been. If something happened in the past, it happened within the same paragraph, in the same dialogue. No line breaks, no clue that, all of a sudden, the story was ten years in the past. Then all of a sudden, you're thrown into 'present' day again. Besides that, I didn't connect to any character, I didn't feel for any character, even the characters in the book felt like they didn't relate to each other. I never got the sense that Violet and Jean/Jane were best friends. I had no clue what age Ella was until I looked it up (she's 10, but reads more like 6). Plus, she's just weird. She witnessed an awful thing, so I guess she suffers from PTSD, but it comes off more as Ackerman trying to make her "quirky". She doesn't like to talk to adults! She only relates to animals! She sometimes hardly talks at all! When she does it's all cryptic! She's also, quite literally, obsessed with Japanese people. It was just...weird.
Plus, I felt like the Japanese were kind of stereotyped through an American lens, if that makes sense? They're super quiet, Violet and Ella are in love with them, Ella wants to go to Japanese school because, again, the Japanese are soooooo much better than white people, they learn how to do origami in Japanese school, they're smarter, they sing Japanese songs, take care of plants, are super gentle and nice with everything, they're better looking than white people, their hair is nicer, their skin is nicer, etc. Maybe that was/is all true. Maybe that did all happen, but it felt kind of...gross, in an almost fetishistic way, without the sexual part.
Besides that, I hated the chapters that were in Ella's voice. I don't even remember what she talked about, except for the Japanese. Plus, because she knew what happened to her father, all her chapters ended with a trying-to-be-cryptic, "no one knows what happened to my father, but I do" sort of sign off. Like, great, kid. It's now been 240 pages. You think, I don't know. Maybe you could tell us, so I could stop reading that? Thanks.
The chapters in Violet's voice weren't that much better, either. Ella could do no wrong. She never parents her daughter. It was all, "I'm mad at Ella, until she looks at me, and then everything is 100% okie dokie fine!". She admits that she misses Herman as a parent. She never says she misses him as, you know, her actual husband. How did her and Jean/Jane even become friends? All I can remember is that Jean/Jane is very glamorous, said something to Violet, and then they live together.
I also felt like no one cared about Herman, and the fact that he was missing, for a year. Everyone seemed to go on with their lives. No one brought him up. Violet and Ella thought about him, but they never really tried to find anything out, until the last 50 pages. The police initially did a search, said they couldn't find anything, and that was it. You do find out what happens to him, but it was obvious and transparent. The event happens because he sees something he shouldn't. That's it.
I gave this book two stars because it's 100% clear that Ackerman did her research. A lot of research, actually. Plus, the descriptions of Hawaii sound incredibly beautiful. The truth is, though, without those things, this definitely would have been a one star read for me. It just...didn't feel like anything. There was nothing to feel. The characters weren't there, the writing wasn't there, the connections weren't there, and absolutely nothing had any sort of nuance or subtlety in the least.
November 29, 2017
I won Ackerman's novel in a giveaway and I feel incredibly fortunate to land such a gorgeous read. I'm still thinking about the beautiful language and sentences that remind me of Barbara Kingsolver and Sue Monk Kidd. I was fully invested in the characters, especially the dynamic mother/daughter relationship between Violet and Ella. The historical fiction genre is one of my favorites and Ackerman writes wartime Hawaii with detail and ease. It is a story that keeps you wanting to turn the page to solve a mystery, to experience new love, and to escape to a world of tropical weather and beautiful scenery. The detail is amazing: you can see, smell and feel all the things the characters describe. There is humor and adventure in the form of baking pies and even a lion, but there is also the heartbreak and tragedy of war. Ackerman does an amazing job of bringing her characters and their stories to life and I highly recommend the Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers to fans of historical fiction as well as lyrical writing.
March 7, 2018
Thank you so much to the author and MIRA Books for sending this lovely book my way – all opinions are my own.
I might be biased but I’m in love with this book! Hawaii is one of my favorite places to visit so the vivid descriptions of this gorgeous setting made me feel like I was there. The story takes place during WWII and Violet’s husband has vanished, leaving her and their ten-year-old daughter, Ella, alone in war torn Hawaii. Violet makes pies for the soldiers stationed on the island and develops some wonderful friendships. But Violet senses her daughter has a secret and isn’t willing to talk about it.
There is mystery, intrigue, friendship, love, loss, racial divide, the tragedy of war, and last, but certainly not least, A LION. I LOVE THE LION! I really enjoyed reading the perspectives of Violet and Ella. Violet is such a realistic and smart character that she had me completely immersed in the story. Ella’s chapters were so innocent, heartbreaking, and had me flipping through the pages. Ackerman’s writing is lyrical and lovely; she writes historical fiction with such ease I can’t believe this is a debut novel. It’s so refreshing to read about WWII from this unique point of view, inundated with the Hawaiian people and culture. The setting itself is its own character and makes this worth a read. If you enjoy historical fiction written in a majestic place with thoughtful characters, then this is the book for you!
My rating is 4.5 / 5 stars!
I might be biased but I’m in love with this book! Hawaii is one of my favorite places to visit so the vivid descriptions of this gorgeous setting made me feel like I was there. The story takes place during WWII and Violet’s husband has vanished, leaving her and their ten-year-old daughter, Ella, alone in war torn Hawaii. Violet makes pies for the soldiers stationed on the island and develops some wonderful friendships. But Violet senses her daughter has a secret and isn’t willing to talk about it.
There is mystery, intrigue, friendship, love, loss, racial divide, the tragedy of war, and last, but certainly not least, A LION. I LOVE THE LION! I really enjoyed reading the perspectives of Violet and Ella. Violet is such a realistic and smart character that she had me completely immersed in the story. Ella’s chapters were so innocent, heartbreaking, and had me flipping through the pages. Ackerman’s writing is lyrical and lovely; she writes historical fiction with such ease I can’t believe this is a debut novel. It’s so refreshing to read about WWII from this unique point of view, inundated with the Hawaiian people and culture. The setting itself is its own character and makes this worth a read. If you enjoy historical fiction written in a majestic place with thoughtful characters, then this is the book for you!
My rating is 4.5 / 5 stars!
January 13, 2018
Sara Ackerman's Island Of Sweet Pies And Soldiers hits all the marks. Historical Fiction with a dash of Romance & Suspense all mixed together and served up like a Sweet Pie! Set during WWII and Hawaii used as the backdrop we see Violet, her daughter Ella & friends struggling to make life work with husbands gone & a war raging on. With tones of racial divide and a mystery surrounding Violet's husband I was fully invested in this story. It had a lot more suspense than what I originally expected and kept me turning the page to find out what Ella seems to know that no one else does. Bravo for Sara Ackerman!
December 11, 2017
Absolutely stunning! The vivid description of life in Hawaii during WWII made me feel like I was there. Secondary to the plot, the scene creation and immersion were some of the best I've ever read.
The plot itself was wonderfully paced, with some parts fast moving and some parts slow, fitting a natural progression of events. The slow anguish of a missing, beloved husband against the bluster of a company of marines who one day swarm the island and the next are off the fight without even knowing where was beautiful.
Violet's heartbreak over her husband, her protection of her daughter, her loyalty to her friends were all incredibly realistic. The chapters from Ella's point of view scattered throughout reminded the reader of the innocence being destroyed by these events, yet Ella is able to remain a good soul.
Oh, and there's a lion :)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
The plot itself was wonderfully paced, with some parts fast moving and some parts slow, fitting a natural progression of events. The slow anguish of a missing, beloved husband against the bluster of a company of marines who one day swarm the island and the next are off the fight without even knowing where was beautiful.
Violet's heartbreak over her husband, her protection of her daughter, her loyalty to her friends were all incredibly realistic. The chapters from Ella's point of view scattered throughout reminded the reader of the innocence being destroyed by these events, yet Ella is able to remain a good soul.
Oh, and there's a lion :)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
December 4, 2017
An overall great read. Not my usual kind of book, but I had a hard time putting it down. It seemed to have it all - setting, story, and that page-turning quality I need for a book to keep my attention. I'm also all about learning new things and I had no idea about Camp Tarawa and how and where our soldiers trained before the battle of Iwo Jima. Ackerman does a fine job of making us feel like we are right there, standing in the streets of Honoka'a waving at the troops as they drive away. And did I mention the lion? Roscoe steals the show. Highly recommend!
December 16, 2017
From the first page, I was lost in the beautifully-painted Hawaii. The historical atmosphere and the women portrayed by the author stayed with me well after I finished the book. The author’s writing style is wonderfully lyrical, transforming you easily into the mind of a child, a mother, a soldier, a teacher, a person of a Japanese descent. What a lovely historical read!
December 1, 2017
Good mystery and a great setting.
January 10, 2018
Thanks Edelweiss for this ARC.
A book that will leave a big impression and can be shared with everyone you know. Deals with war, racism, murder, love, friendship, and what makes a home.
A book that will leave a big impression and can be shared with everyone you know. Deals with war, racism, murder, love, friendship, and what makes a home.
December 7, 2017
Set against the lush Hawaiian landscape Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is a nostalgic World War II-era story that will elicit desires to sing show tunes from South Pacific.
At times tender and quirky, I found myself attached to Violet and Ella. In Violet, I felt for the single mother trying to hold herself together, after the disappearance of her husband, the attack on her island and the fact that her daughter is suffering from PTSD. With every chapter, Violet exudes a quiet strength that proves not all heroes wear capes.
Ella, on the other hand, is an adorable character. She's a precocious kid with just the right amount of quirk. I loved her storyline and looked forward to her chapters. She was fun and my heart felt for her as she tried to process the trauma that she had witnessed.
Even though this mother and daughter duo are surrounded by a diverse cast of loveable characters these two truly are the center of the story. It is the kind of Hawaiian historical fiction that I have been looking for because it not only shows Hawaiian history it is filled with the people of Hawaii.
And did I mention there is a lion? Because there is a lion who is way cooler than Lassie ever could be...
At times tender and quirky, I found myself attached to Violet and Ella. In Violet, I felt for the single mother trying to hold herself together, after the disappearance of her husband, the attack on her island and the fact that her daughter is suffering from PTSD. With every chapter, Violet exudes a quiet strength that proves not all heroes wear capes.
Ella, on the other hand, is an adorable character. She's a precocious kid with just the right amount of quirk. I loved her storyline and looked forward to her chapters. She was fun and my heart felt for her as she tried to process the trauma that she had witnessed.
Even though this mother and daughter duo are surrounded by a diverse cast of loveable characters these two truly are the center of the story. It is the kind of Hawaiian historical fiction that I have been looking for because it not only shows Hawaiian history it is filled with the people of Hawaii.
And did I mention there is a lion? Because there is a lion who is way cooler than Lassie ever could be...
December 5, 2017
Great Book,
December 18, 2017
This is a must read, with the setting Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. I was drawn to the characters and the story, feeling like I was living in Hawaii of the 1940’s, and as applicable today as neighbors turned on their Japanese neighbors. Violet and her daughter Ella felt comfortable and close to their Japanese friends, defending them as people not as the enemy, despite the war with the Japanese. Ella has a secret she is keeping, and Violet is sure it has to do with her husband’s disappearance. Enter Jean and Setsuko, Violet’s Friends, and a mixture of some marines stationed locally, and a lion, you have a novel you won’t want to put down. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2018
Lovely WWII story set on Hawaii's Big Island. The author nailed just about everything; not surprising as bits of the story are based on her family history. The author caught all the tension of daily life in the islands during the war--the air-raid drills, the conflicts between the military and the civilians, the precarious situation of the local Japanese population. However, the story has enough breathing room between the high drama incidents to recount the humdrum of day to day life.
There's a solid mystery (what happened to Violet's husband? why did he just vanish?), there's a bit of romance for several of the main characters, there's a very worried young girl (Violet's daughter Ella), a strong story of female friendship, and there's a lion. Yes, a lion and yes, he is historically accurate.
I enjoyed every page and gave a big happy sigh at the end.
A big mahalo nui loa to Ms Ackerman.
Now, about that book cover--sorry, no bombers and the mountains look more like the Napali area of Kauai than the Waipio Valley of Hawaii Island. But it does the job of conjuring up the idea of Hawaii, so I can't gripe too much, as it made me pick up the book...
There's a solid mystery (what happened to Violet's husband? why did he just vanish?), there's a bit of romance for several of the main characters, there's a very worried young girl (Violet's daughter Ella), a strong story of female friendship, and there's a lion. Yes, a lion and yes, he is historically accurate.
I enjoyed every page and gave a big happy sigh at the end.
A big mahalo nui loa to Ms Ackerman.
Now, about that book cover--sorry, no bombers and the mountains look more like the Napali area of Kauai than the Waipio Valley of Hawaii Island. But it does the job of conjuring up the idea of Hawaii, so I can't gripe too much, as it made me pick up the book...
March 26, 2020
Violet Iverson and her daughter, Ella, live on the beautiful island of Hawaii. The year is 1944, so her life isn't one long tropical vacation. Her husband disappeared mysteriously a year ago and rumors are still circulating about why he left and where his loyalties lie. The setting is war torn Hawaii, so things are getting very serious. With her husband gone, Violet relies on her female friendships more than ever and they decide to open a pie stand for some income as well as the happiness of the soldiers on Hawaii. Despite the women's best efforts, suspicion now falls on them, not to mention the prejudice that is running rampant towards the Japanese on Hawaii. Violet meets Sergeant Stone, who has come to her aid more than once, and despite her best efforts, she starts to have romantic feelings for him. Once he is sent on a secret mission to Iwo Jima, she is starting to panic even more, because what if he doesn't return and she is left alone again? The audio book of Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman is a vivid escape to wartime Hawaii and the novel depicts the powerful relationships between females during this time period.
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
February 14, 2018
Vividly descriptive and evocative of life and the challenges presented in wartime: Violet and Ella Iverson are existing day to day with grief and fear as constant companions. A year from her husband’s disappearance, questions are many yet answers few. The lush landscapes, omnipresent heat and frequent rain, fears of invasion and the sudden transformation of friends and neighbors to a nebulous and feared “them”, the multiple layers of questions, answers and quandaries build this story into a rich tapestry and testament to the many stories of the ‘homefront’ and life during war.
Told in two points of view: Violet’s adult perspective as a relative newcomer struggling with grief and her own place and her daughter Ella, a child of the islands and more native than one might expect. Violet’s struggle to move forward with unanswered questions about her husband, her own frustrations and worry for Ella and her changed behavior, and the influx of strangers (soldiers) into their relatively quiet lives, more apparent with her housemate Jean’s need to find a love of her own keeps her busy, if not confident in the steps she is taking.
Ella’s moments are worries about her secrets, her love for her cat and her desire for more animals to befriend. Her moments share an innocence and purity of observations that are well beyond her years. A sweetness that is damped by fears and the time, but never quite silent. Her rescue of the chicken Brownie, and her knitted dress, the instant rapport with the lion cub, seeing him as a cat – a big cat without a purr-box, all show her heart and kindness.
The pacing here is varied: fast moving against barely breathing: highlight the moments the young marines are using to live each moment fully before deployment to some unknown fate, the instant rapport with Ella and each animal, and the friendships and romances that start to grow and become more important as time passes. The gradual recognition of personal strengths, questions and determination to stand strong for themselves and those who rely on them becomes the rail on which the story progresses: each character becoming realized in moments of illumination, each moment of recognition brings a new step along the path to the resolution of many unanswered questions and concerns.
A read in one siting title, the story adds bits and pieces together to make a picture: one that will stay long after the last page.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Told in two points of view: Violet’s adult perspective as a relative newcomer struggling with grief and her own place and her daughter Ella, a child of the islands and more native than one might expect. Violet’s struggle to move forward with unanswered questions about her husband, her own frustrations and worry for Ella and her changed behavior, and the influx of strangers (soldiers) into their relatively quiet lives, more apparent with her housemate Jean’s need to find a love of her own keeps her busy, if not confident in the steps she is taking.
Ella’s moments are worries about her secrets, her love for her cat and her desire for more animals to befriend. Her moments share an innocence and purity of observations that are well beyond her years. A sweetness that is damped by fears and the time, but never quite silent. Her rescue of the chicken Brownie, and her knitted dress, the instant rapport with the lion cub, seeing him as a cat – a big cat without a purr-box, all show her heart and kindness.
The pacing here is varied: fast moving against barely breathing: highlight the moments the young marines are using to live each moment fully before deployment to some unknown fate, the instant rapport with Ella and each animal, and the friendships and romances that start to grow and become more important as time passes. The gradual recognition of personal strengths, questions and determination to stand strong for themselves and those who rely on them becomes the rail on which the story progresses: each character becoming realized in moments of illumination, each moment of recognition brings a new step along the path to the resolution of many unanswered questions and concerns.
A read in one siting title, the story adds bits and pieces together to make a picture: one that will stay long after the last page.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 22, 2018
What a wonderful novel to read. I fell in love with the cover and after reading the synopsis, I knew this was something I needed to read. I didn’t expect the novel to be such a calm and enjoyable read. The novel takes place on Hawaii during WWII. A group of soldiers have arrived for training on the island, where they meet a group of women who are making the best of the situation. It’s a novel filled with racial tension, romance, friendships, war and family life.
Violet’s husband went missing one day and even with her monthly visits to the police station, to keep the case active, there is no news on Herman’s whereabouts. Ella wants to attend the Japanese School so Violet asks Setsuko if it would be possible for her daughter to attend her school. Ella will be the first white student in the school but this is short-lived as soldiers soon embark upon the island and close it down. It’s sad that Ella’s is again brokenhearted but when she takes to the soldier’s mascot, she finds happiness once again. Their mascot is a lion named Roscoe.
Violet has noticed this change in Ella and she feels it is because Herman is missing. Violet misses Herman too and she tries to bring Emma’s spirit up as much as she can. Ella takes to Roscoe yet Violet is scared of this beast being with her daughter. The soldiers try to calm her fears but Violet needs time to adjust.
Violet and her friends enjoy having the soldiers on the island, they feel a sense of security with them there as the war rages on elsewhere. Inviting the soldier over, the women get to know them and friendships and relationships evolve. The soldiers know their time there is brief for the battlefield is calling them. They make promises to return in one piece when their duty is over. Violet battles her own war of waiting for news about Herman and her feeling for a soldier named Parker. Ella is hiding something from everyone, a secret that is so private she leaks nothing out until the very end of the novel. As the soldiers prepare and head out, I have to wonder if their promises are real or if this island is just a stopping ground full of their false promises.
It was a wonderful and entertaining novel that captures another side of WWII. I liked how the author showed the tension between the individuals living on the island and the war. Where once the Japanese residents resided with their neighbors peacefully, the war is now causing conflicts among them. I enjoyed the novel’s relationships and how they progressed in the novel. I really enjoyed the authors writing. There was a relaxing feel to the novel as I read. I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to reading other novels this author writes.
Violet’s husband went missing one day and even with her monthly visits to the police station, to keep the case active, there is no news on Herman’s whereabouts. Ella wants to attend the Japanese School so Violet asks Setsuko if it would be possible for her daughter to attend her school. Ella will be the first white student in the school but this is short-lived as soldiers soon embark upon the island and close it down. It’s sad that Ella’s is again brokenhearted but when she takes to the soldier’s mascot, she finds happiness once again. Their mascot is a lion named Roscoe.
Violet has noticed this change in Ella and she feels it is because Herman is missing. Violet misses Herman too and she tries to bring Emma’s spirit up as much as she can. Ella takes to Roscoe yet Violet is scared of this beast being with her daughter. The soldiers try to calm her fears but Violet needs time to adjust.
Violet and her friends enjoy having the soldiers on the island, they feel a sense of security with them there as the war rages on elsewhere. Inviting the soldier over, the women get to know them and friendships and relationships evolve. The soldiers know their time there is brief for the battlefield is calling them. They make promises to return in one piece when their duty is over. Violet battles her own war of waiting for news about Herman and her feeling for a soldier named Parker. Ella is hiding something from everyone, a secret that is so private she leaks nothing out until the very end of the novel. As the soldiers prepare and head out, I have to wonder if their promises are real or if this island is just a stopping ground full of their false promises.
It was a wonderful and entertaining novel that captures another side of WWII. I liked how the author showed the tension between the individuals living on the island and the war. Where once the Japanese residents resided with their neighbors peacefully, the war is now causing conflicts among them. I enjoyed the novel’s relationships and how they progressed in the novel. I really enjoyed the authors writing. There was a relaxing feel to the novel as I read. I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to reading other novels this author writes.
February 9, 2018
Lions and Soldiers and Secrets, oh my! This historical fiction about WWII Hawaii has it all. The details of setting, character and history are so well-drawn through delicious prose that you will feel as though you lived through the tension on The Big Island in the months following Pearl Harbor, but before Iwo-Jima. Hawaii is still a territory and not a state yet in 1944, and through deft storytelling you can feel that sense of isolation in a wartime territory.
“Maybe that was the way of life, to fold moments of color back into your everyday living, little by little so you barely knew it was happening.”
This is just one example of the beautiful and observant prose that gets at the heart of existence during wartime.
The plot is driven by a secret young Ella keeps from her mother Violet. The vivid detail, mystery and complex characters all work in equal measure to keep the reader engaged until the very end. Highly recommend this debut novel from Ackerman!!
“Maybe that was the way of life, to fold moments of color back into your everyday living, little by little so you barely knew it was happening.”
This is just one example of the beautiful and observant prose that gets at the heart of existence during wartime.
The plot is driven by a secret young Ella keeps from her mother Violet. The vivid detail, mystery and complex characters all work in equal measure to keep the reader engaged until the very end. Highly recommend this debut novel from Ackerman!!
January 23, 2018
A sweet, touching and compelling mystery/historical fiction novel about life on the "Big Island" of Hawaii in 1944. After Pearl Harbor, much changed about life in the idyllic village. This is the story of 3 women and a girl, a missing father, and the soldiers who are now occupying the island. I have read many books about WWII, but I think this is the first about life in Hawaii. Although the main story is about the relationships among the women, there are certainly bits of commentary about racism and the value/morality of war that are undercurrents throughout. There's enough "meat" here to appeal to those looking for historical fiction and political commentary, but enough romance and character development to appeal to readers looking for a story about family and interpersonal relationships. The writing is lovely and the descriptions of rural Hawaii will whisk you away to the islands. (The story is based on stories from the author's grandmother's life during the war.)
February 19, 2018
Full review and giveaway on my blog: http://www.thebookwhisperer.org/2018/...
January 18, 2018
Hawaii, 1944: Marines come to Hawaii for training, and one is the brother of Jean, a local teacher, who lives with fellow teacher Violet and Violet’s daughter, Ella. Her brother and his friends visit often with their mascot, Roscoe, trying to cheer up Ella, who has become withdrawn since her father vanished without a trace a year ago. Life on the home front is as challenging in Hawaii as it is all over, especially for the large Japanese population residing there, but people still manage to have fun, fall in love, and enjoy the beauty of the island. An enjoyable read, for both teens and adults.
January 18, 2018
DNF. I usually enjoy novels set during WW2 but have never read one based outside of Europe or the Far East and was keen to do so, plus the cover looked appealing. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on why, I could not connect with this story, possibly it was down to the narration. I just wasn’t hooked. I persevered to a third through to give it a fair chance but I just wasn’t lapping it up. I didn’t connect with nor feel any emotion for the characters. I can see I’m in the minority though and would like to thank Edelweiss+ for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2018
When I saw this book offered as a digital review copy (DRC) offered on Edelweiss, I was intrigued: a WWII historical fiction title set in the Hawaiian islands just after Pearl Harbor. Wow. What an interesting premise and a point of view that I had never seen before. This is a romance but the historical setting amplifies the conflict and keeps the focus firmly in place. This is a must read for those who like WWII historical fiction!
March 22, 2019
Read for Cook-the-Books virtual foodie book club:
Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is a touching and engaging story about Violet, a teacher in the small community of Honoka'a, Hawaii (north of Hilo) dealing with the effects of the war on her community and the disappearance of her husband the year prior. Violet is especially worried about her daughter, Ella, who is withdrawn and suffering and seems to know something about what happened to her father. Violet and her friends (roommate and fellow teacher Jean and Japanese Setsuko, whose husband has been taken away to a internment holding area on the island) band together to make and sell pies to the soldiers who are stationed on the island as they prepare to be shipped out to battle.
Author Sara Ackerman was born and raised in Hawaii and she paints a vivid picture of wartime life and the impact on the islands. The story is told from both Violet's and Ella's points of view and mother and daughter are likable characters that are easy to root for, as are their friends and the supporting characters of soldiers and townspeople. The book has secrets, drama, romance and friendship, not to mention a pet lion named Roscoe and lots of pie. Since I read a lot of World War II-set novels, I loved this glimpse of Hawaii at war that isn't centered around Oahu and Pearl Harbor (although I am very much looking forward to Ackerman's second book, The Lieutenant's Nurse, due out in March that is set on Oahu and on the attack and its aftermath).
You can see my review and a recipe inspired by the book on my blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is a touching and engaging story about Violet, a teacher in the small community of Honoka'a, Hawaii (north of Hilo) dealing with the effects of the war on her community and the disappearance of her husband the year prior. Violet is especially worried about her daughter, Ella, who is withdrawn and suffering and seems to know something about what happened to her father. Violet and her friends (roommate and fellow teacher Jean and Japanese Setsuko, whose husband has been taken away to a internment holding area on the island) band together to make and sell pies to the soldiers who are stationed on the island as they prepare to be shipped out to battle.
Author Sara Ackerman was born and raised in Hawaii and she paints a vivid picture of wartime life and the impact on the islands. The story is told from both Violet's and Ella's points of view and mother and daughter are likable characters that are easy to root for, as are their friends and the supporting characters of soldiers and townspeople. The book has secrets, drama, romance and friendship, not to mention a pet lion named Roscoe and lots of pie. Since I read a lot of World War II-set novels, I loved this glimpse of Hawaii at war that isn't centered around Oahu and Pearl Harbor (although I am very much looking forward to Ackerman's second book, The Lieutenant's Nurse, due out in March that is set on Oahu and on the attack and its aftermath).
You can see my review and a recipe inspired by the book on my blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
June 28, 2021
Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman is set in the Hawaiian Islands in 1944 during the height of the intensifying fighting. Violet Iverson and her daughter, Ella, are piecing their lives back together one year after her husband vanished and suspicions about his loyalties had surfaced.
Violet suspects that Ella knows something about the disappearance but Ella refuses to talk; something—or someone—has scared her. Violet enjoys the camaraderie with her friends as they open a pie stand for the soldiers training on the island for a secret mission. But even these women face their own wartime challenges as prejudice against the island Japanese pits neighbor against neighbor. And then there’s the matter of Sergeant Stone, a brash marine who comes to Violet’s aid when the women are accused of spying. She struggles with her feelings of guilt over her missing husband but can’t deny the burning attraction—or her fear of losing another man when Stone ships out for Iwo Jima. Set amid the tropical beauty of Hawaii, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers offers a fresh perspective on civilian life in the islands during World War II as it presents timeless depictions of female friendship, the bond between a mother and her child, and the enduring power of love even in the darkest times. This was a nicely done
Violet suspects that Ella knows something about the disappearance but Ella refuses to talk; something—or someone—has scared her. Violet enjoys the camaraderie with her friends as they open a pie stand for the soldiers training on the island for a secret mission. But even these women face their own wartime challenges as prejudice against the island Japanese pits neighbor against neighbor. And then there’s the matter of Sergeant Stone, a brash marine who comes to Violet’s aid when the women are accused of spying. She struggles with her feelings of guilt over her missing husband but can’t deny the burning attraction—or her fear of losing another man when Stone ships out for Iwo Jima. Set amid the tropical beauty of Hawaii, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers offers a fresh perspective on civilian life in the islands during World War II as it presents timeless depictions of female friendship, the bond between a mother and her child, and the enduring power of love even in the darkest times. This was a nicely done
August 22, 2025
I am giving this book three stars for the writing and the descriptions of Hawaii and the aftermath of Pearl Harbor only. I definitely want to read more by this author in the future because I love historical fiction and I like her writing style. However, I was really bored by the plot in this one. I could not connect to any of the characters at all, especially Ella. I think her other books will be more up my alley.
June 17, 2020
I contributed this review to Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Y'all, I need an escape more than anything right now. For some reason, this book was just calling me from my TBR shelf. As soon as I started it, I'm transported to Hawaii.
Honestly, there's a lot going on in this book that is applicable today. The mistreatment of Japanese Americans, the feeling of impending doom, not knowing what to trust in regards to the government.
Yet, this is still an escape! There is something about females in historical fiction novels that really brings out the badassery in women. There is so much that women are up against. To see them succeed through all the hard stuff is so heartwarming, empowering & amazing.
I just wanted to champion everyone in this novel. I'm very invested in the characters. As soon as I opened the book, Ackerman transports me to Hawaii & for that I am so grateful!
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Y'all, I need an escape more than anything right now. For some reason, this book was just calling me from my TBR shelf. As soon as I started it, I'm transported to Hawaii.
Honestly, there's a lot going on in this book that is applicable today. The mistreatment of Japanese Americans, the feeling of impending doom, not knowing what to trust in regards to the government.
Yet, this is still an escape! There is something about females in historical fiction novels that really brings out the badassery in women. There is so much that women are up against. To see them succeed through all the hard stuff is so heartwarming, empowering & amazing.
I just wanted to champion everyone in this novel. I'm very invested in the characters. As soon as I opened the book, Ackerman transports me to Hawaii & for that I am so grateful!
February 13, 2018
“But not everything is bad. We made pies, we made friends. We fell in love. I just hope it ends well.”
A beautifully vivid WW2 novel set in Hawaii. I found myself deeply immersed in the landscape and story. This is truly a unique perspective on WW2 and I’ve read my fair share of historical fiction novels set during this time.
I really enjoyed the alternating narrative from Violet and Ella. The author has a wonderful way of connecting you with the characters in this novel. I felt like these were my friends and they were telling me their story.
The struggles that Violet had were very real and raw. “Explaining war things to children took a special kind of measuring. She always wavered between telling too much or not enough. Maybe it was a woman thing, wanting to shelter them from all the fear. But one things she had figured out early on was that kids usually found out on their own.” Ella’s young perspective while dealing with such large life events was heart breaking.
I connected with Violet as a mother and as a person. I want to be good friends with her. What a bright young woman. Her love for everyone was so straight-forward. Violet is one smart cookie. I love when she is explaining to Ella the importance of tuning into oneself. “If we learn to love our own lives, a magic doorway opens and our dreams become real.”
Love is a central theme in this novel. Ella’s love for animals, Violets love for both her husband and Parker, the love between friends and the love between Violet and Ella. “Funny how love came in so many forms. Motherly love was steadfast and larger than life. Not up for debate. Friend love made you feel like you were never alone in the world. Love with men was different. With Herman it had been simmering coals and security. Parker a raging forest fire that would never go out. She was coming to realize that this was okay. Love was love, no matter its slant.”
I think this book hits all the marks for a great read. Historical fiction with romance and a little suspense. This well written book is completely worth the read.
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