Radar Girls

by Sara Ackerman

"A fresh, delightful romp of a novel... this gang of irrepressible friends lives up to their name in sparkling fashion."—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

An extraordinary story inspired by the real Women’s Air Raid Defense, where an unlikely recruit and her sisters-in-arms forge their place in WWII history.

Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone for the first time. Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies.

But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way. With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail. From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.

This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood.

“A wow of a book…[that is] a captivating story of friendship, heartbreak and true love. Highly recommend!” —Karen Robards, New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Romance, Audiobook, War

500 pages, Library Binding

First published July 27, 2021

About the author

Sara 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.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always on the lookout for historical fiction tackling subjects I’m not familiar with. While I’ve read lots about what women in England were asked to take on as the men enlisted, this is the first book I’ve read where American women were the subject. In this case, the women in Honolulu after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Daisy isn’t book smart, having quit school in tenth grade, but she definitely has a way with horses. She’s an engaging main character and I bonded with her immediately.
Ackerman paints a vivid picture of the island during wartime. She also gave enough detail to feel like I understood the job the WARDs were doing, which I really appreciated.
Yes, there’s the obligatory romance subplot. Thank heavens, she doesn’t allow it to overtake the other storylines. I enjoyed all the characters and the women’s friendship rang true. It’s a sweet story about the bonds that form under stressful circumstances. This was a book I kept reaching for every time I had a moment free and I finished it in just over a day.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for an advance copy of this book.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would appear that this book was written for a YA audience who likes romance novels.

If I had noticed that the book was published by Harlequin Books I would not have bothered.

Before you are 50 pages in you can tell exactly where this story is headed.

Set in Hawaii immediately after Dec. 7/1941 the Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD) is formed by Executive Order. Male personnel were needed for active duty. Women would have to do their job.

Our heroine Daisy Wilder is the main focus of the group of ladies who had to be trained in short order.

The mystery of a missing horse / female friendships and romance is the basis of this book.

2-stars for effort on the part of the author. I skipped quite a bit just to get to the end.

There are other books that take a more serious look at the amazing women of WARD.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 2018, I won an ARC of Sara Ackerman’s debut, Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers (still love that title and cover so much), and you would think I had won the lottery. My excitement over her books has continued ever since, and my favorite thing is my mom is also now a huge fan, so we can share her books and talk about them.

Radar Girls is her newest, out in the world next week. About the book: “An extraordinary story inspired by the real Women’s Air Raid Defense, where an unlikely recruit and her sisters-in-arms forge their place in WWII history.”

Sara Ackerman's specialty is stories of stories of strong women set during World War II and in her beloved Hawaii. Daisy is the focus of this story. She’s a horse whisperer of sorts. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, she enlists in a secret program, the Women’s Air Raid Defense. There is resistance from those who think women cannot handle the job.

Radar Girls is a beautiful account of female firsts and trailblazers whose stories we unfortunately haven’t heard until now. It’s about the bonds of friendship, and there’s a love story, too. This book was hard to put down, and I read it quickly. I think it may be Sara Ackerman’s best yet!

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

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALOHA WOMEN AT WAR

Oh how I love this book! It’s WWII hist fic with a twist. Set in Hawaii amid the Pearl Harbor attack and creation of the first Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD).

The writing is lush with elegant descriptions of island life, food, creatures, and language. The narrative grabs the heart, starting with the December 7, 1941, bombings from the POV of gutsy protagonist Daisy.

I adore her and her spunky WARD friends and keenly felt their joys, grief, fears, trauma, and the heat of the slow-burn romance at the book’s heart. A must-read for fans of pioneering women at war and in love.

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 27 Jul 2021
#RadarGirls #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada), and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radar Girls: A Novel of WWII by Sara Ackerman is an extraordinary story inspired by the real life Women’s Air Raid Defense formed during World War II, where an unlikely recruit and her sisters-in-arms forge their place in WWII history.

Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing and freeing up male soldiers in a war zone for the first time. Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies charting their location, direction, and speed. But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way. With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail. From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.

This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood. Another great read I've enjoyed from this author!

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy lives with her mother in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor is attacked in 1941. She and some other young women are recruited for the Women's Air Raid defense, a top secret job in which they are responsible for guiding pilots into blacked-out airstrips and tracking unidentified planes across Pacific skies. Ackerman has written a well researched historical novel about bright and courageous women who deserve to be better known. Add in the female friendships, the suspense, the animals, the Hawaiian setting, and the romance, and this is a not to be missed book for historical fiction readers. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take an exotic location, add in a perilous historical event, women called up to fill a desperate need, and a mystery to boot; and you have a compelling new title to devour this summer. There are horses and kittens, y'all! This is my first book by Sara Ackerman and I am impressed with her weaving of facts into a fictional package that is also entertaining to read. Daisy Wilder and her fellow WARD (Women's Air Raid Defense) workers demonstrate how this group of women were a crucial piece of the war effort. According to one of the women who did the job in real life, they helped the pilots find their way back home. I most definitely recommend this book to historical fiction lovers.

Thank you to MIRA and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to learn something when I read and I learned quite a few things about wartime history from this novel. I loved the Hawaiian setting, the descriptions of how radar and vectors brought pilots home safely and kept watch for enemy craft approaching. I loved the sisterhood and the travails women faced during wartime. While the ending was predictable and a little too tidy for a wartime narrative, it was still satisfying.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

RADAR GIRLS by Sara Ackerman is an engrossing historical fiction story featuring young women on the island of Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor who are enlisted and become the Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD). This is a standalone historical fiction novel with a romance subplot set on a beautiful island with plenty of real life drama and intrigue.

Daisy Walker is more comfortable around horses than people and is working on the Montgomery Ranch to support herself and her mother. Then the attack on Pearl Harbor throws the island and the entire country into a panic. The men are needed for the front and Daisy is recruited with many other young women to be trained to take over their jobs in the newly formed Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD) to protect the Pacific coast and help pilots find their way back home.

For the first time in her life, Daisy builds bonds with other women who like and respect her. The women are a diverse group who learn a strategic top secret skill and learn to work together even through their differences in education and social status. As the women bond, it is not all work, as the group gets caught up in several schemes and adventures. Daisy also learns about relationships from her friends and begins to fall for her neighbor who has always seemed out of reach.

Set between the attack on Pearl Harbor and VJ Day, this historical fiction drew me in immediately and I was sorry when it was over. Ms. Ackerman did amazing research not only on the time period and location during the early 1940’s, but on radar and all the skills the women needed to learn and do their jobs. Daisy is a memorable and strong lead character who matures and grows in confidence in herself as the story progresses. She also learns how strong the bond can be between female friends. The romance subplot between Daisy and Walker was realistically paced and intertwined with her relationship growth with the other women. All the secondary characters were believably written and Daisy’s female friends stood out. All of the story elements kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend this historical fiction story!

[Elise Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

RADAR GIRLS delivers the pitch perfect combination of fascinating history and unforgettable characters. I loved being transported to Hawaii and learning about these adventurous, smart women who answered the call of duty at a critical time. Sara Ackerman weaves together a wonderful story about friendship and love set against the turbulence and fear of a nation at war.

[Colleen Chi-Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't too much of a spoiler, since I wanted to be careful:
I rated this a generous 3* and although I may be in the minority here, I felt it was just fluff and romance dressed up as historical fiction. I dislike giving a strongly negative review, but feel this review needs a reality check.

I love history, including stories about people who lived through WW2. This story begins with the Japanese’s bombing of Pearl Harbor that got the US into WW2 in 1941. Even better, was the learning of an outlier group who became involved in working for the US Navy and US Government. In this specific case, it includes a group of females who worked as radar interpreters and correspondents.

The novel hones in on many stereotypes during this time period. Mostly, how females were treated subserviently and often sexually and emotionally abused. Que up...."There is nothing like a dame, Nothing in the world, There is nothing you can name, That is anything like a dame."

Initially, I found the subject of women with this incredible responsibility very interesting, however, the real focus was on silly, romantic banter, camaraderie and rivalry between the radar women, and the overarching, nonsensical drama between a wealthy and poor family, that of course united and tied back into the inevitable romance brewing.... It felt like a young-adult novel.

We can all be touched by good friendships, that abounded in this story, the love of horses, good vs. evil, even a new romance blooming, but there was little focus on learning about the pilots and other workers ON AN ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC, including NATIVE Hawaiian culture, and some actual native Hawaiians. I could imagine it would have been more authentic and compelling. Yes, there were some Hawaiian plant and food names thrown in to identify they were in Hawaii, but nothing deeper than surface level. Very disappointing especially with the high reviews this book has been given.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ackerman writes an enthralling WWII historical fiction story about the little known heroines of the real Women’s Air Raid Defense. The story is set in beautiful Hawaii, where author Ackerman was born and raised.

The story opens on December 7, 1941, the day when the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The first chapter took my breath away with the immersive writing and the introduction to our amazing heroine, Daisy Wilder.

As the men were being sent off to the war zone, recruitment of women to this top secret program to help in the war efforts became imminent. Though these women fought hard with courage and strength, they were met with resistance by many who did not think women were up for the job.

This was a heartfelt, uplifting, and powerful story that was well written and impeccably researched.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a thoroughly enjoyable and un-put-downable look at one of the lesser-known groups of WW2. This book deals with the WARD or the Women's Air Raid Defense group that was set up in Hawaii right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Part action, part women's fiction, part romance, and a tiny bit of mystery are combined to make this a memorable read.

Radar Girls was a highly researched novel ( from what I could find out) and helped me understand more of what was possible for women in those years. Too bad it didn't last all that long, right? Well, we have it all now!

For anyone interested in the historical fiction genre, this will be a superb summer read.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. Thank you.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing! A book in the WWII era without pulling WWII in. Concentrates on Pearl Harbor bombing and stays with the USA vs Japan. Has a little bit of everything; love, romance, broken family, mystery, war, crisis and did I say forbidden love?

[Julia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers who want a fresh, unexpected take on World War 2 fiction will love this book. Ackerman draws on Hawaii’s history, weaving it into both plot and character to create a rich, unique book. I really enjoyed this story of friendship and sisterhood.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Historical Fiction that takes places after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I loved all the characters, and I loved these girls teaching all those men they can do what they can do. I have to say this story came to life, and the characters popped off the page. This book is one of my favorite historical fiction books I have read. There is friendship, romance, women's rights, and lost all in one very well-written book. I won an ARC of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, but this review is my own feelings about this book.

[Sherwood Smith]

I really enjoyed this historical novel set in Hawai'i. It begins the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, when Daisy, our heroine who works with horses on a local rich guy's ranch, sneaks one of the horses out for a ride. The horse is spooked when there is a dogfight over the water not far from the strand, and Daisy watches in helpless horror as a Japanese plane is destroyed, and the American fighter limps back to base.

Daisy volunteers to become a "radar girl" --a crucially important job that ordinarily strictly went to men. Of course the women have to overcome prejudice from guys on their own side, but they work hard, and prove themselves.

Meanwhile, there is love in the air for Daisy--and how her romance works out, the ins and outs of the radar job, and the personalities Ackerman developed were such a pleasure to read. I think the icing on the cake was the care she took to depict the overlapping cultures of Hawai'i, and how the whites, though in charge, do not in fact form the center of everyone's life. Ackerman is also sensitive to the terrible dilemma of Japanese-descendant Americans, who knew nothing of the impending attack, but were swept up and away anyway, in the vindictive (and frightened) American aftermath.

One of those reads I meant to pick up and enjoy for the space of a lunch and ended up reading from beginning to end, my own daily tasks shoved aside.

Copy provided by NetGalley

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when historical fiction transports me to a time and place, and teaches me about something I never knew, and entertains me with a heartwarming story and compelling characters. Radar Girls takes readers directly to Hawaii on December 7, 1941. At the time of the attack, Daisy Wilder is a bright young woman who takes care of horses on a ranch, living a hardscrabble life with her mother. After the attack, everything changes for Daisy as she joins the ranks of the Women’s Air Raid Defense. Daisy, who had always been a bit of a loner, now enters a sisterhood of women doing their part to keep their home safe. There are some heart-stopping moments as the country is swept up into war; there is a bit of mystery, a sweet romance, and growing friendships. I loved the camaraderie between the women, and I enjoyed watching Daisy grow in confidence, and finding her place in the world.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Ackerman scores again with this lovely story of sisterhood forged in time of war.
File this one with the growing number of books about women who did vital military work in WWII: only the setting is Hawaii rather than England or Washington, DC.

This time the women are tasked with taking over the Air Raid Defense of Oahu. The author does a good job of explaining the work by showing us the women; first in training and then on duty. Best of all, she focuses on a small group of women, who we come to care about: Daisy, Betty, and Fluff. Of course, as with any large group, not everyone gets along with everyone else; several women with ties to Daisy's past are not high on her list of friends.

December 7, 1941 may have been the worst day of young Daisy Wilder's existence, but it lead her to the job that changed her life. I loved Daisy--watching her grow in self-confidence as she tackles her new job, cheering her on as she makes friends (something that had been in very short supply before now). There's even a bit of romance in store for her--though that has as many highs and lows as her day to day job.
I laughed, I cried, I cheered them all on. I loved meeting these women.

I've now read all four of Ackerman's books and they all reside on my keeper shelf. I was thrilled to read that she's working on a fifth one.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peaceful Hawaii Sunday morning swim is shattered by a sneak attack that plunged her world into war. Daisy answered the call for a new all-female secret war project that had great impact, brought her new, unforgettable friendships, and a romance she never dreamed of.

Daisy grew up fishing the surf, working horses at the Montgomery Ranch, and trying to keep her grief-torn, apathetic mother and their home in order. She grew up faster than some even if she did never finish school, came from humble circumstances, and was looked down on by families like the Montgomerys. Daisy loved her father and misses him after his death, too, but someone has to keep it together. This ability holds her in good stead when she loses her job at the ranch and then takes up her country’s call to become one of the women air-raid defense (or WARDs) in a field that only men have done in the past. Her head for mathematics and her coolness in the face of an emergency take her right into the heart of the work, but doesn’t prepare her for matters of the heart when she starts to fall for a man who seems out of her reach even if they have developed a surprising friendship in spite of his family’s disapprobation.

Daisy has always stood alone and suddenly she is part of something and has friends who respect and like her. They all work tirelessly to learn what they must and do their jobs to read the radar and bring the pilots home safe while watching for the enemy, but Daisy and her core group of friends get up to some mischief and adventure, too, from hiding a stray cat mascot, discovering their lingerie thief, road trips, and war-time making-do. Daisy is desperate to find the Montgomery’s lost thoroughbred that she had responsibility over before the Japanese attack scared the horse and it was never seen again. Her friends help her work to solve this disappearance. They all support each other through loss, personal struggles, and men.

The setting of 1940’s Hawaii, WWII, and the WARDs is carefully painted as are the well-developed characters. There is an even flow of suspense, fun, romance, drama, and then the build during the big climactic Battle of Midway.

All in all, this was an abso-fab introduction to the author’s work that kept me thoroughly riveted from the beginning. I loved this dive into women’s history and WWII fiction with a generous dollop of friendship and dash of romance set in a tropical paradise. Those who enjoy Historical Women’s Fiction and WWII Fiction should definitely consider themselves a target audience.

My thanks to Harlequin for providing the eARC to be read in exchange for an honest review.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the real Women’s Air Raid Defense, this charming novel will have you packing your suitcase for Hawaii. Horse lovers? This one’s for you. Wartime historical fiction? Yes, you, too.

You’ll want to read this book because the author lives in Hawaii and, although the book is set in 1941, there’s an authentic island feel. It’s been said that the author “writes books with aloha,” and this most certainly describes “Radar Girls.” It’s also about a part of history that isn’t written about often - the untold exploits of WARD and their critical and top-secret service in Hawaii. It’s refreshing to read a wartime book without a pregnant unwed girl or a resistance fighter.

The book opens as the Japanese planes fly over Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, and continues with the aftermath of the attack. You’ll read about Daisy, a 24-year-old swimmer and horse trainer, who is recruited for a top-secret program involved in tracking and plotting ships and aircraft around the Hawaiian islands. Once spotted, these coordinates were sent to the navy. Daisy and these pioneering, unsung heroines were true national treasures!

Running parallel to the wartime plot is a sweet romance and a discovery that rocks Daisy to her core.

An absolutely beautiful tale about courage, strength and sisterhood, this story needs to be on your radar come July 27, 2021.

"The most important battles are fought, and won, - together."

I was gifted this advance copy by Sara Ackerman, Harlequin/MIRA, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[RoseMary Achey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Radar Girls leaves much to be desired if you are looking for a solid piece of historical fiction. On the other hand, If you are looking for some fluff and a romance with a historical background this is the novel for you.

The characters were so flat and stereotypical. You can determine where this book is going after only a few pages. Poor girl, rich land owner-forbidden romance-that old yarn.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is December 1941, and Hawaii has been attacked by the Japanese. The US has declared war on Japan and Germany has declared war on the US. The men are leaving the army to go to war and many have been killed. Women are being recruited to join the Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD), a top secret program to guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes over the Pacific Ocean. Daisy is one of these recruits, and she along with others will deal with sexism, not being taken seriously, sexual harassment and more issues when a group of women break into a male dominated field.

This book is inspired by real events that took place during WWII. I really enjoyed getting to know the women in this story. They came from all walks of life, Daisy being a horse trainer. Some were married to service men and every one of them knew someone, a friend or relative that was fighting. These women were smart and picked up the job and the lingo quickly. They were tenacious and wouldn't give up, loyal to their country and their new friends, and courageous. We read about the blitzes in Europe, specifically the UK, but they were living under the same fear in Hawaii. This was both a character and plot driven story. There was some romance, but was balanced nicely with all the other storylines. The writing was wonderful. It was descriptive to allow the reader to see and feel what was happening. I liked that this was historical fiction, not dual timeline to interrupt the flow of this story. Daisy did have a few flashbacks or reminiscences for her particular story, but they were woven into the story nicely. This story was well researched, well plotted, and well written. One that I recommend if you like themes of friendship, women breaking into new roles, WWII, perseverance and courage. I listened to the audiobook that was wonderfully narrated by Cassandra Campbell. Her expression, emotion, tone and voices made this a pleasant reading/listening experience. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Ackerman, Author of “Radar Girls” has written a captivating, intriguing, intense, and memorable novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and World War Two. The story goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The story takes place on the islands of Hawaii. I love the way the author visually describes, the characters, the events, and the landscape. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as courageous, complicated, complex, and determined. There are some characters that are mean-spirited and evil. There are betrayals in relationships. There are tragic events that happen in the chaos of war.

This fictional story is inspired by the WARD, Women’s Air Raid Defense where many of the women are responsible for plotting and interpreting radar so that the men can actually fight. Many of these women became sisters and used their intelligence and skills in changing history.

Daisy Wilder takes care of the horses on a wealthy ranch. Daisy is almost a “horse whisperer” and has great results training and taking care of the horses. One day, Daisy takes the owner's prized horse out, and there is an attack by the Japanese. The horse runs off, and Daisy is blamed by the owner for its loss. She is fired from her job. As women and young families are encouraged to leave as the Japanese are fighting, Daisy joins the WARD, and learns about radar, and plotting courses to help so that the men can go and fight. Men and women are not treated equally. Daisy does become friends with other women, and they form a bond in protecting their country and each other. There are often blacked-out and difficult situations these women are responsible for.

I read this in one sitting, and I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable story to other readers.

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Radar Girls, by Sara Ackerman, is a beautifully written, mesmerizing historical fiction novel that draws the reader into the story as if transported in time and place. The story comes alive on the pages of the book and captivates the reader. It is set on the sandy, local shores of Hawaii just after the Pearl Harbor attack. It features the Women’s Air Raid Defense, the WARDS, who were trained mid-war, out of necessity, to assist airplanes under attack and guide them to safety.

Not normally a huge fan of the historical fiction genre, this story surprised me and absolutely stole my heart. The friendship and sisterhood of these ladies and their unique personalities and individual stories was heartwarming and inspiring. I felt that I had befriended them by the end of the novel and hated to say goodbye. In addition to the strong bonds of friendship, there were sweet, truly romantic relationships forged that were swoon-worthy.

Set amongst these strong bonds of friendship and love, were harrowing tales of war. The tension created by the author made the fear, anxiety and courage of these World War 2 Pacific events that we’ve read about in history books, palpable and real.

The Radar Girls is hopeful, compelling, moving and ultimately unforgettable. It will long stay with me and I’m so grateful I read it.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this unique setting for the WWII genre—Hawaii in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour—and the lushly detailed islands felt so fresh in the market saturated by European settings. Learning about the Women’s Air Raid Defense was fascinating, and the details of the radar technology of the time (antiquated now, but cutting edge then) were intriguing. Daisy is a plucky heroine who engaged me from the beginning. This is a tale of romance and mystery, heartache and adventure, danger and sacrifice. I loved the exploration of female friendship, resilience, and the determination to play a meaningful role in the war. A Mai Tai pairs perfectly with this lovely, feel good story.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Sara Ackerman novel and I certainly wasn’t disappointed!

What a truly interesting novel based on the Women’s Air Raid Defense! I have never read anything about this particular piece of WW2 history before and found it fascinating.

Daisy Wilder was a strong feminine figure in a time when women were overlooked. Her grit and determination propelled the story forward while she blew the expectations of women during this time period out of the water!

I will definitely be reading more from this author :)

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts...
What a powerful, unforgettable story! I really enjoyed this. It was very well written and I learned so much while reading it as well.
This just might be my favorite historical of 2021.
5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend Radar Girls.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a good historical fiction book, I recommend this one, very well written.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by real women of the Women’s Air Raid Defense (WARD) during WW11, Radar Girls is the story of new recruits and unsung heroes. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy, a gifted horse trainer, enlists in a top secret program that recruits women to replace men who have joined the war. Their high stakes assignment is to guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes over the Pacific Ocean. The young women face many challenges including forming a team, working in a male-dominated field, facing unequal treatment of women, and surviving a war.

TL; DR: I loved it!

Usually in a review, I discuss several factors (setting, writing, characters, themes, etc.). Because Radar Girls checks all the boxes of a 5 star read, I’m highlighting enjoyability.

Enjoyability Factor: I’ve mention before about the importance of the enjoyability factor when rating books. This story checks all the boxes of a perfect read for me. First, I trust this author to bring me a great story (filled with excellent research, vivid descriptive details, characters to root for, and engaging from page one), so that helps me relax into the read. I love balanced plot-driven and character-driven stories. I adore learning something new and women breaking into the field of radar during wartime captivated me in this way. Radar Girls isn’t overly long (easily read in 2 days for me). The story is told in chronological order (with a few flashbacks) from one perspective which makes for smooth and quick reading. I love inspirational, admirable, and gutsy characters; bright, pioneering women; and thoughtful themes (friendship, unequal treatment of women, women supporting women, believing in yourself, grit, determination, wartime tragedies, and perseverance, etc.). Radar Girls has a side of romance which always adds an enjoyment factor (but doesn’t dominate the story) and a mystery to solve. The Hawaiian setting is lovely and it’s evident how much the author loves her home state. Radar Girls is unputdownable and highly entertaining. All of the factors mentioned contribute to one enjoyable read!

Honestly, the enjoyment factor is the highlight of this review. Radar Girls is simply a well told, multilayered story. Definitely, my favorite of Sara Ackerman’s work. Radar Girls would make a great selection for book club!

If you’re looking for a compulsively readable summer read, please consider Radar Girls! It’s engaging from the first page. Highly recommended.

Thanks #NetGalley @HarlequinBooks for a complimentary eARC of #RadarGirls upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.