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A Letter From Pearl Harbor
Ninety-eight-year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish is for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. Clues that reveal her life as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, and a devastating World War Two secret.
1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make in the terrible hours that follow have tragic consequences…
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny’s distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt, just like the ones she used to set for her as a little girl. Except this time, the clues are scattered across the beautiful island of Hawaii. Despite her grief, Robyn finds herself intrigued as she follows the trail of letters, revealing the truth about Ginny’s service during the Second World War.
But Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life…
Inspired by true events, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 novel about love, loss and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and Kathryn Hughes.
1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make in the terrible hours that follow have tragic consequences…
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny’s distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt, just like the ones she used to set for her as a little girl. Except this time, the clues are scattered across the beautiful island of Hawaii. Despite her grief, Robyn finds herself intrigued as she follows the trail of letters, revealing the truth about Ginny’s service during the Second World War.
But Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life…
Inspired by true events, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 novel about love, loss and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and Kathryn Hughes.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2021
1060 people are currently reading
1738 people want to read
About the author
Anna Stuart
29 books624 followersI wanted to be an author from the moment I could pick up a pen and was writing boarding-school novels by the age of nine. I made the early mistake of thinking I ought to get a ‘proper job’ and went into Factory Planning – a career that gave me some wonderful experiences, amazing friends and even a fantastic husband, but didn’t offer much creative scope. So when I stopped to have children I took the chance to start the ‘improper job’ of writing. During the baby years I wrote in the brief gaps provided by sleeps, playschools and obliging grandparents, publishing short stories and serials in all the women’s magazines.
But my ultimate aim was to write longer fiction and several years ago I published a series of successful historical novels under the pseudonym Joanna Courtney. I will continue to publish under that name but am delighted, as Anna Stuart, to also be able to write contemporary fiction. Bonnie and Stan is a true to life romance set in both the present day and sixties Liverpool and Four Minutes to Save a Life is a domestic drama about how small acts of kindness might just change the world!
But my ultimate aim was to write longer fiction and several years ago I published a series of successful historical novels under the pseudonym Joanna Courtney. I will continue to publish under that name but am delighted, as Anna Stuart, to also be able to write contemporary fiction. Bonnie and Stan is a true to life romance set in both the present day and sixties Liverpool and Four Minutes to Save a Life is a domestic drama about how small acts of kindness might just change the world!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
March 2, 2022
This is a Historical Fiction that as two timelines. The two timelines both takes places in Pearl Harbor (1941 and 2019). I have to say I really loved the 2019 timeline, and I love how the historical timeline is introduce in the book. I enjoyed the historical timeline, and I loved all the characters in this book. I also loved that this book has wheelchair sports in it because I think it is something that is not in books. I loved this book because it is not the normal historical fiction book. I think if you do not normally read historical fiction you may still love this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Bookouture) or author (Anna Stuart) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
November 5, 2021
Robyn Harris had just arrived in England to see her beloved grandmother one last time before she died. At ninety-eight, Granny Ginny had been a rock for Robyn and her sister Ashleigh, especially when Ashleigh had had her dreadful accident which stopped her cycling dream in its tracks. When Granny Ginny told Robyn and Ashleigh of one last treasure hunt she’d set up for them, revealing secrets to her past, they were intrigued. But their grief as they flew to Hawaii, Robyn to home, Ashleigh to visit, seemed insurmountable.
Ginny and her brother Jack – both pilots – arrived in Oahu, Hawaii in 1941, both preparing to join the war efforts, even though the US hadn’t joined the war yet. But those in the know, knew Japan was the problem, not the Nazis, and on December 7th, when Ginny was in the air in her little plane, she spotted an aircraft which wasn’t one of theirs, flying toward her. To her horror she realized it was a Japanese fighter and there were hundreds more. Her frantic landing and race across the tarmac showed her terrible visions she would never forget. Naval vessels were sinking in the harbour, planes were on fire and bodies were everywhere. Over two thousand people died that day…
As Ashleigh and Robyn worked their way through Granny Ginny’s distinctive letters and treasure chests – eight letters until the end – they learned more about their grandmother, which in turn opened themselves to each other. Clues and chests spread across Hawaii, with the gradual reveal of Granny Ginny’s role during World War II, and the secret which had burdened her most of her life.
A Letter from Pearl Harbor is another exceptional historical novel from Anna Stuart – I’m so glad I discovered this author! Well crafted characters, from a young Ginny to her at the end of her life; with sisters Robyn and Ashleigh, and the side characters, especially Lilinoe, Ginny’s best friend. A Letter from Pearl Harbor is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Ginny and her brother Jack – both pilots – arrived in Oahu, Hawaii in 1941, both preparing to join the war efforts, even though the US hadn’t joined the war yet. But those in the know, knew Japan was the problem, not the Nazis, and on December 7th, when Ginny was in the air in her little plane, she spotted an aircraft which wasn’t one of theirs, flying toward her. To her horror she realized it was a Japanese fighter and there were hundreds more. Her frantic landing and race across the tarmac showed her terrible visions she would never forget. Naval vessels were sinking in the harbour, planes were on fire and bodies were everywhere. Over two thousand people died that day…
As Ashleigh and Robyn worked their way through Granny Ginny’s distinctive letters and treasure chests – eight letters until the end – they learned more about their grandmother, which in turn opened themselves to each other. Clues and chests spread across Hawaii, with the gradual reveal of Granny Ginny’s role during World War II, and the secret which had burdened her most of her life.
A Letter from Pearl Harbor is another exceptional historical novel from Anna Stuart – I’m so glad I discovered this author! Well crafted characters, from a young Ginny to her at the end of her life; with sisters Robyn and Ashleigh, and the side characters, especially Lilinoe, Ginny’s best friend. A Letter from Pearl Harbor is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2021
This lovely story told in two timelines, one at the dawn of America's was fostered upon us by the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the other a story of two women, Robyn and Ashley Harris sisters, Who were greatly influenced by their grandmother, Ginny McAllister.
Ginny was a definite free spirit and became a pilot in a time when women certainly did not fit into that role. She was living in Hawaii with her beloved brother, Jack, enjoying the life of this tropical paradise, when all hell breaks loose on December, 7, 1941. In the ensuing battle that rages, she witnesses colossal destruction and the loss of one so very dear to her. She and her fellow women pilots are determined to do what they can to allay the war effort and follow through with courage and determination.
We are given the backstory of Ginny in dribs and drabs due to a treasure hunt she sets up for her granddaughters prior to her death. The granddaughters are devastated at the loss of their grandmother, but have a few surprises to learn about a grandmother they thought they knew. Both women learn about courage, about determination, about facing up to responsibility. For Ashley, confined to a wheelchair due to a cycling accident, she finds it within herself to once again enter the competitive world she once loved. For Robyn, she finds that although loving someone hurts, it is well worth the risk involved to be enamored with someone.
Through the use of mostly alternate chapters, we delve into the grit of the ladies both now and then. We find ourselves rooting for the granddaughters, adapting to change and loss. This well-done story is one to add if you are fond of strong women, who never let others stand in their way. Resiliency in the face of tragedy is an ongoing theme, and the voice of carrying on is prevalent in the story.
Thank you to Anna Stuart, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this based on true events story.
Ginny was a definite free spirit and became a pilot in a time when women certainly did not fit into that role. She was living in Hawaii with her beloved brother, Jack, enjoying the life of this tropical paradise, when all hell breaks loose on December, 7, 1941. In the ensuing battle that rages, she witnesses colossal destruction and the loss of one so very dear to her. She and her fellow women pilots are determined to do what they can to allay the war effort and follow through with courage and determination.
We are given the backstory of Ginny in dribs and drabs due to a treasure hunt she sets up for her granddaughters prior to her death. The granddaughters are devastated at the loss of their grandmother, but have a few surprises to learn about a grandmother they thought they knew. Both women learn about courage, about determination, about facing up to responsibility. For Ashley, confined to a wheelchair due to a cycling accident, she finds it within herself to once again enter the competitive world she once loved. For Robyn, she finds that although loving someone hurts, it is well worth the risk involved to be enamored with someone.
Through the use of mostly alternate chapters, we delve into the grit of the ladies both now and then. We find ourselves rooting for the granddaughters, adapting to change and loss. This well-done story is one to add if you are fond of strong women, who never let others stand in their way. Resiliency in the face of tragedy is an ongoing theme, and the voice of carrying on is prevalent in the story.
Thank you to Anna Stuart, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this based on true events story.
September 26, 2024
In a Nutshell: Yes, yet another WWII story with dual timelines involving a past secret. But this one does not serve only the typical WWII survivor/combat trauma fare. It’s “zara hatke”, as we say in India.
Story:
If you think this sounds like the plot of most WWII historical fiction novels released in the last few years, you won't be entirely in the wrong. This dual timeline + letter revealing family secrets is one of the most common tropes of WWII historical fiction nowadays. But here is where 'A Letter from Pearl Harbor' differs from the rest of the books:
Ginny, Robyn and Ashleigh carry the book on their shoulders wonderfully. But they aren’t the only women in the story and the rest of the female characters are also quite impactful. Ginny and her fellow women pilots are such a treat to read about! The author’s research shows in every detail about these brave women pilots and their challenges they faced in fulfilling their duty. Their struggles were unfair and the discrimination against them in the male-dominated army was shameful. The remarks about equal rights and the barbs at the two-facedness of the government in treating the women service personnel were delightful to read. The only part I found a bit irritating in this timeline was the repeated reference to makeup and looks. (I guess this is more of my problem; I am notoriously anti-makeup even in real life. But even keeping this aside, there are only so many references to “gorgeous eyes” that I can tolerate without rolling my own eyes.)
As almost always, I enjoyed the historical part of the narrative much more than the contemporary one. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is brilliantly written. Every single scene in this segment felt harrowing to read. What I would have liked to see a little more of is the local anger towards the native Japanese after the attacks. There is just a passing mention of this, but in a book that tries so much to be fair to women and locals, it seemed incomplete to exclude that angle.
The 2019 story works decently well. The best part of this timeline was the focus on Ashleigh’s struggle towards self-acceptance and in the wheelchair sports events. Her character starts off a bit flat and monotonous at first but soon grows into an interesting arc. Robyn’s character pales in comparison as her arc is more straightforward and predictable. The treasure hunt didn’t really grab me. In most cases, the clues were guessed by the characters in the first attempt itself and that took away the fun. One odd thing was how the girls were not grabbing the clues and tearing them apart with curiosity. I mean, if you are fond of treasure hunts and your grandma has left one for you on her deathbed as a final challenge, would you take the envelope on one day, read the clue on the next day, and once you get the letter about the next destination, read half of it and save the rest for later? Who has that much patience?!?! Still, it was a novel way of knowing about the past timeline. And as the clues involved well-known places in Hawaii, the treasure hunt provided a lovely glimpse of Hawaiian landmarks and culture.
I was a bit surprised to see that the parents of the main characters have NO role to play in both of the timelines. The 1941 timeline focusses on Ginny’s relationship with her brother and her colleagues while the 2019 timeline sees Ginny’s relationship with her granddaughters. Ginny’s parents and the girls’ parents have just a blink-and-you-miss appearance. This doesn’t affect the story as such, but leaves you feeling like there’s a gap somehow.
The blurb is a bit misleading in this line: “Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life.” I am still trying to figure out what this shocking secret was because I didn’t find anything that could UPTURN her life!
Reading through what I have written so far, I feel like whatever I am cribbing about are mostly trivial areas of improvement. I still enjoyed the story to a great extent. It deserves a read mainly for its historical timeline and the revelations contained therein about the brave American girl pilots during the WWII. This is my second book by Anna Stuart. I’ve seen the power of her research and her eye on authenticity in “The Berlin Zookeeper”. I think I liked that book just a teeny bit better than this one, mainly because the contemporary narrative was more captivating. But this book still stands out as it provides a detailed look at WWII from the Hawaiian islands, not a perspective you see usually.
I was hovering consistently between 3.5 to 4, depending on which timeline I was reading. What made me go up to 4.25 stars was the author's note at the end, where she recounts her research, details about which of the characters are real, the actual timeline of the Pearl Harbor, and the role of the women pilots. I had guessed only one of the characters - Jacqueline Cochran - to be real, so I was pleasantly surprised to see just how many of the names mentioned in the book belonged to actual people in history.
Recommended to historical fiction fans who want to know more about the Pearl Harbor attacks and the role of women pilots during the WWII.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Laurence Bouvard. She is a fabulous narrator and does absolute justice to all the characters, providing them with an individuality that helps you stay on track with the complicated chronology.
One point I wish authors would incorporate is a policy of having distinct names for their characters, especially when there are multiple timelines and many characters. This story had a Jack and a Zack (both in main roles) and they ended up confusing me several times, though they were in two separate timelines.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “A Letter from Pearl Harbour”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
2019, England. Robyn Harris adores her 98 year old grandmother Ginny and is devastated when she passes away. On her deathbed, Ginny bequeaths to Robyn and her sister Ashleigh a letter containing details of a treasure hunt, just like she used to make for the girls when they were younger. The problem is that the treasure hunt is set in Hawaii, a place where Robyn resides but Ashleigh, being disabled and restricted to a wheelchair, will find a challenge to travel to. The girls have no choice but to follow their grandma’s instructions, and as they work together, they discover hitherto unknown secrets of Ginny’s extraordinary life.
Through the treasure hunt and Ginny’s letters, we also see the timeline set in 1941 from Ginny’s perspective, beginning a few days before the Pearl harbour attacks.
If you think this sounds like the plot of most WWII historical fiction novels released in the last few years, you won't be entirely in the wrong. This dual timeline + letter revealing family secrets is one of the most common tropes of WWII historical fiction nowadays. But here is where 'A Letter from Pearl Harbor' differs from the rest of the books:
1. The usual trope is that of a letter from the past leading to the discovery of some family secrets or heirlooms. This time, it's a treasure hunt that is designed to bring Robin and Ashley not just close to each other but closer to their past. Yup, there’s a secret involved, but it is Ginny herself who is unveiling the secret through her letters. There is no independent discovery or blind stabs at the truth.
2. Usually, the female lead in the historical part of the narrative is one who is stuck in war conditions and does her best to cope or survive. Not Ginny. She's outspoken, impulsive, and gutsy, and a trained flight instructor to boot. Her narrative is the highlight of this book as she makes for a very different historical lead female character.
3. As the title suggests, the story isn't set in your usual WWII locations of England or Germany or mainland US but in Hawaii. The location is used very well in this story and isn't restricted only to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This adds a wonderful authenticity and freshness to the narrative.
Ginny, Robyn and Ashleigh carry the book on their shoulders wonderfully. But they aren’t the only women in the story and the rest of the female characters are also quite impactful. Ginny and her fellow women pilots are such a treat to read about! The author’s research shows in every detail about these brave women pilots and their challenges they faced in fulfilling their duty. Their struggles were unfair and the discrimination against them in the male-dominated army was shameful. The remarks about equal rights and the barbs at the two-facedness of the government in treating the women service personnel were delightful to read. The only part I found a bit irritating in this timeline was the repeated reference to makeup and looks. (I guess this is more of my problem; I am notoriously anti-makeup even in real life. But even keeping this aside, there are only so many references to “gorgeous eyes” that I can tolerate without rolling my own eyes.)
As almost always, I enjoyed the historical part of the narrative much more than the contemporary one. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is brilliantly written. Every single scene in this segment felt harrowing to read. What I would have liked to see a little more of is the local anger towards the native Japanese after the attacks. There is just a passing mention of this, but in a book that tries so much to be fair to women and locals, it seemed incomplete to exclude that angle.
The 2019 story works decently well. The best part of this timeline was the focus on Ashleigh’s struggle towards self-acceptance and in the wheelchair sports events. Her character starts off a bit flat and monotonous at first but soon grows into an interesting arc. Robyn’s character pales in comparison as her arc is more straightforward and predictable. The treasure hunt didn’t really grab me. In most cases, the clues were guessed by the characters in the first attempt itself and that took away the fun. One odd thing was how the girls were not grabbing the clues and tearing them apart with curiosity. I mean, if you are fond of treasure hunts and your grandma has left one for you on her deathbed as a final challenge, would you take the envelope on one day, read the clue on the next day, and once you get the letter about the next destination, read half of it and save the rest for later? Who has that much patience?!?! Still, it was a novel way of knowing about the past timeline. And as the clues involved well-known places in Hawaii, the treasure hunt provided a lovely glimpse of Hawaiian landmarks and culture.
I was a bit surprised to see that the parents of the main characters have NO role to play in both of the timelines. The 1941 timeline focusses on Ginny’s relationship with her brother and her colleagues while the 2019 timeline sees Ginny’s relationship with her granddaughters. Ginny’s parents and the girls’ parents have just a blink-and-you-miss appearance. This doesn’t affect the story as such, but leaves you feeling like there’s a gap somehow.
The blurb is a bit misleading in this line: “Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life.” I am still trying to figure out what this shocking secret was because I didn’t find anything that could UPTURN her life!
Reading through what I have written so far, I feel like whatever I am cribbing about are mostly trivial areas of improvement. I still enjoyed the story to a great extent. It deserves a read mainly for its historical timeline and the revelations contained therein about the brave American girl pilots during the WWII. This is my second book by Anna Stuart. I’ve seen the power of her research and her eye on authenticity in “The Berlin Zookeeper”. I think I liked that book just a teeny bit better than this one, mainly because the contemporary narrative was more captivating. But this book still stands out as it provides a detailed look at WWII from the Hawaiian islands, not a perspective you see usually.
I was hovering consistently between 3.5 to 4, depending on which timeline I was reading. What made me go up to 4.25 stars was the author's note at the end, where she recounts her research, details about which of the characters are real, the actual timeline of the Pearl Harbor, and the role of the women pilots. I had guessed only one of the characters - Jacqueline Cochran - to be real, so I was pleasantly surprised to see just how many of the names mentioned in the book belonged to actual people in history.
Recommended to historical fiction fans who want to know more about the Pearl Harbor attacks and the role of women pilots during the WWII.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Laurence Bouvard. She is a fabulous narrator and does absolute justice to all the characters, providing them with an individuality that helps you stay on track with the complicated chronology.
One point I wish authors would incorporate is a policy of having distinct names for their characters, especially when there are multiple timelines and many characters. This story had a Jack and a Zack (both in main roles) and they ended up confusing me several times, though they were in two separate timelines.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “A Letter from Pearl Harbour”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
November 10, 2021
What an outstanding dual time historical fiction novel! It was emotional with great characters. Easy to follow the time lines. A fabulous story based on true incidents. Who knew there were women pilots in the air over Pearl Harbor when the Japanese made their surprise air attack on that fateful December 7, 1941? I loved how the author included wheelchair athletics into the book as well. All around it is a terrific book! My first by Anna Stuart, but not my last. ;)
October 26, 2021
1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December seventh, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make, have tragic consequences.
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny's distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt.
When Ginny McAllister dies, she leaves granddaughters Ashleigh and Robyn a treasure hunt to solve in Oahu, Hawaii. Ashleigh is in a wheelchair after a cycling accident and she's rather bitter about it. Ginny wants to tell them about her time at Pearl Harbor and leaves them a trail of letters that will reveal a tragic secret.
There are many historical facts intertwined into this well written book. A story of bravery, sacrifice, love, family and friendship. The story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaStuart for my ARC of #ALetterFromPearlHarbor in exchange for an honest review.
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny's distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt.
When Ginny McAllister dies, she leaves granddaughters Ashleigh and Robyn a treasure hunt to solve in Oahu, Hawaii. Ashleigh is in a wheelchair after a cycling accident and she's rather bitter about it. Ginny wants to tell them about her time at Pearl Harbor and leaves them a trail of letters that will reveal a tragic secret.
There are many historical facts intertwined into this well written book. A story of bravery, sacrifice, love, family and friendship. The story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaStuart for my ARC of #ALetterFromPearlHarbor in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2021
A Letter From Pearl Harbor is a dual-timeline, historical fiction story. Both timelines are set in Hawaii, one in 1941, the other in 2019. In 2019, Robyn Harris and her sister Ashleigh are reeling from the death of their strong, determined grandmother who raised them. When Ginny McAllister was dying, she put together a treasure hunt in on the island of Oahu. She wants her granddaughters to solve the hunt, thus revealing a secret to them. Ginny lives in Hawaii and works as an aeronautical engineer, while Ashleigh still lives in England and is in a wheelchair after a cycling accident which she's still bitter about it. The young women fly to Oahu to begin the hunt. The story Ginny tells begins before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ginny is working as a flying instructor on Oahu and her brother is a navy pilot. The story she shares is about her time trying to help the armed forces with her skills, her time in London, her return to Hawaii and the tragedy that occurs there.
This is a very different story from others I have read about Pearl Harbor. The bombing is part of the story, but it is a story about female pilots and friendships set during this time. This book incorporates many historical facts and moments, but for me it was a story of family, friendship, perseverance, not giving up, following your dreams and forgiveness. Robyn and Ashleigh have a complicated relationship. The trauma of Ashleigh's accident has left her wounded and their relationship difficult. It is the grief, loss and treasure hunt that moves them forward as individuals, thus helping to repair their relationship and forgiving themselves and each other.
This book is full of strong female characters. Ginny, Lili, and the other female pilots were smart, strong, fearless and willing to take risks for their opportunity to fly and help their country. I knew that women were still treated as fragile, but it was frustrating to read about the obstacles that were placed in their way or the false assumptions of the males that made the decisions. Those that did make it as WAAFs and ATA in the UK, and the WASPs in the US, under appreciated and under utilized. Make sure you read the author's notes at the end containing historical notes and context, along with the timeline and further background on some of the fascinating people referred to in this novel.
The story itself flows smoothly between the two timelines as well as the story being told by Ginny in the letters she left in the treasure boxes and the story of Robyn and Ashleigh. I will say I was surprised by the secret Ginny had kept all those years, but I also know why she chose to share it at that time. I recommend this one to those who enjoy historical fiction, family stories, and those dealing with forgiveness, moving forward in life and even a bit of romance. Overall an enjoyable story. I did a read/listen with this book and enjoyed both formats very much. The narrator, Laurence Bouvard, was new to me. I enjoyed her performance. She gave distinctive voices to the various characters and used accents, tone, expression and emotion to pull this reader into the story. I recommend this book in either format.
This is a very different story from others I have read about Pearl Harbor. The bombing is part of the story, but it is a story about female pilots and friendships set during this time. This book incorporates many historical facts and moments, but for me it was a story of family, friendship, perseverance, not giving up, following your dreams and forgiveness. Robyn and Ashleigh have a complicated relationship. The trauma of Ashleigh's accident has left her wounded and their relationship difficult. It is the grief, loss and treasure hunt that moves them forward as individuals, thus helping to repair their relationship and forgiving themselves and each other.
This book is full of strong female characters. Ginny, Lili, and the other female pilots were smart, strong, fearless and willing to take risks for their opportunity to fly and help their country. I knew that women were still treated as fragile, but it was frustrating to read about the obstacles that were placed in their way or the false assumptions of the males that made the decisions. Those that did make it as WAAFs and ATA in the UK, and the WASPs in the US, under appreciated and under utilized. Make sure you read the author's notes at the end containing historical notes and context, along with the timeline and further background on some of the fascinating people referred to in this novel.
The story itself flows smoothly between the two timelines as well as the story being told by Ginny in the letters she left in the treasure boxes and the story of Robyn and Ashleigh. I will say I was surprised by the secret Ginny had kept all those years, but I also know why she chose to share it at that time. I recommend this one to those who enjoy historical fiction, family stories, and those dealing with forgiveness, moving forward in life and even a bit of romance. Overall an enjoyable story. I did a read/listen with this book and enjoyed both formats very much. The narrator, Laurence Bouvard, was new to me. I enjoyed her performance. She gave distinctive voices to the various characters and used accents, tone, expression and emotion to pull this reader into the story. I recommend this book in either format.
October 19, 2021
The Treasure Hunt
A very emotional and heartwarming story of a grandmother and her two granddaughters. Robyn and her sister Ashleigh. The two sisters do not get along, but both are at their Grandmother Ginny's bedside as she gives them her last wishes for the two of them to return to Hawaii together and solve a treasure hunt that she has set up for them. The Treasure hunt will tell them the story of her life and reveal a secret from WWII and her time as a pilot that she cannot bear to tell them in person.
This is a hard sell for the girls , especially since Ashleigh is confined to a wheelchair which makes it more difficult not only for the journey but for the treasure hunt as well. They remember the treasure hunts their grandmother set up for them as children in the past. Intrigued by what her story might hold and out of the love for their grandmother they set out together to solve the mystery of the treasure hunt and learn the story their grandmother has set out for them.
As they follow the clues Ginny as set out for them, they learn more about themselves and about each other. Of course with two young women romance follows for both of them. Misunderstandings and finally the love of sisters, and the finding of their grandmother Ginney's life and secrets bring them together as sisters.
This is a dual story line story, it is the heartbreaking story of Ginny and her secret she has kept and lived with throughout her life. Her love of being a pilot and the secret that almost ended her career as one. Ginny's story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you have a front seat look at the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how it might have felt to be in the middle of it. The story of Ginny and her best friend and how they worked through the tragic event that followed Pearl Harbor.
The second story line is of Ginny's two granddaughter and how they learn to live, love and put behind them bad times and hurts as they follow Ginny's story. The learn to actually live and love and become who and what they always wanted to be and not what they had settled on.
This is a wonderful story of the power of love and forgiveness. It is also a story of the beautiful island of Hawaii, the sunsets, the ocean and the colorful scenes of cafes and hotels. You will absolutely fall in love with this book and the scene in which it is set.
I have enjoyed reading this book and I know that you will as well, I do recommend it.
Thanks to Anna Stuart, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a complimentary copy of the book.
A very emotional and heartwarming story of a grandmother and her two granddaughters. Robyn and her sister Ashleigh. The two sisters do not get along, but both are at their Grandmother Ginny's bedside as she gives them her last wishes for the two of them to return to Hawaii together and solve a treasure hunt that she has set up for them. The Treasure hunt will tell them the story of her life and reveal a secret from WWII and her time as a pilot that she cannot bear to tell them in person.
This is a hard sell for the girls , especially since Ashleigh is confined to a wheelchair which makes it more difficult not only for the journey but for the treasure hunt as well. They remember the treasure hunts their grandmother set up for them as children in the past. Intrigued by what her story might hold and out of the love for their grandmother they set out together to solve the mystery of the treasure hunt and learn the story their grandmother has set out for them.
As they follow the clues Ginny as set out for them, they learn more about themselves and about each other. Of course with two young women romance follows for both of them. Misunderstandings and finally the love of sisters, and the finding of their grandmother Ginney's life and secrets bring them together as sisters.
This is a dual story line story, it is the heartbreaking story of Ginny and her secret she has kept and lived with throughout her life. Her love of being a pilot and the secret that almost ended her career as one. Ginny's story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you have a front seat look at the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how it might have felt to be in the middle of it. The story of Ginny and her best friend and how they worked through the tragic event that followed Pearl Harbor.
The second story line is of Ginny's two granddaughter and how they learn to live, love and put behind them bad times and hurts as they follow Ginny's story. The learn to actually live and love and become who and what they always wanted to be and not what they had settled on.
This is a wonderful story of the power of love and forgiveness. It is also a story of the beautiful island of Hawaii, the sunsets, the ocean and the colorful scenes of cafes and hotels. You will absolutely fall in love with this book and the scene in which it is set.
I have enjoyed reading this book and I know that you will as well, I do recommend it.
Thanks to Anna Stuart, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a complimentary copy of the book.
September 30, 2022
Robyn heads to England just before her grandmother dies. Seeing her sister Ashleigh is not easy for her. The two were once close but have become distant since Ashleigh had a bicycle accident that left her in a wheelchair. When they were children, their grandmother set up quite a few treasure hunts and the sisters really enjoyed them. The last wish of their grandmother means that Ashleigh must accompany Robyn to her home in Hawaii for one last treasure hunt. Challenges abound but the sisters follow through and with a series of letters and clues they work together as their grandmother had requested.
Soon Robyn and Ashleigh learn that their grandmother had a secret for years and they slowly learn about their grandmother's life and time during World War II. Not only do the sisters have a lot to learn about their grandmother, they have a lot to learn about each other. In fact, the time they spend together affords them the opportunity to grow closer together again. They stumble along and do not always agree, but they have a remarkable time together.
This was an excellent book from beginning to end. I had this review copy as an audiobook ARC and it was masterfully narrated by Laurence Bouvard. Her voices were marvelous, especially when we heard Grandmother Ginny's voice during the letters the girls were reading. As this story was delivered, the sisters lives were evolving, but we also got to see parts of Ginny's life during the war. Her experiences were amazing and it was wonderful to watch the sisters learn so much about her life at that time.
The settings in this book were well done, made even better as we learn about female pilots during WWII. This story had a wonderful impact on me, but that grew even stronger when reading the Acknowledgments at the end of the book. The fact that this was based on a true story was so very impressive.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Soon Robyn and Ashleigh learn that their grandmother had a secret for years and they slowly learn about their grandmother's life and time during World War II. Not only do the sisters have a lot to learn about their grandmother, they have a lot to learn about each other. In fact, the time they spend together affords them the opportunity to grow closer together again. They stumble along and do not always agree, but they have a remarkable time together.
This was an excellent book from beginning to end. I had this review copy as an audiobook ARC and it was masterfully narrated by Laurence Bouvard. Her voices were marvelous, especially when we heard Grandmother Ginny's voice during the letters the girls were reading. As this story was delivered, the sisters lives were evolving, but we also got to see parts of Ginny's life during the war. Her experiences were amazing and it was wonderful to watch the sisters learn so much about her life at that time.
The settings in this book were well done, made even better as we learn about female pilots during WWII. This story had a wonderful impact on me, but that grew even stronger when reading the Acknowledgments at the end of the book. The fact that this was based on a true story was so very impressive.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
October 28, 2021
A Letter From Pearl Harbor by Anna Stuart is a wonderful dual timeline historical fiction novel that incorporates the tragic and unforgettable events surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
This book has it all: history, strong female characters, mystery, suspense, and kept me on edge the whole time. I devoured this book in one day!
This book weaves between 1941 Pearl Harbor with Ginny and her granddaughter Robyn in present-day (2019) Hawaii.
The things I enjoyed most about this book:
-the incorporation of so many fascinating facts, details, and historical inspirations from Pearl Harbor and the civilians and military heroes that took part.
-the complicated relationship between Robyn and Ashleigh and how through trauma, loss, grief, and time they were able to not necessarily forget, but forgive and strengthen their friendship and sisterly love for one another despite the past
-the strong female characters. Ginny, Lili, and their comrades were so fierce, strong, passionate, fearless when needed despite the risks and losses, and were also selfless when need be. Imperfect? Sure, but the bravery is still astounding.
It is frustrating to see all of the obstacles that were placed in front of the women during WWII that wanted to fly and fight for their country. Yes there were private individuals, WAAFs and ATA in the UK, and the WASPs in the US, but they were underserved, under appreciated, and denied their true responses after the war and if they were injured during. Still, these brave and amazing women fought on.
I loved the way the author created a mystery that slowly unfolded within the dual timelines and it added another wonderful layer of complexity to the novel.
I also loved, loved, loved the ending!!!!!
The author’s note, historical notes and context, along with the timeline and further background on so many fascinating people was so informative. I learned so much from this novel and am grateful for the author for this opportunity to learn while I enjoyed the story.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Bookouture for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
From the Publisher:
Book Description:
Ninety-eight-year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish is for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. Clues that reveal her life as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, and a devastating World War Two secret.
1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make in the terrible hours that follow have tragic consequences…
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny’s distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt, just like the ones she used to set for her as a little girl. Except this time, the clues are scattered across the beautiful island of Hawaii. Despite her grief, Robyn finds herself intrigued as she follows the trail of letters, revealing the truth about Ginny’s service during the Second World War.
But Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life…
Inspired by true events, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 novel about love, loss and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and Kathryn Hughes.
Author Bio:
Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3pMCQ3S
Apple: https://apple.co/3rPFlB7
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3lmiVqc
Google: https://bit.ly/3jgkLpE
Audible:
UK: zpr.io/CVvXzDbnEguk
US: zpr.io/6fh4LZg5GYR2
Listen to a sample here:
https://bit.ly/3BijWnz
This book has it all: history, strong female characters, mystery, suspense, and kept me on edge the whole time. I devoured this book in one day!
This book weaves between 1941 Pearl Harbor with Ginny and her granddaughter Robyn in present-day (2019) Hawaii.
The things I enjoyed most about this book:
-the incorporation of so many fascinating facts, details, and historical inspirations from Pearl Harbor and the civilians and military heroes that took part.
-the complicated relationship between Robyn and Ashleigh and how through trauma, loss, grief, and time they were able to not necessarily forget, but forgive and strengthen their friendship and sisterly love for one another despite the past
-the strong female characters. Ginny, Lili, and their comrades were so fierce, strong, passionate, fearless when needed despite the risks and losses, and were also selfless when need be. Imperfect? Sure, but the bravery is still astounding.
It is frustrating to see all of the obstacles that were placed in front of the women during WWII that wanted to fly and fight for their country. Yes there were private individuals, WAAFs and ATA in the UK, and the WASPs in the US, but they were underserved, under appreciated, and denied their true responses after the war and if they were injured during. Still, these brave and amazing women fought on.
I loved the way the author created a mystery that slowly unfolded within the dual timelines and it added another wonderful layer of complexity to the novel.
I also loved, loved, loved the ending!!!!!
The author’s note, historical notes and context, along with the timeline and further background on so many fascinating people was so informative. I learned so much from this novel and am grateful for the author for this opportunity to learn while I enjoyed the story.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Bookouture for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
From the Publisher:
Book Description:
Ninety-eight-year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish is for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. Clues that reveal her life as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, and a devastating World War Two secret.
1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make in the terrible hours that follow have tragic consequences…
2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken Robyn Harris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny’s distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt, just like the ones she used to set for her as a little girl. Except this time, the clues are scattered across the beautiful island of Hawaii. Despite her grief, Robyn finds herself intrigued as she follows the trail of letters, revealing the truth about Ginny’s service during the Second World War.
But Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life…
Inspired by true events, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 novel about love, loss and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and Kathryn Hughes.
Author Bio:
Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3pMCQ3S
Apple: https://apple.co/3rPFlB7
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3lmiVqc
Google: https://bit.ly/3jgkLpE
Audible:
UK: zpr.io/CVvXzDbnEguk
US: zpr.io/6fh4LZg5GYR2
Listen to a sample here:
https://bit.ly/3BijWnz
December 19, 2022
A Letter from Pearl Harbor
By: Anna Stuart
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2019-This novel was incredible. Ginny, a grandmother sends her granddaughters Robyn and Ashleigh on a treasure hunt after she passes. She wants to share her past in a unique way.
Hawaii 1941- Ginny and her brother Jack are in Hawaii. Ginny wants to fly planes and her brother wants to help the Navy. Pearl Harbor is hit and of course everything changes.
What will the girls discover about their grandmother? Are the clues in the hunt east to find? Filled with emotions, this heartwarming novel is a MUST read!
#annastuart, #aletterfrompearlharbor, #bookouture, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50
By: Anna Stuart
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2019-This novel was incredible. Ginny, a grandmother sends her granddaughters Robyn and Ashleigh on a treasure hunt after she passes. She wants to share her past in a unique way.
Hawaii 1941- Ginny and her brother Jack are in Hawaii. Ginny wants to fly planes and her brother wants to help the Navy. Pearl Harbor is hit and of course everything changes.
What will the girls discover about their grandmother? Are the clues in the hunt east to find? Filled with emotions, this heartwarming novel is a MUST read!
#annastuart, #aletterfrompearlharbor, #bookouture, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50
October 9, 2021
A treasure hunt that reveals letters all about history is a book I can get behind. That’s exactly what Anna Stuart delivered. Two granddaughters have lost their beloved grandmother, who was a pilot, but who left themwith an amazing backstory. It was intriguing to read the story, interspersed with American history, written by a British author. It was compelling, exciting, and sobering all at the same time. I really enjoyed this slice of integral WWII historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the early read.
November 7, 2021
★★★ 3.5 stars
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Anna Stuart's dual timeline tale A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR.
After having totally loved Anna Stuart's previous dual timeline story "The Secret Diary" I jumped at the chance to read this one. A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR tells the tale of 98 year old Virginia "Ginny" Harris and her last wish - for her two granddaughters, Robyn and Ashleigh, to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. I thought this a novel concept for a story and it certainly made it interesting, despite the constant bickering between the two sisters, as each clue revealed a little more about their grandmother's past. Set between England and Hawaii, A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is mix of historical and contemporary fiction that is both an emotional and heartwarming story.
England 2019: Robyn Harris stands at the bottom of the driveway of her grandmother's sprawling Oxfordshire house - the house in which she and her sister had spent much of their childhood in while their humanitarian parents were off saving the rest of the world. Her sister Ashleigh beckons her to hurry up in her usual spiky way, an attitude that has become synonomous with her sister since her tragic accident some years previous which left her left paralysed and in a wheelchair for life. Something Ashleigh has had some difficulty in accepting. Despite their bickering, the sisters now sit at their beloved grandmother's bedside as they reminisce about the treasure hunts she used to send them on.
Which brings Ginny to one final request.
As they sit at her bedside she gives them her last wish - one final treasure hunt that she has created for them in which the two of them must return to Hawaii together and solve the clues that she has set out for them which will then in turn tell the story of her life and reveal the secrets that she has kept for eight decades.
Intrigued by what their grandmother's story might reveal, the sisters set out together to solve the mystery. But the journey doesn't come without its perils. Ashleigh, confined to a wheelchair, isn't excited by the prospect of such a long haul and then having to squeeze into Robyn's tiny one bedroom apartment for the duration of her stay. Fraught with misunderstandings, the sisters constantly squabble over just about every little thing but as they follow the clues Ginny set out for them, not only do they learn more about their grandmother but also about themselves and each other.
Pearl Harbor 1941: Young and vibrant Ginny Martin is pilot and flying instructor on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Oahu. Her brother Jack, also a pilot, is with the armed forces and recently engaged to nurse Penny. Despite the presence of the Navy and the Army on the island, no one is expecting there to be an attack there as Hawaii is too far from the enemy. Life on the island and is good and Ginny couldn't be happier. She has even made a friend out of the airfield where she works in Lili who she is determined to teach to fly in exchange for the spare room in the house she shares with her father. And as Lili takes to the skies it becomes clear that she is a competant pilot who was born to fly.
Then in the early morning dawn of 7th December as Lili takes to the skies solo, Ginny is instructing one of her brother's colleagues in preparation for his upcoming test...when she spots an unknown plane in her periphery. The horror she feels as she recognises the red symbol of Japan's rising sun adorning the aircraft realising that the attack no one was expecting was about to take place. Taking over the controls from her student, she manages to land unscathed despite the bullets fired at her plane and the sky is darkened as the Japanese swarm the skies above reigning bullets and, to her her horror, releasing bombs over the Naval ships currently in port in the Harbor. The sheer deluge of the Japanese reign of terror was both unexpected and catastrophic. And while only a relatively small number of locals were killed, most of the lives claimed were military on the battleships nesting in the Harbor - some two thousand or more.
But what about Jack? He was a fighter pilot and surely he would be up there fighting off the Japanese and sending them scurrying back the way they came. Ginny couldn't bare to entertain the thought of losing him. Life would not be worth living if she did. And what about Lili? She last saw her in the skies above the island just moments before the attack. Had she gotten back to land safely? Or had she become another victim of this brazen attack?
Life has come full circle as Ginny breathed her last in her Oxfordshire home in England with her last wish for her granddaughters to follow the clues she had painstakingly put together to slowly reveal the story of her life and a secret she has kept for so long. Now Robyn, now an aeronautical engineer, and Ashleigh must unravel the clues to uncover their grandmother's past.
A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is a wonderful story about family, friendships, love and forgiveness set upon the beautiful islands of Hawaii. It is at times heart-wrenching but also unforgettable as the two timelines are seamlessly woven together to create a beautiful tapestry of a life well loved and well lived. I did feel as if it dragged a little in the middle but aside from that it was wholly enjoyable.
The story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor is a well known and well documented event but one I find that pales in significance to what the British endured for over two years prior to this. The Americans refused to have any part of the war up until this point but as soon as they were attacked in one fell swoop they jumped in guns blazing. And while they thought the attack on Pearl Harbor was horrific, they had not spared a thought for Britain who endured daily and nightly bombings in the Blitz for eight months...and they never complained. Even when Ginny arrived in England to ferry planes with the ATA (Air Transport Auxilliary), she was shocked at the devastation in each of the cities and the rationing that the country was living with. Even after they entered the war, America was still never under the threat of invasion or attack that Britain was for its duration of six long years.
The characters in this story are all well developed even if a little unlikeable in part. Ginny was delightful, Robyn was reserved and Ashleigh was complicated and spiky. The supporting characters in Lili, Jack, Maile and Zak were each of them remarkable in their respective ways. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and a few others along the way.
Overall, A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is a wonderful read that brings an almost forgotten time to life through the detailed description and dialogue written by Anna Stuart's competent hand. There is so much more to be said for this book but to do so would be to spoil it.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction, wartime fiction and dual timelines.
Note...as someone who has been taught UK English, I found myself having to constantly correct my spelling of "harbor" to the American form for this review. In UK English, it is spelt "harbour" and somehow it just didn't seem right spelling it otherwise...lol
And who writes these book descriptions? Ginny's name wasn't McAllister, but Martin before she married when she became Harris. Where does McAllister come from?
I would like to thank #AnnaStuart, #NetGalley and ,b>#Bookouture for an ARC of #ALetterFromPearlHarbor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Anna Stuart's dual timeline tale A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR.
After having totally loved Anna Stuart's previous dual timeline story "The Secret Diary" I jumped at the chance to read this one. A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR tells the tale of 98 year old Virginia "Ginny" Harris and her last wish - for her two granddaughters, Robyn and Ashleigh, to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. I thought this a novel concept for a story and it certainly made it interesting, despite the constant bickering between the two sisters, as each clue revealed a little more about their grandmother's past. Set between England and Hawaii, A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is mix of historical and contemporary fiction that is both an emotional and heartwarming story.
England 2019: Robyn Harris stands at the bottom of the driveway of her grandmother's sprawling Oxfordshire house - the house in which she and her sister had spent much of their childhood in while their humanitarian parents were off saving the rest of the world. Her sister Ashleigh beckons her to hurry up in her usual spiky way, an attitude that has become synonomous with her sister since her tragic accident some years previous which left her left paralysed and in a wheelchair for life. Something Ashleigh has had some difficulty in accepting. Despite their bickering, the sisters now sit at their beloved grandmother's bedside as they reminisce about the treasure hunts she used to send them on.
Which brings Ginny to one final request.
As they sit at her bedside she gives them her last wish - one final treasure hunt that she has created for them in which the two of them must return to Hawaii together and solve the clues that she has set out for them which will then in turn tell the story of her life and reveal the secrets that she has kept for eight decades.
Intrigued by what their grandmother's story might reveal, the sisters set out together to solve the mystery. But the journey doesn't come without its perils. Ashleigh, confined to a wheelchair, isn't excited by the prospect of such a long haul and then having to squeeze into Robyn's tiny one bedroom apartment for the duration of her stay. Fraught with misunderstandings, the sisters constantly squabble over just about every little thing but as they follow the clues Ginny set out for them, not only do they learn more about their grandmother but also about themselves and each other.
Pearl Harbor 1941: Young and vibrant Ginny Martin is pilot and flying instructor on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Oahu. Her brother Jack, also a pilot, is with the armed forces and recently engaged to nurse Penny. Despite the presence of the Navy and the Army on the island, no one is expecting there to be an attack there as Hawaii is too far from the enemy. Life on the island and is good and Ginny couldn't be happier. She has even made a friend out of the airfield where she works in Lili who she is determined to teach to fly in exchange for the spare room in the house she shares with her father. And as Lili takes to the skies it becomes clear that she is a competant pilot who was born to fly.
Then in the early morning dawn of 7th December as Lili takes to the skies solo, Ginny is instructing one of her brother's colleagues in preparation for his upcoming test...when she spots an unknown plane in her periphery. The horror she feels as she recognises the red symbol of Japan's rising sun adorning the aircraft realising that the attack no one was expecting was about to take place. Taking over the controls from her student, she manages to land unscathed despite the bullets fired at her plane and the sky is darkened as the Japanese swarm the skies above reigning bullets and, to her her horror, releasing bombs over the Naval ships currently in port in the Harbor. The sheer deluge of the Japanese reign of terror was both unexpected and catastrophic. And while only a relatively small number of locals were killed, most of the lives claimed were military on the battleships nesting in the Harbor - some two thousand or more.
But what about Jack? He was a fighter pilot and surely he would be up there fighting off the Japanese and sending them scurrying back the way they came. Ginny couldn't bare to entertain the thought of losing him. Life would not be worth living if she did. And what about Lili? She last saw her in the skies above the island just moments before the attack. Had she gotten back to land safely? Or had she become another victim of this brazen attack?
Life has come full circle as Ginny breathed her last in her Oxfordshire home in England with her last wish for her granddaughters to follow the clues she had painstakingly put together to slowly reveal the story of her life and a secret she has kept for so long. Now Robyn, now an aeronautical engineer, and Ashleigh must unravel the clues to uncover their grandmother's past.
A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is a wonderful story about family, friendships, love and forgiveness set upon the beautiful islands of Hawaii. It is at times heart-wrenching but also unforgettable as the two timelines are seamlessly woven together to create a beautiful tapestry of a life well loved and well lived. I did feel as if it dragged a little in the middle but aside from that it was wholly enjoyable.
The story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor is a well known and well documented event but one I find that pales in significance to what the British endured for over two years prior to this. The Americans refused to have any part of the war up until this point but as soon as they were attacked in one fell swoop they jumped in guns blazing. And while they thought the attack on Pearl Harbor was horrific, they had not spared a thought for Britain who endured daily and nightly bombings in the Blitz for eight months...and they never complained. Even when Ginny arrived in England to ferry planes with the ATA (Air Transport Auxilliary), she was shocked at the devastation in each of the cities and the rationing that the country was living with. Even after they entered the war, America was still never under the threat of invasion or attack that Britain was for its duration of six long years.
The characters in this story are all well developed even if a little unlikeable in part. Ginny was delightful, Robyn was reserved and Ashleigh was complicated and spiky. The supporting characters in Lili, Jack, Maile and Zak were each of them remarkable in their respective ways. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and a few others along the way.
Overall, A LETTER FROM PEARL HARBOR is a wonderful read that brings an almost forgotten time to life through the detailed description and dialogue written by Anna Stuart's competent hand. There is so much more to be said for this book but to do so would be to spoil it.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction, wartime fiction and dual timelines.
Note...as someone who has been taught UK English, I found myself having to constantly correct my spelling of "harbor" to the American form for this review. In UK English, it is spelt "harbour" and somehow it just didn't seem right spelling it otherwise...lol
And who writes these book descriptions? Ginny's name wasn't McAllister, but Martin before she married when she became Harris. Where does McAllister come from?
I would like to thank #AnnaStuart, #NetGalley and ,b>#Bookouture for an ARC of #ALetterFromPearlHarbor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 4, 2021
Soar thru the skies over Hawaii with this great new novel by Anna Stuart.
Ginny Harris knows that her time left in life is short. At 98, she’s been through a lot. One of the first female pilots to take to the skies, she has lots of stories to tell her granddaughters, Ashleigh and Robyn and she has told them many. What she hasn’t told them is much about her time in Hawaii in 1941. So as one final request, she sends her granddaughters on a treasure hunt in Hawaii. Through a series of letters left in treasure chests all over the islands, she recounts her days in Hawaii and what she did immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She has one story left to tell them and this was the only way she could do it. The girls are introduced to people and places that were near and dear to their grandmother. In learning more about her, they discover things about themselves which are treasures they didn’t find in the chests. This is a beautiful dual timeline story about determination, bravery, sacrifice, friendship, family and love.
I LOVED this story. While the main characters were fictitious, most of the secondary characters where real people who left their marks during WWII. The author delivers the timeline of this story as accurately as she can and she provides a bit of cliff notes in her notes at the end so be sure to stick around for those even after you’ve finished the last sentence of the story. The characters of Ginny, Robyn and Ashleigh are extremely well written. It was super easy to become invested in them and that made the book one I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Anna Stuart for early access to this amazing story. I’ll be forever grateful for the history lesson!
Ginny Harris knows that her time left in life is short. At 98, she’s been through a lot. One of the first female pilots to take to the skies, she has lots of stories to tell her granddaughters, Ashleigh and Robyn and she has told them many. What she hasn’t told them is much about her time in Hawaii in 1941. So as one final request, she sends her granddaughters on a treasure hunt in Hawaii. Through a series of letters left in treasure chests all over the islands, she recounts her days in Hawaii and what she did immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She has one story left to tell them and this was the only way she could do it. The girls are introduced to people and places that were near and dear to their grandmother. In learning more about her, they discover things about themselves which are treasures they didn’t find in the chests. This is a beautiful dual timeline story about determination, bravery, sacrifice, friendship, family and love.
I LOVED this story. While the main characters were fictitious, most of the secondary characters where real people who left their marks during WWII. The author delivers the timeline of this story as accurately as she can and she provides a bit of cliff notes in her notes at the end so be sure to stick around for those even after you’ve finished the last sentence of the story. The characters of Ginny, Robyn and Ashleigh are extremely well written. It was super easy to become invested in them and that made the book one I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Anna Stuart for early access to this amazing story. I’ll be forever grateful for the history lesson!
August 23, 2021
A Letter from Pearl Harbor is the second WWII/present day story by talented author Anna Stuart I have read and focuses on the struggles women aviators had getting to use their talents during WWII. Rather than tell her story directly, Robyn and Ashleigh’s now deceased grandmother sends them on a treasure hunt to find the letters she’d written to them…the reasons will become obvious as characters and events are revealed. Ms. Stuart seamlessly interjects historical persons into her work and it’s obvious that she has researched the topic well. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.
October 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was a dual-time line and it was set during 1941. The descriptions of the plane’s bombing Pearl Harbour were vivid. I enjoyed the present day treasure hunt and was desperate for the two girls to find all the clues. It was sad at times but, still very enjoyable. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 30, 2023
Inspirational and heartwarming
I loved especially the history this book covers and demonstrates the strength and resilience of women during WWII. The friendship formed between the women that lasted a lifetime was so tender and touching. As a woman in today's world, I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would have been like during the attack at Pear Harbour or to devastate a woman's body due to stubbornness, yet they remained friends and showed us, especially Line that you can overcome anything with a positive attitude. Herein also are two very beautiful love stories and a tale of two sisters who have to work as a team one healthy and fit, the other now confined to a wheelchair. Again it is shown that obstacles are only such, if we leave them standing in our way.
I loved especially the history this book covers and demonstrates the strength and resilience of women during WWII. The friendship formed between the women that lasted a lifetime was so tender and touching. As a woman in today's world, I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would have been like during the attack at Pear Harbour or to devastate a woman's body due to stubbornness, yet they remained friends and showed us, especially Line that you can overcome anything with a positive attitude. Herein also are two very beautiful love stories and a tale of two sisters who have to work as a team one healthy and fit, the other now confined to a wheelchair. Again it is shown that obstacles are only such, if we leave them standing in our way.
September 4, 2021
This book is a mixture of historical fiction and contemporary fiction for me.
Virginia or Ginny scenes are interesting fore as you see at first an older sick lady who knows her time on Earth is at an end. The flashbacks where you see her as a younger lady who is a pilot was amazing. I found her intriguing and wishing I could really meet this lady as her stories and experiences would have been so amazing to hear first hand.
Robyn is a bit hard at times but she has a good heart and is trying her best.
Ashleigh is another one that seems harsh at times but as the book goes on you see her open up more and you can see what type of person she really will be.
There is much action in this book showing piloting but really working on the characters who become very dear to me.
The setting takes place in so many different areas including Hawaii and England and Texas. It shows such skill to be able to write about many places. The descriptions of Hawaii really make me want to get there one day so I can visit some of these amazing places.
It feels very real as they show what Women went through in that time period who wished to serve their country in honour. It shows how far we have come but also how far we still have to go.
The book was very emotional as well and it was so well written. I think that is why I loved it so much. The characters were flawed but they also were great people at the end of the day. They grew a lot throughout this book which is a great sign.
Virginia or Ginny scenes are interesting fore as you see at first an older sick lady who knows her time on Earth is at an end. The flashbacks where you see her as a younger lady who is a pilot was amazing. I found her intriguing and wishing I could really meet this lady as her stories and experiences would have been so amazing to hear first hand.
Robyn is a bit hard at times but she has a good heart and is trying her best.
Ashleigh is another one that seems harsh at times but as the book goes on you see her open up more and you can see what type of person she really will be.
There is much action in this book showing piloting but really working on the characters who become very dear to me.
The setting takes place in so many different areas including Hawaii and England and Texas. It shows such skill to be able to write about many places. The descriptions of Hawaii really make me want to get there one day so I can visit some of these amazing places.
It feels very real as they show what Women went through in that time period who wished to serve their country in honour. It shows how far we have come but also how far we still have to go.
The book was very emotional as well and it was so well written. I think that is why I loved it so much. The characters were flawed but they also were great people at the end of the day. They grew a lot throughout this book which is a great sign.
August 20, 2021
Wow! I'm at a loss to describe the feelings I'm having after reading this book.
I used to have an obsession, let's say, related to WWII books, and after the raw feelings exposed by some of those books (like The Nightingale and The Bronze Horseman), I took a break of about two years.
I don't regret one bit of asking this ARC. I knew so little about the Pearl Harbour events and now my heart hurts once again for the lifes lost in that tragic war.
Good work of the author on the documentation done for this book. The result it's a beautiful and heart breacking mix of fiction with true events.
I loved all the characters, both main and secondary.
5+ stars
~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own ~
I used to have an obsession, let's say, related to WWII books, and after the raw feelings exposed by some of those books (like The Nightingale and The Bronze Horseman), I took a break of about two years.
I don't regret one bit of asking this ARC. I knew so little about the Pearl Harbour events and now my heart hurts once again for the lifes lost in that tragic war.
Good work of the author on the documentation done for this book. The result it's a beautiful and heart breacking mix of fiction with true events.
I loved all the characters, both main and secondary.
5+ stars
~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own ~
December 27, 2023
Would have been 4 stars but a few continuity mistakes were blaring and a little annoying. I also found it way too similar to her previous book, The Secret Diary. Different storyline but overall same premise.
However I enjoyed this book and reading more about Pearl Harbor and life living there before and after the attack.
As I mentioned a few mistakes bothered me. Right away they said Happy Christmas and it confused me where Ginny was from. She's from Tennessee and at that point had never been to England so it wasn't normal to say Happy Christmas.
A major story line was that Ashleigh lost use of her legs. But towards the end of the book it says she kicks her wheelchair and also took off her shoes and dipped her toes in water. Not possible!
However I enjoyed this book and reading more about Pearl Harbor and life living there before and after the attack.
As I mentioned a few mistakes bothered me. Right away they said Happy Christmas and it confused me where Ginny was from. She's from Tennessee and at that point had never been to England so it wasn't normal to say Happy Christmas.
A major story line was that Ashleigh lost use of her legs. But towards the end of the book it says she kicks her wheelchair and also took off her shoes and dipped her toes in water. Not possible!
August 27, 2021
'A Letter from Pearl Harbor' by Anna Stuart centers around 98 year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish - for her two granddaughters to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. As one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, Ginny has kept a devastating World War II secret from those she loved the most. Her granddaughters, Robyn and Ashleigh, are curious to learn more about their grandmother and this missing link in history, so they embark on her treasure hunt around Pearl Harbor and Hawaii. This was a heart wrenching and unforgettable story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot.
February 7, 2023
Rounded up to 3 stars for me. Too easy to put down.
November 6, 2021
A Letter from Pearl Harbor is the third book I have read this year from Anna Stuart and it was once again another very enjoyable and eye-opening read. As suggested by the title the events of that December in 1941 that brought the Americans into World War Two form the basis for this book and it was such a complete change and so refreshing to have a book set in America during the war years. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was such a significant event yet in books in this genre it tends to be merely mentioned in a line or two as the event that caused the Americans to really get involved and in turn the tide of the war slowly began to change. There are never any specific details mentioned as to what happened, the lead up to it and what occurred in detail that fateful morning. But Anna Stuart has changed all that and given her readers a fascinating insight in to how that dreadful event shaped the life of our main character Ginny.
I loved how this was a different setting to what I have become accustomed to as I have read so many war books set in Europe. I felt transported to the other side of the world both in the past and the present as the story is told in the format of a dual timeline. It was a very good read overall with lots of ebbs and flows and a deep hidden secret at its heart that needs to be brought into the light. In the modern day, Robyn Harris has lived in Honolulu for the last two years working as an aeronautical engineer but she has returned home to England as her beloved Granny Ginny is dying. Ginny was the one who more or less brought herself and her sister Ashleigh up as her parents were always away working as humanitarian engineers. So to lose Ginny even though she has reached the grand old age of 98 is traumatic for both of the sisters. But Ginny has left a legacy, one last treasure hunt for the pair for which she is infamous as these hunts created many a happy childhood memory.
Ginny had always been so vibrant and full of adventure which comes across so well in the chapters set in the past but there is one thing about her time spent in Hawaii which she should have confessed about long before now. Clearly this has always eaten away at her and you wonder why she didn’t just come out and say it to the sisters on her deathbed but if she had I guess there would have been no story to tell nor book to read. The girls both travel back to Hawaii and so begins a treasure hunt where they must solve the clues at various locations and receive a treasure chest containing a letter detailing Ginny’s story. I thought this brought a real fun element to the story despite the seriousness of the themes and issues being explored. It helped bring the setting of the Pacific island to life and I loved learning all about the various locations the girls visited. Ginny was wise beyond her years as she knew her granddaughters were like chalk and cheese and she wanted this quest to being them closer together rather than having her death draw them even further apart.
Ashleigh was such a complicated character and one very hard to like but you couldn’t blame her given the accident which left her dreams shattered and the remainder of her life irrevocably altered. She was bristly and full of anger and resentment and both herself and Robyn really rubbed each other up the wrong way. I enjoyed seeing the journey they went on together and how elements of Ginny’s story in the past were mirroring the two girls in the present. There were so many similarities and all three females shared many characteristics which came to light the more the story developed. I really loved how disability was explored throughout the book. Let’s be honest it’s rarely, if ever, mentioned in books so it was great to see a main character dealing with her disability and how she was battling to come to terms with it. I thought this strand of the story was extremely well executed and the later chapters focusing on Robyn and Ashleigh really brought things full circle and tied in well with Ginny’s story too.
As for the chapters set in the past, well they really brought Ginny to life and the reader is given a fascinating insight into women at the time. Yes, I’ve read about women during the war who lived in Britain or France etc. but never America and it was interesting to see how the powers that be in the American army treated women who wanted to get out and do their bit for their country. Ginny was an ambitious woman who thanks to her parents had the money to learn to fly. She really was made for the skies. She has fire in her blood, is impetuous, daring, competitive, courageous but at times reckless. Will this later quality be her downfall? She arrives in Hawaii with her brother Jack who is in the army and flies planes. Ginny herself soon gets a job training other pilots and she feels her life is made on this paradise island. She soon makes friends with a local Lili and a firm friendship is forged. The descriptions of those carefree nights at dances with officers and drinking Mai Tai’s seemed like another world so far away from the battles raging on European soil. But soon their happiness would be shattered when the Japanese arrive.
The actual bombing of Pearl Harbor was superbly written, I could visualise it all so clearly in my head, how so many people were caught unawares and it showed the trauma, the terror, the horror and the sheer disbelief that this could have happened. The events then shape and mould Ginny and I found her character went on a very different path thereafter and we learn much more about this as Robyn and Ashleigh navigate their way through the clues. At times you lose respect for Ginny and when the pivotal secret is revealed to be honest I just thought oh how could you have done that and yes really you were right to feel the way you did. I don’t know would I have been as forgiving as several other characters were. But through revealing her story Ginny was trying to help and teach her granddaughters. There was lots of details about Ginny’s life during the war and where she travelled to and what drove her on and made her so reckless and I found it all to be really interesting but to say much more would give too much away.
Overall, I found A Letter from Pearl Harbor to be a great read bringing as I have said an event mentioned in a brief sentence to life in a much bigger way and having a mystery at the centre of the book really drove the story on. The detailed historical notes at the end by the author were very welcome and really helped me to learn even more about events leading up to that memorable day in Pearl Harbor and also which characters were real that featured and how they were important and needed to be included. I loved the blend of historical fact with fiction and how the story highlighted bravery, sacrifices and love but also how here was a woman different from the norm willing to put herself out there but then having to deal with the consequences. Anna Stuart has been a really good discovery for me this year and I look forward to reading much more from her in the future.
I loved how this was a different setting to what I have become accustomed to as I have read so many war books set in Europe. I felt transported to the other side of the world both in the past and the present as the story is told in the format of a dual timeline. It was a very good read overall with lots of ebbs and flows and a deep hidden secret at its heart that needs to be brought into the light. In the modern day, Robyn Harris has lived in Honolulu for the last two years working as an aeronautical engineer but she has returned home to England as her beloved Granny Ginny is dying. Ginny was the one who more or less brought herself and her sister Ashleigh up as her parents were always away working as humanitarian engineers. So to lose Ginny even though she has reached the grand old age of 98 is traumatic for both of the sisters. But Ginny has left a legacy, one last treasure hunt for the pair for which she is infamous as these hunts created many a happy childhood memory.
Ginny had always been so vibrant and full of adventure which comes across so well in the chapters set in the past but there is one thing about her time spent in Hawaii which she should have confessed about long before now. Clearly this has always eaten away at her and you wonder why she didn’t just come out and say it to the sisters on her deathbed but if she had I guess there would have been no story to tell nor book to read. The girls both travel back to Hawaii and so begins a treasure hunt where they must solve the clues at various locations and receive a treasure chest containing a letter detailing Ginny’s story. I thought this brought a real fun element to the story despite the seriousness of the themes and issues being explored. It helped bring the setting of the Pacific island to life and I loved learning all about the various locations the girls visited. Ginny was wise beyond her years as she knew her granddaughters were like chalk and cheese and she wanted this quest to being them closer together rather than having her death draw them even further apart.
Ashleigh was such a complicated character and one very hard to like but you couldn’t blame her given the accident which left her dreams shattered and the remainder of her life irrevocably altered. She was bristly and full of anger and resentment and both herself and Robyn really rubbed each other up the wrong way. I enjoyed seeing the journey they went on together and how elements of Ginny’s story in the past were mirroring the two girls in the present. There were so many similarities and all three females shared many characteristics which came to light the more the story developed. I really loved how disability was explored throughout the book. Let’s be honest it’s rarely, if ever, mentioned in books so it was great to see a main character dealing with her disability and how she was battling to come to terms with it. I thought this strand of the story was extremely well executed and the later chapters focusing on Robyn and Ashleigh really brought things full circle and tied in well with Ginny’s story too.
As for the chapters set in the past, well they really brought Ginny to life and the reader is given a fascinating insight into women at the time. Yes, I’ve read about women during the war who lived in Britain or France etc. but never America and it was interesting to see how the powers that be in the American army treated women who wanted to get out and do their bit for their country. Ginny was an ambitious woman who thanks to her parents had the money to learn to fly. She really was made for the skies. She has fire in her blood, is impetuous, daring, competitive, courageous but at times reckless. Will this later quality be her downfall? She arrives in Hawaii with her brother Jack who is in the army and flies planes. Ginny herself soon gets a job training other pilots and she feels her life is made on this paradise island. She soon makes friends with a local Lili and a firm friendship is forged. The descriptions of those carefree nights at dances with officers and drinking Mai Tai’s seemed like another world so far away from the battles raging on European soil. But soon their happiness would be shattered when the Japanese arrive.
The actual bombing of Pearl Harbor was superbly written, I could visualise it all so clearly in my head, how so many people were caught unawares and it showed the trauma, the terror, the horror and the sheer disbelief that this could have happened. The events then shape and mould Ginny and I found her character went on a very different path thereafter and we learn much more about this as Robyn and Ashleigh navigate their way through the clues. At times you lose respect for Ginny and when the pivotal secret is revealed to be honest I just thought oh how could you have done that and yes really you were right to feel the way you did. I don’t know would I have been as forgiving as several other characters were. But through revealing her story Ginny was trying to help and teach her granddaughters. There was lots of details about Ginny’s life during the war and where she travelled to and what drove her on and made her so reckless and I found it all to be really interesting but to say much more would give too much away.
Overall, I found A Letter from Pearl Harbor to be a great read bringing as I have said an event mentioned in a brief sentence to life in a much bigger way and having a mystery at the centre of the book really drove the story on. The detailed historical notes at the end by the author were very welcome and really helped me to learn even more about events leading up to that memorable day in Pearl Harbor and also which characters were real that featured and how they were important and needed to be included. I loved the blend of historical fact with fiction and how the story highlighted bravery, sacrifices and love but also how here was a woman different from the norm willing to put herself out there but then having to deal with the consequences. Anna Stuart has been a really good discovery for me this year and I look forward to reading much more from her in the future.
November 24, 2021
It's a few months before Pearl Harbor and Ginny and Jack have just landed in Hawaii..Ginny is ready to fly planes like she loves to do and Jack is going to help the Navy. Lots of dreams for the future. Lots of hope.. Until the day that would live in infamy.
Robyn and Ashleigh are Ginnys grandchildren. They are asked to do a treasure hunt back in Hawaii once their aunt passes away. She has a horrible secret she can't reveal to their faces.
This was an entertaining, funny and heartbreaking read that I won't soon forget. I'd highly recommend it.
Robyn and Ashleigh are Ginnys grandchildren. They are asked to do a treasure hunt back in Hawaii once their aunt passes away. She has a horrible secret she can't reveal to their faces.
This was an entertaining, funny and heartbreaking read that I won't soon forget. I'd highly recommend it.
November 8, 2021
4.5 Stars
Based on a true story, Anna Stuart’s A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a heart-breaking and emotional tale that seamlessly blends fact and fiction in an unforgettable story readers will struggle to put down.
It was a typical December morning in 1941 when Ginny was flying her little yellow plane above the sea. However, little did she realise that by nightfall her entire life was going to be turned on its head. When she spotted an unknown aircraft closing in on her, a shocked Ginny saw the unmistakable symbol of the Japanese fighter planes. Terrified about her fate, Ginny somehow manages to land unscathed, but is forced to make a devastating choice that will have tragic repercussions that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Decades later, Ginny finds herself consumed by one desperate wish: for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt with clues about her past as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor – and a powerful secret.
In 2019, a heartbroken Robyn is still reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother. Ginny was a force of nature Robyn misses with every fibre of her being. Ginny’s last wish had been for Robyn to come to Hawaii on a treasure hunt with clues scattered all over the beautiful island. As Robyn begins to piece together the pieces of this puzzle set by her grandmother, she discovers a side to Ginny she never even knew that will lead her to making a shocking discovery which has the power to change the course of her whole life…
Will Robyn find the answers she so desperately seeks? And when she finds herself at a crossroads, will she make the right decision? Or will this letter from Pearl Harbor end up setting Robyn on the wrong path?
A beautifully written tale that draws readers in from the very beginning, A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a poignant, dramatic and compelling read about impossible choices, dangerous secrets and the power of love in all its forms that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded of writers. Anna Stuart has a terrific gift for drawing characters beautifully and bringing them to life in a beautifully evoked setting and in A Letter from Pearl Harbor, she writes with great confidence, assurance and sensitivity about the ties that bind people together and the lengths they go to for the ones they love.
A fascinating and absorbing novel that is impossible to forget, Anna Stuart’s A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a gem of a novel readers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Based on a true story, Anna Stuart’s A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a heart-breaking and emotional tale that seamlessly blends fact and fiction in an unforgettable story readers will struggle to put down.
It was a typical December morning in 1941 when Ginny was flying her little yellow plane above the sea. However, little did she realise that by nightfall her entire life was going to be turned on its head. When she spotted an unknown aircraft closing in on her, a shocked Ginny saw the unmistakable symbol of the Japanese fighter planes. Terrified about her fate, Ginny somehow manages to land unscathed, but is forced to make a devastating choice that will have tragic repercussions that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Decades later, Ginny finds herself consumed by one desperate wish: for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt with clues about her past as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor – and a powerful secret.
In 2019, a heartbroken Robyn is still reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother. Ginny was a force of nature Robyn misses with every fibre of her being. Ginny’s last wish had been for Robyn to come to Hawaii on a treasure hunt with clues scattered all over the beautiful island. As Robyn begins to piece together the pieces of this puzzle set by her grandmother, she discovers a side to Ginny she never even knew that will lead her to making a shocking discovery which has the power to change the course of her whole life…
Will Robyn find the answers she so desperately seeks? And when she finds herself at a crossroads, will she make the right decision? Or will this letter from Pearl Harbor end up setting Robyn on the wrong path?
A beautifully written tale that draws readers in from the very beginning, A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a poignant, dramatic and compelling read about impossible choices, dangerous secrets and the power of love in all its forms that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded of writers. Anna Stuart has a terrific gift for drawing characters beautifully and bringing them to life in a beautifully evoked setting and in A Letter from Pearl Harbor, she writes with great confidence, assurance and sensitivity about the ties that bind people together and the lengths they go to for the ones they love.
A fascinating and absorbing novel that is impossible to forget, Anna Stuart’s A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a gem of a novel readers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 19, 2022
A Letter From Pearl Harbor is a story of love, loss, learning and second chances no matter the situation. The story is narrated to us in two timelines, one in the current day from Robyn's point of view and the other through letters and the narration in her grandmother's point of view set in 1941. Robyn and her sister spend one last night with their grandmother who is on her deathbed. At this point, she tells them that she had a terrible secret and has set up a treasure hunt with clues scattered across Hawaii to tell them her story.
The sisters, Robyn and Ashleigh have their own share of demons to deal with. Ashleigh got into an accident which led to her being confined to a wheelchair and stuck without the use of her legs. Robyn moves to Hawaii (perhaps following in her grandmother's footsteps) and works there, giving up a sports scholarship that she was not ready to devote time to. The sisters have unresolved feelings of resentment towards one another which are tackled through the story.
As we follow the girls on their hunt for clues, we get to know their grandmother better. Her story is set in the time of WWII when the was had still not come to America, but there was a hint. Then one day, Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese and everything changes. In the midst of this bombing, a lot changes for Ginny and thus her priorities change. Determined and full of purpose, she goes to England in the hope that female pilots will be allowed to be a part of the war efforts.
This is a heartbreaking story that brings to us the realities of war, the frustrations, but more importantly how loss affects the people who still live. Additionally, as we discover Ginny's secrets, we find out just how decisions can affect not just your life but that of the others around you and how the goodness of people can go beyond holding grudges and prove to be healing. Through her story, Robyn and her sister also learn to accept who they are, accept each other and form better bonds with each other and those around them.
Though the war is a part of the plot, the main focus is on the women who train to be pilots and participate in the war efforts. Their determinations, achievements and friendships form the backbone of this story. A truly well-written story, this book is worth reading especially for the messages it contains.
The sisters, Robyn and Ashleigh have their own share of demons to deal with. Ashleigh got into an accident which led to her being confined to a wheelchair and stuck without the use of her legs. Robyn moves to Hawaii (perhaps following in her grandmother's footsteps) and works there, giving up a sports scholarship that she was not ready to devote time to. The sisters have unresolved feelings of resentment towards one another which are tackled through the story.
As we follow the girls on their hunt for clues, we get to know their grandmother better. Her story is set in the time of WWII when the was had still not come to America, but there was a hint. Then one day, Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese and everything changes. In the midst of this bombing, a lot changes for Ginny and thus her priorities change. Determined and full of purpose, she goes to England in the hope that female pilots will be allowed to be a part of the war efforts.
This is a heartbreaking story that brings to us the realities of war, the frustrations, but more importantly how loss affects the people who still live. Additionally, as we discover Ginny's secrets, we find out just how decisions can affect not just your life but that of the others around you and how the goodness of people can go beyond holding grudges and prove to be healing. Through her story, Robyn and her sister also learn to accept who they are, accept each other and form better bonds with each other and those around them.
Though the war is a part of the plot, the main focus is on the women who train to be pilots and participate in the war efforts. Their determinations, achievements and friendships form the backbone of this story. A truly well-written story, this book is worth reading especially for the messages it contains.
September 21, 2021
A Letter from Pearl Harbor is a dual timeline historical fiction from Anna Stuart that takes readers from current day back to the tragic days around the attack on Pearl Harbor. I stayed up way past my bedtime finishing this book. It has strong women, romance, a little mystery and family connections all thrown in. As her dying wish, 98-year-old Virginia (Ginny) has one last treasure hunt for her granddaughters, Robyn and Ashleigh. This time though it’s a treasure hunt to reveal her most tragic secret.
As one of the first female pilots of WW2, Ginny is unforgiving in the air. She saw the Japanese fighter pilots begin their attack on Pearl Harbor. Everything changed once she was on the ground. Her life took a different trajectory as she fought with many other women to become official military pilots. She found herself in England flying planes around and when she wasn’t in the air, finding love. Once again though, everything changed after another tragic event.
After her death, Robyn and Ashleigh must found out what the secret their grandmother hid from them. Back in Hawaii, Ginny sets them out one clue at a time. However, each of them have a past of their own that they are still battling against. Together, they not only have to figure out the last Ginny treasure hunt, but they must figure out how to work together again.
The author did such a great job weaving in so many historical details. She gives a great explanation of the main characters at the end (which I always appreciate it as it saves me some googling!). If you enjoy historical fiction with strong, passionate women, this book will be for you! Look for it on November 5th!
Thank you @Netgalley and @booktoture for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
On the Cat Scale:
😸😸😸😸😸
As one of the first female pilots of WW2, Ginny is unforgiving in the air. She saw the Japanese fighter pilots begin their attack on Pearl Harbor. Everything changed once she was on the ground. Her life took a different trajectory as she fought with many other women to become official military pilots. She found herself in England flying planes around and when she wasn’t in the air, finding love. Once again though, everything changed after another tragic event.
After her death, Robyn and Ashleigh must found out what the secret their grandmother hid from them. Back in Hawaii, Ginny sets them out one clue at a time. However, each of them have a past of their own that they are still battling against. Together, they not only have to figure out the last Ginny treasure hunt, but they must figure out how to work together again.
The author did such a great job weaving in so many historical details. She gives a great explanation of the main characters at the end (which I always appreciate it as it saves me some googling!). If you enjoy historical fiction with strong, passionate women, this book will be for you! Look for it on November 5th!
Thank you @Netgalley and @booktoture for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
On the Cat Scale:
😸😸😸😸😸
November 6, 2021
Ginny McAllister is ninety eight years old and she has one last wish for her granddaughter, and that is for her to finish a treasure hunt that reveals things about her past. Ginny was one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor. It’s morning on December 7th in 1941 and Ginny is flying in her plane above the Pacific Ocean when she notices an aircraft approaching her. She recognizes the red symbol and realizes plane is a Japanese fighter plane. She is able to land her plane untouched. In 2019, Pearl Harbor Robyn Harris is heartbroken from the death of her grandmother that raised her. Soon Robyn finds comfort in a letter her grandmother Ginny left for her. In the letter are clues to a treasure hunt, and the clues are scattered all around the Hawaiian Island. Robyn finds herself swept away by the trail of letters she discovers, revealing the truth about Ginny’s time in the service during World War II. This story was so inspiring and because it was based on true events, it made is heartwarming and beautiful. This book definitely hits all the emotions, I didn’t want it to end. It is a rapid page turner that must be moved to the top of your to be read pile. I devoured this book in one sitting. This is an amazing and fantastic read, I absolutely loved it. The characters were so relatable and inspiring and the ending will take your breath away. The detailed description of Pearl Harbor portrayed by the author, was precisely accurate and transported me back to Hawaii. Wow, truly an amazing story.
Thank you Anna Stuart for such a wonderful, heartwarming and engrossing story. I truly enjoyed every bit of this book. A phenomenal and absolute must read. I loved everything about this story! I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Anna Stuart for such a wonderful, heartwarming and engrossing story. I truly enjoyed every bit of this book. A phenomenal and absolute must read. I loved everything about this story! I highly recommend this book.
November 6, 2021
After stumbling across Anna Stuart a couple of years ago, I am always excited to hear she is releasing a new book and this one appealed instantly as I have always had a fascination with all things in relation to World War ll.
We meet sisters Ashleigh & Robyn shortly before the death of their beloved Grandmother Ginny, who has left them a treasure hunt in order to learn more about her life during World War II when she was at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Robyn and Ashleigh both return to Honolulu after the funeral to complete the trail that has been left by Ginny.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline in this book and found it fascinating to find a story written from the perspective of an American who was at Pearl Harbor in December 1941 when they entered into the war as majority of the books I have read about World War II are set in wartime London. This story was fascinating with Ginny being both a pilot and an instructor which was unusual during this time and I loved how refreshing the attitude was to women working alongside men in these roles.
The lead characters are a total contrast to each other and this was apparent from the first few chapters, with Ginny being a vibrant character compared to her bristly Granddaughter Ashleigh who had suffered a major trauma 8 years previously and never moved past it.
Another superb story by Anna Stuart that was a book that kept me intrigued and keen to keep reading as we got to know both the sisters better and their beloved Grandmother.
We meet sisters Ashleigh & Robyn shortly before the death of their beloved Grandmother Ginny, who has left them a treasure hunt in order to learn more about her life during World War II when she was at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Robyn and Ashleigh both return to Honolulu after the funeral to complete the trail that has been left by Ginny.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline in this book and found it fascinating to find a story written from the perspective of an American who was at Pearl Harbor in December 1941 when they entered into the war as majority of the books I have read about World War II are set in wartime London. This story was fascinating with Ginny being both a pilot and an instructor which was unusual during this time and I loved how refreshing the attitude was to women working alongside men in these roles.
The lead characters are a total contrast to each other and this was apparent from the first few chapters, with Ginny being a vibrant character compared to her bristly Granddaughter Ashleigh who had suffered a major trauma 8 years previously and never moved past it.
Another superb story by Anna Stuart that was a book that kept me intrigued and keen to keep reading as we got to know both the sisters better and their beloved Grandmother.
August 18, 2021
A wonderful treasure of a read. 1941 and Ginny is working as an air instructor at Pearl Harbour Hawaii. She has made new friends whilst there and also has the support of her brother Jack. 2019- Ginny's two granddaughters always loved Ginny's treasure hunts and now following her death she has set them one last one. Robyn coincidentally is living and working in Pearl Harbour. Her sister Ashleigh was left in a wheelchair after a cycling accident and is rather bitter about the fact, despite it being no-one's fault. Ginny wants to tell the two of them of her time at the historic sight and leaves them a trail of letters as there is something she couldn't say in person.
I loved this- one of those reads where you wanted to find out what happened but didn't want it to end. Three strong female leads and a story of determination in many guises- this is led by true events from the time alongside the barriers that women faced back then- far more of a misogynistic society than today. Women served in the forces but were very much undermined and not appreciated- something we easily forget today. A book of being who you are and being true to yourself whilst perhaps staring fear in the face and getting on with things. Of determination and tenacity that being against all odds often brings. A truly wonderful book, terrific characters and an inspiration. Loved it.
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