Eyes Turned Skyward

by Alena Dillon

From the author of Mercy House and The Happiest Girl in the World comes a brilliant, dual-timeline novel about a daughter discovering her mother’s past as a female pilot during World War II and the consequences of women’s contributions remaining unrecognized.

Kathy Begley is an empty-nester, the primary caretaker of her ailing mother, and the emotional support for her laid-off husband. She’s also returning to the office after two decades to work under a borderline-inappropriate boss. Then a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony invitation arrives, and she uncovers an unfathomable family secret: her mother, Peggy Mayfield, wasn’t just a tempestuous wife and mother. She was a Woman Airforce Service Pilot.

Peggy jumped at the opportunity to become a WASP, the first American women to fly military aircraft. She wore men’s uniforms, sweated, studied, trained, and soared. She also danced, drank, played poker, and fell in love with adventure, new friends, and her commanding officer. Once a spunky flyer, Peggy is now filled with regret as she confronts the end of her life, but Kathy is determined to make Peggy's last months count by securing her long overdue recognition, appreciating her anew, and forgiving her before it’s too late.

Eyes Turned Skyward is an unforgettable novel about inheritance, reconciliation, unheralded female heroism, and the transformation of misogyny.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Book Club, Feminism, Adult

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2022

About the author

Alena Dillon is the author of Mercy House, The Happiest Girl in the World, My Body Is A Big Fat Temple, and Eyes Turned Skyward. Alena lives with her family on the north shore of Boston.

Reviews

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a cover quote and enjoyed it SO much. A truly powerful examination of the cost—emotional, familial, generational—when women are denied their right to soar. Spitfire aviatrix Peggy is eager to serve her country during WWII as a Women's Airforce Service Pilot, and her fury when the women pilots are sidelined will echo through the decades to her own daughter, Kathy, a nurse struggling to care for the frail, aging, angry mother she has never really understood. Alena Dillon's poetic prose and complex characters will linger long after the last page is turned.

[DeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 WASP stars

This book is a mix of historical fiction, mother-daughter relationships, and caring for aging parents.

Peggy learned to fly from her crop-dusting father, although neighbors wouldn’t hire a woman for the job. When an opportunity to help her country came up at the outset of WWII, Peggy signed up for the WASP program. She endured a rigorous training program and was trained to fly military aircraft as many other pilots were sent overseas. I loved this part of the storyline, reading about the training program, meeting the other women in the program, and learning some history!

The other timeline in the book focuses on Kathy, Peggy’s daughter. Kathy is going through some big changes, returning to the workforce as a nurse now that her children are grown and her husband is unemployed. Peggy’s health has started to fail, and Kathy is the closest child so caring for her falls to Kathy.

An interesting thing is that Peggy never told her children about her past military career.

This writer did an excellent job with family dynamics as multiple generations realistically grappled with getting along during the holidays and having differing opinions about where Peggy should go when it seemed that staying at home was not a safe option anymore.

As Kathy learns the truth about her mother, their bond grows stronger as Peggy finally gets recognition for the service she did for her country.

My thanks to the Book Club Girls Early Reads program/William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this one.

[Nicole Paddington’s Mom 🐾 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical fiction, sexism, women’s rights, resilience, and hard work are a few adjectives to describe this dual timeline story. Set during WWII (1944), Peggy, is a woman looking to join the WASP group to help fight in the war where women do not belong. Present day, 2010, Kathy (Peggy’s daughter) is a stay at home mother who’s husband recently has been laid off from work. She goes back to work as a nurse and is also taking care of her ailing mother. She’s trying to juggle her new role instead of being housewife. While taking care of her mother she discovers secrets from Peggy’s past that she never knew.

I loved reading about Peggy’s life but could care less about Kathy’s. Although relevant in how women are viewed and moving from being a housewife to a working mom is an adjustment in any household. But, I just felt that Peggy’s “secrets” were not that big of a deal and it was hard to believe that she had so much hate and anger that she would never have told any of her kids about being a part of the WASP program?? This is more of a family drama with a touch of WWII. Nothing too exciting happens in this book. Easy pass

2 ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you Harpercollins for gifting me this free book for an honest review.

[Erin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review - “Eyes Turned Skyward” ✈️

In “Eyes Turned Skyward,” the latest novel from Alena Dillon, the roots of a family’s contentious relations come to light when an unexpected invitation appears. Kathy, a long-time homemaker who is returning to work while her husband has been unemployed for some time, has also recently become the primary caretaker among her siblings of their elderly mother, Peggy, with whom Kathy has had a lifetime of inharmonious existence. Prompted by the curious invite, Kathy uncovers pieces of her mother’s hidden wartime experiences as a pilot and slowly comes to a better understanding behind her mother’s peculiar treatment of her children, in particular Kathy as the only daughter. Meanwhile, the book hops back and forth in time to illustrate Peggy’s experiences during World War II as one of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the first women to fly military airplanes, and the background of the present day family drama. As the granddaughter myself of one of these pilots, I found most of the storyline during the war to be generally accurate with some very liberal storytelling devices which help support the plot with the future adult Kathy. My grandmother’s central messages on her time as a WASP pilot involved the camaraderie among her fellow women pilots as they progressed through training and working as pilots, serving the nation in time of need, and a genuine love of flying anything she was allowed to fly - all of these themes are also central in Peggy’s past timeline. I know a lot of folks don’t want to read heavy nonfiction books and I appreciate authors like Alena who help share the history of these trailblazing WASP pilots among a wider audience in historical fiction format. My grandmother and her fellow pilots only wanted to be remembered for their service - which was forgotten/erased for many years - and at the conclusion of Eyes Turned Skyward, Peggy has finally come full circle to this realization as well.

Thank you Alena for writing this beautiful tribute to the WASP and for allowing me to read it in advance of publication. The book is slated for release October 2022.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet 87-year-old Peggy and her daughter Kathy.

Kathy got a call from her mother that she had fallen. Kathy and her unemployed husband Neil rushed over and learned that Peggy had broken her hip.

Her mother was something to contend with and had a secret that she never told her her children.

The secret was that Peggy had been a pilot in the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots…WASP.

Now Peggy was reduced to relying on her daughter and sons.

Kathy had just gotten a new job, but regardless she would have to deal with her mother since the brothers were all out of state.

When an invitation arrived to attend a WASP reunion, Peggy denied she had been in the WASPS and said the invitation was a mistake. She said she had no idea why she received that.

Kathy found her mother on the front of a magazine which verified that she indeed had been a WASP.

Kathy had to deal with her mother staying with her and caring for her while trying to find out why she got this invitation.

Ms. Dillon perfectly described the difficulties and rewards of parenting and caring for a parent.

I enjoyed the present-day chapters more than the past and did laugh a few times.

A lot of family drama inside.

It was interesting to learn of the WASP program.

Ms. Dillon is a great storyteller. 4/5

This book was given to me by Gretchen Koss of Tandem Literary: Publicity and Marketing for an honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel has family, illness, friendship, guts, determination and hope.

It is a World War ll historical fiction story that alternates with the present day between a mother and her daughter.
Kathy has always felt that her mother, Peggy, was not content with who Kathy was both as a child and now as an adult.
She could not understand why and always tried.
Peggy has always had secrets and it isn't until she can no longer live alone and an invitation is found by Kathy, that the "ghosts" start to emerge.
Slowly-it begins to make sense as her family learns of Peggy's past life.
She was a member of the WASP group and was a pilot during World War ll.

There is so much more, but I will leave it there for you to discover as you open the pages of the book.
If you enjoy historical fiction and women's fiction, you are in for a treat!

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathy, one of four children, who as an empty nester is just discovering her mother, Peggy, secrets. Told in alternating timelines, Kathy and Peggy both are breaking barriers as women. Kathy, leaving her role as housewife to go back to work while her husband is out of a job, and Peggy, breaking barriers as a female pilot for the Airforce. I love reading historical fiction because I get to research more about the war I wouldn't know, just like WASPs. The Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) were a brave and dedicated group of aviators who helped the U.S. win the WWII battles in the air.

Thank you to the publisher, and Netgalley, for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Janie Hickok Siess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pilot Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran had an idea as the world was poised on the brink of war in 1939. If women were recruited and trained to serve as pilots flying non-combat missions, more male pilots would be available for combat missions and to perform other necessary duties. The Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) ultimately boasted 1,074 members who tested, trained, and flew a whopping sixty million miles. But efforts to grant them military status were defeated in Congress, and all remained civilians lacking the recognition and benefits conferred upon veterans.

As Alena Dillon’s Eyes Turned Skyward opens in 2009, Kathy Begley has secured a position as a nurse in a busy obstetrics-gynecology practice. Although she has been out of the workforce for twenty years, during which she raised a son and daughter, she maintained her licensure and kept up to date on medical advancements. Her husband, Neil, is a victim of America’s economic crisis. Having been laid off his job, he is moping around the house and growing more despondent as his prospects for another high-paying job dim. More than his personal hygiene is suffering. The stress is pushing the couple apart. Kathy is growing tired of Neil’s surprisingly chauvinistic attitude about money and her return to work, something she is looking forward to after spending two decades as a homemaker and mother. Neil is uncharacteristically resentful, which Kathy chalks up to pride and frustration that he has been unable to secure a job comparable to the one he lost.

Kathy’s three brothers all moved away, making her the primary caregiver for their mother, Peggy Mayfield, who is now eight-seven years old. Because their father, William, who died fifteen years ago, was a colonel, they moved numerous times growing up. Kathy marveled at how Peggy kept the family on track, setting up households in varied locales and getting the kids settled into new schools, in addition to being a gregarious hostess. But Peggy also had a dark side, and sometimes disappeared. To Kathy, her mother frequently seemed haunted. She “often looked at Kathy as if she saw somebody else and spoke to her as if she hoped a different voice might respond,” but Kathy never understood why.

Now Peggy is unable to continue living alone, and one of Kathy’s brothers pulls strings to secure a spot for her in an assisted living facility. The brothers insist that Kathy be the one to break the news to Peggy, but when she finally finds the courage, Peggy predictably, and vociferously, refuses to go. She also declines to undergo life-saving surgery, a decision that will eventually prove fatal. In a moment of weakness, Kathy agrees that Peggy can live with her and Neil, intending it to be a temporary arrangement.

Suddenly, Kathy finds herself trying to balance her responsibilities, including the demands of a new job, including her immediate realization that she is working for a man who engages in inappropriate commentary in the workplace related to both age and gender. With Neil unemployed, Kathy needs to work, and the combination of her age and having been out of the workforce for two decades make the prospect of finding another position especially challenging. She is also trying to hold onto her marriage and restrain her resentment about Neil’s reluctance to help more with household tasks now that she is working full-time while he remains at home. Still, she is happy that he has returned to woodworking, a hobby he enjoys and she encourages. She feels alone and isolated when navigating and responding to her mother’s needs, as well as the demands of her pushy, know-it-all brothers who want to manage the situation from a distance rather than show up and help in person.

In a dual narrative, Dillon takes readers back to 1943. Peggy Lewis was just eight years old when her father, who ran a crop-dusting service, began teaching her to fly. So she was an experienced pilot when she learned that women were being trained to fly military aircraft. “She was called to higher altitude, where she could look down at the world where she never quite belonged” and determined to join the WASP, even if it meant going to Sweetwater, Texas, seven hundred miles from home and her beloved parents, for the seven-month training. Only eight percent of the applicants were accepted, but Peggy met all of the qualifications. She struggles to reach the one-hundred-pound weight requirement, but with clever assistance from Georgia, a fellow applicant, she barely manages to tip the scale at ninety-nine point seven pounds and convince the doctor to round it up to one hundred. She passes the written examination and the interview with Jackie Cochran herself, and is accepted into the program. She and the other young women study weather, aerodynamics, principles of flight, military courtesy, engines, navigation, Morse code, first aid, and instruments under the command of William Mayfield, a tough, no-nonsense leader. Peggy and Georgia quickly become best friends and confidantes, supporting each other and their fellow cadets during the intense program.

When Peggy receives an invitation to attend a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the WASPs, Kathy is certain it was misdirected because she has no knowledge of her mother’s service. Returning to her mother’s home, she searches through Peggy’s belongings and is stunned when she finds evidence that Peggy was, in fact, a member of the elite corps. Why did Peggy keep her history as a pilot a secret from her children? Kathy is determined to find out.

Dillon’s characters are believable and their stories engrossing. Young Peggy and Georgia, in particular, are endearing as they meet and embark upon a mission that will change them forever. Like so many of the cadets, Peggy is away from home for the first time and discovers a sisterhood she has never previously experienced. Flying military bombers is vastly different than operating a crop-dusting plane, and Peggy finds it challenging, terrifying, and invigorating. She is determined to succeed and, along with the other women, is hopeful that the U.S. Government will acknowledge their service, but the WASP militarization bill is ultimately defeated in Congress by just nineteen votes. Readers accompany Peggy on a journey of accomplishment – after graduating, she is assigned to test repaired aircraft and sends three hundred and twenty planes back into combat – as well as heartbreak when a tragedy leaves her guilt-ridden. Another gut-punch is delivered in October 1944 when Peggy is informed the WASP program will be deactivated on December 20 of that year because the women’s “volunteered services are no longer needed. The situation is that if you continue in service, you will be replacing instead of releasing our young men.” The dismantling of the program, along with the lack of recognition of the WASP's contributions, make Peggy bitter and her guilt about a tragic event during training inspires her silence about that part of her life. She marries her commanding officer and becomes a traditional housewife, supporting him in his military career. But "Peggy never learned how to fold her grief . . . and her revoked purpose into her life." Nothing could change how hurt, angry, and frustrated she felt in those moments when she read the letter announcing the termination of the WASP program and her service. “They were civilian castoffs, chewed up and spit out. They were just women.” Looking into the future, “she saw down the narrowed corridor of her life all that she was allowed to be and all she wasn’t.”

Like her mother, Kathy is relatable and credible. She is a woman juggling numerous responsibilities while feeling unappreciated and undervalued. Dillon crafts a portrait of a woman at a cross-road. She knows that her mother’s life expectancy is shortened by her refusal to have surgery, and her steadfast refusal to attend the ceremony is Washington, D.C. confuses and aggravates Kathy until Peggy finally discloses what transpired all those years ago. Kathy of course understands her mother’s reticence to accept belated recognition (it “wouldn’t undo all the casseroles she’d baked and put her back in military uniform”) but insists that she will go to the ceremony, even if Peggy refuses and the acknowledgment of the WASP is inexcusably overdue.

With the truth revealed and Peggy living with Kathy and Neil, Kathy finally has the chance to get to know her mother for the first time and is determined to make the most of the opportunity while there is still time. In the process, she also gets to know herself better and becomes empowered in ways she has never been before. She finds the courage to assert herself in her relationship with Peggy, as well as demonstrate compassion to the mother she has always loved, but never understood. With knowledge comes an appreciation of her mother’s legacy and forgiveness for the times Peggy was emotionally distant and judgmental. Kathy realizes that Peggy was hardest on herself. She also summons the strength to speak up at work on behalf of herself and her female colleagues, and finds new satisfaction in her marriage.

Eyes Turned Skyward is a fast-paced, absorbing, and emotionally riveting story about a mother and daughter who are able to repair the fissures in their relationship as, individually, they attain an enhanced sense of self-worth, accomplishment, and place in the world. For Peggy, reckoning the emotional traumas of her past frees her to heal her relationship with her only daughter, while Kathy finds her voice and learns to express her desires and feelings, and insist upon being treated with respect. Dillon presents the story from an unabashedly feminist viewpoint, but never permits her narrative to lapse into a heavy-handed tone. Rather, she effectively explores her themes through the experiences of and challenges her characters face, allowing plot developments and her characters’ reactions to them to illustrate the various ways in which they are subjected to sexism and misogyny.

Ultimately, Eyes Turned Skyward is an homage to the brave women of the WASP who served their country selflessly on a volunteer basis, contributing to America’s victory. Because of outdated notions about the role of women in the military, and society as a whole, they were denied the recognition they deserved alongside male pilots. The WASP were finally granted military status when President Jimmy Carter signed the G.I. Bill Improvements Act of 1977, which even he initially opposed. Still, few people know that the WASP, culled from a candidate pool of 25,000 and an entering class of 1,830, flew a total of sixty million miles in seventy-eight different types of aircraft, delivering over 12,000 planes. “They towed, transported, tested, and taught. They broke barriers. . . . But they had been the ones to demonstrate possibility.” At the age of fifty-five, the fictional character of Peggy Mayfield and the real, heroic WASP finally, “quietly became war veterans.” And now, thanks to Dillon, more people know about their sacrifice and achievements.

Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book, and to William Morrow Books and Bibliolifestyle for a paperback copy.

[Caroline (readtotheend on IG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A dual timeline historical novel about the Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of WWII. I haven't read a historical fiction book in a little while, I was getting slightly burnt out on them but this one piqued my interest because I had not heard of the WASP. Ultimately, I didn't feel the dual timelines worked for me. There were a lot of holes in terms of Peggy's life as a WASP and then as a mother that I wanted to know more of so that her character would feel more whole to me. I enjoyed the historical parts of it and seeing Peggy as a mother showed a different side of her but I wanted to continue learning about the WASP women - I would've even liked more detail. I also would have liked more insight into her marriage to the Colonel and why they made some of the decisions they did about divulging their past. I guess the present day did show that sexism and gender roles still play a part in women's lives now as they did a generation ago as well but I would have preferred to just have more time with the WASPs.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting both Peggy and Kathy's perspective. My favorite parts were when we saw young Peggy and her ambition in the WASP program. While I appreciate the Kathy/Peggy growth part of the story I wanted more WASP story than Kathy's. This was a good story with a glimpse into a too forgotten past of courageous women and I would recommend it.

[Jennie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyes Turned Skyward by Elena Dillon is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. As someone who has always loved historical fiction, I was immediately drawn to its rich storytelling and compelling characters—but what made this book truly special was the personal connection I felt while reading it. It was a gift from my daughter, and that made every word resonate even more deeply.

The story sheds light on the incredible women of the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) during World War II, a group I knew little about before this book. Their bravery, determination, and sacrifices reminded me of how often women’s contributions are overlooked, yet how vital they are to shaping history. It made me proud—and a little emotional—thinking about the quiet strength women have carried throughout generations.

Beyond the historical elements, the heart of this book lies in its exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. It was beautifully written and filled with moments that felt so real and relatable. It reminded me of the bond I share with my own daughter—a connection rooted in love, encouragement, and mutual admiration.

Elena Dillon’s writing is heartfelt and captivating. She not only paints a vivid picture of the past but also weaves timeless themes of courage, family, and perseverance. This novel left me inspired, grateful, and even more in awe of the women who came before us.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of historical fiction or just dipping your toes into the genre, Eyes Turned Skyward is a book worth reading. It’s a story about strength, sacrifice, and the enduring power of women—and it’s one I’ll treasure on my bookshelf.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the characters and the storyline! Told through a dual timeline story, we follow the life of Peggy during WWII and as she is in her octogenarian years with her family trying to understand why their mothers was the way she was and finding out a past that may just explain everything. Peggy was never one to follow the ladylike rules and jumping at an opportunity to get her out of the town where everyone looked down her, she takes a chance to take what she loves and put it to use. Flying! Having taken over crop dusting for her father, she feels she is already qualified and is excited for this opportunity. Finding herself while she does what she loves, she is still reminded every day that she is a female and that her work does not matter, it is only temporary. Decades later, when a wrong is being righted, Peggy isn't sure she wants to acknowledge what she did and was during the war, but her family has made the decision for her and it may just be what she needs to heal. This was such a good read about the WASP women and what they all had to endure. Thank you to Let's Talk Books Promo for the invite and to the publisher and author for the free novel!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little bit to get through, but it was worth it! Alena Dillon did a wonderful job portraying the strength and courage of two different women- one a veteran and one a seemingly ordinary mom. In the end, they both showed bravery and determination. A little different from what I’ve been reading lately, but it was a lovely and encouraging book.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of women pilots in WWII is by turns uplifting and heartbreaking. The two timelines with Peggy and her daughter make the story even more impactful. This is an important WWII story that should not be overlooked.
4.5 Stars

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Peggy Mayfield was a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII. One of the first American females to fly military aircraft. As with most firsts, these women were subjected to discrimination, harassment and having to prove themselves to a degree not expected of their male counterparts. Yet, they were risking their lives to the same degree as men. The stories of what female pilots experienced was fascinating. They gave so much, and it took so long for their contributions to even be acknowledged. In fact, when the program abruptly ended, they weren’t even viewed as military and eligible for all the associated benefits.

It is 2009, and Peggy’s daughter, Kathy, one of four children, is currently responsible for taking care of her ailing mother. Kathy is also just re-entering the workforce as a nurse because her husband lost his job and hasn’t been able to find employment. We find Kathy dealing with her own self-confidence, her struggles with her relationship with her mom and resentment from her husband for being the breadwinner. It is during this time that Peggy learns of her mom’s secret past as a WASP, when she is invited to Washington D.C. to receive an honorary service medal. Because of the earlier treatment with the program, Peggy does not want to go and feels extreme resentment towards the military for their past treatment of female pilots. As Kathy pushes the issue, Peggy gains insight into how her secrets and expectations impacted Kathy’s life.

This is a wonderful work of historical fiction that explores the role of women in WWII and sexism plus delves into the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. This is definitely one not to miss.

[Kay (kays_tbr) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyes Turned Skyward was a masterpiece. This historical fiction book follows the two lives of a mom and daughter, both with their own secrets. Using alternating timelines, Dillion captures the emotion, guts, friendship and loyalty of a dedicated family from WWII to 2010. It is a homage to the women of WWII and the efforts that were seen and ignored, the challenges that were overlooked by men, and the resilience that women had to keep going. It is also an homage to the women of 2010 and later years, balancing life, work, children, and family.

Dillion did a phenomenal job capturing every day life from 1944 and 2010, creating are relatable timeline and characters you could identify with. Overall this book was 4 stars. I loved reading it but some characters felt like they were too much and a little hard to follow. The concept and message were powerful and left me with the warm and fuzzies.

I was provided a copy of this ARC from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Chenoweth | backinthelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this story of the impressive and little talked about WASP program in America during WWII. Told in alternating timelines, the reader gets to know Peggy the firecracker pilot, one of the first women to fly military planes in US History. Peggy's friendships with her fellow female pilots and their sky adventures at Avenger Field jump off the page.

In 2009/2010 we read about Kathy, Peggy's middle aged daughter who has just become an empty nester. Kathy's chapters are slower paced and more introspective. Alena Dillon captures the everyday ups and downs of marriage and parenting, making me nod in exhausted agreement one moment and laugh the next.

This isn't "just another WWII novel." EYES TURNED SKYWARD takes a hard look at women's roles both then and now, their often overlooked responsibilities and accomplishments, and the secrets and bonds that exist between mothers and children.

[Marseydoats · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just didn't care for this, and I'm not sure why I finished it. I kept hoping that it would get better. The parts where Peggy and her friends are training at Avenger Field are good, the rest of the book is just blah. Peggy and Georgia are the only likeable characters. All the men are dolts. Kathy is just boring, and she should not have pandered to her husband.

[Nidhi Shrivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @alena.dillon, @williammorrowbooks , and @letstalkbookspromo for the gifted copy of EYES TURNED SKYWARD and for including me in this wonderful book tour!

Thoughts 💭: There are far too few in between narratives about women who participated during conflicts and war as anything other than as nurses and caretakers.

Dillon’s powerful novel speaks about complex and nuanced mother-daughter relationships are. We meet the main character, Kathy Begley who is the primary caretaker of her mother, as well as, her husband who has been recently laid off. Moreover, she is returning to work life after 2 decades and dealing with a difficult boss. To her surprise, she learns about her mother, Peggy Mayfield’s past as a Woman Airforce Service Pilot, and was one of the first women to fly military airplanes. At this time, she broke barriers and wore men’s uniforms, studied, and fell in love with her life of adventure. To make sure her mother’s achievements are recognized, Kathy makes sure that they are recognized. This novel is memorable to speaks to untold tales of female heroism, reconciliation, and transformation of misogyny.

This novel spoke to me at a personal and emotional level. I used to think that because she was only staying at home, her sickness was because she wasn’t doing something in her life. Looking back, of course I was thinking naively and wanted to blame her sickness to something (which didn’t make sense, but that’s what grief does I guess). After all, she had a successful PhD in organic chemistry. However, after she left us, I somehow found on her iPad that she had been applying for jobs even while she was sick. It made me realize that often as children, we underestimate our parents. I wish I could have reconciled as we were always at odds about this issue, but alas. Families are complicated and I miss and love her deeply. I am equally grateful that I had her in my life for as long as I did.

[Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward”.

After her children have grown and left home, Kathy Begley returns to the world of nursing. Her husband is recently unemployed and Kathy is trying to find her own way, while dealing with an inappropriate boss. Before long, her mother Peggy falls and needs more care so Kathy moves her into their home. Their relationship is complex and Kathy has always felt that Peggy didn’t always enjoy being a mother to her and her brothers. When Peggy receives an invitation to a ceremony for Women Airforce Service Pilots (known as WASPs), she initially claims it a mistake, but it soon becomes apparent to Kathy that her mother lived a whole other life.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres (second to thrillers), and I love reading fictitious accounts of real-life events. I had never heard of the WASPs, or women who flew military aircrafts while the men were off at war. Peggy and her co-workers were forces to be reckoned with, yet Peggy kept this part of her life secret and it isn’t until Kathy does some digging that she uncovers the truth. Told in dual timelines, past and present collide as Kathy begins to understand her mother in a whole new light. Heartfelt and powerful, “Eyes Turned Skyward” is a wonderful story about mothers and daughters, and about a time in history that doesn’t get nearly the recognition it deserves.

Thank you to my friend Kristin (@k2reader) and MBC Publishing for the giveaway win! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I knew about the WASPs because of my serving in the Women's Army Corp and then when the WACs were deactivated the US Army. I enjoyed the dual story of Peggy (the mother) and Katherine (the daughter) and the revelations along the way of who they each were and how they each found their way in this world.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duel timeline following Peggy, one of the first WASP's in WWII, and her daughter Kathy in present day. This bookfell a little flat for me. I felt it was more family drama & less H.F.At the end of the book we get a little more description of the WASP program. Didn't care for Kathy's constant fixating on her weight. Feel like I was being hit over the head with the focus on sexism.

[Mandi Dervarics · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the way the story was told in the past and present. This was beautiful!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story if both a daughter and mother relationship as well as a women and her past and living with the bitter resentment on how the WASP program ended. I loved reading about the WASPs especially and the training they went through and then the different perspectives of how the program ended the main character pretending she was never a wasp and her friend glad to have been a part of something to help the war effort even if she wasn't recognized later.

[Bookreporter.com Historical Fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alena Dillon, author of MERCY HOUSE and THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, returns with her most ambitious, sprawling novel yet. EYES TURNED SKYWARD is a dual-perspective, dual-timeline story about the legacy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).

In 1939, as World War II began to take hold of the world, pilot Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran suggested using female pilots in non-combat missions. Initially conceived as a way to preserve manpower by releasing male pilots for other duties, the WASPs ultimately led to 1,074 women piloting, testing and training for a total of 60 million miles --- all as unrecognized civilians with no military standing. In EYES TURNED SKYWARD, Dillon profiles one of these pioneers, Peggy Mayfield, and the painful legacy of service, sacrifice and stewardship that she bestows upon her daughter, Kathy Begley.

In 2009, empty nester Kathy finds herself and her household upended when her high-earning husband is unceremoniously let go. As a middle-aged man, he finds that prospects are few and far between. Although he has worked hard to provide for his family, his shrinking household means that he may be able to take a lesser-earning job, which he feels would be a blow to his identity and confidence.

A former nurse, Kathy has always maintained her license and training, even when it meant squeezing in blood bank volunteer hours between raising her own children. And with her husband’s job hunt reaching desperate levels, she knows that it is time for her to re-enter the workforce. She never expected to have another “first day” in her 50s, but she finds the reintegration invigorating, offering her a new purpose now that her children are grown and her life has lost focus. But even though her husband has never been a chauvinist, their role-reversal irks him and adds tension to their marriage.

At the same time, Kathy’s stubborn, stalwart and critical widow mother is having her own first. After a bad fall in her home, it is clear that Peggy, alone for 15 years, can no longer live on her own. Although Kathy and her well-meaning, but distant, brothers decide on a course of action --- a new home in a jazzy assisted living facility --- the emotional burden of telling their mother, convincing her and sorting out her possessions falls to Kathy. With her role as a woman butting up against the men in her life in more ways than one, Kathy starts to consider the woman who made her and why she always has been so hard on her. A change of heart puts Peggy directly in Kathy’s care, resulting in the ultimate role-reversal. But no one can predict the depths of the mother-daughter reckoning that awaits them.

While going through her mother’s belongings, Kathy discovers a letter from Congress inviting Peggy to an awards ceremony celebrating WASPs. Kathy’s father was a veteran who was involved in the training of WASPs, so she assumes that her mother has been invited to represent him. But a call from the office of Nancy Pelosi confirms the unimaginable: Peggy, who claims to have waited out the war on her family’s farm before settling down with her colonel husband, was in fact one of the original WASPs, a legacy she has hidden from Kathy her entire life.

In alternate chapters, Dillon takes readers back to those first thrilling days of the inception of the WASP organization. A young Peggy, taught to fly by her crop-duster father, joins the ranks of the women fighting for proper training, recognition and respect, and finds so much more. For the first time, she is part of a world aimed at women, where education is geared toward them and motivations are hurled at them, even as the rest of the world turns a blind eye to the women doing just as much work as the men but with none of the glory. This training changes her in more ways than one.

As the past meets the present, readers learn the true meaning of legacy, as well as the devastation caused when we forget the pioneers who led the way for all that we have today. As Peggy and Kathy find themselves --- as women, mothers, daughters and wives --- the true perils of the patriarchy are laid bare for readers as they watch misogyny shift, adapt and transform with the ages.

Readers of Dillon’s other works will not be surprised by her feminist approach to a World War II story or her sensitive and compassionate unpacking of the inheritances of women. Yet in this book, she has not only fine-tuned her signature approach but applied it more broadly and ambitiously than ever before. The result is one of the finest, most educational works of World War II fiction I have ever read. It is also a searing, intimate and thoughtful mother-daughter story that encompasses three separate, but equally fulfilling, narratives: that of a mother coming to terms with her mistakes, a daughter learning to see her mother for the woman she is, and a mother and daughter meeting each other for the first time.

Perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Martha Hall Kelly and contemporary fiction authors like Katherine Center, EYES TURNED SKYWARD is an unforgettable, redemptive novel that will educate readers about WASPs (what a history!), as well as misogyny, feminism and heroism.

Reviewed by Rebecca Munro

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

This book provides an interesting look at the history of the first American women allowed to fly US military aircraft during WWII. These young women had to prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to handle massive military planes and understand all the necessary science behind how they work, including routing, maintenance, weather, and more. The women went through seven months of intense training; that training was at least as rigorous, if not more so, than the male recruits underwent.

The characters were varied and relatable, and followed from their time in the service into the 1970s. These women were willing to put their lives on the line; they were extremely patriotic and determined to do all they could to help win the war. Despite the patriarchal society that did much to hold them back, these women stepped forward in their nation’s time of need, did what they were allowed, and then were dropped without any recognition for their service. It was sad to know just how much these women had to sacrifice, to the point of having to pay their own way home when they were dismissed, to needing to take up collections to pay for the transportation of coffins of those women who died.

The book also looks at the long-term effect of their service on their families. It shows secrets kept over years and the heartbreak of loss. It demonstrates how each person has their own personality and skills, and how you can’t expect them to be someone else.

While this book focuses primarily on the characters and the history of what they were doing, it also includes a theme of romance. I believe I’d primarily classify it as a character study, followed by historical, followed by romance.

I really enjoyed this book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions expressed in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Perrin Larton]

Eyes Turned Skyward is a dual-timeline book, not my favorite way of writing, this one was so worth it!

1944
Peggy, an aviatrix who feels more comfortable in the air than on the ground, applies to and is accepted by the WASP corp during WWII. As we learn more about her time in the WASP, we see the trials these women went through because they wanted to serve their country. The discrimination they went though because they were women and somehow less able than their male counterparts. No real 'rank' in the military, even though they were doing the same thing as the men. No thank you, and no funds to even get home when discharged. Peggy is angry.

2009
Kathy, Peggy's daughter was a nurse,then a stay-at-home mom, then back to being a nurse when her husband loses his job. She has issues with just about everyone. Her grown children don't call. Her brothers don't keep in touch. Her husband is shattered that he is not the primary breadwinner of the family. Her mother has always been distant, then is injured and Kathy is the one tasked with her mother's care. Kathy is angry.

Then, Kathy finds out about her mother's WWII service accidently. Peggy is adamant she does not want to go the ceremony that will show the world they were valuable during WWII. Kathy is just as adamant that her mother MUST got to the ceremony. As Kathy learns more about her mother, she also learns more about herself. Peggy takes a look backwards and realizes she needs to find acceptance about her past, and look forward to the gifts she has.

I love books that make me keep looking up some of the facts in the book to see if it actually happened. I love books that have a moving story about family and how everyone connects to everyone else. I love books that make me think. I love books that stay with me.

I loved this book.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

In present day, Kathy Begley has returned to work after two decades after her husband has been laid off and the children are grown and out of the house. Her elderly mother has just had a hip replacement and is being transferred to a rehab center.

Then a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony invitation arrives in the mail, and Kathy learns that her mother Peggy had a secret life she never shared with her daughter. In WWII, Peggy had been a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP).

Peggy had grown up flying with her father and then joined him in his crop-dusting business. So, when the opportunity presented itself to become a WASP she jumped at it.

I enjoyed this dual-timeline story (1944 and 2009) with its history and family dynamics. This is a story many of us encounter, that of not recognizing our mothers had a life before we were born. I loved that Kathy was determined to get her mother the recognition she deserved, even though her mother denies being a WASP.

I really liked Kathy as she had empathy for the patients and was able to deal with her highly inappropriate boss. She was a strong woman, much like her mother. Peggy was a bit harder to like. But one must remember that everyone deals differently with what hand has been dealt to them. Those experiences helped shape the wife and mother she became. The dynamics between mother and daughter were actually the core of the story.

Dillon did some great research in order to provide us with a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the WASPs. These were some tough women! Since male pilots were all in Europe fighting the war, women were recruited and trained to fly non-combat missions, but sometimes they got caught in dangerous situations.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and mother-daughter stories.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really hated this toward the end and wished it would just end already - almost gave it 2 stars but I did like the 1944 story.
Time jumps between 1944 where Peggy is training as a WASP (Woman Airforce Service Pilots) and then in 2009 as she is living with her daughter Kathy bc she’s fallen in her home. Peggy has kept her life as a WASP secret until she receives a letter that the gov would like to recognize the WASPs in ceremony in DC. Kathy finds a Life magazine with Peggy’s pic on the cover and letters while snooping in her mom’s attic. Kathy and her mom have had a rocky relationship - it seemed Kathy never lived up her mom’s expectations of her. In the 1944 story Peggy’s best friend, Georgia is killed in training-Peggy was supposed to be doing that training flight but has an anxiety attack so Georgia goes first. The plan crashes and she’s killed which haunts Peggy forever. On top of that, the government discontinued service of the WASP and their bill is defeated-no veteran status or recognition. This infuriates Peggy and she lives with this forever. Peggy marries her commanding officer, Major William Mayfield.
The story just seemed like so much of a pity party of both women’s stories. The story was told more of in their heads instead of direct dialect. Peggy can’t let go of her past but she hid it from her family. She named Kathy after Georgia (Katherine)…at Georgia’s funeral her mother said “Katherine dies die the sake of someone destined to make this world better place.” But she never tells his to Kathy. And Kathy doesn’t tell her mother how all her life she felt she was a disappointment to her mom. So much extra story that wasn’t important-Kathy’s husband Neil losing his job, Kathy returning to work as a nurse to support them, feeling unsupported by her brothers after taking in their mom.
Overall just kind of a dud.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not as interesting as I thought it would be. I think for me the thing that kept me from really enjoying this book was that I didn't really like either one of the main characters. I thought Kathy was an incredibly boring character. Although she was experiencing something many women of a certain age do (ie- dealing with an aging parent), she just didn't seem very relatable or even likable. She was very aloof, and did not seem to have much of a relationship with her children, her mom, or even her husband, nor did she seem to have any friends. I really disliked the chapters that were told from Kathy's perspective. Her mother Peggy, the other main character, was more interesting, especially the earlier chapters which detailed her life as a WASP during WW!!. However, even Peggy had her flaws, and I did not think she treated her family or children very well at all, which made her not a very likeable character either. The male characters were very flat and one dimensional. And the way everyone treated Kathy's husband...! Oh my goodness! I felt sorry for this poor guy. He was one of the few likable characters in the book. Another thing that I didn't seem to "get" was this supposed smoldering romance between Peggy in her WASP days and Mayfield. I saw no indication of any sparks between them, but much was made of the "romance" blossoming between them. Um...when?? I must have missed it. I thought there was more of a romance between Peggy and her female roommate, if you ask me. The only time I laughed or smiled while reading this book was when Kathy tries to fix Peggy's bidet. I would not have probably finished this book but because I actually paid money for it (rather than borrowed it from the library) I felt obligated to read it. Sigh...