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The Spitfire Girls
by
Three skilled aviators determined to help win the war. Three brave women who know their place is not at home.
At the height of World War II, the British Air Transport Auxiliary need help. A group of young women volunteer for action, but the perils of their new job don’t end on the tarmac. Things are tough in the air, but on the ground their abilities as pilots are const
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Kindle Edition, 328 pages
Published
February 26th 2019
by Lake Union Publishing
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Wendy
I would absolutely recommend this book as appropriate for a 16 year old girl.
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Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
Focusing on three women- British ATA flyers First Officer Ruby Sanders and Commander May Jones and WASP American pilot Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dunlop, this is a WWII historical that focuses on the contribution of women pilots on both sides of the Atlantic during World War II. These women faced much criticism from their families and countrymen for stepping outside the projected gender roles and yet as revealed ...more
Focusing on three women- British ATA flyers First Officer Ruby Sanders and Commander May Jones and WASP American pilot Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dunlop, this is a WWII historical that focuses on the contribution of women pilots on both sides of the Atlantic during World War II. These women faced much criticism from their families and countrymen for stepping outside the projected gender roles and yet as revealed ...more

Favorite Quotes:
Ruby is no sidekick, nor is she relegated to office duties… She might look like a doll –in fact I was told by our doctor that a gust of wind might blow her over –but put her up in the cockpit and she’s got the heart of a lion and the bravery of a team of men.
And how in God’s name did you manage to convince a bunch of old men to let women ferry fighter planes? I’ve been petitioning for years – I want to wring all their wrinkly old necks!
I’m in some sort of hell. Honestly, I know h ...more
Ruby is no sidekick, nor is she relegated to office duties… She might look like a doll –in fact I was told by our doctor that a gust of wind might blow her over –but put her up in the cockpit and she’s got the heart of a lion and the bravery of a team of men.
And how in God’s name did you manage to convince a bunch of old men to let women ferry fighter planes? I’ve been petitioning for years – I want to wring all their wrinkly old necks!
I’m in some sort of hell. Honestly, I know h ...more

When I brought this book, I thought it was non-fiction. When I started reading, I discovered it was a historical fiction book. Over the years, I had read a number of non-fiction books about the role of women pilots in the United States during World War II. I was looking forward to learning about the role of women pilots in the UK.
The book is well written, but the research was minimal. I did learn that the British women pilots had as much difficulty as those in the USA. The story of the British A ...more
The book is well written, but the research was minimal. I did learn that the British women pilots had as much difficulty as those in the USA. The story of the British A ...more

I chose this book because it was about the women who flew for the Auxiliary Air Transport service in Britain during the Second World War. I've been fascinated with them since reading Elizabeth Wein's novels Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire. Ms. Lane's book is a good historical not a great one, and comparing it to Wein's brought out the difference between an acceptable book and a memorable and haunting one. I was curious about the author's background too, with a sense that she was quite at ho
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I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers below. Maybe.
The Spitfire Girls was surprisingly good! Once I started this ebook, I couldn't put it down. Not even to do my actual work. The girls in this book were such bad asses and I love how they wouldn't let the manly nay-sayers make them stop doing what they love: flying planes.
Speaking of these wonderful pilots, we get to meet Lizzie, Ruby, May, and a bunch of other wonderful ladies. Now this type of lifesty ...more
Spoilers below. Maybe.
The Spitfire Girls was surprisingly good! Once I started this ebook, I couldn't put it down. Not even to do my actual work. The girls in this book were such bad asses and I love how they wouldn't let the manly nay-sayers make them stop doing what they love: flying planes.
Speaking of these wonderful pilots, we get to meet Lizzie, Ruby, May, and a bunch of other wonderful ladies. Now this type of lifesty ...more

I read a lot of WWII books and it's always great to find one with a different perspective and to learn something new. This novel looks at the war from the view of the British Air Transport Auxiliary . These brave women were pilots who shuttled planes to the bases where they were needed and to free up the male pilots for combat. At the same time, a similar group was being started in the US. These women were faced with discrimination from almost everyone -including the male pilots and often times,
...more

I started this book thinking .... ooo god please don’t let this be some sappy love story. But it wasn’t .... and I really enjoyed it. This is a historical fiction based upon truth. This is about female pilots during WW2. The struggles they had to over coming during the 1940’s .... coming out the homes and making names for themselves in a male dominated field.
Great book! It was fun looking at the documentaries on YouTube.... which is very sexist how it was portrayed , but that was the time perio ...more
Great book! It was fun looking at the documentaries on YouTube.... which is very sexist how it was portrayed , but that was the time perio ...more

Bummer... Not What I Was Expecting!
Synopsis: In the midst of WWII, several brave, young women volunteered to ferry fighter and bomber planes between military bases. These women are known as the ATA Girls (Air Transport Auxiliary). Their participation set a new precedent for women’s equality and involvement in military operations. ‘The Spitfire Girls’ primarily follows the stories of Lizzie, May, and Ruby as they take to the sky and set new equality standards.
Review: Let me start with the fact th ...more
Synopsis: In the midst of WWII, several brave, young women volunteered to ferry fighter and bomber planes between military bases. These women are known as the ATA Girls (Air Transport Auxiliary). Their participation set a new precedent for women’s equality and involvement in military operations. ‘The Spitfire Girls’ primarily follows the stories of Lizzie, May, and Ruby as they take to the sky and set new equality standards.
Review: Let me start with the fact th ...more

This is a novel that shares with us the courageous contribution women made in both England and the USA towards the WW2 endeavours. These women were willing to put their lives on the line and take on piloting planes to where they were needed. And... they were very successful.
Soraya M. Lane does an excellent job helping us get inside the lives of such young women. Often they were up against 'the establishment' and the attitudes and prejudices of the populace. Yet despite these niggles these women ...more
Soraya M. Lane does an excellent job helping us get inside the lives of such young women. Often they were up against 'the establishment' and the attitudes and prejudices of the populace. Yet despite these niggles these women ...more

I've read lots of books set in this time so have probably been spoiled for choice. Some research has gone into this book but I felt it needed a lot more to get the story right.
It was overly sentimental and soppy. The characters didn't really have great depth. We knew little or nothing about Polly, other than she was a great pilot. I think she was added in for one purpose only (view spoiler)
Lizzie ...more
It was overly sentimental and soppy. The characters didn't really have great depth. We knew little or nothing about Polly, other than she was a great pilot. I think she was added in for one purpose only (view spoiler)
Lizzie ...more

The Spitfire Girls is to be published next month, and I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You can read my full review here .
This novel’s summary and general premise is intriguing, both as a feminist and as someone who finds World War II stories to be both interesting and important. That being said, I was expecting to enjoy this work.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. And when glancing at the other reviews here, I seem to be in the minority.
As j ...more
This novel’s summary and general premise is intriguing, both as a feminist and as someone who finds World War II stories to be both interesting and important. That being said, I was expecting to enjoy this work.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. And when glancing at the other reviews here, I seem to be in the minority.
As j ...more

Historical Fiction you will love
This story is based on the historical British flyers known as "the Spitfire Girls" during World War II. Not only did I learn a great deal about those heroic women, I fell in love with the three distinct and original characters featured in the novel. There will be no confusion about who's who in this book, because author Soraya M. Lane has given each of the women a very different and rich inner life, relationships, and problems. And in Lizzie, she has created one o ...more
This story is based on the historical British flyers known as "the Spitfire Girls" during World War II. Not only did I learn a great deal about those heroic women, I fell in love with the three distinct and original characters featured in the novel. There will be no confusion about who's who in this book, because author Soraya M. Lane has given each of the women a very different and rich inner life, relationships, and problems. And in Lizzie, she has created one o ...more

I really enjoyed this book, I rounded up to 4 stars but would probably rate it a 3.5⭐️ read. The Spitfire Girls focuses on the ATA during WW2 and a little bit about the WASPS in the United States. This is a really powerful women’s rights book and talks about how women were initially paid 20% less then men in England for doing the same job as their mail counterparts. Lizzie, is a feisty girl from Texas who is determined to prove she is worthy of flying in the war. This story focuses on the perspe
...more

Soraya Lane's most recent book tells the story of three women pilots in World War II. Ferrying spitfires and other types of aircraft, May, Ruby, Lizzie, and all the other female flyers allowed for more men to fight. But they were met with resistance along the way, as they fought to prove themselves and to gain respect (and equal pay).
I liked that Lane brought this side of WWII history to life, but her book wasn't particularly well written. The characters didn't have much depth: you had the feist ...more
I liked that Lane brought this side of WWII history to life, but her book wasn't particularly well written. The characters didn't have much depth: you had the feist ...more

Not what I expected. It turned out to be a historical romance. Well-written, good characters and interesting information about female pilThe Spitfire Girls by Soraya M. Lane has readers traveling back to World War II. May Jones along with Ruby Sanders are members of the British Air Transport Auxiliary. These courageous women ferry new and repaired planes without radios or instruments for the Royal Air Force. Lizzie Dunlop has been trying to get the United States to implement a similar program wi
...more

I loved this story from start to finish, there were tears, there were smiles and there were so many emotions throughout this book, as we get to meet three of the strongest woman, pilots living in a man’s world, but they could help with the war efforts, by working with The British Air Transport Auxiliary, ATA and getting planes to where they were needed. This is a book that I didn’t want to put down so ensure you have some time when you pick this one up, sit back and meet May, Ruby and Lizzy.
May ...more
May ...more

Spitfire Girls by Soraya Lane is about three females ( Lizzie, Ruby and May) trying to create their rightful place in a “man’s war and be a part of the squadrons flying different planes to help out so that RAF pilots could focus on combat positions during the latter years of WWII.
I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters amongst themselves, as well as others. I enjoyed how they progressed through the novel and how they were able to overcome diversities.
It is sad that the US government disbanded ...more
I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters amongst themselves, as well as others. I enjoyed how they progressed through the novel and how they were able to overcome diversities.
It is sad that the US government disbanded ...more

I am a huge fan of WWII books/stories; when I was given the opportunity to read The Spitfire Girls, I jumped at the chance.
I have been a fan of Ms. Lane's contemporary work for many years and knew that when I saw that she was going to start a historical fictions series/books, I had to read them and I have not been disappointed. It is interesting to me to "see" how women were treated/portrayed in history; it was fantastic to read a book about women who were ahead of their times and were determine ...more
I have been a fan of Ms. Lane's contemporary work for many years and knew that when I saw that she was going to start a historical fictions series/books, I had to read them and I have not been disappointed. It is interesting to me to "see" how women were treated/portrayed in history; it was fantastic to read a book about women who were ahead of their times and were determine ...more

Soraya M Lane has written a wonderful piece of World War 2 historical fiction about a group of skilled and determined women pilots on both sides of the Atlantic whose contribution to the Allied war effort eventually gained the recognition they so richly deserved as they became critical ferry pilots during that war. The Spitfire Girls (2019, Lake Union Publishing) is a wonderfully inspirational piece of literature with strong characters both female as well as male who are based on real life perso
...more

1) I'm pretty sure people in the 1940s didn't casually throw the terms 'gender roles' and 'gender stereotypes' around.
2) Also pretty sure that telegrams were meant to be short, and something like this would be impractically, and more to the point expensively, long:
2) Also pretty sure that telegrams were meant to be short, and something like this would be impractically, and more to the point expensively, long:
PLEASE INFORM RUBY SANDERS THAT HER FIANCE, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT THOMAS FRANCES, IS ALIVE. SURVIVED IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS AFTER DEPLOYING PARACHUTE. INJURIES INCLUDE BROKEN ARM, CRACKED RIBS, LEG TRAUMA AND BLEEDING FROM HEAD. FULL RECOVE...more

Loved it! My favorite kind of story—adventure, romance, brave heroines, big-hearted heroes, WWII era, a story that celebrates sacrifice, nobleness, kindness & character. So, so good!

This is a fantastic book that hooked me from the first pages and kept me enthralled to the very end. Based on historical events and people, this is the story of a group of women and their critical contribution to the war effort. With every male pilot needed to fly combat missions, the Air Transport Auxiliary desperately needed pilots to ferry new planes to the front and damaged ones back to be repaired. A group of very determined young women fought the odds and made a place for themselves as tho
...more

"The perfect ladies' plane, that's what they used to call the Spitfire..." I love historical fiction and especially when I learn something new from it. I certainly did reading this book. This novel took me on a journey of the development and organization of the "Spitfire Girls" along with the main characters, Lizzie, May and Ruby. It's the personal stories of each one and the common love they have in flying. They each have a desire to serve their countries in the war efforts by using their gift
...more

ENLIGHTENING & INSPIRING!
This is the story of three women that decided they could not stand by and see their flying skills go to waste during WWII. They did the unthinkable and left the safety of their families and one left behind her homeland. They all volunteered to help ferry planes for the British Air Transport Auxiliary thereby freeing male pilots to fly in “risky combat situations.”
May is the Senior Commander and takes her role very seriously as she knows the pilot’s lives are her respons ...more
This is the story of three women that decided they could not stand by and see their flying skills go to waste during WWII. They did the unthinkable and left the safety of their families and one left behind her homeland. They all volunteered to help ferry planes for the British Air Transport Auxiliary thereby freeing male pilots to fly in “risky combat situations.”
May is the Senior Commander and takes her role very seriously as she knows the pilot’s lives are her respons ...more

I enjoy reading historical fiction stories about WWII, especially the women’s roles. Ms. Lane has a fascinating way of telling her stories, that not only makes them very enjoyable reads, but I find myself learning something from each book.
Spitfire girls follows three women, two from England and one from the US. Elizabeth Dunlap is the feisty outspoken American, who would rather fly than breathe. Sent to England to co-train with a squadron of female pilots ferrying planes to different locations ...more
Spitfire girls follows three women, two from England and one from the US. Elizabeth Dunlap is the feisty outspoken American, who would rather fly than breathe. Sent to England to co-train with a squadron of female pilots ferrying planes to different locations ...more

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Spitfire Girls” by Soraya M Lane, February 2019
Soraya M Lane, Author of “The Spitfire Girls” has written a captivating, enthralling, intriguing and entertaining novel. The Genres for this book are Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Historical Fiction. The time-line for this novel is World War Two. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, competitive and complicated.
Lizzie has been a pilot in the United States, and writes to Mrs. Roosevelt to ...more
Soraya M Lane, Author of “The Spitfire Girls” has written a captivating, enthralling, intriguing and entertaining novel. The Genres for this book are Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Historical Fiction. The time-line for this novel is World War Two. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, competitive and complicated.
Lizzie has been a pilot in the United States, and writes to Mrs. Roosevelt to ...more
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Soraya M. Lane is the Amazon Charts & Kindle #1 bestselling author of Wives of War and The Last Correspondent.
Her next novel, The Secrets We Left Behind, will be published May 20th, 2021!
As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Soraya describes being an author as "the best career in the world", and she hopes to be wr ...more
Her next novel, The Secrets We Left Behind, will be published May 20th, 2021!
As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Soraya describes being an author as "the best career in the world", and she hopes to be wr ...more
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“wondering what he was really like beneath that uniform.”
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“In a world where she looked after everyone else, he was the only one who looked after her.”
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