I was given this book in paperback form. Since I'm interested in WWII, and this book is based on true events, it seemed like the kind of book that I might enjoy. I especially am drawn to anything dealing with planes since my grandfather was a pilot in WWII.
Jessie is a pilot who loves what she does. When her mother and uncle sell their airfield, it becomes a place to teach British pilots how to fly. Jessie wants to be an instructor, but she has to deal with a man who doesn't think women should be in the cockpit of planes. Her brother, Jack, has joined the Eagle Squadron and raising some eyebrows in town, but she's determined to help in whatever way she can. We also read about Rhonda, another teacher at the school, and Kitty, Jessie's sister.
Jessie is really the main "girl" of the book. Rhonda and Kitty are in there pretty often, but I would consider Jessica and Royce to be the main characters. The story starts out interesting with Jessie trying to prove herself so she can be an instructor, and Royce recovering from an injury. As time goes by, it becomes less about flying and more about the love story. Once Royce heads back to England, the book fast forwards through the rest of the war. It's somewhat jarring and you can guess where the story is headed.
It just feels like a missed opportunity. Kitty was such a great character and had a more realistic experience. On top of that, she purposely went out of her way to interact with many of the cadets. It's her idea to tend the British area of the graveyard. I could have read more interactions with men and women in this unique situation instead of how Jessie was feeling about Royce.
Overall, it was an okay book, but I just didn't like the plot armor applied to Jessie and Royce. Sure, we "need" a happy ending, but after what Rhonda and Kitty went through, it felt unnatural and fake. We can hurt the main characters, but they have to live! I stand by the statement that Kitty's story was more compelling and would have given the author more chances to focus on the unique setting she'd chosen.
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