The Girls of Pearl Harbor

Written by Soraya M. Lane

Narrated by Teri Clark Linden

From the bestselling author of Wives of War comes a harrowing tale of four brave young nurses whose lives change forever in the wake of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

When Grace, April, and Poppy join the US Army Nurse Corps, they see it as little more than an adventure, one made all the better by their first station: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Joined at the hip, idealistic Grace, exuberant Poppy, and brave but haunted April frolic in the sun, attending parties, flirting with the handsome soldiers, and becoming fast friends with seasoned nurse Eva. Like the Hawaiian sun, their future seems warm and bright—until the infamous morning of December 7.

Within just a few horrifying hours, their sparkling hopes turn to black rubble and ash. Now embroiled in a war they never could have imagined, they must decide what truly matters to them and face grief as they never have before. Death may await them—but so do hope and purpose. In the midst of the carnage, can they find happiness and learn to fight not just for their country’s honor but for themselves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781978689350

Soraya M. Lane

Soraya M. Lane graduated with a law degree before realizing that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, and her novel Wives of War was an Amazon Charts bestseller. Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons, and a collection of four-legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading. For more information about Soraya and her books, visit www.sorayalane.com or www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @Soraya_Lane.

Reviews for The Girls of Pearl Harbor

[Amanda Day · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the book but I felt like the narration took away from how good it could have been. Grace often sounded like a 10 yr old girl vs a woman which made it hard for me to get into it.

[tom haslett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great dialogue between characters. Showed courage, love and faithful endurance throughout the war battles and injuries!

[Kristy Herring · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think this book would be one better read than listened to. The narration isn't doing anything for me. It's rather flat and there's a slight uptick at the end of most sentences which is completely distracting to me.

[Judy Faye Sherrill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was just good it was real it was very well read

[Ashlee Trensey · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I struggled to get through this book.. I don't know if it was the way it was written (it often felt simple and like it was written for a child) or if the narrator just didn't bring any passion or excitement to the book. I almost quit many times, but had already put time into the book so I had to see it out.

[Val Menzies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. It brings the realities of war to the reader but has a gentle side to it with the love among friends. A good read.

[Sage Sizer · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Most predictable book I have read. It’s an easy read but very predictable

[jordanbassel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I have ever read! Tragic and full of suspense. But also heartwarming. Love how the author completes the storyline for each leading character. Will listen to again for sure!

[Elena Lauritzen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Feel good audiobook. It’s a story about friendship, war and love. I really enjoy listening.

[JENNIFER CZERNEZKYJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely story of sisterhood, friendship, loss and forgiveness. A very good read.

[bookanonjeff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Starts Out Feeling Like The Movie, Becomes So Much More. Through the opening third of this book or so, when our central characters are at Pearl Harbor, it is very hard to break away from comparing the scenes here to the Ben Affleck / Kate Beckinsale movie from the turn of the Millenium. Which isn't an overly bad thing - this reader loved that movie and it made a fair amount at the box office to boot.

And then we get to Dec 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. (Though I do wish Lane had included that particular phrase when showing some of Roosevelt's speech the next day.)

At the actual attack, Lane does a superb job of getting us into the heads of these particular characters as the events and aftermath are unfolding. It is here that she truly sepatates her tale from the movie, and it is at this point that the reader never really thinks about the movie again until sitting down to write the review.

To go much in depth at all with the plot beyond this is to veer close to spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that for those that survive Dec 7, the book continues with the efforts to further support the war, this time in the Africa Campaign. Superb writing here again, though there *is* a rape scene that some may want to be aware of going into this. But Lane does an excellent job of expanding our scope in this section to see not just the soldiers and nurses, but the townspeople they are working among.

Overall maybe my one complaint here is that the ending is perhaps a bit too tidy, particularly after doing such an amazing job of showing the various horrors of war from the small and personal to the grand and international. Still, very much a recommended book.

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s the story of three nurses who faced the attack on Pearl Harbor and their deployment to Northern Africa afterwards. It focused on the individual lives of the women who just couldn’t believe their good fortune to be stationed in beautiful Hawaii and on a naval base at that…lots of good looking available sailors. Their joy soon turned to horror when the Japanese launched a surprise attack that made it impossible for the U.S. not to enter the war. I thought that the characters are very interesting individuals with each one displaying vividly their individual personalities and quirks. I remember as a child my mother telling me about Pearl Harbor and the day that set in motion the event that would take three of her 6 brothers….December 7, 1941…her 18th birthday. She says she has no memories of that birthday at all other than her small town preparing to lose most of the young men that lived there. I liked that the author showed that life did go on in the midst of unimaginable devastation. The suffering and amazing bravery of the fighting men and woman during that time, or in any time in any war, is truly an incredible testimony of the human heart and spirit.

[teachlz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "The Girls of Pearl Harbor" by Soraya M. Lane, Lake Union, September 10, 2019Soraya M. Lane, Author of "The Girls of Pearl Harbor" has written a captivating, intense, heartbreaking, intriguing emotional and thought-provoking novel. The Genre for this Novel is Historical Fiction and takes place during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the United States involvement into World War Two.  I appreciate that the author vividly writes and describes the tragedies and the camaraderie, and courage of the nurses, and servicemen and women.  The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, flawed, perhaps due to the dire circumstances. There are also supportive, brave and courageous.When Poppy, Grace, and April first join the Nurse's Corp and are at Pearl Harbor, it seems like Paradise. They meet another nurse, Eva. Everything seems wonderful until the fateful day of Dec. 7, when they are attacked at Pearl Harbor.  The devastation and the horrors only get worse, as the nurses and doctors tend to hurt bodies.  There is so much destruction and death. There is also so much uncertainty and lack of man-power.The medical staff and soldiers are transferred to even more difficult places and situations. I appreciate that the author discusses the horrors of war, but also stresses the importance of emotional support, protecting your country, the importance of friendship, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this story.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After Grace, April and Poppy join the US Army Nurse Corps, they are thrilled to find themselves in beautiful Hawaii. Grace and April are sisters and Poppy is their best friend. They also become friends with Eva, who they met at a party. All four nurses enjoy the beautiful weather and the parties. Most of their nursing is on football injuries and minor accidents and they can't believe how lucky they are to be in paradise. That all changes on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. All of a sudden they are faced with dead bodies, burned and mangled bodies and a great fear that the bombing will continue. As they face the destruction and loss of life, their nursing skills are greatly tested.The Girls of Pearl Harbor takes you on a vivid journey through a tumultuous time in American history. The problems in their pasts no longer matter as these friends are thrust into difficult situations taking care of badly wounded men and putting their own lives in jeopardy. Will they be able to let go of their pasts and find out how strong they really are?Thanks to the author for this wonderfully written and well researched novel about nurses and their importance in WWII.