I liked the many historical details in this book, particularly details about the Spanish Civil War. However I couldn't really connect with either of the main female characters. Janey Everett, a photojournalist sought out a famous female pilot, Irene Foster Lindquist, in order to gain information about Sam Mallory, about whom Everett was writing a book. It was a slow moving book with many details about Janey's love life and Irene's infatuation with Sam. The last quarter of the book picked up as secrets were revealed and the two women dialed down the drama. ( )

I read this book for my local book club. I haven't read as much historical fiction in the last few years because it all seemed to be WWII related and the stories were similar. This one was different. For once I didn't predict all of the twists. I enjoyed the writing style enough to want to look into more titles by Beatriz Williams. ( )

Book on CD performed by Cassandra Campbell
3.5***

Adapted from the book jacket: In 1947, photojournalist Janey Everett arrives at a surfing village on Kauai, Hawaii to research a planned biography of aviation pioneer Sam Mallory, who never returned from the Spanish Civil War. Janey has tracked down Irene Lindquist, owner of a local island-hopping airline, whom she believes might actually be the legendary Irene Foster, Mallory’s onetime student and flying partner. Foster’s disappearance during a round-the-world flight in 1937 remains one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.

My reactions:
For some reason I thought this book was going to actually be a fictionalized story of Amelia Earhart. (Obviously, I never read the book jacket or reviews before opening the book.) Well, it isn’t that, but Earhart’s own story (and disappearance) certainly influence this novel.

Once again, the author uses the now typical dual timeline for this work of historical fiction. Of course, both timelines are historical: 1947 and 1937. As Janey wiggles her way into Lindquist’s world and tries to earn her trust, Irene reflects on her own memories of meeting Sam Mallory, flying with him, and both their disappearances. As the stories unfold, the reader comes to learn more about both these women: their hopes, dreams, joys and sorrows.

There are more than a few surprises in store – for Janey, and for the reader.

Although I’ve come to dislike the dual timeline so popular in historical fiction, Williams handles it very well in this case. And it did serve to heighten interest and intrigue. I couldn’t help but try to fit the puzzle together, but I was as surprised as Janey to learn the full truth of the story.

Cassandra Campbell has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. She does a stellar job of performing the audio version. ( )

I usually adore Beatriz Williams books, but Her Lsat Flight was one book I had trouble reading. For once I felt that I struggled with getting into the story and it's sadly one of those books that I wanted to love but the story didn't speak to me. I might read it again in the future to see if it just was the wrong moment in time to read the book.

However, I will say that I did enjoy part of the story, but it was just not as engrossing to read as for instance the books in the Schuyler Sisters trilogy. ( )

What do you do when you meet someone who doesn't want to be found?

From the moment Janey, a photojournalist, finds Sam Mallory's plane partially covered in the Spanish desert, she knows she's found what she's looking for. Well, at least a part of it. Now she's traveled to Hawaii to find the missing aviatrix, Irene Foster. In an effort to learn everything she can about Sam Mallory, she just needs Irene Lindquist to admit her real identity and tell her all about her mentor, Sam.

Beatriz Williams flawlessly weaves two timelines, 1940's Janey with 20's-30's Irene as she tells the story of both women's lives. Their stories are raw, if not crude at times, and real as they work their way through a male-dominated world. Despite their differences, they are very much alike.

This is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction, combining romance, friendship, and history into one amazing journey. From the first page, I couldn't put it down.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion. ( )