Review - We fly beneath the stars by Suzanne Kelman

We fly beneath the stars by Suzanne Kelman

Publisher: 30 November 2022

Release date: Bookouture

Back cover blurb: 1942, Europe: Based on the true story of a female-only bomber battalion, this is a totally heartbreaking and unforgettable story about sacrifice, sisterhood and a love that transcends war. When the love of Tasha’s life, Luca, joins the air force to fight against the evil Nazi invaders, she knows she has to follow her heart—and him—into battle. Headstrong, impulsive and a daredevil, she’s the perfect recruit. Tasha’s sensible older sister Nadia plans only to stop Tasha’s madness and bring her home. But a chance encounter puts her in a plane, soaring above the clouds, and she also finds her calling. Underestimated by their superiors, Nadia and her sister find themselves in airplanes barely fit to fly, being sent on perilous missions with little hope of return. But before long their battalion is being nicknamed ‘the Night Witches’ by the Nazis, their ownership of the skies second to none. But danger is up in the storm clouds with them, and when both sisters are shot down behind Nazi enemy lines, and taken to a brutal prison camp, they expect to never see their beloved homeland again. Until Tasha’s eyes meet across the wire fence with someone she never expected to see again: the love of her life, Luca. But with love comes peril…Will one sister have to sacrifice everything to save the other?

Tasha and Nadia have always been close, but very different. Their personalities are as different as night and day, as is their taste in men...

As WWII breaks out, both are preparing to settle down - in their own way. 

Nadia is preparing to marry the man she loves and wants to spend the rest of her life with. Tasha refuses to marry Luca, defiant in her love for him, and her own beliefs.

She is devastated when he signs up to the air force, terrified that she will lose him, and still she refuses to marry. Instead she signs herself up as female pilot, naively believing that they will be able to spend together.

She has no luck at the first all female flying school she is sent to, but she soon settles in. With a love of flying as an advantage, she is a quick learner and soon excels. Her brilliance is interrupted by the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of her sister.

Nadia had at first thought Tasha reckless for wanting to join the war effort, but personal circumstance and a mutual love of flying sends her searching for her sister. 

The two soon become a formidable pairing, and as the female squadrons are declared 'war ready', both are selected for dangerous overnight missions, with potentially deadly consequences.

We fly beneath the stars is a real page turner of a historical fiction novel, and I really look forward to this authors next.    

We fly beneath the stars is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.