Kaia Alderson

When the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) in the US allows black women to join (telling them it won’t be segregated, but it most definitely is), Grace (a budding Julliard pianist) and Eliza (who wants to be a sports journalist) join and clash right away. But they become stronger as they train and eventually make their way to Europe.

I listened to the audio and really liked this. I suspect it was hard enough for women in the army, but black women? Had to be so much harder. I think something the audio missed (looks like – from other reviews – there might have been): an author’s note… and maybe some citations? I like author’s notes in my historical fiction so I know what was real and what was fictional, so I would have liked to have had that. I do realize Grace and Eliza were fictional, but I would have liked to be told what parts were real without having to find that from other reviews or looking it up after. That being said, I did really like the story and the audio was well done.… (more)

African American Grace Steele and Eliza Jones decide to join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. They are quickly chosen to be among the first class of black female officers in the army. This book follows their reluctant friendship, training, and assignments during WWII.

I have to admit that I did not love this book. Grace and Eliza were constantly bickering, which made their a bit unlikable. I wanted to cheer them along as they faced racism and sexism, but their behavior and attitude was off putting. I also felt like the book continually went over the same information about the past and relationship. This bogged the story down. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.… (more)

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I’m so happy it didn’t disappoint. This book follows Eliza, a well to do newspaper writer and Grace, a pianist who can’t get catch a break. These two join the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp. The two begin a rocky friendship, though throughout the book their friendship begins to turn for the better. This book follow their journey as they eventually make their way to Britain followed France. This is a piece of history I knew very little about and this book leaves me wanting to know more. I couldn’t put this book down and really enjoyed how the author wrote Grace and Eliza’s stories. Highly recommend.… (more)