USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate’s historical debut is “like reading a personal diary of the brave women who were unsung heroes of WWII,” (Rhys Bowen, Royal Spyness mysteries) and will delight readers of Kelly Rimmer’s The Things We Cannot Say and Noelle Salazar’s The Flight Girls.During World War II, farmer’s daughter Rosalie Wright becomes a pilot assisting the RAF. But will a … pilot assisting the RAF. But will a romantic rivalry send her aerial dreams plummeting to earth?
Ever since she was 10 years old, Rosalie Wright’s eyes have been on the skies. But at the age of 18, on the verge of earning her pilot’s license, the English farmer’s daughter watches her dreams of becoming an aviatrix fly away without her. Britain’s entry into World War II brings civilian aviation to a standstill. Then, Rosalie’s father dies, leaving her, her mother, and her brothers to run the farm.
Everything changes when she learns that the Air Transport Authority is recruiting women pilots to ferry warplanes across Britain to RAF bases. Despite her mother’s objections, Rosalie cannot resist the call of her country–and the lure of the skies. During her training on Gipsy Moth aircraft, Rosalie forms a fast friendship with fellow flyer Caroline Andrews. Her trusty Ferry Pilots Notebook by her side, Rosalie delivers to five airfields in a day–while fighting an endless battle against skeptical male pilots and ground crews.
She would much rather spend her time on the wing than on the arm of any man…until she meets gruff pilot Snug Durrant and RAF squadron leader Alan Chersey. Snug is a cynical, wisecracking playboy, and Alan is every WAAF’s heartthrob…and Rosalie catches both their eyes. As the war drags on, and casualties mount, will love and tragedy send Rosalie’s exhilarating airborne life crashing to the ground?
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One of the best books I’ve read in recent years! I loved reading Rosalie’s story, and I’m inspired to learn more about the ATA and the Glamour Girls. A+++
Marty Wingate writes well thought out stories, both present time and historical.
This is another of her excellent historicals. We are immediately immersersed in the time and the situation.
The characters are strong and relatable. The reader is encouraged to be interested and care.
The story develops believably.
The self-revelation by Rosalie at the end (about her relationship with Chersey) makes perfect sense when one looks back.
A very satisfying read.
I hope for more like this: an education and a satisfying read combined.
Glamour Girls by Marty Wingate is the story of women pilots in England during the Second World War. They couldn’t fly bombing missions but they could ferry planes in England from where they were to where they were needed. Rosalie had wanted to fly since she was 11 years old. Her father supported her; her mother didn’t. She wanted her to be a farm wife, where she was safe. Her father didn’t live to see it happen, but she nagged her way into the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) and flew until the war was over. She made many friends, some of them died; one of them she married.
This was a wonderful look into the lives of people who the exciting war stories have forgotten. There is all the pain of daily life as well as stories of people put in extraordinary situations. Interesting people to meet, live with, and get to know. People that change and look different to you than when you first knew them. An amazing book about amazing people, doing amazing things for their country and for each other. Hard to put into words how interesting and moving this book was and how exciting the war was for Rosalie. Read it yourself. I liked it and highly recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Glamour Girls by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #glamourgirls
Up in the Sky
This is a story of the A.T.A. (Air Transport Auxiliary) girls. These brave women transported the airplanes between bases to the soldiers to fly during WWII. They flew in all types of conditions and in all types of planes. Many of them perished in the air but the other’s kept flying. This is an important point in history, especially when during that time period in Britain women were not allowed those type of jobs. The war changed everything. As horrible as it was it did bring opportunities for women to broaden their horizons in a variety of different occupations. Dangerous and Daring these women served their country.
Rosalie wanted to fly since she was ten years old and went up in a plane at a circus with her father. She leaves the farm and becomes an ATA pilot. Living in quarters at Mrs. May’s they become close friends. I loved the characters, Rosalie, Caro, Zofia, Pamela, Snug, and Allen. Rosalie’s family on the farm, Caro’s dad Dr. Andrews and of course Mrs. May.
You will follow with their flying adventures, their families, and their romances. The challenges, the heartaches and the love they all had for each other. It is a heartwarming story you will enjoy reading and remember for a long time. It is even more so knowing that many of the events and places are actual events that happened during WWII. The food, the clothing, the rationing and the sights and sounds of the War times.
The book was very well written and a joy to read. I would recommend it.
From the moment you meet her you’ll be cheering for Rosalie Wright, a pilot in the ATF who delivers Spitfires and more to bases around England for the RAF. Driven by a passion for flying, she’s a complex, courageous woman as well as a good friend and ally. Marty Wingate delivers it all in Glamour Girls—wartime love, heartbreaking losses, endearing characters, fascinating period detail. Even a new kitten couldn’t distract me from reading late into the night. Highly recommend!