Sophia's Reviews > The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West

Dual timeline historical fiction involving family secrets for one woman in 1987 and another woman grits her way into the all-male world of 1927 aviation and a race of a lifetime. The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West fired my cylinders and had me going full throttle through the pages on a voyage of adventure and discovery for both women. I’ve only read three previous Sara Ackerman books, but since they all tend to elicit the same response from me, I think it is safe to call her an auto-buy author these days.

I don’t always cotton to both timelines in this sort of story equally and that was the case for The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West…At first.

In 1987, Wren Summers’ life has fallen to the very bottom from her boyfriend cheating and expecting her to suck it up, to her rent due and getting fired, to her mom being distant and her art not selling. Learning she’s inherited land from her long abandoning dad’s side of the family over on the ‘Big’ Island sets her on a path of discovery for that whole lost side to her heritage and an attractive local rancher. I was interested and rooting on Wren to claw her way up, but I confess, that it was Livy’s story that had me utterly fascinated and intrigued in the beginning and for much of the book.

In 1927, Lily West is a rare female commercial pilot. She grew up in San Diego and the daughter of a fisherman who taught her heeps about marine weather and navigation which she brought with her along with the grit to get taught how to fly to the local air strip. In those brief early years, a young adventurous pilot taught her a great deal about flying and first love- along with first disappointment, but she’s toughened up and now wants in on the Dole Race with its big prize and the chance to prove what she’s got if only she can get in the race. I loved seeing her do what she had to do even if it meant taking a chance on a guy and plane no sane person would and even if it meant that her competition included her first love and some other pretty big names among whom is someone ruthless enough to win at all costs.

The prep for the race, the race itself, and what happened all rushed forward in a tale growing in suspense and rising action. I was racing my bedtime and had zero desire, exhausted as I was, to put the book down. I felt I was in it to win it with both Wren and Livy so I stuck it out into the wee hours. The payoff for both sides of the book which do eventually land together was utter satisfaction after a few doubtful moments that either woman would win what they wanted.

And so, another page of Hawaiian history comes alive with the Dole Race and the lush Hawaiian settings and early days of aviation and planes were equally vibrant backdrops to rival the characters and plot. Loved this women’s history adventure with a dash of romance and suspense and can’t recommend it enough to long time historical fiction lovers to those warily wondering if it’s for them.

I rec’d an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will be at Books of My Heart on Feb 7, 2024 for the tour hosted by Harlequin.