GIRLS OF FLIGHT CITY - Lorraine Heath
A Novel of WWII, The RAF, and Texas
William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-307853-6
April 2022
Historical Fiction

Terrence, Texas - 1941

Jessie Lovelace misses her dad immensely. Not only was she his favorite, but he had taught her everything he knew about flying. Along with her twin brother, Jack, who is serving with the Royal Air Force in England fighting the Germans, there is very little Jessie doesn't know about flying. But with her father's death, the small airport he and his brother owned is being sold and will be converted into a flight training facility for the British. The United States is not involved in the war in Europe, it is, however, committed to helping its closest ally. Jessie is determined to be involved with this new project.

Despite the reluctance of the new manager, he does hire Jessie and another woman pilot, her friend Rhonda to run the flight simulators for the newly arrived British airmen. Jessie's mother opens her house to the new senior officer, Wing Commander Royce Ballinger. He and Jessie strike up a friendship as they work together to prepare the airport for the influx of young potential pilots from Britain. He backs some of Jessie's suggestions to the manager, and soon, it's clear that he respects Jessie's knowledge, and flight experience. 

With the arrival of the students, Jessie and her younger sister, Kitty, work, each in their own way, to make them feel at home. Kitty convinces locals to organize a dance, and she begins interviewing the men for a school project. Jessie and Rhonda begin working with the cadets in the simulators, hoping that they will be prepared enough for the actual cockpit of a plane. With the departure of one of the male instructors, though, and the encouragement of Royce, Jessie is hired in the instructor's place. 

Based on true events, GIRLS OF FLIGHT CITY is indicative of how much the United States ended up depending on the skill of women pilots for various duties during World War II. Jessie's vast experience, and confidence in the cockpit aided a multitude of young men learn the ins and outs of flying and navigating. With the grudging acceptance of the men in charge, she showed her versatility, as well as her ability to make quick judgement calls. Jessie, her sister, and her friend, Rhonda embrace the newly arrived cadets, trying to make their lives away from home a little better. But sometimes emotions can get in the way. And life gets much more complicated as the year 1941 comes to a close. 

Great writing, well rounded characters, and excellent research make GIRLS OF FLIGHT CITY a terrific read. 

Jani Brooks