Review: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

Title: Nothing But Sky

Series: Standalone

Author: Amy Trueblood

Release date: March 27, 2018

Rating: 4.5 stars

SYNOPSIS

Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she's dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract.

No one’s ever questioned Grace’s ambition until Henry Patton, a mechanic with plenty of scars from the battlefield, joins her barnstorming team. With each new death-defying trick, Henry pushes Grace to consider her reasons for being a daredevil. Annoyed with Henry’s constant interference, and her growing attraction to him, Grace continues to test the powers of the sky.

After one of her risky maneuvers saves a pilot’s life, a Hollywood studio offers Grace a chance to perform at the Expo. She jumps at the opportunity to secure her future. But when a stunt goes wrong, Grace must decide whether Henry, and her life, are worth risking for one final trick.

Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2HXL3bZ

B&N: https://bit.ly/2HVOIHm

IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2ub8Vaj

About the Author

A devotee of reading and writing from a very young age, Amy Trueblood grew up surrounded by books. As the youngest of five children, she spent most of her time trying to find a quiet place to curl up with her favorite stories. After stints working in entertainment and advertising, she began writing her first manuscript and never looked back.

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REVIEW

Barnstormer Grace Lafferty was everything I could want in a heroine and more. She redefines the limits and roles of women in post-WW1 America with her inspiring strength and perseverance. One of her best qualities was her tenacity in the face of adversity. She had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously in her male-dominated field, yet she was always the one encouraging everyone to never give up. Even her own uncle doubted her abilities to pull off the death-defying stunts that she performed in The Soaring Eagles' show. Though honestly, you couldn't really blame the man for being protective of his niece. His heart was in the right place, and he only wanted to do right by her and her parents.

   No one knows the evils of war more than the men who’ve faced them.

Henry Patton is a talented mechanic and veteran of the Great War who's struggling to acclimate himself to civilian life. Injured and suffering from PTSD, he's a bit growly and prickly with Grace during their first meet. First impressions were not the greatest, and it set them on the wrong footing early on. What I loved about Henry was his respect and chivalry towards her even when they were at odds with one another. There was an old-fashioned wholesomeness in how they interacted that really transported me to another time. Ms. Trueblood's skill in setting the scene created such a realistic narrative. Her detail was impeccable: the music, clothing and hairstyles, speech patterns, and current events. It gave an authenticity to Nothing But Sky that readers look for in historical fiction. But I digress...back to our handsome fella Henry.

He was gallant. Supportive of Grace's aspirations. He hopes to own his own garage one day, and isn't afraid of working hard to get there. Taking a job for Grace's uncle is the first step in making his dream become a reality. My heart went out to sweet Henry for the emotional conflict he was going through. The battlefield had left an indelible mark on him, and there was a certain amount of shame that came with that. Henry eventually connected with the survivor in her; and respected her all the more because of it. It was only one of the things they found to have in common.

    “You said before that you thought I was brave, but after what happened to your family I believe you’re the one who is truly brave.” “Let’s not call it bravery. Perhaps we can think about it as pure survival.” “The will to live,” he added quietly.

Grace may be just eighteen, but she's already experienced enough tragedy and heartache for a lifetime. Being up in the air and soaring through the clouds is the one place where she's at peace. It's a place that feels like home after losing the only home she'd ever known. Now her one ambition in life is to make it to the World Aviation Expo in Chicago, where she'll compete for a coveted Hollywood contract. It means security for herself and the entire team. Without it, her future in barnstorming may end before it really started. Bad luck begins to plague the group, and after a horrible accident up in the air, Grace must learn to put her own

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this refreshing and feel-good story. The romance was quite nice, but it wasn't at the forefront of the story, which I was on board with. Grace and Henry had a gradual progression from friendship that felt really natural and solid. It took some time to get there, but when they did, they had some beautifully poignant moments. They both accepted each other just as they were and supported each other as equal partners. They were one of the sweetest couples I've read in quite a while.

    “Tell me the truth, Grace. Can I ever be enough for you?” Our lips hovered only inches apart. Our breaths synchronized in perfect time. “You already are.”

This is the kind of YA story that we need more of. A book with a positive message and empowering themes for women. Highly recommended!

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