I have seen enough romance in the last year watching lockdown TV with my Mum to know that writing stridently feminist romance is difficult. The classic set up of the genre is fight, a flirt, a falling-out and a finale - and in all four of those stages there is often the temptation to use it to reduce the agency of the lead. In Hallmark Christmas movies that is usually the point when the architect/lawyer/journalist realises they have their priorities wrong, and actually wants the annoying single dad who lives in Christmas Indiana, even though the town has no buildings/law or newspaper to work at. The Aviatrix is a full blooded romance above all, but wants to ensure that its lead Mattie is first and foremost striving against the challenges of her period to become a stunt flyer.

There is plenty of wish fulfilment here but again this is a romance, things don't have to end in misery and despair, a well fought happy ending is fine. And the world of flying circuses (the term did come from somewhere), and aviatrixes are all real - I watch enough silent films to know that it more than just a novelty. The book does well to summon up the twenties, as roaring as you like. Perhaps I found some of the psychology a bit simplistic, the minor impediment to the actual romance of childhood friends turns out to be relatively weak sauce - though plenty of books have hung on equally simplistic "secrets". What is central to the book is the understanding that the relationship has to be a partnership, and there is some very nice work done about making that point without being didactic.

I really rather enjoyed the Aviatrix as a read in the sun. Marsh manages to evoke the freedom of flying and the excitement of being a daredevil - particularly when its not expected. She also manages to conjure up a diverse bunch of female flyers and mechanics (whilst the touches upon race in the book are simplistic, they are not downplayed - though with this many women together I was a little surprised not to see a similar reach out to LGBTQ representation). Yes it is broad, I'm sure the villain even twirls his moustache at one point, but that is kind of the point. Its a romance yes, but the real winner is the protagonist succeeding in everything against the odds,

I loved it, though I've never read this author before. History and a good story is always a good combination for me. Well done by the author.