I recently had the pleasure of reading a truly exceptional literary work that has left an indelible mark on my mind. This masterpiece is a testament to the author's skillful storytelling, weaving a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

From the opening pages, I was drawn into a world that was both familiar and yet, utterly unique. The author's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures with words that transported me to a realm that was both fantastical and grounded in reality. The characters that inhabit this world are multidimensional and relatable, with complexities that make them feel like old friends.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to tackle complex themes and ideas with nuance and sensitivity. The author tackles difficult subjects with a deft hand, never shying away from the tough questions, but instead, presenting them in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

The pacing of the book is expertly managed, with a narrative that flows effortlessly from one chapter to the next. The author's use of plot twists and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would happen next.

What truly sets this book apart, however, is its ability to evoke emotions. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering alongside the characters, invested in their journeys and outcomes. The author's writing is evocative, conjuring up feelings and sensations that linger long after the final page is turned.

In short, this book is a triumph. It is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, and a testament to the power of storytelling to transport, educate, and inspire. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was so much fun to read about the Pan Am stewardesses and the lives they lived. If, like me, you are old enough to remember when flying was much more glamorous, you will enjoy this greatly. It's not so much the story, but rather the lifestyle of the early 1960s. The story is fairly predictable and ordinarily that might cause me to give it just three stars, but I appreciated the research and the thought behind the book. I had Frank's voice in my ears the minute I read the title.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My generation is going to love it!

Well, I started reading this book last night, and finished this morning. I was absolutely enthralled by the story of Beverly and Judy.

As someone that was enamored with the thought of being a flight attendant (and yes I’m old enough to have called them stewardesses, a girl that still has her first TWA wings), the story was one that immediately peaked my interest.

Come Fly with Me was a lovely read that left me both with a smile on my face and heartbroken. A tale of love lost and of redemption.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

In the glamorous early days of flying, two very different women go through the rigorous interview and training process to attain the coveted position of stewardesses on Pan Am’s airline: one, a poor woman from rural Pennsylvania escaping an abusive marriage; the other, a wealthy New York socialite whose Wall Street dad cuts off her funding when he takes the job instead of marrying his college. Judy’s first-time flying is when he gets on a plane to go to Miami for training; Beverly has jetted multiple times, including to European locations. Judy is married, while Beverly is almost-engaged, and a virgin. Both pass with flying colors.

In spite of these differences, Judy and Beverly become friends, confidantes and roommates, each pursuing a love interest while learning their routes. It’s said most stewardesses leave the job after eighteen months, snagging a husband from the first-class manifest. Judy falls for her instructor, a former steward named Joe, during training; ever the gentleman, he flies six hours round trip just to have dinner with her. Beverly meets an Olympic hopeful doing his swimming training in Hawaii, and falls hard. Neither romance has any on-the-page consummation, but someone does end up pregnant…

Filled with wonderful historical details of the subjugation of women (regulation uniforms down to the lipstick brand and shade they were permitted to wear, regular weigh-ins, and strict rules around drinking, smoking, and overnight guests), di Mayo provides a well-researched and realistic story. Significant events of the time period help to set the context: concern around the escalation in Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the arrival of the Beatles in America. The technical details are equally fascinating, such as the challenging choreography of a jet’s approach to mountainous Hong Kong, seen through Judy’s eye from the cockpit when the kind pilot learns it’s her first time flying into the old Kai Tak airport.

Framed around Sinatra’s performance of “Come Fly With Me,” Judy and Beverly make a list of all the places from the song–and more–that they want to visit, and make a pact to visit Paris annually. The narrative opens with one of the two women (it’s not revealed until late in the novel) sitting on a beach, as promised, with the ashes of a lover. The story moves back and forth from the present day great-grandmother with cremated remains, and the alternating stories of Beverly and Judy. Neither voice is particularly distinctive from the other, in spite of their differences in class and geography, but the details of their lifestyles would help tell them apart if the chapters were not helpfully labeled. There are few in-air incidents, save a butt-groping; I had a sense from Ann Hood’s Fly Girl, a solid first-person account of working for TWA, that flight attendees are highly trained to act in an emergency, and di Mayo’s trainees are told there is at least one incident per flight, but we mostly see training and relationship drama.

I received a free advance reader’s copy of #ComeFlyWithMe via #NetGalley courtesy of #LakeUnionPublishing. The review will post to HLBB on 2/18/2025