To Fly on Broken Wings

Author: Fayla Ott
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 350
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Publisher: Heritage House Publishing

Mississippi Delta, 1941

Lila Rose never expected life to offer her more than the quiet rhythm of cotton fields and small-town whispers. Raised in poverty and caring for an alcoholic father, she's learned not to hope for much.Then she meets Graham, a young pilot from one of Mississippi's wealthiest families. Their unlikely love changes everything.

But when war tears them apart and Graham is reported killed in action, Lila believes the future she'd dreamed of has died with him. Determined to move forward, she remarries and begins building a new life.

Until Graham comes home.

Now the man she buried in her heart is standing before her, and the life she's fought to rebuild hangs in the balance. Faced with an impossible choice between the love she lost and the promises she's made, Lila must discover whether faith can guide her when every path leads to heartbreak.
To Fly on Broken Wings is a moving Christian historical novel about love, loss, impossible choices, and the quiet courage to trust God when the path ahead is anything but clear.

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

This is a wonderful book! My emotions were all over the place. There were some very sad times, and some good times. The ending was neither happy nor sad but a place in between. A place filled with hope and grace.

The characters are relatable and genuine. I was invested in their "lives" and I hope that the author writes another book that offers closure for a few characters. Lila is a "person" that I have mixed feelings about. She often made decisions that baffled me. On the flip side of that, she's compassionate, kind and loyal. Graham also made decisions that baffled me. He often thought that his decisions wouldn't affect people the way that they did. Nate is the one for whom my heart breaks. He's a nice, dependable guy and his heart gets trampled on time after time.

One of the themes that resonated with me is that God is faithful. Horrible things can happen: people die, relationships crumble and some seasons last forever. But, .."God who carried them through every season they thought would surely break them." He is faithful every day, in every season, forever.

I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of the book from the author through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Just letting y’all know that I loved this book very much. This quote is very true, and I agree wholeheartedly with it.

“Reckon a man better enjoy something like that. Ain’t no use risking your neck over something you hate. That’s how I see it.”

Here’s another good quote:

“Seems like mamas and daddies spend half their lives making plans for their children, and the children spend the other half making plans of their own.”

I just finished this wonderful story, and it broke my heart, but it also tells the truth about one’s heart.

It might not be that day, but sometime in the future, Lila knew he’d ask about everything that happened during the war. When he did, they would tell him a story of love, loss, impossible grace, and the God who had carried them through every season they thought would surely break them. For now, his laughter was enough.

I loved this story so very much! I just finished it. I believe this is a story full of truths, some hurtful, some told with love, and some about how people move on even when we’re not ready for them to.

Love is strong. Even through the tough times.

My heart broke for Nate, but I believe God put him there for a reason. I loved getting to know him, which is why my heart hurt for him. I loved how forgiveness fits into this precious story of love.

I’m giving this story 5 stars for keeping me turning the pages and for a job well done.

I believe that this book will resonate with me for a long time.

I hate war and everything about it. I wish it didn’t have to happen, but I wanted to thank these wonderful men and women for their service.

I received a complimentary ebook from Heritage House Publishing through NetGalley for my honest opinion. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

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