Add These 9 Books to Your List

Sara Ackerman is the Hawai'i born, bestselling author of historical & contemporary novels set in the islands. Her books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” 

​If you haven't read her books yet, you are missing out!

THE SHARK HOUSE
An atmospheric exploration of the intricate/fragile dance between humans and sharks, set against a backdrop of stunning Hawaiian landscapes and deep-sea danger, The Shark House is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world—and of the courage to face what lies within.

Dive in, if you dare.

A BookBub "Best Books Coming This Winter” and ‘Most Anticipated’ in People

THE GUEST IN ROOM 120
From USA Today bestselling author Sara Ackerman comes a spellbinding dual-timeline novel set at Honolulu’s iconic Moana Hotel, where a real-life mysterious death in 1905 collides with a writer’s search for the truth one hundred years later. For fans of Ariel Lawhon and Fiona Davis.

A Zibby's Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2025! A BookBub Most Anticipated Mystery & Thriller of Fall 2025! A SheReads Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Fall 2025!

THE MAUI EFFECT
A dazzling romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Sara Ackerman.

In this thunderous love story, we travel deep into the Maui rainforest and hop across the globe from Hawai'i to California to Portugal, chasing waves the size of nine-story buildings—where the unthinkable is always just one breath away.

THE UNCHARTED FLIGHT OF OLIVIA WEST
This extraordinary novel, inspired by real events, tells the story of a female aviator who defies the odds to embark on a daring air race across the Pacific.

“In her whip-smart sixth novel, Sara Ackerman takes readers on one woman's hair-raising aerial journey from California to Hawaii, and on another's quest to uncover a piece of lost aviation history. . . . Vivid, insightful, and as fast-paced as Livy's beloved plane, Ackerman's narrative is a delight for fans of aviation, historical fiction, and strong women.” —Shelf Awareness

THE CODEBREAKER’S SECRET
A brilliant female codebreaker. An “unbreakable” Japanese naval code. A pilot on a top-secret mission that could change the course of WWII. The Codebreaker's Secret is a dazzling story of love and intrigue set during America’s darkest hour.

Another top historical novel by Ackerman.” —Booklist (starred)

RADAR GIRLS
An extraordinary story inspired by the real Women’s Air Raid Defense, where an unlikely recruit and her sisters-in-arms forge their place in WWII history.

An Amazon Editor’s Pick!

"A fresh, delightful romp of a novel."—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

RED SKY OVER HAWAII
Inspired by real places and events of WWII, Red Sky Over Hawaii immerses the reader in a time of American history full of suspicion and peril in this lush and poignant tale about the indisputable power of doing the right thing against all odds.

"With effortless prose, Ackerman skillfully navigates the early days of WWII with captivating characters bonded by circumstance… a beautiful and thoughtful novel that pays tribute to the lore of the islands, their people, and those who stand up for the ones who cannot."
–Noelle Salazar, bestselling author of The Flight Girls 

THE LIEUTENANT’S NURSE
Set in the vibrant tropical surroundings of the Pacific, The Lieutenant’s Nurse is an evocative, emotional WWII story of love, friendship and the resilient spirit of the heroic nurses of Pearl Harbor.

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER

ISLAND OF SWEET PIES AND SOLDIERS
"Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is part mystery and part history. The setting of Hawaii during the expansion of WWII into the Pacific theater is uniquely captivating. A must-read historical fiction, an emotional and evocative story of an era not so long ago when war was literally on our doorstep. Don't miss this impressive debut novel!" --Readertoreader.com

"A bittersweet story of cinematic proportions." --Bookpage