Spy by Danielle Steel takes readers through the life of Alex Wickham. When England entered the war, Alex joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomancy in London where she drove lorries. Alex knew French and German fluently which is how she captured the eye of the newly organized Special Operations Executive (SOE). Alex becomes a secret agent who goes on dozens of missions to aid England during the war. When the war ends, Alex finds a new way to serve her country. We follow Alex from London to India, Moscow, Morocco, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Washington D.C. I find Spy to be a captivating story that is rich in historical detail from World War II to India gaining its independence from the United Kingdom to the cold war in Moscow. Danielle Steel did a superb job on the research for this book. The historical details enrich the Spy and really bring it to life. I felt like I was there with Alex. Alex Wickham was a developed character who was intelligent, strong and lovely. I became engrossed in Spy which moved along at a fast pace. It is a realistic and emotional story. There are life’s normal high and low’s as well as the travesties that come from war. I like Danielle Steel’s writing style which makes a story engaging and easy to read. Spy has family, friendship, love, grief, adventure and secrets. I like where the author took the story plus the charming ending. Spy is fascinating tale with secret agents, exploding bombs, undercover missions, political uprisings, and surprising secrets.

I usually don’t enjoy historical fiction but Spy was a wonderful book. Danielle Steel can make any type of story enjoyable.
Alex ends up being a spy during World War II . This story takes you through sorrow and happiness ,it takes you on an emotional roller coaster of feelings which is typical of Steel’s novels
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC for my honest review.

So happy Danielle Steel wrote this WWII historical fiction book -- reminded me of The Ring (1980)!! You will fall in love with Alex and her story. Nobody writes a first chapter like Danielle. She knows how to tell a story covering decades in less than 300 words!!

Probably one of the most through books I’ve ever read starting in WWII. I absolutely loved following Alex from the time she was ‘presented’ to the royal court to all throughout her life as an SOE agent and eventually an MI6 agent, to finishing up with her in her 80’s! What a fantastic adventurous life! I hardly could put this book down with all her interesting spy missions, even the tame ones were adventurous! You really get to watch Alex mature from a young headstrong lady to a beautiful supportive grandmother with grandchildren who in their own way are very much like her! Definitely a strong five stars from me!

While competently written, and carefully executed, “Spy” felt too shallow and summary for its potential. Alex’s story had the potential to be so much more exciting, with her adventures during World War II and its aftermath. As she and her husband travelled as diplomats, I felt like I was being given an outline, rather than being invited into their lives to share the adventure

I have admittedly not read a Danielle Steel book in many years, and though I enjoy reading Historical Fiction novels, SPY didn’t tick off all the boxes for me. The first part of the book takes place during World War II, wherein the main character, Alexandra Wickham, is hired to be a Spy for the SOE; meager wages for the danger she faces, but to be paid more would raise suspicion.

It’s for the love of her country – the survival and freedom of England – that gives reason to why young Alex would risk her own life as a Spy, and for that, I admire her. It is during the first half of the novel that these scenes, wherein Alex put into harm’s way for a cause more important than her well-being, that felt glossed over, and more so in the second half of the book after the war, which felt more like a telling of events than an engaging story.

Did I love, SPY? No. Am I going to read more of Danielle Steel’s books? Of course! I believe there are at least three or four Steel novels scheduled to release at the beginning of next year, and I’m looking forward to reading them.

Thank you, NetGalley and Delacorte Press, for letting me borrow an advance copy (eBook) of SPY in exchange for an honest review.

Spy is by far one of Danielle Steel’s best novels yet, and there are so many already at the five star ranking level! Being a fan of Danielle Steel, as well as the WWII fiction genre, I was intrigued and excited when I read the summary of her newest novel, knowing it would be one I just had to read and I would enjoy.

Strong independent women hold the position as the main characters in Steel’s novels, and Alex Wickham embraces this role with ease. What I love most about her character more than many of the others in previous novels is that she feels more down to earth and relatable, and her personality is easier to accept and bond to. I loved reading about her and because the the book was so expertly well-written, I breezed through the book in just a few days. Highly recommended, I loved loved loved it!

First, the cover is gorgeous! In my younger years, Danielle Steel was a go to author for me. I have not read her books for years, and when I saw that her new book, Spy, was about a woman spy, Alex, during WWII and what happened to her after the war, I thought this book was for me as I love WW II historical fiction. Something just did not connect for me. I felt like this was a summary. This book covered too big a time period without enough depth. It is a very short book for the time period covered. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Of course Danielle Steele has done it again and with a very different take on this one. I have not read too many historical romance novels from Danielle Steel but this one proves that she has a wide variety of genre's that she can write. I thought this one was very well thought out and planned and kept your attention very well.

Alexandra decided as a young woman that she was going to volunteer when the war broke out because her two brothers joined the war and she wanted to do something as well. Alexandra is content to drive ambulances back and forth as they needed her too. She was content with her work as long as she felt she was doing something to help the war efforts.

Both of Alexandra's brothers are pilots in the war and that scares and worries her for them. Once day she gets word that one of her brother's has been shot down and did not make it. Now with it being just the two kids left, Alexandra is still determined to volunteer and her other brother is still determined to fly like he had done previously. They both set out after their leave for their brother's memorial determined to do all they can in their brother's name and not knowing when they might see each other again.

After returning to her position, Alexandra is summoned to an important office for official business. Since Alexandra is fluent in two other languages, she is asked if she would consider being a spy for the war efforts. Alexandra never thought that she would be offered such a prestigious job and knows that she is going to have to keep her position covered up which in turn means a lot of lies that she is going to have to tell to the ones she cares about. Is she willing to do that?

In the meantime Alexandra has started talking to Richard and knows that she will have to cover what she is doing and lie to him about not being able to meet him sometimes when she is called away at a moments notice. Will their relationship be able to withstand all of that? Alex has a big decision to make but it does not take her but a night to make up her mind and she decides that she is ready to take on the position. From here in the story, we get to go along with Alex on some of her secret missions and see how she handles her job. I loved seeing how Alex was so professional about everything and handled herself so very well.

You will not regret picking up this book to read. This is truly one of Danielle Steele's at her finest. I was sad when the story of Alex and Richard came to an end. I could have read about them for days.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

What a wonderful look into World War II and what the women would have done to survive the long war. After the war ends and Alexandra is married the story follows her and her family through the decades and various counties as her husband is in the Foreign Office. I've read Danielle Steel for years and years and this seems to be different from the rest of her books. She's written historical stories before, but this seems deeper to me. I truly enjoyed reading it, so much that I didn't want to put it down.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was given an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. This is another great story from Danielle Steel. It chronicals the life of Alexandra Wickham from when England is at war. She is a beautiful women who is fluent in French, German and of course English, which draws the attention of the secret agency. The story follows her adventures through her life all over the world, and how she has to keep her secret hidden. A great read!

Danielle Steel was the first grownup book I ever read.I don’t remember the name of the book but I know I had my nose buried in it for a whole day.Now I’m in my 40’s and Ms Steel still has that hold on me.
This was a wonderful romp through history.This book follows the life of Alexandra Wickham starting from her being a spy in World War II through her travels with her husband to many countries where she continues reporting to MI6. Love the history of each place she travels to whether it’s war or peacetime in that country.
Absolutely wonderful book.
Thankyou Netgalley for an ARC

I really loved this book. I haven't read much Danielle Steele, but she is a great writer who really made her character come alive. Alexandra is a good girl from a wealthy family who wants to be involved somehow in WWII. She goes to London and becomes a spy. She worked in India, Moscow, Washington D.C. and more cities across the globe during her illustrious career.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC of this book inexchange for an honest review.

I Loved this book by Danielle Steel and it will be another blockbuster, as Danielle Steel knows how to write a novel that touches the nerve of raw emotion.

Alex grew up in a priviledged home with all of the fancy trimmings, but she felt she still needed to do her part in the war effort to help save her native England.

As she volunteers and heads to London, she demonstrates that she is willing to do anything to help the cause and puts her heart and soul into her assignments.

She has proven herself trustworthy, and she is asked if she would be interested in being a spy and going on extremely dangerous missions.

She agrees to the secrecy and follows all of the rules and talks to no one about her life threatening trips, even when she meets a pilot named Richard, whom she falls head over heels for, the secrecy vow must be kept.

Panic strickes when Richard is shot down, and no one knows all of the details or the outcome of the pilot.

My favorite part?? Is when she puts on the act of a femme fatale to get information from the German high ups, and they fall into her hands.

Years ago I took a tour through East Berlin passing through Check Point Charlie, after that tour, I realized exactly what freedom was all about, and the burned out buildings in Berlin, left as a reminder.

Read this book for yourself and imagine all the risks that were taken so people could return safely to their homes

Buy some copies for gifts, and the recipient will not be disappointed

Also posting on Goodreads.

Alex, a woman from an important British family who later marries Richard, who later becomes an Ambassador, actually works first for the SOE and then for MI6. The first half is about her work during WWII and the second is more or less vignettes set in world capitals where she serves with her husband. This is a short novel which could have (should have) been much longer. That said, this is very much classic Steel- the romance is more important than the espionage work but that's ok. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For Steel fans.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts This is Danielle Steel so really what do you expect other than greatness? Danielle Steel has been around for what seems like forever and I have read most of her books. Ms Steel has a way of not just pulling you into a story but walking you softly with sweet words until you are so entranced that you can’t remember anything but what is going on in her story. Well it is the same with this one.

In this one Alexandra is an aristocrat who comes from a good family and expects nothing more than to be a wife and mother. But then WWII begins and everything changes. She soon by chance becomes a spy for the country and her adventures really begin.

There are only a couple of authors that as I read make me wish I could jump through the pages and visit the area. And Danielle Steel is one of them. Her heroine’s are always someone women can relate to. And there is always a touch of romance. But more so is the scenery, the historical information, the ambience that make you want to jump on a plane and visit the sites.

Another incredible read from Danielle Steel.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Spy by Danielle Steel is a World War II historical fiction novel that covers the thrilling life of one young British aristocrat that completely changed her future when the war hit England. The book spans across decades following it’s main character, Alexandra Wickham, through her adventurous lifetime.

Alexandra came from a loving family with her two older brothers and parents who only wanted the best for her which of course in her time meant a good marriage. However, in 1939 when Alexandra should be thinking marriage and family the war hits the country and she finds herself leaving her home outside of the city to head directly into London to volunteer in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry as her brothers both head to war themselves.

As Alexandra got to London she was quickly noticed by a man who enlisted her to come train as a spy for her country when it was found she had an ear for languages and could speak several fluently. It quickly became apparent that Alexandra was extremely good at the missions and she became a huge asset as the war raged on.

Again I was given the opportunity to read the latest Danielle Steel novel and again I came away impressed with the story and how quickly I was caught up in history and the life of a WWII spy. One thing that always stands out to me as someone who prefers to switch things up and read different types of books is just how vastly different Danielle Steel’s novels can be but then again there is always an brewing relationship mixed into the story to keep them grounded somewhat the same way. This one was a fast paced historical with all the ups and downs of emotion and action one could want that I flew right through.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

In the years before WWII Alex Wickham was presented at court. When war started she became a volunteer ambulance driver in London....this is her story and of her 30 years as a spy....6 years with the SOE during the war and 24 years with MI6, as a diplomat's wife and a mother.
Meticulously researched this is an interesting look at dangerous time in history. I especially enjoyed reading about her years in the SOE. Unfortunately the second half of the book was a bit dry and almost read as a history textbook. I did enjoy her husband Richard's reaction when after 30 years she was finally able to tell him what she had been doing the whole time.
I haven't read a Danielle Steel book in a long time...in fact I was surprised to see that she had written an historical fiction book, so that when I saw it offered by Netgalley I was excited when I was accepted to receive an early copy to read and review. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially WWII and the Cold War years I recommend this book.

Really enjoyed this one - it had just the right amount of historical fiction woven into Steel fiction (at this point, I've given the author her own genre) to take it a half a step above what I've come to expect from Danielle Steel. Loved all of the characters and their storylines. Alex was a fun character to get to know, and the different geographical settings gave it another extra boost. I was pretty impressed with how much was covered in a relatively short book, without feeling like I got cheated out of necessary information. And I really enjoyed the wrap up ending. Definitely recommended for any fan of Danielle Steel, and I think this is a great starter book for anyone just introduced to her writing.

Danielle Steel’s new novel, Spy, opens with Alexandra Wickham and her family anticipating the start of World War II in Great Britain. When war does break out, her two brothers join the Royal Air Force and Alex goes to London to volunteer for the war effort. Shortly after she meets a RAF fighter pilot commander, Richard, that she is interested in, Alex is recruited to be a spy for the SOE. No one, including her family and Richard, can know that she is a spy and she agrees not to tell anyone for at least 20 years. Alex’s missions are behind enemy lines, mostly in Germany and occupied France. While she sometimes gets caught in tricky situations, Alex always manages to escape unharmed and make it safely back to England. After the war ends, Alex and Richard marry. Now that his military career is over, Richard decides to enter the diplomatic corps for his country. Alex is once again recruited to be a spy, this time for MI6. Over the course of the next 30 years, Richard and Alex are sent to posts in India, Pakistan, Morocco, Hong Kong, Moscow, and Washington D. C. After their years of service to their country, Richard and Alex retire back in England.

Spy is a really good piece of historical fiction. It is obvious that Danielle Steel always does a lot of research in order to get the facts correct in novels such as this one. I felt as if I was getting a good history lesson while also enjoying the storyline of the book. As in most Danielle Steel novels, I found myself invested in the main character and wanting to find out what would happen next. I do wish that there had been more detail given about some of Alex’s missions during the war. I believe the additional detail would have made her missions seem more dangerous and kept me more on the edge of my seat, so to speak. Also, I wish there had been more detail given about Richard and Alex’s activities in their different diplomatic assignments. Again, I think this detail would have made it more interesting. But, I also understand that there is a delicate balance between too much and not enough detail, especially when that will affect the length of the book. I’m sure there is an optimum book length that authors and publishers must aim for to ensure that the book does well. Overall, this was a very good story that I enjoyed reading. I am becoming a bigger fan of historical fiction, as I feel that I am learning history while enjoying the plot of the book. I would definitely recommend this book, as it offers the historical facts in addition to Danielle Steel’s rich character development.