The Secret Agent by Elisabeth Hobbes’ historical fiction is set in World War II occupied France and exciting from the first pages. Horrifying scenes and fast paced thrills are the norm in this story. As expected there are many sorrows in this war story with a few happy moments. The main character Sylvie seemed more focused on romance rather than on the war effort. I thought this book at times lacked some details, depth and feeling. However overall it was an enjoyable story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars

I enjoyed this book although it did take a little while for me to really get into the story.
Sylvie (Sylvia) Duchene is an SOE operative working with the resistance as undercover dancer in a small village in France. Her story is told through her past and present life.
Sylvie is all alone in the world but finally feels like she is part of a family in France. Her work is dangerous but she is prepared to do what it takes to ensure the Nazis don’t win.
There is romance, drama and tension as Sylvie’s work as a spy becomes more and more involved.
An enjoyable read.

The Secret Agent is a amazing book to read. I could not put this book down. There are surprises on each and every page. I would give this a higher rating than 5 it was that good. A must read and can't wait to read her next book.

I am giving this book 3.5 stars.

This sweet, dark war romance is an excellent read for someone who enjoys historical fiction.

The story tells of a young woman, Sylvie, entering her first career mission as an operative spy for the English overseas in France. Sylvie is excited and ready to start the next chapter of her career as a secret agent for England. But being stationed in a part of France that is controlled by the German army will be tough.

The beginning was slow, and the writing was a little off for me. I found it hard to get into at first and feel for the characters.

After a short time, the story’s drama starts to develop, and we see a lot more action and romance. Once the drama unfolds, it is hard to put this one down!

The romantic story between Sylvie and Felix is so heartfelt and passionate.

I have said this before, but I enjoy an ending that will answer any questions I would have. This ending left me wondering about a couple of things, and I wish I would have gotten the answers. That's just my preference.

I received a free ARC of this book through Netgalley.
A classic historical novel of a woman working for the French Resistance during WWII. She might be a spy, but she's still a woman who carries all the baggage of spending her childhood without a father, her mother dying, and now she has committed to doing whatever is necessary to help win the war. Nothing really groundbreaking that hasn't been down in other similar type novels, but it was written well and kept my interest.

An exciting spy romance set during World War II in France. Our heroine Sylvie Duchene has trained relentlessly for this opportunity. She is essentially alone in the world. No family as her mother passed away and no significant other. Sylvie's story is narrated by her past and her present during the war effort. Her upbringing of her mother was not your typical family. Sylvie was brought up in the dancing arena and is pivotal in her mission.

Her undercover is a dancer where German officers frequent. Working undercover, you have to determine friend or foe pretty quick. With the tension of the German army, being found out, being noticed, Sylvie works thru the hurdles. When she wasn't expecting to find love in war torn France, her mission becomes that more intensified.

Lot of cat and mouse in the war and love department of this novel. I think that kept the plot going for me. How would it all play out! Pleasant read!

A special thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest revie

Sylvie, a member of the Resistence, captivated my heart in this WWII historical fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her bloom into the woman her mother dreamed her to be. Elisabeth Hobbes eloquently wove Sylvie’a past and present together to help weave Sylvie into the readers heart.

I think this story was more of a romance and coming of age story than historical fiction. While this books main characters are part of the WWII Resistance, I felt the story lacked depth to the historical portion for it to suck me into that era. I did still love it. Sylvie found how she could be herself while on the stage at Mirabelle’s. She also found the love of her life. I found myself smiling when Sylvie finally decided to take the plunge and stop fighting her attractions.

If you are looking for a lighter WWII historical fiction, this is it. There’s less “war” and more “romance” and it kept me so engaged. Great read! 5 out of 5 stars for me.

The premise of The Secret Agent is well-framed and articulated, although it reads much more as romance than historical fiction.
Felix and Sylvie's positions in the Resistance contrive the circumstances for their physical encounters, and their eventual relationship.
Other characters complete the setting of French patriots risking all to end the Nazi occupation and to reclaim their freedom. However, faithful readers of historical fiction will find specific and descriptive detail lacking.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Secret Agent.

A beautiful historical novel describing the plight of a brave young woman willing to put her own life at risk for the sake of saving other during the dark days of WWII. So beautifully written!

My name is Sylvie Duchene, and I am a dancer’
When Sylvie was a little girl, she lived with her mother who is a dancer in a troupe in France. Moving from town to town and hotel to hotel but she loved the life she lived and wanted to follow in her mother footsteps. Her mother though wanted a better life for her. She never knew her father.
When her mother died, she meets her father for the first time an Englishman. Who whisks her away to England to live with him and his wife. She has a strict upbringing but longs to go back to France to be free from the restraints she is living in. So, when her father dies, she gets her chance and wants to do her bit for the war. She joins the S.O.E. and returns to France as a dancer as part of her cover for the Resistance, to gather any information for the war.
The Secret agent by Elisabeth Hobbes is part historical, part love story and the first book from the author I have read. This is an engaging tale of the bravery and sacrifes that women and men made in Resistance in WW2. The story is richly described especially about the beautiful area of Nantes in France. You felt that you where there. The story is well paced, and I enjoyed the back stories of the characters especially the protagonist Sylvie and how she came to be. I really enjoyed this, and I hope you will be too. 5 stars from me.

A very interesting novel about the role of women working as spies in the war. I like it how it was also a romance and you don't expect romance in this kind of novel. I would have liked more history however and more on the setting and background of the time. That didn't spoil the story though as I really found it interesting, unique and I felt I learned more about the SOE and the dangers these women and men faced.

This was a unique premise with a solid follow-through. I enjoyed reading from the perspective of the main character and found her interesting and entertaining. The time jumps were easy to keep up with and added depth to the development of the story. The plot progressed at a steady pace but I found myself caring more about Sylvie that everything else seemed to fall away, the signs of good writing. Although I would have liked to see more of a focus on the general historical social-context at the time, I think Hobbes did a good job at keeping everything relevant and linked. Overall, I think it was a wonderful novel with exciting twists and a satisfying ending.

I usually love WW2 books but this story just didn’t hold my attention. More of a love story and too much jumping between past and present that took away from the book. I love the idea of the storyline and how it showed the danger of the Resistance and the sacrifices people in it made during that time. Just wasn’t for me. Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.

I really enjoy reading historical fiction and I thought that this story was interesting and informative. The role of the Resistance was really important in World War 2. It was interesting to read about it and the the dangerous work they did. The characters are well described and it was easy to visualise them. Some of them are colourful and likeable. I sat up through the night reading this book and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is a really enjoyable book. I love a good historical novel particularly those set in the Second World 2. This story brings home the devastation of war but also the important role that the resistance played in fighting the war from within and the brave roles that both women and men played in bringing the ward to an end. There is also a strong romantic element to this book, whilst not always a fan of romance, this is written well and fits well with historical story.

Thank you to Elisabeth Hobbes, Harper Collins and Net Galley for the ARC of THE SECRET AGENT
I've often wonder how young women found the bravery to go across enemy lines and secretly deliver messages and become involved in the resistance. I found Elisabeth Hobbes novel compelling but I believe it only scratched the surface of what people serving in the SOE faced. It takes a very special person to turn down the relative safety of deciphering and translating messages to travel into an occupied territory and work against the enemy. I like Sylvie very much; admire her chutzpah. I championed Sylvie and wanted her to survive and find love with Felix. I wanted to feel scared when I read about what she was asked to do to further the cause and knew her 'friendship' with Dieter would only end in tears. The ending was very satisfying. A very enjoyable read.

A heartbreaking story of the sacrifices made by the young women of the S.O.E. This tells of the love of country risked lives and a very sad ending that leaves you wondering why were so many thrown into the lair of the beast.

This was a moving book about a British Spy who lived in France during WWII. Sylvie grew up in France with her mother who was a dancer. They moved from town to town, living in hotels and never settling in one place. Sylvie never knew her father until her mother passed away and she was whisked to England to a completely different life. She returned to France as an adult working as a dancer while helping the resistance. When tragedy struck and she was forced to leave France unexpectedly she left behind the man who she loved. This is a lovely romantic novel with the added suspense of being a spy. The characters are easy to like and easy to picture in my mind. The story flows nicely even with some jumping from England to France. It is a quick read so perfect for a flight or a night curled up with a cup of tea or wine and a warm Val let. Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for giving me this ARC to read.

The Dancer

Sylvie grew up with her mother and traveling with the dance troupe through France. When her mother passed she went to live with her father and stepmother in England. When her father died she decided to work for the war effort. She joined the S.O.E. British Special Ops and traveled to France. Her cover was a dancer in a nightclub, her mission was to gain the trust of the German officers in the nightclub and pass information on to the British network.

The story is exciting as her life is often in danger from her activities with the French Resistance. She becomes a valued member and her job becomes more and more important as it becomes more dangerous. As her value grows as an agent so does her romance with fellow resistance member Felix.

I loved the characters and the closeness family type feeling of the members of the club and the dancers. The romance with Felix was a bit more graphic than what I like, but no more so than many romances I have encountered in other WWII books I have read. It seems that in time of danger and trouble everyone needs someone to cling to and to forger the ugliness of war.

I liked the ending and especially with Marcel and Louise as well as Felix and Sylvie. It was a good story, moved at a fast pace and kept me reading. I would recommend it .

Thanks to Elisabeth Hobbes, Harper Collins, U.K., One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.