I was so intrigued by this book being about the real person the character Miss Moneypenny is based on. Add to this a novel about women working to add the fight against Germany in WWII and I just had to read it.

Within these pages is a story about two women, Victoria “Paddy” Bennett and Friedl Stottinger. Each playing a part in the war effort, with one of the character’s paths being much clearer to the reader which side they are on.

Paddy will play a role in a risky plot to deceive the Germans. As her role moves her deeper and deeper into he plan, she risks losing everything. She battles within herself about how far she should let things go.

Friedl is tasked with working with a Serbian agent. She is faced with a decision which will require her to place her loyalty with one side or the other. Regardless of which side she chooses, there will be consequences.

Eventually Paddy and Friedl will cross paths. Their work and deception has far-reaching consequences for the war.

What a fascinating story! I loved learning the story behind a well-known fictional character. It was so interesting to learn another way women played an important role in the fight against the Germans.

I love the way Christine Wells crafts characters and stories that draw the reader in from the very beginning. Her extensive research is very evident in her stories and the fictional element combines with history to make for a great story.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Uplit Reads and William Morrow. All views are my honest opinion.

This was a fascinating novel. I read another one of this authors books, and I enjoyed this one more. I really enjoy the James Bond films and to read and learn about the real Miss Moneypenny was so interesting. I enjoyed the dual time lines of this historical fiction novel and I look forward to this authors next book!

Thank you to uplit reads for my gifted copy!

Thank you to @uplitreads and @williammorrowbooks for a digital ARC and ALC through @netgalley

While I’m not much of a James Bond enthusiast, I was very intrigued by this historical fiction based on the woman who inspired the Miss Moneypenny character. I can not imagine what it would have been like to lie to everyone close to her, even her husband in order to fulfill her duty. I continue to be amazed at how much I learn about WWII even after the amount of historical fiction I’ve read on the subject.

Maybe it was just my mood when I read One Woman's War, but I just couldn't get into the story or like the characters much. I also think it needed more action / spy scenes instead of so much behind the scenes of it all.

Fans of Kate Quinn would enjoy this one or serious fans of the James Bond series, which I'm only mildly interested in.

This was a slog for me, until the final 30%. I didn’t lose myself in either Paddy or Friedl’s stories (and yes there were two, despite what the title implies), and had trouble keeping the two different narratives straight. Perhaps had I been an avid Bond/Fleming fan I might have enjoyed it more.

𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟’𝕤 𝕎𝕒𝕣 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ✨

Out Now! 🕵🏼‍♀️

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 💭:
What a fun, fast paced, page turner of a 📖. Wells takes us on a journey into a world of espionage, double agents, top secret missions and follows two bad a$$ ladies during WWII.

Life in England was tough during the war but the women (and men) that worked for the Intelligence division still brought the glitz, glam and rebellion.

The story follows two women protagonists, Friedl easily became my favorite as she was all the glitz and glam!

Wells also depicted the real life Miss Moneypenny and .007 flawlessly.

The book literally pulled me in 📖 and I felt like I was part of this espionage mission 🕵🏼‍♀️.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁: 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝘆 🕵🏼‍♀️

Thank you so much @uplitreads for my #gifted copy and having me on this tour!

More espionage than historical fiction, this is an excellent novel for those wanting to give historical fiction a try! I really enjoyed the story of the real Miss Moneypenny!

My one piece of advice is to not devour this book. I did, and at times, I got the two POVs mixed up because there are sort of similar. You get Paddy’s perspective (Miss Moneyponey) as she works in the British Intelligence office, and Friedl as she works as a double agent.

Both women are bada$$, but I felt more drawn to Paddy’s storyline. I loved that she went into the field to help deceive the Germans with a ridiculous but daring plot.

It kept a steady pace with lots of action (which y’all know I love)! The author’s note in the back is always one of my favorite parts to see what was real and what was embellished for the story. This was based on a real operation that I’d never heard about!

This novel is based on the real life "Miss Moneypenny" from the James Bond novels. Ian Fleming is a character in the book, but sadly, you don't get to know him very well at all. The premise of this novel had great potential. Despite the title "One Woman's War, the novel has two main female characters. The first, "Paddy," is an interesting story of how a typical London deb became a colleague of Ian Fleming and participated in one of his well-known operations. The other story, that of Friedl, I found confusing and probably unnecessary. I wish the majority of the story had focused on Miss Moneypenny.

A big thank you to @Netgalley and @uplitreads for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic fictionalized account of the story of Victoire (Paddy) Bennett Risdale and the work she did in the NID for the MI5 during WWII. The author was very thorough on the characterizations of all the players in this story. I liked both Paddy and Friedl, because they both wore their hearts on their sleeves, but carefully tucked them in to hide them in order to do their jobs.

The story also gave us an insider's view of the MI5 and working with Commander Ian Fleming (later creator of the famed James Bond books). If you enjoy intrigue and war stories of a different sort, then you will love One Woman's War.

This is a wild, fast-paced entertaining story about the woman who inspired Miss Moneypenny in Ian Fleming’s James Bond books. Set against the backdrop of war, this story is filled with spies, secret missions, and double agents. Highly entertaining!

I enjoyed this historical fiction story full of the excitement and intrigue in WWII England.

My favorite character was Victoire “Paddy” Bennett, who was the real-life inspiration for the James Bond character Miss Moneypenny. She gets a job at the Admiralty and works with Commander Ian Fleming; yes THAT Ian Fleming.

This is a dual POV book featuring Paddy and an Austrian double agent, Friedl. I was so fascinated and entertained with Paddy’s character and storyline that I wanted more. I think Paddy’s character was strong enough to carry the entire book and it wasn’t necessary to add Friedl and her storyline at all.

I’m glad that Ian Fleming’s character didn’t dominate the book, which would have been easy to do since he is such a larger-than-life character. He makes enough of an appearance to make it interesting, but doesn’t dominate the story.

This is an entertaining and exciting must-read for WWII historical fiction lovers.

4.5 rounded up

I've never watched a James Bond film or read any of Ian Fleming's books in the series. I was however delighted to see that one of his characters had been inspired by a real woman. Wells draws upon Fleming's work during WWII and his coworkers during that time to provide another element to the Bond story. This book gives voice to the less glamourous but no less dangerous role that women played in intelligence operations. Ms. Bennett worked side by side with Fleming and conversed with him on some of his more wilder notions of espionage. Ms. Stottinger was playing a game of survival, which may or may not have included being a double agent. Each woman played the game for different reasons but each exhibited dedication and courage.
This wasn't the page turner I expected. I also can't say that I particularly connected to either main character. I did enjoy reading the evolution of each covert mission and the intricacies involved.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

Girls come out to play!

Victorie “Paddy” Bennett found herself in extraordinary circumstances fleeing the advance of the Germans in France. It’s here she first runs into Ian Fleming.
Once back in England she finds herself in Admiralty’s Room 39, signing the Secrets Act, and working for Naval Intelligence.
At the same time, a second story of a Viennese woman, Friedl Stöttinger, whose father was a committed Nazi, finds herself forced into being a double agent working for the Germans. A role she doesn’t want, and at some time will have to make a stand. Friedl can’t escape her background.
The journey of these two women will cross over eventually.
Ian Fleming’s outrageous ideas for spreading false information are documented. In his writing Paddy identifies herself as Miss Moneypenny. Underneath are hints of his very troubled relationship with Muriel Wright.
We are mesmerized by these wild young things partying hard, and working equally diligently, fighting off the malaise and distress of war. War torn London and the blitz are given teeth.
An interesting look at the women whose behind Ian Flemming’s James Bond.

A William Morrow ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

I was intrigued when I found out this book was based on the real-life James Bond, Ian Fleming. I love historical fiction that is based on true life stories and real people.
Paddy and Friedl are from different worlds. Paddy is an aristocratic British woman, used to living amongst the upper crust society elites. Friedl is a German speaking Austrian who is trying to escape living under Nazi rule. Eventually their worlds collide in the most unsuspected circumstances.
I enjoyed this book, filled with spies and double crosses. It has a strong historical base and was very interesting. The only fault I had was I found it very hard to connect to either of the main characters. Maybe it is just me though because I loved Christine's last novel, "Sisters of the Resistance" so much that I could not help comparing the two. Probably not my best idea ever, I simply didn't get the same electrifying spark from this story as I did with the first. It is still a good, solid read and I would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers and I look forward to whatever Christine Wells writes next.
Thank you to William Morrow Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Anyone who has seen a James Bond movie or read one of the books has heard of Miss Moneypenny. Christine Wells’’ One Woman’s War: A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny imagines the life of the woman who Ian Fleming modeled his character after. Paddy Bennett first encountered a handsome officer while bing evacuated from Bordeaux at the start of WWII. When Admiral Godfrey later hired her to work at the Directorate of Naval Intelligence she became an assistant to that same officer, Ian Fleming. Paddy was immune to Fleming’s flirtations, recognizing him for the womanizer that he was. Her work takes over her life until she meets Captain Ridsdale. When they marry she is required to give up her position, but the life of a housewife lacks the excitement of being a part of the war effort. While she was working she was privy to a number of plans that had been proposed against Germany. When the plan known as Operation Mincemeat is put into motion, Paddy is called by Fleming to become a part of the deception. She can not reveal her participation to anyone, including her husband, and her actions begin to take a toll on her marriage.

Paddy’s story is alternated with that of Friedl Stollinger, an Austrian living in Portugal. Working as a singer in a club, she is approached by German intelligence. Her sister is living in England and she is instructed to visit her and await further contact. Once there she offers her services to British Intelligence. Her job is to cultivate friendships with German sympathizers at social occasions and report on their conversations. When Operation Mincemeat goes into effect she becomes involved with the plan and Wells’ two story lines converge.
From the suggestion to the planning and final implementation of this operation, Paddy and Friedl are strong women who must make difficult decisions that put them in danger. This story was entertaining as you first meet Poppy and learn her strengths, but it comes alive as Wells takes you through the tensions involved in an actual operation. It will be difficult to experience a James Bond thriller without thinking of Poppy in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing this book for my review.

I’ve loved James Bond since Roger Moore played him. Suave, debonair, only Miss Moneypenny could put him in his place with a few choice words.
I loved all the intrigue and subterfuge. I liked how the author connected the two story strands, both women working on the same mission, but from opposite ends.
I loved Paddy, but was less taken with Friedl. I felt Friedl was quite self absorbed,
I do wonder what happened to Propev.
The only thing missing were Q’s gagetry.

Pub date: 10/4/22
Genre: historical fiction
One sentence summary: Paddy Bennett and Friedl Stöttinger are from different countries, playing different roles in WWII intelligence - but a daring mission led by spy Ian Fleming will put them both in danger.

I love historical fiction based on real people, so I knew I had to read this book. Paddy and Friedl were both great protagonists - women fighting to be more than the quiet wives that society told them they should be. In particular, Paddy returning to spycraft after her marriage was really interesting - I was amused by her efforts to throw her husband off the trail. And of course the real life James Bond, Ian Fleming, was fun to watch in action - although I felt so bad for his long-suffering girlfriend!

It took me about 25% of the book to get a handle on who was who, but once I did, I was hooked! The plot flew quickly in the last half of the book, speeding to a satisfying conclusion. I also liked that this book felt less dark and more hopeful than some WWII fiction.

If you enjoyed WWII spy fiction like The Alice Network, The Rose Code, and The Lost Girls of Paris, give this one a try!

Thank you to William Morrow and Uplit Reads for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

One Woman’s War is a pretty solid historical fiction read. I don’t know a ton about James Bond, but I was aware of Ian Fleming’s past espionage career, so I was intrigued to learn about the woman who may have inspired Miss Moneypenny.

And theoretically, this book is cool. I love looking into the inner workings of MI5/MI6 during World War II through a woman’s eyes. I also loved the idea of an Austrian woman being disillusioned by being ostracized due to her marriage to a Jewish man, and with nuance, I could try and understand her position as she becomes a double agent.

Paddy is the part that made the book work for me. I really liked seeing her enthusiasm to work with Ian Fleming and observing her progress, even if the mission involves personal danger to her and puts strain on her personal relationships.

Friedl was a struggle for me. I have a pretty strong “no-Nazis-or-fascists” policy, so her shifting loyalties (at least the perception of them, anyway) definitely tested me here. She is competently written as a character, but absolutely is a puzzle to work out.

Speaking of puzzles…the book is split between the perspectives of both women (making the title feel inaccurate), and the story is not told in a linear fashion. It felt like a really odd choice, on top not seeing much in the way of connection between the two women’s arcs until late in the narrative.

While I had some issues with the execution of the book, I appreciate what the book was trying to do in exploring some of the real people behind some of the popular characters from the James Bond stories and diving deeper into espionage in World War II. If you’re a fan of the time period and want a women’s perspective on it, you might enjoy this book.

🇬🇧 BOOK REVIEW 🇬🇧
ONE WOMAN'S WAR
A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny
by Christine Wells
William Morrow
Pub Date: Oct 4

Christine Wells is one of my fav histfic authors, a position cemented by her gripping new novel, ONE WOMAN'S WAR. Set during WWII, it spins the intriguing tale of Paddy Bennett, based on the real life character of Miss Moneypenny, who worked for British spymaster Ian Fleming, author of the Bond books. Entwined with Paddy's story is that of Nazi/British double agent Friedl Stottinger. The women play opposite roles in the effort to confuse the Nazis about critically important plans of the Allied forces.

I loved this unique take on WWII, the behind-the-scenes look at British and Nazi spydom, and the saga of two women racing to aid their countries during a crucial time. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Christine Wells, NetGalley, and William Morrow for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#OneWomansWar
#ANoveloftheRealMissMoneypenny
#christinewells #williammorrowbooks #netgalley
#historicalfictionnovel #JamesBond #IanFleming #WWIIfiction #bookstgramcommunity

One Woman's War, A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny
Author, Christine Wells
Pub date: 10.4.22

Thank you @uplitreads, @chrisinewells_, @williammorrowbooks, and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this e- arc! I am very excited to have the opportunity to participate in this tour!

One Woman's War tells the daring story of the real- life inspiration for the James Bond character Miss Moneypenny. Victoire "Paddy" Bennett believes that she is being given an opportunity to hold a secretarial position for the Intelligence Division. Soon enough, she finds herself wrapped up in a covert operation against the Germans. She has an interesting past a few secrets of her own. Newly married, her husband is starting to become suspicious. Meanwhile, Friedl Stottinger, an Austrian double agent, is working for the MI-5 and very glamorously attending the elite restaurants, clubs, and parties of the British all while rather slyly obtaining valuable information. And what a brave and charismatic character she is! These heroines are bold, powerful, and brilliant!

With suspense and plenty of excitement, these two courageous women eventually end up crossing paths while finding themselves down dangerous and unexpected roads that will conclude with one of the most significant battles of WWII. I recommend for historical fiction and women's fiction fans as well as for thriller and spy novel fans!